To sustainably and naturally produce high quality food and fibre
Unrealistic and hypocritical constraints imposed by urban community
Weeping Wall with solids removed annually, that discharges into small pond to settle then pumped to large pond to settle and be irrigated from.  No discharge in last two years.
Building our image as a positive part of New Zealand Economy.  Adding value to our products.  Selling our products as the high value free range products that they are.
The sensationalist media trying to blame the worlds ills on dairy farmers.  Activist groups such as SAFE and Greenpeace creating media campaigns against dairy farmers.
I think you need to include a section on mental health and what people are doing to ensure they and their are staff are in a good space.  It could lead to a bigger sharing of information of what people are doing to keep positive.  Also I think it is of importance to ask the rural sector about how they feel about being a farmer in this country.  Self image of an industry is going to have an impact on how many new recruits we get into our sector.
Changing runoff area and milking platform area
Agri tourism Direct sale into local markets  Lift in temps? So ability to grow c4 plants ie maize Fertiliser efficiency  Urban buy in
Rural urban divide Perception  Water Quailty  Carbon footprint  Fert use Animal husbandry  Urban sprawl
High kiwi zone so provides bird/'s habitat
Urban/rural divide, climate, increasingly restrictive legislation,
looking after their properties and stock.
My mother was a Kiwi . I came out here inm 1954 because as a child I stayed on my Grandfather's sheep station in Hawkes Bay & I believed that is the life for me. I developed a farm from scrub & Bush in the sixties but farming has been a secondary occupation because of inadequate income
Agriculture and fully qualified by examination in Insurance industry
We must fence off our our rivers and streams & we have started this year. Diversify where farmers can for better results for the export business.
Rates are unsustainable on this block. The rates here when we bought this property were $800.00 a year. They are now $12,000
Introduction of unrealistic environmental regulations promulgated by people who do not, or never have worked for long periods in a true farming situation.
I think it covers most situations quite well
drop stock numbers and to do what stock you have better thus reducing need for vets drugs etc
what recreational and community activities do we take part in
droughts, pests, animal diseases, gvt taxes, council regimes
income levels from the farming practices, wool sales, number of pests ericated
Have ago try new things but keep it basic
Themselves, people are to lazy to help themselves round here.
I don't think you need the personal stuff in regarding my partner don't see what that has to do with farming surveys.
Farm tourism; lower stocking rates but maintaining profitability; water storage for irrigation
regulations around water quality; regulations around climate change; environmental activism - stopping water storage
only one sighting of a possum in 6 years, domestic cats help control rabbits/hares/rats/mice.
Did not understand the gambling questions
Beurocratic nonsense Consent costs New regulations
You need ask for a reason that people have chosen lifestyle farming
specialist production, organic and/or specific products e.g. lavender farm or essential oils production. Small crops that are high value, but don't require large land space, But may need specific labour input.or fruit e.g blueberry
Costs of compliance to local , regional and govt regulations.  climate change small blocks are less flexible in that total production can be devastated, they often don't have the resilience of multiple crops as in larger farms.
some questions elicited an answer but left no space to really explain why i had changed or was doing an activity, e.g. as in, change of land use.
Niche marketing - stories based on 'family owned farms' - non corporate farming Livestock genetic advances
rocking banks of river large buffer zones on crops near drains/ditches/waterways strategic grazing of crop paddocks leaving critical source areas until very last when dry or not grazing at all.
adding value to our produce by telling the story, more tracability, informing people how it has been farmed
- urban rural divide in NZ - keeping our social license to farm - uninformed people with agendas telling us how to farm. - climate change commitments  - volatility in prices in an environment where technology means everyone knows everything instantly
A young couple who have identified this farm as one that is desirable due to the current environmental management.
Quality food production. Recreation for citybound people.
Ill informed pressure groups with no thought of New Zealand's financial needs.
For many years we have hosted school groups on the farm, where they use the environment as a context for teaching the core curriculum. We also provide venues for students with special needs.  Perhaps some questions could target the 'Non agricultural uses of farmland'.  This could be education, sports events, hiking, historical studies.  These can also be quite profitable financially.
increase per cow production and indoor barns
Better prices for sheep and beef will ensure more economically viable farms.
Environmental restrictions imposed particularly in relation to being forced to fence of all streams and waterways which in steep country is virtually impossible when the soil on hillsides is moving, and extremely expensive, and also it is very difficult to find commercial fencers who can do this sort of work.
Only farms that hold no debt will survive this next ten years Farmers who invest outside the fiat monetary system will survive the financial fraud with  silver and gold ( being one of the proven safest asseets) that has the ability to hold your store of  labour Building vibrant and skill based communities with self sufficiency at its centre
The biggest challenge to farming is the global reduction in liquid fuel energy supply Farm debt will never now be repaid as global growth shrinks because of the priority calls as energy supply shrinks. The US Fed Reserve owns NZ debt, this is a major risk, remember 1929. At present farm energy inputs are 10 times greater than the their outputs. Commercial farming is so reliant on cheap presently available fuel. This is so inefficient that it must fail.
Very few understand the severe implications to all of society of the dwindling supply of cheap available energy
Keeping the land productive and preserving soil structure.
As more FTA's become available, the value of our exports becomes more profitable. The rise of on farm tourism
Compliance costs Negative public perceptions by urban NZ and green NGO's
reticulated water trough system in all paddocks
to discover that profitability can be maintained while improving the environment
Native planting to support riparian and apiarist well-being to help out the larger farms with pollinating crops and keeping waterways and native wildlife flourishing.
Sustaining a non-profit lifestyle, working away from the farm to support a growing family.
public - farmers are being bullied and hassled by people who have no idea what they are talking about
unreasonable envirnment changes, rates taxes
Multiple ponds after collection saucer and solids separator. All green water spread at low application rates (less than 4mm/ha through pivots
Installed mainly pivot irrigation on total farmed area - mainly based on alpine river supplied irrigation schemes
Ability and preparedness to embrace new technologies which have economic benefit.
Meeting environmental and animal welfare expectations. Dealing with disruptive technologies. Dealing with Climate change. Economic volatility.
3 areas fenced off in native trees. 2 as QE2 areas.
Reduce sedimentation, improve runoff water quality . Also to preserve particular species
Diversification of agriculture and horticulture producing healthy food from our own natural resources Increasing agricultural research Increasing export possibilities
Land loss to urban spread.  Rural  versus urban hostility Loss of a political voice
Producing organic, sprayfree fruit and vegetables for local market
Climate change, resource depletion, unhealthy waterways.
if we get water its unlimited, but probably grapes or criters
Population growth and consequences of climate change in other parts of the globe
Climate change and synthetic agricultural substitutes
Only organic,  BioGro approved fertiliser applied
Irrigation only available to 200 trees and only applied during fruit growing season when lack of rain is impacting on fruit size.
Price and lack of land for horticulture.
I found the survey easy to complete on my iPad.
health and safety TB and breed societies
attitude to 1080 ? (STOP USING IT !!!!!)
riparian planting on small area by Living Waters
Slurry tanker application to crop, regrassing and low potassium - as per soil test areas . will not let me tick line 2.
poisoning/goodn nature trapping of vermin on farm and domestic building sites
Possibility of ignorant demands of unrealistic compliance, and even more unwarranted taxes. Urban salary/wage based lack of understanding of life without the regular weekly/fortnightly/monthly guaranteed supply of funds. Paper-pushing bureaurcracy.  All of these factors will only increase the rual suicide rate. N.B.  written before Election decisions concluded.  May not be so bad - depending out outcmes.
Some of the earlier questions could not be answered specifically to this farm situation and there was no box available to be more accurate - a box would be useful when only one line allowed.
Fertiliser applications based on soil test results and needs
Access to world markets in a world with a growing population
Alternative products which may displace our traditional meat and milk products. Overcoming the normal political barriers which prevent fair international trading
how do we prevent the insidious change toward foreign ownership of our land ? ?
More intensive farming or horticulture opportunity
Red tape ,land being removed from the farming Sector for residential us
Increased profits through wool sales as the public begin to see the benefits of this sustainable product
The Green party, with the complete lack of empathy toward the sector, fuel by the uneducated opinions of their policy makers, which are being taken as truth by the NZ public, all of which is further widening the urban/rural divide.
Apply fertiliser using a drill that puts the fert down with the seed
nobody taking responsibility for biosecurity. (everyone hiding behind privacy act) urban sprawl local government eg ecan bureaucracy told what to do by people who don't know what they are talking about
have an impact on conservation. provide food for family and possibly to sell
Better marketing of our produce to achieve higher returns.
Poor market returns and difficult climactic conditions.
regular ripping and tyle drainage to prevent overland flow, grassed headlands on cropping paddocks fencing of drains.
Exclude stock from all drains except the main cannel where strategic light stocking is used as management tool along with machine cleaning and spot spraying to control the invasion of Manchurian rice grass (class 1 bad weed)
only graze cattle on grass set in permant sward for long term rotations. sheep on annual grasses between rotations
apply my own fertilizer so I control where it is applied to avoid application over throw into drains etc.
water from specialist system captured on farm for storage and applied through water cart onto young kumara plants during establishment
use many years of knowledge of crop responses to dictate when to and how much water to apply or not apply
GPS guidance in tractor spray controller in spray unit
Marketing in a more coordinated fashion,
Government controls, and peoples attitudes
Increasing profitable production with minimal adverse environmental impact.
Recruiting and retaining suitably skilled staff.
Last window later below my name will not accept my email address which is algunn@kinect.co.nz
Overseas marketers are in the driving seat for there to be any advancements in on farm profits. Improvements in technologies and breeding.
Price of compliance. Price of livestock procurement. Overall operating costs.
Better marketing would help to take the highs and lows out of the prices we get
Green party, Fish and game and taxing the farmers to pay the people who want everything for doing nothing
We can't control the weather, so some questions would be answered differently each year
export of primary produce and all value added items
environmental and taxation from a leftist government
Cats must have done a good job clearing rabbits last year as there doesn't seem to be any this year---so far.
Whatever people want to do is possible in this area.
Council compliance costs for anything we want to build/subdivide.
I can't see the point on choosing dollars now or in 1-2 years time, questions.
Diversifying into niche markets as more people move up this way and more land is subdivided into lifestyle blocks.
Climate change and urban drift up from Wellington as the roading systems are improved.
Water conservation and distribution from conserved resources.
Lack of support for CHB and Wairoa from the Regional Council due to focus on the Heretaunga and Napier Districts
Water tax, land tax, inheritance tax, all signalled by Labour Party in election
Being able to create a pasture to plate opportunity, we currently breed and finish prime Angus beef but no freezing works within an economic range will kill our animals and return our carcasses for processing and selling. More and more people are becoming concerned about what they eat and want to know the story behind the food that they eat . MPI legislation prevents this from happening.
A labour government who thinks that all farmers are cowboys and continue to insult the majority of us who are more committed to ensuring sustainability than them.
Yes I think that you should ask questions on profitability
environmental issues . public perception of farming
with all the new taxes and compliance rules hanging over or heads I really don't know what there is to look forward too
new and existing compliance costs ,these are going to wreck farming we just wasted $5000 on a  FEMP so we can carry on farming within the rules dreamt up by some town clown who has no idea about the practical side of farming
New markets targeting high end consumers. New technology to improve on farm efficiency.
Rural urban divide Synthetic Protein Political interference
Added value food production thru Co-operative participation.
Environmental compliance.   Urban rural divide. Cost of doing business
a small subdivision of a dairy farm which is being used for dairy grazers
she is a practice manage for an orthopaedic surgeon which takes a lot of time
not sure. perhaps change the government back
hope like hell this group of clowns the new govt does not spend all the money save by national
because it it the right thing to do and to leave the land in a better state when I die.
it is a good think to do if you are a human being.
introducing animals, introducing non-native food trees and amenity planting.
New animals and plants to farm, but the govt will not allow it. E.g., non-flowering gorse, grass-eating pigs, different sheep varieties, other grazers.  A2 milk. Leisure activities.
View that farmers are unjustifiable rich and their money should be taken to give to people who are disadvantaged by their DNA so they are not motivated to work.  City people control of farms and farm practices.
There are very few opportunities available.
maintaining the rural characteristics and  productive potential of the area as more development occurs and the area becomes more urban than rural. compliance with local body regulation over water use and waterway protection, Most of which are ill founded or poorly implemented.
exclude cattle from waterways sheep only paddocks
improve environment while improving productivity, alongside an improvement in profitability
blanket rules around how we must improve environment, not all rules will fit all farms
do we measure water quality flowing off farm... if so, how...?
niche market opportunities for specialist crops and quality naturally grown foods
Labour/ Greens hair brained half baked policies
It would be nice to know/record the improvements in water management or effluent management. I believe there is a lot of good work being done thst is not being recognized by the greater public
Rate increases and local and central government policies, weather changes.
Diversification and intensification to value add products
more value added products of high quality into the world market
being able to get products into the market and meet environmental standards and remain profitable
what management practices do you undertake to farm within the resources of the property. the survey does not capture the whole farm prospective.
Get back to normall farming, to current weather patterns , no watering land ,and provide hay an silage in bad timed  ,Cut urea  out ,Lime ,potash and supper, still grow good grass with this ,two many stock on farms   l
Compliance, Chemical use, Health & Safety, Staffing issues, costs(minimum wage rise)
There are no great opportunities presenting themselves at the moment, one has to try to farm smarter to remain and increase profitability
Compliance requirements are taking more and more time for very little gain,as in our case it is more a matter of recording to prove that we are farming in a good practice manner, at our cost.
How much time is spent on compiance requirements and what cost is this imposing on the industry Not only lost time for the farmer but people employed to do the checking and auditing. All borne by the farmer
Regional council rules/regulations  Artificial protein/milk
It takes longer to do than the 20-30 min minutes u said at start
Reduced size of cattle by breeding smaller  crossbred stock; prevention of pugging damage; aeration of soil and development of greater depth of topsoil with high humus content by biological farming methods; non-use of agri-chemicals which damage soil biology & soil structure which lead to poor soil aggregation and soil erosion.
Reduce size of stock; manage farm primarily to protect and improve the integrity and function of the soil through biological practices.
Apply only slow release low solubility biological fertilizers
Improve overall farm hydrological performance; improve farm resilience; improve biodiversity; improve aesthetics; farm timber supplies; forage for livestock in times of drought; fruit & nut production.
Restoration of wetlands & waterways & overall hydrological performance of the farm; regeneration and growth of topsoil, volume, quality & function;  diversified production; use of biological farming practices
Local food co-op; biological farming group organiser; flagship farm for Kaipara Harbour Management group; provide educational talks for schools & university groups on farming & land management.
Alternative technology; alternative buildings; electric vehicles
Trend towards high quality local food production for regional differentiation;  Trend towards diversification; Trend towards high quality environmental stewardship produce for high end overseas markets; Trend towards low carbon economy; Trend towards higher regulations for environmental outcomes
Significant climate volatility & severity Higher regulation for environmental outcomes Lack of trained farm employees in sustainable farming practices  Social lag in farming ideology in rural sector Vested interests preventing farming adapting to new scenarios Inability of farmers to innovate due to lack of infrastructure & support for direct marketing enterprises in sector
Ask how many farmers would like to be in control of their own marketing & sales and what is preventing them from doing this, and how being able to do this would affect their management practices.
small areas of native bush used for shelter only.
Available time to do work on the lifestyle block
Exploring and evolving niche markets for rare breeds and high end fine fibres etc. Better marketing of complete packages of meats and timbers overseas - making / selling a finished product instead of selling carcases and logs and then importing them back into NZ as a finished product and missing the opportunity to make $$$ on turning it into a high end saleable product.
Daft changes by government affecting the farmers - by applying water taxes and other dumb stuff.   MPI/MAF and other people doing stupid things with imports into NZ resulting in foot & mouth or other diseases and pests coming to NZ.
Please add horse breeding as one of the options - I think you lumped in horse breeding with minority stuff like ostriches and goats?   Please remember that the NZ bloodstock breeding programme turns over a LOT of money for the NZ economy along with supporting many types of contractors and workers from vets and farriers through to trainers, feedstores and saddlery and many more.   For those of us involved in breeding rare breeds it would be good to see this acknowledged in the questions.   Maintaining rare breeds and adding these back into the gene pool may help with improving the hardiness of the modern hybrid sheep and other animal breeds in some cases.   On our property we breed 3 rare breeds of animals - 2 sheep breeds and one horse breed: Arapawa sheep which have excellent fine fibre fleeces typically 16-24 micron which are more springy, stronger and softer than many NZ Merino fleeces and the Arapawa sheep are far hardier than all modern hybrids being footrot, parasite and flystrike resistant and have beautiful fine grain lean meat. We now have one of the larger flocks of Arapawa sheep in the North Island and I am continuing to breed for hardiness, fleece and meat quality and fleece colour.  Pitt Island sheep - a very hardy Merino ancestor with similar characteristics to the Arapawa.  And finally we breed Spanish horses which are a rare breed world wide and their ancestors went into the original breeding of most of the world's thoroughbred and saddle horses many centuries ago and the breed is also hardy and able to keep in shape on the poorest grazing - needing little in the way of grains to keep healthy.
The need for meat for New Zealanders and the rest of the world
being a price taker rather than a price setter
Regarding costs particularly environmental farm profitability is key if money is available nothing is a problem
have an existing exception for crossing the river with plans for a ford to be constructed this season by council
winter off  heavy animals on run off and external grazing blocks during wettest months. Restricted grazing when conditions are not suitable. fence off race to the back of a paddock to reduce the percentage of the paddock effected by pugging then cultivate those races in spring
apply N little and often in a slow release form to avoid loss of N to amosphere
low stocking  rate to be able to manage poor seasons with less stress and maintain profits.
environmental compliance putting time pressure on business to comply in poor conditions. Job availability for share milkers to find good platforms into farm ownership.
Staff conditions, managing staff and fair pay for all staff. Grazing for young stock and how they are managed. External blocks and how they are managed. Cropping practices and area that can mitigate loss of sediment in those conditions. Use of sprays or chemicals near waterways and other sensitive catchments.
High farm debt levels affected by rising interest rates, falling land values or a repeat of the GFC.  Political unrest caused by the erosion of democracy as seen by rebellious decisions such as Britex, the election of Trump and political instability in Australia .
If we could get together as an organisation and extract the value of new zeland as a quality safe producer of high quality food for the world
The hate being generated by spinter groups for farmers and their practices especially involving animals.
Trees planted as amenity and environment enhancement
To conserve their land and leave it better than when they bought it
Water  Vineyard sprays and contamination
Bureaucracy and its often useless rules and regulations.
Director of Family Company that owns farm
Environmentalists and urban rural devide
Minimal use of cultivation - nearly all direct drilling
Science, technology, and innovation.  Building connections and relationships with consumers to increase use of products and awareness of what we actually do as farmers.
Lack of understanding from people not connected to farming and negativity towards farming from such people (specific issues include environmental, animal welfare, water use) Bureaucracy and increasing compliance costs and requirements.  Remaining economically viable onto the future - innovate or stagnate!
Finding and securing higher value markets for our lower valued comodities - both and opportunity and a challange!!
Growing urban-rural divide between urban understanding of where their food comes from, and the increasing need to 'humanise' farming practices from the public. Also, social media and the availablity of poor information the urban population seem to be relying on.
the farm managment questions I answered all things made my farm better, but we have been farming under those practices the whole time we have been farming, so there as been no measurable difference from before.
Diversification of farm-based activities and farm tourism.
Environmental regulations and local government costs
to make it what it say a life style and a living wage
to make it work so a family can earn a living
there were some very silly questions - don't bother with the "what would i do with my hypothetical lotto win.
Land sold to people who intend to sit on it for capital gain Good land being cutup for subdivisions
Townies moving out to the country but expect to continue with townie ways.
Our farm is just bare land and I have not seen any of these animals when I have been out there
National Certificate motor industry Automotive Heavy Engineering Road Transport
National Certificate Automotive Heavy Engineering
Leaving 12m strip along waterways where practable
I believe that there are groups eg fish and game to name one that is funded by the public that has become dictatorial without a mandate. OSH is way over the top and resource management is a drain on farmers trying to get ahead.when someone who does not live in an area can have a say in what happens on your private property it is a sad day. There is so much farmer bashing going on at the moment it makes you wonder why we continue to do it.
To explore farming practices that suit the area and land to maximixe productivity.
Personally where we live, it is lack of water during the growing season to keep pasture and crops growing. Lifestylers are not permitted to install irrigation or buy into irrigation schemes for pasture and crops, unless they have access to a well on their property.
I don't see the relevance for the lottery and inheritance questions.
It could be growing Kiwifruit rather than raising animals.
It maybe Carb tax and Water tax should these taxes be come law.
Rules. Uninformed people not using facts about farm pactices
The present negative attitude to dairy farmers in the media and reinforced by our politicians leaves little pleasure in the hearts and minds of our farmers. There is very little reason to wish to continue wrapping a huge mortgage around one's  neck and enduring the long unpleasant days slogging through the mud when we are constantly bombarded with abuse and bullying from our fellow New Zealanders.
You are obviously responding to public perception of the environment and our management. It is just another stick to beat the farmer with! How about asking us how we feel - we have built a redpah barn, put in the correct system for handling effluent, fenced all the farm and riparian planted - but there is no credit for that. How about a class rating if you have achieved all the required systems. Wouldn't that give a better indication of just how many dairy farms have succeeded in attaining what the public perceives as acceptable. Also we don't irrigate and our water comes from a recognised public water scheme that we pay for. What more do we have to do short of culling our cows and letting the place revert to bush!!
to be able to live more off their land, breed the right stock for the markets
something around policy making for life style farms, as there is a high turn over of people locally on life style blocks some thought on how to make life style blocks ideas around traditional practices that might help new owners such as sharing machinary.
Put stock in appropriate places to minimize  damage
being able to take first class grass feed protein  and fiber to the world
people that have no affiliation to farming trying to make decisions for us
Becoming self sufficient finding smarter more efficient ways around energy and sustainability
Council consents if trying something new and innovative they haven't heard about before
Animal welfare concerns, increasing economies of scale
What do you intend to implement in the next 12 months, 5 years whatevetr on your property
The only piece of land that house, barn and implement sheds stand on
To grow sustainable crops and lifestyle, preferably organic.  Finding niche markets for said crops and products made from crops also products made from dairy/meat.
Red tape and compliant cost associated with getting the above products to market.  Central government should not be deciding the rules in our own regions.  And GE should never be allowed other than in Medicine.  That would be disastrous for niche markets that we can take to the rest of the world.
That Central Governement allow the regions to decide what is best for them.
Eliminating all pollutants from the farm and their movement off the farm.
Unsure of the question, I think I mistook an earlier question, all 22 hec is farm
improving prices and increased species farmed
in climate change, inclusion of extreme weather events as expectation.
telling good story of top quality food producion that is substantively grown
rural / urbandivide , missinformation from greens
Social attitudes changing a big swing towards ethical farming and knowing were food originates from.
A & P Show committee, Irrigation Group Director.
Looking at ways to increase profitability.
Ongoing influence of people outside of the farm gate who want to tell farmers what they can and cant do on farm.
No flowing waterways here, we only have small drains that dry up in summer.
Fostering bird life & planning to add beehives.
Exchange rate, free trade agreements, value added production, top quality foods.
Compliance, taxes, RMA, maintaining profitability, urban/rural division.
Adding value by tailoring output to end-user demand, and breaking out of commodity markets.
Biosecurity breaches.  It is very clear the MPI have dropped the ball on this - just look at the Kiwifruit debacle.
Selling their products outside of NZ Maintaining and improving on the purity of products - not contaminated
Integrity and honesty of true scientific opinion. Some how managing the provable falsehoods that seem to dominate farming and agricultural production. For example; the whole myth of organic farming.
Fighting for the truth. Not go along with falsehoods to achieve gains that are not justified.
The rural/urban divide  will grow even more - all farmers & especially dairy/beef farmers are being branded with some level of distrust and hatred by urban dwellers - this unfortunately is being stirred by politicians and interest groups.
Environment and public pressures on perceived problems or issues.
Change from Spring sown to Autumn sown cereals to limit the area of bare soil overwinter
Don't back fence stock during high rainfall periods so as to allow more scope, creates more light soil/pasture disturbance over bigger area but less extreme pasture and soil damage
Use of Headland management spreading systems where fertiliser is cast away from centerline of spreader towards field not boundary or waterway
Grid soil and herbage sampling on cereals
Adding value to grain produced and selling directly to consumers
Supply the consumer with produce that has proof of origin and is produced with best practice managment
Remaining operative, profitable and surviving through the current time of unsustainable low sheep and grain returns
Would be great to know "why"  there were changes of land use to other enterprises and intensification changes
As the size of farm units gets bigger to remain economically viable, more lifestyle blocks will be split off amalgamated properties so there will be mors available.
Adjusting to land use changes required by Regional Councils in an endeavour to improve the quality of our waterways.
In view of the current media driven fernzy describing farmers as polluters/destroyers of the environment, a good question would be around 'do you care for your environment ?'
More blocks available as Dairy farms have been selling to float themselves.
Having a say , getting waterways properly managed by farmers and the ORC to prevent grazing in already fenced off waterways, over irrigating and reduction in cows/urea.
Animal welfare , NAIT compliance at birth( non traceability ) Bullying within the farming community.
I do not think there are a lot of opportunities for me personally and have not really thought about what opportunities there could be for other farmers.
A lot of the challenges could well be due to which government gets in these elections and the changes that may be made and the extra costs that could be introduced.
New Technology, Improved plant species for both crop and pasture
avoiding polution, Difficult regulations, rising costs
Availablility of water largely for irrigation, farmers views on regulations re work and safety.
The increasing world wide demand for food.
Increasing regulations. Lack of understanding of farming realities.
Water availability, climate change, sea level rise
regulation,made for large farms and dont suit
Having your lifestyle challenged by  too much beauracracyNo
prices of livestock are currently very good.
The way the sale yards are not functioning as they once were. Selling stock is an issue.
I don't see a lot of opportunity in livestock farming. With the negativity being aired by politicians  during this election. I do believe there will be plenty of opportunity for horticulture on our better soils where irrigation is available
The rural urban divide. The anti farming politicians, and the climate change theory.
With 2 farms 1 in Whangarei and 1 in Kaipara it's hard to answer all questions we need a separate questionaire  for each farm.
1. Climate change 2.New forages - faster animal growth / increased drought tolerance 3. Increase diversification  - Honey production 4.Greater use of social media in marketing and informing the general public/consumer 5. Increased incomes in Asia and Africa leading to more people able to pay for higher quality food. 6. The application of new recording technologies to assess soil fertility, crops/pastures, and to       record all of the data in a form that is readily accessed and used. 5. The development of integrated pest and disease strategies that minimise the use of insecticides and fungicides  4.
1. Climate change 2. Public attitude to farmers maybe leading to severe restrictions on land use. 3. International border protections. 4. Trade competition from South America  and third world countries that have cheaper costs of production 5. Production of artificial meat at low cost 6. The rise of veganism in the population 7. Competition for the best land from urban expansion. 8. Inability to access suitable staff  9. The age of farm owners and the need for them to exit the business and the inability for young New Zealanders to afford to buy the farms 10 Foreign ownership of farmland and the processing industries.
to deveiope more native wild life habitat and to increase livestock or food crop production
small lifestyle block, no wetlands, forestry, bush.
monitor evapotranspiration rates and maintain adequate soil moisture as is needed
bridging the rural/urban divide and getting the message across that we are actually doing a very good job in relation to the environment.
The encroachment of lifestyle blocks in rural. area whic will place restrictions on farming operations
Repurposed for housing and living spaces
Support niche agricultural products  Develop self sufficiency in terms of food consumption Protect the use of fertile land from development
Inefficient use of productive land as farming is a "hobby" Finding a mixed model (work and lifestyle farming) that supports work and family Protecting the environment (ie protecting water, using less chemicals to maintain land)
Telling our stroy pasture to plate and selling product to cusmoster that wat the real thing
I don't see any big opportunities. Being lifestyle we have to have other jobs. These jobs are becoming harder to hold on to because of all the job losses, more than 1500 because of stupid politicains decisions.Cement works 150 jobs gone, mines 1200+ jobs gone, gold mines 130 jobs gone.
Council rates charges too high. Property values plummetted, rates increased due to very poor council management. This council needs to be under statutory management!! Water charges would bunkrupt some farms if 'Labour and the Greens' policies were introduced. Water should be for ALL at NO cost,
Maybe you could ask if the farmers are happy with how the district is being run. Are the councils policies being condusive to helping farming or could it be like the money that was given by government (Helen Clarke) to the WestCoast which the councils 'blew' and Development WestCoast ' squirreled away in overseas investments while the forestry growers like myself lost totally as the mills all moved and our trees became worthless. We will never plant another tree.
rainfall data, regional council monitoring data
volatility of climate, price, geo political, social changes
Uncertainty around water and environmental expectations/perceptions  Family farms could struggle to keep up with ever increasing compliance
Costs of production.Bureaucracy and compliancy
Food Safety qualifications for food handling in a public kitchen
leave out the community services section as this really is a invasion of privacy
Increase supply of local, low-mileage, low environmental impact produce grown on large numbers of small acreage farms using permaculture methods.
*Poor environmental education in the community. *Security of livestock against poaching. *Getting away from conventional farming practices and using permaculture methods to resist drought, reduce monoculture, and improve topsoils long-term.
I think the money questions leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Opportunity to become productive using organic principles.
Increasing public appetite for conservation. (financial incentives to lifestyle farmers for conservation activities) Increasing public concern about the degradation of NZ's environment due to and industrial farming practices. (increased opportunity in selling produce from sustainable local producers)
1) Climate change.  2) The stupid attitude of neoliberal political parties in ignoring the impacts of climate change on primary producers and communities.
Council not understanding the basic needs.  Roading standards particularly
Keep an eye on long-term weather forecasts and turn on irrigation at the start of a dry spell.
Getting non-farmers to believe farmers are not environmental terrorists.
community hall committee and council community board
None of these things, just land that is in farm roads, races and around houses and buildings.
Selling food products that are largely based on grass based farming systems.
Having to adapt our farming methods to meet the non-science based demands of the ill-informed general public.
Planting more native bush where the land is better used for that. Growing bugs for eating
Climate change, especially greater extremes of weather
To seize the opportunity to develop a sustainable business model that delivers optimum performance within environmental constraints for the on farm team, the owners, and the wider community.
To achieve the above in the current climate of uncertainty  in terms of climate change, overseas markets, and urban constraints.
Lifestyle lifestyle lifestyle grow your own vegetables and meat
Fertiliser applications climate change protecting waterways maintaining returns for produce to increase to acceptable levels
House and large garden. Windbreak trees planted as succession for overgrown pines
Attitude of "big" farmers. Service supply. Prices (land esp)
Availability of irrigation  Sustainability,  increasing legislatory restrictions
Intensive nature of lifestyle farming gives many opportunities for innovation and testing new ideas esp around energy and conservation projects
Many of those living on lifestyle blocks are there for rural outlook and only farm to control grass . A question around this choice could yield interesting information
Lets just say i probably won't be eligible for the next survey.
Perception of farming practices and the resulting public/political pressure and that applies to all farming.
not having to sub dived to provide land for children who may not be able to afford their own place
On pest control for rats there was no cat option
CCNP Cisco IT industry also University of Waikato Senior Systems Engineer Management Academy Award
advances in pasture maintainance and breeding program for FE in sheep
Soil erosion, summer droughts in the hill country, Auckland as an urban council trying to make decisions that affect the rural sector and giving over good land to housing
Not asking government to pay for everything but incentives for everyone to put in solar, water retention ponds. Need to sponsor younger people into farming
Coping with the extreme weather conditions, either too much rain or not enough!
Thanks for allowing a 75 year old to take part!
Direct drilling grass into existing pasture instead of going through summer / winter cropping back to grass. No brassicas grown now
New system of separation going in this season
Labour - nz drug culture  Being green - lack of knowledge and scare mongering to those outside agriculture  Water - increasing demand by everyone.
do not damage any of our enterprise and the domestic cats (2) take care of bunnies and rats
possible climate changes and government policies
task controls on spreading and spraying equipment
To keep nz agricultural production clean and green without damaging the environment.Farmers must stop polluting their resourses whilst maintaining or increasing production
Increasing variability in climate with summer dry periods
To be able to continue growing healthy home produce
Huge unnecessary costs being imposed on small block holders by central government, local government and regional councils
Do you expect to be doing as you are now in 10 years time on the property you currently occupy?
House, Yards, Sheds and amenities - driveway
To work together to improve the sustainability and profitability of our blocks
Labour and Green Political Parties. The disconnect of rural vs urban population. Science being ignored and/or manipulated for groups or individual's own point of view.
irrigation should be free,but not for dairying ( I was a dairy farmer for approx 35years
people who are not farmers telling farmers what to do
Improving technology making jobs easier to do and quicker Using technology to reduce inputs and improve environmental outcomes
Growing rural/urban divide  Fringe groups trying to dictate how farmers operate
to try to protect the landscape for future generations
having town folk tell us how to go about our business.  when they don't have a clue causeing  high expenses which then cause high food prices to go up. educating new farmers and keep ing urban sprawl to a min.
add question :do you know who you can ring if you are not happy will animal welfare of neighbours.?
Animal Rights and environmental groups !!!!!!!!
Historic bush planted by grandparent over 50 years ago.
Cleaning waterways, noxious weeds, vermin and changes to climate
Changing weather is becoming an issues, ie drier summers and wetter winters in Auckland
Graze cattle on a run off farm in winter and early spring
High guality food production .The introduction of new technology.
Compliance.Synthetic food.Lack of farming knowledge by the general public being used by special interest groups. The high price of land.
Farm Operations Manual that covers off all practices other than Nutrient management
Use of suitable contour in suitable weather
Move stock on earlier than would otherwise occur. Graze off more cattle in winter
Grazing youngstock owned by the farming business
Value add product - tell the NZ story and ensure the environmental side of production is well adhered to so product commands premium prices
Rule makers using a stick (regulation) to control environmental outcomes rather than marketers using the carrot (premiums) for ethically produced product.
food production of specialality crops like nuts
Science & technology. GE pastures & crops developed to thrive in drought-prone regions. Advances in animal breeding using DNA & GE to produce high performing livestock with minimal veterinary or chemical intervention - eg resistance to parasites, reduced methane emissions etc.
Too many self-appointed 'experts' who think they know better than farmers, scientists & vets how to do their jobs. The level of biased media coverage is not helping the image of food/fibre producers.  Public opinion is often formed by hysterical rants against such technology as GE, which has been scientifically proven to have no harmful effects. Water quality & quantity should also be based on proven science, not emotion.
Currently in pine, progressively removing to increase pasture
A director/board member of a number of Trusts.
Being able to sell product to selected markets on the back of NZs unique story. Predominately natural/grass fed and no chemical/genetic modifications.
having the opportunities mentioned above sabotaged by narrow interests. Scientists interested in GE for instance. Public perceptions are increasingly negative, ad may inhibit our story.
Synthetic meat Protectionist agriculture policies in our trading partners
Modify their existing farm management to take advantage of value aid schemes and productive inducements.
To balance the regulatory,environmental and production challenges
Something about the perceived rural/urban divide and how to remedy it!
To be involved in the diversification of rural land use and production at a time when traditional products such as meat and dairy are being replaced with alternative vegetable based products and consumer choice is driving these changes for both health and climate reasons.
Climate change and environmental quality
Whole complete continous area of bush in middle of farm has stock excluded.
The rise in property values due to proximity to Auckland.
The influx of urbanites moving into rural areas not understanding farming practices. Weeds, pests and diseases arriving by land, sea, air and human transport.
I had some trouble with region specific questions because we have only just purchased our property in Northland, having been in South Canterbury... Also, due to the short time frame of ownership of this property we assume we will make no money this year, but hope to be profitable in the future.
Drought, prices for export goods, taxes especially proposed water tax. Capital gains tax. Succession issues.
I think your questions about right. New questions are asking replies for some of the ongoing issues that our country faces, e.g. water, land management and climate change
The biggest opportunities for Lifestyle Farmers will be the new varieties of Kiwifruit that will come out of the breeding programs that will be able to cope with climate change
Climate change, Particularly the water table that keeps rising year on year, increased winds, increase in winter rainfall and summer droughts, and the increase in pests and diseases like Psa and the brown marmorated stink bug, as well as the threat of more diseases Like Verticillium wilt that had been decimating Italian Orchards
I Think it would be good to ask what disease and pest is troubling Farmers/growers the most to get an idea of the pest problems in different areas
Taking advantage of improved roading to get greater access to Wellington market, and growing trend for traceable produce (farmers markets etc.)
Growth of urban sprawl and urbanisation and sub-division of rural land
Water quality is a hot topic. Surprised this wasn't addressed in survey.
Have applied seaweed based fertilizer this year.
To utilise the natural advantages we have in NZ.
The believe that Carbon is Bad for the environment.   Agenda 21,  Taxing water.
Produce products using less (artificial) inputs, increase organic/ sustainable type systems
Reduce environmental footprint/damage, preserve/improve water quality, reduce soil loss/erosion. reduce chemical use, work with nature more.
Improved cultivars and species of pasture. Genetic improvement in stock
Consent processes, weeds and restrictions on application of herbicides.
does not require change of land use for the above
new crops and methods. precision applications,  gene development, and selection,  communications, harvesting  ,transportation ,  tech development,  drones etc
extreme weather events, political interference, and indifference urban/green lack of understanding, mistrust increased cost of regulation,  right to farm
Improve what you do and do everything better
Clean up water ways, increased value of commodities as NZ products are seen as higher quality.
Climate change mis-information - figures should be calculated per square km of land - grass and trees should be used to calculate offset of each animal emissions.
Subdividing our uneconomic lifestyle blocks!!
the worlds population continues to grow and they all have to be fed
volatile market forces and the potential for war with North Korea
Show our clean green image is actually real!!!
General poor opinion of farmers mainly by misinformation about farming practices
Diversification into alternative income streams
Government restrictions and climate change
Riparian planting Extended effluent areas to reduce application intensity Dry weather grazing of low lying areas & cut & carry from low lying areas. No winter crops grown in low lying paddocks.
Increased profitability from lower stocking intensities and improved genetics Improved marketing and branding of NZ product
Environmental compliance - Land & water plan compliance Market volitility Urban disconnect Increased labor compliance and increased labor costs Hostile political environment re agriculture
resource consents and high rates from local and regional council. IWI demands
Small gully with a spring (at times) and is usually wetland, also steeper on the edges with damage if cattle grazing it so have fenced it off and planted it out.
Improved potential for earning more from smaller blocks.
Changes to subdivision rules and increasing intrusion from the city and people who want to live in the country but don't like the smells and animal noises.
Cost of rates on land based on the value of the land not on the expected revenue it is possible to generate from the land.
The ability to grow food across a diverse range of products.
Rules and regulations being considered regarding use of water and fertilizers and similar.
Length of time the farm has been owned.  Many lifestyle properties change hands within 1 to 2 years as people begin to realise just how much work is involved.  What impact could such turnover have on farming practices?   Would be helpful to have a gauge showing how far through the survey you are at.  Good survey. Concise questions. Not too much scrolling.  Back-Next buttons could have sat a little higher up the page.
Swapping land with neighbour to consolidate
more lucrative and timely export markets, also niche products and value added products with Made in NZ label
added compliance and tax issues result in owner's profit being marginalised
Rural owners must not be blamed for pollution, as it is all Nzers. Also more police support for rural communities to combat thieves
Never stand still and apply new ideas/opportunities as they be come available. Adjust to the impacts on the environment and try to mitigate environmental influences.
Land use type. Livestock values and processing certification
I liked not having to answer a question if there were no changes since the last survey Thank you
Be inventive, seek opportunities for profit and environment
what farmers are doing to reduce pests, weeds, etc
Extend self sufficiency techniques and energy efficiecy
urban encroachment and transport congestion, water quality improvement.
Drains all fenced , to allow for grass filter
To be able to lower stocking rates and stay profitable.
Being able to stay complient with councils
In the case of dairying to milk once a day all season. Opportunity here is lifestyle and staff and cow health and happiness and profitability. To breed through to A2 cows and promote the health benefits of A2 milk. Opportunity here to reduce the association of heart disease and diabetes with dairy products.  To keep to as near an all grass system which would be seen as free range to most markets. Cheaper to produce milk this way improves our market edge and can be promoted for a premium return. Investment in science that is working on the sustainability issues with crops and animals.
The general ignorance and unrealistic expectation of some consumers and the general public who are too far removed from the reality of food production.  Biggest challenge will be remaining compliant to the multitude of rules and monitoring foisted on us while we just try and get on with the real work and to remain profitable doing it.
irrigation.  Increased commodity prices Becoming more efficient through technology
Rural Taxes under a new government. Environmental challenges.
urban encrochment   they all seem either have no clues about animals, or can't think of anything better to do than mow what used to be productive land.  They seem to of been brainwashed into thinking they should plant natives everywhere, don't get me wrong, in some places it's the best option, but some highly productive  flat to rolling cropping / pasture is disappearing
The increase of townships out into the country
Financial gains from subdivision of land.
Out-of-date Council controls on conversion of lifestyle farming land into residential lots. Especially in the Franklin District.
We are responsible for protecting and improving the environment and this is us doing our part.
While we have fenced to keep our own stock out we feel we are fighting a losing battle keeping both other farmers "pests" (large mobs of goats) and neighbours using the native bush as there own personal nursery. We need to replant after another lifestyle neighbour's fire got out of control but ........
To play their part in improving the natural environment while growing food and income.
Overcrowding and the issues it creates along with increasing regulation. Crime is also a challenge.
Enjoying the challenges of farming on a mini scale.
We have the technology to improve the health of our stock and so have healthier more robust fat lambs and cattle to sell.   There is the opening to improve the marketing of wool  - it is a disaster at the moment but it is the best product in the world, so why has it dropped off the map - our wool producers need to get this sorted.
The challenges relate to the environment.   We have had the wettest winter/spring ever and these are difficult to forecast and make allowances for -, we may never have another drought or we may get get one in autumn. We have to be ready for anything the weather throws at us.   Farmers have to play their part in protecting the waterways as part of farm expenses, .
Very difficult to define given this rapidly changing world.  the opportunities of today will be hugely different to those in 10 years
Greens, Labour, anti - rural sentiment by urbanites, unwillingness for urbanites to accept their environmental damage and blame farming, regulation, environmental costs, artificial meat, diseased meat being shipped and linked to human disease
Population growth/Bigger Market for products
Bureaucracy/ Environmental Issues/ Council bias towards urban development
To be able to farm in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner and to reap the rewards of being able to do so.
The Green Party and Labour Party proposed taxes.
To provide healthy livestock for slaughter and consumption, which have less drench, fertilizer, and other inorganic substances used in the production process.
The option on answering about conservation if the local government is prepared to contribute.
chemical free, preserve environment, plant natives to increase bird life
lazy neighbours misusing the land and using chemicals
during the dairy season on /off grazing is used and cows are held on the dairy shed yard as needed. 4 to 5 times /year
all fert is monitored by GPS precision tracking
So it's there for future generations. A glimpse into the past in an area that has been nearly 100 % cleared for agriculture
other non farmed land includes tracks,shelter belts ,sheds, houses and curtilage,yards,
Adding value to what we produce and utilising technology to improve profitability while improving our environmental footprint. Irrigation ,using stored mountain water  provides us with a guaranteed  pasture growth curve and  by closely matching stocking rate to that curve we can produce milk solids at  a low cost.    The warming cycle we are currently in will lead to higher pasture growth and plant breeding will lead to all sorts of opportunities to mitigate our environmental impact. Animal breeding  will provide opportunities to reduce our carbon emmissions.  Canterbury is blessed with  water  and water storage will provide vast opportunity for future generations of farmers.
politicians and their bureaucrats  are a major threat to commercial farmers. Constant lies and propoganda from the likes of greenpeace,the green party and now the labour party  is a  big challenge that we somehow need to overcome. We have spent  hundreds of thousands of dollars recently improving effluent storage ,etc. with no recognition of the pride and progress we are doing on the farm. we are subject to plan change 2 [ecan]  There are enough risks and uncertainties in farming just dealing with ,the weather,markets ,finance etc without having to deal with  politicians using  us as vote catchers.       I am a bit wary about synthetic meat and milk  and if that technology takes off it may be an opportunity to get on board
Jus you no to effective - houses, lanes etc
Climate change Environmental regulations and restrictions that although needed, are too restrictive/have gone too far Anti darying sentiment and extreme environmental regulation
The ability to leave the rat race of big city life. (I endured it for 54 years and have enjoyed 27 lifestyle years.)
Climate change.  Population increase thru immigration and resistance to urbanisation.
just keep ongoing with our no 8 wire mentality things do get done
threat from our new government dangerous greenies beware
Adding value to existing products by selling direct to customer, capturing more of vertical intergration
Rural/urban divide and people not understanding the importance of a strong and profitable primary industries in order to fund the rest of New Zealands requirements.
Authenticated Organic and animal welfare practices, which can be quantified/qualified and used for marketing purposes
Not sure of the value of all these questions
Climate change and growing urban population making the rules.
to create shelter and habitat for birds etc on the land
making a commercial return from a relatively small piece of land
whether lifestyle farmers are actively involved in support groups, research on new crops etc
Royal Society of Arts (English Language 1) Passed with Credits Marine Engineering to Chief Marine Engineering rank
Local and Central Government Political Correctness rules and regulations made up to keep their noses in  the trough and do nothing to actually improve life for all in New Zealand
Drought and weed pests ( Chilean needle grass)
Questions about irrigation and water usage/storage
employing staff we cannot get them. returning better returns taxation and general costs are astronomical. climate policy is a huge worry going forward
Housing, barns, sheds, races, tracks, farm dairy
We have always farmed this way as we are guardians of the land for future generations.
Looking for efficiencies and maximising production with lower stocking rates.
The amount of compliance issues outsiders with limited personal knowledge of farming are trying to enforce on farmers.
The ridiculous questions about being given money in 1 year or 2 years - just how relevant are they really?
Use biological approach, build humus to create a leach free soil.
Work on Public Relations, in respect to the non farming community. Programs like Country Calendar are important but especially Rural Delivery (more technical detail) should get another window instead early Saturday morning. There is a great opportunity to show town people what technology Farming is using nowadays to produce clean crops. Diary Farmers should wean of on Urea. There are plenty of biological opportunities to do so. In my opinion the biggest issue with waterway pollution is Nitrate. In Europe it has be become clear a long time ago that this can be done.
To make sure that Farmers are not seen as the biggest polluters. Working on split fertiliser applications based on soiltests is key. Use more biological fertilisers to slow release nutrients and build up the biomass of beneficial organisms and humus.
not retired bouught for specific purposes
dairy farm has no water ways rest is not fertilised so doesn't apply
dairy sprayed on to land never had any alternative
not applicable but i have developed 5 QE2 Covenants totaling 206 hectares. All bush in QE2
Not really applicable as we are largely carbon and plantation manuka farming so no need for most of these.   The farm is in part a PGP research unit
Need to conserve land in native bush that will never be cleared. Eliminate risk of damage, link QE2's.  Responsible way to deal with such unusable land.
not mentioning new carbon forests or manuka plantations
silly green party ideas Nick Smith High cost of land
I suggested this in a separate email to Pike
Losing control of our own business from changed legislation
I provide items for raffles to assist - the SPCA, Norsewood health Clinic, Norsewood Volunteer Fire Brigade, Norsewood Promotions Committee and Dannevirke Cancer Support. (I do a stack of competitions regularly, and regularly win smallish items throughout the year, I donate most to these organisations, which raffle them once they have a suitable number. As I am crippled it is impractical for me to do more physical work, but this provides several hundred dollars to each group in any year.) I also donate books to both the Norsewood school library, and the Dannevirke public library, some written by me, others purchased for them.
diversifying into new areas such as camels, alpacas, or new varieties of fruit/nut trees.
Isolation from bureaucratic crap and forced adherance to short trerm ideologic theories/social engineering.
Climate change, invasive species/disease, infrastructure costs.
occasional drain clearance when non-flowing
niche  production of organic products and demonstration of new crops possible at larger scales later
land prices excluding younger generation
the natural vege/habitats question didn't seem to cover specially created new habitat as opposed to protecting existing
The whole farm is grossly understocked and farmed for lifestyle not profit
The world will always require food and we can produce good food at a good price
Bureaucracy, and looks like a Govt that wants farmers to pay and support those that can not do it alone. ie hardwork. Our hard continual work should be rewarded not punished.
No nitrogen applications. Use slow release organic fertilizers on hay paddocks. Use hay and foliar fertilizers for the tree crops.
Take advantage of the green and clean image brand and move towards real sustainable organic production methods. Clean up the environment so that our ambassadors (Tourists) will vouch for the clean situation in our export markets. (China, India) Signs like not swimmable,  boil water before drinking are no advertising slogans
Ensure high quality products at low environmental costs. Move away from labour intensive farming, as labour will become less available due to aging populations.
The necessity to answer all questions without the option of "do not want to reply" forces answers which will skew the statistical outcomes
Use the land productively. Update their farming skills and knowledge.
Producing high value produce from small holdings that leverage off climate change.
The politicising of water resources and the continued development of dairy farming
It would be interesting to see some trend information around water use and economic benefits.
learning about and investing more time in dryland farming techniques.
should be able to comment on neighbouring farming practices
Water use. Land use. We need level headed realistic people to make informed decisions
high value farm produce to local markets
The world is your oyster. Everyone has different aspirations .......... mine is more a miniature farm than a lifestyle block with a posh house and some grass controlling animals. I love that I can care for my stock with old style values, each animal counts it isn't just stock units.  The rabbits (occasional on my property) tend to be hunted by cats and the possums are in the trees on the boundary.
For me - Contractor support - we tend to be too small to be bothered  with, always need to work in with a commercial farming neighbor. It all depends what you want from your block
There is no opportunity to explain an answer, 2 of the questions I didn't really understand or see the point of -sorry
The urbin -rural devide with the lack of knowledge about farming practises and the reality about farming livestock.Also the use of social media to spread false untruths about farming i.e that sheep are killed to get the wool off,that all farmers are destroying the water ways .
growing meat and fiber for an increasing population
Natural tussock cover and native bush on hill country.  Tracks contoured and have run offs onto paddocks to divert water when raining.  River banks with natural cover to river edge .. no need to specifically plant natives as they are already/still there
Developed specific stock water holes on the hill country which reduces reliance on permanently flowing waterways as their only water source.  It is obvious that the stock utilize these water holes as their main source of water.
Diversification into as many profitable avenues on farm as is practicable
Public perception and media hype that all farmers are not looking after the environment and the fact a group/individual with an agenda can create a maelstrom around a farming enterprise through social media without any balance being heard in their argument.
No .. I think you have done well - maybe get a snapshot of the biodiversity that currently exists on farms.  It could be in relation to bird species, fish species in the river, or whether the farmer has known insect communities/lizards/etc on farm.  The other thing you could think about is whether the water is being tested on farm and the results of that.  Currently both our rivers are tested weekly to assess what is happening here and then further down the valley.
No soluble fertiliser used. Compost spread on pastures only- not fence lines or waterways. Lime drilled with seed.
We value our wetlands and excluding cattle is the right thing to do
Capitalising on the proximity of a city on its doorstep who's population's demands but affluence is increasing. Lowering the environmental footprint and being rewarded for it
Making ends meet while paying for expensive CPW irrigation.
When we went to school it was just called school cert  Some of these questions are non relavent to our schooling years and schooling of today so some of these questions we cant answer
The lifestyle itself . Peace and quite .
The cost of fertilizers etc Staying on top of all the jobs that need doing or repairing TBtesting as well as trying to hold down a full time job in Auckland
I cant remember the questions I couldn't answer perhaps there should be a box under each question to explain why we have difficulty answering as our schooling is totally different from todays schooling practisers Cheers Gary.
Increased sustainability, direct marketing to customers
Maintaining profitability and being environmentally sustainable.
Wider range of crops Better environment for people, animals and plants. More plant biodiversity Healthier and resilient environment More native plantings
Keeping farm effluent and external influences on farm. eg no leachate Recognising importance of biodiverse envt. Shade/protection for animals. Protecting all waterways. Reducing water use and planting appropriate species.
A variation of residential opportunities
The rural lifestyle block use being impacted by Local Authority land use changes.
food security, grass fed, holistic farming
increases in costs and decreases in returns
We utilise industry GMP and good practical common sense as part of day-to-day farm management to maintain viability. We are focused upon risk of contaminant loss and that ultimately we are culpable. our bottom line is about ensuring good ecosystem health and that pastoral farming provides good value to society
We look at overall risk, what is the risk profile 80 - 95 percent of the time noting we cannot ever manage extreme events e.g. high intensity rainfall or the like
We have a general plan to manage pugging risk however heavy rainfall events can be very disruptive and so seat-of-pants response is necessary as and when required
This is all about applying GMP however we don't get caught up in being presecriptive
Our thinking about the farm landscape is evolving following up on education and understanding of what constitutes value to the farm and catchment as a whole
We nowadays look at the farm as a whole i.e. productivism e.g. saleable product output, GHGs carbon, biodiversity, ecosystem health etcetera and so need to blend in together noting however need to maintain farm business profitability
As mentioned earlier we nowadays look at the farm as a whole and how the different components if you like add value
We want an overall picture of good ecosystem health, we may not be monitoring per se however it is noted what flora and fauna exists or doesn't and ask why, what can be done better
Farming to ecosystem health limits Zero carbon Identified niche high value markets
You missed out heaps and some questions were totally naff not allowing further explanation You haven't explored impact of crown and industry leadership You haven't delved into impact of nutrient allocation e.g. nitrogen grandparenting You haven't considered farming to LUC and other measures of sustainability You didn't explore intensity of stocking rate relative to sustainability and loss of contaminants. You didn't enquire what is meant by swimmability and Mahinga Kai and how this may impact pastoral farming You didn't ask about zero carbon farming You haven't validated 'social licence' and what this may mean These and there are more are all real and pertinent questions nowadays that the farming community has to grapple with. Pastoral farming is crying out for good strong leadership and this must be understood in the context of what pressures are being applied to the farming community and how should they respond. Will it be as individuals or more collaboratively as sectors or Team Ag or NZ Inc? Thanks for the opportunity to have a say
Too much dairy destroying environment through mass stocking.
government interference through bad advice
Plant native vegetation, and provide a refuge for nutrients to groundwater in a sea of irrigated commercial holdings.
Biggest challenge is Landcare Research labelling small holdings as "lifestyle" farmers.
genetic modification  getting rid of our voting system
splinter groups     labour/green government    media    mmp     not allowing genetic modification   emissions trading scheme    other people telling us how we should be farming    are you getting the picture
quite happy to leave natural for nature to use if it chooses
Intrusion of industry, transport in quiet areas
I am interestdd in the survey because of past rolw as MAF adviser and my masterate studies.  However my participation is probably not valid as i live on an 2000sq m town section with no farm type activities. So I dont think you can call me a Rural Decision Maker!  A question I would love to see would be where farmers get there information and how they view its validity and relevance.  Currently there seems to be little dissemination of ag etc research and technical advice as a public good as there used to be in the prior to the 1980's.  What or who has taken up this slack and to what effect?  Pike did you ever get hold of my thesis on farmer communication or some of the other studies I listed back in 2015, or was it an earlier survey?
Riparian planting and grasses left un sprayed near drains etc
On off grazing and only graze wet areas in dry weather periods
New technologies to improve nutrient use or automation
Public pressures and floods or regional council new environmental policies
Difficult to see in this current climate of regulation/water bashing/consent processes and the like!! Agriculture, clean/green needs to be prioritised as that is what we do best. It can run alongside "managed" tourism.
The above............ Uneducated urbanites Regulation etc
For those of us with more than one farming block you need to differentiate!
Need to move closer to town to allow children to attend high school without boarding.
To make changes based on what suits you not what the industry recommends or what others are doing.  Often you need to do what is best for you and you will make huge personal, financial gains if you choose to do so.
The Labour government, if they get into power I believe they will take away the little wealth and profitability and capability of being able to continue farms across the generations.  They will make life very difficult and make farming not a career that people choose as it will become too hard to comprehend and follow all the rules and regulations.
Areas that can't be excluded electric fence units are put up to maintain cattle behind fences
Extremely low quantities of N and P have been applied in the past 10 years i.e. averaging less than 1kg of P per hectare in the last 10 years.
That will depend on the election that is coming up - if labour gets in then there are no opportunities for commercial farmers in hastings
See question above - being blamed for global warming, polluting waterways and other environmental issues is destroying farming within NZ
question answered in error No unused land area
finding the right business for the property size
as above, turn challenge into opportunity
don't know - we have a lifestyle block for our own enjoyment and the provide a great lifestyle for our children
Ask if farms are organic or bio run farms, does make a difference to the paper work side of farming and having outside audits done on the farm.
Just one step at a time. Getting more efficient at doing things. Don't know what the biggest opportunities will be in the future as know one knows what people might come up with.
New rules and regulations, with most not having a affect on what they set out to do. But just adding costs. Every farm is different, but new rules will treat every farm as the same.
The cost of owning and operating to a high standard plus the difficulties of getting time away
Specialised fruit/berry/flower/vegetable production for niche markets;
Initial and ongoing costs of animals and animal health, property rates increases, rural subdivision marginal to towns, population increase on creaking infrastructure, increasing frequency of weather extremes
Combatting negative campaigning by fringe radical environmentalists
Local authority calibration (paid for by me) as part of consenting requirements approx every 5 years
Production increases driven by both animal and pasture genetics and precision farming techniques
A growing interference by the non farming community and local and central government in how we farm and manage our land
COSTS OF LIVING ON THE LAND, RATES AND POSSIBLE LAND TAXES
growing somthing you have control of in the market place
New markets New products derived from stock or crops Closer connections with end consumers Technology which integrates various software & hardware and provides better information & tools for farmers
Artificial food & fibre - milk & meat substitutes Excessive regulation & impractical/ineffective rules Higher taxation and rates - water & pollution charges, ETS costs Trade barriers & political upheaval overseas Lack of R&D for on-farm productivity and processing/marketing of produce
Just generally living in the rural envirnoment
Being able to get contractors to do small jobs without having to pay big dollars.
planted more poplars and willows to hold hillsides. would plant more if we could claim carbon credits on them!
Our biggest opportunities are the marketing of quality primary products to high end consumers.
-Compliance. - Trying to get ignorant, do-gooder green activists to realise we are not harming the environment or the livestock, and they should be promoting our products not condemning them. -Corporate farming is forcing land values well beyond its productive value which reduces the ability of young farmers to own their own land. It is often clumsy and inefficient, and relies on capital gain for the shareholders to profit. - The environment has, and always will be a challenge because of its unpredictability, so get over it or  get out!
Same as all surveys, there is no allowance for explanations or comments to questions that are leading or misleading.
Pond system as above but all effluent irrigated. No discharge
Chair - local community assn - possitive projects in the community Chair - local Medical Society Chair - local Community Chartiable Trust Member - other Charitable Trust Member - local riparian conservation group
To develop the farm so that it provides a livlihood
Preserving economic units in the face of increasing requirements from regional council and animal activists.
How do farmers face the unrealistic challenges from mainly  urban dwellers for higher standards of environmental impact and the unrealistic demands of animal activists.
Misinformation/propaganda feed to the general public by the likes of greenpeace /enviromental society and the prolification of disenabling rules by councils.I.e. our ability  to farm is being severely comprimised by lack of good science that is accepted by the general public and decisionmakers.
Use of winter crops at the wetter times of year
Getting our products to market at a price that is sustainable to run our farms and to pass the farm onto a family member.
market access for our produce and the enviroment
World demand for premium food. Growing household wealth in Asian area.
Opposition to globalisation. Misunderstanding and prejudice of non farming sectors of NZ public. Exaggerated environmentalism.
Wool sales as a natural sustainable product
I thought I indicated it was used for farming, but we do have some areas where we have widened shelter belt for native plantings and some other sites for natives simply to provide good shade for sheep and simply as a grove of natives on good soil - why should natives always be marginalised?
geography/planning, you might classify this as environmental management if you wished, but geography is more than environmental management. I probably said em last time
A community charitable trust which is not an environmental organisation although part of its goal and object is to improve the environment of part of our community.
Offering driveways for people to stay a night in their campervan or car etc for a small price for 'freedom' campers.
Surviving. The spate of regulations designed to address environmental issues such as water pollution are disproportionately costly for smallholders and lifestyle blocks compared with larger dairy farms, corporate farms and farms owned by charitable trusts like sannitarium and Ngai Tahu. The smallholders and lifestyle farmers seldom cause the levels of pollution of the larger farms but have ro get consents to farm and pay farm environment plan costs as if they were. Most lifestyles are scraping by and this will really put pressure on many of them . One neighbour has lost 60ha of his 120 ha farm to a wetland category that was not published as a map on the regional plan and as there is no peal to the environment court under the ECan Act they are not able to seek compensation under s 85 of the RM others are struggling with areas being zoned as tidl and hence inanga spawning sites when ECans own hydrologists admit the areas are not tidal and inanga scientific experts say it is so unlikekely these areas are knanga sites they will not even help design monitoring systems, but to continue to farm people are being required to create knanga spawning Habitat restoration plantings. This is what happens when scientists are employed as planners and special ad hoc legislation removes rights of appeal (and elected representatives so council become unaccountable).  National party decisions like this ad hoc, corporate favouring approach are a huge threat to lifestyles.
The questinaboir pest control is pogo ; we use our cats to control pests. They bring in dead stouts rats and numerous rabbits. Ai have therefore ticked 'hunting' as I could not proceed without answering the question.
To explore more organic and natural farming techniques, to dedicate land for native bush and habitats for native fauna, to protect waterways and invest in water harvesting with a view to water sustainability and to dedicate time and effort into protecting pollinators.
To break the cycle of using pesticides and other harmful sprays, to learn that balance is giving back to the land as well as taking from it and to be proactive in weed management working with regional councils, communities and neighbors.
Would be great to see a question about weed management (needle grass, thistle).
Tiaka - Nitrogen report  Tiaka - Farm Environment plan
Unprofitable operations coming on the market
growing world population  rising food prices
Monitors on cows for heat detection & rumination.  Protract drafter.  GPS on tractor for cultivation
free up capital to invest in dairy operation
Low cost protein production - use of barns to improve environmental preformances
Public pereption, right to farm World politics
Garden Circle, Patchwork Groups, Snow Skiing Committee
To prove that farmers are not the only ones responsible for the environment. Everyone pollutes, it is just that the towns dont see themselves as doing so. Farmers need to band together to get their rates under control. only 20% of a farmers rates are for actual services, the rest is just a tax on owing property. If farmers refused to pay more than the 20% Councils and Regional Council would be stuffed. Hope they realise this
The claim that someone owns the water. If that happens, a whole new industry will start with Farmers charging for precipitation on farm that runs off. Legal cases will be brought with Flooding blamed on the people who claim the water is theirs. Can of worms....
Your survey asks what we do now, not what we have done in the past, ie been on committees, been members of organisations and schools etc.
Chance to engage in a diverse range of activities
What recreational activities do you or others pursue on your farm?
The question about the money was ambiguous and couldn't figure it out
Other people taking more of our rights away ,ie greens and the rural and town differents ,need to education for town people,ie schools. Farm visits
Increased demand for land and stock = increased prices / Value.
Increased taxes rates etc and the RMA. Townies moving ever closer to the country putting unrealistic demands on farming practice.
Winter all the cattle for both farms on sand country we have on the back of one propert
Our grass fed ,free range no antibiotics no G.E way of producing a high end quality food product
Trying to reduce our environmental footprint our
needing consent to farm the way we have been
to diversify and to increase planting of native trees as shade/shelter belts to encourage native bird life etc.
Continuing to be viable and to try and make some money from animals/hay produced on the lifestyle block.
Our biggest opportunity is our ability to grow such a wide range of crops well in our area.
Cost of transport, water availability, health and safety compliance, labour supply
Satisfying consumers desire for safe quality foodstuffs.
Complexities of regulations and digital demands.
Specialty crops/production for markets or retail
High KCDC rates, very restrictive regional and local council rules for land use and management.
Don't use N fertilizers. Only apply custom blend fertilizers specific to my soils requirements based on soil tests.
60% of the native bush area is very steep, the rest wasn't cut before I began managing to property and it is now thought to have too many restrictions to be worth while developing any more
Develop markets that will pay a premium for a quality safe product, and farming to the claims made.
Competition from alternative proteins foods.  Legislated compliance The agriculture sector not standing up for their rights
Sadly, I see lifestyle farmers subdividing for residential purposes. Partly because they are aging and finding it difficult to cope with the workload. And the distrct plan is enabling subdivision. I also think a lot of good land is wasted in lifestyle farming
Can you think about the amount of excellent potentially productive land that is doing nothing but getting mown every week, (to look tidy)or once a year (for fire  purposes)
Changing world trade dynamics and change to real food movement.
Synthetic meat and dairy products, including plant substitutes.
Includes grape headlands, tracks and shed/house areas
Publicity of groups trying to undermine farming biosecurity weather marketing of NZ products meat industry
Was good to see questions about attitudes more than stock numbers
Certified organic so use no "chemical "fertilisers
Planting more avacados and berry fruit.Increasing area of fruit trees and vegetables to meet demand for organic produce.
Shifting to organic production to target the asian market.
Are farmers changing to produce specifically for targeted markets? e.g. Asia, local added value on farm etc.
Real humus is becoming very scarce on most farms. Restoring soil humus  would be a great help in moving to sustainability.
Better consideration of bad advice given by academic consultants and university professors etc. which are supposedly aimed at improving production. but at the same time hasten loss of soil life and deplete soil carbon.
miss read the unfarmed land use question
2 years Ag Commerce Valuation (LIncoln) Terminated study to take over farm.
There won't be many opportunities after the election of Greens/Labour. Bureaucracy will florish and the cold hand of socialism will stifle initiative.
The "bush rat shaw" intends to plant 100m trees per year. At 1,400 stems/plants per ha. This is 71,428ha to go into trees per year. Imagine that for 10 years. The biggest challenge for commercial farmers will be devising strategies to avoid feeding the nutters that are at the helm.
get out of sheep & get into beef farming
red tape & the greeny people not understanding framing
tempory electric fencing and grazing management during wetter periods
government and envormental regulations. lack of young people in the industry
I can't see the relevance of the questions which I have not dealt with.
To clean up their blocks and manage them for New Zealand.
Someone telling them to shape up or go away.
This educated bloke couldn't figure out two questions as seen.
We have cut over the siding pines in our raiparian areas
All waterways large and small ( less than a meter ) are permently fenced
Smarter farming to maintain lifestyle and profitability while reducing stock numbers and pollutants.
Farming successfully in the face of changing climate.
Living the lifestyle on the land and having someone else do any work !
Local residents association, chairperson of local community hall.
To try and develop a means of making the lifestyle block pay its way so that it does not cost you too much to live there.
To avoid being overtaken by larger properties near by.
As we have retired and leased most of the farm but still live on it some of the questions may have been answered with a different thought behind them now.
Dealing with legislation and regulations regarding water quality
Have a question re proportion of gross income of owners
Cropping of food crops and egg production for direct sale to public
More statutory controls and regulations.
Land owners opinion on the condition of their soil, now, previous.
Greater access to technology and information.
Do-gooders sticking their beak into something they don't know or understand and with misguided information and ideals
How we propose to limit the run off of our properties to prevent water contamination.
Bellyfull, Heart foundation, Cancer society volunteer
Further branding of produce by moving away from commodity business. New technology and implementation of.
Increasing urban/ rural divide and ill informed media. Politicians and keyboard warriors often undermine the efforts made by commercial farmers
Left wing city based "self proclaimed" environmentalists who dont have  a clue about the country or farming
NZ Veterinary Association Veterinary Council of NZ
Mitigating extreme weather events - very high rainfall all year so far, terrible pugging damage, high water table. Affects grass growth, potential to impact animal welfare. Educating more lifestyle farmers about animal welfare issues.
Attitudes to control of noxious weeds e.g. ragwort
Waiting for a third bridge over the Waimakariri
Free up capital to increase landholding in near future
Genetics and it's application to kg/ha produced per breeding animal
High rise plant based meat substitute factories and environmental constraints on traditional farming.
Contributing to economy and protecting environment
Cost of compliance for water monitoring, overseer etc on uneconomic units
Teaching people to be self sufficient again.
Battle with government legislation. And land development from overseas. Financial hardship.
Cropping practices, down the hill low stock numbers on ladt strip and some direct drill instead of conventional
Use N products that reduce losses to air and water
Poor policy like the ets forestry scheme
Those questions that don't work in the survey
None if we keep selling our land to other countries and letting more people come live here..
Being able to buy land. Being able to borrow the money to beat the foreign investors. If you're not born into a wealthy family it is super difficult to get the banks to help you. And if we keep getting all these negative attitudes towards farmers by ignorant city dwellers its going to continue to make things harder also.
Using NZ's natural capital, environmental standards and reputation as a high quality food producer to command real premiums for our produce. Encourage adventurous marketing to move from bulk commodities to multiple 'single origin to specific market' relationships. Shorten the supply chains to eliminate those that add cost and build strong relationships with consumers. Producer should move to take control of marketing and processors should compete to add value efficiently. Create an 'NZ Inc' cluster of supportive brands and prevent in-market competition among exporters. NZ produce must be positioned as premium artisan foods for discerning consumers, underpinned by authentic environmental, animal welfare and food safety standards that lead the world.
The growing urban/rural divide has been exacerbated and exploited for political expediency and the 84% of NZ's metropolitan dwellers run the risk of being manipulated to demand simplistic solutions to complex land-based issues.The prospect of  imposing a social licence to farm and the resultant cascade of bureaucratic impediments will heighten farmer resentment and will not change the problems of climate change and environmental regression. If the nation does not adopt a partnership approach to solving its environmental, social and productivity problems then the opportunity to capitalize on our natural and cultural advantages as a primary industry trading country will be lost. New technologies provide both threats and opportunities and farmers have demonstrated flexibility and innovation that is required to exploit the looming fourth industrial revolution, but they need an environment of encouragement and respect not demonising and contempt.
Realising value in our products.  Genetic improvements in regards to eating quality marbling growth rates tenderness etc.
For us it will be protecting our waterways. Very expensive to exclude cattle from all our swamps springs and drains.  Also repairing the rural urban divide.
Finding staff who are willing to work ,ie shearers & Dairy employees who have to get up early & work long hours when needed
weather is the main driver of our business, selling stock before droughts to get optimum profit. weather plays a huge part in our business
Is regulations that government wants to bring in, and the negative perception of urban folk.
Too numerous to mention but  namely growing number of rules and regulations.
beginning close to the port to export produce
Buying of land as prices are so high. Not being able to buy big enough blocks for land to be profitable to make a living
word demand for dairy product higher value dairy product
competition both conventional and unconventional negative public perception enviromental stewartship
regional council extortion ie if you dont do it we will not sell you a consent
tourism, technology, adapting an enviornmental aspect to farming, you seem to have an excessive enthusiasm for throwing the word "in" into your sentences or do you simply stutter a little?
regulation strangulation, envious miseducated council little hitlers, propagandists charading as knowledgeable persons fooling dimwitted journalists who then promote fiction as fact, never have humans had easier accsess to information as they have today and never have they ever been as gullable  as they are today, by the way I keep getting distracted by your questions construction "commercial farmers in in ?
just place a few less "in's" in in your questions
Changing to Organic and or properly sustainable farming systems
Costs of compliance with new legislation and being severely restricted as to how we can operate our farms.
The invasion of people migrating from crowded Towns & cities to quiet rural areas
Poor planning management by local council set on generating revenue rather than protecting the environment & rural lifestyles.
Introduce Planning Process's  that commit to our destiny as Foord source providers as opposed to creating opportunities for property developers destroying productive land.
Environmental, climate change, pest control
Your questions on opting for money options was ASININE!
there are none under the current climate I wouldnt advise anyone to go farming I say that after our family has been on this farm for 98yrs. And the family farm 140yrs
Fencing & planting river banks so stock can not access the water.
What the questions regarding money were about I have no idea? can't see they help.
delivering  produce that is traceable ,grown or raised under good agricultural practice for consumers
Restrictions of nutrients and water use. Compliance on food items.
Hardly any on property to be a problem but if there are signs of rats around our henhouse we set traps
having a great lifestyle - enjoying the natural environment, self sufficiency
urban spread, cost of maintaining land and improving it.  taking responsibility for pest control, making small blocks economical viable and not a drain on finances.
No other reasonable use for the area than grazing
Climate change. Rapid creepage of urban development and escalation of land values and costs.
Population and tourism growth, providing bigger local markets.
At the moment selling up while the prices are high.
Because of the limit in property size governing the return unless it is fertile land suitable for intensive farming or orchards etc.  there is no usable profit and lifestyle farming is merely that - a lifestyle with a bit o space and a place to graze a horse or two.  Or as in our case run a few sheep for old times sake.
Had no idea how to answer the $6000 questions - gave up
Cert IV in various areas, including training assessing,hydrocarbon processing , project management
getting recognised as  making some input to domestic product e.g beef and lamb. subdivision into 1 hectare blocks ,
councils stopping progression of city into our area
Niche food production, self sustainability, contributing to wider processes (e.g. raising animal young, holding stages in vegetation growing or animal growing).
Pests (animal and weeds); environmentally sustainable rubbish disposal; extreme weather events; poor quality roads and road maintenance; poor digital connections
Climate change. Extreme hot dry summers and very wet winters.
Growing 'special' crops -- greenhouse.Marketing
There is no space to say that at 88yrs one is too old to join in local activities.
Perhaps it has been highlighted by all the election bullshit we are now exposed to, but I am very concerned about the urban/ rural split.  Town dwellers these days have no contact with agriculture and are fed a diet of mostly misinformation by our urban based media.  This manefests itself in many ways and will continue to make farming a very challenging occupation.  On the pro side, there is still a huge untapped market for NZ lamb.  Forestry will become more important, both for economic and environmental reasons.
combination of meat and horticulture, i.e diversification
what are farmers doing to promote healthy bee populations, i.e include welfare of bees in monoculture operations .
Areas not felled when rest of the farm was clear felled.
planting exotics around the edge for variety, ie Rhodos, gums, liquidambars.
Hopefully they will be able to keep farming.
City people with outspoken, ignorant views seeking changes in farming practices in which they have no experience, or understanding of, wanting everything perfect in their ideal fantasy world. People who have never run a successful business dreaming up new rules and ideas without knowing the consequences.
Horse management and training facilities
Rates as the city expands, climate change
Is your farm under threat from developers needing more housing space and pushing land values up
Union delegate of Horowhenua Rugby Union for the Foxton Ruby Club,is a life member also.
Niche markets, eg nuts Advocados,what ever is suitable to the area and soil type.
Being prepared to be able to live there with little income off the land.Pasture,weeds, infrastructure still needs to be maintained.Stock cared for if any.    The Greenies!
Ask about animal husbandry knowledge,what shelter is available for stock .
Personal education is ongoing through life experience and has very little to do with academia
we need feedback on regenerative farming as opposed to sustainable farming - organic as opposed to chemical- working with nature not against her.
Land use, H & S issues, Rates, and affordability
Small Farmers and Lifestyle farmers need to be separated. Lifestyle farmers have a financial backing or negative gearing. Small farmers try to live off the land and make good choices.
Making a reasonable profit from a smaller area
Lead the way towards less reliance on dairy and intensive land OVERUSE!!!!
The hypothetical investment scenarios are bullshit! Show me the evidence that their inclusion is valid.
Native habitat mature. Not easy to farm - awkward pockets. Not viable to farm - steep contour. Within production forestry - along stream boundaries and gully floors
Sustainability. Environmental awareness. Advances in selection through genome research. Making more out of timber. Precision fertilizer application from aircraft. Systems/protocols to prevent nutrients either entering waterways or take them out of waterways - e.g. harvesting algae for fertilizer. Robotics - especially in the woolshed. Greatly reduce methane from livestock.
Cultured meats. Climate change. The Rural - Urban disconnect. Crime. Reverse sensitivity. Lifting the value of wool. Reducing compliance time and cost. Donald Trump
What are the three biggest problems for your farming business you can do nothing about? I.e. the solution to each is unknown.
How many generation has been farming should have I don't know button as well as some people don't know.
Wanting a wintering barn/stand off pad, but are stopped by cost of consent and dealing with authority
lowered stocking rates/grazing off young stock
Supplying food to the world in a cost effective.sustainable manner
Misconceptions and unreliable data by lobby groups dictating policy decisions.  Getting the work/life balance in sinc for agricultural involved persons &  compliance regulations - timely decision making. Recognition of agricultures role in food chain vs plant/lab produced food?
Shelter belts to reduce wind effects. Direct drilling. Zero cultivation. Maintain plant cover to protect against water and wind erosion. Leave an undisturbed grass buffer alongside waterways.
Better connection with discerning customers and the opportunity to produce what they want to buy.
Lies and misinformation spread by anti farming groups such as SAFE, PETA and Greenpeace.
North Otago Irrigation Company Environmental Farm Plan
Pasture to plate for livestock and dairy products showcasing environmental improvements that farmers are doing now.
Roading. most rural roads are not suitable for the increased traffic that use them. People listening to fringe groups (greenpeace,forest and bird) and not to scientists delivering facts
We leave it alone except to check it occasionally for ilegal Cannabus operations
better comunication and less overt aggender
outside influence with hidden agenders and lack of knowledge
Government policy Lack of understanding about farming from the community
Information and advice on sustainable land management available. Input to preparation of new District Plan and regional planning processes.
Climate change; rural subdivision; pressure to use land sustainably
Would be interesting to understand how life-style farmers might change behaviour with respect to increasing environmental pressures and climate change - or do they think it is only the "proper" farmers who have to change?
the opportunity to withdraw further from "mainstream" food supply and become self sufficient
two questions about money would not register my answer
Freedom from the noise of urban hustle  and pollution from the towns
Hopefully nothing so things can go on the same as they are now
to be able to use some of the new science
environment rules and there cost in time and paper work
Life Member of Surf Life Saving at Waihi.
Elimination of Poisons from our weed control.
Only bought this property a few months ago but will be doing some of these things
Wool improvements, premium payments for good meat, conservation, farm to plate advertising
Taxes - water, bad publicity, Donald Trump, North Korea - Labour Government
We don't have reticulated water on our leased property so the water questions were hard. Also the farm we have recently purchased we want to do lots to but at this stage can't afford?
Being able to tell our story and sell our product  so consumer knows where meat comes from
Staying afloat More and more restrictions ( wetlands, ONLs, PETA, SAFE ...ect, etc  Public perception
ASk what rates we are paying....either as $ or as %. We pay over $20,000 now which is our biggest cost we can not control
How do you think farmers can help the rural/urban divide. and tell their story.
House is run off solar panels and off grid system
Prtect the current ecosystem here, the habitat, the birdlife, geckos etc.One of the last remnants of natural native bush in North Canterbury
That technology will improve the productivity on farm. Less hands on and more machinery and technology that will aide in decision making. More precision farming technology will be available.
The fact that Banks are conservative and rely solely on cashflow and do not look at long term sustainability. The banks are owned by overseas owners and do not have the stickability that is required for long term pay offs of farming when you are developing a farm.
Himalayan Trust - Official Trust of Sir Edmund Hillary
restriction on number of stock (especially horses) and activities, overzealous regulation
some question had no answer that applied -esp pest control so answers not really accurate
rma requirement, restrictive district council zoning
climate change, increased population and urban spread into rural areas
to care for the land in a responsible way
to care for the land in a responsible way, weed management, soil management
Supporting resilience in local communities.
Climate change, lack of support from government.
I had a problem with the pest question. I answered that we had feral cats and rabbits but didn't control them. The options offered as to why we don't control them didn't include that their numbers are quite low and therefore it's not a priority. I chose 'not interested' which was the closest option.
Urban creep there is an increase in people seeking lifestyle blocks, lack of understanding of rural practices by our urban cousins
Sharing our positive stories about farming, providing top quality food and being the best land users.
Change in government and environment and FOREX
Red tape from councils and government. Cost of complying going up.
Pest control: we have excellent cats that hunt rabbits and rodents! Not put as an option so put in hunting instead.
Stability of income. variations  of payout make long term planning difficult.
Top up of Income, and the production of Food to beat the growing increase in Groceries Bills.
Changing weather and Red Tape, making it harder for the handy man to do jobs that in a lot of cases is almost impossible to qualified professionals to do.
Use crop paddocks as standoff paddocks prior to re-sowing
Value added products, trading on the NZ brand, doing it 'right' environmentally and selling that story.
Anti farming lobby groups informing public opinion. Changing legislative environment.
Ensuring that we embrace new technology.
Restrict foreign ownership of our farms and processing plants.
climatic variability and compliance costs
Higher value product production instead of mass producing less valuable product
Environmental change/climate change and associated regulations/requirements/costs
Continued Government recognition of willing labour shortages Gradual improvement in roading
Lack of certainty in acquiring suitable and willing labour Regional and local council restrictive legislation and compliance costs Lack of Government commitment to long term labour supply - Government policies are at odds with reality when it comes to labour recruitment
compliance with government legislation and environmental laws and still able to farm
environmental laws - some of which do not seem to have been thought through
I don't think personal information should be included - eg education - clubs organisations you belong to peoples ages
Cost of supplementry feed if we can not grow our own
rules, regulations, red tape, interferring greenies
Regulation Compliance High Costs and low profitability Unskilled labor
Easily read summary of the results more practical questions
Diversification, Maximising profitability, R & D.
emerging markets and hopefully stable government
Greenies and animal rights activists and the changing climate and un-predictable weather patterns
None as enviromental issues will suppress expansion
public perception from out side farming that we are bad custodians of the land, not caring about the environment.
Production of produce that can be sold locally
Knowledge , enterprise and courage to try
Different crops, fine wool, goats, deer, horticulture
Environmental impact blown up by media, social license to farm. Environmental extremists from other areas or cities dictating terms with no local knowledge of issues
Water, pollution, increasing local rates for no more services, prejudice from farmers
Continue for health, interest and knowledge.
maybe health problems in animals. information about bees
Being able to continue to provide support to the local dairy farms.
Compliance costs associated with environmental issues.
small specialized seed crops small fruits etc
For us, the biggest opportunity is in tourism
Money wasting councils and government thinking they can save the environment by having lots of meetings and paying consultants
Over legislated farming with out just cause and compensation. Get out of farming and crippling legislation and over bearing interference by people/ organisations who don't mind spending my hard earned money with out thought. This survey is loaded by their thinking
Move stock more frequently during wet periods.  Reduce stock density on winter breaks by making them larger.
Not sure of the opportunities.  We are just trying to survive.
Staying economically viable with all the government and local government rules, regulations and red tape.  increased cost around consents, farm environment plans and costs that arise from new rules and compliance costs.  Many which are impractical and costly with a lack of common sense.  Regulators seem to have forgotten the term KISS  - Keep it simple stupid.
Ability of businesses to afford the new rules and changes around the enviroment
The Green Party with their anti farming policies weather
A chance to make a personal comment on most of the questions
increased competition from other lifestyle blocks
To produce high-quality food that attracts premiums in the marketplace. That the selling co-ops develop and deliver on a very clear strategy of adding value to farmers food and fiber production.
Uninformed meddling politicians and bureaucrats making rules and regulations that hinder productivity and adds nothing to the bottom lines of environment, economic or social benefit. Rules and regulations based on faith and beliefs instead of science and sound knowledge. Unfortunately, we seem to live in a world of post-truth and complete mistrust of science. The so-called precautionary principle is completely contrary to our knowledge that humans have a great capacity to solve problems.
The questions on climate change are not needed in that form as we the public are not informed of both sides of the argument hence our replies are not well informed.  More questions understanding the reasons for low productivity within our industries.
Supply the growing demand for all food types
Use independent service to monitor grape vine stem water potential, then use this information to aid irrigation scheduling
houses, subdivision, motorways, roads, people.
Living of your land, eating organic home grown meat and vegetables
Climate, rules that yes is very important and helpful for big farms but not very easy or economic for small farm/lifestyle block, like the NAIT tagging.
Hopefully the strengthening market that will keep sheep and beef prices high for consecutive years so that meaningful changes can be achieved while the profit is higher.
The opposite of the above comment so that only just breaking even and forcing owners to provide additional income from off-farm means.
Higher value of land for residential housing
Getting closer to market, lowering environmental footprint
lowering environmental footprint, synthetic food
Exclude cattle from paddocks with direct access to waterways.
Shift stock from wetter paddocks when major rain events forecast.
Used for stock shelter. Integrated into the farmed areas. Also 3ha laneways etc.
Being able to tap into the increasingly wealthy populations in Asia.
Meeting the demands and time constraints of increasing red tape and regulation within and outside our industry. Trying to meet the ever increasing demands of a consumer who does not understand or realise what goes into producing the products they consume and is not prepared to pay to meet the additional costs their demands create.
The pressure  of subdivision, increasing rates with increasing land value, more onerous local government regulations, my increasing age
Life style block owners on average have insufficient farming skills to guarantee them well fare of livestock
Making best / most appropriate use of the land - small can still be highly productive and well-run.
Diversification to adapt to market trends
Biggest challenges are costs such as council rates that are proportionly high in relation to income that can be produced from the farm
world food shortage we grow quality food cheaply expertise
rural/urban divide climate change/ environmental issues biosecurity threats at border
To become more carbon-, fertiliser- and water-efficient: the international markets for environmentally sustainable farm products are growing and are prepared to pay premium prices.
To become more carbon-, fertiliser- and water-efficient.
Questions such as "what effect will implementing precision agriculture or automation/robotics have?" should have had an "unsure" box to tick.
To improve our environmental foot print a be more profitable by farming smarter and marketing better
The environmental legislation  and how to implement it to the Benifit of all on and off the land
Succession question ,wages question,are you involved in local communities
Diversification, with marketing our products abroad.
Water taxes, Sustainable land management, Export markets
There is a lot of information available now about minimising the impact of farming practices on the land and waterways, and a lot more technology to make farming easier as we get older. Fertiliser application can be tailored to the need.
External factors - more rain making it more difficult to safely feed stock in winter etc, uncertainty of export markets, uncertainty re regulatory changes e.g. to allowing stock to cross waterways. Also the demonisation of farming which makes it sometimes quite unpleasant being the target of the vitriol that has recently had a lot of press.
It may or may not help in future, but in some cases (e.g. areas of non-productive land) the figures given are a guesstimate and likely to vary wildly from year to year because I can't remember what I put last year and I can't accurately measure. Would it be helpful having last year's figures available?
Making enough money to pay rates and insurance
Public concepts of animal welfare Reduced and more critical public profile in NZ World trade markets
Certificate of Proficiency in Haematology and Microbiology
production of a quality product while generating an acceptable profit at the farm gate
the balance between the environment and profitable production
Finding niche opportunities to get the best value from small areas of land.
Registered Nurse, Registered Maternity nurse
Access to better information, acceptance from Traditional farmers
Increasing area to grow crops to be conserved for winter/droughts
Ignorant, opinionated, urban New Zealanders being manipulated and activated by the green party, Forestry and Bird and the Labour party. The media who portray farmers as either idiot country bumpkins or intentional destroyers of the environment. Farmers defensiveness about what they do on the land. The loss of individualism in NZ.  Dairy farming
farm tracks, sheds, yards, hay storage, domestic house & gardens
Land prices are too high for economic returns
You asked about my opinions in comparison with other lifestyle farmers - I don't know what the others think  but there was no place to express this.
Trees are too close to dwellings for possum traps to be set, and there aren't a lot around anyway, as they are killed oin neighbouring farms.
Environmental changes that could be brought in by the government
Environmental changes that could be brought in by the government in regards to water supply and maintainance
Selling our meat and wool into valuable markets using our NZ storey. Use of new technology,
Environmental pressures/regulations Attitudes towards farming and food production Loss of suitable farm land to housing developments Access to water Rising costs
Fixed costs, land rates. Items that cannot be eliminated from budget
ensuring costs don't escalate to the point it really becomes a "poverty block"
A council that has restrictive subdivision rules on small blocks
NZ's biggest opportunity in the foreseeable future lies in having a good supply and congruence of good soil, sunshine ,and water, when these, especially water, are likely to come under increasing pressure in other parts of the world. NZ could well become the world's default producer of many commodities.
NZ  farming's biggest challenge lies in identifying and capturing the best uses, in both environmental and economic terms , of the assets listed above, whilst not being held back by outdated farm business models.
Preserving natural environment.  Being able to continue to interact with livestock farming and maybe educate the urban population about the origins of food.
Encroachment of housing subdivisions onto rural land thus reducing food producing land and /or having individuals with no practical knowledge trying to force their values onto those in the countryside.  Disturbance of enjoyment of rural life by bringing activities not tolerated in urban centres to countryside e.g. Motocross, rifle ranges.
politics and townie false perception of what it takes to produce food and care for animals and how most farmers genuinely care for the land environment and animal welfare
Shortage of labour, more residential housing needed Te Puke and East as that is where most of the kiwifruit growth is occuring, water allocation and resource.  Biosecurity risk and security of trade to China are other factors.
I think I filled in the land use part incorrectly as the non kiwifruit land is leased to a related family dairy farm and trust and sharemilked.  Questions did not cover potential for land to be leased.
environmental pressures - cleaning water ways, water tax. Also the changing climate - changing methods and practices to farm profitably.
Taking on technology and being able to manage people
No large waterways, but no cattle allowed to graze 1/3 of farm where there are larger near permanantly flowing water channels.
Scarcity of lamb globally. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Synthetic proteins. Managing smaller water courses on farm. Reducing green house emissions as above!
are you intending to buy more land eg neighbour or another farm
Bachelor of Arts Degree Diploma in Business Studies
Clean green production of consumer sought product
Issues to do with Biosecurity incursions
We will be in big trouble if Labour gets in
Loss of profitability, environmental pressures
The forest harvest question appeared to assume only first rotation forest. We are well into our second rotation.
farm better to enhance profit while looking after enviroment
Just like it as it is.  Could add income stream in future, but will always remain native bush.
AHB possum control has reduced numbers drastically
Understanding biology.  We have no idea of the abundance possible.  All the chemical technologies have led us on a path of environmental degradation and diminishing profitability.
Arresting land degradation.  No amount of wire will prevent nutrients from degraded land finishing in the waterways. Legislators going to the very same institutions that caused land degradation for policy advice on remedies.   Its not cattle per se which degrade the environment.  They can be used to regenerate landscape function.  It's all about management.
Rural Systems Management - extension and evaluation
increased consumer demand for grass fed beef and lamb tourism
animal welfare and the environment  the uninformed the Green Party
The King Country wasn't a choice. Can't go back to first page - not a life style block.
We are just lifestylers and I feel the survey is geared at big farmers, therefore I feel my answers may not be helpful at at..
Climate change, increase in regulatory requirements
Wind protection & to encourage bird life
To be rid of unnecessary pesticides & herbicides, concentrating in organic farming practices resulting in healthier land
More direct connection between grower and the market and better development of cooperative enterprises
Maintaining profitability in the face of rising costs
Economy, Compliance costs  (both time and financial).    Falling $ will increase cost of imported goods which will impact on production costs and fuel inflation.  This combined with minimum wage rising to $20 hour will dramatically increase costs of labour used in food production sector. The squeeze will come on the smaller businesses reducing  the profitability as the food prices are pushed up
improving productivity through changing management practices
Environmental constraints ; resource management constraints; increased charges eg water taxes
Volunteering with Cancer Society, Heart foundation
Encroachment of residential property into existing rural areas and subsequent resource management issues and restrictions on development.  Scarcity and allocation of water.
Technology, Research results To reduce carbon emissions and nitrogen leaching. Control of mastitis and other diseases. Training of more labour for agriculture.
Over-regulation Non science based rules being imposed on farmers and having to pay for the enforcement of them. Insufficient farm workers caused by false images of the farming life. The rural /city divide!
getting to grips with climate issues and farming the high value sector not commodity
climate issues, returns, ageing farmers and rigid thinking
publics opinion of farmers - Auckland has the balance of power with voters and they are not cleaning up their waterways and habits but expect everybody else to.
Kikuyu in riparian area, and erosion prone sidlings
Water reticulation to nearly all paddocks
rotate stock according to ground conditions, Wet weather in sheltered well drained paddocks. Dry weather in less well drained areas
Apply N as foliar only and a lows rates, less than 3kg N per Ha. Apply humates with N.
Shelter, amenity values, sustainable heating
I think the questions on profitability and management ease should have contained choices for a lot or a little.
More involvement in local markets, trade/exchange and barter
Bringing food producers closer to consumers
Farming in a way that doesn't damage the environment
Re growing avocados  to solve the problem of irregular fruit bearing
whole paddock grazing of ewes on grass, no longer using crop as a major source of feed for ewes, just short term. Back fencing stock on crop, fencing off wet areas to be grazed as good weather permits.
Its awesome bush, why get rid of it, its a thing of beauty, as are our wetlands, there to protect, provide for the birds and insects and aesthetically pleasing as a side line they double as sediment traps and enhance the water quality. Thats a bonus!
Technology, eid in sheep and beef has the potential to lift production to a new level, to be able to identify they top and bottom producers will bring great improvement. New types and breeds of plants etc will play a part in nutrient management as well as production. System technology will help in manual tasks,ie drench by weight scales etc will all increase production and hopefully make farming abit easier on body and sole!
Uneducated "knowledgeable" people. This covers animal activist vegans who get their information from the internet and passionately believe they can only be right, to degree carrying uni graduates who have a vast theoretical knowledge but little practical experience who fervently believe they can change the world because and only because the have a degree.   If there is one thing that challenges not just our heritage but also our environment it it the rush to 'BLAME" farmers for the countries woes.  Do you honestly believe that all farmers are there to destroy our environment??? Before its to late take a look at the BIG picture. Yep we have a few farmers that show the rest of us up, but so does the rest of society, just look in the paper and pick up on a Doctor that has failed someone, and accountant , lawyer etc.  Step outside the square, farming is our livelihood, we are going to look after it. Towns and cities also need to do their share, most of our cities have outgrown their sewage and storm water systems, and its polluting our rivers and beaches. How many people still wash their cars into drains etc etc etc. And while Im on topic, take a look at Councils and DOC round the country. Gorse and broom barberry  the list goes on all unsprayed and rampant, they virtuously tell us what to do, but dont look after their own back yard!. Doc has over subscribed to buying land to "protect" it for the public, and no longer can fund the cost involved in protecting it, farming kept the land maintained in a manner that meant people could use it, now its choked with weeds that are smothering the plants/ animals/ insects that they set out to save. Our pollution problems and also our protection of the environment are a national problem, everyone should play a part, farmers spend thousands on care and protection and all we get in return is bagged as being NZs biggest polluters!
I think you need to put some comment boxes in, places where you have asked about how riparian planting or fencing waterways, the results are not always good and you need to be hearing problems as well as good results. This will give  a broader view and maybe people will put in some new ideas to make the more user friendly.
To make productive small units without damaging the environment and all its native inhabitants.
Crowding in of housing, driveways, traffic. Concentration of human life putting more and more pressure on natural resources, and on animals and humans already living in an area.
Should good productive rural land be gobbled up by housing estates?
No cropping, direct drilling and lower stocking rate.
Primary Ito and Kaituna Freshwater Community Group
Greater efficiency and environmental performance through  technology and research.
Compliance and shifting public expectations.
The world will always need food,so as long as farmers are efficient and environmentally aware farming will prosper
The biggest challenges will come from environment expectations and compliance issues
Allowing commercial water taken for export on an industrial scale, with no consideration for liability, or road maintenance and congestion
The use of sprays / chemicals that are harmful to humans/ animals/bees
Beekeeping for bee (nuc) sales, raising guinea fowl for tick control and sale, raising calves for rearing and sale.
Public perception of farmers, climate change, taxation.
The questions around opinions were a bit hard to understand.
For dairy farmers reduction in trade tariffs and barriers are essential for the future.
Trying to remain profitable with the ongoing costs of compliance.
Cottage industries Tourism - Book a Bach  Exotic animals or poultry
Extreme weather patterns. finding contractors willing to do the 'little' jobs.
To improve productivity utilizing technology through understanding the farming needs of their individual environments and services available.
For us as beef farmers consistent (improving) schedules that allow some certainty in planning farm finances. To be honest I would not want to be a young farmer starting out today with the level of uncertainty both in the political and environmental demands that are starting to emerge.
It would be interesting to gather information on the effect of political and environmental (i.e water taxes, nitrate constraints and FEPs ) demands will have on future planning decisions.
Opportunities for the supply/growth of boutique products - eg pecans
Random changes in zoning and unreliable application of Council rules depending on money paid for Consent departures.  These create advantages for landowners who can pay/bribe Council.
Diversification into tourism and farming related projects.
Maintaining profitability in the face of environmental constraints.
Specify with financials what areas of diversification have evolved.
Producing a premium product that the markets and consumers are educated about it's value and health benefits.
Environmental lobby groups and uneducated urban understanding of farming systems and methods. Also legislative requirements put in place by government and district plans, based on models and not facts or science.
power of media, politician,lawyers to shape public opinion-fake trump news
To get better value by selling high value product with fewer middle men.
Introduced pests and diseases through our borders. Climate change.
Fence off on farm drains and plat to prevent leaching
Use of council compost as an alternative to general fertilizer
Government interference and taxation subject to election result
Conversion of some land to Horticultural use, possible allotments for farms close to population centres for small plot households wanting to grow food/vegetables for personal use should an economic recession occur.
Failure of e-can to actually consult with farmers on fertilizer use and runoff which in my case is having the opposite effect from using only 1 ton of Urea in 10 years to an annual application of the maximum permitted to preserve my right to fertilize and improve profits to cover the outrageous cost of a piece of paper to allow me to continue farming. The website on N Check did not work and the staff had little knowledge on actual farm practice showing the organisation management is unfit for purpose in not training front line staff on its use and ensuring the program actually works. Over the period of quakes the drainage system was not maintained resulting in excessive flooding which has improved but the reduction in Lake Ellesmere levels pre winter would reduce the know pattern of consistent and heavy rainfall in July/August and a better balance between the rights of Iwi to fish flounder and eels is required against the economic cost of flooding. In my view the major issues to improved NZ productivity both in farming and industry is excessive and badly written legislation and an inability at local level to understand the effects of such legislation and regulation which increasingly is creating a mindset of its to bloody hard and expensive so lets not bother which will turn the traditional number 8 wire we can do it to razor wire and lets no even try.
Consider asking more detailed questions on Dairy stocking rates and effluent run off to establish an accurate picture of the supposed problem and provide hard evidence to counter the often ill informed Urban farming experts with no practical experinece of farming and the ignoring of the high levels of pollution of Urban waterways and the sewage discharge untreated directer to rivers on occasions and the different treatment of such occurences by the regualtors and media compared with smaller farming incidents of a similar nature
Large trees ring-barked. Wilding conifers are a very minor problem, in a few sites within UH as far as I'm aware. Wilding conifers on our own land were mostly a few isolated old mature trees - unclear where they originated.
Food and energy self-sufficiency. Hosting city folk in peaceful rural settings. Participating in species/ecosystem restoration ....
Peripheral development around cities putting pressure on our ability to hold onto land through increased rates/taxes.
Some of the questions were worded in such a way that I was not able to answer in a way that made sense to me. For example I think cats are a pest...... but, where there are no ground nesting birds I do not see them as a major threat (and, as they prey on rats, mice and rabbits which have other impacts) the net impact of cats on indigenous species at this site is perhaps even positive. We do shoot cats infrequently! Similarly the question on game animals - I see deer/goats/pigs primarily as introduced pests which are having a serious destructive impact on indigenous forests and are undoubtedly altering successional pathways and canopy replacement as well as reducing the diversity of palatable sub-canopy species- many of which are food plants for native biodiversity. We should hunt them to control to low levels at key sites...... but I don't see hunting in perpetuity as a "right" we can and should eliminate their impacts at high value conservation sites.
Developng automated systems compatible with NZ conditions,Transgenic technologies
Succession, environmental/sustainability,biosecurity, sourcing labour, rural -urban divide, compliancing cost,
Question how decision makers think they will cope with biosecurity risks, and also environmental compliancing
Small scale production of niche crops, high value organic/low impact farmed meat to local market. specialist wood products, honey production.
Land prices rising too high, lack of support or information on novel crops , regulations surrounding sale of meat (monopoly by large scale meat processors)
Ask if there is a difference between what participants see as best practice in managing land, and how they actually manage land. Also what are factors that cause participants to not manage in ideal way, e.g. lack of knowledge, money, support etc.
Quiet happy the way the questions are asked.
Acceptance of grass fed animals in many export markets.
to  set themselves up to be more sustainable
weather and climate change impacting farm procedures.
Making enough money off the land to pay the rates & insurances!
What is being done on the land with regard to environmental sustainability
To try new environmental strategies. To develope  opportunities around hosting and engaging in tourism.
Native forest is also critical for maintaining water supply during dry years and we have always tried to keep as much as possible as we love trees
Will try to fence all these areas off in time however every compliance cost imposed on our operation results in a corresponding lesser amount for such work
General nursing, N.Z. MIDWIFERY, Public health.
I will continue to do my best to produce wealth for my fellows as long as I am able as I have done all of my life and as my family has always done in the past. I am finding this increasingly more difficult given the seems to be an expectation in New Zealand that the inherited standard of living most of us have is a right. I have always understood it has to be earned. I am not sure I can keep going many more years as I turn 70 later next year but I have good health, am still learning and moving forward. I find it baffling that we as farmers are expected to increase production but at the same time lower our impact on the environment. I understand that some people are clever than God but I know I am not and the figures do not add up to me. At the end of the day matter cannot be created or destroyed and the planet has finite reserves of resources. The greatest threat to all life is the modern habit of wastage. There is no doubt that were are contributing to climate change but to assume that we are fully responsible is just as arrogant as thinking only animal life has a right to life. All life is sacred, plants and all other forms as well. I don't  understand why my family and I should be expected by many in New Zealand to produce wealth for them to waste at below the true cost of production. To continue to do this we have had to work several jobs each, have no holidays, live on much less than the so called poverty stricken, get no return on our investment. Our rewards according to them is a way of life. That is rubbish as everybody's chosen way of life has the same value. Having said that my children were well cared for, well fed, loved, taught to work and well educated. We survive because we waste very little and do everything we can ourselves. Speaking for myself I can only say I will continue until I can't anymore or drop. Plenty more to say but too much work to be done.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The way this is measured for New Zealand farm animals is an absolute folly! The only honest way is to divide the total production by the number of consumers worldwide of our production not the population of our country.
Compliance with Regional, Environmental and Council regulations. Staff
Climate change, RMA, Council changing land use thus enabling it to produce nothing except gorse
Coaching and supporting sports and volunteering organisations. Reviewing annual returns for community groups. Support person for health shuttle.
Opportunity to diversify and promote their own products. We need to be proud of what we do.
Being able to economically be allowed to use our water resources in an environmentally acceptable way. To reduce the overuse of water and to have the urban community appreciate the need for urban dwellers and industry to be mindful of excess water use and pollution in their environment. Water is the most precious commodity - value it and spend funds on exploring how this precious commodity can be recycled.
The urban / rural divide in terms of people with no or limited understanding of agricultural practices and operations trying to inflict their concepts on the rural sector while having no cognisance of the outcomes. For example people like Mike Joy talking of taking animals out of farming production. How will the world be fed under such a system?
Environmental regulation foreign exchange Economic management
Maintaining role of dairy as part of a valuable food chain. Using the NZ brand to increase the return on value added goods while using external contacts to provide year round supply
Loss of the cooperative (working together) attitude. Next group seem to be more commercially driven, more transient. Members of the community are not linked to the same action consequently more diversity and fragmentation leading to the break down of an industry in step. Need to be single minded and unified at home to have a market presence offshore to bring the revenue back for the country as a whole.
Using the results of ongoing research into ways to make farming more profitable
Satisfying Regional Councils in regards to management of waterways.
Include a comment section to justify some of the answers.  ie  the practicality of permanently fencing a river which forms 30% of our farm boundary.
Providing shade has become more important
To express to the public material that will gain understanding and an appreciation of the industry
To gain urban understanding,----it is vital to our future as a nation
Take note of my comments on the last question. It could be make or break. We can do the business, but we need our country to support our difficulties not impede them
Chance to protect the lifestyle blocks for future small farmers as opposed to huge farms and corporations.
Become as self-sustaining and environmentally friendly as possible eg., C neutral
Protect ecosystem, improve beauty and keep noxious weeds down
Water Resource Management Act (Businesses operating without a RC)
Zoning will change and the area will be unsuitable for continued farming.
Big changes in land use due to rapidly increasing population, there will be an increase in demand and with the loss of the best horticultural land, producers will struggle to meet that demand.  That is an opportunity for those who persist.
Same as above, coupled with possible deleterious climate change.  The sub-division of our best horticultural land is no smart.
Tax and govt. policy changes that would help the agricultural sector.
Discusion on fencing waterways and coastal boundaries
Science innovations. Farming is always changing/improving whether it is plant or animal breeding  or better management of what we do or new ideas and technologies to implement A better understanding of what we do and its impacts. Improvements we can make to increase profitability, ease of management and an understanding of our presence
Labour government. A misinformed public and bias media. The urban / rural divide. People pollute whether it is from more intensive farming, lifestyle block owners and intensive subdivision, recreation users , tourists,  shooters, fishermen (who polluted waterways with giardia, didymo and snowflake, not farming practices ) Not to mention the challenges of markets and weather and its/ their stability
To grow organic meat and milk with the place of origin and the story behind the products.
Educating farmers that the soil life of microbes and benifical bacteria must be looked after without the harmful chemicals in fertilisers - organics produce better soil structures and build carbon in the soil.
Maybe try to move away from commodity trade and become value added.
To convince the urban population that farmers are trying to do their bit for the enviroment.   Town folk should do the same as P Nth city pollutes the Manawatu river as well
Irrigation is only for the citrus crops, part of Kerikeri Irrigation Scheme built about 1980 or so
To be planted in native species as time and money permit. This land is steep and/or south facing. Some could be planted in pines but mahoe is increasing and I would like to encourage natives. That would encourage native birds eg pidgeons and kiwi
Feeding the world: population world-wide is out of control!
"Sustainability" in our society must ultimately replace "economic growth", and "carbon neutral" must become a farm aim.
Our operation is organic citrus, which is now economic. Our other land we just happen to have and it contributes little to our own economy, so a lot of the questions are not central to what we do.
Embrace modern technology and lead the world in efficient farming
Convincing latte swilling townies who have never seen a muddy boot that their entire standard of living depends on someone rolling out of bed at 4.30 on a freezing morning and slapping cups on cows tits Politicians like the income from agriculture but love city votes even better. No recognition of the incredible amount of money farmers have spent out of their own pocket to clean up waterways etc.
The media's portraying that all farmers are dirty and are hurting the environment.
Editor of a Monthly Community Newsletter
Availability of good animals, managing weather issues, getting crowded out by urban sprawl
Exclude stock form major waterways, moving on to smaller one later
pasture to plate, getting urban people to see where their food comes from
Climate change and regulation form Urban people that don't understand farming
positiioning NZ agriculture and exports at the forefront of international best practise and high value markets
Unnecessary regulation and statutory requirements and ill informed lobby groups misrepresenting NZ agriculture to promote their biased attention seeking views
Complying with enviromental requirements Consistent returns giving confidence to invest to increase production
weather changes, new ways of making food
lime regularily. Minimial N used. Use Bio Phos fert
Farming organically. Added value produce.
environmental groups, activists and politicians. Keyboard warriors who have no idea about farming
Would this be the place to ask about types of support needed to address mental health in farmers.
To produce a more profitable product stainable
To  produce health food and happy animals
Large scale cropping companies buying up or polluting the area...
Govt reqirements to own your own property with native bush and climate change
Endeavour to maintain good covers to minimise bare ground
All these practices are being implemented through a programme of fencing off gullies around significant waterways and planting those areas in forestry. 40ha of gullies will be planted July 2018. Programme is ongoing.
Fertiliser applied is varied according to stocking rat so that feed demand is correlated with fertiliser applied
GPS positioning for spraying but not self steer
Profitability and how that impinges on maintenance of infrastructure, soil fertility and weed and pest management. Climate change. Meeting public expectations around the environment. Competing proteins
Risk taking. While an initiative may not succeed, there is a reward from the knowledge gained. Education doesn't stop at secondary school! Seasonal labour. The question provides an inadequate reflection of the employment impact of my farming enterprise. I only counted a silage contractor or shearing contractor as 1 but each of them will bring perhaps 12 people on to the farm as part of a large team. Total number of workers who are on farm in peak season (spring, if only for a few days) will be over 20. and that doesn't count servicing businesses like seed, chemicals,fertiliser, animal health professionals etc who will regularly be on farm.
For breeding of water fowl and risk mitigation to stock
Access to water/negative sentiments to farming by urban people
You could ask "where do you see business opportunities for our region"
The ability to add Trace-ability from paddock to plate for end consumers. Have a bar code on a pack of meat that brings up images of the farm and details of farming practices
Climate variability Emission trading charges for livestock if no scientific solution has been determined to reducing emissions
compliance and consent issues and restrictions
regional councils restricting farming because of nitrogen runoff
Farming within ever increasing pressures from off farm - environmentalists, public, consumers
Stand off stock for 12 hrs or more on rubber covered concrete yard which drains to effluent holdong pond.
No N is applied to Grazing block in Rotorua catchment because of concern by townies of it travelling 11km to lake.
Availability of labour saving technology. Technology to improve the lives of our animals
Division between urban & rural population. Changes in population diet.
I have been asked about removing animals off pasture to avoid pugging. Many farmers do this but have only races available. Asked about keeping animals off pasture in sheds/herd homes. Probably every farmers would like to but the expense of building especially in a high wind zone is more then most can find money for.
Opportunities for teaching and learning -lifestyle block management.
Convincing the public of the ned for farmers
we use biological and liquid fert whenever possible
Rural urban divide, environmental compliance costs
No chemical fertilizer applied. only biological and liquid organic
To reduce their inputs and enjoy the old method of agriculture using today's science with a lot less stress and less labor units
To produce a product without the use of expensive and unsustainable supplements that alter the composition of the final milk collection
How many are interested or looking for a new direction on their properties? For example biological farming
Keeping a stable government with productive policies.  Producing quality products which are in demand worldwide.
Changing government to Labour/Green, look what they did in Australia. We do not need extra charges for perceived climate change, if any one tells you we/humans can control the climate, I believe they are living in fantasyland and unnecessarily placing huge costs on all of us. Nobody owns water, they are opening a large can of worms if they start charging.
Niche markets, 'locally grown' schemes, bespoke produce, land diversification.
Pest management, disease control, red tape, business setup and support, finance.
I didn't understand the coin toss question.
Introducing new technology Farming safer and smarter
Bio security incursions Lack of profit  Labour govt policy if elected
I think technology will play a huge roll and that will bring opportunities.
The biggest challenges is the uncertainty and that starts with this election. Everything we as in dairy farmers do is deemed wrong by urban folk. We aren't squeaky clean but the rural-urban divide is considerable, that needs to close so NZ can all move forward
City perceptions,Increasing regulations,increasing Taxes,Climate change
Synthetic meat. Disease Unrest  climate change
Some questions have double negatives which are confusing
logistics. transport of produce to biggest markets. less bureaucracy about  plant food harvesting and processing.
Precision agriculture improvements on farm increasing production and profitability  Fonterra moving more milk from commodity products to value add. Opportunities as world population grows to feed a hungry world in high value products
Rules and compliance which will force a reduction  in inputs  on farm which will reduce production and probably profitability. finding Qualified motivated young people to work on our farms unrealistic  attitudes to the way we farm by town people forcing change  to the way we have to do things.Not backed by science
In some questions you are asking for things we don't do and it is impossible to move on unless we answer them. Please put in something else to get round this.
Fenced off stream and planted 500 plants along stream.
Extremes of weather, Health and Safety compliance
It's a great life in the country if you care for your animals properly.
Having the same problems as larger farms but none of support service that they receive, as in droughts and flooding.
To enjoy life To engage in new agricultural opportunities
Surviving the predation of local/regional government Making sense of new environmental reguations
Putting more high value food products onto international markets as opposed to commodity  trading.
Environmental compliance to achieve the above opportunity
Staff and the Green movement, I think to improve our environmental footprint will see dairy farming INtensify with housing and effluent collection on 1st class land eg much of the Waikato
a number of enviromental questions have been in place for years ona number of farm  farms fencing waterways at least 30yrs
Farmers need to realise that they are, in the main, price takers, and rationalise their operations to survive in this position
maintaining relevance in a world obsessed with fads
Being innovative in the use of land and what can be produced on it in the most environmentally friendly way. Being part of pest prevention and the bigger picture when it comes to our environment as a whole.Actually using their lifestyle farms as just that farms and not big gardens.
Being able to be part of a bigger environmental movement which takes care of Aotearoa as a whole. Learning how lifestyle farming can "fit in" in the farming system and be seen as a useful entity rather than a bunch of people playing at farming (which some are...or are not interested in at all and back to the big garden).   How to run something sustainable whilst taking into consideration environmental factors and the climate changes that appear to be taking place.
considerable tree location to reduce wind
move heavier stock to established forestry for winter grazing
Regulations..... Under magna Carta if you want waterways fenced and planted you have to compensate...... It is theft by legislation otherwise
City people telling farmers how to farm in a misguided attempt to save the environment.
I do not use nitrogen to help the lake . This was not in the questions.
Qualified Primary Teacher.Trained teachers certificate
Accountaincy,  Qualified Accountant Music Diploma LTCL
Technology to produce more cost effectively from the same land area
farm production increases with new species and varieties , and greater certainty of water supply for irrigation from dam construction
water supply , environmental and urban constraints
owner attitudes towards the future ownership and use of their presnet landholdings
riparian strips maintained to filter sediment
increase profitability through innovative manufacturing and marketing
environmental restrictions and increased risk of drought
Variety of opportunities to use the land for economic and social advancement
Finding companies and suppliers interested in dealing with small operators. Potential to lose amenities such as saleyards Vets that deal with farm animals etc.
weather extremes, weeds, shortage of water
Pest board and fed farmers  park and hall
finding a niche product that suits your lifestyle
Has been fenced off as it is a head spring of a watercourse and is too swampy to graze.
To set up for horticulture eg hemp growing for all it's uses, and improve raising methods of calves and get a good name for rearing top quality calves.
Biggest challenge is red tape and not fully understanding the requirements of the land use from regional council.
Moving away from the animal production/product model to plant-based production.
Greater probing on the matter of climate-induced production change, as this will become inevitable _ and occur sooner rather than later.
we do have pig trap but pigs have moved on in the last few years.  Rat poison is laid when evidence of rats is seen/heard
That the rest of the world will run out of good healthy food.
REGULATION - both health and safety and environmental. Combating negative stereotypes presented by ignorant "nambies" and eco terrorists.
Converting to new varieties of kiwifruit
Looking at innovative ways to market products and bringing new products to the consumer
Meeting compliance and environmental regulations and requirements required by both overseas markets  and government authorities which are adding significant costs to farming
Public perception. International competition. Environmental and management regulations from central government.
New exciting technologies not even discovered yet. Precision agriculture  drones  automation.
The environmental pressure continues to ramp up. Disruptor technology , artifical milk/meat Politically driven division of urban and rural. Recent election was a terrible example of it.
There are always opportunities and thinking outside the square
Trying to farm in an political environment  that is pitched against farmers. Poor decison making by authorities based  on spurious research. An uneven playing field
More about the need for research, what farmers think about research and attitudes twowrads the alck of reserach funding
Urban sprawl encroaching on rural areas. Increasing land values resulting in high rates.
try to keep rats and mice under control most of the others mentioned are not around.
Auckland Manukau Dressage Group and Papakura Garden Club.
Farmers must learn to market their produce more attrctively and reduce the amount of plastics used.
Climate change and councils restricting use of land
I run a horse breeding stud and raise a few calves for beef to help to make ends meet most of your questions do not apply to my sort of operation.
Statistics, Plant breeding & Cytogenetics
specialist food production - nuts, special plants,fruits etc
regulations by well-intentioned, but ignorant bureaucrats
Adapting to new opportunities with technology
Improving marketing of meat and wool and improving customer confidence in products
airline transport pilots licence.. probably equivalent to a degree
Production of vetiver ...a erosion control plant.
Land use requires a balance. We have kiwi. We protect there environment.
Completed some papers in management degree
Your question on pest control did not allow for complete answers. You choice of answers were extremely narrow.
Providing food for growing world population
Growing world population, increasing efficiency  aided by improving farm technology.
anti farming organisations including DOC, Fish and Game etc . inaccurate media reporting. rising rural crime. Lab grown food,
Not having too many restrictions placed on them by way of Resource Consent demands etc to be able to enjoy the purpose of a lifestyle block
Pressure on land for development. Council demands to meet government requirements etc.
Why can't lifestyle owners be provided with some 'credits' for what they contribute rather than simply be seen as ratepayers. lifestyle blocks are undervalued.
Providing product for an increasing population size.
Changing and more extreme weather patterns. Increased flooding and droughts.
Small scale production - quality products for specific / unique markets.
I don't use N  If applying over 150kg/Ha I use multiple applications i.e. regrassing
Connections and feelings towards the land
small scale horticulture activities /specialty timber trees/ home stay
Subdivision of small blocks into  unecconomical units
Hall committee.  Pyrotechnic display group
A chance to enjoy their spaces, opportunities to use their land in ways not yet appreciated.
Climate change and its unknown affects. The bugbear of unknown rate rises and changes in governmental approaches. The possibility that red tape, bans, changes to what's allowed and may not be allowed will affect our freedoms in some ways.
Nothing really- some new stuff here and I suppose that will give a better picture.
use of natural methods rather than relying on chemicals
Too many over graze and have no idea on looking after their stock
Climate change and local council decisions
Being able to expand your lifestyle or farm income
Maintaining your lifestyle and farming activities
To contribute to the success of farming in any way possible
District council compliances, keeping up with new farming innovations, insuring to protect the environment. New lifestylers   need to take the opportunity to seek advice if they our out of their depth.
Tourism &Hospitality Product marketing plan People plan export plan Financial plan
Biogro certified Vineyards and winery., and organic restaurant
Leaf analysis  biodynamics, soil life analysis
Define your business uniqueness , target your energy and skill to offering  special niche , services  and added value product to the world. Stop producing basic commodity.
NZ farming community have get up to speed, and  to woo the total population of NZ so to work together with the uninformed urban liberals . we must work as a modern well informed  NZ team . No more red necked we & they stuff.
questions are not holistic enough to NZ , still quite 'up a country  road," in tone.
Daily EC and drain measured again Ec and volume of irrigation water. Also DWL sensors are used to measure moisture and Ec in the rockwool
filling out this survey, I never had a survey with so many odd and strange questions plus horticulture is completely overlooked how for god's sake can you get a reliable result.
Cost of rates and other amenities    Inability to subdivide
Profitable activities and conservation of suitable land e.g. don't build more houses on the best vege growing land.
Transition Town Kaitaia, Kaitaia Timebank, Permaculture
GE-free regional status, growing market for permaculture  and organic food
Climate Change, Corporate takeover of agriculture, lack of infrastructure able to survive Climate Change, GE contamination of plants and food crops.
A category of questions to find out how many people each type of farm supports financially, and to what degree.
For those people who wish to undertake growing, or raising their own food in an organic way to the highest standard,
Having to pay for flood pertection, for rivers that are miles away!! when we do not get the protection from Horitzons and or Councils in our area!!!!!! We have a culvert in our road that has not been replaced in the last 18 months!!! that was damaged by flooding Still waiting. Who should pay Horitzons when runoff water coming of a larger acreage farm next to yours
Increasing Costs of local and regional council services. Divided opinion between rural and town on responsibility for improving environment.
Any wild life that is present is not a problem in their present number.
Too steep, therefore too stupid, to clear and farm.  We have come to a balance of farm and regenerating forest.
I have no idea.  Most LSF's I come across have never stepped outside a town, and often should never have left said town.  I'm not overly tolerant of wannabe farmers who don't realise that one needs a fence, water and grass to keep livestock!
The same that has faced any farmer since the beginning of time.  Climate change etc. is nothing new, the ability to deal with it and change with it is another matter and I doubt that many won't be able to.
Like any survey, there isn't a lot of room to give answers that relate to the situation a person may be in but overall this is one of the better ones.  Well done!
Hooking in to the growing awareness of the value of supporting locally grown nutritious food.
educating consumers about the value of buying locally grown food and breaking the stranglehold supermarkets have
There is no mention of organic farming despite the monumental change away from chemical ag that is taking place worldwide. Survey needs to move with the times
Chairman of the local Reserve & Hall committee.
Protecting local water & ecosystems with the ability to subdivide another large self contained block or title.
Yes back in 2015 we still had 3ha of pines. These have been harvested & the land returned currently to grass & grazing but will be replanted into Native bush in the future once the stumps & debri has rotted down.
Apply little fertilizer, apply to newly sown pasture paddocks
Water restrictions, labour availability, Government intervention, world economy
Technical advances.       Fertiliser, genetics and electronic technology
Environmental lobby, restrictive and costly rules around land use and welfare practise.  [Often ill informed as to industry efforts being made towards sustainability]
Social changes in rural areas as populations decrease. reduced services etc
urban misunderstanding of food production
Enable themselves and their offspring  to experience the challenges and rewards of rural living
Local Councils and or Central  Government exerting unnecessary regulations affecting small holding land use.
Work together to protect the environment, maximize the potential of grass based production.
Water supply priorities, increased temps and cyclonic events.
The ability to grow a specialist crop for food for the general market
Being made insignificant by big players in the agricultural sector
No evidence of presence of said mammals, thats not to say they aren't here
water, especially if Labour are Government
doesn't take into account that we are older supposed to be retired and have part of our block leased out. The label lifestyle is dismissive and discriminatory. Probably coined by a bloody townie!
Hydroponic system for all irrigation and fertilizer applercation
The productive sector of the NZ economy can't continue to be buried under an absolute avalanche of totally mindless bureaucrats, public servants, academic's and politicians and be expected to survive. There are things that are wrong and need to be fixed, but the currant RMA, Labour Regs, Work Safe and building code and the parasite industries they have spawned are suffocating and sucking the very life out the rural industries that provide the nation's wealth.
Plains Production needs versus subdivision
Resource Management Act and costs from Local Council rates
to better utilise their land without compromising the environment
Apparently I got a new spouse in 2015! Not true.  The question about control of weasels and stoats do not give the option I wanted; I should do it but haven't got around to it yet! You didn't ask about noxious weeds or the weeds on the neighbour's place. I not sure what the objective of the survey is so I cant really evaluate the questions.
lifting performance to keep profitability in the face of potentially declining margins.
Farm system changes which profitably maintain the social licence to farm
Intensive production from small blocks of land providing high-quality, fresh, sustainable niche produce to local markets.
Lack of education and awareness of the value and potential of small blocks.
Awareness of soil conservation importance.  Weed control in riparian plantings.
Direct marketing. Tourism. Productivity gains
Biosecurity Regulations Lack of knowledge about what happens on a farm.
Pakeha (family left Europe 6 generations ago)
The normalisation of sustainability and organics
Questions around our social environment, for example poverty in rural areas?
Truly trading on NZ Clean Green image ie turning the image into reality and not just paying lip service to it. The New Govt has an opportunity to walk the talk.
Continued use of agri chemicals, higher pollution, possibility of introduction of GMO's.
Include questions about the use of Organic inputs, methodology and Permaculture Principles.
to be aloud to get on with what we know is best for our patch of land.
to not be put back 20 years by government policy
being constantly dictated to by the urban population, we don't get any say in what they do, we are just expected to like it or get out.
the 2 questions about $6000 now or more later are dumb your just trying to see how greedy farmers are
I believe that the opportunities to engage in niche farming activities will increase and become more financial viable
ever increasing regulatory demands, that will take control of land based activities away from people working the land, and transferred to those who believe their opinions are more valid
With the present political environment there are few.
Environment and political bodies deciding that farming has caused all the problems regarding pollution and climate and the division that has developed  between urban and rural.
Should ave included a question regarding the so called divide of urban and rural communities.
Knowing where your own food comes from and what has gone into it is priceless. If you mean in terms of income, there is growing interest in locally produced meat, veg, fruit and honey, so producing and selling these. Also honey, great for the farm and can be lucrative. Growing grass for sale to farms could be good, especially with unpredictable weather patterns.
Weather. Public dumping rubbish, driving like idiots past animals, theft.
I liked that you are asking about what we do with our non-farmed land. Perhaps something about where we have or could get support for managing these areas. Good survey, thanks.
lack of water climate change land close to cities being sold for urban development govt/council regulations impeding farmers  getting young ones into farming taxations  getting young ones into service industries that are necessary for sheep farmers... like shearers
pointless questions the heads/tails one, also the lottery Q's  some Q's too general should you not ask if you have a windfarm then answer the next Q on it?...some Q's you had no where to go if you didn't agree with your answers so that is screwing the results...for example one on cats etc...can't remember specifics, we shot them when we see them..
Seventh Form Cert OGC (the Office of Government Commerce)   Prince 2, MSP P3).  CBCI (Merit)
Include stocking rates for Lifestyle Farming.
stop doing dairy grazing and increase the number of sheep farmed
To produce quality food for an increasing world population
The urban/rural divide increasing. Urbanites think farmers are rich and think farmers are solely responsible for improving water quality
Would be interesting to know how many spouses work off farm. Also, there could be another question on water-where you get stock water from (we have a community water scheme)
Producing Boutique product that appeals in terms if margin and diversity for larger scale oppositions to consider
Synthetic product. Media and scientific misinformation. Farmers refusing to make small easy changes.
Actually we fenced off our wetlands & bush from 1984 onwards simply because we wanted to save the indigenous wildlife. Then we applied the regulations re: subdividing. We fenced off even more wetland & native bush. It's been a progressive thing going on for 30+ years. Your answers above don't fit for us.
Rates & GST are too high to make a profit. Around towns the rates should be zero to encourage farms to remain.
We in NZ produce food for the ever growing populaton of the world. We do it very cost effectively and with very little impact on the environment compared to Europe, China & USA. We will always make money from this. We can't compete in many industries but in food production we excel. We don't need encumberances on our primary industries. With proper governmental management farmers will and should benefit from their efforts well beyond 10 years time.
Our challenge is keeping people in government who realise where our money is made in NZ and who will look after them. LABOUR and the GREENS Parties do not. They're stupid! They hate farmers.
It is gold dredge tailings which could be brought into production but considerable investment necessary
Govt trading agreements better resolved .we are anti TPP
Addressing pollution issue in ew Zealand Reducing the direction of asset sales Controlling the impact of corporate controlling interests Addressing the immigration issues
I think you should include a political component. I would like to know why the farming sector votes overwellingly for National . They seem to be endorsing a neo
Flood prone natural watercourse in a gulley.
Operating a business profitably under heavy regulation and control as imposed by the State.
There is no end to what you could ask if it is relevant
kids dont like them to be killed and have no reason to as not a problem on our section
government, public opinion eg all farmers are animal abusing river poluting. weather events.
price and regional councilors telling us what we can do
To remain secure while large slices of the community become weighed down with food and house costs
Not sure ...... possibly balancing finances
Attitude towards energy saving technology and incentives for using that technology
area around house and home fruit orchard.
Social licence to operate as society becomes more urbanized and out of touch with the rural community.
Which situation applies to your land? leaves out the case of farming for land maintenance
Environmental Brexit Synthetic protein/meat Rural Infrastructure
The encroachment of urban development (in our case)
Farms pass Dairy Nz environmental audit annually
50% of dairy herd go to alternative grazing over winter
Distribute contents (effluent)  of wintering barn  in summer to minimise runoff of nutrients & leaching
The wetland is  natural indiginous biodiversity (original swamp) & has not been developed to pasture. Habitat for wild ducks ,herons etc
Very little natural habitat left on our Rangataiki Plains.
The world requires  the food that we farmers produce, the emerging middle class want safe, ethically,environmentally produced food & we can deliver!!
Synthetic food. Diet Fads. Rural / Urban  divide.  Passing on the production costs of being environmentally sustainable.
With land use changing we will start to see more demand for our product to feed the ever growing population. To start telling our story and promoting our product to the wider communities , so they understand where their food comes from and educate people so they realise that farmers are sustainable and care for the environment  and that long term we want to be sustainable for future generations.
Bureaucratic people who have no idea or practicality when it comes to farming. Uneducated society blaming farmers for pollution and water quality. Government and local authorities demanding more and more taxes from farmers. Labour shortage, as society does all it can to stop people becoming farmers.
Ask farmers how they feel about sustainability and also how many generations has your family farmed for.
Spray out of pest species - namely willow and gorse
We intend to install a biodigestor plant to provide diesel, fertiliser, electricity and stock feed
Environmental issues and compliance costs
No winter cattle, and minimal cattle for the rest of the year - sheep don't willingly enter water
Becoming better connected to one's market. Farming stock with low stress management, leading to improved health and production.
Environmental sustainability. Keeping debt under control.
Sheep only farms, or at least no winter cattle have environmental benefits that are hard to report here.
Niche markets, quality produce rather than producing for the mass markets
Unqualified public opinion and ignorance through not understanding farming and the husbandry farmers have, that prevent farmers making their own decisions and force unneeded compliance
water taxes, capital gains taxes,  climate change taxes
taxes-  climate change,  capital  gains,  water taxes
Depends very much on the upcoming election if there will be opportunities for commercial farmers/farmers to even exist!
1.  Negative public/city media perception of what farmers do and how they go about their business.         2.  Pressure from developers and Council to subdivide/sell good farmland.     3.  Financial cost to farmers to meet new and sometimes un-achieveable environmental targets and the cost of reporting on them to the authorities.   Where does the money come from?
There were a couple of questions I would have liked a link to which best described a particular term being used.   thanks for asking.
Selling higher value products into China
I quite liked the questions about choices of money returns but no idea why you asked unless to check our risk apetite
those questions re money returns I could not get an answer to work
Alpine Garden Societies in NZ and Overseas
urban rural divide, unrealistic regulation not achieving desired outcomes
how do ratepayers feel about rubbish on our roadsides .should there be no charge on taking rubbish to the dump on weekends,save lazy people  dumping their rubbish around roadsides.
The challenges to the Regional council from outside the Agricultural industry by people who have no idea of the pragmatic constraints of working on the land.
Climate change and publics veiw of farmers role in cause and solution
Going back to grass based farming. Its what the consumer is wanting
The current reliance on artificial imputs
facing increased regulations concerning health and safety, animal welfare and traceability, meeting higher environmental standards and facing increased local authority scrutiny
have just sold the farm (old age) so no longer our problem
climate change, population growth and political ignorance of farming problems
tell the public that doing what they want is going to increase their food bill
The ability to have a rural lifestyle but close to city amenities
The cost of infrastructure (e.g. flood protection, rural roading etc.) is costly to provide for regional New Zealand who do not have the populations of major urban centres.
Retain bush area's, manage trees, match land use to land capability.
To use the new technology to make changes in farm management - fertiliser, soil tests etc. To use science to improve the environment / waterways. To be profitable but also looking after our environment.
To be compliant - FEP, LEP, Health and Safety Management Systems in place,Healthy Rivers Plan, to be able to farm profitably as well as paying to fence/plant waterways.
Farm Perfomance plan agreed with share farmer
Improved productivity through improved grass species and cow genetics
Managing costs and statutory authorities finding inventive ways to clip the ticket
4 year Management Development Programme Victoria University / Ministry of Commerce.
Responding to growing global demand for quality food.
Gaining reliable access to global markets and withstanding the strong moves by some of our major trading partners to renege on hard fought access agreements and the erection of trade limiting barriers designed to protect their domestic producers.
In the question about killing possums and rabbits , none of the answers available really fitted we would like to get rid of the possums but don't have a gun licence and don't want to trap the cat
non-effective pasture area in houses, infrastructure, lanes, shelter belts.
developing irrigation and increasing milking area and cow numbers
Implement improved farming practices and inputs to sustainably increase production and profitability within (or reduced) the current environmental constraints.
To continue to operate a sustainable and profitable business in a challenging environment, with regard to financial and environmental pressures.  Increased compliance costs and management issues to meet regulatory and environmental demands.
Extremely  wet winters like we have just experienced or the severity or continuation of droughts like 2008
Green party,  water rights and climate change
Diversifying land use , taking advantage of new opportunities for sustainable lifestyles.
Climate change and the need to maintain the land on a greater, more sustainable level.
IRRIGATION- CANTERBURY IS PRONE TO DROUGHT EVEN WITHOUT CLIMATE CHANGES HENCE WHY WE PUT IT IN
NOT SURE IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE MARKET DOES AND ALSO GOVT POLICY IE WATER TAX THAT WILL MAKE US DECIDE
Intensification of land use by horticultural crops rather than livestock.
The questions about taking the loot now or later should be simplified.
having fun experimenting , maybe growing crops , being sustainable
subdivisions having neighbours, affordibility can a labour of love.  not productive land  animal welfare of older people who can no longer cope with caring for there animals , city people who dont have a clue about farming .
Ability to become self sufficient. Create an income from home. Know where your own food comes from.
Not too sure where you are going with the dollar questions.
Developing niche marketing for organic products
Multiple pond system that utilises land discharge.
Pollution Intensification Changes in food production
To balance farming and the environment. To educate people who live in towns and cities about farming.
new tech options to help with management
All fertiliser has been applied as a foliage spray on the grapevines in the past two years.
Niche markets and technology to enable now ideas and opportunities
Government and national/international 'greenie' pressure.
The question about maintaining habitat for native animals and plants - are you asking if I think this something this group should be doing, or something this group should be making the decision about?
Treasurer of local community hall association
New markets for existing produce, tourism, new products to market
Government bureaucracy, climate, market returns for produce, lack of maintenance for local roads and amenities, high electricity charges
Manchester house Adult Literacy Rural Support
More produce to be available for local markets
People entering this field with no or limited knowledge Older people buying blocks and not really having a purpose for them Subdivision
Water is becoming critical. Perhaps ask the question, 'where do you get yours from?'
Used to be on school board, fed. farmers & social club
competing with big corporates for labour & services
What is the psychology behind the money questions ??
It has to be made simpler, government needs to facilitate small business not crush it. I employ three part time women I need help and support not more regulation. NZ looks to America but fails to see the damage, only corporations actually benefit.
Restoration of waterways, regeneration of native planting of trees
Depletion of the soils due to fertilisation and irrigation
no - I have no land that is not used and no wetland native forest or bush
compliance with a zillion rules and regulations for ECAN
a comments box with each question would be good - easier to make comments as you go
Breeding smaller animals for lifestyle blocks. Less damage to the land
It was just there when we bought the land, and thought it would provide some shelter for goats and sheep in the rain, was nice and natural and would appeal to some future buyers.
Although I don't like possums, stoats, ferrets and weasels, they're not really affecting our business at the moment and we're too busy to worry about them. Not aware of any native birds they're damaging there, e.g. no kiwi etc.
Dwindling markets (due to increasing competition from other countries e.g. China); climate change; stupid regulations and increased taxes imposed by government.
One of the last few questions didn't allow an accurate answer: it said "do you live on the farm? - yes, part of the year, yes, all year, or no. Our situation is that although most of the farm is in a different location, we also farm 7 acres that we live on - for a different product, i.e. olives and flowering shrubs for the cut-flower market. The (majority) rest of the land that we don't live on is used for fibre farming - Merino sheep and Angora goats. The latter is the part we're retiring from and will sell, not the house and flowers/olives.
keep heavy stock off steep areas in winter.
Farming sustainably and making a profit.
The lack of understanding by the urban population of the problems and challenges of food production.
We have three family members working full time for wages  that are not included in "permanent employees"
Reduce stocking rate over winter. Lighter stock class over winter.
Use temporary electric fencing in wet areas not fenced
Graze cattle less than 1 year old through winter.
Avoid use of nitrogen or fertilisers including nitrogen
Encourage birds and other native animals such as lizards and insects
Adaptive management so that flexibility to adjust to continually changing consumer is kept to the forefront of on farm decision making.
Keeping non farmers informed of farm actions which scientifically illustrate that farming does not harm the environment.Produce a product which meets consumer demands.
Attitudes to use of nitrogen and its impacts on the environment Attitudes to use of nitrogen. How do farmers manage on farm waste/disposal etc.
No use of N P or K Dolomite and Lime with trace elements only
Efficiency without intensity. To reduce stocking rates and maintain the same profit margins.
Compliance costs driven by emotion rather than fact.Environmental other added costs will push some beyond the limit.
Using new technology to improve efficiency
Negative perceptions & lack of understanding from urban people - feel like we are being persecuted when we are just trying to make a living & a life for our family (just like they are)
Artificial products Lack of understanding from urban people.
Growing overseas need for high quality safe protein.
Great way of life if you can afford to stay on the land.
Price of rates being able to  continue with out having to sell up.Also the traffic congestion is really bad now so it will only get worse.
making enough dairy /dairy related products for the world
making urban people realise where the food they need to eat comes from.
Steep bush,large trees native birds....Wood Pidgeons,Tuis,etc
Great way of life & great for bringing up the family/grandchildren to appreciate their environment.  Much better than living in the city.
Available areas close to the city being reduced because of the spread of the housing requirements of the city.
Apply fertilizer based on herbage analysis and visual soil assessments
The farming of free range, hormone free, naturally raised healthy pasture fed sheep and beef and wool
Compliance costs Urban perceptions of farming as expressed through the media that seem determined to undermine the true values and farming practices of genuine caring farmers.
Auckland council costs rising while providing less service.
The damage that Dairy farming has caused to the environment & now the public blame all farmers
there was no mention at the start for leasing land
Being able to make a good living and have a healthy life.
Having to fence off creeks or river's on such a small block making the land even smaller to graze.
Politicians Climate change Bio security incursions
Some of the questions need more defining, they are too wide ranging
Infrastructure to cope with growing number of residents.
Herbal lees to protect this organic area from drifting sprays
Rotorua Honey Bee Club - Committe Member Member of an organic food club - volunteer for this
To diversify their farms on a small scale.  Perhaps organic vegetable production, bees, chickens and a variety of planting.  This would bring back the health of the land and provide good food.
The unsustainable way we farm now - adding chemicals to the land and expecting plants, animals to be healthy.  It won't work.  Bees may disappear because of the poisons that are sprayed on plants and crops.  Maybe if we had to hand pollinate apples would cost $50 each - it is possible.
Please please ask questions about the poisonous sprays used so that people may be educated as to the long term problems these cause.
profitability, new regulations around soil and water,new taxes on farming
more emphasis on farming regulations/taxes and effects on ability to farm profitability
Hoping that the farmers can continue without interference from urban dwellers
Access to water and more subdivision of land
No problem with the questions asked in the survey can't think of any changes needed
I think there should be a question on enjoyment; I personally am way over all the paperwork it's taking the fun away
Trying to work thru the silly new legistation that is appearing.
The sale of Landcorp,  should be sold to young kiwi farmers. Foreign farm buyers should have a capital gains tax imposed on them.
very few around and neighouring farmer kills the hares and rabbits
Move cattle on in wet weather   Have quite cattle
Sub dividing off land for lifestyle blocks or housing.
Regulation costs  Carbon costs-under labours fully implamenting ets I will be non viable economically despite being better performing than most   Spiralling rates bills
value added products instead of commodity
I don't use the Olson P test. As it is not suitable for acidic soils, like the soils in new Zealand. The test is only used here to help the two main fert companies sell more superphosphate.
Gps spraying with rate control and auto section control. And auto steer.  Also gps for cultivation.
Following industry standard. It's not the best way.
technology becoming cheaper that really does make a positive profitable difference
water quality, milk quality, diseases not currently affecting NZ
Govt ensuring overseas markets are increased, more local scope for homegrown products. interest rates staying low a National govt if it fulfills promises
Climate changes Interest rate increases a labour govt
ignorance and intolerance from urban dwellers and environmental activists
to market product of top quality with a story
What do you think of the sale of N Z land to other than N Z citizens
Regulations, especially around health & safety
Maintaining and persevering the areas from population and housing growth
Poisons would be a risk to our children, pets and stock and we don't own a gun
Drought. Drying up of bores due to excessive use by dairy farms. Pollution.
Cuting up land for houses to be built on
Producing and selling produce to local market.
Possible Labour/greens govt Environmental regulation Water access
To work collectively to improve diversity of service, apply and invest in sustainable farm practices and teach our children about the benefits and wonders of the natural environment around them
combining lifestyle farming with tourism
Commercial helicopter pilots licence, level 4 sheep, beef and dairy
Rearing bobby calves that would otherwise be killed, and selling on as weaners
There have been lots of drought years, and also long wet winters
population increas and residential encroachment
Managing their land and keeping urban boundaries away
Capital gain value on properties due to urban spread
Finding the balance between lifestyle and farming while trying to work towards farm ownership
Growth of towns and cities making the value of lifestyle properties increase. Another big opportunity for lifestyle farmers is the ability to produce your own food cheaper than buying it.
Adhering to the environmental changes on the horizon in terms of Waterways, nutrient use and stocking restrictions.
Consistent moisture applied through growing season to suppress salt levels
Healthy wine industry.  Vineyards look to be profitable for foreseeable future.
Over regulation of land use,  water.  Finding adequate staff,  especially seasonal
Labour shortages and drug addiction.  Over burden with regulations.
Envioment southland and govement chages eg water tax
Niche markets for locally produced product
BA, Dip Tchg, Dip Libr and Info Studies, Dip Educ
None, lifestyle blocks are not permitted to be developed
Assist with protection of water ways and pest control.
Personal cost associated with water way protection and pest control.
windmill and Solar to be installed in next 12 months
Sometimes we cant afford fert so dont apply
To be honest i dont feel there is a future in farming. Its unsustainable
The over regulations that are placed on all farmers as opposed. Low prices too many middle men
Sorry made a mistake it is all usable and we have used it for the previous livestock/animals
We are looking at planting riparian on the hillside that is not very good for livestock
Possible water taxes if Labour gets into government....
Focus on sustainable farming practices without impacting profitability
The widening gap between rural and urban people in terms of knowledge about farming
changing district council rules and regulations controlling actions on private land
Water storage for the whole region, Storing all the run off water from rainfall. To much water going out to sea when it could be stored.
Water restrictions, fertiliser restrictions and weed management
Working out how to do more from less (less N and no-irrigation - see below)
N-leaching.  Need to impose upper limits on N use on farms.  Ongoing supply of quality stock-water. On this basis, I strongly oppose any irrigation projects!
Population growth and greater export markets
Water and nutrient management and farm profitability. Rural urban divide Loss of production land to housing
vet group rerekapa hut urenui festival organisation
urban  misconceptions council putting regulations on us
To become more self sufficient.  To know and understand where their food has come from.  For children to grow up with good skills.
Time and money to be able to achieve what they want to achieve.
To increase production without affecting the environment any more than now.  Efficiency with feeding cows and how we convert this to production.
Environmental issues that have not got the background information that has been put out to the general public.  The perception that farmers don't care about the environment is wrong.  They forget that there are plenty of other industries that cause pollution of our water ways.  Not consistent with information put out to the public.  The divide between town and country.
Heritage breeds, bees, alternative lifestyles
South Wairarapa District Council - not recognising that the lifestyle blocks and the "incomers" are contributing to the local economy.  Also imposing old fashioned ideas on the environment - eg establishing a new polluting clay-bird shooting club within a concentration of lifestyle blocks and on a greenfield site - paying no attention to the "don't add pollution" requirements of the RMA and the LGA.  Not understanding the impression of corruption/stupidity (pick the worst :)) but driving through a gun club due to the relationship between people in the club with those in the Council (Councillors).  and playing the "See you in Court" as a rebuttal of the planning errors.  (And this is just one example!)
fencing of water ways, compliance issues, environment waikato
Farm dam previously used for irrigation. Rough grazing around it.
Planting flaxes and some firewood trees.
Growing food for the local market that doesn't have to be trucked all over the country. More organic food production.
Water, water water! (there is so much argument over a proposed dam which will be a insurance policy for future Tasman residents not just the producers) and climate change.
Weed Management, particularly as there are some farmers/lifestyle farmers who do not control the likes of gorse and carrot weed amongst others.
This is not Dunedin specific. My biggest gripe is so called farming organisations that purport to speak on or represent my opinion. Especially Federated Farmers. A total bunch of 'F' wits. They DO NOT represent my opinion yet they broadcast as if they represent all farmers. In reality they represent those farmers that are NOT good stewards of the environment or the land.
To help clean up waterways and improve habitat for native flora and fauna
High rates cost considering most land has minimal or no services provided by council. High cost of resource  consent.
Adding value to products prior to export. Telling our story
Two Houses, & Out Buildings & Stoney area planted in non - commercial crchid
Do not have fun licence, but do have a cat and dog
Only School Certicate, Typing English and Maths
Lifestyle for raising children and ability to raise/grow some animals for yourselves and for education of children.
Regulations relating to home kill of small numbers and rates increases.  Roading will also be (and already is) underfunded.
Bees are the big thing I think, dairy grazers works well also.
Bachelor of education  Qualified Builder
provide opportunities for young and old families to be able to fulfil their dreams and produce untampered produce
Land developers expanding sub devisions, which have great affects on water ways and surrounding environment. (Preston Downs road run of runs straight into Styx River)  Developments putting to much pressure on rural Wells ending in them running Dry.
complying with the laws of fencing rivers
Timing of regrassing and quick turnaround to get seed in ground to ensure minimal time as bard land to stop wind erision
Drop fence lines to allow stock to leave paddocks another way besides the gate way
Changing public perception Utilise Technology Encourage young NZ to join agriculture
To undertake small niche businesses using their land
A more stable environment than other parts of the country
Perceptions by non farmers in the community
Living off the land to offset the cost of living by growing food.
The roads are becoming unsafe, with more farms being split up into lifestyle blocks there are more cars on the country roads and they are not being properly maintained.
Ability to rearvdifferent breeds and different species due to the climate and soil base
An area where a drain runs thru but due to road run-off it remains wetter than is desirable.  Pukekos and Paradise ducks like it.  Other land includes hedgerows as well and a generously planted driveway with interesting specimens
There are native and non-natives planted
Producing healthy locally grown food.  Living in a great valley, fantastic scenery, great neighbours with access to the city and all it has to offer whenever it is required.  Being lucky enough to have a climate that is so equable, not vast extremes.
Rates rising.  Cost of fuel.  Developing methods to grow food with the wetter climate we are now experiencing.
Become self sufficient producing own food.
Water quality and water availability, severe weather events.
More information learnings through younger generations and modern Comms and technology.  A shift back towards better sustainability techniques and natural farming less intensive more diverse.  More access to diverstity and information.
Council district plan and rules failures for recreational activities in rural zone where don't consider impact - eg gun clubs.   Roading issues rural roads.
The ability to be as self sufficient as possible, and remove oneself from beauracracy and stress.
Changing climate and more extreme weather events. The stability of our rural roads, particularly with the increasing use of heavy logging trucks.
Education and awareness of non rural peoples to where their food comes from and how small scale farming can be healthy  ,if managed correctly, for stock, all peoples and the environment.
Urban sprawl and the pressure on good farming land , like the Waimea plains here in Nelson...... and Dury  in south Auckland.
Providing specific artisan products especially organics
Being dictated what we can and can't do on our own land, by parties that do not farm themselves. Eg The One Plan is huge financial pressure and uncertainty for every farmer in Tararua. Land values will plummet.
Selling our meat under a well advertised nz grass grown or similar to maximize profits
Misconceptions about farming practices and the huge divide between farmers and town folk who control nzs voting power. For us on a small family farm I think it will become harder to compete with the bigger corporate types.
Relaxing away from the hustle of suburbia!
City sprawl, lack of weed control and poor land management
Climate change means we will need to diversify, create more healthy, resilient and sustainable landscapes, harvest and protect water, adopt alternative farming practices such as biodynamics, organics and permaculture, create  networks of farmers to share ideas and resources and provide mutual support, create and support local farmers' markets, revive traditions such as cheesemaking which could become thriving small businesses, plant trees that count on all farms as shade producers,  buffers, woodlots, wildlife habitat, air quality improvers ... there is so much I want to write here!
Climate change. We just don't know how quickly we will need to adjust, and in what ways. The seasons are already becoming less predictable. We need to get really smart at growing things in all weathers, and surviving severe weather events whilst minimising impacts. We need to completely rethink what it means to be farmers. We are not just here to make a living, but to steward our land wisely and lovingly, with the greater good always in mind. Our attitude to our land has to change - it's not ours, as such, but belongs to the living planet. It has suffered from deforestation, water degradation, soil erosion, contamination from sprays and dips, and such. We need to get much more scientfic in our understanding of how all these elements interact and make our farms healthy in every way. This is going to take a massive effort on our part, and it's going to be costly. We need incentives and support from TDC.
Growing food for the local market, as most of the 'real' farmers are exporting
Production of specialised food for niche markets & sold locally for our fast growing Auckland population
Protecting the environment & water quality.Preventing the subdivision of prime grazing/gardening land from subdivision for housing.
Paperwork and rules being imposed by people that do not understand the rural scene
Improve water quality and biodiversity on farm.
Rural urban divide social licence to operate, including, water quality and animal welfare
Where there are buildings. House, barns, etc
History, french, english, arts, design, it
Council rates, power costs, fuel costs. Burdensome governmentl restrictions. Permits for everything. Resiurce consens for everything. Rules, restrictions. Ppl can use common sense, we dont need over-regulation and expense
New markets growing for niche products like avocados, tree tomatoes etc
to be able to support ourselves food wise
Keeping the cost down like rates ,power and etc.
Converting easier contour bush into productive farmland for sheep and beef farming
Do not see any opportunities due to current poor financial returns
Unrealistic and uneconomic environmental legislation; RMA, Fencing waterways on hill country Lack of interface between beuracrats/politicians and farmers Fractured marketing of export products leading to poor prices for price taking farmers Increasing divide between town and country opinions on key issues Capital Gains Tax if implemented crippling future investment returns and reasons for farming
Unachievable expectations around how we farm making the practice uneconomical
Get the right place to manage without using chemicals so to keep all natural
We are looking into it currently, although only seem to have rabbits currently
Hopefully good weather that enables grass growth and vegetable growth
Drought, farming red tape, falling prices
Making a profit while being sustainable and the growing divide between urban and rural people.  Urban people struggle to see that it is not just dairy farms that cause pollution, intensive living is also a cause of pollution.
Very bushie  and bluffs. Very steep hill. Dry not a lot of grazing
Just leave native plants alone that are already there
Farming with the environment not against it.
Farming without degrading our environment.
Increased demand for our store stock from the growth in irrigation schemes in the Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay regions
To reduce the dependence on dairy farming
Ensuring value for money from WDC rates and that increases are less than the rate of inflation
Good climate for growing grass. Producing high quality produce in a clean green enviroment and in a sustainable way. Eco Tourism
Protecting the enviroment. The costs to do so( fencing and pest control ). Knowledge. Getting the right advise. Can the farm be viable while doing the above.
Biohazards - kiwifruit psa, south island dairy farm disease, stink beetle,...
Encroaching residential areas, loss of farming land to development and land banking (without use)
It was an irrigation dam up until last week when council squashed that idea
Drought, stock prices, labour getting into government
Nitrogen runoff limitations -amount of animals allowed per acre.
District council rules and money craving policies
Mostly sheep finishing through winter and spring, summer and autumn more intensive beef. But limited number of both sheep and cattle year round.
Grounds surrounding house/sheds etc not grazed.
Health Science, paramedic medicine; Outdoor Education
Water Land price increase increasing lending, requiring higher intensity to meet requirements Urbanites sticky beaking in our industry and not understanding our practises; imposing unrealistic regulations and rules
to be self sufficent and live off the land
Close to large population, but a pleasant rural coastal laid back area.
Opposition by Govt departments who's aim is to cause stress to farmers. eg Regional Council, OSH, DOC.
Possible challenges due to increased regulation and possible taxation because of environmental issues. Multiple organisations taking an interest in health and safety administration within a farming business. Eg worksafe, dairy company both setting safety regulations and farm management needs to satisfy both entities
The amount of rules and compliance costs are starting to make farming small farms near cities difficult
Ability to grow grass all year round, mild climate.
Increased production and profit due to smarter farming methods and greater knowledge.
Anti farming lobbyists. Over regulation. Urban rural devide
adding value to our products using our clean green image
the amount of new and continuing rules and regulations. the amount of negitive press farmers reiceive most of which from misimformation and the damage thats cause because of it.
Biodiversity and alternatives to fossil fuels Potential for Hemp and other plant based manufacturing. Reduction in depending on dairy bandwagon and looking for added value niche market protein products
we can maintain production with out the heavy use of irrigation etc. and we have some of the lowest costs to produce 1 kgMS in New Zealand
Inadequate fair availability of water permits, these should be on a per hectare allocation available to everyone with no large allocations to specific sectors whilst others get none
maintain our waterways in a clean and swimmable way
On flat land and no rivers running through farm so don't need to worry about them
Land developers, over population, bad council decisions
With the change in climate Wanganui has benefited with increased rainfall and milder winters. In the 3 years we have been here we have had 2 mild winters where the grass did not stop growing. We had 1 summer drought and 2 wetter summers. We have been able to carry a few more stock because of this.
Maintaining water quality. The wanganui river is so dirty. Also with the increase rainfall so many of the high slopes have slipped. Also the rivers frequently floods, sometimes affecting infrastructure.
Science and tech Increasing stock performance
Environmental issues. Rural / urban disconnect Perception of agriculture
Changed from spring calves to autumn so two year old bulls gone before second winter. Only light yearling bulls remain for winter.
Managing waterways for stock exclusion. Riperean plantings.
Free capital to undertake fencing and planting.
Local resilience charitable society (runs educational programmes, workshops, community gardens and orchard) Local economy incorporated society (runs the local market, publishes area business directory, manages local currency)
Doing a better job building soil, especially getting more carbon into the ground. Doing more with planting trees.
Soluble nitrogen leaching and soil erosion, urban encroachment, climate uncertainty.
farm management diploma   , stock and station industry certificate , 2 nd class stationary engine driver
great climate council have good understanding of things rural  and work with farmers rather than against
environmental , health and safety, regulations driven by those who have very little understanding of things rural but have the ear of the over  educated who lack practicability
Professional qualification - chartered accountant, member of caanz
Weed and pest control, possible water restrictions, droughts
All drins and creeks fence off during winter feeding of crops
Run the farm with higher pasture covers and leave higher post grazing covers
Increase awareness of self-sustainability, through increasing independent food production
Increased living costs, climate change and natural disasters, increased biosecurity risks
Have cats and dog so don't want to use baits and don't own gun to shoot rabbits/hares
Increased rainfall, population increase causing zoning changes, legislation and red tape especially likely new laws aimed to protect the idiots from themselves, which will significantly inconvenience and hinder the rest of us.
Drought and flooding, extremes of weather and government changes, too many people putting their hand out to take away our HARD earned $$
Increased restrictions that are forced upon farmers, with little care for cost and extra labour/stress and in some cases not very well planned long term. Work with us not against us.
Self employed, adjust living expenses to income, no travel to work, no close neighbors, pleasant views, family oriented environment, shared interests, community involvement, lifestyle choices
Book keeping responsibilities, cost of travel, record keeping, computer knowledge, no mobile coverage, weather variations, cost of fertilizer, effectiveness of products in animal health and pasture, cost of ACC and insurances just to exist, power costs increasing, operators health and relief for work as required, pest control, community volunteers reducing through people working outside their homes, materialistic attitudes of present generation.
Water storage/irrigation allowing for surety of water supply and diversification of land use.
Water quality/runoff.  Environmental challenges - town versus country.  Profitability as regulations squeeze the ability to farm.
Opportunity to keep real (albeit small) farms close to the expanding city
Urban expansion, land being brought but not farmed.
Non lifestyle people moving into the district and enforcing town rules i.e. noise/fire etc
Animal genetics and meat eating qualities traits being identified.  Agri tourism
Rates making farms unecomical  expanding city boundaries bringing dogs and rubbish issues into the country
Opportunity to diversify on small scale to meet the likes of farmers markets
Climate changes and drainage in clay soils
stop being picked on by urban dwellers. the divide  finding good kiwi labour
having a growing population on our doorstep that needs food.
urban sprawl and the growing devide between urban and rural.
better returns from marketed added value products
Water storage  The emergence of lab grown meat that will force us to concentrate on wealthy individuals who will appreciate and pay for a quality, pastured sustainable product that we already produce
Misinformation  Telling our story to the nation and the world
Increasing the quality of stock produced and improving the grazing land.
Encroachment of the urban development into the rural landscape.
We only have hares which come from time to time and they aren't an issue.  Cats control the mice and no other pests.
Build shelters, go the extra mile to care for stock, breed rare breeds
There are significant oppurtunioties for small and/or niche farmers and producers in regional farmers markets and other low food mile/fresh organic produce sales channels.
Ensuring that rural block holders are not disadvantaged by Upper Hutt's residential growth and that rural block holders farming way of life and rights are not impinged.
Have kiwis in area and have seen them on my property last year , Have not got much of a problem with rats etc use bait around the house and shoot the odd possum .
Homeschool Support Group and its associated sports and other educational and cultural groups.
To preserve a rural way of life and the land for future generations in such a fast growing city.  To have the opportunity to embrace a rural life style so close to a major city.  Farmer's Markets, increased interest in organic and local foods, food sourcing etc.
As above, the encroach of the city, driving land prices and values up.  Auckland traffic, as most of us commute to a job somewhere in Auckland.  A council who increasingly approaches things from a 'city' point of view, which is often at odds (or even impossible) in a rural setting.
Exclude stock from main water ways, divert runoff from main waterways
Irrigation schemes, higher demand for product through marketing and population growth,
The growing divide between rural and urban community, global warming, severe weather events.
use controlled release urea not slow release. this minimizes nitrification and last up to 100 days.
We have no waterways on farm. There is a river at bottom of farm but there is 20 metres of vegetation between fence and river. Stock can't get to river
Perception. I feel we are the original environmentalists. We work hard to maintain and improve our farm for future generations this doesnt happen if we don't have pure water.
Extremist vegans/vegetarians and migrants finding our paradise and want dairying gone to preserve there holiday homes
dairying draining everything, buying up all the small holdings killing off small farms........to many dairy farms and dairy animals!!!!
Preventing Doc from dropping 1080 and other dangerous poisons on our beautiful Aoteoroa
people in places of orthority who dont know what they are talking about but make rules that have a blanket coverage
Selling off the land in lifestyle blocks
Getting the most lifestyle blocks within the district plan
rising temperatures, prospect of drought, although I firmly believe that farmers whould take responsiblility for their own farm water supply
Stable Govt.  Avoiding punitive tax , land, water,capital gains, etc as proposed by some political parties. Trying to avoid the division of NZ society into two opposing groups rural and urban. Restoring equality in law and benefits on a non race based criteria.
Rabbits and rats present but very few.  Dogs and cat control!
National Fieldays, Royal Agricultural Society, Dairy Woman's Network
Expanding Farmers Markets  and selling direct to the consumer,  educating the consumer on where quality produce come from,  telling the story
party bush ( native) and too steep& wet to graze in winter
Weather and freedom to use land as one would wish.
Flood run off and fenced off ponding in paddocks
In my view there is very little opportunity for the smaller lifestyle farmers as most things are offered to the bigger farms in the area more than the smaller property owners
Water restrictions and pricing to buy into some local irrigation scheme. And aswell as location of the farm there's not the opportunity as it's not available for us. So on years when it's dry where screwed as the little guys like us have no hope. Our biggest challenge is how do we continue when there's a drought.
make the most of current good prices for our products
Individual genetic gain. Change of wool type, better market access, ownership of product.
Urban rural divide. Environmental. Health and safety. Compliance. Public scrutiny. Competing with countries that have farm subsidy arrangements whilst having further restrictions placed on us to limit production. Forcing to treat farming solely as a business activity and removing the ability to enjoy our way of life.
Healthy Rivers exceeding national waterway fencing requirements -simply not practical or economic for this type of land - put us all out of business for no environmental advantage.
Dreading a possible capital gains tax, and water use tax.
because we like to leave tracks of bush etc as makes the farm alot more interesting for us and all animals birds etc that live here. we enjoy having birds and we do this because we choose to do it not because of governace intervention.
because we choose to live on land that has plenty of trees and bush and healthy clean waterways. we are here to live with the land not rape and pillage it
learning to farm on a lower input and reduced number of stock.    and take more care of the land etc planting more trees reducing fertilzier input. and goverment interference dictating how and what they can farm
Environmental legislation forced on farmers by regional and local councils. General compliance requirements causing additional costs and using up time therby creating additional labour rquirements
Produce high quality food for an ever increasing demand
Being able to produce food sustainably amid  a mass of miss informed urban population
Being able to live on a clean 'green' environment
Keeping the environment clean...clean air, clean water...no noise/light pollution
Fenced off all water ways, looking into bunds
shift stock if they are on wetter paddocks
Rates and roading What end products sold for Weather Cost of land Getting bank loans
We have 5 farms with storage needs. Pork unit has 2 weeks stir. Sheep dairy has 3 mths storage. 1 dairy cow farm has 2 ponds. 2 have sumps for a day & are in the process of getting systems that purify water to reuse after nutrients are stripped out.
Determining water use/s & solutions for  environmental challenges.
Being conscious of any opportunities to change
Stock lanes, driveways, shedding, housing.
Level 5 National Certificate Offender Management
freedom of choice with minimal external legislation / control
Availability of land. Interference from the Greenies
Large open sided shelter and toilets for school camps on river flats.
As always, enjoy the freedom & space of your own property and share a disappearing way of life with Grand children & teach & expose them about 'Real' life, about animal reproduction, caring for animals  the environment & other people.
Political interference & expenses incurred thereof
give up farming, subdivide land and make lots of money
weather forecasts, potential for wind, current weather
Warmer climate.  Ability to remain or improve profitability so that farmers can continue to positively contribute to caring for our environment.
regulation, compliance and cost creating rules that make academics feel as though they have "contributed" to improving water quality and the environment as a whole while they have actually only reduced the ability of the people that can make difference. Profits gobbled up in consent processes would achieve more at the coal face.
Focus more on pasture based farming. Focus more on quality not quantity . Add more value to products
The growing urban/rural divide.Compliance and growing bureaucracy adding to cost of production . Encouraging the next generation into farming
Diversifying the product from the farms.
Maintaining environmental balance with profit.
To utilize the stage 2 of the NOIC irrigation and making it profitable for farming into the future without the concern of water taxes, rising annual water charges and power costs.
To keep the farming operations profitable.
Increased technology use, land use such as crops and new grasses, stock genetics on sheep & beef farms
The weather, droughts, rainfall events. Farm prices for sheep & beef Beurarcy, red tape, extra costs for stupid things
Opportunities to enjoy farming but not be very far from town, super market or good secondary schools
Public appearances  Profitability being capped due to environmental codes and developments.  Urban sprawl and then pointing fingers when they are upsetting waterways with horses, roads and overstocking.  Drones! People watching whilst farmers are under the pump And people point fingers
This seems to be a political survey and shows no benefit to farmers
Lots of people wanting lifestyle blocks, so an opportunity to divide land up and make some money.
Land is very expensive and hard to find lease land.
Improved demand globally for protein giving improved returns for primary produce.
Compliance with environmental regulations and taxes
Possibilities for new generations of lifestylers to apply their talents, skills and new ideas which us older ones have not discovered.
Propery prices and availability of. Rate prices for what you get for your rates.
An opportunity to become as self sufficient as possible
Falling price of food- cheap food why bother with growing your own?
Telling our stories to the world. Connecting with our customers.
Compliance costs/ regulations across everything....
Climatic conditions  Water Regional council Decisions
1 Year secondary  Trade cert  motor Mechanic
Blanket Water cost and management constraints without considering individual farming systems  Paperwork  Extra compliance costs  Media based public perception of farmers and farming
They are generally nto a problem, but if we see them on our property and they are within our range they will be shot.
Keeping it viable, especially if it becomes overly regulated
biological hazards - introduced pests, PSA, climate change
Raise prime horses for the racing industry
Paddock rotation and grass conditions, weeds, insect infestation
Genetic improvement of animals & plants Harnessing &using Bio gas from effluent
The new land & water plan and how it is put into action
there is an old tv set village taking up about 0.5 hectares and comprising a number of buildings which we will gradually restore
increasing rainfall if this year is anything to go by
New rules proposed regarding land use and nutrients.
Allocate stock larger breaks or shift more regularly during wet weather.
Moving into more value add products and crops.
Enviromental issues such as water use, emissions and anti farming organizations.  Council rates, interest rates, debt and raising taxes.
new regulations, including the fencing of water ways
farm sustainably and venture into tourism
Once the trees are off I can replant and fence the farm up build a house ,put bee hives on and run sheep and a couple of beefies
Rates going up when all the council does is grade the metal road once a year and building consents
Improve balanced soil fertility which will improve animal and environmental health
traffic,  and townies who move in with the wrong idea of county life
more rules, less understanding from Council
Milk supply options  Politics Offshore Investors and purchasers
Water ownership Maintaining bio- security hazards from entering  Politics Paperwork  Keeping NZ farms owned by NZ'ers
Need to bind together to build markets. To up our productivity.
Drought,  Ministry's making laws and passing these to councils to implement without thinking it through and making our councils have money available for other community necessity's.
Utilizing technology, eg:  GPS guidance, variable rates, robotics etc
Bridging the City - Country divide where most News stories that make headlines put farmers in a bad light. Nutrient budgets and changing regulations Increased need to manage regulations Lower profitability Potential Capital Gains tax Potential Water Tax
People's interests in where their food comes from and health interests
Compliance Costs Remaining profitable  Finding and retaining  willing and able farm employees
Too many buggers on the outside that have an opinion about farming that know nothing about it, they are being fed mis information by media and others that have nothing better to do, eg water tax is a political sop to a large section of urban people
Use Foliar Application rather than solid fert and reduce the amount used
Shocase what we do and wy we do it the passion for farming and feeding people
Rural urban divide, constant pressure of compliance and water quality issues. Sustainability
Using natural fertiliser that is environmentally friendly
It us a piece of land on the other side of the road to the main block, mainly covered in scrub, used over winter for cattle
Sustaining profitability in a rapidly changing farming climate
The removal of too much red tape so that farmers can farm their land to its best use without constant interference from non-farming entities.
The carving up of good, productive farmland into lifestyle blocks which cannot produce enough goods to meet an agricultural market.
Land being taken up for residential housing
Farm management plan developed as part of organic certification process
Use of low input organic fertilizers at key growing periods.  Use of poultry to spread cow manure and poultry their own fertiliser
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Post grad Diploma Ecology and Botany
Diversification of farm activities.  Embrace new ideas and systems to support on farm production and management, creating on farm cycles to improve resilience and reduce reliance on off farm inputs.  Reduction of fertiliser inputs, respect of natural landscape patterns and protection of critical landscape features (riparian margins, steep slopes, erosion prone areas etc)
Reducing the reliance on Dairy whilst providing for farms to transition to other more diverse farming operations, to ensure long term financial and environmental resilience.  Reducing reliance on large scale water allocation schemes, and working closer within the boundaries provided by climatic and geophysical limitations of a particular area.
To learn and to improve and develop the land they have been allowed to be a caretaker of.
Fire control.  Flood management.  Possibly water use and conservation.  Control of plant pests - such as chillean needle grass and even more common weed pests such as barley grass and thistles.
Milk once a day, reduce in and out of gateways. Back break.
2 ponds, 150 days storage, no discharge, applied to land via traveling irrigator
Get back to basics, reduce input, reduce quantity, increase quality.
Rising and extra expenses that eat into already tight margins
The implementation of rules and regulations based on hearsay or poor science. eg using overseer to measure N leaching in an arable setting.
Value add to meat through grassfed animals  Land subdivision Land value appreciation
Environmental regulations Rural/city perceptions divide Wool values
The divide between rural & urban communities that the media & a few radical groups/people have created.  The negative press that blames the rural community for everything (except the housing shortage in Auckland!)
Hopefully for common sense to prevail so we can get on and farm in an economic way without all the unnecessary paper work and restrictions. Farmers are natural care takers of the Land and  majority do not jeopardise that.
Restrictions on every day basic farming practices. Water restrictions, added costs for ridiculous impractible restrictions  eg fence lines roading to mention a couple
Representative of an Incorporated Society, and nominated Farm manager
Plant flaxes in wet areas where hills drain into waterways
I stopped grazing cows entirely. - Sheep are pretty gentle on riparian margins
Diversification of land-usage, point-of-origin marketing
Water Pollution mitigation, returns for Primary produce, Land price, pressure to subdivide, increased rainfall, mental health
Trees were already there when purchased the farm
PC one.  The water plan and associated enviromental restrictions
B.Sc majoring in plant and horticultural science and environmental science.
To maintain the front foot in respect to our social licence to farm. ie waterway environment. improved science and management techniques allowing us to improve and find efficiencies for our farming businesses making them more profitable and competitive.
same as above. along with risk mitigation of floods/droughts etc. Ever increasing compliance costs and red tape. Rural urban divide. urban disillusionment with farming.
Providing a drought-safe area for Hawes Bay and Wairarapa..
Rising rates for TDC and Horizons ratepayers with little or no benefit in roading, flood protection, drainage, reticulated water, rubbish disposal, resource consents to carry out improvements to all of the above.
increasing demand for grass fed protein and venison products . eg Velvet
increasingly restrictive disrrict council regulations
Trying to keep a positive attitude when there is such a massive urban rural rift
Neighbouring properties undertake control as part of our Landcare group. We have young children so pest control is difficult to do ourselves at the moment. Don't want to do poison stations as last year our dogs got poisoned by the neighbours setting stations along the stream between our property and theirs.
Compliance and taxes, inluding water taxes, environment gtaxes, emmissions charges
Revegetation with native trees in sloping area of gorse
Creating native habitat - increasing biodiversity of land - more birds now and insects and native plant species are reintroducing themsleves through bird droppings
Specialist markets - organic food, truffles, saffron etc
Being surrounded by dairy farmers! And of course the changing climate. Rising land prices.
Having to face restrictions to do what they feel is really right for there piece of land.
Tracking and house sections, yards etc. Most native bush is original if not expanding
Trying to stay profitable and environmentally sustainable. A lot of our decision making is reactive, short sighted and is not aimed at the root cause of our on farm problems. A rethink of our traditional farming systems is needed to trully become more sustainable.
Efficiencies in water management and moisture monitoring
Legislation and a possible change of Government
To provide shade Future stewardship as per previous land owners. Esthetic value for future generations. Doing our bit to conserve fauna and flora
Compliance changes Urban expectations of right to comment and have the right to use rural ammenities
To build a reputation as a district that wants to try and have a good impact on the environment
Being told more and more often what it is that we have to do to be able to supply our product to the people who live in town.
Tourism -Farmstays and overnight stops  on cycle ways
preserving the environment and controlling development
development, climate change, environmental deterioration, big farma
very steep, existing established bush when we bought the property
producing your own food and knowing its miles...
climate, government changes, immigration putting pressure on land prices
Getting bogged down in various legislation
Becoming more Efficient and better utilising the resources we have. making more money by breeding, grass species, utilisation of feed, winter milking, better fert applications etc etc
the media, Labour & the Green parties for the incorrect broadcasts on the effect farming is having on our country. I fail to see what hospitals, schools roads etc people would use if dairy was stopped as the dollars contributed to this country by dairy is huge. , the townies and the effect of rampant urban sprawl which is having a huge impact on visual pollution, noise pollution, air pollution, water pollution and is using up 100s of hectares of farming land used to grow food
That we can't get out animals slaughtered close to Auckland and sell direct to our ur Auckland Consumers. Lobbying by meat companies mean that we can't get the law changed so that we can sell certified Homekill, allowing consumers to be in direct contact with the people that grow their meat, for the animals to be slaughtered within close proximity to the farm, reducing the carbon footprint etc etc.
Dairy technology Entomology Textile Science
Bridging the gulf between urban and rural folk - particularly understanding challenges around land and water use - securing freedom to operate.
Interest in local small cemetery and possibly get involved with local museum in near future
Pride in producing own food and passing surplus on
Paying huge money to tidy up th environment to keep townies happy
Owning a piece of land to pass on to their kids.
Maintaining the land while working in the city.
Otapuni stream (flood protection scheme)
Good size blocks getting cut down into 2ha blocks
with irrigation happening soon more water available to grow plenty of feed for stock
the weather and climate change on feed and crops
Maybe to take opportunities regarding tourism
keeping bias government decisions out of our lives.
To ensure our stock do not get stuck in soft ground and to preserve the native trees. We fenced it off when the property was purchased some 16 years ago and have planted more natives in the area.
To preserve native pockets of bush and wetlands. To maintain pest control. To ensure fertilizers are not spread where there would be significant run off to waterways and to look into more natural fertilizers.
All of the above. To adapt to and manage the changes being experienced with the severe weather patterns with regards to stock management and the land ie flooding/drought.
Let you know in about 3 weeks ???!! Could be the urban ag divide that policiticlal parties are trying explolit
Varation in prices from one year to next
Climate Change Commodity prices Government policy Regulations
There is no quick get rich opportunities but to knuckle down and do the work. Although tourism could become more important with the increased awareness of keeping New Zealand green.
Quantifing yourself to the regional and governmental agencies
He freedom of living in an amazing district with large growth in viticulture
Changes in weather. Drought, water treated by global warming
Urban sprawl Lifestylers - those with too much money who are doing it because it is fashionable.
New Zealand Get rid of the European - I'm a 5th gen NZer and not of European descent!
Rates. councils have changed our rates from rural to std rates, claiming  that we do not far. Suggest they get real. Farming would be more than viable if rates were not so outrageous. Until such stage that the land is residential one should be able to farm without forcing people from the land. They never commit to pest eradication or support their contracts and obligations.
Fencing stock out of streams when the next flood washes the fence away, as it has regularly since we have been here.
not overgrazing to low covers. more set stocking
farming rules that are coming in    and ecan
Compliance to unnecessary regulations. Farming challenges are great enough without people who have no idea making decisions on how farmers should run there property
4th generation New Zealander neither Maori  or European  I find it offensive to be discriminated by my skin colour
health and safety , compliance , the increasing pressure of being taken for granted and treated like farmers are bad people coming from the media with false information
Being self sufficient and advances in solar energy
the biggest opportunities are that calf sales are keeping us going as without them we would not be as successful or be able to grow stock as well as we are over the last 2 years
biggest challenges is the weather as it impacts the grass and with prices of milk and overall farming status on the low it gets very stressful so alot of farm suicides which if more help from the government then these wouldnt be as many and nz farmers would feel more supported
unsure, because of the unknown compliance pressures
environmental constrictions forced on hill country farmers, along with the cost of compliance
We need to take back control of our industry
2 pond system, excess aerobic liquid irrigated thru pivot
Irrigation efficiency driven production increases
Water taxes and publically perceived environmental problems.
Cattle are out of creeks, sheep are not and will not be except over winter grazing, we break fence them out.All stock fully excluded to beyond reccommended buffer zones while on crop
A couple of bogs and a steep gully in bush
Proving we work with nature, not against it
all creeks fenced off. No winter forage cropping undertaken on the property.
Fixed time return - limited water availability.
None - many farmers are now extremely restricted with what they can do with their farming business.
Enjoying life.  Raising your family in the country.  Growing and eating healthy food and sharing that food with either as a gift or to market.  Healing the land and leading an example of low input, non toxic farming.  Planting natives. Natural carbon sequestration.  Setting an example for small scale farming and natural living.
Dealing with large scale, polluting, disrespectful, highly intensive, high input farmers who only think about their short term gain.  Climate change.
Irrigation by the proposed Hurunui Water Project. Dryland Farming technology is improving the sustainability of dryland farming. Bee Keeping New Land use options with irrigation, such as Deer, Milking sheep, vegetable production, seed production, Dairy.
A change of government.  The Centre left have some very Anti Farming Policies.  Water Tax, Capital gains tax, emissions tax, asset tax, carbon tax etc etc. The widening of the rural urban divide.  Urban people are being led by extremist views and a very biased media that seems intent on selling newspapers and advertising rather than reporting the truth. Rising cost of production of farming is a big concern.  The consumers of NZ are more interested in buying cheap, rather than quality.
Wild pigs are taking over following a recent 1080 drop on neighbouring forestry block
Innovation within the farm gate, IE wool reducing micron while still achieving high lambing% and weights
Anti farming lobbies (Labour Party, Fish and Game, Media). Irrigation, seed markets
Be involved in conservation and be part of a green belt around a city
Heathy rivers plan - too restrictive for lifestyle owners and also council restrictions on sub dividing your property
To use the internet to earn money from selling goods directly to end consumer or to provide services to the end consumer
A very strong bias against lifestyle income earners from the local Council. A complete failure to realise the high earning potential of lifestyle block owners.
Farming in the greater Auckland area - so few farms will remain in 10 years....
None.  Small farmers and the NZ lifestyle for a small farmer has become non existent.
Monetary outlay for restrictions not implemented by Govt before now.   Young farmers getting into a farm.   Managing labour in big farming operations.
Technology to allow grasses to be drought tolerant,
Change of land use,  Fencing water ways, Limited stocking rate,  climate change, new overseas weeds!!
Weak infrastructure (Roading, Electricity, Internet (business and educational connectivity))
too steep, mostly around waterways, gullies
team leading and project managing in precision engineering
Weather changes. Biggest problems are going to be around water: conserving water in summer, less pollution in water...
Managing waterways and runoff during winter season.
Developed a liquid nitrogen application system so only use a minimal amount of n
120 days storage with a weeping wall and greenwash system
We have had the farm em mapped and have numerous soil moisture probes
Becoming a value add industry rather than a volume industry
Ag trust for support of primary industry students
Understanding economic and environment sustainability
Preserve natural native areas to follow my own ecological beliefs instead of the the environmental bullshit that is shoveled down our throats by egotistical idiots who are trying to tell us that we are facing global warning climate change which is the biggest crock of shit we have been fed
There are none as long as the bureaucrats stand in the way of progress.
The continual interference by the bureaucratic fuck heads ie regional councils, worksafe making policies that fuck up the day to day running of businesses. The stresses caused to individuals is immence and the bureaucratic fuckheads have got there heads buried so far up there arses the they dont have a clue what is happening in the real world.
To care for the land  and water quality in a way that will continue to improve it for future generations while providing a useful financial return.
To maintain and improve the soil structure and micro-organisims without the use of excessive artificial fertilizers.
Compliance; compliance. More compliance and meddling from local and national authorities.
there are none currently available for hill country farming. Apiculture is quite high risk . forestry is long term.
better returns from existing products - beef, sheep meats, and wool especially.
Quality lifestyle capable appreciating properties within easy commute of the capital with all the benefits that entails
Hydro-supply and waste water infrastructure.  Transport management. Population explosion
Position themselves with organic GMO free produce
Climate change and environmental regulations
pollution,Chemicals causing cancer.   Becoming organic & caring for the land for future New Zealanders.
The responsibilities of safe food production.
Marae; Hapu Initiatives; Recreation Community Facility
Expectations exceeding capability & capacity
To grow speciality foods with farm to plate identification. Creating high end foods that are plant based.
The divide between city and country dwellers and a changing climate. Growing new crops which cope with drought.
Contour fence to topography. No heavy (older than 1 yr old) cattle on flats from May to September.
Production of very high quality protein, for affluent international food markets.
The invention and mass production of plastic, genetically modified and cultured pseudo-protein.
Educating the urban masses how their food arrives in the supermarket
The complete ignorance of urbanites as to how their food arrives in the supermarket and the scapegoating of the productive rural sector by the media and special interest groups
Diversification  Growing dairy industry. promoting rural products as a healthy option- providing (or marketing) products which will compete with "organic" products.
Rural - urban divide. Decreased understanding of rural living, farming + limited understanding of farmers of urban lifestyle.  Overcoming bigger budgets and the emotional content of marketing of the likes of "organic" produce.
Large garden for a place to relax and to support the bees
Trying to control rats/rabbits and visually monitor natives but still learning and not tracked
Not really sure where to start, just use rat bait for now. Too small for rabbit shooting
Learn! Understand even though we lifestylers are small together we make a big area which is a big impact and therefore a big opportunity to make a big impact.
Picking up the ball, a lot of lifestylers don't understand the environmental impacts a lot just have land to be out of town so a big gap in education
Low or no stock rates on wet areas during wettest months
To grow our co operative to have a less volatile impact on its farmers
Govt and regulations from here and overseas
District plan changes creating subdivision potential for properties located within the proposed new zones.
Rates, getting better money for meat and wool.
Interfering government from local up. suggesting people are stupid and unable to make decisions without big brother rules and regulations.
The city is moving quickly into the outskirts of gisborne. My lifestyle block will not exist   in 10 years time ____
Planting native species to enhance the environment
Telling the people in towns farming is not the main polluter we all are
Automotive diesel technician, the diploma of today doesn't cover trade qualifications of yesterday. Ours worked.
None really, but proper farmers are in big trouble by way of a false public perception they are destroying the land and waterways.  i support them in this struggle for the truth to be more widely accepted.
Master of Nursing Master of Arts PhD candidate
Over zealous officials eg OSH  etc. Unnecessary paperwork  and regulations.
To many city people buying lifestyle units and running uncontrolled dogs on them. No weed control,  noxious weeds not treated.
Land use restrictions and subdivision restrictions
too much government ,and too much pandering to the iwis, our culture doesn"t count anymore.
Small area non-pastured land taken up by buildings, yards, tree-lines and hedge rows
Buyers from the Peoples Republic of China
Naval qualifications part Nat Cert in Business Studies level 1 & 2 Cert Horticulture
coping with all the red tape and consents and the urban /rural divide urban dwellers do not understand the difficulties of farming if the green party has their way there would be no actual farming we would be back to scrub
Growth and development of small businesses to help and support the NZ Economy.
Trade certified fitter and turner, welder.
Uncertain about what the future holds. For us it involves looking to find niche markets for animal products produced on farm.
For us it is to upgrade infrastructure destroyed in the floods 2 - 3 years ago and to fence the property in order to be able to better manage the stock and also the land.
Changing Weather patterns and extended grass growing seasons
Export Markets and Livestock Markets, Environmental compliance
Maintaining and developing certification for food production that maximises returns.
Urbanisation.  Conflict between traditional farming practices and urban expectations/beliefs
Continuing interference by outside influences on the way we use our land
We are ideally placed to produce food for the worlds growing population
There have always been challenges and there always will be They are not a surprise ! Climate change is possibly a challenge as we can expect greater extremes in weather events
Developing land for native habitats, by planting more native trees. Also being more self-sufficient with growing own food
Producing the very best quality produce.
We strongly want to protect Pirongia mountain. We felt that by giving some of our land back to the mountain we could plant it and leave it looking better than when we arrived on the property.
We do not use any sprays and weed control is all done by hand. As spray run off also affects our water ways.
Going organic and marketing the image honestly that we try to portray. Clean, green NZ products need to be just that! Organic farming is really the only way forward, it has reduced costs and healthier, happier animals and people.
Reducing or eliminating the use of weed killer sprays and over use of fertilizers. Carefully considering the environmental impact of farms and how we can best reduce this.
register professional,    Multiple National Standards certificates attained in other interests
Rural, townie divide, urban sprawl gobbling up productive land.
fencing to restrict livestock from waterways
To farm with environmental and animal health issues at the forefront before profit
to achieve above and make a profit against negativity surrounding the industry
Disease / Insect control - white butterfly, myrtle rust, others. Extreme weather including wind. Gorse control
Being allowed to live off our farm killing and processing our own meat
world unrest/war. pollution - lack of recycling system set up by local/central government whose job it is to do so!!!
You must be much younger than me. I passed university entrance exams in 1984. This at the time was a big deal at college.
All the land is being sold off for housing so no more lifestyle blocks, unfortunately country is becoming city
Management of waterways on their own property, economic management of their farming business, climate, export earnings
Encroaching housing development, traffic, internet connections,  level of precipitation, possible water usage costs
To restore native plants and for human well-being.
Qualification in the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in London prior to it becoming a graduate course.
Retiring paddocks and planting native vegetation Becoming self-sufficient Ensuring urban grandchildren experience the natural world
Preventing the urban sprawl of housing on productive land
Biofiltro plant that treats the effluent taking out large quanties of n and k and lowering e-coli levels
To make sure that native plantings are expanded and waterways are kept clean and tidy for future generations
To make sure that everyone pulls in the same direction
the opportunity to leverage of our environment and "sell our story" The opportunity to increase efficiency and sustainability though use of technology
Dimwits in (local authority) offices stifling progress, making hap hazard ill suited decisions based on low knowledge and political motivations
Social Sciences (Animal Behaviour and Public Policy)
We're generally less susceptible to climatic conditions (flooding and drought) than other areas, so we're good at growing grass, so we need to continue to produce (or support the production of) good quality milk and meat with as little additives as possible that is convenient for the consumer.
Red tape and funding.  We need external control for issues such as TB, but systems are pretty challenging, especially for 'old school' farmers.  We all want to be environmentally friendly farmers, but funding such initiatives is so difficult when farms are struggling to make any money.
unrealistic/lack of understanding from general public as they become more remove from farming,extra cost for compliance which is not working
Like having native bush as part of the property.  Area too steep to be viable for anything else
Better animal welfare practices and better management of waterways
Climate change with more extreme weather events & overuse of water table with increase in Diary farming
Have only owned property for a year have not done anything to manage erosion yet.
Have not applied any fertiliser yet.  Have done soil tests.
to produce product with less expensive inputs if possible
red tape and people without farming backgounds making desions for farmers ... ie a townie buys a block of land next to a farm and then doesnt want the noise of the tanker collecting milk ... business should be encouaged ... not restricted ..  The cost of compliance to rules and regulations ...
To help facilitate an urban-rural connection in NZ.
Great public scrutiny as a readily available 'face' of farming in NZ.  This is relevant since lifestyle farmers usually do not have the time (since most work off farm), lack of knowledge of farming practices, and often lack of money/resource for spending on the farming (since lifestyle farming is usually uneconomic).
This isn't an answer to this question but I don't see where else to put it. Many of your questions require simplistic answers to complex questions. For example, I am in favour of farmers protecting native areas on their property but don't believe they should be forced to.
Ability to feed our families and communities
Restrictions from council to comply with constrictive rules trying to keep everyone happy.
costs added on by govt and council orgs.
Steeper parts of paddocks or wet areas that could be prone to damage in winter are fenced off by electric fencing
Encroachment on agricultural land by urban expansion and lifestyle blocks.
Growing tropical papaya under plastic for commercial sale
Having the manpower and organization to deal with the increase in Kiwifruit production in the next ten years.
Urban Growth. Stuck up Townies buying property and complaining about the odd bit of seasonal 'Farming Noise'. Controls over chemical usage and the ability to freely purchase them.
we have a dairy goat farm, animals housed 24/7. areas not used have contour not suitable for cut n carry/harvesting and are being planted in native plants/wetlands
crops changed for goats.  Land change in this area is caused by housing pressure
selling land for development, we are situated on the Manukau Harbour.
lack of understanding of farming by council and urban people, reverse sensitivity. rates, regulations causing time delays and cost.  cultural impact assessments when anything needs to be done and boards that are not elected (unequal treatment of cultures) We had to run our herd of goats outdoors for 3 years before we were able to house them. They don't cope with parasites and hate getting wet.  Sorry about the rant!
Ag land being used for roading and housing etc
I don't see any foreseeable opportunities in the distant future.
Resource management act and environmental issues affecting land useage. The rising gap between rural and urban culture, based on numbers and the effect that this has when it comes to policy. The farming community are beginning to be told what to do with no voice due to less voting numbers compared to urban voters who seem to have no clue about rural communities but seem to have a large say in the matter.
farms being turned into life style blocks
Branding our region as a sustainable, clean agriculture
Product distribution, cost of getting product from farm to consumer
mine is rabbit damage  as shooting on a small block is risky and poisoning is risky to pets
Running younger/lighter stock - no bulls over 15 months old on property
Focusing/promoting New Zealands "Clean Green" way of raising animals/food
Labour bringing in water tax. Restriction of farming activities, ie fertilizer application. Excessive rainfall causing runoff into waterways
Endless taxes for causes which are not central to the Farmer's personal life. I despise the Waikato Regional Council Rates.  I support taxes for real services received.
Certified organic farm. Plan meets usda nop standards
Production of organic milk using robotic technology
reducing all chemical inputs, particularly urea, reducing dependence on pke
A strong desire for replanting native bush and retrieving habitat for birds particularly.
Regulations. Paying the rates.Being hemmed in by city people who do not get rural values.
culverts in all drains whether running or not
Control of the Green Party and environmenalists shutting down normal farming
Depending on the person but I believe there is plenty of room for diversification.  I would like more land which would help my diversify and make it our only income stream
Not being able to afford to grow because of the cost of land because dairy farmers can afford to pay more for it than we can
Ian Proudfoot KPMG raises excellent points about farming products needing to make sure their comparative advantage are made clear as new proteins are developed.
Selling fresh vegetables/fruit/free range eggs
Increasing pressure on land values by subdivision of lifestyle blocks.   DROUGHTS
Moving away from dependency on supermarkets and utilities and producing more from your own land. Including energy generation.
The constant reduction in small land blocks due to sub-divisions.
- Intensifying production to meet community needs - eg Community Supported Agriculture - Providing experiences of outdoors/animals/NZ bush for city dwellers
To utilise their land better by improved soil development and with native tree planting and improved waterway management
The amount of poison pumped into the land and animals isn't sustainable need to get back to grassroots stop killing the soil and produce healthy food for our children
After WW1 in France Poppa decided he prefered the trees standing.
A2 milk.  Stop buying land, and let inflation pay off the debt,  to try and keep some money  for ourselves instead of sending it all to the BNZ. Grow rice. (seriously-- I have just got some seed and instructions how to do it from a Japanese Professor doing it in Kiawaka. ie suck up nutrients in our flooded land and provide a crop.)
Loss of control by Farmers of their land and time .      No insentive for young NZers to get into and do  farming, therefore exposing the industry to oversea and coporate investors who will take control of FOOD and WATER ,leaving us to be peasants living off hand outs from GOVT and compling with all their modern bullshit , gazing into screens at Netflix to keep us brain dead just like Religion used too; and keeping us in our place. Exactly where the" powers that be" want us all.
Compliance costs and worksafe regulations
Lack of support services e.g. shearers Independent abattoir
I would try and get rid of the rabbits on my property and rats, mice , possums but due to young kids i cannot lay alot of bait or traps to get rid of them________
Multiple pond system with anaerobic and aerobic ponds where the sludge is spread to pasture in summer and the  effluent with less solids is spread when weather permits.   Weeping wall is also used as above.
GPS mapping for spreading chemicals and fertilizer and all other ground work.
Application of new technologies, effective use of existing knowledge.
The greenies - farmers should be left to run their own farms.  Everyone needs to keep in mind that farmers generally have a innate love of this land and are an economic power house for NZ producing huge amounts of export $$$$$'s!!
Urban spread. Reduction in the size of usable land parcels due to urban spread.
enhancement of aesthetic and natural ecosystem services through protection of indigenous flora and fauna & pest control
loss of versatile land to urban development
Rightly or wrongly subdivision of land for building on.
Commuting time to place of work whilst still being able to live on lifestyle farm.
The chance to develop small specialised high value crops or animals.
Overflow area. There is irregular flow and sometimes it overflows.  Used by bird life
There are rabbits, hares and bird pests, they are tolerated as economically they are not a concern
greenies who have no knowledge what so ever about stock, land management and the circle of life
Compliance with ever changing regulations
Transmission gully increasing property values
Continue to farm with good farming practices and looking after our enviroment. Dairy farmer need to de-stock and look at their practices.
Managing Dairy farmers and their practices.  Not giving consent to dairy farms where the land is unsuitable. Not turning beautiful sheep and beef farms into horrible pine trees to off set the bad practices of dairy farming as a whole.
Townies on lifestyle blocks who struggle to understand the importance of animal welfare and pasture management.
Environment planning and physical geography
Implications of healthy river plan change
raising our own healthy happy animals for consumption.  Enjoying a healthy outdoors lifestyle and our children growing up  in open spaces not stuck indoors due to lack of area to play
land is being cut up into small blocks creating more of a town feel,  it seems people have to move further out from the city to retain a rural lifestyle.
The political and negative environment blaming only farmers for all the environmental ills and the lack of understanding/unwillingness by regulators and environmental pressure groups to accept that different farming systems produce different environmental outcomes.
Ability to control how many neighbours you have - not get too urbanised by selling off your land for other homes
Townies coming to lifestyle blocks and complaining of noise and smells.  Too much regulation.  Too much iwi input. My family ha s been in NZ since 1847 but we are second class citizens still.
To produce high quality products in a sustainable way from a clean green environment
Being able to maintain the right to own my land and not being 'zoned' out by housing and industrial areas!!!
matching live weight to land contor in late Autumn,Winter.eg only sheep on steep country, cattle on the easiest.
Fencing off water ways to exclude stock,variable rate fertilizer applications and buffer zones around water ways, reinforces that we care about our environment and animals to the rest of the country and the world.
Greenies .Managing the Green Brigade and other idiots who do not want farming in Taranaki
profitability, work & time off balance, staff, enviromental & work health & safety challenges
Hawkes Bay has been pretty much denuded of native vegetation. We are doing a little to compensate the ongoing destruction.
natural resources overuse and abuse. Residential encroachment
Subdivision and intensification of land based crops
Urban sprawl and resulting traffic issues. Greater environmental compliance for monitoring water, nutrient and run off.
to leave a legacy for future generations of how the land used to be
Too much regulation and costs associated with it.
Opportuniities to operate more efficiently and supply superior products.
Challenges include flooding, and compliance with regulations that are seen to improve things when actually don't.
Hard to find any positives as farmers are constantly looked down on by town people.
Having tyo deal with young educated people from town who are know alls about the enviroment. They have never lived in the country and would be astonished how the enviroment changes because of bad weather. Farmers live it and have to work within it. Town people think they know it all. We have big seasonal changes in our weather pattern and that is the norm.
Environmental restrictions. If we have to fence all perennial streams it would bankrupt us.
proving enviromental sustainability to increase market share
sustainability in face of urban ignorance
Growing quality products and selling the story behind it.
People in offices making decisions with out having any practical experience or understanding. There is still a lot of the farming community that don't have reliable computer access or the knowledge to use them but councils and policies are expecting them to only have there say via this system.
Our rich soil and climate will allow us to grow any thing that will pay a profit.
Public perseption and misunderstanding. We have the knowlage to sort most of our problems, provided we are profitable, and the support of the people.
They all have to change to organic farming
Advanced Trade Certificate in Printing and 16 years as a Registered Competenz Print Training Assessor
Improving land maintenance and/or quality, helping the fight to significantly improve waterways and lakes and looking into specific food group planting and raising for a changing ethnic marketplace.
Having no real voice or respect in the rural community, management contribution to water care generally, pest eradication or control and planting many more trees on limited lifestyle land mass.
To make it into something rather than just a place to run live stock
With the growing trend and/or awareness for healthy food, free range and issues with animal cruelty relating to farming practises and people wanting to know where their food comes from and how the animals were killed etc., coupled with the increase in so called "plastic made food", the ability to be self sustainable or provision for meat and vegetables would be hugely popular.
Rising property prices resulting in the ability to afford a lifestyle block. If one is lucky enough, the ridiculous price of farming equipment and gear from corporate monopolies (e.g. farmlands) would put a lot away from farming, especially small scale operations like lifestyle blocks.
Closely monitoring stock and moving earlier than planned if wet.
Fencing program is in place to exclude stock from waterways gradually.
Certificate of Apiculture -Telford Pasture/Plant module Aoraki Polytech
Maintain high vegetation cover in drains to act as fertility and sediment filters
Have changed stocking policy to only having lighter cattle over the winter and  all cattle kept out of wetter paddocks over winter
N fertilizer only used once when establishing new pasture which is done by no tillage means
Taking advantage of the rising interest in boutique products eg.. beer wine meat which are able to claim a point of difference by way of quality, flavor etc..
Negotiating the challenge of encroaching housing and its attendant obstruction to many farming practices, the increase of environmentalist challenge and regulation which is often based on very poor or even non-existent science and the slow but insidious capture of resource control by self interest groups such as Iwi and to a lesser extent fish and game.
Water exports. Beef and dairy farming, gold mining
Very high rates, water taxes and surcharges, water quality.
Built wetlands 20 plus years ago in all gullies, low stock rate over winter
By mammals what do you mean?? We trap for vermin all year round
Very few. Farmers are being reduced to peasantry by costs from Councils and Government so all opportunities will be off farm, hence the Trusts future proofing by ensuring the next generation have high educational qualifications, The "farm" will become just large lifestyle blocks.
Costs from Government and Councils forcing unwarranted compliance charges. Our farm has been in the family for almost one hundred years. it is in excellent farming and environmental state.  It's rateable value bears no relation to its productive value but the costs to farm are all based on the mythical " subdividable " value. Until we have a famine I can only see further eroding of our income. Too many people having input into farming that actually have NO connection to food production or any thing else. The farce that is "make rivers swimmable" should ask . How many of todays kids" even want to swim in rivers. We did but there were no safe swimming pools, Rivers are dangerous. If the river people were sincere they would be preventing boating, filthy humans from swimming at all and there dogs etc should also not be allowed to swim in rivers. Cities and towns would also be forced to clean up the filth the put into water ways. Transit should be forced to stop piping the petrol etc contamintated water from roads down my paddocks where they contaminated my lakes.
Small scale land optimization opportunities. Small scale irrigation options in hills,
Climate change-wetter in winter-dryer in summer. More devastating climatic effects Urban environmental pressures-we are losing our social licence to farm especially the dairy industry. We need to be more proactive and adopt best management environmental farming practices.
Use of agrisea and other non chemical fertilizers
Sustainable fruit vegetables and non dairy livestock
Dairy conversions  Drought intolerant farming
To have a great family life and bring children upto value what they have.
Urban sprawl which puts pressure onto all service.
Grad Diploma Dispute Resolution (Waikato)
keeping a balance of profitability and life
loopy lunatics from the tree huggers and Greens and the interfering paternalism of the government and its surrogates who all know better
small scale specialist cropping and stock
having to face the political nonsense of climate change, and over zealous environmentalists
Greater need to feed an expanding population with good high quality naturaly produced food
Water use and getting the urban population to understand the importance of the rural sector to feeding the population
Local markets selling to wealthy Aucklanders.
tourism and preservation and conservation of land and natural resources in the STD region
climate changes and legislation allowing the mining of sea beds for profit orgainisations such as oil companies. Taranaki has a huge oil and gas exploration history and as such land structure changes are inevitable
we are so lightly stocked on our dry but strong hill country that sediment traps and bunds are neither necessary or possible!
we shift stock from damaging areas  during wet or challenging periods
use very little fertiliser in total. feed to replace..
A mix of trust structure and a management board that includes family and outside investment
Charitable Trust and Chair of an Irrigation proposal  started a data management comp[any for livestock
update of real-time technology and the adoption of science based real measures to drive profitability over production for productions sake. Marlborough pastoral farming is generally very environmentally sound with an excellent footprint, so is  well positioned to niche market using the now well established Marlborough brand
Urban Rural divide giving government agencies a mandate through vote power.. Thus changing the  aspirational dynamic of land stewardship and individual  endeavour to being a new bread of reactive compliance managers!
To diversify into new ventures, whether it be tourism, marine farming and in our case 'Organic Livestock' farming. In the Marlborough District viticulture is the main growth source while Apples, Kiwi Fruit and Hops are expanding in Tasman. We are diversifying in Tasman by developing a Hop garden.
The RMA is creating extra costs with the requirement to obtain consents for many activities - not adding value just costs in a very financially tight industry.
The stupid mistakes of a minority that will represent the hole farming community
Growing acceptance of Organic Viticulture and resulting products.  And the increasing mechanical solutions to achieve fully organic status offer great international marketing opportunities for our products and peace of mind with regard to our effect on the environment.
Compliance!  We are small and currently have the following obligatory compliance systems to adhere to; MPI regas, WSMP - Wine Standards Management Plans, Health and Saftey Plan, SWINZ - Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, Growsafe, NAIT.  In addition are the optional systems such as Bio-gro.
Blaming game by politicians against farmers, rural urban divisions.
contamination of the water thru intensive farming
All the restrictions around the clean waterways project
Wintering stand off pads were cows can be fed.
To accept future change and start farming, in such a way that we will be more in balance with the worlds environment.  We here in NZ live not in isolation, we have to learn we are part of the worlds environment and as farmers we should take that on board. That should be part of our education, our philosophy and our laws........
The biggest challenge is to start to mitigate the environmental damage our generation has done.
Pest control, fencing off waterways and planting native species
Best of both worlds - easy access to the benefits of a city, as well as the benefits of living "in the country" (a nice rural lifestyle).
Costs of property in Auckland and travel issues.
1. increasing costs of compliance & monitoring  2. being able to source sufficient capable & reliable seasonal staff for peak orchard activities such as thinning and harvest of crop 3. access to water for crop irrigation in summer 4. possible bio-security incursions such as Brown mammorated stink bug
Most fertiliser is organic based and not immediately water soluble
B Social Sciences Waikato Teaching Diploma 1yr Intro Agricultural courses
Ability to grow more feed if climate warms or changes.As topsoil on pumice areas improves with organic matter from cows grass will grow better with less N products having to be used.
Councils or governments imposing unrealistic controls that will damage farmings abilities and financial rewards.We rely on some capital gain as farms are cash poor ,with many farmers having to reinvest most profits into the farm for many yearsy. What is a drain stream etc for fencing.Having to retire large amounts of land.......
Selling land for subdivision for housing and Lifestylers
Trying to make a profit farming, after huge Rates and expenses for compliance etc.
Water Management and the Irrigation project
Climate change and the potewntial council amalgamation
Farmers markets bringing produce to urban dwellers - selling produce fresh from the farm- try to bridge the divide between rural and urban population
Expansion of subdivisions onto commercially productive land - ie, Karaka once provided fresh milk supply for Auckland City and is now been subdivided up into unproductive small blocks - likewise Pukekohe area is beginning to subdivide valuable cropping land - this productive land should be zoned so that it is not possible to change its use.  For example,in cities,  industrial zoning is for industry only, residential zoning for residential housing only, so there should also be a zoning for productive cropping and pastoral land to prevent it being wasted and higher transport costs of food
Biggest opportunity is to build on the 100% pure image
Biggest challenge is to protect, preserve and grow the strength of 100% pure and ensure that farming in NZ as well as the city folk all participate in keeping NZ 100% pure
utilising the opportunities of the growing worlds population wanting well grown products sourced from very well managed farmers.
Putting up with everyonr else knowing better how to farm our land. Trying to pay for the increasing Taxes or disguised taxes etc. Trying to get on and off our land as the number of citizens increase. Getting quality products at a fair price to use on farm to help with running the farm, labour included.
Covenants prohibit hunting neighbours don,t allow poisoning of rabbits because of their dogs
Stopping polluting the Mangeone stream which the dairy farm and lifestyle block owners have made swimable and thereby restoring the river for swiming
Planting natives trees instead of trying to exploit their marginal land
Stand-off in Cowshed yards and late calvers at run-off that helps with reducing stock density in the wetter months
This year has been different in the fact that our farm was hit with the 3 cyclones that closed all the roads around us and flooded over 3/4 of our farm- a lot of our usual farm practices HAD to change
Had the old barrier ditch system - kept the 4 ponds  as storage - blocked off the ponds  so NO discharge-  have a travelling irrigator and always have used a Slurry tank which is used to get to paddocks which are not our effluent blocks and also effluent taken to the run-off- Days of storage deemed to be 90 plus
Current farming  vendettas from public taken off our love/enjoyment/passion of farming as a whole and the forever mounting costly regulations being brought in each year- staff demands - having to put up with verbal abuse/nagging/wineing- then they find out after moving on the next job they are worse off- costs to change staff each year in $ and time in teaching them skills - time to take the sale of land and take an easier life with time off- pending new govt tax's on the hard working-
Opportunities for the young people to have the passion and lifestyle of the rural life to flourish the communties again which in turn helps associated busineses to flourish too-Bringing in services that town get for less $ rates to the rural- free rubbish collection- better use of community schools and halls, school swimming pools, rural support-Lions/Rotary doing projects in the communities not just Urban
Being able to farm your land that you own the way Nature each season allows you to- without regulations stopping you because of a weather abnormalility, being forced to comply without being given time to find solutions or the area you live in- Being able to have positive and constructive farming variations/choices in practises- closing the gap between urban/rural divide - after all the urban spread is taking away farm land- keeping costs balanced-
Provision and encouragement for development of sustainable water supply which will be required in order to continue positive economic and environmental outcomes for this area. We see enormous potential to considerably increase wine, vegetable, fruit and more intensive animal production in this area via affordable, well managed and environmentally responsible irrigation systems. With regard to grazing properties government could provide economic incentives to enable farmers to bring additional land into production and also to fence off water ways and environmentally sensitive areas on our land. This would substantially increase long term viabillity and sustainability.
The RMA and small minded councils and council officers. There is far too much mindless legislation in NZ which means that any attempt to diversify or take risk (and usually additional debt) is hobbled by either legislation or district council by-laws. The time it takes to gain approval (or disapproval)is absurd and extremely costly. Investment decisions need to be made when the economic climate is right and the potential for success is therefore higher. Because of the layers of approval and cost of consultants and experts needed to get any new project approved often the viability is not there or the opportunity has passed. It is mindless and needs streamlining urgently.
To play their part in improving profitability in conjunction with protecting the environment.
Effluent and nitrate management by way of improving the state of our waterways and maintaining profitability.
To make lifestyle owners more self sufficient and rely less on the larger markets.
Water tax if this labour shit gets in to government.
Not sure. Maybe working for investors with greater cash flow to turn marginally profitable farms around
Pressure from housing on the most productive horticultural land Lack of knowledge of how food is produced by the wider public and the commitment by farmers to produce  that food Return on capital
Costs especially for small quantities. Taxes.
To be forward thinking and innovative, to look after our native trees and wildlife and waterways.  Do it once, do it right!!
How to manage effluent disposals, how to ensure that ALL waterways are fenced.
It was here when we moved onto the property
Tree crops; livestock diversity; specialist crops.
Water supply; market opportunities; affordable public services.
1.  native bush land to steep to develop 2 designated areas of National Significance 3 natural beauty
Producing good food, particularly milk, economically to feed a hungry world population continues to be a great opportunity.
Return our waterways maintenance practices to how we did this 10 years ago, whereby we and many other families enjoyed swimming in the river bordering my property.
Dealing with bureaucracy, so many different people have taken responsibility to maintaining our river and each seems to have undone the work of the previous person. The end result is a wasteland not enjoyed by anyone.
To create a farm that urban New Zealanders would be pleased to walk over.
being rated off the land. lack of understanding from all the city slickers that are flooding here and want to bring Liverpool or shanghai with them!
Sell heavy works cattle when paddocks become too wet
Tailoring production for high end and niche markets as NZ urban population grows and becomes more diverse
Where will we farm? The rate of loss of the best farmland to urbanization and lifestyle use is alarming, but not even being discussed seriously. The need to build more boxes to put more people in, so that economic growth rates stay high, is the only imperative at the moment.
Getting better support from local council and urban parties for we provide food and services too
funding opportunities as no has any money wages are poor
funding and a return on the dollar invested, interest costs, money available to loan as rural has high risks
To provide higher quality food to a growing population
Compliance, local rate tax and pressure from uninformed lobby groups.
Stock is padded on areas that will not pug easily.  Paddocks are break fed to maintain riparian strips along creeks, kept out of wetlands
To make the best of the land without increasing and relying on irrigation
managing through drought without irrigation and thus having to convert to dairying.  Carrying on our conservation and farming practices without interference from lobby groups who perceive we are not doing this
Your question options are limiting.  I have trade qualifications, management experience and running my own company. I passed school c.
Grow our own food, experiment with re introducing native birds back into our environment.
MPI not doing its job. Authorities not using a heavy enough hand to control plant pests.  The gross over use of 1080.
To maintain profitability while reducing impact on water and managing increased climatic volatility.
Tararua District is an excellent area for profitable farming because of it's good soil type and the summer safe climate
There are more and more taxes/levies/restrictions/compliances/other costs etc. This is making it harder for farmers to make a profit and forcing them to intensify their farming operations in order to do so. Farmers already work very long hours and these issues are forcing them to work even longer hours. Farmers often feel that the Urban sector hate farmers and would quite happily see them go under. The  Urban sector needs to be reminded who is producing the quality food that goes on their tables.
Clean up the waterways. Adapt to limit setting
pukakoes are a pest but they are protected and the rabbits are recent
putting up with the stink of people burning plastic and rubbish and ever rising rates
I have two small blocks that are not commercially viable. The aim is to help pay for the rates.
Accelerating the shift/change to organic/environmental friendly systems and principles to produce high-return premium  produce while reversing existing environmental damage.
Corporate mono-culture  farming  systems eliminating diverse family/small scale operations with mono culture high intensity /high stocking rate feed pad  type operations that privatise profit and socialises losses at the expense of the community and social structure.... also foreign ownership of means of production via the corporate farming model. Land use changes in response to climatic conditions... and always has. Droughts have always occurred... and will in future. There are good years and bad years. Irrigation with all its adverse downstream effects cannot and will not eliminate farming risk. It has, and will, result in severe adverse effects that will be passed onto the ratepayer which in turn further reduces the viability of smaller units.
Focus on business profitability over productivity to improve financial resilience
Managing costs, improving environmental performance whilst maintaining profitability
Regulations being impossed by local councils and potentially a new central government.
Cancer Society, community Christmas dinner
To take hold of the uncluttered freedoms they enjoy, and make the most of the lifestyle that is the envy of many
Pressure from political groups with an agenda in regard to land use.
To be able to maintain or increase production with no adverse environmental effects To be able to ascertain optimal stocking rates for land being farmed so that there is no environmental damage. Stocking rates should be controlled to a level that the particular land area can sustain
water issues - getting enough and keeping rivers etc clean,
Reduction of farming land for housing and roading
The chance too develop different use of the land . To develop new systems and ideas.
The control of weeds and keeping the properties tidy . ALso pest control most lifestyle people have bad attitudes towards the environment especially the streams AND NATIVE BUSH.
Pest control folks come in irregularly to set traps for stoats etc.
Productivity contribution to the economy
Droughts and Excessive charges By Karapara council
None if the fucken greenies have any thing to do with it
to stay focused and upskill themselves and believe in what they do
compliance from councils and welfare people. water usage  people having control in authorities that have no practical experience
Aucklands Arbitary Plan.  OIur land has been classified Urban/Rural and we cannot do anything with it.  Really to small to be economical as a farm, and if no stock are run it will become a gorse,weed covered area.
The expansion and intrusion of residential development.
Climate that is naturally good for growing
Small niche farming for supply in the local area.
Poor infrastructure surrounding outdated and damaged telecommunication equipment. It's impossible to run a small business when I need to wait for essential upgrades to internet connections. RBI is no good as I have no vodafone reception and RBI is only offered on the vodafone network. How can my small business operate without these necessary services.
It does not include wetlands. Previously answered no wetlands. So question is irrelevant to us.
Infill subdivision into rural lifestyle blocks, making them too small to be viable for farming.
Conservation and Environment causes, native planting, waterway protection, food production, rural communities
Rates, roading, rubbish removal, Council restraints (Red tape)
There are opportunities out there although I believe they are at maximum at the present it a matter of getting the balance right and maybe some farmers could diversify away from total Dairy Farming and maybe put back shelter Belts where possible and get carbon credits
There is becoming an oversupply of Dairy Farms and problems associated with runoff etc.  The present wool prices make sheep farming a lot less profitable and hopefully some marketing strategies can relieve the situation.
We have small waterways that run through 2 paddocks on our property, they almost dry up in summer.  The waterways are not fenced off from the rest of the paddock, although will be in the mid term future.  We do graze the sheep and cows in these paddocks but it is not currently safe enough for horses.  Our intention will be to either fence the small waterways or to dig them out and put proper drainage systems in, so that the entire paddock can be used, the latter is the most likely option, or a combination of both
Perception/rural bashing. Urban sprawl. Compliancy costs, fencing etc
propsed motorway, growth of the horowhenua
affordablilty, propsed motorway, too much rain
Environment council and community programmes for native area rejuvenation
urban expansion/development into rural areas
To develop sustainability for land & water management and for family security.
To demonstrate their are more profitable and sustainable land use stategies such as retaining water in the landscape, fencing steep hillsides for tree production, developing fresh water aquaculture, growing more food with horticulture than large scale intensive agriculture.
Markets and people caring about where their food comes from
Doing what works for the land vs the latest trend.
Climate change - wetter winters and sustainably managing impact of many small block farmers on the environment
Challenges to overcome in farming to survive
Changes in weather droughts and flooding Paypout volitility
opening up new ventures to sell beef directly to the consumer
local government putting more regulations on farmers, when they can't clean up their own area
Intensification into horticulture, especially kiwifruit
Land subdivision into city/towns etc.  Town people moving to the countryside that do not understand farming or how to get the best out of the land.
The town and country divide, negative reflection by the media, incorrect information being used, ability to own your own farm
There is scope to grow feijoas, blueberries, other berries as well as other food crops as well as pursue other small animal breeding - heritage poultry, rare breeds and lifestyle farm tourism.  The land is more affordable than in the wider Waikato area and there is good flow of overseas tourists through this region.
Increasing cost of land and regulatory pressures could inhibit development from dairy.
Rates rises , taxes higher , compliance costs. Council fees to do anything stops growth and development
Citrus growing and diversification of larger farms.
Transportation of produce to larger markets.
Changing farming practise to suit the market
Environmental, regional and Governement regualtions and additioanl costs and taxes
We don't have an errosion/sediment problem on this property.
Policy law and Climate change and the effect this has on the land and our ability to farm the land.  The ability of our milk company to pay a fair  price for our product to enable us to continue to farm profitably and more effectively while still considering the environmental impacts of this.
Improving grass/pasture species to grow more kg/DM on lifestyle properties to still have these smaller properties producing.
Being able to subdivide lifestyle properties to meet lifestyle demand when local council regulations are prohibitive of such activities.
Further improve the environmental footprint of the community by continuing to implement best practise on-farm (i.e. a continuation of fencing off waterways to a reasonable and practical standard)
Environmental challenges; avoiding degradation imposed by urban sprawl; managing the perception of farming and the gulf between urban and rural community - the outcome of this will be heavier regulatory impositions if the urban population has no faith that farmers can manage this on their own.
Covenanted wetland area and general plan used by Regional Council (Greater Wgtn), KCDC and DOC.
Have fenced property with the intent to exclude stock from wetlands.
Existing covenanted wetlands when property purchased
Biggest opportunity is being a rural property within easy travelling distance to a city - as more and more land becomes used for housing, rural properties production will increase in value.
Having a council that seems bent on increasing rates for pet projects such as covered arenas.  Rural property owners pay huge amount of rates in return for fewer resources.  We don't mind paying a share for roads, libraries, swimming pools, halls, parks which are community facilities, but we don't use rubbish, water or sewerage facilities.  We seem to subsidise a lot of crap.
Bigger populations means more food requirements
Land being subdivided for housing and taking away profitable farming land
To be able to establish an agricultural based small, independent business utilising the land available and enabling our youth to be gainfully employed and better able to cope with increasing social pressures.
Transport, council regulations, rates and taxes.
Proper stock management and making sound decisions based on weather events
Stone trap - First pond - second storage pond (90days) - kline irrigation to field
Compliance costs and not having do deal with all the greeny clowns
WDC District planning.   Dangerous Chemical use.
change of lifestyle / from town living to rural living / healthier lifestyle
with the change of climate, more drought/lack of feed
Diversification of Farming Types ,Ideas, Techniques
Maintaining economic viability,and lifestyle, and acheiving the right balance with environmental issues  including waterways ,Wet areas ,Native fauna and vegetation etc
planted timber trees (not pine). lower stocking ratio. deeper rooting species in pasture.
tourism cropping of crops suited to dry climates
to find ways of farming with less water. looking at less water dependent ways of farming. seeing the need to plant trees for water conservation not to continue removing trees to facilitate irrigation - farming needs a whole new mindset. FEMP is a good start especially if it has teeth. people dont really want to change their farming methods unless they are forced to.
Whilst I have no problem with Dairy Farming, I do have an issue with intense Dairy Farming in areas that are not built for it.  If you can stop intense Dairy Farming on the Canterbury Plains then the possibilities for us lifestylers are endless.
Electing more well informed and educated Councillors with regard to rural issues and challenges.
A local Council that does not understand its rural community nor communicates well with it.
Form cooperatives and sell the finished product to the overseas markets. Stop overseas investment and control.
Stop tourists and immigration. Slow the import of meat fruit and veg, use and export what we produce ourselves. People who come into our country should have a certificate of cleanliness BEFORE they reach our shores.   Stop any further insects and pest coming into our country. Reduce the unnecessary RED TAPE, and government / district council interference.
MPI Risk Management Plan -all milk from our lovely unstressed contented cows is made into well known legal raw hard cheese!
self-taught cheesemaking & milk harvesting ITO certificate!
I think more dairy farmers should do as we have done & think beyond just putting more milk in the vat and ADD value by making cheese
getting deeper and deeper into debt and shit
did not but do not want to use back button
Showing that you can maintain a quality lifestyle block close to the city.
Subdivision of land close to the city. Councils allowing the subdivision of lifestyle blocks. No green belt around the city. Climate change and the effects to coastal properties. No ultra fast broadband.
having the cost per stock unit being much higher than for bigger farmers. Marketing costs
some diversification into tourism maybe. Not a lot else. West Coast geographically hampered, not enough population to grow into other areas like u see in areas with larger markets, niche businesses struggle. maybe our isolation will help us and lower stocking rate could be a selling point but dumb bums in town don't know what that means anyway, so unlikely that will work in our favour. you know as it is more environmentally sound and better for the soils etc etc all round, but it's dairy cows so...yeah.
West Coast farms r typically a lot lower stocked than in rest of NZ, which is a double edged sword. Enviromentally generally good, but land prices will unlikely ever reach the likes of Canterbury or else where.  Every man and his dog and the media, that isn't involved in farming in NZ thinks and acts like we are all a bunch of nasty animal sadists, environmental vandals and basically the scum of the earth. Who in there right mind wants to live under these conditions year in and year out.  SELL THE F... COUNTRY TO THE CHINESE AND THE GERMANS ETC AND one day all these idiots screaming and accusing farmers of the above mentioned might get a fright as no kiwi in there right mind will want to be a farmer and it'll be all foreign owned by stealth. Noone in towns and citys of nz seems to believe their councils working on there behalf aren't as pure as the driven snow, and when they 'pay' for the water they r paying for the infastructure not the actual water. Where as we have to drill the bloody well, buy and maintain the pump, buy tanks etc pay the on going power bill etc etc. All the environmental restrictions and other red tape that has crept in to our business in the last 10 years is ruining the enjoyment of working on the land with the cows and and letting the general public come on to our properties is something we r very weary of.  We haven't actually done as much riparian and other planting on our dairy farm as we might have done in the past as we r just totally disheartened by the public attitude, as it is so bad why bother trying as no matter what we do media and peta can do what they like and, portray beef cows lolling round in rivers and streams and still scream at dairy farmers so why bother.  Also in our case LANDCORP ie Govt and succesive govts not just National have had beef cows  in rivers for years. Landcorp surrounds our dairy farm and they pug like u won't believe and set stock, have a massive property that is unprofitable unfenced, untenable farming whe
Lifestyle. For people with animals who wish to grow their own meat etc
Water supply  drought  having to buy in grain feed for animals if not enough water to grow grasses
Growing crops and plants tthat suit our dryland soil type
Using seaweed based fertiliser instead of phosphate based fert with success.
Reasonably good export returns from dairy and beef.
Climate trends and infrastructure changes such as roading affecting properties. The necessity to further improve river quality by alternative fertiliser options.
Warming of climate. Regulations on doing business
Government taxing the hell outta farming (not just tax but compliance costs etc)
now raise calves and take through to yearlings only. This reduces everything
Government to understand we need to maintain a green belt around our cities for the good of all, hold back the concrete  jungle
Niche animal or horticulture production, eg species like alpaca, breeds like Wagyu, higher value crops mainly fruit varieties
Dealing with bureaucracy, from central government to local council level, imposing compliance mainly in response to uninformed, un-evidenced popular public emotion. Rules with little rationale and no-win outcomes but energised by empire building, ego driven public servants.
KCDC and government interference in farming
Suburban sprawl - ie properties worth more as the population grows
As above - Suburban sprawl - ie properties become to valuable to sustain on small wages
Council and environment.  Resource Management nonsense. Failure by government to support industry excessive requirements for stock management and low prices
woolshed now runs off a diesel generator
the biggest challenge is getting the young people that have nothing to do with farming and its challenges and the environmental changes and challenges that have been made over the last 20yrs to improve the quality of the land and water runoff into rivers,and animal welfare
there are far too many rules and regulations and far too costly to set up any new  projects,health and safety-environmental regulations etc
Lifestyle and being able to live anywhere but in a built up area
Political parties and their urban ideas, people who have noidea what farming is about
Very little cultivation done and no streams through property to lose sediment into
All ewes grazed off farm in winter. No winter cropping
Duck ponds for hunting, beautification and trapping some sediment
Increasing returns by marketing NZ to the world and targeting high end consumers with high quality primary products from NZ
Apathy in the sheep industry. Reluctance to embrace the value of marketing. We don't realise how the world perceives NZ and we fail to use this to our advantage in marketing our primary products.
Encroachment of urban areas and the restrictions/demands of District Plan as a result of public opinion and perceived rights.   The people of Kapiti claim the "views" of privately owned land as "wide open spaces" which impacts on farming activity and useage.   Also perceived rights to walk on private land has workplace health and safety issues.
Providing food products for Farmer's Markets.
Growing vegan market. Solar farming and electricity farming. Biofuel production.
Keep farm sizes small so new farmers can buy land. Keep out immigrants who drop farm wages. Ban foreign buyout of land.
Gorse, which is currently under management
Thinking outside the square and finding the right neiche
New regulations and law that prevent them to do so there job or cost a lot of money to adhere tok
Area surrounding house apparently was originally planted as wind protection
See answer below. While I believe there are still opportunities to be found I also think it will become increasingly difficult to have the lifestyle we achieved when we first moved here 24 years ago. This is becoming more & more noticeable with most lifestyle blocks these days being between 2 - 5 acres. I can see a shift away from traditional animal farming to a more boutique style.
1. The rising cost of rates to both local councils & the ability to meet them from any farm profits !!!!!! 2. The " Big Brother " effect of the local regional council dictating stocking levels & what can be done with our land.
land prices are cheap in the kaipara verses the rest of the country .
water , droughts , government law changes , milk payouts , lack of maintaince on local roads /bridges , farm compliance costs making it unprofitable to farm . reliable farm staff
in town and difficult to use firearms on rabbits. not appropriate to use poison due to proximity to houses and domestic pets
trying not to be put out of business by interfering neighbors
Making a difference by improving sustainability... modelling for others
Climate change, move to balance intensive farming with respecting environment
As part of a Resource Consent too obtain one other Title
Complying with Central Government and Local Govrnment Regulations
main farms surrounding property do control
Strategic livestock grazing Ponds Putting rocks on small areas of water run-off erosion
Shelter belts Baleage lock-up Shelter plantings
Commercial helicopter and fixed wing aircraft pilots license
To be able to demonstrate sustainable farm management in order to maximise returns for our produce.
improvements to agricultures animal welfare and environmental reputation
rural/urban divide , synthetic meat and milk development, compliance costs, political and media sensationalism and misinformation over animal welfare and environment issues
Specialised high quality Food production
GMO/Corporation/Governments dictating the environment and not the people.
and also wool production but your survey doesn't allow me to pick 2 or more
sit on several service committees to our local community, playcentre secretary, plunket treasurer, a&P trade manager, A&P home industries convenor, library president, community centre secretary, local newsletter editoriral committee, Rural woman convenor.
increasing rates/ levies for not much return in our area, we contuinoulsy seem to be funding the city while the rural communitys get nothing,  I know of bigger farms whose rates have gone up 25-33%, they aren't getting more sealed roads, better acess to hospitals, more teachers, rubbish collection etc.
Re-Planting avocados with disease-tolerant rootstock
Sell land to supply increasing population
Prime hort land being used for housing Introduced pests and diseases Climate change
Having a piece of land that stays beautiful
Climate and keeping natural habitats and waterways clean.
Working closer with our neighbors to bridge the Urban rural divide. Farmers markets and getting in and telling people about our products and about our passion for what we do.
Public perception. What we actually do on the farm and how bloody hard we work to maintain our environment and the animals.
only a few are present and eventually will be used for firewood
Disruptive Technology limiting our isolation Marketing as a region Taking advantage of climate/seasonal change
Flooding, encroachment of lifestyle blocks and towns
Local Hall Committee District Council Town Community Committee
To beable to increase production due to a generally stable climate without huge requirements for water inputs.
Low prices for commodities produced on farm. I would be happy to halve my production to satisfy all climate/ erosion and "green" requirements if prices double. Supermarkets cut the throats of all producers by trying to provide the lowest possible price for the consumer.
Land based activities are doing well with flow on to the service industries. There is opportunity to further
If the WCO goes through for the Ngaruroro, Hastings is stuffed for Viticulture, Horticulture and cropping. Change of land use from productive horticulture land to residential is a problem, and the subdivision of productive areas of land into smaller areas that are less economic to farm.
Increasing levels of technology and automation, better availability of information to enhance decision making
Working on the environment, riparian planting, ensuring run-off does not go to rivers.
Getting their opinions and credibility accepted among large farming community
Land used for domestic purposes and for storage sheds
Feed padding, lower stocking rate, well fed animals
allow a short fellow time over summer to allow pasture roots to rejuvenate the soil.
Changes in fresh water policy by central Government may wipe out farming on the West Coast as we know it.  Similar to the Rimu industry.
gardens round house, we do not have wetlands though we do have many native birds. We have also planted some native trees.
Our property is sprayed for weeds at least once yearly.
We have had possum control by GWC in the last few years. Rat, mice and rabbit population is kept down by farm cats. We have no feral cats. There are possibly one or two hares but no other species.
Working in Health and taking relevent courses for advancement and also Society exams including published papers in recognised professional journals. Also presenting scientific papers at international conferences.
Maintaining the green space and encouraging bird species  with correct planting and habitat.
Keeping the land in good condition through very variable weather ie drought and excess rain. Keeping animals in good condition and well fed in winter.
Take advantage of our productive irrigated farmland to develop seed growing opportunities that come about by producing seed for the Northern hemisphere during their winter.
being able to live on a life style block
for me radicating old mans beard, gorse and blackberry
To improve bird and bee habitat and food sources.
I like trees and feel that it has tidied up a rough area.
The demand for food is going to increase and so will profits
The greenies, councils and other meddlers.
Hopefully increasing lamb and beef prices
10 ha is classed non effective as lanes,infrastructure etc only 1 ha isnt worth doing anything with
producing a high quality product in an area that is less prone to severe climatic weather patterns
Farming environmentally in a way that is profitable and seen to be good practices to the general public and over seas markets. This will create a lot extra compliance.
Population Growth, adds pressure but opens up opportunities
Population Growth, demands and scrrutiny
They will be a vital link between Urban and Rural communities and could have the opportunity to develop better understanding of each others disposition and livelyhood.
Economic survival with more and more demands for compliance by essentially urban controlled district and regional authorities. Pest control and demands on water.
To be different and look after the land.
we have very different soil types in our leased land. We winter graze dairy cattle on stony, dry soil in wetter/winter months so no pugging occurs on pasture/land prone to pugging
GPS auto steer on tractors for seeding GPS for fert & spray application
to take advantage of new technology to increase efficiency and productivity in a sustainable way
transporting products to other parts of NZ where there are shortages - cost prohibits the value in doing this so areas where there are shortages import from overseas as that often works out to be the cheaper option
Kiwifruit growing packing Coolstorage Company Director
Wanganui has large areas of very good soil types which could be used for greater productivity, eg: intensive horticulture or vegetable growing for export. Generally the land is used for grazing or dairying.
Reliable labour.  There must be a disincentive by Government to allow able bodied young people to receive payments to stay at home and not contribute when work is available. Strong discouragement of workers coming to work only when it suits them. When seasonal work is available welfare should only be available to those that are affected by ailments or serious circumstance. This the only reason this Company cannot expand.
Providing green space as the urban sprawl gradually and inevitably gets closer.
Low tillage cultivation on our rolling and flat farm.
Using technology to be as efficient financially and environmentally as you can possibly be.
Cost of Land and the debt that goes with purchasing it, especially for young people. Pressure from Environmental Groups without clear scientific data to back up the pressure and as a result no offer of solutions to assist in managing the environment moving forward.  Water as it is a precious commodity and will be sort after at a cost.  Volatile Markets both at home and overseas.  National and local Government policy.
Have built artificial wetland now maintaining.
Exposure to more tourism dollars. The possibility of water storage. The current government work on free trade agreements
Environmental compliance. Rule changes around requirement for on farm expenditure to meet compliance. Regulation auditing Health and safety/consents/supplier contracts. Availability of reliable irrigation water. The Urban Rural divide The continual interference from outside the farm gate. Border control of pests and diseases.
We are organic so only use organic products that are based entirely on soil and plant needs.
Pakeha ie NOT  NZ European but NZ'er who is not Maori
Your options don't allow for more than one ie I have a Diploma in Management plus a Diploma in Early Childhood
Aligning farm practises and production to the land types and climate, to reduce the need for artificial interference like irrigation. Promotion of organic and other safe practises so the consumer can choose to purchase healthy food rather than unknown source of food. Promotion of locally-grown foods.
Being judged en masse by people sitting behind a desk, media frenzies, and disconnect between town and country. Farmers who are working with the land and climate need to be able to have their practises and products celebrated, rather than being hammered just because they are farmers.
To be more productive, efficient with less inputs/costs.
Land prices. The next land owning generation. Overseas investment/land ownership. Lack of pathways for young people. Land owner greed, not supporting the young farmer.
Bachelor of nursing  Postgraduate certificate in well child
Unsure, only lived in Tararua for 2 months
Unsure only lived in Tararua for 2 months
The growth of our district, and the land values increasing
The cost of maintaining the land and stock
We only have a few sheep on the property to keep the grass level down. Any rainwater runoff enters the stream between our property and the railway line.
Construction Contract / Cost Engineering
IT Performance Based Maintenance Management as against Programme Based Management.
Chronic Health and Disability Caring and Support organisation Community Social Service Networking DHB Patient & Whaanau Centered Care Consumer Council Localities Health Forum
The approaching city developers wanting land for the general housing development
Their properties leaching effluent into the catchment areas on the Waikato river and its tributaries along with their stock being able to enter waterways and creating pollution thereby killing animals reliant on pure moving waters to larger rivers.
Non farmed land is for housing, races and tracks, sheds
Water. One size fits all regulations instead of plans for specific areas.
producing high quality food that can be sold as a value added product
world turmoil, i.e korea or the states going for it, climate change, staffing , the mrs running off with the neighbour!!!
Selling to overseas corporate investors for huge profits.
Stupid politicians, & extreme cold temperatures.
Change in attitudes to locally produced food
producing different products to main stream farms
Time, most lifestylers work full time, then spend all weekend tending to the property
Maintaining rural lifestyle and protection of environment, especially rivers,  despite increasing population.
Good agricultural; land being taken up with poorly thought out spreading urban development.
Sales of organic produce direct to public.
Costs,regulations obstructing direct sales to consumers and lack of co-operation between farmers to share labour,machinery and course costs.
Land for shed, farm equipment storage and farm house
niche  high quality food production. Farm stay.
improve water quality, eliminate pests. Reduce waste , live sustainably
People have forgotten what farming is, how much income it produces for NZ, and have been indoctrinated into thinking its all bad.
To improve water quality and assist the environment
keeping subdivision out as i think more farms will get subdivided
Little land for small lifestyle - lack of infrastructure i.e. roading, broadband, rubbish
Can't think of any. I have a passion and heritage to farm.
More speeding road traffic, meaning more inconsiderate townie come country drivers who won't slow down for stock movements. Safety four ourselves and our stock. Pressure from visitors who think our farm is somewhere for them to stroll over. Sub division, we are already the last beef/sheep farm in our area. Sourcing high quality contractors. Haymaking, silage, fertiliser spreading, weed control,fencing. These are fast disppearing in Auckland just like our farms are.
plant willows the river cutting into the banks is the problem it can take 1/2 a ha in a flood but the useless council wont do anything about it and wont let you fix the problem (you mite get dust in a fishes eye)
intentserfication  its the only way farmers can be profitable.
the council over charging for rates which we get nothing for and requiring farmers to pay for resoursce concent to clean out drains .
Mice are controlled by bait stations, we don't have any of the other pests.
Higher School Certificate, 3 years at Canterbury University, 25% of an MBA qualification.
The demand for our farm products will increase considerably.
A Labour/Green government would destroy farming as we know it and would slash the profitability of farming in general.
Water Managment, Climate Change, more adverse events
Whangarei is lucky it has a very diverse agriculture industry. Continued technology based tools implemented into farming providing better information to help cut cost and fine tune all areas of the production spectrum. Up skilling themselves to maintain control over their industry instead of just excepting what ever returns they offered at the gate in terms of cash and from regulators.
Regulators without a doubt. Farmers can only manage what they can control. They will deal with what ever their environment throws at them and accept practical best practice willingly but elected or not farmers cannot control the regulators. Farmers remain the backbone of our economy but are politically weak in support of their industry.
Fertiliser is predominately local lime and organic products.
We keep rainfall records, and know when it's getting dry. We use little or no irrigation when it's a high enough rainfall season.
I would like to be able to sell my rare breed, organically grown (but not certified) sheep meat direct to customers.  I can't really speak for anyone else, we're mostly surrounded by dairy now.
Affordability of farms.  Opportunities for, and desire of, young people to enter farming as a choice.  Again, I can't speak for dairy farmers, but those of us who are sheep/beef do seem to be getting on in years.
I said the farm had Native  trees on it i never said it was set aside and not used.
Retaining clean waterways and areas to support the rest of the environment so everyone can enjoy it. (water at the river or beach has traveled across many small land owners properties) help them protect and manage this resource so everyone can benefit.
Lack of support to remove / reduce weeds and pests Why can Auckland council dump storm water onto my property without any care or accountability
producing products that will make small holdings profitable enough to live off of
finding the products that will make it posible to live off of a small block
Irrigation to manage the effects of climate change.
Misinformation about farming spread by the likes of the Green Party and Forest and Bird
Not been able to claim carbon credits on the native bush,popular & willow poles planted and grass and crops grown.
Higher wages will promote more expenditure on equipment, services, ect
I I did not indicate this - to the contrary, all 5.3 hectares is farmed, except for a small area that is fenced off as a shelter belt, and I will deal with that in the next question.
turning the lifestyle block into a real farming operation - so that the land is productive
fighting off the creeping effects of property developers, who are grabbing rural land where they can and too often persuading the Council to rezone it or allow a non-complying use (like subdivision).
Certificate in Farm Management and Animal Husbandry. Six form Art B+ Certificate Equine
Communication. Education. Family Lifestyle. Living off the land. Self sufficiency.
Fringe and Capital Gains Taxes. Weather changes. Property prices.
Maximize returns by  implementing technology & improved farming practices
The continued burden of Rural Communities by unjustified taxes and levies, e.g. Possible water tax, Capital Gains Tax, the unjustified ETS and the misconception of the Urban population about Rural life and farming pratices.
Fencing around wet areas with semi permanent electric wires and standards.
I'm here for the space and diversity rather than any particular economic opportunity.
Being taxed or regulated into a position where subdividing and moving on is the only realistic option.
Vets Abattoirs  Rates  High density housing
Dividing blocks of land and selling for housing development
Being able to afford to stay on the land. E.g. rates, water taxes, capital gain
occupied by house and ancillary bildings
Properties being purchased by city folks for use as weekend places thereby removing valuable land from production and depriving local people of the opportunity to make their own life on their own land.
Irrigation so as to mitigate the effect of the districts dry summers.
Bureaucracy.   Over educated people who think that the answer to everything that's wrong with farming can be fixed by filling in paper forms and ticking boxes that affect peoples livelihood and investments , and then go home at night not even slightly aware of the problems and upheaval they cause in the farming community.  99%  OF FARMERS ARE EXCELLENT STEWARDS OF THE LAND AND HAVE BEEN FOR GENERATIONS. LET THEM GET ON WITH THE JOB OF PAYING THIS COUNTRIES BILLS.......COZ NO ONE ELSE IS!!!!!
Supplying produce to the growing Auckland market
Not getting rated or zoned out of our land. We are not land banking we want to live here!
All sediment problems come from local wind farm runoff in catchment. Caused by fast water run off from their large ridge line roads that are not contained by storm water piping as they should. The damage to the Ohariu and Makara rivers banks and beds is a disgrace to all involved in the two wind farm projects.
I don't think there are any, the councils are not pro-farming and improvement costs are prohibitive.
I think if we are to continue to have wet weather as often as we have experienced this year so far then pastural  farming may be unsustainable.
None the council are changing the land to factories
Stopping the council from taking farm land
i am a motor mechanic by trade most of my life five year apprentice in petrol and diesel and learning all the time started in 1965
leaning of the great time you can give to life and joy of watching animals grow
the amount of people close by with there dogs roaming onto farm blocks and keeping water ways clean
Part not accessible as landlocked and no roads or bridge to Ford river.
We have had the block seen by landcare peeps who confirmed mainly kanuka little to nothing Manuka. Looking at kanuka options.
Neighbors lack of understanding the farming practices, with so many coming into area with no prior knowledge.
Helping improve water quality in our streams and rivers
double major botany/psychology Diploma of teaching - science/maths
Possibly farming tourism along with hunting/tramping/camping.
Dealing with fluctuating markets, not enough money to go around, not being able to keep up with fencing/fertiliser etc.
We run a sustainable block. Only stock to what grass is grown. We add no fertilizer. Will lime if needed.
Graze lighter stock (yearlings/sheep) on steeper hills, reduce cattle numbers in the winter, planted trees/shrubs around sediment traps. Would like to do more but has to be affordable.
Now that the Ruatahawha Dam has been withdrawn from being constructed, opportunities to increase food production (animals, vegetables, fruits, vineyards) has been lost, and we wonder where employment will come from for young ones within the area.
Water!!  Some say on farm storage schemes need to be built - but this comes at a huge cost, and many areas don't receive enough rainfall to maintain livestock drinking water, let alone being able to capture enough for irrigation.  Our farm water comes from a bore, but for how much longer will we be able to do so.
Moving towards a less intensive, more sustainable and more profitable farming future where our kids can swim in our rivers again, as we did.
Realising the need to move towards a less intensive, more sustainable and more profitable farming future - we seem to have forgotten the lessons of previous farming generations about farming within your environment and knowing your land, where it wasn't all about more intensity. Realising that intensification makes us more vulnerable to climate change, not less.  For example, building your business/livelihood around a reliance on water that isn't yours, for irrigation, makes farmers more vulnerable, not less.
Diversification of land uses, organic farming
Environmental impacts and soil erosion, repairing detrimental past farming practices, restoration, non-pesticide and non-chemical farming
Not to much interference from politicians
Farm tourism, B & B, Improving the environment by managing water run off better.
Coping with a wetter winter and possible dry summers. Managing effluent and run off to mitigate waterway pollution.
Flexible livestock operations dependant on season
Wintering on small block, lack of resources
On farm tourism Better telling our food stories around providence and sustainability  Reconnecting with urban NZ Unfolding technology
Emotive regulatory policy versus policy rooted in good science Disruptive food production systems  Re-establishing trust with urban NZ Succession for family farms  Historical lack of profitability in the sheep and beef industry  Lack of reliable connectivity
improve conservational and production use of land
All the rules and regulations, paperwork that is required. Need to be a full time admin person. Everything is becoming internet/cellphone based and not everyone has that available. Prices/markets - farming needs to be viable.
Being able to develop and diversify your property
The costs of developing and maintenance e.g. fencing waterways and tree lots, planting trees.
Environmental factors such as floods and droughts.
no fertiliser other than mussel grit and seaweed
To become self sufficient and contribute to the community
Council costs e.g rates and rising land prices and high density housing
Implement best practices on farm to lift profitability. Review farming systems.
Increased regulation and red tape. Healthy Rivers - especially if Grandparenting of N is to go ahead. Synthetic meat.
Ensuring lifestyle land remains productive and efficiently used to contribute to nz economy.
I believe thete is more weed spray going into our waterways as stock cannot graze to the waters edge so farmers have to spray to stop waterways from bocking up.
Same as  above also you need to spell my region properly its WHANGAREI.
Better marketing of grass fed free range healthy meat
Compliance increases and public perceptions often being vastly different from reality
Good business decision to trade off unprofitable land for funds to extend our finishing grade farmlands on the valley floor.
We have a potential cornucopia in the Manawatu, similar to that which has been achieved in Hawkes Bay. It's accessibility, reasonable rainfall, and flexibility are great assets.
Climate change, lack of protection of the environment
Public opinion and being fairly represented,town people pollute the water as well and in some cases worse .Have they not thought about their cars,street drainage and sewage
Wetness, competition from fake milk and meat.
Diversifying land use, planting of more tropical type crops etc
Urban sprawl population growth in areas where farms are being subdivided into blocks at a an ever increasing rate.
Bureaucrats reluctant to make decisions  This increases costs
being part of NZ inc opportunity to globaly market our product as niche rather than selling as commodities.
Healthy rivers impacts on farming practices, followed by 'synthetic' protein's negatively affecting value of farm products
Scrub and bush covered hills on a hobby farm not practical to clear, not grazing land but cattle graze through scrub and bush.
As suburbs swallow up farmland, sharing the amazing experience of farm life in an urban environment, and giving townies the chance to see, and interact with cows and horses.
The difficulties of farming in an urban environment, that is reducing access to rural supplies and contacts. Problems with dogs, and stock theft.
Farming environmentally sustainable is going to be a great opportunity
Climate change with more storm events will be the biggest challenge
diversification if it can be supported and encouraged
Nutrient management plan and therefore the inability to make a dollar from stock and maintain family needs to feed ourselves from the reduced numbers all based on a methodology which was unfair and biased to those who had good stocking levels and records.  We should all be treated the same, not lots for some and buggar all for others.  Its not equitable.
The growth of supplying the local market as Cambridge and Hamilton continue to grow with high value customers
City vs Country divide and climate change
Farmers markets. Growing vegetables, fruit, commercially packaged meat, all produce. The MPI are doing all in their power to stifle and prohibit innovation & enterprise in this area. NZ is highly criticised by global chefs for their disinterest and backward ways and gross over regulation. I am a chef, cooked for celebrities & pioneered innovative beef products ( in Aus). Back in NZ, semi retired and appalled at the third world attitude &  rules to food in NZ.  [ eg Maggi (Nestle ) processed ready-made  food. The world's biggest food company,  & NZ promotes Maggi use in schools ] Google- Nestle pollution.
Ability to manage their properties. Lack of experience. A " school" for lifestylers could be a good start.  eg How to build fences, instead of being scammed by fencing operators ( very common ).
Horticultural advance on the Plains providing there is sufficient water. Livestock on the hills  more predominant.y
Lack of water for the plains. Profitability for hill country mixed farms
Diversifying economic activity downstream into new value added branded services and products.
Northland has the potential to become the main beef raising region in new zealand, learn to manage our northland pastures and be summer proofed to a big extent
one of the biggest challenges to farming in the far north is the proliferation of life style blocks, with attendant unawareness of people to the vulnerability of the land they buy without knowing how to treat it
The chance to live an idylllic lifestyle and contribute to the rural environment.
What opportunities, irrigation will become to expensive for small blocks if the new water tax comes in.  Dry land farming in this environment is extremely difficult.
We are lifestyle farmers, both myself & my husband came off family farms, it discuss me how lifestyle blocks don't have to follow the same rules that commercial farmers face, eg. No fencing of waterways, no meters on their irrigation etc
Having more support groups that can help farmers be more informed about products that can benefit their farming operation
Ignorant people who have no idea about farming and press their ideology without understanding how farmers operate and lumping all farmers as being bad operators. 95% of farmers have a genuine love of the land and their stock and will do anything they can to preserve their farms and natural resources.  Farmers don't need to be tied up with bureaucracy and red tape that farming becomes tedious and not enjoyable and creates stress.
New Zealand European is not an ethnic group (why does the public sector persist with this racist nonsense? I am the daughter of Dutch and English migrants. I am a New Zealander.
Avoid use of N fertilisers, enhance use of clover and other legumes.
Many of these changes are being considered by the board and we will be seeking expert opinions.
To purchase more suitable block closer to main block.
A move more to a hybrid organic farming practice. The consumer calling for a more chemical free food which will give a premium return for the farmer financially and a give a positive return for the environment.  Farming smarter, with more technical input. Lower stock units and finishing more stock.
Weather, floods. Being hamstrung by the Waikato District Council who seems more concerned with making money than working with the community.
Being able to subdivide and losing the green belt.  Land being too expensive to farm
Better method of production and less risk to the environmental pollution
Promote the good work we do on farm to townies.
The urban rural divide and the widening gap in the public perception on what actually goes on - on farm.
Supplying stock to market and hay sales.
Return land to productive quality output use
Resist involvement in any form of intensive dairy farming or support driven by quantity production goals
To supply quality produce to Auckland city.
Being over run by the ever expanding city.
Smarter, more precise and targeted farm practices. Farm beautification. Educating city dwellers about where their food comes from and about the importance of maintaining rural space both around and within the city.
Attempting to resist creeping urbanisation and dealing with urban misconceptions of farm practices. Maintaining the character and viability of rural towns and services.
Some are banding togeather to work on conservation issues. This is one of the biggest opportunities. Working on cleaning up waterways and revegetating areas such as stream banks and public land. Removing gorse and other weeds, particularly vines, wilding pine. Watch the birds breed while having a coffee on the verandah...
Maintaining productivity and the rural character of the region will be a challenge with pressure by developers to continually subdivide. Also see above - what is an oppportunity and what is a challenge? Chal;;enges provide opportunities.
Bureaucracies tendency to be dinosaurs rather than leaders and innovators Finding the balance between real conservation and innovation
Smart phone and internet Connectivity Skilled labour willing and able to live remotely
Lack of suitable land being available after new directions on sub dividable size land. Property/land prices.
The solar power is being installed this week
To increase new ways of farming, look to innovation
Costs of compliance and capital gains taxes being talked about
Maintaining a level of profitability in the face of increasing rates and compliance costs and general increases in costs without the increase in product returns
Producing non GMO organically grown vegetables, real free range eggs and ethically farmed pork.
Ever increasing complexity of compliance.
Management of the farm resource whilst legislation and rules are evolving.
Without new technology, dairy farming may be limited particularly the wintering of stock on crops
Progressive sell off of large dairy farms means gradually increasing area of native bush replanting and improved water quality and native wildlife and beneficial insects.  Generally healthier ecosystem and improved recognition of values important to (at least some) lifestyle farmers by regulators.
Increased rainfall from climate change - more difficult to manage soils impacted by livestock.  If people aren't doing pest control, multiple smaller properties could become pest havens and increase populations of pest species.
I can not see many opportunities really.
Meeting the requirements of Waikato regional council, constant increase in costs , meeting the tax requirements of the Labour Government, paying for water use, capital gains tax, etc Coping with the local roads which are now in a worse state than they were 10 years ago. Trying to run a business when our country has numerous members who just help themselves to others property and stock and a police force that will not take action.
The availability of markets to sell produce.
a mix of horticulture and cattle may happen to help water conservation
Excluding cattle from streams. Sheep are no problem if anything they mine fertility from stream banks. We have a very strong population of Gollum galaxies We would like to maintain.
Rising up the value chain with nutritious red meat,  shifting the sheep flock to be a dual purpose fine wool flock.  Electricity production from wind. Cool temperature fruit production.
Climate variability,  drought and major rain events. Rural urban divide Border incursions. Popularist and protectionist politics decreasing trade opportunities.  Interest rate rise. Labour shortages
Clearing land of gorse. Fed up with council land ne xt to us and not controlling the gorse which spreads to our land.
Loss/fragmentation of prime cropping land Reverse sensitivity issues from residential neighbours
The fact that we can enjoy a lifestyle we enjoy and have the privilege of using the land to feed our families and watch the results of our attempts to improve the land and see the regeneration of native trees which we have allowed to seed or have planted.
Climate change with big variations in temperature and rainfall. We will be like the rest of the world in that water will become short in supply and we need to do something now to ensure water supplies for stock and ourselves .
clean water- wetness/mud climate change.
not executing regional councillors and the greens and green peace
Farming in Rotorua is on standstill because of lakes councils approach to farming in catchment
Having lakes improve in quality and still farming in a profitable frame
public perception of dairy farming,maintaing environmental standards,that are far higher than those applied to urban population.deaing with poor cellphone and broadban coverage,rate increases double inflation
Long Drive way, large gravel parking area building.
attract stock away from minor waterways by troughs in almost all paddocks Work in progress.
Only fertilizer applied is to paddocks with no direct or close access to waterways.
Use restricted while under district plan review
limited fencing where farmed stock has access to adjoining land
specialty forestry tourism specialty small scale horticulture
misguided regulations aimed at environmental goals but with insufficient practical knowledge to achieve effective progress.
To become self sustainable and have a healthier lifestyle
Money, encroaching city and properties being made smaller and smaller and are no longer viable to farm
as the population grows there will be plenty of oportunities in many areas.
water will become an issue. Already there are signs that ground water has been over allocated in some areas due to the demands of the modern dairy platform. As the climate shifts and changes we would do well to be conservative with our water use
Not enough to worry about and the cat kills the odd rabbits!
Its the location of our house - its is fenced to keep animals out.
Not really sure - there seems to be a lot of breeds of animals out there that are more targeted to lifestyles, so perhaps opportunities arising from that somehow?
Water run off if they are close to river-ways.  Excessive rates on land that my not be used.
Land is still used and grazed under regenerating Manuka stands
Oppression of being in an urban council region
To continue farming profitably in a stable farming area with great life options.
Issues around impending taxation on water/ waterway/nitrogen output issues. If farming becomes the target of political issues. Our future in farming could be in jeopardy.
Improve productivity through more fert, improving management and farming
Bastards like the government, council and other groups trying to rruin our lively hoods by making stupid unpractical laws and rules to make farming unprofitable. This is obviously a loaded survey to try and make farmers look bad and trick us into answering questions in a way so you can quote it down the track when you bring in new rules and regulations.  It is disgusting the way rural communities are being treated currently.it is high time some of you people got out of your leather chairs in your glass towers and came and had a look and gain an understanding of what is essentially paying your fat salaries.
Planting a forest for aesthetic and religious reasons.
Changes to climate allowing new crops to be economically viable. Also the possibility of more farmers markets starting to accommodate the retiring Aucklanders.
Unpredictable weather patterns from climate change.
Promote self-sufficiency; become more active in conservation eg provide native planting for native animal species(linking bush corridors), thereby also being part of the overall "100% pure" NZ image
climate changes (more drought and more flooding)
water costs, land prices increasing, rates increases
Provided we look after the land and the animals we should continue to profit from farming.
maintain drains so stock won't access then. supply clear water to troughs year round.
private right of way to and beyond property.
less debt. less intensification. focus on farming for enjoyment. improveing best on farm practices. less protectionism for local markets. better information forums about the amount of intensive work being carried out by a lot of farmers of there own will and how it can be done. freshen up our coastal torism oppertunities east & west coasts lakes forests ect. district council goals.
Our roads, forestery needs are putting huge preasure on these. to the east the growth in population is putting pressure on infastructure and rural ratepayers are haveing to pay more. kaipara has contributed a huge amount of export earnings in recent years to the economy but i still see it all going else where. northland is an easy target to tar with the same brush as other disticts our regional council needs to be more vocal as i beleive we have mostly good clean water ways i know i have. roads, transport, services, indebted council, big city
To be able to be more self sufficient ie solar and wind
Lack of understanding of farming by urban people . Media attacks . The Labour and Green Political parties. District and regional councils and their exorbitant rates.
The new breeding stock coming through from experiments for Lifestyle Farmers.   (smaller breeds for lifestylers) Manufacturers have realised that Lifestyle Farmers do not need 200 litres of product and are now moving to smaller quantity packaging. Innovations available to lIfestylers now, i.e crops for suitable for lifestyle size properties, the groups of support systems available for advise and recommendations
Constantly changing weather patterns, which is for bigger farmers too, but the impact of lifestylers is far greater because we don't have the quanitiy of land to move stock to.  Having to buy in feed. Environmental issue which will affect the way in which we operate. Health and Safety issues. Animal health and well being from the constantly changing weather patterns - too hot, too cold, to dry etc
Shiny assed buerocrats and environmental do  gooders  who work on percentages and emotion rather than facts. The silly pricks never seem to wonder who worked their guts out to put their tea on the supermarket shelf
Being able generate income from our land to pay our rates, as they keep going up and in rural Whangarei we don't receive value for money
Being able to keep land and not being rated off
Controlling use of water and dairy run-off including fertiliser.
Control of water and dairy run-off including fertiliser.
We only have some mice, rats and rabbits, controlled by our cats.
Developing the boutique meat market for domestic and export. Avoiding the current deeply flawed meat value chain for better quality and a better consumer experience
Getting away from the implied subsidies of political patronage on water management. Farming things the land is suited for. Transitioning to being custodians of the environment. Getting away from the commodity export orientation that dominates today
Rates, Housing, Council, intensification, traffic, costs
That's an open question: depends on the land type and their land uses.  Personally I think we should leave dairying/beef on the flats/semi flats and put sheep back on the hills where  they used to be and get the sheep market back into perspective.  Real Lifestyle Properties aim to be self sufficient if need be others are from town seeking the rural life but not the workload and object to the noise/smells etc that are associated with small scale farming.  Small specialized horticulture/farming/breeding programs may be the way for Lifestylers who are interested in farming but would probably need support from council.  This presents other problems with neighbours fencing/weed control etc.
Seasonal Extreme Wet and Extreme Dry with all the repercussions associated with this.  Introduced Pests/Bugs destroying timber species (and flowering trees which in turn affects bees/birds) and fruits/vegetables.
Diversification into organic, non-dairy production, and renewal of exotic forest plantings which are not radiate based.
Transport, fuel and fertiliser costs. Developing new international markets. Increasingly insecure climatic regimes.
unstable weather , lack of water , too much water
Too much rain which leads to flooding destroying the paddocks.
As a 77 year old  several years widowed the time clock is ticking.
Sticking to what they know best. Not jumping on the band wagon of some new and fancy  un-trialed or badly trialed scheme. ides. Our climate and location dictate what we can do.
The need to  grow the business to the point where they are  unable to dictate  their business. ie debt from excessive land purchase.  To clarify we were dairy farmers all our lives  in Southland . I sold most of the land 4 years ago  when I was getting a tad too old to work it all.  I would like to see a more conservative  and thoughtfullapproach to farming for the sake of the land and the people living on it. ...I am NOT a committed greenie either ! :)
House and garden area, plus large shed, driveway etc.
Neighbours have domestic pets.  Too close to shoot - small lifestyle blocks around.
City creep - people who come to the country for "peace and quiet" but want all the city opportunities, and don't like the noise and smells.  Also, people who buy land as "investment" but have no idea how to look after it.
having to fence water ways that 2 or 3 times a year get washed out and distroyed all at owners expense for no financial benefit
NZTA wanting to build the Brynderwym Bypass through our lands.
preserving some native species. Also provide animal shelter
Control mice, rats but just around the house/sheds
Getting into a range of non traditional agricultural practices as a result of changing weather patterns
Neighbour has soil moisture meters so discuss with him
Biggest opportunity on our Farm is CPW but that is also our biggest challenge.  To do it keeping the environment in mind.  We as dairy farmers are totally committed to preserving the environment and enhanceing it by planting native plants and not becoming too intensive. But we have to remain profitable
Joe blog public.  Most people have absolutely no idea how farming has changed in the past 30 years. As farmers we need to make people aware.  We also need to always be on the upward slope of doing better environmentally.  The Selwyn river should be protected but that also depends on rainfall as well as good practice.
Access to water, 'clean green' image to overseas buyers
attaining and maintaining water quality, achieving a genuine 'clean green' status.
To better the use and condition of land and waterways
Regulation introduced by pressure from urban living residents
Use of technology to better understand their farming practices and help make decisions on where best to invest.
Maintaining economic viability whilst complying with environmental enforcement, urban areas need to step up their environmental performance to keep up with their impact more than MOST farming operations.
Land intensification, high value primary production.
Compliant with clean streams accord.  Many smaller creeks fenced also.  Riparian planting every year.  Numerous sediment traps installed at based of gullys.  Significant treed areas (20 ha)
About 1/3 of smaller streams fenced.  Programme to get to 100% in place
We have all paddock soil tested twice over 5 years coupled with annual smaller scale testing to define targeted application.  Tonnes/ha P & K significantly reduced
Solids separation off feed pad.  Liquid collection from shed and pad to large pond with 3 months storage.  Pump to land when suitable.  Solids off pad spread by contractor every 1.5 - 2 months
We have numerous fenced off ponds with wet areas at the head of the pond
We like it - makes the farm more like a park
We have moved to split calving and reduced cow numbers to from 450 to 400 in the last 5 months.  Overseer N calc is lower, production up and variability looks like it will reduce
Adapting their production systems to better match the climate and growing patterns to maximise profitability.  Changes we are making are moving us from loss making to profit making
PC1 land use change restrictions.  The Waikato District council have got it wrong.  Draconian changes with low environmental improvement relative to the costs imposed.  We need a smarter catchment management approach and we need to allow new productive land uses on appropriate land rather than locking in the status quo in favour of the least important nutrient flow into the Waikato water course - nitrogen
Starting to fence off drains, river is done
Wetlands are on flood plain and we graze when dry
Irrigation and grass species that increase weights of stock
The government  Proposed water tax Poor returns for products whilst increasing costs Canadian geese out of control
I wouldn't like the Western Bay to be made up of heaps of lifestyle properties
We have three urban sub divisions on three boundaries so the challenge will be keeping this land as a farm and not the developers. Not on my shift but will probably happen as we are now zoned future urban.
Our relatively reliable climate makes it a safe farming area plus the opportunities that may come through changing land use.
The unresolved One Plan and water tax have huge implications in this district. Negative perceptions of farmers from the likes of Fish & Game NZ
Rezoning of land under the unitary plan and the accompanying increase in rates which may make it prohibtive to continue your chosen lifestyle.
continued pleasure of managing a few acres within suburbier
To lead the world in environmentally friendly pastoral farming. We have the systems in place to be able to achieve this but just need to get everyone on board.
To change the urban public perception that farming is destroying the environment and that it is all driven by greed. Some of it is but the majority are still generational or career farmers that care for the land and the animals.
Exposing the wider community to agriculture and it's postivite contribution society
Making a living while protecting the environment
new by - laws, as changes will need to be paid for by myself
The ability to become more self sufficient.
The rubbish that is spoken about farmers and farming. The majority farm responsibly. A few give the rest a bad name. Don't judge the majority by the failings of the minority.
Freezer works are thieves and farmers are raped of profits every time they sell cattle. Farmers should be able to sell their cattle as beef to the market as they do in other countries.
None. The laws in New Zealand are going to drivr all family farms out of business and their homes and the corporations are going to own everything.
The arrogant unhelpful bigots at the Whangarei District Council and the people pulling their strings.
Land cost is high so it's hard to get a return on investment for the size of the land
We are in a good economic space right now
Rural / Urban divide being created.  Also people who know nothing about farming not seeking proper advice with animal and general farm management or considering long term residents who were there before them.
Becoming more self-sustainable, development of practices that support families and communities
Time.  Cost of planting and fencing to protect waterways.  We'd happily fence and plant the spring on our farm and add more planting to the river boundary, but the cost of resources (plants, fencing and time for labour) becomes a barrier.
None shouting out We just get on with producing food for the nation
Water restrictions and mental  welfare exacerbated by the struggles of farming through thick and thin and urban vitriol All the money we spend on environmental projects is never enough to satisfy
Great lifestyle. Great place to bring up children
Making a living of a lifestyle block is very hard if not impossible.
Lifestyle blocks getting smaller and smaller as town encroaches onto country
Stock water reticulation using solar energy
The anti-farming of animals and local lifestyles imposing their non farming values. Non farmers wanting unlimited access.  Rising rates and restriction on land use.
We have produced 3 dams from which water is pumped using solar power to large tanks from which it is gravity reticulated to grazing areas.There are 2; 3;2 tanks required in the 3 sites and multiple troughs.
My intention in developing the dam/solar pumped to tank to pasture is as much to provide stock effluent back to pasture as to control erosion, although stock prefer it to drinking from creeks.
We could apply to log ancient trees from our virgin native forest but prefer not to. These are rimu,totara,.etc
Pests are well controlled by agencies, particularly good possum control but also rats and ferrets. We control pigs and keep goats from excess
Increase productivity and profitability through the retirement of uneconomic land and the protection of waterways, allowing for more efficient use of capital.
Water quality through intensive farming operation carried out in areas with high water tables and high rainfall
cropping  horticulture  due to natural fertility
westland milk products lifting production performance
keeping up with moving enviromental requirements/compliance
Free water Improving grass species to preform in our climate Keeping our natural beauty and improving he enivronment we farm in if not even planting more natives for stock shelter and reducing fertiliser runoff
Cost of inputs deisel, fert, rates insurance and overall running cost vs outputs WEATHER - ie couldnt get baleage cut on time last year or new grass resowed on time. Government decision making - ie if they go ahead with tax ideas currently being thrown around and environment tax
Having a lifestyle block in Auckland is enough in itself.
To grow chemical free animals and vegetables
Premium price for premium product. Best farming practices to build a brighter reputation Social education for our urban counterparts
Environmental restrictions and regulations coming into place
Water Harmony between land guardians and environmentalists
Water Harmony between current land Gaurdians and environmentalists
Introduced pests and organisms Regulations, rules and red tape restricting small sale quantities Unreliable power supplies. Third world roading.
How easy to push a steel rod into the ground
Finding it hard to think of anything. It would be nice to further intensify our  current property's by applying more irrigation
compliance.  Dealing with untrue research and science.                                       When labour and greens  try to govern.                                                                    Healthy and safety Consent to farm  are all things that will undermine my and other farmers productivity  and profitability
new technologies, better monitoring, good animal nutrition, better animal health,
Niche marketing of high value primary products, coupled with tourism
Central government intervention and climate change
Developing a local market for food produced/developing viable farming opportunities that bring in an income
Not being seen as a valuable part of local farming community. Time because unless you have a viable on farm business you have to work elsewhere. Meeting the same health and safety regulations as big farmers.
Growing older and getting help with manual labour
step back from intensive dairy, increase beef production
There are no opportunities for any one when you cannot even spell the name of our district correctly. I* live in Whangarei , not Whanarei. Shame on you. You should not have a job !!!!!!!!!
Getting idiots like you to stop making surveys.
To ensure that submerged irrigation ponds are the only form of irrigation storage allowed to be installed keeping lives, pets, animals and property safe from catastrophic flooding.
Being in the  tsunami flood-zone from potential above ground irrigation ponds that are intended to be installed at higher Waimakariri elevations to our properties.  Also that water continues to be siphoned of by over intensified dairy farming in the province. This limits personal well water availability and the consistent and healthy flow of creeks, rivers and waterways.
Tourism Locality to a large volume of people
Urban population Urban sprawl Under educated urbanites on rural activities
Growing livestock to be self sufficient.
1. can't see much at the moment for arable farming but if pressured by rising costs would go dairying.   2. Conversion of arable to horticulture
Rising farm costs but no increased income  Corporate farming taking over family farms i.e. land priced out of reach.  Environmental bullying by urban interests Too much administration re: compliance
Waimak Irrigation taking all the water and building a huge dam. climate change. Chemical and noise pollution from neighbouring farms.
They are large trees from previous owner and I need assistance from neighbour.
Being surrounded by farms getting bigger and bigger
The Whakatane Council  and Regional Council to maintain and improve the facilities of the district
Make a plan to reduce debt levels and reduce the race for production per hectare and make their farming operations more sustainable long term
Meeting the demands of a changing environmental regulations which they can achieve but will require a change in attitude
Specialised products ie honey, cheese, milk, etc
Weather patterns, legislation and ECAN demands/rules
Diversifying from predominately sheep/beef, dairying to crops food human consumption
Restrictions to water and other environmental resources. I do believe in protecting our environment and the need to move from status quo to achieve this and for farmers to be profitable
Bobcalf raising, planting crop, stud stock
Diversification into crops and animals that may adapt to warming temperatures in the south
The fact that we are continually ignored by government
Clinical Project Manager (CMP)  Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) Horticulture Certificate level 2
greater local markets for small / lifestyle business due to population growth in the wider Auckland/Hamilton area. More viable opportunity for niche crops that would not have sufficient customer base in NZ 10 yrs ago.
Urban sprawl. Insufficient planning of infrastructure. Lack of high density housing in central urban areas;  over-reliance on cars as means of transport because of insufficient planning / funding of public transport . Over-regulation / buerocratic excesses by local / regional / central governments: example: OSH; traffic management regulations; environmental regulations that make sense for big agricultural producers that are applied to small block farmers in the same way. The impact of the farm output on the environment should be better considered in legislation. It makes a different if 100+ cows poop on the land compared to 5 cows. It makes a different if a commercial growing business applies 100 tons of fertiliser, compared to a farm that applies 5-10 kg per year. Intensity of the farming operations needs to be considered better in legislation, to make it viable and feasible to have a lifestyle farm / hobby business that leaves a small or negligible footprint, compared to big commercial operations with a significant impact on the environment (effluent, fertiliser run-off, irrigation and consequences thereof etc). Those differences need to be better accounted for in the legislation. Extensive agriculture is less impactful on the environment than intensive land use, hence the density of crop / ha or animals / ha need to be considered. NZ is a liveable country, with more intact nature and less red tape than elsewhere. It should be our aim to keep it like this - livable, and focus the regulation where it matters most to protect the environment. A one-size-fits all approach does not achieve this.
Ability to farm summer safe and maintain static stock numbers but having the ability to ramp up summer stock production when seasons allow
Growing population. Other land uses available
move stock on as required when or when ever , management key !!!!!
growing organic healthy food ,enjoy the beautiful bay lifestyle farming environment,beautiful gardens .Enjoy bird life.
encroaching urbanization ,pesticides ,excessive council policies that encroach on property owners.
Producing food has always been a reliable source of income so variations on this theme be it more niche products or adding more value remains a solid opportunity.  The current growth in tourism suggests that farms could capitalise on the desire of visitors to experience our rural lifestyle so see this as a possible opportunity for some.
The more intense extremes of weather appear to be a growing challenge so while the Rangitikei has often been viewed as summer safe in the future I think there will be more extremes and farmers will have to be versatile and ready to stock up and restock, and manage their feed reserves more flexibly
To improve the rural environment in our region
To prevent environmental degradation and put more resources into environmental improvement
Compliances  (just keeping up with the ever changing rules, from stock welfare, health and safety, NAIT  and environmental  rules
Developing new products that are less demanding on the environment yet still economical.
Keeping the balance between the environment and farming as a viable business.
Price fluctuations and changing climatic conditions
Wide range of crops/ plants able to grow in our area
Climate change- flooding, erosion, water quality
Multiple pond system (anaerobic and aerobic ponds with sufficient storage to irrigate when suitable - no solid separation system)
Opportunities are very few, look at the rise in stress and mental issues, including suicide. We must stop the attack on farmers.
Being able to be sustainable (financially, environmentally, ethically) and keep farming with the wave of negative public opinion (which seems to be mostly based on false information and not understanding farming realities)
Population growth means that more food is required to be produced and therefore more demand for our products.
To get the politicians to support farmers instead of trying to make things more difficult for us and stop them taxing the shit out of everything we do.
close proximity to markets and our good soil type will allow us to carry on and improve productivity
Maintain and/or improve the local environment eg water and air by using what is available to each of us.
Being able to maintain the lifestyle we commenced. Local body cost keep rising and at time it feels like we are a cash cow to them with out much in return.
Maintaining some control on what we do on our own piece of land.
selling dairy products that are high quality and farms that are sustainable
Greenies telling us we are to blame for all enviro problems
it is just a way of life - not profit making.
sacrifice paddock then crop it in chicory
water use, climate change, enviromental footprints, beating compliance,
Lack of employable people.  Public perception.  Politics.  Water allocations.
Uncertainty of the climate and geo-political scene
Control of weeds gorse and pests including large seagulls. Theft of stock and plant from farm.
is not set aside used for shelter and drinking water during extreme weather events
dealing with the anti farming views of the urban public, the extreme water quality regulations that have no science behind them
good irrigation scheme. government support
proposed capital tax and water tax, increasing costs
Nutrient and carbon trading with neighbouring farms
Pests Increasing regional and district council rates land prices
Opportunities to grow new crops and grasses which enhance production with  less environmental impact .Continue to use technology to improve efficient fertiliser use .Where income allows ,spend on infrastructure which saves time for staff and improves winter feeding efficiency.
The biggest challenge is from public opinion which has been swayed by less than accurate or balanced information . Much has already been achieved and while there is still more to be done , a realistic time frame  is required .
To be able to put up with the irrigation from neighboring properties coming  through our place....
Continuation of marketplace specialities. 100% green perception. Innovation.
Cost of out of area/country transport. Drought and flooding. Introduced invasive species.
Farm Environment plan which includes overseer nutrient budget, stocking rates , good management practice, plan for the future , riparian planting and irrigation management pratice
Irrigation for dry land farming, New technology for efficient farming
Water Tax, over regulation of farming, Environmental issues, foreign disease
Use of the CPW irrigation water. water management. Being allowed to farm in a profitable and eniromently good manner
Bloody greenies. people from the cities that think that farmer are harming the eniroment when they are actuall relient on it.
Tress Beautify the land , enhance bird life etc
misunderstanding by non farming people in treatment of land and animals
Fenced off dam with planting around it, small stand of trees, house & building.
Incorrect perceptions a lot of people have about water pollution and food production and incorrect mainstream media reporting about the same thing.  High price of land with the probable result that farms will be large corporate owned affairs and the resulting animal welfare issues that often go with this.
three dams feed by spring these are fenced
have plan to plant native plants for birds and bees. Have a stand of toatora trees. Have planted other native but to close a commercial farm overspray has killed the plants so are now looking at planting where I have control.
biggest challenges are dealing with having to deal with weather conditions ensuring have enough feed for animals. town boundary extending into rural zones.
Cattle sold if v/wet or feed is low due to weather related events
River flows through valley that's in a bush block no access to stock fenced
Kiwifruit to Beef because of PSA. Neighbours  still fighting it lots of copper sprays
people making laws that they don't know the impact on farming profit
ability to enjoy farm lifestyle within easy distance of city, increased market for artisanal products which can be produced on lifestyle blocks
water, urban sprawl, housing costs, transport, stock feed management in times of drought, possibility of further earthquakes
It's getting harder to farm and stay profitable now with all the new  rules and regulations and compliance costs and huge amounts of paperwork.
Primary production for increasing population
Cost of compliance. Maintaining profitable business in wake of compliance
Make the land more concentrated & profitable per hectare , e.g.change to  Horticulture or goat farming
combining farming production across many properties
I have only recently moved to the area, so do not feel qualified to answer yet,but conservation and tourism are big opportunities
Water storage/supply for property/stock. Far too much council regulation.
Alternate storage of water source for irrigation during drought periods
As an Aid in the provision of habitat for native and/or other wildlife
Creating an environment that allows next generations to be involved and understand the intrinsic importance of caring for animals, land, environment. Allowing the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
The decisions made by the multitude of non farming people who have no interest in farming, livestock or the personal enjoyment that come with owning a lifestyle property. The cost involved in operating a lifestyle farm that is not balanced by the very limited returns. Its all about the LIFE STYLE.
Bachelor of Science - Biology and psychology
Treating staff and animals to an acceptable standard
To be more organic in farming practices,  working in with your neighbours.
Working in with your neighbours, climate change (extremes of dry and wet)
old water race closed by council.Glad it was still open after all the rain, but as neighbours have filled there's in we still got a lot of flooding.
primary school only. dragged ou of school and made to dig drains and go fencing at12 or 13. Cut and made all our own posts and battons.
Land prices still quite reasonable so opertunity to have a country lifestyle were you can keep busy ( try new crops etc) orlet others grow on your land ie Lucern or Midlands for seed crops. Either way still making a reasonable living.
Land prices will rise as more young family's want that country living.Need to find crops that are labour intensive to be competitive with major growers.
good practice for winter grazing as per Regional Plan 90% of farm is stable pasture
We produce high quality food in an environmental sustainable manner and the world will eventually come to appreciate the attributes that are intrinsic to this region
Compliance and to many people "farming the farmer" Perception being the norm rather than fact based discussions and decisions
CPW, Urban demands, Labour & Green Parties,
To be able to be fairly self sustainable.To be able to graze horses without worrying where to put them.To be able to enjoy the lifestyle out doors and not be as restricted as living in town.
To many rules around what people can do on their own land and the towns moving closer inflicting urban rules.
For those close to Akld as are we, subdivision into lifestyle blocks (or smaller)
Urban sprawl, climate/weather changes, regulation.
Most farmers are quite old, many drawing National Superannuation already, but carrying on running their farm. Inflated land prices mean that the farm they've mostly inherited 40/50/60 years ago has become a multi million dollar asset. Thus, on getting out they've accumulated an incredible "pension" scheme as well as being able to provide considerable capital for their families.
Extremes of weather. Ecan seems to be getting up their noses. Labour Government would be a threat to any "Tall Poppies", not just farmers.
To increase profitability by reducing intesification.
Coping with enforced regulations from those who like impose their power.
The land hasnt been set aside its just wet swamp areas.
Doing what best suits your farm type more efficiently
The weather. ie extreme events flooding/ drought
To make use of the ability,through irrigation,to grow crops to fruition,profitably.
To be able to farm sustainably,without draconian measures put in place by authorities
Tourism, depending on the size of the property. Spray free produce for sale at farmers markets.
Any as yet unknown changes introduced by either local or central government and / or Environment Waikato.
Unsettled weather patterns, council regulations and proposed changes
The area has natural rainfall which can be managed if good farmign practices are adopted.
The availability to live a clean healthy life
More land being subdivided, negative effect on the rural lifestyle.
Growing naturally without genetically modified crops or chemical poisons
Contamination of crops with genetically modified organisms; proliferation of chemical Contamination of ground and waterways from pesticide and fertiliser application; cross-property airborne Contamination of the same during application; laws restricting safe natural growing and sale of healthy produce on the basis of 'food safety'
Horse Trials, Pony Club and Dog training
its not looking too good , especially if the country is run by a Labor government
unreasonable imposed costs.......put in place by government / councils ...with out actually understanding farming and the environment properly ;  first hand , and these entities not looking long term at profitability in relation to export and the global market fluctuations.... / climate change
I don't think there are any for the smaller  farmers
all farmers being seen equal and size seen as equal as well.the only people that can afford all the rules and regulations are the big farms
Niche marketing giving us the opportunity to sell our existing produce in more diverse range of products to a wider audience. E.g., Table ready cuts of chilled lamb compared to frozen carcasses.
Keeping bio security risk at a minimum. Finding new ways to make wool profitable.
Councils ideas on how to best farm your farm
boutique  planting  nuts/vegetables/fruit trees etc
increasing local council rates/resource consent process
Some lifestylers have no idea of how manage animals health care.  Growth of houses
Growth in niche markets for horticulture or food products etc eg cheese, nuts
set up costs for any venture as smaller scale still requires same level of registration and compliance etc if not more
Living a healthy relaxed lifestyle hopefully
The rate of dairy conversions. In the past 15 years the area has changed from clean green to smelly intensive dairy farms. This is very noticeable when travelling from the south .
Will replant in manuka for honey production
Adapting to market challenges and being flexible to accommodate and gain the most from embracing their demands.
Started along a long road to consent for 400 hectares irrigation for specialised crops
Leasing a specific area to a specialist grain and small seed grower
Irrigation, farm tourism, film locations, long settled harvest season for specialist seeds.
Outside influences on district plans, impact from high tourist numbers on our environment, costs from high tourism numbers on local infrastructure  possible central government taxes on water. Social media misinformation derived from emotive activist groups as opposed to proven scientific answers from reputable agencies.
buying a farm today is hard as farms are getting joined to become bigger making it harder for young people to get started
doing more fencing and planting  trees in near in next few months
orientate farming business around environmental sustainability
climate disruption loss of rural land to urbanisation dominant  economic model in NZ no longer appropriate
Ability to experiment with new crops farming practices
encroaching urban dwellers, or those with non farming values
Trade certificates in two different motor trades
I don't know that there are many apart from the personal satisfaction of doing what pleases yourself and family.
Drains ,stock lanes, buildings shelter belts
To live almost self sustaining with produce and meat that is pure and wholesome
exploring new crops, cultivars and strategies to manage dryland farming
The continued decline of our town due to government policies that impact negatively on rural areas. Managing the impact of regulations that are aimed at the dairy industry but impact our lower intensity farming.
I am interested in moving to plant based rather then animal based farmin. I am interested in hemp but am waiting for a visionary govt to invest in the infrastucture to support an industry which I feel has alot of potential and is a more sustainable landuse for the future
Population growth and housing development encroaching on rural comunities and rating us out. Also finding a sustainable landuse . And dealing with climate issues
Construction of a large and economic irrigation scheme
Getting that scheme built. Provision of livestock water. Keeping livestock out of streams, and other non-sensible environmental regulations. Health and safety regulations that are non-sensible.
All gullies, springs and ephemeral water courses retired into native or exotic forestry
No fertiliser is applied closer than 50 metres to a waterway as all waterbodies are retired and genreally there is a 50 metre plus buffer to pasture
All non productive and steep areas that I can not access by quad bike have been retired
What the fuck is mauri.  I protect the bush because I like bush and feel having the waterways retired into bush is best for the environment.  I have yet to see any mauri do anything to protect the environment.  They are very good at talking but not good at walking the talk
what the hell does it matter what ethnicity I am ?
Subdivide the land and sell it to all the disposesed Jaffas that have been chased out of Auckland by all the asian immigrants
Managing nutrients & chemical runoff/leaching from the land so it does not continue to fuck the environment as it is currently doing
Growing their product profitability from there farm.
Non unless you want to subdivide profitable farm land into building sections.
Difficulty in keeping land for farming as rates are too high forcing property owners to sell. Also trying to stop both Nelson and Tasman councils from letting good land be subdivided into sections instead of other less profitable land.
Environmental - wetter winters, drier summers.   Monetary - The looming taxes they may be imposed by an anti-producer/farming government should Labour be elected including the capital gains tax that will prevent those of us who have invested in a property with view of using its sale for retirement.
Self sufficient Beef, Lifestyle, not many neighbours
weather, grass growth, animal management
very low populations of rats, generally kept down by our terrier
encroaching housing complaining about regular agricultural practices
Water taxes Climate  Cost of keeping stock from water ways on steep hill country
NZ registered General& maternity nurse,Plunket nurse certificate
increase of overseas markets for wool and meat or other by products especially in the dairy industry
clean waterways,reduction of intensive farming practices
constraints imposed by regional council nutrient management rules, lack of resources to develop, ag companies only wanting to do business with large farmers
Increased profitability through co-ordinated exporting of wool and meat.
Compliance with Environment Southland's Land and Water Plan
We have a large house section and home orchard
Weather life style blocks getting pushed into city boundaries. Loss of stock due to dogs and theft
Over regulation, compliance and resource consents.
Making environmentally sound decisions about development of a lifestyle block
The water tax being imposed by the labour party if elected. Urban rural divide. Regional rates.
Improved access to water thru new irrigation schemes
Rapidly rising land costs and townies moving in
the get back to the land, avoiding toxic poisons get back to the natural way of doing things
avoid being baffled by the BS from those that choose to use harmful substances in the name of conservation 1080 is one that should be banned NOW!  not to be bullied into wrong decisions
Production of vegetables and arable to meet increasing demand for plant based protein and animal feed supplement
Increasing unininformed animosity toward farmers  Environmental regulation to pacify negative sentiment which has no scientific basis
We are creating a natural habitat for birdlife. the area is a wetland anyway and we are creating an area to establish native plantings and bird life.
the rabbits are becoming a problem but we have no resources to eradicate these. we are near a built up area and a main road so shooting these pests is not possible.
developing a property that the local community can use as a retreat to city life
the city people that come out to the country and they have no tolerance for the animals that have been there for generations.  The council siding with the residential people that live next door to the farm that complain about the animals and the going ons of the farm.  the council making rules and expecting unrealistic compliance when farming the land.  We have a 40accer lifestyle block that we raise cattle on and have horses.  We are developing an area that will be a wetlands area with plantings that we hope will be an assette in the future.  we are also developing an area where children can come with their ponies after school and lean to ride and work their horses wile being supervised.
We have fenced off access to the river all along our property  up to the neighbours boundaries. We have allocated a large area near the river been fenced off and plant native trees and wetland plants in the swampy areas.
Ferttiliser is generally applied in Autumn
We fecned off the river and created native bush and wetlands in the fenced off areas to protect it. There is no currently covenant with local Council but there will be later once the bush produces a canopy.
Developing new initiatives, changing land uses from dairy to veges and fruits production.
Dairying is getting more and more difficult with low pay out.
Planting riparian areas would shade-out grass and increase stream bank erosion.
Shift cattle twice a day when soil saturated.
to be left alone to develop our farm sustainably in our way, farm gate sales of produce without mountains of paper work
town decision makers and the envy politicians taxing our life away and  over regulating, we have become like Europe/UK 25 years ago, we want more relaxed rural subdivision so there are more people living and working in the rural areas
Leave margins ungrazed when break feeding slopes
Eroding profits through increased regulation, rules, and other non income bearing costs
More precise application using helicopter
manging the affect of the changing climate
Diversification into more intensive use of the land with new crops
To increase profitability and environmental sustainability side-by-side
To miss the exciting opportunities presented by changing perspective to a primary focus on care of livestock, habitats and the environment in general as the key to sustained and increased profitability, life and job satisfaction.
Further developing and enhancing their properties
Maintaining productivity of the land plus retaining natural environmental features.
Fruit and vegetable growing for local cosumption
Local body un-realistic rules and regulations.
The growing divide between rural and urban areas of not only here in the Mackenzie but all of New Zealand
to improve our waterways- mine are all fenced. to improve our flora and fauna. to grow produce to sell locally- which we are getting to, the land of my farm is not really very good for stock as its so wet, so we are thinking of moving into limes and lemons and getting some greenhouses going.  We have to opportunity to feed the other locals, organic, locally sourced, seasonal, its just the cost of the transition from stock farming- my farm was once over 500 acres, now right down to 12 hectares with a lot of the eroding hills now planted by us and the wetland restored.  Its the cost to provide these benefits to the general areas waterways and to control the pests that hinders our ability to actually productively produce something on the land. but we will get there and the community will benefit.
paying the huge rates we pay, and then having to eradicate damn pine trees and other pests the neighbours allow to flourish. Also to afford fencing and comply with all the council rules for covenanted areas. we have covenanted way more than is required as it is the natural lay of the land. These areas should be native bush. the cost of this is astronomical for a family with 3 children. however I am proud of the 4800 trees planted last month alone and the other 30000 we have put in.
Control of nutrients, stocking rates and water use.
What ever people want to do if they do it properly it will work we have a good climate which is going to get better.
Getting the public to understand that most farmers are not here to destroy the environment.
water restrictions and cost of water. drought continuance and not enough resources to mitigate that. no support in drought/semi drought but still expected to pay for everything and high rates. excessive charges to develop own water catchment systems that have no impact on anyone elses water supply (ie ability to catch more rain fall). no forethought to capturing flood waters for water use in summer.
Low numbers of these pests on our farm, some minor control (e.g shooting rabbits, hares and putting out baits for mice, rats) but only periodically. Do not have deer, pigs or goats on our property.
growing crops for finishing sheep and beef
The world will require more food, we need to better tell our NZ story and the fantastic way we farm and produce food here, and position ourselves as premium producers of top quality food (easier said than done - don't ask me exactly how we do it!) Our environment and story is our advantage.
Weather, increased drought/extreme weather events. Compliance restrictions on farming around environment and nutrient outputs. Labour getting in to Government!
Trees are removed by various means where they are accessible.
The opportunity to preserve and grow the population of all native species in the area.   The opportunity to grow new exotic cash crops as a niche market and boost NZ's diversity of export earnings.
Lack of transport options.  There is no point in growing a great business when there is no reliable way of accessing your market.  New Zealand should have an electrified double track rail system from North Cape to Bluff to ensure businesses who take pains to create a market are not derailed by transport delays. The other big challenge is being able to operate a business (or volunteer group) today is the huge amount of compliance and paperwork that faces anyone trying to get ANYTHING done.  An increasing number of people are not interested in starting anything here because of the obstacles placed by the H & S act and anything to do with the RMA.  Compliance costs for H & S and everything that needs to be done to conform to the RMA are now prohibitive to many business ventures.  Unless this is addressed in the future a of of very good ventures will never get off the ground.  (as well as volunteer groups becoming a thing of the past as NGO's are more and more expected to have a degree in business studies to operate within present parameters)
Maximising returns on current land and practices.
Ensuring agriculture is seen as a benefit to Southland and  New Zealand rather than a thorn in her environmental side.
Using better environmental practices that leads to a happier more accepting customer
Act responsibly in the overall effort to execute more sustainable farming practices, this is not just confined to the maintenance of your own property and stock but its surrounds, etc....
Changing weather conditions/extremes will make it more difficult to maintain land/stock without significant supplement feeds unless one changes the farming model/yield/headcount
tekowhai community group             tekowhai hall society
Growth in tauranga is increasing which brings the city edge closer which means we aren't as rural now allowing more easier assess to health care etc.
The Tauranga Council region is slowly moving towards us so land value may increase making it hard to expand.
Diversification to meet the changes of the climate
We have been here 18 months. No fertiliser had been used for over a decade. We have mainly been busy fencing, planting, clearing rubbish, removing gorse and so on. We have been making lots of compost and spread it on some areas.
We enjoy these areas and want others to be able to visit and experience the bush and wetland areas. We hope to have bees in the future and use natural products harvested from the area.
Increased diversity - the way we can give so many things a go and be supported by a great community. Our people make our ideas happen. We love that there are people who have been here for generations, who are newcomers, returnees or new to New Zealand. What a marvellous mix and a way to learn new ways of farming.
We need a successful rail system for goods and people. We need to support people who'd like to work and to be part of the farming community - learn new skills and learn how to feed and clothe their families. Less dependence on benefits can only be a positive.
rising costs and not being able to pass them on   rates  and stuipid rules
to much regulation put in place by peaple who have no practicle experience about grassroots farming
reginal council making policies that are impracticle
Too much legislation and taxation, aimed a certain sectors, that will unfairly effect everyone and push up compliance costs and reduce profitability.
Costs imposed by local authorities for projects of get little benefit from
Same as opportunities.  All opportunities are challenges in disguise, and vice-versa.  Changing climate makes everything uncertain.  Biosecurity is an issue.  Resource consumption and pollution from commercial farming is also an issue.
Increased Primary Industries manufacturing facilites
Regulation by ill informed Councils and hijacking of the democratic process by vocal minority interest groups who are not representative of the majority of, unfortunately apathetic, ratepayers. This has been a long and entrenched attitude by the W.D.C who "think they know best" but never actually ask those affected by their decisions or who pay for the Councils "wish list" Lack of Council accountability is also an issue - The Edgcumbe Floods recently would be a case in point
farm eco tourism, new crops more suited to northland environment
compliance cost, increase rates for no benefit, beef farming becoming unprofitable unless you own huge areas of land,
We do use mice and rat bait around the sheds.
Opportunities will also vary. Depends on what you want to do with your land. Some of the soil types here in Selwyn district are very good, however many lifestyle farmers do not use their land to its full potential.
This question will vary as to where in the Selwyn district you live. My issue is flooding when there are heavy rainfalls. If Lake Ellesmere is not open, then we get the back flow from this. As a dairy farmers daughter and a share milker  many years ago (not here on the East Coast) it is important to me that that I manage my stock levels accordingly and have as  lower stock numbers as possible heading into winter.
Leverage technology to maximise use of smaller land pockets
Uncertain political environment, increased legislation
Cant think of too many unless you are a big and established farmer.  Us littlies are being driven off our land due to unfair politics and un-necessary rules and regulations.  Before long NZ will not be a farming community at all....
Too many rules that does not help the farmer ie fencing off creeks etc when there is no actual evidence that ALL farms need to do this.  Individual water samples need to be taken from each farm and not a blanket one rule fits all.....  very soul destroying for farmers.
converting paddocks to niche products more cooperative farming among neighbors with increased droughts more likely
the ability to farm sheep and beef in particular between multiple properties without being on the wrong side of the law when it comes to home killing and the nait system
the greene bastards who no nothing about farming or running a business.
Supply to organic markets of all produce from farms
Tourism growth and changes in attitudes to food provenance  and production
Financial instability. Water quality and availability. Climate.
To be able to make enough turnover to keep enjoying the lifestyle
Exploiting their land to its full potential.
The weather.  It's becoming more unpredictable and extreme
more intensive  with  new types of pasture
having to move further away as new houses get built
Multiple ponds with sufficient storage to irrigate when suitable no solid separation
Radical extremists trying to destroy our industry.
Adopting new scientific advances in farming.
All the red tape and rules and regulations that going to be forced on us.
operational auditing Health Service management
utilising broad band connections demonstrating sustainable farms practises
urban creep. Erosion of rural rating with encroachment by residential and nonagricultural  industrial activity.
To drive to make the property as profitable and enjoyable as you can
To have enough willingness to keep the property maintained in a sustainable and productive manner.
Research by Fonterra and Dairy NZ and others is enabling better use of resources such as fertilizer usage, water management, feed production and livestock selection to produce more high quality product while protecting and improving the environment.  I hope AFFORDABLE effluent treatment systems are part of this.
1. The bitter urban-rural divide, enhanced by biased media reporting and agitation, fueling "fake news" and myths about farming. It's terrifying reading comments on "Stuff" website reports. 2. Water royalties, if enacted, will encourage further intensification in order to protect narrow profit margins. Many talented skilled farmers will leave the industry. The nation's economy will dive. 3. Taxes, taxes, taxes. 4. Farmer mental health.  A pessimistic outlook but please, please, PLEASE be careful with your policy making decisions,
prevention of flooding and erosion on water ways/rivers, due to local council constraints
To be self sufficient and maintain a rural feel.
Being swallowed up by urban growth. Keeping on top of things when it is very wet or very dry.
Wrong use of land needed for future food for the growth in population
TDC , environmental changes water shortages
level 3 primary ITO, working towards diploma in dairy business management
umm, not sure, maybe diversification, or niche product as we get swamped by urban sprawl and overseas buyers of our land for residential development
urban sprawl, finding decent quality staff
Getting involved in small growing operations not using chemicles
proximatey to the markets and international ports
With a rapidly growing economy labour is attracted away from agriculture. With the current immigration policies of government it will soon be difficult to recruit labour
Excellent export sale prospects (and good meat prices to match).
Making a living from the farm, and keeping the farm.
Environmental requirements will cost farmers extra money and impact on profitability. The biggest challenge will be reducing or maintaining N losses without having major impacts on profitability. The community need to agree on an N level that allows farming to maintain & enhance profitability.
Leave wide buffers between any water way or steep ground (with rough grass or scrub in them) when cultivating. Also, cultivate when weather is predicted to be settled
To meet requirements of resource consent to subdivide
to be able to subdivide land to an economic level and sustainable level with less influence from RMA
Pasture re-establishment on eroded areas
selective fert appliacation by area and type
Conversion of marginal drystock farmland to Plantation pine forestry
Underestanding the various land use options and their respective economic returns, addressing the inevitabel ETS ramifications constructively and profitably
Producing quality food products in a sustainable environment
Negative public perception of dairy farming.  Bureacracy at local and national government levels - blaming current dairy farmers for problems created many years ago.
Farm Ownership and in times of elevating land prices Introduced taxes on things such as water Protection and reinstatement of good environmental conditions which have been deteriorated over generations but will be put this generation to fix and foot the bill.
To produce top quality edible produce able to supply specific markets throughout the world.
Acquiring suitable land able to be farmed efficiently without the use of irrigation. Having  stable markets to enable an assured profitable return for its produce.
Audited Farm Environment Plan by Irrigation Company
graze slopes in fine weather, maintain buffers closer to low lying areas
Fertiser spread by GPS and auto steer tractor
Technologies around water use, automation, science
Uncertainty of payout, political interference, increased taxes
All water ways are fenced off and planted
Robotics, Technology, Wetter and warmer climate,
Staffing, Land prices, slow Internet and imported plagues
develop your property to your environment & stay abreast of industry changes.
climate change, pests, impact of urban sprawl.
produce marketed as clean & green , sold for a premium
Not being told what to farm nor how to do it by so called educated experts
Keeping other people's sticky fingers out of my pie
Our biggest opotunity is to go broke with all the new regulations coming in, and restritions that are being placed on us,as all these add considerable costs and time to our bussiness. They have got to realise farmers actually wont to look after the land and enviroment and improve it, but with each extra cost and restriction placed on us we are starting to think whats the point, as we just get rubbished by uninformed parts of the media and political parties, who have never contributed to the enviroment by physically shutting up hard paid for land and retirring land which we still have to maintain and pay rates on, while the council will buy land and just let all the gorse and weeds run a mess and dont maintain the land at all,they dont seem to care that gorse  is probly the worst nitrogen leatcher into waterways than a lot of adverage farming
Un true information by uneducated and people on certain agenders spreadind untrue facts and figuars about farming, triing to get the urban dwlers and certain parts of the media to report  actual facts and figuars that have ballanced information in them, and to stop these people taking one photo or bit of information and incompasing all farmers into it. And getting it thru to them most of the city creeks and rivers are way worse than many rural rivers, Taxes on water will kill a lot of farmers livlyhoods, and make produce more expensive for everybody exspecialy the low income and there basic necisidies
Compliance costs and reporting. Lifestyle farmers generally are only part time farmers that don,t earn a living off the farm but use it to achieve a style of life. Therefore the costs and reporting take up more time than actually lookong after the farm,
Encroaching suburbia, increases in rates, complaints from new neighbours
have not got waterways more than a metre wild
because we like it and each generation has kept it
sell the farms,for lifestyle blocks or housing unfortunatly
rates and regulations being imposed, ie enviromental and climate histeria
Fence off and plant native stands to encourage bird and bee life
Best use for the class of land and personal beliefs
to improve stock quality from calf rearing to R2YO,s
Excellent supply of necessary farm products from the various farm stores
Stock shelter, amenity and a small plantation of Elderberries for cultivation.
I am a firm believer in taking care of the land for mine and future generations. I love planting trees and natives having some land gives me the opportunity to do so.
Legislation. R. M. A. and Health and Safety. It all adds up.
I didn't tick that we have wetlands etc so not sure what happened here
see other question - I can't go back and check
PC1. More regulation. Public sentiment. Volatility.
To improve coarse wool prices   To improve soil type therefore productivity
District Council and Resource Management Act  Shutting up of land in the Sounds and on the hills Fencing of waterways
Neighbors control pests (Landcorp & neighbor)
Quality lifestyle and improve the environment.
having a rural lifestyle but still living near the city, our children have the best of both worlds
keeping our small blocks maintained, trying to buy small amounts of farming equipment is the hardest especially veterinary products
Given that a lifestyle farm is not a commercial concern, the motivation to have one is a desire for a degree of DIY subsistence and an opportunity to pursue some hobby or interest with an agricultural theme.    The biggest opportunity is that which lends itself to a continued ability to pursue this lifestyle.
There is an increasing challenge posed by bio-security and I am not convinced that there is enough resource and attention being paid to it.  There is also increased environmental stress in the form of inappropriate land usage and stocking rates on commercial farming operations.  This has a negative effect on water quality (from rivers especially) and soil quality conservation,
just moved here so unsure of populations
all the rules and regulation coming out now especially on farm safety
Continue growing our own food where possible and increase self sufficiency
For us maintaining our property including the physical demands as we get older/less energetic
Dairy growth in the region could be good for lifestyle farmers, with wintering opportunities.
For us, it's pest control. We do our bit, but our neighbours not so much!
Firstly, I would like to know that  I am working in the  WHANGAREI district  - NOT as is written repeatedly  in this survey  as Whanarei !!!!!!! I think farmers are facing great changes in the future . We must change the way we sell our meats , as the rest of the world does not eat meat the way NZ does . The general public have little conception of the need to keep our agricultural  businesses profitable to be viable  to just keep going . Opportunities ? we have to look outside agriculture to find them .!
The rising cost of rates, the costs of new fencing stipulations around waterways.  Farming must be the only business where we buy in at retail price , then sell at wholesale price !! One never knows from one year to another what the percentage of profit will be . Most businesses   can calculate their profit margin from year to year .
Can't answer that at the moment because of new highway going past road in the near future.  Have to wait and see how it affects us
Making enough  money off the place to pay rates and insurance as both seem to be going up drastically every year
Farms are flat, riparian is too expensive, , havent retired any area from livestock, and dont have sediment traps
Low population, beautiful,  peaceful and great place to bring up a family,  and to invest and progress in the industry.
Environmental, both preceived by the public, and demanded by politicians. There is very little profit in some years in farming but that is irrevalent we must spend $$$$ on our effluent systems etc, yet publicity is terrible regarding environmental management on dairy farms and whatever we do is never reported positively.  On the other hand humans actually create more waste into rivers and oceans, but that is not the 'flavour' of the month, so doesn't get splashed over every newspaper or reported on tv.  We are the scapegoats it seems
To reduce dependency of sheep production, increase beef production and increase capability to produce outputs profitably in all climatic conditions.
Profitability. Climate change and all that climate change is bringing with it - uncertain profitability, reduced production from droughts, floods and soil erosion, especially massive slips. The changing relationship between rural and urban New Zealand and the impact of populist politicians who'll seek to exploit the growing gap in perception and understanding.
Profitability versus high rates and other over the top costs
Horticulture/market gardens - population growth needs feeding
Loss of land due to urban growth, water quality, sewage disposal, traffic
I will do more when I move onto the land in the near future
Not sure as yet what pests in the area but will use control measures when I have a better idea of what needed
Possibly a market in designer products suited to each individual farm
To keep the area green, stop the flow of Aucklanders wanting land for housing
The opportunity to be more self sufficient.  Create less waste, and avoid chemically enhanced food products.
They need education on stock and property management.  Most are townies wanting to live in the country.
Finding viable land being able to hold stock levels that pays the bills having enough feed on farm
Hares, rabbits & feral cats, also domestic cats being dropped off. Weather extremes from severe dry in summer to wet & boggy in winter
sideline in tourism  increased accuracy(via tech) of accurately measuring inputs and outputs  forestry
aerial fertilizer application becomes more problematic due to inaccuracy issues  water quality issues (which farms cause what -- how to measure which farms cause what -- how to decide  who pays)  more young farmers required  where to find a really good heading dog
Sustainable farming practices becomes mainstream
Population growth means a continued market for our product.
Availability of water for irrigation,  a water tax on top of the infrastructure and compliance costs of water takes could be crippling. The process of trying to obtain consents to construct water storage dams on farm is too costly and council process too prohibitive. Labour shortage for seasonal workers, immigration laws make process difficult. Selling off valuable horticultural land for housing, you can not produce more land! Once it is gone it is gone!
Maintain land similar to environment standards.
Competing with those that are not keeping our land environmentally friendly
Ignorant land owners completely destroying a fragile environment and then leaving.    We have nieghbours who will not listen to sound mature advice and they are really fucking up our environment I really sware so tske this statement as heartfelt.   Whatz worse is the local Authorities do nothing about this travesty.
To retain and improve self management of land and agriculture.
to prudce more lambs     and get strong wool  prices up
urban spread taking out productive land for houses  taxes may cripple farming i.e. water ,rates ,compliance
To provide healthy wholesome organic food  animal welfare products
Reducing the number of chemicals and environmental changes
Semi-self-sufficiency in an increasingly uncertain economy
Moving to organic farming: no drenches, no antibiotics, appropriate fertilizer product[s] & application. Appropriate land utilisation
Environmental issues particularly limit setting under the One Plan
Being forced by people who have never lived on/off the land to do procedures that are just not feasible or workable in the name of staying green, clean etc - when the problems are often created more by the urban folk - but rural becomes the scapegoat.
Shift to Horticulture and give away farming. Great soils, transport, climate in BOP.
Continuing to supply clean food to the food chain
Advanced Trade Certificate in Diesel Engineering.
District Council Interference and consents
Fenced off for trees - just planted poplars in there
Niche products that can be produced on a small block.
Farmlets being constantly divided to smaller & smaller blocks to accommodate the influx of ex Aucklanders.
use of sacrifice paddocks in summer in particular.
horticulture and nuts.  Adding value to produced agricultural goods.
Bureaucracy and compliance with new environmental rules adversely affecting the  financial sustainability of farming.  Councils and government applying the same costs and compliance to those who may be wrecking the environment to those who do not.
Probably as good as it gets at the moment
Fresh  vegetable production for export to Asia
Inaccurate and misinformed urban assumptions about agricultural production
environmental restrictions towards the clean water programme.
Trade cert Diesel engineer. NZQA truck driver log haulage
Internet/phone connections. Rising rates. Upkeep of roads.
Help from Government agencies to farm more enviromentally friendly through subsidies in more planting, irrigation etc. Advise on ways to change to meet the market as it changes.
Climate change and market change regarding sales of products and prices received for produce along with demand of products.
Processing of produce. environmentally friendly management practices
compliance issues and costs. Increasing cost of production. Fluctuating returnes.
The young educated farming entering the industry
There are many Urban rural devoid  Over seas markets crashing  Foot and mouth. One I feel strongly about is the environment as i believe that the best way to improve it is to make farming profitable as farms spend profits upgrading and fencing off creeks as is all ready happing but with taxes it decreases profitability and the first thing that is cut from the budget is the fencing
Maintaining the natural reserves and waterways
close to a huge market of globally-diverse tastes
Reduction of land use due to encroaching housing, sending up rates and values
I fenced off the water ways and built 2 culverts last year when i took over the lease
the wetlands is too wet to use 8 months of the year and grows weeds the other 4. hopefully i can put a hefty summer crop
Grass growth all year around NO SNOW! Location to markets
Perceived perception of dirty farming - environmental challenges without justification... Land use allocations. the gap between town and country...
Water the water table is steadily dropping. We are on a spring fed stream that is 2/3rds of its previous flow observed over 20 years.
On farm--genetic gain Off farm--cohesive marketing
Politics, townie ignorance and off shore macro politics  ie--North Korea
Reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers and reducing impacts on waterways
To be able to farm produce on own bit of NZ land.
The  costs involved to farm a small lifestyle block are just the same as a large farm!
city slickers imposing controls on traditional farm management
Continuing to produce free range, grass fed, hormone free, great produce. We need to market this better and gain the value from the product that hard working farmers deserve, which can then be fed back into looking after the land even better.
Increasing costs and decreasing profit margins. Over-regulation, especially for young farmers trying to get a start. These are the ones that should be cut some slack as most have big ideas on conservation and looking after the land. This doesn't happen over night. More extreme climate events such as drought and higher rainfall events will require careful on farm managing.
Finding a dairy factory that will produce nich market products Milk powder is the lowest rung
Rates If greens are going to charge for water. How much will they pay us to pump off surplus
Farming to ensure the natural resources are protected for the future. So we can hand the property on to the next person in a better condition than we found it.
Maintaining the local environment for the future
Chance to live away from the rush of city life
10 ha irrigation pond,water come from waimak irrigation scheme
Uninformed people with a hate towards the dairy industry because of one eyed science that only looks at one angle, and the media love it and that's what is shown to the public on social media and news like Sunday.
To continue to feed your family and friends from what you do yourself
New technology, like better plants to maximize returns
Government regulations/taxes, like emissions, meaning on farm costs will increase
The high level of land rates with little or no services
compliance and the cost of in time and money
Lack of  knowledge of  farming and its chalenges  by council (  and council employees  especially )
doing what they do and  by doing it well
water quality , water tax, environmental impact, environment planning, 6a water plan
Growing boutique unusual species that appeal to other farmers and consumers
Being allowed to continue to breed/grow naturally raised eco-friendly herds of animals that can be sold to consumers desiring grass fed animals of high quality.
They have an opportunity to change their ways, in regard to their way of thinking that urea/N is the be all and end all to make grass grow before its to late.
The biggest challenge is to change their ways in regard to fertiliser application.
Not yet, but after this really wet winter a number of these are being considered!
Helensville A&P Show.  For 30 years, following the family tradition of 4 generations.
Tourism! Over a million people on our doorstep to market to.
High value of the land, with the encroachment of urban sprawl. Transport issues.  With the clogged roads, transport to and from market must rise. Non-agricultural neighbours not understanding farming practices.
Traps placed by river just on other side of border fence.
water , climate,  short sighted greenies, parasites,
Bachelors of ICT and post grad in Teaching
wetland =low flats high water table, pine trees for stock shelter, matsudana's for summer shelter and surface water  drain filters, low flats closed off May to Nov
University entrance 90% + in all subjects/electrical trade top for NZ theory , practical, mathematics , won State Hyrdo award for NZ.
good publicity about the work they are doing and getting that message out to the towns with honest news and newspaper reports. The opportunities  are not easy because farmers are a minority and politicians and councils basically feather their own nests by bribing the towns and cities!
Capture capital gain on land based on Waikatos thriving dairy industry
Waikato regional council plan change 4, They are fools to believe their plan is realistic. Waitomo council rates, we are the highest in the country and receive the least service
We have fenced off waterways and planted a mixture of natives some years ago . We wish to do more as finances dictate. We use the effluent system installed when we were dairying to evenly apply washdown effluent when we have had stock in yards for drenching etc
35 ha of our farm is a dry-land run-off block we use when pugging is likely to occur
My husband and I have taken on part-time employment so as not to have all our eggs in one basket financially so we can keep stock numbers at a sustainable level.
There are many pre-retirees and retired farmers who want part time farm related work such as tractor driving, truck driving, or other non stressful work to which they could help ease workload for main-stay farmers who need a break or an extra hand at peak times.
climate change, new plant diseases and pests
Water  political opinions  staff banking and land values
Sort out better /more efficient use of irrigation water-i.e use it or lose it -justify the economic/environmental benefit of the water usage.
Diploma 3 yr in agriculture advanced diploma - horticulture  BEd - early childhood
Planting stream banks that are subject to erosion, but without stock exclusion.
Install troughs so stock are not forced into streams for water.
Areas do not need fencing as they are too steep for stock to access.
Getting recognition that we are farming sustainably. Having our critics silenced by quality science.
More bureaucracy. More constraints on land use that are not scientifically backed. eg fencing water ways, having livestock emissions in the ETS
This is a major issue on our farm some steps have been made, but most is impractical and current media and council plans are causing a great deal of stress on my self and family, we have undertaken a great degree of financial, and physical work on the property (as well as dramatically reducing the environmental impact of the farm). If "all" stock have to be excluded and their is no assistance (min $400000 govt freshwater fund may be out of our reach ?) we will be put back a decade, I  will not go back there!, This is impractical on 80% of this relatively extensive farm(8-9su/ha)
converting flat land from sheep and beef to horticulture
consent to farm fuck off!!! flooding damage caused by fencing waterways, and  extra weed control.
Provide home to native and non native birds
control of possum, rats ,stoats, magpie, rabbits, hare
Interference of council &lt;forrest and bird and doc, telling us and punishing us for looking after and caring for the environment, native existance, of this country, which Doc , f&b, and council fail to do because they do nothing else then punishing the very persons that do a wonderfull job, Accusing farmers and lifestylers of cutting native forest for land gain, poluting rivers and making false claims, or using one rotten aple as a general way, is really goingthe wrong way about it
Sorry , above should be written here&gt;
growing world population that needs feeding
Organic and boutique produce and bnb accommodation
getting the land use right for the land on hand
a row of pine trees and the house and garden
Too much red tape. Costs are too high due to over regulating.
New higher yielding crops being developed.   Diversification Marketing
Managing the environment  and still making money. Maintaining the integrity/perceived integrity  of the industry Negotiating compliance. Getting wool the status and demand that it deserves due to its sustainability and all round integrity as a future-worthy  product.
To change their attitudes to farming practice and to realise they don't need to use the fertilisers that they do and believe in biological/organic practices
Costs of implementing sustainable farming practices. Fencing, planting trees etc.
We have a great chance to be part of helping clean up rivers and plant trees.
Increasing regulation will hit us a lot more because we don't have a substantial business behind us but the regulations will still hit us.
land that is currently covered with wattle and privet which we hope to plant with natives at some stage
They dont appear to be a major problem. We are mainly aware of rats, mice and rabbits on our property
making the most of their land, working within their community  to benefit each other.
we are new to it all finding courses to improve our skills has been a challenge.
an envoronmental plan made by myself and paid for by  our partnership to protect waterways  $30k in stock fencing  no contribution from council or crown
tree planting at our cost and river bed planting at our cost
better stock selection , coping with the impending cost of fencing off water ways with NO finincial contribution for reegional council or the crown
Fencing and Planting creeks with trees. Temporary fencing waterways when grazing stock
Conservation, erosion control & Asthetics
No opportunities here too much bureacrazy, regulation and taxation.  We are being savaged and destroyed by Health & Safety, Environmental and Animal Welfare Regulations.   It has just gotten rediculious !
We are being savaged and destroyed by Health & Safety, Environmental, Building & discharge and Animal Welfare Regulations.   The levels of Burearcrazy has just gotten rediculious !  We will go the way of Spain!
Shelter Breaks and Riparian Strips along creeks
Alternative land use, increased precision agriculture
Coping with "Urban Intrusion", rules set by local and national government, profitability issues related tomeat and wool
constraints from govt and prices for commodities
Value added high quality products from clean green NZ
Compliance costs , bureaucracy , emmissions trading schemes, a possible Labour/Green Govt , rate rises
Beaurocrcy, rules and regulations., animal welfarists,greenies and weather
Technological advances and new trade opportunities
Government interference based on unproven misleading scaremongering
To fight against farmers who don't care about clean waterways
More lifestyle blocks becoming available with increased knowledge and services available
Economics of maintenance of land, animals etc vs profit/personal gain
The Urban Rural divide.  Farmer bashing seems to have become normal and the media do a lot of one sided reporting.  We have been spat on and abused in the street just because we are farmers
Look after the soil, soil biology, etc. Plant trees for native birds and bees.
Trying to follow organic principles when living next to a kiwi orchard spraying Kasumin and HiCane. Water quality from the bore for stock.
Iam not seeing any opportunities for lifestyle farmers in whakapara whangarie where I reside.
The weather.flooding of my land.stopping dishonest people from coming onto my property killing my sheep.
Being left alone by the public and media
Doc and fish and game being fuckwits  Labour getting in to power
Freedom to make own decisions of land use
If GM crops introduced and local organic farms become contaminated
Installed complete new water system on grazing block so that stock can be excluded from all waterways
Use supplement feed to enable stock to be removed off sodden grass
Installed better stock water supply system
1. Good farming practices used across whole district 2. Rid of noxious weeds eg. tabacco weed & gorse on farmable pastural & horticultural land 3. Diversification of income - more mixed use of dairy & beef 4. Getting local younger people actively engaged and participating in agriculture and being rewarded for it; seeing a future in working with the land. 5. Significantly increased manufacturing eg. of wood products and  local industries including high value meat processing, crops and horticulture. 6. Fully engaged and effective Maori community. We need every available resource available for providing trained & skilled personnel from owners, management to farm laborers
1. Increased compliance costs without long term benefit  2. Restrictive regulations instead of enabling new  3. Iwi sorting their shit out so they can settle their claim and move into a more positive space 4. Drugs and the effect of them on the community and ability to effectively work; including attitude to work and willingness to get ahead 5. Infrastructure - reliable power, roads, rail, water, internet 6. Other industries including technology
The building of houses in the rural community and using high quality, fertile crop growing land to build low-cost housing.
Becoming more self sufficient to support one self and wider family
Council putting to many stupid constraints on people for what they can and can't grow on their property. More should be done to plant trees to off set carbon output from city and full time farmers. Making good damage caused by Fonterra and their farmers in dealing with short and long term pollution they cause.
To grow their business and improve their farm.
Vegan groups trying to put an end to dairying in this country.
The lifestyle is all we want although it is expensive to live.
Smaller blocks being cut up and becoming like suburbia which is why we left the city and moved here in the first place.
In the WHANGAREI district the opportunities are endless for good, sustainable farms/farmers.
Conservation tillage. Intend to go out of dairy grazing & reduce stock numbers. Have only been on this farm for 3 years..Probably use more grass.
Making use of irrigation. More  horticulture. More & better science.
Rural /  urban divide. Costs. Lack of understanding of how an economy works. These apply to all New Zealanders.
Urban people who believe water quality is destroyed by farmers, this is a myth!! 80% of towns and cites sewerage and water run off is non compliant, its time they were held accountable!
being paid a profitable amount for our produce
It was initially protected to be able to undertake a subdivision of the property.
Housing taking over available land for agricultural purposes
Using slow release polymer coated urea on crops and pasture.
Auto steer planting, spraying and spreading
conflict with water based industries mpi and its dealing with manuka honey
Creating niche / small scale food supplies or cottage industries for the local market
Clean water supplies, protecting our native species (both plants and animals), reducing contaminants in farming and pest control practises
Growing and exporting locally grown products and maintaining our GE free status.
Local and National government and beuracracies.
Limit cattle live weights over winter to 250 kegs max.  Plant poplar poles.
Water harvesting into local irrigation opportunities.  Improved marketing of meat and wool.
Political instability and misunderstanding of dry land farming by electoral majority.
To produce some of the best beef in the world.
The farming is easy. The paperwork, expenses and taxes are daunting.
We now farm our block ourselves and only stock it with enough beef cows that can be duly supported by the farm size and baleage that has been grown in the farm
Pest mammal control and waterway protection. All streams need protection!
Environmental pressure from public and government that reduce profits
This season has been extremley wet and we seem to have very few problems with pugging
Waste water treatment capability with our Kliptank
Avery favourable climatic conditions,lower interest rates
Government policies ,resourse management act Rural Urban ignorance
Bachelor of science. Geology and computer engineering
they are slowly getting taken away from the farmer
Supply the increasing demand on naturally produced food worldwide
This will not change by the years but by the person who can see the opportunities!
Alternate protein sources and lab grown meat
Plant lupins for revegitation of tussock grasslands. Add elemental sulphur as this is the limiting nutrient.
Increase area available for research Plant breeding for legumes in dryland environment
district plan changes. Government regulation, water/land Staff   profitability
its used as a buffer zone for protection between us and the lake an area for birds and native plants to grow
compliance from ecan ,local authorities and government . Added costs which are being levied on farming from these authorities. the difficulties in getting good staff who can understand and are prepared to work with these rules and regulations. It is not worth the stress and financial stress for  people to continue in farming.......
have used rock phosphate in the past. Now using less p. whole farm test done.
no need for irrigation most years. mild climate.
random small subdivisions on best land is nationwide problem. pressure from 'customers'. artificial food.
maintain a balance of heritage and land use
capturing and fostering new ideas and ways to make ourlifestyle better for all our families and future generations   I would like my Donation to go towards The Thames Volunteer Coastguard please (PO Box 504 - Thames)
Dealing with the Do Gooders that think they know best from out of town  - trying to push their beliefs of the local people  - the huge belief that Tourisum is the answer to everything and must be given unlimited support  Stopping land thief by regulation through stupid rulings in the Distrist Plan process
Cost of compliance, Start up costs for the succeeding generation, Residential subdivision
Opportunities for diversification as has been happening over the years so that we provide a range of products suitable to land type and to the markets as they need them.
Interference from lobbyists mainly non farming who don't understand that any farmer who doesn't look after his land and the environment would soon be out of business. Most farmers are the real caretakers of rural land in New Zealand. They have worked hard to pay for their land and deserve privacy and respect in their endeavors to work and enjoy it in peace without constant criticism from people who don;t understand farming is a 24/7 operation. Not a leisure past time. We feed NZ and the World
Implementing new technologies  which enables efficient application of fertilisers (fertiliser only being applied where it is needed, and all done by computer). Growing the right plants for your environment and management practices. Use of drones to make jobs easier/more efficient
Compliance- health and safety.  Nutrient budgeting.  Testing streams for quality.  Producing LEPs Pests- Wallabies are marching south.  Appalling that this has been allowed to happen ETS!! PETA Competition from Synthetics.
I do not see any big opportunities for farmers over the next ten years.
The Media.  The Greenies.  Rules and regulations that will be brought into practice by government departments. The price of milk solids.  Land prices are to high for the younger generation to buy into unless they become equity partners or are born on the land and parents path the way for them.
bloody gorse. wild cats; stoates; vermin.
sports studies and Emergency medical technician
vegetable bases protein for food and feed
new high value crops , better understanding of nutritional needs of animals , hyperspectral senceing for variable rate application
water, right to farm issues , lack of access to new technology esp gene edit etc ,
Got 3 cats to control rats, mice & wild rabbits got a pet possum that lives in the shed comes to the front door at night for feed had since she was a baby was brought up from a youngster in a cage with my show rabbits, plays with the cats at night my father had his photo in the auckland star bak in 50s with ayoung possum on his head they called Davey crocket he was involved with st johns being involved with rugby league & brought possum & sea gulls home off the roads & repaired them the sea gull imade a harness for it & take it for swim on the edge of the water at piha cause it was blind in one eye my mother & father had a batch out there I used to put  winnie the possum in my dolls pram at night the possum winnie finished up at the auckland zoo those days in the childrens area.
Senior Net West Auckland, NZ Rabbit Council (showing)
They'll get wiped out with all the development going on that's why a lot of people are moving go north or south I know a couple from Taupaki grows carnations moved to Nelson growing them down there.
Lawn, house sheds, yards, drive, silage pit, tennis court,  swimming pool,
Red tap, unfounded regulations, Political correctness,
Trying to day the same things that once worked but are not working now. farming for beef and dairy is the biggest challenge.
Sellong of of land for residential property growth  Labour government
To diversify and move towards organic farming
Water is the biggest challenge for the Waimea Plains Farmers
Easier access to water for farming to supply food localy
horses could not enter pre al grazing all 5hectas
to include tourism activities alongside their farming operations
Responding and preparing for impacts to their farming operations from climatic events and still maintaining profitiability
2 post graduate diplomas - 1 in Statistics, 1 in Theology
Living accommodation, storage of hay & implements, dressage arena.
To mitigate food insecurity issues associated with climate change and economic dysfunction.
The risks associated with increasing our dependence on producing our own food and energy.
developing niche food growing businesses .  Tourism. Creating ecological islands by protecting native forests and doing sustained pest control.
Climate change - more droughts, lack of water security.   District plan changes with little consultation or research from planners and councils.  Recent NRC plan changes for Whatitiri Mountain used 20 yr old maps ( Face palm) and said the Mountain had several dwelling - there are 100s of dwellings on Whatitiri. Increased population and conflict from "townies"who dont like rural animal noise or smells . Roaming dogs attacking livestock.   Conflict with use of paper roads - already happening. Population increase will also increase traffic volumes making shifting stock or riding horses on road verges dangerous. More pest animals due to NImbyism with people who think possums are cute and deny rats & stoats exist.
Subdividing Land? - Potential crops?  Following regional authorities wanting to limit farming in the region to assist lake water quality.
Potential for stock levels being drastically restricted. - As above.
developing more agriculture infrastructure locally
regulation and bureaucracy that does not full understand farming methods, pollution or animal well-being, while not  applying similar restrictions on urban infrastructure and behaviors where more issues exist.  We love our countryside and we put far more restrictions on this than we do to the streams in the urban back yard where far more environmental and health concerns needs to be addressed.
For sheep and beef farmers, more opportunity for Dairy support.
Additional Taxes (water tax, land Tax) and Bureaucratic interference
Flat land with no rivers. We would do these things if relevant to our land.
Breed lighter stock for the land. Avoid any wet paddocks until suitable to graze.
We do shoot some rabbits and hares but they are not a big issue here.
Securing our markets and keeping our costs under control. Compliance issues and labour contracts that cost us and are often completely unnecessary
to much red tape and people with ideas and opions who do not understand farming
Bachelor of Science & Post Graduate Diploma of Teaching
Diversification. improved production with lower inputs.
Environmental compliance. Staffing and recruitment
Doing more native planting and protecting our water ways.
The biggest opportunity is the same as it has always been and that is that we can grow grass so this needs to go to animals with high genetic value to get the most production and by leaving the smallest footprrint
Prtecting the envionment better while maintaining high production and profitability
Reliable rainfall, steady agricultural markets.
Restrictions to agriculture being influenced by council policy, and having to adapt to new regulations. Maintaining profitability during system changes.
Native forest regeneration Maitai, Cabbage tree, totura, manuka and lancewood.
We only use organic fertilisers so there is no risk of us harming the waterways.
Growing organic produce, meat and milk.  Using organic fertilisers.
half yard scrapped to reduce volume , double weeping wall system green water to double  storage pond irrigated to pasture when suitable
sorry struggle to find any- maybe tourism but nothing that would be an outright business- just diversifying existing or tweaking to provide a buffer for price volatility.
Plan change 1, variability in weather , increasing severity of weather events, increased compliance, global influences, lack of understanding from urban and media sources as to real drivers of pollution / water land degradation.
Local and national regulations Re use of fertiliser and change of use of land
Expanding urban areas into farming areas.
These parts of the lands we farm are marginal erosion prone, steep and or with gullies/ravines. We farm in isolated remote parts of the country and near mountain ranges.
I dont' see the relevance of the preceeding hypothetical questions. To be quite frank they annoyed me greatly.
Not sure - but I don't see the relevnce of some mof the qustions asked
Increasing administration and compliance - public perception - profitability
selling  moving  out  of  area  to   n  buy  a  real  farm
Achieving some return from the land as rates and costs continue to rise....can we afford to continue living here as we age, and our income decreses?
Un grazable land (above the pasture line)
Work going to be done as a partnership cost sharing operation for local area
The political pressure from poorly informed public on farming activities (like ours ie extensive grazing not intensive farming) on waterways and public access issues.
Improving and enhancing their own properties in terms of aesthetic value, production and reduction of pests.
Stupid and ill thought laws and regulations introduced by central and local government politicians that do not understand rural life, and/or envy farmers and people disciplined and hard working enough to own lifestyle property.  New Zealand does not need socialism branded as being "progressive". All landowners need to pay rates to local councils whether land is productive or not.
Targeting food production and specialised tree farming for a growing discerning market
knowledge of pasture management and animal husbandry practices, as well as each other and a lack of knowledge in the community as the Wairarapa becomes popular as more and more people with no rural skills purchase lifestyle blocks and urban homes.  The rural divide is becoming an issue as the region becomes more and more popular as the local economy grows.
Run 90% Sheep. Keep Cattle on easier country. Strip graze cattle. Winter 200kg cattle, rising to 300kg cattle by the end of winter. Hungry stock Walk. Well fed stock stand and watch the world go by.
Have applied no fert. in the last 5 years. Starting a programme this Autumn.
Farm within Environmental Boundaries, stay profitable.
manage stock so not to pug and damage on slopes which would lead to erosion
none. big downhill slide. due to bop regional council bullshit.
regional council over zealotness. suppressing use of property , but demanding more in compliance costs and local rates.
Barrier to SHW 1 noise and view. Also looks pretty. Birds and bees able to use.
Using the local Farmers markets to promote and sell goods. Population growing and more people valuing local and home grown types of goods.
Purchases of land for development that will change the focus of life style for all from small city/rural family orientated area to more the city based type of living and perhaps not valuing our lovely natural assets here.
Graphic Design and Illustration, sadly non Farming related
I see a return to smaller farming and more locally produced food, if the KCDC leverage the new Expressway properly it will open the door to many opportunities for Artisan products developed in the area. Locally produced, seasonal food will hopefully make a comeback and with it the Health benefits I believe are associated with this.
The big squeeze from the Big boys (Dairy Farmers), not allowing smaller Farming units to be able to lease and or purchase land, rates increases making it impossible to make a return due to economy of scale, inclement weather patterns and a government (doesn't matter which one) who won't support trappers for pests and have an inbred distaste for Farming as a whole except when it comes to money. Urban sprawl and a lack of understanding about the traditional Rural way of life. Drugs
Encroachment of urbanism.  Lack of knowledge from urbanites and media. Pressure from subdivision of land for housing making land values uneconomical for farming.
Diversification into different areas of horticulture, bees, animals. Organic farming and farm stay.
Costs, Compliance, Regulations. Climate change, Technology.
The opportunities and challenges are much the same -Get politics out of the equation (we've already decided that we have to do something so now they should stay out of it) -Science.  Theres lots of information being thrown out there but often it contradicts itself. We need to get to the bottom of things before we leap into do good feel good stuff that is costing us loads of money and sometimes for not much benefit. If we can sort this one out the benefits will be huge both for our finances and the environment.
to become more environmentally aware and make a difference
changing attitudes of others to be more environmentally friendly
To increase income and lower debt and expences. Also improve our enviromental impact.
Getting young local employees to work on farms. Sustain a profitable bussiness that supports the comunity (Invercargill). Farm the way we as farmers want to farm and not the way Goverment thinks we should run our farm.
Councils not having the ability to relate to rural areas.
Have a Regionally significant wetland on the property
Saving the water ways, reducing chemical use
Reduce residential growth , more agricultural water , reduce local body interference and compliance costs , increase plantings of Pipfruit grapes and vegetables , get rid of horses and non economic animals
Residential encrouchment , and locai body staff
To produce wholesome and healthy food for themselves and their families.  To protect the family the stock and the environment in a wholistic way.
Greed  and the cost of every aspect of living, farming or otherwise.  Land barons owning all the available land, making money to the detriment of the stock, the land, the produce.  Controlling every aspect of animal husbandry for profit.  Not able to follow greener or more natural processes, because it dosent pay. Trying to feed the world when we should be producing the healthiest tastiest, best quality produce possible and selling quality not quantity.  This should save our enviroment.  Allowing NZ'ers to be able to afford milk, meat, fruits and vegetables that are healthy for us and the environment.  Don't make NZers pay overseas prices.... our money is not on a level playing field with theres.  Put NZ and NZers first. Stop taking all the good land for housing, we need to protect our ability to feed ourselves.
some one in your organisation being able to spell WHANGAREI--definitely whanarei.
better gentics + better feeding =more profit            farming smarter not harder
red zoning, water issues, tourism infrastructure,wilding conifers,
Environment Southland hindering farming with regulations and treating farmers as they don't care about the environment when they really do.
Swampland that feeds into a stream. Needs to be fenced off and planted out
High rainfall in the area allows us to produce better than in areas that are more drought prone such as the Waikato or Canterbury areas
A labour government coming in hard handed on farmers who cannot afford to do anything different in the short term
multiple pond system which  has land based application has  never discharged to water but has consent to
to get the urban people back to knowing where there food comes from . also the enviromental challanges everyone is in this together not urban versus rural
full time agricultural training  overseas
technology will see big improvements in land care and animal wellfare
excessive rates and compliance costs not that i disagree with all rating  but some seem out of kilter with urban
Rates. Prohibitive restrictions on land use, To much red tape from the likes of OSH
Ability to live close to nature, grow own food, have a small enterprise business
Costs of compliance, RED TAPE, restrictions by councils, public opinion
To keep producing a high quality of product to sell to the consumer both here in NZ and overseas.
Politics and the environment.  Everyone thinks that dairy farmers are to blame for everything and we continue to be "picked on" and forced to pay for more compliance costs.  NOT ALL FARMERS ARE BAD or out to destroy their environment.  If they were then farming in NZ would have ceased to be happening many, many years ago.  The challenge for farmers that are looking after their block of land [that they pay the mortgages on] and all of their animals - and themselves, hopefully - is to continue doing what they are passionate about and love doing.
To grow one's own fresh produce, to have healthy well looked after stock, weather it be for personal use or to go to sale.
City folk who have no understanding at all about country life, buy a block of land then complain about the noise of animals, and have no idea what to do with their land. Animals suffer in the hands of these want-a-be's.
To be able to run a profitable business ias well as looking after the environment.
Over stocking. Run off of fertilisers and  plugging and animal welfare
Water costs for irritation.   Rates land from lifestyle to residential ?
We have a creek that runs through the property and the area that is bush is not able to be farmed due to slops and access etc.
Third Class Stem Engineer, Trade Certificate in Fitting, Turning and Machining,
Stock grazing management plans with mitigation strategies for weather events
Because it is the right thing for that land type  Topography etc.  because previous owners conserved it do aesthetic reasons  Covenants like QE11 are a pain someone coming to tell you what to do and not paying or doing it.  We have made a massive contribution already at our cost  And happy to so just don't need someone yapping on like they did it and we can do more.
Governance training  Rabobank EDP and masterclass
Hairdresser ski guide and international air hostess
our story! But a hard sell as everyone has one like Irelands clean green  USA free range
Alternative proteins Unrealistic environmental legislation and requirements that give very little cost benefit to Environment the economy and local communities  Bio security  Pest control Opossum and vermin
our big challenge will be climate change . We will have more rainfall, that will effect crops plus pasture to a degree where land will become unusable without good drainage . The days of more tile drainage will return .
Diversification into other agricultural production areas - horticulture and livestock farming
Manageing enviromental law changes - eg Horizons one plan.
Providing safe food to the northern hemisphere.
The take from the (so called) rich, and give to the poor, left wing politicians. The synthetic meat threat.  The rise and rise of regulations.
old effluent ponds (haven't been used for many years)with trees planted around
Costs coming from all directions making farming uneconomic
To make a healthy & educational lifestyle & upbringing for growing young families, where children can grow up on the land with outdoor hobbies & responsibilities, with the educational care & maintenance in the raising of livestock &/or crops. Giving kidsthe opportunity to have hands-on experience in the day to day care & upkeep of a small block & teaching them to have a good attitude towards phydical work & responsibility. It also gives us the opportunty yo experiment somewhat with various breeds as to which are well-suited to this style of farming.
Making a small block work for itself, financially to enable one to live off or support oneself & family & to work it in such a way so as to make it self-sufficient & dependable.
To grow awesome meat that is not full of chemicals
Niche markets, like rare breeds and backyard vegetable/flower sales.
Urban crawl! Our situation has had increased pressure from surrounding subdivision. It's becoming harder to go about our usual farming activities, plus we've had increase incidences of stock worrying (both dog and human) and trespassers.
Land diversification, eg, grapes, cherries, small seeds etc.  Any opportunities that require less irrigation water.
Challenges to the renewal of water rights , impositions of minimum flows on ground water and surface water that will make traditional farming of sheep and beef unprofitable.   Also charging water royalty's for irrigation over and above the high costs of electricity and operation will further ad to the stresses of farming. Our farming costs are in NewZealand control, the international markets are not for our meat, wool and dairy are not.
Lack of easily accessible funding and support for environmental projects
All the outside agencies who place restraints and regulations  on us forcing us to comply
Its where the house and other buildings are located.
Several professional and community organizations such as organizing committees.
The opportunity to provide your own food at a reasonable cost and ability to provide to local communities.
Rising taxes, increased regulation, poor water management by ECAN and climate change.
Use winter crop to graze paddocks through June/July
Use Precision Tracking for proof of placement
To reduce debt to ensure more resilience in uncertain times
Environmental constraints around N leaching, water quality, stocking rates.  Also risk of synthetic milk/meat products.  Global market fluctuation and volitility.  Returns will have to significantly increase for farming to be viable &gt;10 years time, with the current focus on water quality.  With the current level of debt on farms, the policies being determined by Regional Councils in the Rotorua, Taupo, Waikato regions will cripple farmers - death by a thousand cuts.
remove all animals to runoff over winter, only bringing them back as they calve, have a later calving date to have no or less stock on farm during winter/spring.
to change public perception because I thinks farming is seen as a unfavourable industry.
bias and public perception of farming practices.  proving environmental footprint and sustainability again PROVING it - finding ways to ACCURATELY measure that do not burden the famer or taxpayer with crippling costs or time or beaurocracy (sorry for spelling) and then living with and working on  the results of those measures.
Aeration and drainage. New tracks for winter access in strategic sites
The ability to provide a safe haven or native birds  and animals Able to grow organic foods for consumption Maintain a healthy lifestyle Create a clean green space
Modernization of the whole industry in regards to the environment and animal welfare
Reluctance to chance to new farming practices
New Zealand farming is still relatively very young. Systems are not deeply engraned yet so able to change. We have scale and strong industrie bodies. Lots of oppertunities to grow more product smarter/better.
Public perception, tall poppy syndrome. The urban kiwis are getting further removed from rural New Zealand and politicians/media and activist are trying to capatilize on this. Also keeping up with regulation will be a big challenge. It really starts to effect productivity and profitabilty with little improved outcome. Eg work safe, nait. Lots of jobs and paper work gets created and the farmer pays for it
Aesthetically pleasing and very enjoyableto see
Also natural flora and fauna retention,to maintain the evolved ecosystem, as well as some of the above
creating new -look commodities that appeal to the high paid communities of the world, and accessessing these  markets.
Dealing with the bulk ,insidious , and disruptively costly prescription, imposed by those self imposed social and market "do- gooders", in order to continue to produce the goods and services on which this country continues to thrive on .
Non GM food sales to the world. Goat raising to provide high protein/low fat meat.
Regional councils, political correctness, disconnection between food source and consumers.
When science can support and communicate the current sustainable practices.
The mis conception urban folk have regarding farming practices.  The willingness for urban dwellers to project most of the environmental issues onto the rural sector.  And seemingly taking no account of their own environmental impact.   The unrelenting negative media propaganda full of half truths indoctrinating the uninformed.
The Green Party  consumer shifts in expectations regarding animal welfare and the environment
It has remained unchanged since we purchased the land. Would be expensive to clear. Probably supports much bird life
Climate issues, for example another wet spring will damage vegetable crops for the second year in a row
Advancement in technology, Free Trade deals, drought prevention with irrigation schemes such as the Ruataniwha Dam
Unscientific scaremongering relating to water quality in rural areas while nothing is done in urban areas. Land Tax, Capital gains tax Death Duties. In other words a Labour /Green government.
Keeping ahead with the help of agr.science
Environmental issues being forced on to agriculture
I think the biggest opportunities in the next ten years for lifestyle farmers are to grow their own produce and receive support for this. They can feed themselves and get reasonable prices off farm for excess produce.
Economic trends along with environmental challenges like imported flora and fauna which can eradicate small crops.
trade certificate radio and associated electronics
Political intervention, red tape from council
Better Access to overseas markets and a better image in both the global scene and NZ scene with Urban Dwellers.
Urban / Rural Divide (lack of voting power for the Rural Sector)  and the uninformed/ Burocratic laws that are likely to be passed by the powers at/to be, who are more likely to have come from an urban environment and have formed opinions based on misguided information.  For the Record I grew up in a large city, and I have seen a big divergence in my short working career
To foster the desire for our NZ grown produce through continuing to produce product that is of the highest levels in the world in relation to environment, animal welfare and social obligations ( including provision of a nutritional products). If we can achieve this and obtain recognition for it, this will mean NZ farmers can remain profitable while still producing in an ethical way.
Getting the public to understand, recognise and BE PROUD OF the massive commitment farmers have to the environment, animal welfare and social issues such as health (by producing nutritional products). We need them to realize the incredible amount we have done, are doing and are funding, both on a personal level and through industry bodies.  Also, getting public and government to understand that more taxes placed on farmers in relation to environmental issues is actually going to decrease the amount they have available to spend on the above issues, and hinder progress in these areas. Farmers know their land intimately, and are in the best position to know how to use the money wisely rather than being limited by regional council and government "red tape" and bureaucracy.
Red Tape and health and saftey, its mainly all bullshit
At this point in time, I dont see many opportunities for farmers.
Mindset of the nation. Labour government. Labour workforce/immigration laws.
Adoption of new technologies and machines to improve  production and lower personal workload.
Coping with and working within new regulatory requirements around nutrients and water use.
Do what we do best, but better with new technology and expertise
Beauracratic interference and compliance requirements and costs. Water controls beyond belief, impractical and unaffordable, and not necessary Inability of NZ exporters to compete with other cheaper food sources and suppliers
Hospitality opportunities & social programmes eg using unwaged to help with establishing a community garden  & helping elderly to remain living independently
EBOP Hunt, Eastern BOP Show Jumping, Opotiki Show Jumping, Horse Trekking
Depends on want they want to achieve, increased fertility and better production on lifestyle properties is easily achieveable by most
Rural Enterprise, Agriculture & Horticulture & Land Management
1. To contribute to the local economy by growing things (animal or vegetable) on the land they have taken from commercial agriculture, or (2.) by enhancing the native flora & fauna by controlling the non native species.
Lack of understanding of farming and natural habitats.  Too soft about controlling vermin ie rats, possums, cats.  Lack of knowledge of invasive species ie Privet & Woolly Nightshade.  Waikato council rules around N & P leaching/runoff.
the world needs food geneticsin  both animals and grass
care of resources and profitability lack of which can lead to increase in stocking rates
I really cant see to many opportunities apart from maintaining the current statist into the future.
Rate increases due to Housing moving to the country
Water use/right.  Land use changes being restricted.
Expense and difficulty of buying that sort of land
Environmental issues and compliance issues.
Everything dairy farmer changed environment animal welfare etc
For company's  to market our product better ,so we all get better returns .
To convince the towns people that N Z needs farmers   tourist bring in a lot of money , but they are putting strain on the country.
going free range growing high value crops
Water, local council and regional council restrictions on what we can do on our land
Fencing of stream margins to exclude cattle
All the above a work in progress in some areas
Differentiate our products as grass fed, more natural.
Keeping up with environmental regulations
to continually produce for the world high quality safe sustainable food products
a lack of understanding by the general public of our farming practices
dealing with rediculous rules and regulations made by people outside the industry
The Greenies wanting us to stop producing methane, stop fertilising, stop cruelty to animals etc etc
More education in farming,  automation. Science. Better genetics. Increase in value for produce produced on farm.
Gap that has developed between city and rural people. There must be a better understanding and respect both ways.
losing good productive land around Pukekohe to housing
Compliance costs and reduced income. The industry must develop added value on its products or fall over.
Riparian planting and fencing the river off from any stock
Continuing conversion of grazing to horticultural tree crops
Horticulture and diversification within existing farms to mixed farm models
Water and developing markets and biosecurity and disease already present in NZ
Develop wetland to provide species habitat, improve water quality, and ecological source for water harvesting
The marriage of science and technology with ecological best practise. High tech input high value output.
Maintaining profitability without being forced to increase scale
Stock free to graze up to their knees... butt open to devalopment & design  help ... Email me bblang@xtra.co.nz  ( free of course in the name of fresh waterways ...?? ) cheers
It's in the middle of town.... when I start I will also kill the cats with pleasure..
Council need to stop releasing land for lifestyle... the are unproductive  as a live stock unit. only revenue gathering in rate's for their coffers...
They're not productive (as a live stock unit ) in my case the council want to have the say... & I have to prove them wrong.. not along commensence to prevail. .
To farm profitably in a manner that preserves our environment and puts NZ primary products as the top premium products in the world using grass fed technologies.
Increasing divide from town to country due to perception promoted by media that farmers are ruining the environment, and the subsequent policies and laws introduced.
Being able to grow organically which is a popular thing these days. Bugger export growth.
The costs involved in keeping things environmentally friendly. The expense is already too much for alot of farmers and it is hiring breaking point for alot. Too many office workers making the big rules when it should be decided within a rural board of farmers that know first hand what it's like.
improving genetics in animal and plant breeding
changing perceptions of city dwellers to all things rural....industrialisation of food production...sourcing qualified labour and holding them... maintaining profitability in the face of rising costs of production.
High value value-added  products for wealthy consumers
40 hectares irrigated 105 ha not irrigated.
Check flow meter and calculate amount of water applied.
The land is in shelterbelts, races, buildings, yards etc
Hopefully maintained and improved prices as demand increases.  World population is increasing so nz with relatively small population for the land area should be able to help feed the world population.
Restrictions on operations and inputs.  Taxes, "royalties" and other costs on operations.  Increased personal taxes restricting employment of staff and maintenance of production.
high value plant extracts,tourism,niche branded fresh produce,energy self sufficiency,vertical integration
Climate, compliance, loss of prime agricultural land to lifestyle blocks and urban subdivision.  Foreign investment in land and primary industry companies. Difficulty for first farm buyers to get into the industry. Attracting and retaining young New Zealanders into Primary Industries and Scientific Research.  Lack of investment and long term career pathways in agricultural sciences.
urban attitudes compliance costs unwanted biological weeds pests and diseases profitability political instability
Water and if labour gets in excess taxs on over the top osh
Getting an urban based population to understand and appreciate where their food comes from and how well farmers look after the environment
In Auckland, interference from council and our social license to farm effectively
No idea.  Not something I've given a lot of thought to.
Many of the rules and regulations are set up/designed around large commercial farms but small lifestyle farms have to abide by the same regulations.  This can make many things difficult or challenging.  As one simple example, the NAIT tagging system.  While I understand the need for traceability with commercial herds, I have four cows that I know by sight and name.  Their offspring go into my freezer.  Only one of those cows still has her ear tag - the others have ripped theirs off in fences or something.  The only time they leave my farm is to go to a neighbour's for tb testing as I don't have yards or races to make testing safe.  This makes me a huge nuisance for my neighbours as depending on what one is doing, I have to drive them 1 km down the road to the next set of available yards.
Non farmed land includes house, sheds, waterways, including dam
Effluent management policy. Nitrogen management policy.
All drains fenced, with ryegrass actively managed under wires.
More profit through efficiency and technological advancements. More environmentally responsible through education and mitigation uses.
Multiple compliance requirements. A "licence to farm" from the whole community. Variability in milk price along with climate challenges.
Realizing more profitable markets who will pay for produce grown in an environmentally friendly  way   And livestock raised free range and farmed in in a great environment  and well cared for
Letting Urban folk know what you are doing already for the environment.
beef, sheep and poultry farming for human consumption will be at the forefront of feeding the worlds population, the closer we can get to natural environment and farming practices should ensure we are one the worlds most preferred suppliers growing demand and opportunities for greater profitability.
Governed restrictions to farming and home kill supply, access to natural renewable resources like water and resource consent restraints will eat into profitability and the time required to manage a successful and manageable environment conducive to greater productivity.
To be used for equine use; ie large hardstand area around barns and sheds, and arena area
my own domestic cats and dogs are partially controlling the smaller pests that are present.  No possums, wild deer, goats or pigs present
increasing cost of land and services; possible change in climate
Genetics in both livestock & plants i.e feed crops. Maybe meat companies finally getting their act together.
Water issues, green party & all other do gooders. Volatility of overseas markets. Droughts
Balancing negative impressions in public perception
Shorten piggy paddock use and graze in dryer weather
Capitalising on market opportunities with our good products produced in a safe, environmentally friendly, animal friendly way.
Winning the hearts and minds of an urban sector that is remote from rural communities.
intensity in the south island, water way problems etc dirty dairying have observed that in taranaki, sheep/beef and lifestylers are dont have to fence waterways and have stock in rivers etc
Tree planting and fencing of river banks
the demand for protein in the global market and new technology and genetics that are improving our farming practices
Labour parties taxes, the myth by urban people that farmers are polluting our environment, regional councils farming restrictions
Advancement of techniques to help with farming
Increasing costs assiciated with our property
Occupational Environmental health and safety. Environmental specialisation
Becoming self sufficient and optimising land
Price of land becoming unaffordable, uncontrolled diseases and consecutive years of drought.
To continue farming with the environment in consideration and to promote healthy clean high producing stock while trying to improve profitability. Also to beautify our property by more tree planting and riparian planting so town folk can think stock from this farm have been cared for looked after at a very high standard
To convince the general public that farmers do care about the environment and we do our best. We take advice from councils ect but are very antagonized by bad publicity by what appears to be anti farming groups such as the green movement and many others. The ongoing costs regarding regulatory maters including resource consents, council expenses and government interference EG capital gain taxes , water taxes
being able to grow food and produce life-stock.
Planted more trees for shelter and shade
Sustainable farming, taking advantage of global food shortages
Adapting to climate change and global conflict
For the past 30+ years our family has protected the primary forest on our farm and more than doubled its size with plantings. We have put walks through it for the public to use for free. We do this because we believe it to be extremely important to protect and value our native flora and fauna and to encourage others to do the same. We have included many schools, kindys and other community groups in the bush project . Most years I myself plant over 1000 more trees on the farm.
Having open days so the public can visit and enjoy the bush. We have over 1000 visitors a year.
Increased food production to cater for growing demand
Climate change and a disconnection between decision makers and primary producers
complying with all the new regulations. Profitability, price of land
On dairy unit all stock excluded from all water ways and planting maintained, on hill country sheep and beef sheep still have access to amiantain low weeds around water ways
We use to best practise. A high cost to the farm so we ensure it is utilised to the best of our ability.
We like it and want it better for future generations, we live here, it is not just a business
Stanford business school and Harvard courses
Move up the value chain and market to top end consumers growing on nz being on a journey to be the best for growing natural products
New Zealanders questioning our right to produce quality real food in nz. Food producers are under attack by our own people. It it truely bizarre that those who want to eat do not want us to produce it in nz
Townies unrealistic expectations on farmers
we do all we can to minimise water pollution though best management practice guide lines as we have two district water schemes runoff property
this property is very steep and extensive, all the arable high stocked country is ripen planted and water ways that are at risk of stock pollution are fenced off from stock
increasing production and profitability from current stock numbers or increasing stock numbers to make profit if necessary to maintain business
production though innovation particularly genetic modified plants, and skilled labour
The labour and green parties, though lack of understanding, and emotive environmental issues which is causing serious divide between rural and urban New Zealanders. Science is required to put a lot of speculation of issues to rest, to provide clear guide lines. Food is key to the world's growing population, they just have to start paying for those commodities. Cooperate farming, verses individual ownership. Water, storage, supply, ownership, profitability, irrigation, runoff's, nitrates, etc
To many rules which could  make farming unprofitable and cost which are going up fast than farming income
It was there when farm was brought, don't know what I am going to do with it yet, might reclaim some of it back to pasture .
selling it for mega bucks to the asians because our stupid government has allowed overseas ownership and caused the housing crisis.    subdivision of land,
Hopefully the government won't make a ruling on stream fencing that is costly/difficult  to maintain.
Self sufficiency, growing your own food, meats,vegetables,and fruits
Human Geography Design studies  Post grad diploma teaching
Free trade agreements, keeping prices high as possible, good markets etc. Life style and family time. Demanding higher prices through clean green image World demand for protein
Over regulated industry cutting viability of farming.  Change of government. High interest rates/taxation High dollar
lab produced products, or alternatives to our produce (meat, milk etc) Water regulations, tax & pollution disease from overseas getting through our boarders
Increased demand for beef. Demand for Organic/ spray free fruit and vegetable growing
Water problems for animals and grass/plant production in summer resulting in not enough storage feeds for the wet winters, causing farmers to largely downsize on stock and loose value in them. Very difficult requirements from local councils and if living near a DOC monitored native area then potentially hazard of 1080 pest control poison harming farm animals.
improve water quality, native vegetation renewal, pest control and becoming more self sufficient
Affording irrigation rights with Ecan, compliance and maintaining lifesyle
Taking the opportunity to care for more rarebreeds of different animals.
Fighting rules & regulations imposed by the powers that be !
Managing stock in relation to feed available. Farming wisely in regard to possible weather events
Availability of technology and technological advances
interference from conservationist who think they know what they are talking about but actually are out of touch with reality.
diversication and value adding to products.
Droughts and severe weather events. Price variations of lambs cattle and dairy pay outs.
making more value from small blocks of land
access to knowledge and ability to make a difference on a small farm with neighbours that are not trying to makea difference. i.e. weed control, pest control etc.
This does not apply in our household but our experience with lifestyle farmers of which we have a modest number in our locality is that their knowledge of living on the land around the year is generally poor so that the largest opportunity is for their increase in knowledge of management.
Water supply over which we have seen a number of conflicts.
niche markets demanding  food safety,quality and sustainability with minimal environmental impacts
red tape - probably have a labour government
As forecast climate change makes the West Coast of the North Island wetter and possibly warmer the opportunity for land/crop/horticultural diversification increases. For those farmers willing to research such new opportunities, invest in trial productions, trial innovative technologies hopefully stand to financially benefit themselves and in doing so contribute to the economic well being of the region and NZ
Political uncertainties as pressure groups unaligned to farming/land based activities seek to assert  unreasonable policies on land use-age that could make farming uneconomic and unattractive.
Improve and add value to our products. Niche markets. Diversity with the first thought about improving the health of the environment. Use global warming to capitalize on otherwise marginal products. Namely crops.
Leaving the environment in better shape than we found it. For our children etc. Market share. Over regulation. IP protection.
to sell a fist class product to the rest of the world  i e get away from comodity pricing
to stay viable with eviromental pressures . to get the consumer to pay for more restrictive enviromental costs
Coping with the ignorance of most of the city people , especially the animal welfare brigade! and Wellington.
the biggest opportunity is to be able to do it, & do some things that conventional farmers see as outside the square (e.g., in our case, raise dairy goats). Because it isn't the primary income, we're able to take some punts. The growth in demand for goats' milk, and indeed, in the US, for goat meat as a low-fat meat, is showing a way ahead. The regulations here around selling goats' milk or cheese made from it however hamper the development of this particular market. & our beefies are just a wee income stream.
Commercial fishing- New Zealand Coastal Master
and pond about 50mx 40m. is fed from gully runoff water in winter, dries up in summer. Pond for ducks, troughs. want to plant significant natives for birdlife.
wetlands for healthy streams and water for farm. Ducks native fish etc
to intensify in niche markets- manuka honey. to utilise every aspect of the farm- ecotourism etc. Farmhomestays.
rates to be paid cos farm returns are minimal
Opportunities for efficient operators in all areas of agriculture and horticulture
Interference from dogooders who hate to see anyone work hard and be successful
Debatable as urban people want to be lifestyle farmers but have NO idea of how to care for animals or the land. They do not have the time to commit to the lifestyle
Bee keeping looks positive and if markets remain stable then this has to be good for all food producers.
City people including politicians, have no idea what goes on, outside of what they are told, so it seems. But are having a large impact on decisions being made in rural NZ.  i.e. people go on about dairy runoff and nitrate levels, but the same people think spreading large quantities of deadly poisons killing everything including insects,  will have no long term side effects. Are they stupid or what?!!
How to make an viable income stream from the property
Anti-farming lobbyists, conforming to new regulations without becoming insovent, red tape bureaucracy.
After 50 years of farming more than capable of having an over all management plan.
Have left Manuka-scrub along stream banks to stop erosion. Have fenced on one side, some of waterways.
Growing native/ exotic forest on Marginal land for Honey and Carbon.
Managing Nutrients and Water. Getting the Urban population to take ownership of their pollution of Rivers , Beaches etc. Animal wellfare issues.
To learn to farm with the environment and encouraging native flora and fauna and make a living.
Accepting that they are caretakers of the land and how privilaged they are to work and live there. To put some of the money they earn into enhancing their land for native flora and fauna and proving they are the good guys to the town masses.
To market our product as environmentally sustainable and gain a premium for that product
Getting others in the sheep and beef industry to acknowledge our impact on the environment and how we can go about ensuring we are sustainably farming for the future. Farming can be profitable and our environmental impact can be hugely reduced if everyone plays their part in changing traditional farming practises. Simple practises such as stock exclusion, best practise cropping and erosion control will go a long way towards improving waterways. There needs to be a big step up by supporting organisations (Beef and lamb, fert companies and meat companies) to really change the attitudes of some farmers and show that its not acceptable anymore to continue farming as they always have, they need to improve. Smarter farming.
Use bio friendly fertilisers, i.e. low N, and mineral rich
The chance to lead the world in Ag technologies and to develop our diverse range of agricultural products
To supply quality food to the local and world market.
The perception that dairy farming is polluting the rivers and mishandling animals.
Public opinion of what happens on a farm and the pressure that they will put on the regulators to control what happens on farms. These opinions may not always be based on scientific fact.
Exclude stock permanently from waterway.
Use knowledge and skills from Ag. Research background
Long term will perhaps be asked to do these practises under legislation so why not do it now.My neighbour has a dairy operation and is requested to do it, so we will not wait to be asked.
Revisist that all activities above are in good and sound.
The world population is growing so we all need food.
Change in technology and those that don't take the challenge will find it hard.
Apply fertility based on plant and soil tests
Trade Certificate in Carpet & Vinyl Laying
Found to be a naturally wet area when gorse was cleared so we left and landscaped as a wet area
population growth and demand for more housing
Using more drought resistant  pasture Species
use minimal phosphate fertilizer as it is not a limiting factor in soil tests. Last issie of flood plains is not applicable on our droughty farm
use the first system but it is then irrigated over about 20% of the dairy land and it never discharges only as irrigation from the thied pond
irrgation reservoir and also shelter belt areas to protect fruit orchards from wind
the world populaton will keep increasing unless someone blows us up or a pandemic or other disaster occurs and people need to eat to grow and have more kids and to eat they need food which they are mostly too lazy to grow themselves and so farmers should be more important in the future and hopefully they will benefit financially from that importance
there is in this country a demonizing of the farming sector by a large sector of the urban population which I believe is unjustified and very damaging to to the future of farming and also the future of all New Zealand. For example I heard a commentator on the radio saying that she instinctively distrusts all farmers and all farming practices which I find exceptionally sad and ill informed. I have lived long and have many rural friends nationwide and they overwhelmingly are wanting to leave their farms and their societies in better state from their lifes endeavours. To be constantly told differently by people who do not understand and do not know any thing is very demoralizing and will cause ever more of our people to head to the cities and become part of the criticizing crowd. When the food is not there they will have reason to criticize but it will be to late.
farm is flat. not ploughing because of flooding fluvial erosion susceptibility is to the fore.
fencing of wetter hollows during the winter season.
riparian planting, and wind reduction with a future preference for lower profile vegetation. Alternate ecosystem development.
pulling kiwifruit out, and replacing with dairy grazing.
enhancing basic ecosystem biology with Dung Beetle.
Waiting on reluctant bureaucrats for biological control of giant buttercup for us, and rural y uneducated politicians, and bureaucrats for rural New Zealand in general.
Being able to produe outputs with a point of difference eg A2A2 milk
Sustainable land management along with technology to compete in changing consumer food demands
irrigation booms - environmental controls
being more effecient in production for the global market
managing resources in a environmentally acceptable way
Clean home grown meat  ,fruit , vegetables without pesticide.  produce you know where it has come from
Taxes on animals etc  making living on a life style block un affordable
Sell their land & retire, let the Government work out how they will feed future generations & make NZ profitable without exports & farming.
Government & Local Body bureaucracy incurring extraordinary expense to farmers for no return or compensation, & justification for the consents etc are non-existent.  Farmers should be fully compensated when Governmental bodies change their minds & rules, rather than consistently having to 'shell out' to cover bad decision making. - this is what I have seen & experienced over the 50 years, & I see it only getting worse as the generations become less responsible for their actions.
Urban dwellers in glass towers with no connection to the land making up more and more ridiculous rules that take us off the land, away from being farmers and turn us into office monkeys filling out useless bits of paper to keep the urban dwellers employed that ultimately reduces productivity and hence profitability. The next is lack of people prepared to work on the land for a living, with the number of jobs available in agriculture having to be filled by migrants there should be no unemployment in NZ but unfortunately we are breeding unemployables in this country.
selling true premium products to globally rich - if we do it correctly
public perception - misinformation, lack of science based decisions coming out of regional and district councils and governement
Anti farming lobby groups both internally and internationally.
Lease a small parcel for winery development
Property market and a better standard of living also eating your own produce
Government , interest rates , MPI regulations . Disease and pests from accross the ditch becoming established here. Global weather extremes and lastly the reduction of rural services eg roading Also my internet availability and costs associated with this technology
Technologies to extract more value out of wool
Bureaucracy, global warming, capital gains taxes, public opinion (bad)
pretty basic but all the compliance costs
Uninformed social media opinion pieces not based on science but emotive crap.
Closing the gap between the production unit and the consumer
The gap between the producer and the public and our political leaders has got too wide
public perception and persecution.   People who produce a healthy product shouldn't be taxed for water,i fully support consents to monitor water take,but not having to pay for water. if you put ownership on water ,I want to know who to bill for damages when my property floods as they havnt controlled their water and should pay damages. no body owns what falls free from the sky onto my property that I pay rates on.
Sheep are periodically grazed in fenced off areas when ground conditions are appropriate as we have found this approach has led to better erosion control.
Traditional - smarter paddock to plate and includes procurement relationships, product value add, smart marketing, consumer to farm feedback loop. System needs to be dynamic so that it has the flexibility to adapt to changing consumer demands and smart enough to identify what those demands might be and lead rather than follow.  Non traditional - Farms to consider wider scope of activities and create layers of business opportunities on and off farm.
Land prices - The higher the price the harder the land gets pushed Debt - no other business accepts returns on equity of 2.5% Climate - Bigger than good farmer/bad farmer. Consumers consistently purchase on price which makes climate change a societal issue rather than simply a farmer problem. Government Policy- populous policy rarely addresses underlying causes Meat Industry - essentially not a lot has changed in 150 years
We farm ~300 acres, of which half we own and half we lease.
Also exclude stock from restoring wetlands - all water/runoff from the farm effectively drains out of our property via these wetlands
Discovered we have native bats roosting so wanted to also protect their habitat
Two reasons: - protect ecosystem health - future-proof our business (hopefully!!)
International Economics majoring in agricultural trade.
Supplying the top 5% wealthiest people in the world with food, based on world-leading environmental and animal welfare practices and the science-based research to back this up
Environmental regulation/taxation where these are imposed without the government taking into consideration ALL the available science/evidence produced by the likes of Landcare Research/NIWA/MPI etc. - e.g current water quality debate and proposed water taxes ignore that urban environments are a major contributor to the poor state of our water. Other challenge is that posed by petri-dish produced food.
Being sustainable and productive whilst protecting the land and environment
More research into better pasture management
With increased focus on local produce, there are opportunities at farmer's markets where lifestyle farmers have surplus produce, and with climate change causing some crop failures regionally, small-scale producers who have survived an event (eg flooding) with produce may see significant financial gains. If there are catastrophic crop failures, a major opportunity for successful lifestylers will be the opportunity to eat.
Increased drought is very possible, balanced by increased risk of heavier rainfall and consequential flooding. Designing systems to allow for excess run-off, as well as for increased storage (bunds, swales, storage tanks), may assist to mitigate this. Building in some form of venturi (a sediment drop-out feature) in certain drains may prevent excess sedimentation of rivers etc, but requires knowledge.
Limited control of rabbits. Other pests either not present or not a nuisance
To be able to live on rural properties and subdivide for housing.
Too much bureaucracy and stupid rules from Council and unnecessary compliance costs.
Sell / subdivide part to buy larger property
Produce value added/ sort after produce for high income or discerning customers. We cannot afford to waste our resources/environment trying to produce greater volumes more cheaply. That is a race to the bottom!
Overcoming our current mindset of bigger is better & doing whatever it costs; financially & environmentally to produce larger volumes. Instead we must  concentrate on quality. We should also look to feeding our own population better even if it means subsidising food for NZ consumers to counter the cheaper unethically farmed/manufactured food being imported.
New crops, new markets, the possibilities are endless with irrigation
Urban rural divide, not understand how food is grown and wanting cheep food. Also food waste and teaching people how to use and not waste it. Best by dates!!!!
To be honest  i cant see any. All i can see is us getting bogged down dealing with compliance issues !!
Trying to deal with the rapid erosion of property rights  and the tide of  compliance  which has been developed  with limited consultation . The fun and pride of farming is  rapidly disappearing!!!!
Genetics in animals and plants, sciences to improve efficiencies, we need our government to be opening new high end markets for our proteins, be it meat milk or vegetables .
The unknown of governments new taxes on farming, regional councils restrictions to farming
Increased regulations and compliance costs.
Getting back to basics and not over farming
Convincing farmers that high imput doesnt mean high profits
To increase the value of their production rather than the quantity
climate change and political instability
Using technology.   Increased legume (feed value, resilience)
The ability to mentor the younger generations in to lifestyle farming, I think it is believed to be a burden to own a lifestyle block.
Council restrictions, e.g resource consents, preventing the ability to develop the property
extensive planting for shade and shelter for animals and for fodder for bees
Farm Environment Plan developed by Beef and Lamb
Excluding stock from waterways is a long term  Project difficult on hill country
Often have streams running through native bush
We found the stands of forest when we bought the property and intend to leave them unmolested by stock. The wetlands are just swampy areas at present and the stock has access to most of it.
There is a large variety of different species of animals & crops to choose from to grow on the farm so lifestyle block can be interesting to run.
Weather extremes and too much council and government regulation.
Being able to grow our own produce and have freedom and space for family to enjoy with us
Some easier and effective way to get rid of rabbits, as using poison doesn't seem successful, and shooting is not a safe option being they are more wary than possums. Being aware of plant incursions and recognising them if they were to appear
A good lifestyle with the opportunity to enjoy nature first hand.  The enjoyment of dealing with animals Opportunities to pass the love of nature to future generations
Government and local body regulations The Green Party
Regulations and  taxes that will dictate how farmers are to farm and use their land and resources.
Producing better quality meat and genetics
Townies.....Thinking we are polluting villains when they are the ones who are polluting water ways faster than we can say "AYE?".  Health and safety once again coming after us like we are criminals! Politics!
Increase profitability while reducing inputs
Having our urban cousins educated  to realise their perception of dirty rivers and harbours  are 100% farmer activated  is wrong; when in fact industry and particularly road users [with oil ,rubber  compounds and indiscriminate littering  of paper, bottles,  cans, rubbish, bulk dumps of household items roadside/ gullies, etc] which end up in salt water estuaries  nationwide.  is a problem we ignore.    REMEMBER the Thames was cleaned up to enable fish to survive some 20-30 years ago!
That we can produce more food from a small block.
. How to farm sustainably  and leave the land in good heart for the next generation .
regulatory restrictions on land usage, excessive rating practices
Keeping head above water - rising costs greater than market returns Higher rainfall & temperatures
Managing sustainability in the face of public opinion and the global warming myth.
Business partner wishes to realize his equity. Buying his share is not an option
Military Staff College Course. NZCE (Mechanical)
Opportunities will be few and far between for the foreseeable future.
The ever increasing compliance costs particularly in the dairy industry and the lack of a strong voice at the government table, means  farmers will lose what little control they have of their industry's future path. Common sense and sound science / technology will not prevail.  Dumb decisions in the name of the RMA and OSH regulations will take their toll.  The biggest hurdle of all yet to be addressed is where are tomorrows farmers going to come from.  Farm kids don't want to be farmers.
We have not been approached to have traps/poison laid down. I would not be opposed to having possum traps and ferret traps on our property as it is obvious these are present(6 possums seen up by neighbours&I killed a ferret which killed my pet rabbit)-so long as they could not be accessed by our 2 cats and dog that would be fine!
Subdividing their land off as the demand for smaller blocks continues, as well as turning towards some of the more 'boutique' crops and business ventures.
The continuation of some lifestylers who overstock their small blocks with every imaginable creature and then the novelty wears off and the animals suffer. Also the lack of farming experience from these people which also could potentially threaten the 'neighbours' stock and livelihoods. I also feel very strongly about the dairy boom that has continued all around our block-as well as one farm testing positive for the MB virus-potentially we could have stock infected all around us-where is our safety net when we are only 'wee fish' in a HUGE pond?
Direct selling of product via ecommerce.
Climate change and bureaucratic red tape.
Drive productivity though good science/improved genetics. I'm really concerned with the growing rural urban divide and get very tired of constantly being bashed for poor environmental performance. In fact it's taken 150 years to get to where we are. The improvement in the last 5 years has been impressive
urban people politic's from the left climate
Work/life/ family balance' Economic viability with high council rates, high building costs, high compliance costs for commercial certification e.g. organics, H&S. In our case- unfriendly negative neighbours!
Shift cattle on as needed so they don't make a mess
I am a Farm Owner, a 50/50 Sharemilker, and a Leasee on different farms
On the Dairy Unit 90% of the fertiliser applied is Agrisol Liquid Seaweed based fertiliser.
Developing new innovative products which add value to our meat and dairy produce. Finding new systems which both increase profitability and environmental sustainability. Developing new export markets and value added products to replace/reduce reliability on traditional and existing markets.
Public perception of how farmers care for their land and environment. Regulations and farm policy changes forced on all farmers by regulators which decrease the profitability of a farms operation, but which are not necessary for the particular farming operation. Poor performing farmers who don't look after their environment, or use unsuitable farming practises being used to portray/regulate all farmers thereby reducing overall farm profitability. Water usage charges being forced on farmers for existing/traditional farm usage.(Charges should be restricted to new systems or changes/intensifying of farm operations). Changes to the climate.
Being put in  same category as intensive farming practices as commercial farmers. Neighbouring farmers letting old mans beard seed, pest movement from larger properties boardering life style blocks. That are urban or built up on one side so gun usage is less of an option for rabbits 7 hares. possums are wanderers so just a plastic trap is fine when they visit. More care in some practices by intensive blocks neighbouring less intensive blocks.
Animal welfare and dealing with weather issues
speed up round so whole paddocks rather than 1/2 paddocks. on/off grazing.graze wetter paddocks when dryist and dryer ones when wetter
whole farm soil testing- every paddock tested
tree block for stand off area in winter if wet and summer if hot. too big area to cut down so stays as is
farm business management at Waikato polytechnic
Russia allowing dairy products back into Russia. opening free trade agreements in other countries. hopefully greenhouse gas lowering technology in pastures and stock.  Collaboration with urban sector in learning/promoting the truth about farming
Labour government wanting to tax tax tax farmers. Water cleanliness and allocation. China is still major market for dairy products. Other countries still having subsidies or high tarrifs for our products to be sold in their countries. Urban expansion into rural land. Urban people thinking farming is all bad for land/ waterways/ country
Maintaining the NZ Pure brand producing the highest quality produce for export
Managing waterways and using water wisely
lined storage pond with stirrer and low rate application
People who are anti dairy farming and do not understand what we do and how we help the environment and economy such as some political parties and councils and urban city dwellers.
To Survive the pressure of anti-farming Academy Bureaucratic members of Central Govt., who think they know best.
To Lecture the Urban population of New Zealand that it is not the Mammal (Cow) that is destroying Planet Earth, it is the rising population of the Mammal called Human.
Producing certified Healthy Food considered preventative medicine.
Population growth taking food producing land for housing and demanding access, water and roading. Competition from artificial proteins.
2 pond storage system.  Pump from first pond and empty second pond in summer.  No discharge to waterways
steep - health safety issue planted in trees 17 years ago so stock didn't end up down a gully
technology, and we have ability to grow good food to sell to the world
urban rural divide.   Environmental requirements to fix problems yesterday without adequate science to back up some changes.     Compliance costs have risen considerably.   The health and safety is ruining our country and has increased cost of doing business significantly..... for goodness sake why can't my builder climb up a ladder and work of roof to fix a leak without having to go through major safety issues (ridiculous measures being imposed and costing the whole country big time!!!)   Common sense is going out the window and policy makers are putting policies in place without common sense happening!!
We are away from a lot of  the troubles of the world  (i.e)  religious wars  natures fury, a lot of worlds pests , so can increase production because of our isolation.
To many complicated RULES in trying to stop farming , when a simple rule to govern farming practice would service the needs  of all.
old gravel pit previously for railway ballast. Sometimes dry, sometime full of water due to groundwater levels at the time.
Veterinary Nursing, Vet Technician, Artificial Breeding Technician. Human Resource Management
Spray and drench free (sorry don't know what this is called but it's not organic), Organic farming, Free range (eg pigs, chooks), education of the townie public.
1080 spread all over the place by DOC etc getting into waterways and drifting onto farms.   Idiots - eg greenies living with their idealistic but uneducated views type people who think farming is bad & or cruel, but they don't actually know anything about farming or good animal husbandry practices.  Townies who think milk and meat comes in a packet and grows in the supermarkets, and have no appreciation of farmers. Politicians. Misleading media stories putting farming and farmers into a bad light.
crossbreed herd lower average body weight
you have to make your own opportunities by having year in year out low cost systems and profitable business to get the next opportunity.
the uncertainty around  n leaching and climate change rules and regs by local enviroment authorities
To gain experience about farming animals to proceed and purchase a bigger farm in the future
Supply of water and enough grassland to feed animals and make hay and whatever necessary foods required to keep them fed
there is always ways of improving in all parts of farming
the interference of outside agencies who do not understand the day to day happening of a farm. The fact that so much gets blamed on farming when the cities have a more major part to play especially in water pollution
Exclude stock from waterways in intensive areas
Technology to support farming operations
Political scaremongering and non factorial reporting
Once a day milking. Commercial scale farm forestry
Changing the attitude of the news media to stop the negative portrayal of NZ farmers. Including animal emissions in ETS when no other countries in the world are doing this, the politicians and public need to understand this.
Advanced Trade Cabinetmaking and Licensed Building Practitioner
To get away from the commercialization of larger farming enterprises
Losing New Zealand land to foreigners and or foreign ownership
All farming is in very serious trouble because of all these rules & regulations coming upon us there is no scientific work being done on this and should be done first its only a made up calculation and that's putting severe financial pressure on we should getting for our product !!!!!!!
regulations we as farmers are getting push into borrowing more money to these rules with irrigation etc do the scientific work first and also city is against farming too they haven't thought how they are going to eat    I would like a reply on this too this is a very serious matter
Using new methods and scientifically proved practices to improve profits without damaging the climate.
Keeping the environment safe. Gas emissions and nitrogen leaching are big problems.
not much being regulated out of existance
politic and regulations  lack of reginition of working
To continue improving our stock and providing good protein to the world at the same time enjoying a fulfilling occupation and life style.
The environmental impact farming has on the land. Finding ways to negate this impact sustainably without going bankrupt.
Do not have a gun/gun licence & no offers by others to do pest control in a safe way
Financial desire of owners to subdivide for massive, tax free,  financial gains, rather than maintain farming practices
Food ethically grown and tracked pasture to plate.
If a Labour Green party is elected government how best to destroy there ability to govern by protest and disruption of government business
Opportunity to have control over what you eat and produce.
Initial start up costs and ongoing costs.
to try and get better returns on our export markets and not so much fluctuations in prices more so higher returns
Economic interests of large farmers, politicians and overseas investors
commensense managements better than waipa district council does at ngaroto lake of Bank rd ( I suppose that includes landcare involvement
we do try to keep drain open ,have good culverts and succeeding a lot better than waipa council ,EW and landcare are doing to farms around ngaroto lake surrounding farms especially of last part of bank rd
keep asking fertspreaders to keep away from drains raceways etc  but very difficult .most important to them is getting spreader empty
kahikatiha  stands ,which are not set aside ,used for shade for the animals
that rates keep going up. rules and regulations increasing all the time often thought of by people that haven,t got the guts or will power
Supply and demand. We have some of the best soils in the world for growing all sorts of high value crops.
Health and Safety, environmental regulations, rules set out by people that have got no idea about our industry or people with no practical life skills. I am having to spend an increasing amount of time in the office to deal with compliance issues etc. taking me away from what I love doing. Myself and others in the industry are saying the fun is being taken out of farming!!!
I am not sure on this we are still trying to find our own feet.
Wide grass area between worked paddock and riparian plantings
Facing the fact that intensive farming may be accelerating environmental destruction.
run less stock and prepair for for droughts and bad winter
Every thing in farming has opportunities just think out side the box
Plumber Certificate.  Building not qualified
Change to suit new markets and styles of farming to make most benefit from land.
Ever increasing costs and lack of consideration and understanding  from government and non farming community.
Niche markets. Innovation. High end research. Drug research.
Costs. Lack of labour. Labour issues. Flooding. Transport costs.
Add value to products  Science will develop grasses to grow 20 t/dm
The environment   Keeping our boarders free of pest and disease
Just lifestyle farming to help Council control grass
Fencing off main waterways. Appropriate stcok numbers
Water  Environment Clean meat dosruptive Technologies Global Pricing Changi G world of food
To get sick of it, sell up and move back into town
Only small mammals are present that we are aware of, mice, rabbits and hares. We have three cats who control the population of all three.
Contributing to an improved environment for native species and pollinators
The economics of living on a lifestyle block- possible land taxes etc, given it is not a business and we can not claim GST back, or have any economies of scale with a return associated from the use of our land.
To grow food (specially vegetables, cereals & grains) so we don't have to import as much, especially organic.
To be able to balance having a good lifestyle that is family oriented with the demands of making ends meet
Hopefully filling the world with wool and woolly products.
bridging the gap in perception about farm practices, between those who have never had any experiences on any type of farm, and those who live and work on them.
Diversification. Treecrops & horticulture instead of livestock farming
Financial restrictions and Council red-tape.
We value it for its own sake, and preserve it in order to keep a beautiful environment.
I'm not what I call a "lifestyle farmer" - you didn't offer an option that would describe what I'm trying to do, which is to develop (create) an eco-hamlet. I think that this offers an excellent opportunity.
buying up of the smaller farms that will not be able to cope with the below
OSH ,rules and regulations, environment plans
Diversification away from meat and dairy products
Regulation and negative legislation and red tape from political decision makers with no understanding of the farming lifestyle, i.e. worksafe
if the govt has not sold all the land to foreign buyers young people may be able to invest in our future
lack of water is the biggest challenge.  I feel that this will get worst as dairy farmers take more and more water.
food traceability to customers telling our story
use of water,urban communication,government local and national policy affecting how we can farm
Developing their land in  a combination of conservation and life style farming
Light fertilizing every 2 years on the hay paddocks.Every 3-4 years on other areas as required.
1.Young people living in rural areas and wanting to go into farming are often not able to be given time off work to learn. I would like to see financial assistance given to owners who wish to have their staff up-skilled by attending courses suitable for their advancement in the farming industry. 2. To have the government understand that "rural" doesn't mean 50kms out of Auckland. 20kms of gravel road, limited ( if any) reliable internet, farm supply and grocery stores an hours drive, 7.00am pick-up by school bus-(drop off 4.30pm.) that is rural! We have different needs to the "town" farmers.
Run Deer on the heavier country. Try and carry enough covers so dont need to feedout to much. Back fence any feedbreaks on crop
Just taken over farm. Use Drone to check boundaries fro escaped deer and at fawning.
no brainer, least productive land on the farm. excellent location and view
Farm more land, with less labour but more efficiently and within the ever changing environmental parameters
Managing the transition of ownership from older generations to new.
Improve production from present stocking rates
Environmental issues.....water rules ...costs of complying ....fencing and reticulation
Rules and regulations set by people in offices who have no idea about farming.
If the government would stop selling public owned land and land to foreign owners more New Zealand people who are dedicated to farming may have a chance to purchase a farm. Corporate ownership structures are not focused on the welfare of people, animals or the environment. Corporate structures are motivated by profit, this is not sustainable for New Zealand land and farms.
Environmental sustainability, particularly water.  Profit sustainability. Climate extremes.
Land values are increasing so farmers may be able to use equity to develop land & do mow riparian planting
Getting closer to consumers of our products - telling our story - products need to be of highest quality & authentic
Social license to farm - negative perception of some urban dwellers - threatens our ability to grab opportunity above. Challenge is to communicate clearly - need visionary, articulate leaders
proving to city folk that we don't pollute any more than they do
proving to city folk we dont pollute anymore than they do              The water issue
At times I cannot see opportunity , debt is hard to pay off to change systems.
Drought and profitability, and managing to remain on the farm. Family farming is declining, the young are not prepared to wrok hard for little gain.
Environmental drawbacks and overseas takeovers of NZ farms etc
one property fertiliser is organic based, not super phosphate used for 20 years
combination odf storgae pond and direct spreading onto pasture from sump depending on weathre and soil staturation
The previouse set of questions were impossible to answer as I do not know the cost of setting you windmills etc so can not comment on their suitablity
To maximize profitability with in the restraints of legislation and the challenges caused by the rural and urban divide. The pressure applied by urban dwellers who do not understand the needs and restain
To live a healthier lifestyle and connect the city with the country.
Managing the land and animals on a small volume basis
Don't stock paddocks with creeks heavily with cattle
Springhill District Society.This is  a school closed by the govt in the 90's and given to the local community that includes swimming pool,tennis court,hall etc that requires fundraising and maintenance to continue.
Better animal management and production combined with better product pricing
Ill informed enviromentalists and public leading to regional councils putting unworkable regulations in place.This is already happening
Upgrade existing land uses and increase production through better management processes.
To sell there farms for real estate and or private development.
To farm sustainably and profitably, protecting the land and the resources for future generations.
Growing world population creating the need for more food. Automation enhancing profitability.
Keep looking at better farm practices with fertilizers etc. to be more profitable and better for the environment
Result of election. Farmers and anyone working to make a living will be hit hard with taxes
Providing high quality products for a premium (niche)
Increased regulation and compliance costs
To improve our environmental performance and increase the awareness of our products we sell to customers
Environmental constraints and science/technology not keeping up with the pressure we are under from the urban community
While I am, together with my wife the joint owner, we are moving through a succession process bringing in the next generation (who are not farmers) involving them in long term decisions
Where possible - for example this spring and winter has been abnormally wet running 400 mm above normal year to date and pugging is severe. When calving commences options to minimize pugging are much less and pugging has become a real problem
We are currently installing a land based spray system with sufficient storage to hold over until conditions allow irrigation
Electronic monitoring of farm activities and harnessing the information that this can bring. Increasing demand for high quality added value safe foods
Lack of good science - ag science activities has been emasculated in NZ Public perception not based on science resulting in policy setting Climate change
A Green/Labour Party Government and climate change
To diversify and find better value crops.
Creating a marketing organisation and outlets for the new crops
Riparian and wetland plantings on one of two properties part of Mangaone west Stream Group   supervised by Horizons. Other property we consulted with Horizons and did ourelves
Educated in UK. Passed 8GCE  Gained sheep/Beef diploma at Massey
To inform and sell to an  affluent segment of the world our unique system of producing livestock protein in a mostly sustainable way .Using pasture rearing  systems that allow grazing  animals to express all their natural traits with a minimum use of drenches etc. We have a genuine story to tell consumers but  must be  sure we have a credible auditing and the ability to trace all animals back to farms.
Urban misunderstanding of the complexities of improving water quality and  the resultant desire to impose simplistic solutions without accepting the costs involved directly to primary producers but also to the whole economy and ultimately their living standards.To educate urban dwellers ,as an example ,to the part that particulate contamination from vehicles on urban roads have on atmosphere and water quality. The rapid runoff from urban roads and building roofs that at times overwhelm storm systems and dump effluent from city sewage schemes directly into waterways with no penalty imposed on councils. Climate change and uncertainty associated with it, ie increased intense weather events leading to flooding ,increased intensity of droughts. Imposition of CO2 tax on livestock which will possibly push production to other countries that are less efficient in livestock production but do not impose carbon tax on livestock. Artificial production of protein to compete with natural animal protein.
Ability to afford irrigation /acces to irrigation sceames
Healthy rivers proposal. paperwork, consents.
Growing meat and produce for home consumption and maybe the opportunity to do so for farmers markets
Rural rates and insurance costs, on top of ever increasing costs of fuel and renewalble farm resources.
complyance cost and new taxes also the one sided attack on farmers and there farming pratices
To be able to diversify and make these farms more productive, rather than just being landscapes.
To make these lifestyle farms sustainable enough to support a family both in food production and financing.
Cleaning up water ways.  Moving away from dairy farming.  Sustainable practices.  Over farming and using too much water.  Stopping animal cruelty with pigs penned up.  And still making a living!
Environmentalists dictating what we have to farm like
Producing traditional food e.g. animal fat.fermented food
Opportunities are for business people. Raising a few calves does not even pay the council rates. I didn't think  that living in a lovely place was classed as an opportunity, more like a privilege. This is just where I want to live and hopefully I will leave it in a better state than when we first moved here.
The biggest challenge will be to fence around the river and pay to do it. I currently use an electric fence after my more permanent fencing was broken by the occasional flood. I understand that it will be a big cost in the future, as Govt. has promised to improve water quality. Care to guess who will pay? Also to pay for council rate increases as the CV goes up and our earnings go down. Perhaps this is where we have to find that  "opportunity"
To plant and grow more native trees like Manuka and Kanuka for honey production. Also flax and Pohutukawa.
Affording the cost pof planting and then protecting the vegetation from possums etc.
Decreasing numbers and killing stock before 2nd winter so light stock on over winter.
Diploma of Farm managment, plus  Diploma of Floral Art,
Just to get rid of the greenies and be allowed to carry on farming, after all most of NZs income comes from agriculture.
The Greenies and their lying adverts on the TV
becoming completely self sufficient in producing our own food source  in all aspects of farming and being friendly to the environment at .the same time
financial.  There are ever increasing financial burdens with rates etc continually rising to help with the  keeping  our region in a environment that is healthy.Trying to make our own life style farming also   a healthy place to live and work is a cost as well but worth it .
The urban / rural divide and a complete lack of understanding from the urban community of where their food comes from.  Also, the lack of common sense from people making decisions about water, nutrients, farming the land.
Ocassionally kill possums, cats kill rats, stoats and rabbits
Council restrictions Waterways Amount of animals per hectare Subdividing land
Still very new to the lifestyle block living so too early to say
Water bore running dry and getting contaminated with nitrates
land prices lack of understanding by the urban population
Most of the block has previously been a pine plantation.  Now mainly gorse and pampas - being cleared with intention of developing pasture.
Organic approach to growing their own produce.
Getting off the chemical fertilizer and sprays methodology in farming.
Free trade agreements allowing access into bigger markets for our primary produce. Water storage
Having to put up with the misinformation handed out by the likes of Greenpeace, fish and game and forest and bird. Also taxes added by ilinformed politicians
To increase market access overseas & to keep improving genetics.
Trying to get urban NZ to realise we do care about the environment & are doing something about it but it's not all farmers fault. To halt regional councils theory that to slow down farming will somehow help them look like they're improving water quality when in  fact, its other polluters that are causing more of a problem. If water tax comes in, farmers will either have to fight it or go bust.
Farmers work 24/7, and it is what it is.  Biggest opportunities for them is the cow on the field is a steak on a plate for a city lifestyle person who buys it at the shop.  Plus business opportunities for a farmer + home kill to sell products for the working person that needs food or provides food on the table.  Just saying
Challenges: Seen it and appreciate the work of a farmer.  Cow + Farmer = Angus burger + City Lifestyle, Farmer + Holiday = Happy people. Farmer + (Pay this) + (Pay that) + (pay more) = still provide (Angus burger + City Lifestyle) = Farmer - Holiday - sell farm.   Answer to that would be, Not on a farmers watch?  or Hell no?  Every one wants to rule the world.  Let it be and look after the whenua you never know it might pop up gems.....
Council Rates, taxes, interest rate increases
making their soil healthier , which leads to higher production and profit
Debt reduction servicing ,  Understanding that their current thinking towards status quo farming techniques is flawed . and they must start making smarter decisions on looking after their soil. CARBON is a good starting point . because currently we are blindly heading for total destruction . Also allocation of housing on productive farm market gardens  is just STUPID!!!!!!!!!!! and IRRISPONSIBLE
Not looking to add but to lessen types of stock
Sustainable use of manuka trees for manuka oil
Oropi Memorial Hall Committee Member 4years
Adding value to products. Connecting directly to consumers and there needs
Having to supply the worlds increasing population with food
farming sustainably.  Looking after the environment
Urban growth and poor attitude towards farmers Too many taxes, levies and paper work Too many silly rules, and people paid to inforce them at farmers expense
There are opportunities for New Zealand to become leaders in the Organic markets, in every aspect of farming and horticulture.  Our position surrounded by sea, protects us from many of the world's agricultural diseases, but as a nation we have a culture that relies on excessive use of fertilisers and sprays which are just as harmful.  NZ could become a world leader if they chose to not be so greedy, reduced animal numbers and actually became clean and green, instead of just claiming to be so.
NZ will wake up one day and find we are owned by China. 1080 will get into the milk production system. Those in drought prone areas will struggle. Those who are in areas that are not suited to the current farming choice eg dairy farming that cannot operate without water drawn from rivers will suffer if sensible restrictions are put in place (as they should be).
Climate variability and rural/urban divide
due to small size, hard to generate enough income to made changes on farm
Small scale intensive farming for niche products/markets
Restrictions due to neighbours who do not understand rural life and farming
The reality that you may just have an expensive section the sucks resources.
Fenced off areas along drains. Areas for races and buildings.
To discover new productive utilization of their property.
To be sustainable financially and economically viable, while looking after the environment.
Development of premium markets for our premium product.
Perceived or real environmental concerns. The urban/rural divide getting worse.  All the taxes that the Labour government is thinking up.  Good labour, farming is almost considered a sunset industry?  Production of meat and milk in the lab that will be cheaper and have a lower environmental impact
Being accepted into the farming communities.
To take better care of the land stock and waterways. To make a commitment to plant Natives
Lack of knowledge, skills and appropriate resources.
Providing fresh local food to people and demonstrating that small multi-use blocks of land can be productive and environmentally friendly.
Changing climate which will cause growing conditions to fluctuate wildly from year to year.  The threat of regulation limiting what small farmers can do. This is not a problem at the moment but as large farms are monitored more closely I wonder if this will be extended to smaller operations.
Steep hillside set aside for aesthetic reasons
Sustainable production of high quality meat and milk based products
beef prices look good  but old enough to have been caught in the last crash
employment & safety  regulations that are dreampt up by high  paid university wollers  and carried  out by people who have to find fault just to justify their jobs..workers that think life owes them
show what habitat looked like before developement
advances in technologies that make farming more environmentally friendly and economically sustainable
no cattle have access to flowing waterways
constraints on the profitability of our business operations,without being compensated if we are forced to lower our production, and the inability to pass on increased compliance costs.
Reduce stocking rate over vulnerable winter and early spring
Use temporary electric fencing to protect wet areas.
Don't use any nitrogen fertilisers. Use only biologically friendly fertilisers. Use liquid fertilisers.
Improve biodiversity. Leave the property in a more resilient state for future landowners. Contribute to improving NZ environmental footprint.
Help children /Inheritance for children.
To walk the talk on best land management that delivers positive and readily measurable environmental improvement. Stop procrastination. Demonstrate the highest standards of animal welfare eg. by stopping break feeding cattle. Develop tourism opportunities that include opportunities to link people and farming. More boutique style food companies. Utilise new technologies that optimise farm management. More research and extension programmes eg improving soil health.
Farmers denying they are having environmental impacts. Head in the sand. Failure of farmers to adapt to rapidly changing customer needs. The clean and green image of NZ produce. Failure to provide creditable stories to balance social media criticisms.
Being seen as important to urban boundaries
Compliance issues, urban encroachment on land and animals, urban roaming dogs
This land is 'as is' and I like it that way... it is not 'set aside' for anything.And no stupid legislation by greeny half wits will make me do anything else
Diploma of Bible from international Bible college attained outside of NZ. From the Bible we understand that HUMANISM/SOCIALISM is a defunct and stupid mind control of people to bring populaces under a ONE WORLD GREENY/COMMUNIST 'Save the planet' 'Save the whales' Save the Bats' ..... but MURDER the unborn CHILD system run by SODOMITES and genetically modified mutants that will be SMASHED to smitherines by God Himself at the 2nd Advent. (Well it is time you were told and you did say there was no 'right and wrong answers...did you not. ) READ Matthew 24 and 25.. GET EDUCATED. .... READ the PASSAGE and then go read tomorrows newspaper and see if it is right or wrong. Then IGNORE it and go back to your paper shuffling form filling loaded questions agenda....and then get microchipped and MARKED in your right hand or forehead to sear allegiance to your 'lifestyle choice' of rebelion against God. (Yes we KNOW what you are doing and who you are run by... even if you don't!)
The NZ Government run by Greeny religion and or the socialist religion of the United Nations Forget the 'Global warm... sorry.... thats now 'Climate Change' nonsense
Better utilisation of water and naturally fixed nitrogen through clover and other legume species.
Sorting out how to do the above efficiently; and the longer warmer drier summers and longer wetter winters.
health services primarily mental health & health management.
Opportunities are ongoing, it is up to individuals or groups to take the initiatives that present & get involved. The rewards are the incentive to keep going.
Upreaching land purchase costs, a trend to urban lifestyles. Input requires on going commitment from lifestylers, I have noticed a movement towards people now not wanting to be tied down to chores & maintenance.
Already have plenty of trees for stock shelter
Clean eco friendly protein market increases. Alternative uses for animal products (health, cosmetic, clothing)
change in government, extreme weather events, ets, Capital gains taxes, restrictions on water. Environmental restrictions and general profitability  of farming as to capital invested.
competition with overseas farms , NZ needs a high quality product
Weather conditions changing from season to season
To produce food as it should be. No chemicals
Cost as it is always cheaper in big scale production.
small farming cheese/meats stores for top quality products
been able to afford the products required to keep stock and pasture healthy on a small scale, having the money to improve drainage for the increasing rain fall.
Red Tape - National and Regional rules and regulations that hamper progress
To make a living off the acres they have
Not being recongised for being a profitable enterprise as a lifestyle blocker
Increased value of lifestyle blocks as Auckland growth creeps South.
Councils not allowing subdivision of lifestyle blocks.
Advanced Certificate in Building/Industrial Buildings
Local Justice of the Peace DeerStalking/Hunting
Competing on world markets, promoting NZ image. Competing with new product adaptions, working forward with Science to reduce chemical control.  Managing the land for profit and leaving it for the future generations in a safe and forward productive management system.
Dealing with over use of chemical control.  Promoting green and clean, but actually doing it.  Controlling the over supply of dairy conversations on marginal land.
The 0.5 htrs is the area our house, driveway and home orchard occupies
More trade deals with Asian & European countries, the UK and USA. Access to fertilizer from the Chatham Rise being mined and used in NZ.  The government being primarily concerned in keeping the economy on a rise.
Land costs due to pressure on land use for urban sprawl.  Too much restriction in pasture promotion by "do gooders" who are not knowledgeable (usually).  Handling the costs of fencing off waterways (which I consider essential), but some government assistance should be offered (cost sharing dollar for dollar deals or low interest loans etc).  Sprays to control gorse etc should be less restrictive.
to prevent land being wasted by using appropriately
I am a 5th gerneration NZer, so I hate being called a New Zealand European, I haven't even been to Europe. I consider myself a New Zealander
To market smarter by telling consumers about where and how their product was produced
Rural:Urban divide, environmental activists, vegans, "synthetic meat, milk",politicians trying to tax us out of existence
To build a sustainable business using a smaller environmental footprint. The use of new/future technologies, to be able to feed the worlds growing population with high quality farm products.
Division between rural and urban. Control of resources by people outside of agriculture. To make agriculture a preferred occupation with highly skilled/ trained staff having a competitive work / living balance.
Sensible grazing at different times of the year and less intense grazing on slopes and erosion prone areas
understanding profitability and unique value proposition due to our pasture fed animals
Social license to operate and the loss of stockmanship and ability to be visually observant as farming practitioners - digital has its place but has to be supported with high level practical stockmanship and growers of quality pasture too - this cannot be done from behind a desk no matter what the data says, and there are plenty of limitations in quantitiative analysis, the key is in understanding what the numbers say and why.
Help to Produce food for New Zealanders and to make some extra money at the same time
Art Gallery, Gardening group, Rare Breeds,
Getting the politicians to listen to our actual knowledge and experience(s) instead of only listening to their "experts/consultants". Years of living in the area is always more valuable than "theories". Always look at the wider view and consider all consequences of actions. Work with nature, you can not fight it.
Getting people to act quicker and smarter to combat climate change and polution. It doesn't matter how much is due to man - if man can help right it in any way we should be doing all we can.
The pressure from councils to subdivide which will ruin the rural nature of where we live
Connecting with customers to sell a product we have grown ourselves
Lack of abatiours prepared to process small amounts especially of small animals
Being profitable and sustainable with minimal pollution.
Raising fresh good quality meat for their family. Quiet lifestyle
poaching and finding services eg hay baling business's that will service the small properties
Fenced off all drains/ponds and plant trees in those areas
Use a leveling bar in the summer to repair odd pugged paddocks
Improve production, enhance the environment.
Pigging only occurs after wet weather during winter not an overall problem
Organic low solubility fertilizers are used.
Remove cattle completely to another well drained elevated property
take care of the land and don't push over limits
too many regulations  that are not very practical
Restrict cattle access in winter to certain areas
some areas, but not all are restricted from cattle, as reasonable able to. Ongoing fencing plans
Heritage and the Arts School Old Boys Association
Diversifying into niche products - horticulture
Financial returns - many of us are not registered for GST. If prices are low any profit is difficult. Water supply.
Have fenced and excluded stock from some waterways.
It is the driveway, and the shelterbelt and the house and vege gardens, etc
Well, the chickens are free range, so I guess they count as part of the use.
Poultry and Pigeon Society, the special interest group is the HB Dog Training Club.  The dogs are also used on the farm, for rounding up the chickens and sheep.
At this point in Hawke's Bay, one could make more money by subdividing, and I don't think the council is tough enough on the preservation of plains land.  I do think free range poultry could become more popular and perhaps free range pork.  Although we raise Dexter cattle, we rarely have surplus over what goes in the freezer, I feel that a shift to smaller breeds could be profitable.
Drought, and Greenpeace.  I do not think Dairying deserves all the shit Greenpeace and the other tree-huggers throw at it.  I was a meter reader in rural areas for 8 years, and I haven't seen many farms that do not practice care of their pastures to reduce the impact on the environment.
Technology & precision farming whilst being environmentally aware & building business sustainability.
Dealing with soul destroying groups like SAFE.  The urban rural divide when we should be all as one in looking after & protecting our environment.  Urban people not realising the effort & cost farmers are putting into protecting their environment & reducing their footprints. (what are urban people doing?) Government policies & regulations.  Local environmental costs & restraints - being dictated to in how to run your business.  Global Volatility.
Local area community group; and "Neighbourly" site.
Forming co-operatives to produce & market organic produce
Keeping on top of really busy lives - many work full time off farm and don't have the energy or time left to properly plan and execute the tasks necessary to make their farm earn more than a meagre income.
I latter years we use a specific mix for our farm - basically as near to organic, without being organic, as we can get.
We are Dairy Goat farmers Our Goats are housed there fore we cut and carry our pasture
connecting more with our main markets and using our image to greater affects , for a better financial returns and create a niche image of nz farming
enviromental challenges as in water quality , how to best , finacially get the water back to where it should be  having closer connections with urban communties so they have a better understanding of rural business etc
Irrigation, secure international markets for our products,
Red - tape, a Labour government taxes etc. Compliance.
Water storage for stock water in dry months
Technology to improve just about everything
Environmental, a major lack of understanding within our urban  population of how farms are run and their importance to this country. The media than pant us as the baddies in the water quality battle. The production of plant based synthetic meat grown in a lab. To be honest what is this world coming to.
I cant remember ticking this: Earlier in the survey you indicated that your farm includes wetlands, native forest / bush, and/or other non-farmed land, I cant go back and recheck it.
Glasshouse Irrigation computer controlled system
Based off Glasshouse irrigation settings and measure daily dry down live
Onsite Measuring of glasshouse equipment and live checking
Aid in recovery of water quality Supply high value environmentally sustainable food to NZ   and the world
Lack of useful agricultural science  Urban /rural divide Lack of clarity and measurements around environmental issues
Taking advantage of new technology to improve profitability.
Enviromental regulations Health and safety regulations Increased charges through council, regional council and government regulations with no extra benefits to the business.
Marketing our products using New Zealand's unique selling points - and ensuring that we can continue to deliver to our established reputation as a safe food producing nation and an environmentally conscious country. I would strongly suggest that becoming an organic or bio-dynamic food producing country would deliver an enormous selling benefit. New Zealand should focus on producing high quality food rather than focusing on quantity.  Increasing the public perception that farmers are environmentally aware.
Losing agricultural land to urban sprawl. Increasing 'blanket' regulations rather than taking a tailored approach to each farming entity. Farm productivity dropping due to increased compliance costs.  Selling larger percentages of agricultural production land to foreign owners. Losing New Zealand's unique selling points by increasing intensive, high input livestock farming, and introducing GMOs. Difficulty in finding skilled staff. Mental health decreasing in farmers due to climate change, increased regulation, decreased profitability, landscape being swallowed up for housing.
Hmm not sure on this one as i didn't indicate are for wetlands etc
Our house and gardens are on the non farmed land
From my point of view as a small  lifestyle block owner  - we can help build resilience in our communities by making our areas self sufficient in food supply.
On our lifestyle block the biggest challenge is to make decent money from our produce whilst keeping costs down and I'm sure that is the same for all small producers
I think we Have to look to growing more veges and fruit trees on our land, and look to improving our grass  quality to grow stock to bigger sizes for meat.
flooding, lack of good drainage on Rural roads, we are fairly high up but still have suffered this year from too much rain
5 yrs secondary school wool classer night Tech motor mechanic welding animal husbandry Nutritional Budgeting
Bush and scrub in all gullys to steep to fence have an excit wetland
Maintaining the land, and improvements to aid in better farming practices
bore water reticulation for troughs for livestock. rain irrigates the whenua.
to farm in an environmentally sustainable manner  and market produce as such
climate change and  foreign ownership of farms and processing plants
We built 3 ponds in 2006 which are planted around the edges and maintained so as to keep them in pristine condition as much as possible
Lack of quality trained staff Government interference
use a more natural fertilizer flown on in a liquid which is really improving the worms in the soil and the structure and fertility
Aesthetic planting and wind break planting
Creation of native parklike areas. To grow native trees, there needs to be ability to cut them down if required.
Producing quality produces for human consumption
Internationally competitive and locally supported.
Environmental issues and the perception of farming from non farming people and organizations. Labour and succession.
We don't apply much fret we are poor sheep farmers
Agricultural College Holland Several courses over the years
Eat your own produce! To be able to do your own little bit to control weeds and pests
Catching up with the dairy industry by fencing waterways and riparian planting
Being sustainable.  Generally we are not trying to make a profit to financially support ourselves (though this can be done) we normally have day jobs.   By managing less numbers of stock, they don't overgraze paddocks, which then  allows weeds in, which therefore produces more work.  Strike a life/work balance, get pleasure from what you do have, have achieved thus far or are planning to do next.  Retire the unproductive, erosion or wet areas & with a little help with fencing & planting, watch the areas thrive. (and once sorted, these areas then become less of an area for work)
Maintaining pest/weed control - takes time & money.  Having sustainable/minimal numbers of stock to reduce heavy grazing & having to purchase extra feed.  Changing weather patterns - dry or wet, can the land handle it?
Planted native trees, reduced paddock size (subdivision), bred smaller cattle (Australian lowline Angus)
poor prices for our products, price fluctuations and adverse weather
Shareholder and Admin role in my partners company
This is just land used for infrastructure eg Yards and houses etc
Increased efficiency and production through the use of new technology.
How fast new things come to our attention and grabbing the moment to make a little money while one can
biggest challenges are the rules and regulations that we have to abide buy to be able to sell our goods to the public.
Making use of best management practice, plant and animal breeding gains and new technology.
The balance between profitability and best practice environmental management
use smaller stock on these paddocks once it gets too wet
Competing in global market economically / social license to farm acceptance
Balancing lifestyle with paid work and lifestyle block work (not always for profit)
Taking up current knowledge.  Farmers have an instinctive variability to seek information and use it.  Improving this would be a big benefit to NZ farming.
Managing the environment in a sustainable and profitable way.
To increase productivity on small holdings. People are becoming more concious of where there food is coming from and want locally produced artisian food where they know the family that produces it. Country markets in the city are becomming more popular and provide great oppertunity.
Running small properties effieciently, More lifestyle blocks are being brought to have the "lifestyle" but not really want to farm the land and have no knowledge of how to farm, pasture quality, animal health requirments, stocking rates etc. Just want to live there without the work. Oppertunity to pool small properties and run as bigger units.
No longer have a gun license or guns so can't kill them.
nzqa care of elderly, and nzef level1 horse riding instructor
to regain old organic, diverse , polyculture truly traditional sustainable ways of farming, if its financially probable.
Farming is financially an unsustainable production unit in todays world.
we just like to keep it seperate. For our us.  I think I answered the question wrong we have only got about 17 acres that isn't farmed.  the rest is just non-effective but is grazed.
To get our farmers to update and use technologies that are going to make their lives easier - and continue to upskill everyone in the farming business.
Paperwork , Health & Safety, Weather and not listening to the opinions of good farmers, who are not university educated but have a better understanding of the land as they have life experiences.
having their land area swallowed by growing urban area
Being able to grow all the food we need to support family and friends.
Rates ,drainage,flooding and nothing been done about it.
Compliances - cost time AND money. Especially smaller operations that cant justify spending a lot of money on employing people to do it for them, so have to do themselves. Hard for young people to get into farming on their own. Not everyone is given an opportunity to lease/share farm/equity farm like I have been.  There could be more syndicates created to help these young people get a start (like leasing a farm for 7-10 years to get some capital behind them and then move on for another person/people to do the same)
To maintain the land for future generations
To maintain a positive public view on farmers and their practices
Hopefully carry on with trading countries
Too much interference by governments. Too much paper work
Native trees were there when we bought the property.
Ability to grow own meat and vegetables.
New ideas for better use of land and new technologies
To show the world what efficient farmers NZ has. New technology to overcome traditional farming challenges
Buying a farm without family support; Rural/Urban divide; climate change
I have been calling the local quiz for several years I also do a local rural radio programme
show casing farming for new life style farmers
I don't recall selecting an option that indicates that our farm includes wetlands, native forest / bush, and/or other non-farmed land?
drought and rain.  Too much of each all at once
Governments/conservationists/IWI threatening my continued lifestyle
Sorry, I must have hit the wrong answer. We do not have sections of wetlands etc
Being paid appropriately for the products produced by farmers. Adhering to the requirements of overseas countries who want our products.
Stand cows on cow shed yard to minimize pugging
Use of technology, increase of payout, profitability, better progress in improving ryegrass cultivars and their yields,
weather, payout variation, change of government eg greens/labour, environmental pressures from uneducated people,  lack of younger generation wanting to work for their rewards.
Its where the house, driveway and sheds are
Producing pesticide free, disease free, sustainable and natural food products for personal consumption.
Being allowed to get on with producing and growing own produce and animals without the interference of busybody government agencies.
more challamges than opportunities, marketing keeping up our clean green appearance, becoming threatened. price received verses increasing costs and restraints put on to farming
Pest control, water quality, water supply
public misconceptions about what actually happens on farms and the cost and complexity of running a farm
As above it is lifestyle and secondary to primary occupation
self branded products organic and original ideas and brands self exporting
regulation weather staff health and safety
Developing markets and the ability to diversify to meet those markets.
The enroachment of urban development and overregulating by councils.
Purchased neighbours property that we were leasing in July. Has a house on it that we don't need. To subdivide, we need to sell some land as well.
Sorting out run off to keep streams and river cleaner than when they started farming.
school  certificate   Real Estate Principal own ownership
growing  more crops experimenting with different uses of the land
rate rises too much red tape about what you can and cannot do on your property especially if you want to build a shed  etc., rules and time is ridiculous
bringing up there children in a clean safe environment
complying with new rules and regulations and facing the threat of urbanization
better quality, less peaks, supply the market with what it wants
urban divide fast food poor family techniques
Produce more food. Maintain a green belt area around Cities.
Reconsideration of diversification of land use.
Return on capital, as usual. Over regulation with the resulting self perpetuating public servants
to maintain the land and produce an economical income from it in a more environmental friendly way
Diversification, probably moving into horticulture to improve income levels
Increase production  to meet world demand for food and timber production
keeping up with climate  change  if it changes
provenance and evidence supporting clean and green
made a mistake and have no wetlands etc but cant go back in the survey
Entirely what you are prepared to put into it
Dairy farmers encroaching and buying up every farm, pulling out all the trees, using up all the water for irrigation, Canterbury Plains are for cropping!   Bring back SHEEP     Climate Change
National Diploma in Science and Practice of Agriculture with Distinction in Animal Husbandry (UK) Diploma in Agricultral Marketing and Business Administration (UK)
Nice lifestyle enjoying what you and nature have developed, birds, trees waterways.
Compliance issues eg waterways. Urban people coming to the rural sector and demanding their urban lifestyle.
Less intense dairying. BAN PKE so pasture fed
Townies bad perception of farmers. Water supply.
To enjoy rural life and develop a degree of self-sufficiency from the land
Organic and spray free products. Environmentally aware
Agriculture Instructor / Tutor  level 3 to Dip-Ag---Agri-Vehicles Industries endorse assessor- A Grade Automotive Engineer-Old School 9000 hour apprenticeship
Adding value to our products .Plus sales to more world markets.
Over the last 30 plus years cost have kept going up but our income / buying power has dropped.  Urban rural divide.Pathway to farm ownership is now out of reach to many.
science and technology to increase production in all types of farming
so called environmentalist and over regulation
To pay for the irrigation scheme Meet animal welfare requirments
The development of technology that will enhance farming operations e.g. robotic milking, drones and mapping tools, cultivation - non tillage, cowshed technology e.g. sensors etc
1.Bureaucracy and  red tape is to the point of ridiculous. 2. People who do not understand or acknowledge the work being done by the rural sector to improve the environment and the lack of accountability by urban dwellers around their carbon footprint. 3. Global instability and the impact this will have on trade will be a major challenge for the NZ economy and our business. 4. Biosecurity is a very real concern and we are already seeing the devastating impact it can have .e.g. PSA disease in kiwi fruit, Mycoplasma bovis, TB etc. 5. Lack of an ongoing public education campaign around border biosecurity is a real challenge as travelers do not seem to realise the risk to NZ economy and I believe this has the potential to be worse as we travel more. 6. Lack of public funds to maintain rigorous biosecurity border controls.
Producing food products we can be proud of, and selling that story to our consumers
Bridging the rural-urban divide satisfying the Animal Welfare Lobby Satisfying the Environment Lobby Staying profitable in the face of the above!
Because of small mobs of animals as in numbers(90ewes) +(30beef calves)Calves are taken through to 18+months.When moisture is excessive I put animals onto roadsides of which I have 3-4 hectares.
Study of climate change and electronic advancement in all aspects of improving the cleansing and purifying our land in conjunction with making a $.
Restoring our waterways to the drinking and bathing stage that we received them in and to the habitat of the same.To follow and understand that the extreme weather conditions that we are now experiencing now are because of what man put into the atmosphere to make a $, what chemicals we spray on the land to make a $,and how we mob stock cattle on areas that are drained into natural waterways that flow into creeks then into rivers.These ares are chemically cultivated,then sown with seed that is chemically coated then this is then given a dose of weedicide,insecticde,fungicide and then comes the urine,crap,and then the pugging and whole lot is ignored by all authorites .I havnt even mentioned the chemical fertilizer (force fed growth boosters),you know what they are,they are put on at extreme rates and no one is stopping this cycle because they will loose votes and $$$$$$$$.God Save Us
To sell their land for housing unfortunately
In some areas, avoiding windblown pesticides and weeds from neighbouring properties. Extremes in weather.
Gravity feed from a spring down to the flats
Specialist grazing management and monitoring
Producing consistent traceable high quality products sustainably that secure premium prices to offset our big distance from markets
Ensuring New Zealanders understand farmers ARE COMMITTED to achieving a CLEAN GREEN nation. To survive climate change we must have access to water. But to justify access to water we cannot allow nitrate and other losses. A loss is a loss. We must farm smarter. To do this we cannot overlook the recent technological gains using water achieved by ISRAEL. The challenge we have is to stay on course with CLEAN GREEN but to get there we must innovate.
Uninformed persons who know nothing about the realities of farming but are trying with an agenda to destroy pastoral farming in any way they can. The green party that actually wont participate in helping all New Zealanders to unite but instead create a divide between town and country to the point that town people think that all the pollution is caused by farmers and that their practices in the cities have nothing to do with the pollution. There is still roadsides covered in empty tins etc after holiday periods.
we have a reticulated water system so do not rely on water from waterways
use of improved grass pastures and crops to feed livestock. Contracts for supply of stock
compliance costs and unrealistic people trying to tell us what to do. We are guardians of our land and if we do not look after it well we will not be profitable and the land will not be good for the next generation. WE ( the farmers ) are not stupid. The farming industry needs to publish its  science as the anti farming lobbiests only publish half truths.
IF THE COLD RAIN  PERSIST, THEN GRASS GROWTH  WILL SLOW DOWN AND FEEDING OUT WILL  BE TO EXPENSIVE . INSUFFICIENT LAND TO MAKE HAY
Being more transparent to urban people in our environmental and animal welfare practices.
Gaining the trust of the urban people (decision makers/politicians) surrounding our environmental and animal welfare practices.
becoming self sufficient and enjoying living mainly off the land
compliance costs and legislative changes to the way we have to farm
Drought/ flood events, homekill regulations, availability of small packs of vaccine and drenched as well as lack of animal health plans/ sufficient knowledge
To re-populate creek line with wetland natives, flaxes other
To manage creek line with natives, flaxes etc and reduce need for sprays and chemicals to mange weeds and grasses
Being in control of your own livestock for home eating, and knowing what they have been treated with. Growing one's own food not been dependent on others. Being able to share with others ways to manage lifestyle blocks and learn from others.
Rules  and regulations of what one is able to do on own land, and climate change.
To grow their own produce (meat, milk, vege) to be more self sufficient and know where the produce has come from
To farm within limits.  Get our waterways swimmable again, reduce the pest (rabbit) population, educate town dwellers its not OK to dump unwanted rubbish and pets on road sides to become some else's issue
To diversify and become closer to self sustainability, producing a low environmental impact/carbon footprint for my land and family.
Climate change, failing to adapt to a shifting market and consumer expectations, failing to diversify and sticking to outmoded ideas of traditional farming, failing to make a difference to the land/water resource they 'own'/ care take for future generations of New Zealanders.
Water Urban rural divide Environment southland
Living off the land, chemical free produce
Honey. High value crops, high quality fresh produce
to look after one self and the communities.
water / climate change / Govt interference
Enjoy NZ environment, plant part of land in native species, small farm tourism, cooking classes
Access to water and over regulation of farm practices, including compliance costs for environment and rights to occupy. Environmental consenting in some parts of the country are uncertain, bureaucratic and perverse in their outcomes.
Boutique specialty industries, combined with tourism opportunities
Trying to pay for the conservation requirements imposed on us by well-meaning folk who don't have to walk the walk.
possible future use to generate income from tourism, (airBnB) hospitality (wedding venue, conference centre) or could be fenced to raise sheep, pigs or free range chicken/eggs) Includes many trees both native and english, fruit trees and flowering plants.
I am a naturopath, we keep the property as a natural habitat for all species. It is spray and synthetic fertilizer free as much as possible in order to generate toxin free food and water, as well as protect the natural beauty of the habitat.
to create boutique industries that answer the growing need for healthy, whole, raw and toxin free food and water. this happening all around us in the form of govt. sanctioned organic raw milk, honey, fruit and veg which ordinary city people need to stay healthy but can't produce for themselves. It is not financially viable for most lifestylers but demand and awareness of healthy food benefits is rapidly growing amongst an increasing %age of the local population. This will motivate and create opportunities for those with passion and clean land.
The overheads, costs and taxes that prevent a reasonable return for labour and dedication to producing quality meat, eggs, vegetables, fruit, honey etc. Also the weather patterns are becoming more extreme so there are increasing risks to crops and animal husbandry from acute events (in my opinion)
We both have qualifications in various fields but I don't see that this is relevant to this survey. nor are some of the other questions and I feel the questioning is becoming invasive.
I don't see many new opportunities with the attitude towards farmers and the declining profits which are not keeping up with inflation.
A Labour government and even more rules and unfair taxes.  Farmers are mostly best left alone to be caretakers of the land and most do this very well.
Cashing in on the clean green GE free premium . Translation for idiots/federated farming leaders: high demand from wealthy markets plus low supply potential = high price
having markets that stock can be taken to that are local for sale/trading.
Being able to live on an affordable lifestyle block
urban understanding of farming - being dictated to by un knowlegeable people.  Fake science
small niche market for free ranging stock
house and surroundings is the non-farmed land. Wetlands are two ponds which we've fenced off from stock & done riparian planting.
cottage industry, specialised consumer markets such as prime meats, organic etc.
urban sprawl, city & country ideologies divide,  enviromental pressures
Lines company.  Taxes. Uni people with theroy and no practicle experience.
Sticking to basics, good animal health management and no risks, read the local market.
We are not a big farming family so we are happy with what is happening now.
maintain lower stocking rates and keep stock moving regularly
compliance of excessive rules that are not scientificaly proven
Capital gains / values, Treasured Lifestyle, opportunities to diversify
Debt management, Rising Land Costs due to urban growth placing significant stress on available land, impacts created by regional councils.
We don't have the larger animals and our dogs dispatch or deter  the smaller animals
Feeding the family - organically without chemical
Having the rest of NZ  chemical spray free and organic
Increased revenue due to population growth and advancements in technology. Plus world demand for clean food.
Maintaining profitability with seasonal changes and compliance costs imposed by govt.
perma culture growing for ourselves, family animals and insects etc.
most of the practises above were used here more than 10 years ago and continue
Use of science to improve all aspects, eg, conservation, production, climate management, technologies to enhance communication. Most farmers use facts for decision making and are willing to evolve.
Non science based bias towards land use and users. We are a small proportion of the population and easy targets because of ignorance.  Stability in the world, or lack of, creating insecurity and volatility in markets
greenies demands, local council complience
population growth and the need for food.
The increasing amount of imported pork from countries with animal welfare standards being much lower than the high standards commercial pork producers in New Zealand achieve and the New Zealand consumer being unaware of where this meat is coming from.
sensible thing to do with it ie contour and location
Profitability and farming being blamed for polluted rivers and climate change
Using technology Using information from reseach and development
Extreme enviromental  laws for climate change Miss- information by lobbyists on enviromental issues  Urban  residents not understanding farming practises and being fed  emotive opinions in the media Obtaining  factually correct information nationally and internationally on  climate change and the effect it will have  on people and their enviroment Synthetic  food
to develop native plantings and waterways to improve bird life and the eco system in general
Growing produce for local markets. Eco/farm tourism
Costs and lack of economies of scale "Green" policies
No robotic milking but shed is fully automated
Because value will be determand differentiy in future
To consider that we will continue to do as we always have!
urban growth. More housing and less land available for farming
climate change & farming less intensively (which is already difficult on a small holding when weather conditions are so changeable and unpredictable) while still making enough money to keep the operation going
people against community irrigation schemes
Contribution to environmental maintenance. Discovery and development of high value small-crop agriculture: nut pines, saffron, mushrooms, high value crops stressed other parts of the world for climate change.
avoiding monoculture, avoiding turning all small blocks into extensions of the suburbs.
In our district selling sub dividing to sell to Aucklanders Change to more specialized crops.
Coping with interferences from THE PUBLIC and Councils
plant out native trees and shrubs to enhance our environment
coping with changing regulations regarding fencing streams, and the change in climate. We have experienced a significant increase in rain in Auckland this year  and expect that to continue
Still to be fenced off to keep stock out but not accessed by stock
To preserve small landholdings and stay connected with reality, create/find niche markets.
Marketing small amount of goods produced in an economic fashion, where they not the primary source of income but to still be an income.
Trough water in paddocks that bound the river
Plant some erosion prone areas in trees probably poplar
Forced environmental control on private land large compliance costs for no economic gain in an already marginal industry Unpredictable market returns I find it increasingly difficult to be positive about the future of farming with so much interference from outside of the farm,I have always tried to be a good custodian of the land  and environment I farm by not overstocking, careful fertilizer selection, very minimal use of nitrogen etc and now people who know little of farming try to dictate what I will do in the future.
Increase/ Intensify livestock to increase output of agricultural products and allow investment in technology to improve effeciency and reduce negative impact on our natural resources whilst increase productivity.
Adaptability and flexibility to change and grow the business to produce more and make more profit. This may include altering the diet of the animals or changing pasture species  or using more alternative energy sources.
Climate Change and adapting our farming practices to continue farming economically to this threat. Increasing amounts of regulations particularly concerning the environment.
Improved carbon credit market for forestry.
Log price fluctuations and carbon market uncertainty.
Specialised food production e.g. beef cattle
Urban dwellers who think thy know all the answers to farming.  Too many restrictions on GOOD farming practises.
I didn't tick wetland or bush. Have areas of garden and shrubbery and grazing paddocks.
New Zealand is  wonderful country . I have a lifestyle farm rather than a full farm because of my love for  farming and being in the open rural spaces. However we can't keep losing quality farmland to lifestyle blocks where people just put a huge house and pool on and drives farm values up. Opportunities - our fantastic country and environment.
Public opinion and media hype about cruelty to animals and ruining the environment etc - Farmer bashing is becoming terrible - really needs to be addressed before it gets out of hand. More and more New Zealanders are getting less and less connected with the land. Droughts and changing weather patterns.
Growing good food for the  NZ and the world, with less  pesticides. All of New Zealand getting behind keeping our clean and green. The cities and ocean too..
All farmers need to work on quality not quantity. We can all do better.
the opportunities to live off the land, and get away from all the processed and artificial food.
people moving to the country without fully understanding that it is a full time job, as well as their existing full time job.  The increasing price of land, but then again housing is just as expensive in town
Meeting overseas buyers expectations of clean and green
Improving the quality of waterway and reduce run off and fertiliser impacts
1. To retain profitability and farm sustainably.
1. Establishing a balance between sustainable land use and profitable land  use 2.Changing the mind set that adding nitrogen fert is the cheapest form of gaining feed/supplementary feeding 3. Regulations and compliance that impinge on ability to get on with day to day tasks, or that threaten to impose unnecessary liability 4.Urban attitudes to farming practices 5. Maintaining a wool industry 6. Securing reliable markets in the meat sector and reducing market volatility 7. Rising land prices which affects profitablity and flexibility.
climate  getting more volatile harder to manage animal activists
Local jubilee committee, Local community council
Weather change. Costs, Requirements set by government .
Coping with technological change and environmental requirements.
Been able to keep up with rising costs and staying afloat.
To make a difference in conserving and restoring wetlands, stands of native bush and management of pest animals as well as improving water quality
Earning enough income from the farm to continue making improvements to the environment. also the advancing age of all farmers in New Zealand.
I'm really unsure what great opportunities face farmers.  It is so over shadowed by compliance, and restrictions on what we can do on our own land that we have paid for and own outright. ! We are sick and tired of idiots telling us in the media etc how we should be farming and what we should and shouldnt be doing.   I would love some of these grandstanders to try and work on our marginal lands farm and try and eeek out a living! They would soon give up and walk away as it would be too much hard work! !!
To convince the world that farmers are not responsible for everything that is wrong with the world! The media are particulalry irresponsible in reporting only activists sides on many issues.  To continually battle conservationists and activists- most of whom are fanatics and have never produced anything!  They are just consumers who contribute nothing but sit in judgement! protecting ourselves against animal lobbyists - again many uninformed and misguided fanatics - who take one bad instance and accuse all farmers of bad, cruel and terrible practice. Most of us farm because we love animals and we love breeding and producing lovely healthy and happy stock.
beautifying nz, being able and enjoying living a rural lifestyle
making a profit, surviving on a small scale property
Dont have high numbers of any of these animals
Add value by better marketing around our unique grass fed clean green animals.  huge emphasis on marketing our export products to the rich as we will never be a big bulk supplier, need to aim for the boutique market.
improving profitability while improving the enviroment
more opportunities to become self sufficient
trying to comply with the incoming resource management obligations regarding grazing of stock - particularly horses and cattle.
Policies restricted things we can do on our own property
Farm land on more economic basis and reduce any likely pollution by improving farming/management practices
Protecting environment from being polluted by practices undertaken on the land
Get larger farm for better economies of scale
Average age of farmers is getting old without family to carry on the property. This will create opportunities to partner with them to grow my equity
Misinformation about farmers and their effect on NZ.  Lab produced protein
Due to the sloping nature and rampant gorse,  this area isn't as useable and would require significant investment.
Dealing with local and government red tape on permitting new ideas relating to sustainable living.
Organic food production , fish farming for Asian markets
Excessive red tape . government policies of production , export , imports ,gmo food and risk  control of pests and disease not in NZ yet
Do not use Nitrogen or super phosphate at all. Use products like TM Ag to stimulate soil microbes and Quano
To carry on improving the green clean image, that slipped over earlier years, and that most farmers are now moving towards. ie fencing off waterways, creating wetlands and cutting back or eliminating nitrogen reliability. Showing the world that farming is a natural way of gaining healthy protein and that it can exist along side good environmental practices and ensureing good animal welfare.
The divide that is being encouraged between urban and rural. Driven either by political gain or commercial gain ie alternative meat and milk products.
Increase organic principles and get better yield with less impact on the environment
Ability to educate the community of the benefits of growing ones own food without sprays etc.
Costs of services and organic fertilizers.
We subdivided the farm we owned before and kept 1.79ha with the house. There is wetland or native bush on the remaining plot. Wetland went with the land we sold for grazing.
Technology such as genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, continued animal health, fertiliser/knowledge of soil biology,physics, chemistry and weed control advancements etc will improve productivity and profit for those that have the understanding/skills to manage these
Same as for all farmers....a growing urban community that is ignorant/uninformed about agriculture in the 21st century but believes it knows best about most aspects of agriculture. The urban/rural divide is increasing and is adversly affecting those who choose to farm and their ability to survive financially due to misplaced policies around water, the environment etc that take little account of the financial status of farmers
More control over weather patterns with irrigation, that in mind smaller farms may easier to survive due to production levels if don e right.
Possible stringent laws to prevent true use of irrigation with water tax, and water use. Those making the rules having no connection to the laws they will try to implement. Less understanding of plights farmers will have by town people and even some of the rural folk as well. Already even beef and sheep farmers looking to irrigate are seen as being greedy, yet those complaining are on a good to high stable incomes, but oh no, farmers aren't aloud to earn a half decent wage.
Do not apply phospate or pottassium chloride.
The fast pace of technical change allows significant improvement including robotic milking, A2 milk and the development of more sustainable pastures, soil management and ecosystems.
Getting out and proving it can be done with hard work and determination
Water, councils, climate change and urban opinions of farming
Beef and sheep meat quality related to organics
Pressure to conform to animal rights opinions
red tape, bureaucracy. People setting goals, standards rules that are totally impracticable- farmers having to fence streams, etc when how many thousands of litres of water do our cities/towns let flow during storms. Auckland is a superb example, their stormwater/sewage certainly can't cope with storms/floods. farmers are not to blame entirely. eeels, freshwater fish NEED so called "Pollutants. Also your answers referred to Auckland as an area, South Auckland & Helensville/Rodney are 2 TOTALLY  different areas.
To bring their properties up to level of tidiness both visually but more importantly environmentally.
droughts ,exchange rate volitility, economy of scale thats farms are becoming larger just  to maintain profitability, the model of young people entering farming and ownership is becoming harder as the price of land rises over time
The increase in population needs more food
Urbanisation.  Red tape hampering the development of cottage industries
The ability to produce our own food from a safe environment with  surplus for family and sale.
Bureaucratic interference and charges levied on land-owners. Large scale commercial farms bad practices over the fence. Super high cost of land compared to productive value.
niche high value marketing selling the positive environmental on farm practices and stories
urban divide media misinformation eliminating rogue farming operations
Subdividing land for housing (Auckland urban sprawl)
Intrusion into privacy from urban sprawl
Actual acknowledgement and monetary gain for all the hard work over the years!
Meddling townies that do not understand how a farm works! We are doing our best for the land and our animals and put in enormous hours to make sure our animals are well cared for. They need to understand the money that they will have to fork out if they bring in unrealistic rules that we have to implement- e.g. clean waterways- look after the pollution that towns create before picking on the poor cow having a pee!
Keep the growth of lifestyle properties-Ex farming families who have been  brought up riding or working the farm with horses, and who now have to work in towns or cities, like lifestyle properties to allow their children and themselves to ride.  I personally am a stud breeder  of  Limousin beef cattle. I breed for for the farming cattle   industry.
Rural productive land being subdivided for housing. Farming contractors eg farm fencers, haymakers being pushed further away - out of reach of lifestyle farms and some other farms. Do not know how seriously to take the substitution of animal meat by artificial meats.
Pasture to plate traceable dairy and meat products exported to world from suastainable farming operations that are compliant at all levels
Remaining compliant to the bullshit demands re H & S , Council city & regional  , Fonterra , with aging owners and some farms facing huge capital expenditure
grass not growing because of too much rain in the winter and not enough rain in the summer plus the long hot sun in the summer
Produce and package your own meat for sale
Family farm, parents are selling and giving out a bit to the kids after all debts paid, using the remaining money to retirement fund.
They are doing work but aren't getting any return
A method for young farmers to be able to purchase land through a scheme that can be subsidised by Govt. eg. Land corp Land.
It is land that is currently covered in gorse
to maintain a farming lifestyle that teaches their children about life on the farm as this teaches children alot of good lifeskills
Towns expanding and taking this land for housing
increased regulatory pressure due to widening rural/urban divide; increased compliance costs without compensation/subsidies to offset costs
Stop leaching of water soluble nutrients into our waterways
Maintain and increase carbon in the top soil and stop land erosion
house and sheds, orchard, pig and chicken pens
continue to improve the land and native vegtation
Increased world demand on quality food products
Capital cost of land and many lifestyle farms being underutilized due to people buying them and not farming the land
selling the product overseas for more with less middle men. technology
People that have nothing better to do then critizise something they have no idea about. health and safety animal rights politics
We use all 6 hectares for farming and living/lifestyle. I could not go back to this part of the survey to correct it,
Surrounding bush is controlled by Waikato District Council Pest Control
I believe that this is the responsible thing to do.
Connecting with the diverse overseas markets with a small scaled bespoke operation and product.
Making a sustainable commercial model out of a small scaled operation that is tempered with environmental responsibility.
being allowed to continue farming without excessive regulation people understanding farming provides food
A & P Soc.       "Grasshopper"  rural guest speaker group
To fully develop the land,  to contribute to the economy without  causing pollution.
Lack of knowledge in managing livestock, pasture or horticulture.
Provide for birdlife and to reduce severity of run-off and to facilitate future upstream residential subdivision.
To improve the physical and mental health of children and adults.
Instructions and appropriate sized services.
Catchment Group, Irrigators reference group, Farm discussion group,
Science paving the way for more environmentally friendly farming practices that maintain profitability
Educating the urban population about where there food comes from and helping them to understand that most of us don't make a fortune.  Educating politicans who can't get there facts right and don't understand the process of farming or even the current environmental regultions that are in place. Removing the double standards whereby urban environmental pollution is accepted and rural pollution is seen as much worse.  Getting honestry around the water debate - the Maori name for the Selwyn river translates to  " river of gravel" - for Gods sake !!!
To make NZ completely self supplied first and foremost and then to increase export-with innovation we should not need to import basic agricultural goods from other countries
European is not an ethnic group.  Europeans can be a number of ethnic groups.
Horticulture, wine and preserving species rather than killing them.
Finding land.  Very few farms around under 50 acres and they are ridiculous prices.
Costs with general supplies. Costs for rates.
Compliance with standards and the costs associated. Its very expensive across the whole board..
I pushed the wrong choice on my type of farm which should have been livestock not lifestyle  Should have gone to specsavers;;;;
maintaining profitability while meeting environment requirements with all the documentation involved consents and audits and expense
Horticulture , to supply a growing population with food
Local body rates .They far exceed the value that can be produced from the land even when farmed as intensively as a lifestyle ( or as I prefer to call it small farm ) farm .
2 ha - Planted 3500 natives mainly to improve native bird life, lizard based sanctuary etc. We pest control cats, rabbits, hares
Dairy run off cattle, raising calves for slaughter profit gain
Dairy - worry that it is too much on the land. Im a full time Farm Manager (Sheep, Beef and Crop) and own the 22 ha of land that we run and plant trees my wife and I are of the same opinion about Dairy. All the trees for shelter of animals, birds and the protection of Canterbury from the N/West wind has been ripped out! A cost that the Muldoon Government spent in the 70's to protect Canterbury has gone! The concentration of Dairy is too much! For the land is..
Your previous question on pugging is uneducated.  Pugging can be largely avoided with sensible management which is now normal practice on most dairy farms
Grass based efficient production.  Unhindered by any arbitary, ill informed regulation
Better stock prices an hopefully lift on wool prices.Better marketing
endless opertunitys.bird farm .tree farms .subdivision.harvest production eg fruit veg
good water supply.forest damage to roads and drives.pollution from pine use.keeping rivers flowing naturally without eroding roads.getting fish back in water ways .stopping waitebaiting  one river /per year and seeing if that helps clean water ways
Being able to provide my family with food that we have raised.  Being able to wake up every morning and see our horses running free on the land.
Over regulating numbers of stock and use.  We should be able to grow hay to sustain ur animals if we wish to.
further subdivision to open up further land for lifestyle farming
Farmers market opportunities to produce specialised goods and making the most of the tourist $.
Water!! Preserving wetlands and trees. Competing with corporations and the additional charges imposed on small farmers because they are classified with the big companies. An example is water charges; 10 year resource consent, monitoring charges, dataloggers/telemeter charges, datalogger/telemeter connection. It's ongoing, a new fee arrived in the post this morning from Marlborough District Council for monitoring our stock & household water supply. This is not for irrigation water. And then there is the taking away of lifestyle through bird-scaring, sprays and frost fans (frostfans regulations have improved hugely thank's to a few lifestyle farmers who stood against the council and asked for and environment court hearing because the noise was well above acceptable levels).
Diversification to maximise full use of property
Remaining viable given the population growth on the Kapiti Coast
Manawatu Gorge closure, low population -= low demand, climate events = floods, droughts
Family Trust , I and my Lawyer are trustees
Fence off existing native bush along waterways
As a rule we don't use nitrogen , we just manage feed and grazing rounds to avoid this cost, and we aren't great believers in it
As the academics see no value in native forest areas , under proposed fart tax. ie I believe this property it in credit . We will be clear felling all bush areas once law changes and planting in trees that receive credits.
Greenies that don't understand farming. Like Jacinda Ardern, the tax lady , whom plans to illogically  sort out the house crisis as she sees it in NZ by introduction of capital gains taxes on farms and small business,.......... don't really see a connection between my farm and her perceived crisis , other that she is predaceous against farmers. She belittles work carried out by farmers , the property I leased in Taupo for seven years I completely fence all waterways. 550 acres This 1000 acre farm when arriving 14 years ago had no water ways fenced , last year we voluntarily fenced 9.5 kms of water, previous it was Fonterra compliant when we supplied 2015 , however we had an exception on the drystock area, so 1/3 which we milked on was complaint. We plan to fence a further 5 kms this season. She and her merry band whoms effluent freely flows into the waters around AKLD , and numerous urban settlements are the same don't seemly have a problem with this as their shit doesn't stink . But belittle farmers efforts and run us to the ground.
There is a lot of under utilised Maori land that could be put to better use
a chance for ordinary people to bring up their families being hands on and based around farming practices, animals , horticultural activities ...  Creation of small groups of eco villages where people are wanting to live of the land (and with the land)
Councils and Government failing to listen to the people and  council and government unnecessarily overstepping and making it difficult for people to maintain lifestyle and farming on own land ... seasonal weather challenge  and unsustainable farming practices like  huge dairying.,  Growing population = town invading  rural areas = people with lack of understanding of rural lifestyle wanting to impose 'city ideals ' in farming /rural areas = complaints over what is actually normal farming/rural noise, smells , activities in rural sector. World wide trends of Government/council changing laws that impact on being able to locally trade home  grown wares and self sustainability practices  ie veg .. imposing negative out dated or new rules on people trying to live in a sustainable way   (whilst still being eco conscious and who arent compromising  the land or rural activities) . The dismise of the larger farms and no longer  being able to be a country that can substain itsself ... ie .. continuing to sell of our large parcels rural land/farms to overseas interests and cutting up too many farms into smaller parcels ... although exporting is important it shouldnt be at  the expense of animal welfare -shitty farming practices (unsustainable or cruel, unnatural ways of breeding animals) . Community, Personal and social tolerance --- Social media can be a great tool but  better education for the wider community on farming practices particularly surrounding animals   - there has become a growing  practice of expressing unnecessary intolerance and almost hate for farmers and its fueled by both media and social media ..its often un balanced and often incorrect and is doing damage
To continue to improve the farming environment with best sustainable practices
the political climate and the rising mood against farming of all types
# The flexibility of having lifestyle block opportunities.  #To try to direct and keep the values and opportunities we have esp. by councils
# The encroachment of urban dwellings and lifestyle.  # The cities 'urbanised' attitude and rule changes against true lifestyle farming blocks.
Legislation - the time it takes a small one-man farm operation to complete all required legislative/paper work requirements.  Climatic conditions changing - Waikato is not "summer safe" anymore.  Dryer and hotter for longer.
We have a registered EPA with WBOP district council on the river boundary of approx. 3.5 Ha
Trying to make the most profit off the block without overstocking it. Maybe try and grow some new  intensive crops as land close to towns is running out.
Not letting all the productive land go into housing. Why not use less productive land? Ensuring that landowners do not get rated off their properties. Ensuring that farmers don't have to pay for water.
Good lifestyle and away from the city rush.
Dairy company development of value-add products
friendship waimate - both men's and women's groups New comers - for new people to meet and greet other locals.
lack or organisation and lack of contractors prepared to work on small blocks and/or having equipment that can
Waterway fencing. The ability to apply herbicides with close urban neighbours.
Convayor contractor tailing dipping and causal work
During wetter months all stock are under 200kg all heavy stock sold before winter use a 60 day rotation through winter
The area is grazed by sheep when  not full of water. Creek through our place  flows  once/twice a year
Partial degree - not really completed, is it?  I learnt a lot.  I complete it regularly in my dreams.
Catching up with the wider public's expectations re environmental use/protection and animal welfare.
Urban expansion across the Wellington Region - accessibility driven by Transmission Gully Expressway
Possibly housing dairy cows to meet environmental challenges and enable all year round milking. We are very dependent upon the ability of Fonterra to perform and to develop more products that require year round milk supply.
Environmental. Mitigating our effects upon the waterways. Gaining the respect and understanding of the non farming sector of the effects of food production upon the natural environment. The issue of the environment is overly emotive and needs to be kept to a science debate. Farmers need to accept the effect they are having and the non farming sector need to accept that farmers are actually doing something.
Large, old, established garden that is a haven for both native and non-native bird species as we keep Magpies and Miner birds out and they know it.
Shooting invasive, territorial bird species
To hold onto and maintain well, small parcels of good open land that might otherwise end up under houses. To create niche business opportunities that use the land and technology innovation well, if they choose.
A) The continuing spread of Yellow Bristle Grass, due to 1. bad practices and timing of District Council roadside spraying and scraping, 2. Ignorance and/or apathy on the part of landowners or leasee's, 3. Contractors (or sometimes just their drivers) who refuse/can't be bothered because you're just a little job - to clean down haymaking machinery after a previous job to help stop the spread of seeds from one property/area to the next. B) The invasion of other rampant weed species. I just graze my horses on our property, but with only 1.5 acres of grazing - where do they go if an invasive species requires me to re-cultivate/spray/close off my pasture? I simply have nowhere else so am therefore very vulnerable in that regard no matter how well I treat my own land. Reduction in border control by the Government due to budget restraints is merely going to reap a whirlwind. C) Myrtle rust. We have Pohoutukawa, Rata, Guava, and Kanuka on the property that luckily missed the recent outbreak (VERY lucky since we were within 1.5 k's of one of the main Taranaki outbreak sites). But I strongly disagree with the current plan of cut and bury infested plants. No one has stopped it yet worldwide, and I doubt we will. We need to allow the trees to be infected and develop their own immunity as was the case in Australia. Initial die-back has been replaced with the species fighting it out on their own naturally within 5 years. They should be left to do so. D) Urbanization coming out to meet us, and the resulting complaints from those who build their cute houses close to areas that use chemicals, that create smells, that make noise with machinery, etc - all of which they knew before they built, but didn't think about until actually living there. We have been here 15 years and in the last 12 months a neighbour has sold 6 1-acre blocks off their land across the road. We now have 2 complete houses and 4 under construction. Then there are all the 10-acre blocks that haven't been built on yet. The bigger danger is that they actually force local legislation changes that will severely curb a 'blockers' ability to operate their land for the purpose they intended. A good example of a similar issue is those chicken farms that, once built way out in the country, are now ending up virtually in suburbia and being forced to close down because the surrounding houses don't like the noise and the smell. Fair enough - I don't particularly like the chicken shed smell either - but who was there first, a long time prior to the houses??? E) Those who fit the "average" lifestyle block ownership shoebox". IE; those who love the idea, buy a property, over-populate it with animals they have no idea how to care for properly that suffer accordingly, and in the meantime they ruin the land through gross over-grazing and general mismanagement. Then after 2.5 years they decide it's all too hard and sell up leaving devastation in their wake. Call me biased but I hate those people with a passion! The rest of us who care diligently for our land and animals get tarred with the same brush unfortunately. But those who have had enough keep selling to those who just don't know it yet...and the cycle continues. F) Change in climate patterns - already well established and easy to see if you bother to look. Access to water in areas that are going to dry out will become a MAJOR. Who is going to care about someone with 5 acres if the farm next door with 400 is crying out for water? Grass/plant types that have been successful for 150 years may well fail due to conditions for growth becoming unsuitable - whether too hot, cold, wet, or dry - therefore what a region can grow/raise may be turned on its head. Those who fail to recognise this and adapt will cease to exist. This of course, may also create new opportunities where none existed in the past for those who are thinkers. A lot can happen in 10 years - we have witnessed so many climate-based changes in the last 15, and I rather get the impression that the speed of change is becoming a bit exponential.
Making the most of the land that you have.
Air B&B and planting lots in to exotic or native plantings
The biggest opportunities may come from realising the potential of these relatively small parcels of land to make valued contributions to the community, as well as providing the satisfaction of doing good/being productive, for the owners.
As farming becomes increasingly pressured by the needs of compliance, small properties may be squeezed out of farming by the sheer cost of such compliance.
Refining production in an environmentally friendly way to maximise use of lifestyl blocks.
Increased urban growth and a range of demands from urban population. Not just increasdd need for their food and water, but unreal expectations on farmers.
Weather. Tax. Staff. Payouts for dairy farmers. More 'red tape.'
Compost and lime only fertiliser used. Compost spread on arable areas only- not near waterways. Only pelletised lime used, drilled in with crops- not spread.
To learn what some of us already know, and that is that farming can be profitable and sustainable without irrigation. Practices that don't deplete resources, damage the environment or cost a lot can be employed to farm the Canterbury plains, differentiating in the market place from the normal follow the-so-called-leader mentality.
For the ones with CPW irrigation, to run profitable businesses! For the ones without, to learn how to farm the way some of us already know, truly environmentally friendly and profitably!
TDC lust to build oversize dam at ratepayers expense.
For me it's been all about subdivision lately and lifestyle previously
Possibly population growth,rates,rates and rates
Local grown & sold produce; meat, veg, honey, plants
Less livestock wasteage - lambs, ewes etc
profitabilty so not rely on capital gain
Producing small but high yield agricultural products
Polluted water supplies from inefficient intensive farming practices
High value opportunities in new crops and viticulture
Drought, negative impact of dairy intensification on public perception of district
Ability to grow our own food to feed our families. Clean air, less noise, space, and plenty to keep you busy. Sharing all of this with your family and friends.
Climate change, increases in costs (rates, insurance etc),  the regions obsession with growing grapes to produce a drug (wine), its sprays etc,  instead of food for the population.  Of course growing grapes is driven by a better financial return from the land which enables people to pay for the ever increasing costs of land ownership. Water quality.
i could be blind, didnt see the option of grazing land
only get the odd one passing through. Dogs n cats move them on. Sometimes trap and move on or terminate
Recreational riding club, though not a member of some organisations, always a contributor
Exploring alternative pasture management. Communal helping hands approach. Alternative power generation. Development and design for small scale farming practises and equipment etc
Restrictions and requirements that may be placed on smaller operations due to big operation short comings
diversity, permaculture, environmental care of the land
alot more use of mulch and building soil organic matter
Growing healthly organic food without use of excess water, synthetic fertilisers or chemicals.
Water, economic viability with increasing costs of inputs.
A sensible conversation around water quality and sustainable farming practice
Contract cash crops. Apple orchards.  Honey production. More intensive land use
Shortage of farm labour. Lack of some services in Wairoa
Create a environmentally sustainable people repeatable and animal respectful agricultural product to sell directly into high valued markets in US and Europe
Access to science around new techniques.  Branding and marketing techniques.  Access to capital to sell into overseas markets
Participate in the upcoming dairy sheep industry via rearing lambs and grazing dairy hoggets.
- Adjust to climate change. - Beekeepers are facing enormous pressure with overpopulation of bees.  Too many apiaries with too many hives on small areas with little foraging causes foraging stress and diseases in bees.   I am barely able to have 3 hives on our 3.4 Ha, because I am surrounded by commercial beekeepers leasing neighbour's land and holding way too many hives on there.   The whole Waikato has high AFB occurrence.   The beekeeping industry needs to develop and put out caps and quota on how many hives can be placed per area.
Not being able to carry out farming activities because of P C complaining neighbours.
The ability to grow fruit/ vege to be self sustainable . Fresh water !
Rates. Urban charges for services not recieved. Bad roading .
I consider that most life style  owners could better make better use of their land
increased variety of crops grown with use of irrigation  increasing profitability through sustainability
unfairness of proposed water taxes (infrastructure costs/water cost) understanding issues around water and acting on cleaning up our waterways urban / rural divide
Synlait Milk Lead With Pride Program. Gold Elite status
Streamlining and adjusting to changing environmental management
Shelter belts in native trees to increase biodiversity
Drought proofing farms through irrigation
Tourism and fruit tree and vegetable production.
The monopoly of grapes and the use of water for irrigation.
planted when we brought the farm.  Act as another source of income for previous farmer.
Improving methods so as to be able to pass these on to the next generation
We must learn to farm in a sustainable manner!!
We must learn to farm in a sustainable manner.
native plantings for shelter, and because we like trees .
just happy to do it on a piece of land not productive for anything else
production of produce from sustainable farming. smaller value added goods
Local and central government regulation and compliance
Growing high value crops on cultivatable land.  Reducing the 20 to 25% loss of lambs between scanning at 60 to 90 days of pregnancy and docking/tailing.  Better matching feed demand with livestock requirements to improve survival & growth rates & therefore efficiency of livestock production.
Environmental regulations; especially fencing of waterways on hill country and controls on fertiliser application.
proliferation of small blocks water supply
Become the bread basket of the city with growing crops.
Honey Production. Other small scale horticulture that can utilise controlled environments (hot houses, sheds) etc for say, mushroom growing, tomatoe growing. Reason is Auckland is close to a growing local market.
Traffic to and from the CBD and city transport hubs. Allowing land to be divided into less than 800sqmtre sections - eg Peak Village in Kaukapakapa allowed 57 sections, all less than 450sqmetres.
Establishing natives/gardens for guests to walk thru and meeting hand reared farm animals
The increase in awareness of the environment and possibility of supplying fresh food through farmers market and direct marketing.
Government - national and local - regulations. The cost of compliance is proportionally higher in a small scale operation
improved technology will improve efficincy
inaccurate and negative publicity and reporting on the state of farming and the waterways. Earthquakes, drought, etc are often not considered in the discussion of waterways and farming So many farmers are let down by the cowboys
Technology, the ability to measure,control,forecast ect. These technologies have to be intuitive and easy to use, robots are just around the corner and I can't wait for my  chance to get a robot tractor or sprayer.  Water storage is the best thing we can do in the Ashburton district in my opinion for the future,it will give us the security to take the pressure off ground water. Combine that with irrigation technology's we'll be looking pretty good for the next generation to come and take it too another level.
Political Every thing else can be achieved with good sound science and good communication between all the people involved in the use of water.
To grown healthy sustainable meat, fruit and vegetables.
labour profitability enviromental lack of services ie Health
finding a balance between nature and farming industry that is both profitable and good for the NZ dairy industry image around the world
water/rainfall has increased, flooding happening a lot in last 10 years. Managing this with hardly any to none impact on the environment is a challenge due to regular flooding and heavy rainfall
Improvement of productivity on lifestyle blocks through education and application of appropriate technologies
Possibility of increased costs through taxation, difficulty accessing markets, changing climate.
i make most of our discretionary income as an avocado harvesting contractor. our 3.6Ha property is mainly a great place to live and base the contracting from
from a profit point of view - subdivision
interference from agencies that don't know what they're talking about. i suspect, however, this applies to a whole host of business employers. it seems to me there is less and less incentive these days to be an employer.
Secondary School, Trade apprenticeship  Trade Certified
Working around compliance costs (Resource Management) restricts development and forward thinking
Climate change and the impact of intensive dairying to our waterways and rivers
Water tax's by irresponsible govt bodies. Over tax' by regional councils and offer no assistance in return. Nothing is there problem and they don't address pest plants when they first appear, to long in procrastination about control. Too many committee's  and consultants. Environment court a JOKE. If the perpetrator has big enough back hander out,  they give into the bad guys.  Little guys have no voice and it's going to get worse.
Changing to more sustainable practices.  Matching land characteristis to use.  Adding value to produce
grass fed production, low cost production
To consider change of land use, incorporating more horticulture into and agricultural farm....
......the issue of greenhouse gases and emissions, could be used as leverage by central govt to change landuse. Unfortunately central govt  have got to decide what they want from people who produce from the land.... they set targets for growth in agriculture, however how can farmers achieve these if they at the same time and at their cost have to mitigate the impacts of their business.
Ability to understand the the life cycle of animals and our food chain that other people prefer to remain ignorant to.
Elect a government that understands Farming specialty economic & the environment.
Being proactive on telling the great story of the farmer role in the environment we have skin in the game we are here for the long haul not just 3 years.
Growing your own food becoming as selfsusficient as possisible with food and water and energy .looking after yourself and others
Looking after our environment a way better than we ever have in the past .reducing consumerism.growing our communities as selfsusficient units live near where we work
to be the innovators and leaders in sustainable practice.
environmental restoration or cashing in by subdividing the land
maintaining the rural lifestyle by being driven out by zoning/land use changes by council, subdivisions, population growth
Climate/water/God help the rural sector if Labour get in to power on 23 September we will be taxed up to the eye balls.
inability to have stock processed locally
Sub-division of land.  Shortage of water.
Improving demand/prices for forest products Government policies favourable to the forest industry, eg building 100,000 houses Pastoral farming brought into the ETS scheme
Poor interpretation of the RMA and other legislation by local authorities Attracting new people to the forest industry Distance to markets
adoption of new technologies including robotics FTAs
climate change urban/rural divide central and local government bureaucracy
Iam a craftsman plumber and gasfitter.My wife is a quailified nurse
Media indoctrination of farmers as environment destroyers. Ihave just been shouted a pno crusie by our children.we told the  guests we meet we where dairy farmers.90% told us we where the sole problem makers to pollution.We have to produce more well being products for the likes of asthma energy sickness and human related remedies.Proactively show advancement in OUR environment.
As above image. In the future we will pay for water.Herd homes will be installed in 5 years.waste water injected in ground.Gas emissions charged for. milk solids broken up in to protein payments for medical use.a higher payment per ms.Farms will be more disireable futher away urban areas.Drones will play a important role in monitoring farm activities by farm staff and protesters.Water and waste water are to be major issues.Climate changes will change practices,new crops,less hooves on the ground.the young farmers will adapt .Old farmers will give up and retire selling farms to other than family. farm activites
Increasing wine grape production to produce high quality wines.
close to all facilities, great years for growth, very little change in rates,
water issues, urban areas expanding into country areas,
No upside to lifestyle farmers exist beyond and increase in property prices.
climate change, access to water for irrigation,city council arbitrarily changing land designations
The opportunity to continue to farm sustainably and sensibly without undue restrictions.
keep or restore the natural  environment
Noise complaints by new people to the country side
Utilizing the area and resources for niece businesses
learning to cope sustainably with climate change
Given the possible future cost of water, it would be the biggest challenge.
climate change inability of conventional farming to change
Sustainable living, self sufficiency, conservation
Increase the value of products produced and diversify products
farm and outdoors tourism, e.g. star gazing, farm visits,farmstay
Irresponsible development for short term profit and non-sustainable irrigation developments.
Wellness and Therapy for sport and companion animals
Creating a clean green image that will ensure tourism and visitors find us one of the better places to visit in NZ.  THis means no 1080 drops, no chlorine or flouride in water supplies, rivers swimmable and still have live fish in them.
Ground pollution, weather, too much dairying, roading is in awful condition, internet services poor, urban infrastructure in rural towns, animal welfare standards not well maintained in many areas, particularly factory farming situations.  Public perception of farming practices is quite justifiably becoming suspect.  Overseas owners of large commercial farms must be limited.
Being able to produce high-quality food for their family.
Rabbits are an issue although not a big one at present. We  have horses and the crack of a 22 spooks them - even with a silencer they spook so control is difficult. Link this to the fact that none of the neighbours actively manage the rabbits and you can understand our current suck it and see attitude.
NZ Horse Society or Equestrian Federation
Quality of life, developing popular niche markets,
Specialized production on a small, high quality scale
clearing scrub covered land to make it productive
is mainly gorse. Am using the gorse as a nursery crop for establishing native trees.
Lack of opportunity to discuss issues as a local group, in a non-confrontational, problem recognition and problem solving way. And having discussants with a variety of expertise to facilitate/inform those discussions.
Preservation/improvement of water and land quality.
An assured supply of water as proposed by the Waimea dam. Further horticultural development of pasture land given secure water Further development of kiwifruit as global warming makes some other regins less suitable
Poor district planning and urban encroachment on highly productive land Poor regional governance structure and lack of regional thinking on key infrastructure.
Developing offsets for emissions by shifting less profitable land into conservation, forestry, ,etc.
Balancing land use with the capability of the land they farm.
misunderstood the earlier question and can't go back to check my answer, no wetland or bush here, training race track etc. take up the ground, paddocks and barn stable complex
Ballet Teaching qualifications including NZAMD Advanced.  RAD Reg Teacher. Cecchetti Licienciate.
Extensive flooding probably main challenge
ewewon scheme. natural water streams and springs
Expensive to provide stock access as need a bridge over gorge and race / gorge fencing. Mustering difficulties
Farms need to be bigger  and managed with  skills- better to produce a good return
regulations changing. More compliance paper work.
My son and I and our wives lease the land off our Family Trust.
Excluding stock from wet or flowing gullies mainly only needed in winter.
We only graze the R1 (calves) through the Winter until the following end of May each year as R2 Heifers.                     We receive the new seasons weaned calves in November to January each year.
Generally just areas where creeks flow in wet winters or flood times only and areas where there are spring fed duck ponds and where oak and other trees exist.
Gaining access to world markets for niche seed crops for grain and seed production for arable farmers. Discouraging the importation, without penalty, of overseas imports where the NZ producer is forced to compete against meat and produce imported where grown and produced by direct or indirect subsidies and also inferior animal welfare codes and regulations that NZ farmers have to farm under.  The recognition of the role of Grain supplements in reducing cow emissions and yet increasing production by the dairy industry.
Gaining better access to our nearest largest market, the North Island, at more competitive freight rates. The rapidly increasing amount of compliance that is bombarding farmers. We are mostly family based businesses and can't afford to employ extra staff for this as we have no ability to pass on the extra costs. Also the same reasons given as opportunities also apply to the challenges
Establish a place where we can hold events and overnight stays in tents or caravans
To be more self sustainable.  To collaborate to grow crops and develop products on a regional basis.
To be competitive on a small scale.  Needs more collaboration, how can we pool our talents and resources to develop something on a regional basis, not try to work out how to do something on our own just using our own property resources.
I/we lease both pieces of land to a neighbour
To harness the genetic potential of their flocks by better feeding and ewe body condition.  To see red meat extolled and reap the benefits of a high quality product marketed correctly to the world.  To see NZ public in general understand that farmers want to be good custodians of the land and leave it better than they started with it.
Meeting water /environmental council requirements.  Public perceptions of farming from media
Technology - Drones, Implementation of programs like FarmIQ etc, to better use and manage the animals and the pasture they consume - to produce a more acceptable, more consistent and thus a more profitable product.
The Urban/Rural divide with it's consequent "Licence to Farm" implications.  The greater part of the population is far more interested in "pointing the finger" at the rural folk for their alleged animal welfare and environmental sins, rather than turning their attention to the appalling state of their own local environment, waterways and air quality.  Very few of our harbours and town rivers are swimable and virtually none are drinkable through urban sourced pollution (principally stormwater and sewage).  Ducks are the main source of E-Coli water pollution in NZ, yet Fish and Game constantly push the "DIrty Dairying" theme, and  protect their right to breed and foster the duck population for their own  sporting interests.
Pig Effluent used as 90% Fertiliser Required
People in Council who don't understand farming and getting in the way of sensible progress
Increased potential to expand our organic fruit & veg  & livestock production
Ability to find time/energy to make improvements to our production. (Hobby farm)  Fencing waterways.
Good climate for growing boutique crops, good access to city markets both north and south of district
increased rainfall and the infrastructure challenges it brings. Drainage and  increased animal and plant diseases due to wetter climate
Install a biodigestor plant to produce fuel, electricity, feed and fertiliser
To still have a taste of rural NZ, growing your own meat, plants etc. Having the space and maintain the 'kiwi life'.
There won't be enough lifestyle blocks available, people will not be able to buy them or have time to run them due to having to work.
Hurunui-Waiau Zone Committee, Hurunui District Landcare Group.
I simply like native tress and have planted then along the almost constantly running stream.
Trying to understand the activities of the MDC. They simply are out of control and in no way even try to understand the people they are supposed to be representing.
Apart from having to put up with the MDC I would guess that climate change will be the next biggest threat.
The high rainfall and low snowfall etc, allows for certainty of climate compared to a lot of places in NZ
Environmental controls; Finance restrictions; the rise of corporate farming squeezing out the small family operated farm; the urban demonisation of dairy farming in general does not allow future generations to be proud of their lifestyle and professional career choice.
The need for food, locally grown and of fantastic quality, Export Opportunities with Trade to various countries opening up.
Reverse Sensitivity, Loss of Horticulture land for development, Drought, Water Restrictions. labour hire for the Industry, training required.
Working out solutions to problems created by changes in legislation
Consolidating and or intensifying production
Competition for water.  A bureacracy (central, regional and territorial) that is blindsided by 'climate change' mantra as opposed to studying actual data and observing what is really happening as opposed to what people want politically to happen.
To make the most of their land, protect the environment, preserve native fauna and flora
There are too few of them actually on my farm to worry about
I am not so much involved, but regularly donate unsold fruit and vegetables, and other items of value, to the Salvation Army, in order that these can be donated to the foodbank for Marlborough's poorer residents, or sold to assist in supporting the hospice.
Gradual change in the priorities of both MPI and the Food Safety Authority, which will allow products such as hemp to be grown on a full harvest basis (ie, supply of hemp oil and seed for human food products and consumption); and more equitable sharing of water for germination and propogation of crops, rather than the first-come, first (and most) served basis, where the water is free to those with historical water rights and totally unavailable to others/mewcomers. This leads of course to wasteful use by those who have those rights, and inability for those that don't, to even consider certain, probably much more water-efficient, crops.
Lack of consistent climatic conditions, where drought will become more common, as will flood events, and similarly, more prevalence of frosts hand in hand with higher temperatures overall.
They are controlled in the native bush area
secure working environment and employment
We plan to establish a wetland dam in this area to encourage water foul to inhabit.
We will enhance the look of the area by planting suitable trees around the dam and wetland.
We also have a conservation gully of 0.7ha which has previously been planted in native trees to enhance the native scrub.
Improving productivity through the use of irrigation water, assuming the local irrigation scheme goes ahead.
Overcoming poor economies of scale to maintain profitability.
Ideal climate, especially with the availability of water and soil types to grow different varieties of crop. World leaders in many cases.
Stocking policy on hill country has changed to carrying lighter stock.
We also use a tractor pulled Slurry spreader that is used daily to take the solid effluent to parts of the farm that can not be reached by spray irrigation and are lower in nutrient levels.
To network with other lifestyle farmers for mutual benefit
Irrigation issues, council regulations and pest management
law (LlB), commerce and administration (BCA)
proximity of urban markts for sale of produce from smallholdings
intrusion of uninformed urban values into local government and community pressure groups
Climate change and poor transport options to export markets
Canterbury is not designed for dairy.  Putting in big water schemes won't change this.  Farmers will go bankrupt.  CPW keep changing the rules on farmers and they have no say.  Its all about a few people earning big money.
To enjoy a country lifestyle in easy commuting distance to the city
Residential expansion toward lifestyle block areas
Aesthetic, shelter belts, house, lawn and garden, trees for firewood, drains, native plantings.
Continue to enjoy the benefits of owning a small piece of land, being responsible about how the land is used, do what we can to protect and preserve the environment,
Being able to access contractors that are prepared to do small jobs.
School Cert; Pitmans and Chamber of Commerce examinations
one crossing that has access cost to bridge  would be 200 k only used3-4 times per month
Land is leased now not under my direct control but terms of lease require goodhusbary
Press  to remove solids and sprinkler irrigation
I like the native trees good for shelter visually appealing
I like native trees germs look good shelter
Change finding markets small scale limits freight  paperwork  health and safety labour
Continue to produce high quality food products for NZ and the world.
In the more arable flat land areas, lack of water.
To maintain the landscape and provide a diversity of novel crops.
Lack of water, environmental regulations,climate change
Commuting on substandard rural roads as more houses get built in rural areas and satellite towns. Less productive land close to Auckland as it gets taken over by houses.
Niche markets focussed on raising animals in such a way that maximizes their welfare
Smaller units do not always have adequate facilities or infrastructure to manage their animals in an efficient way.
Developing a mixed farming model that integrates several farming operations on the one farm. Move away from this monoculture farming style.  Growing more plant protein for export.
External pressures from pressure groups particularly punitive levies and tax. This could a huge effect on our district through and will limit available cash to make the environmental investments we must continually be spending on and upgrading. If you tax it then it slows the improvements.
cutting back on glycophospate sprays  , using solar equipment eg non fossil fuel tractors on the land.
Residential, recreation & ornamental gardens
Encroachment from urban areas, dairying intensification & associated leeching & runoffs, water quality.
to use new technology to lower costs improve environmental performance while increasing productivity
Regional Council unrealistic demands for environmental performance that are not science or fact driven. Iwi demands for payment for resource use based on mythical historical grievances - and mythical stories that romance the supposed environmental ethic of past Maori generations.
some of it is very steep country with big bush on it. Other parts are waiting to be developed.
More use of hi-tech methods and  equipment. Fine tuning
Adapting to change . Using  badly built and maintained roads.New  rules and regulations
Entrepreneur farming organisation; Rural Women; Federated Farmers
getting past the bullshit that is "Climate Change"
hand brake by the wankers that promote "Climate Change" as a major issue
Adding value to property and for shelter
Volunteer developing and planting local reserve
Develop their properties more intensively
Developing their properties more intensively
Land being uneconomic to farm therefore main income not from block.
Government legislation, consumer market forces/technological food innovation
Nutrient management/water management requirements imposing on established farm practice. Loss of property rights and enjoyment to "officialdom". The disincentive to invest capital in risk ventures on farm when politicians just want to manage and tax free enterprise
Weeds....gorse + broom, nothing's being done + large farmers are getting their multi million dollar payouts as pension when they sell up their inherited farm and their properties are filled with weeds Topsoil loss....no conservation tillage by these same trad. farmers who "do it the way it's always been done" Old farmers' children not wanting the farm dad sells for millions, but they want the $'s
I have my own environment and farm management plan based on all the above, for our business benefit and for dealing with regional councils etc.
We graze appropriate stock classes to country ie sheep on steeper land.
The land that contains minor water ways is steeper and only grazed bu sheep who dislike going into streams
Our family is committed to keeping our bush for future generations.
To get the complacent farmers to improve their policies and management, to get both better profits and a lower environmental footprint.  Bring the bottom half in performance up to the top half.
Compliance regulations imposed on farming based on ignorant and ill informed people outside our industry, mislead by an equally ill informed, ignorant and biased media and often totally lacking any scientific basis!   The science around the environment, animals, food,  is developing all the time, and hard to keep up with for us in the industry.  Many urban people hear only a fraction of this then jump to conclusions that result in biased media reports and eventually poor out of date regulations.  Many urban people fail to make the connection that reducing agriculture will reduce the countries economy and our ability to pay for health, education, superannuation etc. So in conclusion the biggest threat to commercial farming is the general population not understanding our industry, and its place in our economy.
water allocation. wilding pines. pest control.
Mainly for native birds and bee's ,as well as just enjoying native tree's,climber's and shrub's
Having a small specialized business . Being able to grow your own food
Very tuff rules  and a lot off confusing paper work around selling certain food's,eg cheese ,milk products , food products
Public perception of farming. Too many tourists esp. freeloading campers. Ill conceived environmental regulations.
land subdivision for housing( although this is of no interest to me)
climate and cost increases for inputs cf revenue
single storage pond low application of effluent with solids at same time
To understand how to farm sustainably and to work with climate change impacts.
To minimise runoff into waterways and reduce the impact of dairying on the land and water
Water supply and the Marlborough district council
Identification of the true extent of water resource
QE11 covenant protects waterways and environment
trade off between irrigation and water quality
There is no wetland but there is good biodiversity. I indicated area not being used for productive purposes.Sorry, answered earlier question incorrectly.
Continuing to supply our markets with the world's best beef and sheep meat  products.
Dealing with anti farming lobby groups such as Peta and actively promoting the benefits of grass fed animal protein against 'test tube' synthetic product.
close to a growing urban environment  - marketing an selling direct to this customer base.  Land will be utilised for residential subdivision and or tourism
Urban sprawl with associated subdivision opportunities
Urban sprawl with associated stray cats and dogs
Please note: Half way through this survey you (ie the program) changed my area from Matamata-Piako district to Thames Coromandel district! Please note that all my responses apply to the Matamata-Piako District, which is where I am farming.
The widening gulf between rural and urban attitudes to, and aspirations for farming. Impractical and unrealistic demands on farmers to change their management practices. Interference from regional council employees who do not understand what happens on farms (and don't want to understand). The "capture" of agricultural research by commercial interests who distort research results for their own purposes, resulting in a total mistrust of agricultural research by some farmers and a naive acceptance by others, neither being good outcomes.
As part of an agreement with F & G in order to get their backing for a permit application with the Otago Regional Council
Don't expect to sell/lease any of my farm
Water harvesting to enable more land use intensification -
The planning process to allow for water harvesting
TO MANY REGULATIONS AND RED TAPE ,RATES TO HIGH FOR WHAT WE RECIEVE
adopting to climate change and growing varieties of kiwifruit that are suitable
being sustainable and less polluting - regaining our clean-green image
To look at other low cost, low input produce farming to ensure produce is available and land is not lost to production.
Neighbouring blocks of land not being used for production and/or being overtaken by contractors who convert properties to hardstanding areas or others who build factories.
we have trees for coppicing and shelter plus adding to the biodiversity
It is only a just under 1 acre block with 350 roses growing just for pleasure
Property is too small as pest control is done by larger land owners around us
Fishing Industry Obtain certificate of Skipper Deep Sea Fishing Vessel Which I still hold through the ringed system
The ability to subdivide the land into town sections as we live inside the town boundary?
Increasing costs and government imposed rules
Environmental pollution and temperature increases
No opinion on this - we tried grapes but block too small to be economically effective even if it was  reasonably financial.  Difficult to get work done by contractors at appropriate times so we pulled them out.
Lifestyle blocks being too small for acceptable economic activity.
Irrigation brings prosperity, jobs, and security to a region. New growing opportunities will arise from Selwyns increasing irrigation footprint. I think largely these will lie in the crop, seed and prodcue area.  I think the days of wide scale dairy expansion are fairly close to being over in the Selwyn district.
The anti farming hysteria that currently surrounds " intensive" farming and irrigation has the potential to sway sensible decision making at both national and regional government levels. I believe  the greatest risk to agriculture is when environmental mitigation decision making gets thrust into the hands of politicians with a populist agenda, rather than science based practitioners. The rural community has to stop hiding it's light under a barrel, and get much better at communicating it's positive stories.
Only organically approved fertilizers used
Just planted some fodder willow tree belts
Profitability & environmental management from diversity
Fear of change, attitudes, market changes like competition from synthetic products, perception of farming from others driving regulation,
unfortunately capital gain from the sale of farm for subdivision
Government both local and central, urban misconceptions about farming and the lack of understanding a the amount of waste they generate.
Caring for the environment, education of Lifestyle farmers as most have poor knowledge on animal husbandry
Being able to have a good lifestyle and be close to all facilities. Close tyo local markets
Good fertile land being turned into housing sub divisions
Introducing more technology that will free up time to enjoy farming life more, increase profitability and and mitigate environmental impact. Increasing awareness of the work farmers do. We are farming so you don't have to. You can go to the supermarket, buy your food and concentrate on what you are good at and enjoy.
The introduction of synthetic foodstuffs and the need to market our dairy and beef products as something special.  The ever increasing divide between demands of our consumers and farmers as the direct link to farm life becomes more generations away.  Motivated staff retention. The work is repetitive and not easy.  The compliance industry.
to be able to produce in high rainfall Sounds area
It has a dressage arena, stabling and a dwelling
Equestrian Sport New Zealand equine management
With the new expressway Horowhenua Lifestyle properties will be in demand by those moving into the area as it gets closer to Wellington. Land subdivision opportunities will increase. There will be an opening for tourism including accommodation ie B&B, farm stays etc. Increased opportunity for selling local produce
With the expressway there will be demand for land suitable for building/developing.
Dairy company incompetence. This is the dumbest survey I've done in years.
Diploma in Agricultural at Lincoln College Diploma in Farm Management at Lincoln College
Dairying because you have a 12 month cashflow
Livestock officer. Agriculture Quarantine Animal Welfare Inspector
Land value increase. Native tree planting
Clean up our poor dairy practises and water pollution. Fencing to keep stock away from clean water sources - rivers Policies to clean up air quality
Water quality and continued pollution from poor dairy practises  -as per current National Party policy and encouragement.  This needs urgent regulation and to be stopped. Current government support of poor dairy farm practises ...encouragement !!
Manawatu is one of the easier areas of country to farm; temperate with few extremes and generally reliable rainfall. It should "weather" any future climate change reasonably well.
Over zealous regional bylaws and regulation
Increase of population hence more buyers of product
Dairy Industry concerns, animal welfare and environmental change
To become organic and keep the waterways pure
Not to get bogged down by bureaucracy and to use the least lethal sprays that are necessary.
ability to become self sufficent if required
No bush or wetlands, just paddocks and gardens
we are a 100 percent export business.  Our move away from traditional European markets has opened the door for our future with new customers and new products.  The demand is untapped for us in the food arena and limited only by our own internal enviromental (includes social) contstraints.
Workforce scarcity and commitment.  Urban pressure and our social license to farm profitably.  Environment and subsistance agriculture can co exist without regulation.  Commericial/profitable agriculture needs implicit understanding by ALL stakeholders to survive and prosper.
Growth of farmers markets for local produce
Extensive building and tourist activities
Fantastic soils and availability of water, good science, good farmers
Govenment decisions, taxes, complience, urban divide.
production of synthetic meats, so that those wanting to buy "real" meat will be prepared to pay a premium and have good animal welfare for the meat animals
falling prices for produce and greater costs, climate change population pressure on farmland, cost of land
Control of food systems, but need better understanding of animal husbandry esp. shelter
Climate change, atypical temperatures, seasonality changes bringing different disease threats that people aren't ready or looking for; managing water.
Niche marketing of specialist livestock breeds to the public through farmers markets and other places for their meat and other products.
Too many regulations, compulsory costs with no benefits.
The Life Style. That's why you buy a Life Style block.
Cost of Rates, Insurance. Local Authorties regulations and Health & Safety issues.
Regulations and compliance. Anti farming sentiment
River,stream and all paddock drains have been fenced off 30 plus years.
As we are rolling to hilly contour we have a number of spring and seepage areas that are fenced to exclud stock.
As we graze only yearling cattle only during winter we can normally minimise damage,
Multi pond with land application,as the serve a set of cattle yards with only occasional use there is not a high volume of effluent to deal with.
Majority of farmers in MP farm responsibly and just need to keep fine tuning and making incremental  improvements in sustainability .
People making unsubstantiated allegations on farmings practises, I.e tarring everyone with the same brush!!!
Use of environmental plans as a planning tool. Incorporate precision agriculture techniques. Use of genetic selection to improve production and management traits. Aim for fewer total stock. Improve the farm environment to reduce stress on stock and workers. Will be more productive. Digital recording and management. Training needed.
Compliance costs.  Stress from having to meet compliances.  Lack of public appreciation for the job they do.  Issues arising from climate extremes (change?) Unmanaged lifestyle blocks,infected stock, weeds, biosecurity.
Garden, veg and fruit for own use, growing trees, making the property a  healthy environment again. Also for a small flock of pet sheep.  Creating wetland and native plantings.
For its intrinsic value. It belongs to no one and should be protected in its own right.
I want to fence the forest but cannot do that at the moment so the sheep are out into fenced paddocks if they start to go into the bush.
BAppSc landscape management (Landscape design)
all opportunities will be lost with a labour government.
Gaining knowledge for the peculiar challenges that accompany small numbers of animals, co-ordination access to specialised services e.g. shearing and docking etc
the attitude of a vocal minority of NZers to farming environmental regulations and farming under limits proposed taxes on water, etc.
Food production - vegetable and meat organically
Town peoples lack of understanding of farming practices.
Council maybe forcing use out to make way for larger farms/commercial enterprises or housing.
Farming Alpacas for their incredible fibre.
it is land that has never been felled and we want to keep it that way
pretend meat, low wool prices, anti meat campaigners, urban blaming of everything on farmers-anti farming feeling
Deforestation effects do not fit with our farming ethos
Don't store effluent but have a nutrient buffer pond.
Targeting efficient management, and new technologies.
Markets/climate, and coping with uniformed public opinion.
to improve the provenance around the product. Target end users. Be more transparent. Be proud.
missguided anti rural sentiments often pushed by anti agricultural interest groups such as SAFE.
Detective Chief Inspector High school teacher
in my mind we all have to size down with the need to make money - everlasting GROWTH will drive our planet ... no "ourselves" into the ground. Let's maintain our environment and live more.
Profitability..compliance...property tax, local Govt rates, income tax. Insurance costs.
Use the land successfully and not to abuse it.
We have a small stream that flows through the corner of our place and this is a wet swamp area stock can graze it
To make more money off the land and eat more of what we produce
We have land and natural resources but need to ensure that we look after them and manage their use, ensuring that we do not overexploit them for the sake of making more money.
Preserving our water quality and usage; Not selling our farmland to overseas investors
Growing markets and more restrictions on supply should relate to higher prices for those left in the industry.
public perception regarding farmers` environmental performance will translate into more compliance costs
Stock will be excluded again once forestry slash resolved
Take advantage of the scientific advances available
gps planting and spraying2017 . automated spray monitoring.2005
improve the land use as a steward of the land. foster native birds
To  adopt  better  sustainable  long  term  farming  practices which  minimise  the  impact  on  the  land  and  environment
Changes to irrigation rules, quotas, taxes.
Working profitably whilst looking after the land and waterways for all future generations to follow.  For this we need all the relevant governing bodies to be onside as well and clear and transparent about what assistance is available.
Rural Urban division and ignorance.  Rogue farmers giving the whole industry a bad name. Weather changes.
Used for owners' houses and gardens, machinery sheds & storage, grazing of house-cow, and woodlot
Hares, rabbits and rats present but don't have an economic impact; possums rare (we have a possum trap set but have not caught one for years)
High value/high health food products exported around the world. On-going adoption of new technology and processes for improved profitability and environmental performance.
Lack of understanding by NZ urban population of farming and food production and its place in society, environment and economy. Fast pace of change in technology and regulation. Pressure to produce more (more product per hectare) to feed growing world population on one hand while, at the same time, pressure to produce less (less intensive) to reduce environmental footprint. Inadequate protection of high value productive soils - urban expansion leading to loss of productive land.
Just keep doing what I'm doing but with view to becoming more efficient.There is a water way I intend to fence off and plant out along with reviewing fert and grazing to be able to reduce stock numbers but maintain profit. Pugging is my single biggest problem.
Twenty Seven years service to my country. Both Military training and experience which hold no known recordable documents.
Tidy up existing practices, less intensive farming, animal welfare and WATER CONSERVATION along with CLEAN WATER WAYS.
the whole world is needing more food and we in NZ grow food.
resource management act and just being allowed to farm the land. change in milk price. changes in climate
Use sale $'s to invest in different land class .... Sheep & Beef.
Viticulture - increasing world demand Vs limited supply of land & water.
1. Vit.- Seasonal labour; 2. Biological risks (e.g. PSA etc.) 3. Environmental compliance; 4. Rural - Urban divide
Grazing of certain stock for classes of land
Achieving close to self sufficiency with food, heating . Enhancing the land with planting trees & protecting waterways Connecting with local rural community which gives resilience in times of adverse events to look out & help each other. Local hall ensures good neighbourly interactions.
Adverse weather events. Ensuring we don't lose our rights to farm our land in the way we think fit.  Public thinking they have access to pass through your land to get to public land with no consultation. Rustling stock.
create income off their block rather than grow weeds
Too much regulation. It causes huge stress.
Preservation of rural land from overdevelopment, especially from holiday housing
The need to protect the land and not contribute to its degradation or degradation of nearby water sources
Efficiency which will provide out comes beyond what would have been expected from the size of the holding
Costs placed by local government and inappropriate legislation/ compliance from central government
Continue to upgrade and maintain the land, enhance the productivity with in reason..Also  hopefully source a reliable water source at reasonal expense and required.
Ability to maintain costs/audit re meeting all requirements to being a good guardian of the land.Ongoing increasing pressure to subdivision and varying will or ability of people to maintain control of pests and weeds especially in absentee land owners and speculators.Upgrading of infrastructure and maintain a peaceful existence in the rural area close to increasing developments.
To build on our reputation of producing top quality food for the world. Moving towards organic
Dairy Farmer has land next door with an area of stones next to beach,in wet weather events he take cows there and feeds silage for a day or two until rain events over.
On advice of agromist @ times & judgement.Often senors say many paddocks require irrigation,then it is a judgement call as to what crop will give best return from a round of irrigation.
To Improve irrigation reliability Maintain good overseas markets
compliance costs time it take to be compliant lack suitable applicants for positions advertised the complexity expected with above -at same time as actually having to do physical work very little time for a work/life balance-potential for burnout very real.
We have formed three ponds in an area that was previously swampy.  It is not free flowing but it doesn't become dry in the summer 7 most of all the three ponds look beautiful.
Environmental stewardship and regulations that are pitched against agriculture.
Ensuring that the farm is an economic unit
Enviromental right to farm and profitability
NOT MUCH  OPPORTUNITIES - TOUGH TIMES AHEAD
THE MILKPRICE IS NOT sustainable AND FARMERS HAVE TO PAY BACK AND GET RID OF THEIR DEBTS.
Hemp farming could be very important and personally cultural tourism and rare breed specialty breeding.
The ability to provide a clean food source.
Greenies - they are having a far greater imput than should be allowed.
Integrating with urbanisation. Training townies about animal welfare. Because of ignorance they often manage animals badly.
The chance to try different ways of diversifying on our block of land
Extreme weather events due to Climate change
Feeding the world when production is going to limited by increasing environmental restrictions.
Competing against subsidised overseas production.
It is manage as a wildlife sanctuary, has been trapped for 40 years and guess enjoy the bird live.
I have Whio breading within my boundary's and trap to help them. I would like Kiwi to be release within the blocks and as it is a rich young podocarp forest it could support Kakapo also. The site of a number of historical site also and the building of a stop bank to protect these site has been very costly but worth it.
Planting of exotic specie to provide quick shelter and overhang for nesting birds,some are nectar bearing also and for erosion control.
I operated a number of NZED power stations and was the last West Coast operator for Transpower before automation took over.From Electrical fitter to the operation of Bemore Power house both AC & DC links and all their  courses.. .
Environmental restrictions on stock in water courses
the ability to take advantage of new and emerging industries and management styles
Not losing too much control to government organizations, Tax, and clean water..
Linking up restoration efforts. Self sufficient production of food/honey/veggies.
Increasing costs of buying land or building limit options for new owners or upgrading properties.
Keep working on long term sustainability in the dairy farming sector. We have our son share milking on the property so will be looking to improve and trial new ideas for sustainability.
Environmental issues are the biggest challenges but I'm sure with science backing our efforts we can continue farming and continue to reduce our detrimental effects on the environment.
Having more streamlined distribution options from farm t to customers at the top end restaurants
Ongoing compliance and bureaucracy expenses that hard working farming families have to absorb
Grow their own health food for families and friends
Weather and Regional Council not managing the rates they receive in a manner that is beneficial to all rate payers.  Country rates get chewed up by bigger towns and not spent in small towns where its needed. Need to bring back Borough councils again so money can be keep in country areas where its desperately need.
Preserve and protect existing and planted native fauna and associated flora
NZCE plus numerous international certificates including UN diplomas
Not many. Councils seem hell bent on rezoning and then taxing lifestyle farmers through capital value rating systems on business investment. Stealth taxes will be worse if Labour prevail.
Increasing land values... subdivision opportunities
Cost of compliance - food, health and safety, and then competing with cheaper imported foodstuffs from unregulated sources. Government compliance with global manufacturers not wanting to support small sellers at Farmers Markets,
Feeding the increasing world population.
Remain profitable facing Envoiriment concerns
to maximize safe productive ecologically friendly farming practice across all types of farming
maintaining financial stability to be able to sustain living on not necessarily productive blocks of land
smaller operators may be able to diversify easier to try different options.
Health and safety for small holders. We have to look at the environment to see what will work for the future.
Don't own nor want to own a gun. Traps and bait could be hazardous for young family members. Also no significant damage being caused.
Improving land by planting natives for shelter, erosion , climate change and asthetics.
Water availability. With dramatic increase in dairy conversions on what has historical been sheep farm land the number of wells drying up over summer is increasing each year
to become organic and live up to NZ clean green image that is sadly lacking today
disruptive technology  water quality loss of societal licence to operate - incl to rake & use water
Stopping harmful spraying, using more friendly fertilizers and looking after waterways!
Earning sufficient off-farm income to enjoy the lifestyle
Used a weekly irrigation system except when sufficient rainfall occurred.
Do not have commercial systems installed most watering was by wild flooding through a pipe system as we only had a dam in place for a short time before selling.
School Certificate, partial completion LLB.
To think outside the square for their respective district and see if other agriculture activities could be set up other than sheep, beef, deer and dairy.
Takeover from corporate farmers. Increased government regulations, climate change.
Setting good example best-practise wise for land management, corridors for native bird species through native bush extension/protection
Not knowing and/or being equipped in how to care for land, vegetation and animals, especially in face of more frequent adverse climatic events
We have five farms - five systems - storage 5 to 60+days
We are likely to change more productive land to environmental protection works
Protect and enhance the natural environment
Add value to existing products;  Take complete control of the value chain - farm to consumer.
Meeting environmental challenges - compliance Government - Regional & National compliance requirements across all aspects of operation - not just environmental - water, drainage, building, staffing, housing, animal controls/standards etc
That's the curtilage plus shed and yard area for the sawmill and  log and sawn timber storage area.
Possum control programmes have been done in neighbouring bush, which is in a QEII covenant belonging to the neighbour. Re-infestation has been minor since this stopped. Rabbits and hares seem to be controlled by hawks adequately. WE recognise that we may need to start active control ourselves at some stage.
Developing new crops/products and management techniques.
1.  Poor economies of scale   A)Requirement to have off-farm income to sustain the smallholding business B) you need just as much equipment to run a smallholding as to run a larger  farm  - so we are overcapitalised for our size C) compliance cost  if/when requirements to meet riparian fencing and other environmental protection requirements are applied 2.  Impact of neighbours, who may not be farming their lifestyle blocks   who 1.may be unsympathetic to noise etc from a working farm, and 2, un-cooperative with issues such as maintaining boundary fences,  and stock and pest control  on their land  so that weeds,  pets,   other animals,fallen trees etc  don't cross the boundaries. Linked to this is the impact of land use zoning and rating changes applied by local authorities.
I really dont kow how many opportuitis there are unless people change ways of farming as dairy seems to be taking over on land that is not suitable
last year we suffered a drought and a good few people in my area have had to sink new wells as water levels had depleted  i had to invest in a bigger pump ,also the local river was in a dire state but the new dairy complex a small distance from me kept irrigating. Challenges are competing with dairy for water in drought seasons
trade off with environment Waikato where they took the river bank as well as the bit we taped off. also the water ponds and has not been ditched properly. Another part, EW's trees blocked the drainflow and the middle of the paddock is turning into a swamp and they will not answer my phone call or emails
I am hoping to replace the drainflow pipe. it is not non farmed but it is wet.
to do want I want on my land with my animals and plants. to grow things that I can eat.
every other bastard/do gooder/ government agency trying to tell what I can and cannot do on my land.
anti farming movements and left wing politics
Reducing & replacing labour costs with technology, emerging new markets in Asia,
Environmental expectations by the public, possible charges for water, retaining skilled labour on farms, increasing local government (district council) rates,
Shelter belts and builds, stock yards and farm tracks.
Our acreage is bare land.  One Avocado tree is annually raided by possum.
Restrict livestock type Maintain long round in summer
compost pad with leachate storage and sprinkler system
Allowing native vegetation to regenerate
certify more land as organic Convert barns in to storage units
Fonterra Farmers Organic Advisory Group Dairy Goat Industry Farm Focus  AdvisoryGroup
Adapting their mindset from quantity to quality Understanding biological cycles and the importance of harmonizing with natural rhythms eg clover
Adapting mindset from quantity to quality Making a profit and getting debt levels down,  Not letting debt control the lives.
Plant trees. Get stock off the hill country. Look further ahead.
To change their thinking about how they farm. Look for win win plans.
Small scale forestry, horticulture, boutique cheese
High rates burden, and too much red tape.  We can't get carbon credits because we are too small.  I think smaller properties have a lot to offer, but lots of policies get in the way
If we earn enough money to provide for our families and future farming generations then we have a great opportunity to do some fabulous environmental work but at present it is hard work finding the money to do this.
I think we need to be farming smarter - use of technologies think forward. Making a living that means we can adopt these costly technologies that in the end will make us better and more sustainable farmers. The attitude that farming is the root of all degradation of the land needs to go, farmers need to feel good about the work they are doing, enthusiasm  feeds off positivity. Farmers have adapted for generation and can continue doing so.
Pollution and other adverse affects from intensive farming practises
Adapting to new crops as the climate changes
Would like to do weed control, no spraying allowed
Keeping their production at present levels so they can make profits as payouts go up.
The environment. To much has been developed for a capital gain. Others owning wetlands and bush have been punished for what dairy has done, with SNA's and Schedualed Wetlands. Courts and lawyers to make plenty in the years to come.
Recruiting good staff !!!!!!!!!!!  There is no-one out there in the younger generation coming through to take the place of those of us who are retiring.
Be better organised and add value to product directly
Keep animal numbers low. We do not farm intensively.
We do not use fertiliser at all, or supplement feed. We Keep animal numbers low.
Take advantage of our clean green image.  Create value added products, create specialised products e.g organic / grass fed, natural that the rest of the world wants. We always follow what other countries do instead of paving our own way and using our own innovations. We should also look at the practices of Europe rather than Australia and the US (unnatural farming) where there is far more innovation happening.
Lack of Innovation in government and companies like Fonterra Lack of Biodiversity  Debt Environmental changes  Too much reliance on dairy farming  Factory farming
Exclude stock from a stream before it leaves the property
Wine and Food Festival - on the Board and Site manager
Meat differentiation from synthetic products.  Productivity gains through improved science Nutrient management throgh science
ETS Synthetic meats Public opinion through social media where they believe everything they read without checking facts Nutrient management in a reasonable time frame
Don't know at this time as our trees will still be growing. Farming in general is not my subject.
Challenges that farmers will face in the next 10 years would be training staff, keeping staff ,Health and safety, climate and working within the environment
Local dog trial club, Southdown Sheep Society
Local dog trial club, Southdown Sheep Society, local A&P Society
New technology, genetics and crop alternatives
The rise of synthetic meat, opportunity and threat.
Trustee committee local memorial hall Community law
Adapting farming to account for climate change that cannot be mitigated
Being able to maintain lifestyle without intervention from government local and central organisations
Drought and loss of farmland due to development
I think sheep farming will be very profitable and because sheep are environmentally less harmful than cattle, sheep will be regarded higher value.  I also would like to see soil carbon sequestration being valued under pastoral production, as particularly on hill country and on volcanic ash soils like where I farm, carbon levels are increasing, whereas most dairy farming and cropping/arable farming soil carbon is being lost.  I also think there will be  a swing to 'biological farming' principle which will be recognised world-wide as being better both environmentally and for food products produced off the land.
The environmental challenges in farming hill country as far as sediment and E Coli losses go as this is hard to achieve on medium-steep hill country like my property.  I also think artificial meat/milk produced in labs will be a big economic challenge for NZ to market into. Veganism is another threat to livestock farming as organisations like Greenpeace and PETA have a feral radical element who do not mind violating property rights and privacy fighting for their cause of trying to stamp out livestock farming, and use 'fake news' and pseudo scientific claims to bolster their cause and funding.
Capturing the added value of pasture based livestock systems
Recognition of the implications of major changes in the science of human nutrition
Bad weather (wind, frosts, storms),  shortage of water and sunlight.
Harvest bulb crop to feed out on pasture. Aerate paddocks to reduce overland water flow and erosion.
GPS variable rate section boom on boom sprayer used for herbicide application.
Retiring marginal ground for exotic/native forestry
Capturing (and receiving!!??)value from distinctive and unique nutritional qualities as a result of pastoral (grass) farming.
Continued poor rural leadership and industry governance. Continued industry fragmentation. Climate change, diminishing non-renwable resources, and sustainability. Public perception. Cellular food production.
Further subdivision compromising use of the land, causing price of land increase beyond the reach of people who truly enjoy the rural environment.
Voluntary involvement in Significant natural area programme with MDC
embrace technology and work on supplying niche high end consumers. engaging directly with the customer for a win win
Politics allowing Bureaucratic driven regulation written by ill informed populism
Understanding their contribution to improving land and water management practices across a large range of environmental qualities
improving land and water management practices across a large range of environmental qualities, particularly water and natural habitats
climate change and enviromental  compliance
housing Trust.  Budget service. Hall committee
Adapting to climate change,  adding value to exports
Not recognising climate change impact.  Not adding value to primary produce exports.  Overseas ownership and profits not being locally reinvested
Diversification, eco tourism, fossil fuel descent, passive solar, organics
Fossil fuel costs, agri-chemicals, water quality decline, curmudgeon commercial farmers, soil biomass loss
Community organisation to promote the area, enhance the amenities and lobby for improvements that benefit the local area
Planting trees and gardens that support the bees and birds, when the green deserts of large farms offer nothing.  Creating an ambient place to live and enjoy life.
Over zealous councils inflicting urban controls on rural land. Water regulation if you don't have a well, as 2 units is not enough for a family, stock and trees. Even when you do have a well if you are down stream from a dairy farm you have a problem in that your well may be sucked dry.
will be cleared and turned into native planting in the future
sustainable use of the land to make it pay for itself
To target crops that satisfy consumer demand for clean fresh non animal foods.
Environmental and animal welfare push back from consumers
rising land prices making people reconsider lifestyle opportunities as they income or benefits from lifestyle are far outweighed by cost
No I indicated they made up 0 hectares...we dont have any non-farmed land
Diversification and considering what other options they have over normal farming
Engineering Education Online, Hunting Shooting Clubs, Museums. Research NZ History. Author
That depends on owners of lifestyle blocks , and if they manage the land ?
Ecan will be the hardest people to work with, and Govt law changes for farming
Imported pests, and resistance of indigenous pests to management
prove to the non believers that we are good custodians of the land
Even a small holding can provide food for family and to give away, besides running one or two animals.
Are we prepared for drought times, and can we prevent fires like those seen in California and Europe? Have we got the water supply to cope with more and more lifestyle blocks? Should water be saved from all city housing? (Maybe it already is?)
lack of understanding of farmers as the number increases of people who have no contact with farmers or farming
To increase production to keep pace with the ever increasing demand for high quality, environmentally sustainable, and safe food. To lead the world in cutting edge agricultural and horticultural technologies.
Legislation to curb agricultural production based on mis-conceptions and uninformed mis-guided and false propagada from certain sectors of media which is based on unfounded allegations and factually lacking concepts designed to invoke emotional rather than rational reactions. Proposed water taxes which will render most irrigated farming unviable unless these massive costs are passed on to the end consumer.
becoming more efficient at producing farm outputs.  creating closer relationships with end users. using new technologies to improve farm outputs precision agriculture becoming cheaper to install on-farm
remaining viable in the face of environmental requirements to reduce nutrient losses on-farm public demands to tax water use on-farm governmental/ lobby group demands to reduce dairy/ beef farming  remaining commercially viable increasing scrutiny of all farm practices  finding ways to pass on the farm to the next generation of a farming family
Export, in terms of poultry export NZ has huge advantage as we are free of some major poultry diseases.
In terms of poultry, it will be feed price as raw materials are imported so supply security and quality of raw material can be challenging due to climate change in major grain producer countries.
Protect five or six distinctly different  pristine native environment types eg Native bush, cushion bogs, snow tussock association, sphagnum moss bogs, trotect native falcon nesting sites, protect native endangered jewelled Geckos. Protect historic sites, gold mining sites etc
My qualification are now a degree - I did go through NZFS as a training Ranger but did not complete then went and became a teacher.
I cannot see large opportunities as the cost of land has become restricted to 'elitists' and compared with when I bought my property the prices have escalated - I paid two years professional salary for my place but today it would be 15 years worth. This makes lifestyle farming almost prohibitive to those New Zealanders without larger amounts of finance.
On properties such as mine the prohibitive costs of gorse and broom control as well as control of other noxious plants and introduced animals. I have a number of key holders to my gate and allow experienced hunters on to assist with animal control. Gorse and broom control on my pace is undertaken annually at a rate which most owners of land such as mine could not afford.
We have two dairy farms on diff soil types and rainfall - so the storage is greater in the heavier soil farm with the higher rainfall days.  this figure is an average.  all effluent is spread evenly through pivot irrigators at a time that reflects good management practise.
this area includes land we describe is not effective, buildings, effluent ponds, or the small areas that do not receive irrigation and considered minimally productive etc
there is very limited wilding pines and can be attributed to neighbouring shelter belts so management is not onerous.
Carbon farming , niche cropping, artisan food production
health and safety, water quality local body rates
Achieving good reliable prices for our goods.
Restrictions on land use and water use. World events, volatile prices for our products.
To take an environmental stance and do their bit to enhance the land they live on.
Availability of funds to plant wetlands, water ways and make environmental plan
Teachers College Certificate  partial Bachelor of Arts
the opportunities will be greatly reduced in farming
global warming and the competition of alternative proteins
Fertiliser application based on regular herbage testing.
Precision Agriculture .Promotion of New Zealand as a producer of high Quality foods for a premium but we must show that we actually do as we say.
Overcome pseudo science and see a return to science backed research that is carried out by independent orginisations rather than by vested interests who will skew the results to suit there case or worse still computer model result if the experimental result does not give the expected outcome. We are being bombarded by snake and oil merchants . Regulation that is poorly thought out with poor science behinds it could potentially cost farming and the economy dearly over the next 10 years
Start a small business and make better use of the land available
Climate change and local government rules and polices
Not many, -- multimillion $ farming is where everything is heading.  Rates make it uneconomic to develop smallpoor-soil blocks land.
Increasing (unavoidable) Rates. High prices for everything. Avoidable by not farming the land.
Harness Racing Club and other equine sports.
Poorly constructed central and local government regulations. No issues with well constructed regulations.
didnt indicate any use for this its a lifestyle block with trees sprinkled round to look pretty
not a large enough property, have cats who deal with mice rats etc
Add neighbouring maize block to existing dairy platform.
Continue producing high quality food for the population.
Restrictions connected to false climate change data. REGULATIONS.
Home, sheds, landscaping, native trees and plants.
Virtually none at present, maybe future subdivision.  Contractors costs, livestock company charges etc, are at an unrealistic high level making any profits, in real terms impossible on a lifestyle block.  To survive on a lifestyle block, you must accept costs and appreciate the actual rural "lifestyle".
Simply, costs.  The ability to fund the lifestyle. An outside income high enough to afford the "lifestyle".
Adventure tourism and eco-tourism experiences.
Increasing flood and fire risks with weather events becoming more frequent. Also pest introductions continue via the country's borders adding the possibility of loss from these.
Land utilised as a boundary, for aesthetic value, windbreak, and to attract native birds.
Engaging with other farming entities in a collaborative way.
As commercial farming entities increase across the agricultural sector lifestyle farmers will be more isolated within the local farming community
Achieving clean water systems on their properties
Achieving clean water on their properties
Reduce intake of supplements to increase profitability
To care for the land and reduce use of superphosphate and urea.
Running a domestic water scheme for 60 local households
Creating products that create profit for the famers
Low profit compromising sustainability and investment back in the property, the community and the environment
Weather pattern changes.  Fluctuating beef prices.
selling up and moving to austrailia , to get away from all the regulations
urban rural divide ,   all the nutrient allocation stuff being implemented with no real science around it
un fenced existing patches of native bush
increase in support for rural communities
The opportunities presented by the public awareness/desire to consume fresh locally grown produce
Climate change and pest populations growing
the nightmare of paperwork for only a few acres
We grow food for ourselves and have 2 hens for eggs for us. Not at all commercial. We 'garden' all our 2.5 hectares and try to be bird, bees, hedgehogs etc friendly.
I was educated in UK under their system. I got 8 GCE passes Not sure what is the equivalent in todays  NZ education system.
Keeping diversity in veges, fruits, herbs etc. Making friendly places for beneficial insects. Habitats for birds and beneficial animals.
Adjusting to changes in the environment and the world in general.
using temporary fencing for riparian areas
hopefully the increase of markets and favorable trading conditions
the urban//rural divide, artificial protein development
Use GPS to make spreading/recording more accurate - proof of placement
GPS self steer spraying, fertilizing, cultivation
Taking advantage of demonstrably sustainable land and resource management
Demonstrating to markets and NZ public our sustainable land and resource management
none are present in the area specified in the last question
Planned winter grazing to reduce sediment.  Mole ploughing to improve grass root growth.
Focused application of fertiliser based on soil tests
Taking advantage of niche markets which want to eat our  grass fed protein, with no GMO's, no antibiotics, from farmers who respect the environment, have high animal health expectations.
Sustainability, as compliance costs go up, challenges to meet the Paris Climate accord, when we are some of the lower carbon emitters in the world. Our commercial advantage has been as low cost producers, so that we could be competitive in the market.  Also being seen by the world as quality producers with a low environmental footprint - producing high quality protein; "grass fed, antibiotic free, GMO free, etc... Although if a GM grass that reduces methane production is developed we won't be able to use it?! Synthetic meats or alternative eating habits, will NZ become to small to supply markets? The cost of planting trees in our area is excessive, not enough poor quality/suitable land, close to ports for planting & costs to having money tired up for 30 years minimum.
Labour on farm : not able to attract people to the industry
seeing that everyone stops wasting clean water
Have helped in many of the above in the past , locally when my husband was alive and we had an  economic farming unit here
to make their small holding more productive, mainly with horticulture really
Incorrect perceptions from the urban population regarding all farming Farmers feed cities
unused land is basically the house and extensive garden designed to attract bees also a herb and vegetable garden. We also keep avenues of uncut grass to encourage native bird life hence we have two resident NZ falcons, quails, pheasants, king fishers (who breed and eat goldfish from the pond) a barn owl from time to time bell birds and a big range of other birds sadly no wood pigeons so far oh also several Pukekois who breed    There is a fenced off water race at front and rear of the property. We use no sparys
We are very small scale but do plant food sources for birds that are definitely working as the bird population has grown significantly.
Masters of Public Police and Degree in Business Studies. Farming needs political and business skills hence I don't agree with your view of agricultural and non agricultural qualifications
While your survey does not capture it I have 650 27 year old walnut trees. Yet the actual value of those incredible nuts is being realised. $25 a kilo in the supermarket, for rancid imported wanuts yet its hard to get $5 a kilo before expenses hence basically a waste of time. GST accountancy costs, and bureaucratic costs are simply destructive. Even carbon credit opportunities are designed to put one off. Hence the challenge is to reduce this cost sucking oversight that actually delivers little. Therefore the opportunity is to change that regime and take down ECAN and others who generate the cost with little to no benefit. Great opportunity to link like minded farmers to grow safe places for birds, and while not totally green to reduce spray usage and the like. One example is we have found that cattle under the walnuts self medicate by eating the walnut leaves and seem to not need drenching anywhere near as often if at all. Something in the walnut leaf is sorting the issue and actually promotes a very shiny healthy looking coating. We have trained the Falcons to capture rats mice and the odd rabbit. Great opportunity for Air B&B . Further opportunities to improve water quality. Planting of natives with food source for birds. However its a life style not my entire life.
More red tape and associated costs that seem to add very little. Water cost issues. ECAN and other non democratic know all's who have no idea about farming needs. Lack of farm knowledge that can create tensions re non farming neighbours and actually farming neighbours. Especially if I shot their cat not that they would ever know. Core issue is education as to each others needs.
change of food demands by public eg artificial milk/meat.  World demand
PRECISION AGRICULTURE   NEW PLANT SPECIES
REGULATIONS TO FARM BY OR UNDER    CLIMATE CHANGE
selling more direct to customers and better marketing of products better technology
getting blamed for poor water quality and being pushed into spray irrigation when its financially unprofitable . changing climate will be a big challenge
Land in 4WD or walking tracks, land that is mostly geological and streams, with little or no vegetation.
Recreation, horse walking & riding, tramping, environmental enjoyment, water recreation such as cooling off on a hot day, photography and video.
Communities of : Permaculture, electric vehicles, conservation, renewable resources esp solar energy, residents community group, internet special interest communities, community education, rural interest group for forestry, NZ Farm Forestry Assn.
Educating the public in sustainable land practices in all its dimensions, and perhaps running a farm-stay and such to that end. This is particularly so in relation to the NZ or overseas tourist hiker and international student market. Walkways like Te Araroa as just one example may help forge such connections.  The opportunity to demonstrate to the world what long term survival on Earth for its life and people might look like may be forged here in NZ.
Over regulation enforced by local and central government administrators, who work from offices and do not engage with farmers and their communities. Neither do such people know much about rural life, nor have they any idea of how intelligent and well educated most farmers and lifestyle dwellers are.  Government, both local and central must be much more willing to engage with rural communities, get out of their suburbs and offices and see for themselves what is happening in rural communities. They need to learn from the experience of rural communities. No one knows the land and environment better than the people living there. They know  more than even most academics, unless those academics spend time with rural communities.
Lack of understanding and rural urban divide
Superior products and a high level or animal welfare.
Selling off land into smaller (lifestyle) blocks. Rearing / growing their own food and firewood
Legislation that adds cost and regulation for non-commercial (and commercial) enterprises
Production increases through farming better - Mainly timing, Genetic improvement, New forages and grasses We have developed a strong interest and demand for cashmere goat farming, and integration into traditional livestock systems
Government distortion of land use through environmental policies, generational change
Earthquake lateral spread and lack of stream maintanence by ECAN. Land not able to be cultivated and safely grazed. Not even any good for firewood trees as in the past.
I paid for fencing to keep neighbours stock out and my stock out of waterway. No compensation from neighbour or ECAN!
Lack of water and common sense from politicians and city people. Propoganda from groups miss informed activist groups.
Our bush we planted 11 years ago to provide habitat for fauna and an easy care garden. As we live in a drywood land area,by using appropriate native shrubs they survive the wind,dry and snow.
Many could make them more productive and also enhance them by adding Native plants which would provide habitat for native fauna.They could also plant endanaged species to prevent there lost from our environment
To use the land wisely so that it is productive or at least is a place that provides habitat for native fauna and not just a place for children to ride motorcycles and disturb the peace.
Introducing new products to develop exprt opportunities
Irrigation and improving river water Quality
property rights, public access - trespassing, hunting, burglaries, etc.  increasing taxes and rates, growing government and regultions (red tape).
Our meat & wool co-operatives extracting more returns out of the marketing of our  products.
Government regulations especially Health & Safety. Decreasing value of wool. Greater variability in weather patterns.
the chance to live life naturally and peacefully.
We use 100% deep litter straw based composting systems
Embrace new technology and invest more in marketing their own products. taking more responsibility for good environmental stewardship Building better science around some of the environmental issues we face
Increased constraints from governing bodies Punitive policies from government, local body and environmental groups with little understanding or concern for commercial constraints. Insterest groups who wish to see farming either reduced or eliminated
People need to eat Technology Research Markets
Weather $ Animal welfare Employees Health & Saftey Market
Soil test every paddock on the farm and apply fertiliser paddock-by-paddock based on these tests.
House cows. This is the only sure way to control effluent and nutrients as they are required to do in Europe.
Organic farming and low environmental impact farming techniques
Milk price volatility and changes to the environmental management standards required to operate a dairy farm
sold farm and relocating due to more extreme weather events having negative impacts. The average changes are manageable the more extreme extremes are not on this property
We plant areas as needed & keep an eye for any at risk areas.  We farm mainly sheep which have a lower impact than other stock classes.
We are fencing our beef cattle out of some of our bigger creeks & implementaing a stock water scheme.  Sheep have a minimal impact on our waterways, they dont like getting htere feet wet, they dont damage riparian plantings but can control weeds & have a small hoof, so minimal damage to banks.