The first woman to head the section, the 2017 biosecurity farmer of the year and former Ballance Farm Environment Award winner takes on the job with a bundle of enthusiasm.
“I am excited about the opportunity.
“For me this role gives me the opportunity to continue to work in biosecurity and engage in that space in Wellington.
“I look forward to a lot more conversation around licence to farm as I wave the arable flag in Wellington a bit more and make sure our arable voice is heard with more presence around the table.”
The former local authority policy development manager who graduated with a masters degree in resource management from Otago University and has a completed an Agri Women’s Development Trust Escalator leadership programme, married into farming.
“I am not an expert in arable farming but I will bring skills in leadership and I will network hard and champion our issues,” Williams said.
She was unopposed for the position and takes over from Guy Wigley who completed his three-year term as Feds national arable chairman.
Brian Leadley from Ashburton remains as vice-chairman grains and Reuben Carter, North Canterbury, stays on as vice-chairman maize and forage.
Colin Hurst of South Canterbury ended his era of service at a national level when he stepped down from the executive and his role as vice-chairman of seeds to focus on South Canterbury provincial issues. David Clark, Mid Canterbury, was elected to fill his position.
David Lee-Jones, Manawatu, takes up the co-opted position as a North Island representative.
Meanwhile, in his three years as chairman the industry had its ups and downs, Wigley said.
But with domestic prices picking up and solid demand for grain and forward contracts being signed for 2019 showing strong interest from end users across the board arable farmers are optimistic, Wigley said.
Leadley, who is also United Wheatgrowers chairman, echoed the sentiment of an industry in good heart going into the 2019 season.
“Grain is moving and prices are lifting. It’s good news for the industry.
“Looking forward it’s good to see a strengthening of our farmgate wheat prices.”
Leadley said the Arable Industry Marketing Initiative (AIMI) report is providing data showing a drop-off in production and planned plantings – supporting the view wheat prices below $350/tonne are unsustainable.
“This has resulted in some domestic shortages and we are now seeing price lifts with free feed wheat reaching $400 and premium milling wheat at $430 delivered to mill.
“Let’s hope forward contracts for the 2019 harvest reflect these prices or better.”
It was pleasing to note the UWG disaster-relief insurance scheme had few claims last year.
“This means on the back of depressed grain prices and lowered yields given the difficult weather season, growers have not had to deal with disaster-related major losses.”
Leadley said it is exciting a research project is finally under way to quantify the environmental benefits of arable feeds to the dairy industry, work that will include financial modelling.
“The project is well planned now and will begin next month involving research work carried out on commercial dairy farms that are currently intensively feeding grain as part of the cows’ diet.”
The Foundation for Arable Research, Dairy NZ, Plant and Food, the Grain and Seed Trade Association and independent animal nutritionists are all part of the project.
A separate working group has also been set up to research areas of restriction in efficiencies of moving South Island grain into North Island markets.
“We are aiming to create greater market accessibility for arable products into more NZ markets,” Leadley said.
Hurst reported a busy year in the seeds space with several challenging meetings of the Seed Quality Management Authority and the start of the development of a seed standard separate to the certification scheme for growers and merchants.
“This is on top of ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment regarding the review of the Plant Variety Rights Act and any implication it may have on farm-saved seed.
“Our main concern is around how farm-saved seed may be treated under any new Act and a potential to enhance breeders’ rights over harvested material.”
Hurst urged growers to communicate.
“It is vital we hear from members and we are united on this.”
