Welcome to the December edition of The Goldpine Post. This month, we take a look at the arable community in New Zealand and focus on two great businesses based in the Canterbury region, Carrfields Grain & Seed and Hewson Farms.

Ryan McLaren is the manager of Carrfields Grain & Seed, producing grass, clover and vegetable seed predominantly for the export market. Based in Ashburton, they have a team of 35, including research and development agronomists that work across their trial projects to expand their production and progress the New Zealand arable industry.

We visited Leigh Powell of Heasley Fencing near Amberley, North Canterbury as he showed us how to install a Corrugated Twin Wall Culvert Pipe on a farm.

Ross Hewson owns Hewson Farms, a 2,200-hectare farm in Pendarves that is dedicated to growing a wide variety of arable crops, ranging from wheat and ryegrass to onions and potatoes. Ross has been farming in the Canterbury region since 1981, with his wife and children also playing a massive role in the operation.

New Zealand hemp business, The Brothers Green, provide natural food and health products with a range of benefits such as improving immunity and gut health, reducing inflammation and more.

The festive season is the perfect time to take a moment and check in with the people around you. Our friends at Farmstrong have a campaign called You Matter, Let’s Natter that encourages farmers to regularly check in with one another and offer support.

Our State of the Industry article for the month focuses on cropping, with insights from key leaders and members within New Zealand’s small but mighty arable sector.

We intend to continue supplying you with the best stories, activities and techniques in agriculture. If you have anything that you would like us to share, please get in touch.