Latest news with #Pāmu
RNZ News
4 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Worry and speculation as long-serving manager of Molesworth Station suddenly resigns
Jim Ward, former manager of Molesworth station. Photo: PAMU / SUPPLIED Worry and speculation about the future use of New Zealand's largest livestock station are rising following the sudden resignation of its long-term manager. Crown-owned Molesworth station has about 500,000 acres in the high country - stretching from inland Blenheim to Hamner Springs further south. The farm manager of 24 years, Jim Ward, abruptly resigned this week and sources say he was increasingly frustrated about the lack of action to control wilding pine trees that are starting to cover parts of the station's farmland. There's also speculation parts of it could be converted into pine forests, despite it having the largest cattle herd in the country. The station is administered by the Department of Conservation for the Crown, and it leases out much of the land to Pāmu - formerly Landcorp - which employs all the stock-hands who work there. A Pāmu spokesperson said its workforce can flex to support change when required and that a transition plan is in place, including a recruitment process to replace the Farm Manager. Wilding pines on Molesworth Station. (File photo) Photo: RNZ/Sally Round Pāmu said Ward, and his wife Tracey's devoted service had been instrumental in shaping the station's presentation and success as a taonga for the country. It said Pāmu and DOC have made substantial efforts to tackle wilding confiders. "However, they continue to be a challenge to the future of farming, conservation and recreation on the reserve (Molesworth Station)." When asked by RNZ whether it was considering transitioning some of the land into forestry it supplied the following statement: "In December 2024, the government invited partnerships to plant trees on Crown land. While Molesworth was included in initial mapping as a potential site for tree planting, the Department of Conservation (DOC) has clarified that this is only indicative and subject to further evaluation. The proposal is part of a broader climate initiative to plant trees, but specific areas, species, and planting conditions are still under review." Bulls and cows at Molesworth. (File photo) Photo: Pāmu said none of its other 111 farms across the country had been included for potential pine planting. The spokesperson said its lease for the farm ends next year, or when the Molesworth management plan is completed which includes decisions about future management, and how the land will be used. DOC's Northern South Island Operations Director Martin Rodd said Ward always had the best interests of Molesworth at heart and was passionate about ensuring it was well looked after. Rodd said DOC was working through future options for the station and that farming will continue to be an important part of the reserve's future. Meanwhile farmers were shocked about the station manager's sudden resignation and were concerned it may have been caused by the lack of action taken to control wilding trees, and future plans for the land. Matt Simpson owned a station in south Canterbury and said it's a shame the high country had lost such an advocate, and it meant a lot of knowledge had 'walked out the gate'. Simpson said it would be a big mistake if areas of the station were converted into forestry. He added that it had been a challenge to try and control the wild trees on Molesworth as they self-seed quickly and spread through valleys. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
National Business Review
03-06-2025
- Business
- National Business Review
Minister expects Landcorp to deliver bold turnaround plan
State-owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown is continuing to put pressure on Landcorp to lift its commercial performance. In his letter of expectations to the Crown-owned farming company – which trades as Pāmu – Brown noted its five-year average total shareholder return and return on equity
NZ Herald
28-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Listen to The Country online: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on carbon farming
Today on The Country radio show, host Jamie Mackay catches up with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, to ask him what he thinks about Pāmu's carbon farming. On with the show: Christopher Luxon: The Prime Minister fronts up on The Country, after standing Mike Hosking up on Monday.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Zealand Farm Dog Genetic Study Shows Top Five Health Risks
Press Release – Pamu Farms The Massey University research team behind the Right Dog for the Job project has so far analysed the DNA of 249 farm dogs, most sourced from Pmu (Landcorp Farming Ltd) farms. The initial tranche of the first genetic study of working farm dogs in New Zealand has uncovered five significant inherited health conditions across the selected huntaway and heading dog populations. The Massey University research team behind the Right Dog for the Job project has so far analysed the DNA of 249 farm dogs, most sourced from Pāmu (Landcorp Farming Ltd) farms. The study looks for genetic variants linked to disease, paving the way for better breeding practices and improved working dog health. 'We have been encouraging our shepherds to get their dogs tested as part of the Right Dog Project,' says Pāmu CE Mark Leslie. 'It's not only good for their breeding decisions, but ultimately building research and development of genetic information about working dogs will contribute to improving the health of farm dogs across the motu.' The study has so far genome-sequenced 130 huntaways, 104 heading dogs, and 15 mixed breeds. Researchers focused on 400 known genetic mutations previously reported in other dog breeds, pinpointing 27 variants present in New Zealand's farm dogs — five of which could lead to serious health issues. The five most notable genetic conditions found include: Vitamin B12 Deficiency (CUBN variant) – Can cause poor growth and health if untreated (6 carriers). Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL) (CLN8 variant) – A severe brain disease leading to loss of movement, seizures, and blindness (21 carriers). Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA (SGSH variant) – A rare neurological disorder affecting huntaways (5 carriers). Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) (SOD1 variant) – A spinal cord disease that can result in progressive mobility loss (46 carriers, 5 affected dogs). Von Willebrand Disease (VWF variant) – A bleeding disorder that makes dogs vulnerable to excessive blood loss (9 carriers, 1 affected dog). Since these conditions are recessive, dogs carrying only one affected gene do not develop the disease. However, if two carriers are bred together, up to 25% of their puppies could be affected. The findings demonstrate the importance of genetic testing working dogs before breeding them, to avoid producing puppies with life-threatening conditions.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Zealand Farm Dog Genetic Study Shows Top Five Health Risks
The initial tranche of the first genetic study of working farm dogs in New Zealand has uncovered five significant inherited health conditions across the selected huntaway and heading dog populations. The Massey University research team behind the Right Dog for the Job project has so far analysed the DNA of 249 farm dogs, most sourced from Pāmu (Landcorp Farming Ltd) farms. The study looks for genetic variants linked to disease, paving the way for better breeding practices and improved working dog health. 'We have been encouraging our shepherds to get their dogs tested as part of the Right Dog Project,' says Pāmu CE Mark Leslie. 'It's not only good for their breeding decisions, but ultimately building research and development of genetic information about working dogs will contribute to improving the health of farm dogs across the motu.' The study has so far genome-sequenced 130 huntaways, 104 heading dogs, and 15 mixed breeds. Researchers focused on 400 known genetic mutations previously reported in other dog breeds, pinpointing 27 variants present in New Zealand's farm dogs — five of which could lead to serious health issues. The five most notable genetic conditions found include: Vitamin B12 Deficiency (CUBN variant) – Can cause poor growth and health if untreated (6 carriers). Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL) (CLN8 variant) – A severe brain disease leading to loss of movement, seizures, and blindness (21 carriers). Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA (SGSH variant) – A rare neurological disorder affecting huntaways (5 carriers). Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) (SOD1 variant) – A spinal cord disease that can result in progressive mobility loss (46 carriers, 5 affected dogs). Von Willebrand Disease (VWF variant) – A bleeding disorder that makes dogs vulnerable to excessive blood loss (9 carriers, 1 affected dog). Since these conditions are recessive, dogs carrying only one affected gene do not develop the disease. However, if two carriers are bred together, up to 25% of their puppies could be affected. The findings demonstrate the importance of genetic testing working dogs before breeding them, to avoid producing puppies with life-threatening conditions.
