Nimble New Zealand exporters finding opportunity amid shifting trade terms
Global trade wars and uncertain tariff regimes could play into the hands of many New Zealand exporters, according to Gareth Coleman ANZ’s Head of Trade & Supply Chain.
Melbourne agritech company Agersens says it has raised $14.75 million capital including cash from existing investors such as NZ’s Gallagher Group.
Chairman Andrew Maxwell says the capital raising will allow the company to scale up, and it will assign the marketing and sales of eShepherd to Gallagher in Australia and New Zealand.
“Our investors have taken a considered view of the growth potential of eShepherd, believing in the virtual fencing value proposition and its potential to transform livestock production globally,” Agersens said.
“With Gallagher being a global leader in the innovation, marketing and sales of smarter, simpler animal management solutions that make farm life easier, eShepherd should be a good fit for their product portfolio.”
Mark Harris, Gallagher animal management marketing manager says his company applauds the environmental, productivity and labour-saving possibilities of eShepherd for pastoral farming.
“Gallagher has been promoting managed grazing systems using electric fencing for more than 80 years, and eShepherd is the next major development for improved grazing,” Harris adds. “For this reason, Gallagher has taken a significant interest in Agersens as part of this capital raising.”
Agersens claims to be revolutionising global livestock production by applying virtual fencing technology developed by the CSIRO. The company holds the worldwide exclusive licence for the technology.
Its partners include beef and dairy farmers, CSIRO, Gallagher, state and federal governments, Meat & Livestock Australia, Dairy Australia, universities, agricultural research organisations, cattle and dairy farmer associations, and natural resource managers.
Greenlea Premier Meats managing director Anthony (Tony) Egan says receiving the officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) honour has been humbling.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.