• Middle East peace deal could bring relief on farm costs

• ACT wants farmers grazing DOC land to fight wilding pines

• Gisborne Young Grower title goes to crop manager

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Middle East peace deal could bring relief on farm costs

A potential end to the Middle East conflict is being cautiously welcomed by rural New Zealand, with a US-Iran agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz offering the prospect of relief on fuel, fertiliser and freight costs that have been squeezing farm budgets for months.

Diesel prices have risen nearly ninety-five percent since February, driven largely by the Strait's effective closure since March. Fertiliser and shipping costs have followed, with the combined pressure landing hardest during spring — when fuel, fertiliser and feed decisions all hit at once.

G7 leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron are set to discuss the lasting reopening of Hormuz under the newly announced ceasefire agreement, with Macron describing it as a key focus for Monday's talks.

However, details of the agreement remain unclear, with the US and Iran releasing conflicting accounts of what has been agreed — and control of the Strait itself was a central sticking point throughout negotiations. Mine clearance and shipping safety assurances will also be needed before tanker traffic meaningfully resumes.

For farmers, the direction is encouraging — but a return to normal fuel and freight costs is likely to take months rather than weeks even if the deal holds.

ACT wants farmers grazing DOC land to fight wilding pines

ACT is proposing to open up Department of Conservation land to targeted livestock grazing as a practical tool to fight wilding pines and reduce wildfire risk — arguing taxpayers are paying for helicopter spraying when sheep could be doing the job for free.

Agriculture spokesperson Andrew Hoggard says wilding conifers are choking one-point-eight million hectares of New Zealand land, and farmers seeking grazing concessions on conservation land are currently met with unnecessary barriers and resistance.

The policy would amend the Conservation Act to give DOC explicit authority to issue grazing licences where livestock can suppress conifer seedlings and reduce fuel loads. Virtual fencing would be recognised as a compliant method of stock control on DOC land, cutting compliance costs for participating farmers.

Hoggard points to the United States, Australia and Europe — including Portugal — where targeted grazing is a standard conservation management tool. He says New Zealand's current rules effectively lock farmers out of contributing practical solutions to a growing environmental problem.

Gisborne Young Grower title goes to crop manager

James Torrie has won the 2026 Gisborne Young Grower title and will now represent the region at the national Young Grower of the Year competition in Cromwell in August.

Torrie manages four orchards for Wi Pere Trust, covering apples, blueberries, citrus and nursery operations, and came into horticulture without an agricultural background — working his way up from a casual role five years ago.

Runner-up was Awatea Jobe from Craigmore Sustainables, with Sirius Tamati Smith from Wairoa placing third.