Industry News & Notices

the biosecurity entity for New Zealand’s arable sector, seeks your feedback on a proposal to amend the Biosecurity (Response - Arable Crops Levy) Order 2023, to allow the current levy to support both readiness and response activities.  This will align with SGRR’s obligations under the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) for Biosecurity Readiness and Response.  Please visit www.sgrr.org.nz for more information and to submit your feedback.

Click here to read report.

Through AFIC, industry has developed a Code of Conduct as a supporting guide to fair practice for all participants in the Arable Industry to support Grain and seed growing, contracting and trading.

Click here to read the report.

Please see the below link.

Annual Report

The United Wheatgrowers’ insurance scheme is an economic, practical scheme managed by farmers for farmers; chairman Michael Tayler says.

Arable farmers are being called on to have their say on the United Wheatgrowers’ compulsory insurance levy, with voting due to open on the 27th  of August.

The United Wheat Growers Insurance Scheme was established in 1987 following the deregulation of the wheat industry. It provides disaster relief insurance to help wheat growers during their growing season. The primary objective of the Wheat Insurance Scheme is to mitigate the financial impact of crop losses due to unforeseen events such as hail, frost, fire or flooding of waterways. Every six years, growers are asked to vote on whether the scheme should continue.

UWG Chairman Michael Tayler says the scheme, run in partnership with FMG, remains a valuable and affordable form of crop insurance. It is managed by farmers who understand the industry and is tailored specifically to meet the needs of our wheat growers.

“Unlike other insurance products, the scheme has no minimum loss threshold and no excess on claims. It covers thecosts of productionand isunique in both the range of risks it covers and the specific conditions it offers.”

“It aims to provide some financial security for growers, supporting them in the business of producing wheat.

Tayler encouraged all growers to participate in the upcoming vote, calling the scheme “the most affordable insurance option available to wheat growers in the market.”

“This is a practical, farmer-driven crop insurance scheme and I strongly encourage them to vote.”  Tayler said.

Voting closes on Friday 19th September 2025.

As part of the process of renewing our Compulsory Levy, The Agribusiness Development Group has prepared a Cost Benefit Analysis of UWG services.

Pleas click here to view this analysis.

As per previous years we will continue to have the Electoral Committee meeting & the United Wheatgrowers AGM, followed by the Wheat Awards Cocktail function in the evening to be held on Tuesday 26th of August 2025, at Hotel Ashburton, 11/35 Racecourse Rd, Allenton, Ashburton 7700, commencing at 1.30 pm.

Nominations are called for one (2) vacancies on the United Wheatgrowers Board of Directors.  One director is elected each year, giving each director a 4 year term. This year Guy Wigley is retiring and Brian Leadley is up for re-election by rotational retirement and has indicated he is available for re-election.

See here for a nomination form.

Notices advertising the nominations will be placed in The Farmers Weekly Publication on 28 July 2025.

The advertisement will indicate the availability of additional nomination forms at the offices of Brown Glassford & Co Ltd.  These forms must be in the hands of the United Wheatgrowers Returning Office, PO Box 39-195, Christchurch 8545 by 4:00pm on Tuesday 12th of August 2025 or via email to info@uwg.co.nz.

Election will be held by secret ballot at the United Wheatgrowers AGM.

Click here for the entry form

Please note that entries close 6 June 2025.

The levy was set at $3.80 + gst  per tonne (decreasing from $3.95 + gst per tonne).

Growers will receive $250 + gst per tonne on a claim. (Increasing from $245 per tonne). This is not full cover, but disaster relief to meet the cost of production. Growers can additionally top up the premium with their farm insurers.

A Reminder of how the scheme works

The premium is paid in arrears on the tonnage delivered, regardless of whether this is to a flourmill or any other end  user.  The levy is deducted from the payment and sent on to UWG. This is a compulsory legal requirement, endorsed by the recently held  grower referendum.

UWG understands there is farmer to farmer trading, farmer saved seed as well as internal use of grain. In all these circumstances the levy is still liable to be paid and must be forwarded to UWG.

If you have a disaster

If a grower is unfortunate enough to have a disaster they should first email FMG, our insurers to register their claim at uwgclaims@fmg.co.nz .  FMG will then appoint an assessor, this person will be a local grower, possibly a director or an Electoral Committee member. The assessor will make an initial appointment to visit your crop, then subsequent visits if necessary to determine the loss.