Dairy Focus December 2012

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An Ashburton Guardian Supplement

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December 2012

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Dairy Focus December 2012

Dairying women prepa boundaries at annual co Hundreds of women who work in the dairy industry will be tackling some of the big issues that affect today’s farmers including the rural/urban divide, environmental constraints and developing future leaders, when they get together at the Dairy Women Network’s annual conference in March 2013.

The line-up of high calibre keynote speakers includes Olympic rowing gold medal winner Mahe Drysdale.

The two-day conference at Nelson’s Rutherford Hotel, starting on March 20, is themed “taking down the boundary fences”.

lied Photos supp

Mahe Drysdale al ed m gold winner 2012.

rural and urban colleagues that we want to and can look after the land, our animals and our people, while having sustainable businesses.”

The first of three distinctive key note speakers, Hinerangi Edwards kicks off the conference speaking about the diversity of New Zealand’s dairy industry.

A trustee of Taranaki-based charitable trust Parininihi Ki Waitotara (PKW) Incorporated whose farming enterprise, PKW Farms Ltd, produces more than 2.3 million kilograms of milk solids per year, Hinerangi will share her goals for creating a positive future for all New Zealanders that is linked through the connection to, custodianship of and shared love for the land.

Chief executive Sarah Speight said the conference programme was largely dedicated to inspiring and encouraging dairy women to look outside the Hinerangi is followed by King Country tourism operator boundaries of their farms with topics covering many of Dan Steele who injects his passion and humour into a the challenges and opportunities faced by dairy women. subject that must be taken seriously – the environment.

She added that it was also a great opportunity to take “Combining his passions for farming, tourism and time out from the farm and connect with other dairy conservation, Dan is on a mission to make New Zealand women and rural professionals. a better place for the future. Dan believes having farmers and conservationists working together to achieve this “The dairy industry is constantly changing and under scrutiny from people outside the rural sector. As dairying goal will ensure we all have productive and sustainable farms to live and work on in the future,” said Mrs Speight. women we can foster the understanding between our

An advertising supplement of the Ashburton Guardian Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Ashburton Guardian Publication date: December 18, 2012 Next issue: January 29, 2012 We welcome any correspondence to either: Linda Clarke, phone 307-7971 email: linda.c@theguardian.co.nz Desme Daniels, phone 307-7974 email: desme.d@theguardian.co.nz Dairy Focus designed by: Denise Fawer

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Dairy Focus December 2012

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are to challenge their onference Eight workshops across the two-day conference will include topics ranging from profitable nutrition and cow behaviour to time management strategies and leadership mentoring.

“The leadership panel discussion features women such as Robyn Clements and Barbara Kuriger sharing the challenges they’ve faced to go beyond their farming boundaries and become leaders in their communities.

Whether you have a grassroots or governance position or are yet to take your first steps into leadership, they’ll help delegates understand where they are on the leadership journey and what the next steps could be,” she said.

Drawcard speaker Mahe Drysdale will close the conference talking about how dairy farming can be just as demanding as chasing an Olympic dream.

“Being prepared, working hard and dealing with setbacks, there will always be tough times and things you don’t like doing, but overall it’s a pretty awesome existence,” said Mrs Speight.

The network also confirmed it had a new industry partner and conference sponsor, farm nutrient management specialist Ballance Agri-Nutrients.

many of our organisational values. We’re very grateful for their support and this tremendous opportunity to work together.”

Ballance General Manager of Agro-Science and Marketing, Liz Muller, says that the co-operative recognises one of the biggest issues facing dairy farmers is learning how to manage within nutrient loss limits.

“Women are key decision makers in the rural sector and will have a leading role in managing the changes required as new regulations impact how New Zealanders can farm.

We bring our expertise on managing nutrients on farm to this partnership with the Dairy Women’s Network and provide farmers with viable options for working through these challenging times and for their continued success.”

The second Dairy Woman of the Year award winner will be announced at the conference gala dinner. The winner will be awarded a position on the prestigious Women in Leadership 12 month course run by Global Women, which is valued at $25,000. The award is sponsored by Fonterra Milk Supply and nominations are currently being sought.

Dan Steele owner of Blue Duck Station in Owhango.

Registrations for the conference are now open and all women who work in the dairying industry can register at “Ballance Agri-Nutrients is a leading company that shares www.dwn.co.nz .

Hinerangi Edwards, trustee, PKW Farms Ltd.

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Dairy Focus December 2012

Awards a free analysis of your business The 2012 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards farm manager of the year Mick O’Connor says the hardest part about the awards is actually entering.

“Once you have done that, there’s no looking back.”

Mr O’Connor, who is contract milking 940 cows at Dunsandel for Dairy Holdings, says the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards is great.

“We entered for a number of reasons, but mainly to see where our business was at and where improvement was needed.

“It wasn’t about winning. It was more about meeting other like-minded people that were pushing themselves and getting ourselves outside our comfort zone.”

Entries are now being accepted in the

Mick O’Connor.

2013 New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions.

Entries are being received online at www. dairyindustryawards.co.nz and close on December 20.

National convenor Chris Keeping said the number was up from 381 at the same time He says the dairy awards cater for people last year. She said those eligible for the earlybird entry prize draw – three Honda choosing any of the variety of career pathways now available to progress in dairy XR125 Duster farm bikes each valued at $4000, one to be drawn from earlybird farming, including equity farm managers, entries in each category – had to enter contract milkers, sharemilkers, managers before December 1 and will still need to and trainees.

Mr O’Connor says he and wife Kirsten, a meet some conditions, like progressing personal banker, put 100 per cent into their Entering the awards had also helped the through the awards past judging. entry. couple personally. “Kirsten isn’t involved in “The response proves what a great early “If we had never entered we would never the day-to-day running of the dairy farm, entry incentive the farm bikes are.” but entering had helped her understand have gained anything. The prizes are really what I do and the processes involved in good, but the most important thing we To date, the Canterbury/North Otago gained is the people contact and contacts dairy farming. region has the most entries, followed by for the future.

Waikato and Taranaki regions.

“I strongly encourage farmers to enter as there is so much to gain from the “The people that judged us are top Organisers expect about 500 people will people in the field, so we got a free analysis experience. Back yourself and have a go.” enter the 2013 awards. Further information of our business. The result of that is that we Some 428 people had entered the awards on the awards can be found at www. are more aware of our business as a whole as at December 1, the earlybird close-off. dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

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Dairy Focus December 2012

An Ashburton Guardian Advertising feature

Photos supplied

Good sports for a great cause. The AGITO team have raised over $11,000 for the Child Cancer foundation.

Back row (L-R) – Andrew Shepherd, Kate Alexander (seated), Phil Greenless, David Barton, Andrew Donohue, Roger Irvine and Paul Bau. Front Row – Mark Orr, Adrian Osborne, Fred Hardy, Paul Gibson, Phil Marshall, Kevin Scannell and Kevin Bryant.

AgITO staff shorn for a good cause A cross-country fundraising effort from Zealand Dairy Industry Awards. So the local launch event for the awards at RD1 AgITO has raised over $11,000 for the in Ashburton seemed like the perfect Child Cancer Foundation. opportunity to entertain everyone and Fifteen bald but brave AgITO staff raise funds at the same time!” Andrew members were shorn in aid of the Child says.

Cancer foundation at the national AgITO AgITO Language, Literacy and staff conference in Wellington on the Numeracy Adviser Paul Bau proudly 22nd of November. Local Ashburton represented the Canterbury region Training Adviser Andrew Roche was unable to attend the conference due to at the conference in Wellington, and injury. However, he was determined to was willingly shorn to raise money for this worthy cause. One of the other support the cause, so he held his own individual fundraising event at the New participants was AgITO Chief Executive Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) Kevin Bryant. Although Kevin wasn’t launch in Ashburton on Monday 19th of convinced by the completely hairless look he went for a short and slick style.

November.

“I couldn’t fly up to Wellington for the full staff conference so I decided to hold my own personal shearing event. AgITO are an industry partner of the New

AgITO have a personal stake in the Child Cancer Foundation as their colleague David Barton’s son has a rare neurological condition called

Fundraiser organiser, David Barton (AgITO) sporting his new do, presents Scott Lancaster (Child Cancer) with a $7000 cheque from the AGITO team.

Ataxia Telangiectasia, which weakens the immune system often leading to respiratory disorders, leukaemia or other cancers. David is a training adviser for the Southland area, based in the Invercargill office. As well as supporting David and his family, AgITO also wanted to help the many other children diagnosed with cancer in New Zealand.

Local AgITO Training Adviser Andrew Roche says hasta la vista to his mo – all for a good cause!

The team were stoked with the $7,000 cheque we presented to the Child Cancer Foundation at the conference.

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Dairy Focus December 2012

Another group of farming leaders is ready to spread the sustainability message, following the successful conclusion of the 2012 Building Dairy Environment Leaders Forum in Southland.

An initiative of the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust and DairyNZ, the annual forum enhances leadership qualities by giving top dairy farmers access to leading environmental and business leaders.

The 2012 event was held in Invercargill from November 27 to 29.

Forum chairman and Putaruru dairy farmer Martin Bennett said the 54 farmers participating shared their thoughts on how the dairy industry shapes its response to sustainability challenges.

Spreading the sustainability message

“Dame Margaret Bazley, Bill Bayfield (Chief Executive, Environment Canterbury) and David Caygill talked about the new environmental regulations and how Environment Canterbury is engaging farming and urban communities to take ownership of water issues. Their approach to the challenges faced was very refreshing.”

Ali Timms, Chair of Environment Southland, and Rob Phillips, Chief Executive of Environment Southland, also “shared openly” while participating in a session on positive leadership.

“It was a good opportunity for the host region to show other farmers what the dairy industry and environmental regulators are doing to tackle fresh water allocation and water quality issues in Southland.”

“The feedback from participants was excellent. I think the forum gave them great Forum participants were also inspired insight into how community expectations by professional rugby player Jamie and new environmental regulations are Mackintosh’s after-dinner speech on shaping the future of our industry.” the trials and tribulations of leading the Participants included former dairy farmer Southland and Otago Highlanders rugby teams. winners of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, sharemilkers/equity partners, Mr Bennett said farmers attending the managers and trainees of the Dairy Industry forum agreed that while environmental Awards and the dairy winner from the issues facing each region may vary, “the Ahuwhenua Awards. principles of sustainability are the same wherever you farm”.

“These farmers were specifically chosen for their achievements in environmental He says the 54 participants left the forum leadership and profitable business well-equipped to spread what they have management,” Martin says. learnt to the wider farming community.

“The course was designed to build “The aim of the forum isn’t to tell these their self-confidence, knowledge and people how to run their farms because communication skills so they can lead on they are obviously doing a great job of environmental matters within, and on that already.

Instead it’s all about looking behalf of, the dairy industry.” at the big picture in terms of financial, This year’s forum featured another top environmental and social sustainability, line-up of speakers, including economic with the goal of capturing the talent of commentator Bernard Hickey, Dame these farmers and helping them develop Margaret Bazley and David Caygill of into active regional champions.”

Environment Canterbury, Kevin Hackwell A total of 239 farmers have participated of Forest and Bird, Ali Timms, Chair Environment Southland, and Dr Tim Mackle, in the forum in the six years it has been running.

Chief Executive, DairyNZ. Mr Bennett said a highlight of the forum was the session on water allocation and quality issues in Canterbury.

“If they can each help 10 other farmers, that’s almost a quarter of the dairy industry covered.”

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Dairy Focus December 2012

Northland kids have been drinking more milk “Our goal with Fonterra Milk for Schools is to make a lasting difference to the health of Northland kids have been drinking more milk – New Zealand children. New Zealand is the at school and at home – since the Fonterra Milk largest exporter of dairy products in the world, for Schools programme kicked into gear in early but at home, we’re not drinking as much milk 2012, according to an independent evaluation by as we used to. These findings show that this the University of Auckland. programme can help get Kiwi kids drinking more Fonterra commissioned the report to milk.” understand the impacts of its school milk pilot on Some 116 Northland primary schools are children’s consumption and attitudes to dairy. participating in the Fonterra Milk for Schools Associate Professor Cliona Ni Mhurchu, who led pilot – making up 85 per cent of the region’s the evaluation, says the results show a significant eligible schools. increase in children’s milk consumption following “Each term we survey the schools and our the adoption of the Fonterra Milk for Schools latest results showed that around 90 per cent programme in Northland schools. of schools that responded were either satisfied “A key highlight of the results is that the rise in or very satisfied with the programme,” says Ms consumption has happened both at school and Robinson. at home – with the evaluation showing a 28 per “We’ve been working alongside the schools cent increase in the number of students who throughout the year to ensure the programme reported drinking milk five or more days a week.” runs smoothly, and we’re taking on board all In addition, the evaluation showed a clear feedback we’ve received.” increase in the number of children drinking milk Since the pilot started in March, more than one at least twice a day – with students consuming million packs have been dropped off to local milk twice or more each day increasing from 66 schools. to 77 per cent.

Contributed by Fronterra

“The evaluation provides evidence that Fonterra “The pilot is allowing us to test logistics and the practical aspects of the programme. We’re still Milk for Schools is helping to increase children’s evaluating results before making a decision on milk consumption not only during school time, next steps.” but overall as well,” says Associate Professor Ni Mhurchu.

The University of Auckland evaluation involved 155 students in three separate schools, covering Carly Robinson, Fonterra General Manager a range of rural and urban areas, as well as co-operative Social Responsibility, says the different decile ratings. co-operative is encouraged by the findings.

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Dairy Focus December 2012

Darfield’s new drier to lead world in efficiency

time for 50 years.

Fonterra’s new Darfield milk powder plant was on show last month, when it • About 7700 metres of concrete and was officially opened by Prime Minister 1200 tonnes of steel was used in the John Key. Some key facts about the construction of Drier 1. About 85km plant: of stainless steel tubing has been • The dairy giant will have invested installed in the evaporators alone, $500m in the site when its second drier enough to cross Cook Strait three comes on line in August next year. times.

• The site produces 85,000 tonnes of • The plant employs 60 people at the instant and regular whole milk powder moment, most recruited from Darfield for export to South East Asia, China and and Mid Canterbury, and processes the Middle East. It occupies 12 hectares milk from 50 farms within a 40km and is located near Racecourse Hill, just radius. west of Darfield.

• Twelve new tankers collect and • Construction involved 1500 people, deliver milk, some 100 tanker loads a and one million man hours, the equivalent of 10 people working fullday.

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• Drier 1 can process 2.2 million litres of milk in one day, resulting in 15 tonnes of milk powder per hour. The 25kg bags of powder are packed by robot on to pallets then into containers and trucked to the port of Lyttelton; a rail spur is being installed so eventually the containers will be off the road.

The Darfield plant reduces the distance Fonterra milk tankers need to travel by 20,000km a day.

When Drier 2 is complete, next year, staff on site will have doubled to 120, and milk powder production will have tripled. Drier 2 will be the most efficient and highest-yielding drier in the world.

Hayden McMillan, Fronterra distribution centre manager.

Dairy Focus December 2012

9

Glyphosate resistance confirmed in New Zealand Dairy farmers should be concerned about glyphosate resistant weeds that could affect the quality of their pasture, says Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers grain and seed chairman David Clark.

Background on information sistance herbicide re has been

70s there bers Since the 19 se in the num e a e cr in y d a e id a st loping herbic of weeds deve dwide. orl resistance w ed w 393 confirm There are no iotypes in 61 db resistant wee an average of nine h it w s ie each countr ing identified e b s se ca new year. ance of weed resist was se ca t rs fi e h T land e in New Zea to a herbicid 82, when populations 9 recorded in 1 opodium album) en h (C n the of fathe be resistant to to d n u were fo zine. chemical atra ant rbicide resist The list of he untry now co weeds in this nfirmed cases, co 0 comprises 1 re associated with a h ic four of wh ures. st a p l perennia

The first New Zealand case of glyphosate resistance was confirmed last week in annual ryegrass on a Marlborough vineyard.

Mr Clark said it was important the glysophate resistant gene did not get into less palatable grasses as it would affect the quality of pasture and ultimately milk production.

All farmers should be concerned about the discovery, he said.

Glyphosate is in many herbicides, including Roundup which is used by dairy, sheep and beef farmers during the process of direct drilling their pasture.

The discovery could also be a threat to Mid Canterbury’s arable industry.

“In Australia, Roundup resistant ryegrass is an extremely serious weed in the arable cropping system. We do not know how this is going to spread or develop around the country.”

environmentally friendly herbicides on the market, and the repercussions of losing the use of it would be serious.

“Environmental repercussions would include the increased use of, and dependence on, less environmentally friendly herbicide options; greater dependence on more intensive cultivation leading to greater degradation of soil structure and soil health; and the risk of some weeds spreading as the cost of controlling them would increase.

“On-farm the impacts would include reduced income, due to increased chemical costs and reduced crop yields. Removing glyphosate from the suite of available chemicals would also increase the resistance pressure on other herbicides.”

Where and how was the Marlborough incidence identified?

Research and testing within the Avoiding Glyphosate Resistance project is being led by Dr Trevor James from AgResearch, and Dr Kerry Harrington of Massey University. Dr James said the Marlborough case was identified following a report from a chemical company.

“In the autumn of 2011 we received a call from a chemical company representative stating that glyphosate was not killing all the weeds, specifically Mr Clark said farmers should use established some grasses, on a vineyard in Marlborough. We guidelines for using herbicides if they wanted to obtained some of the surviving plants and grew manage the spread. them on in the glasshouse until some of them set The affected annual ryegrass on a Marlborough seed in autumn 2012. The seed we collected was vineyard was discovered as part of a project led by then grown in the spring of 2012, and these plants the Foundation of Arable Research (FAR) and funded treated with various rates of glyphosate. We found by the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable that nearly half the tested plants showed symptoms Farming Fund (SFF). of glyphosate resistance.”

Resistance means that some individuals in the How to avoid development of glyphosate target species have developed a means of avoiding resistance the effects of the chemical.

Dr Trevor James from AgResearch says the best Mike Parker, Project Manager for the Avoiding way of avoiding glyphosate resistance is to ensure it Glyphosate Resistance team, says glyphosate is the is not the only chemical used on the same paddock most frequently used herbicide in New Zealand year after year. Instead, he recommends mixing it agriculture and although there have been some with a herbicide from a different mode-of-action anecdotal reports of resistance, this is the first group every three or four years. This will kill any confirmed occurrence. He says the resistance weeds that may be building up resistance. finding should provide a wake-up call for all users of Sector-specific strategies on avoiding resistance the broad spectrum weed killer. will be developed as part of the Avoiding CEO Nick Pyke says at present it is an isolated Glyphosate Resistance project. Anyone who is case, but it is a warning to users of glyphosate that aware of weed populations surviving glyphosate they need to be aware of the danger of resistance treatment should contact the group as soon as developing and be careful how they use it. possible, so that testing and follow-up action can be taken.

He says glyphosate is one of the most

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Dairy Focus December 2012

Making hay while sun shines At last some sunshine! As I write this the - more early pregnancies means more Ian Hodge, early milk. The best way to measure this sun is shining and the warmth that we BVSc. MACVSc. have been craving has arrived. The recent Riverside Veterinary accurately is to scan the herd 14 weeks after the start of mating. At that point ageing the Services Ltd increase in silage and baleage-making first six weeks’ worth of pregnancies will be activity bodes well for good pasture simple. Those cows eight weeks and more in calf at that growth. I can well imagine many of you having trouble keeping on top of pasture quality as the growth soars in to point will be part of the six week in calf rate. summer figures.

The accuracy obtained here will give you very valuable information.

Don’t forget to scan the herd again promptly Whilst on a farm in Southland recently the scenario was six weeks after the bulls come out so you can age the the same with abundant growth, and farmers increasing balance of the later pregnancies. This information will give the rotation speed simply to maintain some quality. The you the later calvers and any that you may wish to induce. comparative figures for reducing grain feeding in the Having a discussion with your vet will be the best way to shed and increasing pasture allowance were interesting plan your approach to scanning. because that strategy was saving that particular farmer $1500 per month, with no change in milk production.

Finally a brief check list as a friendly reminder: Calf worming programme on track?

Some observations I have made whilst visiting many Heifer replacement B12 /copper/selenium dairy farms from Nelson to Southland over the past two supplementation programme going OK? or three months are that the cows are in good condition Bull teams all set to go? and milk production peaks for the earlier calving cows has Fat/protein ratio of the herd within normal range? been encouraging, with cows on some farms reaching Bulk milk somatic cell count under 160,000? over 3 kgMS per day.

Clinical mastitis case rate at or less than 1% of the herd per Mating seems to have gone well at least for the first month? six weeks of the mating period and bulls are already out Scanning booked in? on some farms. Last month I wrote a few notes on the Holidays booked? six week in-calf percentage. Remember this is a critical Have a great Christmas and New Year, and I hope to be measure of both fertility and early season milk production contributing again to Dairy Focus again in the New Year.

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Dairy Focus December 2012

Energy audits reduce power bills Linda Clarke,

rural reporter, Ashburton Guardian

11

Saving money on your electricity bill is a big deal, especially if annual costs run to hundreds of thousands of dollars thanks to the need to run irrigation pumps.

installed heat exchangers in their dairy sheds to transfer heat from the milk cooling process to the water heating process and thereby reduce dairy farm electricity use.

Pruning those costs can come from a critical analysis of power bills and power companies’ charges, not necessarily from using less electricity.

Not popular yet, are solar panels, though given time and a reduction in installation costs these may be more common on dairy shed roofs in the future.

ATS energy account manager Tracey Gordon says educating people about their power bills is the first step in cutting costs.

She said wind turbines might also become more common, with groups of farmers contributing to buy one that would generate enough electricity to make them sustainable. Despite Mid Canterbury’s nor’west winds, the area is generally not considered reliable enough wind-wise to operate turbines.

“Some people have 10-15 separate power accounts coming in and have no idea what they are looking at.”

She can help them review the accounts and data from the In a report released earlier this year, the Energy Efficiency past two years, and compare electricity rates from different and Conservation Authority (EECA) said dairy farms could companies to highlight where savings are possible. achieve annual energy savings of nearly 70 million kilowatt Tracey can also help work out if those unannounced visits hours, according to the results of a pilot programme. from power company people knocking on your door at teaFarms could achieve cost-effective annual energy savings time actually pay off. of at least 68.4 million kilowatt hours (or 10 per cent) in the “They also ring people and put pressure on them. A lot of dairy shed, according to the results of the programme they people get a big discount, but it does not always relate to ran across 150 dairy farms in the 2010-11 season. Individual what you are going to pay.” farms could cut milking shed electricity consumption by 16 per cent and a post-pilot survey shows 46 per cent of Tracey can also step in and help clients negotiate farmers will adopt savings technologies if their costs can be payments in the event of an unexpectedly high power bill. recouped in three years.

“That can be quite distressing for some people.”

Audits of participating farms covered water heating, Reviewing past power bills can help see if dairy sheds, milk cooling and vats, vacuum and milk pumps, lighting, cottages and other power consumers are on the right tariff irrigation and effluent systems. Water heating accounted – day or night rates may be applicable. Advising farmers for 24 per cent of consumption, water pumping 22 per about pump sizes was also one way to cut costs; no point cent, refrigeration 17 per cent and vacuum pumps 15 per putting in a huge pump that uses more electricity when a cent. smaller one will do the same job using less electricity.

Most of the savings opportunities related to water Other practical steps, like insulating hot water cylinders – heating. In some cases changing to one hot wash of the especially in dairy sheds – was another money saver. milking plant each day was recommended. In others, Tracey said 47 per cent of the total electricity used in pre-heating water with heat recovered from refrigeration dairy sheds was to heat hot water. Some farmers had also plants, or solar water heating was a viable option.

An Ashburton Guardian Advertising feature

The do’s and dont’s of insuring your farm

Dairy Focus December 2012

13

Farmers are now becoming more of brokers come from an insurance aware of the importance of having background so are aware of David Rush, the correct insurance covers in dealing with insurance claims and Vision Insurance place to protect their business. If various issues that some claims any were not aware, recent events cause. This is an important part as in Canterbury have highlighted most insurance companies have the need to have adequate insurance cover in staff dealing with day- to-day claims that can place and to have professional independent be very inexperienced and can give misleading advice in arranging and discussing those covers. information. Arranging your insurance is one thing – when you have issues with an insurance Farmers can incur loss in a varied number of company over a claim you want to have an ways, flood, fire, breakdown of pumps, straying insurance professional on your side. stock, theft, the list goes on. It is important that farmers are aware of the various options available Insurance brokers will call out and visit their on the market and to know which option best clients on a regular annual basis to ensure all suits their operations. For instance a crop farmer insurances are up to date and current. Again will have different insurance needs and risks from those of a dairy farmer. Different insurance another example of how this can go astray is a client that had arranged insurance direct with an companies have their individual strengths with insurance company had never had a visit from different farming operations – with one insurer them and no updates on his insurances were being better at dairy farms than others. done unless he phoned them – that farmer did Some insurers offer their services direct to the have some uninsured buildings and other items farmer, however whilst sometimes they may that he had overlooked insuring, and because appear cheaper it can be often at the price of no one had ever called to see him they weren’t reduced coverage. I recall meeting a farmer picked up! recently who was share milking. He had what he There are any number of horror stories out thought was a good priced product, however on working our way through his insurances and there, whilst price is important, having the reading his policy document it turned out he did correct insurance cover is more important, as is not have any cover for milk contamination and ensuring that insurance is kept current. There are resultant fines. He was totally unaware of this many ways of lowering insurance premiums. This as he advised the insurance company he was can be by way of taking higher excess options, dealing with that he specifically required that amending the insurance cover on lower value cover. He was not impressed. vehicles to third party or third party fire and theft or limiting drivers on private vehicles, and there Farmers know about farming, that is their livelihood, whilst they often rely on stock agents are other areas that can apply dependant on your individual circumstances. You will generally and accountants for their advice, many still feel find that the higher the insurance premium the they are able to arrange their own insurance programme. With the varied changes now hitting higher the risk, such as insuring breakdown of submersible pumps or insuring irrigators so the insurance market the role of an insurance whenever you do amend your covers do it with broker is becoming more important. They are the full knowledge of what the consequences kept up-to-date with various changes that the insurance industry is undergoing, a good number will be.

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Dairy Focus December 2012

How many lame cows are acceptable?

Water pipe

We had a discussion about that within our team, and it made me realise how easy Veehof Dairy Services it is to mix up these two questions. I guess a different way of asking the same question is: “At what point is it necessary to put lameness up in the priority list?” I would The reality is quite different. When you suggest that the answer to that question is have livestock you have health issues, and different per farm or per manager. I would lameness is a part of that. I think it is good even argue that it may be unwise to address to explore this question a little more. The lameness for some farmers. Let me explain question is: “how many lame cows are that-when we run a business we always have acceptable?” The question is not: “how issues to deal with. much time is it acceptable for a cow to be The smartest thing to do, is to deal with lame?” The answer to the second question is the issue that puts the biggest restriction on irrelevant because we have the responsibility business effectiveness and efficiency. You to care for our cows and lame cows should be could compare it with a water pipe that has dealt with as soon as possible. restrictions in it that slows down the water Every now and again I get this question thrown at me on a hoof-trimming course. It is an interesting question which you can answer in different ways. Obviously, the ideal is ZERO.

Fred Hoekstra

flow. In the diagram you have a waterpipe with a number of issues or restrictions reducing the smooth flow through the pipe.

to go away and have a farm that runs very smoothly and there are different strategies around to achieve that.

In this scenario it makes more sense to concentrate on feed quality than on lameness because that is the biggest limiting factor for this farmer. When the feed quality is improved to the point that time is the biggest restriction (not necessarily when the problem has been dealt with completely) that is when the focus should shift to the time issue and see what can be done about that until milk quality becomes the biggest restriction.

One of the main difficulties is to identify the biggest restrictions in our businesses.

It needs careful consideration. Some small issues may need to be dealt with earlier because they could turn into big issues if left alone for too long. Another issue is that, of course, when you improve one problem it may have an effect on the other problems as well.

After that feed quality may need to be readdressed before the focus goes onto lameness. So the question of how many lame cows is acceptable is different per farm. Naturally we want all those problems

So, I don’t think there is a clear guideline on how few lame cows you should strive for – you just need to be constantly reviewing and evaluating the various restrictions at any given time and prioritise accordingly.

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Dairy Focus December 2012

15

Dairy farmer wellness – How well are we physically?

The Dairy Farmer Wellness and Wellbeing Programme now being led by the Dairy Women’s Network is in its third year and will focus on physical and emotional wellbeing, including reducing stress and fatigue, and building networks to support dairy farmers to improve their health. This programme of work is funded by the NZ dairy farmer levy through DairyNZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries through the Primary Growth Partnership. Physical Health Pitstops continue to be run by the NZ Institute of Rural Health and are a key component of the programme. There is also an emotional wellbeing assessment, carried out

by AgResearch, on offer. These assessments provide farmers with immediate information about their health and, in many instances, have resulted in farmers taking action to reduce life-threatening conditions.

thirds of dairy farmers sampled returned a result greater than the World Health Organisation maximum recommended level of 4.0 mmol/litre of blood. Onethird returned a result greater than 5.0 mmol/litre.

Health PitStop continues throughout year three.

Other factors of interest

The Health PitStop, defined as a structured health assessment undertaken by health professionals and social researchers continues with 1440 assessments undertaken in the first two years and a target of nearly 2,100 dairy farmer wellness and well being assessments undertaken by May 2013.

The good news. 10.7 per cent of the dairy farming population sampled are smokers. Both years compare favourably with the 2006 Census finding that 20.7 per cent of the entire population were smokers. Over 50 per cent of dairy farmers sampled have seen their GP within the past 12 months. This frequency is found across all age groups, except the less health needy group of 15-24 year olds. Visits to GPs increase with age and females see GPs more often than males, which is typical of the entire population. Only 7 per cent (45 dairy farmers) self report having not seen their GP within the past five years.

High blood pressure. Half the dairy farmers returned blood pressure results which the World Health Organisation would regard as moderately high (33 per cent) or high (17 per cent).

Blood glucose level. Nearly 4 per cent returned a blood glucose reading greater than 8.0 mmol/litre.

Risk factor summary. Sixty per cent of the dairy farmer attendees over the two years recorded at least one factor worthy of referring them to their GP; either obesity, cholesterol level greater than 5.0 mmol/litre, high blood pressure or excessive blood glucose level.

Skin state. Protection against skin cancer is not as thorough as it could be. Wearing sunscreen and a hat that covers the ears and neck are two successful preventers. It is beneficial to also have your GP or skin specialist to regularly check your skin. The synergistic value of the three prevention strategies to prevent skin cancers is not capitalized by eight out of nine dairy farmers, in the face of increasing skin cancers, there is more reliance on sunhats and sunscreen than checking for melanoma; yet checking is an equal preventer of melanoma alongside wearing sunhats and sunscreen.

Safety equipment. Only 80 per cent of dairy farmers sampled advised wearing ear protection when they thought it necessary; 70 per cent wear eye protection when they think it necessary and 25 per cent during year two (22 per cent year one) wore a helmet on the farm cycle.

Follow-up. We continue to be grateful for dairy farmers who provide us with follow-up information and The not so good news. The stand-out concern relates are greatly impressed by the attention dairy farmers have paid to their own health, whether that be by to the presence of cardiovascular risk factors. visiting their GP when advised and/or lifestyle changes Overweight. 80 per cent of males and 60 per cent to aid weight loss, blood pressure, cholesterol or blood of females had a body mass index of greater than 25, sugar levels. which the World Health Organisation recognises as the Future plans. The New Zealand Institute of Rural upper limit of normal. Thirty per cent of males and 25 per cent of females had a body mass index greater than Health continues to develop an education programme 30, which the World Health Organisation categorises as for delivery to a select group of dairy farmers with cardio-vascular disease risk factors to raise awareness obese. of health options for them. Subsequent sessions will Cholesterol. Total cholesterol (fats carried in the provide education about men’s and women’s health bloodstream) were recorded as non-fasting. Twoissues and safety on farms.

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Dairy Focus December 2012

Dairy Focus Situations vacant

Windrower

Heavy Diesel Mechanics Two Vacancies - Ashburton

Driver Required

Due to increased work load and expansion of our workshop, AIS have two vacancies for New Zealand qualified heavy diesel mechanics.

Experience on windrowers helpful but mechanical knowledge/agricultural experience necessary.

AIS perform repairs on medium and heavy diesel trucks and trailers and road construction equipment.

Please phone Scott 027 315 5942

Chapman’s Garage Rakaia

WANTED!

A mechanically skilled person.

What have you got to offer us?

Ring David on 03 302 7156 or 027 697 0486

Opportunity of overtime with a very competitive remuneration package is available for the right applicants.

For a full job description and further details, contact: Andy Ruck, Manager AIS Ltd Ph 03 307 8550 - andy@ais.net.nz

Truck & trailer repairs & spares

Harvest Help Enthusiastic and experienced person required for Methven arable and lamb finishing property. January to April.

Good hourly rate to match experience.

Live out.

Ph: (03) 302 1877

AGRONOMIST Mid Canterbury

We are seeking an Agronomist to join our company.

Based in Methven, we provide our clients with a range of services in both the arable and pastoral sector/s.

The successful candidate needs the following characteristics: • Good knowledge of Crop Protection & Fertiliser Use • The ability to promote our services to existing clients • Work independently as well as in a team environment • Be outgoing with a good sense of humour In return we offer a competitive package including a company vehicle among other benefits.

Applicants for this position should have NZ Residency or a Valid NZ Work Permit Applications closing 24th Dec 2012 Please apply to: David Molloy david@molloyag.co.nz (03) 302-8098

Want to advertise on Dairy Focus Situation Vacant page?

Contact Desme Daniels, phone 307-7974 email: desme.d@theguardian.co.nz