Dairy Focus | March 2019 by Ashburton Guardian

Dairy Focus

MARCH 2019

FONTERRA TURNS CORNER

Page 12

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NEWS

Milksolid price rise welcomed

INSIDE

PAGE 3 FARMERS MOURN

PAGE 5 CHINESE COAST INTEREST

PAGE 7 FONTERRA TURNAROUND

Canterbury dairy farmers will average an extra $93,000$100,000 from Fonterra lifting its milk price forecast by 30 cents to $6.30-$6.60 a kilogram of milksolids. The additional revenue will compensate only to some degree, however, the giant coop lowering its share earnings to 15-25 cents a share, down from 25c-35c. The 30c/kg lift in the milk price from the December range of $6-$6.30/kg is a U-turn on a series of lower payout forecasts since the May starting point of $7/kg. Commodity prices have rebounded over the last eight GlobalDairyTrade auctions and provided farmers with an inkling of the payout turnaround. The average national farmer stands to gain about $48,000. Canterbury farmers, including North Canterbury, Selwyn and Ashburton, earn more as they typically produce 330,000kg of milksolids from larger herds averaging 803 cows compared with the national average of 430 cows yielding 160,000kg. South Canterbury farmers from south of Timaru average

Tim Cronshaw

RURAL REPORTER

310,000kg with herds of 791 cows. As much as the payout rise will please them, the lower share earnings will take off some of the gloss as that is a reflection of the co-op’s value-added and business performance. Fonterra has advised its farmers and other unit holders that it will not be paying an interim dividend and it has yet to make a call on a final dividend. Chairman John Monaghan said the improved milk price forecast reflected increases in global milk prices over the last quarter year. He said the milk price was strong, but the co-op’s earnings performance was unsatisfactory and it needed to deliver farmers and other unit holders a respectable return on

their share investment. The board was making solid progress with a full review of the co-op strategy which included a review of the dividend policy, he said. “We are taking a close look at our business with our portfolio review, where we can win in the world, and the products and markets where we have a real competitive advantage. We need a fundamental change in direction if we are to deliver on our full potential.” Since the co-op’s last milk price update in December, global demand had strengthened mainly from stronger demand from Asia, including China. The European Union’s stocks of skim milk powder had also now cleared for the season and demand was expected to be strong. “Global supply remains above last season’s levels, but growth has slowed due to challenging weather conditions in some of the world’s largest milk producing regions,’’ said Monaghan. “In particular, Australia’s milk production is forecast to be down 5-7 per cent on last season and the EU’s growth has slowed and is now forecast to be less than 1

Fonterra chairman John Monaghan. PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

per cent up on last year.’’ Locally, a wet spring had milk companies predicting milk flows would lift about 5 per cent, but the swing to hot and dry weather has pushed Fonterra to revise its expected milk collection down 20 million kilograms of milksolids to 1530 million kilograms. This is still up 2 per cent on last year. Chief executive Miles Hurrell said the underlying performance of the business was not where it needed to be. Among the main “pressure points’’ on its earnings were its Australian ingredients and foodservice businesses in wider Asia which it was making inroads to improve but they would not be solved overnight.

New food role for Fonterra’s Swales Fonterra’s Judith Swales is officially the new chief operating officer for its global consumer and food service business. Chief executive Miles Hurrell said the appointment of Swales to the position follows her taking on the role in an acting capacity earlier this year. He said she had been providing strong leadership for the business unit and the momentum she had gathered deserved to be continued.

Tim Cronshaw

RURAL REPORTER

“Judith’s strengths as a leader lie in her ability to quickly understand what needs to be done and her action-orientation – she’s very purposeful in the way she goes

about things and I have every confidence in her delivering the kind of performance that people expect from us.’’ Swales has worked in Fonterra since 2013 and is a member of the executive team. She has leadership experience in consumer businesses across many industries. Previously she was the managing director of the cooperative’s Oceania business and chief operating officer of Fonterra’s transformation and

Left – Judith Swales.

innovation function. Swales was the spokesperson when Fonterra announced last month that it had invested in Motif

Ingredients, a company that develops and commercialises bio-engineered animal and food ingredients. She said the co-op’s entry into bio-engineered food was part of a commitment to its farmer-owners to stay at the forefront of innovation. The investment would allow it to understand and meet the changing preferences of consumers, she said.

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NEWS

Farm worker’s death keenly felt Tim Cronshaw

RURAL REPORTER

Dairy farmers are expected to give generously to the family of Hinds dairy worker Kamel Darwish who died during the Christchurch mosque shootings. A donation box set up at Hinds Mechanical Services is accompanied by a notice appealing for local people to donate generously to the family of Darwish. The sign reads: “Please donate to help. Kamel Darwish was a local dairy farm worker who was killed in the mosque killing. His brother is in Christchurch. His wife and three children are in Jorden (sp) … Please help to show we care.’’ The Hinds Mechanical Services team posted a Facebook message, showing the sign and letting people know that Darwish’s boss had placed a donation box on the shop counter to help his family with funeral costs. Federated Farmers Mid Canterbury Dairy chairman Chris Ford said he would not be surprised if the farming community gave generously to the Darwish family. He said the farming community was in mourning for the loss of Darwish and the many other people who lost their lives at the mosque shootings. “It’s really sad that an Ashburton man has lost his life and it’s not only sad for all involved but also to have someone close to home is sad for our community.’’ Darwish was understood

Susan Sandys

SENIOR REPORTER

to be excited about visiting the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch for Friday prayers when he left his Hinds workplace. But that was to be the last time his employer and colleagues saw the father of three. He was a popular employee, admired by his co-workers for his diligence. His boss Dietmart Kopetschny said everyone at the dairy farm, share-milked by him and his wife Bex, were in shock. “It’s obviously a great tragedy, it’s a complete surprise, it’s really knocked the guys around, and my wife.” Darwish was one of four staff. The small team on the 285-hectare property was boxing on, milking the cows each day, and just trying to support each other. Kopetschny said he had not even known Darwish was visiting Christchurch at the time of the attack, as this was something he was doing on his rostered time off. But they became aware later in the day as the tragedy unfolded and word came back to the farm that Darwish may have been there. TV footage showed Darwish’s brother Zuhair was among those caught up in the panic and confusion following the terror attack. Standing at a cordon near Masjid Al Noor, he sought information from police about

Above – An armed policeman stands guard outside the Masjid PHOTO AP Al Noor mosque, Christchurch. Right – Kamel Darwish.

his little brother who had been missing since 1.30pm. Ford said dairy farmers cared about their immigrant workers. “Of course they do. You think about how many nationalities there are in Mid Canterbury and if it wasn’t for the Filipinos, the Catholic Church would be struggling. “A lot of immigrants have found work on farms and they are really appreciated. I wouldn’t be surprised if farmers gave generously. They look after their own.’’

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Darwish, in his late 30s, immigrated to New Zealand last year from Jordan. His wife and children are understood to be in Jordan and he had applied for a visa to move permanently to New Zealand. He was shot during the attack on the Masjid AlNoor mosque by an alleged Australian offender on March 15. The gunman killed 50 people after attacking two mosques in Christchurch.

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NEWS

MPI sends warning over email scam An email scam that appears to have come from the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has forced ministry management to send out a warning. Anyone receiving the phishing email is being recommended to delete it immediately and not reply. MPI sent out an advisory saying some of its customers had received the phishing email which gave the impression that it had come from MPI via the info@mpi. govt.nz address. The email has the subject line “MPI new updates” and asks recipients to click on a link leading to a non-MPI website and then to login to view a file. MPI advised the message did not originate from MPI and should be deleted. “If you have already clicked on the link, we recommend you change the password for any login credentials entered. Then contact your IT department or service provider for further advice.’’ Phishing scammers try

Tim Cronshaw

RURAL REPORTER

to get personal information such as bank account numbers and passwords from mass emails sent out to impersonate or defraud people. Often the emails appear authentic and some of them use the branding and logos of organisations to make them seem genuine. Non-profit online safety organisation Netsafe says phishing scammmers will contact many people in the hope that some of them will fall for the scam. “These scams can seem like they’re being sent just to you, but in reality the same scam is being sent to hundreds, if not thousands, of people at the same time.’’ Scammers will often claim

to be from a legitimate organisation or often will send an email telling people they have won a lottery or have an inheritance from a long-lost family member. Other emails use scare tactics with scammers pretending to be lawyers or government employees and threaten legal action if information or money is not supplied. “We’ve also heard of scam emails claiming that online accounts or memberships have been cancelled, have expired or have details that need updating.’’ Netsafe says people should be cautious about emails requesting them to update or verify their details online, advising they have received prizes won from competitions they haven’t entered or seek quick action through threats of legal action or loss of an account. Emails asking recipients to provide personal information such as passwords or banking information should be ignored. The organisation has an

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NEWS

Chinese buyer likely for Westland Tim Cronshaw

RURAL REPORTER

Westland Milk Products’ board is in favour of selling the co-operative to a Chinese dairy giant for $588 million and the deal needs farmer support to go ahead. West Coast farmers will make one of the biggest decisions of their lives for their dairy co-operative in July. They stand to gain $3.41 a share if they vote for the sale to a subsidiary of Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group, which is more than double each share’s $1.50 value, and a guaranteed payout, at least in line with Fonterra milk payments, for 10 years. The sale would put an end to a cooperative legacy going back to 1937 when Westland Milk Products was formed after the amalgamation of smaller co-operatives. The Hokitika-based co-op has been financially troubled and was openly seeking fresh capital. Yet it still would have been a surprise that Westland’s board has signed a

conditional agreement to sell the co-op to Hongkong Jingang Trade Holding Co, a subsidiary of Yili. State-owned Yili owns Oceania Dairy which operates near Waimate and is China’s largest dairy producer. Chairman Pete Morrison said the board believed that the proposed transaction represented the best available outcome for shareholders and had the unanimous support of the board. He said the offer represented an attractive price to the nominal value of Westland shares. “Under the proposed transaction our shareholder farmers, who are existing suppliers upon the implementation of the scheme, will receive the benefit of Westland’s (under the new ownership) commitment (which is guaranteed by Jingang) to collect milk and pay a competitive payout of a minimum of the Fonterra Farm Gate Milk Price for 10 seasons from the season commencing August 1.’’ Westland will seek shareholder approval for the deal at a special meeting, expected to be held in early July. Morrison said a supplier committee of five representatives from existing Westland suppliers and five representatives from the new ownership would be formed to maintain

West Coast farmers will vote on new ownership of their co-op.

communications and transparency between suppliers and Westland going forward. Yilli is the largest dairy producer in Asia and bought Oceania Dairy in 2013. Since that time it has invested about $650m in establishing milk powder, infant formula and UHT production lines for the dairy company. The deal follows a strategic review by the Westland board which explored capital and ownership options to provide a long-term solution for shareholder farmers after Westland’s inability to deliver competitive milk payouts in recent years. The board approached more than 25 parties to seek indications of interest in a cornerstone investment in Westland or a full acquisition or merger. Yili

surfaced ahead of a shortlist. Morrison said farmer shareholders had been advised of the deal and the board’s recommendation. “We will also hold farmer consultation meetings to discuss the proposed transaction and information provided to date”. At least 75 per cent of the votes of shareholders who cast their vote and more than 50 per cent of the votes of all shareholders entitled to vote are needed for the deal to go ahead. The proposed transaction also requires High Court approval in accordance with the New Zealand Companies Act, and consent under the Overseas Investment Act. If the sale proceeds a Government loan of $9.9m will have to be returned.

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OPINION

EDITORIAL COMMENT The tragic ripples of the mosque shootings in Christchurch flow far and wide. As more details emerge of the victims and the lives they led until they were so senselessly killed it becomes apparent that their reach extended wide into the community. Farming is not exempt from this. We learned that Jordanian Kamel Darwish had only just arrived in New Zealand and was working on an Ashburton dairy farm. A young Indian woman in her mid-20s with her life ahead of her had completed a post-graduate degree in agribusiness management at Lincoln University. Others slain included a Lincoln University tutor, an Ashburton restaurateur and a doctor who had served at the Ashburton Hospital. They and others had close connections with farmers, farming and regional towns. As their individual stories unfold we hear they were nice, good family people, community-minded and happy knowing they were living in safe New Zealand. These people were part of the farming fabric. Immigrants have been warmly welcomed by the dairy community as labour shortages have made it difficult to fill staff rosters.

Tim Cronshaw

RURAL REPORTER

What more can be said that has not already been said? Plenty actually. They were grandparents, parents, sons and daughters. They were engineers, dentists, shop owners and people from all walks of life. They were New Zealand-born or came from many countries around the world and had a common interest – of embracing New Zealand as their home. Their lives were unnecessarily cut short. We are not going to give the murder accused a second of oxygen time other than saying the views of right-wing, anti-immigrant extremists or other fanatical fringe groups have no place in New Zealand. To give the gunman a name and a story in this editorial would do the victims, their family and the Muslim

community an injustice. Farming people are good at showing compassion and helping out people in their time of need. No doubt they were among the first to drop off flowers to mosques, provide comfort to family members and to contribute to a Givealittle page to help out remaining family members. Or maybe they just spent a little time thinking about them and the senseless loss. Because that’s what Kiwis do in times of mourning when the needs of people are at their greatest.

Dairy price rebound brings relief The rebound of global dairy community prices continued with the eighth consecutive rise in a row at the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction. Prices were up 1.9 per cent on average at the March 19 event on the back of a healthy 4 per cent rise for whole milk powder. Average prices lifted for all commodities except skim milk powder, anhydrous milk fat and lactose. Whole milk powder’s lift from the last auction two weeks ago placed it at an average of

$4838 a tonne or $US3317/t. NZX dairy analyst Robert Gibson said rising prices for whole milk powder were driven by price increases for all contracts. He said whole milk powder volumes were unchanged from the previous auction at 12,885t. “This continues to reflect strong demand side pressure and may have also been driven by less volumes sold.’’ Skim milk powder average prices decreased 2.3 per cent on the previous event to $US2405/t.

Gibson said some contracts were down as much as 10 per cent. Total skim milk powder volumes offered were 5755t which was down 8 per cent on the previous event. ASB rural economist Nathan Penny said the bank had lifted its 2018/19 milk price forecast by 35c to $6.60/kg following another strong dairy auction. The forecast was at the upper end of Fonterra’s $6.30-$6.60 range, reflecting ongoing price rises, he said. “Indeed, whole milk prices

have lifted 10.2 per cent since we last updated our forecast in February and prices have now risen for eight successive auctions.’’ Penny said the 2019/20 season was shaping up strongly as global supplies were overall soft and demand particularly from Asia remained firm. Anhydrous milkfat (AMF) prices decreased 3.1 per cent at $US5662/t with offer volumes also down. Rennet casein prices increased 9.6 per cent on average to $US6190/t most

likely because total volumes were down 17 per cent. Butter was up 9.3 per cent at $US5089/t, cheddar was up 3.9 per cent at $US4036/t, but lactose was down 1 per cent at $US1000/t. Commodity prices have continued their rally since December 4. Before that they had slumped continuously from May. At the auction 174 bidders bought 21,713t compared with 23,930t of product sold at the last event. The next GDT event is on April 2.

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OPINION

Is Fonterra having a PR makeover? Is it just me or is Fonterra undergoing a remarkably rapid culture shift in a very short space of time? Last year I attended the Ashburton leg of the Fonterra Financial Results Roadshow. Quite apart from the delicious lunch and sneak preview of the new Whittaker’s ice cream, it was a chance to hear then interim-CEO Miles Hurrell and new board chairman John Monaghan deal with the unpleasant reality of Fonterra’s first-ever financial loss. Miles especially, came across as humble, honest and realistic, and those are attributes in direct contrast to the brash and overly optimistic Fonterra leadership we are used to seeing. The way Miles spoke to farmers, the manner in which he answered questions and the way in which he took responsibility for Fonterra’s performance instead of taking the not unreasonable position that he was new to the role, all point to this being the nature of the man rather than some PR makeover. During the roadshow Miles

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made a series of promises to farmers, not least of which was a top-to-bottom review of the business. The speed with which this has happened can be seen in the restructuring that has already occurred within the co-op and also in Fonterra disentangling itself from the Beingmate joint venture in Australia to take full control of the Darnum plant. The DIRA submission, which I covered last month, is another example of Fonterra’s new found realism. Rarely have I seen such plain and simple language from them when dealing with such a complex topic. They stuck to the facts and backed themselves with solid data, releasing the whole submission for public scrutiny. Contrast that with Synlait

A new broom sweeping through Fonterra is impressing farmers. PHOTO SUPPLIED

which has selectively released parts of its submission and used the process as an opportunity to take pot-shots at the competition. I’m not entirely convinced that whining to the media that Fonterra pay their suppliers too much is the way to win support, or to keep suppliers for that matter. There are signs too that Fonterra is finally coming of age and seeing itself as more than just a dairy processor.

They are in fact a global food and ingredient manufacturer and are beginning to invest accordingly. In the past the co-op has stuck to its knitting – investing in dairy and dairyrelated businesses over the globe with mixed results. Fonterra has taken a stake in Motif Ingredients, a US-based company that develops and commercialises bio-engineered animal and food ingredients. This is a clear sign they

are looking to the future and are determined not to be left behind. Milk compounds are notoriously difficult to replicate in the lab, so Fonterra sees this investment as having a stake in complementary proteins, products that Fonterra itself may use as ingredients that will integrate with and add value to their core dairy nutrition focus. Of course GMO’s and lab-based foods have their detractors. Federated Farmers representatives were in a meeting with Air New Zealand shortly after the airline introduced the labgrown Impossible Burger to their menu. The meeting had nothing to do with the burger, but rumour has it a Feds board member snarled “I’d like to reach over the table and stab you”. Such are the passions that non-traditionally produced proteins inflame. I wonder if that Federated Farmers board member is as impressed with the new humble, honest and realistic Fonterra as I am.

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OPINION

Maize an important dairy feed crop Maize silage is not just a filler you throw to cows willy-nilly when feed gets low - it is a valuable, quality feed that when fed correctly can make a big difference to your bottom line. Working on a good yield of 28 tonnes a hectare, a 10ha crop of maize produces 280,000 kilograms of dry matter. At a cost of 32 cents/ kg in the stack, you have a feed worth $89,600 sitting at your disposal. A 25ha maize crop has a value of $224,000. With a crop worth a substantial amount of money on hand, it’s important to feed maize silage strategically so it’s used to its full potential. To get the full benefits of maize silage, it is helpful to first understand what maize is - or rather, what it is made up of nutritionally. Maize is a high carbohydrate, low protein feed, which works well to put weight on cows, or balance out a feed that is too high in protein (such as spring grass, at 25 per cent protein). However, simply adding maize to your cows’ diet is not enough to increase milk production; it is a bit more

David Law

FORWARD FARMING

complicated than that. Cows milk at their best when fed a diet with an average protein percentage of about 16 per cent. This is enough to help them milk well while maintaining a good body condition score. Too little protein and they will put on weight but not milk well – too much protein and they will milk for Africa but will drop weight rapidly. The easiest way to achieve optimum protein levels is to measure everything you feed your cows and adjust accordingly. For example, if you feed 18kg DM per cow per day – comprising 9kg of maize (at 8 per cent protein) and 9kg of dry grass (at 12 per cent protein) – you end up with a

diet with an average of 10 per cent protein. To increase protein levels to 16 per cent you need to add feed that contains a higher level of protein, such as DDG (28 per cent protein) or soya meal (48 per cent protein). (It is also interesting to note that although palm kernel contains 17 per cent protein, it doesn’t lift protein in the milk - so don’t rely on it to balance maize.) I followed this calculation with excellent results when I was dairy farming 450 cows. We excitedly introduced maize on farm in a season similar to this one – it was dry, and feed was running low. However, the cows only produced 1kg of milksolids per cow per day with the addition of the maize silage. Other farmers I spoke to found it an acceptable level of milk production in a dry spell, but given how much money I’d spent on maize, in my opinion it wasn’t enough. I hired a nutritionist and asked if there was any way we could get more production out of the cows. We calculated

Casualty

From left: Alan Law, Forward Farming’s David Law and Brandon Law. PHOTO SUPPLIED

the protein levels in the cows’ diet and the result was 12.5 per cent protein; too low to produce well. To balance the feed and achieve the ideal protein level, we decreased the amount of maize silage (8 per cent protein), increased the amount of spring grass silage (20 per cent protein) and added soya meal at 48 per cent protein. Within three days, the cows were producing 1.5kg of milksolids per cow per day (an

increase of 50 per cent). Although farmers gulp at the price of soya meal – we paid $750/tonne then, although it has come down in price a bit now – we only needed 1kg per cow per day to lift protein levels to 16 per cent, making it an economical option. Now this year’s maize harvest is over, it is worth considering your yield. Was your investment wise? If you only yielded 18t/ha, you may have been better off to buy maize in, but if you came away with 30t/ha, you will have made a good profit. By doing a comprehensive soil audit (because it’s such a valuable crop) and determining exactly what fertiliser your soil and maize crop requires, that extra effort could reward you with a bumper yield. Farmers can no longer afford to take a shotgun approach to growing and feeding maize. If you are not measuring and analysing your maize, you are not managing this investment effectively. David Law is the director of Forward Farming Biological Consultancy.

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OPINION

Irrigation industry looks to future This is my first column as IrrigationNZ’s chief executive since I started in late February. We are facing a number of challenging issues and exciting opportunities relating to irrigation and water management in New Zealand. In order to meet these challenges and opportunities head-on, the sector will need to make effective use of new technologies and continually strive to meet good management practices. Over the past two months we have seen regions such as Tasman and Marlborough struggle with very dry conditions and many other regions have experienced similar drought events in recent years. Climate change will bring more challenging conditions for farming and managing water in the future. This will likely mean more severe and prolonged periods of drought and more flood events. Coupled with increasing community expectations that we manage our water resources carefully, these new operating conditions will mean that more

Elizabeth Soal

IRRIGATION NZ

sophisticated technology is required to help us achieve good outcomes – both for the farm and for the environment. As regional councils work to implement water quality and other environmental standards, the need to show continuing improvement in environmental management practices on farms will become imperative. These are just some of the many factors that are driving ongoing evolution to our farming practices and technology. In June, IrrigationNZ is hosting IF.2019 – Irrigation Futures in Christchurch. This two-day event will bring together leaders from across all sectors of the irrigation industry to discuss some of the key challenges and

opportunities facing the sector. It is designed for irrigation scheme and irrigation industry representatives and other rural professionals. The event will showcase international and local innovation through an exhibition of irrigation technology. Professional development and thought leadership workshops will look at how we can innovate and continue to adapt best practice. Irrigators are, in many ways, pioneers in the adoption of good management practices. They operate in regions which have been the first to incorporate these standards in regulations. Irrigation schemes manage the largest agricultural consents in the country and have been collectively responsible for ensuring that their members comply with consent requirements, providing training and support, and supporting continuous improvement through the use of comprehensive farm planning. There is great potential for the processes and

Dry North Canterbury landscape.

systems developed by irrigation schemes to manage environmental risks to be shared across the primary sector, nationwide. New Zealand is already an international leader in irrigation as we have widely adopted modern systems. IF.2019 is a great opportunity to see some new technology on display and get insight into how we can meet changing needs such as the demand for more energy efficient irrigation systems. Irrigation already contributes more than $5 billion to our economy and the importance of irrigation will

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not diminish in the future, it will only grow. The soon-to-be-built Waimea community dam in Tasman is an example of how critical the development of new water storage is for the future of our regions. In Northland, irrigation development has also recently received government support through the Provincial Growth Fund. IF.2019 is a great opportunity to be part of the discussion as the irrigation industry prepares for a demanding future. Elizabeth Soal is chief executive of Irrigation NZ.

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Dairy Focus

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PROFILE

Farmers check their cows are fit for transport before going on the truck. PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

Closer processing plants advocated For Canterbury dairy farmer Stu Litchfield getting top dollar for his cull cows isn’t everything, it’s doing what’s best for them right until the end that is. Litchfield, who has been dairy farming for close to 40 years and owns and operates a 1300-cow farm in Dunsandel, sends his cows to Anzco Foods. The food manufacturer has seven processing plants across the country, four of which are in the South Island.

Litchfield said Anzco sent a lot of cows to be processed at their Blenheim factory, which meant a six-hour trip for his cows. This didn’t sit well with him. He requested his cows be sent to their closest processing plant, which is just 30 minutes from his farm, to minimise the stress on them. “Sometimes farmers shop around to get the best price, but I don’t like them having to travel too far, I don’t think it’s

fair on them. For some of our cows it will be the first time they’ve been on a truck.” He recommends other dairy farmers consider sending their cows to their closest processing plant. If this isn’t an option, he recommends farmers supplement their cows with magnesium and calcium if they are having to do a longer trip. This is in addition to ensuring they have water, and

hay or straw to prepare them for the journey. “I imagine it’s a bit of a shock otherwise when they’re used to getting a whole paddock of grass one day and then get nothing the next.” Litchfield said pre-booking with the processing plant was also a good idea to minimise delays. He said farmers should be checking their cows were fit for transport and met all animal welfare regulations.

Choosing the right transport company is also important. “We use a local transport company for all our stock cartage because they have modern equipment which causes less stress on the animals.” Litchfield said they humanely put down any unhealthy animals on farm, though this was extremely rare. “I don’t send anything to the processing plant if they’re not

A transporter’s take on cull cows A Canterbury transport operator wants to see the dairy sector improve the care of cull cows, just like it did for bobby calves. E D Swain Ltd owner operator Eddie Swain has been transporting stock around the South Island for more than 30 years. While some dairy farmers are doing a good job, others need to do better when it comes to cull cows, he said. “It’s like anything, some dairy farmers are really good, we don’t have to worry about anything when we pick up their cows because they’re always in

good condition and healthy. “Then there are some who are doing an average job, and those at the other end of the scale who we have to watch like hawks. These last ones are who MPI needs to crack down on.” Swain said the best way farmers could help truck drivers was by ensuring their cows were fit for transport. He said it was also a good idea to flag with your transporter when arranging pick-up if there are tall cows in the mob so they could make sure the truck had the right configuration to ensure their backs didn’t rub.

Truck operator Eddie Swain with his sons, Stephen left, and Brad

PHOTO SUPPLIED

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OPINION

Transport cows in best condition Travelling can be tiring, but I find it’s often the little things that make me feel better on a road trip or flight, like staying hydrated and having snacks on hand. It’s exactly the same when it comes to transporting our cows, whether they are travelling down the road to graze or on their final journey. We know from speaking to many of you that you are doing a great job of assessing that your cows are fit for transport – with a body condition score of three or more and in good health. At DairyNZ we have a commitment that New Zealand will continue to be world leaders in animal care and our research and science has helped look at more ways we can support our cows to travel well. Firstly, it’s ideal if you can dry off your cows before transporting them. This makes them less prone to going down during their transport. But we understand this isn’t always possible. If you can’t dry off your cows, one of the best things

Jacqueline McGowan

DAIRYNZ DEVELOPER

you can do is give them magnesium and calcium on the day they are to be transported. We know many of you are aware of the benefits of feeding magnesium, but calcium is equally important. Constant muscle movement during transport can use up the cow’s normal supply of calcium, especially if she is still lactating or is being trucked a long way. Calcium deficiency can affect a cow’s muscles to the point where they are no longer able to contract properly, which increases the risk of them going down. To prevent this, it’s recommended each cow is given 100 grams of lime flour and 12-20g of magnesium as an oral drench. Double this

Cows need to be fit for travel. PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

amount if administering as a slurry with hay. I know this should go without saying, but I’m never one to assume anything so, make sure your cows always have access to water until they are loaded. They’ll thank you for it, as they won’t get another chance until they arrive at their destination. You can also try and limit the length of the journey by ideally keeping wherever they are going to as short a ride as possible. It’s common knowledge that cows should be kept off green feed for at least four hours (but no longer than 12 hours)

Visit our website for more on how the

before transport to prevent effluent spilling onto roads, but it’s important to remember this doesn’t include hay or baleage. So make sure they have access to roughage right up until they are loaded. If you have tall cows, let your transport company know

in advance so that they can avoid back rubs by sending a suitably configured truck. These things are the very least we can do to show our kindness and care to our cows. Jacqueline McGowan is a DairyNZ developer in the animal care team.

12 TO 24 HOURS BEFORE TRAVEL: ■■ Ensure access to water at all times ■■ Stand-off green feed for at least four hours, but no more than 12 hours, and continue to feed hay/baleage ■■ Supplement calcium and magnesium ■■ Liaise with your transport company to send cows to a processing plant nearby

Dairy Focus

www.guardianonline.co.nz

NEWS

Fonterra back on the right track Fonterra has made a start on honouring its pledge to farmers to return the cooperative to profitability after posting an after-tax profit of $80 million in the six months to January following its first ever loss last year. As part of an investment overhaul the co-operative has put its 50 per cent share of DFE Pharma with FrieslandCampina up for sale and completed the sale of its Venezuelan joint venture Corporacion Inlaca to international food business Mirona. Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell said the cooperative was pleased to be back in black territory, but its earnings performance was not where it should be and this was the reason for revising forecasted full year earnings down to 15-25 cents per share in February. Fonterra leaders were continuing the work to develop a new strategy to support a much-needed change in direction, he said. The sale of its half share of DFE Pharma will spell the end

Tim Cronshaw

RURAL REPORTER

of a joint venture established in 2006 between Fonterra and FrieslandCampina. DFE Pharma is one of the largest suppliers of pharmaceutical fillers which are used in medicines such as tablets and powder inhalers. Lactose from its Kapuni operation in Taranaki will continue to be supplied to the DFE Pharma business. The co-op had received strong interest in Tip Top and was considering its options for its shareholding in Chinese company Beingmate, he said. “We are well on track to meet our target to reduce end of year debt by $800m,” Hurrell said. He said the decision to sell Inlaca was the result of ongoing instability in Venezuela which had led

to challenging operating conditions. Fonterra received $16m for the Inlaca sale which was not included in the half-year result. More one-off transactions over the course of the financial year are expected to impact positively and negatively to the business and announced forecast earnings will continue to reflect only the underlying performance of the business. Revenue across the half year was down 1 per cent at $9.7 billion and its EBIT result was also back 29 per cent on the same period last year to $323m. However, net profit was up 123 per cent on previously. Hurrell said the steady performance from the New Zealand ingredients business in the first half of the financial year had been offset by challenges in Australia ingredients for total EBIT to decline by 17 per cent to $461m. The Australia ingredients business continues to feel the bite of drought and aggressive price competition for milk, resulting in under-used

Fonterra is back in black and has more assets up for sale to get the business back in line. PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

processing plants and tighter margins. Hurrell said the consumer and foodservice business was tracking behind last year with an EBIT of $134m. “This part of the business has been held back by disruptive political and economic conditions as well as high input costs in Latin America. In addition, in our China foodservice business, demand slowed due to higher prices and in-market inventory levels growing for butter at the end of FY18.” Fonterra chairman John Monaghan said the co-op was serious about its business

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strategy review. “There will be fundamental change. We are taking a hard look at our end-toend business, where we can win in the world and the products where we have a real competitive advantage. “Other than collecting, processing and selling milk, there were no sacred cows,” he said. Monaghan said Fonterra’s portfolio review would simplify its business and concentrate on getting the basics right. The investment portfolio would be changed to achieve higher returns on capital.

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NEWS

New irrigation scheme for Hurunui Amuri irrigators have voted in favour of a proposal to build a 7000-9000 hectare piped irrigation scheme on the south side of the Hurunui River. The proposal is a revised and smaller scheme than the scrapped initiative originally proposed by Hurunui Water Project (HWP). Amuri Irrigation Company (AIC) already irrigates 28,000ha of land in the Amuri Basin in North Canterbury, extracting water from the Waiau and Hurunui rivers. Scheme supporters say the area on the south side of the Hurunui River is exposed to drought and a secure irrigation scheme would bring water certainty to farmers. AIC shareholders made their decision to support the scheme proposal at a special meeting on March 13 which would irrigate farmland surrounding the towns of Hawarden, Waikari and Scargill Valley. Last year, AIC offered to take over HWP after its original project collapsed. The offer was conditional on there being enough irrigation interest from Hurunui farmers and support from AIC shareholders. This was achieved when 90 per cent of AIC shareholders voted in favour of building and financing an irrigation scheme.

A new irrigation scheme on the south side of Hurunui River is favoured by farmers.

Hurunui farmers indicated an interest in irrigating almost 7000 hectares. AIC chairman David Croft said shareholders had shared the vision of the board to take the social and economic benefits of irrigation with their neighbours south of the Hurunui. “We would like to thank our shareholders and the Hurunui farmers for their support thus far. “We will continue to work hard towards getting a share offer into the

market as soon as possible.” AIC has just completed an $87 million pipe upgrade of its open canal distribution network. Croft said one company managing most of the water use and environmental impacts of irrigation in the Hurunui River catchment would benefit the community and provide an efficient network for irrigators. The new scheme would use some of the consents held by HWP along

PHOTO SUPPLIED

with unused water within the AIC schemes, when available. HWP consents authorise water use over larger area of 58,500ha and a smaller development was expected to reduce the environmental risk. AIC includes the Waiau, Waiareka Downs and Balmoral schemes. The Waiau River feeds the Waiau and Waiareka schemes via two river intakes and the Hurunui River feeds the Balmoral scheme.

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Dairy Focus

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FARM VEHICLES AND MACHINERY

Tractor comfort New Holland has expanded its T7 tractor range to meet the needs of farming and contracting businesses that want performance and economy in a more affordable package. The three-model T7-S range is an economic alternative to a pre-owned machine in the same power class. Fuel efficient and reliable, the T7.165S, T7.195S and T7.215S offer maximum power outputs of 165, 190 and 210 horsepower respectively, powered by Stage IV-compliant sixcylinder FPT engine with ECOBlue HI-eSCR technology. The T7.165S is fitted with New Holland’s 18x6 40 kilometres an hour Range Command semi-powershift transmission. Ideally suited to livestock and mixed applications, with yard-friendly dimensions and manoeuvrability, the T7.165S has the power to drive high-capacity mixer wagons, as well as the versatility for duties including mowing, baling, loading and transport. Available loader-ready from the factory with a wheelbase of just over 2.7 metres the T7.165S comes fitted with New Holland’s high-specification Horizon high roof cab with visibility roof panel. Set on a longer wheelbase of 2.88m, the T7.195S and T7.215S models are designed for more intensive use, featuring New Holland’s 18x6 40km/ hr Power Command full-powershift transmission. Both models offer rugged dependability and are ideally suited to multi-operator applications, and in hire or contract fleets. Fitted with the high roof Horizon cab, the T7.195S and T7.215S offer exceptional levels of performance, comfort and value. While the T7-S range offers greater affordability, it doesn’t compromise on choice. For loader work the T7.165S 80X5withCOL comes massive hydraulic flow, (186X80MM) electronic loader joystick, automatic four-wheel drive, and the option of award winning CustomSteer, to deliver excellent loader cycle times and reduced steering wheel rotations for optimal manoeuvrability with less operator input. The New Holland T7.165S tractors offer performance and economy in a more affordable package. Where more intensive fieldwork is

The new tractor range has three models offering different horsepower options.

required, both the Range Command transmission on the T7.165S and the Power Command transmission on the more powerful T7.195S and T7.215S can be specified with creep speeds. Full IntelliSteer RTK guidance offering accuracy down to 15 millimetres and a telematics package is available on all T7S models. The long-wheelbase T7.195S and T.215S deliver rear linkage lift capacity of up to 10,463kg with optional 110mm rear lift rams, and maximum power outputs of 190hp and 210hp respectively, making heavy cultivation duties a breeze. The Horizon cab, used across the T7 range, has operator safety and comfort at its heart. Low noise (69dB(A)), excellent visibility and ergonomically arranged controls come as standard. Standard eight halogen lights provide good visibility at night or in barns, with the option to upgrade to an eight or 12 LED light pack. Comfort is not compromised in the T7-S range, with a choice of two seats including a comfort model automatic weight adjustment and swivelling backrest extension to aid operators who need more manoeuvrability in the cab. If frequent working over rough terrain is expected T7S models can be fitted with New Holland’s proven Comfort Ride cab suspension system, or upgraded to its latest Terraglide front axle suspension, which offers improved road-transport performance. If high levels of manoeuvrability are required 80X5T7S COLmodels can be (186X80MM) specified with SuperSteer, increasing the steering angle from a standard 55 degrees to class-leading 65 degrees.

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Dairy Focus

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FARM VEHICLES AND MACHINERY

Keeping safe on farm motorbikes – Much of the attention goes on quad bikes, but accidents happen to riders on twowheeled motorbikes on farms too and Worksafe New Zealand has a practical guide to keep people safe. Among the key points, riders must be trained and have enough experience to do the job and choose the right vehicle. Riders should always wear a helmet and children should not be allowed to ride adult-sized farm bikes. The common causes of accidents on farm bikes are; not riding to the conditions, not paying attention to the terrain and inexperience. This applies to farmers as well as farm employers, farm employees, contractors and representatives and consultants – anyone riding a two-wheeled motorbike on a farm. Firstly ask yourself if a two-wheeled bike is the right vehicle for the job? For example, a side-by-side is better for carrying loads, and a ute is better for taking passengers around the farm. When riders are familiar

with a bike, they know when something is wrong and how to fix it. It is important to know how a bike works before you ride it. Not all bikes are the same and it can take time to get a “feel” for a bike that hasn’t been ridden before. If you haven’t ridden a bike for a while, its condition may have changed since you last rode it. Take into account the size and the power of the vehicle. Read the owner’s manual and know the controls, especially when riding new or different bikes. Check the bike before riding – especially if you weren’t the last person to use it or you haven’t used it for some time. Before starting the bike, check the cables for kinks or broken strands and lubricate the cables. Make sure the tyres are in good condition. Check the owner’s manual for the correct tyre pressure – incorrect tyre pressure contributes to bike crashes. Worn or uneven tread affects the bike’s handling and makes it harder to control on slippery or uneven surfaces.

Cuts, nails stuck in the tread and cracks in the sidewalls can cause a dangerous tyre blowout. Check the drive chain or belt for lubrication, wear and adjustment. Make sure the oil is at the correct level before you start riding – your engine will seize without oil. This could lock up your rear wheel and make you lose control. After you’ve started the bike, try the front and rear brakes one at a time. Don’t ride long distances with the fuel tap on reserve. Only use the reserve tank to go back and refuel. Many farmers around New Zealand use two-wheeled bikes, often where the terrain is difficult. Very steep, rough, slippery or loose ground can be inaccessible for them unless there are well-formed tracks. Smooth clutch operation, gear changing and braking are the keys to skilful riding. Avoid sudden braking or steering. Place feet firmly on the footrests when moving. Only put them down when you stop. Keep your feet horizontal on the footrests with toes pointed

Riders on two-wheeled motorbikes need to be just as careful when travelling on farms as quad bikes. PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

straight to avoid hitting the ground. Keep elbows away from the body for strength, and keep arms bent to act as shock absorbers. To help balance the

bike, press your knees against the petrol tank. Active riding uses balance and body position to influence stability and performance when cornering and riding on a slope.

No more guesstimating with feed With RDS Weighlog loader scales from RDS Systems Ltd installed, farmers no longer need to guesstimate how much feed is being fed out to stock or fertiliser is being loaded into a fertiliser spreader. Over the last 15 years RDS loader scales have earned a reputation in New Zealand for being reliable and accurate. Originating from RDS Technology in the UK, the RDS product range is now part of Topcon Agriculture. “We are receiving more and more calls now from clients wishing to monitor how much

they are actually feeding out as supplements and loading into their fertiliser spreader,” said Tess McLeod from RDS Systems Ltd. The Weighlog Alpha 10 is very popular, customers like the intuitive touch screen, data saving capabilities and functions available on this instrument. For example: using a known tonnage of a maize silage stack, an operator can press a couple of buttons on the Alpha 10 and see how much maize has been fed out to date, from this the actual quantities

that remain are known and feed budgets can be altered with confidence by knowing what is actually remaining. Debbie and Stu Bland are dairy farmers near Reefton, Stu said, “With the recording we did after the Weighlog was fitted we were pleased to find that the scales had paid for themselves by the time we had fed the first 100 tonnes of maize silage.” RDS Systems Ltd will be at SIAFDs in the Covered Sites Pavilion C18. Advertising feature.

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FARM VEHICLES AND MACHINERY

whether two or four-wheeled

Taking one foot off the footrest will unbalance the bike. This can make the bike slide or fall. Balancing on the footrests improves all parts of riding and is an essential part

of good riding technique. When riding on steep or rough ground you must move and use your bodyweight to stabilise the bike. Do this while standing with your knees

bent and your weight on the footrests. When riding uphill pick the best line on the terrain, select the gear before beginning the climb – a low gear is probably better. Stand on the footrests, bend your legs and put some weight on the handlebars with your arms. This helps with better tyre grip and balance. The steeper the slope, the more you have to lean forward onto the handlebars. Control the throttle to minimise wheel spin. Avoid sudden acceleration – it can make the bike rear up or flip over. If you have to stop when going uphill, put down your left foot, pull in the clutch and apply the rear brake. When riding downhill choose second or third gear – never first. This stops the rear wheel from locking up and sliding. Stand on the footrests and move your body backwards so your weight helps keep the bike stable and allows for better braking. Apply enough front brake to hold the bike at a constant safe speed. Apply

the back brake to stop the rear wheel moving out of line. If the rear wheel begins to slide, briefly release the rear brake to bring the slide under control. If the slide continues, briefly open the throttle to regain control. If you can’t control the slide, firmly apply the rear brake and slide the bike to the ground against the hillside. If you need to stop or slow down, use the front brake more than the rear if traction allows. When riding on rough ground stand with your knees slightly bent and balance on the footrests. Look out for wires, race tapes, irrigation pipes and other objects that you could run into and knock you off the bike. Where necessary, use fluorescent tape or flags to make them easier to see for riders. Also note these hazards on farm maps. Always wear a helmet while riding a two-wheeled bike otherwise you increase the chances of a head injury. The helmet must be well-fitting,

securely fastened and kept in good condition Always wear boots while riding a motorbike. Depending on the conditions, consider wearing clothing that covers arms and legs to protect your skin if you fall off and slide, gloves and eye protection. You may need to wear highvisibility gear sometimes. If multi-tasking is necessary, it might be better to use another vehicle. Two-wheeled bikes need your full attention to balance and control. When mustering, work out the route before you start. Open the gates and work out where you should be on guard – places where stock are likely to break away or there are obstacles. Tell someone where you are working and when you plan to return. Carry a mobile phone or two-way radio if possible. Have regular check-in times. This will speed up a response if you do not return. Work out an emergency plan with workers and family members so they know what to do if something goes wrong. Source: Worksafe New Zealand

Stainless steel tanks the way to go If you have yet to replace your old mild steel tripod fuel tank and you are attending the South Island Field Days at Kirwee, a visit to Petrotec Services at site 782 should be on your must-do list. They are suppliers of the Fuelcon range of stainless steel farm tanks. When considering replacement options for your fuel tank some of the key points to keep in mind are: costeffective standards approved tank, a ladder that incorporates a platform or a safety bar option, the tank fuel type embossed on

the side of the pump box by the lockable nozzle, a vent filter and fuel filter. A stainless tank will last across the generations and eliminate rust or corrosion due to the material of manufacture. It will be durable and easy to clean. No need to paint, no rust or pitting. The vent filter and fuel filter will assist in preventing moisture build up, diesel bug or dirt and water contamination therefore keeping fuel clean. Single product storage or split combination tanks are available and will allow for flexibility of

storage options. Whether you require diesel, petrol, diesel/ petrol or diesel exhaust fluid (DEF/Ad Blue) combination, an above ground gravity-fed, or an on ground pump option. Stainless steel is a viable longterm option worthy of serious consideration. Petrotec Services are also suppliers of the Fuelcon range of steel trailer tanks and commercial tanks. As well as agents for the Everlink fuel management system and Logitank containerised bulk storage and dispensing solutions. Advertising feature

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Dairy Focus

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FARM VEHICLES AND MACHINERY

Iconic gear is here! Harvest season Ikon Machinery is an importer and national retailer of agricultural machinery, based in Geraldine, South Canterbury. We are a family owned and operated business, specialising in high quality machinery. Our brands are class-leading, iconic in their markets! Our brands are specialists in their field, they concentrate on making the very best machines, by the mark of quality not quantity. Köckerling are specialists in cultivation and seeders. Made in Germany, the family business was established in 1955. Since then it has grown to be a household name in Europe, a force to be reckoned with and setting trends with a lot of cultivation machine designs. Köckerling have a policy of continuous product improvement. Siloking are specialists in mixer wagons/diet feeders, trailed and self-propelled. Made in Germany, the business was established in 1983. Since then the company has grown into a global brand, their R&D into the dietary requirements of livestock is second-to-none and this shines through in their machines, pioneering design and build quality. Larrington Trailers are specialists

Some of last year’s imports.

in trailers and crop transfer. Made in the UK, the company started in 1972. They are often referred to as the Rolls-Royce of trailers. Their high build quality and clever design, have set some major milestones in the UK trailer manufacturing market. These three major brands, brought to the New Zealand market exclusively by Ikon Machinery, have been selected for their build quality and their class-leading working operation of machines. Visit us at Site 857-859 (far north side of machinery stand) at the South Island Agricultural Field Days in Kirwee. Advertising feature

Visit us at Site 857-859 at SIAFD

Well what a year it’s been, spring was good with nice rains and everything was growing and looking good and then came early summer and someone forgot to screw the water tap down a little and turn on the sun which made the early crops pretty average and the later crops do well by the talk around the South Island. At the start of harvest we were all worried that it was going to be a wet harvest then Mother Nature stepped in and did it get dry quickly. The only bonus, it was quick and easy on the harvesting equipment and farmers with continued days of operation with most farmers going from one crop to another as it came ripe rather than waiting for good weather.

One of the most interesting things that did pop up this year was the gumming up of the knives and cutterbar floors in grain crops which made feeding into the front more difficult with chemicals keeping the straw greener for longer which has people talking. This means more emphasis was needed in keeping fingers and sections in good condition, so we’ll keep an eye on that at this year’s service. Once again we had clients ordering parts and machinery from USA to go in our containers which includes A&I Products that include many brands, eg Case, Agco, JD, Sunflower, Swathmaster, you name it, so, we’ll look forward to hear from you. Advertising feature

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FARM VEHICLES AND MACHINERY

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Rugged Valley is attending the South Island Field Days, where you can find us at Site 883, we would love to have a chat. We will let you in on our Field Days Discounts, and hardwearing NZ made products. Now stocking the PVC moulded SandGrabba Floormats, vehicle specific designed to trap the mud. All with a five year guarantee. No need to be precious that you are damaging the automotive cloth, or your leather interior. Jump right on in. Time to protect your seats and floor from your lifestyle, and future proof your resale value? Not attending Field Days, that’s okay, we still have you covered. Shop online at ruggedvalley.co.nz. Or, call us to invest in your protection 0800 478 443. Advertising feature

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Dairy Focus

FENCING AND MAINTENANCE

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Good cow lanes save time, money Well designed, constructed and maintained cow lanes will save farmers time and money. Conversely, they will lose out if tracks are poor. Among the benefits of good cow lanes – farmers will spend less time and money on repairs, they will get more efficiency through better cow flow and there will be fewer incidences of lameness and mastitis. There’s no such thing as a perfect track but that shouldn’t stop anyone from getting as close as they can to the target. A perfect track should be wide enough for a herd to move without being pressured and give cows enough space so they are less likely to push or be pushed. The width of the track is determined by cow numbers now and in the long term. As a guideline, the track width for mobs of less than 120 cows should be five metres, 120-250 cows should be 5.5m, 250-350 cows 6m, 350-450 cows 6.5m and more than 450 cows will depend on the split of the herd. Tracks should be as short as possible so cows don’t have to walk too far. The longer the track, the greater the impact on cow comfort and the longer they will take to get to the dairy to milk. The energy being used by cows to walk to the dairy shed can affect milk production. Ensure there are no distractions as that will lead to cows stopping to take a look, potentially slowing traffic. Make sure the track is well fenced from the drains. Good fencing can prolong the life of a track. It keeps cows out of drains and mud, minimises damage to drains and contamination of waterways. Position the fence so that the posts are on the paddock side but with an outrigger on the lane side of the drain. The bottom wire should be high enough above the track surface to allow tractors access to the drain for cleaning. Also, take care when moving cows along tracks which are bordered by hot wire fences. Good access in and out of paddocks is important and shouldn’t be narrower than the track or there will be bottlenecks. Put in double gates to avoid wear and tear and muddy areas. Angled or offset gates improve cow flow, reduce track wear and tear and are easier to get machinery through.

V-gates increase cow speed by removing the need to do a 90 degree turn onto the track and reduce muddiness of gateways as cow traffic is halved. Single wires are hard to see so use colour tapes for gates and indicator flags when using tapes across tracks. Move troughs away from gates to stop drinking cows blocking gateways and making them muddier. A full, front opening paddock reduces mud as stock enter and exit. Time gate latches drop the gate tape at a preset time. The timer is set when shutting the cows in. This encourages cows to begin leaving the paddock and drift off to the dairy at their own pace, rather than just relying on farmers pushing them along. Ensure gateways are well drained to prevent mud. Divert water away from them and tracks and consider

putting in a culvert to carry water underneath. Use a heavy roller on the areas around gates or troughs occasionally. Make sure tracks have a good surface and the right camber. Tracks can’t be too muddy, uneven or stony or have too much slope or it will affect cows’ ability and desire to use them. Track drainage is best achieved by having a slight camber so water can run off. Should farmers want to avoid run off into open drains or waterways, they can create a one-way camber. But camber on both sides is better for cows. Ensure the track is raised in the centre and the slope should be between 3-5 per cent. Don’t make the camber greater than 8 per cent or cows will only walk on parts of the track. Maintaining good tracks involves a proactive

programme that ensures drainage is effective and surfaces are kept in top condition. Fill and compact potholes as they occur otherwise they trap water, turning the surface layer into slurry and the base layer into a bog. Grade track surfaces on a regular basis – at least annually. Using tractors or holding stock on tracks can lift and rut the surface. Drive farm vehicles slower on tracks and reduce, as much as possible, shaded areas to ensure they dry more quickly. Clean drains to make tracks last longer and ensure side drains are open when it rains and deal with small blockages as they occur. Carry a shovel when getting the cows in to clear side drains and have a knapsack handy to spray weeds. If grass and manure has built up on track edges and farmers want to leave it

to help support the track structure, cut lateral drains to allow water to flow away. Use a tractor blade to remove it and this may need to be done annually. Using a contractor with a grader or digger is a good option. Fix leaking troughs and irrigation equipment. Irrigators that run over tracks can cause problems. Prune or remove trees near tracks as they block sun and wind and keep tracks from drying out. Tree roots also destroy the structure. Create ‘speed bumps’ to divert water off steep tracks. Their camber should be between 3-5 per cent as steeper cambers result in water too quickly scouring the track. Tracks near waterways should have slopes facing away from the water and towards a paddock or sediment trap. Source: DairyNZ

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FENCING AND MAINTENANCE

Pump and irrigator maintenance The failure of pumps and irrigation equipment during the season can waste a lot of time, restrict pasture and crop growth and create stress. Regular equipment checks and ongoing maintenance are vital in preventing breakdowns and reducing the chance of serious damage. Having a weekly or monthly and annual task list for irrigation maintenance, where farmers can check tasks off easily, ensures maintenance is kept up-to-date. If you install a new pump, ensure the supplier provides the specifications and a pump commissioning report. This will serve as benchmarks for future checks. During the first irrigation sweep make sure surface pumps are primed and fill the mainline slowly. Take and record initial flow readings, operating pressures and amp meter readings – these will serve as benchmarks for the rest of the season. Listen for any unusual noise and check all pressure and/ or flow switches which could have been damaged over the

winter. Check for any leaking seals, joints or glands and run an eye over suction screens and surface water takes. If there is auto-clean, ensure it works. For the irrigator, grease the pump and motor and check operating pressures to compare with initial readings or specifications. Check sprinklers for condition, rotation, blockage, wear and tear and hoses and pipes for damage or leaks. During the irrigation season make sure grease levels are maintained for both the pump and motor. Check flow readings, operating pressures and amp readings to compare with initial readings or specifications. At the irrigator check sprinklers for their condition, rotation and blockages, make sure nozzles are not hooked up and look for general wear and tear. Check the irrigation speed and operating pressure and also the application depth and compare it against design specifications. Make sure hoses and pipes

are free of damage and leaks. Follow maintenance schedule for regular greasing of travelling irrigators. Have a plan to manage travelling irrigators in high winds. This may include turning water off but keeping the irrigator filled with water, parking the irrigator behind shelter or in the same direction as the wind to minimise the contact area. Tie down rotary booms. At the end of the irrigation season repair or replace broken pump meters and gauges. If the pump is operating more than 5 per cent below specifications, consider taking action to get it repaired. For the irrigator, remove

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frost drain plugs and any plugin cords and store them in a covered area off the ground. Tie boom irrigators so they can’t rotate and store them against a shelter belt. Park the centre pivot in the same direction as the prevailing wind to reduce the wind’s contact area on the machine. Do not park the pivot in the wheel tracks or down a steep incline Pull K-line systems alongside a permanent fence, not under trees. Do not store irrigators near trees which may break or fall over under the weight of snow. Arrange for the supplier to do an annual maintenance on travelling irrigators.

Check irrigators for major overhaul needs, usually every 10,000-20,000 hours of operation. With border dyke irrigation, review their performance and the need to redevelop border strips and levels. Irrigation breakdowns can range from minor issues which take time to fix, through to major problems that cost time, money and loss of pasture production from delayed irrigation or loss of nutrients through over watering. It is important that any problem is fixed quickly and the cause identified to stop it happening again. Go to DairyNZ’s website for a trouble shooting summary of common irrigation problems. IrrigationNZ also has pre-season checklists and performance assessments for a range of irrigation systems. Go to its website www. irrigationnz.co.nz to find the checklists. For more detail specific to your system, contact the service provider. Source: DairyNZ

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Dairy Focus

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NEWS

Fonterra looks to bio-engineering Tim Cronshaw

RURAL REPORTER

Dairy giant Fonterra has dipped a toe in the bio-engineered food game by taking a stake in a United States company. The co-operative’s undisclosed investment in Motif Ingredients, a company that develops and commercialises bio-engineered animal and food ingredients, is a step in a new direction away from its traditional base of natural milk. Fonterra global consumer and foodservice head Judith Swales said the move was part of the co-operative’s commitment to its farmer-owners to stay at the forefront of innovation. The investment would allow it to understand and meet the changing preferences of consumers, she said. “Farmers expect their co-op to get the most value from every drop of their milk and also keep an eye on tomorrow to futureproof their co-op for generations to come. Dairy nutrition will always be at our core, but we also want to explore how we can capture more value from new types of nutrition.’’ Alternative nutrition produced from plants, insects, algae and fermentation is fast evolving. She said the “complementary nutrition’’ category could co-exist alongside animal proteins, including cows’ milk. Fonterra would not disclose the size of its investment, other than saying it has a minority stake in the business. Swales said the world population would increase by two billion more mouths to feed in the next 30 years and there would not be enough food to go around using today’s methods. “A combination of traditional and complementary nutrition sources will be required to meet the world’s

Fonterra milk could be both natural and bio-engineered in the future.

increasing need for food, especially protein. “Consumers around the world will continue to want natural, grassfed dairy as a premium source of nutrition. “At the same time, we recognise that no two consumers are the same. As diets and preferences continue to evolve, we want to be, providing people with choices.’’ Motif was set up by organism company Ginkgo Bioworks. Using a process similar to how insulin, vitamins and beer are made, a team of biotech experts will harness

genetic science and fermentation technology to re-create and sell animal proteins and food ingredients, including those similar to dairy ingredients.

PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

Other investors in Motif Ingredients apart from Ginkgo Bioworks are Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Louis Dreyfus Companies and Viking Global Investors.

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SOIL QUALITY FACTSHEET

PRESENTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH VICTORY LIME

Reduce your NPK fertiliser cost by 50%

IT IS understood that growing almost anything increases your soil acidity or lowers the soil’s pH. While Aglime easily corrects acidification the final target pH level for optimum nutrient availability is and always has been a moving target. The absolute building blocks for growth such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulphur and magnesium, are not even close to their peak availability at a pH of 5.5 as shown in the table below. As you can see a pH at 5.5 seems inefficient and illogical. However, a pH between 6 and 6.5 increases availability exponentially and even starts peaking across many nutrients.

WHAT IS THE OPTIMAL PH AND WHY?

Your soil’s pH is one of the

key drivers in making nutrients available to the plant. With a pH that is too low (< 5.5) trace minerals such as Aluminum become available which can heavily diminish growth or even kill crops. While the general consensus is that a pH of 5.5-5.8 is ‘good enough’, the science just doesn’t back this up.

NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY TABLE

5.5

6.5

7.5

8.5

ALKALINITY

ACIDITY NITROGEN PHOSPHORUS POTASSIUM SULPHUR CALCIUM MAGNESIUM IRON

MANGANESE BORON COPPER & ZINC MOLYBDENUM

“One aspect that has baffled us for years, is the apparent disconnect between fertiliser application and the availability or efficiency of the very nutrient being applied due to soil acidity.“ Almost every element of a fertiliser is represented in the nutrient availability table. When you are spending good money on fertiliser, you should be concerned if your advisors aren’t ensuring that the nutrient you are applying is at, or near, maximum availability. If they are not, you need to ask yourself why not? Maybe they have a vested interest in selling more fertiliser? One of the fastest ways to neutralise soil acidity and increase pH is to apply lime. Liming is relatively cheap, especially when you consider that a shift in pH could potentially double the efficiency of a fertiliser in both the short and long term. The fertiliser efficiency table indicates this point and goes some way to show how a capital investment in lime may affect your overall and ongoing annual fertiliser spend.

FERTILISER EFFICIENCY AT VARIOUS SOIL PH VALUES

Soil pH

N Efficiency

P Efficiency

K Efficiency

Overall Fertiliser Efficiency

pH = 6.5

95%

63%

100%

86%

pH = 6.0

89%

52%

100%

80%

pH = 5.5

77%

48%

77%

67%

pH = 5.0

53%

34%

52%

56%

vanRoestel, J. (2014, March). The Value of Maintaining a Good soil pH.

NOT ALL LIME IS CREATED EQUAL

As a rule of thumb 1 tonne/ha of high quality Aglime will raise the pH by 0.1 pH unit. Therefore a 6 tonne/ha application is required to increase the pH from 5.7 to 6.3. To maintain the optimum pH of 6.2-6.5, maintenance applications of at least 500kg per annum will be required. The above rates are based on high quality Aglime – that means a lime equivalency or ‘as delivered’ calcium carbonate content of 90% or greater. The particle size should meet New Zealand Aglime standards of 50% passing 0.5mm and no more than 10% passing 2mm to allow good even spreading and

At Victory Lime we’re here to help. If you have concerns about your soil talk to Shaun today on: 027 228 7045 • 0800 303 980 • www.vlime.co.nz

consistent long term release into the soil. Consider solubility and ensure you are dealing with a limestone resource that has been proven to lift pH as expected. Talk to a few neighbours, they will know the history. Keep in mind that many lime companies can create specific lime and fertiliser/mineral blends prior to dispatch to make your annual applications even more cost effective. SOIL PH TESTING

It is vital that you have a comprehensive soil test done prior to any fertiliser application to show what other trace minerals are present. Talk to your specialist lime company today.

Dairy Focus

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OPINION

Trimming hooves in safety, comfort How do you handle your cows individually? Are you able to restrain your cow so that she is comfortable and you are safe? This is a major issue on dairy farms. There is a right way and a wrong way to restrain cows. When a cow is being restrained there are some principles that always apply: The cow needs to be comfortable. The operator needs to be safe at all times. The operator needs to be in control at all times. 1. If the cow is uncomfortable she will be a lot more unsettled. This seems common sense but is often overlooked. Consider the surface the cow is standing on. Obviously a slippery surface is not good but an equally or maybe even more important point is that the cow must be standing on a flat or sloping up surface. No matter what crush you use, a cow does not like it if she is facing downhill and you are lifting her back feet. She will fight you all the way. Purpose-built hoof trimming crushes, like the WOPA Hoof

Fred Hoekstra

VEEHOF DAIRY SERVICES

Treatment Crush, have a belly strap to support the cow should she lose her grip or slips. An added benefit of the belly strap is that it calms the cow down. Cows relax when you put pressure on their belly. That is why you always see a cow hanging in a sling rather than standing up. Another thing I would like to mention is the fact that most people like to have a leg tied up just above the claw against a bar. It makes the leg sit more rigid but if the cow should go down, for whatever reason, there is a very high risk of injuries such as broken legs or dislocated hips. Lifting from the hock is much more comfortable for the cow, and because she can still lean on the raised leg there is very minimal risk of injury.

2. The operator needs to be safe at all times In this case, being safe and being comfortable go together. If you are uncomfortable you are unsafe and if you are unsafe then you are not comfortable unless you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know you are unsafe. This has happened to many people who have told us stories about breaking arms, losing teeth or lying unconscious behind a cow because it kicked back. In many, if not all, of those cases the incident occurred because there were too many bars in the way, or the operator was kneeling down behind the cow reaching out to the back feet, certainly a combination of these two situations could end up with major repercussions. When trimming a back leg on a cow, the leg should be lifted from the hock and the trimmer should always stand beside the cow, in the same way a horse farrier stands beside the horse. The cowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leg should be lifted high enough so that you can comfortably lean onto the cow with your back pretty

The new back bar improves cow comfort and farmer safety. PHOTO SUPPLIED

much upright or slightly bent forward. You can achieve this by going through your knees. Leaning onto the cow and keeping your back straight

is the key to comfortable and safe trimming. You can keep that up for much longer than crouching down behind the cow. Also the physical touch gives the cow a sense of security and helps her to relax. This is another reason why you should have no bars or pipework in the way. One last thing I want to mention about keeping safe is that when you trim a front foot always have one of the back feet raised. This way it is a lot harder for a cow to kick forward and she is standing much more stable. 3. The operator needs to be in control at all times. Cows sense when somebody is nervous and lacking confidence. When a cow is in a crush you should always be able to lift or lower her using winches and without handles flying around by themselves. A braked winch with reduction is the answer here. Good facilities and some proper training are essential elements to being safe and gaining the confidence and control needed to do a good job.

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NEWS

Scholarships awarded Biosecurity bee survey Lincoln University student Emma Subtil wants a job serving the agriculture industry. PHOTO SUPPLIED

North Otago student Emma Subtil is planning a new research project probing the cause of labour shortages in the agri-food sector. Subtil has just been awarded a $1500 World Congress Charitable Trust Scholarship from NZ Young Farmers and plans to use the money to help fund travel costs for research as part of her university studies. The 21-year-old, who is from an Omarama sheep and beef farm, is studying a Masters in Agribusiness degree at Lincoln University. “I’d like to travel around New Zealand examining labour shortages in the primary industries,” she said. “I’m keen to talk with industry groups and education providers as part of the research.” Subtil said she was passionate about improving the perception of agriculture and attracting more talented young

people into the industry. Her parents own a 12,000 hectare property which runs 19,500 merino sheep and 650 beef cattle. Subtil joined Lincoln Young Farmers three years ago, serving as its chairwoman and is the new secretary of NZ Young Farmers’ Tasman region. She plans to continue giving back to the agriculture industry when she gets a full-time job at the end of the year. “I’d a like a job that helps improve relationships between people living in urban and rural areas,” she said. “The opportunities in the primary industries are endless.” Hannah Nichols, 18, whose family owns a 230 cow dairy farm in Dargaville, also received a $1500 scholarship. She’s studying a Diploma in Agriculture at Lincoln University and will put the money towards accommodation costs.

Biosecurity New Zealand has completed taking samples for the largest and most detailed study of honey bee health carried out in New Zealand. More than 60 beekeepers have participated in the Bee Pathogen Programme and had their hives tested every six months for two and a half years. Biosecurity New Zealand senior scientist Dr Richard Hall said the research would provide a wealth of valuable information to the beekeeping industry. “The Bee Pathogen Programme will help us better understand the effect that diseases, climate and apiary management practices have on colony losses and productivity,” he said. “We have completed sampling and our experts have begun carefully evaluating the huge amount of data that has been collected. “This includes studying more than 130,000 honey bees from 300 samples taken throughout the country that are now archived in Biosecurity New Zealand’s freezers. Once the data was evaluated it would be available to beekeepers and researchers for further analysis, he said. Biosecurity New Zealand is aiming to release its conclusions from the Bee Pathogen Programme later this year. Hall said Biosecurity New Zealand

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More is known about the health of honey bees after an in-depth study. PHOTO TIM CRONSHAW 090119-TC-0143

was grateful to beekeepers participating in the research programme and the inspectors who did the fieldwork.

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Dairy Focus

FARM ADVISORS

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Finances benefit from good advice Good advice and support can make all the difference because “she’ll be right” does not work when it comes to finances. That’s why DairyNZ recommends it pays to talk to experts, other farmers and trusted people. Successful farmers, who the industry good organisation talked to, advised that management and on-farm activities should take equal priority. Farmers should build a support team around them and a good start would be to include a farm management consultant, rural banker and chartered accountant. The successful farmers tended to communicate regularly with them and were always open to learning. They focus on their goals and when needed, get practical advice on how to get there. They are also not shy about asking lots of questions from all sorts of people and are good at prioritising their time. Support people can provide an experienced, unbiased perspective and help farmers understand and plan how to guide their business to their picture of success. There is a range of advice offered by professionals including: ■How ■ to manage finances ■Making ■ on-farm management decisions ■Environmental ■ management ■Employment ■ advice ■Building, ■ reviewing and monitoring business plans ■Identifying ■ business problems and opportunities ■Prioritising ■ resources ■Navigating ■ difficulties as they come up When farmers are head down in the day-to-day running of a business, it can be hard to see things with fresh eyes.

Farmers need to bring in the professionals when they form an advisory team to get the best from their farms

Farmers wanting to set up an advisory team should know there is a huge amount of support available in the dairy industry. Typically, an advisory team includes all the farm’s partners or owners; a chartered accountant, farm management consultant and a financial advisor or banker. At times, specialists such as lawyers and technical experts are also brought in and it’s important everyone clearly understands their role. The meeting place should be easy to access on or off a farm and be distraction-free. Meetings should be scheduled as often as required to monitor the progress

toward farm business goals. Typically, this is quarterly or in line with key times in the farming calendar. Meetings should be documented and organised by setting dates in advance, creating an agenda and circulating notes helps keep everyone accountable and maximises the value of meetings. A well-communicated agenda will keep meetings ontrack and clarify each person’s role. The purpose and desired outcomes of the meeting should be clearly defined and shared with everyone. The agenda should allocate time for reviewing previous minutes and actions, updates

on production, reviewing progress on the strategic plan, reporting against the budget for the last quarter, projecting key targets, management practices and decisions for the coming quarter and full year and discussing new business or opportunities. It’s important to have a great farm management consultant on the team. He or she should have integrity and a good reputation, technical knowledge across the farm system, a willingness to work with a wider team and the openness/humility to ask others for help when necessary. The person should understand not only farming

but also farmers and rural communities and have an ability to listen well before offering a solution. A good advisor must be willing to express their viewpoint, consider options and provide farmers with an objective opinion on the business and ways to improve. In addition to having an advisory team, farmers can connect with other farmers for advice and support. Profitable farmers are often lifelong learners. Top farmers value learning and attend conferences, short-courses, discussion groups, seminars and invest in their future by undertaking formal training. Source: DairyNZ.

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FARM ADVISORS

Employment contracts a must-have

Every dairy farmer should have a sound knowledge of their legal obligations when signing an employment agreement. If a farmer is uncertain then it would pay to contact a professional. A legal contract is a written document which sets out what agreements are in place between two parties and the document is enforceable by law. When the two parties are “employer” and “employee” the agreement is called an employment agreement (or an individual employment agreement). As an employee, you must have a written individual employment agreement containing certain information. This agreement sets out in writing the rules of your job and what you have to do. To work, you need to have an employment agreement, it’s the law and the responsibility of your employer to arrange the agreement. The employment agreement sets out the rules of the working relationship between the employee and the farm owner/manager who is the Keeping the bookwork up to scratch when taking on new staff pays off for employers and employees. employer. It’s normally a lot Employees offered a fulltime and may be offered if there is The agreement should state of paperwork but necessary Please check your proof carefullyposition and approve it or submit the Finalreason Proof Alterations deadline. normally meanscorrections they the normal hours of work, abygenuine for the work to set out the arrangement work a minimum rate of pay and explain how to beyou. onlyJust forfollow a set the period and it can protect you if to your ad will or submit changes within the ATOL link of an now approve system atofa 35 time that suits proof email to view your ad, then CORRECTIONS button right from there - noasnew emails or required! hoursorper week and normally problems or disputes will be time such a project for things don’t work out.click the APPROVE 40 or more each week. settled. parental leave cover. ItPlease explains what rights check youryour proof carefully andhours approve it or submit corrections by the Alterations deadline. ARTIN WAKEFIELD publishing 09/18/18 booked sizeFinal CSHProof QUART VE A part-time employment Other items often in an A casual employment are, your responsibilities and H-8174877AA (100%) publication TIMATOL system at a time that dimensions submit changes your adCustom within the Justmeans followcms thewidth link by height employment agreement an now approve suits you.11.8X13.8, agreement means they agreement the worker what isorexpected of you.tosection CUSTOM TAB T button right from proofed 7:41:01 AM proof email to view your ad, then click the APPROVE or SHORT CORRECTIONS there -06-Sep-18 no new emails required! normally work less than 35 are paid holiday and sick should have no expectation Employees need to know ARTIN WAKEFIELD publishing 09/18/18 sizewill CSH VEwork or hours per week, but there are booked leave entitlements, roster there beQUART regular whether their employment -8174877AA (100%) publication Custom 11.8X13.8, cms width by height information, accommodation lots ofTIM different options for dimensions any pattern of work hours. arrangement is fulltime or SHORT TAB T proofed part-time work hours. provided and how rent will They06-Sep-18 have the 7:41:01 option AM to say part-time, permanent orsection CUSTOM Your work hours might either “yes” or “no” to the work be deducted, health and fixed-term or casual. All of be the same every week or safety obligations and the based on their availability. them will require a written different every week. timing and frequency of pay An employment agreement employment agreement. A permanent position means should be in writing, with the reviews. Even a relief milker or fixed that the work is ongoing and Often there is a reference name of the employee and term employee on the farm to notice needed to give employer on the agreement for a set period of time should there is no end to it. A fixed term employment prior to leaving, performance and the location of the still have an employment agreement has an end date review policies, security and workplace. agreement.

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PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

confidentiality agreement, a harassment policy and processes for dealing with terminating employment as well as misconduct and serious misconduct. Some businesses write their own employment agreements using an employment agreement builder, but most dairy farmers get templates from Federated Farmers or rural professionals, including lawyers, accountants and farm consultants. Check out Employment New Zealand’s website for more information. Source: DairyNZ

WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE Our rural backgrounds, specialised knowledge and understanding of the agricultural sector allow us to take a down to earth approach to the specific issues that are unique to farmers including business plans and succession planning. TIMARU: 28 Cannon Street, Timaru T 03 687 7122 CHRISTCHURCH: 29 Acheron Drive,Christchurch T 03 343 4012 E reception@martinwakefield.co.nz www.martinwakefield.co.nz

Dairy Focus

FARM ADVISORS

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Go mobile or go home: the future There are some old, lazy stereotypes that hang around farmers like February blowflies. But there’s a bit more to it than swanndris and brute strength. In fact, farms are the frontier for the country’s most cuttingedge technology. Since the days of the electric fence, agriculture has been turning clever concepts into practical solutions. Robotic harvesting, drone mapping, GPS soil analysis and precision weather forecasting - the most innovative tech still finds a home on farm. And for good reason. It’s been a turbulent few years for farming in Godzone, and shows no sign of slowing down. Discussions about environmental impact and resource management are getting louder, while the global population is getting bigger and hungrier. Pretty much every industry is becoming fixated on gathering more data to

increase accuracy and assess performance, and agri is no exception. MBIE identified agriculture as one of “the sectors with the greatest potential for productivity gains”* through increased use of information and communication tech. Farming businesses don’t necessarily have to invest in hardware; you can create drastic change with apps and software solutions that just run through your phone or computer. The future is all about mobile and smarter data. While transitioning to these new methods can be bumpy, the benefits are pretty persuasive; lower costs, easy access, and efficiency, freeing up precious hours. Farmers regularly take on the roles of engineer, vet, meteorologist and business manager. Mobile technology can reduce the endless juggling of roles required to run a farm. So not only will your business perform better, but you might actually find

yourself with a bit more time on your hands. There are heaps of smart solutions for mobile and desktop delivering applied tech to our most important industry. There are apps that will measure rainfall, map out your farm in square metres, or identify hazards and harmful weeds. These tools are often innovative and brilliant, but usually not quite a necessity. Paying your people is an indispensable part of running a business. Payroll, and all the related admin, is timeconsuming, mind-numbing – and absolutely crucial. The standards of scrutiny and reporting are unprecedented, and legislation is more complex than ever. Payroll software is becoming an urgent requirement for employers, especially with the introduction of payday filing. PaySauce is proud to be counted among the software solutions that benefit farming. Payroll legislation was drafted with 9-5 businesses in mind,

while farming has a special employment environment. Accommodation allowances are paid as part of salaries or wages, contracts need specific clauses around health and safety and tenancy arrangements, hours and work rhythms are wildly variable, the skill set is tricky to quantify and hiring is increasingly challenging. Unemployment levels are near historical lows, and being a best-practice employer has never been more important. Our business is all about noticing and addressing those problems. We’ve built features like minimum wage top-ups specifically to solve genuine problems faced by the industry. Our agri customers aren’t with us because they love good-looking design or cool software; ultimately, they just want to save time. And they do. And while we’ll always try to communicate in a non-boring way and design software that’s easy on the eyes, our mission and reward is to give people more time for

the important stuff. Farmers have the pioneer mentality that makes our little country so tough and enduring. But farming in the 21st century comes with broader demands, heavier admin and more pressure. There are so many clever solutions out there, a lot of which will pay for themselves pretty quick. Your time is needed for the high-value, high-stakes jobs, and expert help and advanced tech have never been this accessible. For the first time, even the smallest businesses can hand fiddly jobs over to specialists. Kiwis have always embraced new ways of doing things, and now that’s more important than ever. If you’re ready to take back some time, give PaySauce a call on 0800 746 701, or visit us at paysauce.com. *Report: Business information and communication technology (ICT) use and productivity growth in New Zealand. Mbie.govt.nz. May 4, 2018. Advertising feature.

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Dairy Focus

www.guardianonline.co.nz

FARM ADVISORS

Is your Farm FEP audit ready? With the Canterbury Land and Water Plan now fully operative and many farmers completed or in the process of completing their applications for Land Use Consents, the next step is getting your Farm Environment Plan audited. Unlike other resource consents that ECan compliance officers come to your farm and monitor, your Land Use Consent has a compliance requirement you need to organise yourself. Within 12 months of your consent being granted you need to engage a Certified FEP Auditor to audit you. You don’t need to wait until 12 months after your consent was granted, you can book this in at any time and get the ball rolling - in fact it’s a good idea to start now rather than delaying especially if your consent has specific nutrient limits you need to comply with by the year 2020. Megan Hands from LandSavvy is a Certified FEP Auditor with a good understanding of farming systems and experience in explaining regulatory jargon

in a way that is understandable and relevant to your farm business. LandSavvy offers FEP audits and pre-audit checks, Farm Environment Plan Updates, Resource Consenting assistance and can work alongside you to formulate environmental policies and procedures on your farm. Megan particularly enjoys making your compliance requirements as easy and pain free as possible so that you can get on and farm. Depending on the size of your property and any special features an FEP audit typically takes between 4-9 hours to complete. This often consists of 2-3 hours on farm time with you and the remainder reviewing the necessary documentation and completing reports. During this time the FEP auditor undertakes what is called a level of confidence assessment to determine if you are meeting or working towards the good management objectives and targets that are specified in your consent. Some helpful tips to get your

farm ready for your FEP Audit – you can find ECan’s Ready for Audit Checklist on the Canterbury Water website. ■ Read your consent and understand it – If you’re not sure what you need to do, or anything is unclear give ECan or a trusted advisor a call to help you interpret it. ■ Review your Farm Environment Plan and check it is up-to-date. ■ Ensure you have a current nutrient budget or N Check report. ■ Keep records you might need for the audit – this includes things like irrigation records and maintenance records, soil tests, fertiliser application records and stock numbers. LandSavvy is offering a field days special fixed price for FEP Audits booked for April and May at a price of $650+GST* give me a call or flick Megan an email to book your FEP Audit in now on 021 665 160 or email Admin@landsavvy. co.nz *T&Cs apply. Advertising feature.

Megan Hands from LandSavvy.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Do you need your Farm Environment Plan Audited?

Get your FEP Audit booked in to avoid being non-compliant with Ecan. Field Days Special - Fixed price FEP audits $650.00 + GST for all FEP audits booked in April/May 2019. - FEP Auditing and Pre-Audit checks - Farm Environment Plans - Resource Consents - Farm Environmental Policies and Procedures *T&Cs apply

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www.guardianonline.co.nz

FARM ADVISORS

Land use consents Nutrient control

Plan Change 5 of the Land and Water Plan is operative. This now requires all farming activities to operate under good management practice. If you winter graze or irrigate, you may need to revise your Farm Environment Plan or potentially apply for Resource Consent. The new rules will also impact on the conversion and future land use of properties that plan to have a higher nutrient loss, says Brian Ellwood, a senior environmental engineer at Lowe Environmental Impact. The key rule for many properties in a red zone will be from July 1, 2020 the nitrogen loss calculation cannot exceed the Baseline GMP Loss Rate unless previously allowed. This means that in red zones, exceeding baseline GMP loss rates is a prohibited activity. In an orange zone, to exceed baseline GMP is a non-complying activity,

requiring a consent. Based on the now operative plan rules, in many areas of Canterbury, it is very important to do detailed research to understand the past land use and farm systems of a property before purchasing if the future plans are to change the use or increase the nutrient loss. Land use and farming consents are a relatively new area of regulation that is becoming more complex and where seeking advice from Environment Canterbury or rural professionals will be beneficial. For properties receiving water from an irrigation scheme contact with the scheme environmental manager is often helpful. Most schemes can assist you with the process of producing a Farm Environment Plan and regular auditing. Advertising feature

Nutrient leaching targets can be seen as onerous and limiting to production, however they often come with unrealised benefits to animal health. Considering animal requirements first can positively impact nutrient management on your farm. The perfect example is phosphorus. Excessive pasture phosphorus levels (>0.4 per cent DM) increase milk fever risk. To manage this risk, you can measure and control the herbage phosphorus levels through your fertiliser policy. This allows you to maintain soil P levels within a range that is optimal for both pasture growth and animal health. An added benefit is that you reduce P leaching and run-off risk. Let’s take a look at sulphur. Excessive sulphur in your pastures will reduce palatability and herd intakes (affecting production) and can induce copper deficiency. Sulphur is commonly added as fertiliser in the sulphate form (via superphosphate) at higher rates than are necessary. Sulphate sulphur is immediately available to the plant from soil solution, with luxury uptake shortly after application. From the perspective of the plant

Emily House (BEarthSc Hon) nutrient management advisor Canterbury. PHOTO SUPPLIED

this is great, but we know there are animal health risks. Once again, if we match sulphur inputs to meet plant AND animal requirements, we will reduce animal health risk and save money on fertiliser. We need to pay more attention. If we consider animal needs from the start, we end up with a more sustainable system. We take care of animal health and welfare, the plants and soils that feed them, and by extension, the environment they are farmed in. Advertising feature

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Dairy Focus

www.guardianonline.co.nz

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