Guardian Farming by Ashburton Guardian

RURAL GUARDIAN SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2022

COMMITMENT TO DAIRY

South Island wide

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P18

MEASURING WOOL P14-15

FENCING DEER

RESEARCH ON HILL COUNTRY PASTURES

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Pages 7-9

RURAL

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Welcome to your Rural Guardian

Rural Guardian is proudly published by the Ashburton Guardian Limited

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his month’s publication is a rather special one. For a start, you would have noticed its new name, Rural Guardian. The name replaces its previous Guardian Farming moniker, with the masthead title change having been done for good reason because we believe it’s a better fit for what we do and who we are. The word Rural encapsulates all things agricultural - from the men, women, and children that work on the land, to the rural communities where they live and play, to the farming service industries and big businesses that, together, help form the backbone of the New Zealand economy. The word Guardian is a direct link to our parent company, the Ashburton Guardian, which has been a trusted news source in Mid Canterbury and beyond for 143 years. Since 1879 to be precise. But more than that, the use of Guardian in the title also subtlety says that your new publication is the defender, the champion, the

ble be una we may ances e inst in som . . ase note mission straints we may be unable ds. Ple e con cesout per ly. with cific nee t or deadlin somedinstan app note inuce ues s will your spe reprod . Please be meet c needs the req aints. rge Cha not specifi constr ant. can ity of nts to your deadline ia. It t permission. t or sult con nts to meet complex fax ertiseme Med withou reques ing iseme to the uced adv of advert ertis te due exity Fair create t be reprod adv apply. to crea proofs iceto of due tor compl every effort Charges will Media. It canno proofsyou effort tact a serv itional nal makes con consultant. e of Fairfax every Mediaas seadditio ply add Fairfaxted to supply advertising d as a servic makes n crea re, plea to sup contact your been create Media has bee erial elsewhe ere, please isement has Fairfax ement mat material elsewh © This advert advertis to use this to use this © This If you wish wish If you

We appreciate your feedback

Editorial Email your comments to pat.deavoll@theguardian.co.nz Advertising For advertising enquiries email sonia.g@theguardian.co.nz or phone 03 307 7955. Designer Lisa Fenwick Post Ashburton Guardian, PO Box 77, Ashburton 7740

Daryl Holden

preserver, if you like, of all rural news and information. So that’s your Rural Guardian in a nutshell. It’s your paper and now you’re going to find it everywhere. Because in a bold move in the current climate, where many publications are downsizing and fighting for survival because of rising paper costs and global supply issues to get it, your Rural Guardian is doing the opposite.

It is being delivered to every farm in the South Island. That’s every farm from Bluff to the very top of the South Island, and all parts in between. It’s a big and costly undertaking to commit to printing and delivering to about 30,000 farms but we think it’s a smart move and early support from readers and advertisers backs up our belief. We’ve had businesses knocking down the farm gate

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to find out how they could promote their wares and services in our publication, rather than having to use two, three or more similar but lesser titles to spread their messages at a more significant cost and with way less readership returns. Our supporters also love the name change and they can’t wait to see what other innovations we’re going to introduce. Well, sit back and watch. We’ve got a number of new features to be unveiled in due course, including a better focus on women, to ensure our Rural Guardian leaves other similar publications in its dirt. And if there’s any content you would love to see, or if you’re keen to find out about commercial opportunities to take advantage of our South Island-wide push, then get in touch. We’d love to hear from you. It’s your paper after all and your thoughts will help shape it. Welcome to your Rural Guardian. Author: Daryl Holden Editor, Ashburton Guardian

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Jed River regeneration support Pat Deavoll

The catchment is home to a range of different landscapes and species such as lamprey, freshwater mussels, native birds, dryland ecosystems, wetlands, hill country, and of course, coastal. Environment Canterbury’s Zone Priority Fund was supporting the Jed River Catchment Group with $35,000 towards chemical-free willow control, planting, and maintenance on a 200-meter stretch of the river in the Hutchison Reserve area. The funding will be split over two years. Management advisor Sam Thompson said the project will contribute to the overall health of the stream and enable the natural character of the river to regenerate. “Removal of exotic willows and the replacement of native species will support indigenous species of birds, fish, and insects to thrive in the area,” he said.

RURAL REPORTER

he Hurunui Waiau Uwha Zone Delivery Team has been working with the Jed River Catchment Group to support the restoration and enhancement of the Jed River. Department of Conservation has also been supporting the mahi of this project, which includes willow control, planting, and maintenance. The Jed River flows under State Highway 1 on the south side of Cheviot township, through the Cheviot Hills Reserve, and out towards Gore Bay. This project is taking place in Woolshed Creek/Hutchison Reserve – a tributary of the river.

The water quality of the Jed River has raised community concern in the past, due to its poor visual appearance. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

“With the project being led by the community, they’ll be able to connect with this wonderful awa/river and see it transform back to its natural state.” This work is being undertaken by the Jed River Catchment Group, whose vision statement is to restore the health and wellbeing of the

mauri/life force of the Jed River catchment to the most natural and healthy state possible for the betterment of all present and future generations. The water quality of the Jed River has raised community concern in the past, due to its poor visual appearance and historical public health

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warnings in relation to wastewater discharges. In August 2019, the Cheviot community launched the beginnings of a plan to restore the Jed River and its tributaries. Thus, the Jed River Catchment Group was formed. Thompson said targeting willows was chosen as a priority by the catchment group, as the trees form dense stands, overtaking other vegetation and have the potential to change the route of the main channel of the river. “This can cause flooding and erosion issues, especially where the banks of waterways are already vulnerable. The willow leaves also drop into the river and can reduce water quality and oxygen levels, which is essential for the life within these streams,” he said. “Willows have a place on the land and for water management, but the banks of the Jed River aren’t it.”

RURAL

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Campaign for Wool NZ partners with AgResearch in microbiome study

The study will assess the microbiome within commonly found materials in the home, such as wool and polyester.

hat impact could the materials we use in interior furnishings and bedding have on the microbiome of our home? Campaign for Wool NZ (CFWNZ) has partnered with Crown Research Institute AgResearch to learn more.

The study - the first of its type - will assess the microbiome within commonly found materials in the home, such as wool and polyester. ‘Microbiome’ refers to a group of microorganisms in a specific environment,

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which can include bacteria, viruses, fungi and other single-celled organisms. The hypothesis for the research, which will involve the analysis of wool-filled and synthetic fibre-filled pillows, along with wool and synthetic carpet, is that the stark compositional differences between wool and synthetics will give rise to a different microbiome. It’s the first time CFWNZ has collaborated with AgResearch on a project involving New Zealand strong wool. “With the funding support from industry and government, we are able to carry out novel research that may generate new knowledge around what a natural fibre like wool can offer,” said AgResearch senior scientist Sonya Scott. “In this research, we are able to explore what difference there may be between use of wool and synthetics when it comes to the billions of microorganisms that exist in our homes. Most of us don’t think about the ‘normal’ microbiome in our homes and how this could be impacted by the use of natural or synthetic fibres. We hypothesise that different types of fibre around the home

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

will alter what microbes are present. We do not know if this could have health implications, and the first step is to measure any differences.” Tom O’Sullivan, CFWNZ chair, said the study was an exciting step for New Zealand wool. “CFWNZ is proud to support this research, both financially and through the supply of product from our partners,” says O’Sullivan. “We are passionately committed to influencing conscientious consumers around the globe to buy New Zealand wool products. While we can’t predict what the research will find, this study - and any that follow it - could provide valuable intelligence to support Campaign for Wool’s strategic objectives and benefit our New Zealand strong wool growers and their partners.” At its conclusion, findings from the research will be made available to CFWNZ’s registered commercial partners, which currently include a range of both large and small manufacturers and retailers such as Bremworth, Godfrey Hirst, BigSave and Swazi NZ.

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Lincoln increases global ranking T

e Whare Wanaka o Aoraki Lincoln University rose four places to 368th of 2462 participating institutions in the latest QS world university rankings and retained its global position in the top 26 per cent of universities. The 2023 ranking is based on data supplied in 2021 across six weighted performance indicators: academic reputation, employer reputation, facultystudent ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty ratio, and international students’ ratio, and two non-weighted indicators: employment outcomes and international research network. Lincoln University’s strongest indicator is the international faculty ratio which measures the proportion of faculty members who are international and signals the University’s strong international appeal to academic staff. The University placed 47th globally. Another key indicator contributing to the University’s global reputation was its score for citations per faculty, which increased by 30 per cent, demonstrating a continuing upward trend. Introduced into the performance indicators for

Over the last nine years, Lincoln University has moved up 113 places in the QS world university rankings, while the number of participating institutions increased by 1662. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

the first time in 2023, the unweighted employment outcomes score of 93.6 per cent reflected the high level of employability of Lincoln University’s students and underlines its position as the university with the highest employment rate in Aotearoa. Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Edwards said the University’s improved overall performance was very pleasing, especially given the additional

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124 institutions joining the QS World University Rankings for 2023. “As a specialist land-based university, we are focused on delivering outstanding teaching and research, and on shaping graduates who will make a significant contribution to the important sectors of agriculture, horticulture, tourism, and conservation in Aotearoa and globally. “The further lifting of our

international ranking reflects the dedication and capability of our academic staff in providing research and teaching of the highest quality despite the continuing pandemic-related restrictions and border closure. “Our goal is to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and inspirational campus life, where our tauira are supported to develop into future leaders who will apply their education and experience gained at

Lincoln University to make a positive impact on land-based communities worldwide. “Our excellent results from the 2023 QS rankings and high scores in key performance indicators show that we are delivering on that goal.” Over the last nine years, Lincoln University has moved up 113 places in the QS World University Rankings, while the number of participating institutions increased by 1662.

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Study sites unearth valuable information for hill country farmers Pat Deavoll

range of typical hill country environments in the North and South Island. Data is being collected on growth profiles of legumes and other pasture species, soil temperature and soil moisture (using six monitoring sensor networks) as well as work on native shrubs (survival, vigour and forage traits). The $8.1m programme is co-funded by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, PGG Wrightson Seeds and Seed Force New Zealand. It is focused on future-proofing the profitability, sustainability, and wellbeing of New Zealand’s hill country farmers, their farm systems, the environment, and rural communities. The programme incorporates traditional science research,

RURAL REPORTER

network of study sites on hill country farms around New Zealand is providing a wealth of information and research findings to help guide farmers around pasture forage decisions. The 18 study sites, ranging from Lake Hawea in Central Otago to Waiakaia near Gisborne, were established through the Hill Country Futures Partnership Programme (HCF). These farms represent a

farmer knowledge, social research, and citizen science and has a strong emphasis on forages and providing decision-making tools to help farmers select the best forage option for different land management units. The work undertaken on the pilot farms/research sites is being used to help achieve several outputs for the HCF programme. • Generate knowledge and data from a number of forage hill country farm trials to support the creation of decisionmaking tools to help farmers decide which legumes are most suitable for them based on different considerations (e.g., location, fertiliser, economics). • Contribute to the AgYields national database. This database provides a repository of forage growth data (monocultures

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and polycultures). It is available to anyone to use to estimate the quantitative values for the growth of different forages in different locations to inform modelling and decision-making. • Increase understanding of the potential for native species to provide reserve fodder for livestock as well as mitigating environmental risks. As part of this work, the Matauranga Maori of the native shrub species is being evaluated. Growth profiles of a range of forage species, monocultures and mixed swards have been established and monitored as part of this programme. These include grass species (Cocksfoot, Tall fescue, Pasture brome, Perennial ryegrass, Timothy, Browntop, Yorkshire fog, Crested dogstail, Phalaris, Italian

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ryegrass, Meadow fescue), herbs (Plantain, Chicory), Legumes (Sub clover, Red clover, Balansa clover, Arrowleaf clover, Persian clover, Lucerne, Lupin, White clover) and Brassica. Dr Suzi Keeling, Sector Science Strategy Manager for B+LNZ, provides scientific oversight for the programme and says a key focus has been resilient forages for the future. “The programme provided an opportunity to test different forage combinations in several research and commercial farms around New Zealand,” she says. “Being able to do this in a range of different locations has ensured we have accommodated what farmers are really interested in, while also answering important science questions.” Continued on P8

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From P7 The 18 locations include 12 forage trial sites evaluating different combinations of forages. There are six sites capturing soil temperature and moisture data (some overlap with forage trial sites) and three focused on assessing native plants as potential forage. “Through the forage trials, we are looking at how we support farmers to have resilient forages into the future,” Keeling says. “It is capturing real data on farms to make it tangible for farmers to see how forages perform in different locations. We are also building a large dataset to develop tools that farmers can use to help them select which forages are most ideal for their situation.” One of the farms being researched is Inverary, a hill country property in Mid Canterbury. Inverary Station is a 4,250 hectares sheep and beef property of about 3000 hectares of harder hill country with limited useful grazing and 650 hectares of easier hill country with better soils that are suitable for grazing. The rest of Inverary is largely rolling or flat country with good cultivatable soils capable of growing large quantities of high-quality dry matter. There are sunny and shady faces on most hill blocks but the high proportion of low-

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Mt Grand Station lies to the east of Lake Hawea and is included in the programme.

quality browntop dominant pastures leads to surpluses of poor-quality feed when it’s not needed and makes it difficult to generate enough high-quality pasture when it is critical to have it available. Monitoring sensor networks for soil temperature and soil moisture have been established on this farm. The temperature and soil moisture sensors are placed at a depth of 30 cm. These record data in onboard storage and report back to cloud storage via a gateway site to the cell phone data network. The data from these sensor networks are being used to test

the capability to map the spatial pattern of both temperature and moisture across complex hill country landscapes and relate this to productivity models for legumes. Regular quadrat cuts from enclosure cages on various pasture types across the farm were taken between August 2019 and January 2020 to determine the differences in production between lucerne, improved pasture and unimproved pasture in this hill country environment. The average accumulated production was 9,000 kg of dry matter per hectare from the

lucerne, 10,500 kg per hectare from the improved pasture and 2,100 kg per hectare from the unimproved pasture. In January this year, B+LNZ visited Inverary Station to look for a site for a fertiliser experiment. After looking at a number of potential sites, with the accompanying soil chemistry data, it was decided that soil micronutrient levels were generally optimum and legume growth responses to fertiliser additions were unlikely. Therefore, there are no plans to establish a fertiliser experiment at Inverary Station Another farm in the

programme is Willesden Farm. This is a 5,500 hectares sheep and beef property on Banks Peninsula. The property is owned by Wongan Hills Ltd and managed by Matt Iremonger. Approximately 1,200 ha is flat and cultivatable while the remainder is mostly moderate to steep hill country. Rainfall and altitude can vary significantly within a short distance on this property. Annual rainfall ranges from 550 to 1,100 mm while altitude goes from sea level to 850 m above sea level. One of the Hill Country Futures experiments is located on Willesden on cultivatable, rolling downs at two altitudes 20 or 875 meters above sea level. At each altitude there are paired enclosure cages with one located on an improved area with lucerne and the other on an unimproved pasture of mainly weed grasses with a little ryegrass and white clover. Currently, measurements consist of pasture growth by harvesting quadrats from enclosure cages. Harvests were taken on 22 May, 27 September and 3 December 2019 and also on the 27 January 2020. Since the cages were placed on the 14 February 2019 the improved lucerne pasture has accumulated 14 tDM/ha more than twice the 5.4 tDM/ha for the unimproved pasture.

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Dr Suzi Keeling, Sector Science Strategy Manager for B+LNZ, provides scientific oversight for the programme.

Monitoring sensor networks for soil temperature and soil moisture have also been established on this farm. The data from these sensor networks is being used to test capability to map the spatial pattern of both temperature and moisture across complex hill country landscapes and relate this to productivity models for legumes. A further outcome of the Hill Country Futures Partnership Programme has been the AgYields national forage database, a central repository for all pasture and crop yield data collected in New Zealand to help farmers and farm consultants with decision-making around pasture planning. Planned

Grazing ewes on Inverary Station.

videos will include showing how farmers can set up their own monitoring on farm and then add their data to AgYields. The soil temperature and moisture micro-scale indicator projects recognise that hill country farms are diverse landscapes. They are designed to enable farmers to use farm-scale mapping to assess which forage mixes are likely to do well in specific areas of their farm. Research around native shrubs looks at the potential of natives for sheep fodder, in terms of palatability, digestibility, and protein characteristics. The focus is on improving animal productivity, animal welfare, biodiversity, and soil health while mitigating soil

erosion and climate change. Native plant species Houhere, Papauma, Karamu, Whauwhaupaku, Karo and Kinuyanagi are being evaluated for survival, vigour and forage traits at Mahia and Massey University No 4 farm. “An important aspect of the programme is ensuring our investment is informed by good information,” says Keeling. “That means farmers know what forages suit what soil types and environments when to sow forages and what they need to be thinking about in terms of sowing rates and fertiliser applications. “It means that when they are planning to establish pasture to feed their animals, they have the

best information available to do that as efficiently as possible. It removes the risk of ‘taking a stab in the dark.’ “If you are producing forage of better quality and yield that integrates well into your farm system, it allows you to make smart decisions around pasture management and hopefully get a longer life out of your forages. That means the less frequent need for forage renewal of pasture, which also has good benefits for soil health.” Findings from the trials have been made available as factsheets through the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub. Plans are also underway to create a series of ‘how-to” videos providing guidance on pasture

management. There have been many positive outputs from the research, says Keeling. “Many of the outputs are also now in scientific literature, so they have been through a peerreview process. That gives us real confidence around the level of rigour associated with the work and that the information in the B+LNZ factsheets is robust and useful for farmers.” The sites include: • Poukawa Research Farm, near Hastings • Tourere, central Hawke’s Bay • Te Awa Awa, Wairarapa • Takaroa, near Carterton • Stockgrove, North Canterbury • Early Valley, Port Hills, Canterbury • Willesden Farm, Banks Peninsula • Pemberley, Aylesbury, near Christchurch • Inverary, mid-Canterbury • Mt Grand, Lake Hawea • Wairakaia, Gisborne • Ashley Dene and Ladbrooks, Lincoln University • Massey University’s Tuapaka Farm, near Palmerston North • Mahia • Oruamatua, Bay of Plenty • Paparata, Taumarunui Data will continue to be collected from these pilot farms, added to the AgYields database, included in case studies/ publications/factsheets as well as being incorporated into other outputs of the HCF programme.

RURAL

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Government report reveals reforms will both hurt pig farmers and consumers Pat Deavoll

RURAL REPORTER

n independent report commissioned by the Government shows consumers would need to pay at least 18.8 per cent more for their New Zealand-born and raised pork to cover pig farmers’ costs if proposed changes to the pig code of welfare go ahead. Australasian consultancy group Sapere, which was asked by the Government to analyse the financial impacts of the proposed draft code on the pork industry and consumers, warned competition from offshore pork would make it difficult to sustain such a price increase as imports would

undercut New Zealand prices reducing sales of New Zealand pork. Sapere also predicted pig farmers would struggle to obtain or pay back loans needed to re-build their farms under the controversial draft code plans released by the Government. The draft code, which goes beyond the welfare requirements in other countries, included changes to the minimum space allowance required for grower pigs, a ban or significant limitation on the traditional use of farrowing systems (farrowing crates), an effective ban on mating stalls and sets a minimum weaning age of 28 days for piglets. In basing its modeling on a 350-sow farm, Sapere also concluded that a pig farm would need to save existing cash earnings for 19 years to cover the investment required to meet the proposed changes.

Sapere predicts pig farmers will struggle to obtain or pay back loans needed to re-build their farms under the controversial draft code plans released by the Government.

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Brent Kleiss, chief executive of NZPork, said the report painted a damning picture of the impact of the Government’s proposed reforms. “The report is clear and unequivocal. It says it would be nigh-on impossible for farmers to pay back what they would have to borrow to implement the proposed code changes and leave consumers no choice but to buy imported pork produced under practices that are already illegal in New Zealand. “To leave this 350-sow farm with the same expected earnings as today, prices paid to the farmer for their pork would have to rise by 18.8 per cent from today and be maintained at that level in real terms for the next 20 years. “The New Zealand pork sector has been clear from the outset that it welcomes and encourages change where there are proven and well-researched positive animal welfare outcomes for all pigs, however, this report represents another nail in the coffin. “If the Government proceeds with these changes, it needs to be prepared to accept it will destroy a local industry and leave New Zealanders reliant on even greater volumes of imported pork.” In the meantime, New Zealand pig farmers are urging Kiwis to back the industry and have their say on the draft code

For a 350-sow farm with the same expected earnings as today, prices paid to the farmer for their pork would have to rise by 18.8 per cent.

of welfare. A new website www. supportnzpigfarmers.co.nz provides information on the changes proposed by the Government and enables Kiwis to lodge submissions directly with the Ministry for Primary Industries. “Our pig farmers have received a great deal of support from New Zealanders who are shocked about the impact of the Government’s proposed changes and the fact imported

pork is not required to meet our high standards,” says Kleiss. “We support science-backed improvements to animal welfare, but the proposed changes could force farmers out of business and put the price of New Zealand-born and raised pork out of the reach of many Kiwis. “That’s why we need the public’s help to ensure our farmers can continue to produce New Zealand-born and raised pork to high animal welfare and environmental standards.”

“We’re urging the Government to reject the proposals developed by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee,” said Kleiss. “They would impose welfare standards further removed from those in most of the world while allowing even more pork to be imported and consumed here.” Karl Stanley, a pig farmer in Taranaki, is backing the campaign.

“As a farmer, I am committed to improving welfare outcomes – a happy and contented pig is a productive pig. However, any change must deliver proven animal welfare outcomes for all pigs. “Our welfare standards are already much higher than the rest of the world - the Government’s changes would widen that gap even further it’s more important than ever that we support New Zealand pig farmers to be the best in the world.” Recently, the New Zealand pork industry welcomed an extension to consultation on the controversial draft code of welfare for pigs following a request to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). MPI has agreed to extend the consultation by two weeks to July 8 after discussions with NZPork. “When the consultation was launched at the end of April, it quickly become clear to us that an eight-week period was insufficient time to allow for well-considered submissions to be made from all industry stakeholders,” says Kleiss. “The proposed changes are colossal and unprecedented, the material accompanying the draft code is substantial and there is a large amount of information for farmers and other industry stakeholders to review and assess.”

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FERTILISER FEATURE

Nitrogen fertilisers – improving efficiency and saving money N

itrogen is critical to plant growth and reproduction. Pasture and crop growth will often respond to increased availability of soil nitrogen. This situation is often managed through the addition of nitrogen fertilisers. Nitrous oxide is a powerful greenhouse gas and accounts for 5 per cent to 7 per cent of global greenhouse emissions with 90 per cent of these derived from agricultural practices. Nitrogenbased fertilisers and livestock manure (urine and dung) are the key sources of nitrous oxide emissions on farms. Greater efficiency in the capture of nitrogen in products has the greatest impact on reducing nitrous oxide losses, as well as reducing ammonia volatilisation to the atmosphere and nitrate leaching and runoff to groundwater and waterways. Improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) has both productivity and profitability benefits. Nitrous oxide is most likely released from warm, waterlogged soils where there

is excess nitrogen in the form of nitrate. Volatilisation of nitrogen as ammonia can also lead to indirect nitrous oxide emissions through redeposition contributing to excess nitrate elsewhere in the landscape. Farmers can save money, boost pasture and crop production and reduce nitrous oxide losses by carefully planning and implementing best management practices with regards to the 4 Rs – the ‘right’ rate, source, timing and placement of nitrogen fertilisers to match plant needs. Follow the 4 Rs: • Right product • Right rate • Right time • Right place Management options Research has estimated that usually 40 percent to 60 percent of nitrogen inputs into cropping and grazing systems, respectively, is lost to the environment. By improving agricultural practices, we can reduce these losses, improve productivity and save money.

Nitrous oxide is a powerful greenhouse gas and accounts for 5 per cent to 7 per cent of global greenhouse emissions. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Match nitrogen supply to crop/pasture demand by: • using soil or plant testing to assess plant-available nitrogen supply. Apply nitrogen fertiliser rate based on target yield and crop or pasture nitrogen requirement over the growing season. • accounting for soil moisture availability and seasonal

forecasts for more timely and calibrated fertiliser decisions support. • using industry-relevant decision support tools. • avoiding high application rates of nitrogen in any single application (never exceed recommended rates, split applications may be more effective and adjust rates

according to rainfall and temperature). Time fertiliser application to minimise nitrogen loss: • Where possible, align nitrogen fertiliser applications with crop and pasture demand. Crop/pasture demand is highest when growth rates are highest. • Avoid applying nitrogen fertiliser to warm (>10°C) waterlogged soils. • Avoid tillage under wet conditions. • Consult a 7-day weather forecast to identify risks of soil saturation and if likely delay nitrogen fertiliser application. • In summer, avoid applying urea fertiliser after irrigation as this is likely to increase volatilisation losses. • Minimise the length of fallow when converting long-term pasture to crops, especially in high rainfall zones and irrigated crops. Choose the best type of nitrogen: • Avoid nitrate-based fertilisers

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Farmers can save money, boost pasture and crop production and reduce nitrous oxide losses by carefully planning and implementing best management practices. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

which are more prone to losses. • Enhanced Efficiency Fertilisers, for example coated for slow release, or with nitrification inhibitors may better match the fertiliser supply and plant demand for soil nitrogen. • Chemicals can be added to fertiliser (inhibitors) which can reduce nitrate leaching and ammonium volatilisation. However, it is recommended to seek expert advice when choosing inhibitors. Not surprisingly, the ‘perfect storm’ of conditions suited to high N2O emissions are most often found on irrigated and

HRZ sites. Right product Less N2O is emitted where ammonium (NH4+) is the main form of N or where the rate of NH4+ conversion to nitrate (NO3- ) in the soil is slowed. Try to use fertilisers that don’t supply N in the form of nitrates – for example, N supplied as ammonium or urea will result in a slower rate of nitrate production, especially in waterlogged soils, and therefore less N2O emissions. If you’re using manures, get a nutrient analysis to determine both organic and total N and make allowances in your fertiliser budget. Right rate

FERTILISER FEATURE

Research has estimated that usually 40 percent to 60 percent of nitrogen inputs into cropping and grazing systems, respectively, is lost to the environment.

The higher the rate, the greater the likelihood of emissions, so make sure you test your soils to determine both the existing mineral N content and then allow for the amount of soil N that could be mineralised during the growing season. Once you have estimated the crops’ N demand, subtract the measured N supply from the soil via your soil test and the estimated N supply from mineralisation to determine the N fertiliser rate you need to apply. Right time Matching the timing of fertiliser application to coincide with your crops’ changing demand will maximise crop N uptake and minimise your

fertiliser costs. Always aim to avoid applying fertiliser when soils are waterlogged or likely to become so, for example, before forecast heavy rain. Right place Use the best technique for placing N fertiliser in the right place that maximises crop N uptake. Apply fertiliser close to the active root zone or where rain will move fertiliser to the main root zone. Generally, it’s best to place your N into the soil. This helps to ensure N is more accessible to the crop roots, because crops can’t access N if it is stranded in dry topsoils. It also tends to reduce losses of N by ammonia

volatilisation from some soils. Other management techniques to improve N use efficiency and reduce N2O emissions include: • Use deep-rooted follow-up crops to ‘mop up’ residual N in high N situations with sufficient rainfall. • Switch off fertiliser applicators at end rows and other turn-around points. • Use GPS-enabled dataloggers to identify high and lowyielding zones and adjust your inputs for best N use efficiency. • Use crop varieties that are able to make the most of available N.

RURAL

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PML: taking wool measurement to the grower Pat Deavoll

RURAL REPORTER

n 1998 Eugene O’Sullivan and the late Paul Rose, started up a company called Pastoral Measurements Ltd (PML) with the desire to take wool measurements to the grower. The Fibrescan prototypes built from 2007/13 are still operating, a credit to the engineering team and software writers. In 2009 Fibrescan started as a small entrepreneurial bunch of people, working for Intranel, based in Christchurch. The protocols needed to satisfy the wool fabricators. Wool growers were wanting a sensible marketing strategy, that would start behind the farm gate, and be ignited by breeding quality wool that was measured at harvest for defined qualities such as fibre growth

Wool growers were crying out loud for a sensible marketing strategy, that would start behind the farm gate, and be ignited by breeding quality wool.

profile, the roundness of fibre, and high curvature or common crimp. And with no medullated fibre which destroyed the visual quality of the finished article whether apparel or furnishings. The return to the farmer would be elevated by low

wastage from raw fibre to finished article plus a high curvature allowing fewer fibres in the cross-section of the yarn. This in turn would deliver multiple garments per fleece. “The qualities of softness, bounce, lightness and comfort

While the length of the fibre is being measured, the profile is built, creating a “diary” of the season past, be it plentiful feed or drought conditions.

would bring wool back as a main source of clothing,” said O’Sullivan. “Measurement behind the farm gate was the only way forward to identify quality and extrapolate superior identified genetics. It is often said if

you don’t know where you are starting from, you sure as hell won’t know how to get to where you want to go,” said O’Sullivan. Don Morrison, who works for PML has forgotten more than most about wool says O’Sullivan. Clients find his

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www.guardianonline.co.nz description of the wool that Fibrescan has measured as their first exposure to measurements that are negative. But when the first sheep show the positives of soft skin, low CV, good curvature, low CEM indicating round fibre, and good fibre profile, they are inspired, she says. They have never been shown the positives of strong wool before and the part genetics play. Fibrescan measures: • The total length of fibre of an 80/110+mm staple spread thinly on a matching diamond mesh slide configuration, which is hinged and twosided. • The Fibrescan app Fibretrac, follows individual fibres and their length, using telecentric lensing for clarity and distortion. • The pixel size of the camera is 2.15 microns. The camera is laid across the fibre giving a micron measurement every 19 micron. • Fibrescan captures approximately 15,000 to 20,000 measurements in full length crossbred wool and up to 100,000+ measurements, in high curvature 16-micron merino. • Curvature is measured at the same time as micron, with the measurement captured by floating rings that trace the exact outline of the fibre crimp. Merino wool scoring

Curvature or “crimp” is the most important measurement Fibrescan captures.

110+ demonstrates memory when the length is extended; crossbred 65/70 curve fills the hand with high bulk wool. “While the length of the fibre is being measured, the profile is built, creating a “diary” of the season past, be it plentiful feed or drought conditions. Too much protein in an unprepared animal diet can be as damaging. Measuring along the fibre is also a diary of the farmer’s management of the year past. The sheep writes the diary,

all Fibrescan does, is read it,” O’Sullivan says. Curvature or “crimp” is the most important measurement Fibrescan captures. This is intrinsic to the sheep genus, particularly in the fine wool breeds. It is referred to as memory, for its ability to return to its natural position. No manmade fibre can do this. This development has bypassed the crossbred industry. Crimp dictates the ‘tex’ of

the yarn i.e., the number of fibres in a yarn over a given distance and weight. Curvature is responsible for entrapping warm air in the loft of the yarn next to the skin to hold warmth. High curvature woven fabric in athletes’ garments wicks surplus perspiration into the yarn which then acts as a radiator with cooling effects. Higher curvature wool results in lighter garments with greater bounce and softness. This is enhanced by a soft,

pliable skin that moves freely on the body of the sheep, allowing the wool to drain freely. The consequence is the whiteness of the wool grown. “Coarse edge micron can be measured by Fibrescan as an algorithm of the measurement captured along the helical fibre growth when it is on its edge and also on its flat in the concave of the turn. It has become a measurement that has gained significance regarding the detrimental effects this helicity has on the comfort factor of wool softness and handling,” says O’Sullivan. PML has concentrated on four strong wool stud flocks in the last five years, and these are producing some quality fibre now that superior genetics have been identified. It has 281kgs of last year’s romney hogget wool at Napier Design Spun to be spun and made into garments. There is also 359 kgs of romney lambswool that has been spun at Woolyarns in Petone. Both these lines have been measured for length, curvature, profile, coarse edge micron and micron range. PML PML is looking for a group of growers, who have a desire to take control of their industry and a drive to change the method of sale. If you are interested, contact: Eugene O’Sullivan 021 229 6545

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THERURAL NEW BLUE DISPENSER WITH STAINLESS STEEL We have to get off the soluble DROPPERS fertiliser wagon

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FOREST AND BIRD

here’s a lot going on. Urea and other fertiliser prices have gone up again. There’s a cry for technology to reduce on-farm losses of carbon and the production of methane, there’s pressure on farmers to reduce nitrogen loss to improve water quality, and the time has been set for farming to come into the emissions trading scheme. Everything seems complicated and expensive, but does it need to be? What about simplifying the whole thing? Less money spent on inputs, and fewer cows or less intensive cropping surely balances out financially, with the bonus of lower emissions and improved water quality. Planting trees and building soil carbon is the best tech fix you could hope for. Then there are the benefits of improved quality of life, better biodiversity, and

more time in the day. Soil is the key to farming, that’s universally acknowledged. It’s where a quarter of the world’s species live. And earthworms are a key soil-dwelling species that improve soil health, stability, and fertility. But earthworms and urea aren’t good bedfellows. Earthworms eat organic matter, converting it into nutrient-rich castings that enhance plant growth and stimulate micro-organisms. They burrow deep into the soil, improving soil structure and water infiltration, which in turn lengthens plant roots, allowing them to be more efficient in their search for nutrients and resilient in times of low water availability. Their presence is an indicator of soil health, but ammoniabased fertilisers and urea decrease earthworm populations. Soil erosion is also a huge problem: a third of the planet’s land is severely degraded and 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil are lost every year through intensive farming alone, according to an UN-backed report. Carbon storage and erosion

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Here’s the tech fix we need – cattle grazing on legume-based pastures emit lower levels of methane and the soil can permanently store carbon. PHOTO: MARY RALSTON

can both be sorted by diverse tall pastures growing on earthworm and microbe-rich soils, which can sequester permanent stores of soil carbon. Cattle grazing on these types of pastures emit lower amounts of methane. Fertility from legumes is what farmers traditionally did – we can easily do it again. We must get off the soluble

fertiliser wagon. There is no way its continued use can be justified: from a soil and animal health viewpoint, or water quality, or greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuels are used to manufacture it, and an artificially high number of livestock can be supported with its use… it is a prop New Zealand can no longer afford,

whichever way you look at it. And there’s such a good alternative: a sustainable farming model not only ticks the boxes for financial balance, greenhouse gas mitigation, and water quality improvement, there are animal welfare benefits and it produces highquality products lifted above mere commodities.

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IS VARIABLE

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We are now Kiwi citizens and that’s exciting Pat Deavoll

RURAL REPORTER

hen the Guardian approached Indian 2IC Inderjit Singh to talk about his career in the dairy industry he wasn’t keen. His English wasn’t good enough, he reckoned. This was rather endearing. However, his wife Harjit Gaur felt confident enough in her English to speak to us on her husband’s behalf. Her English was very good, The couple originated from the Punjab province, Badala City to be exact. Harjit was a student and Inderjit a teacher at a private school when they got married in 2014. “In India, we had some involvement in the dairy industry as we had two buffalos and four cows which Inderjit hand milked and we supplied the local community,” Harjit said. “When we arrived in New Zealand in 2015, I was still a student, but my husband got an open work visa on behalf of me, After just a couple of months he got a job kiwi fruit picking and pruning, then he got a job on a dairy farming in Invercargill as a

farm assistant. He was very happy because he loved the animals, and he had a bit of agricultural background. He loved the technology of the dairy industry e.g., the rotary shed for instance, because in India he did only hand milking. Then he decided he would grow his future in the dairy industry.” Last month the couple got their residency. So, we are now Kiwi citizens, Harjit says. Exciting. “I am working as a support worker but before that, I was in hospitality.” How long has Inderjit been in the 2IC position? “For the last couple of years and before that, he was herd manager here at Waterstone Farm. He was a farm assistant on another farm before that,” Harjit said. And what made you want to come to NZ? “New Zealand gave us a better opportunity to grow forward. My husband loves dairy farming– it is the high technology, and we have a chance to make a life.” Do you intend to stay in New Zealand? “Of course, we have residency and there is plenty of work here so we are happy and will stay. There is the opportunity to grow our careers here in New Zealand and Inderjit will next become a manager to get his skills up, and after that hopefully, we will become sharemilkers. That’s our plan.” “At the moment he is just gaining knowledge about dairy farming,” said Harjit.

Inderjit Singh and Harjit Gaur: making the most of life in New Zealand. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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Variable milking – is it for you? Pat Deavoll

RURAL REPORTER

ariable milking is a ‘catchall’ term given to milking intervals that sit between more traditional once-a-day (OAD) or twice-a-day (TAD) milking. It refers to flexibility in both the timing of the milking during the day, as well as the number of milkings in a week. The most common forms of flexible milking are milking three times in two days (3-in-2) and ten milking’s in seven days (10-in-7). Paul Edwards (DairyNZ), Jeremy Savage (Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF)), and Geraldine dry land dairy farmer Richard Robinson presented a workshop on variable milking at the recent SIDE conference in Oamaru. Edwards is a senior scientist at DairyNZ and is the principal investigator of DairyNZ’s variable milking project. Traditionally milking in New

Variable milking refers to flexibility in both the timing of the milking during the day, as well as the number of milkings in a week. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Zealand revolves around two milking’s a day, he says. And we have seen this evolve over the years, probably in response to increasing herd size and increasing pressures on trying to make dairying an attractive workplace. Particularly in recent years with the lack of immigration. “So, over the years those twice-a-day intervals have shifted, and we are starting to see more and more farmers

using a nine and fifteen-hour interval. Either it means starting milking a bit later or ending a bit earlier. “There is a lot of interest in once-a-day milking but in particular the plethora of different options there are in between,” he says. Irrespective of what milking frequency you choose, there are options for those milking times, Edwards says. Even twice-aday milkings can be adjusted

to eight and sixteen-hour intervals. “If you think about that in the context of the traditional ten-and-fourteen, you could be starting milking two hours earlier and end the day two hours earlier.” Once a day is the ultimate in terms of flexibility and this can work around any time during the day to suit the farm team. But there are a lot of options in between. The most common

ones are 3-in-2, so milking two times a day one day and then once the next, so a cycle that averages one and a half milkings per day. “There are a few trade-offs with this system, one being that it’s a fortnightly cycle so you don’t necessarily know by the day of the week whether there is one or two milking’s which can make scheduling challenging,” he says. “Equally some people seem to really enjoy knowing re an even or odd day, how many milking’s there are. “For some farmers, 3-in-2 doesn’t really work and that’s where options like 10-in-7 are really starting to take off where you are taking that 3-in-2 and aligning it into a weekly pattern. It ties in well with farmers being members of the community. Sports training is on Tuesday and Thursday nights, for instance, and allows them to participate. Games are on Saturday which also works. “The latest stats we have for a complete season are for 2021. That year around 37 per cent of herds were milked twice a day for the whole lactation. Five years ago, that was more like 60 per cent.

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www.guardianonline.co.nz “Around 30 per cent of herds were milked once a day for part of the season. Most common was starting at twice a day and switching to once a day sometime in January in the late lactation period. “Around 8 per cent did a full season of once a day. And the one that has really seen some growth over the years is 3-in-2 which covers all those intervals in between. Last season about 23 per cent of farmers were using that for at least part of the season. “In terms of regional variation, there are differences but perhaps not as much as people might expect. Certainly, in terms of the Islands, there is an even percentage of herds using those different strategies, with a slight bias towards using 3-in-2 on the South Island. “But when it comes to regional variation in 3-in-2 there is a variation,” he says. “This season to January once a day was used on about 29 per cent of herds. And about 14 per cent have tried 3-in-2 up until January.” Jeremy Savage of Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF), who also dairy farms up in Golden Bay, says the LUDF has always been the first follower of science. Five years ago, it adopted partial 21 (P21), which was based on DairyNZ research. LUDC dropped its herd size from 710 cows to 550 cows and improved production from 450ms to 550ms per cow. “And this dropped our environmental footprint quite dramatically and halved our results in nitrogen leaching,” Savage says. The natural progression leading on from that was “what is the next bit of science we can adopt on farm, and I think the key thing was that we wanted to see positive outcomes around our cow welfare, and our people,” he says. So, the variable milking programme ticked two out of three of these boxes. It doesn’t have any impact on our environment in terms of leaching, but it has proven to have an impact on cow welfare and our people. “We relied on the DairyNZ research heavily. We used some Farmac modelling and ran some budgets based on savings we expected around the cow shed, chemicals use, labour, winter grazing etc. “We had a reasonable element of confidence that we could run 10-in7 at a $7 payout and it not have any effect on profitability whatsoever.” We looked at the research and looked at the numbers and thought this was worth a crack, he says. “There were a few people concerned that we were going to change our whole farm system based on research around 29 cows, but it has been really uncanny how close we have been to all the research,” Savage says. “Our milking routine now is very people-friendly. Before it wasn’t a great routine for getting things done on the farm- for instance if a vet or contractor rang- you scratched your head as to what time of the day you were milking on a particular day- but 10-in-7 is proving to be a good routine for people. “The cows have proven to be far more resilient than you give them credit for. I’ve heard from farmers that cows get used to variable milking quicker than the people do and they are right.” Richard Robinson spoke of his experience with his wife Jacqui, with

variable milking on their dryland dairy farm near Geraldine. “If you are considering going 3-in-2, or any sort of variable milking, bear in mind that it is your decision for your farm- you have to tweak it to make it your own, and that’s what we have done for the past seven years that my wife Jacqui and I have been dairying,” Robinson said. “We have 480 cows and have recently bought quite a big run-off down the road. We have three to four staff- staffing has never really been a problem. “We don’t go for huge numbers. This year we made 184,000 kgs of milk solids which was a record for us. “We work on just one mob, and we have always been encouraged by a consultant (John Donkers) who gave us the confidence to give variable milking a go. “We own our own farm, so we have the indulgence of if we lost money, it was our money to lose. Unlike a manager or a corporate farm for instance.” Robinson says he has tried the lot. His first year in the industry was a difficult year and he went to 3-in-2. “We probably got to something like 5 am and 5 pm and 11 am. We did that for the first year and when it got a bit tough later, we went once a day,” he says. “Our decision was more around what our feed supply was like, and we would tweak the demand a bit.” Robinson says he wanted to find something that was more user-friendly. He loves trying different things (maybe he should have been a scientist, he says). “5 am and 5 pm felt too much of a window so the next year we went to 10-in-7. That was good, but the problem was the people working for us. I play a bit of tennis and one of our staff also plays tennis, but this regime meant that we couldn’t do this. “But really the staff just went along with it. I think it’s important if you are going to change things around that you tell your staff why you want to do it. Ask them what works for them. They are the most important thing and part of the reason why you are doing it. The cows don’t mind- they love it if you go to 3-in-2 or 10-in-7. They come in easier, are happier. “So, we tried 10-in-7 and then went back to 3-in-2. This happened at the start of December. “The next year we went 10-in-7 earlier in the year. Mating with 10in-7 (LIC) was easy, much better than twice a day.” Robinson looked at his milk curve as from September through to December- this is a critical part of our production, he says. “After that, it gets a bit wild sometimes (because we are dryland). But nature has a way of settling down so that gave us the confidence to change things.” What Robinson noticed with the curve was that he ended up losing his production at the start of spring. “We had ok in-calf rates anyway. We never got more than 12 per cent. It felt like 10-in-7 was trying to solve a problem we didn’t have. “The following year we started from scratch, and this is where I would caution about looking after your staff. Our staff is great but there was one guy who didn’t like the chopping and changing. He liked routine- at lunchtime you have lunchand he didn’t like not having lunch till 2 pm.

Dairy women’s network supports future farming

JULES BENTON, DAIRY WOMENS NETWORK CEO: The truly exciting part of this programme is the ability of those who are part of it to share their learnings with their communities. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

airy Women’s Network (DWN) has been successful in achieving two years of funding support from the Government’s sustainable food and fibre futures grant funding. Jules Benton, Dairy Women’s Network CEO, said “almost half a million dollars has been allocated to support a new programme that will empower farming women to create innovative solutions to a variety of challenges and issues facing farmers. “But the truly exciting part of this programme is the ability of those who are part of it to share their learnings with their communities and the 11,000 DWN members”, said Benton. The project will expand the DWN’s Business Groups, focusing on members, who will pilot a programme of wrap around services, developing a central knowledge hub and providing coaching to support Business Group Leaders. “The primary goal of the programme

is to enable and empower Dairy Women’s Network members to farm for the future so that our amazing sector, that is experiencing rapid change, can grow and adapt with a positive focus. “We encourage our members to challenge the status quo and this programme will allow, not only that, but an on-sharing of their experiences and knowledge to help others in the group drive change in their own environments, community and businesses,” said Benton. The programme members have joined the programme because they are individuals who create change on their farms, in their farming partnerships and within their teams, and are conduits of knowledge back into their wider communities. “I truly believe that this professional development will lead to great things in our farming sector; creating knowledge, leadership and innovation to empower the industry and aid with decision making in the future”, said Benton.

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Marvellous Maize! M

Many dairy farmers use maize crops as part of their pasture renewal programme, however not all paddocks are equally suited for maize production. PHOTO: DAIRY NZ

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aize is a vital crop for many New Zealand dairy farmers and represents a significant investment in time and resources. Maize grown on the dairy farm can add value to farms’ feed supply, help mitigate climatic risk, extract soil nutrients from high fertility effluent paddocks, and be used as a ‘break crop’ in the pasture renewal process. Maize should be fed to fill genuine feed deficits for economic responses and be well managed to reduce feed costs and wastage. Sowing location, sowing date, hybrid choice, and population will all influence the potential crop yield. Potential yield can be reduced by weed and pest presence, moisture stress, disease, and nutrient limitations. Ploughing is a quick and effective way to bury plant residues that might otherwise impede secondary cultivation or cause weed problems. A comment often heard from dairy farmers is that maize is ‘hard on the soil’ and one of the main causes of this is associated with ploughing. Ploughing buries and makes fertile topsoil out of reach for new grass trying to establish after maize. There are other reduced tillage options for maize such as strip tillage and direct drilling, however, these require more attention to detail and are best suited to specialist maize growers. Dairy effluent can be used as a nutrient source for maize provided the crop requires the nutrients and good effluent practices are followed. If the paddock is just out of grass, the soil can supply plenty of N and further additions through effluent are probably not needed. Paddocks with a history of cropping (e.g., a dedicated cropping block or runoff) are most likely to benefit from effluent application. Maize silage grown on effluent paddocks will significantly reduce fertiliser inputs. Maize silage can also be used to extract excess nutrients from effluent paddocks, as it removes large amounts of N and K, reducing

risks of N leaching and the occurrence of metabolic diseases. Maize cost can vary depending on where and how it is grown. If maize is grown on the dairy platform in an effluent paddock the cost could be as low as 12c/kg DM before storage. Maize purchased off-farm is generally more expensive. However, allowance needs to be made for the value of extra nutrients bought in with the maize and a reduction in risk due to maize being grown off the dairy platform. Maize silage can be used to support pasture-based systems at times of the year when pasture is unreliable, e.g., maize on a feed pad when soils are wet or fed in a dry autumn to build pasture cover. On-farm feed management potentially causes the greatest variation in feed costs. Maize is one of the most efficient plants at converting radiation into biomass (1.6 tonnes DM/ha for every 100 MJ of radiation interception). To maximise potential yield, the farmers need to maximise radiation interception. Four main factors drive this: 1. Location Temperature and radiation are different around the country. Often the growing location is fixed but if leasing or buying land for maize, investigate the site’s climatic conditions. 2. Sowing time This affects radiation interception as this changes during the year. Radiation peaks late in December, so aim to sow your crop to have full canopy cover by this stage. In general, early sowing has higher yields than late sowing. However, this should be balanced against many factors such as frost risk, soil conditions and pasture harvested pre-crop. 3. Hybrid The main difference between hybrids is the number and size of leaves (which affects green leaf area), crop maturity (number of growing degree days (GDD) before the crop is

ready to harvest), and ability to cope with stresses such as drought. As a general guide, short-season hybrids tend to yield less because they have fewer smaller leaves than long-season hybrids. They also tend to need fewer GDD’s to reach maturity so are in the ground for fewer days. 4. Plant population More plants mean more leaf area. Typical populations for maize silage are 100-120 thousand (k) seeds per ha. Final populations are normally 5K/ha less than what was originally sown. Monitoring is important to maximise yield. A monitoring programme should include weeds, pests, and diseases; soil N sampling, soil moisture if irrigated, and crop maturity. For the busy dairy farmers, often technical advisors and some contractors can provide this service. It is important to regularly monitor crops, especially in the first two months of growth. Three weeks prior to harvesting, its vital maize crops are checked for harvest maturity. Good quality maize silage is best made when whole plant dry matter is between 30-40 per cent. If harvest is less than 30 per cent the silage stack will be wet resulting in stack leachate, this leachate represents a nutrient loss. If greater than 40 per cent, DM, stack compaction and air exclusion are much more difficult. Many dairy farmers use maize crop as part of their pasture renewal programme, however not all paddocks are equally suited for maize production. Maize seed is normally sown around 5cm deep. An uneven soil surface (undulations, ruts etc.) makes it difficult for the planter to sow at a uniform depth resulting in variable emergence. Maize requires substantial nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) both of which are present in dairy soils. Paddocks out of long-term pasture often have a broad-leaf seed bank while paddocks in previously run-out pastures often have grass weeds, e.g., summer grasses.

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New approach for a successful transition programme A

cow is exposed to many changes during the drying, run off and transition period, making it important to try and anticipate her needs in advance. During this period many things happen including hormone secretion, metabolic changes and bone rebuilding. We then add stress and low dry matter intake during the first days post calving. We need to remember she moves many nutrients to produce milk solids during lactation and as a result of this she needs to rebuild her body and skeleton during the dry and transition period to start the next lactation without any metabolic disorders developing. For each lactation, a cow can lose around 500 gm of calcium from her natural storage, namely her bones. This process means that she is mining her skeleton to put calcium and phosphorus into milk. This situation can explain why higher producing older cows are more susceptible to milk fever. This means, like capital fertilizer, we have to put back what we take out. Under New Zealand

Solus designs and formulates products to be the best transition suppliments for the NZ dairy cow.

conditions, knowing the dynamics of the minerals in the different stage of the cow’s transition is the key to designing the proper transition program. Excess potassium affects magnesium absorption. You

also need to take into account mineral ratios, vitamin levels and understand the difference between farms in order to devise the most beneficial strategy on farm. Based on that scientific knowledge and understanding

of the New Zealand conditions, Sollus’s approach is very different to conventional mineral company recommendations. Sollus designs and formulates products to be the best transition supplements for the

New Zealand dairy cow. Along with the calcium and magnesium that cows need, Sollus’s product Tranzsol incorporates antioxidants, magnesium and, most importantly, Rovimix™ Hy-D. This combination allows cows to safely transition, even when consuming pasture and limeflour. This enables less calcium to be lost from her bones. Rovimix™ Hy-D is a molecule designed by world leading animal nutrition company DSM to manage calcium absorption. Calcium is critical for function of the smooth muscles of the uterus, rumen teats, and sphincters. If these muscle groups can’t function effectively we greatly increase the risk of metabolic disorders, and prevalence of mastitis and reproductive issues. With Tranzsol, Sollus is helping increasing numbers of New Zealand farmers reduce metabolic issues, including milk fever, through functional nutrition based on proven science. We no longer need to accept these diseases are a natural consequence of milking cows.

Winter is here...

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Hanham Concrete New Silage Pit Design

ave time and money by reducing wastage with a Hanham Concrete Silage Pit. Hanham Concrete’s new Silage Pit is designed by a structural engineer to take a 20-ton compacting vehicle. Unlike our previous silage pits these are made in our yard and transported to site so we can cover the South Island.

Kverneland PG100 7+1 Plough

The team at Hanham’s has successfully made many silage pits over the years so give Mike a call and he will be happy to come out for a site visit and discuss your needs. Hanham’s is also busy making water troughs, feed troughs, concrete bunkers, wingwalls and more. Give them a call with your on-farm concrete requirements.

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Compostable carpet close T

he development of a prototype rug which contains no plastic materials brings NZ’s wool export industry closer to mass production of fully compostable carpets, according to local experts. Latest Government statistics show textiles, including all forms of carpet, makeup around 5 per cent of New Zealand landfill volumes with over 186,000 tonnes entering the waste stream each year. Dr Kirstine Hulse, sustainability lead at Bremworth, said while wool is a natural fibre which can break down due to its organic composition, most wool carpets use a polypropylene backing and latex which contain synthetic materials preventing the product from being composted. She said the new rug, which is hand woven from natural materials including sheep wool and alpaca fibres, was created as part of a rapid prototyping research initiative - designed to test a number of sustainability concepts in textile design. Each iterative step in the

programme is designed to address barriers preventing carpet from completely breaking down at the end of its life. “By preserving the natural integrity of the fibre we can increase the number of opportunities for product circularity, increase the number of secondary uses for used carpet and significantly reduce volumes of textiles entering the landfill,” she said. Hulse said crossbred sheep and alpaca fibres were used in the first prototyping process to provide a broader range of colours but more trials are underway to find alternatives to the use of alpaca yarn - which is in limited supply in New Zealand. Greg Smith, Bremworth CEO, said the development of fully compostable carpet that can be mass-produced in a financially viable way would be transformational for New Zealand’s wool exports. He said the three-year research initiative was launched in response to demand from consumers for an environmentally sound,

end-of-life solution for carpet. “We know there has been a post-pandemic shift in the way our international customers are seeing New Zealand wool, with a growing number looking to integrate natural fibre products into their home environment. “While design and quality remain key drivers for most segments, what happens at the end of a product’s useful life is becoming an increasingly important factor in the purchase decision. “Ultimately for New Zealand wool products to carry a price premium in key export markets like North America, we need to invest significantly into the creation of an added-value product. “Our latest research initiative is designed to help us build a product range which can be meaningfully reused or naturally returned to the earth in a way that resonates with our customer base - without compromising the design and performance that they care about,” he said.

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The development of fully compostable carpet that can be mass-produced in a financially viable way would be transformational for New Zealand’s wool exports. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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FOCUS ON SEED FEATURE

Forage grasses- a variety of species for farmers Pat Deavoll

RURAL REPORTER

here are several different species of forage grasses of importance in New Zealand pastoral systems today. Of these, ryegrass is perhaps the most widely known and arguably the most important. There are however several other species that are all useful in certain areas or under specific environmental conditions. Ryegrass - The most common way to sub-classify ryegrass is into categories determined by persistence. Perennial Throughout New Zealand, perennial ryegrass is the grass of choice for permanent pastures. It establishes rapidly, yields well, tolerates a range of management practices, and has high nutritive value. It is also compatible with white clover

offering an excellent all-round pasture for all grazing systems. Long rotation Long rotation ryegrasses generally fall between perennial and short-rotation ryegrass in growth and persistence. But varieties vary widely. Some are more like short rotation ryegrass and some to perennial ryegrass. Short rotation Short rotation ryegrasses (previously known as ‘hybrid ryegrasses’) are generally produced by plant breeders crossing annual or Italian ryegrass with perennial ryegrass. Short rotation ryegrasses tend to fall between Italian and perennial ryegrasses in growth and persistence. Italian / Annual Italian ryegrass and annual ryegrass are discussed together as they are often used for the same purpose. Most commonly they are sown for a high-quality short-term winter crop, to provide multiple grazing’s in winter and spring. Italian ryegrass is more persistent and can be sown for a 3–4year pasture in summer mild areas (e.g. Southland) or under

Long rotation ryegrasses generally fall between perennial and short-rotation ryegrass in growth and persistence. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

irrigation. However, in summer dry areas it generally persists for 9 months to 2 years. Annual ryegrass is generally used for a 6 - 8-month winter crop prior to sowing a summer crop. Brome Brome grasses are a perennial species suited to free draining soils of moderate to high fertility, particularly in lower rainfall areas. They do not persist as well on poorly drained soils. Cocksfoot Cocksfoot is a very persistent perennial grass that tolerates moisture stress, moderate soil fertility, insect attack, and continual set stocking. Tall fescue

Wintermax T100 awarded UK listing Nutrient losses due to leaching commonly occurs when soils are wet and draining, often after summer crops have been harvested heading into winter. Cover or catch crops are often used as a mitigation tool for nitrate leaching, however the challenge is to plant a crop which actively grows during the wetter and colder months. WinterMax T100 was developed by the team at Plant Research (NZ) and Grasslanz Technology to fit a need in the dairy sector for a catch crop that can be sown in autumn/winter and can rapidly accumulate dry matter over the winter period. It has proven to be a strong performer in the local market and it is now making its mark in the UK. In June this year Wintermax T100 Triticale was awarded a national listing with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). APHA is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK. This significant achievement illustrates a recognition by the UK of Wintermax T100’s significant winter growth rates and its superior features. It also further reinforces its credibility and recognises the huge amount of work that has been undertaken by Plant Research Limited to deliver this high performing triticale to the global marketplace

WinterMax T100’s deep root system also gives this variety excellent nutrient scavenging ability and it offers superior early vigour when compared to similar catch crops such as oats and wheat. WinterMax T100 also offers a highly nutritious early spring forage supplement by retaining green leaf throughout winter. Results of field trails show positive results in terms of nitrogen uptake. In trials comparing WinterMax T100 with Doubletake Triticale, Milton Oat, and Torch Wheat it was found that WinterMax T100 was the only variety where Kg/Ha nitrogen removed at the final harvest exceeded the total Nitrogen applied (Mineral N + applied N) To find out more contact your local Cates agronomist or call 0800 900 308.

Tall fescue is a perennial grass more tolerant of hot summer, poorly drained and saline conditions than perennial ryegrass. In New Zealand, it is mainly sown in dry areas for its summer growth and good clover content Timothy A late flowering perennial grass suited to summer wet areas, particularly on heavy soils. It persists poorly in dry areas. Timothy is mainly sown as a minor component of permanent pasture at 1-2 kg/ha. It has high feed value and performs best under lax grazing. It has a summer growth peak with little winter

or early spring production. There are several commercially available cultivars within each of the classifications above. Within each classification the cultivars vary in terms of heading date (maturity/appearance of the seed head), growth habit (e.g., prostrate/erect), leaf size, tiller density, and total and seasonal growth (e.g. some cultivars have very lush, early spring growth compared to others). All these parameters can be measured and form the basis of comparison between cultivars when measured under standardised trial protocols. The differences between the cultivars and the species are very important when recommending a seed mix. The requirements for a paddock under irrigation on a dairy farm on the plains are very different from those required for summer dry, dryland paddock in the hill country. Equally, stock preferences are very important: often the physical characteristics of grasses (and other forage plants) are important to ensure persistence and productivity over the lifetime of the sward and the paddock.

Always here for farmers

Cates was one of the first independent grain and seed companies in Mid Canterbury. We’ve been here for nearly 50 years. We’ve changed our name to better reflect who we are and how we work with farmers - Cates, New Zealand’s Seed Specialists. We remain fiercely proud of who we are, where we are and the relationships we have built over generations. We see ourselves as a success partner for the farming families we work with. Call us to discuss how we can be your success partner on 0800 900 308

cates.co.nz

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FOCUS ON SEED FEATURE

Deer fencing: a how-to... W

ell-planned and properly constructed deer fencing has a huge impact on the efficiency of deer handling. The longterm benefits of ease of management from good fencing are realised with a reduction in time taken on fence maintenance, as well as reduced personnel time chasing deer around due to inadequate fencing. Deer fencing is inherently expensive to construct due to the quantity of materials that is used. Deer can be extremely hard on fences, and often cause damage to posts, gates and netting. This is mainly due to deer behaviours such as pacing, fighting,

rubbing of antlers/buttons, and attempted escape. If short-cuts are taken during initial construction, then the ongoing maintenance of substandard fencing can be substantial The normal height of deer fences is 1.9 to 2.0m for both internal fences and boundary fences. Regulatory requirements for fencing Fence types Netting Netting is a common material to use for both internal and boundary fences. A mesh size of either 150mm or 300mm seems to

Save time and money by utilising Save time and money by utilising farm saved seed farm saved seed Seed treatment is your first line of Seed treatment is your first line of defence against pests and disease defence against pests and disease Operating 6 length separation Operating 6 length separation indent cylinders combined with a indent cylinders combined with a high capacity gravity table to get high capacity gravity table to get the best quality seeds for re-sowing the best quality seeds for re-sowing and contract specs and contract specs Mobile trailer with indent cylinders Mobile trailer with indent cylinders for fine cleaning and length for fine cleaning and length separation with cereals or rye grass separation with cereals or rye grass Twin rotor screening machine with Twin rotor screening machine with aspiration for screening all types of aspiration for screening all types of seeds for contract specs seeds for contract specs

johnny@jwneilholdings.co.nz OAMARU johnny@jwneilholdings.co.nz OAMARU

Electric fencing is suitable to contain deer in paddocks.

be an individual preference, however, 150mm is more common on intensive farms, or fawning paddocks. Wire and batten In hill country, wire and batten are often an easier option to construct and provide a better visual barrier to the animals. In broken hill country the main problem is to prevent animals from escaping under the bottom wire. Bulldozing fence lines before fence construction should be considered in broken hill country as it makes transporting materials to the site easier, constructing the fence more straightforward, and provides a future track for vehicles movement. The spacing of fence posts is usually between 5-7 metres apart. Adapted fences A very common situation in NZ is for existing sheep and cattle fences to be adapted to hold deer. This can save on fencing costs; however, you are constrained by the existing fence location. In all situations the existing fence must be in good condition, this may require replacing or ramming loose posts, straining up wires, and re-stapling wires/netting. Electric fences Electric fencing is suitable to contain deer in paddocks. However, it should not be used to contain stags that have hard or velvet antlers as entanglement in the electric wire can cause death. Deer should be moved quietly and calmly when shifted in and out of electrically fenced paddocks. Maintaining a good power supply to electric fencing is vital if deer are to be properly trained to respect it and remain in the paddock where they are supposed to be. At least 4kV should be maintained in the system at all times for effective containment of deer. To allow paddock subdivision to facilitate break feeding, temporary electric fences can be used. Flat electrified tape is the most used product for containing deer

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

effectively. This is because the flat tape is more easily seen by the deer and provides a better visual barrier. Temporary electric fences are unlikely to contain stags during mating time, during the rut, or panicked animals. Controlling post and fence damage During the rut stags will rub their buttons (if velvet is removed) against fence posts, trees or other objects. Fence posts can rapidly wear away, become weakened and break. Stags can also fight between themselves through fences when held in adjacent paddocks, this also causes substantial fence and post damage. The use of electrified outriggers can prevent stags from damaging fence posts and netting. A single plain electrified wire about 60cm up from the ground and held 25cm out from the fence is a good position for the outrigger wire. However, electrified outriggers should not be used in paddocks used for stags with hard or velvet antlers (for reasons discussed above). Gates and gateways Commercially available deer gates are usually 1.8 metres high. Sheep and beef height gates can easily be adapted to deer height by welding galvanised water pipe to extend the frame height and using mesh, or even deer netting for the inner panels. Gateways between paddocks or into raceways can be configured in either a ‘V’, ‘three’ or ‘four-way’ configuration. Posts The rule of thumb for post length is that at least one-third of the post length should be below ground to ensure fence stability. The diameter of the posts chosen is dictated by the following factors: length of strain to be supported; type of deer; soil; fence type and fence spacing. End assemblies are more a choice of the individual and come down to personal preference. Diagonal or horizontal boxed stays seem to be the most common.

EVERY SEED DESERVES THE PERFECT START PFASH_AG-KV_JUN22

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027 512 7205

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027 706 4147

Terms and conditions apply. While stocks last. Contact Power Farming Ashburton for more information.

Ashburton 233 Alford Forest Road 03 307 7153

Power Farming Ashburton

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FOCUS ON SEED FEATURE

Your cows need magnesium pre-calving: a how-to Pat Deavoll

RURAL REPORTER

upplementing with magnesium (Mg) pre-calving is standard practice on most dairy farms in New Zealand. However, the type of Mg and how it is supplemented can vary from farm to farm. Understanding what delivery options are available adds to the toolbox to give new and improved ideas and ease the workload at a busy time of the year. The close-up dry cow (three weeks pre-calving) requires 0.45 per cent of her dry matter (DM) intake to be elemental Mg to aid in reducing the risk of milk fever. Therefore, a 450-kilogram (kg) cow eating 1.7-2 per cent of her body weight or 7.7-9kgDM pre-calving requires 35-40 grams (g) of elemental Mg. For a spring calving cow, pasture can supply approximately 0.2 per cent Mg

to the diet. For the best practice, test pasture and supplement. The results range by region, season, and supplement. Assuming there’s 0.2 per cent Mg in pasture, a 450kg cow eating 7.7-9kg of pasture and hay, delivers between 15-18g of elemental Mg. Therefore, she still requires supplementation of 17-22g daily. Not having enough Mg increases the incidence of milk fever. The quality of the Mg source varies extensively. Frustratingly, not all magnesium oxide (MgO) sources are the same. The bioavailability (the amount that can be absorbed by the cow to have a positive effect) of MgO is impacted by the particle size, origin of source and level of impurities. Using quality Mg sources aids in uptake and level of effectiveness. Dusting MgO on the pasture is the most common form of delivery within New Zealand. When factoring in environmental losses via wind and rain, common practice is to double or even triple the volume of MgO that needs to be applied to pasture.

The quality of the Mg source varies extensively. Frustratingly, not all magnesium oxide (MgO) sources are the same. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Mg bullets contain a slowrelease form of Mg. Due to the nature of mineral bullets, cows may regurgitate them. The amount of Mg and rate of release can vary from product to product. Magnesium chloride or magnesium sulphate supplementation in water requires great care and concentration. MgO is poorly soluble, and can be unpalatable, causing reduced water

intake. However, magnesium sulphate and chloride aid in an effective dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) diet. Dehydrated molasses blocks are specifically designed to be free access, palatable and easy to use. They contain more than Mg, such as molasses, trace elements, other minerals, and vitamins. It is important to follow directions for use. With the demand for a quality

Mg source, easy delivery, in the right levels, molasses blocks supply a highly palatable solution. Typical intake of 200300g/cow/day delivers 16-24g of Mg, just what is needed for 450-600kg cow. The palatable carrier, molasses, acts as an energy source to the rumen microbes aiding in efficient digestion and getting the rumen ready for the energy-dense feed post-calving.

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Fonterra ruffles feathers

onterra’s proposed capital structure changes have been ruffling feathers since the idea was first floated over a year ago. The latest squawks of indignation come from New Zealand’s second largest dairy processor, Open Country Dairy, who have commissioned a report slamming the proposal alleging, among other things, that the change could lead to an increase in the price of domestic dairy products. Opposition processors aren’t the only people feeling dismayed, Fonterra shareholders could be forgiven for feeling the cooperative has taken a cavalier attitude towards their substantial investment in the company, with share prices halving since the proposed changes were announced. There is dismay, too, that the process has not been as well polished or streamlined as other Fonterra success stories, most notably getting unanimous support from Parliament for long overdue changes to the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA) in 2019. The idea of a change to Fonterra’s capital structure was greeted with vocal support by Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor, only for him to withdraw Government support in November prior to a shareholder vote on the issue. It was painfully clear Fonterra and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) were miles apart on what an acceptable structure looked like, but Fonterra pressed ahead with a farmer vote and gained 85% approval for the changes, essentially giving the Government an ultimatum.

Fonterra want the changes because everybody in the industry can agree on one thing, the pool of milk available for processing is declining. Fonterra currently require all suppliers to hold one share for every kilogram of milk solids they supply, a situation that both acts as a barrier to new suppliers joining the cooperative and frequently leads to farms leaving the co-op to free up capital. This is a situation that suits Fonterra’s competitors very well indeed, and one that they exploit mercilessly to persuade farmers to supply their factories instead. Fonterra are proposing that a supplier would need to hold only one share for every three kilograms of milk solids supplied, significantly lowering the barrier to joining the cooperative while simultaneously allowing existing shareholders to free up capital by reducing their shareholding. With a high cost of entry, independent processors can more easily win supply from Fonterra in the name of competition and free market economies. With a lower cost of entry, Fonterra are more easily able to poach suppliers away from poor independents who are mere helpless waifs in the face of the dairy giant, or so their reporting would have you believe. Despite heightened competition for milk from all processors due to shrinking supply, Fonterra are still required by DIRA to subsidise new entrants into the market to compete for that supply.

Open Country Dairy slams Fonterra’s proposed capital structure saying in will increase the price of domestic dairy products.

The latest in the long line of factories to set up in New Zealand is Singaporeangovernment owned Olam, who are building a facility in Tokoroa to become the Waikato’s fifteenth dairy factory. Olam have sold their 15 per cent stake in Open Country Dairy, itself starting life with subsidised milk from Fonterra, and are using the money to build their own factory which in turn will be eligible for costprice milk from Fonterra to get started. Just like Open Country, none of this milk will be sold on the domestic market, all will be sent overseas to compete with Fonterra product. Open Country Dairy’s report suggesting milk prices could increase with the proposed changes is nothing new. For years they have accused Fonterra of paying dairy farmers too much, culminating in a 2019 judicial review of the Commerce Commission’s report into Fonterra’s base milk price calculations. The High Court dismissed the challenge, vindicating both the process

by which milk prices are calculated and the Commerce Commission’s oversight of that process. This time the theory is that Fonterra will artificially inflate milk prices by shifting dividend on shares into the milk price, thus luring suppliers back and pumping up the price of domestic dairy goods in the process. The fear that Fonterra might game the system is not driven by concern for New Zealand consumers, if anything it’s driven by concern for their own bottom line. Independent processors are very vocal in comparing their price to Fonterra; a massive company heavily constrained by government regulation and a major player in the domestic market. They go very quiet when you point out they have more in common with Tatua; a small dynamic company with a minor domestic presence that specializes in high value exports, and maybe they should be matching Tatua’s payout rather than worrying about Fonterra’s. I have a solution for domestic

dairy prices; any company that received cost price milk under DIRA should be required to supply the same volume to the domestic market. It’s the height of hypocrisy to shout dire warnings about the price of cheese when the domestic market is a sandpit they have no intention of playing in. Fonterra are desperate to see the capital structure changes gain government approval, and the government is annoyed at having an unsatisfactory proposal dumped in their laps. We can see this in the concessions MPI have demanded and Fonterra have seemingly readily agreed to, like having a second ministerial appointment sitting on the Milk Pricing Panel and agreeing that one of those appointments should be Chair. The whole capital structure change process has frustrated me. Fonterra have expended large amounts of political capital and agreed to almost everything the Ministry for Primary Industries have asked of them to get it across the line. This is energy that could have been far better spent on working to remove DIRA altogether. When this round of tinkering around the edges is finally over, DIRA will still be in place and decisions about the Co-op’s future will still be in the government’s hands. Fonterra will still be constrained by a playing field that is only slightly less tilted in favour of its competitors. A level playing field remains a distant dream.

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FARM VEHICLES AND MACHINERY FEATURE

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Farm machinery exacts a heavy toll on soil S

cientists say massive tractors could be damaging up to a fifth of global land used to grow crops. The weight of modern combine harvesters, tractors, and other farm machinery risks compacting the soil, leading to flooding and poor harvests, according to researchers in Sweden. And in their scientific paper, they raise a curious question. How did giant dinosaurs, which outweighed machines, survive without trampling the soil to smithereens? The researchers calculated that combine harvesters, when fully loaded, have ballooned in size from about 4,000kg in 1958 to around 36,000kg in 2020. In contrast, the likes of the brontosaurus weighed about twice the larger figure. In soil that has been squashed by a heavyweight, air is forced out and the soil becomes compacted. This makes it difficult for plants to put down roots and draw up nutrients, and the land is prone to flooding. The researchers think the growing weight of farm machinery poses a threat to agricultural

productivity. Their analysis, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests combine harvesters could be damaging up to a fifth of the global land used to grow crops. Thomas Keller, professor of soil management at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, Sweden, said machinery should be designed not to exceed a certain load. “Compaction can happen within a few seconds when we drive on the soil, but it can take decades for that soil to recover,” he said. However, the heft of modern harvesters is outweighed by longnecked plant-eating dinosaurs such as brontosaurus, which once roamed the earth. This raises a conundrum: how did the extinct creatures thrive in the ecosystems they likely altered as they stomped across the ground? Prof Thomas Keller suggests the giant plant-eaters might have stuck to paths, using their long necks to reach out for nearby vegetation. “We think that maybe they didn’t just walk around randomly across the landscape,” he explained.

The likes of brontosaurus weighed almost as much as twice the weight of a combine harvester. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

PLAN FOR THE SEASON AHEAD WITH CERTAINTY There are few things in farming that are certain. But a great, reliable price for your farm supplies is now one thing you can be certain of. We’ve worked with our suppliers and leading brands to introduce the Farm Source Certainty Guarantee. It means you can be certain that our everyday low pricing won’t increase on a wide range of products and supplies until October. Which means you can budget with certainty. It’s another way we’re working to strengthen your bottom line.

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Alliance takes home gold for lamb, beef A

lliance Group’s Pure South Lamb and Pure South Handpicked Beef 55 Day Aged have been awarded gold medals at New Zealand’s Outstanding Food Producers Awards. The awards celebrate inspiring Kiwis who harvest, grow and produce New Zealand’s outstanding food and drink. Entries were judged on a range of criteria including aroma, visual appearance, flavour, consistency, quality, sustainability, brand story and packaging. Pure South Handpicked Beef represents a new culture of craft meat from farm to table. It combines the art of individual selection with the science of ageing. Master graders select from only the very finest grass-fed, sustainably raised beef using quality attributes including a high marbling factor of four or above, pH and colour. Only the smallest portion of beef makes the grade. Pure South Handpicked Beef 55 Day Aged has won repeated gold medals at the coveted World Steak Challenge. Pure South Lamb is the co-

operative’s most prolific lamb brand, which is exported to more than 65 countries across the globe. Shane Kingston, General Manager Sales at Alliance Group, said the gold medals underline the co-operative’s reputation for food excellence and innovation. “There is exceptional demand for handpicked beef, which is wet aged for 55 days - a significantly longer period than other wet aged products on the market. Our team has found that this period profoundly increases the meat’s flavour complexity, tenderness and texture.” Alliance Group’s reputation for producing the world’s finest lamb is well-known, said Kingston. “The passion, pride and dedication of our farmers and our meticulous commitment to quality are hallmarks of Pure South Lamb. Whilst external recognition is always appreciated, this gold medal will be no surprise to our many customers around the world who seek out Pure South Lamb for its delicately flavoured eating experience, fresh aroma and leanness.”

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EFFLUENT AND WASTE MANAGEMENT FEATURE

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Choosing the right effluent system O

f all the variables on the farm, by far the one with the most influence on the farm is dairy effluent (FDE). FDE system design and storage requirements are the soil risk of the effluent block. Low-risk soils enable us to irrigate FDE much more frequently than the high-risk soils, enabling farms to have significantly reduced storage requirements and often reduced infrastructure around solids management. If we are required to irrigate FDE onto high-risk soils over the wetter cooler months, when evapotranspiration rates are low, then low-depth irrigation methods should be employed to take advantage of the small soil moisture deficits that can occur over these months. Failure to do this will result in large storage facilities being built on the farm at a considerable cost. FDE solids management needs to be addressed regardless of FDE system design. The variation on whether solids are managed via agitation or separated will be dictated by the volume of solids generated in and around the farm dairy and feed pad, soil risk of the effluent block, and FDE irrigation technique. Water use in the dairy is one

The variation on whether solids are managed via agitation or separated will be dictated by the volume of solids generated in and around the farm dairy. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

of the true variables we can choose to have control over. If the farm has FDE storage, then there is a readily available source of settled effluent for washing the dairy yard. It just makes good sense to be implementing this technique to reduce on-farm energy costs,

reduce on-farm labour and look after a valuable resource. One size does not fit all. Just because your neighbour’s farm is similar and milking a similar number of cows does not mean your effluent systems are similar or storage requirements are the same. We no longer build

x number of days of storage. We now build effluent systems that match the individual farm and the subsequently required storage volume. No one system is best, and no one system designer has an offthe-shelf system that suits all farms. With an understanding

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EFFLUENT AND WASTE MANAGEMENT FEATURE

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PINZ awards finalists named P

rojects, teams and innovations as diverse as low methane-emitting sheep, a constructed wetlands uptake campaign, and a foodbank fruit and vegetable box initiative during the Covid lockdown are among finalists for the nation’s premier primary industries awards. Three finalists in each of eight categories have been selected by independent judges for the 2022 Primary Industries NZ (PINZ) Awards, to be presented in Auckland on 6 July as part of the two-day PINZ Summit. “With Covid, supply chain and workforce disruption, inflation and all the other challenges going on, one might have thought nominating primary industry heroes for awards could slip as a priority,” Federated Farmers (Feds) chief executive Terry Copeland said. “Not so. There were 61 nominations for these fourth annual awards, just a few shy of the 2021 total. Clearly, there are many others like Federated Farmers, and our summit partner Brightstar Events, who recognise the value of celebrating and honouring the leaders and rising stars among our food and fibre producers.” Feds are delighted that judges have named Federated Farmers national board member Chris Lewis as one of the three Primary Industries

Champion Award finalists. Lewis has been a tireless champion of the dairy industry through his various roles. Alongside running a large dairy and beef operation in the Waikato and family commitments, Lewis has represented the Feds Waikato province as the provincial president and then served on the national board as both dairy chair and then Immigration and Employment spokesperson. A former Federated Farmers policy advisor is a finalist for the Emerging Leader Award. Horowhenua farmer Kristy McGregor has worked hard to highlight the vital role of women in agriculture, initially by organising an exhibition in her district to tell the stories of 20 rural women, and then founding and successfully running Shepherdess magazine, which is distributed nationally. Former Federated Farmers national president Bruce Wills, a man who has held - or still holds multiple conservation and producer board roles, is a finalist for the Outstanding Contribution to Primary Industries NZ award with NZ Farm Environment Trust Chair Joanne van Polanen and AgResearch Principal Scientist Professor Stewart Ledgard. A full list of the finalists can be found here: https://primaryindustries. co.nz/awards

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CALVING FEATURE

Calf rearing Spring 2022 W

for finished beef is strong then there is still money to be made. For the dairy market however, the lift in MS pay out means that whole milk in the vat could possibly exceed milk replacer costs making it a very viable option to rear replacement heifers or even some bull calves on CMR. While this trend of feeding CMR to dairy heifers gained traction a few years back and then the added returns for dairy farmers rearing their own bull calves for the beef market, it had swung back to the traditional use of just vat milk for a possible cost saving, but we encourage to do the maths on it each year to see if using a CMR over whole milk can maximize profits with the forecast higher MS returns. Milligans Feeds recommends farmers and rearers talk to their local farm supplier or contact Milligans Feeds directly for the best options, advice, or information in order to set a plan for maximum performance and returns. You can also try out the ‘Whole Milk vs CMR’ calculator on the Milligans Feeds website before making your decision. Milligans Feeds is a one-stop shop for all your milk replacer needs across all animal types. We have you covered from NZ produced casein-based powder to imported whey powder that fit all feeding systems, budgets, and performance requirements. Look for the Milligans Feeds range of calf milk replacers at your local Farmlands or RuralCo store, and at independent retailers and selected vets throughout NZ or check online at www.milligansfeeds.co.nz

AV LE A SU AD F ILA R N PP IN OM BL AT LY G E IO S RU N TO RA W R L ID ES E

ith another Spring calf rearing season looming, Milligans Feeds say it is looking to be a case of same challenges, different year, with maybe a couple of exceptions. While the Covid-19 pandemic seems to finally be on the downward slide in New Zealand….for now at least, it has in no way been an easy past year since the Omicron variant hit, adding to the already hard hit supply chain of goods and services worldwide and domestically. Not even the more isolated rural sector escaped the effects of this pandemic, but the agriculture sector has seen some very positive results, especially in dairy farming, with a record milk solid pay out announced and forecasts changed regularly. With milk solid pay out at record highs, it does mean that animal milk replacers have become considerably more expensive and could see them at the highest levels ever. Regardless of this, calf rearing in NZ is an important industry and despite the testing issues, animals need to be reared for both dairy and beef to continually supply the local market and for trade exports as the international markets slowly get back to full capacity again and the demand for New Zealand grown dairy ingredients and protein is required. As world populations increase each year, the demand for high quality beef and dairy products from New Zealand should keep our strong calf rearing industry buoyant. The beef rearers may be hit with higher calf milk replacer costs, but so long as 4 day old calf prices are reasonable and price

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CALVING FEATURE

Wools of NZ launches new showroom ools of New Zealand has launched its first showroom in Christchurch as part of the Home Ideas Centre, the innovative design space showcasing businesses thriving in New Zealand’s building industry. Visitors can view Wools of New Zealand carpets and match these with their other interior design ideas all in the one convenient place. “The Home Ideas centre is a place New Zealanders go to when building a new home, renovating an existing home, decorating, or just shopping for inspiring ideas,” said Wools of New Zealand CEO, John McWhirter. “Having our own place where we can showcase our products means that consumers can see and feel our products. Partnering with the Home Ideas centre just makes sense. “The centre also has facilities available that we can use to host events tailored for specific audiences, whether that is a carpet layers seminar or hosting architects and designers to discuss the benefits of wool carpet in homes.” Home Ideas has been in business for over 30 years and Centre Manager

Jason Boa is excited to welcome Wools of New Zealand to the centre. “Wools of New Zealand is an iconic New Zealand brand with a fantastic understanding of how New Zealanders design and live in their homes. They provide a beautiful, healthy and sustainable product and we look forward to working with Wools of New Zealand to inspire our visitors when building, designing and decorating their homes for today and the future.” The Home Ideas Centre in Christchurch is currently undergoing major renovations to improve the visitor experience and provide a modern environment with a focus on technology. It plans to celebrate the finish of stage two of the renovations early Spring 2022 and will present the next stages of development to the centre. The HIC remains open during the current renovations. The Home Ideas centre is open seven days a week to the public: 9.00am-4.00pm Monday to Friday and 10.00am to 2.00pm Saturday and Sunday.

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South Island Agricultural Field Days aims to give farmers and others in the rural sector the opportunity to see the latest in agricultural machinery and services that are available on the market, particularly home-grown products. The field days is the only agricultural show in New Zealand to feature side-byside demonstrations, with 80 to 100 tractors, headers, mowers, seed drills and other machines being put through their paces each day.

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