AginED | May 2nd, 2022 by AgriHQ

AginED

FOR E FUTURIA G R R S! U PR EN E

Volume 103 I May 2nd, 2022 I email: agined@globalHQ.co.nz I www.farmersweekly.co.nz/agined Are you a parent or teacher and want to receive AginED every week directly to your email inbox? Send us an email to sign up at agined@globalhq.co.nz

Could almonds be the next big crop for New Zealand growers? Plant & Food Research is embarking on a feasibility study to see if almonds can be grown sustainably in Hawke’s Bay, with invested support from MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund. To read more follow this link https://farmersweekly.co.nz/s/ fw-article/almonds-a-new-high-value-nut-to-crack-MCMCV OSP7V2NBCZIH4JNIE75RPUM?fbclid=IwAR3CdP0sOeO7XXqKc aYquiWNch3nqxToD7bxAWkUSYmR _ PkJbxgVAa-u92c

The wool market entered an interesting phase at the start of April. Hot and humid weather conditions around Christmas caused an increase in yellowcoloured fleeces.

Why is there a need to see if almonds can be produced with a low carbon footprint? What do almonds need that increases their carbon footprint?

2 How could almonds provide diversification opportunities for farmers? 3 MPI is investing through the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund (SFF Futures). What is this? 4 Ministry for Primary Industries director of investment programmes Steve Penno said that developing high-value sustainable products is central to the Government’s Fit for a Better World roadmap for the food and fibre sector. What is this “roadmap”? 4a - Do you think that “Fit for a Better World” is working along the right track for NZ food and fibre? Explain why you think this? 4b - Do you think there is something that could be changed, done better or added to this initiative? Outline what this is and how it could be improved. We would love to hear your thoughts on the Fit for a Better World concept. Send us your answers to question 4 to agined@globalhq.co.nz and we could feature your view and put you in the draw to win a prize.

2 What are their study groupings? Why do they have three groupings rather than just two? 3 How many years has this study been conducted? Why do they need to carry the study on for this long? 4 What are the variables that they measure each year? 5 At what age are the ewes retained from hoggets mated? 6 What was the main difference found between the ewes retained from hoggets (particularly twins) compared to the control group. Why do you think this is? 7 Why is hogget mating more widespread these days compared to historically? 8 Are there any issues with excessive mature ewe weights longer term?

Shrekapo is a merino that managed to avoid shearing over his four years of life. He got his first shear on Easter Monday at Lake Tekapo’s market. To read the full article head to: https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/ news/128388439/shrekapo-the-elusivemerino-186kg-lighter-after-being-shornfor-the-first-time?fbclid=IwAR2cIsoAAm19ib56h19aYppum8jhlNe5e-wkvQNWS2r2E5DIXJ36Va3Y8

Shrekapo

3 Tony Dobbs was called in to shear Shrekapo. This wasn’t the biggest trim that Dobbs had done. What was the largest single shear that he has done? Where and what did he shear then?

STRETCH YOURSELF: 1

Why is it an issue to have yellow coloured fleece?

2 What do you think this does to values? 3 Do some research, how does weather conditions affect wool colour? 4 China has gone into lockdown after the arrival of Omicron. How do you think this is impacting factors such as demand and shipping?

Woolly Wonders

A short documentary has been produced for The Campaign for Wool engaging leading academic experts to examine the positive pastoral contribution that the grazing of ruminants makes to the continued wellbeing of the planet.

WOOLLY WONDERS

1 2

4 5

Head to https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=m21Xn8R7188 to view

This documentary is obviously produced in the UK, do you think it is relevant to NZ? If so why, if not why not?

2 Do you think it is important to get this type of video out to a large audience? 11

3 What are some of the misconceptions that people have currently about farming and the environment?

The 4-year old sheep was found on Mt Edward

How much did Shrekapo’s fleece weigh?

2 Do some research, what is the weight of an average merino fleece?

3 Do some research. What is 37 micron wool commonly used for?

5 Shrek the sheep was found in a cave in Otago in 2004. When he was shorn? What did his fleece weigh? How much more or less was this then Shrekapo’s?

6 Did the original Shrek’s fleece outweigh Tony Dobbs largest single shear? What was the weight difference between their fleece? 4 Shrekapo’s owners have jokingly renamed him spaceman. Why is this?

ACROSS

DOWN

Blackface sheep. Most 1 Sheep regularly crossed with common prime lamb sires Romney/ Corriedale and Merino in NZ for crossbred commercial ewe 5 Exceptionally muscled sheep production 7 Strong wool, top fleece 2 High growth rate, well muscled, weights. Highest micron wool, low fat sheep. Fine white wool Across great tensile wool strength 10. Sheep mainly found infrom 1182 2.by High growth rate, well 4 Sheep bred the South Island. Upstanding muscled, 8 High producing dairy sheep. crossing Merino and Lincoln low fat sheep. Fine 3. Blackface sheep. Most growth rates. sheep with goodLongwool frame and white wool commonFast prime lamb sires in mainly found in the barrel 6 Medium to large easycare hill 4. Sheep bred from 1182 by NZ 10 Sheep South Island. Upstanding country sheep speciality crossing 5. Exceptionally sheep withmuscled good frame and 11. Sheep with 9 Prolific breed through NZ as Merino and Lincoln fibre wool for carpets Longwool adapts well to a variety of sheep barrel 11. Sheep with speciality fibre 13. High qualityterrains and climates fine wool 6. Medium to large easycare 7. Strong wool, top fleece wool for carpets 12 sheep Self shedding meathill breed, 12-24 microns country sheep weights. Highest micron wool, 13 High quality fine wool 12-24 capable of lambing 3 times in Down 9. Prolific breed through NZ great tensile wool strength microns sheep

8. High producing dairy sheep. Fast growth rates.

1. Sheep regularly crossed with Romney/ Corriedale and Merino for crossbred commercial ewe production ANSWERS:

What are the objectives of the study?

2 When have values been at their lowest level?

Down - 1.Border Leicester 2.Poll Dorset 4.Corriedale 6.Perendale 9.Romney 12.Dorper

Beef + Lamb NZ and Massey University have undertaken a study looking at the feasibility of growing twins born to ewe hoggets out to heavy weights and retaining them as replacements and mating as ewe lambs. Head to: https://beeflambnz.com/news-views/ study-examines-feasibility-retaining-lambshoggets-replacements?fbclid=IwAR10gjWk8 TOb14o0egsP7qBVBWcaGwT5zLXetwkxuFrDk Va3pklu3iTweUI to read more.

WHY WOOL MATTERS

When have values for 37 micron been at the highest level on this graph?

as adapts well to a variety of terrains and climates 12. Self shedding meat breed, capable of lambing 3 times in two years

Across - 3.Suffolk 5.Texel 7.Lincoln 8.East Friesian 10.Polwarth 11.Drysdale 13.Merino

BEEF + LAMB NZ & MASSEY UNIVERSITY RETAINING LAMBS FROM HOGGETS AS REPLACEMENTS FEASIBILITY STUDY