AginED
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FOR E FUTURIA G R R S! U E N E R P
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Volume 18 I August 3rd, 2020 I email: agined@globalHQ.co.nz I www.farmersweekly.co.nz
SHOW
US YOUR
BOOTS! Jeff Hansen
from Palmerston North with his awesome photo which we have called “Stag Party”
1 Go to www.farmersweekly.co.nz 2 Find and watch the OnFarm Story of Molly Gardner “I want New Zealand to get that benefit” and read the accompanying article “Alpacas are rare, especially good ones”. 3 What type of Alpacas does Molly Farm? 4 What do they farm them for? (what product do they produce) 5 What other stock do they run?
STRETCH YOURSELF: 1 How long do alpacas gestate for? 2 Molly states that the standard deviation of microns in New Zealand alpacas is about five, compared to three microns for Merino sheep. What does she mean by the term ‘standard deviation of microns’?
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Here are some of the other fantastic entries that we had! Including a pair of redbands (bottom left) which were purchased in 1958 and are still worn to this day! Others have been modified as river crossing boots, slipper clogs and garden ornaments.
3 Why is trying to get a lower standard deviation important to Molly? 4 Apart from improvement of fibre in their alpacas, they also farm them for other qualities. Molly refers to these as “foreman qualities”. Can you list what these other qualities are? 5 Suri fibre can be made into a wide range of fabrics but not currently in New Zealand. Why is this? Should we be working to change this? If so, how?
In your Pantry: STRETCH YOURSELF: This graph shows the volumes of NZ beef exports. Volumes in June were steady with last year and the five-year average. This was mainly helped by the US which imported 80% more beef than the year before. On the other hand, China imported 40% less than the same month last year. 1 Around 42% of total beef exports in June headed to the US. This meant they had a higher ‘market share’ that month than China. Ask your teacher or do some research, what is meant by ‘market share’?
1 Go the the AgriHQ market snapshot page 2 What was the South Island lamb price last week? 3 How is this tracking compared to year-ago levels?
2 Some cuts of beef such as tenderloin cuts from cows and bulls are experiencing low demand, as they are generally used in mid-range restaurants and on airlines. Some companies are beginning to build up high levels held in storage. Thinking about things such as what the global travel industry is looking like, what is your personal outlook for the demand of products such as these over the next few months?
How much of the food and drink that we commonly purchase and consume is made here in NZ? Estimate what proportion of your foodstuffs at home you think are NZ products. Have a look in your pantry and fridge, read the labels on your products. How close or far off was your estimation? Do you think that it is important for Kiwi’s to buy NZ grown and produced products? Why or why not? We would love to hear what you think, share your thoughts with us at: agined@globalhq.co.nz For answers to last week’s questions and more content head to our website: www.sites.google.com/view/agined/home