AginED
#
FOR E FUTURIA G R R S! U E N E R P
Volume 66 I July 26, 2021 I email: agined@globalHQ.co.nz I www.farmersweekly.co.nz/agined FRANKTON FEEDER CALVES STRETCH YOURSELF: 1 When George returned to the family farm that his parents had grown from several smaller blocks milking 60 cows, what size was the farm? How many cows were they milking at this point?
This table shows the feeder calves at a sale held in Frankton. Feeder calves are young calves from dairy farms, usually around 4 days old that are sold to be reared.
2 What role did George initially take on his return to the farm? How did this benefit him in the longer term? 3 George runs his own farming business separately to his father. How much land does he farm? What number of cows does he milk from this?
Have a go: 1 Go to www.farmersweekly.co.nz 2 Find and watch the OnFarmStory of George Whitelock “Keep pushing ourselves to do better” and read the article “Tackling farming boots and all”. 3 Where in NZ is George’s family farm? 4 George credits boarding at Highschool with helping to grow his involvement in rugby. What school was this?
PUKEKOHE: FOOD OR HOUSES?
4 The farm has its geographical and topographic challenges, what are these? 5 George decided to add a bit of hybrid vigour to his herd. How did he do this? What is his intended outcome from this? (i.e. What is the expected benefit from this?) 6 What does George believe are the similarities between rugby and farming? 7 When do matings start and finish on their farm? Why do they have specific start and finish dates for these?
Refer to the links to answer the following questions: https://farmersweekly.co.nz/ section/horticulture/view/callto-protect-productive-land
WE NEED BOTH – BUT ELITE PRODUCTIVE LAND IS DISAPPEARING At the traditional southern end of New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland – Tāmaki Makaurau, lies Pukekohe, one of the most important food bowls in the country. Growers here produce large quantities of fresh vegetables for the city next door, New Zealanders elsewhere and also for export. They can do this because of the elite soils and an ideal climate that enables continuous cropping around the calendar. Pukekohe’s volcanic soils important features: free draining / very well structured / high moisture holding characteristics / highly fertile However, Auckland city is growing rapidly – including Pukekohe – causing challenges. Streets and houses are expanding. The new residents complain about neighbouring production activities further eroding usable land. Thus, urban sprawl swallows up elite land. This results in a permanent loss to vegetable production compromising the sustainability of future generations. Other vegetable production areas around Aotearoa are also being affected. A proposed National Policy Statement on Highly Productive Land was announced in August 2019, but further details have not yet been revealed.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/ new-zealand/taking-stock-oursoil-housing-developmentsthreatening-nzs-fertile-land 1 What percentage of New Zealand’s land is considered ideal for vegetable growing? 2 How much class 1 and class 2 land (most suitable for vegetable production) has been lost to development in the Auckland area? 3 What are four examples of major outdoor vegetable crops grown in Pukekohe? 4 Can you name two other important vegetable growing areas in Aotearoa New Zealand? 5 What examples of vegetable production activities are complained about or are made more difficult by new neighbouring urban residents? 6 Earlier this year, the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) released a report to draw attention to the need for protecting highly productive land; what is its name?
Have a go: 1 What breed/sex made the highest value? 2 What breed/sex made the lowest value? 3 Why do you think bull calves made more than heifer calves?
STRETCH YOURSELF: 1 Calves are usually weaned from milk at around 100kg. Some rearers agree to a contract prior to rearing calves. For example, a contract may be for 50 100kg calves at $500. Why would a contract be appealing for a calf rearer? 2 So far this season, reports are that earlier contracts for 100kg bull calves around October are valued at around $500-$530, while those to be weaned around November are a little cheaper at $440-$550. Why do you think the earlier weaned calves are more appealing than calves weaned later? 3 If you were to buy a good Hereford-Friesian bull calf for $250 and the costs of milk powder and calf meal came to around $150 (not taking into account other costs such as labour etc). What profit margin would you make if the calf sold for $550 once weaned? 4 Many factors go into the confidence levels of the weaner calf market. Things like milk powder and labour costs are expected to be higher this year, how would this affect profit margins?
Want to learn more about soils and cropping? Check out the Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Bachelor of Horticulture at Massey University.
Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Bachelor of Horticultural Science