Farmers Weekly NZ February 19 2018

5, 23

Brilliant boffins Vol 17 No 7, February 19, 2018

$3.95

farmersweekly.co.nz

Incl GST

Disease has two centres Annette Scott annettescott@xtra.co.nz

C

ATTLE disease Mycoplasma bovis has been in New Zealand for at least two years and is spread wider than first thought, Southland veterinary clinic Vet South says while Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor says there are now two infection hubs.

The Winton practice sent an email to clients on Thursday urging people whose stock or properties might have been linked to Southern Centre Dairies to come forward.

Southern Centre Dairies, the hub of infected properties in Southland, is owned by Gea and Alfons Zeestraten.

Vet South director veterinarian Georgette Wouda said while Ministry for Primary Industries surveillance work indicated the disease was limited to a relatively small group of farms, more needed to be known.

“Down in our region all of the infected properties to date have links with Alfons Zeestraten’s farms.

“We know that the Zeestraten stock were certainly infected in 2016 and 2017,” Wouda said.

MPI had made that information public but Wouda said Vet South

believed it was important to the response, especially in tracing animal movements and alerting farmers to all the evidence possible.

“NAIT has failed us – we know that has not been good enough.

“This is the last outcry, best by the nation, best by the dairy and beef industries and importantly best for farmers who are the ones who can help us find all the leads possible.”

Wouda said calves born in 2016 and 2017 from Zeestraten’s Southern Centre Dairies farms or reared on waste milk from their farms were at very high risk of being infected by M bovis.

Some adult cattle from those farms would also be infected as would calves reared in small numbers on lifestyle blocks and sold back as adult cattle to dairy farms.

Tracking the movement of stock and waste milk from Zeestraten’s farms from 2016 was critical to identifying those properties at highest risk of being infected and just how widespread the outbreak really was.

“MPI has tracked some but we believe there are many more,” Wouda said.

She was concerned at the Kiwi attitude suggesting the horse had bolted and NZ should just live with M bovis like the rest of the world.

“It’s not quite like that – living

with Mb would mean either an end to dairy farming as we know it, if we were to attempt to manage it any way, or else shouldering the increased treatment, welfare and social costs of letting it run rife throughout the NZ cattle population.”

NZ farming systems and their animal movements are quite different and wouldn’t allow for the same management as most other countries.

“It’s not like we are all going to fall over but it’s not a case of she’ll be right mate – it won’t be if we don’t make it right.”

Zeestraten said he was not willing to respond to the email sent by Vet South.

“We want to keep our focus on what we have to do, keep our heads down and get on with our own business.

“We are following all the MPI processes and for us the relationship with MPI appears very transparent,” Zeestraten said.

MPI supported the core message of the Vet South communication.

“We are encouraging farmers who believe they have bought discard milk for calf feed and-or calves and cows from the affected operation to contact us on 0800 80 99 66.”

O’Connor said the eradication of Mb remained on the table.

But he said there was still a big job ahead to determine the extent of the spread as MPI worked

HAPPIER DAYS: Gea and Alfons Zeestraten in one of their barns in 2015.

with urgency to build a complete picture to fully inform whether eradication was feasible and economically viable.

To date there were 23 infected properties with 48 farms under Restricted Place Notice with 1500 trace properties connected through animal movements.

“We did think initially we had just the one hub of infection but we know now we have two – South Canterbury and Southland.”

MPI’s tracing programme had been made more difficult because it appeared there had been significant unrecorded movement of young calves around the Southland hub.

“Despite the complexity, we

remain committed to getting rid of M bovis if at all possible. We know we’re up against a hard deadline with winter grazing and farm change movements.

“There’s huge pressure to make decisions before that (May).”

O’Connor could not say how much money the Government was prepared to contribute to fully eradicate the disease.

As for compensation there were 44 claims in already and O’Connor said while he couldn’t make the decisions he had personally “kicked a few of those claims along”.

“And I can ensure as much resource as possible is going into the process.”

Reduce labour costs.

Install Autodrafting with Walk over Weighing One-man job in shed over AB = no extra labour Set drafts for ‘bulling’ cows in paddock or race with phone app

$24,999 Finance terms available

Easily set vet check groups eg dirty cows or CIDRs Identify cows not gaining weight ahead of/during AB Pick lame, sick or non-cycling cows ahead of/during AB Offer available from 1 February 2018 – 31st March 2017. Pricing excludes GST, installation and MiHub subscription costs.

Finance terms available until 31 March 2018.

How are you tracking?

Let’s talk.

0800 TRU-TEST (878 8378)

NEWS

WEATHER OVERVIEW Cyclone Gita is set to cross New Zealand this week bringing severe gales which could be damaging and rain heavy enough to cause flooding. The storm will merge with a southerly change created by another storm in the Southern Ocean, which is well away from NZ and now moving away. Please keep up to date with any MetService warnings for your area. This system has the potential to drop a lot of rain over various parts of NZ with destructive winds in some areas possible too. It will also bring down immense tropical humidity for a time, mostly in the North Island. Landfall is likely on the western side of NZ and we’ll have more specific details on Tuesday.

7 Wilson: Beingmate must adapt Beingmate must adapt to the rapidly changing retail landscape in China and the self-confessed challenges to its distribution network, Fonterra chairman John Wilson says.

Secret attack or scaremongering? ���������������������������������� 4 Psa heroes rewarded ������������������������������������������������������� 5

Wind

Rain Cyclone Gita will be tapping into extremely moisture-rich air as it crosses over NZ then changes into an extra-tropical storm with a cold core. Rain could be very heavy in the days ahead. Dry again late week.

Temperature

New Thinking ��������������������������������������������������23

The lower and eastern side of the South Island has a mix of warm and cold days. Northerners have more humid conditions, especially after Gita which could see a couple of tropical days before a cooler southerly behind it.

REGULARS Real Estate �������������������������������������������������29-39

Gales around the centre of the storm extend out about 200km to 300km from the centre of Cyclone Gita.

Damaging winds are possible in both islands. A calmer end to the week is expected as Gita tracks away.

For further information on the NZX PGI visit www.agrihq.co.nz/pgi

Highlights/ Extremes

Newsmaker ������������������������������������������������������22

World �����������������������������������������������������������������28

Pasture Growth Index Above normal Near normal Below normal

7-DAY TRENDS

Aphid major flood schemes risk ���������������������������������� 18

Opinion ������������������������������������������������������������24

NZX PASTURE GROWTH INDEX – Next 15 days

Tropical Cyclone Gita will cross NZ this week with a day or two of heavy rain and strong winds. Flooding and wind damage are expected. Keep up to date with MetService for warnings and WeatherWatch.co.nz for the latest tracking.

14-DAY OUTLOOK

More rain is coming but the precise tracking of Cyclone Gita will make all the difference to pasture growth in the coming days. Heat plus humidity will give another tropical burst of growth to the North Island while heavy rain is expected in all the drought/dry regions with the exception of Southland, which might be on the cusp of this rain (rain still possible though).

Gisborne area might not see as much rain though that might change.

SOIL MOISTURE INDEX – 16/02/2018

Classifieds ��������������������������������������������������������40 Employment ����������������������������������������������������41 Livestock ����������������������������������������������������41-43

48 Southern lambs sell well Strong prices were paid at Thursday’s Omarama lamb sale with the 20,000 on offer being the biggest yarding in about 10 years while at Tekapo the same day bigger lambs sold well but the sale gained momentum as the smaller lambs came up.

Source: WeatherWatch.co.nz

This product is powered by NIWA Data

For more weather information go to farmersweekly.co.nz/weather

our pioneering

spirit tells us

nothing’s

Back in 1860, exporting meat to the other side of the world seemed about as easy as nailing gravy to the ceiling. But a few determined kiwis took the bull by the horns and now our grass-fed beef and lamb is sought-after all around the globe.

At AFFCO, we see the same pioneering spirit alive and well in farmers today. We’re playing our part too – exploring every opportunity to take New Zealand’s finest farm-raised products to the world.

WAVE23683 NZFW

out of

reach WWW.AFFCO.CO.NZ | 0800 233 2669

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

3

Ungassed imports’ road trip Annette Scott annettescott@xtra.co.nz FIVE pallets of irrigation parts went on a 1000km road trip through New Zealand before being fumigated to kill pests like the brown marmorated stink bug.

Canterbury cropping and livestock farmer David Clark, who is also a director and shareholder of the company importing the parts, said he was horrified when he learnt the parts were driven from Auckland to Christchurch before being fumigated.

The practice is condoned by biosecurity regulations but Clark wants change.

“At the moment this country is spending tens of millions of dollars annually on what seems to be a continual line of incursions.

“At some point that must be addressed and there’s no time better than now,” Clark said.

“With a new biosecurity minister, what better time to change the rules.

“As a farmer and an importer we take biosecurity very seriously.

This is just not good enough.”

Clark was expecting the five pellets, from the world’s biggest pivot drive equipment maker, which takes biosecurity very seriously, to land at Lyttleton but they left the United States on a bigger ship going to Auckland.

By law the container was required to be fumigated at point of loading, the US, or at destination, Lyttleton.

“We know it wasn’t fumigated at point of loading so one would expect it would then be fumigated on its first landing in NZ.” But the Ministry for Primary Industries didn’t require the container to be fumigated in Auckland.

The container was unloaded and Clark’s five pallets were taken out and sent by road as part of a general freight load to Christchurch.

The pallets were gassed and

HORRIFIED: David Clark checks out imported irrigation parts that travelled 1000 kilometres after landing in New Zealand before being fumigated for the noxious pest, the brown marmorated stink bug.

Photo: Annette Scott

This is a major biosecurity threat. We have been absolutely ruthless with it. We can’t allow this bug into the country.

Damien O’Connor Biosecurity Minister issued their Biosecurity Authority Clearance Certificate (BACC)

by MPI before being released to Clark.

“And yes, that was effectively their designated destination and so legally, as the law stands, that was where the fumigation was required to be done, at the named destination.

“But that doesn’t account for

the transitional movement and that’s where the change needs to happen,” Clark said.

“So if there were any of the noxious pest brown marmorated stink bugs in those pallets and they had half a wit they could have jumped truck and taken up residence anywhere along that journey from Auckland to Christchurch.

“This is just one example that highlights the fundamental flaw of Biosecurity NZ. “It’s time for the rules to change so that biosecurity obligations are met at the first transitional facility the goods arrive to in NZ. “My view is, enough is enough, and I encourage the minister (Damien O’Connor) to recognise where the risk is and be brave enough to make some bold changes.”

O’Connor said the stink bug was the single biggest insect risk to NZ.

Four vessels had been turned away from NZ shores. The latest was understood to be a load of 8000 cars on February 15.

“This is a major biosecurity threat.

“We have been absolutely ruthless with it. We can’t allow this bug into the country.”

Any importation was a risk and all importers had to ensure they were buying from a reputable manufacturer with high biosecurity standards.

While staying short of saying he would change the regulations, O’Connor recognised Clark’s example.

“We will be sending more people offshore to check out biosecurity but it’s also incumbent on the importers to ensure their bit is absolutely right,” O’Connor said.

Late last year a cluster of stink bugs left Italy alive before

Are you covered?

Facial eczema is again looming as a threat to sheep in many areas. How are you going to deal with it?

Breeding for FE tolerance IS the best long term solution. With ten years of breeding for FE tolerance behind us, Wairere is fast approaching the gold standard. As the biggest provider of maternal sheep genetics in NZ, Wairere produce sheep that are renowned for their ability to perform to a high level in a wide range of environments.

The Wairere FE flock has been built on that base and is continuing to exceed expectations.

Our sporidesmin testing program has stepped up to a dose rate of 0.5 this year and is showing excellent results to date. With another 51 potential ram hogget sires tested in early Feb, the progress will continue.

There are now 1700 ewes in the FE breeding program. Wairere and Wairere King are expecting, and can cope with, increased demand for these high performance, FE tolerant rams. Secure your order by making contact with Derek or Murray today.

slipping past NZ border control and arriving in Christchurch where they were found hidden inside sealed panels on a mobile concrete plant.

The equipment was sealed in plastic and fumigated with MPI confident none of the stink bugs had escaped en route to Christchurch.

The plant had arrived in Auckland where it was inspected

by MPI officer then trucked to Christchurch the next day.

The bugs have caused severe crop damage overseas in places like Italy and the US, which require extra surveillance.

MPI said the bug is a sneaky pest caught at the border many times, hitchhiking on passengers and in imported goods.

“They are hard to see, hard to kill, travel far and breed fast so we’ll need to act quickly to get rid of them if they arrive.”

Derek Daniell Wairere 0800 122 077

Murray Gemmell Wairere King 07 896 6722

Some of the six month old ram lambs that have been tested at Wairere.

Wairere, making your sheepfarming easier and more profitable

www.wairererams.co.nz | 0800 924 7373

4

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

The three main influences on Fonterra’s share price Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com FONTERRA’S share price has been influenced by three main factors over the past five years since listing, Forsyth Barr equities analyst James Bascand says.

They were consumer and food service (value-add) business performance, changes in stream returns and the seasonal requirements for dairy farmers to buy and sell supply shares.

Bascand also mentioned two further influences over the share prices, Global Dairy Trade prices in the longer term and food safety or biosecurity scares in the short term.

While rising world dairy commodity prices are generally negative for Fonterra’s earnings, over the longer term they tend to generate positive investor sentiment.

Significant falls in share price followed the WPC80 botulism scare in August 2013 and the

1080 threat in March 2015.

The earnings of the value-add business in consumer and food service products and specialised ingredients were a key driver of share price performance, given the broad stability of ingredients profitability.

Value-add earnings also flowed into investor confidence in Fonterra’s strategy, with recent growth in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, recovery in Australia and the ongoing strong position in Chile.

But doubts are creeping in concerning the Beingmate relationship in China and the go-it-alone path in recession-hit Brazil and Venezuela.

Bascand trimmed a further cent off his earnings forecast for FY2018 because of the Beingmate loss update (Farmers Weekly, January 29) and said a full mark-to-market impairment would be a one-off, non-cash hit of 23c/share.

Stream returns were becoming less volatile as

Fonterra built more facilities to produce reference commodity products (used to calculate the farmgate milk price) and thus avoided having to make nonreference products when it was unfavourable to do so.

The third major influence on share price was farmers’ supply share needs, where the $10 billion closed market (FCG) drove the $800m Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund (FSF) unit market.

In December and January farmers were required to “share up” in the co-operative, typically driving prices higher.

In June, farmers leaving the co-operative or lowering their milk volumes could sell shares, resulting in a declining share price.

This January FCG began and ended the month about $6.35 and sharply peaked at $6.68 on January 12, the action date for Enforced Compliance Trading (Farmers Weekly, January 15).

AFRAID: The dairy industry fears it will be dealt to under the guise of a DIRA review, National’s agriculture spokesman Nathan Guy says.

Sly attack or scare tactics?

Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com DAIRY farmers are in the sights of the Government’s coalition partners during a wide-ranging review of the industry, National Party MPs allege.

The Government’s intended review of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA) is a stalking horse for a much wider foray into dairy farming, Opposition MPs say.

During the first reading of the DIRA Amendment Bill (No 2) National claimed to know the hidden intent of Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and why his coalition partners supported the two-page Bill under urgency.

New Zealand First and the Greens had been promised a review to include topics such as the environment, land use, climate change, foreign ownership, the dairy core database, labour relations, water rights and value versus volume.

“The fear out there in industry is that they’re going to get dealt to

by Labour and the Greens through this process,” former Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said.

Hamilton MP David Bennett said O’Connor’s intention to have a wide-ranging review including environment issues and land use was nothing to do with the DIRA’s purposes.

“This process under urgency is the worst nightmare for dairy farmers.

“I bet that one of the things that will come out of this will be a stocking-rate cap on dairy farmers.”

Bennett was accused of scaremongering by NZ First MP Mark Patterson, a farmer from Lawrence.

“We support the bill and urgency because we accept the goodwill of Minister O’Connor to undertake a thorough and comprehensive review of DIRA under terms of reference that will benefit this very important industry.

“The previous legislation

that was put up by the National Party was half measures and it is time that we took a proper and comprehensive look at this legislation.”

Urgency was necessary because the DIRA provisions were due to expire in the South Island on May 31 because Fonterra’s market share had fallen to 75%.

Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri said the Government would give certainty to dairy farmers and ensure the whole industry was robust and fit for service.

Bennett thought O’Connor’s terms of reference for the review would be general, allowing the dairy industry’s critics to bring up all their issues.

“The Labour Government and the Greens are using this DIRA excuse to have a full-blown attack on the dairy industry.

“Farmers need to be aware that this is the attack on them that was always planned and this is the mechanism being used.”

The changes were passed on Thursday so parts of the Act due to have expired on May 31 will remain in force.

The Government will now do a comprehensive review of the DIRA and consult fully with the dairy sector, O’Connor said.

The review will consider key issues including environmental impact, land use, Fonterra’s obligation to collect milk and how to achieve the best outcomes for farmers, consumers and the economy.

Details on timing, delivery and definitive scope will be considered

by Cabinet in coming weeks.

“It was not in the interest of farmers, dairy processors, consumers or the wider New Zealand economy to let these key DIRA provisions expire in the South Island and tinkering with the Act would not answer some of the bigger questions facing the industry.

“By rolling over the Act and committing ourselves to a wideranging review we are taking a considered and strategic approach to the changing needs of the dairy industry.”

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

Psa heroes rewarded Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com GROUND-BREAKING research that helped take the kiwifruit industry from zero to hero in the space of a few years in Psa’s wake has earned Plant and Food Research scientists the country’s richest science award.

The Crown research institute’s multi-disciplinary team collected $500,000 of prize money in the 2017 Prime Minister’s Science Prize for the intensive work they did after the Psa disease incursion in November 2010 as they battled to identify the strain of the disease, develop a test for it and determine replacement cultivar tolerance to the disease.

The disease ultimately laid to waste the original gold kiwifruit variety Hort16a, the up and coming hope for the industry’s future growth.

Psa’s rapid spread required the complete removal of the cultivar, crippling orchard incomes and land values and leaving a yawning

gap in Zespri’s efforts to expand its kiwifruit portfolio.

Plant and Food Research chief operating officer Dr Bruce Campbell said with Italian growers already grappling with the disease’s debilitating impact, he was well aware of its implications here at the time.

“It quickly became evident containment was not an option.”

The award recognised several strands of the researchers’ work.

They included the rapid development of a diagnostic test to determine the strain of Psa that affected kiwifruit.

The test was a world-first enabling growers to accurately identify infected vines rather than face indiscriminate culling of entire orchards.

Filling the $100 million-plus hole left by the stricken Hort16a variety also required researchers to put trial cultivars through rapid and intensive Psa exposure tests to determine their tolerance.

“We were testing right to the latest point and we had to choose

5

UNFAMILIAR: In confronting the Psa outbreak scientists had to work in ways they weren’t used to, across different areas at the same time and do it quickly, Plant and Food chief operating officer Dr Bruce Campbell says.

the best cultivar, fortunately G3 proved to be very good.

The G3 regraft by the industry was a test of confidence in the science.”

Te Puke kiwifruit grower and former Kiwifruit Vine Health board member Paul Jones said he was privileged to have an insight to the work scientists did in a stressful and pressured situation post-Psa discovery.

That included their initial work trying to save the Hort16a cultivar.

“It is fair to say the industry at all levels is very grateful to Plant and Food for the amount of work they did and the priority they gave it at the time.

“Growers not immediately involved may not appreciate just how much work was done, not only on determining G3’s

tolerance but trialling all manner of treatments and developing a world-first Psa test.”

At the height of the scramble to understand the disease more than 100 scientists and researchers were committed across research institutes.

The wide spectrum of scientists included genomic, molecular and epidemiological researchers.

Campbell said he and his team had a deep sense of pride in receiving an award for work that had helped push the industry back to the top of its game, with prospects it will be worth $4.5 billion by 2025.

This year 48 million trays of SunGold (G3) were exported for $686 million.

Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman said the

effort and the award showed the value of science and research in the growing horticulture industry.

“The fact that in NZ we have such brilliant scientists who can turn the potential collapse of an industry into it rising from the ashes to be better than ever before is something we should not only be proud of but something we should invest more money into.”

Campbell said the $500,000 was a very useful sum that enabled the team to dedicate research resources to further understanding and controlling Psa while also studying other plant diseases.

MORE: NEW THINKING

Te Pari Steel Yards are designed and custom-built to suit your needs. With the biggest range of crushes available to optimise throughput and safety to maximise profitability, Te Pari is the leader in livestock management systems.

THE TE PARI PROMISE. At Te Pari, we believe that we offer the best value livestock equipment on the market. If you believe you have been offered the same specification deal at a cheaper price, we ask that you bring us the deal before you sign and we promise to show you that we offer better value.

Value is our promise to you.

Talk to the team at Te Pari today, please call 0800 837 274 or go to www.tepari.com

P23

Hill country high-flyer

Research1 shows that an aerial mix of P and clover seed sets pasture up for a flying start, improving soil fertility and herbage quality for animals.

Aerial clover & superphosphate

P

COST EFFECTIVE COMBINATION APPLICATION

FAST TRACK CLOVER ESTABLISHMENT

BOOST PASTURE GROWTH WITH CLOVER

Source:grassland, org.nz/ proceedings.php 1

Talk to your agri manager or the Customer Centre to order your hill country application today.

RAV19FEB-FW-NI

0800 100 123 | ravensdown.co.nz

Smarter farming for a better New Zealandâ„¢

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

7

Wilson: Beingmate must adapt Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com BEINGMATE must adapt to the rapidly changing retail landscape in China and the self-confessed challenges to its distribution network, Fonterra chairman John Wilson says.

The Chinese infant formula manufacturer and distributor, in which Fonterra has an 18.8% stake, recently warned of another significant trading loss in 2017, doubling the estimate made three months earlier.

Fonterra’s share of the loss would equate to 2c/share reduction in earnings plus whatever further impairment of the value of its stake the directors think will be prudent.

Wilson told the 140 farmers and rural professionals who attended the Northland Dairy Development Trust annual meeting this was a significant frustration and a concern for all farmers, directors and managers in Fonterra.

WHY DO IT? The report into the San Lu disaster told Fonterra directors not to take minority shareholdings in Chinese companies, Dardgaville farmer Allister McCahon says.

The Chinese regulatory reforms had reduced the number of infant formula recipes and brands by 60% and Beingmate had 51 of the successful ones.

“Despite the early registration

of these formulas Beingmate has yet to maximise the opportunity created by the disruption to the market.

“By its own admission it has not moved fast enough to adapt from

an entrepreneur-run business.”

Wilson said chief executive Theo Spierings was working through the Beingmate problems with its founder and cornerstone shareholder Sam Yie. When Fonterra invested in Beingmate in 2015 it was the Chinese market leader in baby and infant formulas but it had now slipped to number three.

China’s market for such products was forecast to be greater than the sum of all other markets in five year’s time.

Farmers at the meeting questioned why Fonterra had taken a minority interest in Beingmate, without much control of its direction, after the San Lu disaster.

“The report into San Lu told Fonterra directors they should not take minority stakes in Chinese companies,” Dargaville farmer Allister McCahon said.

Wilson said the Beingmate investment was only part of Fonterra’s integrated China

strategy in a market for sales of $3.4 billion annually and net earnings of $200 million.

He has no doubt it was the right strategy over the medium term.

“There will be bumps in the road and we don’t like it but the overall strategy is the right one,” Wilson said.

Fonterra said the Beingmate partnership had enabled Fonterra’s flagship Anmum brands to expand from 60 cities in China to 184 and the range is now stocked in 10,000 outlets and on all the social media platforms.

Under the exclusive distribution agreement governing Anmum, Beingmate sets the recommended retail prices, guided by local market dynamics, and is responsible for brand-building activities.

Fonterra also pointed out it was increasingly necessary for multinationals to have Chinese partners to do business in China but majority shareholdings are not available in most industries.

Farmers must sort finances now, economist says Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com UPWARD tracks for interest rates and inflation are among threats to New Zealand dairying in the medium term, BNZ senior economist Doug Steel told farmers at the Northland Dairy Development Trust annual meeting.

Quantitative easing has finished and central banks are lifting interest rates.

Improving economies and higher employment will generate more inflation, a prospect that rattled Wall Street recently.

NZ’s floating and short-term interest rates will stay down for a while yet, probably all of 2018, but longer-term rates, three to five years, will begin to rise this year.

So dairy farmers should factor in a higher cost of finance in their two- to four-year plans.

NZ dairy debt of $40 billion, higher interest rates and a high NZD mean more pressure on farm budgets.

“My advice to dairy farmers therefore is to get your financial house in order now,” he said.

China’s interest rates are also rising and its consumer prices are subdued so that will dampen demand for dairy products.

The dairy industry has a concentrated risk in China, which takes 27% of NZ exports, but that of itself is no reason to be worried.

Even if China doesn’t take the highest proportion of NZ exports, its buying strength exerts huge influence over world markets.

NZ’s major economic indicators are all favourable now compared with their 10-year histories – GDP 2.7% (1.9%), unemployment 4.5% (5.4%) and CPI 1.6% (1.9%).

But there are labour

shortages, capacity constraints, environmental concerns and a need to turn more milk into higher-value products.

The Government is committed to reducing immigration, changing labour laws and lifting minimum wages, which will then flow on to higher wages.

“Wage pressure and higher inflation are not too far away,” Steel said.

Economic growth in NZ would continue to motor along as businesses and farmers get on with production, despite low confidence in the Labour-led Government.

The dairy industry has shifted from milk growth from farm conversions and herd expansion to higher per-cow production and more value-add products.

Farmers will find ways to grow their businesses while environmentally restricted, through cost control, smarter

management and better productivity.

Steel thought NZ’s weather influence over world dairy markets was diminishing.

European milk production was seven times that of NZ and more of it was being sold on world markets.

Europe’s 6% increase in production in December was equivalent to a 20% movement in annual NZ production, which would certainly move the markets.

“That European increase is holding down world powder prices more than the NZ production loss is acting to push them up.”

However, the Euro is strengthening and that will help NZ exports be more competitive.

BNZ’s forecasts on milk payout for the next two dairy seasons are $5.70 to $6/kg in 2018-19 and $5.90 in 2019-20.

GOING UP: Wage rises and higher inflation are not too far away so farmers must align their finances now, BNZ senior economist Doug Steel says.

Awards Gala Dinner 12th April 2018

Closing Date For Entries

Showgrounds Hawke’s Bay

28th February 2018

Put it in your diary and book your tickets now

Entry Forms are available at www.hbfarmeroftheyear.co.nz | Phone Hillary Riches: 027 2588 784

C E L E B R AT I N G E XC E L L E N C E

8

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

Match fires up crowd Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com

FOOT FLAT, TRACTOR NOT: C’mon, just a bit more oomph.

Photos: Stu Jackson

SIGN OF THE TIMES: Farmers need many messages these days.

Shine off but year profitable Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com THE extremely dry southern summer has taken the cream off what was shaping as an exceptional year for farmers but advisers say most should still have a profitable year.

Before timely rain two weeks ago, Crowe Horwath’s New Zealand head of Agribusiness Neil McAra said milk flows were up to 10% behind expectations but some production could now be recovered.

BNZ agribusiness partner Alexis Muir said sheep and cattle prices have stayed high, which should ease the drought’s financial impact.

Store lamb prices have stayed around $2.80/kg while mutton prices have also been high, which has helped those forced to reduce sheep numbers.

The impact of the drought was localised, with the hardest hit those farming in the west of the province and intensive finishers on the plains, she said.

Speaking at the Southern Field Days at Waimumu near Gore, McAra and Muir said the biggest issue facing southern farmers is winter feed, and some are buying

it from South Canterbury. Others were resowing crops.

“All industries are going well but it will not be as good as it looked mid-year but it will still be a good year,” McAra said.

Those forced to send stock to grazing will take a financial hit with prices for sheep about $2 a head a week while the price of palm kernel has increased in price by nearly $100 a tonne since spring.

Muir said the extreme weather has highlighted potential issues with stock water schemes and pasture species, which could see more use of summer crops.

McAra said farmers would face a double-whammy – less income and having to feed out supplements that would have been used over winter.

What was shaping as a stellar year would still be profitable but as farmers planned for winter,

STILL CHUGGING: Tom Parkes with a 1963 Chamberlain Super 90 tractor, part of The Bill Richardson Transport Museum.

Photo: Neal Wallace

the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak had created some uncertainty about options because it could restrict livestock movement, he said.

LINING IT UP: Nick Terry from Custom Fencing Waikouaiti competing in the Young Farmers fencing competition at the Southern Field Days at Waimumu near Gore last week.

Photo: Neal Wallace

SOUTHERN Field Day organisers were not sure if it was Otago University students who set alight a hay bale at the Highlanders-Crusaders rugby match or an agricultural take on a hardy student activity.

Thursday night’s match at Fred Booth Park, a converted farm paddock next to the Southern Field Days at Waimumu near Gore, has become a field day attraction but late in the match on Thursday a bale of hay was set alight on the sidelines.

Field Day chairman Logan Evans speculated it was linked to the infamous actions of some university students with a fetish for setting couches alight in the student streets of North Dunedin.

“Looks like someone has swapped couches for hay bales,” he said.

About 7000 people attended the match which reflected strong attendances at this year’s Southern Field Days.

Evans was said while he did not have actual figures, Thursday looked to have attracted the largest attendances ever for the event.

The second day of the three days, organisers had to open another car park to cater for those attending on Thursday.

“Car parking gives a pretty good impression and it looks like it was the biggest day we have ever had.”

Exhibitors have also been enthused with the response, Evans told by one that he had his busiest day ever at the event on Wednesday.

Boehringer Ingelheim is proud to offer New Zealand’s most trusted range of products for cattle. So to keep your stock in optimum condition this season,

Not only will you be rewarded with outstanding results you’ll go home with some premium quality R.M. Williams gear.

Only with qualifying products, while stocks last.*

BELT QUALIFYING PRODUCTS: ARREST® C Calf Pack (ARREST C 5L and ECLIPSE Pour-On 2.5L), Iver MATRIX® Calf Pack ( Iver MATRIX Calf 5L and ECLIPSE Pour-On 2.5L), ECLIPSE® Pour-On 2.5L, ECLIPSE® E Injection B12 & SE 2x 500mL, EPRINEX® 2x 5L, EXODUS® Pour-On 2x 5L, GENESIS® Injection 4x 500mL, GENESIS® Injection B12 & Se 4x 500mL, GENESIS® Pour-On 10L, GENESIS® Ultra Pour-On 5L, IVOMEC® Plus 4x 500mL, MATRIX® C Hi-Mineral 10L, SWITCH® C Hi-Mineral 10L, SWITCH® Fluke 10 5L. BELT & BAG QUALIFYING PRODUCTS: ECLIPSE® Pour-On 5L, EPRINEX® 25L, MATRIX® C Hi-Mineral 20L, SWITCH® C Hi-Mineral 20L, SWITCH® Fluke 10 10L. BOOT QUALIFYING PRODUCTS: ECLIPSE® Pour-On 12.5L or ECLIPSE® E Injection B12 & SE 6L (2x 3L).

NE

Give your clover a boost.

Give it Nutrimax Moly.

W

NutriMax Moly is a 1% molybdenum granule that can be added to your next fertiliser application. Exclusive to Ballance, NutriMax Moly is a new, refined product which applies more granules and gives greater pasture coverage, boosting clover growth and improving nitrogen fixation.

0800 222 090 | ballance.co.nz/micronutrients

Together, creating the best soil and feed on earth

Contact your local Nutrient Specialist for a herbage test today to discover whether NutriMax Moly and other NutriMax micronutrients would be beneficial for your farm.

News

10 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

Watch out, they’re getting tough Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com

NO EXCUSES: Federated Farmers board member Chris Lewis uses technology to keep is records in order and it takes him just a few minutes a week.

THREE dairy farmers are included in the 160 employers temporarily prevented from sponsoring visas to recruit migrant labour as the Labour Inspectorate demands greater compliance with employment laws.

Inspectors last year visited 102 dairy farms employing 332 staff and found 29 had collectively accumulated 38 employment violations for which they were each fined $11,000.

In the Waikato area of Taupiri-Orini, 10 of the 12 farms visited were in breach of their employment obligations.

The ban on employers sponsoring visas for foreign workers was introduce by Immigration NZ and the Labour inspectorate last April and can last up to two years.

It is imposed on employers who breach employment standards and signals a tougher stance by officials towards poor employment compliance.

Labour Inspectorate regional manager Natalie Gardiner urged farmers to up their game this

year with compliant records and agreements so staff receive what they are entitled to.

“The most common breaches with farmers tend to be around record keeping and we wanted to remind farmers of their importance as they have made gains in this area in recent times.

“Another common breach is not paying the minimum wage for every hour worked during times of the year when their employees are doing particularly long hours.”

Federated Farmers board member Chris Lewis urged farmers to embrace technology to lift employment compliance, saying he is disappointed at the latest results and expects every farmer-employer to comply with the law.

It is frustrating given there are easily accessible resources such as standard farm employment contracts available from Federated Farmers and technology making payroll management a simple job.

At the peak if the season Lewis said he can employ seven staff and recently along with Federated Farmers started partnering with PaySource to develop a simple payroll package that for him has turned a multi-hour weekly chore in to a weekly two or three-minute job.

Staff have a phone app on which they record hours worked and apply for leave. Once a week Lewis checks the information entered and when satisfied pushes a button and within a minute staff are notified of their pay and records are updated.

“I go online every Monday,

check the hours worked, any leave requests, push a few calculations and push a button and it is done in two to three minutes.

“I’ve got lazier but I am doing a better job.”

Lewis said while such technology can be daunting, the days of paper trails are gone because they were time consuming and vulnerable to error.

The most common breaches with farmers tend to be around record keeping.

Natalie Gardiner Labour Inspectorate Gardiner said her department will not be letting up and a future focus will be on employment conditions for migrant staff.

She warned non-compliance could see more farmers added the stand-down list, banned from sponsoring migrant labour.

“We hope that farmers will continue to make gains and that when we do visit dairy farms later this year they have their records in place, are meeting all obligations and the number of farmers on this list remains small.

“If this list had been in place during our last operation, an additional seven dairy farmers would’ve found themselves on a stand down period.”

GOING: Bill English, a straight-up farm boy from Dipton.

Feds laud departing National leader The Legend Grows.

HC AGS0436_FW

Farmers want fast feed. And for more than 15 years, Tabu has delivered.

Now there’s Tabu+, providing faster establishment and even more winter growth than its predecessor.

In short, one of the best there’s ever been, just got better.

agriseeds.co.nz 0800 449 955

facebook.com/Agriseeds

FEDERATED Farmers has has acknowledged retiring National Party leader Bill English for his contribution to primary industries.

President Katie Milne said English proved to be a consistently safe pair of hands as Finance Minister, guiding New Zealand through the global financial crisis, the Christchurch and Kaikoura/ Hurunui earthquakes and the dairy downturn.

“A straight-up farm boy from Dipton, he is a guy that many New Zealanders could relate to.

“He demonstrated he wasn’t just an astute manager of the nation’s finances but through his approach to social investment revealed he was a caring leader who really wanted to make a difference for the less well-off,” Milne said.

“He can leave Parliament with his head held high.

“He’s scheduled to take part in a sheep shearing event at the South Island Field Days on Friday and if he makes it there will be plenty of farmers lined up to salute him.”

AT LEAST 20 WEEKS. AROUND HERE THAT’S A GOOD CONVERSATION STARTER.

ONLY TEATSEAL IS PROVEN TO LAST FOR AT LEAST 20 WEEKS.*

Having a quiet word with your veterinarian has always been the best way to tackle changes in animal welfare. Lowering the use of antibiotics, particularly at dry off, is something more and more kiwi farmers are talking about.

With Teatseal’s tried and tested efficacy, now also proven to last for 20 weeks, you can be sure you’re covered and doing the right thing. Start a conversation and be a part of the change.

Learn more at teatseal.co.nz

*Zoetis Study No.A131R-NZ-14-251 (A3251). Zoetis New Zealand Limited. Tel: 0800 963 847; www.zoetis.co.nz. TEATSEAL is a registered trade mark of Zoetis. ACVM No. A7294. RVM; Available only under Veterinary Authorisation. ZOE0030FWFV

UP TO 65% OFF AT OVER 3,000 BUSINESSES NATIONWIDE

12

farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

News

VETENT UP TO 7.5% DISCOUNT NATIONWIDE

HYNDS PIPE SYSTEMS UP TO 30% DISCOUNT NATIONWIDE

RURALCO FARM SUPPLIES MEMBERS PRICING

HARVEY NORMAN UP TO 15% DISCOUNT NATIONWIDE

RURALCO BULK FUEL UP TO 31¢ OFF PER LITRE

TYRE GENERAL UP TO 12.5% DISCOUNT SOUTH ISLAND WIDE

0800 RURALNZ (787 256)

ruralco.co.nz

OBSESSED WITH AGRICULTURE

CATCH THIS: Having women in what was the Rural Bachelor of the Year contest will proivide great entertainment, last year’s winner Matthew McAtemney says.

Fieldays contest open ... but there’s a catch ONE of the drawcards of National Fieldays has a new name and new criteria with women now eligible to enter the newly named Rural Catch of the Year.

Fieldays major event manager Lee Picken said there are women all over the country working in the rural sector and it was about time the competition caught up.

“In the past we’ve had women coming along to support the men but that’s just so outdated.

“They can do the work just like men so now they can compete just like men,” Picken said.

The changes to the competition recognise the roles both men and women play in the agriculture industry and support for the new format has been huge.

Last year’s winner Matthew McAtamney said the changes will bring a new element to the competition and will make great entertainment.

“There are heaps of really talented people working in the industry and I

think this year’s finalists will be putting it all on the line to show New Zealand what they’ve got,” McAtamney said.

The format of the competition will remain the same and there won’t be any gender-specific competition or titles, however, the name Fieldays Rural Bachelor won’t cut it any more.

“This competition is about celebrating the talented men and women working in the agricultural industry and giving them the opportunity to take a break and meet some new people.

“It’s a search to find the ultimate rural catch so this year’s finalists will be competing for the title of Fieldays Rural Catch of the Year,” Picken said.

Not only are the finalists a catch for any potential love interest but their rural skills and knowledge of agricultural business make them a catch for any employer, business partner and the wider industry.

Partnered by Farmlands Co-operative, the competition is exclusively for singles but Picken said there won’t be any rose ceremonies.

“Yes, it would be nice to see our finalists find love but we won’t be match-making. Over the years we’ve seen romances and bromances blossom and honestly that’s all we really want.

“Rural life can mean long hours in remote locations so it’s all about finding support and building networks,” Picken said.

>> Watch the video: bit.ly/fieldayscatch

Skellerup has another strong performance Alan Williams a.dubu@xtra.co.nz SKELLERUP Holdings has had another strong half-year in its dairy consumables manufacturing business.

Good progress is also being achieved in animal hygiene and specialist footwear, chief executive David Mair said.

They make up Skellerup’s Agri division, which lifted earnings before interest and tax (Ebit) by 13% to $9.53 million in the six months to December 31, on revenues up 17% at $43m.

Skellerup is benefiting from developing innovative and high-quality products, playing an important part in maintaining milk quality and animal hygiene, Mair said.

International sales are strong and the New Zealand market solid after a very strong finish to the 2107 full-year trading.

Agri is the smaller of the group’s two divisions, with the mainly overseasbased Industrial business having much higher sales and also moving ahead on Ebit in the latest half-year.

It had sales up 21% at $73.7m and

Ebit up 40% at $10m.

The Agri division still has higher margins for the group.

Skellerup made an after-tax profit of $11.7m for the half-year, a 31% gain over the same time a year earlier.

Operating cashflow rose 52% to $14.8m.

An interim dividend of 4c will be paid, up from 3.5c previously.

Chairwoman Liz Coutts said Skellerup expects an after-tax profit in the $24.5m to $26m range for the full year. Last year’s profit was just over $22m.

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

13

Lincoln to make radical changes Annette Scott annettescott@xtra.co.nz THE bar for Lincoln University’s new model has been set high as it undergoes radical change to solve the grand challenges of the land-based sector.

The Canterbury institution will no longer be a standalone traditional university, instead being reorganised and repurposed to become an enabler of collaborative initiatives involving multiple parties and various academic fields of study.

It aims to help solve the “grand challenges” of the land-based sector, Lincoln vice-chancellor Professor Robin Pollard said.

“The Transformation Board report has set a high bar for the institution to achieve a globally ranked top-five agriculture university and a top-five university in New Zealand.”

The model is a radical change from the traditional university model but is the right one for a new era in tertiary education and to meet the modern challenges facing the land-based sector, he said.

“Many might wonder how we intend to realise this lofty ambition.

“After all, the report, while insightful about the issues Lincoln faces, offers few specific solutions by which the goal will be achieved.”

Pollard said it was clear nothing short of radical structural change would be sufficient.

“My team and I have embarked on significant and ongoing change, which we believe will in time place Lincoln University in the top academic ranks, domestically and internationally.

“By grand challenges, I mean sustainable food production, more efficient land use, restoring and protecting water sources and fortifying the resilience of NZ’s ecosystems.”

The issues are global challenges and when addressed will put Lincoln at the forefront of both academic endeavour and realworld problem resolution, Pollard said.

At the heart of Lincoln’s revolution is the collaborative network involving the university’s academics and students, researchers from the Crown research institutes and sector organisations, academics from other tertiary institutions, both in NZ and overseas and, in time, more private sector companies.

Substantive collaboration is already under way and underpinned by the harmonised self-interest of each party to make the arrangements work.

“All parties have to do research – universities to build reputation and CRIs to generate revenue.

“These motivations do not preclude co-operation and in fact the different strengths of each partner enhance the capability of the overall collaborative network.

“The value for students, studying cheek by jowl with NZ’s finest scientists, industry

HOWDY PARDNER: Collaboration is at the heart of Lincoln University’s future, vicechancellor Robin Pollard says.

researchers and academics is likewise enhanced and will drive enrolments.”

The new structure is based around disciplines and initiatives.

The collaboration between the different parties will be organised around the initiatives so the learning is results-based and delivers value to all participants.

Each initiative will have a specific timeframe. Pollard suggested four to eight years, ensuring the constant refreshment and relevance of Lincoln’s academic programmes and the ongoing delivery of value to students, partners and investors.

The process of defining the disciplines and setting the initiatives is already under way.

Criteria had been internally established and is set to go to the CRIs and other partners for consultation.

Partners will contribute members to an advisory board that will finalise the criteria for the disciplines and initiatives and implement them.

“We’re looking to get multiple initiatives up and running early in 2018 and we will develop and populate the other initiatives as we grow and substantiate the success of the new multidisciplinary, multiinstitutional model.”

Pollard said collaboration has been ongoing for many years, more so since 2012, but on an adhoc basis.

“What we’re doing now is systemising it at an institutional level.”

Lincoln already has a programme that illustrates what the initiative programme will look like – the biological protection research centre, funded through the Tertiary Education Commission.

The centre is a result-focused, highly collaborative project involving researchers from the CRIs, other universities and elsewhere working alongside Lincoln lecturers and students to discover and resolve biological protection issues for NZ. It is a nationally important project and shows how Lincoln will operate in the

coming years to deliver nationally and internationally important research and innovative solutions to the issues facing the land-based sectors around the world, Pollard said.

Lincoln has already committed more than $1 million this year to a recruitment drive to attract

international researchers to head Lincoln’s initiatives projects.

“We will be bringing in the best we can attract from around the world and we are agnostic in our approach.

“For instance, if one of our initiatives involves water quality and restoration involving

Kickstart the 1 billion trees Funding for Forests

Apply for an Afforestation Grant to transform your marginal land into profits by planting Manuka.

students, educators and researchers it may make sense to increase our capability by bringing in a leader from Massey University.

“Whoever is best equipped to do the job is welcome at Lincoln, both for education and research.”

K BE IN QUICE R TO SECU NT YOUR GRA close s Application 018 l ri 3rd Ap 2

Unsure how to apply?

Contact us today for a sample application.

Applications due by 3 April 2018.

Work with New Zealand’s largest nursery growing super active Manuka seedlings.

Plant high DHA seedlings for high grade/value honey.

Increase your profits by dual farming. $1300/Ha Afforestation Grant contribution.

For professional advice on what provenances to plant.

Own the nectar.

0800 125 287 | www.kauriparknurseries.co.nz | vern@kpn.co.nz

News

14 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

Kiwi farm makes Scotch whisky Tim Fulton tim.fulton@nzx.com OTAGO farmers John and Suzie Elliot are launching a homegrown whisky made from their own barley and triticale.

They’ve produced enough whisky at Lammermoor Station for 3000 bottles using manuka peated barley.

The Elliots were unsure how much they could expect to make in their first full commercial run but John hoped it would be about 10,000 to 12,000 bottles.

Single malt from the barley will be the mainstay but for fun they’re also making rye whisky from triticale.

The Paerau couple built a “wee lounge room” on a mezzanine floor in their distillery.

“We have a little tasting room in the wings too,” John said.

“Things are a bit experimental.

We’re jostling things round to see how it all works.”

He and Suzie are planning a friendly get-together for supporters to launch the brand at the station’s distillery on March 18.

A gate charge of $10 a head would raise money for the new Maniototo Health Centre.

By April, once Lammermoor’s usual barley crop is harvested, Lammermoor Station hopes to have perhaps the world’s first whisky distillery taking fullyprocessed organic grain through to bottling from a single farm.

Their enterprise at the remote, southern end of the Maniototo was No.8 wire style, based on technology including an ancient herb-tea mixer they snaffled from a factory in Dunedin and an Italian Vallero drum originally designed for tanning hides.

The Vallero’s concrete-mixer action was critical to steeping in the malting process.

In the field barley will take weeks or even months to start germinating.

By immersing the barley in water three times, with air breaks in between, the grain can be tricked into germinating within

SLAINTE: John and Suzie Elliot from Lammermoor Station in their distillery as they prepare to launch their farm-grown organic whisky label.

days. The whisky-making follows from there.

The Elliots are proud of their DIY ingenuity but far from haphazard.

They’ve been mulling a whisky business for more than 30 years.

Whenever they travelled for work or pleasure, single malt whisky was on their mind.

Neither drank much, they just loved the idea of reconstituting the whisky trade on the

Lammermoors, an area full of the feel of Scotland.

Sly distilleries thrived in Central Otago more than 150 years ago as diggers reinvented favourite tipples.

Honouring that Maniototo Plains history, the Elliots’ catchphrase for Lammermoor Whisky is “Brewed illegally since 1863.”

It felt like the right time to start, Suzie said.

“The market’s just getting really

EMPLOYING? Get your contracts now.

Federated Farmers has a full range of employment and sharemilking agreements at member and non-member prices.

Order by phone 0800 327 646 or visit www.fedfarm.org.nz 0800

FED

327 FARM 646 .ORG.NZ

TRIED AND TRUSTED Safer than a handshake!

excited because, world-wide, whisky is in huge demand.”

Unlike the illicit whiskymaking of old, the distillery on their 5200ha pastoral run is an approved bond store and customs-controlled area, meaning they pay excise tax, either here or in overseas markets.

John, who admits to cashconscious Scottish heritage, was hurt just at the thought of it.

“If it’s exported we don’t pay tax but we’ll pay it in the country it goes to. One way or another, they’ve got you.”

But one thing nobody can take away from the Elliots is their location — an unusually wet bit of inland Otago with about 1000mm of rain annually.

It could be cold and misty in winter, not unlike Scotland, but the soil baked enough in summer for the barley.

They have spray irrigation but not the centre pivots found in other parts of the Maniototo. For them it is K-Line and a couple of guns.

Their 120ha of peat cropping country likes the extreme seasonal switches, yielding 8-10 tonnes a year of barley and 10-12 tonnes of triticale.

The same paddocks are often cropped several seasons in a row.

The farm has plenty of clean spring water for the distilling and the only imported element, for now, is malted barley from Gladfield Malt near Ashburton.

The family will use its existing farming and export marketing contacts to sell the whisky and will be a self-contained familyoperation, just like the existing livestock set-up.

The Elliots run about 5000 ewes and 900 hoggets alongside Southdown and Romney studs, carry 2000 bulls and 200 breeding cows, rear 600 calves a year and lease bulls to dairy farmers throughout the South Island.

The market’s just getting really excited because, world-wide, whisky is in huge demand.

Suzie Ellliot Farmer They cart stock in their own truck, do their own cultivating and hay-making and finish some of the stock on an irrigated, family-run 115ha finishing farm at Waipiata, near Ranfurly.

They are organic courtesy of their fertiliser mix, spreading about 3000 tonnes a year of freerange chicken manure and lime to lift nutrients and organic bulk.

Suzie feeds spent grain from the distillery to the calves and eight saddleback pigs.

WHEN YOUR ADVICE IS REALLY GOOD, EVERYONE LISTENS.

At FMG, we look after more rural New Zealanders than any other insurer. In fact, it’s something we’ve been doing for over 110 years now. So when it comes to offering specialist advice, like managing fire hazards on the farm, we like to think we know what we’re talking about. Ask around about us.

Or better still call us directly on 0800 366 466.

We’re here for the good of the country.

FMG0550FWFP_S

Proud sponsors of the

Healthy cows Healthy calves Magnesium Oxide (MgO)

Now is the time to order your magnesium oxide.

We’re your one-stop solution for delivery on farm - when and where you need it.

Don’t delay, order today and guarantee you’re set for the season ahead.

0800 100 123 | ravensdown.co.nz

Smarter farming for a better New Zealand™ RAV-19FEB-FW2

Pre-calving to post mating, nurture the health of your cows with Ravensdown’s quality magnesium oxide.

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

17

Share reform to cut conflicts Alan Williams a.dubu@xtra.co.nz SIMPLIFYING the LIC ownership structure into an ordinary share system should guard against potential conflicts in the dual share structure, an independent report says.

Owners of the dairy genetics group’s co-operative control shares have the voting power but not the full economic interest in the company and owners of the listed investment shares have the greater economic interest in dividends and future growth prospects but not the voting power, Northington Partners said.

These different interests would lead to issues for the ongoing management and governance of the group.

LIC chairman Murray King said the dual structure creates potentially serious conflicts between the two classes of shares and his board believes those will worsen over time.

The plan would also protect the fundamentals of the co-operative.

Directors have recommended the change after two years of study. Existing shares would be disbanded and replaced by new ordinary shares. All shares would be listed on the NZAX and have the same voting and dividend rights. Shares being redeemed by farmers leaving the industry would be sold on the market rather than by company repurchase.

There could be some share price risk associated with that, the report said.

Shareholders will vote on the plan at a special meeting on March 14 .

The change will proceed only if at least 75% of the votes cast under each existing share class are in favour. The LIC Shareholders’ Council supports the proposal.

Only dairy farmers buying

LOGGERHEADS: LIC’S dual share structure creates potentially serious conflicts between the classes, chairman Murray King says.

goods and services from LIC can own co-op shares and only co-op shareholders can own Investment shares but they are not required to own them. There is also a small number of investment shares owned by a staff investment scheme.

About 36% or 3800 of the 10,212 co-op share owners do not own investment shares.

Of the total group shares now, 18% are co-op shares and 82% are investment shares.

If owners have a greater proportion of investment shares than 82% of their total holding, they are said to be overweight in them. There are 3100 overweight owners, making up 31% of shareholders.

Of the remaining owners, 5900 (56%) are said to be underweight the investment shares because they own a lesser proportion

than 82%. The remaining 1000 shareholders (10%) are said to be in balance.

Most farmer investment in LIC is not very material in the context of their overall farming operations and the proposal will not significantly change that position.

Northington Partners Most shareholders own fewer than 2000 co-op shares,with just 240 owning more than that.

Northington Partners said the

simplification of the structure is a sensible goal but the process is complicated.

Each co-op share will become a new share and three new ordinary shares will be issued for every one co-op share already owned. They will cost $1 a share, which will be paid for over time from dividends received.

The report said there will be a significant transfer of voting power from co-op holders to investment holders.

However, on an individual shareholder basis, there would not be a great impact.

“Most farmer investment in LIC is not very material in the context of their overall farming operations and the proposal will not significantly change that position.”

Co-op owners would be giving up some voting power but

improving their dividend return in profitable years, Investment owners would get to vote on director appointments, group strategy and future direction, which they don’t have now. That would help them preserve their economic interest.

Northington Partners concluded the benefits of the proposal outweigh the potential negative impacts for some groups of existing shareholders.

All shareholders should then be uniformly focused on commercial returns.

Based on estimates of earnings before interest and tax (Ebit) over a mid-cycle period covering an average through the milk commodity price cycle, Northington valued investment shares at between $167 million and $212m of the group equity, that is between $3.81 and $4.88 a share. That included a 30% discount on value to allow for the restricted voting rules, marketability and low trading liquidity of the shares.

LIC’s directors chose a value of $4 a share for the investment shares on which to base the proposed allocation system.

The investment shares were trading on NZAX at $2.25 each when the report was finalised.

It said the investment shares had produced strong returns in 2013 and 2014 when the milk price was very strong but returns had been depressed after the subsequent milk price fall resulted in lower farmer spending on capital investment. That compounded the already illiquid level of trading in the shares on the NZAX. Of significant companies on the NZX, LIC was the second most illiquid trading stock.

In the last five years, the shares had made a 47% loss for investors, compared to a 107% gain for the NZX50.

Feed demand limits grass harvest Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com SOUTHERN welfare groups are urging farmers not to be complacent after substantial falls of rain appear to have alleviated some areas of drought in Southland and Otago.

Southland Rural Support Trust co-ordinator Lindsay Wright said pasture response and aquifer recharge have been slower than expected and though the rain has jolted winter crops to start growing again, more is needed.

Farmers should assess whether they have enough feed for winter and if not they need to source extra supplies sooner rather than later.

Little rain fell during the normal growth months of December and January, forcing farmers to feed grass normally harvested for silage or balage.

But there is still time to accumulate feed for winter and Wright urged farmers to seek advice and assess their individual needs and options without delay.

“It’s managing the recovery rather than responding to the drought.

“There is time and things will grow.”

The long-range weather forecast for the south was promising, with warm temperatures and normal rainfall, which should benefit growth but farmers need to act soon in case autumn arrives early and it suddenly turns cool, slowing grass growth.

“We really want guys to work with their advisers and agents.

“If they come up with a plan where they are short of feed then they can take action.”

That was pertinent because some of the traditionally driest

areas had reliable summer rainfall.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand and DairyNZ are holding technology transfer in Otago and Southland to help with planning.

Morgan Green of Northern Southland Vets warned the risk of internal parasites and polio in stock would be heightened by a flush of grass. Polio in stock is a nutritional disorder and is not the polio that affects humans.

“Grazing new pastures with lots of weeds, especially fathen and yarr or shearing sheep that may already be stressed can cause metabolic issues.”

Inland Revenue representative Janice McIntyre urged farmers struggling to make tax payments to speak to their accountants and to take advantage of facilities introduced because of the drought.

SHORT SUPPLY: Farmers in Southland and Otago can still grow feed for winter.

News

18 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

Council calls for more funding Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com BAY of Plenty Regional Council is pushing for greater central government funding to help cover the region’s significant costs of replacing flood protection assets lost in big storms.

The region has been particularly vulnerable to floods with seven major events in the past 20 years inflicting more than $70 million in damage to flood protection systems, not all of which is covered by insurance.

Flood recovery project manager Paula Chapman said the council is seeking greater central government funding to improve insured flood protection assets lost in floods.

They could include stop bank and embankment structures.

Government policy is to replace like with like, rather than pay for improvements.

The estimated bill the council faces to repair river system embankments and protection after Cyclone Debbie is $50 million.

In the Whakatane River catchment farmers and property owners will foot 80% of the bill directly through a targeted flood protection rate and the rest is coming from the council’s general rates.

“Some catchments are in a situation where they have zero debt and can manage the costs, like the Kaituna River scheme.

“Unfortunately for the Whakatane and Rangitaiki catchment schemes the events and costs of repair after them have surpassed the provisions for their maintenance.

“The cost of the repair has been factored into the long-term plan,with assumptions about

I think central government needs to look harder at how it could have joint ventures with local government.

John Forbes Opotiki District Council

SHOW US THE MONEY: Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty president Darryl Jenson and Bay of Plenty Regional Council project manager Paula Chapman want central government funding to replace destroyed flood protection works with improved ones.

funding and insurance but there is still a significant gap there,” she said.

The damage incurred from the past events including Cyclone

Debbie last year meant the Rangitaiki flood protection system was already carrying $22m debt, and all major schemes collectively carried $32.6m.

That load made it difficult to invest in upgrading assets to offer better protection in future.

“There are a lot of good reasons for our communities to support betterment as so many events have happened over time and we want the schemes to perform better.”

A 2014 council flood protection report cited climate change outcomes of sea water inundation, increased storm intensity and storm frequency as events significantly increasing the cost of capital flood works, such as building higher stop banks.

Managing the high level of internal debt resulting from recent events even back then was acknowledged as a challenge.

With the inevitable arrival of climate change, Chapman said flood systems in all regions needed to exhibit greater resilience, just as farmers in those catchments were also being told to make their farm systems more resilient.

The only way a local authority can get extra funding to improve such assets was if they met special criteria, which her region’s needs do not.

“So it would become a Cabinet decision and you have to have a

compelling case for it.”

She was uncertain what the Government’s response was likely to be.

Chapman has much support within her catchment from Opotiki District Council mayor John Forbes.

“When you look back many of these flood schemes were done by central government, through the Ministry of Works.

“I think central government needs to look harder at how it could have joint ventures with local government.

“Many of our schemes protect national infrastructure like roads and rail systems.

“In our case the state highway is protected from two rivers.

“But it is our ratepayers who are effectively paying to protect those assets and nor does the Crown pay rates on any of its land or property in our catchment.”

That was exacerbated in his district where 72% of the land area was either in Crown or Maori reserve land and also not paying rates despite contributing to the flood waters downstream.

“We are told these weather systems are going to become more intense and frequent and we are already witnessing that so we have to not only maintain these assets but improve them to ensure they are futureproofed.”

Chapman’s call for greater resilience was supported by Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty president Darryl Jensen who said farmers would even support a small increase in rates if it meant the replaced system performed better than the last.

“Betterment is really a win-win thing for all concerned and would ensure these schemes are futureproofed,” he said.

Aphid major flood schemes risk Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com THE infestation of another unwanted pest is starting to weaken work done by regional councils on flood protection and is putting greater areas of valuable farmland at risk.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council engineer Tony Dunlop said he and his staff are grappling with how to stabilise riverbanks normally held firm by willows, the stalwart of flood protection schemes.

But one of the biggest threats to the system’s integrity is coming from the smallest of causes, the giant willow aphid.

Staff are working through remediating the major damage done by last April’s flood in the wake of Cyclone Debbie.

It left the region’s ratepayers with an estimated $50 million bill to restore flood protection systems.

“What we have noticed in the past two years is that the presence of this aphid is putting the willow trees under stress and some of the areas where banks of the rivers have given way have been due to willows being weakened by the aphid infestation.”

Willows have typically been used in riverbank remediation and hillside stabilisation with greater variety now available to suit different situations and demands in the area now known as bioengineering.

With 40 years of experience managing rivers in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Dunlop said the impact of the aphid on willow health had become more noticeable in the last five years.

“We have one area we needed to restore the riverbank and we found the root system of willows on the bank had been compromised by the aphids, requiring an infill of rock to stabilise them.”

Cyclone Debbie washed more than 100ha of high-value river plain farmland out to sea and in some cases created entire new river paths that engineers are having to work with.

The giant willow aphid was first sighted in Auckland in 2013 but has spread rapidly across the country.

Its presence is identified by a black sooty substance found on the leaves of affected willow trees.

But help might be in the wings for beleaguered councils with intensive

work under way to determine which willows are most resistant to the impact of the aphid.

NZ Poplar and Willow Research Trust chairman Bruce Wills said the organisation is working at Massey University on willow germplasm and running field trials to provide planting options.

He had experienced problems on his own property with the aphid and had removed the most vulnerable willows to replace them with a more robust species.

Trust member Barry Foster said biological control of the aphid might become a possibility in coming years should an imported Californian aphid wasp prove effective here.

The wasp was imported late last year.

“It is currently in quarantine at Scion and will have to undergo a number of tests to ensure it does not predate on our own native aphid.”

The trials will take at least two years before the wasp can be released and its numbers will have to be bred before release.

“All willows are susceptible to a degree so the sooner we get a biocontrol in place the better,” Foster said.

RESEARCH: Work is under way at Massey University to provide willow planting options, Poplar and Willow Research Trust chairman Bruce Wills says.

Staying in touch Ravensdown is a co-operative that is helping enable smarter farming for a better New Zealand.

The names listed here, belong to shareholders who have not been in touch with us for a very long time. If you are mentioned, it means that we do not have your current contact details and have been unable to reach you.

Whanganui - Manawatu - Kapiti G H JARVIS - Wellington - Masterton A D JOHNS P L & R E JOHNSON J ADAM G A JOHNSTONE & F E I C AIKEN FREDERICK P J ALLEN L H KARATAU D D ANDERSON KAY-SUM-SUE D J ANDERSON R KING D M ANDREWS H G KJESTRUP B J A AVERY J KWOK AWAPIRI LANDS LIMITED D J LAING R BAKER & S M WILSON LAMBROOK FARM LTD ESTATE J W T BANKS D D LARSEN G E BARDELL H M LENNIE N K & M I BENTON K Y LIN R T BENTON T G LOWE K G & W BETTERIDGE E S LUPTON T G & C E BLATCHFORD R W MACDONALD S G H BOLTON HAMISH MACINTYRE M R BRIGHT D B & S A MACLEAN T B BRIMELOW MARA MARKETING LTD C G BROWN MAROP FARMS BRYMAX FARMING PARTNERSHIP T P MARTIN R J BUCKLEY MESSRS R G & A W MASTERS W D & L E BULMAN C W MATENGA J CAIN & J V DAVEY GRAY MATTHEWS W M CARR G N & D N MATTHEWS CARTER FARM INDUSTRIES LTD ROSS A MAXWELL G O CARTER MCDONNELL F E A & R E J A H CLARK W F & P A MCINTYRE DAVID J CLARKE P N MCKINNON R CLAY ESTATE M G G MCLEAY M COLE MESSRS R & J MCLEAN M C COLE J E & A E MCMAHON M J CONLAN B E MEXTED B M CONLON & A P JOHNSON N A MICKELSON J P COOMBS G D MIDDLETON J M CREAVEN ESTATE P R MILLER T CRIBB J G MITCHELL ESTATE B CULLINANE C R & K R MORGAN K J & M C DAVEY V N BUI C E DAWSON P J NAPIER A W DONALD S T & V M NELLEY J DOUGLAS M J & K M NORMAN LAURENCE DOYLE K R NORTHCOTT J H & S J DYHRBERG J R & A S O’BRIEN G ELLETT C J OCONNER D J EVANS & G A WALKER W D OLSEN R A FIRTH K R OMUNDSEN FOREST ENTERPRISES LTD T B J PARSONS FOURTUNE FARMING LTD R B PEARCE ESTATE I D FRASER J M PEINA R W GALLOWAY K R PERRY C J GARDNER PESCINI & NETTEN T & B J GENET R F PHILLIPS G J GERKE PIPIRIKI FARMS LTD M V & L J GILDEA T POLLARD S W GRAY J A W POND A B GREEN M P POTAKA LLEWELLYN R GREENBANK K C & J S PRINCE M I D & J I GRIBBEN S J PROBERT D C & J E GUY PURUATANGA FARM LTD J A & R A HALL G B QUIN D J HAMILTON & M G WELLS R E RANFORD C P HART TRUST W T & B M RAWLEIGH B W HARVEY G N & G REID C T HAYES W B & D RHODES W H & J A HESKETH B S RICHARDSON E B & W J HILL M G RIDDELL J W HILL ESTATE R K ROYAL HILLSIDE PARTNERSHIP J C SADLER S P HODGETTS A J SCHLAEPFER H & K HORSFIELD A T SCOTT P S HUGHES J C SCOTT RUSSELL R & CHRISTINE A K L SHANNON TRUST HUGHES D G M & T P SMITH W D HUGHES R M SMITH D J HUNT & G TREMAINE J L M & J R SOUTHEY M P HURLEY J D STEELE A HURRING J M STEELE G S & C G IRVINE J W STEPHENSON

J T STIVEN STOCK FOOD DISTRIBUTORS LTD N J STRATTON TARAWAHI FARM LTD G E TAYLOR P J TAYLOR P J J THEVENARD J A THOMPSON TORDARROCH LAND LTD L J B TRUMAN P H TRUMAN T TSE & B R SMYTHE R G TUFFIELD ROBERT TULLOCH G H TURIA A V & N B UDY WAIKARE LAND COMPANY LTD D WALL SELWYN THOMAS WARD BRETT J WATSON E J & C S WHITEHOUSE S R WILDBORE P G & J E WILLIAMS MITCHELL WILLIAMSON P WILSON S J WILSON B A & M WOOLDRAGE

G M DAVIES W R DAVIS G J & K M DEPREE A W & L DEVERY P C & A C DIAMOND R J & M F DOAK D M DOLAN & J L FREIMAN D J & R T DONNELLY R J ELLIS FAMILY TRUST ESTATE J S GIBSON R E & M E EVANS R K & S L EVANS T J EVANS B E FARRELL W G A FERGUSON A C & J A FITZGIBBON FLAXMERE GOLF CLUB INC H J FLEMING FLEMINGTON GOLF CLUB INC G B & J M M GAIR ESTATE SIR R G GALLEN B J GLASGOW K A GOODMAN T J & C E GORST GRAYBOND HOLDINGS LTD ROY N & PEARL GREEN PARTNERSHIP ROBERT GREGG ESTATE G GREGORY East Coast - Hawke’s Bay GLEN ROCK PARTNERSHIP Dannevirke H HAENGA R A HALL A K PARTNERSHIP HAMFORDE PARTNERSHIP L K & A J AGENT C HAMLIN J A AGNEW C HAPE C W ALDER I W HAPE W J & L R ALDWORTH ESTATE J R HARPUR B C ALEXANDER HAU ORA LTD ALMA ALTA ORCHARDS LTD HAWEA CONTRACTORS LTD ESTATE R A ANDERSEN D HAWEA ESTATE N ANGUS M H HAY B W ARMSTRONG ESTATE ROBERT HAYES EST M P M AWARAU W A HAZELWOOD H W BAGWELL ESTATE J HEMA H C BAKER M HENARE J L & S N BARNES HERBERT CHARLES HENRY L E BARRY H J HERBERT ESTATE J B BEAUCHAMP P J & H J HILL M S BENNISON R H & M M A HINKS BIRCHWOOD DAIRY LTD G D & M J HIRST B A BLAKE L E HITCHENS K D & A F BONE PARTNERSHIP ESTATE C HODGES T N BOOTH R W HODGKINSON E C & B R BOWIS M J HOLT C S BOYD & C M O’NEILL ESTATE P HONE G L BREAKWELL P T HOROMIA ESTATE P T BRETHERTON P HOUIA I T BRIGHTWELL MESSRS B M & M A HOY B BROWN J M & J R HUDSON R E BROWN A W & A D HUTCHING FAMILY TRUST J BUCKINGHAM & S LANSDOWN IDAHO TRUST A N C BUCKLEY B L & A L INGPEN R BURNETT & K ELLMERS R A IRELAND N W BURNS G K & F J ISAACSON A J M BUTTOLPH J & N BEEBY PARTNERSHIP L A CALDER G A JAMES K F CAMERON ESTATE D E JOHNSON F P A CAMPBELL P JOHNSON J K CANDY P P JOHNSTONE T G & A G CARTER J E JUDD H T CHASE ESTATE TIMOTI KAIWAI T J CLARK BESSIE KATAE W T CLARKE KAWHIA & HARRISON PARTNERSHIP G J COOK R N & H KAWHIA COOPER HORTICULTURE LTD TRIPLE TERRACE ESTATE R J & B R COTTON T J KING COUPER’S SHED WINES LIMITED W R KING ESTATE W A CRARER KINIKINI STATION LTD JOHN E CRAWLEY R U KOTUA F B CURD KOWHAI STATION ATHOL CURTIS L D FARMING LTD P R CUTHBERT C A LAMBERT S DAILEY

D T LENNOX T A LLOYD H S LOGAN L J & A M B LONGMAN D S & J R LOWE P E & J M LYONS ESTATE MASON MACDONALD I D MACKAY E P & R E MACKENZIE ESTATE H MAHUIKA P J & D L MANTELL-HARDING M L MARSHALL R W T MARTIN MARY WHITE PRODUCTS G C & L MAXTED ESTATE C K MCALLISTER C B & L N MCCARTHY PARTNERSHIP KEVIN MCCORMACK N MCGAFFIN F M MCKENZIE T R J & J F MCKENZIE W J MCLAUCHLAN W R C J R & J R MEBAN I MEECH MESA FARM PARTNERSHIP MIDDLE MOUNT LTD MILL ROAD P/SHIP E A MILLER C A & J F MILLS T B MOORE J J MORRISON C A MORTON ESTATE W R MORTON ALAN WALTER MOSS MT THOMAS CATTLE R C & R J MUDFORD R H MUDFORD J M & C M MULLANY M G & J A MURPHY T P MURPHY MYNYDD ISA ORCHARD LIMITED K NANKERVIS P J NASH NGAWHAKATUKU A14 M D NIKOLAISON ORAKA STATION ESTATE A G ORMOND ESTATE C J ORMOND PAKOWHAI INC BLK PARADISE KIWIS (N Z) LIMITED PARIWHERO A4B B INC O L PARK WEVA PARSONS R & R PEACH D J & N J PEACOCK A PEARCE K PEARSE M T PEARSE PIPINUI HORTICULTURE LIMITED P M POOLE M W PORTER A R & F J POTTS J H & B M PREECE D A RAISEY RANGIATA STATION RANGITUKIA TRUST P A RAROA W H RATIMA RAYDEEN FARMS LTD R B READ & SONS LTD ESTATE A T K REEDY ESTATE H M S REEDY TUTARANGI REEDY R F & P I REID J & N TRUST RIVERLANDS ACTIVITY & DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

L A ROBERTS I J ROBERTSON S ROBINSON BOB ROFE J B ROGERS B I D ROLLS M A ROSS ROY ANDERSON LTD RUACHINETU TRUST T A RUPUHA M J & J J RUSSELL LTD R J & J N SAUNDERS D N & P M SAVAGE M & M SEATTER FAMILY TRUST C A SELF P L & D M SEVERINSEN ESTATE H G SEYMOUR C W E SMITH I W & H SMITH T & P SMITH V M SMITH ESTATE D SOLOMON LYALL SOWERSBY TRUST A C & J C STEELE A W STEWART C E & K A STEWART PARTNERSHIP V J STEWART K B STONE A STUART J E S SWANSSON TAKANGA FARMS LTD M J TALBOT M/S H & T TANGAERE D TANGIORA B TAUNOA TAUTUHI SADLIER ESTATE K T TAYLOR E & K TE KAHIKA ESTATE H TE KANI TE KOAU DEER FARM LTD TE MOE ORCHARD G A THELWALL P M THORNE E TIBBLE K & C TIPPETT P S & D M TURNER PARTNERSHIP HILTON RUSSELL VERRY WAIKAHU VINEYARD LTD ESTATE J WAIKAWA A R WALKER B V WALKER G R & E WALKER L W WALKER M S & D J WALMSLEY E R WALSH D N WATSON D C WELCH R J WELCH ESTATE R M WENLEY R WESTCOTT ESTATE R M WHAITIRI WHANGAEHU WORK FARM P/SHIP R W WHITTINGTON D WILLIAMS & P BLACK D H B WILLIAMS S J & ESTATE L A WILLIAMS S M WILLIAMS D R WILSON D S WILSON J J WILSON WINDWALKER TRUST A R YAGER & M W FINUCANE

We’d love to hear from you, so we can update your contact details.

0800 100 123 | ravensdown.co.nz

Please contact our Customer Centre on 0800 100 123 or email customer.centre@ravensdown.co.nz

Smarter farming for a better New Zealand™

News

20 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

Farmers fear banks’ tough line BANKS are believed to be taking an increasingly harder look at their farming clients’ debt and equity positions fuelling concerns that some dairy farmers won’t be able to enter the coming season without their backing.

There has been one receivership sale in Northland and a number of other property owners are working through their financial situation with their banks, Northland Rural Support Trust co-ordinator Julie Jonker said.

At least five operations were in that position.

They tended to be dairy farms and on Northland’s west coast, despite a good growing season throughout the region with plentiful summer rain.

“Their financially strained circumstances have been exacerbated by the two years of low dairy payouts,” she said.

In some instances farmers bought land 10 years ago at the peak of the market. While they had so far been able to keep up with interest payments, equity in their properties had dropped.

With one sharemilking client the bank involved withdrew its support even though they had done everything asked of them, she said.

“And there’s more than one in that situation.”

In other cases permission from banks to spend money on what their clients felt was essential farming outgoings had been denied.

“One bank wouldn’t support their clients putting on urea at the right time,” she said.

“That’s where you need someone who understands farming because that has an impact on the whole season.”

The trust has a number of facilitators, usually retired farmers, who act as a medium between banks and farmers.

“The facilitators act as a translator,” Jonker said.

Farmers are operating at a very emotional level when they meet with their banks in this situation so facilitators can offer not only support but help each side understand the other’s point of view.

She felt banks had been very careful through the 2015-16 downturn in dairy payouts knowing there was nothing to be gained by forcing farm sales.

“But now things have stabilised and some seem to be taking a hard look at their portfolios,” she said.

“It’s sad that these things happen.”

Talking to your bank can be much more valuable if you have some financial information or a plan.

Karen Scott-Howman Bankers Association She believes in some instances banks will not provide finance for some clients for the coming dairy season even if Fonterra signals a considerably higher payout than the present $6.40 a kilogram of milksolids farmgate.

But with some banks having different lending criteria it could be possible another bank would pick up that farmer, which had happened in the past.

If farmers felt they had been unfairly dealt with they could approach the Banking Ombudsman as well as the trust.

The trust held 15 wellbeing days at Farm Source stores late last year where over three weeks representatives spoke to more than 90 dairy farmers. Their major concerns were lack of trained

farm labour and the amount of bureaucracy they had to deal with, both of which contributed to their stress load. And they were also feeling keenly the results of dirty dairying attacks made during the election campaign.

“In some cases their kids were bullied at school,” she said.

Countering that perception was not a job for the trust but lobby groups like Federated Farmers.

The Northland Trust is planning more wellbeing events in March and April then Welcome to the District functions in June in which it hopes to team up with local community groups to spread its message to the widest possible audience.

Bankers’ Association chief executive Karen Scott-Howman said the banking industry understands how important the primary sector is to New Zealand and its economy.

Banks work closely with their agri clients through good times and bad.

“The good relationship between farmers and their banks is reflected in Federated Farmers’ banking satisfaction survey which consistently finds high levels of satisfaction among farmers,” she said.

“Banks work very hard with customers who find themselves in financial difficulty.”

Farmers who are having trouble should speak to their bank as soon as possible to get advice on how to deal with their changed financial outlook.

“Before they do, they should, if possible, involve their accountant or financial adviser,” she said.

“Talking to your bank can be much more valuable if you have some financial information or a plan.”

The ability to adapt was critical to the success of any farming business.

Banks are responsible lenders and constantly assess the risk on their books, she said.

DROPPED: Banks are now withdrawing support for farmers they helped through the dairy downturn, Northland Rural Support Trust co-ordinator Julie Jonker says.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YOUR SALEYARD?

EYE LIVESTOCK TTLE TARANAKI CA

2.73

0800 85 25 80

agriHQ.co.nz

2.47

2.96

2.86

Store cattle

VIEWPOIN not enough475n good but while Angus-Friesian, Localisededrai $2.82/kg, $2.74-$2.77/ off the pace at on a quiet note T

Suz Bremner

R

225 - 245KG

310KG

350 - 415KG

400 - 505KG

1-YEA R HEIFE BEEF/ DAIRY

1-YEA R STEER BEEF/ DAIRY

1-YEA R STEER BEEF/ DAIRY

2-YEA R STEER BEEF/ DAIRY

tallies

Weaner 13

Steer Heifer

1-year 112

2-year+ 34 9

16

6

Total 159

19

41

-

60 31

3 Bull ed , were November finish apart from a doozy 506kg s-Jersey, 401-445kg, return 297 Cow 62 Angu sale, 169 upted the kg. -$2.77/kg. at the Taranaki 19 m that interr Total and two $2.74 of a thunderstor a mixed bunch cattle were ed Heifers were A total of 340 Friesian reach auctioning. cons isted lines of beefgh main ly lines well below over small Total cattle tallies penn ed, thou other three Prime all Cow just with /kg 15kg, with Bull Heifer 40 of smal l lines localised $2.75 Ex-service Red bulls, 688-7 Steer 20 ite the odd /kg.

1 getting that.

10 head. Desp 19 ged $2.94-$3.00 and some areas hit and itions on mana had to be quite light to thunderstorm Lines yesterday, cond steer pens, up to 25mls drying out in the 1-year n tallies rties are still old effect pass $3.00/kg Hereford-Friesia Store cattle most prope ever-popular causing a two-f occasions. 1500 few g to but the a on fast, which is comin that 10kg, quality cattle did manage h were 308-3 them. of more mixed offered thoug buyers to greet at $2.92- 1200 sale and fewer sold over a very tight Mostsold on a steady market 900 sian, and er Angus-Frie Prime steers what was a /kg, with heavi s.

-$2.88/kg on 600 is tight. $2.97 g similar value range of $2.83 as processor space/kg.

335-381kg, makin1-year heifers could 300 softer market $1.75-$1.82 for 20-Dec The best the made 6/kg 6-Dec cows -$2.5 r some 0 Bone 22-Nov pens included This year age was $2.52 again this was 8-Nov Last year but The 2-year steer albeit in very small man n, 5-yr ave riesia y, ord-F nice lines of qualit best of the bunch Heref tion of the quality. the reflec a and at 546kg, numbers, ($/kg) ord-Friesian, and heifers was three Heref Beef/Dairy steers

LE

STORE CATT 2-YEAR STEER Dev x Ang/Fr Ang/Fr Ang/Jer Ang/Jer Here/Fr

Jer

M

8

M

9

M

1400

540 475 - 506 401 - 445 366

M/G M

546 492 377

M

2 R

2-YEAR HEIFE Ang/Fr

Here/Jer Fr & Fr x

M/G

5

2

Jer x

Ang/Fr Here/Fr

M

3

2

M/G

8

M

2

M

2

L/M

3

M

2

M

530 370 467 315 451 320

4.0

$/kg

$/hd 1140

452

2

3

Fr x

Weight

Cond.

Tally

Receive comprehensive liveweight-based results from the entire sale even when you can’t make it there yourself. Sign up to LivestockEye reports and keep your head in the game.

And now LivestockEye Taranaki has joined our collection of nine other saleyards we report on.

29, 2017

NOVEMBER

1300 - 1400 1090 - 1200 940 1542 1220 600 1455 910 1285 800 1060 400

3.5

2.52

3.0

2.59

2.5

2.74 - 2.77 2.70 - 2.72

2.0 100kg

200kg

300kg Steers

500kg 400kg Heifers

2.82 2.48 1.59 2.75 2.46 2.75 2.54 2.35 1.25

SUBSCRIBE TODAY AT AGRIHQ.CO.NZ/FARMER ph 0800 85

info@agrihq.co.nz

600kg

2.57

25 80

grihq.co.nz

web agrihq.co.nz

email info@a

2398HQV2

Glenys Christian glenys.christian@nzx.com

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

21

More land is needed for trees Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com THE Government will rent from landowners or enter joint ventures to access land for a portion of the billion trees it proposes planting in the next 10 years.

Crown Forestry manager Warwick Foran said to meet the policy 50,000ha of new land had to be planted each year in addition to 50,000ha of replanting.

His office has expressions of interest from more than 30 landowners interested in participating.

He expects his department to plant about 4000ha on leased land or in joint ventures in 2019 and 20,000ha by 2020 with the rest of the 50 million new trees to be planted for each of the next 10 years by private companies and individuals.

Limited seedling stocks mean it will be next year before planting starts at scale but Foran said the billion trees will include manuka, riparian management, erosion

prevention on hill country and in the conservation estate.

Crown Forestry is a business unit in the Ministry for Primary Industries and Foran said the department has started work building a tree counter to monitor progress in reaching the Government’s target.

Lease or joint ventures with landowners will be based on commercial principles.

Blocks have to be greater than 200ha to achieve economies of scale, muist be planted without violating regional or district plans, have not previously been in forest. not be class seven land with environmental and steep terrain issues, have access to utilities and be not too dry or at high altitude.

Arrangements will be for a single rotation, 30-year joint venture or lease with the Government picking up all the forest establishment and management costs.

Landowners will get rent based on land value or enter into an equity share agreement but Foran

SLOW START: Crown Forestry must allow time for nurseries to scale up seedling production and find find 50,000ha of new land before the Government’s tree planting policy can put on a growth spurt.

said agreements will enable Crown Forestry to sell the forests.

Foran said the Government wants the policy to increase the country’s carbon sink and landowners will own the carbon credits or liabilities, potentially benefiting landowners should agriculture enter in to the Emissions Trading Scheme.

The scheme is expected to generate up to 30m tonnes of carbon credits by 2030 in addition to the 18m tonnes from existing forests.

Crown Forestry manages the Crown’s 15,855ha of commercial forest interests, of which 90% are

on Maori-owned land covering 16 forests on the North Island and one in the South Island.

It also administers six afforestation leases, Crown-owned land leased to forest companies and former New Zealand Forest Service-granted loans to local authorities.

Foran said as yet unspecified funding for the billion tree programme will come from the Government’s $1b Provincial Growth Fund.

Forest Owner’s Association spokesman Don Carson said the rate of planting required to meet the Government’s billion-

tree policy has been met before, however, insufficient time for nurseries to scale up seedling planting mean it will take a year for the forest estate to start expanding.

In 1994 there was 98,000ha of new forestry planted and in that decade there was more than 500,000ha planted.

“Physically it’s not a problem.

“We need about 1000 planters doing about a hectare each a day over a 100-day planting season.”

Carson said planting had been increasing in the last few years, from 50m in 2016 to 60m last year and an expected 70m this winter.

Seed exports provide continuing success Annette Scott annettescott@xtra.co.nz

BEST: New Zealand produces premier grains and seeds for use in the horticulture, turf and arable sectors, Grain and Seed Trade Association general manager Thomas Chin says.

SEED and grain exports increased by 20% last year to earn New Zealand $216 million with further growth projecting export revenue to reach $240m by 2022.

Latest trade statistics show seed produced in NZ commands a premium over that exported by competitors, including the United States, Australia and Chile.

According to traders that is due largely to the local industry’s focus on quality and reliability of supply.

In terms of earnings vegetable seeds at $99m remain the star performer with NZ supplying about half the world’s hybrid radish, carrot and beet seeds, contributing to 45% of total export earnings.

The result of any election will be made public before the 2017 annual meeting, to be held in Dunedin on April 18.

The record date for voting will be March 19.

Director nomination forms are available via email: general. counsel@silverfernfarms.co.nz.

LEADER SHEEP IDENTIFICATION Proven Design - Proven Applicator Ph: 0800 242 824 Web: www.leaderproducts.co.nz

Jumbo HDX Sheep Tag

hemisphere’s off-season.”

Modern plant genetics, state of the art processing systems, highly skilled farmers and access to irrigation strengthen NZ’s competitive advantage over other production regions, Chin said.

Locally grown seed is distributed to more than 60 countries with key markets being Europe, North and South America, South Africa and Australia.

Australia is the number one market for NZ ryegrass seed and the Netherlands the leading destination for beet, carrot and radish seeds.

Chin said there is a bright future for the NZ seed industry with figures provided by the Ministry for Primary Industries, in its latest update, expecting seed export revenues to reach $240m by 2022.

& ID l r E ina Fo rig O

SILVER Fern Farms directors Rob Hewett and Fiona Hancox will seek re-election to the board when their terms expire in April.

Other nominations are being sought for the two positions and must be in by March 5.

(NZ)

nic ro g ct nin Ele can S

SFF board seats open

Pasture seed exports, such as ryegrass and clover, at $98m accounted for 45% of total export sales, with grains at $18m making up 9%.

NZ is a premier producer and exporter of high-quality grass seed for use in agriculture and sports arenas, cereal seed for the arable sector and vegetable seed for horticulture industries,” NZ Grain and Seed Trade Association general manger Thomas Chin said.

“Most of our seed is harvested in Canterbury, which has ideal growing conditions with low pest and disease incidence,” he said.

Gisborne, Manawatu and Wairarapa are also important seed production regions.

“As an industry we further benefit from the fact that our production season coincides with the northern

Leadermatic Applicator

TAG AND APPLICATOR FOR MATCHED PERFORMANCE

Visual Swatch Ask your Retailer

Newsmaker

22 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

Big punt pays off for farmers Holding a series of sales, with stock from 12 farms at nine venues, makes for a hectic day in Rollesby Valley. And while the demand from Southland has waned over the years with the increase in dairying there the timing was serendipitous for continuing success as buyers now come looking for stock to graze on recently harvested cropping land in Mid Canterbury. Alan Williams had a chat with some of those involved.

W

HY don’t we do the whole lot in one go?’’ were the words during weaning more than 20 years ago that launched one of the South Island’s most successful lamb marketing ventures, the Rollesby Valley onfarm sales.

It was the question put by stock agent Bruce Dunbar to Airies Station owner Alistair Monroe when they were talking about how to improve the set-up that had them or the works agents drafting lambs for processing well into winter on marginal finishing land in hilly inland South Canterbury.

Monroe was up for the challenge and PGG Wrightson agent Dunbar soon had other starter clients with Burkes Pass Farm and Single Hill Station and Mt Dalgety Station signed up.

The idea was to sell the lambs right off their mothers when they were at their best, the time buyers really wanted them, at weaning in early February.

“We didn’t know how it would go but it’s been a great benefit to the owners,” Dunbar said.

Bigger lambs are still bought for processing but most are sold as stores to farmers in other districts.

Grant Monroe, who farms Airies with his dad Alistair, says it “was a big punt at the time” but they haven’t looked back.

“We’ve got a lot of loyal, repeat buyers who keep coming back.”

Instead of struggling to finish lambs in hot, dry late summer and autumn conditions the Monroes can focus on being lamb breeders with all the feed going towards flushing the ewes for mating.

“It’s horses for courses, we’re not finishing country so it has really simplified our operations. We can carry more ewes and right now we can start planning for lambs for next year.”

At nearby Single Hill Station, Perendale lamb breeders Herb

“

and Cate Ross are also happy with the outcome.

“We’re all hill here, there’s no paddocks,’’ Herb said.

“So it suits us to get everything down, wean the night before, have the sale and then have all the ewes shorn, all within a week.”

As well as liking lambs straight off the ewes, buyers like the onfarm sales because they can see how the lambs have done so far and picture how they might do on watered pastures at their new home, he said.

The first sale was in February 1997, Dunbar, who organises them and hasn’t missed a year yet, says.

“I’m quite chuffed.”

By coincidence, having the sales at weaning time was a masterstroke.

When they started, up to 70% of the lambs went to Southland buyers. That fell away as the province turned heavily to dairying and now 70% of the lambs go into Mid Canterbury — onto the thousands of hectares of just-harvested cropping land ideal for finishing.

“We didn’t plan that, it just worked out great for both sides,’’ Dunbar said.

“We all want more rain at this time of year but when it’s dry we know those crops are getting harvested and that’s great for our sales.”

There are now nine farms in the compact Rollesby Valley, in the Burkes Pass region, holding sales and two of them host stock from three other farms, for a total of 12 vendors. The scheme started well and just got bigger with up to 70 to 80 buyers.

After the first year Alistair Monroe reported his lambing percentages and wool weights were up significantly. His first sales were held along netting fencing. After about three years, the results were good enough to justify large, purpose-built yards

READY: The sheep are penned at Airies Station for the Rollesby Valley sales.

DUSTY: The PGG Wrightson team drafts lambs for the Rollesby Valley onfarm sales.

We didn’t know how it would go but it’s been a great benefit to the owners.

Bruce Dunbar PGG Wrightson being put up. Airies is the biggest farm in the group with between 6500 and 7000 lambs each year.

The latest sale on February 8 was one of the best yet with prices on the 20,000 or so lambs offered up an average $20 a head on last year, which was also thought to be pretty good, Dunbar said.

“You have years of good and bad prices for lambs but even when prices are bad Rollesby Valley has good sales.”

The Rosses topped this year’s sale fetching $149 a head for a pen of 125 prime Perendale wether lambs. They’ve topped the sale before but the most important thing is to get the averages up, Ross said, and that’s what they’ve been doing. Using Newhaven Perendales rams from North Otago breeds them big ewes, ideally suited for producing very

good lambs through to weaning.

He swears by Perendale, whereas his brother-in-law Neal McKerchar takes halfbred lambs to Single Hill for sale.

These lambs and other halfbreds sold on Mt Dalgety and Ranui Station were a feature of this year’s sale because their wool is worth a premium to the crossbred fleece from most of the farms, which will give them good dual income.

Ross complements his farm income by working about 70 days a season as a wool classer. Returns from his 30-micron fleece could be better but he works on the reasoning that he’s best-off by developing his young ewe flock to regular 130% lambing ratios to get more lambs to sell.

At Airies, Grant Monroe is also passionate about wool, saying it’s an important part of farm operations and the diabolical crossbred price has to rise longterm.

“The lambs are paying the bills,” he says.

With up to 20,000 lambs to sell over the day, the preparation and sales have to run like clockwork, and they do, round a group of farms quite concentrated in location.

One year Chris McCarthy hosts

the first sale at his Kimbell farm and the next year he will be last and this pattern is repeated.

Sale lambs are weaned the day before, typically sorted into lines by size and type, and penned in the yards.

At first light on the day of the sales farmers and PGW agents are out for the final drafting and writing up the stock cards.

“It’s a big go for us but we’re a bit lucky,” Grant Monroe said.

“We’re in the middle of the sales each time and start at 1pm so that gives us good time and we’ve got it worked out pretty well by now though it’s still a nervous time getting there.”

The farmers speak very highly of the work done by the PGW agents allocated to them for the day.

In recent years the same agents are generally allocated to the same farms, which also helps for smooth operations.

The lambs are all trucked away to their new homes by the night of the sale.

There’s a lot of traffic on the road around the sales but the 12 Rollesby vendors miss out on that . . . they’re too busy at home.

MORE:

Video: bit.ly/Rollesby

BEST SELLERS: Herb and Cate Ross with their pen of prime Perendale wether rams that fetched this year’s top price of $149 a head.

New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

23

Pressurecooker science rewarded The dark, dire days of early Psa infection in kiwifruit orchards prompted a shift in how scientists approach disease incursions, demanding a rapid response across many disciplines that brought with it many risks of failure. Those risks have paid off doubly for the research team at Plant and Food Research. Last week the team was recognised as the recipient of the country’s most esteemed science award, the Prime Ministers Science Prize. Richard Rennie spoke to team leader Dr Bruce Campbell on what the $500,000 award means for future research into the disease and how scientists will work on such outbreaks in future.

B

RUCE Campbell can claim to be one of the scientists at ground zero on November 5, 2010, when Psa was confirmed in a Bay of Plenty kiwifruit orchard.

He recalls the sense of dread on confirming the disease’s presence, not dissimilar to the feeling his bovine research colleagues would experience if they had confirmed the presence of foot and mouth disease.

That sense was reinforced by knowledge that until then Psa had been given a relatively low priority in research here, simply because it was not present in New Zealand.

But that changed overnight.

“November 5 really was a watershed moment for us.

“When it became evident very early on containment was not an option, mobilising our need to understand how we were going to live with it became an absolute priority.

“It put scientists under pressure in unprecedented ways to respond to that.”

Getting to know the enemy became the number one priority for the more than 100 scientists involved in the project.

But to do so demanded a better genomic understanding of the Psa variant, one of hundreds of Pseudomonas variants that existed in the environment, populating almost every variety of plant.

“Diagnostic tests were identifying Psa everywhere and we were required to identify the strain, develop a test that could be easily carried out and could be commercialised.”

Within a matter of months scientists had done just that, presenting a world-first molecular test that meant researchers also had a tool to determine the tolerance of new kiwifruit cultivars to

the insidious disease.

Another team of scientists was trialling crop treatments to help vines resist the disease.

While the G3 SunGold cultivar had been in the sights of plant breeders to ultimately replace the Hort16a variety hit so hard by Psa, G3 had not been extensively tested for its tolerance, with parameters of drymatter and taste playing a bigger part.

“We had not had the disease pressure of Psa here to really know how it would respond.

“We had to view how the G3 cultivars responded in Italy to Psa exposure and almost crash test the plants against the disease.”

It was almost a crash test dummy approach to trying to determine how tolerant the new cultivar was to Psa. Dr Bruce Campbell Plant and Food Research Given the usual careful, systematic and measured way plant research scientists are used to working, Campbell admits he and his colleagues were pushed well beyond their comfort zone to try to accelerate their progress in understanding and dealing with the disease.

“It was almost a crash test dummy approach to trying to determine how tolerant the new cultivar was to Psa. “We were testing cultivars right to the end when we had to make a decision on which was the best and G3 happened to be very good.”

BEST BOFFINS: Plant and Food Research chief operating officer Bruce Campbell, left, and plant pathologist Mike Manning are on the team recognised with New Zealand’s top science award.

The decision resulted in the single largest varietal shift of any crop in NZ history, with the entire Hort16a Gold fruit being dropped and G3 being grafted or planted in its place in only 18 months.

Since then the industry has rebounded on the unprecedented success of a crop not only capturing consumer palates but also continuing to show tolerance to Psa and to generate almost $700 million in export earnings last year.

Looking into the future with $500,000 in the research coffers, Campbell says that amount will prove highly useful for exploring disease control options and not only for Psa. “The Psa incursion has bought a learning not to be complacent, there is an ongoing battle between plants and disease and there could be another any time so we need to build a pipeline of new options.”

Researchers face the tension of these diseases having to be dealt with and consumer resistance to the use of chemicals to do it.

The award funds could help in non-chemical research of such controls as naturally occurring endophytes.

Another area is elicitors, molecules whose presence in a plant reduces the damage it might suffer from environmental, pest or disease challenges.

With this research comes the need for new faces and talent to drive it.

Campbell says with greater cross-field co-operation between areas of human, plant and genomic study in a very digital environment there is a need for researchers capable of interpreting vast amounts of data and seeing patterns in it across such areas.

“Because of this success there is a lot of interest for young scientists in this.

“For our science team this award will be the career highlight for many.

“It is not often the role of science is so well recognised.”

Other winners THE Prime Minister’s 2017 MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize went to Dr Carla Meledandri from the University of Otago who is at the forefront of developing applications for nanotechnology.

Her work includes incorporating silver nanoparticles into a range of breakthrough products designed to treat and prevent dental disease through a start-up company, Silventum, that she has co-founded and a technology licensing deal with a multinational dental company.

The products offer a new solution for tooth decay, one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the world, and have potential to make dental care more affordable.

Meledandri is also developing nanomaterials for use in industrial applications such as gas capture and storage, which can potentially help mitigate global warming.

The Prime Minister’s 2017 Science Teacher Prize was won by Nelson science teacher Sarah Johns who is in charge of junior science at Nelson College for Girls.

Johns says she empowers her students by encouraging them to share her own philosophy of life — to be curious, open to possibilities and willing to take a risk.

She receives the prize for what the judges describe as 100% commitment to her students and an uncompromising approach to bringing out the best in them.

Johns devotes a huge amount of time to getting to know her students as individuals and negotiating the learning experiences that are relevant to them.

She says passion and joy are high priorities in her classroom and she believes that comes from students having a say in how the class moves through a piece of work.

The Prime Minister’s 2017 Science Communication Prize went to Damian Christie, a lawyerturned-journalist, who will use the prize money to establish New Zealand’s first science video news agency.

The Aotearoa Science Agency will showcase some of the extraordinary achievements and discoveries from NZ’s science sector and promote the successes to new audiences here and overseas.

The prize recognises the success of Christie’s creation and production of Jamie’s World on Ice, which featured globally successful YouTuber Jamie Curry exploring Antarctica and relaying her findings to an international following on social media.

The video series got more than 2.5 million views on social media, featured on television, radio, in several media publications and played on Air NZ international flights.

He also won the 2017 Science Communicators Association of NZ Excellence in Science Communication Award for the same project.

The Prime Minister’s 2017 Future Scientist Prize was won by former Auckland Grammar School student Jonathan Chan for development of a sophisticated, 3D-printed mesh, emulating a spider web, as a novel approach to atmospheric water collection.

With support from his teachers and staff at the University of Auckland, Chan researched a low-cost, environmentally friendly system of fog collection to provide good quality drinking water where it might otherwise be unavailable in less economically developed countries.

His challenge was to create a more efficient mesh that mimicked the wetted spider silk or cactus spine by controlling the size and structure of the mesh and using a chemical coating.

Chan’s research also involved analysis of droplet formation as fog came in contact with the mesh.

He is enrolled at the University of Auckland to begin biochemistry studies with the goal of eventually being involved in designing new drug therapies.

Opinion

24 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

EDITORIAL

Scientists deserve their top prize

T

HE nation’s richest prize for science was given last week to the team from Plant and Food Research that confronted the kiwifruit virus head-on. Their work was extraordinary.

With Psa set to lay waste to one of our largest export earners the team led by Dr Bruce Campbell kicked into gear, devising a test for the disease and looking for a kiwifruit variety that would be resistant to it.

As we know now, they were successful. The Psa strain was identified, other kiwifruit varieties were tested and the industry emerged in arguably a stronger position. There was a lot of pain along the way for growers, sure, but that pain was minimised by the great work of scientists like Campbell.

We all know farming relies on exports to make a buck. We also know that trading in animals and plants brings with it the risk of diseases and pests.

Obviously, the first line of defence is the border and getting biosecurity and border control right is the first priority. But as Campbell said, it was clear Psa was here to stay so having the scientific nous to deal with it was really important.

He admits that the speed at which the work was needed was confronting for his team, who, like many scientists, tend to work at a considered pace, as accuracy is the key thing. But the Plant and Food team got it done and they got it done quickly. They are deserving winners of this award and their story needs to be told nationwide.

Perhaps they could also share their strategy with colleagues in the bovine health sciences, who we all hope are laying the groundwork to help manage Mycoplasma bovis. Farmers everywhere hope the Ministry for Primary Industries is right and that it can be eradicated. But if it can’t, and we join almost every other dairyproducing nation in the world in living with it, the next best thing will be to have an outcome similar to the kiwifruit industry.

Bryan Gibson

LETTERS

Biosecurity conduct is wanting inception of NAIT, the creation of this company received only 2% surveyed support from the end users. This company was passed in Parliament and the amendments to the 1993 Biosecurity Act 2012 and Animal Tracing Acts.

A disaster waiting to happen?

So how do we address these major flaws?

MPI and the Government now have to hold public Bring Back Bioseurity meetings.

Farmers must rewrite their own plans.

And no too many pushing their own job security conduct.

Please, no more MPI grandstanding meetings with misinformation. And I say that by the comments at the Winton meeting by MPI staff who stated they can not disclose anything because

HAVING attended the well-attended Mycoplasma meeting in Winton last year and reading Markets in Danger (Farmers Weekly, February 5) nothing is giving any farmer in New Zealand confidence in the performance of our Biosecurity Act 1993 and NAIT’s integrity.

Systems have been set in place by governments for the protection of our reputation and our market security.

However, the good reporting from Annette Scott with the statement “too many pushing their own agendas” is a disaster for the meat industry and is most concerning.

History tells no lies.

And good reporting with these events is showing failure within our systems.

Back in 2012 with the

of the Privacy Act. These many officers of MPI have never read section 161 of the Animal Products Act 1999 about disclosures of information for the purpose of ensuring product safety etc. An approved agency may disclose any information necessary for the purpose of the health and well-being of consumers of any animal products and the integrity and reputation of NZ exports.

When this claimed outbreak started the van Leeuwens appear to be correct in their September or even earlier request to MPI to bulk milk test New Zealand’s dairy herds.

The 2012 law reforms removed the Board of Inquiry, which the van Leeuwens could have gone to. And compensation paid by the government of the day was changed to MPI’s senior staff.

This process has shown to be wanting in both conduct and accountability. Very few of these farmers involved in these claimed outbreaks have probably had the strength to even speak to the media. But the requests these farmers have made have shown the many failures of our biosecuity now being performed in NZ. Alanna Barrett Nightcaps

Letters to the Editor Letters must be no more than 450 words and submitted on the condition The New Zealand Farmers Weekly has the right to, and license third parties to, reproduce in electronic form and communicate these letters. Letters may also be edited for space and legal reasons. Names, addresses and phone numbers must be included. Letters with pen names will generally not be considered for publication.

Letterof theWeek EDITOR Bryan Gibson bryan.gibson@nzx.com

06 323 1519

EDITORIAL Stephen Bell 06 323 0769 editorial@nzx.com Neal Wallace 03 474 9240 neal.wallace@nzx.com Annette Scott 03 308 4001 annettescott@xtra.co.nz Hugh Stringleman 09 432 8594 hugh.stringleman@nzx.com Alan Williams 03 359 3511 a.dubu@xtra.co.nz Richard Rennie 07 552 6176 richard.rennie@nzx.com Nigel Stirling nigel.stirling@nzx.com FARMERS WEEKLY NATIONAL MANAGER Warren McDonald 06 323 0143 warren.mcdonald@nzx.com

ADVERTISING Lloyd Davy Auckland/Northland lloyd.davy@nzx.com Waikato/Bay of Plenty advertising warren.mcdonald@nzx.com

027 444 3143 09 375 9864 027 474 6094

Nigel Ramsden Livestock advertising livestock@nzx.com

06 323 0761 or 027 602 4925

Debbie Brown 06 323 0765 Classifieds/Employment advertising classifieds@nzx.com

Donna Hirst 06 323 0739 Lower North Island/international advertising donna.hirst@nzx.com

PRODUCTION Lana Kieselbach Production Manager lana.kieselbach@nzx.com Advertising material adcopy@nzx.com

Aleisha Serong South Island advertising aleisha.serong@nzx.com

027 474 6091

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Shirley Howard Real Estate advertising shirley.howard@nzx.com

06 323 0760

06 323 0735

06 323 6393

ISSN 2463-6002 (Print) ISSN 2463-6010 (Online) Circulation: Delivered free to 78,632 farmers from Monday (Current audited circulation figure)

Best letter each week wins a quality Victorinox Hiker knife

So go on!

Stick the knife in WRITE TO The Editor, FW - The New Zealand Farmers Weekly P.O. Box 529, Feilding EMAIL nzfarmersweekly@nzx.com • FAX 06 323 7101

LK0091174©

FW - The New Zealand Farmers Weekly is published by NZX, PO Box 529, Feilding 4740. New Zealand Phone: 06 323 6393 Fax: 06 323 7101 Toll free: 0800 85 25 80 Website: www.farmersweekly.co.nz

Opinion

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

25

Gas course a hit with advisers Kara Lok

A

DDRESSING greenhouse gases onfarm is a top priority for the dairy sector.

Over the last three months a series of climate change workshops has been held across the country to upskill rural professionals to help farmers do their part alongside the wider economy to understand New Zealand’s greenhouse gas reduction targets.

NZ’s target is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 30% below 2005 levels by 2030.

The workshops attracted hundreds of rural professionals and similar workshops will be held for dairy farmers in the middle of this year.

An in-depth course was also held at Massey University for those who wanted to know more.

The workshops and courses are part of DairyNZ’s commitment to the Dairy Action for Climate Change.

Along with innovative research being done to find breakthrough technologies to mitigate onfarm methane and nitrous oxide

AVAILABLE: DairyNZ is focused on educating farmers about the emissions mitigation measures available to them now, senior policy adviser Kara Lok says.

The

Pulpit

emissions, they are just one of many approaches that the sector is taking to mitigate emissions.

The Government recently announced its intention to transition NZ to a net zero emissions economy by 2050.

It has made it clear the dairy and the wider agricultural sectors will have to do their part in this transition.

While there is no silver bullet to reduce onfarm methane and nitrous oxide emissions, DairyNZ is focused on educating dairy farmers and the wider sector on what the options available are now to address emissions.

The first round of workshops was targeted at rural professionals because they work alongside farmers, so they are in a unique position to influence change on farms.

The next series of workshops will be targeted at dairy farmers.

The courses cover how greenhouse gases are calculated on NZ farms, how agricultural emissions contribute to global emissions and climate change and provide training in the mitigation options available to dairy farmers.

Michael Edmondson, an environmental adviser for Synlait who attended the course, said he found it very informative.

“I’d used Overseer in the past but never used the Overseer greenhouse gas models to see

EVIDENT: The Government has made it clear the dairy and wider agricultural sectors will have to play their part in the transitiion to a zero emissions economy.

There is no silver bullet to reduce onfarm methane and nitrous oxide emissions.

how different solutions reduce emissions output.

“We worked through the theoretical models to calculate how many hectares of trees a particular farm would need to plant to offset its emissions or whether a better option would be to retire some land.

“It really got us thinking about what the best option is for each farm.”

Andrew Kempson, a Fonterra sustainable dairy adviser, said he now has better informed discussions with farmers about their opportunities for future-

The home of leading agribusiness news.

2096FW

Jump online to view the latest in news, opinion, weather, market information, jobs, and real estate.

Brought to you by our award winning team who have agri news at the core of everything they do.

farmersweekly.co.nz

proofing their farming businesses.

“There has been a renewed focus recently on farming and its related biological emissions so having some exposure to the fundamentals of greenhouse gases and seeing first-hand the investment in research and development has given me a wide range of information to provide farmers.

“Rural professionals have an important role in providing accurate and timely advice to farmers and the course provided the information in an easily digestible form that meant we could all get a grasp on biological greenhouse gas emissions on dairy farms.”

Ross Abercrombie, a project manager in the On Farm research and development team, believes advisers in the environmental space should all be upskilled in this area.

“The more consultants and dairy advisers there are who understand these issues the better.

“It’s important they can talk about greenhouse gases with farmers because emission reduction will become an increasingly prominent issue in future.”

MORE:

For more information about what the dairy sector is doing to mitigate greenhouse gases and to see details of courses in 2018 visit www.dairynz. co.nz/climatechange.

Your View Got a view on some aspect of farming you would like to get across?

The Pulpit offers readers the chance to have their say. nzfarmersweekly@nzx.com Phone 06 323 1519

Opinion

26 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

Dumping on farmers is baseless Alternative View

Alan Emerson

THE front page headline on a Monday newspaper read Farmers’ Dirty Secret.

I wondered what farmers had done this time.

Had they gathered up all the rubbish on their properties including dead animals and dumped them on the Beehive steps?

Had they recovered all the sewerage from the Auckland beaches and distributed it down Queen Street?

Did they scoop up all the sewerage from the Nelson beaches and spread it around the cathedral?

Had they collected all the litter strewn around suburban Auckland and deposited it in Aotea Square?

Another possibility could have been to have collected the raw sewerage the Queenstown council had discharged into the Kawerau River and spread it on the piste at the Remarkables.

There were endless possibilities including a newspaper just being anti-farmer.

The article itself was about onfarm rubbish and contained, in my view, baseless speculation

from local government bureaucrats.

I also can’t imagine the independently owned local paper putting a similar article on its front page and certainly not under such a baseless and inflammatory headline.

The comment by local government people provided me with ample reason for a drastic reform of the sector.

Shaun Andrewartha of Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) said “farm refuse dumps is a topic that is high on my agenda”.

My reading on that is both Andrewartha and GWRC don’t have enough to do and that the rural sector is an easy target.

Further, they wouldn’t have a clue if there was a problem and if so what it was.

“We don’t have the resources to have a monitoring regime” tells me they don’t have a clue what’s actually going on but that doesn’t stop them casting aspersions on the rural sector in the media.

GWRC is on the case because it’s investigated dumps and offal pits on a total of nine farms since 2014 and hasn’t issued any warnings or infringements.

So its staff investigated fewer than two dumps a year for five years and didn’t find any problems yet farm refuse dumps is a topic that is high on the agenda.

As I’ve said, they’re wearing their anti-farmer bias on their sleeves and they don’t have enough to do.

SOCIAL CENTRE: Alan Emerson says most of the people he meets at the Masterton rubbish dump are farmers and its a good place to catch up with what’s going on in the district.

Locally, Masterton District Council (MDC) hasn’t covered itself with glory either. It told us it had closed two dumps over the past few years because of a lack of volume. It suggested that lack of volume meant the vast majority of waste was being dumped onfarm.

I’m sure Einstein’s thought processes wouldn’t have jumped so many hurdles in such a short space of time.

If he had I’m convinced the theory of relativity would never have been discovered.

The MDC assets and operations manager David Hopman told us that “many farmers were not willing to pay to use a dump when they could dispose of rubbish on their farms for nothing”.

How can he possibly know?

For the record, I use the local MDC dump and most of the people I see there are farmers.

The local dump is a good place

to catch up with what’s going on in the district and, yes, I’ve seen many farmers pay.

Hopman then admitted the estimate of how much rubbish was being dumped nationwide was “just a stab in the dark” yet he is more than willing to be party to slagging off farmers as rampant polluters with a “dirty secret”.

Iniquitously buried on page three of the Monday paper was an article under the measured headline, No escape from the regions toxic list, which told me there were 2263 contaminated sites in the Wellington area.

Putting it in perspective there are more contaminated sites in Wellington than there are farms in Wairarapa.

Farcically, what does Masterton do with its rubbish? It sends it to Rangitikei so it can be put in a landfill.

Can someone tell me the difference between a council dumping rubbish in a hole in the ground and a farmer doing the same thing?

One could respectfully suggest it would be more efficient for farmers to dump rubbish on their property than take it to the tip, have the council take it 50km to the Masterton tip then have it trucked 150km to Rangitikei.

Farmers would be infinitely more environmentally responsible with a lower carbon footprint by burying rubbish on their farms.

Unlike GWRC the Canterbury Regional Council (ECan) is working with farmers to clean up rubbish.

ECan is looking for solutions, saying farmers want to do the right thing.

It added farmers are prepared to pay.

So there is a massive difference between the attitudes of bureaucrats in the Wellington and Canterbury areas.

Wellington petulantly wants to wave a stick. Conversely, Canterbury wants to work with farmers to create a lasting solution.

No wonder Canterbury beat the crap out of Wellington in rugby’s Mitre 10 Cup.

Your View Alan Emerson is a semi-retired Wairarapa farmer and businessman: dath-emerson@wizbiz.net.nz

Just how much meat do we eat?

Meaty Matters

Allan Barber

THERE are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics is a quotation Mark Twain attributed to British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.

Over three weeks a newspaper is doing an investigation into how environmental concerns are putting the heat on meat.

Although much of the first article in the series was balanced and fair in its commentary, the main conclusion was clearly wrong, based as it was on misleading statistics published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

They appear to show a dramatic drop in the amount of red meat, particularly lamb and mutton, New Zealanders are eating.

Nobody would argue there isn’t a change in consumer attitudes towards meat consumption, both in NZ and other, mostly first world, countries driven by health and environmental considerations.

But the implication NZ has become a nation of alternative

protein eating vegetarians on the basis of these statistics is a huge exaggeration that shows the danger of making assumptions without knowing how the figures are calculated.

On one hand the OECD figures are correct in very simplistic terms – during the calendar year 2016 total NZ red meat production minus exports, presumed to be the basis of the statistical analysis, dropped dramatically in comparison with all previous years, suggesting our domestic sheep meat consumption had fallen below 1kg a year, lower than the overall OECD average.

That statistic was then used as compelling support for the journalist’s conclusions.

The problem with the OECD numbers is the absence of any adjustment for inventory changes, particularly pronounced in December and January, or allowance for large seasonal variations caused by drought or rainfall.

Because of NZ’s southern hemisphere geographical situation and its very high proportion of exports, statistics based on a calendar year are highly open to misinterpretation, which is why the NZ meat industry works on a September year-end.

That doesn’t eliminate the issue of large swings in inventory levels but this timing comes at the

lowest activity point of the year, effectively the end of a season.

Without wanting to appear complacent, the meat industry is adamant the OECD statistics present an inaccurate picture of NZ’s domestic red meat consumption.

Unfortunately, since the introduction of the Meat Board Act in 2004, meat processors have not been required to supply inventory and sales figures, hence the existence of blunt industry measurement tools and the lack of reliable movements in inventories.

However, what is not in dispute is the pronounced drop in pure volume terms of the amount of beef and sheep meat New Zealanders are eating today but there are several reasons for this, not least cost, diet, environmental concerns and lifestyle changes.

Although everyone, including farmers, will agree farming methods must change to meet the challenges of climate change, environmental protection and changes in consumer needs and tastes, we have to accept NZ is a farming-based economy and exports at least 80% of its red meat and co-products, earning the country $6.2 billion last year. Replacing that in the immediate future is impossible, as is converting sheep and beef farmers into entirely new forms of economic activity. Nor is it necessary.

There have been substantial changes in land use since the removal of agricultural subsidies more than 30 years ago though it must be remembered not much more than half NZ’s land area is available for agricultural production with large swathes being covered in natural forest, scrubland, mountains, lakes and wetlands. A third of the land is in the conservation estate.

Over that period since the late 1980s sheep numbers have declined by 60%, dairy farm land has increased by 75%, NZ’s wine industry has grown to occupy 37,000 hectares and expects to export $2 billion annually by 2020, forestry production has nearly trebled while cropping and horticulture have replaced a small percentage of pastoral land.

At the same time, on the outskirts of urban settlements, a small but significant area of productive land has been, and continues to be, acquired for residential and commercial development. Many of these changes occur at the margins in straight swaps from one land use for another.

In the second article much is made of the threat from alternative meat products, using the findings of an online survey to suggest NZ and therefore the rest of the world will progressively cut meat from its diet.

New Agriculture Minister

Damien O’Connor is quoted as saying he doesn’t think the meat industry has done much to help itself and now has to face up to these challenges if it and farming are to survive.

However, the good news is he is prepared to help. Given the importance of the meat sector to the economy, I imagine he should be.

Since the first frozen lamb shipment sailed from Port Chalmers in 1882, NZ’s meat and pastoral farming sector has evolved to overcome many obstacles and meet a multitude of challenges. It is far too early to read the last rites over the carcase of an industry that has been a fundamental part of NZ’s prosperity for nearly 140 years.

It has shown a capacity to adapt to changing circumstances throughout its existence and this latest challenge will be no different.

I am confident our grass-fed beef and lamb, farmed to the highest standards of animal husbandry, will continue to satisfy the tastes of discerning global consumers but the eagerly awaited red meat story has a key role to play.

Your View Allan Barber is a meat industry commentator: allan@barberstrategic. co.nz, http://allanbarber.wordpress. com

Opinion

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

27

‘Tis the season for field days From the Lip

Jamie Mackay

I WRITE this on the eve of heading down the road from Dunedin to Waimumu, just outside Gore, for the Southern Field Days.

Run by the local Young Farmers clubs they’ve been an institution on the farming calendar since the mid-1980s. Not quite the 50 years being celebrated this year by the National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek but a proud record nonetheless.

Next up there’s Northland, March 1-3, at Dargaville, Central Districts, March 15-17, at Feilding, the East Coast Farming Expo, April 11-12, at Wairoa, AgFest, April 13-14, at Greymouth and, of course, the Mother of all Fieldays at Mystery Creek, June 13-16.

The highlight for me will be the Farmlands Cup game between the Highlanders and the Crusaders on the Field of Dreams (build it and

they will come) on a farm paddock across the road from the field days site, where a sell-out crowd of 6000 will watch two full-strength Super sides go head-to-head in their last serious pre-season hit out.

Somewhat less enthusiastically, I’m lining up against the National leader (but not for much longer) Bill English in a speed shear.

I’m getting my excuses in early.

I have shorn only one sheep in the past 10 years. That was two years ago against Bill at the same venue. In between times he’s had a brief stint as prime minister and he’s beaten Sir David Fagan in a speed shear at the World Shearing Champs in Invercargill.

A favourite son of Southland, I suspect he’ll have the partisan crowd firmly on his side at Waimumu. I can’t help but wonder who I will be shearing against when the Southern Field Days roll around again in 2020?

Will it be Judith, Simon, Amy, Steven, Jonathan or Mark? And if it’s Judith, will she even need a handpiece? Or will she tear the wool off with her bare teeth?

They say the only soft thing about Judith is her teeth.

And as I make my way south on State Highway 1 I’m hoping I

won’t encounter any crazy foreign drivers. Lord knows they’re bad enough in a rental car. Let them loose in a campervan and you have a recipe for mayhem on our roads.

I suspect I’ll be labelled racist or even xenophobic but I’m only putting in words what many are thinking. We really need to do something about foreign drivers, some of whom are nothing short of a potentially fatal menace on the road.

I was in Arrowtown last weekend for a family wedding.

If the trip through the Kawerau Gorge being stuck behind a campervan travelling at 50kmh on the corners then speeding up to 100kmh on the passing lanes wasn’t enough to make my blood boil, a first-hand experience with a young tourist reinforced my worst fears.

I was taking a stroll around the most scenic of Central Otago towns when a young woman approached me from her car for directions to Arrowtown’s shopping centre. As it was no more than 750 metres away I pulled out my phone, pulled up Google Maps and proceeded to point her in the right direction.

Unfortunately, she was having

CAREFUL: The softest part of National Party leadership contender Judith Collins is her teeth.

trouble understanding my English (mind you, she’s not alone there) and I was having just as much difficulty understanding her broken English dialect. After what seemed liked several minutes of miscommunication, despite her extremely obliging demeanour, in despair I said I would jump in the car with her and show her the way.

In despair she said yes.

We had a disjointed but courteous conversation about where she was from as we crawled in an equally disjointed manner towards our destination. Never has 750 metres seemed so far. I’m no Lewis Hamilton when it comes to driving, but she made me feel like one as she flouted several road rules on our short but painfully slow journey that included only one Stop sign and one roundabout. My nerves were not aided by a large “keep left” sticker plastered over the odometer of her

car. I’m sure she hadn’t read it.

As we parted ways I wished her all the best for the rest of her New Zealand journey, hoping for the best, fearing the worst. She politely and profusely thanked me.

I remember thinking how proud her parents must be of their daughter’s delightful manners. She looked well educated in all facets of life except driving at a modicum of speed on the left hand side of NZ roads. So while we don’t want to unnecessarily alienate the 1.4 billion potential tourists from our largest trading partner, surely that has to take a back seat to keeping 4.7 million of us alive.

Your View Jamie Mackay is the host of The Country that airs on Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport, 12-1pm, weekdays. jamie@thecountry.co.nz

No sex please, we’re Australian Steve Wyn-Harris

IT WAS a week of resignations with perhaps a few more pending.

The big one in this part of the world, of course, was Bill English.

On Jamie Mackay’s radio show the day before when we were talking about National’s leadership, I said he certainly wouldn’t be going into the next election and would go well before that. Pity I didn’t say he’d be gone by lunchtime tomorrow.

In the same interview, Grant McCallum, who is something high up in the National Party, disagreed and predicted a long and secure future for his leader.

Bill has had a long political career and was most effective as finance minister navigating the GFC and Christchurch earthquake issues. He finally got his chance as prime minister, holding that role for just 10 months.

He is too socially conservative on many issues for me but he has always maintained his integrity, which is no easy matter in politics.

I read Nicky Hager’s Dirty Politics book and where many of his

colleagues, including some with aspirations to succeed him, were implicated in dealings that I found disappointing, Bill’s nose remained clean.

Most political lives end badly but to be remembered as someone who stuck to his principals and known for keeping integrity intact is as good a legacy as I can think of. I trust he enjoys his life after politics.

The jostling to succeed him has made me realise that our recent politics has been dominated by those whose surnames come from the first half of the alphabet.

Clark, Key, English, Ardern, Adams, Bridges, Collins, Coleman, Joyce, Goff, Cunliffe and Little.

Someone tell Mark Mitchell not to bother.

Fletcher Building announced losses totalling $950 million over two years, leading to a 35% fall in its stock over the last year wiping $2.5 billion of value and affecting every citizen with a Kiwisaver account, not to mention the many shareholders and employees.

A complete dereliction of duties and incompetence by senior management and the board tasked with overseeing them. Sir Ralph Norris has had no choice but to walk away from his generous $350,000 chairman of directors fee with his own resignation.

Further afield, it was heartening to see Jacob Zuma, President of

South Africa finally cave into the pressure, from his own party this time, and resign.

After nearly a decade of enriching himself and his cronies at the expense of his fellow citizens, justice has finally caught up with him after years of corruption and mismanagement of his country’s economy.

Most political lives end badly.

wafer-thin, one-seat majority desperately need help. hasn’t joined the chorus of calls And finally, a chap who really for Joyce’s resignation. should be resigning at the first opportunity.

Australia’s deputy Prime Your View Minister and Minister of Hypocrisy Barnaby Joyce surely Steve Wyn-Harris is a Central cannot cling to power any longer.

Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmer.

Long a campaigner against swyn@xtra.co.nz same sex marriage, arguing the sanctity of marriage is designed solely for a man and a woman, complete with much moralising. While grandstanding farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz as a staunch defender of Agribusiness (1) family values, he Assistant Manager (2) was at the same Contract Milker (1) time conducting Dairy (5) Farm Assistant (1) an affair with Farm Manager (7) one of his own General Hand (1) young staffers.

Livestock Coordinator (1) Subsequently Sharemilker (1) she has become Shepherd (2) pregnant and he Shepherd General (3) has left his wife of South Pacific Meats Positions (1) 24 years.

Stock Manager (1) Turnbull has just announced Employers: Advertise your vacancy in the that in future employment section of the Farmers Weekly there is to be and as added value it will be uploaded to no sex between farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz for one month or close of application. ministers and their staff. But Contact Debbie Brown 06 323 0765 because of his or email classifieds@nzx.com government’s

RURAL SECTOR

JOBS BOARD

If there is any justice at all, he and the recently resigned Robert Mugabe from neighbouring Zimbabwe will be put in a small room together for a very long time.

Meanwhile, the people they were elected to improve the lives of will suffer the consequences of their corrupt and incompetent rules far into the future.

Another to resign last week from that part of the world is Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate is a thoroughly decent, moral and brave man but now feels he can no longer be an ambassador for Oxfam. The charity is embroiled in sex scandals, which is sad for the many good people in that organisation who do muchneeded work in places that

LK0091298©

From the Ridge

World

28 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

MP wants schools to teach farming agriculture, said his support for a GCSE was based on two central arguments.

First, the course would offer great benefits to GCSE pupils in helping to equip them for a skilled and fulfilling career that agriculture can offer, he said.

Second, it would support the farming sector by providing a better and larger pool of young, educated and skilled workers.

North Herefordshire Conservative MP Bill Wiggin said 17 schools already offered the GCSE in Northern Ireland, with an average of 10 students a class.

Agriculture, horticulture and animal care was the fastest growing degree subject, with an increase in applications of 117%, he said.

“Clearly the demand is there,” Wiggin said.

Sturdy said all educational facilities should have the opportunity to offer a GCSE in agriculture.

“It should be available to all, that is the premise of the argument, and not a limited few.”

Sturdy said he was watching with interest the development of plans for T Levels, as a full technical alternative to A Levels.

A Levels are exams sat by older secondary students.

But a relevant farming qualification should be offered earlier to school pupils.

“The option of a vocational or sector-linked AWDT Understanding Your Farming Business qualification 3 full-day workshops and an evening graduation ceremony run needs to be over four months Te Anau: 08/03/2018, 05/04/2018 and 03/05/2018 offered to Cheviot: 14/03/2018, 11/04/2018 and 09/05/2018 pupils as soon Kaitaia: 14/03/2018/11/04/2018 and 09/05/2018 as possible, at Greymouth: 21/02/2018, 21/03/2018, 18/04/2018 and 16/05/2018 the time they Fox Glacier: 22/02/2018, 22/03/2018, 19/04/2018 and first select the 17/05/2018 qualifications that Contact: anna@awdt.org.nz or 06 377 4560 they will take – Website: To register for the programme go to http://www.awdt. org.nz/programmes/understanding-your-farming-business/ that is, at GCSE level.”

AWDT Wahine Maia, Wahine Whenu Responding 3 full-day workshops and an evening graduation ceremony run

A BRITISH politician has called for the introduction of a GCSE in agriculture to encourage more youngsters into the industry.

The plea was made by Conservative York Outer MP Julian Sturdy during a Westminster Hall debate.

A General Certificate in Secondary Education in agriculture should be introduced in schools across England and Wales – as it was already in Northern Ireland, he said. GCSE exams are sat by students aged 14 to 16.

“One of the foremost functions of our education system is to equip young people with the necessary skills to contribute to the social and economic life of our country,” Sturdy told MPs. Introducing a GSCE in agriculture would help ensure a skilled farm workforce as the United Kingdom left the European Union.

“The education system should ensure the younger generation are able to flourish in the sector and should give them the option of doing so at the earliest possible opportunity.”

Sturdy, who is also chairman of the all-party Parliamentary group on science and technology in

0076663

200x71.67

agrievents

over four months Kaikohe: 15/03/2018, 12/04/2018 and 10/05/2018 Masterton: 27/02/2018, 27/03/2018, 24/04/2018 and 22/05/2018 Contact: anna@awdt.org.nz or 06 377 4560 Website: To register for the programme go to http://www.awdt. org.nz/programmes/uyfb-wahine-maia-wahine-whenua/

LK0085515©

Thursday 15/03/2018 to Saturday 17/03/2018 Central Districts Field Days Venue: Manfield, South Street, Feilding Time: Thursday and Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm; Saturday 9.00am to 4.00pm Tickets: Earlybird: Adults: $15.00; Earlybird: Seniors 65+: $13.00; Children aged 5 - 15: $5.00; Children under 4: $0.00; After 1 March: Adults: $18.00; At the gate: Seniors 65+: $13.00; At the gate: Adults: $20.00

Should your important event be listed here?

Phone 0800 85 25 80 or email adcopy@nzx.com

WIN-WIN: MP Julian Sturdy says a school qualification in agriculture would equip young people for jobs and and provide a pool of skill workers.

on behalf of the government, Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Anne Milton said she was on the case but many subjects already touched on aspects of agriculture.

“A number of subjects taught at key stage 4 and earlier include some core knowledge about food production and the environment.”

Geography, for instance, included lessons about weather, climate change, global ecosystems, biodiversity and resources.

It also includes an overview of how humans use, modify and change those eco-systems and environments to get food, energy and water.

Schools can also do outdoor learning, Milton said.

There are more than 100 schools with farms in the UK bringing together pupils from both rural and urban areas to understand a little bit more about farming.

There is also a City and Guilds technical certificate in agriculture for 16 to 18-year-olds.

The first teaching of T Levels will start in September 2020, with the remainder launched in two phases in 2021 and 2022, Milton said.

“The agriculture, environment and animal care route will be rolled out in the second phase, which gives it a degree of importance not afforded to all,” she said.

“The content of the T Levels will be decided by employers, professionals and practitioners, which will mean they have

OPINION is divided over calls

by MP Julian Sturdy for the introduction of a GSCE in agriculture for schools across England and Wales.

Organic sheep farmer Nick Mullins said it was a step in the right direction.

Natural England head of agriculture and farmer Geoff Sansome said it would really be the re-introduction of a qualification in agriculture for under-16s.

“I have an O-level in agriculture from 1977,” he said.

East Yorkshire farmer Jono Dixon said he thought agriculture would be better received by school pupils than subjects such as Latin.

But Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board cereals chairman and Yorkshire farmer Paul Temple asked who would teach the new qualification – suggesting it was madness.

It would be better to concentrate on science and geography taught well rather than agriculture taught badly, Temple said.

“I am and I was a school governor,” he said.

“I’d put numerous manual skills ahead of the need to teach agriculture. We don’t do food very well either.”

UK Farmers Weekly

real market relevance and real currency within the sector.

“We are currently consulting on T Levels and I am sure the farming sector and the broader agri-tech sector will have input.”

UK Farmers Weekly

Key processors eye organics

Saturday 10/03/2018 FMG Young Farmer of the Year Waikato Regional Awards Venue: Energy Events Centre, Queens Drive, Rotorua Time: 6.00-10.00pm Tickets: http://www.fmgyoungfarmercontest.co.nz/regionalfinals/

Wednesday 13/06/2018 to Saturday 16/06/2018 National Agricultural Fieldays Venue: Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton Entry: Gates are open Wednesday - Saturday from 8am to 5pm.

There are generally lines at the gate - why not beat the crowds and purchase your tickets online? Tickets will go online in April.

Farmers’ opinions divided

THREE key processors of organic milk are optimistic about the future of the sector, delegates at the Britain’s inaugural Dairy Tech event were told.

Graham Wilkinson, senior director of member relations at Arla United Kingdom, said their 2020 target was to double the organic business and be the number one milk brand.

Despite a 1.6% fall last year following years of double-digit growth in the organic sector, it remains a “big bet”.

“Organic is a global trend and there is a huge amount of opportunity here in the UK,” Wilkinson said.

But getting the messaging right and not cannibalising other products were key factors.

His omments tie up with the co-op’s recent acquisition of the dairy arm of Yeo Valley.

Rob Hutchison, Muller agriculture director, said the rebrand of Muller organic milk led to an increase in sales of 4.5%.

Talking about the processor’s plans for 2018, he said “We’re investing a significant amount in our capability of products and organic is a key part of that.”

Managing director of The Organic Milk Suppliers Co-operative (Omsco), Richard Hampton, said long-term confidence is needed in the industry, especially because conversion is getting tougher in the UK. The way the dairy industry is moving makes it a bigger step to convert long term.

“It’s tougher to convert as conventional becomes more intensive, housed and generally under pressure.”

He believes that is especially so given

there is more generous conversion grant funding in the European Union, which the UK will lose access to after Brexit.

“My view is the market should pay,” Hampton said.

“The organic farmgate premium should be sufficiently high.

“It’s not all about money though.

There is confidence in long-term market growth.”

Omsco, which offers a premium of about 12-13p/litre, is looking at diversity in the industry to secure more demand to level prices, such as looking at other marketplaces and niche product areas.

Hampton said in all of the markets where there’s opportunity for growth, there is a low market penetration, which is positive for the sector.

UK Farmers Weekly

bayleys.co.nz Contributor to realestate.co.nz

bayleys.co.nz Contributor to realestate.co.nz

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – February 19, 2018

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Contributor to realestate.co.nz

31

32

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – February 19, 2018

Accelerating success.

Reach more people - better results faster.

colliers.co.nz

Accelerating success.

Reach more people - better results faster.

THE DESTINATION FOR RURAL REAL ESTATE

Land is the biggest asset to any farming business so it pays to stay up to date with the market.

Connect with the right audience at

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

colliers.co.nz

VI W DEO EB O SIT N E

IRRIGATED CROPPING AND FINISHING UNIT - ONE OF THE BEST! 247 Mahaki Road, Martinborough, Wairarapa This extremely tidy property is located just a five minute drive south of the renown Martinborough wine village offering quality business assets in a great lifestyle location. The farm is blessed with very deep silt loam soils that are suitable for a large number of intensive farming operations giving the astute farmer the flexibility to move with the markets. Coupled with the 40l/s irrigation right with no ’low flow’ restrictions and you have the mix well balanced to deliver on your goals. The infrastructure is hard to fault, leading the list is a large five bedroom modern replica Villa with double garage, stunning swimming pool and attractive grounds. The huge ’as new’ American barn styled shed has equine facilities attached to tie in with the sand based arena. There are three more three bay implement sheds with seed drying facilities and three phase power. The three stand woolshed is centrally located with cattle and sheep yards as well as the irrigation bore and control room. There is an option for the vendor to retain the homestead and implement sheds if a bare land option is desired. Units like this are highly sought after and our vendor will not accept any prior offers allowing you the time and confidence to do your due diligence. We have a comprehensive property report and there is an enlightening drone video on our website. This property is one of the best we have marketed and deserves your attention - do not delay - call Blair today!

155 hectares Tender www.nzr.nz

ref: RX1331534

Tender Closes: 4PM Thu 22nd March 2018 NZR Office, 16 Perry St, Masterton Blair Stevens AREINZ 06 370 9199 027 527 7007 blair@nzr.nz NZR Real Estate Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

FINISHING FARM WITH SIZE OPTIONS 1738 & 1808C State Highway 1, Marton, Rangitikei Located 7km north of Marton, this attractive property currently conservatively grows cereal, grass supplement and finishes sheep and cattle. Approx. 122ha is deemed flat, the balance medium hill and sidlings, with attractive pockets of native bush and duck ponds. Bounding blocks of 139ha and 48ha go together well or could be purchased separately; the larger block contains the main stock facilities and an old character home (rented), the other a small woolshed - both blocks offer building sites with big outlooks up the Rangitikei valley. Not over capitalised, five titles provide options for the future.

188ha, 140ha or 48ha TENDER nzr.nz/RX1360193 Tender Closes 3pm, Mon 5 Mar 2018, 20 Kimbolton Road, Feilding.

Peter Barnett AREINZ 027 482 6835 | peter@nzr.nz NZR Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

34

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – February 19, 2018

Connections Real Estate

NICKY REID Results with integrity

Wellsford 10 Run Road

ID# CRE0002

Aranga 4584 State Highway 12 Red Soil, Blue Sky and Green Grass

Well Located Dairy Farm This 80-hectare, 160 cow dairy farm is only 16km west of Wellsford on the tar seal, easy commuting distance from Auckland Harbour Bridge and only about 2km from the nearest boat ramp.

It sits neatly within a gentle curve in the road and forms a warm north-facing basin with a central catchment and over two hectares of beautiful mature native bush. A large herd home has been built in a central location near the cowshed and this provides a platform for a high input production system.

The 24-aside cowshed has been improved and extended.

The herd and machinery are available with options to suit the purchaser.

Deadline Sale Closing: 11.00am Thursday 5 April 2018

It's easy to fall in love with this farm. There are 154 hectares, Deadline Sale a very tidy 30-aside cowshed, a good comfortable home and Closing: 2.00pm Tuesday 20 March 2018 a cottage. A 60 hectare lease block is available right next door.

Price: A sheltered east-facing aspect and higher rainfall (1600mm) plus GST if any help to keep the farm greener for longer than most. The soil type is a fertile red volcanic ash. Currently understocked, it is milking 220 cows on a self-contained low input system.

Price: Plus GST (if any) Also available: Stock & Machinery

The three-bedroom home is well-presented with an open plan living area and a new deck around three sides. It has insulation floor and ceiling, a heat pump and wood burner.

Call now to secure yourself a productive farm in a prime location.

Nicky Reid 021 103 6277 Call me now to get a comprehensive property brochure

RV: $1,375,000

www.realestate.co.nz/3256435

This farm would be ideal for a first farm buyer or provide an addition to a larger farming enterprise.

RV: $1,850,000

nicky@connectionsrealestate.co.nz

Licensed Agent under the REA Act 2008

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

ID# CRE0003

Nicky Reid 021 103 6277 Call me now to get a comprehensive property brochure www.realestate.co.nz/3251787

nicky@connectionsrealestate.co.nz

132HA (326 AC) FOR SALE VALLEY ROAD FOREST PARAPARAUMU, Kapiti Coast

Walker Road, Waverley Excellent first farm, bees or run-off. Good mix of contour including flats with Egmont Ash soils.

Easy to manage property with lane, good fencing and large network of tracks. Wooshed, sheep and cattle yards. Good water supply. Duck shooters paradise dams, wetland and river. Just 40 minutes from Hawera or Wanganui.

Vendors are committed to a successful sale as relocating North.

CV: $1,214,000.

Our retiring vendor is committed to a successful sale.

We welcome your inspection at Open Day or by appointment.

FOR SALE BY TENDER Tender closes 4pm Thursday 14 March 2018

David Cotton M: 027 442 5920 H: 06 342 9666 E: davidc@forfarms.co.nz

John Thornton M: 027 443 0045 H: 06 344 1111 E: johnt@forfarms.co.nz

LK0091604©

ID FF2569

Property ID FF1299

LK0068450©

www.forfarms.co.nz

This single age class forest totalling 68.7 hectares of 20-year-old Pinus Radiata offers the perfect opportunity to secure a quality forest of near mature pruned crop.

+ 68.7 hectares of NSA

Well located on the Kapiti Coast with multiple domestic processors nearby and Wellington Centreport only 51kms away for Export markets means this is one not to be missed.

+ Planted 1997

The underlying freehold land is also available for sale by negotiation.

OPEN DAYS: Friday 16 February 18—11.00am to 1.00pm Friday 23rd February 18—11.00am to 1.00pm www.forfarms.co.nz

ALMOST READY TO HARVEST!

(If not sold prior) Treadwell Gordon Office, Wanganui

+ Pruned and Thinned + 51km to Centreport

FOR SALE BY NEGOTIATION $1,375,000 (plus GST) - Forestry Right only JEREMY KEATING

021 461 210 jeremy.keating@cbre.co.nz

www.cbre.co.nz/210427Q18 CBRE (Agency) Limited, Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008)

Real Estate

AUTUMN 2018 PROPERTY PULL-OUT We’ve got you covered

Year after year Farmers Weekly Property Pull-Out has proven itself to be the leading agri destination to market your property.

*Terms and conditions apply.

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

35

Give your advertising campaign the edge with an advert on farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

Farmers Weekly are proud to continue to support farmers and the real estate industry. We will run the Property Pull-Out through all issues in March, 2018.

Book a campaign of three or more advertisements in March and get a complimentary editorial on your property in one of our pull-out specials.* Talk to your agent now and make sure you are in the paper that farmers read and respect.

For more information on real estate advertising contact Shirley Howard on 06 323 0760 or email: shirley.howard@nzx.com. ©2107RE-AUHP

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – February 19, 2018

36

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – February 19, 2018

RURAL rural@pb.co.nz Office 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

Oringi Station 226 ha

AUCTION WEB ID PR59577

DANNEVIRKE 19 Jackson Road Iconic Oringi Station, all flat with over 190 ha under irrigation makes this property unprecedented in the Tararua District. Situated only 15km South of Dannevirke, this property is centrally located to the Hawkes Bay and Manawatu livestock markets. Irrigation from 4 centre pivots and a further 26 ha irrigated by k-line provide unparalleled growing conditions with up to 50 ha of contract maize grown as well as 650 to 700

steers fattened. Oringi Station is subdivided into 50 main paddocks well serviced by a metal laneway and has a superior range of support buildings. The homestead is a character 448m2 stucco home set in attractive mature grounds with a further two spacious homes providing ample accommodation.

AUCTION

VIEW By Appointment

Jared Brock

AUCTION 1.00pm, Thu 1st Mar, 2018, on site at 19 Jackson Road, Dannevirke

John Arends

Mobile 027 449 5496 Office 06 376 4823 Mobile 027 444 7380 Office 06 376 4364

4 2

Phil Wilson

Mobile 021 518 660 Office 06 376 5478

3

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

RURAL Office 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Turn key farm

Boundary Indication Only

OPEN DAY

Tender WEB ID TUR60045

MATIERE 106 Waikaka Road This 305 ha farm in Matiere has just what you expect in a tidy well run King Country sheep and beef farm.

Great balance of contour with approximately 50 ha of flat land, the balance is rolling to medium hills with some steeper hills at the rear of the farm. Buildings and infrastructure are immaculate, and it has an outstanding fertiliser history. This farm has been in this family for over 100 years. This is a turn key operation for any one who is ready to make the most of this opportunity.

AUCTION VIEW Thursday 22 Feb 11.00 - 1.00pm AUCTION 2.30pm, Thu 8th Mar, 2018, (unless sold prior)

Katie Walker

Mobile 027 757 7477 Office 07 895 7123 Home 07 895 7112 katiew@pb.co.nz

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

4 1

121 Ranby Road, Te Awamutu 65ha of flat contour. Includes a 16 ASHB with inshed meal feeder, number of large implement sheds, calf rearing sheds and yards. Water is supplied via Pukerimu Water Scheme and a compliant effluent system with fully lined tank and good fert history. Four brm, two storey home.

Exceptional, well located property. Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted.

nevillekemp.co.nz

Rosetown Realty Ltd Licensed (REAA 2008)

Tender Closes Thursday 8 March 2018 at 4.00pm.

Tenders must be delivered to Ray White Te Awamutu office. Price will be + GST (if any). May not be sold prior.

View Tuesdays 20, 27 February, 6 March 11.00am - 1.00pm

Neville Kemp 0272 719 801

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – February 19, 2018

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

37

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

TENDER

Dairy Farm with Options

Whakatane District

2338 and 2488 State Highway 2

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY

The property consists of 109.19 hectares freehold plus 46ha leasehold. There are a total of five titles with paper roads. Part of the property has it's own micro-climate making it suitable for horticulture ventures. Two homes, 22 ASHB dairy, four-bay implement shed, hay barn and PKE storage bin. The farm is milking approximately 340 cows with production up to 113,000kgMS. the contour is 25ha flat, 64ha rolling and 20ha steeper.

4

Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 4.00pm, Thursday 8 March

Stewart Morrison B 07 307 1619 M 027 442 2833

1

pggwre.co.nz/WHK27636

Landcorp Farming Limited • 1,453 hectares (more or less) 62km from Greymouth • Large deer breeding unit, beef breeding herd, lamb finishing and dairy grazing • Predominantly deer fenced with a good lane system • Two sets of deer shed and yards, woolshed, implement sheds, haysheds and cattle yards • Four-bedroom managers home, three-bedroom cottage and shearers quarters • View by appointment only pggwre.co.nz/GRE27327

stewartmorrison@pggwrightson.co.nz

Mawheraiti TENDER Plus GST (if any) Closes 4.00pm, Friday, 9 March 411 Blenheim Road, Christchurch

Dave Becker B 03 768 1222 M 027 222 5184

dave.becker@pggwrightson.co.nz

Peter Crean B 03 341 4315 M 027 434 4002

pcrean@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

pggwre.co.nz

FINAL NOTICE

SLICE OF PARADISE 105a Rawson Rd, Ohinewai $989,000 ref 3262672

Altavady - Iconic Historic Property

2 2

124a Ralph Rd, Huntly $840,000 ref 3238399

2

LAKE & RURAL VIEWS

4

• Near new brick and tile home • 12,980m² (more or less) elevated site • Great flow to outdoor living areas • Handy to town yet very rural

• 623.6903ha FH, grazing and cropping land, 95 paddocks • Quality four bedroom homestead set in attractive sheltered landscaped garden setting • Good range of farm buildings, facilities, cattle-yards, crush and loadout - good water supply, well tracked and fenced • 176ha spray irrigation fertile soils producing good yields of pasture and feed crops pggwre.co.nz/OAM27146

Awamoko DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 2.00pm, Wednesday, 28 February

Dave Finlay M 027 433 5210

dfinlay@pggwrightson.co.nz

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

• • • •

250 m² home with open plan living Just under 4 acres with orchard Top of the world lake views Beautifully presented property 3

2

1

3

George Barton 027 494 6712 Licensed Salesperson

(REAA 2008)

www.smartchoice.kiwi.nz

THE DESTINATION FOR RURAL REAL ESTATE

Land is the biggest asset to any farming business so it pays to stay up to date with the market.

Connect with the right audience at

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company RURAL

|

LIFESTYLE

|

RESIDENTIAL

TENDER

South Auckland Dairy Farm After 49 years of ownership, this family has now decided to move into retirement and sell their dairy farm. This 100 ha subject to boundary re-alignment is located on the Aka Aka, which is a well-known dairying area in Franklin. It is a mere 7km from the historic township of Waiuku and 15km from the bustling town of Pukekohe. A 30km commute is all it takes to get you to Auckland's Southern Motorway.

The contour of the land is 100% flat and is supported by two homes, a 28 ASHB dairy shed plus auxiliary buildings. pggwre.co.nz/PUK27235

Aka Aka TENDER Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 4.00pm, Thursday, 15 March VIEW 1.00-2.00pm, Thursday 22 February, 1 & Sunday 4 March

When Location Really Matters 3134 Ohaupo Road • A real gem of a block (39ha) minutes from town • Three bedroom 70's home sited well off the road • Approx 40% flat, balance rolling. Tons of potential!

• Options include, land banking, raising cattle, horses, cropping and enjoying the views • Scheme plan approval to subdivide • Build your dream home

3 Adrian van Mil B 09 237 2041 M 027 473 3632

A Farm With Size And Potential 2261 State Highway 5

TENDER (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 4pm, Thurs, 15 March PGGWRE, 11 Vialou St, Hamilton VIEW 1-2pm Wed 21 Feb

2

pggwre.co.nz/HAM27590

John Sisley M 027 475 9808

jsisley@pggwrightson.co.nz

avanmil@pggwrightson.co.nz

FINAL NOTICE

Waikato

TENDER

Mamaku

• 432ha milking 630 cows. 260ha dairy platform • Approx 100ha grazed by dairy drystock • Three homes - 50 aside H.B dairy, centrally located • Production 170,000 solids. Production increases are anticipated • 32ha of bush. Picturesque lake and river on farm • Move up to the next level in a reliable summer safe region • Size! Scope! Location!

TENDER

pggwre.co.nz/HAM27432

John Sisley M 027 475 9808

(Unless Sold By Private Treaty), Closes 4pm, Wed 28 Feb, PGGWRE, 11 Vialou St, Hamilton VIEW By Appointment

jsisley@pggwrightson.co.nz

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Found - Dairy Cattle Grazing Farm Pukeiti Road

Te Mapara

• 341 hectares of bare land in 55 paddocks • Presently used as dairy farm support and winter cow placement • Approximate contour mix - 137ha silage/crop usage, 144ha easy rolling and 60ha of steep • All crop country has been laser drained and laid with Nexus drainage system • Livestock wintered - 800 cows for three months, 222 carry over cows, 342 rising 1yr heifers, 20 rising 3yr bulls, 37 rising 2yr bulls, 21 rising 1yr bulls and 1100 ewes

TENDER

pggwre.co.nz/TEK27584

pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz

(Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 10.00am, Friday, 23 March PGGWRE, 57 Rora Street, Te Kuiti VIEW 11am-12pm sharp, Thurs, 22 Feb, 1, 8 Mar

Peter Wylie B 07 878 0265 M 027 473 5855

pggwre.co.nz

Hurry!

Bookings Close: Friday, 23 February

S P R I N G 2017 | www.pggwre.co.nz

Property Express

When it comes to rural, lifestyle and residential real estate, our people have all the experience and knowledge to successfully match your property with the perfect buyer. We’re a national team of expert locals connecting people with property for generations.

Contact your local PGG Wrightson Real Estate sales consultant now to discuss your listing options, or go to pggwre.co.nz.

List your property now in one of our leading property magazines.

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company RURAL

I LIFESTYLE I RESIDENTIAL

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under the REAA 2008.

Our people.

Your property.

FLY OR LICE problem?

Electrodip - The magic eye sheepjetter since 1989 with unique self adjusting sides.

Incredible chemical and time savings with proven effectiveness.

Phone 07 573 8512 w w w. e l e c t r o d i p . c o m CRAIGCO SHEEP JETTERS. Sensor Jet. Deal to fly and Lice now. Guaranteed performance.

Unbeatable pricing.

Phone 06 835 6863. www.craigcojetters.com

ANIMAL HEALTH www.drench.co.nz farmer owned, very competitive prices. Phone 0800 4 DRENCH (437 362).

ANIMAL SUPPLEMENTS APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, GARLIC & HONEY. 200L - $450 or 1000L - $2000 excl. with FREE DELIVERY from Black Type Minerals Ltd www.blacktypeminerals. co.nz

FOR SALE CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISING

CONTRACTORS AUCKLAND-BASED E A R T H M O V I N G contractor.

Rural earthworks. Subdivisions and house cuts. Roading and civil. Retaining walls.

1.5 - 24 tonne Diggers.

Bobcats.

Trucks.

Call Keegan on 022 614 5313 or email to keegan@ thediggercollective.co.nz GORSE SPRAYING SCRUB CUTTING. 30 years experience.

Blowers, gun and hose.

No job too big. Camp out teams.

Travel anywhere if job big enough. Phone Dave 06 375 8032.

DOGS FOR SALE 18-MONTH HEADING dog, fast and firm. 16 MONTH big b&t Huntaway, good noise. Phone 04 472 2351.

4½-YEAR HEADING bitch.

Fully broken in $4000.

7-YEAR-old Huntaway dog fully broken in $2200.

3-MONTH Heading bitch pup. $300. Phone 021 137 2714.

BRIAN BURKE, NZ Champ 1984 and 5 times NZ Champ finalist, available to train your working dog.

In three weeks he will transform your heading dog into a productive asset for the farm. Contact Brian 06 343 9561 for further details and pricing (heading dogs only).

DELIVERING NORTH ISLAND 3/3/18. South Island 23/3/18. Huntaways, Heading, Handys! View online. Guaranteed. Trial.

07 315 5553. Mike Hughes.

12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195.

NORTH ISLAND BUYING trip 3/3/18. Buying 300 dogs annually. No trial or breeding required! Paying $100 more than anyone! 07 315 5553. Mike Hughes.

FARM MAPPING

SAVE ON YOUR INK and TONER print cartridges.

Special pricing for our compatible value packs when you purchase all four cartridges. FREIGHT FREE. Visit us at: www. nzconsumables.co.nz or call us 0800 800 857. NZ based and 100% kiwi owned with 30 years industry experience.

FOR SALE

YOUR FARM MAPPED showing paddock sizes.

Priced from $600 for 100ha. Phone 0800 433 855. farmmapping.co.nz

SOMETHING?

FERTILISER

0800 85 25 80

DOLOMITE, NZ’s finest Magnesium fertiliser.

Bio-Gro certified, bulk or bagged. 0800 436 566.

GOATS WANTED

FOR SALE DOG/PET FOOD. Lamb/ Beef and chicken products.

All natural - raw - no preservatives or additives.

NOSLOC PRODUCTS. Ex-freezer Te Kuiti. For information and prices www.nosloc.com or phone 07 878 6868.

BOOK AN AD. For only $2.10 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in The NZ Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Debbie Brown on 0800 85 25 80 to book in or email classifieds@nzx.com

SELLING

FERAL GOATS WANTED. All head counted, payment on pick-up, pick-up within 24hours. Prices based on works schedule.

Experienced musterers available.

Phone Bill and Vicky Le Feuvre 07 893 8916.

GOATS WANTED. All weights. All breeds.

Prompt service. Payment on pick up. My on farm prices will not be beaten.

Phone David Hutchings 07 895 8845 or 0274 519 249. Feral goats mustered on a 50/50 share basis.

WILD CATTLE and goats wanted. 50/50 mustering.

Portable yards available.

Phone Kerry Coulter 0274 944 194.

DAIRY FARM WANTED for lease. 80+ hectares.

Anywhere considered. For keen motivated couple.

Phone 027 271 7443.

SHEEP AND BEEF farmer looking at leasing a hill country farm in the Manawatu and Rangitikel area. 027 452 0723.

BOOK AN AD. For only $2.10 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in The NZ Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Debbie Brown on 0800 85 25 80 to book in or email classifieds@nzx.com

ALONE NO MORE!!!

There is no need to be alone when there are so many other genuine singles also seeking love and companionship. Ask the Countrywide personal matchmakers who is waiting in your area. You don’t need a computer and your privacy is assured. Ph 0800 424 318. All ages – seniors welcome.

Matchmaker since 1989. *Real People not computers*

PROPERTY WANTED

Advertise in the NZ Farmers Weekly $2.10 + GST per word - Please print clearly Name: Phone: Address: Email: Heading: Advert to read:

HOUSE FOR REMOVAL wanted.

North Island.

Phone 021 0274 5654.

WANTED TO BUY OLD PORTABLE shearing plants for private shearing museum at Pleasant Point i.e: wolseley, moffat-virtue and/or lister. Phone Richie Gould 03 614 7466.

Return this form either by fax to 06 323 7101 attention Debbie Brown Post to NZX Agri Classifieds, PO Box 529, Feilding 4740 - by 12pm Wednesday or Freephone 0800 85 25 80

• • Stainless Steel Tanks • Solar Tanks • Trailer Tanks • Service

udly NZ Madew Pro Since 1975

HOMES FARM SHEDS SUBDIVISIONS PUMPS

CLASSIFIEDS REACH EVERY FARMER IN NZ FROM MONDAY

Come and see us at Central Districts Field Days 15-17 March, Site # 073

FREEZERS

We could save you hundreds of $$

FOR SALE

LEASE LAND WANTED

PERSONAL

CHILLERS &

POWER CABLE

Do you have something to sell?

Advertise in Farmers Weekly

FREIGHT FREE

DOGS WANTED

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – February 19, 2018

021 441 180 (JC) frigidair@xtra.co.nz

MANUKA SITES REQUIRED (North Island)

Top dollar paid to land owners.

Proven performers with sound experience in the industry. Interested in building long term relationships.

Contact 027 826 6278 or email: hardyhivezzz@gmail.com

w w w. e l e c t r o t e k . c o . n z STOP BIRDS NOW!

* Free water testing kit (value $45 + GST)

* Conditions apply

P.O. Box 30, Palmerston North 4440, NZ

0800 85 25 80 classifieds@nzx.com

LK0090954©

FOR FARMERS & HUNTERS When only the best will do!

LK0091632©

Call Debbie

LK009630©

Prices include delivery to your door!

For friendly & professional advice CALL 0800 843 0987 Fax: 07 843 0992 Email: power@thecableshop.co.nz THE CABLE SHOP WAIKATO www.thecableshop.co.nz

0800 383 5266 info@fuelconz.co.nz

FOOTWEAR LTD

SCOTTY’S CONTRACTORS

HOOF TRIMMER

EARMARKERS

T HI NK P R E B U I L T

NEW HOMES SOLID – PRACTICAL

Workman Safety Boot is another heavy duty construction boot for the tough jobs. Thick full grain leather upper, with a stitched and screwed construction insole to mid sole secured to a rugged JB Cleated replaceable sole.

WELL INSULATED – AFFORDABLE

Our homes are built using the same materials & quality as an onsite build. Easily transported to almost anywhere in the North Island. Plans range from one bedroom to four bedroom First Home – Farm House Investment – Beach Bach

LK0091253©

10 HALL ROAD, RD 5, WHANGAREI PHONE 09 438 8907 EMAIL: lastrite@xtra.co.nz

LK0090922©

Heavy Duty Yardmate Boot – Great heavy duty boot, perfect for farmers, heavy industrial workers, builders, fencers etc. With an upper constructed from thick full grain leather, an insole and mid-sole which are brass screwed and stitched.

TO THAT

We haven’t been beaten yet!

New Zealand’s Number 1 service provider for under woolshed cleaning for more than a decade

Phone: +64 6 357 2454

Visit www.lastrite.co.nz for more quality products

FROM THIS

Phone Scott Newman Freephone 0800 2SCOTTY (0800 27 26 88) Mobile 027 26 26 27 2

electro-tek@xtra.co.nz

NZ MADE BOOTS

Working Northern Hawke’s Bay and heading to the Gisborne area.

To date over 600 woolsheds.

Big or small – give us a call.

ZON BIRDSCARER

DE HORNER

Under Woolshed/Covered Yards Cleaning Specialist www.underthewoolshed.kiwi

LK0091662©

ANIMAL HANDLING

Classifieds

LK0090721©

classifieds@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

Call or email us for your free copy of our plans Email: info@ezylinehomes.co.nz Phone: 07 572 0230 Web: www.ezylinehomes.co.nz

LK0091109©

40

Employment

EXPERIENCED SHEPHERD

This job is situated on an 1800 hectare Island in the Hauraki Gulf. Due to our location we have to attend to much of the maintenance on boats, buildings, machinery etc therefore some experience in any of the trades would be useful.

finishing property. 7500 acres running 40,000su.

Based from Tangiwai.

Ohakune 20 minutes, Taihape 30 minutes, and LK0091675©

Unfortunately no local school.

To apply email: ponui@ynet.co.nz or phone Richard 027 262 9283

This farm is part of our client’s larger business that includes dairy farms in both the North and South Islands, so the successful applicant will be part of a bigger team for advice and support.

Renovations made on a cosy 4 bedroom cottage.

There is a comfortable three bedroom house.

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

Our clients own a well-developed 400ha farm north of Huntly. The farm regularly produces 360,000kgMS (340kgMS/cow) from pasture with some supplements in the shoulder periods.

Required for a sheep and beef breeding and

The property is family owned and run in conjunction with a 66 hectare mainland finishing block.

We are seeking a Farm Manager, who is experienced in 800 plus cow herds with proven experience in managing all aspects of farms this size including managing staff rosters, driving the feed plan and maintaining a tidy and efficient operation.

school bus only 7 minutes.

Take the next step in your career and gain the

As our clients are absentee owners the successful person will be conversant with providing good quality monthly reporting in all areas, including health and safety.

skills you need to become a top stock manager.

Good work environment.

For more information or to make an application please contact:

Substantial dairy farming business Support from Management Team Professional development opportunities Sunny Central Hawke’s Bay location

Please send your Cover Letter and CV to jobs@fegan.co.nz or call 07 832 0117.

Phone 06 388 0961

BEL Group is the pride of Central Hawke’s Bay dairying that operates nine dairy units and a number of dairy support properties, providing employment for over 65 people, supporting thriving rural communities and delivering meaningful work to a diverse and enthusiastic workforce… these are the things that make the business special, reflecting the core values of the business owner.

BEL Group are now looking for experienced and motivated Assistant Farm Managers as well as Herd Managers to join our team at the start of next season on several of our large-scale farms running between 1000-2000 plus cows each.

Assistant Farm Manager: • You are part of the farm leadership team – and will take full responsibility for the farm when the manager is away • Make staffing and resourcing decisions • Be involved in financial budgeting conversations • For high performers – an opportunity to join our leadership development programme • Role suits an agribusiness graduate with strong practical farming experience or someone who has already managed farms and/or people and wants to work in and learn a professional farm business that delivers results.

• Must have at least NZ Residency

mcdonnell.farm@outlook.com

Register to receive job alerts and newsletters.

LK0091633©

P & J McDonnell Ltd

www.fegan.co.nz

Livestock

Autumn Calving C/O cows

Complete Dispersal Sale Monday 26th March 2017 12.00pm

58 FR and FRX young cows, 3-5 years. BW 97, PW 131, 100% ancestory.

Contact Rhys Dackers: 0272 415 564 Vendor Ray Cameron: 09 433 2722

Calving from 7 March to LBW Stud Simmental Bulls with good EBVs for calving ease.

or Pete Forrest 027 598 6153

430-480kgs 15 MTH

BW 143/50 PW 161/67 RA 100% (in top 10 All Breeds for NZ ) LK0091678©

the above herds.

330-500kgs

COWS & CALVES

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381 A Financing Solution For Your Farm E info@rdlfinance.co.nz

Autumn Calving Sale

KAUROA (RAGLAN) ANNUAL WEANER FAIR

Matamata Saleyard Tuesday 27th February 160 Frsn/Xbred/Jsy heifers BW76 PW80 DTC 14th March to Jersey bulls.

Other entries welcome.

Thursday 1st March, 12.30pm Start

Northland Herds

600 Cattle Comprising: 400 Weaner Steers

150 Xbreds BW89 PW98 RA97% DTC 20/7 345ms, 6 weeks AB, tailed Angus. $1750

100 Top South Devon

156 Frsn BW64 PW65 RA84% DTC 20/7

25 Top Charolais x 50 Top Simmental & Simm x

Off steep farm with long walks. $1575

50 Top Hereford/Friesian

175 Xbred BW85 PW116 RA92% DTC 20/7

30 Good Hereford & Here x

Tidy Frsn herd priced to sell. $1600 Paul Kane 027 286 9279 (North Waikato/ Northland) National Dairy & Live Export Coordinator Waikato Herd

80 Top South Devon 50 Good Angus & Angus/Hereford x

Central & Southern NI Herds

30 Good Hereford-Frsn x & Hereford

300 Friesians BW54 PW48 DTC 23/7

The Above Cattle are Annual Drafts, Which Include Autumn Born Lines, are from Raglan, Waingaro and Coastal Hill Country Districts & Highly Recommended.

Well presented, good prod, 3yr olds OAD. $1900 360 Xbreds BW86 PW111 DTC 1/8 Tidy herd with prod to back it. $1800

Enquiries to: PGG Wrightson

Wanted! Empty sound in-milk 2-5yr Frsn/FrsnX

Central & Southern NI Dairy Coordinator

40 Good Beef Shorthorn & S/Horn x 50 Good Simmental & Simm x

Top Jersey herd with long history. $2100

Philip Webb: 027 801 8057

100 Good Angus – Angus/Hereford

200 Weaner Heifers:

440 Jerseys BW120 RA100% DTC 12/7

fully recorded cows.

LK0091621©

BEEF BULLS

15 MTH STEERS

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Herd Manager: Brian Robinson Livestock Ltd has a very • You will be responsible for managing the good selection of herds for end of season feeding, health and milking of at least one herd delivery/settlement. Three examples are: • Be part of farm teams that are focused on learning, growing and performing • Many cows contracted to LIC forbred 2011 matings • 225 straight Friesian cows, due from end July, • Support provided for personal development high producers with magnificent conformation, • Due to calve from 16-7-12, 6.5 weeks bred for type and protein, World Wide Sires used • Given the size of our business and farms, the and Kiwi for many seasons, fully recorded, long established roles are flexibleAB so weJersey can up or downsize to fit cross South Island.after Estimated to be 420herd. cows non your dairy•experience Enquiries to Selwyn Donald Ph 027 437 8375 • A great attitudepregnant, is essential, strong affinity for culls, older cows & 5% rejection or arranfarm@hotmail.com animals and farming and able to work with a • 220 Friesian, Friesian Cross and Jersey cows, fully • Production last season 347kgs ms/cow, wide range of people and personalities recorded, LIC and WWS bred, 400kg ms, due from ms/ha, rolling to steeper • Must have the 1000kgs right to legally work in New on mid July, bull out early, off rolling property, Waikato. contoured palm kernel or maize + GST. Zealand to be eligible for this rolefarm, no meal,$1650 Enquiries to Matt Satherley Ph 027 869 7805 fed.

All applications must have: or satherleymatt@gmail.com • Full current Zealand Drivers Licence • NewYoung replacement stock • 165also Jerseyavailable and Crossbred cows, BW 91, PW 111 • Pass a pre-employment drug test (hair) RA 92%, long established, LIC and CRV bred, due from 18/7/18, bull out xmas, milked OAD since BEL Group has significant systems and resources Outstanding genetics & potential be+ GST. one of xmas, Waikato,to $1700 that allow their managers and leadership talent Enquiries to Matt Satherley Ph 027 thebuildcountries to 869 7805 to develop and their skills andleading confidence, suppliers of Genetics or satherleymatt@gmail.com both throughthe on-the-job mentoring and dedicated dairy industry for years to come. Full details Plus a good selection of replacements from management available. development programmes.

Take a look at the business at www.belgroup.co.nz www.brianrobinsonlivestock.com and get more details about the position marketing Enquiries to job. theA sole agents: description and application form can be obtained by contacting nicola@belgroup.co.nz or phoning 06 858 8921.Brian Robinson BRLL Applications close 26th February. or 07 8583132 PH: 0272 410051

FRIESIAN BULL CALVES 120-180kgs

40 x M/A vetted I/C Cows 8 x R3 year vetted I/C Heifers 13 x R2 year Heifers 28 x M/S Calves 3 x 4 year Herd Sires

Monday 26 February – 11.30am Feilding Saleyards On a/c RO and SL Clayton

HIGH INDEXING JERSEY & JERSEY Contact: Mark Houghton 027 597 5844 CROSS HERD

STOCK REQUIRED 15 MTH HEIFERS 300-380kgs 340-420kgs 15 MTH BULLS

Idesia Simmental

LK0091676©

• • • •

The successful applicant will have undertaken formal training either with Ag ITO or have a relevant tertiary qualification. A good four-bedroom dwelling is part of a competitive remuneration package.

Great remuneration.

Herd Manager & Assistant Farm Manager

41

FARM MANAGER 1050 Cows – North Waikato

LK0091302©

The position will involve fencing, stock handling, boating and other related activities.

Part time work is available for partner/spouse

LK0090077©

GENERAL HAND

classifieds@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

LK0091665©

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – February 19, 2018

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Chris Leuthart 07 825 8410 or 0274 936 594 NZ Farmers

Brent Bougen 07 848 2544 or 0272 104 698

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

Livestock

FOR SALE

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – February 19, 2018

RONGOTEA AUTUMN DAIRY SALE

High performing genuine Friesian Autumn calving herd.

WILTSHIRE & SHIRE® rams for sale

Tuesday February 27, 2018 11.30am start at Rongotea Selling Complex, Manawatu

• 250 cows farmed on System 1.

Producing 500kgms.

Comprising at least 120 autumn calving, carryover cows in-calf to beef bulls.

• Delivery March 1. $1900.

Catalogues available on sale day.

Further entries accepted.

See Listing # WAI55138 on website for photos and profile.

Contact: Emmet McConnell 027 443 7671 Ross Karam 027 801 3051

LK0091646©

Contact Michael Conwell 027 226 1611

Romdale Rams

And approximately 20 genuine autumn calving heifers in-calf to Jersey.

• Vendor now returning to spring calving.

John Watson 027 494 1975 or any NZ Farmers Livestock agent

Hardy, low input, easy care meat sheep.

No dagging.

No shearing.

No dip, drench or vaccine since 1989.

Deliver all over NZ.

No frills hill country rams • • • •

Northland bred 150% lambing unshepherded Good survival Hogget mating since 1996

Phone: PW and SC Cook, Peter 021 022 73135 river_run@xtra.co.nz

DAIRY CATTLE FOR SALE DAIRY HERDS FOR SALE •

Q 983 – 224 Fsn/FsnX herd, BW 77, PW 86, 100%, 450ms, 25.7 calv, closed herd, $1,800 Hamish 027 432 0298

•

Q 976 – 98 Jsy cows, BW 72, PW 81, 92%, 365ms, lovely cows, 1/8 calv, $1400 Eric 027 233 1687

•

Q 974- 290 Jsy herd, BW 91, PW 80, 99% , 300ms, 29/7 calv, $1750 Stewart 027 270 5288

•

Q 921 – 97 Fsn herd, BW 38, PW 43, 88% , 346ms, 1/8 calv, all grass farming, $1600 Sheldon 027 222 7920

•

Q 1007 – 282 Fsn herd, BW 65, PW 62,92%, 380ms, early calv 6/7, LIC 40yrs, $1800 Stewart 027 270 5288

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING Are you looking in the right direction? farmersweekly.co.nz

DAIRY IN-CALF HEIFERS FOR SALE •

Q 1004 – 60 Kiwi X hfrs, BW 125, PW 125, 1/7 calv , CRV & LIC bred, $1350 Kelly 027 600 2374

•

Q 1001 – 52 Fsn/FsnX hfrs, BW 126, PW 131, Capital line, 15/7 calv, $1600 Steve Quinnell 027 278 3837

•

Q 990 – 36 XB hfrs, BW 108, PW 102 , capital line, 20/7 calv, $1600 Brian 027 244 0845

•

Q 948 – 121 Fsn/FsnX hfrs, BW 121, PW 116 , Capital line, 20/7 calv, big hfrs, $1600 Brent 027 551 3660

www.organic-rams.co.nz Email: tim@organic-rams.co.nz Phone 03 225 5283

LK0091656©

• 2/3 aged 5 years or younger, DTC 15/3.

LK0091660©

42

SALE TALK

A city girl was taking a walk in the countryside. She was in a field when she noticed something intriguing.

“Why doesn’t this cow have any horns?” she asked the local farmer.

“Well,” said the farmer, “Cows can do damage with their horns so we usually keep them trimmed down with a hacksaw. We also treat young calves so their horns never grow.

And some breeds don’t have any horns.”

He then continued, “But this cow doesn’t have any horns because it’s a horse...”

WHAT DO YOU SEE? The most powerful black faced rams available to give you black faced lambs.

RISING YEARLING DAIRY HEIFERS FOR SALE

Q 952 – 78 Fsn/FsnX hfrs, BW 92, PW 105, all DNA profiled, $625 Hamish 027 432 0298

•

Q 998 – 100 XB hfrs, BW 119, PW 118, great value,$670 Tim 027 405 3088

*

NC

F

PERFOR

IT’S TIME TO MEAT A MODERN DAY SUFFOLK FOR A SUFFOLK BREEDER NEAR YOU VISIT nzsheep.co.nz/suffolk

Meat the Modern Hampshire Breed Qualities: Early Maturity High Yielding LK0091310©

O

L

T&Cs apply. See nzfarmsource.co.nz/rewards

Growth - Meat - Survival

SEA

EARN FARM SOURCE REWARD DOLLARS ON ALL FARM SOURCE LIVESTOCK PURCHASES & SALES*

FOL UF K

E

S

LK0090857©

•

A

Q 981 – 64 XB hfrs , BW 136, PW 134, capital line, big, $750 Mike 027 674 1149

M

•

Easy Lambing

LIST OF REGISTERED HAMPSHIRE BREEDERS Northland Flock 98

A D & B I & G J D & V J Priest, Hikurangi 09 433 4703

Hawke’s Bay Flock 261 Michael & Sheryl Vette, Waipawa

027 210 0485

Canterbury Flock 260 Flock 144 Flock 1 Flock 265

B J & P E Butterick, Christchuch L A Cairns, Rakaia C & R Knubley, Fairlie S I & H A Mangin, Methven

03 329 0825 03 302 1825 03 685 5778 03 302 8073

Otago Flock 233 Flock 246

D M & A K Dodd, Ranfurly D C Greer, Ranfurly

03 444 9615 03 444 9533

Southland Flock 259 Flock 242 Flock 223

W J Ayers, Wyndham G M Macfarlane, Te Anau M J & J F Mouat, Gore

0272 264 290 027 329 8703 027 480 9570

www.nzsheep.co.nz/hampshire

Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming listings

THE LIVESTOCK SPECIALISTS Buy and sell at the best price with our nationwide network of livestock specialists.

WELLSFORD GROWN CATTLE FAIR Monday 26th February 2018 12 noon start 380 R2yr Ang, Ang Here X, Here Frsn, Exotic, Ang Frsn & X Brd Strs 150 R2yr Hfrs 50 R2yr Bulls For further enquiries contact: Grant Pallister – 0275 902 201 Trevor Penney – 0210 389 337

Key: Dairy

Cattle

Sheep

Other

ANNUAL 15 MONTH HEIFER FAIR

CONTRACTING DISPERSAL SALE

Friday 23rd February Tuakau Saleyards Start 12.30pm

Tues 27th February @ 2pm

A/C Waipuna Valley Farms

Fendt 824 4500hrs Duals, Fendt 820 6500hrs Rear Duals, MX 3PL Front Weights, New Holland TM165 7000hrs, New Holland TS100 with Mailleux front end loader 6500hrs, 1010 Ford Tip Truck 1977 108,000km (3 owners – original) rego & wof twin under body hoist, Nissan Safari 350,000km double-cab flat deck, Mahindra 2014 double cab 4WD 75,000km, Vaderstad 2016 Carrier 650 Cultivator & Bio Drill (6 month warrantly remaining), Vaderstad 2015 Carrier XL525 Cultivator, Voegl & Noot 6 Furrow Plough 2012 (new boards, coulters and skimmers), Taege Series 300 23 Run Direct Drill S/Steel Fert Box, Small Seed Box and Harrows (9 months old), Duncan 702, 24 Run Seedliner Drill, Kuhn XM36 Disc, New Holland RB180 Round Baler (11,700 bales), Anderson Round Bale Tube Wrapper, Fella Rake TS671 (1 year old), Read V-Rake (8 reel), Stoll 2-550 Hay Tedder, Fella SM3060TL Disc Mower, Silage Grab, FEL Bale Forks. 3PL Double Bale Forks, 16ft Tandem Trailer with Ramps and Winch, 450lt Truck Tank (diesel), Rear Dual Wheels (60/85 R38 C/W Clamps), Front Dual Wheels (12.4-36 R13), Small Water Filled Heavy Roller, 5000ltr Overhead Diesel Tank.

A/C Robinson Contracting, Dunback (East Otago) 45 Grange Hill Road

1200 15 month Beef Heifers Comprising: 300 Ang & Ang/Hfd 200 Ang (Landcorp Bred) 450 Char x, Sim x, Dev x 100 Stabiliser 150 Hfd/Frsnx • Quality Line of Traditional & Exotic Cattle • Farmed in Large Mobs on Genuine Hill Country • Cattle In Hand Several Days Prior to Sale Day, • Weighed Dead Empty • Top Bred Cattle Purchased ex South Island Weaner Fairs • Guaranteed farmed as empty • Est 280-370kg

Outside Entries Clough 12ft Maxi-til, Cielli Pioneer 170 Rotor Spike (2012) approx. 170hrs, Kverneland Accord 6 Row Precision Seeder Outstanding line up of modern Capital Agricultural contracting machinery.

Further Inquiries: Ron Robinson (Vendor) 021 315 125 Gerard Shea (PGW) 027 442 5379 Sale day phone number 021 0835 3083

Enquiries: Tony Blackwood – 0272 431 858 Vendor: David Short 07 826 7763

Darryl Williamson – 0294 329 285

NORTH ISLAND HERDS & HEIFERS FOR SALE 225 Jsy Cows

DAIRY HERDS & IN-CALF HEIFERS FOR SALE PGG Wrightson Dairy representatives are specialists at marketing and selling dairy herds.

Benefit from the nationwide team that is dedicated to matching herds with the right buyers and achieving an optimal outcome for your business.

BW 112

PW 115

645 XBred Cows $1,900+GST

BW 73

PW 88

200 Frsn/ Frsnx Cows $1,700+GST

PW 81

$1,680+GST

340 XBred Cows BW 106

PW 123

$1,950+GST

RA98% Calving 19th July, top 5% Jsy Herd 35yrs one family.

Peter Schnuriger – 0272 431 836

RA94% Calving 20th July, Will Computer Split. Sole Agent.

Richard Todd – 0274 942 544

RA92% Calving 19th July.

Young Herd.

Shaan Featherstone – 0276 661 198

RA100% Calving 18th July, Ave 450M/S, 50yrs one family.

Chris Ryan – 0272 431 078

Agonline ref: 063515

Agonline ref: 063242

Agonline ref: 062674

Agonline ref: 063511

140 Frsn/ Frsnx Cows BW 85

PW 102

143 Frsn/ Frsnx Cows

$1,820+GST

BW 38

PW 60

$1,450+GST

RA100% Calving 14th July, 37yrs One Owner, Bull Out Early.

Vaughn Larsen – 0278 014 599

RA72% Calving 15th July, World Wide Sires, 423M/S per Cow. Richard Todd – 0274 942 544

Agonline ref: 63523

Agonline ref: 063655

60 Friesian InCalf Heifers BW 103

PW 107

$1,500+GST

Capital Stock Line of very well grown Frsn/Frsn X Heifers.

Kim Harrison – 0275 010 013 Agonline ref: 063541

279 M/A Cows BW 72

150 MA Jersey, Xbred Cows BW 60

PW 64

$1,700+GST

$1,800+GST

00 A Very Attractive : $1,8Strong, Capacious DHerd, SOLUdders. with Very Nice Sole Agent.

374 MA Xbred Cows BW 78

PW 105

$1,925+GST

This is a system 1 Herd with huge potential. Easy care Herd with very few animal health issues.

Craig Murray – 0273 220 063

Superior Xbred Herd with top age breakdown, top production and excellent indexes.

Paul Jefferies – 0275 918 632

Agonline ref: 063340

Agonline ref: 063449

255 M/A Friesian, X/Bred Cows

PW 84

BW 65

PW 66

$1,850+GST

196 Friesian Incalf Heifers BW 99

PW 92

$1,700+GST

Jason Roberts – 0272 431 429

DNA’d Friesian Long Established LIC Herd, being on the property over 35 years.

Peter Forrest – 0275 986 153

A Top Line of straight Frsn Heifers that will come Forward in very good condition.

Jamie Cunninghame – 0275 833 533

Agonline ref: 62301

Agonline ref: 063145

Agonline ref: 062999

NORTH ISLAND AUTUMN CALVERS 78 3-6yr Friesian, X/Bred Autumn 170 Frsn/ Frsnx Cows Calving Carry Over Cows BW 92 PW 121 $1,700+GST

For photos and more information visit www.agonline.co.nz

BW 69

BW 96

PW 113

$1,920+GST

An outstanding Line of Autumn Calving Carry Over Cows, big strong Cows.

Jamie Cunninghame – 0275 833 533

RA83% Calving 1st March, Will Computer Split.

Chris Ryan – 0272 431 078 Agonline ref: 062849

Pick 25 out of 34 Frsn/Frsnx Cows BW 53

PW 37

$1,600+GST

RA89% Calving 28th April, Hfd Bull.

Chris Leuthart – 0274 936 594 Agonline ref: 063025

85 Frsn/ Frsnx Rising 3yr Heifers BW 112

PW 119

$1,600+GST

RA100% Calving 23rd March to Jsy Bull.

Bill Harrison – 0274 735 860 Agonline ref: 063379

Agonline ref: 062958

SOUTH ISLAND HERDS & HEIFERS FOR SALE 410 MA Pred Kiwi X Cows BW 89/45

PW 116/61

$2,000+GST

Pre mating, PK feed otherwise grass fed system. Short gestation Kiwi X. 18 years of Herd testing.

Anton Nally – 0274 774 502

400 MA Friesian Cows BW 85

PW 91

$2,200+GST

100 Frsn, Frsn/Frsn X InCalf Heifers BW 114

PW 109

$1,750+GST

50 Frsn, Frsn/Jsy X, Jsy InCalf Heifers BW 97

PW 97

$1,550+GST

Top Friesian Herd in Southland.

Good Udders.

Mike Broomhall – 0275 200 965

Capital Line of Heifers, Very Well Grown Out David Walker – 0272 189 526

Nice Line of InCalf Heifers and Well Worth Inspection.

Peter Heinz – 0275 723 391

Agonline ref: 063259

Agonline ref: 063267

Agonline ref: 063516

Agonline ref: 063492

MARKET COMMENT The past 10 days has seen a noticeable lift in enquiry for herds and in-calf heifers, culminating in contracts being written, providing a positive result for vendors.

PAUL EDWARDS National Dairy Manager Ph 027 442 5028

Freephone 0800 10 22 76 | www.pggwrightson.co.nz

NATIONAL TEAM. LOCAL KNOWLEDGE. Helping grow the country

MARKET SNAPSHOT

44

44 Market Snapshot

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Grain & Feed

MILK PRICE FORECAST ($/KGMS) 2017-18

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Canterbury (NZ$/t)

6.40

6.32

AS OF 07/12/2017

AS OF 08/02/2018

MILK PRICE COMPARISON

358

327

NI mutton (20kg)

4.65

4.60

3.10

374

294

SI lamb (17kg)

6.75

6.75

5.25

Feed Barley

369

369

287

SI mutton (20kg)

4.55

4.50

3.10

245

Export markets (NZ$/kg) 9.25

9.26

7.91

6.5

Maize Grain

441

441

370

6.0

PKE

276

276

248

WMP GDT PRICES AND NZX FUTURES

285

285

UK CKT lamb leg

7.0

* Domestic grain prices are grower bids delivered to the nearest store or mill. PKE and fertiliser prices are ex-store. Australian prices are landed in Auckland.

INTERNATIONAL Last week

Prior week

Last year

Wheat - Nearest

231

224

226

Corn - Nearest

199

193

202

380

383

313

2500 2000 Apr 17 Jul 17 Oct 17 C2 Fonter r a WMP

4.5

South Island 1 7kg lamb

7.5 7.0

ASW Wheat

364

367

290

Feed Wheat

323

325

279

Feed Barley

355

356

244

120

131

102

PKE (US$/t)

Jan 18 Apr 18 NZX WMP Futur es

6.0 5.0

Ex-Malaysia

NZ venison 60kg stag

6.5

600

$/kg

3000

6.5 5.5

CBOT futures (NZ$/t)

APW Wheat

3500

North Island 17kg lamb

7.5

Australia (NZ$/t)

4000 US$/t

5.25

374

7.0

What are the AgriHQ Milk Prices?

The AgriHQ Seasonal milk price is calculated using GDT results and NZX Dairy Futures to give a full season price. The AgriHQ Spot milk price is an indicative price based solely on the prices from the most recent GDT event. To try this using your own figures go to www.agrihq.co.nz/toolbox

6.95

358

Waikato (NZ$/t)

Dec 17 Feb 18 AgriHQ Seasonal

6.0

500

5.5

400

5.0

300

4.5 Oct Oct

Dec

Dec

Feb

Feb

5‐yr ave NZX DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Nearby contract

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

WMP

3210

3325

3140

SMP

2005

2000

AMF

6420

Butter

5450

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Prior week

Last year

1840

Urea

520

520

482

2.97

2.96

3.31

6275

6000

Super

307

301

317

Nth Isl 37m

3.00

3.00

3.50

5310

4770

DAP

739

Sth Isl 35m

5.05

5.05

3.67

777

775

$/kg

c/k kg (net)

US$/t

NZ$/t May

Jun

Jul

Aug

THE roller coaster continued for markets last week as investors felt the effects of the huge sell-down the previous week. Indexes in the United States, Europe and Asia entered correction territory, defined as a fall of 10% to 20%, however, there have been some sharp rebounds. Global reporting season is beginning to slow down with most companies having now released results. It has been overwhelmingly positive with 82% of companies that have reported beating sales estimates while 79% have beaten earnings estimates.

Despite the positive results, markets have been distracted by the recent sell-down, which has hidden some of the strong results.

The local reporting season is now under way, albeit slowly.

This week will see a plethora of results from some of our largest companies, giving investors plenty of corporate newsflow to digest.

Across the Tasman, there were two stand out results, which were CSL and Computershare. Both companies provided upgrades to full year guidance at their half year results which came in ahead of expectations, and both companies saw share price rises of around 5%.

The CPI showed a 0.5% price increase for January, well above the 0.3% expected.

Market commentary provided by Craigs Investment Partners

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

8063

Feb 15

Feb 16

Feb 17

Feed barley

4 weeks ago

Sharemarket Briefing

18665

150 Feb 14

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

7642

NZ venison 60kg stag

4.5

600

250

3000

Coarse xbred wool indicator

5.5

CANTERBURY FEED PRICES

350

14575

This yr

Last week

3200

S&P/FW AG EQUITY

Last yr

Aug

Coarse xbred ind.

450

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR

Aug

Jun

(NZ$/kg)

3400

Latest price

Jun

NZ average (NZ$/t)

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

Apr

Apr

WOOL

* price as at close of business on Thursday

Mar

Apr

FERTILISER

Last price*

2800

Last year

6.90

Feed Wheat PKE

Oct 17 AgriHQ Spot Fonterra forecast

Last week Prior week

NI lamb (17kg)

Milling Wheat

7.5

5.5 Aug 17

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

c/kkg (net)

$/kgMS

SHEEP MEAT

DOMESTIC

AGRIHQ 2017-18

FONTERRA 2017-18

Sheep

$/kg

Dairy

300

2.5

Oct

Oct

Dec

Dec

Feb

Feb

Apr

Apr

Last yr

Jun

Jun

Aug

Aug

This yr

Dollar Watch

Close

YTD High

YTD Low

Auckland International Airport Limited

6.29

6.73

6.21

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

12.90

14.39

12.41

Meridian Energy Limited The a2 Milk Company Limited Spark New Zealand Limited Ryman Healthcare Limited Fletcher Building Limited Mercury NZ Limited (NS) Contact Energy Limited Port of Tauranga Limited (NS)

2.84 9.10 3.40 10.52 6.96 3.30 5.27 5.06

3.00 9.39 3.68 11.30 7.96 3.45 5.64 5.20

2.75 7.66 3.38 10.27 6.70 3.21 5.24 4.89

Listed Agri Shares

3.5

400

5‐yr ave

PKE spot

Top 10 by Market Cap Company

500

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Company

Close

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

9.100

9.390

7.660

Comvita Limited

8.600

9.210

8.300

Delegat Group Limited

7.600

8.050

7.510

Foley Family Wines Limited

1.460

1.560

1.460

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

6.010

6.660

6.010

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

2.250

2.250

2.250

PGG Wrightson Limited

0.580

0.610

0.560

Sanford Limited (NS)

7.880

8.500

7.550

Scales Corporation Limited

4.530

4.920

4.440

Seeka Limited

6.150

6.520

6.000

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

6.640

7.200

6.500

T&G Global Limited

3.250

3.300

3.150

Tegel Group Holdings Limited

1.04

1.24

1.04

S&P/FW Primary Sector

14575

15306

14417

S&P/FW Agriculture Equity

18665

19585

18488

S&P/NZX 50 Index

8063

8456

8059

S&P/NZX 10 Index

7642

8038

7640

AN UNLOVED United This Prior Last NZD vs States dollar still week week year languishes against other USD 0.7394 0.7234 0.7232 currencies but ANZ Bank EUR 0.5918 0.5896 0.6781 senior economist Phil AUD 0.9329 0.9259 0.9397 Borkin says it won’t last.

The kiwi dollar rose GBP 0.5253 0.5190 0.5795 above US$0.74 last week.

Correct as of 9am last Friday “At this level it is stretched and the US dollar is undervalued. It has no mates at all,” he said.

Currency markets are ignoring rising US interest rates and focusing on rising US budget and current account deficits in marking the big dollar down.

As highlighted by the equity markets fall a couple of weeks ago, economic volatility is rising. The ANZ believes this volatility, combined with rising US interest rates, both in-market and from the Federal Reserve, must drive a flow back to US dollars at some point.

Borkin says that could be in a few weeks rather than months.

NZ has benefited from world central bank monetary stimulus but it is being unwound and likely to result in less capital being invested here, pointing to NZ$ underperformance in the next couple of years. US swap rates are already higher than NZ rates and there’s very little gap now between 10-year government bond rates, which will influence capital flows.

ANZ forecasts the NZ dollar to be at US0.71 at the end of March, starting a steady path towards 0.65 by September next year. It also expects comparable falls against euro and sterling and a larger fall against the yen.

Alan Williams

Markets

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

NZ AVERAGE FOR SUPER

SI SLAUGHTER STAG

NI SLAUGHTER STEER

($/T)

($/KG)

R2 HEREFORD-FRIESIAN HEIFERS, 331-345KG, AT TEMUKA

($/KG)

($/KG LW)

10.80

307

5.50

Cattle & Deer Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.50

5.50

5.25

NI Bull (300kg)

5.30

5.30

5.15

NI Cow (200kg)

4.10

4.10

4.00

SI Steer (300kg)

5.30

5.30

5.25

SI Bull (300kg)

5.10

5.10

4.90

SI Cow (200kg)

4.15

4.15

3.95

US imported 95CL bull

6.84

6.61

6.82

US domestic 90CL cow

6.56

6.47

6.36

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

North Island steer (300kg)

6.5

$/kg

6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0 South Island steer (300kg)

6.5 6.0

NZ venison 60kg stag

c/k kg (net) $/kg

5.5 600

500 5.0 400 4.5 300 4.0

Oct Oct

Dec Dec

Feb Feb

5‐yr ave

Apr Apr

Jun Jun

Last yr

Aug Aug This yr

VENISON Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Last week Prior week

Last year

NI Stag (60kg)

10.25

10.25

8.00

NI Hind (50kg)

10.15

10.15

7.90

SI Stag (60kg)

10.80

10.80

8.00

SI Hind (50kg)

10.70

10.70

7.90

New Zealand venison (60kg Stag)

11 10

NZ venison 60kg stag

500 8 400 7

300

6 Oct

Oct

Dec Feb Dec Feb 5‐yr ave

Apr Apr Last yr

Hereford-Friesian steers, 120-130kg, at Wellsford Dairy Beef Weaner Fair

Friesian bulls, 135kg, at Wellsford Dairy Beef Weaner Fair

Jun Jun

Aug Aug This yr

N

EW Zealand is in the very unusual situation of grass markets emerging in summer, as tropical-like weather patterns have meant plenty of rain followed by good grass growth. A number of cattle fairs were held through the North Island with full clearances at all and record prices in many cases.

NORTHLAND NORTHLAND Store cattle numbers reduced to 450 head at KAIKOHE last Wednesday.

Quality was much more mixed than the previous week, which was reflected in the prices, PGG Wrightson agent Vaughan Vujcich reported.

The R2 steer pens consisted mainly of beef-cross and exotic and trading was solid at $3.06-$3.20/kg. Ex-service Angus and Hereford bulls sold for $2.90-$3.00/kg while Jersey made $2.40/kg. Heifer prices held at $2.80$2.90/kg.

A small offering of weaner beef steers sold to $3.50-$3.60/kg, and autumn-born Friesian bulls, 260kg, $3.30/kg. Weaner bull numbers were also low but they sold freely at $480-$550. The biggest section was the weaner heifers, with around 70-80 head present. Returns were solid for the mostly Angus-Friesian and Hereford-Friesian line up, as 110kg made $500-$550. Dairy cows of medium condition sold for $1.70$1.80/kg.

WELLSFORD offered up just 186 cattle last Monday. Single lines featured, including 10 good conditioned Hereford-Friesian R2 steers, 367kg, $1320, $3.60/kg.

A similar weighted line of lesser condition made $3.28/kg, while lighter 336kg sold to $3.51/kg. One light line of R2 Hereford-Jersey heifers made it to $3.06/kg, though for one of the lowest outlays of $780. A few heavier lines managed to crack $1000. Three lines of weaner steers were mediumgood quality and a mixture of breeds, with all making $550-$610. One line of Hereford-Friesian bulls, 145kg, fetched $648. Small lines of cows were variable, with four Hereford-Friesian,

Does arranging livestock finance feel like the tail wagging the dog?

HBA 1062R

c/k kg (net)

$/kg

9 600

$6.02-$6.13/kg $685-$710

Grass markets emerging

BEEF Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

2.81

high lights

45

Heartland Bank Limited’s lending criteria, fees and charges apply. For full terms and conditions, visit www.openforlivestock.co.nz

EYES FRONT: A group of PGG Wrightson Livestock Agents watch the action at Airies Station on February 8.

463kg, selling up to $2.26/kg, while the first cut of the dairy cows made $1.80-$1.90/kg, and second cuts, $1.63-$1.69/kg.

The Dairy Beef Weaner Fair on Tuesday and Wednesday had just over 1100 steers and heifers on day one,while 500 bulls completed the sale. Prices reached record levels on both days with the market exceeding all expectations, with beef-Friesian steer prices up $130-$200 on last year while the heifer market improved by $80-$160. Autumn born HerefordFriesian steers, 207-260kg, lifted $90$185 to $830-$975 and top lines sold to $1010-$1100. Budgets had to have at least $650 for spring-born HerefordFriesian steers and 120-140kg lifted to $680-$755 with lighter lines exceeding $6/kg. Angus-Friesian, 130-160kg, traded at $675-$840, compared to $540-$640 last year. Margins for Hereford-cross were closer though still stronger as 105-185kg made $555$705.

The market barely altered in the heifer pens and Hereford-Friesian, 115-150kg lifted $145-$160 to $590$680, whereas Angus-Friesian, 135-160kg improved by $80-$120 to $600-$670. Friesian and good quality beef-cross bulls lifted $105-$140 for spring-born calves while autumnborn lines improved by $80-$170.

Autumn-born Friesian bulls, 211250kg, lifted to $830-$875, while a line

of Charolais-cross, 349kg, took out top honors at $1070. In the younger pens beef and exotic-cross bulls traded at $685-$760 for 164-225kg. Friesian prices lifted by a very consistent $105$140 across all weights, though lighter calves were much more expensive on a per kg basis. Those 160-184kg sold for $730-$755 though 150-155kg were not far behind at $700-$755. The lightest Friesian offered were 128-135kg and these traded at $665-$710.

AUCKLAND AUCKLAND Cattle at PUKEKOHE are selling especially well, Pat Farrell from Livestock Mart Auctions reported, with prices driven by good grass growth and positive outlooks. Top prime steers, 503-666kg, made $2.82$2.94/kg, with heifers, 522-593kg, returning $2.70-$2.93/kg and 440467kg, $2.68-$2.80/kg. Ex service bulls, 760kg, made $2.88/kg.

Top boner lines, 491-640kg, realised $1.73-$2.03/kg, with lesser sorts, 430448kg, making $1.30-$1.65/kg. Twoyear steers, 441-464kg, returned $2.65$2.78/kg, while heifers, 368-390kg, fetched $2.60-$2.88/kg. 15-month steers, 400-401kg reached $3.17-$3.19/ kg, whereas R1 heifers, 227-240kg, traded at $720-$825. Weaners steers and heifers, 113-132kg, traded at $490$660.

Continued page 46

It needn’t be. Don’t let your current bank hold you back.

Get livestock finance from $10,000. Apply online now in a few easy steps and you could be making your next livestock purchase with confidence. With Heartland Bank you can get up to 100% finance secured against the stock you buy. Then repay the loan when you sell.

Find out more:

Call 0800 87 50 50.

Markets

46 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018

SPECIALISTS IN DAIRY LIVESTOCK MARKETING & SALES PGG Wrightson Dairy representatives are specialists at marketing and selling dairy herds, offering you: • Expert advice on herd sale preparation, method of sale and all aspects of buying and selling • Unmatched on-farm and saleyard auction expertise • A nationwide network with the ability to source buyers from across New Zealand • Industry leading forward and short term contracts for peace of mind.

Benefit from the specialist team that is dedicated to matching herds with the right buyers and achieving an optimal outcome for your business.

To find out more contact your local livestock specialist on 0800 10 22 76 or visit pggwrightson.co.nz/ dairyherdsales.

NATIONAL TEAM. LOCAL KNOWLEDGE.

Helping grow the country

COUNTIES COUNTIES Conditions were hot and muggy at the TUAKAU store cattle sale last Thursday but the buyers did most of the sweating, Craig Chamberlain of Carrfields Livestock reported. The yarding of 480 head included a small offering of older steers, 450kg-plus, which traded at $2.93-$3.06/ kg.

Steers in the 380-450kg range made $2.95-$3.23/kg, with the next cut, 300-380kg, earning $3.02-$3.59/kg. The latter category was dominated by steers in the 320-330kg range and the top rate was paid for a nice pen of Angus.

Good Hereford-Friesian weaner steers, 180kg-plus, sold at $770-$850, and lighter and lesser-bred weaners, 120160kg, fetched $620-$700.

The heavier heifers, 350420kg, traded at $2.85-$3.05/ kg, with 280-350kg lots making $3.05-$3.30/kg. HerefordFriesian weaner heifers, 130150kg, earned $630-$660 and red-bodied Hereford-Friesians, 120kg, $550. Lighter and lesserbred weaner heifers sold down to $400.

About 380 cattle were presented at last Wednesday’s prime sale and the market remained firm. Heavy prime steers, 650kg-plus, sold at $2.88-$2.91/kg and mediums, 550-650kg, $2.82-$2.88/kg.

The heifer section included very good exotic lines at 590kg, which earned $2.89-$2.93/ kg. Trade-type heifers made $2.70-$2.83/kg and beef cows $2.15-$2.40/kg. Heavy Friesian cows traded at $2.00-$2.10/kg, with medium boners fetching $1.85-$1.95/kg, and lighter cows $1.65-$1.85/kg.

Heavy prime lambs sold to $130-$156, medium $115$130, and lighter $105-$115 on Monday. Good stores made $95-$105, medium $80-$93 and lighter lambs $70-$80.

Heavy ewes traded at $125$138 with medium ewes making $105-$120 and lighter types $70-$90.

WAIKATO The market was solid at FRANKTON last week with both sales having increased numbers that were easily sold.

Heifers, 140-166kg, made $435-$580, while a line of three, 200kg, managed $615.

Bulls 142-188kg, lifted to $718$780, as did 101-111kg up to $605-$640. Friesian bulls sold to keen interest, particularly the heavier end, with 148177kg achieving $635-$755, though results varied based on quality for 122-123kg, with returns ranging from $405$695. Hereford-cross heifers, 103-114kg, made $330-$425.

On Wednesday R2 steers were consistent with lifts for some. Hereford-Friesian, 394kg, were steady at $3.22/ kg, while 332kg lifted to $3.28/ kg. Friesian, 405-414kg, also strengthened to $2.81-$2.84/ kg. Heifers were steady for most and Friesian, 345-361kg, earned $2.42-$2.43/kg, while Hereford-Friesian, 302-343kg, lifted to $2.84-$2.91/kg. Bull returns were solid with beef-

dairy, 373-466kg, trading at $2.75-$2.96/kg.

Angus-Friesian weaner steers, 160kg, earned $700, heifers, 181kg, $600. Friesian bulls, 168kg, managed $680.

A consignment of HerefordFriesian autumn-born weaner heifers were on offer from one vendor due to a farm sale and they had a good following, with 188-223kg fetching $650$780. The prime market was steady and Hereford-Friesian steers, 596-690kg, earned $2.86-$2.87/kg. Hereford-cross heifers, 455-497kg, lifted to $2.81-$2.85/kg, and HerefordFriesian maintained levels of $2.74-$2.82/kg. Quality Angus bulls, 698-716kg, cracked the $2000 mark, making $2060$2110 respectively, with both realising $2.95/kg.

BAY OF PLENTY BAY OF PLENTY At RANGIURU on Tuesday a line of R3 Charolais heifers, 485kg, sold for $1400, $2.89/ kg, while the heaviest R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 384-410kg, consolidated at $2.85-$2.92/kg. Prices were variable from there but strong, with most lines cracking $3.00/ kg. Heifer prices also showed improvement and HerefordFriesian, 398-405kg, firmed to $2.74-$2.79/kg, though a better line at 326kg made $3.06/kg.

Weaner prices were up $50$80. Hereford-Friesian bulls, 117-129kg, made $565-$625, and 101kg $555, putting $5.50/ kg on their heads. Friesian bulls were more variable dependent on the quality, as124-125kg made $490-$510, though 106-112kg were much more buy able at $370-$400.

A heavy line of weaner heifers sold to $800, though most traded at $415-$485. A special entry of Angus-Friesian steers were a two-way option and as such encouraged bids from different corners. They sold for $1510-$1695, $2.81$2.90/kg. A smaller entry of Hereford-Friesian also sold in that vicinity, though a very good line at 681kg, along with prime Beef-cross and Charolais-Hereford, coaxed bids up to $3.05-$3.07/kg. A nice line of Angus bulls, 426kg, sold for breeding at $3.40/kg, while a heavier line at 688kg made $3.15/kg. Just one line of Friesian cows fell below $2.00/ kg with most at $2.01-$2.17/kg.

TARANAKI TARANAKI At the TARANAKI cattle fair on Wednesday, compared to the last big fair in December, prices for heavy R3 HerefordFriesian steers, 538-549kg, lifted $140-$185 a head, though 497-502kg climbed by $230-$250. Most beef-Friesian steers traded at $3-$3.13/kg.

Angus-Friesian heifers, 447497kg, made $2.82-$2.89/kg.

Into the R2 pens and the gap between prices at this sale and December’s continued to widen, with like weighted lines of Hereford-Friesian up $175$250. Just one line of HerefordFriesian dipped below $1000, and 300-350kg lifted to $975-$1120, while 360-410kg were up $205-$245 to $1155$1320. Interestingly across

both these weight ranges the per kilogram range was very tight at $3.09-$3.24/kg. AngusFriesian, 331-405kg, traded at slightly discounted levels of $3.01-$3.18/kg. Beef-Friesian lines also stood out in the R2 heifer pens, where the better lines in a 306-436kg weight range made $2.83-$2.89/kg, and second cuts $2.73-$2.82/ kg. Angus-Friesian, 311-378kg, returned $2.70-$2.84/kg, and Hereford-cross, 304-366kg, $2.65-$2.82/kg.

POVERTY BAY POVERTY BAY At MATAWHERO on Tuesday an annual draft of 550 R3 steers sold to Manawatu and Central Hawke’s Bay. All Angus weighed in excess of 470kg, and the lighter end, 470-475kg, made $3.48-$3.52/kg, and 510515kg, $3.32-$3.35/kg, putting $1655-$1710 on their heads.

Exotic steers were also in the spotlight as Charolais and South Devon-cross, 480-505kg, made $3.14-$3.19/kg, while lighter lines of Simmental and Charolais, 430-445kg, sold up to $3.37-$3.39/kg. The R2 market was well contested also, though the Angus steers sold for the same $/kg as the R3 lines. A few lines of Angus hit $1400 as they pushed to $3.43-$3.46/kg. Angus & Angus-Hereford, 340-390kg, returned $3.56-$3.59/kg, while lighter lines did tend to push past $4.00/kg. Exotic heifers were the main attraction and Charolais-cross, 290-330kg, reached $3.21-$3.28/kg, while exotic, 340-345kg, made $2.91-$2.94/kg. Demand did ease for lesser lines, and 275290kg returned $2.76-$2.81/ kg. Angus and Angus-Hereford destined for dairy herds sold at $3.23-$3.24/kg for 260-330kg.

Exotic, 220-275kg, sold for $3.13-$3.20/kg, while heavy beef-cross, 435-470kg achieved $2.91-$2.95/kg. A line of runwith-bull Angus heifers, 595kg, sold very well at $1800.

On Friday store lambs sold to very solid demand. Two good lines were the highlights at $107.50-$116. The medium lines were $87.50-$93.50 and the lightest made $76.50-$80.

A handful of prime lambs were mainly $119-$125, while prime ewes were $111-$128.

HAWKE’S BAY HAWKE’S BAY Store lamb prices lifted $12 0a head at STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday. Prime beef steers were strong with Angus, 650kg, earning $3.02/ kg. The heifer market was steady with all 509-553kg making $2.85-$2.86/kg. Cows managed healthy returns as all prime lines traded at $2.00$2.01/kg.

Heavy ewes sold to $130$145.50, medium to good $105.50-$124, light-medium $96.50-$102, and the lighter end $60-$96. Top end mixed sex lambs made $139-$168, with the rest at $116-$138.50.

Most of the 2050 store lambs were from four vendors and either very well bred hill country Romney male lambs or well covered blackface and cryptorchid. Almost the entire first run was from one local

property, consisting of 1158 Romneys. The lightest line of 52 made $84, while medium, types sold for $94-$100 and heavy $106-$112. Medium cryptorchid lambs returned $86-$93, while blackface mixed sex had plenty of weight and sold for $122-$130.50. A small ewe section was very mixed in quality, with the top line being 11 crossbred ewes at $119.

A special entry of 18-month Angus heifers sold in two lines - one had 19 head at 297kg and earned $965, $3.25/ kg, while two slightly heavier heifers returned $2.95/kg.

A third line of Angus from another property weighed in at 281kg and sold for $3.33/ kg. Angus & Angus-Hereford had a bit more weight at 317kg, and fetched $3.26/kg. Feature lines through other sections included R3 Hereford-Friesian steers, 536kg, $2.86/kg, and a light line of R2 Angus & Angus-Hereford steers, 282kg, which sold to $3.55/kg. A line of 131kg Friesian bulls made good value at $530.

WAIROA’s cattle fair was fast and furious last Thursday.

A small R3 section included a line of 15 Angus steers at $1530 and 30 exotic, $1500.

A good line of Angus heifers sold to $1370. R2 prices were consistent. Good Angus steers sold to $1400-$1420, with second and third cuts trading at $1355-$1395. Angus & Angus-Hereford made $1390-$1400, while a line of heavy South Devon topped the section at $1425. One line of Hereford bulls sold to $1570. Angus and Angus & Angus-Hereford heifers sold to $1010-$1090 though again it was a line of South Devon that took out the top spot at $1120.

Hereford-Friesian also featured and sold for $965-$1045.

MANAWATU MANAWATU Numbers doubled on recent levels at FEILDING last Monday. Over 10,000 sheep were penned while cattle numbers pushed to nearly 300 head, mostly cows.

Top lambs sold for $143$152, with heavy types making $130-$140. Medium type’s made up the biggest portion of the yarding and returned $110$129. Good to heavy ewes sold on a steady market at $120$144, with results similar for medium and medium-good at $103-$118. There was more of a tail to the yarding with light ewes making $65-$88.

The only real heifer numbers were in the boner pens, where lesser quality Friesian, 365455kg, traded at just $2.02$2.08/kg. A small offering of Friesian bulls, 555-585kg, firmed to $2.93-$2.96/kg, while one very heavy Simmental nearly hit $3000 as it traded at $2.70/kg. Jersey, 517-538kg, also made good returns at $2.77-$2.84/kg.

Beef cows and the high yielding dairy cows are still requiring upwards of $2.20/ kg to secure, and a line of Angus-cross, 453kg, achieved $2.32/kg. Large numbers of manufacturing cows took pressure off the buyers and

Markets

prices generally eased. The top Friesian, 596-665kg, sold to $2.20$2.22/kg, though second cuts, 495-594kg, mostly traded at $1.90$2.01/kg.

Plenty of good quality store cattle were offered on Friday.

Traditional R3 steers, 500-630kg, $3.05-$3.10/kg with 475-505kg Hereford-Friesian $2.64-$2.75/ kg. Angus and Friesian R3 bulls, 590-605kg, $2.95-$3.03/kg. R2 steers traditional lines, 375-435kg, $3.31-$3.50/kg. Quality traditional R2 heifers, 325-395kg, $3.14-$3.36/ kg with 260-325kg, $2.97-$3.10/ kg. R2 Friesian bulls, 405-490kg, $2.88-$2.96/kg. Weaner Friesian bulls, 145-160kg, $710-$795, dropping to $520-$580 for 125135kg.

Male lambs accounted for most of the 8300 yarding. Goodheavy male lambs, $105-$112, two very good lines of whiteface cryptorchids topped the sale at $130-$135. Similar quality lines of blackface mixed sex lambs made $96.50-$109.50. Better ewee lambs $87-$110.50. Medium-good whiteface male lambs were at $88-$100, though the blackface lines made a small premium at $98.50-$100. Medium ewe lambs were $74.50-$96. A few good mixed age ewes made $122-$141 and mediums $97-$108.

The pens were full to capacity at RONGOTEA last Wednesday, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported. Boner prices firmed, and the top lines of Friesian and crossbred sold to $1.84-$2.00/kg, though lesser lines traded anywhere from $1.24/kg to $1.73/kg dependent on breed.

One line of 3-year Hereford bulls, 800kg, sold for $2.74/kg. Solid demand through the R2 section resulted in some consistent pricing. Hereford-Friesian steers, 517kg, sold to $2.79/kg, though lighter types trade at just $2.37/ kg. Angus-cross, 296kg, returned $2.91/kg. A good yarding of Hereford-Friesian heifers, 314447kg, earned $2.46-$2.57/kg, whereas lighter Angus-cross made $2.56-$2.62/kg. Empty Friesian heifers, 328-411kg, varied from $2.11/kg to $2.53/kg, and crossbreed lines, $2.18-$2.25/ kg. A small offering of bulls had

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018 Friesian, 428kg, making $2.75/ kg, and Angus, 430kg, $2.57/kg.

Younger cattle in this section sold at similar levels, with the top lines of Hereford-Friesian bulls and heifers reaching $2.81-$2.86/kg, though prices were variable for lesser sorts. Hereford-Friesian weaner steers, 127kg, returned $550, and Angus-Cross, 145-245kg, $480-$650. A bigger yarding of bulls had Friesian, 127-134kg earning $575-$580, HerefordFriesian, 90-180kg, $430-$560 and Angus-cross, 115-225kg, $405-$650. The heifer market was also solid with a number of lines up and over $500. This included Angus-cross, 175kg, which made $565.

Mixed age ewes sold for $80$112, hoggets $66-$70, and mixed sex lambs $69-$119.

CANTERBURY CANTERBURY The prime cattle market continued its strong run at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday.

The better end of the mixed sex lines showed consistent improvement with prices firm at $83-$99. Lighter mixed sex traded at $59-$73 though was only small lines. All male lambs sold for $72-$92, and ram lambs of similar weight, $70-$90. Two lines of medium ewe lambs returned $72-$77. Most lambs traded at $110-$159. A top line of very heavy blackface ewes reached $265, medium and medium-good fetched $117-$150. Light and lightmedium ewes traded at $70-$114.

The mainly Beef-Friesian lineup sold to $2.90-$3.04/kg for the good yielding lines in a 530-588kg weight range, while heavy lines, 650-675kg and store types at 355500kg traded at $2.85-$2.91/kg.

The stand out in the heifer pens was two lines of Angus, 485-534kg, which sold for $2.95-$3.00/kg, while a store line at 383kg returned $2.93/kg. Hereford-Friesian lines showed some easing as most 470556kg sold for $2.79-$2.90/kg.

At the onfarm lamb sale at Meikleburn Station, Fairlie, on Tuesday prices lifted $17-$18 on last year, PGG Wrightson agent Rod Sands reported. Quality was very good through the 5000 Poll Dorset-Halfbred, Suffolk-Halfbred

mixed sex, and Halfbred wether line-up. Prime lambs sold up to $143 and most store lambs traded at $81-$109 with the average price for the whole sale at $101.

At COALGATE on Thursday prime ewes traded at $121-$169 for the medium and good types while few lighter lines dropped below $100. A small offering of heavy ewes made $230-$247 and 2-tooths sold for $90-$135.

Medium prime lambs traded at $110-$137 with light lambs earning $92-$109 and the heavier end $140-$171. A line of Corriedale ewe lambs sold for $111. A good sized line of male lambs made $107 while mixed sex better types made $80-$100 and second and third cuts, $61-$79.

In the R2 store steer pens Anguscross, 297-369kg, traded at $2.87$2.96/kg while Hereford-cross varied from $2.73/kg to $2.95/kg.

The highlight was a line of eight Red Poll, 423kg, which cracked $3/ kg to reach $3.07/kg. Their sisters at 355kg were significantly less at $2.62/kg, while the beef-cross heifers made good value at $2.62$2.77/kg for 341-375kg. Feature lines of Hereford-cross weanere bulls, 163-167kg, returned $530$590, and Hereford-Friesian, 84-128kg, $310-$440. Friesian, 117-133kg, were good shopping at $360-$450. Apart from one small line of Shorthorn all beef-cross heifers traded at $300-$410.

SOUTH CANTERBURY SOUTH CANTERBURY The store lamb market at TEMUKA softened $4 per head as buyers were selective.

The better mixed sex lines made $87-$100, though medium types sold at $85-$98. Light lambs sold for high prices of $63-$89. A few fine wool lines were well off the pace at $46-$80. The prime markets saw with prices firm at $110-$159. The ewe market moved in the same vein,. The bulk of the ewes were $100-$149 with heavier lines selling to $150-$198 and a small lighter end, $50-$99. A line of 5-year Romney breeding ewes reached $182 while medium to good Coopworth had the top lines earning $120-$130.

Most steers traded at $2.70$2.80/kg with a few better yielding

Hereford and Angus pushing to $2.84-$2.93/kg. A big offering of Hereford heifers was also a mixed bunch but 535-645kg made steady returns at $2.77/kg, while forward stores, 430-448kg, returned $2.78$2.84/kg. Ex service bulls Angus and Hereford, 575-785kg, firmed to $2.83/kg, while high yielding Red bulls 700kg-plus sold over the $2000 mark. Jersey, 523-578kg, made solid returns of $2.66-$2.73/ kg. Boner Friesian heifers, 375475kg, firmed to $2.16/kg, while Friesian cows held their value with top lines up to $2.00-$2.11/kg, and most others, $1.86-$1.99/kg.

On Thursday Murray Greycross R2 steeers, 382-431kg, made $2.93-$3.03/kg, while two lines of Charolais-cross sold to $3.07$3.09/kg. Hereford-Friesian, 406-484kg, sold on a firm market at $2.84-$2.93/kg, though a lighter line at 334kg pushed to $3.11/kg. A consignment of 180 Hereford-Friesian heifers sold in three cuts with two big lines at 327-345kg making $2.84/kg, while the next cut of 326-331kg earned $2.73-$2.76/kg, and the third cut $2.63-$2.66/kg for 316-331kg.

Empty Friesian, 312-347kg, mostly traded at $2.07-$2.31/kg, with the lighter end selling at the higher $/kg level. A special entry of two lines of well-bred Hereford heifers did make steer money at $2.99/ kg and $3.12/kg. Prices were very consistent in the older bull pens with the majority Friesian, 372420kg, trading at $2.69-$2.74/kg.

Hereford-Friesian weaner bulls were mainly lighter types at 90-120kg and sold for $390$500. Heavier lines, 120-150kg, returned $505-$585. Light Friesian calves traded at $250-$400, while beef-cross, 120-172kg, fetched $400-$500. A run of autumnborn Friesian bulls, 258-290kg, sold for $660-$730. Good quality traditional and Hereford-Friesian heifer lines sold up to $585-$685, though most of the action was in the lower weights and HerefordFriesian, 100-120kg, traded at $400-$470, with one exceptional line of 112kg reaching $550.

OTAGO OTAGO A quiet day at BALCLUTHA last Wednesday had solid returns, PGG

Wrightson agent Russell Moloney reported. Top end store lambs held value at $80-$90, whereas medium types lifted slightly to $70-$75.

Light lines came in around the $50 mark. Heavy pirme lambsx traded slightly below the previous sale at $130-$146 as did medium types at $120-$125. Lighter lambs made $110-$115. Heavey ewes $145-$150, medium $135-$140 and light, $110-$125. Rams sold for $80-$140.

SOUTHLAND SOUTHLAND Good store lambs at LORNEVILLE on Tuesday sold up $85-$100, with medium types $70-$82 and light $60-$68. Tail end $40-$50. Top prime lambs $130$154, medium $115-$127 and light, $90-$109. Heavy ewes sold up to $130-$162, medium $102$128 and light, $82-$92 with very ligjt $40-$60. Two-tooths earned $120-$170, and rams, $80-$96.

Beef heifers, 605kg, made $2.64/kg, a 14c/kg premium on the males. Dairy heifers, 350400kg, were off the pace at $1.70/ kg, bringing them in line with medium dairy cows, 400-500kg, at $1.70-$1.80/kg. Lesser dairy heifers, 300-350kg, returned $1.50$1.60/kg. Good dairy cows, 500kg plus, sold on a steady market at $1.85-$1.90/kg.

A medium yarding of mixed quality store cattle included R3 beef-cross heifers, 460kg, $2.53$2.55/kg, and R2 steers, 329kg, $2.16/kg. Friesian bulls, 399-435kg, $2.44-$2.46/kg. Good weaner heifers, beef-cross, 140-160kg, returned $500-$550, though lesser lines, 110kg, made just $300-$350.

Bulls of similar weight and breed traded at the same level.

At CHARLTON on Thursday prime ewes were subject to good demand, PGG Wrightson’s David Morrison reported. Heavy store lambs made $95, medium $85 and light $60 – a shift of $5-$10 on the previous week. Heavy lambs made $135,with medium lines steady at $120, and light $108. Good demand for light ewes meant prices improved to $100, with medium and heavy types steady at $130 and $150 respectively. Twotooth’s sold for $110-$115, and rams, $80-$100.

Like you, we’re fully invested in your livestock operation.

THE LIVESTOCK SPECIALISTS

PGG Wrightson are a nationwide team of local livestock specialists offering you a range of options when it comes to helping you purchase or sell stock.

Our extensive network of representatives are able to buy and sell livestock throughout the country and at the best price. Our team are constantly in touch with quality breeders, rearers and finishers and can provide the right advice for your farming operation.

Benefit from: • • • • • • •

Nationwide coverage A range of selling options such as private treaty and on farm auctions Market intelligence and advice Marketing of sales Finance options including Go Products Forward Contracts Specialist experience and stockmanship

To find out more contact your local livestock specialist or visit www.pggwrightson.co.nz/sheepsales

NATIONAL TEAM. LOCAL KNOWLEDGE. Freephone 0800 10 22 76 www.pggwrightson.co.nz

47

Helping grow the country

Markets

48 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 19, 2018 NI SLAUGHTER LAMB

SI SLAUGHTER MUTTON

SI SLAUGHTER STAG

($/KG)

($/KG)

R2 HEREFORD-FRIESIN STEERS, 390415KG, AT TARANAKI CATTLE FAIR

($/KG)

($/KG LW)

6.90

4.55

10.80

3.17

high $74-$87 lights Light-medium mixed

sex lambs at Temuka

Southern lambs sell well Alan Williams a.dubu@xtra.co.nz

S

TRONG prices were paid at Thursday’s Omarama lamb sale with the 20,000 on offer being the biggest yarding in about 10 years while at Tekapo the same day bigger lambs sold well but the sale gained momentum as the smaller lambs came up.

As well as confidence in the sheep meat sector, higher fine wool values are a spur to buyers, PGG Wrightson Otago area livestock manager Mark Yeates said.

It was excellent to have a big yarding at Omarama in a relatively good growing year.

The last time the yarding was over 20,000 was during a drought season.

The strongest interest was in the heavier, top-quality lambs, a change from last year when there was plenty of feed in many areas and buyers were keen on the smaller, lighter lambs.

“Buyers were happy to spend their money on good lines.”

That was also the view of Peter Walsh and Associates Omarama agent Madison Taylor who said his firm’s top-lines averaged $20 a head more than last year but bottom cuts were $7 to $10 cheaper. Waitangi Station at Lake Aviemore secured $112 a head for top Merino wether lambs.

Most of this year’s crop

BUSY: PGG Wrightson South Canterbury livestock manager Joe Higgins, right, was also selling halfbreed lambs for Ranui Station at the Rollesby Valley sales on February 8. See Newsmaker on page 22.

were bought as stores, with buyers planning to shear them in spring for good wool income then finish them for processing. Prices averaged $5 to $13 up on last year’s sale.

A few good lines of Merino ewe lambs were bought for breeding.

In the Wrightson catalogue, Tara Hills Station at Omarama sold a pen of 257 Merino ewe lambs for $102 a head and Linnburn Station, Ranfurly, sold a good pen of 285 capital stock ewe lambs at $92 each.

Tara Hills sold a very good line of 155 Merino wether lambs at $105 and a second

cut of 623 at $96, with a third line of 311 at $80.50.

Halfbreds had a strong market with the best wethers from Longslip Station at Omarama selling well, 76 at $103 and 153 at $98. Halfbred ewe lambs also did well, a top line from Twin Peaks Station at $97 and a second cut at $93.50.

Cairn Station from Twizel also had a top line of halfbred ewes, with the 144 best at $113 and next best 108 at $104.

Of 7500 terminal sired blackface Merinos the top 50 mixed-sex line from Longslip Station got $109, with 281

selling at $100 and a further 375 at $85. Totara Park sold 281 at $101 and 375 at $85.

A good pen of Texel-Merino from Twin Peaks sold at $92 and another at $82.50.

Shirlmar Station, Lindis Pass, had 55 at $101, 281 at $91 and 301 at $88.

The Omarama sale attracted a big bench of buyers from Marlborough to Central Otago.

Some of the lighter lots at Tekapo sold at a better per/ kg price than bigger ones from the same farm, PGG Wrightson South Canterbury livestock manager Joe Higgins said.

“It shows the strength of the pricing with over $100 for the top lambs and buyers deciding the levels where they wanted to be spending.”

About 11,800 lambs were offered.

Top Merino weather lambs from Wolds Station made $116, the second cut $105, the third cut $101 then the fourth cut came in at $102.

The numbers had a part to play, with fewer lambs in that bracket, Higgins said.

Streamlands Station Merino weather lambs fetched $94 for the top pen but the second cut went better at $96. The third cut made $83.

Guide Hill Station at Lake Pukaki sold the tops for $98, the seconds $94, the third $84 and fourth cut $55. Sawdon Station at Tekapo was $100 for the tops, then $94 and $70.

Ewe lambs also sold very well, ahead of expectations, for breeding. This included The Wolds selling 135 Merinos at $99 and 443 for $85.

$3.32-$3.52/kg Very good R3 Angus steers, 470-515kg, at Matawhero Cattle Fair

Rain creates spring markets in summer WHAT about that rain, huh is a phrase heard often at sale yards around the country and a significant key in driving store cattle prices. Markets almost feel spring-like as grassSuz Bremner driven demand brings more AgriHQ Analyst buyers into them though, unfortunately, the same cannot be said for numbers so it’s a bit of an uneven equation. We did, however, see decent sized fairs at Matawhero, Wairoa and Taranaki last week, which quenched the thirst of some big buyers in those markets in the short term, though they had to pay through the nose for the cattle.

The real excitement, though, was in Northland where buyers managed to wade out of their farms that are now lakes and head to the Wellsford sale yards, which played host to two dairy beef weaner fairs on Tuesday and Wednesday. Few opportunities of this kind come up so close to home for buyers so when they do, nothing will stop them getting to where they need to be – not 200-400mm of rain in about 10 days and flooding – no way.

Buyers who couldn’t make the journey did make sure they had their orders in.

Predictions were that the market was going to be strong, but it exceeded all expectations as records were set in all sections of the fair.

Beef-Friesian steer prices lifted $130-$200 on last year while the heifer market improved by $80-$160. Friesian bulls lifted $105-$140 for spring-born calves and $80-$170 for the autumn-born lines. While those lifts can in part be attributed to two polar opposite summers, the general lack of volume of store cattle nationwide is playing a huge part in not just this market but all around the country.

Store cattle prices have reached a whole new level in the past few years and by all accounts they look set to remain there. suz.bremner@nzx.com

MORE FROM AGRIHQ: MARKET SNAPSHOT MARKET WRAP

Take care of the most important thing on your farm. You. Looking after your stock, your property, your machinery and other major assets comes as second nature. But how often do you take the time to look after yourself? After all, you need to be in good shape for your farm to be in good shape too.

To help with this, Farmstrong has been created. It provides practical tools and resources to help improve your wellbeing.

To see what it’s all about, and to take the first step to looking after yourself, visit the Farmstrong website.

farmstrong.co.nz

Founding Partners

FMG0407 FW

Strategic Partner

Official Media Partner

P44 P45