Farmers Weekly NZ April 30 2018

7 55 years of genetics lost Vol 17 No 17, April 30, 2018

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New hope for wool The scale of opportunity for the NZ wool industry is massive.

Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com

A

NEW yarn made from strong crossbred wool and plant material is being developed by global giant DuPont Biomaterials for use in clothes, upholstery and carpets.

It is in the final stages and DuPont plans to use it at scale aiming at the mid to upper price bracket, global marketing director Renee Henze said on a visit to New Zealand supplier farms.

“The scale of opportunity for the NZ wool industry is massive,” Wools of NZ chairman Mark Shadbolt said though neither party is yet talking dollars or wool volumes.

“We are very excited with the potential and we see a pathway but there is still a journey to get there,” Henze said.

Shadbolt said the relationship is moving fast and while confident it will be completed he is still cautious.

“I am confident in the relationship and scale of DuPont as developers and the work of farmers that we can move the needle.”

Henze was in NZ last week to meet wool supply partner Wools of NZ and farmers.

Adding wool to the still to be branded natural polymer yarn is a perfect fit.

“Our fibre and wool really complement one another.”

The product would have the “gift” of high quality wool grown sustainably by farmers working picturesque land.

Mark Shadbolt Wools of NZ

POTENTIAL: Introducing New Zealand crossbred wool to DuPont are, from left, Lloyd Brenssell of Fernvale Genetics, Moa Flat West Otago, Wools of NZ chairman Mark Shadbolt and DuPont Biomaterials global marketing director Renee Henze.

“We think even more that this will be a really great product. ”To us it is really important to have a combination of being environmentally sustainable and something that is high performing.”

The yarn could be used for both active outdoor clothing and highend suits.

DuPont began as a wool company more than 200 years ago and Henze said when it was looking for a product it could develop it rediscovered wool but, more importantly, found ample opportunity.

“We look for wide open spaces and I think we have found one.”

DuPont had the choice of dozens of opportunities to advance but chose only three or four a year, of which the woolbased product was one.

Henze said access to the Wools of NZ Glacial XT process which enhances the whiteness of wool was a factor in DuPont’s interest because it creates a fresh design palette.

Shadbolt was reluctant to talk quantity or price but said the programme would take wool from 28 microns and stronger

and of variable length.

Low wool prices are most stark for strongest crossbred wool so it is important to make an improvement for 33 to 38 micron.

“A shift in the dial for that wool would make a big difference.”

He was excited at the prospects of using the fibre in clothes, which could significantly increase prices.

All going well newly developed and branded products could be released at major fairs in December and be backed by a marketing campaign.

West Otago farmer Lloyd

Brenssell hosted Henze on his 10,500ha property and said sheep farmers have been looking for something to happen with wool and he hopes this could be that boost.

Three years ago wool from his Fernvale property at Moa Flat averaged $6 a kilogram. This year it was worth less than half that.

Brenssell said people are ignorant of wool and its qualities, especially warmth, something he saw first-hand with visitors to his farm relying on synthetic fabrics to keep warm.

DuPont has 2500 scientists and links to international distribution and retailers.

The suite of new products it has developed is as diverse as Kevlar, Teflon and Lycra.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Damian O’Connor has announced plans to convene a crossbred wool industry summit for later in the year to look at issues with the fibre.

O’Connor said he sees huge potential for natural fibres but farmers and industry must work together to develop a strategic plan then implement it.

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NEWS

WEATHER OVERVIEW Southerly quarter winds kick off this week for most regions but a weakening low pressure system over the upper North Island might provide a few alternative wind directions for Monday. As we go through the week, just like last week, we see high pressure again building nationwide. This next large high will move in across the country around Thursday and Friday bringing dry, calm, weather to most places. This coming weekend we expect the next large low from the Tasman Sea, bringing some rain and wind around Sunday and Monday one week from now. Next week is a little harder to lock in but early indications show a return to more westerlies, which might make for a wetter western side.

4 Chilled meat trial proves

successful

The meat industry is optimistic the success of trial shipments of chilled beef and sheep meat to China will be extended to other plants.

Bovis decision due within six weeks: MPI �������������������� 7

Wind

Rain Showers this week, mainly in coastal areas of the North Island, gradually ease away to mainly dry as high pressure rolls in by mid to late week.

Another rainmaker moves in from the Tasman Sea around Sunday and Monday.

Sam’s Starlee breaks cow record ���������������������������������� 13

Southerly quarter winds kick off this week for most regions then fade mid to late week due to a large high crossing New Zealand.

By the weekend we’re back to mild northerly quarter winds then westerly quarter a week from now.

Highlights/ Extremes

Temperature New Thinking ��������������������������������������������������17 Opinion ������������������������������������������������������������18

REGULARS Real Estate �������������������������������������������������22-29

Pasture Growth Index Above normal Near normal Below normal

7-DAY TRENDS

Fonterra’s high pay rates upset farmers ������������������������ 8

Newsmaker ������������������������������������������������������16

NZX PASTURE GROWTH INDEX – Next 15 days

Cooler to begin with this week in a number of areas due to the more southerly quarter air flow. By the end of the week the high which will then be departing will encourage warmer northerly quarter winds for most.

Main highlights this week will be the very large high across NZ mid to late week. The next main system to monitor will be a likely low-pressure system by the end of this weekend or start of next week.

14-DAY OUTLOOK

For further information on the NZX PGI visit www.agrihq.co.nz/pgi Rain over the weekend and again any wet weather today should be helping to reverse the parts of the North Island that have had soil conditions drier than usual. Areas like Gisborne, Taihape and Dargaville should have a little more normality returning to soil moisture levels now.

Elsewhere and while a little cooler to begin with this week the incoming high and warmer winds associated with it later in the week should encourage more healthy pasture growth rates nationwide.

SOIL MOISTURE INDEX – 27/04/2018

Employment ����������������������������������������������30-31 Classifieds ��������������������������������������������������������31 Livestock ����������������������������������������������������31-35

40 Heifers steal the show Generations of genetics were keenly sought as Shenley Station’s AngusPure calves went under the hammer at the Temuka Saleyards last week.

Source: WeatherWatch.co.nz

This product is powered by NIWA Data

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

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

3

Stock mystery in court Nigel Stirling nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com SOUTH Island stock and station company Rural Livestock is facing multiple lawsuits from farmer clients claiming to be hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket as a result of transactions done on their behalf by a representative of the firm.

First up in the High Court at Christchurch tomorrow is south Otago farmer Ross Clark who is seeking reparation of $805,844 plus interest in relation to transactions in 2015 and 2016.

Three more Otago farmers in dispute with Rural Livestock concerning deals entered into around the same time are in the early stages of filing lawsuits against the Christchurchheadquartered firm.

And the Serious Fraud Office is investigating a complaint made by Rural Livestock in August 2016 in relation to a former employee.

The SFO in a statement said the investigation had so far focused on one individual and was continuing and no decision had yet been made to prosecute.

Two settlements are understood to have been reached between Rural Livestock and two Southland farmers – a father and a son – just days before their cases were to be heard in the High Court at Christchurch in early May. Rural Livestock chairman David Barker acknowledged three legal claims against the company but said they need to be seen in the context of a client base of 6500 farmers.

“Three of those clients have claims against the company, arising solely from the actions of a former employee.

“One of those cases goes to court on May 1. It is not appropriate for the company to comment on that case before it goes to court other than to

OUT OF POCKET: Farmer Ross Clark is seeking $805,844 compensation plus interest in relation to an in-calf heifer mystery. say it will be defended.”

Clark’s statement details alleged irregularities in relation to the sale, purchase, grazing and lease of cattle by a Rural Livestock representative in multiple transactions on his behalf between 2015 and 2016.

It claims inadequate documentation as well as failure to deliver livestock when instructed and failure to account for proceeds due from multiple transactions.

The largest transaction in question involved 176 in-calf heifers bought and paid for by Clark in three transactions in June and July 2015.

The animals were to be placed

by Rural Livestock’s livestock representative with dairy farmers

on free leases before eventually being sold.

Clark claims the heifers were either never bought or leased or if they were “the plaintiffs despite enlisting the assistance of Rural Livestock have never been able to positively ascertain what happened to the stock and have not been able to recover them”.

The statement of claim names the livestock representative involved. The individual no longer works for Rural Livestock.

Livestock transactions involving the same person are also understood to be under investigation by the SFO. Farmers Weekly has chosen not to name the individual as no charges have been laid to date.

Other farmers in dispute with Rural Livestock spoken to have outlined similar instances of livestock and proceeds going unaccounted for involving the same livestock representative around the same time.

The amounts in dispute range from $41,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In an email to farmers last December SFO investigator Matthew Preece said the office was looking into transactions including reviewing financial information, physical movements of livestock, NAIT and LIC records for the previous 12 months.

Preece’s email said the investigation was largely complete and a summary would be put in

front of the SFO’s director in the New Year.

Although the report would make a recommendation it would be the director who would decide whether criminal charges would be pursued.

In a statement last week a spokesman for the SFO said the investigation was still ongoing.

“The SFO is aware that civil proceedings have arisen in relation to the same series of events that the SFO is investigating.

“These civil proceedings are not an impediment to our investigation or any prosecution that may ensue.”

The investigation is now expected to be completed by the middle of the year.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

Chilled meat trial proves successful Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com

OPEN IT UP: Meat Industry Association chief executive Tim Ritchies says there is no impediment to broadening the chilled meat trade with China.

THE meat industry is optimistic the success of trial shipments of chilled beef and sheep meat to China will be extended to other plants.

About 800 tonnes of beef and 400 tonnes of sheep meat were shipped to China from 10 approved plants from June to December, which Meat Industry Association chief executive Tim Ritchie said went well.

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“I am not aware of any impediment to suggest it shouldn’t be broadened.”

That decision will be made by Chinese officials in conjunction with the Ministry for Primary Industries but Ritchie did not know the timeframe for a decision, which could be delayed by some ministerial changes in China.

“New Zealand has done everything we need to do. It is now a question of waiting for China and that process to run its course.”

Ritchie said the meat industry had worked collegially on the trial, aware all companies would benefit from its success.

Access will not mean the instant displacement of frozen meat by chilled but as exporters found with Europe, to preserve premium prices its growth had to be carefully managed and linked to product positioning, distribution and demand.

“Europe took 20 to 30 years to grow and companies will expand only when they are confident the market can handle distribution and customer demand so premiums can be maintained.”

China is an important market for certain cuts but Ritchie said expanding into chilled should allow the hotel and restaurant sector to be developed.

“It’s not going to replace everything going there frozen with chilled and we don’t want that.”

Greenlea managing director Tony Egan said the trial was worthwhile financially without being spectacular but importantly it tested distribution and storage systems.

“So far all reports of our own and others suggested it worked well.”

Egan said markets are slowly establishing with demand consistent without being extreme.

“They’re not huge premiums but it’s been without incident and it is good to have chilled in the mix.”

Alliance Group sales manager Murray Brown said the trial’s value was in developing chilled trade as an everyday business and extending the range of products supplied.

Brown said Alliance sent weekly shipments, which allowed it and its in-market partners to learn more about the market and handling product.

“I think NZ has done quite a good job managing chilled volume in to the market.”

Ritchie said Australian meat processors have also been trialling chilled shipments to China from about 12 plants but is still awaiting official approval to expand that to 18 plants.

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LOG exports have picked up after a slowdown ahead of the Chinese New Year and traders are optimistic about the outlook for the year ahead, according to the latest AgriHQ forest market report.

Export volumes in February were 1.6% ahead of the three-month average and 18% up on the same time last year as weaker exports to India and South Korea were offset by strong exports to Japan and China.

Lumber exports also picked up, with February export volumes up 25% on the same time last year, driven by strength in China and the United States.

Overall, the log trade into China, New Zealand’s largest log market, weakened in February with imports down 32% on the threemonth average and 14% below the same time last year because of the disruption of Chinese New Year celebrations, AgriHQ said.

– BusinessDesk

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

5

Primary council to realise vision Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com THE Government’s just-named Primary Sector Council will give it strategic advice on the future direction of the primary sector, Agriculture and Rural Communities Minister Damien O’Connor says.

Following those deliberations each sector will work with the council to address strengths, weaknesses and challenges.

“Much of that thinking is already taking place but we need to provide some structure for that to occur so that it will answer and deliver a sense of direction,” he said.

This group is tasked in my mind to significantly restrict growth of the dairy industry.

Nathan Guy National Party The council is not designed to revolutionise NZ agriculture but provide a shared vision of the direction the sector needs to follow.

Privately some industry leaders have questioned the absence of active pastoral farmers on the council as well as the lack of a dairy processing representative to provide a link between the council’s thinking and farmers and processers, claims O’Connor rejects.

He said the council needs to be small enough to focus but big enough to have a variety of expertise.

The inclusion of alternative protein manufacturer Shama Lee was intentional to provide an understanding of an industry that will disrupt New Zealand food production.

O’Connor said a statement of intent has been signed with the

council and work is under way on its terms of reference. Funding will be from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ budget.

Council chairman Lain Jager said its first phase was to look at the previous Government’s goal of doubling primary sector exports by 2025.

“This Government is saying it needs to ensure the objective is a balanced focus on value and sustainability.

“The real theme of what they are saying is ‘how much can we move up the value chain, build premiums into our products as opposed to adding value through increased volume’.”

Jager said it will be a high level vision of where NZ positions primary sector exports.

The second phase will be “a deeper dive” working with sectors to identify opportunities and develop partnerships to achieve those goals.

Sectors such as the dairy industry were already involved in discussions over production systems and environmental footprints and the council will work with them and others on challenges they face.

National Party agricultural spokesman Nathan Guy said the council should include farmers to have input on ideas and suggestions but also “a heavy hitter” from the dairy industry to counter what he believes is a push by the Green Party to curb the size of the dairy industry.

“This group is tasked in my mind to significantly restrict growth of the dairy industry.”

Guy was also confused as to what it was trying to achieve given there were no terms of reference or costings.

Federated Farmers and Beef + Lamb NZ both supported the council but the federation’s president Katie Milne did note the lack of experienced, practising farmers on the council.

“We’ve noted the make-up of the panel has focused on industry innovators and leaders.

“This is perhaps at the expense of long-standing, experienced, practising farmers.

LEADER: The Primary Sector Council will work with sectors in a deep dive to identify opportunities and develop partnerships to achieve goals, its chairman Lain Jager says.

They have a wealth of knowledge that could also add value to the conversation.

B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor said the aims of the council align with what it and partners sought to achieve with the Red Meat Story.

The future of pastoral farming received a further challenge this week with an interim Productivity Commission report advocating substantial land use change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It advocates a doubling the area of forestry to 3.2m hectares, mostly from marginally profitable beef and sheep farms, rapid expansion of horticulture and for agriculture to be included in the Emissions Trading Scheme but allocated free NZ Units.

It also said energy prices will need to increase significantly to drive changes in human behaviour.

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The bums on the seats THE Primary Sector Council is: former Zespri chief executive Lain Jager, chairman, former PipfruitNZ chairwoman Nadine Tunley, Tuaropaki Trust sustainability general manager Puawai Wereta, KPMG farm enterprise specialist Julia Jones, Greeenlea Premier Meats managing director Tony Egan, NZ Merino chairman John Brakenridge, Sustainability Council projects director Stephanie Howard, plant protein firm Sunfed founder and chief executive Shama Lee, DairyNZ people and business strategy and investment manager Mark Paine, Horticulture NZ

chairman Julian Raine, former Foundation for Research, Science and Technology chairman Neil Richardson, Wakatu Incordporation director Miriana Stephens, Landcare Research and farm companies director John Rodwell, Plus Group and Newnham Park Horticulture Innovation Centre founder, owner and managing director Steve Saunders and Lincoln University chancellor Steve Smith.

The young horticulturist and young farmer of the year titleholders Shanna Hickling from Gisborne and Nigel Woodhead from Balclutha will also attend meetings.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

7

Bulk milk tests ‘not working’ Annette Scott annettescott@xtra.co.nz FRANK Peters’ $4 million dairy herd, the result of 55 years of breeding genetics is about to be slaughtered despite being clean in bulk milk testing.

Now he’s worried about 2500 calves he has sold in the four years since Mycoplasma bovis arrived on his 1400-cow farm in stock he bought from Southern Centre Dairies in Southland in autumn 2014.

“That’s four years ago and we have sold 2500 calves in that time that could be anywhere now.

“Last spring alone we calved 900 cows, kept 140 heifer calves and sold all the rest to rearers.

“We know our animal movement records are impeccable. We know where they went initially but they could have been shifted five times since then.

“It scares to me think where they could have gone and if we

shut up and say nothing it’s doing nothing to help anyone.”

He also wants MPI to be more open, believing that will help farmers.

“There is a plenty of information out there but too many farmers are scared to share what they know because of fear of repercussions.

“Our herd will be wiped out in three to four days – just like that, with no assurance it’s even proving anything.

“There’s been plenty of tears and anger – what can we do?

“We are all being told to keep quiet but at the end of the day if we share what we know we will all be better off.

“The time is past for the rest of the country to speak out, rattle the cage and bring them (MPI) to account.”

Nationwide bulk milk testing was supposed to give confidence the disease is not spreading.

“If they (MPI) think that then it’s

spreading false confidence.”

Farms are getting clear milk tests then showing positive after blood tests and further single cow milk tests.

“I am one of those and there’s several more that we know of.

“We are being giving a certificate from the milk company to say we are all clear through the bulk milk test then we test positive through blood testing.

“Where’s the confidence that the testing is accurate – bulk milk testing is a crock of shit,” Peters said.

“MPI need to front up, get out from behind the desk and be honest with the whole country.

“From the results we are experiencing, one bulk milk test doesn’t give any confidence.

“At the end of the day it’s who is lucky and who is not lucky,” Peters said.

“MPI need to admit they can’t beat this. We need to manage it, we know now we have

LOST: Frank Peters has been given notice his 55 years of dairy breeding genetics will go to slaughter.

Photo: Annette Scott

unknowingly been managing this for the last four years, at least.

Peters said there had been nothing at all untoward in the herd.

“We had no mastitis, no arthritis, the calves were beautiful and healthy.”

“Testing at a time when cows are not under stress is not accurate and is actually giving some false information. There’s overseas evidence aplenty to

prove this.

“How confident are they (MPI) to do a round of bulk milk testing in the spring?

“I’m sorry to say, it’s here.

“Leave farmers to manage it – don’t get me wrong, farmers could do a lot more but we can do that – the rest of the world can do that,” Peters said.

MPI response director Geoff Gwyn is out of the country and not available for comment.

Bovis decision due within six weeks: MPI A DECISION on the reality of eradicating Mycoplasma bovis can be expected in the next six weeks.

While the Ministry for Primary Industries remains committed to eradicating it, that could change as early as next week if an outbreak is found in the North Island, MPI chief operations officer Roger Smith said.

MPI, DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, the Dairy Companies Association and the Meat Industry Association believe eradication is still an option.

SUN

MON

“At the moment we still believe, if we throw everything at it and sacrifice, we can eradicate,” Smith said.

“If farmers say they want to change the option then it will be MPI’s role to determine that option.

“This is a very complicated disease and we have to paint a picture using many, many components and we are working with industry on all decisionmaking.”

A final decision on eradication or management of the disease will be made in the next six weeks unless there was reason, such as a North Island outbreak,

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NEWS AS IT UNFOLDS

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to make it sooner.

“Meantime, we are still working with industry whose preferred option is to eradicate if at all possible so it’s a case of containing the disease where we know it is.

“But if we find it in herds across the North Island we could expect a decision next week,” Smith said.

“Nobody is trying to drag this out and believe me this is not an exercise for MPI – this is a wellthought-out, scientific-based response including industry.”

NZ can manage the disease if it comes to that.

But it will not be dairy farming

THU

as it is now, at least not in Southland and parts of the South Island.

“We can live with it and we may have to live with it.”

MPI is committed to supporting farmers to transition to new farming systems if the option of eradication is canned and the response goes to management.

As the nationwide bulk milk testing rounds draw to a close, Smith said it was always known that it wouldn’t be 100%.

“The bulk milk testing was designed to help determine the spread across the country and help paint the picture.

FRI

“Extensive operations are taking place to trace historic animal movements and in some cases this is bringing up positives but this was to be expected and part of the many components of this very difficult disease.”

As for compensation, Smith said some accounts, for varying reasons, were taking longer to pay out than general.

“Our focus for infected properties is to destock, restock and get a dairy cheque back in for next season.

“We do understand that is frustrating and stressful for farmers not able to take control of their destiny.”

SAT

Now you can receive a midweek email update from Farmers Weekly editor Bryan Gibson who will set the scene for the news of the week.

Enjoy reading this and our usual Friday night update where you can catch up on the top stories and read our virtual publication before it hits the printing press.

Sign up at farmersweekly.co.nz/e-newsletter

2281FW

Annette Scott annettescott@xtra.co.nz

8

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

Fonterra’s high pay rates upset farmers Glenys Christian glenys.christian@nzx.com FONTERRA shareholders are paying almost $200,000 each a year in wages to the co-operative’s employees, Auckland Federated Farmers dairy chairman Craig Maxwell says.

He was called by several farmers irate about the figures on staff pay used by Brian Gaynor in a column at the end of March.

“They felt some staff were getting paid far too much,” he said.

Gaynor said from 2011 to 2017 Fonterra’s revenue fell by 3.2% while its payment to farmers dropped by 7.5% but staff numbers rose 27.4% from 16,800 to 21,400 and pay was up 26.9%.

“In dollar terms this resulted in a $764 million decline in annual payments to New Zealand farmers between 2011 and 2017 while Fonterra’s total staff remuneration increased by $417m in the same period,” Maxwell said.

Gaynor said 5245 Fonterra employees got more than $100,000 in 2016-17 and average pay was estimated at $92,000.

“So 21,400 employees divided by 10,000 farms equals 2.14 employees per farm,” Maxwell said.

“And 2.14 times $92,000 equals $196,880 per farm per annum.

“Each of us is supporting nearly $200,000 of remuneration each year.”

But the issue is difficult because Fonterra is a big company and Auckland is an expensive city to live in.

“It sells globally and to run it we need people with appropriate skills.”

He told farmers he would bring the subject up but the issue is not one for the

federation to deal with – rather one Fonterra Shareholders’ Council is best able to do something about.

“They’re the shareholders’ voice.”

Maxwell said Fonterra’s interim result was obviously disappointing and farmers should demand far better performance.

A Fonterra spokesman said reporting practices required companies only to list the number of employees with total remuneration over $100,000 in bands.

“For salaried positions we aim to pay at the market median in the markets where we operate. For our employees who are part of collective agreements, remuneration is negotiated and agreed in partnership with our employee representative organisations.”

Fixed remuneration for salaried and waged employee not covered by a collective agreement is reviewed annually while pay for employees on a collective agreement is reviewed in line with agreed schedules.

“We carefully consider aspects such as inflation, labour market movements, our ability to afford increases, the wider environment and our competitive position.”

Pay for salaried employees is based on a total remuneration approach consistent with best practice globally. It includes salary, benefits (superannuation and insurance) and incentives.

“Our short term incentives reflect a set of balanced measures that are based on the co-operative’s performance and individual performance.

“The amounts we pay to our employees are compared against comparable companies in relevant markets using information obtained from independent remuneration consultants.”

It’s a good time to be a banker Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com NEW Zealand agriculture and horticulture and their support industries are enjoying sustained good returns in almost all products, newly appointed Rabobank NZ chief executive Todd Charteris says.

“It is a very good time to come back to NZ and lead the team to guide the clients of Rabobank in their banking needs,” he said.

The short to medium-term outlook for 2018 is for continued profitability onfarm and in the service sector, including good levels of conserved feed for next dairy season.

Better profitability over two years or more will enable farmers to focus on their business management skills and choose the best long-term strategies for their businesses.

Charteris, born in Otago and an employee of Rabobank since 2000, was most recently national manager country banking Australia since 2015 before being appointed to head the NZ operation and its 300 staff members.

He was able to announce earlier in April a 12.3% lift in net profit after tax to $132.2 million last year.

The improved profit came from a combination of lower provisions, net lending growth and reduced costs.

Agricultural lending growth for Rabobank NZ was 3.6%, an increase of $729m, compared with the Reserve Bank increase for all agriculture sector borrowing of 2.2%.

Growth in post-farmgate food and agriculture lending helped push Rabobank’s NZ asset portfolio up by 3.8%.

Charteris said Rabobank

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NO INVESTMENT: Farmers are repaying debt while the political climate is putting them off new spending, new Rabobank NZ head Todd Charteris says.

We have plenty of headroom for continued growth.

Todd Charteris Rabobank continued to increase its market share in primary sector banking but declined to say what that share was.

Since entering the NZ market more than 25 years ago, the Dutch co-operative bank had invested all profits back into strengthening the NZ balance sheet and growing its market share and lending capabilities.

“We have plenty of headroom for continued growth,” Charteris said.

The total capital ratio on December 31 was 13.63%, a strong ratio that would enable clients to expand and bring in quality new business.

“Consistent behaviour and consistent approach to banking in the rural sector are fundamentals of Rabobank’s time in the NZ market and will remain so.

“The long-term nature of our policies in NZ go back to the cooperative roots in Europe.”

This year NZ farmers are using their strong cashflows to repay debt and strengthen their balance sheets while expansion options are being carefully studied in the political climate.

Rabobank stuck to interestonly loan repayment facilities combined with all-in-one mortgage and trading accounts so all farm revenue goes into reducing variable-rate loan balances.

Farmers could also draw up to their loan agreements for projects that offer greater returns than the cost of capital.

Farms with higher loan-tovalue ratios are repaying debt and Rabobank has recovered bad debt of $1.34m, compared to the 2016 financial year when provisions increased to $16.5m.

The number of commodities with good prices and optimistic outlooks is unusual in his experience, sweetened by a lowinterest-rate environment.

The obvious differences between the Australian and NZ primary sectors were the NZ dairy dominance and the large arable and domestic markets in Australia.

“Because of the big domestic demand commodity price volatility is probably lower over there and the product mix is larger.”

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10 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

Gas not grass at farm field day Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com GROUND-BREAKING research turning a commercial dairy farm into a living lab is starting to reveal some valuable insights for farmers seeking ways to reduce and mitigate greenhouse gases.

Waikato University has, for the first time, thrown back the blanket on its researchers’ cutting-edge equipment and early lessons from that equipment on a Matamata property that has been a core site over the past six years.

In something of a national first, the traditional style Waikato farm discussion day had greenhouse gases rather than growing more grass as the key focus for those attending.

At the heart of the property’s research into better understanding of nitrous oxide release on dairy farms is the university’s $250,000 Quantum Cascade Laser. The high tech kit is helping researchers gain far more accurate analysis what the gas does when released from cow urine patches.

Nitrous oxide makes up 11-15% of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions. It is of particular interest to researchers, being 300 times more potent than carbon

dioxide and an ozone depleter.

It bedevils livestock systems along with methane. Until now it has been measured using chambers about the size of the average rubbish bin lid.

What we have found is the soil’s carbon level is really like a bank balance.

Professor Louis Schipper Waikato University Professor Louis Schipper, a biogeochemist and co-leader of the Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre’s research programme into nitrous oxide, said a piece of equipment like the laser is usually found only in the sterile confines of a physics lab.

“But we have put it out here in a paddock and its ability to measure nitrous oxide down to levels as low as 0.2 parts per billion mean we can understand this gas far better in a real farm situation.”

Sampling air 20 times a second has enabled real time evaluation of how it is released during and

after cows graze pasture.

The early stages of analysis indicate the farm loses about 7kg of nitrous oxide a hectare a year.

“The next thing we are interested in is to see if we can bring that number down.”

Researchers are particularly interested in seeing the results from a recently sown plantainbased pasture sward. That grass has proved capable of reducing nitrogen leaching through the soil and researchers are excited by prospects it might also help reduce nitrous oxide losses as gas.

Schipper said the work is very much in its early phase but he is excited about harvesting data from a typical commercial dairy unit in real time.

The project also gave early insights to gas sequestration or soil-based storage of carbon.

While NZ soils are relatively high in carbon because of their young age, the researchers are finding the amount can be degraded relatively easily and there are some steps farmers can take to protect valuable soil carbon.

“What we have found is the soil’s carbon level is really like a bank balance.

“When a paddock is sprayed out and left bare that bank balance

is not earning any income (extra carbon). Cultivation kills the sward but you are still spending money by the soil microorganisms that continue to break down material and carbon,” Schipper said.

A wet soil will only increase the rate of micro-organism activity and the longer a paddock is left bare, the greater the carbon loss.

The carbon losses can be considerable.

On a relatively high carbon farm with 200t a hectare, leaving a paddock bare over two weeks could shave 2% of it.

“That is a lot when you could be losing only 0.5 tonne a year not cultivating it.”

Overall, researchers are finding increasing carbon levels over time is difficult and offers little potential for carbon sequestration.

Ben Troughton who runs the family farm business said despite the added complexity of operating a farm sometimes crawling with students he enjoys the contact with the world-leading team.

He has seen crop suggestions and different pasture swards added into the farm’s system, and gets to see first-hand the outcome of those decisions in the research results.

CLEANER: Professor Louis Schipper is working on reducing nitrogen emissions.

“It has become more important for me to record a lot more information including what feed we add in, what paddocks the cows graze and so on.

“But we were already well on a pathway to improved sustainability, reducing our cow numbers over five years and being more self sufficient so this work fits well with what we are trying to achieve.”

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

11

Put wellbeing in business plan IF THE wool industry wants to attract the next generation of shearers it needs to prioritise the wellbeing of its workforce, industry veteran Dion Morrell says.

Dion and his partner Gabriela run a busy, Alexandra-based contracting business employing up to 50 shearers at peak time.

He’s worked in the industry for over 40 years, starting as a shearer straight out of school, working his way up to elite level competition representing New Zealand and setting four world records along the way.

Dion still loves the industry but fears for its future.

“Shearing used to be a default career path for many school leavers, especially young Maori.

“But those days are gone and we are struggling to attract and train young people.”

So the industry needs to present

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itself in a much more positive light.

“Everything has changed since I started shearing.

“Even the sheep have changed.

“These days they’re bred for meat as much as wool and they’re a much bigger and more powerful animal.

“When I was young we were dealing with a 50 to 60 kilo ewe, now they’re 70 kilos and they are vigorous animals.

“You need to be physically and psychologically fitter to cope.

“You need better technique, you need to watch your diet, you need to stay in condition and look after your body.”

Back when he began his career people worked with little

CARING: Dion Morrell and his wife care for the wellbeing of their staff.

Dion’s top tips • Make wellbeing part of your business plan.

• It helps attract and retain good staff.

• Stay farm fit.

• Work on your strength and flexibility.

• It helps you avoid injuries and extends your career.

• Look after yourself – eat well, sleep well, help your body recover.

• Make sure you have the energy to do a physically-demanding job.

• Make staff aware that drugs and alcohol impair concentration and judgement and can lead to serious workplace injury.

regard for their own wellbeing.

“For shearers and farmers of my generation there was often an unhealthy link between our ego and amount of work we did.

“That’s why people physically or mentally broke down.”

Dion compares the physical demands of modern shearing to competitive sport.

“Over the course of a day a shearer will burn through the same amount of kilojoules as a guy would running back-to-back marathons.

“For a person to cope with that, it’s all about how well you prepare and repair your body and mind.”

“If people aren’t sleeping well, eating well and recovering properly they get tired, they get toey with each other, they get run down and that’s when the injuries come.”

So keeping staff fit and well has become central to the way Dion and Gabriela run their business.

“We’ve learnt that if you don’t focus on wellbeing you are just breaking people down.

“Our business needs these people to come back to work for us.

“If they’ve had a good season, made money and can see we’re genuinely trying to look after them, they’ll be back.”

There’s now a host of proactive, wellbeing measures in place at Morrell Shearing.

All staff enjoy heavily subsidised access to a local gym where they work on their strength, flexibility and fitness.

They receive subsidised passes to the local pool and use the spas there as part of their recovery.

They get a free annual check-up by a GP and ongoing access to a chiropractor or physios to treat niggling strains or injuries.

Work is also scheduled so rest and recovery time is possible after a hard week in the shed.

“A lot of what Gabriela and I are doing is consistent with the main Farmstrong message,” Dion says.

“Treat people as your number one asset. It’s so true.”

It’s no surprise Dion is one of a number of wellknown shearers promoting the industry’s new safety initiative Tahi Ngatahi.

“We really to need to think about how we look after these kids coming through.

“There’s no point just saying harden up. It’s a different time now. It’s not a matter of whether people can do something, it’s a matter of whether they should be doing it,” Dion says.

“We need to create the sort of working environment

where young people know we value them and they can see value working for us.” is the official media partner of Farmstrong

MORE:

There’s a ton of really practical farmer-to-farmer tips and videos on the Farmstrong website that will help you invest in your wellbeing so you have something to draw on when you are under the pump. So check out what could work for you and lock it in.

Visit www.farmstrong.co.nz

Over the course of a day a shearer will burn through the same amount of kilojoules as a guy would running back-to-back marathons.

News

12 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

New farming fund makes promises Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com

EASE: Syndex lets Farm Venture easily distribute detailed reports and investors can access performance analytics at any time, Syndex managing director Ross Verry says.

A NEW farming investment fund has opened on the Syndex platform with assurances of diversity, liquidity and good returns.

It is called the Natural Farm Foods Ltd Partnership Fund (NFFLP) launched by Farm Venture, a Taranaki-based farm property and management business.

It is open to institutional and wholesale investors as well as individuals and overseas involvement is capped at 30% of the first tranche of $50 million.

The fund is seeking a minimum of $25m before May 25 to buy three dairy farms already under sale and purchase agreements, livestock and supply shares.

The minimum investment size is $100,000 and the targeted returns are 10% annually, being 6% from operations and 4% from capital value increase.

Farm Venture principal Tim Barrett said the sustainability of the fund and its returns come from diversifying investments into dairying, sheep and beef,

poultry and horticulture and some integrated operations, such as beef finishing of dairy calves, honey harvesting and forestry development across all properties.

Dairy farm values have fallen about 15% since the two recent bad milk payout seasons and onfarm investment in new technologies and improvements will underpin the targeted returns, Barrett said.

He is also very keen on maximising the pastoral agricultural attributes in New Zealand’s primary products, hence the NFFLP name.

Both a farmer and farm adviser, Barrett and partner Mike Trousselot founded Farm Venture in 2005 and have done six farm syndicates since then.

The new fund has added features that traditional farm syndicates don’t have – mainly low borrowing, flexibility in choices for investment, a redemption pool for investors who want out and the liquidity and reporting benefits of the Syndex platform.

Farm operators will also be encouraged to be fund investors, to build their capital and open opportunities for farm ownership.

“The opportunities for young farming families to invest in their businesses and livelihoods provides common alignment with investors for performance,” Barrett said.

The NFFLP had been open to institutions since January and had attracted considerable interest, such that he expected the first tranche to fill readily.

Second and third tranches of $50m each were planned.

The Syndex platform for trading alternative investments has been operating since 2015 and is approaching $1 billion of equities under administration, managing director Ross Verry said.

About half of those equities are in the primary sector, including the MyFarm syndicates listed on Syndex.

“The benefits to Farm Venture and its investors from utilising Syndex focus on administrative ease.

“Detailed reporting can easily be distributed to investors and they can access information and analytics around financial, operational and environmental performance all in one place, at any time.

“The diversification, scale and low leverage of the NFFLP fund combined with the transparency and secondary market that Syndex delivers means that this fund offers a higher level of liquidity than traditional agricultural investments,” Verry said.

He is the former head of agri for ANZ Bank and has been the managing director and part-owner of Syndex for 18 months.

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T&G Global will sell its Kerikeribased kiwifruit orchards, packhouse facilities and assets to Seeka, New Zealand’s biggest kiwifruit grower, in a deal worth about $40 million.

Seeka will buy T&G’s postharvest facilities in Kerikeri for the packing and storing of avocados, kiwifruit and citrus.

T&G will also sell all its 253,000 Zespri shares, worth about $2m, to Seeka.

Seeka recently sold out of its 740,606 shares in Zespri Group after opposing constitutional changes that tie shareholdings to trays of fruit produced.

T&G is also selling about 80 hectares of kiwifruit orchards in and around Kerikeri to Seeka. Hayward, ENZAGold and ENZARed kiwifruit as well as Zespri Sungold varieties are grown. T&G will, however, remain the trademark owner of the kiwifruit brands.

T&G will also have access to fruit grown by Seeka for its existing customers in NZ and overseas.

Seeka said the deal is subject to Overseas Investment Office approval, if required. The completion date for the postharvest sale is expected to be April 30 and June 30 for the orchard sale.

Seeka chief executive Michael Franks said the company identified the region as a growth area for both

avocados and kiwifruit and establishing a post-harvest hub in Northland has been a priority.

“With new avocado developments in the area we are expecting demand for postharvest facilities to increase.

“We also anticipate increasing demand for kiwifruit as growing conditions have proven very favourable, particularly for gold varieties and with Seeka providing a new, competitive dynamic to the market focusing on quality, price and service,” he said.

T&G’s will focus on core produce categories citrus and berries.

“Our Northland berry and citrus operations are not included in our sale as we intend investing further in these growth categories,” T&G executive general manager Andrew Keane said.

“We have land ready for development and will be investing also in crop protection facilities for our existing operation in Kerikeri.

We also hope to employ more people through these investments” he said.

T&G shares, of which BayWa owns 74%, last traded at $3.12 and have dropped 18% over the past year. Seeka shares last traded at $6.63 and are up 29% over the past 12 months.

– BusinessDesk

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

13

Kiwi-made tamarillo dressing wins in NY

TOP NOTCH: Robin, pictured, and Heather Nitschke developed tamarillo products on their Maungatapere orchard that are now winning awards.

NE W

NEW Zealand tamarillos have featured at a prestigious New York food awards, being judged best new product in the salad dressing category.

Serious Foodie NZ Tamarillo Marinade and Dressing gained the honour at the annual United States Specialty Food Association Awards, called the Sofis, among 2600 entries in 39 categories.

Serious Foodie is a US importer, product developer and wholesaler specialising in gourmet sources, spice rubs and vinegars.

Its relationship with the NZ Tamarillo Cooperative (Tamco) began about two years ago, director and leading grower Robin Nitschke said.

Serious Foodie owner Jim Pachence assessed NZ tamarillo products already on sale here, such as vinaigrette and relish, and proposed adaptations for American tastes and markets.

The NZ products were developed by Robin and Heather Nitschke on their tamarillo orchard at Maungatpere, near Whangarei, and retail here under the Tamco label For the Love of Tams.

The US award-winning marinade and dressing was formulated only a few weeks ago but is now expected to be in hot demand, Pachence said.

He believes the new taste of tamarillo, a fruit

grown commercially only in NZ and Australia outside of its Latin American origin, will appeal to US consumers.

Many of his products feature the country from which the ingredients come, in this case tamarillo pulp and vinegar from NZ. For the Love of Tams Relish also won a silver medal in the 2018 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, announced last week.

The US Sofis have been awarded annually since 1972.

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Sam’s Starlee breaks cow record Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com

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TARANAKI Jersey cow Beledene Sam’s Starlee sold for a record $38,000 at the recent Revell family dispersal after nearly 70 years of pedigree breeding.

Livestock agency Brian Robinson Livestock said the Starlee price beat the previous Jersey record of $35,000 set in 1984.

Despite not being in-calf, seven-year-old Starlee attracted keen competition because of her breeding, production record, structure and show performance.

She was crowned NZ Premier Pedigree Dairy Cow in 2015 and 2016.

The Revells left her open after her last calving, in late 2017 to provide more opportunities for the new owners.

Because of advancing years, brothers and sister Malcolm, Donald and Margaret Revell, at Mangatoki, near Eltham, decided to sell their renowned Jersey stud animals. They have contracted a sharemilker for next season, who will bring a replacement Jersey herd.

The sale of Beledene’s 280 cattle at an average of $3287 grossed more than $900,000 and attracted hundreds of buyers and spectators. Averages for the various categories of cattle were: 130 in-calf cows $3782, 17 empty cows $4776, 55 in-calf heifers $3035, one empty heifer at $1300, four herd sires $2600, 15 one-year bulls $2920 and 58 oneyear heifers $2159.

Starlee was bought by the McBeth family at Te Kowhai, near Hamilton, and the secondhighest sale price, $30,000 for five-year-old Beledene Centurion Marnie, was paid by Nicky Hines of Waitara, north Taranaki.

The Beledene Jersey stud was started by Arthur and Margaret Revell in 1949 and has during the past 69 years built up eight cow families that all contain high-producing and show-winning cattle.

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16 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

Dairy role model gets reward Taupo dairy farmer Kylie Leonard believes she has a responsibility to be involved in her community but she never “in her wildest dreams” expected any special accolades for doing what she loves. She talked to Annette Scott.

Plateau.

Her family has a long history of farming in the region where her grandparents walked from Te Aroha, in Waikato, to Reporoa to establish their dairy farm in the 1950s.

Initially pursuing a teaching career Leonard never gave up on her long-time dream to one day own a piece of land and be a dairy farmer herself.

That came to fruition six years ago when she and her husband Rick converted their dairy support unit to equity partnership dairying.

“You could say dairying has been in my blood and my heart forever. I believe this takes you where you should be,” she said.

“And I feel privileged to be involved in the dairy industry and my dairying community.”

At the Dairy Women’s Network conference last month Leonard was awarded the organisation’s 2018 Dairy Community Leadership Award.

“This was something I never dreamed. It was a complete surprise and I feel so humbled and honoured.

“I had just finished drenching calves when I got this call to say I had been nominated for the award and I just thought I can’t believe why – to win, it just blew me away.”

The prestigious industry award celebrates the unsung heroes of rural communities.

Leonard milks 400 cows at Oruanui, Taupo, with her husband Rick and daughters Kate, 10, and

seven-year-old twins Isla and Eloise.

“Yes we are a pink family,” she said.

The couple entered into their farm equity partnership with her parents and while Leonard is hands-on milking cows and rearing calves she continues to teach part-time at the local school, working with children with learning disabilities.

With a keen involvement in education she is chairwoman of St Patrick’s School board of trustees, patron of the Taupo Family Playcentre and is on the Taupo board of the Rural Education Activities Programme (REAP).

She has just stepped down as a committee member of the Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) and is a former Fonterra shareholders’ councillor for the Taupo ward.

Her passion for dairy farming and her community shines out in everything she does.

She is highly visible in her community and a big supporter of diversity in the farming workplace.

Receiving the award was acknowledgement of her commitment to promoting the dairy farming lifestyle.

“The dairy industry is in my heart and soul and seeing others be involved and succeed is a really great feeling.

“For me, connection is all about authenticity and inclusion – whether that’s sharing a positive story about the industry or putting my hand up to question something.

“I pride myself on being a positive role model to others.”

Leonard regularly promotes and hosts visits to her farm by playcentres, kindergartens,

PRIVILEGED: Dairy community leadership award winner Kylie Leonard feels privileged to be involved in the dairying community.

The learning you do is learning you share with others, you take everybody on the journey. primary schools, colleges and other and also supports AgITO students.

Last year she hosted 194 people on the farm.

“I like to lead a positive example not just for my kids but for all young people.

“It’s just amazing what so many get from a visit to the farm, touch the cows, milk the cows, feed a calf – they just take it all in and I like to think it’s the beginnings of their community and industry involvement.

“Sharing a positive story and

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us have done a lot to create and build our rural community and we have got a job to do to keep that going.”

With her award Leonard receives a scholarship, sponsored

by ASB and Tompkins Wake, to attend the Community and Enterprise Leadership Programme at Waikato University.

She plans to use it to help get more of the farming voice heard at local and regional councils levels.

“We need to be involved in those spaces. Our voice is just not being heard and we need to address this. I am very passionate about that.”

Leonard also believes in sharing her learning.

“The learning you do is learning you share with others, you take everybody on the journey with you as you upskill.

“I am really excited about the opportunity to do this.”

my love for our cows and our land is something I aim to do daily, whether that’s on social media, at school, at an event or out socialising.

“I never let an opportunity to share go past.”

Long-term, Leonard wants to further use her passion for dairying to encourage more people to enter the industry and help them to take advantage of the opportunities it offers.

“I just love it that every day three generations of our family are working together for a common goal – it’s magical.”

While acknowledging she leads a very busy life, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s busy but it’s very rewarding.”

Leonard believes she has a responsibility to be involved in her community.

“The people who came before

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YLIE Leonard is passionate about her community roots that go back more than 60 years on the Central

New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 23, 2018

17

Legendary herb offers options for forest crop With more than 2000 years of Chinese use as a tonic and medicine ginseng is a herb familiar to the world’s fastest-growing consumer market, one increasingly seeking traditional therapies and tonics for a growing list of modern ailments. The fact it appears to grow exceptionally well in New Zealand under the canopy of pine tree forests only adds to the appeal this ancient herb offers as a marketer’s dream and a forester’s cashflow booster. Richard Rennie gained an insight to the herb’s potential at the country’s inaugural Ginseng Symposium.

T

HE harvested root of ginseng has long held medicinal and healing properties valued by the Chinese and Koreans who see it as a cure for ailments including memory, fatigue, menopause symptoms and diabetes to name a few.

Globally, the ginseng market for both the raw root and processed product is valued at more than US$2 billion.

For Glen Katu, chief executive of Pure-ora Mountain Ginseng of Te Kuiti, it might also prove to be an answer to iwi needs for employment in regions otherwise bereft of job opportunities.

Katu heads the King Country iwi business established when parent corporation Maraeroa C worked with Crop and Food on a project trialling growing the herb under pine trees in 2006. The iwi’s forest, covering 5555ha, provided plenty of space to trial ginseng.

In establishing the ginseng plantings Katu was encouraged by the knowledge China is increasingly short of wild ginseng, with forested areas being cut back in the traditional growing area of the Chang Bai mountains in northeast China.

“With wild ginseng now quite rare, wild-simulated ginseng is the next best thing. Ninety five percent of ginseng is grown with fertiliser and chemicals and only 5% is wild-simulated. In China it takes 14 years to grow versus seven years in NZ thanks to fewer frosts and a longer growing window.”

Katu also noted the strong spiritual links Maori share with Chinese in terms of life force, described as qi by Chinese and mauri by Maori, along with a link to natural herbal medicine use in both cultures.

He was reluctant to expand on earlier efforts by investors to grow more than 100ha of ginseng under shade cloths between Bay of Plenty and Waikato.

We think there is a very good correlation between ginseng and pines.

Glen Katu Pure-ora Mountain Ginseng However, he was considerably more upbeat about iwi efforts under the established, natural cover of central North Island pine trees.

“We think there is a very good correlation between ginseng and pines but just have not had the chance yet to study how it goes under other trees. It also appears very few other crops are suited to grow with ginseng.”

The first harvest of early trial crops took place in the autumn of 2014 and 2015 with yields aligning with predictions. Tests indicate high levels of the ginseng active, ginsenoside, in the harvested

roots sent to a food company for further processing and packaging into the company’s range of ginseng products.

They include ginseng honey, lozenges, tonics and a ginseng cosmetic range.

Iwi are encouraged by positive talks with Chinese trade authorities for access, with a response earlier this year inviting negotiations to begin.

“It is culturally significant to the Chinese and they have a shortage of wild ginseng,” Katu said.

One of NZ’s most established ginseng growers, Stuart Mirfin of Nelson said ginseng is not indifferent to the plants growing over it and appeared to favour good soils that might once have had native totara trees growing in them.

“Some of our other native plants would not be so good, such as beech forest areas.”

He cautioned ginseng likes moisture but abhors wet feet, with seed requiring two winters’ exposure before germinating.

Mirfin’s own knowledge has come through 20 years of trial and error.

He has determined the plant does best with the almost contradictory indicators of a low soil pH and high calcium levels, much of it coming from pine needles.

He lamented NZ’s monocultural, cropped approach to forestry and said a mixed-age forest might lend itself well to ginseng cropping over periods not limited to a pine forest’s lifespan.

DEMAND: Ginseng is culturally significant to the Chinese and they are short of it, Pure-ora Mountain Ginseng chief executive Glen Katu says.

“If I was not so old I would plant in a deciduous forest but growing trees is not an old man’s job and it’s the same for ginseng.”

Katu said the labour requirement with ginseng comes at each end of its lifespan, planting and harvest seven years later.

Mirfin noted it is not a cure all for all ailments and Western

research into its medicinal effectiveness is thin on the ground.

However, he pointed to some research that indicated a positive link between ginseng intake and a reduction in the instance of breast cancer and Russian research indicating it gives greater tolerance to radiation and chemotherapy treatment.

Scientists unravel the secrets of ancient plant Chinese value Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com MASSEY University researchers are now well down the path to better understanding what it is in ginseng that bestows healthgiving properties on it.

However, there is still considerable work to determine the why behind those properties.

Massey Food Science and Technology Institute human nutrition senior lecturer Dr David Popovich said the herb is characterised by having no less

than 250 bio-active compounds or ginsenosides.

“That is a lot but which one of these is the active?”

Researchers have established a way to identity the different molecules and have started compiling a reference library using mass spectrometry. So far it contains sample profiles of 26 ginsenosides.

Popovich has a long-running interest in plants used in traditional Chinese medicine and said ginseng has long been held suitable for dealing with heart palpitations, insomnia,

impotence, diabetes and forgetfulness.

“When we look at what is actually known now, it includes work by the Mayo Clinic that reviewed 149 articles on its effect on chronic fatigue.

“It found there was a definitive positive effect taking ginseng.

“However, while it improved the symptoms and the evidence is it works, how is the question.”

A hot off the press finding is that ginseng also helps reduce inflammation and with that helps lower rates of diabetes, heart conditions and arthritis.

“It appears that it turns off the destructive immune response.”

Latest research has also found ginsenosides have a direct impact on the brain.

“That is something not thought possible before but if it is good, bad or indifferent, we don’t know yet.”

Given the molecular diversity and complexity of the ginsenoside molecule, Popovich is optimistic it might provide a source for other enhanced extracts, possibly including cytotoxins that can kill cancer.

“The evidence for ginseng

and diabetes is becoming quite strong.

“There have been a number of studies showing this but, again, in terms of how it works, we are working on that.”

With 11% of Chinese already diabetic and a third predisposed, the potential for a herb already culturally accepted that could help treat it presents a huge potential market.

Popovich said the herb has the potential to be rated in a way similar to the UMF manuka honey standard in terms of its active healing molecule quality.

Opinion

18 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

EDITORIAL

Go where no one has gone before

A

ND now for something completely different, as they used to say on Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

Taking a completely different approach to the hands-off one of its National predecessor the Labour-New Zealand First coalition has, in line with election promises, set up the Primary Sector Council and named 15 members to be led by former Zespri boss Lain Jager.

It has a mix of experience, expertise and youth and the reigning young horticulturalist and young farmer of the year titleholders will attend its meetings. It needs the old heads who know what has and hasn’t worked in the past, to bring a sense of history and context to deliberations. But the youngsters will be taking us into the future using technology that changes rapidly.

It will run a two-way process providing advice to the Government on one hand and providing leadership and guidance to the sector on the other. One of its first jobs is to develop a sector-wide vision. Let’s hope that provides a workable definition and some practical, measurable, concrete goals rather than producing grand-sounding but meaningless waffle. It will then work with each part of the sector to construct individual strategic plans.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said the aim is for the primary sector to capture more value from what it produces.

Those on the council should remember that.

The aim is to produce dollars not nicesounding, politically correct mumbo jumbo.

That it will produce an overall strategy into which each primary industry can plug itself might be the most important thing New Zealand does on the international market. Having a cohesive, complementary set of stories all with a central theme can only strengthen our sales efforts. Otherwise there’s a danger of different parts of the industry going of half-cocked or wasting money on pitches that don’t fit with our main message.

There’s nothing wrong with doing something completely different. In a fastchanging world it is likely to be essential.

Let’s hope the councillors come up with some bold moves. There’s no point in them regurgitating stuff we already know how to do unless, of course, they can tell us how to do it better.

Stephen Bell

LETTERS

Will tale have happy end? as Henry placed around him aids from the inland people who all thought as he did.

His arrogance was finally his undoing and led to his demise.

Henry, though, was a smart man and, foreseeing this day, had a succession plan in place and so arose our new leader John.

Henry’s vision for the big co-operative lived on but led by John grew bolder and grander. The big people cheered but the little people felt unease. The big people voted but by now the little people felt their voice was not heard nor welcome so did not vote.

Now John was smart and having seen that the manipulation by Henry led to his demise did not want to fall into the same trap. I have to be

ONCE upon a time there was a land of small co-operatives where the people and cows were happy.

A cry was heard “Let us all join and be happy together, there is more money to be made” and so it came that the small co-operatives all joined and became one.

Two smart men, Doug and Graeme came from the coast to lead but were soon swept aside as the larger group of inland people decided they wanted to be led by one of their own. After a great deal of argy bargy Henry rose to lead and the inland people cheered.

Henry ruled with an iron fist. The big people smiled but the little people felt unease

more transparent he thought.

“I will help you” he said to the people. “I will choose the people to help me and then you can vote for them.” The big people, who were by now losing the co-operative spirit, cheered but the little people felt unease and mourned the loss.

Now it came to pass that the vision for the big co-operative did not lead to the gains promised. Large amounts of money were given to people across the seas who smiled and thanked them because they knew they were smarter than the big co-operative.

The people, big and small became uneasy, John’s rule became shaky and a succession plan must be in place. Perhaps one of John’s friends, new to the board who

thinks as he does.

The people, big and small rose up and said “No, enough is enough. We will not have our life’s work undone by egos and incompetence.”

To be continued.

Linda Virbickas Bay of Plenty

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Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

19

NAIT has gap in animal tracing Michelle Edge

T

HE recently released NAIT Review Report makes a number of recommendations on improving New Zealand’s traceability framework.

With the issue of Mycoplasma bovis it has been reaffirmed animal identification and traceability, as foreseen with the development of NAIT, is an essential component of disease surveillance and response.

As a support system to the wider biosecurity response framework, NAIT has been providing animal, cohort, premises and movement data to Ministry for Primary Industries disease investigators since Mycoplasma bovis was first diagnosed.

We are continuing to report to MPI to support its ongoing surveillance and movement control actions with more than 1000 reports provided on animal movements, history and locations.

Modern countries established their traceability schemes with the start of the declaration of presence of animals at a farming location and registration of those premises involved in farming activities.

One issue for NZ, as described in the NAIT Review Report, is that the registration of premises is voluntary and doesn’t cover the range of livestock production animals required to establish the size and nature of the national herd and its locations, as opposed to the overseas examples.

When examining overseas examples it is observed that most countries have established consignment traceability through movement or livestock passport declaration mechanisms and used them for tracing movements alongside slaughter surveillance for the identification of diseases, either endemic or exotic.

Then, those countries have built on the consignment traceability

The

Pulpit

systems with individual animal radio frequency identification (RFID) for animal-level traceability and surveillance of diseases throughout the lifetime of the animals.

In NZ, however, movement declarations such as the Animal Status Declaration (ASD) have remained focused solely on animal status, eg bovine TB, and are not typically seen as a traceability tool for livestock.

The NAIT review considered that to enhance whole of supply chain traceability, the ASD would also be used for traceability purposes in conjunction with NAIT. That would provide data on physical movements for verification, data for additional movements to enhance recording as well as facilitate traceability of other species that are not part of NAIT, which remains a gap.

That is especially applicable in the event of a cross-species biosecurity incursion where paper forms would be the only option for investigators to trace movements of these animals.

Mycoplasma bovis is a cattle disease, and for this, NAIT

provides the individual animal traceability framework for cattle and deer in NZ. However, in the event NZ faced another livestock disease that impacted other species, such as sheep or pigs, a clear gap remains in terms of traceability capabilities.

Implementation of consignment traceability through ASD as a traceability tool for all livestock species that is integrated with NAIT would strengthen NZ’s biosecurity and traceability capability.

Ensuring the ASD form is provided in triplicate to enable farmer supplier to transporter to receive and identify forms with unique numbering would also enhance the integrity of the consignment declarations.

The addition of slaughter surveillance data at the national level would ensure identification of livestock diseases coupled with the ability to trace the animal back to source and any related cohort animals contributing to disease spread.

The NAIT Review Report recognises that the ASD, if linked with NAIT, could provide the information relating to sending movements and also address the recommendation to move to receiver-only transactions through NAIT. If these tools were linked this would form an enhanced national platform for livestock traceability.

Moreover, it would be then possible to verify records of NAIT movements, using the secondary mechanism of consignment declaration.

Without this secondary dataset, field inspection is the only way to actually confirm the real movement occurring against that recorded in the NAIT database, which is extremely costly.

An even better advancement would be the introduction of the electronic ASD which OSPRI has

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DO IT PROPERLY: A national traceability platform that aligns individual animal and consignment traceability is advocated by OSPRI chief executive Michelle Edge.

been trialling within the industry.

The alignment of eASD, ASD paper forms and NAIT would minimise the time inputs for farmers in creating their sending movements and would provide the required verification and status information for meat processors to address their customer requirements and standards.

An alternative to aligning the ASD with NAIT as a traceability mechanism for the majority of livestock species might be the creation of an alternative livestock health declaration that supports and is aligned with the national traceability system for biosecurity management in livestock industries.

A national animal health declaration coupled with NAIT would also facilitate national management of livestock diseases by status declaration, where these issues are now managed individually by farmers as opposed to under a national pest/ disease management programme.

Examples might include TSE, Johne’s, BVD, brucellosis, theileria and potentially Mycoplasma bovis, where ongoing surveillance and management will be required.

Establishing a national traceability platform that aligns individual animal and consignment traceability through ASD, NAIT and further linkage with carcase disposition data would enable better supply chain decision-making and delivery of customer standards for product sourcing.

Crucially it would also enhance NZ’s biosecurity response and readiness and enable strategic determination for future industry and government animal health programme investment.

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

20 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

Road policy a boost for regions Alternative View

Alan Emerson

I’VE read the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport and believe it is positive for the provinces.

I’m also pleased to have a well thought out, well written draft blueprint for land transport over the next 10 years.

In the past we had Roads of National Significance (RONS) foisted on us by the then National government.

The total cost of $24 billion came out of taxes and consisted of big ticket items, largely around Auckland to the detriment of the provinces.

I’d actually rename RONS to Roads About Political Expediency or RAPE as that was what it did to the regions.

The Manawatu Gorge is proof of that.

During the launch of the statement we were told transport funding was reduced in Taranaki, Southland, West Coast, Otago, Northland, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne and Bay of Plenty by up to 30% in the last nine years.

That, as you and I know, is the provincial heartland, the productive area of the economy.

Conversely, spending on state highways increased by 55% over

the same nine years, which would have achieved little.

As with any document there are parts I like and parts I don’t but I’m pleased to have a solid outline that I can have input into.

Under the Role of the GPS section you can read “Transport networks allow businesses, regions and cities to be well connected and productive.

Transport can be a powerful enabler for new housing opportunities, liveable cities and sustainable economic development in regional NZ.” Under another section it states for NZ to thrive, regions must thrive.

It also talks about resilience, developing a network that can, as much as is possible, withstand disasters.

So the GPS provides an holistic view of the future. It investigates and comments on all types of transport options, both public and private.

It is about long-term, sustainable solutions and not political expediency.

Investment in local road improvements will be increased by 42% with a 22% increase in local road maintenance. That is followed by a 96% increase in regional improvements.

So my strong belief is the GPS is really positive for the regions.

Half all vehicle journeys are on local roads, which get only 5% of the funding. Conversely under the Roads of National Significance projects the Government has shelved would have, according to NZ First MP Mark Patterson, been

HEARTBEAT: The economy’s productive provincial heartland will be allowed to thrive with investment in rural roads. allocated 40% of the road funding for 4% of the traffic.

That’s absurd.

Masterton Mayor, Lyn Patterson is supportive.

“It’s been long overdue to have a government that acknowledges there’s life outside of Auckland.

The investment needed in the regions is massive and it’s good to have that fact finally acknowledged.”

My strong belief is the Government Policy Statement is really positive for the regions.

What has frustrated me with the GPS is the political positioning by opposition parties.

National’s transport spokeman Jamie-Lee Ross was extremely vocal saying people will end up paying more and getting less, particularly in regional NZ where the nationwide petrol tax increase

is paired with a big decline in state highway investment.

Considering the facts, state highways have had a proposed 11% decrease in funding while on the other hand state highway maintenance has increased by 18%. It was capped by the National government.

As I’ve also stated local and regional roads are meant to get big increases, in the case of regional improvements almost doubling to a 96% increase.

We were also told there will be an increase in fuel tax with Ross waxing eloquently on the subject.

I’d make three points; the first is that the GPS is a draft document open for consultation. The second is that it was fine for National to tax everyone to pay for their roads around Auckland, now Auckland pays for its own roads.

Finally the Government is proposing a fuel tax increase of three to four cents a litre for the next three years.

That is no different from what National did while in office.

What I wanted to hear and didn’t was what National would have done differently. What

would it do to improve our land transport system?

Building more motorways in Auckland didn’t work. They did it and it achieved little.

In Wairarapa we have the Rimutaka Hill, the now nonexistent Manawatu Gorge and an unreliable rail service.

Looking at all components and not just one is, I believe, positive.

What wasn’t positive was the appalling job the Government has done selling the initiative.

Where I have a further problem is with the position of the allpowerful Land Transport Agency.

It has prove to be a hidebound, reactive bureaucracy and for the GPS to be successful that must change.

Consequently, I was pleased to read about the appointment of experienced director Michael Stiassny as new Transport Agency chairman. Hopefully he can right the ship.

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

Horse helps soldier win his girl From the Lip

Jamie Mackay

IT’S with much pride, tempered somewhat by a heavy heart, that I write this column on Anzac Day morning, having earlier attended the dawn parade in Dunedin.

Pride because my grandfather Hugh Mackay served at Gallipoli and on the Western Front and this year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of his service in the Great War, the war that was supposed to end all wars.

The heavy heart bit, I’ll leave till later.

In the meantime I’d like to tell you a heart-warming story about an Otago soldier that dates back 100 years.

William John Hornell was inseparable from his beloved horse, Kitty.

Shortly before the outbreak of war his equally devoted horse had helped him secure the hand of his future wife, Pansy.

While attending a dance in South Dunedin, Willy Hornell whisked Pansy out of the hall when his dandyish rival suitor was changing his dancing shoes. Kitty, towing a gig, responded instantly to her master’s whistle and, like something out of a Roy Rogers’ western movie, appeared out of the darkness.

Hornell helped Pansy into the carriage, placed a gig blanket over their knees and set off to her father’s home at a steady clip.

Hornell was the ninth man in Otago to enlist (in the Otago Mounted Rifles) in 1914 and was naturally very keen to take Kitty with him. After surviving the horrors of Gallipoli he was reunited with his horse in Egypt and took his mount with him to France in 1916 with the OMR Squadron.

Hornell later told his daughter Norma that Kitty saved his life many times on the Western Front and that she could sense the direction of incoming shells. Both rider and horse had many close calls when delivering dispatches.

One of Hornell’s favourite stories involved him being caught behind enemy lines during the hectic days of the spring offensive in 1918. A French family sheltered the fugitive for several days until

he could get back to his own lines and, in homage to their bravery, Hornell gave Norma the second name of Yvonne after the young girl who had given him food while in hiding.

For the next 20 years he frequently wrote to the French family who saved him and even sent them money in the Great Depression. To his horror, he learned after the Second World War that the Germans had bombed his hosts and massacred all the occupants, including Yvonne and her family.

Kitty’s life ended violently.

When riding dispatches she was struck in the head by artillery fire in no man’s land, taking the blast for her rider. Hornell was gassed and suffered shell shock, which eventually turned his fair hair completely white, and was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in 1918. He survived the war, returned to Dunedin and married his sweetheart.

There is a moving epilogue to the Hornell story.

Both Willy and Kitty are depicted in (New Zealand Army artist) Captain Matt Gauldie’s painting of the dramatic charge of the OMR at Messines.

Fittingly, Norma helped unveil the painting in 2010 by removing

HEROIC: Army artist Matt Gauldie depicted the charge of the Otago Mounted Rifles at Messines.

the very same gig blanket Willy had used outside the dance hall in South Dunedin. It was preserved as a family treasure since 1914.

Willy Hornell maintained to his dying day in 1967 that Kitty had secured him his wife and saved his life.

Now for the heavy heart bit, the aforementioned words are not mine. They belong to war historian, my late brother Dr Don Mackay, and are an excerpt from his book The Troopers’ Tale – The

History of the Otago Mounted Rifles, published in 2012.

All proceeds from the publication of this column will go to his son Alex who, like many 100 years ago, lost his father far too early.

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

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

21

Trees attractive but do checks Meaty Matters

Allan Barber

THE Beef + Lamb New Zealand Northland annual showcase field day in April on James Parsons’ steep hill country farm provided a good insight into the benefits and challenges of planting trees.

Two key speakers on the day were Primary Industries Ministry acting forestry head Julie Collins and Stuart Orme from Wairarapa forestry consultancy Woodnet who gave contrasting and informative presentations on how to integrate tree planting programmes into a working sheep and beef property.

Collins addressed the topic of the Government’s billion trees programme, explaining the objectives, timetable and respective roles of the government and commercial sectors including farmers, as well as the assistance available and where to find it.

There are two main objectives: to help NZ transition to sustainable and resilient land use and support the regeneration of the regions.

It is a 10-year programme that will scale up over the next three years reaching its peak in 2021.

The targets for this year and

next will be met by the baseline forecast of existing planting and replanting before the extra planting needed to meet the target kicks in in 2021.

She emphasised the Government is looking to match the tree with the land: the mantra is “right tree, right place, right time” and it also recognises the importance of planting to provide shade and soil erosion protection in the face of the effects of climate change.

Collins was at pains to point out the commercial sector will be expected to meet only half the annual target by planting 50 million trees a year with the other half being met by Crown forestry ventures, the Conservation Department, regional councils and coalitions between the Government, Maori incorporations and nongovernment organisations.

To meet these ambitious projections will require an overall policy framework, seedlings, labour, land and processing infrastructure.

MPI is also conscious of preserving diversity in the farming landscape and is looking to support hill country farming, not replace it.

Sheep and beef farmers will have several incentives to plant, such as gaining carbon credits, now at $21 a tonne, to retire farmland and generate an income stream from livestock shelter, riparian planting, soil protection and manuka for beehives.

A significant proportion of the planting programme will comprise wattle, poplar and gum with pine trees expected to make up the balance though that poses a number of challenges, not least the estimated cost of farm road infrastructure for felling at $60,000 to $200,000 a kilometre and the distance to market.

The goal is to plant 15,000 hectares of new forest by 2020 to offset the decline in new planting over the past 20 years.

To help achieve the goal MPI has introduced the afforestation grant scheme which offers $1300 a hectare for forestry planting between five and 300-hectare lots with $19.5 million available until 2020 and help from regional councils with fencing and riparian planting. The 2018 grant funding round closes on May 14. To help farmers further with their cashflow MPI intends to look at the ETS settings to replace the peaks and troughs with an average credit over the life of the plantation.

Collins emphasised the sheep and beef sector’s opportunity to enhance the resilience of rural communities through the treeplanting programme, which MPI is keen to assist with, though she acknowledged the challenges of finding enough management capability and labour and developing more domestic wood processing.

Orme took a very pragmatic approach to the topic, saying land use decisions are about ensuring the right species is being farmed

BRANCHING OUT: Farmers attended a Beef + Lamb New Zealand field say to learn about the opportunities in trees.

or planted in the right place to achieve the correct combination of sustainability, productivity, economic benefit and emotion.

A matrix approach works best with internal rate of return calculations being used to compare the different land use options.

Poplar and willow will produce $433.90 a hectare over five years and pine will increase returns significantly but he noted the infrastructure cost and distance to market or port.

Manuka offers enormous potential, particularly for medical use, but as well as being able to trust the hive owner he warned of the risks associated with it, notably myrtle rust, uninformed investment and the potential for boom and bust like goats and kiwifruit 30 years ago.

He also warned advance planning is critical to any investment decision, especially where it involves the need for a reduction in stock units to gain carbon credits.

If there are pre-1990 forestry blocks on the farm the farmer is entitled to claim carbon credits but it is important to realise

cutting them down means handing back carbon credits to the Government in compensation within four years while approval for replanting must be gained in advance to avoid penalties.

It would be accurate to say attendees went home with a lot more information and knowledge than they had when they arrived.

It provided food for thought about potential options for their business but there are likely to be many more questions as the programme progresses.

The best advice would be first to look at MPI’s website then talk to MPI, the regional council and a forestry adviser before making any long-term decisions about planting programmes and changes of land use.

But what is certain is that there are plenty of profitable opportunities for incorporating a planting programme into farming systems.

Your View Allan Barber is a meat industry commentator: allan@barberstrategic. co.nz, http://allanbarber.wordpress. com

Talk turns into cycle trail action From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

WE ARE in the middle of a Central Otago holiday.

For years we have talked about riding bikes along the old rail trail given Jane hails from Middlemarch and now, along with three friends, we are halfway and spending a pleasant night in Naseby.

Jane and I hired a car out of Christchurch so we could make that epic drive down through the Mckenzie Country, which we hadn’t done for a decade or more.

We hadn’t been up to Mount John where the observatory is and with a perfect day the visibility and views were outstanding over the Tekapo surrounds.

As we closed in on Central Otago, being late April, the colours of the deciduous trees

BRIGHT: Central Otago’s trees display vivid and blazing colours.

became more and more vivid. The Lombardi poplars were a blaze of golden yellow where ours at home are a pale imitation. Mind you, in recent years after 40 years of the onslaught of the rust, it’s almost as if they have gained some level of resistance because they have definitely improved with their autumn colours.

At the same time, the rustresistant clones bred in the 1970s appear to have become susceptible to the rusts and are not putting on as decent a show

as they have in the past, which makes me wonder if the rust virus has mutated since its 1960s introduction from Australia.

The hills around Queenstown and Arrowtown were highlighted by the yellows of the sycamores and reds from the maples and rowans. All introduced and invasive species but who could argue at their presence at this time of the year?

Even the willows down there were resplendent in glorious yellows. The one species we seem

to have an edge on are the liquid ambers, which, perhaps, prefer our lime-based soils.

We had a great hike around the edge of Ben Lomond Station and looked down from a good height at the Shotover River and the industrious jet boats far below as they whisked their excited and enthusiastic guests up and down the river.

At last we washed up in Clyde, for us the start of the rail trail. I walked up to the lookout point and gazed across historic Clyde and surrounds then down to the dam, remembering vaguely the distant past arguments over whether it should be a low dam as the officials argued or a high dam as Muldoon preferred. Muldoon won and for better or worse that is what was built.

Ironically, the next morning in a town that generates a decent amount of the nation’s electricity, we had a power cut.

We met up with our mates and went down to the old Clyde railway station to meet our steads that would be our transportation for the following few days.

I’d fully intended to spend quite

a bit of time in the prior months getting bike-fit as I’d not ridden a bike since my student days nearly 40 years earlier but other than two brief bursts a couple of weeks earlier, it hadn’t happened because of work commitments. Now I was tapering off.

Jane was more confident in her preparation as she’d been taken under the wing of a group of elderly misfits who cycled locally under the name of The Wobblers.

We rode excitedly around the streets of Clyde and I felt the same enthusiasm for a bicycle our young sons had felt as the trainer wheels came off and suddenly one had the freedom to cover distances at speeds that Shank’s Pony just could not offer.

Jane directed us to the school where she once had been dental nurse then we repaired to an establishment for Coronas, a fine meal and plans for the days ahead of us.

Your View Steve Wyn-Harris is a Central Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmer. swyn@xtra.co.nz

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farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 30, 2018

By Tender

By Tender

57.49 hectares

57.49 hectares

Matamata TOP SHELF

Tender Closes 4pm, Thursday 17th May 2018 (unless sold prior) View By Appointment Only ljhooker.co.nz/E8ZHR1

Peter Begovich 027 476 5787 Rex Butterworth 021 348 276

Matamata

Herein lies the opportunity to own a beautifully presented property showing outstanding results. Our clients are proudly offering for sale one of the best examples of a barn raised chicken farm that you are likely to encounter.

The 6 shed site totaling 11,136m² (floor area) is fully compliant and has a secure long term contract with Inghams Enterprises. To be sold as a going concern with all the necessary consents in place. Three quality dwellings, the main home is five bedrooms on a private setting with an in-ground pool. Every detail of this property has been thoughtfully taken care of. If your quest has been to find a blue chip turn key investment, the search is over!

TOP SHELF

Tender Closes 4pm, Thursday 17th May 2018 (unless sold prior) View By Appointment Only ljhooker.co.nz/E8ZHR1

Peter Begovich 027 476 5787 Rex Butterworth 021 348 276

Herein lies the opportunity to own a beautifully presented property showing outstanding results. Our clients are proudly offering for sale one of the best examples of a barn raised chicken farm that you are likely to encounter.

The 6 shed site totaling 11,136m² (floor area) is fully compliant and has a secure long term contract with Inghams Enterprises. To be sold as a going concern with all the necessary consents in place. Three quality dwellings, the main home is five bedrooms on a private setting with an in-ground pool. Every detail of this property has been thoughtfully taken care of. If your quest has been to find a blue chip turn key investment, the search is over!

MATAMATA 07 888 5677

MATAMATA 07 888 5677

DIVERSE OPPORTUNITIES

SOUTHERN WIDE REAL ESTATE

Just look at what you could do on this 2.88ha block only 30 minutes from Tauranga and 45 minutes to Whakatane or Rotorua, with about 400m2 of home and a further 300m2 of garage/workshop area, under the same roof: calf rearing; grazing; horticulture; engineering; accommodation; packaging; distribution centre – the possibilities are only restricted by your imagination.

NEW TO THE MARKET

If you want to run a business from home or semi-retire in the country, this is a must to view.

LK0092440©

24

Ben Carter

M: 027 497 2728 E: ben@tepukerealty.co.nz 159b Jellicoe Street Te Puke

PRICE BY NEGOTIATION, 750.39 HA FH PLUS ADDITIONAL GRAZING SOUTH OTAGO BREEDING AND FINISHING

Well suited to a mix of sheep and cattle on the relatively free draining paddock country which is very well subdivided and leads into clean tussock faces and valleys. Currently carries 3,000 breeding ewes, 1,050 hoggets, 60 rams and other sheep, 110 Angus cows, 240 other cattle. Improvements include a three bedroom brick and roughcast bungalow home, four stand woolshed and covered yards, good support buildings plus cattle yards.

Substantial tree plantings of 10 hectares Douglas Firs and a half share in 60 hectares of Pinus Radiata. These units are seldom available and we recommend inspection.

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

Web Ref SWDR0139 Hargest House, Level One, ANDREW BOOTH 62 Deveron Street, Invercargill 9810 m 0275 640 737 p 03 218 2795 f 03 214 0872 e andrew.booth@southernwide.co.nz e southland@swre.co.nz

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate LK0092449

DALLAS LUCAS m 0274 325 774 e dallas.lucas@swre.co.nz

Kaimai Real Estate Ltd MREINZ – Licensed under REAA (2008)

07 573 0222

N O TI CE FIN AL

ONE OF THE KING COUNTRY´S BEST 724 State Highway 4, Kopaki, Te Kuiti

Jamie Proude 06 385 4466 | 027 448 5162 jamie@nzr.nz Jules Brand 06 385 4466 | 027 515 5581 juliane@nzr.nz NZR Central Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

FIN AL

N O TI CE

Triple Farms offers a high preforming cattle fattening operation, finishing between 1400-1600 cattle annually plus sheep. Top infrastructure throughout coupled with balanced contour enables an astute purchaser to just walk in and start farming.

Held in numerous titles giving different purchasing options. Call today as farms of this calibre are seldom available. Inspection by appointment or open days at 11am 10/4, 17/4, and 24/4 (meet at woolshed). Tender closing 4pm, 17th May 2018, 1 Goldfinch Street, Ohakune.

924 Hecatres Tender (unless sold prior) www.nzr.nz Ref:RX1428722

PERFECT POTENTIAL FOR A MODERN FARMING FAMILY Wai-iti, 1467 Whangaehu Valley Road, Masterton, Wairarapa Wai-iti has been in the James family since the 1920’s. The property is of a desirable size for those looking for a first farm with the convenience of being 20min from a major provincial town. The farm is blessed with excellent limestone spring water that is reticulated to over half the property. The soils are well balanced with renown limestone soils being good clean country totalling around 100ha and the reminder split between mudstone and sandstone closer to the road. The Whangaehu community is a friendly mix of mainly sheep and beef farming families and some lifestyle properties all relishing the easy drive to Masterton for social, schooling and off farm employment opportunities. The vendors are passionate farm foresters, having planted many varieties to make Wai-iti aesthetically pleasing.

Another family passion has been ducks- there are two purpose built ponds and maimai. Red & Fallow deer migrate between this and neighbouring farms. The house is a character three bedroom Villa with an inviting sunny deck leading to the mature gardens and trees. There is a four stand wool shed, sheep and cattle yards supported by a shearers /single quarters, workshop/stables, three bay lock up workshop and ample other shedding. With 420ha effective the farm should carry around 4,000su. A capital lime dressing has been applied this season with potential to lift production with further fertiliser. Sound like you? Give Blair a call!

459 hectares Tender www.nzr.nz

Ref: RX1418751

Tender Closes 4pm, Thur 10 May 2018 NZR, 1st Floor, 16 Perry St, Masterton Blair Stevens AREINZ 06 370 9199 l 027 527 7007 blair@nzr.nz NZR Real Estate Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

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Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 30, 2018

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Connections

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>ŝĐĞŶƐĞĚ ŐĞŶƚ ƵŶĚĞƌ ƚŚĞ Z Đƚ ϮϬϬϴ

TUNAKORE – 566 HECTARE OPPORTUNITY AWAITS

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Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase this grazing farm in strong stock country.

The farm is well set up in a good location with good soil types and good infrastructure.

Tunakore is 566.15 hectares (1399 acres) with a central laneway for easy management and access, a 4 stand horseshoe raised-board woolshed, a large set of cattle yards and a four bedroom home with plenty of outbuildings.

FOR SALE BY TENDER Tender closes 4pm 11th May 2018

$1,450,000 + GST (if any) LK0092451© LK0068450©

ID FF2563 Property ID FF1299

• With four double bedrooms and an office this home is very guest friendly. A swimming pool, a tennis court and all the water sports you fancy with harbour access. The barn accommodates sundry farm equipment which goes with the property.

• This Peninsula property enjoys a distinct sense of seclusion yet it is close to town.

Call today to arrange a viewing.

www.forfarms.co.nz

Perfectly positioned is a breathtaking but convenient 5.15ha (12.72 acres) lifestyle property.

Jerome Pitt M: 027 242 2199 O: 06 374 4107 E: jeromep@forfarms.co.nz

We welcome your inspection by appointment. www.forfarms.co.nz

FOR THE RETIRING FARMER

(if not be sold prior)

VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT Rema Hinds Mobile: 027 453 5033 or Email: rema@obr.net.nz

www.ohopebeachrealty.com

Paramount Realty Ltd MREINZ | Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008)|19 Pohutukawa Ave, Ohope Beach

LK0092484©

Mangamaire Rd, Dannevirke

28

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Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 30, 2018

Quality Kopu dairy unit     •  •  • 

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

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RURAL rural@pb.co.nz Office 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

Nikau

NEW LISTING WEB ID DR61153

DANNEVIRKE 207 Mangatuna Road A farm with diversity. At 641.29 ha, it is currently being run as a 500 cow, dairy farm producing up to 200,000kgMS. The dry stock farm has potential to finish 20,000 plus lambs and 200 cattle. The current owners have leased 232 ha known as the “James Block” on the eastern side of the farm since 2016 which is reflected in the current dry-stock carrying capacity. This property has good soil fertility. The contour ranges from undulating

to easy medium hill country and has substantial water VIEW By Appointment reserves. The pasture has been extensively regrassed and is well drained. There is good shedding with a modern 54 bail rotary shed with a nearby large implement/calf rearing shed. Located 24 kms from Dannevirke, Nikau is a must to view for those looking for size, scale and diversity.

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

$9,200,000

Jim Crispin

Mobile 027 717 8862 Office 06 374 8102 Home 06 374 6768 jimc@pb.co.nz

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 30, 2018

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

29

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL Huntleigh | yards

Huntleigh Station Huntleigh

Strath Taieri, Otago | 6403.8684ha

Lindores | pastures

Lindores

Three O’Clock Three O’Clock | stock water supply

Huntleigh | 1911.788ha

Lindores | 2311.93ha

Three O’Clock | 2180.15ha

Calling for Expressions of Interest PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited are privileged to offer for sale on account of New Zealand Pastures Limited, Huntleigh Station, a large sheep and beef operation situated in the Strath Taieri, approximately one hour from the city of Dunedin.

The property is an amalgamation of three farms which in the past ten years have undergone an extensive re-development programme. The option is available to purchase the total property of 6403.8684 hectares or three separate farms.

This is farming on a large scale with plenty of scope, being well balanced with improvements in pasture cultivation, topdressing and re-fencing, including water reticulation over the majority of the property with a large holding dam on Three O’Clock allowing for huge productivity increases in recent years.

The contour ranges from gentle rolling country to steeper gully areas around streams to the rear of Three O’Clock. The many cultivated areas are predominantly sown in Lucerne, Ryecorn, Plantain Perun and Red Clover type pastures. The lane system, which utilises approximately 150 paddocks, accounts for easier control of stock movement and the overall management of the station.

Intending purchasers interested in low cost farming with further development potential should inspect this outstanding opportunity.

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

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

For Sale By Deadline Private Treaty Closing 12pm, Wednesday, 30 May 2018 pggwre.co.nz/DUN28095 Paul Thomson Alan Turner Graeme Bezett Roger Nicolson

M M M M

027 435 3936 027 454 4222 027 433 9119 027 886 0618

pggwre.co.nz

Employment

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 30, 2018

Aspiring Manager Wanted

Stock Manager Hunterville – premier property

A position has become available on a 800ha

Due to the purchase of this exceptional 637ha property located 3

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

position available. This outstanding breeding and finishing property

THE COMPANY Dairy Holdings Limited is a New Zealand owned professional, dynamic, and progressive corporate dairy farmer that operates throughout the South Island.

offers both a balance of flats and moderate to steeper hill country.

There is excellent infrastructure in place including good tracks and laneways.

As Stock Manager, the day- to-day running of the property will be

starter who is highly motivated, well-planned and a good strong

Reporting to the Chief Executive, the role will be responsible for the strategic and operational performance of a number of regional farm hubs, including the development of the farm supervisory team.

communicator.

FEATURES OF THE POSITION

There is an excellent remuneration package on offer with a tidy

→ A leadership role within one of New Zealand’s premiere dairy farming businesses.

stock work, requiring you to keep a competent team of working dogs. Casual staff can be used when required.

fully insulated four bedroom home. The location offers a great at the gate to the local Hunterville Primary School and bus from

→ A long-term business, with a strong focus on profitability and sustainability.

Hunterville to Rangitikei College in Marton.

SKILLS REQUIRED

rural community and plenty of outdoor activities, with a school bus

For more information, or to fill out an application, please visit www.ruraldirections.co.nz or phone the Rural Directions team in LK0092498©

Ag jobs at your fingertips

www.farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

Key to your success in this role will be your ability to be a self-

RECRUITMENT & HR Register to receive job alerts on www.ruraldirections.co.nz

→ → → → → →

Under the Human Rights Act, 1993, it is unlawful, apart from some exceptions, for employment advertisements to restrict applicants because of their sex, marital status, religious belief, colour, race, national origins, age, family status, or sexual orientation.

Advertisements that discriminate in any way will not be published.

The role is predominately stock work so good stockmanship is essential. 3-4 good dogs will be required.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO: Please email your application letter and CV to: Chief Operating Officer jan@dairyholdings.co.nz All applications will be treated confidentially Applications close 4pm Friday, 11th May 2018

RUN OFF YOUR FEET?

The role would ideally suit a person with several years experience, looking for the next level of management.

The successful applicant will be honest, reliable, organised and hardworking with good initiative.

A tidy 3 bedroom house and competitive salary package will be offered to the successful applicant.

Please send a copy of your CV with references to nerang@inspire.net.nz or phone Mark Hobson 06 382 5825

Fencer General

Strategic thinking Strong leadership skills Excellent communication skills Budgeting and financial discipline Policy development Staff delegation and motivation

Required for a 2800ha hill country property at Weka Pass North Canterbury, Red Oak Stud has a great location being 10 minutes north of Amberley and 66km from Christchurch.

Applicants must have: • Experience in all types of hill country fencing both new and maintenance • Experience in operating all types of farm machinery • Ability to contribute with stock handling during busy times • The motivation and commitment to achieve high standards • An attitude which focuses on attention to detail • Good communication skills, being competent working on own or in a team Red Oak offers good facilities including a brand new 3 bedroom house, close to local amenities and a competitive salary package to the successful applicant.

For further information contact Rick Orr 027 245 7751

Advertise your vacancy in Farmers Weekly

Send CVs with references to: Red Oak Weka Pass, RD 3, Amberley 7483 Email:redoakstud@amuri.net

Phone Debbie Brown 0800 85 25 80 or email classifieds@nzx.com

Applications close 20 May 2018

DRYSTOCK STATION – MANAGER

Salad Leaf Crop Manager Gisborne

EMPLOYMENT ADVERTISEMENTS

Taihape.

LK0092505©

specialist forage crops and pastures. Your primary focus will be

Applications close 5pm Monday, 14th May 2018

Mangaweka, situated between Hunterville and

THE ROLE The position of Chief Operating Officer has been created due to sustained growth.

your responsibility, exposing you to modern farming techniques,

confidence on 0800 475 465 (Reference #3207).

hill country breeding property, 6km from

LK0092489©

minutes from Hunterville; our clients now have a Stock Manager

LK0092486©

classifieds@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

LeaderBrand is one of New Zealand’s most recognised and diverse horticultural businesses. As a large scale farming operation we grow, pack, distribute and market a wide range of vegetables and added value products for the domestic and export markets. LeaderBrand prides itself on exacting standards, experience and innovation to ensure all produce is the best you will find.

In this role, you will report to the Senior Crop Production Manager who will support and guide you.

Your focus will be to lead the Growing, Irrigation and Harvest teams inside the Salad Leaf business unit. You will manage the crops from pre-planting to dispatch from the field, including planting operation, management of crop nutrition, crop protection, irrigation scheduling, crop estimates and harvest. You will also participate in R&D projects, incorporate a philosophy of continuous improvement across the business and prepare monthly management and financial reports.

Competencies required to be successful in gaining this role include: • Relevant agronomy skills – Salad Leaf not essential • Experience in the vegetable production sector • Ability to lead a team in the field • Excellent Excel and analytical skills • Desire to advance your career within LeaderBrand LeaderBrand is a family run company, providing a safe, professional and friendly work environment in sunny Gisborne. Enjoy tramping, hunting, surfing, fishing and many other activities in this great outdoors environment.

To enquire about this role in strict confidence, please phone Deb Francis on 021 224 5000.

Otherwise, please send your CV with covering letter through www.agrecruit.co.nz by Thursday 10 May.

We specialise in agri-business

www.agrecruit.co.nz

• • •

2400ha sheep, beef & dairy support operation Strong leadership role Focus on maximising potential while protecting the environment

Our client’s sheep and beef station, located near Taupo, is part of a larger farming business owned by a progressive Maori Trust. This farm is in an exciting development phase – it is well established, but the time is right for further development – and the Trust are now looking for an experienced Farm Manager to lead this operation.

This is an organisation where young talent thrives and the Farm Managers are part of the senior leadership team that contributes at executive level. Working in a Maori Trust means you will need to understand the nuances of a multiple ownership structure and, above all, you will need to show that you are capable of delivering year on year performance. With values that include Manakitanga (working together) and Kaitiaki (stewardship of the land), this is an organisation that embraces its mission to honour and preserve the land for future generations.

This is not your average Farm Manager role. This is a new role that focusses on not only rolling up your sleeves to do the work on farm, but also on strong leadership of the on-farm team, and critically, the further development of this property and business.

To win this role you’ll need to be able to tick these boxes: • strong dry-stock farming background • forward thinking and target focused • proven leadership experience • energy and drive to make change happen • understanding of the need to do things in a sustainable manner • experience in budget setting and working with financial data • ability to work within a Trust reporting business model Interested? Find out more and apply by logging onto www.no8hr.co.nz (Ref#8HR1019).

Applications close 13 May 2018.

www.no8hr.co.nz | ph: 07-870-4901

LK0092441©

30

CROSS HERD Employment

Classifieds

ANIMAL HANDLING

DAIRY FARM ASSISTANT Due to expanding our business we require a full time farm assistant to help assist in all areas of our operation. Our dairy farm is a semi – self contained 350 cow dryland farm in the Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury, approximately 50 minutes from Christchurch.

ANIMAL SUPPLEMENTS

Please send C.V with two reference/referees to wendymstewart@xtra.co.nz

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, GARLIC & HONEY. 200L - $450 or 1000L - $2000 excl. with FREE DELIVERY from Black Type Minerals Ltd www.blacktypeminerals. co.nz

Pikowai Farms Limited SHEEP AND BEEF FARM MANAGER – 450HA

ATTENTION FARMERS

Pikowai Farms Limited operates a diverse farming business located at Matata in the Bay of Plenty.

The opportunity has become available for an enthusiastic and motivated Manager to run the farming operation.

MANUKA SITES REQUIRED in the 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

You will be responsible for running the 5000 stock unit operation along with one staff member. The farm runs a mix of sheep, breeding cows, dairy bulls and dairy grazers.

If your skill set includes excellent stock and pasture management, a passion for improving farm performance, accurate reporting and effective communication skills, then this is the job for you.

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

www.gibb-gro.co.nz GROWTH PROMOTANT $5.85 per hectare + GST delivered Brian Mace 0274 389 822 07 571 0336 brianmace@xtra.co.nz

YOUR DOG IS HERE: www.youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos – Delivering NZ Wide. Guaranteed. Trial! 07 315 5553. Mike Hughes.

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.

out teams.

Travel anywhere if job big enough. Phone Dave 06 375 8032.

Priced from $600 for 100ha. Phone 0800 433 855. farmmapping.co.nz

0274 519 249. Feral goats mustered on a 50/50 share basis.

• •

HEADING DOG plain eyed.

5½-year-old. Solid all round dog. $3,500. STRONG EYED Heading dog 3½ yo. fast good distance $2,500.

HUNTAWAY BITCH. Spayed, excellent mob and yard dog. 4½ yo. Phone 0274 455 902 or 06 374 8469.

KELPIES natural workers.

Four blues and three reds. $500 each. Phone 09 439 6720.

LIVESTOCK LTD

Enquiries to the sole marketing agents: Brian Robinson BRLL NEW HOMES SOLID – PRACTICAL PH: 0272WELL410051 or 07 8583132 INSULATED – AFFORDABLE

AUCTION 7th MAY 2018 MONDAY 11:00am

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

Gary Falkner Jersey Marketing Service Ngarangi Ayrshires STOP BIRDS PH: 027 482 8771 or 07 846 4491A/C D G & G N MACKY

ZON BIRDSCARER

LK0092393©

HOUSE FOR REMOVAL wanted.

North Island.

Phone 021 0274 5654.

FOR ONLY $2.10 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in Farmers Weekly Classifieds. Phone Debbie on 0800 85 25 80.

Phone Debbie Brown 0800 85 25 80 or email classifieds@nzx.com

T H IN K PRE B U I L T

NOW!

DE HORNER

AVAILABLE NOW for dairy cows, any numbers considered.

Weber/ Pongaroa Road, good covers. Phone 06 374 3855.

Outstanding genetics &SEED potential to be one of FERTILISER GRASS DOGS TAMA GRASS SEEDS for the countries leading suppliers of Genetics DOLOMITE, NZ’s finest sale. Excellent test. Buy FOR SALE Livestockto Magnesium fertiliser. direct from grower at $1.50 5-MONTH-OLD Huntaway, Bio-Gro certified, bulk or perfor kg plus GST. Phoneto come. Full details the industry years hunting on rope, very good dairy bagged. 0800 436 566.

027 721 0838. noise and temperament.

Phone 06 388 0212 or 027 available.

PROGESSIVE 243 8541.

P.O. Box 30, Palmerston North 4440, NZ

electro-tek@xtra.co.nz

31

Many cows contracted to LIC for 2011 matings Due to calve from 16-7-12, 6.5 weeks DOGS AB Jersey KiwiWANTED cross LIVESTOCK FOR SALE WANTED andGOATS CONTRACTORS WORK 12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearB R O O K L A N D S FERAL GOATS WANTED. AUCKLAND-B ASED WANTED • Estimated to be 420 cows after non old Heading dogs and SIMMENTALS OPEN DAY. All head counted, payment E A R T H M O V I N G Huntaways wanted. Phone on pick-up, pick-up within Wednesday May 2nd from YOUNG MALE WANTING contractor.

Rural 022 698 8195.

Bulls for sale from junior shepherd or pregnant, culls, & 5% rejection 24 older hours. Pricescows based 10am. earthworks. Subdivisions shepherd/general position NORTH ISLAND BUYING on works schedule. this day on. 329 Rakaiatai and house cuts. Roading Dannevirke. Colin and on sheep/beef farm. trip 12/5/18: Buying 350 Experienced musterers Rd, 347kgs and civil. Retaining • walls.Production last season ms/cow, References available. 027 dogs annually! No trial or available.

Phone Bill Catherine Hutching. Phone 1.5 - 24 tonne Diggers.

800 6769. breeding required! Running and Vicky Le Feuvre 06 374 1802.

Bobcats.

Trucks.

Call 1000kgs ms/ha, rolling to steeper Handies, dairy, fully broken, 07 893 8916. on Keegan on 022 614 5313 trial dogs. Pay on pickup. or email to keegan@ WANTED. SELLING 07 315 5553. Mike Hughes. thediggercollective.co.nz contoured farm,GOATS no meal, palm kernelSOMETHING? or maize All weights. All breeds.

GORSE SPRAYING Prompt service.

Payment FARM SCRUB CUTTING.fed. on pick up. My on farm Advertise in MAPPING FOR 30 years experience. prices will not be beaten.

S Farmers Weekly YOUR FARM MAPPED ALE Blowers, gun and hose.

Phone David Hutchings replacement stock also available showing paddock sizes.

No job too big.• CampYoung 07 895 8845 or

w w w. e l e c t r o t e k . c o . n z

This is a rewarding position on a high performing farm with the backing of a supportive team.

For an information sheet please contact: rotorua@agfirst.co.nz or 07 349 4333 or send CV to: Manager PFL PO Box 976, Rotorua 3040 Applications close 5pm, 30th April.

ANIMAL HEALTH www.drench.co.nz farmer owned, very competitive prices. Phone 0800 4 DRENCH (437 362).

ATTENTION FARMERS

Phone: +64 6 357 2454 HOOF TRIMMER

EARMARKERS

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

LK0091108©

We offer a flexible roster, own single accommodation, a variety of tasks to complete and the opportunity to learn new ways and a beautiful location.

CRAIGCO SHEEP JETTERS. Sensor Jet. Deal to fly and Lice now. Guaranteed performance.

Unbeatable pricing.

Phone 06 835 6863. www.craigcojetters.com

LK0092437©

The ideal applicant should be: • New to the industry or with 3-6 months experience • Willing to learn new ways and complete a variety of challenges • Hold a current Drivers License with a historically clean drivers record • Willing to undergo any drug, Police or medical checks • Passionate about working and caring with all classes of stock

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

classifieds@nzx.com

BW 143/50 PW 161/67 RA 100% FOR SALE GRAZING DOGS (in top 10 All BreedsAVAILABLE for NZ ) PROPERTY WANTED FOR SALE

LK0090721©

Bank Road Paterangi RD 3 Ohaupo WE WILL OFFER

• 146 Ayrshire Spring Calving Cows • 9 Ayrshire/Ayrshire X IC Hfrs • 9 Ayrshire Empty in Milk Cows • 40 Ayrshire/Ayrshire X R1Hfrs

Livestock

• 195 Head, TB Status C10, Lepto • BVD & Rotovirus Vaccinated

TE KUITI VIC HEIFER FAIR

Various Breed bulls and bull Dates

Te Kuiti VIC Cow Fair Friday 4 April 2018 Start 12pm 480 Cows comprising of: 10 4yr Hfd/Ang x cows 270 M/A Angus cows 50 M/A Sth Devon cows C/S 150 M/A cows Various Breed bulls and bull Dates

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING PHONE NIGEL RAMSDEN 0800 85 25 80

ON A/C WAKARE LTD MT SOMERS, MID CANTERBURY 40 R2 Ang Hfrs 22 Ang Hrfd Hfrs 11 R2 Hrfd Hfrs PTIC Angus Bulls TB Status C10

We specialise in both on farm sales and auctions.

With 60 Dairy agents from Kaitia to

At Wakare we have been using top bulls from top SI and NI herds for 10 years and have continually strived for marked improvement, with a particular focus on meat quality and yield.

Bluff and everything in between.

Contact your local Carrfields agent

This is all having taken care of calving ease and growth rates and survivability as base necessities.

This year’s Angus heifers are all in calf to yearling bulls, bred at home, muscle and fat scanned, and specially chosen as the best.

All Angus and Hereford heifers have been muscle scanned as well. This is the entire line of Herefords, none have been retained this year.

We are very confident that these will grow on to become productive and useful additions to any herd.

CONTACT CALLUM DUNNETT 027 587 0131

These cattle are fully recommended to intending purchasers.

or visit

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Catalogues giving full details are

for our extensive listings

available online or from the Auctioneer at

Alternatively contact: Paul Kane 027 286 9279

www.progressivelivestock.co.nz Progressive Livestock Ltd www.brianrobinsonlivestock.com

(North Waikato/ Northland)

Brian Robinson Livestock Ltd

National Dairy & Live Export Coordinator

Please contact

Philip Webb: 027 801 8057 Central & Southern NI Dairy Coordinator

Colin Old - PL Brian Robinson

027 870 4434 027 241 0051

LK0092328©

55 2 ½ Angus heifers C/S 280 3yr Angus heifers 140 R2 Hfd/Frsn x heifers 60 R2 Ang/Hfd x heifers 45 R2 Angus heifers 50 R2 Ang/Frsn x heifers

Buying or Selling Dairy Herds or support Stock?

TEMUKA SALEYARDS THURSDAY 3RD MAY – 10AM

LK0090087©

630 Heifers comprising of:

TE MUKA IN CALF SALE

LK0092504©

Thursday 3 April 2018 Start 12pm

This well known herd has for the last 5 years averaged 501kgs ms/cow. Cell counts have always been very low and this season as at 20/3 averaged 81. Mating commenced on the 1/10/17 with 8 weeks AB then DNA profiled Ayrshire bull ran until 22/12/17. The IC heifers ran with DNA profiled Ayrshire bulls from 29/9/17 until 15/11/17. Herd was pregnancy tested on the 22/12/17 to ascertain early calvers and again on the 20/3/18. The offering contains 22 A2A2 and 17 A1A2 profiled females. These are good framed cows that have the breeding to be great producers and breeding cows.

This herd is well known for the females that perform well in outside hers and the sires that have breed well through AB.

32

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 30, 2018

FAT IS BACK JERSEYS FOR SALE

UPCOMING CLEARING AUCTIONS ANNUAL HASTY RIVER JERSEY AUCTION LONG ESTABLISHED JERSEY GENETICS DATE: Monday 7th May 2018

START TIME: 11:30AM

ADDRESS: 909 Lower Hastings Road, Matapu, Hawera

VENDORS: Johnson Partnership

COMPRISING OF: • •

32 Jersey in-calf hfrs 2 x 1yr Jersey bulls

DETAILS: •

Calving from 20th July to Jersey ID

•

TB C10, inoculated for lepto, BVD clear

•

Hasty River cattle perform well for purchasers

PAYMENT TERMS: 20th January 2019 Catalogues available from auctioneers.

Contact your local Farm Source agent for details and photos.

AGENT: Warren Espin 027 677 6361

ADDRESS: 96 Upper Manutahi Road , Patea, Taranaki COMPRISING OF: •

130 top Jersey in-calf herd, BW 105, PW 104, R/a 98%

•

31 Jersey in-calf replacement hfrs, BW 130, PW 118

•

33 Jersey replacement hfrs, BW 100, PW 94

DETAILS: •

Cows producing 350ms on a basic grass system, have previously produced 460ms with higher input

•

Calving from 23nd July to CRV, 12 weeks AB

•

Tailed of Jersey bulls, out 22/12, HB shed

•

TB C10, EBL BVD clear, vac lepto, 120,000 som cell avge

•

All dairies G3 profiled, fastidiously farmed

•

Sold undercover

On A/c Kohunui Station 80 Top VIC R3Yr Angus Heifers These top quality heifers have been farmed on steep hill country, are quiet and easy to farm.

MAY 14TH & 15TH On A/c B & J Corbin 186 Mangapiko Valley Rd, Waiterimu. S/N 71851

Bred by Kaharau and Tangihau Sires.

VIC to Angus Bull 2/12/17 to 25/1/18

GENUINE AUTUMN HERD

For further enquiries please phone NZFL Brett Wallbank 027 488 1299 PGGW John Grainger 027 496 8150

Monday May 14th -12 Noon Comprising of 250 complete genuine Autumn calving cows from this well farmed Xbred herd.

BW 86 (up to 179) PW 11 (up to 407) RA 86%.

Cows will come forward in great order and in milk on sale day.

Refer to listing WAI58249 for more details

LOVELY NOMINATED AMBREED FRIESIAN HERD SALE Herd BW 46 (BW’s up to 140) PW 59 (PW’s up to 420) RA 94% WEDNESDAY 16TH MAY 12 NOON On A/c Greg Trail - 958 Tower Rd, Matamata

COMPLETE SPRING HERD Tuesday May 15th - 12 Noon Comprising Approx 450 In Calf Xbreed Cows BW 72 (up to 186) PW (up to 405) RA 86% DTC 10/7, 4 Weeks AI, Tailed with Beef bulls.

ESTABLISHED LIC BRED HERD, REPLACEMENTS AND MACHINERY AUCTION DATE: Wednesday 9th May 2018

TWO DAY SALE

Thursday May 3rd 12 Noon

START TIME: 10.30am, d/c no; 40242 VENDORS: Auburn Farms Ltd MACHINERY: 10.30AM START JDeere 6120 tractor (cab, forks, bucket, 85hp),Hustler 350 bale buggy, Fennant ATV spreader, Meal bins, Alkathine, Condor 550lt bike sprayer and boom, Suz carryquad impact truck, Calf trailer and crate, Simplicity rideon mower, Power tools, 50t milkbar feeder, CDax cvausmag spreader, dual calf trailer + crate, reels + standards, Calf meal trough, 2x PKE trailers, 3500 SS vat stirrer + motor, 10t milkbar, plus sundries.

PAYMENT TERMS: 1st June 2018 Catalogues available from auctioneers or online. Contact your local Farm Source agents for details and photos.

AGENT: Brent Espin 027 551 3660

LK0092470©

Ross Riddell 0272 111 112 Grant Aiken 0272 458 821

TE KUITI VIC HEIFER FAIR

Cows are in great condition and will shift well. The cows will be dry on sale day. Catalogues will be available or view listing WAI58249 for more information.

We are priviledged to offer this capacious Xbred herd which only comes to the market as our vendor is entering a new opportunity.

The cows are on track for roughly 360kg MS/Cow this season.

THIS IS A SALE NOT TO MISS! Contact Agent in charge Jono Wright 027 801 3052

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING NIGEL 0800 85 25 80

Comprising: 120 x 2-8 Yr Friesian In Calf Cows, C10, TB & EBL Free, BVD Milk tested.

Calving from 15/7 to Nominated Frs AI for 6 weeks. Tailed with PB Angus Bulls.

52000 total MS and 320 MS/cow on an all grass fed system. SCC 105,000. Herd has previously produced up to 76,000 milk solids on a level 3 system.

30 Top R1 Yearling Frs heifers, extremely well grown capital line BW 81 PW 88 33 IC Frs Heifers DTC 15/7, will be very well grown and in top condition.

Capital Line BW 81 PW 65 If you are after a very attractive Ambreed cow showing beautiful dairy type, then you need to attend this sale. The whole herd, including the young stock have been G3 DNA profiled, so you can buy with confidence.

The cows will be dry on sale day and will be in top condition.

Delivery 1st June for shifting farm owners or sharemilkers.

View listing #WAI58389 Contact Bryan Sweeney 027 869 2620

2nd Autumn On Farm Service Bull Sale Undercover

MONDAY 7TH MAY 2018 Sale Commences 12 Noon

On Account of David & Fiona MacKenzie 300 McDonald Mine Road Huntly Delivery dates are on the Monday of the 7th & 21st May and 4th & 18th June or by arrangement.

The bulls are guaranteed sound, TB & BVD tested and double innoculated.

240 x 2yr & 3yr Quality Service Bulls

150 Hereford Bulls - 50 Angus Bulls - 40 Jersey Bulls

FINANCE OR BULL PLAN AVAILABLE TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY I have inspected these bulls and they come forward in excellent condition.

The Herefords have good markings and the temperament is good.

Buy in confidence!

Agent in charge: Bill Sweeney - 027 451 5310

LK0092389©

All enquiries to: Craig Chamberlain Ph: 027 532 0253

LK0092511©

135 Frsn/FrsnX CRV Bred Cows VIC, 3.5 weeks AI (CRV) DTC 20th July Tailed Rockhaven Angus, bull out 31st Dec 30 Frsn/FrsnX CRV bred In-calf Heifers VIC to Rockhaven Angus DTC 27th July

OUTSTANDING SPLIT CALVING XBD HERD

LK0092471©

Matamata Sale yards

Waharoa Rd Matamata Date: Tuesday 15th May 2018

LK0092513©

Preliminary Notice

Complete CRV bred herd dispersal

• 120 cow herd BW 105 PW 104, DTC 23 July, • 160 computer split BW 109 PW 122, DTC 25 July, very tidy.

• 35 cows, small herd, BW 87, DTC 27 July.

• Lines of 20 to 80 cows up to BW 115 PWs to 168 DTC 23rd July • 30 i/c heifers, BW 100, DTC 23rd July, complete line.

• Lines of i/c heifers from 15 to 40, average BWs from 80 to 135, good lines.

•

Due to calve from 16-7-12, 6.5 weeks AB Jersey and Kiwi cross • FARMERS Estimated WEEKLY to be 420 cows after non THE NEW ZEALAND – April 30, 2018 pregnant, culls, older cows & 5% rejection • Production last season 347kgs ms/cow, 1000kgs ms/ha, on rolling to steeper contoured farm, no meal, palm kernel or maize fed.

• Young stock available Thursday 10th May replacement 2018 at 1pm at also Rotorua

Livestock SALE TALK

Vendors: Vaughan & Kristy Clarke & family, V & S Steiner & Fusion Genetics

LK0091979©

Outstanding & heifers potential to be oneheifer of Offering will comprise: 46 Holstein Friesian in-calfgenetics and yearling & 1 Ayrshire yearling countries leading of Genetics Having reduced there large herdthe our vendors have surplus wellsuppliers bred young stock.

Bred to the to the these dairywell industry for years to come. toFull best international genetics available backed cattle are recommended shiftdetails and do well. If you are in need of wellavailable. bred, very good conformation cattle from good uddered high production backgrounds be sure to attend this sale.

Enquiries to the sole marketing agents: Catalogues are available on line at www.brianrobinsonlivestock.com or www.nzholstein.org.nz or from the auctioneers, Brian Robinson Livestock Ltd. BRLL Brian Robinson Contact Brian Robinson Ph 0272 410 051 PH: 0272 410051 or 07 8583132

RANUI Bull Sale

Gary Falkner Jersey Marketing Service PH: 027 482 8771 or 07 846 4491

All bulls are semen and service tested Scanned for carcase Independently inspected Cow herds run under commercial conditions

• • • •

Lin Johnstone Phone: 027 445 3213 DAY Lindsay Johnstone Phone: 027 445 3211 N E P O ranui.w@farmside.co.nz 8 MAY PGG Wrightson Agents Callum Stewart Ph: 027 280 2688 Ken Roberts Ph: 027 591 8042

LK0092490©

“Internationally proven from sea level to snow line” Enquiries to:

Sale Catalogue online: www.ranuiangus.co.nz

T

A

T

I

O

HEIFERS +350kgs VIC 3 & 4 YR ANGUS COWS

Fresh to the market this young herd of 300 has the potential to perform and shift well.

DTC 25/7, 5 weeks AI, tailed with Recorded Crossbred bulls. BO 24/12/17.

Predominately milked OAD, previously producing 400 kgMS.

The first man says, “I got me some chickens for dinner tonight.”

18MTH BEEF

18 MTH A. AX STEERS 380-420kgs

Refer to listing #WAI58798 for more details

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

$1550 Contact Michael Conwell 027 226 1611

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381 A Financing Solution For Your Farm E info@rdlfinance.co.nz

Looking for a Beef Shorthorn?

Check them out

S

SIL YOUNG EARLY EWES

BW 83 PW 112 RA 95%

“Well, I’ll tell you,” replies the first yokel, “If you can guess how many chickens I got in this here sack, I’ll give them both to you.”

Bulls displayed on concrete Hard surface in sale ring. Feet visible BVD Tested Antigen Clear & Vaccinated 3-year Guarantee for soundness & fertility

350 x ROM PERE X EWES

YOUNG POTENTIAL HERD

The other man asks how many chickens are in the sack.

3.00pm Thursday, 7th June Karamu, 662 Rangitatau East Rd,Wanganui

Longview

Kerikeri Bull and Incalf Heifer sale 30 May, 11.30 09 401 9633 - Shane & Dot

N

Glenrossie

Whangarei Heads Sale June 29, 1pm 09 434 0987 - David 09 434 0718 -Will

Lochburn

Taupiri Private Sales 07 824 6751 - Kelvin

Bull Sale – 5th June 12 noon, On Farm Tiraumea

Ngaruawahia Private Sales 07 825 4763 - John

Aubrey

Waitomo Private Sale 07 873 6968 - Ron Smith

LK0092493©

Bullock Creek

Raupuha

Tahuna Sale

Waipawa Sale June 7, 11am 07 378 8979 - Tim

Hiwiroa Sale

Waipukurau Sale June 7, 11am 06 858 5369 - Jim 06 855 4737 - Nick

Corsock

Ongarue Bulls for sale from 1st May-30th June 07 894 6030 - Allan

otapawa@xtra.co.nz Stuart Robbie 027 8484 408 Donald & Marlene Robbie 06 376 7250

Auahi Charolais Pio Pio

Hinewaka Sale

Mangaotuku

Masterton Sale June 6, 3pm 06 372 7615 - David

Stratford Private Sales 06 765 7269 - Jack

Henderson Partners

Maerewhenua

New Sale Date – 1pm Thursday 24th May Offering: 28 R2 Bulls • 6 R3 Vic Heifers

Oamaru Private Sales 03 431 2811 - Norman

Westwood

Tuatapere Private Sales 03 226 6713 - Anita

Several standout Polled Bulls by AI Sire L.T. Venture

Browns

Morrinsville Private Sales 07 889 5965 - Hamish

Mahoenui Sale June 1, 10am 07 877 8977 - Russell

Waitara Private Sales 06 754 6699 - Roger

Orena

Katikati Sale May 24, 1pm 07 552 0815 - Ken 021 520 244 - Craig

Waimai

Fully Guaranteed Service & Semen Tested TB Clear C10 EBL & BVD Tested & Vaccinated Free Delivery (NI)

Est. 1981

33

STOCK REQUIRED STORE LAMBS 28-36kgs

Two old rural yokels walk down a dirt path. One man has a big sack over his shoulder. The other man asks what’s in the sack.

LK0092510©

Holstein Friesian In Calf and Yearling Heifer Sale

• • • •

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

Rough Ridge

Ranfurly Sale May 18, 11am 03 444 9277 - Malcolm

PGG Wrightson Livestock National Video Sale Palmerston North Sale May 14, 4pm

Using a n bull in Shorthor eeding ss-br your cro l increase wil program line up bottom to 20%

Glendhu

Heriot Private Sales 03 204 2052 - Fraser

C10 • Fully guaranteed • Bulls BVD innoculated • Good EBV’s

Inspection anytime Ph John 07 873 8477 or 027 633 1776

AUCTIONEERS: PGG Wrightson Regional Manager – Kevin Mortensen 027 473 5858 Local Agent – Wium Mostert 027 473 5856 Commission offer to the other Agents who introduce buyers

LK0092485©

Selected replacement heifers synchronised AI 27/10/17 to ‘L.T. Venture’ and Australian Bull, ‘Easygain’

Renowned for great marbling producing top quality meat

www.shorthorn.co.nz

34

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 30, 2018

Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming listings

Key: Dairy

NORTH ISLAND

SPECIALISTS IN GENETICS PERFORMANCE PGG Wrightson Genetics is a nationwide team of livestock breeding professionals, passionate about improving farm productivity through genetics.

To find out more contact your local genetics specialist or head to www.pggwrightson.co.nz

NATIONAL TEAM. LOCAL KNOWLEDGE.

Sheep

Other

SOUTH ISLAND

MAY 2&3 1 8 9 12 13 14 16 17 17 17 21 22 24 24 25 28 29 29 29 29 30 30 30 31 31 31 31

Cattle

MAY East Coast Angus Bull Walk King Country Angus Bull Walk Manawatu & Rangitikei Angus Bull Walk East Coast Hereford Bull Walk Future Beef Competition Future Beef Competition PGG Wrightson National Video Sale Central Waiarapa Hereford Bull Walk Central Waiarapa Angus Bull Walk Okahu Hereford, 3.00pm Ruaview Angus & Simmental, 12.00pm Kaimoa South Devon, 1.30pm Kerrah Simmental, 1.00pm Morton Shorthorn, 1.00pm Hawkes Bay Angus Bull Walk Hawkes Bay Angus Bull Walk Kia-Toa Charolais, 1.00pm Rauriki Charolais, 11am Potawa Simmental, 2pm Whananaki Charolais, 2pm Hingaia Angus, 3.30pm Te Taumata Hereford, 1.00pm Storth Oaks Angus, 1.00pm Puke Nui Angus, 4pm Black Ridge Angus, 9.30am Springdale Angus, 12.00pm Shian Angus, 3.00pm Glenbrae Hereford, 1.30pm

Gisborne King Country Gisborne Manawatu Manawatu Palmerston North Waiarapa Wairarapa Raetihi Ohakune Eketahuna Wairoa Katikati

Te Kuiti Flemington Pio Pio Whananaki Te Awamutu Masterton Otorohanga Taumarunui Taumarunui Taumarunui Taumarunui Porangahau

11 Beef Conference 17 Glenwood Angus & Loch Lomond South Devons, 2pm 18 Rough Ridge Shorthorn 11.00am 18 Opawa Simmental, 1.30pm 18 Penvose Angus, 2.00pm 21 South Island Limousin, 1.00 pm 21 Puketoi Angus, 11.00am 21 Taiaroa Charolais, 2.00pm 22 Mid South Canterbury Bull Walk 22 Delmont Angus, 2.30pm 23 Central Canterbury Bull Walk 23 Leafland Simmental, 11.00am 23 Beresford Simmental, 3.00pm 24 North Canterbury & Conway Flat Bull Walk 24 Lone Pine Simmenta, 11.00am 24 Glenside Simmental, 2.00pm 25 Marlborough Bull Walk 25 Merrylea Hereford, 2.00pm 25 Waimara Angus & Stoneburn Hereford, 1.30pm 26 Flagstaff Hereford, Glacier Horned Herford & Bannockburn Angus, 1.00pm 28 Seadowns Hereford, 2.00pm 28 Umbrella Range Angus Bull 28 Torrisdale Murray Grey Online Auction 29 Limehills Polled Hereford, 2.30pm 29 Westholm Hereford, Duncraigen Hereford & Blue Mountain Angus, 11.00am 29 Matatoki Herefords, 6.00pm 30 Hauroko Valley Bull (Waiau & Pourakino Herefords, Pikoburn Angus & Wainuka South Devons), 1pm 31 Monymusk Polled Hereford, 11.30am 31 Waikaka Hereford, 4.00pm

Manawatu Mosgiel Ranfurly Albury Wedderburn Dunsandel Patearoa Paerau M/S Canterbury Clinton Canterbury North Taieri Owaka Nth Canterbury Raes Junction Waitahuna Cave Palmerston South Westland Oamaru Online Millers Flat Tapanui Agonline Lillburn Valley Te Anau Greenvale

NATIONAL TEAM. LOCAL KNOWLEDGE.

Freephone 0800 10 22 76 | www.pggwrightson.co.nz

Helping grow the country

1447 Hereheretau Rd, RD 6, WAIROA 4196 www.kerrahsimmentals.co.nz

Jon Knauf

PROFIT-A-BULL EXCELLENCE

THIRD ANNUAL ON-FARM SALE

Glenbrae Master 1638. Lot 1.

at Tangiwai Station, Wairoa - 1pm Tuesday, 22 May 2018

80

PREDOM

INANTLY POLLED PERF BULLS FO ORMANCE R AUCTIO N

CONTACT: Or catalogue

Phil Transom Jon Knauf 0274 420 060 06 838 6793 E: jsknauf@gisborne.net.nz PGG Wrightson

Ross Mitchell 0274 048 965 Fergus Rural

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING Phone Nigel 0800 85 25 80

PGG WRIGHTSON LIVESTOCK NATIONAL VIDEO SALE Open Hereford Paddock Viewing, Bull Walk and Led Judging followed by Prize Giving

Sale by Video

Monday 14th May at 9.30am Banklea, 2183 Kimbolton Road, Kiwitea

Boehringer Ingelheim & Allflex Refreshments from 3.30pm Free parking tickets for Palmerston North available for collection from the Grazing Unit

Lunch Provided

PN Convention Centre, 354 Main Street, Palmerston North | Start time 4pm

Online National Hereford Sale catalogue available at www.herefords.co.nz Freephone 0800 24 66 54 63

www.agonline.co.nz

Helping grow the country

Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming listings

Key: Dairy

Cattle

Sheep

Other

NORTH ISLAND HERDS FOR SALE

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.

450 Frsn/ Frsnx/ Jsyx Cows BW 72

PW 99

215 Frsn Cows

$1,750+GST

BW 47

•

BW 96

•

120 Frsn/ Frsnx Cows $1,500+GST

PW 110

BW 46

•

$1,700+GST

PW 59

•

RA86% Calving 15th July, New listing, Young herd will computer split.

Dean Evans – 0272 431 092

RA96% Calving 20th July, Ave 440M/S. Strong Friesian Herd.

Regan Craig – 0275 028 585

Calving 10th July, Young cows 2yrs to 6yrs.

Peter Schnuriger – 0272 431 836

RA98%. Calving 15th July, Ambreed Herd, New listing.

Todd Van Berlo – 0275 297 748

Agonline ref: 064376

Agonline ref: 064194

Agonline ref: 064011

Agonline ref: 064297

240 M/A Frsn, Jsy, X/Bred Cows BW 74

PW 87

$1,550+GST

260 M/A Frsn, Jsy, X/Bred Cows BW 72

•

$1,600+GST

PW 88

142 2yr Friesian Cows BW 64

•

PW 82

120 MA Frsn/Frsn X,Kiwi X Cows

$1,900+GST

BW 87

•

$1,650+GST

PW 102

•

RA93% A great herd well worth checking out.

Chris Johnston – 0272 574 091

RA88% One Tough Herd. Strong Frsn X Cows milked on Hills.

Kim Harrison – 0275 010 013

RA100% Smart Line of Rising 3yr olds, milked OAD all season in large operation.

Andrew Leggett – 0220 383 216

RA100% Cows off very wet farm with high stocking rate, tidy udders.

Rex Playle – 0275 946 512

Agonline ref: 063300

Agonline ref: 063131

Agonline ref: 063834

Agonline ref: 064056

NORTH ISLAND INCALF HEIFERS FOR SALE 52 Frsn/Frsnx Incalf Heifers BW 93

PW 93

$1,325+GST

34 Kiwix Incalf Heifers BW 114

•

RA85% Calving 20th July, Jsy Bull.

Scanned to Dates.

Matt Hughes – 0274 052 824

PW 131

33 Jsy Incalf Heifers

$1,475+GST

•

Calving 16th July, Jsy Bull. Well Grown.

Sam Wright – 0274 430 905 Agonline ref: 063804

Agonline ref: 064414

BW 140

PW 140

BW 115

100 Frsn/ Frsnx/ Jsyx Incalf Hfrs

$1,350+GST

PW 104

UNRECORDED

•

RA85% Calving 25th July, Jsy Bull. C.R.L. 1st June Delivery.

Chris Leuthart – 0274 936 594 Agonline ref: 064413

59 Frsn Incalf Heifers For photos and more information visit: www.agonline.co.nz or contact:

135 XBred Cows $1,775+GST

PW 50

66 DNA’D Ambreed Frsn Incalf Hfrs

$1,550+GST

•

BW 50

PW 57

$1,650+GST

58 Friesian InCalf Heifers BW 74

•

PW 74

$1,050+GST

•

Calving 5th August, Jsy Bull, Unrecorded, Will Sell any number.

Dean Evans – 0272 431 092 Agonline ref: 064381

23 Jersey & X/Bred InCalf Hfrs

$1,550+GST

BW 129

•

PW 130

$1,300+GST

•

RA99% Tidy High BW Line of Heifers, From a hard working herd.

Jeff See – 0275 680 813

RA100% Well grown Ambreed bred capital stock line of DNA’D Friesian heifers.

Peter Forrest – 0275 986 153

RA95% Complete Capital Stock Line of Friesian Heifers, they will come Forward.

Andrew Leggett – 0220 383 216

RA100% Tidy Line of Jersey & X/Bred Vetted InCalf Heifers.

Peter Forrest – 0275 986 153

Agonline ref: 064268

Agonline ref: 063766

Agonline ref: 064117

Agonline ref: 064146

PAUL EDWARDS

National Dairy Manager Ph 027 442 5028

NATIONAL TEAM. LOCAL KNOWLEDGE. STORTFORD LODGE COW FAIR Hastings Wednesday 9th May 10.30am Hilton Station 70 MA Angus Cows R6-R10yr VIC Angus 15/10 Capital Stock Carlyon Stn Ltd c/- Wayne Smith Farm Road Waipukurau 16 MA Angus Cows 10 MA Charolais X Cows VIC Angus 10 November PF&KM Weren Ltd Onga Onga 50 MA Angus Cows VIC Angus 10 November Further enquiries: Neil Common – 027 444 8745

MANAWATU RANGITIKEI ANGUS BULL WALK Tuesday 8th May Times 9am – 9.30am 10.20am – 11am 11.10am – 11.40am 11.50am – 12.15pm

Clients Ranui Pine Park Merchiston Complimentary lunch Station Hotel Hunterville 1.15pm – 1.45pm Atahua 2.45pm – 3.20pm Ngaputahi Catalogues will be available on the day.

Enquiries to: Callum Stewart – 0272 802 688

AUTUMN & SPRING FRSN & FRSNX HERD Friday 4th May, 11am Start On Farm: 30 Wyatt Road, Te Awamutu A/C Weal Farms Ltd Complete Dispersal Sale Comprising 100 Autumn Inmilk & CTP Cows.

70 Spring Calving Inmilk Cows.

15 Spring Calving Incalf Heifers 22 Autumn Born R1 Heifers 16 Spring Born R1 Heifers Approx 15 3/6 week Autumn calves.

BW32, PW49, RA74%, TB C10.

Our vendors have sold their farm giving purchasers a great opportunity to buy genuine cows or replacement young stock .The herd has consistently averaged over 510 MS/cow and are bred from nominated Ambreed bulls with a focus on sound udders, temperament and production.

4 years ago robotic milkers were installed, but we see no problem with the cows switching back to conventional milking sheds. The farm is a system 3 feed level.

The herd as well as young stock will come forward in great order on sale day and display the dairy qualities that discerning farmers look for when purchasing cattle.

Payment: 1st June unless prior arrangement made with Agent before sale day.

Delivery: Immediate unless prior arrangement made with Agent before sale day.

Catalogues available on Agonline.

Further enquiries: Andrew Reyland – 0272 237 092

Freephone 0800 10 22 76 | www.pggwrightson.co.nz

FRIESIAN/ FRIESIANX INCALF COWS Monday 14th May, 11.30am Start Morrinsville Saleyards A/C SM & AM Walters Comprising: 150 Frsn/ Frsnx Incalf Cows, BW28, PW36, RA88% Cows calving 20th July to Frsn & Hfd Bulls.

Bulls out 31st Dec. Cows Ave 300M/S per Cow, Ave SCC 215,000. TB C10, EBL Free, Lepto Vacc, Rotary Shed, Further details to follow.

Contact Colin Saunderson – 0274 936 524

FRIESIAN/ FRIESIANX HERD DISPERSAL Thursday 10th May, 11.30am Start 569 Huihuitaha Rd, RD1, Putaruru A/C Huitaha Ltd Comprising: 370 Frsn & Frsnx Incalf Cows, BW58, PW58, RA83% Calving 18th July, AB Frsn 4wks forward pack, 3wks B.O.D Frsn then 2wk short gestation Hereford, then tailed Jsy Bulls.

Further enquiries Jason Roberts – 0272 431 429

NATIONAL VIDEO SALE Stud Bull Sale Monday 14th May, 4pm Palmerston North Convetion Centre Premier sale of beef genetics in New Zealand

Find out more at www.pggwrightson.co.nz/videosale

Helping grow the country

MARKET SNAPSHOT

36

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Grain & Feed

MILK PRICE FORECAST ($/KGMS) 2017-18

6.31

AS OF 21/03/2017

AS OF 18/04/2018

MILK PRICE COMPARISON 7.0

Last year

Dec 17 AgriHQ Spot Fonterra forecast

Feb 18 Apr 18 AgriHQ Seasonal

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

WMP GDT PRICES AND NZX FUTURES

6.00

362

333

NI mutton (20kg)

4.85

4.85

3.70

378

378

304

SI lamb (17kg)

7.05

7.05

5.85

Feed Barley

378

378

312

SI mutton (20kg)

4.85

4.85

3.70

226

Export markets (NZ$/kg) 9.14

9.07

8.75

274

274

UK CKT lamb leg

Maize Grain

421

421

395

PKE

266

266

222

* 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.

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Wheat - Nearest

239

238

221

Corn - Nearest

206

207

201

373

373

313

7.0

379

303

Feed Wheat

317

317

286

2500

Feed Barley

347

347

271

2000 Jun 17 Sep 17 Dec 17 C2 Fonterra WMP

PKE (US$/t) 110

108

83

Mar 18 Jun 18 NZX WMP Futures

Ex-Malaysia

6.0 5.0 4.5

South Island 1 7kg lamb

7.5 7.0

NZ venison 60kg stag

6.5

600

$/kg

385

6.5 5.5

CBOT futures (NZ$/t)

ASW Wheat

North Island 17kg lamb

7.5

INTERNATIONAL

3000

6.0

500

5.5

400

3005.0 4.5 Oct

Oct

Dec

Dec

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

WMP

3330

3265

3170

SMP

1915

1890

AMF

5900

Butter

5660

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Prior week

Last year

1895

Urea

523

523

507

3.10

3.68

5900

6125

Super

307

307

317

Nth Isl 37m

3.25

3.25

3.80

5505

5250

DAP

739

Sth Isl 35m

4.80

4.80

3.65

775

775

Sep

Oct

250

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

8282

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

7949

Apr 15

Apr 16

Apr 17

Feed barley

4 weeks ago

Market commentary provided by Craigs Investment Partners

$/kg

350

150 Apr 14

NZ venison 60kg stag

4.5

600

c/k kg (net)

US$/t

NZ$/t Aug

Coarse xbred wool indicator

5.5

CANTERBURY FEED PRICES

THE rollercoaster ride for markets continued las week as caution again gripped investors.

The 10-year Treasury bond yield in the United States rose above 3% for the first time since 2014 as inflationary fears crept back into markets. The focus overseas has largely been on the reporting season, which is expected to be the best we have seen since 2011. Results are being carefully monitored and while strong performances are being rewarded with share price gains, any perceived weakness has been punished. Locally, it has been fairly quiet for markets and volumes have been low with the holiday shortened week and school holidays taking investors away.

New Zealand saw annual net migration fall in the year to March to 68,000. That was significantly below the high of 72,400 from July 2017. Although this remains high by historical standards it is in keeping with market expectations for a slowdown this year. Net migration was made up of 130,800 arrivals and 62,900 departures, as more non-NZ citizens were leaving the country. Most migrants coming to NZ were on work related visas with the most numbers coming from the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

22134

Aug

This yr

3.10

Sharemarket Briefing

16375

Last yr

Last week

450

S&P/FW AG EQUITY

Aug

Jun

Coarse xbred ind.

3200

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR

Jun

(NZ$/kg)

3400

Latest price

Apr

NZ average (NZ$/t)

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

Jul

Apr

WOOL

* price as at close of business on Thursday

Jun

Feb

FERTILISER

Last price*

3000 May

Feb

5‐yr ave

NZX DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Nearby contract

7.20

362

APW Wheat

3500

Last year

7.20

Australia (NZ$/t)

4000

Last week Prior week

NI lamb (17kg)

Feed Wheat

Waikato (NZ$/t)

6.0

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

c/kkg (net)

$/kgMS

Prior week

Milling Wheat

PKE

6.5

US$/t

Last week Canterbury (NZ$/t)

6.55

5.5 Oct 17

SHEEP MEAT

DOMESTIC

AGRIHQ 2017-18

FONTERRA 2017-18

Sheep

$/kg

Dairy

3.5 400

300

2.5Oct Jul

Dec

Sep

5‐yr ave

PKE spot

Feb

Nov

Apr

Jan

Last yr

Jun

Mar

Aug

May

Jul

This yr

Dollar Watch

Top 10 by Market Cap Company

Close

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

12.09

14.62

7.66

Auckland International Airport Limited

6.18

6.73

6.11

Meridian Energy Limited Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd Spark New Zealand Limited Ryman Healthcare Limited Fletcher Building Limited Mercury NZ Limited (NS) Contact Energy Limited Air New Zealand Limited (NS)

2.83 12.43 3.35 10.41 6.24 3.10 5.23 3.27

3.00 14.39 3.68 11.30 7.96 3.45 5.64 3.43

2.75 11.92 3.28 10.27 5.74 3.08 5.15 2.86

Listed Agri Shares

500

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Company

Close

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

12.090

14.620

7.660

Comvita Limited

7.080

9.210

6.550

Delegat Group Limited

8.280

8.500

7.510

Foley Family Wines Limited

1.420

1.560

1.400

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

5.730

6.660

5.670

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

3.000

3.000

2.250

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

2.300

2.450

1.840

PGG Wrightson Limited

0.600

0.640

0.560

Sanford Limited (NS)

7.470

8.500

7.350

Scales Corporation Limited

4.500

4.920

4.350

Seeka Limited

6.550

7.000

5.800

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

9.630

10.110

6.260

Tegel Group Holdings Limited

1.120

1.240

0.810

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity

16375

16555

14417

S&P/NZX Agriculture Equity

22134

22252

18488

S&P/NZX 50 Index

8282

8608

8059

S&P/NZX 10 Index

7949

8368

7640

THE New Zealand dollar This Prior Last NZD vs fell further than other week week year currencies during the USD 0.7057 0.7315 0.6877 past week in reaction EUR 0.5830 0.5915 0.6328 to the long-awaited AUD 0.9341 0.942 0.9208 strengthening of the United States dollar.

GBP 0.5072 0.5157 0.5328 The US dollar rose Correct as of 9am last Friday when its 10-year treasury bond market rate finally broached 3% yield, going upwards, Westpac senior currency strategist Imre Speizer said.

“We have been expecting the USD to strengthen because of good economic news but it didn’t move much over the past year.

“Now interest rates have got high enough and people believe they will go higher, a lot of people want to be long in USD and the NZD is no longer the darling of the currency market.”

The NZD fell 1.5c to US70.6 in the seven days to Friday afternoon and lost 0.5c against the Australian dollar and the Euro. The stronger USD tale has got a long way to run and so Speizer is forecasting the NZD at US68c by the end of the year.

“The central banks of the US, Europe, Japan and the United Kingdom are all reducing the stimulus applied during the global financial crisis. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of NZ has a firm hold on the Official Cash Rate and doesn’t look like moving for a while yet.”

All NZ interest rates up to five-year are now lower than those in the US. Hugh Stringleman

Markets

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018

SI SLAUGHTER STAG

NI SLAUGHTER LAMB

SI SLAUGHTER COW

($/KG)

($/KG)

GOOD EWE LAMBS AT MATAWHERO

($/KG)

($/KG LW)

7.20

11.00

3.85

3.24

high lights

37

$4.07-$4.08/kg

$2.57-$2.59/kg

Angus-Hereford heifers, 170-200kg, at the Sue Joe & Sons Weaner Fair at Feilding

R2 Friesian bulls, 470495kg, at Feilding Store Sale

Cattle & Deer BEEF Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.30

5.35

5.70

NI Bull (300kg)

5.20

5.20

5.60

NI Cow (200kg)

4.00

4.10

4.35

SI Steer (300kg)

5.30

5.30

5.40

SI Bull (300kg)

5.00

5.05

5.05

SI Cow (200kg)

3.85

3.95

4.00

US imported 95CL bull

6.32

6.31

7.19

US domestic 90CL cow

6.57

6.53

6.76

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

North Island steer (300kg)

$/kg

6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0 6.0 5.5

NZ venison 60kg stag

$/kg

600

c/k kg (net)

ON CALL: Auctioneer Snow Buckley calls in the bids on Shenley Station’s AngusPure calf sale at Temuka last week.

South Island steer (300kg)

5.0

500 4.5 400

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)

10.45

10.45

8.60

NI Hind (50kg)

10.35

10.35

8.50

SI Stag (60kg)

11.00

11.00

8.60

SI Hind (50kg)

10.90

10.90

8.50

New Zealand venison (60kg Stag)

12

$/kg

11 10

NZ venison 60kg stag

500 8 400 7

300 6

Oct Oct

Dec Dec 5‐yr ave

Feb Feb

Apr Apr Last yr

Jun Jun

Aug Aug This yr

N

OW that calf sales and weaner fairs are largely over the yards are settling down to lateautumn levels for cattle, with mainly mixed quality yardings of stores at most sale centres. Some buyers are stepping out of the market for the time being and prices are trending down to winter levels.

NORTHLAND NORTHLAND After a busy month of specialty sales it was tidy up time at WELLSFORD last Monday, with mainly small lines of mixed quality in the pens. Only the bulls lacked numbers with a respectable 510 cattle penned.

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c/k kg (net)

600 9

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Prices reflected the lack of quality and the easing trend seen over the past month. Most lines tended to be a cross-bred, and there was a noted preference for the few lines of better bred animals.

One line of Hereford-Friesian, 400kg, achieved $2.93/kg, while Hereford, 431kg, made top dollar of $2.85/kg. Similar weighted Herefordcross were discounted 13-23c/kg.

Second cut types were picked up for $2.65-$2.79/kg, with the balance trading at $2.56-$2.64/kg.

Two medium-good lines of AngusFriesian stood out in the heifer pens and at 377-408kg sold for $2.47$2.59/kg. A few lines did sell higher than that but tended to be lacking in

the weight, with 225-265kg beefFriesian making $2.71-$2.75/kg.

A line of 419kg Angus bulls were good shopping at $2.43/kg, with Friesian-cross, 338kg, not far behind at $2.34/kg.

Weaner prices were adequate considering the amount that have been available in the past month.

One standout line of 338kg Herefordcross steers made $925, though most of the better types sat more around $600-$660.

Hereford-Friesian heifers, 138255kg, sold for $500-$650, though Hereford-cross, 151-212kg, lacked quality and made $385-$540.

Continued page 38

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Find out more:

Call 0800 87 50 50.

Markets

38 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018 AUCKLAND

Quality cattle attracted competitive bidding at PUKEKOHE on Saturday 21st April, and firmed some sections as a result.

Medium prime steers, 560575kg, firmed to $2.61-$2.64/kg, though were bettered by heifers, 540kg, $2.70/kg. Other heifers, 463kg, returned $2.59/kg. Boner cows, 479-562kg, varied from $1.67-$1.85/kg, though lesser sorts could only manage $0.94$1.08/kg. Bulls, 666kg, fetched $2.55/kg.

The store section was noted for a void between good and poor lines as buyers were very selective. Light R2 steers, 409480kg, returned $2.49-$2.58/kg, with a line of 276kg also making $2.50/kg. However quality 15-month crossbred, 261kg, achieved $3.14/kg, and good R2 heifers, 348-396kg, were some of the bestselling at $2.58-$2.65/kg.

Prices were mixed through the weaner pens as medium steers, 153-164kg, returned $590-$775, though very small lines at 119kg made $380-$440. Medium heifers, 151-171kg, earned $520-$650.

WAIKATO With a change of sale day due to the Anzac holiday a smaller yarding was on offer at FRANKTON last Tuesday. Local buyers were on the bench and the market was mainly steady at seasonal levels.

Only a smattering of older cattle were on offer and Angus-cross R2 steers, 364-446kg, traded at $2.51$2.62/kg. R2 Hereford heifers, 393-430kg, made solid returns at $2.61-$2.78/kg, and Herefordcross, 326-330kg, steady at $2.43-$2.44/kg. Hereford-Friesian, 326kg, lifted $15 to $830, $2.55/kg.

Friesian bulls, 295kg, were steady at $2.71/kg.

Results varied for autumn-born 1-year Hereford cross dependent on quality with 262kg and 270kg both softening to $2.16/kg and $2.43/kg respectively, while Hereford-Friesian, 211kg, were solid at $3.04/kg.

The weaner market was steady for the majority with any variance related to quality and type. Eight beef-cross steers, 200kg, managed $650, $3.03/ kg. Hereford-cross, 212-228kg, eased to $510-$560, $2.41-$2.46/ kg, with 182-206kg lines steady at $505-$595, $2.77-$2.89/kg.

Hereford-Friesian, 182kg, were also steady at $650, whilst 181kg and 210kg lines eased to $570 and $625 respectively. Hereford-cross heifers, 155-165kg, lifted to $460$500, $2.97-$3.03/kg and Friesian bulls, 203kg, were feature making $670, $3.30/kg.

Only a small number of prime cattle were yarded and most eased. Five Hereford-cross steers, 494kg, were the only exception, managing to lift to $2.71/kg, while the remainder all had dairy blood and traded at $2.46-$2.56/ kg. Hereford and Hereford-cross heifers, 426-462kg, softened to $2.47-$2.58/kg.

Friesian boner cows, 516kg, eased to $1.64/kg COUNTIES COUNTIES Prices at last Thursday’s TUAKAU store cattle sale softened in line with other markets, Craig Chamberlain of Carrfields

sale tended to trade at $67-$90, dependent on their weight.

The remainder of the sale took very little time to complete as 45 prime lambs sold for $116-$134, and ewes, $113-$121.

HEADS UP: An Angus calf at last week’s Shenley Station sale in Temuka.

Livestock reported.

The market for the better quality cattle in the yarding of 700-head eased by about 5c/kg on the previous sale, but lighter and lesser-bred lines were back by around 15c/kg.

The offering included R3 Angus and Angus-cross steers, 450530kg, which traded at $2.72$2.77/kg. A handful of HerefordFriesian steers, 450kg-plus, earned $2.61-$2.73/kg, with good R2 steers, 400-450kg, making $2.51-$2.82/kg, and lighter types, 320-380kg, $2.55-$2.81/ kg. Highlight of the sale was the trade of a pen of 340kg Simmental weaner steers for $1120. Angus weaners at 200-243kg made $730$770, with beef and dairy-beef steers at 180-240kg earning $760$820, and 120-180kg, $680-$750.

Good heifers in forward order, 380-440kg, sold for $2.55-$2.61/ kg. Beef heifers, 330-370kg, made $2.62-$2.68/kg and dairy-beef, 300-350kg $2.40-$2.60/kg. The heavier beef and dairy-beef weaner heifers traded at $580$640, with 130-160kg making $480-$550.

There was no prime cattle sale last week due to Anzac Day and last Monday’s sheep sale drew a small yarding. About 300 prime lambs were offered, with the heavier types selling at $145-$178, and medium $120-$143. Lighter primes sold at $110-$120, and a small entry of store lambs made $85-$110. Some very heavy prime ewes fetched $175 and other good-medium types, $120-$135.

Lighter ewes returned $80-$100.

TARANAKI TARANAKI A short and not so sweet sale at TARANAKI last Tuesday had all bases covered, with prime, boner and store cattle all sold in the one yarding.

Those in the market managed to pick up some good cattle at very reasonable rates, though some lines were passed in as they did not meet reserve.

The best of the prime steers were Angus & Angus-Hereford, 577kg, which sold for $2.70/kg, while heavier Hereford-Friesian, 602-647kg, made $2.59-$2.69/kg.

Prime cows all traded at $1.63$1.72/kg.

Boners took up the largest portion of auctioneer’s time with varied results. Friesian, 441-

445kg, made very good values at $1.86-$1.93/kg, but 402-470kg dropped away to $1.65-$1.69/kg.

In-calf Friesian, 517kg, returned $1.78/kg.

With quality mixed and limited buyers in attendance the store cattle section was hard work.

The best prices in the older cattle pens was $2.45/kg for six 439kg Hereford-Friesian heifers, and $2.43/kg for 403kg Herefordcross steers. No lines of R2 cattle exceeded $1000, with the closest being two small lines of R2 steers at $980. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 376-402kg, were the bestselling in their section at $2.31-$2.34/kg.

The rest of the yarding consisted of lines under 10-head, and autumn-born beef-Friesian steers, 252-275kg, traded at $740$780, while Hereford-Friesian heifers, 265kg, earned $645.

Weaner’s were variable, with top honors going to a line of three Hereford bulls, 186kg, which sold well at $790, though most other lines were $550 or less.

POVERTY BAY POVERTY BAY The last sale for April proved to be another busy one at MATAWHERO, with this month easily taking out the prize for most sheep sold in a month so far this year.

The real talking point was a line of 1070 woolly male store lambs that were offered in seven pens.

However, there was the option to take the lot and that was exactly what one outside buyer did, for $110.

In the medium-sized pens a heavy line of males reached $132.50, while good types sold on a firm market at $115-$120.50.

Two lines of ram lambs proved popular and was reflected in their prices of $110-$122, though the same could not be said for same weighted mixed sex which made $83-$106.

As the sale progressed into the smaller pens both the weights and quality dropped away, and with them went buyer interest. It was very much a local contingency that kept the market alive, and for the last 13 pens of the store section prices fell below $3.00/ kg. However, there was a pocket of strength for three lines of medium-good shorn ewe lambs which managed $85-$107.50.

Most other lines at this end of the

HAWKE’S BAY HAWKE’S BAY Just a handful of cattle were on offer last Monday at STORTFORD LODGE and were quickly taken care of by two buyers. A single Charolais steer, 965kg, made $2451, $2.54/kg, and the two Ayrshire-cross heifers, 790kg, managed $1912, $2.42/kg. These were both purchased by the same buyer and the remaining three Hereford-Friesian cows, 637kg, went in a different direction for $1.73/kg.

The market was strong for prime lambs, helped by a new buyer in the mix. Heavy males lifted to $138.50-$155.20, as did heavy rams at $166.50-$167, and medium-good lines strengthened to $126-$138. Heavy mixed sex also lifted to $157.50-$169, as did good types at $120-$125, and medium-good $111-$118.

Medium store types made $106.50, while a line of very heavy ewe lambs took top honors at $184.50.

The ewe market continued to strengthen and with nearly double the throughput, 420 ewes, it did not falter. Good two-tooth ewes lifted $5 to $131, and heavy mixed age lines were steady at $150-$169. Medium-good lines seemed to be the order of the day and consequently lifted to $124.50-$136.75. Medium types earned $107-$116, and lightmedium $98-$106.50.

Top price for the sale went to a line of seven very heavy wethers which fetched $194.

MANAWATU MANAWATU Lambs are now the main feature at FEILDING’S Monday sale as the season marches on towards winter, though dairy cows continue to come in a close second.

Now is an opportune time for vendors to offload lambs as winter traders gather on the rails.

The yarding of 3700 last Monday did feature a large percentage of forward store types - good weighted lambs though still with room to move. The top male lines sold for $152-$163, with very heavy mixed sex earning $153-$154. A large portion of the mixed sex lines traded at $121$146, while most other male lines earned $133-$147.

Ewes were virtually nonexistent as rams are out and the farmers are just tidying up tail ends. One line made $145, but the majority traded at $80-$108.

Dairy cows still made up the bulk of the cattle section but numbers did decline. Heavy Friesian, 551-560kg, were sought after and prices firmed to $1.85$1.88/kg, but they quickly dropped as the second and third cuts were not on buying orders this week. Second cuts, 495528kg, eased to $1.71-$1.76/kg, and lighter types further to $1.66/ kg. Three lines of Friesian heifers, 400-410kg, made $2.07-$2.16/kg.

Beef cows all sold in excess of $2.00/kg, as well as a line of four Hereford-Friesian, 640kg, $2.06/ kg.

Prime cattle were once again

noted for their absence, with one Simmental-cross bull, 940kg, the only one worth mentioning as it sold for $2.76/kg.

Return buyers gathered at FEILDING last Thursday for the 2nd Annual Sue Joe & Son’s weaner fair. The Angus-Hereford calves were a credit to the vendors from Ohakune and Karioi, for being both a well presented lineup of quality breeding and also extremely quiet, especially considering they were freshly weaned.

There was an almost even split of steers and heifers, with the steers having an average weight advantage of only around 15kgs live-weight.

A very interesting trend emerged across the different sections, with the steers dropping in $/kg value as the weight decreased, whereas the heifers actually gained. This was in part due to the per head budgets set by some well-traveled buyers, who were not returning to the likes of South Auckland empty handed.

Compared to last year’s results buyers had an easier ride, with prices for steers around $60-$90 cheaper. Heavier heifers also dropped by approximately $60 per head, but the lighter end sold on a relatively steady market. However, compared to results from the last weaner fair at Feilding there was a notable improvement in values across all weights.

Top steer price this year was $1130, compared to $1300 last year, with most steers making $785-$1082. Heifers sold to $955, a discount of $60 on last year’s top line. The bulk of the heifers sold for $685-$900.

In the sheep pens a standard sized yarding at FEILDING through April has been between 18,000-25,000 lambs, with an accumulated tally of approximately 88,600. This is higher than historical levels for this time of year as the favorable season has meant that vendors have comfortably farmed their lambs longer and are now benefitting from selling at heavier weights at a time when a large number of winter traders come forward. While that sounds, and is, a lot of lamb’s buyers have rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in, with the market only losing around $2 per head each week. The sale last Friday continued the trend.

The top cryptorchid lambs sold for $126-$142, with medium types earning $110-$125. Very few sold outside this range. One big line of 385 wethers made $114.50.

A big yarding of ewe lambs had mixed results with two top lines making $125-$132, though most of the better types traded at $106$117.50. A large portion traded at $72-$103. A small mixed sex section lacked size and quality and returned $67-$100.

Buyers enjoyed another big yarding of store cattle but there was a notable softening as the end of April draws near. The advertised tally of 1700 was not far off, and the large selection did make buying easier for those in the market.

Good lines of R3 Angus steers, 527-567kg, sold for $2.88-$2.98/ kg, while higher yielding Exotic also made a solid $2.89-$2.95/ kg. Hereford-Friesian, 456-551kg,

Markets

were off that pace at $2.56-$2.64/ kg. Hereford-Friesian also had a big presence in the R2 steer pens, and $2.65-$2.70/kg was common ground for the better lines in a 390-460kg range. Angus was the other breed to feature in decent numbers and 370-400kg sold for a consistent $3.04-$3.11/kg, on a slightly firmer market to the previous week.

R2 Friesian bull prices were very consistent, as buyers tapped it out on the calculators. Budgets were tighter and 466-494kg sold over a tight range of $2.53-$2.59/ kg on a softer market, with just an 11-18c/kg increase for lines down to 382kg.

Heifers took a back seat with only a small number yarded relative to other sections. Better R2 traditional heifers sold for $2.64-$2.76/kg, with HerefordFriesian making $2.62-$2.61/kg.

The weaner pens mainly featured Friesian bulls, with good line sizes of 20-33 head offered.

Those 204-245kg sold well at $710-$800, with one line of 266kg making $850.

CANTERBURY CANTERBURY Boner cow number increased 330 head on the previous week, bringing over 800 cows alone to the Temuka sale yards last Monday. This flooded the market and prices fell 30c/kg. Store lamb buyers however relished the chance to purchase from another big yarding, and a number of orders were able to be filled.

Nearly 7300 lambs were on offer, including big lines of hill country crossbred. Plenty of interest from Mid-Canterbury buyers ensured a positive market for the bulk of the yarding, though prices did waver towards the end of the sale as orders were filled. Light male lambs sold for $75-$89, with one line of good males earning $108.

Heavy mixed sex reached $114$128, though there was a per head price overlap with good types at $109-$120 as these made higher $/kg. Medium-good types were steady to firm at $80-$111, with light lines making $68-$92. Some big lines were found in the ewe pens, including 473 medium-good at $101, and another line of 354

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018 medium lambs at $78. Good lines sold for $103-$110.

Plants are full at present and as a result the prime lamb market was stagnant. Only a small portion 1150 offering sold to $150-$155, but there was enough competition on the rest to hold it at $110-$146.

Ewe numbers reached one of the lowest levels seen this year.

The market was steady and a good portion of the offering sold for $110-$139.

The boner cow market dropped in dramatic fashion, losing 30c/ kg across all weights and hitting the lowest levels since 2014. The sheer volume of cows was the issue, with schedules losing just 5c/kg last week. The best that could be coaxed out of buyers for Friesian and Friesian-cross cows was $1.25-$1.36/kg for the heavier lines, though one line of five proved to be expensive shopping on today’s market at $1.60/kg. The next tier sold for $1.15-$1.24/kg, though lesser Friesian and Jersey lines were edging below the $1.00/ kg mark.

Other sections of the sale were all effected by the very tight processor space, and most steers traded at $2.60-$2.67/kg, which included good yielding Shorthorn and Angus. Heifers ranged from $2.40-$2.54/kg for the majority though there were limited numbers in both these sections.

A small entry of Friesian bulls, 538-618kg, were buy-able at $2.35$2.40/kg.

Cattle and sheep numbers were low at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday and the store lamb buying bench could easily have absorbed more lambs.

As it was the nearly 1300 head sold on a lifting market and over 80% of those offered sold in excess of $90. A small yarding of male lambs had lighter types, at $74-$99, with one heavy line up to $113. Mixed sex dominated and all lines 30kg and more sold for $96-$112, with most other lines earning $88-$94.

Though store lambs are hot property the prime lamb market is more susceptible to limited processor space and the absence of a few regular buyers. Values held though, and most still sold

for $110-$157, though there was a larger instance of lines making $100-$109.

The market bounced back up in the ewe pens with a $3-$5 lift across all types. Good and heavy lines made $155-$188, with medium and medium-good earning $117-$151. The balance traded at $70-$115.

With a public holiday following sale day there was very little in the way of quality cattle penned.

A few lines of store steers were run through with the prime lines, which included two lines of Angus steers, 345-370kg, $2.73-$2.76/kg.

Space is very tight at the processors and prices were generally steady or discounted, with better yielding steers making $2.67-$2.78/kg, while medium types returned $2.55-$2.65/kg.

Heifer numbers were low and all bar two lines of store Hereford sold for $2.50-$2.59/kg. The Hereford lines returned $2.45$2.46/kg. Bull numbers were even lower and one line of five Friesian, 512kg, managed $2.20/kg, while ex-service bulls varied from $1.40/ kg to $1.80/kg.

Prices didn’t improve in the cow pens, where buyers worked to yield and both dairy and beef traded at $1.41-$1.56/kg, with a few better beef cows reaching $1.80-$2.25/kg.

A handful of weaner’s were penned though a number of lines were passed in. The biggest line of 12 Friesian bulls, 173kg, required very little outlay at $300 The sheep sale at COALGATE took a back seat to calves last week and Anzac Day last Wednesday also meant there was little inclination from some to offload stock.

There were fewer than 1000 in all sections and numbers accumulated to just over 2400.

Lambs made up the majority, with a fairly even split between the store and prime pens. Demand for prime lambs firmed with prices up $5-$8 as at least $110 was needed and most sold for $130-$169.

Quality was mainly medium to good in the store pens and good male lambs fetched $110-$118, though it was a line of 41 specially advertised Romney ewe lambs

that pushed to $132. Good mixed sex sold for $94-$112 on a firm market, while lighter lines traded at $67-$95.

Ewe numbers are reaching seasonal low levels and were easily absorbed by buyers. A good yarding of 2-tooths made $125-$126. Mixed age ewes were variable and a small handful of heavy lines made $181-$186, but the next cut sold for $150-$160.

Most were medium-good and sold for $110-$139, while lighter sorts returned $50-$88.

The High Country Calf Sale drew a large crowd of buyers from North to Mid Canterbury, with familiar faces in the mix. Annual buyers made the journey as wellknown stations offered up a top quality line-up of mainly medium traditional and exotic calves. The buying orders were substantial enough that the yarding of 1250 was easily absorbed, and while prices were down on 2017 results, the market was still above expectations and easily surpassed recent sale results.

The traditional steers were the hardest hit in terms of how they compared to last year’s sale, and there was a blanket $80-$110 fall in prices.

Angus steers, 270-310kg, returned $1030-$1170, compared to $1140-$1190 last year, with prices for the heavier types staying under $4.00/kg. Those 220240kg made a solid $900-$1000, $4.08-$4.18/kg, while light lines, 160-210kg, managed $4.40-$4.60/ kg. A smaller offering of AngusHereford followed suit, with 170190kg discounted by $95-$100 to trade at $730-$870.

The deficit was much smaller for heavy Charolais-cross steers, which only lost $25-$40 as 230268kg achieved $970-$1090. Those 174-200kg were good shopping at $710-$840, but still managed $4.08-$4.18/kg.

The heifer market was more resilient, with just the lighter end of the traditional lines showing a bigger margin of decrease. Those 215-268kg eased $40-$45 to $810$1005, though 192-203kg fell $110$130 to $700-$740.

The sale finished on a solid note as Charolais-cross heifers sold at

very similar levels to that seen in 2017. Most were 211-248kg and made $830-$950, $3.79-$3.99/kg, with similar weighted lines last year making $4.03-$4.19/kg.

SOUTHLAND OTAGO April finished on a solid note at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday, echoing the month that has been.

Sheep prices were mostly in line with recent levels and the cattle market held at the previous week’s adjustment.

Good quality store lambs were sought after and the top lines held value at $95-$105, with medium types following suit at $80-$90.

Lesser lines were harder to shift with the easing trend continuing, as light lines returned $65-$75, and very light, $40-$50.

The prime lamb market had a softer tone as heavy lambs went under the hammer for $140-$150, medium $115-$130, and light $100-$110. Ewe prices were more resilient and heavy lines traded at $136-$150, medium $100-$115, and light $80-$90. Two-tooth’s fetched $78-$100 and rams, $80$116.

Cattle numbers continue to flow with some regularity as mainly cows and empty heifers are penned, along with weaners.

Steers, 450kg, firmed to $2.30$2.45/kg, though were very limited in number, and 400kg beef heifers returned $2.30-$2.40/kg.

Larger numbers of dairy cows and heifers are making for a lopsided demand and supply equation, with heifers, 320-380kg, easing to $1.50-$1.70/kg. Dairy cows, 420450kg, held value at last week’s discounted levels of $1.20-$1.30/ kg, but 370-400kg eased to $0.80$0.90/kg.

R2 Hereford-cross steers, 410kg, regained ground lost last week to sell for $2.68/kg, though Friesian, 380-450kg, were relatively good buying at $2.10-$2.33/kg. Beefcross heifers, 400kg, made a sturdy $2.42/kg. In the weaner pens Hereford-cross bulls, 187kg, returned $600, $3.20/kg, while both Angus-cross and Friesian, 200kg, traded at $580-$630, $2.90$3.15/kg. Lighter Friesian were much harder to shift and 166kg made $450-$465, $2.71-$2.80/kg.

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39

Helping grow the country

Markets

40 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 30, 2018 SI SLAUGHTER LAMB

NI SLAUGHTER COW

NI SLAUGHTER STEER

($/KG)

($/KG)

BONER FRIESIAN COWS, 420-485KG, AT TEMUKA

($/KG)

($/KG LW)

7.05

4.00

5.30

1.24

$4.08-$4.18/kg high $109-$121 steer calves, lights Good mixed sex lambs Angus 220-240kg, at Coalgate at Temuka

Heifers steal the show Annette Scott annettescott@xtra.co.nz

G

ENERATIONS of genetics were keenly sought as Shenley Station’s AngusPure calves went under the hammer at the Temuka Saleyards last week.

South Canterbury’s Shenley Station, farmed by the Fisher family for 106 years, put up 825 certified AngusPure calves in the station’s inaugural sale.

“It was a gamble for the Fisher family. They were nervous but they were excited and in the end it proved to be a very successful gamble,” Peter Walsh & Associates auctioneer Snow Buckley said.

“There was brisk competition before a large buyer gallery with strong bidding right throughout the sale.”

While the steers sold at market value or slightly above, fetching $680-$780 for the tops, it was the heifers that stole the show.

“People were there to buy good calves. Many were after the genetics for ongoing breeding and that really pushed the heifers along.”

Despite keeping the top 250 as breeding replacements at Shenley, the best on the day sold up to $880.

“Farmers could see the quality and what they were getting in the heifer calves from a top-end genetics breeding programme.

“Likewise, people were

HOLD YOU BREATH: The Fisher family waits nervously as auctioneer Snow Buckley opens bids on Shenely Station’s inaugual Angus-Pure calf sale.

Photo: Brian High

buying the steer calves and taking away high-end genetics for growth and temperament.

“The forward-thinking calf fatteners today are looking for an opportunity like this,” Buckley said.

“The family are very passionate about their breeding programme. They have been doing it for years and this first sale has put their stock out and available in NZ.” Rit Fisher said simplicity was the key to success for Shenley, a 3500 hectare sheep and beef property at Albury, inland from Timaru.

Originally running only halfbred ewes, cattle were introduced in the 1950s with the move to cattle initially basing the herd on Te Mania and Stern genetics.

Down the track it was an embryo transfer programme,

partnered with Five Star Beef that really set the genetics firing.

Embryos were sourced from Lawsons Angus, Australia, which had a connection to Gardiner Ranch in Kansas.

All along the goal was to reach estimated breeding values (EBVs) in the top 10% of the Australasian Stud Index – on average that has been achieved.

To keep moving forward with their genetics Shenley must now buy only bulls above 180 Angus Pure Index (API), which is the top 20% for the breed – to date sourced almost exclusively from Kakahu Angus.

Until now calves have been sold under a long-term contract to Five Star Beef but changes to that operation coupled with the Shenley herd

reaching the upper end of its genetic threshold prompted the move to the open market.

“It was time to go to the market where there is now a wider understanding of EBVs amongst finishers and a huge impetus in those top finishers looking for cattle with the ability to finish,” Fisher said.

“I was more than pleasantly surprised, delighted, with the sale and the response we have had from people who purchased following up with us, particularly with breeding in mind.”

“I figured buyers could be cautious as nobody had seen our calves before but we couldn’t be happier with the end result,” Fisher said.

Plans are afoot for a second production sale next year and that might also offer some two-year old heifers.

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High Country Calf Sale

Boner cows are now flooding the market WITH Anzac Day slap bang in the middle of the week it has been a mucky one for the sale yards and now that most of the calves have been sold the cattle sales tend to be very mixed both Suz Bremner in quality and results. It has not AgriHQ Analyst been without its dramas though and Temuka provided one of the biggest talking points of the week last Monday.

Temuka trades the largest number of boner cows of all yards and at this time of year volumes increase as autumn-calving is popular in the yard’s catchment area. Since calving started in early March we have seen a steady increase in numbers offered and in response each week prices have trended down but last week was as dramatic as a Shortland Street finale. Last Monday just over 800 cows came off the trucks at Temuka as vendors decided to offload in the hope they will hit the market before prices really lose momentum.

Essentially, though, they flooded the market and that was exactly what prices did, dropping faster and further than our very own Tom Walsh can throw his shot put. The situation was compounded by processors full to the gills with manufacturing cows, mainly because of seasonal trends but also in part from the culling of Mycoplasma bovis cattle.

In just one sitting the market lost 30c/kg, bringing prices to levels not seen since 2014, and pushing them below the five-year average.

That is no mean feat considering the last few years have seen a steady increase in prices and so the gap between recent levels and the five-year average has been quite the void.

Basically prices went from $1.45-$1.65/kg to $1.15-$1.35/kg in a blink of an eye, with decent numbers of light lines trading under $1/kg.

Sadly, the reality is that we could still see prices fall further if cull dairy cow numbers continue to flow at such a rate. suz.bremner@nzx.com

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