Farmers Weekly NZ December 17 2018

22 The year in review Vol 17 No 50, December 17, 2018

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NEWS

WEATHER OVERVIEW

15 Bringing black dog into the open Elle Perriam’s shiny, sponsored Holden ute is a big step up from her old Navara but the 21-year-old Lincoln University student and rural mental health campaigner is intent on wringing as many miles from it as she can to get her message out to farmers across the country.

Tougher penalties for stock rustling ������������������������������ 6 Leave the water rules to locals ������������������������������������� 12 Breeder says goats need scale �������������������������������������� 20

ON FARM STORY

Variety is the theme of the next 14 days and while some areas will become hotter and drier we’re still seeing a few rainmakers coming our way that should be positive for most. Generally speaking this week kicks off with high pressure and those daily downpours have finally mostly cleared. However, westerlies kick in this week with a rainmaker that was originally in South Australia moving into New Zealand midweek bringing patchy rain and a cooler southerly change (ie, Canterbury could drop over 10 degrees). By the coming weekend we’re back to westerlies and then high pressure too. As we head towards Christmas Day we may see some rainmakers drifting from Queensland and New South Wales towards NZ - not locked in yet.

NZX PASTURE GROWTH INDEX – Next 15 days

Pasture Growth Index Above normal Near normal Below normal

7-DAY TRENDS

Rain Rain returns on Tuesday the lower South Island then into the North Island by the end of Wednesday and across Thursday. It will bring a mix of heavier rain, mainly the west, with downpours inland and a few showers to the east.

Temperature A hot start to the week in some areas (especially inland and to the east) as westerlies kick in, however temperatures will drop by as much as 10+ degrees on Wednesday in the South Island due to a brief southerly.

Wind Westerlies kick off the week but a cooler southerly change arrives in the South Island on Wednesday then fades out into the North Island on Thursday where a weak low will lie.

Windy westerlies on Saturday fade on Sunday due to high pressure.

Highlights/ Extremes Some heavy rain on the western side of NZ midweek. A colder change on Wednesday for the South Island.

High pressure returns by Sunday.

December 25 still not yet locked in but generally speaking a chance of a few showers nationwide.

14-DAY OUTLOOK

For further information on the NZX PGI visit www.agrihq.co.nz/pgi Parts of Manawatu are now much drier than average despite recent downpours in the area.

There may be a little bit of patchy rain mid to late this week in the area, which will hopefully help. Overall, across the country we have both warmth and moisture, which bodes very well for pasture growth nationwide (perhaps an early kick off to facial eczema though). Despite a brief cool down mid this week the overall trend is warmer than normal. Pasture growth looks great.

SOIL MOISTURE INDEX – 14/12/2018

24 Variety is the spice of life It’s tough, rough country but Island Hills Station owners Dan and Mandy Shand are passionate farmers and innovative in their diversification to achieve financial sustainability.

REGULARS Real Estate �������������������������������������������������26-31 Employment ����������������������������������������������������32 Classifieds ��������������������������������������������������32-33 Livestock ����������������������������������������������������33-35 Markets �������������������������������������������������������36-40 GlobalHQ is a farming family owned business that donates 1% of advertising revenue to the Rural Support Trust.

Thanks to our Farmers Weekly and Dairy Farmer advertisers this week: $769. Need help now? You can talk to someone who understands the pressures of farming by phoning your local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

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EDITORIAL A year to remember

I

t’s our last edition for 2018 and as usual for this time of year we’re filling our pages with some faces you don’t often see in the paper, but whose contribution to our sector is immense.

Land Champions uncovers the unsung heroes - those who toil away to make their industry and community a better place to live and work.

We’ve also included some familiar faces. You will have read and seen the farmers in On Farm Story over ther past six months and we’ve gone back to some of them to ask how their year has been and how they see 2019 playing out.

The end of the year is a time for reflection.

Dairy has been volatile again although it looks as though another six-dollar-plus payout is on the cards.

Fonterra has been through the wringer in 2018 and shareholders will hope the new leadership team there can steady the ship. Time will tell.

If it weren’t for the price of crossbred wool sheep and beef farmers would probably class the year as perfection.

Horticulture continues to go from strength to strength.

But there are headwinds coming.

Global trade is in a fair bit of turmoil with Brexit floundering and tensions between the United States and just about everyone else concerning.

Issues linked to the climate and the environment will give farmers challenges to overcome as well.

But farmers are a resilient lot and overcome them they will.

Thanks for reading in 2018. I hope our news and data have helped make decision-making a little bit easier.

Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Bryan Gibson

STAY IN YOUR LANE: Associate Minister of State Owned Enterprises Shane Jones says Landcorp should stick to farming and stay out of politics.

State farmer told not to meddle Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz THE Government has tightened the reigns on the Landcorp board in the wake of continued fallout from its contentious Tax Working Group submission which advocated a water tax.

The Associate Minister of State Owned Enterprises Shane Jones has also accused the farming company of meddling in politics for advocating the tax even though it was ruled out of Government policy during coalition negotiations.

Jones was loathe to say he is imposing checks and balances on the board, but in an interview outlined several actions including asking Landcorp’s newly appointed chairman, Dr Warren Parker, to investigate why the board allowed the tax working group submission.

In addition, the Government is writing the board a letter of expectation and Jones is asking Treasury to monitor a proposal by Landcorp to work with investors on plans to start carbon farming trees.

Landcorp’s tax working group submission also earned the ire of many farming leaders who viewed it as counter to the good of the wider industry and a continuation of its strategy of including some of the sectors’ harshest critics on its advisory groups.

The National Party’s agriculture spokesman Nathan Guy says Jones was scrambling to get answers from Landcorp after prodding from his party raised issues the minister was not aware of.

“It’s become clear that Landcorp is being run by a few environmentalists, hell bent on imposing more taxes on hard working farmers.”

Jones said he had no prior knowledge of Landcorp’s tax working group submission.

“It is fair to say there was a level of surprise and angst around the Cabinet table that the board of Landcorp thought it was a good idea to present a water tax proposal to the tax working group when the party I represent had ruled that out as part of negotiations to form the coalition Government.”

Among the topics covered by the Government’s letter of expectation to the Landcorp board will be a reminder of the board’s responsibility to the shareholding minister.

It’s become clear that Landcorp is being run by a few environmentalists, hell bent on imposing more taxes on hard working farmers.

Nathan Guy National “Was it a deliberate snub to my leader Winston Peters? I don’t know but I am going to get Warren Parker to get to the bottom of it.”

He said Landcorp, which trades as Pamu, needed to focus on running a high-quality farming business.

“If that (submission) was

evidence of a high quality Pamu farming practice, that in my view is farming politics not farming property.”

Jones says as a Crown asset and a Crown -owned farmer, Pamu must protect its assets and he is concerned at it entering the speculative arena of carbon trading.

The Farmers Weekly has learnt a Pamu tender for the project closed last week.

“In the last 10 years I and others have seen how the carbon market goes up and down. It can easily become a carbon casino,” Jones said.

Dr Warren Parker has been appointed the new chairman of Landcorp, but when asked if appointing a chairman from outside the current board was a tactical move to influence Pamu’s direction, Jones points to Parker’s governance experience in state, private and non-governmental organisations.

“He is a fresh set of ears and eyes and that is most important for a chairman.”

Dr Parker declined to comment on his new role.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

PCE: Overseer needs more work Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz

Chris Allen Federated Farmers

FIX IT: Parliamentary commissioner for the environment Simon Upton says Overseer can still be a useful tool, but issues he has identified be urgently addressed.

absolute limits to farm discharges that can then be traded.

“It is more useful for guidance about relative change or ‘direction of travel’ in terms of reducing nutrient losses, or a comparison of changes to farming systems rather than assigning absolute numbers.”

Overseer is a commercial entity owned by fertiliser co-operatives Ravensdown and Ballance, the Ministry for Primary Industries and AgResearch, and as such has not been open to outside analysis, something Upton said needs to happen to build confidence.

Six councils – Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Hawkes Bay, Horizons, Otago and Waikato use Overseer to regulate nitrogen runoff, and three others require farmers to use it to predict that future nitrogen limits will be met.

In his report, Upton found

some of the uncertainty with Overseer was due to it using a “typical” animal for calculating energy requirements, a risk from poor or inaccurate record keeping and the lack of geographically widespread field data to calibrate the model and account for soil and climatic differences.

The report stated that a 2001 analysis for predicting nitrogen losses revealed a variation of between 25 and 30%.

Overseer developers believe that variation equally applied to the model’s current version.

The absence of widespread trials to allow calibration to various conditions meant Overseer was not able to accurately generate results that matched soil, climate and management conditions.

“Some parts of New Zealand have not been covered by trials,

meaning uncertainty in some regions may be greater than in others,” the report says.

For farms outside the model’s calibration the range of predicted nitrogen loss could exceed 50% and for Canterbury dairy farms on light or poorly-drained soils it could differ from 40% below the actual leaching rate to 60% above.

Upton recommended a comprehensive evaluation of Overseer, including an independent peer review, and subject it to sensitivity and uncertainty analysis.

Upton also recommended greater transparency on how Overseer works and setting up a working group to provide guidance on how councils can use it.

Local Government NZ regional sector chairman Doug Leeder said that with right investment,

Overseer can be used to promote better water quality but at present it was used within its limitations.

“If we continue to use Overseer to inform regulation, it’s important that we apply our knowledge and gain investment to ensure it is fit for purpose, and in doing so get buy-in from farmers to make the most of the benefits it can provide to our waterways.”

Environment Canterbury said in a statement it was encouraged by the push for continuous improvement and had changed the way it used Overseer.

“We have been using Overseer for around 10 years. Our latest update to the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan, Plan Change 5, eliminates reliance on a fixed Overseer estimate and replaces it with a threshold based on irrigated area or the use of winter grazing of stock.”

Professor Richard McDowell, the chief scientist, Our Land and Water National Science Challenge, believed Overseer should be linked to farm environment plans.

He says Overseer needed to evolve to a point where it can map and target critical areas of farm nutrient loss, measure the impact of day to day decisions and help landowners identify suitable land use.

FW 95805 12/18 120 x 265mm

A NEW report confirms what is already generally acknowledged, that the nutrient loss measuring tool Overseer is not fit for the regulatory role for which it is being used, with one expert doubting it would withstand a legal challenge.

Dr Julie Everett-Hincks, a legal and scientific researcher at the University of Otago, questioned whether it was right to burden farmers with regulatory compliance when the tool being used cannot reasonably measure nutrient losses.

“In its current form and governance structure, Overseer is not fit to be a regulatory tool.”

The report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE), Simon Upton, found significant gaps and shortcomings in Overseer that he says undermine confidence in its use as a regulatory tool.

So long as councils are aware of its limitation, Upton said Overseer can still be a useful tool, but he urged issues he has identified be urgently addressed.

Federated Farmers environment spokesman Chris Allen said the PCE findings of inaccuracy and gaps in Overseer had been raised by farmers.

“The significant inherent inaccuracies in the Overseer model means that is very unfair when the model is used to regulate farming activity central to farmers’ livelihoods, and even more importantly to mount prosecutions.

“How would an ordinary New Zealander feel if he or she was prosecuted for speeding in their car based on the model they are driving and when the radar or speed camera had an accuracy range of plus or minus 50%?”

Overseer’s inaccuracy means it should not be used to assign

How would an ordinary New Zealander feel if he or she was prosecuted for speeding in their car based on the model they are driving and when the radar or speed camera had an accuracy range of plus or minus 50%?

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

Fonterra offers fixed milk price Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz FONTERRA’S farmers will be offered a new fixed milk price option next season to be referenced back to the NZX Milk Futures Market, less a service fee of no more than 10c/kg milksolids.

The monthly offering will be made in ten months of the year, excluding January and February, and a farmer-supplier can commit up to 50% of their estimated annual production.

Fonterra will make 5% of its total New Zealand milk supply available through the fixed price scheme over a season, currently amounting to about 75 to 80 million kgs.

It will make at least 1m kg available at every event and if applications exceed the offer amount all farmers will be scaled back pro rata.

The offer price will be published late on Friday in the week of the second Global Dairy Trade auction each month, after the relevant milk futures market price adjustment.

Farmers will then have the weekend in which to decide to apply and for what quantity.

Currently the NZX milk price futures market is at $6.02/kg for the contract period ending September 2019.

Therefore, a Fonterra fixed price to be offered on Friday, December 21, if the scheme was operating, would be $5.92 or slightly more.

Options fixed from June to December will apply in that season and those fixed from March to May will apply for the following season.

Fonterra said it had consulted with farmers and incorporated their feedback to make the new pricing tool more transparent, flexible, and accessible.

Among the feedback was that most farmers would not bother with setting up a margin account in order to participate in NZX Dairy Derivatives, including milk price futures, but they would use a simpler alternative.

Fonterra claimed it was not setting up the fixed milk price in competition with NZX products and that it had collaborated with NZX in designing the new optional tool.

NZX said it was common practice in global commodity markets for the range of available price risk management tools to include exchange traded futures and options contracts, over the counter products from banks and brokers, and direct contracts between suppliers and processors.

Therefore the new Fonterra fixed price option was a natural development in the evolution of risk management tools for NZ dairy farmers.

NZX also pointed out that milk futures trading was the most efficient way of hedging.

The process will run through the Farm Source platform on

CERTAINTY: Fonterra says its fixed milk price will give farmers more price certainty if they wanted it.

each farmer’s Fonterra internet connection.

Fonterra would know the supply price of up to 5% of its milk regardless of the season’s outcome and would therefore have certainty on the margins it can achieve.

Farmers would also get more price certainty if they wanted and this was a win-win, Farm Source and Global Operations chief operating officer Robert Spurway said.

Fonterra farmers have also received more advice of the cooperative’s plan for a recognition and rewards scheme to launch next season.

It wanted to bring existing milk quality, animal welfare and environmental activities into a single, simpler framework, as announced at the annual meeting in November.

The as-yet unnamed scheme would have more clarity and consistency about minimum standards and the consequences of not achieving those, Spurway said.

Advance rate cut then restored FONTERRA’S revised advance rate schedule will deduct 15c/ kg from farmers’ payments in January and then restore it in February.

It will reduce the Decemberpaid January payment from $4.15 to $4.

The cash flow impact on the average supply farm will be $2500 for December milk plus a deduction of 15c/kg for milksolids supplied June to November inclusive that had already been paid at $4.15 in October, November, and December.

One accountant’s estimate of the impact was $8000 in the full season’s revenue of around $900,000 based on the current forecast of $6-$6.30.

But it is about 12% of the anticipated January payment of around $70,000.

Farmers have complained the reduction was badly timed because of tax and share purchase obligations.

They were puzzled why Fonterra had to reduce the January payment level only to restore it again the following month.

The company said that as a result of the forecast farmgate milk price being lowered farmers had already been paid a higher proportion of their payout than normal at this stage of the season.

“Our strong relationships with our financial partners are based on being consistent with our financial discipline guidelines wherever possible, including the percentages in the advance rates.

“This is not a cashflow issue and is unrelated to our current financial performance.”

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Kiwis not seeking any concessions Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz CLIMATE Change Minister James Shaw has denied New Zealand’s heavy agricultural presence at the COP climate change summit in Poland is an effort to seek concessions for the sector.

Shaw is representing NZ at the conference that aims to adopt the decisions to ensure the full implementation of the Paris Agreement, signed by countries three years ago to keep global warming under 1.5C.

We have to expose kiwi farmers and businesses to what is going on in the rest of the world now.

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James Shaw Climate Change Minister As the conference closed its first week focusing heavily on the arcane technical aspects of individual country obligations and processes, Shaw said the reason for taking a number of agricultural representatives was to improve awareness on both sides about the role agriculture plays in emissions.

“We want to raise this with other countries and start a conversation about emissions and food production.

“It has been something of a taboo subject up until last year, similar to what it was in NZ.” The NZ contingent includes representatives from

RURALCO.CO.NZ

DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb NZ and AgResearch.

“We have to expose kiwi farmers and businesses to what is going on in the rest of the world now.

“One of the points of resistance is a sense in NZ we are the only country doing anything around agricultural emissions and imposing costs on our own sector.

“By bringing an agricultural group they do get exposed to what else is going on around the world.”

He also said the summit is not a venue where concessions are sought by countries or sectors.

The summit has United States, Kuwait, Russia and Saudi Arabia remaining ambivalent about the dire Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change report on global warming released in November, noting the report rather than welcoming it.

But Shaw said it remains a minority of countries pushing for a 2C temperature increase over a 1.5C increase.

“I think the IPCC report fundamentally shifted the discussion. Every forum I have been in people are talking about the 1.5C increase not 2C.” He defended NZ’s prominence at the conference after Greenpeace accused this country of not being bold enough.

The environmental group said that contrasted with Prime Minister Jacinda Adern’s bold action earlier in the year banning oil and gas exploration.

“I think we have been pretty vocal.

“They said we were quiet about the 1.5C but I have raised this at every forum I have been part of and it is part of our National Statement.

DON’T ASK: The climate change summit is not a venue for countries or sectors to seek concessions, Climate Change Minister James Shaw says.

“It is kind of everywhere and I would not say that is the case.”

When questioned about methane measurement, a contentious issue between scientists in NZ, Shaw said it is very early days on the international front with people very focused on the longer-lived gases.

“And even that is only early days in some cases.

“Most countries are not paying attention to methane yet but they will have to and it could be a more hopeful conversation than people have anticipated. There are options to reduce greenhouse gases.”

He was heartened by the Berg report released in early December that indicated there are developing technologies that allow for reduced emissions while maintaining productivity.

Federated Farmers has highlighted research presented at COP highlighting how the global dairy

sector has increased milk production 30% in 10 years to 2015, with only a 14% jump in cow numbers. The emissions intensity per kilogram of milk actually declined by 11% to 2.5kg of CO2.

Shaw described discussions at the front end of the summit as mind-bogglingly complex and ministers are working to try to distill the summit into two to three big questions to resolve.

One of them was proving to be financing emission reductions in developing nations.

“This is understandable.

They have felt they have been let down by the developed world, which has not delivered on earlier promises and are anxious about being tied to a rule book on reductions without any assistance. It is not easy to solve.”

The other issue is transparency around reductions on a country-bycountry basis.

Tougher penalties for stock rustling Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz

0800 787 256

News

farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

PEOPLE caught rustling livestock face tougher punishment with two new offences to be added to the Crimes Act. The two new offences are the theft of livestock or other animal, carrying a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment and a new

offence of unlawful entry to land used for agricultural purposes.

This specifies the criminal act of intending to steal livestock or act unlawfully against specified things, such as buildings or machinery, on that land and carries up to 10 years imprisonment.

National Party Rangitikei Member of Parliament Ian

McKelvie initiated the Bill, which has been adopted by the Government, to address a crime estimated to cost farmers more than $120 million a year.

McKelvie said the punishments will act as a deterrent.

“This law change sends a strong message to potential rustlers that these acts are abhorrent, and that if

caught, you can expect the full treatment.”

Justice Minister Andrew Little said the Government has listened to farmers on the personal toll of a crime he described as a “scourge”.

He says a survey of Federated Farmers’ members reveals a quarter of members have had stock stolen in the last five years.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

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Ram raffle backing Farmstrong I like farming because I get to control what I do.

farmstrong.co.nz

A RAM raffle run by Raupuha Studs owners Russell and Mavis Proffit to raise awareness of mental health in rural communities raised more than $7000 for Farmstrong’s rural wellbeing programme.

The Proffit family, who run Raupuha Studs at Mahoenui in King Country, about 30 minutes southwest of Te Kuiti, have been selling rams for over 40 years.

Russell and Mavis have managed the stud for a decade.

In addition to breeding pedigree Perendale, Romdale, Suftex and Suffolk sheep Raupuha is recognised as a leader in facial eczema genetics.

Russell Proffit has been farming for 18 years and likes the variety his job brings.

“We’ve got a dairy grazing block, a sheep stud and a commercial operation.

“I like farming because I get to control what I do.

“We’re breeding sheep and bulls for commercial farmers and what we do benefits the whole of the sheep industry.”

The pair also pride themselves on doing things a bit differently and decided to create an event and give something for people to talk about.

“We were running our third onfarm ram sale and I came up with the idea of auctioning off a ram for Farmstrong.

“Mental health in rural communities is a topic we think is really important.

“I think farmers do have to cope with a lot of pressure – legislation changes, market changes, the climate, the media.

“It’s important that we look after ourselves and each other and talk

Russell Proffit Farmer

BIG BUCKS: A ram raffled at Raupuha Studs’ auction raised more than $7000 for Farmstrong.

about this stuff,” Proffit said.

The couple sold a couple of hundred tickets, got 20 local businesses involved and ended up raising more than $7000. It was a family occasion and a great chance for the local community to connect.

“All the kids were home so it was great.

“People were coming anyway because of the auction but the raffle created a bit of talk.

“Farming can get pretty lonely and this was a good chance for people to get off-farm.

“This is probably one of the few times at this time of year that people will get off-farm to buy a ram so it’s a great chance to catch up with fellow farmers.”

The catalogue featured Farmstrong ambassador Sam Whitelock passing on tips for

farmers under the pump.

“We just did it because it’s a good thing to do.

“Everyone that read our catalogue talked about Farmstrong and promoted it on Facebook. That’s a great thing. The more people who talk about these issues the better.

“They might not need help now but maybe in two or three years’ time if they’re under the pump they’ll head to Farmstrong for help about what to do.”

No one in farming is immune from pressure or unexpected, stressful events, Proffit said.

“For example, nowadays, we breed eczema tolerance in our sheep. That’s a disease that can sneak up in autumn on your sheep or cattle herd. Once you see it, it’s too late, you’ve missed the boat.

“My father got hit really hard by

it in 1999 and got really depressed by it, as anyone would when they had to go and shoot their own sheep.

“So we breed to prevent it now and I guess that’s part of the reason we got behind Farmstrong because like any farm we’ve known tough times. Those sort of things can come out of nowhere and you’ve just got to be resilient enough of cope with it.”

He agrees staying connected with mates and local industry networks is crucial to feeling good.

“One of the trickiest things with mental health is that people can look fine and seem fine. It’s not like a broken leg, you can’t always tell if someone’s not 100, can you?

The key is to keep talking about it as a community and check how people are going.

“I guess I’m lucky that my job

has a social side.

“This time of year I’m busy meeting people and selling and delivering rams to farmers.

“It’s still pressured because the guy you’re selling the rams to is depending on your genetics to improve his bottom line. But I do enjoy my job.”

The industry still has a way to go to deal with issues like work/ life balance, stress and burn out.

“In our industry the harder you work, the greater the reward but you’ve got to have some balance too. I’m probably as bad as anyone at not taking my time off simply because I love what I do.

“Like most farmers I just want to get on and get stuff done.

“But if something affects you so much that you can’t function, you’ve gotta do something.

“If people, especially young people, in our rural communities are struggling, they need to turn off Facebook, turn their phone off and go and talk to someone.

There’s always someone out there who can help.

“My main message to young farmers is just worry about the things you can control. Forget about the rest.

“You can’t control what other people say. Just worry about what you can do. Surround yourself with good people who will give you decent advice and support.” is the official media partner of Farmstrong

Rogue rabbit virus finds its way to Otago Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz A ROGUE strain of the rabbit killing calicivirus that has been working its way down the country has been found in Otago.

In May the RHDV2 was found in rabbits on Molesworth Station

in Marlborough and in June two samples from Bay of Plenty collected last December tested positive for the strain.

This spring it was found in rabbits in Otago, just months after regional councils received permission from Biosecurity NZ to release the RHDV1 K5 virus to boost rabbit control

and assist the existing rabbit haemorrhagic disease in the population.

Having announced the discovery, the Otago Regional Council directed all inquiries to the Ministry for Primary Industries.

MPI said the virus is prevalent in Australia and Europe and it

has no idea how it got here.

It is unlikely it can be eradicated but is not expected to affect the K5 strain, which differs from RHDV2, and there was no cross-over protection, it said.

A group representing regional and district councils, Federated Farmers, MPI, the

You’re the most important asset on your farm When you look after yourself, you’re looking after your farm too To check out what works for you and for help to ‘lock it in’ head to the Farmstrong website for farmer-to-farmer tips and advice on sleep, time out, thinking strategies, eating well, keeping farm fit and more.

www.farmstrong.co.nz

Conservation Department and Land Information NZ was last February granted permission to import and release the K5 strain.

Its release in March-April was heavily managed but many farmers have said they are not impressed with its impact on rabbit numbers.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

Farmers want DIRA gone Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz FARMERS delivered a consistent message to the Ministry for Primary Industries when they met in Ashburton to consult on the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act review.

“We are a bit over it, and that’s an understatement,” Mid Canterbury dairying stalwart Ted Rollinson said.

His sentiment was largely echoed by all farmers at the meeting that unanimously agreed it’s time for open entry and exit to go, followed by raw milk regulations and access to regulated milk for Goodman Fielder.

If Goodman Fielder is lazy enough to exist for this period of time without putting a backup plan in place then out they go.

David Acland Farmer Farmers were generally in favour of retaining the milk price setting mechanism of DIRA, being the base milk price calculation.

MPI’s DIRA review team manager Annie Hindle made it clear to farmers she wanted to hear their views on the 17-yearold DIRA Act of 2001.

“MPI and government understand the contribution the dairy industry makes to this country but there is impact on the environment, being one of the downstream consequences of the massive growth in dairying in the past 17 years.

“So we are here to get your views,” she told farmers.

In November MPI released a discussion paper on the options that are being considered as part of its review of DIRA. Until this point in the DIRA review the Government has been identifying and analysing the issues, meeting with industry stakeholders, including Fonterra and the shareholders council, and identifying options.

The release of the discussion paper is the opportunity for farmers to have their say.

“The Government is now asking everyone with an interest in the dairy industry to join the conversation about the issues and options they’ve outlined.”

Hindle put the questions in four platforms starting with open entry and exit which clearly sparked the greatest discussion.

Regulations controlling the supply of raw milk also created rigorous debate.

While DIRA gives farmers the freedom to choose, Fonterra should not be used as a safety net leaving the loyal shareholdersuppliers propping it up, farmers said.

DIRA gave security but some people are just thinking profit, can we leave them out, or should there be a stand-down time so they are not profiteering the organisation, farmers questioned.

It was argued that open entry ensured security in pick up, take that away in isolated areas and there may be some pressure.

“Because Fonterra is a cooperative it should not be a risk for farmers in areas where there is no choice – the co-op looks after everyone equally,” was one farmer’s comment.

Another suggested “it is time for the co-op to grow up and make the tough business decisions”.

LOUD AND CLEAR: MPI’s DIRA review team manager Annie Hindle will tell the Government and the Minister that farmers want DIRA gone.

“People are not committing at the moment and we need that commitment to change the whole Fonterra business model.”

On the raw milk regulations farmers said “it’s a nonsense that we give milk then they go on the open market and they are our competition”.

Farmers cited foreign dairy company ownership as “killing it”.

“If they want milk to start up then they go and find it. This (DIRA regulated milk) was done in the first place for the domestic market.

“Are we trying to create Fonterra to save the world,” Rollinson questioned.

“Change the rules so milk can only be used for enhancing the domestic market for the public of New Zealand,” he said.

“I’m hearing from farmers loud and clear that farmers are tired of the raw milk regulation and don’t want to supply any company that is competing against us,” Hindle told farmers.

“We will take this back to government,” she said.

As for access to regulated milk for Goodman Fielder – farmers are dead against.

“If Goodman Fielder is lazy enough to exist for this period of time without putting a back-up plan in place then out they go, someone else will fill the gap,” Mt Somers Station farmer David Acland said.

“Goodman Fielder have been too bloody greedy, dairy farmers are like being Santa Claus, we can’t keep giving people piggy backs,” Rollinson said.

In summary of the Ashburton consultation meeting, the seventh in the round of meetings being held around the country, Hindle said she will be taking back to the Government and the Minister that farmers feel quite strongly – “it’s time (for DIRA) to go”.

She told farmers the only thing that threatens Fonterra’s size in the future is the choices that farmers make regarding supply.

“And that’s not something government would want to regulate.”

Hindle urged farmers to engage in the submission process.

“The written word tends to be more powerful,” she said.

Submission close on February 8, MPI anticipates having its recommendations to government in April-May next year with regulation in the House in June with new legislation drafted by late 2019 to pass into law early 2020.

MORE:

For more information www.mpi.govt.nz/dira-review

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10 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

Land Champions

Farmers’ champion gives up desk Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

BYE: It’s happy 80th birthday and farewell from Federated Farmers for Kevin Geddes as he prepares to leave his Ashburton office for the final time on December 21.

PEOPLE have kept Kevin Geddes associated with Federated Farmers for 60 years but at 80 he’s decided it’s time to call it a day.

Clutching a personalised Federated Farmers life membership certificate presented to him at the national council meeting in Wellington on November 29 Geddes feels very honoured to have worked so long with such amazing people.

He was speechless when given the recognition for a lifetime of outstanding contributions to the business and sustainability of agriculture through innovation, determination and practical leadership.

“For a very short while, possibly five seconds, I was speechless and that doesn’t happen very often.”

Geddes was a steady hand at the wheel, working out of the Ashburton office as a national senior policy officer.

He has been through the organisation’s evolution. He will not be replaced in the regional office.

“I could say I’m not sure what that’s telling me but really I do.

“As resource management matters reached higher priority

than in the past more of the policy work is being done in Wellington.

“In my time I’ve done national work from here, mainly because I wouldn’t move to Wellington and with technology these days you can do the work from anywhere.”

Geddes started working with Federated Farmers in 1998 but his services go well beyond that, services that were recognised when he was the recipient of a Queen’s Service Medal two years ago.

At that time it was the reference to his involvement and work with Federated Farmers that excited him most about the award.

Losing his mother when he was three years old was a major influence in his farming life.

“My grandmother and aunty returned to the family farm to look after me.

“If that hadn’t happened my life could have been very different.

“All my life I have been involved in farming and I have been treated with great generosity by farmers.”

Geddes grew up on the family sheep and beef farm in Maniototo and started farming on is own account when he married Lorraine in 1961 – enjoying the

Land Champions

golden decade of sheep farming.

He started in Federated Farmers when he was 22 as the OtagoSouthland Council of Young Farmers representative to the Otago provincial executive.

“I knew everything and what a lot of old duffers they were.

“I did two years and I don’t think I opened my mouth actually.”

He went on to be involved with the Otago cadet scheme and in 1972 spent seven months studying agriculture and organisation of farming affairs in Britain as a Nuffield Scholar.

“I was a young man off the tussocks. I learned a huge amount about global agriculture.

“It was a pivotal experience in my life that gave me an understanding of intensive agriculture.”

Itching to move on in his farming career the couple bought 886 acres in Ashburton District.

“The idea was to develop 100 acres of border dyke irrigation each year. That was challenging and kept our heads down for 10 years,” he said.

In 1980 they sold off 600 acres and bought a nearby property they converted to a dairy unit.

“We farmed there for 10 years but the 80s were a complete contrast to the 60s. It was not a happy decade.”

we are such a minority of the population, we will be confined to policy that suits the majority of New Zealanders that live in urban centres and many of whom have little understanding of rural life.”

Geddes said farming and the right to farm will continue to change.

“In the future there will be more of the same.

“More food and fibre will be

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018 produced by fewer people and so rural-focused organisations like Feds have to become even more effective at communicating to NZ. “That is the challenge that Feds has had in my lifetime and will always.

“But it’s time for me to step back and let younger, more competent people take over.

“The technology that is available to today’s young

farmers is so very, very clever but it takes skill to derive benefit from it.

“I remain in awe of their technical skills.”

Geddes is also stepping aside as executive director of the Groundspread Fertilisers’ Association, a position he’s held since 2000.

He will continue his involvement with the Mid Canterbury Feds Charitable Trust

11

and his role as a Justice of the Peace.

“I’ll have Christmas first. I have a stack of books building up and I hope for more books for Christmas.

“In my other career I’ll be riding my son’s lawnmower into the sunset as the handyman gardener at their function centre.

“I’ve not been storing up things for retirement. I will be doing what I enjoy doing as I can do it.”

Can you guess her weight?

Geddes was vice president of Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers in 1988 when the NZ Rural Trust was set up to help farmers following the 1986-1987 drought and major economic downturn.

The trust’s purpose was to mediate between farmers and their creditors.

“I put my hand up.

“I put a manager on the farm and I went off farm full time as the rural co-ordinator.

“It was the hardest 18 months of my life.

“I learned a lot about myself as well as the world.”

But the rewards came in setting up funding support and helping farmers to forge new pathways to stay on their farms.

When that job was done Geddes was offered the role as Federated Farmers provincial chief executive.

“I never went back on the farm but I never left farming. I just farmed in a different way.

Fifty years on Geddes said technology and the political landscape of farming have changed hugely.

But what hasn’t changed is the need for the rural voice to be heard.

“Whenever there’s been a matter of public policy that disadvantages farming people – my friends – their voice needs to be heard.

“If we remain silent, because

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For a very short while, possibly five seconds, I was speechless and that doesn’t happen very often.

12 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

Land Champions

Leave the water rules to locals Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz WHEN water arrived in Maniototo 34 years ago it not only transformed the region’s dryland farms but also Geoff Crutchley’s views on water management.

Crutchley was initially reluctant to become involved in the murky world of water and irrigation management but was prodded into action in response to what he considered inflated water prices being demanded by the precursor to the Maniototo Irrigation Company.

So began an involvement that continues today but which has challenged some of his previous views while shaping others.

His experience has formed views on three issues in particular.

He believes market forces do not work for water allocation, Wellington politicians and bureaucrats need to be kept out of water management and the best water management is one that reflects all community interests.

Importantly, removing the adversarial approach to water management means all parties are involved in decision-making, which can require compromises be made.

“It actually works if you get them all in a room because you are not hearing all the arguing.”

It also exposes all parties to other options they might not have considered.

His involvement in water management has also influenced his daughter Emma, who this year completed a Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme on water.

She found people are reluctant to respond to authority unless they understand why but empowering communities enables flexible solutions and shared economic social and environmental values.

“Agreed principles give the opportunity for groups to identify shared values.

“If groups agree in principle, this enhances the opportunity to build trust,” she said.

Failure to build trust heightens the likelihood of resource consent applications ending up before the Environment Court.

What she calls good environmental policy will alter behaviour to suit a community’s needs and NZ can be a world leader in freshwater management by using that social capital.

“This is reliant on central and regional government recognising the value of community engagement.”

She was also involved with several other local women in forming Water Maniototo, a group that created a video that went viral on social media highlighting the cost and impact of the Labour Party’s proposed policy of imposing a water tax.

The arrival of irrigation in Maniototo in the early 1980s was associated with massive uncertainty when the government pulled out of the partly finished irrigation project because of soaring costs.

WATER CHAMPIONS: Emma, Reuben and Geoff Crutchley from Maniototo in Central Otago have refined their views on water management through their involvement in irrigation.

You are not going to have a fair debate if you are holding a tax over the use of water.

Geoff Crutchley Farmer The Ministry of Works began construction of the irrigation and hydroelectric power scheme in 1976 with an estimated construction cost of $6.2m.

Work stopped in 1983 when costs soared to $32m and with water supplied to only about a third of the intended area.

It was sold to farmers in 1990 for $1 along with debts and liabilities.

They completed it in 1995 for $1.7m after an evaluation trimmed it to what farmers could afford.

When completed it still carried the same volume of water and supplied the same intended area but savings were made in what was an over-designed scheme, with scaling back to fewer, smaller concrete structures.

Ownership was eventually transferred to the Maniototo Irrigation Company.

Fed by the 800ha Loganburn dam, which holds nearly 100m cubic metres of water, it supplies the Taieri River and irrigates some 9300ha.

In 2014 the dam height was raised, increasing the water that can be stored, in what was a relatively seamless consenting exercise because all interested parties were involved in the decision.

Crutchley said that is the point.

Water efficiency cannot be defined without clarity about what is trying to be achieved and maximising efficiency means taking account of social, environmental and economic effects.

About 2001 Otago University researcher Margot Parkes toured the upper catchment of the 200km Taieri River for a study on integrating catchment ecosystems and community health.

She found everyone wanted the same outcomes, he said.

All interested groups were called to a meeting and instead of a tense, agitated gathering everyone was reasonable and keen to create a management structure that looked after the river.

“It was an interesting experience for me as I was listening to different people with different perspectives.”

The Upper Taieri Water Resource Management Trust was formed and employed Gretchen Robertson, who later became deputy chairwoman of the Otago Regional Council.

Representing more than 150 water users, it had a goal of producing a model for community self-management, facilitating communication between the groups and taking practical steps such as encouraging riparian planting. Crutchley was the group’s initial chairman.

The riparian planting is an example of the importance of communication.

Farmers were willing to accommodate other groups’ wishes for more tree planting so long as it wasn’t cracked-willow.

The trust proved so successful it got Sustainable Farming Fund money beyond the initial threeyear term and has continued to

advocate for community input into river management.

Its premise of bringing diverse interest groups together to find common ground has even more relevance as the Otago Regional Council negotiates the transition from farmers operating under historic deemed water permits to resource consents.

While fine in theory, finding common ground is not all plain sailing and Crutchley said positions agreed to in general discussion can be derailed when lawyers appear.

Emma Crutchley said people react differently to conflict, often entering a debate or discussion determined not to lose or make compromises.

But if people can accept they might lose an argument or be prepared to compromise yet still be involved in making decisions on a topic or issue, they can achieve their goals.

Before the last election Crutchley was invited by Fish and Game Otago to talk about his opposition to the proposed water tax.

Fearing he was entering a lion’s den, he was delighted at the fair hearing he received.

He argued a tax tilted the balance of water management toward the highest economic values at the expense of other uses and environmental and social considerations.

“When discussing the maximum benefit to the community, all the factors have to be considered evenly. You are not going to have a fair debate if you are holding a tax over the use of water,” Crutchley said.

Emma Crutchley said the key is for groups to trust each other and that comes from talking.

In the northwest corner of

the Maniototo basin, Kyeburn Catchment is replacing irrigation water rights, known as mining permits established during the gold mining era, with resource consents.

But it doesn’t always mean the process runs flawlessly.

Kyeburn irrigators have pursued MIC’s community-wide approach to get consensus but the council’s decision to grant the consents is being appealed against by Otago Fish and Game even though irrigators have agreed and were implementing new, higher minimum flows in the Kyeburn River.

Crutchley has real concerns at water regulations being set by politicians and bureaucrats in Wellington.

“Decisions should be what the community wants to do with the resource, not Wellington.”

National policy statements, as Environment Minister David Parker proposes for water quality, establish the lowest common denominator without recognising community values and desires.

“Put the challenge out there about what has got to be achieved then let communities solve the problem.

“They will and they are far better at it than politicians.”

He has a similar view to prescriptive regional council rules.

“If you have a book of rules which states you must do as I say and you still have dirty water, what do you do now?”

He prefers the Otago Regional Council’s approach of telling consent holders what must be achieved in terms of water quality but leaving it up to them and the community how that is achieved.

“It is virtually a guarantee they will achieve what they set out to achieve.”

Land Champions

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

13

A dairy showcase for the children Glenys Christian LYNETTE Hickey can spend up to three days a week talking to school children.

She’s not a teacher but manages visits to Brian Gallagher’s south Auckland dairy farm for DairyNZ. “A lot of the kids have never been on a farm before and they have a lot of unusual ideas about where their food comes from,” she said.

Some think milk is yellow and chilled and one Somali child in a class of 10 and 11-year-olds thought calves came out of eggs.

“And kids are regularly surprised that in Gallagher’s herd of 400 cows he doesn’t have 200 boys and 200 girls.”

Hickey comes from a Taranaki dairy farming family where she contract milked and 50:50 sharemilked after studying horticultural science at Massey University, travelling overseas and completing a post-graduate diploma of teaching.

Her move to a 30 hectare block

at Patumahoe 18 years ago came about when her partner David was transferred north with his work.

She began milking at weekends on Gallagher’s farm, which she continued for 11 years as well as rearing calves.

By 2015 there was a waiting list of more than 3000 Auckland schoolchildren wanting to visit a dairy farm after using Rosie the cow’s world school resources provided by DairyNZ. To meet demand Gallagher, who’d regularly welcomed visitors, came up with a scheme for pupils to go to his farm with DairyNZ employing Hickey to host them.

More than 5000 students have done so thus far.

Beforehand, Hickey finds out the pupils’ ages and what they’re studying. Teachers are asked to do some classroom preparation and put together questions they would like answered, especially for NCEA students.

They will also be asked to ready their students for the visit by telling them not to turn up

wearing unsuitable footwear such as Jandals or Ugg boots. As a follow up she’ll contact them again asking if any specific further information is required.

There are no visits arranged in November because of schools sometimes scheduling a dairy farm trip in between a day out at the beach and one to Rainbows’ End amusement park.

“That’s not fair to dairying,” she said.

“We’re not a petting zoo.”

Some younger children will never have walked in a paddock or seen a cow before and Hickey said it’s rare that any pupils will have relatives involved in farming.

Those who do often come from Fiji.

“It’s totally foreign to them,” she said.

A farm walk of around an hour and a half is planned, depending on the weather, and she’ll use any of the normal farming activities, like a stock truck arriving or fertiliser being spread, to talk about what’s involved in getting

Always on target

TEACHER: Lynette Hickey with one of her fox terrier, Lola’s six pups.

milk from the farm to their fridge.

“I try to include science as much as possible and tell them nothing happens randomly,” she said.

With older students she’ll talk about sustainability improvements such as nutrient mapping and riparian management. Parents coming on the visits can have negative environmental views as the result of media coverage, providing the opportunity to talk about how water is first used to chill the milk, next to wash down the dairy and finally is irrigated onto pasture.

Students who don’t see the herd being milked will get the chance to “milk” their fingers with the milking machinery and have a ride on the backing gate.

Large groups will be split in two

with one engaged in teacherled activities such as seeking out insects in a small patch of pasture or gumboot-throwing competitions.

DairyNZ’s remit is also to show the range of job opportunities involved in the dairy industry, which leads to questions from some pupils about how much they would earn if they were to work there.

“Most of them have no perception they could get a job in farming and mostly they think they’re only for boys,” she said.

And sometimes it’s the small things that make the biggest impression like pupils’ fascination with water trough ballcocks.

“I explain what they’re for and tell them to check in their toilet cistern when they go home.”

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14 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

Land Champions

People are the cherry on top Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz

(RSE) from Vanuatu and 18 permanent staff. Over winter they hope to recruit Fijians under the RSE scheme.

IT SOON became obvious the “The wage bill is pretty high,” interview with Harry and Joan he says.

Roberts was near the pointy end H and J Roberts Orchard covers of the stone fruit season.

60ha of flat and terraced hill The long-time Central Otago country at Earnscleugh, across the fruit growers were amicable Clutha River from Alexandra. and generous with their time to The family grows cherries, accommodate an early December apricots, peaches, nectarines and interview but the season was plums, which provide a threeobviously ramping up, evident by month picking season and gives the succession of staff requiring a casual staff some certainty of work piece of their time with inquiries. for a period.

They were diverse requests: It also allows the Roberts to questions about labelling details establish a nucleus of staff but he for the first pick of new season says they try to enhance that by cherries, confirmation of exactly generating a family atmosphere, which block of fruit tree needed given many staff are young and spraying and there was a constant thousands of kilometres from stream of young people, many home. foreign backpackers, looking for The Roberts family moved to work.

Earnscleugh from Dunedin in The Roberts will eventually June 1961. employ about 100 pickers and His father was a plasterer packers from December to early March, a veritable United Nations, seeking a career change but lasted only five months on the orchard with about half foreign tourists. before returning to his trade.

But at the start of the season The two eldest sons ran the there were up to 30 a day inquiring orchard for a while but when he for work, with most advised to was 16 Harry received some career come back later in the month advice from his headmaster. when the season picks up.

“My headmaster told me to go In addition, they employ eight home, so I did.” recognised seasonal employees He eventually bought shares in the family business, which was slowly expanding through the addition of more AWDT Understanding Your Farming Business & Wahine Maia, land.

Wahine Whenua In 1978 the 3 full-day workshops and an evening graduation ceremony run over partnership split four months. Equips and supports women involved in sheep and beef farming to lift business performance. with one block Registrations for 2019 programmes are now open, visit the website for sold and Harry more information and to register. and his new Locations and dates (3 modules & graduation): bride Joan, the Whangamomona: 4 Feb, 6 Mar, 3 Apr & 1 May daughter of a Whanganui: 5 Feb, 7 Mar, 4 Apr & 2 May local orchardist, Mt.Bruce: 13 Feb, 13 Mar, 10 Apr & 8 May bought the three Makuri: 14 Feb, 14 Mar, 11 Apr & 9 May Omarama: 20 Feb, 20 Mar, 17 Apr & 15 May remaining familyWaimate: 21 Feb, 21 Mar, 18 Apr & 16 May owned blocks.

Paparoa (Northland): 20 Feb, 20 Mar, 17 Apr & 15 May It was a big Kaikohe (WMWW): 21 Feb, 21 Mar, 18 Apr & 16 May challenge but he Millers Flat: 27 Feb, 27 Mar, 23 Apr & 22 May was heartened Gisborne (WMWW): 27 Feb, 27 Mar, 23 Apr & 22 May by the advice he Wairoa: 28 Feb, 28 Mar, 24 Apr & 23 May received from a Website: To register visit www.awdt.org.nz/programmes colleague.

Contact: keri@awdt.org.nz or 06 375 8180 for more information “I had an older AWDT Understanding Your Farming Business & Wahine Maia, orchardist tell me Wahine Whenua

0076663

200x71.67

agrievents

I had an older orchardist tell me ‘Harry, you’re a young bugger, just go for it’.

Harry Roberts Orchardist ‘Harry, you’re a young bugger, just go for it’.”

Today their 60ha orchard is spread over four blocks and is run as a family business.

Daughter Vicki, son Harry and his wife Tasha and are active in the day-to-day business while third child, daughter Maryanne, lives in Central Otago and has also been involved in running the business.

On the walls of the packhouse smoko room photographs dating back to before World War I provide a snapshot of the development of Earnscleugh, the renowned Central Otago stonefruit growing region.

They include images of extensive tomato crops, part of a trial Roberts said was done by two Dunedin chemists, along with pipfruit and stonefruit trees.

Central Otago’s extreme climate lends itself to growing some of the best stonefruit in the country.

The driest region in NZ – annual rainfall is less than 350mm – it has about 150 frosts each winter while temperatures range from minus 21C in the depths of winter to more than 30C in summer with daylight lasting until 10pm.

One of Roberts’ earliest memories working on the orchard was being issued a 4m long wooden ladder and, being the youngest, told to pick the fruit from the top of the tree.

Trees were taller back then and the ladder heavy and unwieldy.

Roberts recalled on multiple occasions ending up face-planted on the ground after the ladder became unstable.

Frost fighting was done by burning drums of oil, which left black residue in their ears and eyes, a practice that has long since ended, replaced by irrigation and other systems.

3 full day workshops and an evening graduation ceremony run over four months. Registrations for 2019 programmes are now open. Visit the website for dates, locations and to register.

Website: To register visit www.awdt.org.nz/programmes Contact: anna@awdt.org.nz or 06 375 8180 for more information.

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YUMMY: New season Central Otago cherries.

ANOTHER SEASON: Central Otago orchardists Harry and Joan Roberts.

The job was physically taxing from lugging the boxes used when picking to shifting even larger boxes for shipping.

Roberts recalls loading trucks that took the fruit to the Alexandra railhead to be loaded into rail wagons for transporting to Dunedin.

While the end goal of producing quality, large fruit hasn’t changed, management has.

It has become less physically demanding and tools such as spray use more targeted.

“Spraying is about being green,” he says.

One change that is repeating itself is outside corporate interest

in the industry, especially in cherries but also apricots.

Investors have recently started buying land in Cromwell, Bannockburn and Clyde and establishing cherry orchards, encouraged by demand, especially from Asia.

Roberts saw something similar in the 1980s when syndicated money was invested in orchards but it didn’t last.

Not suggesting that scenario will be repeated, Roberts says as an established family-run business, the outside investment makes him nervous because it can distort the sector and markets.

His first cherries were exported in 1980 and, depending on the season, up to 70% of his crop can be sold overseas but competitors are not sitting back.

The Australian cherry industry has migrated to the cooler climate of Tasmania and is taking the edge off NZ exports because of comparable seasons while Chile is a fierce competitor.

Roberts is working with a Chilean cherry expert to refine his crop management, a relationship proving beneficial by having someone outside the business look at what he is doing.

While operating a true family business is enjoyable, they enjoy meeting and mixing with the many young people who come and work for them, many who become lifelong friends.

“There are lot of lovely people out there,” Roberts said.

Land Champions

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

15

ON THE ROAD: Elle Perriam and dog Jess are preparing for a national tour to bring rural health issues out into the open.

Bringing black dog into the open Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz ELLE Perriam’s shiny, sponsored Holden ute is a big step up from her old Navara but the 21-year-old Lincoln University student and rural mental health campaigner is intent on wringing as many miles from it as she can to get her message out to farmers across the country.

Perriam’s family has long been committed to agriculture and to highlighting the sector’s role in New Zealand, whether it is her uncle John’s much publicised escapades with the elusive Shrek or her sister’s rising profile as a rural media voice.

Elle’s contribution to the sector comes in her Will to Live rural mental health campaign that will culminate in her 2019 Speak Up tour visiting 14 provincial towns, providing a seminar for discussion of and solutions to farmers’ mental health issues.

Perriam talks excitedly and passionately about her plans for the tour that will kick off next winter, a typically quieter time for most farmers and also one when

dull, wet weather can have rural moods at a low ebb.

Her enthusiasm and passion for getting young farmers, in particular, engaged in a nationwide conversation about their mental health was sparked from the depths of personal despair at the loss of her boyfriend just over a year ago to suicide.

It was a loss that came out of the blue for anyone who knew him, with aftershocks of grief and loss that ripped from his immediate family and through the wider community.

“It prompted me to try and pull something positive from this experience, to try and reach out to younger farmers, shepherds and farm workers who are now a greater proportion of the people appearing in rural suicide statistics,” she says.

The State of the Rural Nation Survey released in early October highlighted the younger generation (18-39-year-olds) of rural New Zealanders are most affected by an overall elevated level of rural stress and anxiety.

Perhaps surprisingly, 85% in this age bracket said they felt

more stress in the past five years, significantly more than those over 55.

So a focus for Perriam’s campaign is to encourage this younger group of farmers to feel comfortable talking about their mental health state, encouraging them to seek more help and not necessarily have that help coming from online counselling.

“It is a case of encouraging them to seek help from whatever source proves most effective, either through positive personal activities or by talking and interacting with others who can empathise with their issues.”

“Earlier on the statistics tended to highlight an older group of farmers who were affected as owners or managers.

“But the numbers show it’s this younger group really affected and when it comes to young rural males in particular, you simply are not going to get them ringing an 0800 hotline for help. I know Will simply would not have done that.”

With research showing young rural respondents less likely than their urban counterparts to consider talking to a health

professional Perriam is keen to engage people who might be approachable and helpful in rural communities to talk to the gatherings.

It is a case of encouraging them to seek help from whatever source proves most effective.

Elle Perriam Will to Live “That could be another farmer, maybe a stock agent who has been through such an experience, they could be something of an ambassador for the issue in that area.

“We also intend to have a mental health expert on the mechanics of depression and anxiety speaking.”

Perriam admits she has been overwhelmed by the level of support she has received.

Initially hoping to reach about $15,000 in donations to support the campaign she has hit $20,000, got some wheels under her to publicise it and had many people approach her with their first-hand experiences. She has also secured some solid corporate sponsorship from Ruralco and AllFlex.

The extra funding has enabled her to push the coverage out to 14 meetings and to include Kaikoura and Northland in the tour.

“We want to be able to have them within close distance of where people are farming, keeping travel time down and have them in a relaxed atmosphere like the local pub.”

A travelling companion for Perriam and mascot for the campaign is Will’s big black Huntaway, Jess. Jess took centre stage at the Will to Live campaign launch at Hunterville during the Shepherd’s Shemozzle and has joined her at rural events inlcuding A&P shows this spring.

She says the process of organising her campaign has been a healing part of dealing with her loss and a huge step to pulling something positive from that loss.

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Land Champions

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

17

Drought relief grows recognition Luke Chivers AS JESSIE Waite drove down Taranaki’s coastal highway there was no escaping the savage drought gripping the region.

It was January 2018. Parched, dusty paddocks flanked the busy tourist route.

Failed turnip crops were a stark reminder of rains that never came.

For many coastal farmers it was the worst season in decades.

“In parts of coastal Taranaki a large number of dairy farmers had been forced to dry off some of their cows before Christmas,” Waite said.

The situation was dire.

“It was an extremely stressful time for a lot of families. They were struggling to feed livestock, water was scarce in some areas and money was tight.”

Waite works for Taranaki Federated Farmers, managing the organisation’s regional office in New Plymouth.

The drought saw her step up and organise relief efforts.

A series of free family barbecues were held in droughtravaged coastal communities to encourage weather-weary farmers to get off their farms.

She worked with the Rural Support Trust over the Christmas period to organise seven events.

“We found a number of sponsors and rural companies who were happy to contribute, which was amazing.

“The BBQs gave families a free outing. We supplied a tasty lunch and kept the kids entertained, giving the adults an opportunity to catch up with their neighbours.

“In many cases it helped people realise they weren’t alone.”

Coordinating the barbecues meant Waite didn’t get much of a summer break, but she wasn’t bothered.

“Having a summer holiday was the last thing on my mind when the welfare of Taranaki farmers was taking another hit.”

Waite’s can-do attitude reflects her dedication and passion for the sector.

The Central Taranaki Young Farmers member returned home to Taranaki in 2016, after working as a reporter at the Oamaru Mail.

She landed a job at Taranaki Federated Farmers.

The 26-year-old was nominated for a NZ Young Farmers Excellence Award by a member of the organisation’s farmer executive.

“Jessie will say she ‘helped’ organise the community BBQs, but the truth is without her, they never would have happened,” the nomination read.

“During a period when most office managers were slowing down for the Christmas break, Jessie was hustling hard – liaising between DairyNZ, vets, the Rural Support Trust, NZ Young Farmers, community halls and the Federated Farmers executive to organise the events.

“It was because of her hard work that over an extremely stressful time hundreds of struggling farmers were able to get off the farm and forget about

Jessie took on this job and really made it her own. She makes things happen and has excellent people skills.

Donald McIntrye Federated Farmers and if I need to learn new skills to progress, then I do.”

Realising she had won a NZ Young Farmers Excellence Award was an exciting moment for Waite.

“I couldn’t believe that I had been nominated and picked as a finalist, let alone being named as a winner.”

“I definitely don’t do what I do to get recognition, but when I do it’s a nice pat on the back,” she said.

The awards recognise NZ Young Farmers members who are leaders, achievers and role models.

Waite joined volunteer firefighter Michael McCombs, 26, and FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final organiser James Goodwin, 31, as the 2018 recipients of the accolade.

“This year’s winners are shining examples of young people who are stepping-up and making a difference,” NZ Young Farmers board chair Ash-Leigh Campbell said.

“The trio epitomises everything our Excellence Awards stand for.”

CAN DO: Jessie Waite has been rewarded for her big effort helping Taranaki farmers get through last summer’s drought.

the dry for a while,” it said.

Waite also helped coordinate a feed drive, which triggered offers of support from across the country.

“We had phone calls from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island. It was a really humbling experience,” she said.

The donated feed – mainly hay and silage – was given to local farmers in dire need of extra food for their livestock.

“A lot of times in the past it’s been Taranaki farmers who have put their hand up to help, so it was nice to see that generosity reciprocated.”

Waite has a reputation for getting things done. She has built an impressive network of contacts which she uses to help farmers.

“Jessie took on this job and really made it her own. She makes things happen and has excellent people skills,” Taranaki Federated Farmers president Donald McIntrye said.

“During the drought Jessie did a lot of extra miles during the holiday period to ensure our response was swift and widereaching.”

And, in early 2017, she organised about a dozen workshops across Taranaki on a major overhaul of regulations surrounding the care and transport of bobby calves.

They were run in conjunction with DairyNZ, the Ministry for Primary Industries, trucking companies and bobby calf processors.

“That’s probably the biggest

roadshow I’ve had to organise and run in this job,” she said.

“Obviously there were a few people who weren’t happy about the changes, but at the end of the day we were just trying to provide useful information to farmers.”

Waite is also heavily involved in NZ Young Farmers.

She was previously the chair of Oamaru-based Five Forks Young Farmers and convened one Aorangi Regional Final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year during her time in North Otago.

She is currently a delegate on the NZ Young Farmers National Committee and serves as the chair of the Taranaki and Manawatu regions.

“I’m an opportunity taker.

“I’m someone who takes opportunities when they arise

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18 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

Land Champions

Aim to make people’s lives simpler Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz WHEN then senior vice president Bill Shepherd missed out on the top Federated Farmers job the dairy farmer turned to local government.

Now his combination of farming, governance and economic development ideally suits his chairmanship of Northland Regional Council.

Shepherd was elected chairman by fellow councillors at their and his first meeting after the 2013 local government elections when he began to represent the Coastal North ward taking in the eastern coast from Whangarei all the way north to Doubtless Bay. Five years and a 2016 reelection later Shepherd will seek a third term in 2019.

Born into a farming family at Ruatangata, about 10km west of Whangarei, his history goes back to the Albertlanders – nonconformist immigrants from England to Northland in the 1860s.

He went dairy farming after high school. He and wife Sue now employ 50:50 sharemilkers with 500 cows producing 227,000kg milksolids last season on dairy platform and support land totalling 240ha.

A third of the herd calves in autumn and the farm is system 4, with maize and grass silage feed inputs.

They have remained on the same property, now considerably enlarged and incorporating the nearby family farm.

In 1973 he began representing farmers in his Whangarei branch in what was then the much-larger Auckland province of Federated Farmers.

He went regularly to Wellington for dairy conferences, rose through the ranks and when Northland was split away from Auckland he became the inaugural province chairman.

That eventually led to the

WATER: Regional council chairman and farmer Bill Shepherd wants more irrigation in Northland.

national executive and the senior vice-presidency in the mid 1990s.

“We had a herd manager but as all the partners of farm leaders do, Sue carried a heavy load when I was away.

“Sue encouraged me to do these representational roles and still does.”

Sue also shares Shepherd’s love of hockey and both have served as sports administrators for most of their adult lives.

Shepherd farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz was president of Hockey NZ • 2019 Trainee Programme - Livestock for three years Representative Agricultural Mining Labourer • Agribusiness and chairman of • Agronomy Agronomy Northland Hockey • Contract Analyst Milker for 12 years.

• Dairy After Federated Dairy • General Maintenance Farmers he • General Livestock Manager Specialist • Manager became chief • Livestock Pasture andSpecialist Grazing Specialist executive of • Manager Sharemilker Northland • Shepherd Chamber of Rural Cadetship • Shepherd/General Commerce Sharemilker until 2001 and Employers: Advertise your vacancy in the Shepherd subsequently employment section of the Farmers Weekly served on the and as added value it will be uploaded to farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz forvacancy one month or economic Employers: Advertise your in the close of application. development employment section of the Farmers Weekly and as addedDebbie value itBrown will be06 uploaded to agency Northland Contact 323 0765 farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz for one month or or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz Inc. close of application.

His reflections on the different Contact Debbie Brown 06 323 0765 or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz roles include

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the natural, easy collaboration between farmers versus the reluctance of business owners, to whom a fellow member is also a competitor.

Shephered’s platform for the 2013 council election included the importance of infrastructure as an economic development tool and concerns for water quality.

Among the achievements has been the collaboration with other councils in Northland, helped by the concurrent election of Sheryl Mai as mayor of Whangarei, John Carter in the Far North District and the Kaipara District administrator.

When the Local Government Commission’s Northland unitary proposal was a nonstarter, four councils formed the Northland transport alliance to get the benefits of larger contracts without loss of political autonomy.

It was a first for NZ. “An early win was the designation of State Highway 15, from Portland to Kaikohe, which freed up funds for Whangarei and Far North now it is 100% paid for by the Transport Agency.

“The alliance also agreed on a four-lane highway from Auckland to Whangarei but the present Government has vetoed that.”

During Shepherd’s first term the council held rate increases to zero but councillors have

since included a 29% increase over the life of the long term plan 2018-28.

That amounts to $76/rating unit and rates revenue will increase from about $21 million this year to $39m after a decade.

The increases will be spent on environment and pest management and increased flood control.

Sue encouraged me to do these representational roles and still does.

Bill Shepherd Farmer The council is trying to foster new irrigation schemes in Northland, two in the mid-north around Kaikohe and one above and below Dargaville.

It has made an application to the Provincial Growth Fund for $19m to progress the scoping and testing.

Shepherd said most of the land use change that will follow irrigation will be towards horticulture, not dairying, and the Ngapuhi treaty settlement has the potential to transform the Kaikohe district with water.

Water run-off and the sediment it carried is the focus of the big Kaipara Hill Country Erosion Project, a $3.5m effort to control the high-risk erosion areas that cover 100,000ha or almost a quarter of the giant Kaipara catchment that drains a third of Northland.

“We have employed an extra five land managers and doubled the size of the council’s poplar and willow nursery to produce free seedlings and this will be a decade-long effort by land owners and authorities.”

Shepherd is also proud of the council’s new regional plan, nearing notification, that brings three former plans for water, air and soil into one that is a quarter of the size.

The intention is to make the plan simpler, more readable and easier to use, he said.

When he meets farmers socially or chats to them at official functions, what feedback does the farmer-chairman receive?

“I find when farmers get a sensible explanation they receive it well.”

He was made well aware of the obligation of council staff to make prior arrangements before visiting farms, heightened by recent health and safety concerns.

“I don’t pick up any strong unhappiness about the rules but they sometimes get tetchy about how they are enforced.”

Land Champions

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

Shed out the back leads to chicken empire

IT GREW: Max Bryant started his chicken empire with a shed out the back.

He has just sold it for $400 million.

Bryan Gibson bryan.gibson@globalhq.co.nz FOR many in business 1987 was a bad year but for Max Bryant it was the beginning of something special.

Under pressure from the bank over a kiwifruit development that hadn’t panned out Bryant decided to build a chicken shed at home in Halcombe, the small Manawatu settlement where he lived.

Thirty years later he has sold the company, Proten, for $400 million.

Bryant estimates about $60m of that will stay with shareholders in the district, who were groundfloor investors.

He admits Proten has come a long way since that first shed was built out the back.

“The backbone of Proten really got started when Tegel shut the Te Horo plant and paid the chicken growers not to grow chickens for five years in a lump sum, after a lot of negotiation,” he said.

“That allowed the growers to build sheds in Auckland and New Plymouth. We also bought an existing farm at Kumeu. We finished up being the largest grower in New Zealand, being 33% of Tegel’s production.”

Australia was the next step after Bryant saw the opportunities there while on holiday. But there was a false start.

“We bought 5000 acres in the Hunter area for $3m and proceeded to apply for consent to build 40 sheds.

“All hell broke loose then as the local growers campaigned against us as they saw us as a threat.

“We did win in the end and got consent.

“We also purchased 24 sheds at this time from Bartters in Griffith. This was a good buy and very high yielding.

“Bartter then decided they did not want as many sheds in the Hunter Valley so this made our 40 shed project uneconomical so we sold them for $11m.

“This allowed us to buy and build 61 sheds for Baiada in Tamworth.”

Bryant persevered and ended up with 11% of Australia’s production total and 300 sheds.

“And then we sold it.

“Our shareholders have done very well.

“They’ve been paid a monthly dividend all the way through and about $60m has come back to the Manawatu area.

“The bulk of the shareholders are from around this area and they’ve got a lot of money in their pocket and they’re very happy.”

Most of those smiling shareholders were groundfloor investors and have been in the company since its beginnings.

Bryant said chicken farming is not quite what he saw himself doing with his life but it’s been good to him.

“You get paid every month and it works well.

“But it is getting harder and harder now.

“With interest rates being so low we’ve got more competition and it is driving returns down.”

Bryant will keep busy in his semi-retirement. He sits on the board of a farm in the district and will look after the family investments.

19

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Land Champions

20 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

Breeder says goat industry needs scale Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz OWEN Booth has trophies and ribbons highlighting the quality of his Boer goat herd but says there’s one major drawback for the industry.

There’s just not enough of the breed in New Zealand to provide the scale to ensure good earnings for farmers producing them for their meat.

It’s hard to build markets and get dedicated processing space at meat plants, he says.

Of the 130,000 or so goats killed in NZ each year only 5% to 10% are Boer goats, a specialist meat breed introduced here from South Africa.

The industry is growing and, as breeders, Owen and Annette Booth cannot produce enough does at their Whitestone Stud in Milton to meet demand from here and abroad.

“It’s growing but not fast enough,” Booth said.

He promotes the breed as a breeder and exhibitor and is heavily involved in the Boer Goat Association.

Whitestone has just completed another year of outstanding results at the Agricultural (formerly Canterbury A&P) Show in Christchurch, the country’s premier exhibition for the breed.

Its champion doe, under the romantic name WSB1324, was judged the 2018 Supreme Champion standard Boer goat following its first win the same event a year earlier.

Booth expects her to have a go at a triple crown next year.

“She’s a five-year-old now and has held up very well. The Australian judge this year said she was well up to the standards over there.”

WSB1324 has produced quads in each of the last two breeding years and is a great example of the gain in Boer goat genetics in recent years, he says.

Whitestone began with highquality Landcorp and Sunnypark bloodlines but took a big step forward in 2012 when Booth bought in 15 does and one buck from the Mugambi Stud in New South Wales. New semen lines were brought in two years ago.

Whitestone’s goats have won

TOP MODEL: Whitestone Boers Grand Champion Boer buck.

the Supreme standard Boer goat trophy in six of the last seven years at the Christchurch show and this year its entries received eight championship ribbons for the second year in a row, including one for the grand-champion buck kid (WSB1863).

Booth thinks his greatest achievement is being awarded the trophy for the most successful exhibitor for each of the last five years.

“It’s as important for us as having the supreme champion because it means you’ve got quality right across the herd rather than getting an award

for one outstanding goat. We’ve won it every year since it started and we think that’s an incredible outcome.”

Booth is quick to promote the breed, saying its high-iron, lowcholesterol and low-fat meat is better than lamb.

He doesn’t say it should replace sheep but believes the breed can be farmed well in tandem with sheep and cattle.

“They improve the pasture for other stock through their weed control and if you put them into a lucerne paddock they’ll clear away the thistles first and while they will eat clover they’d prefer not to.

“I think they’re an under-rated animal.”

Unlike sheep and cattle, goats also thrive in dry conditions and on second-class country without fertiliser inputs.

Booth says the best way to increase Boer numbers quickly to reach scale is to catch feral does and put them to a Boer buck.

“You don’t get the meat quality from a feral goat that you get from a Boer but even on the first breeding cross there is a huge improvement.”

Boer goats are not a milking breed but Boer bucks can be used as a terminal sire over dairy goats.

WINNERS: Whitestone Boers supreme champion boer doe and grand champion boer buck kid with, from left, Owen Booth, Australian judge Vicki Mitchell, Canterbury A&P Association vicepresident Chris Harris and handler Marita Eisenlohr.

DOUBLE TOP: Whitestone Boers Grand Champion Boer Doe and reserve champion.

Letterof theWeek EDITOR Bryan Gibson 06 323 1519 bryan.gibson@globalhq.co.nz EDITORIAL Stephen Bell 06 323 0769 editorial@globalhq.co.nz Neal Wallace 03 474 9240 neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz Annette Scott 03 308 4001 annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz Hugh Stringleman 09 432 8594 hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz Alan Williams 03 359 3511 alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz Richard Rennie 07 552 6176 richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz Nigel Stirling 021 136 5570 nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com

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Land Champions

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

21

Bird veteran still has pluck Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz THE glamorous part of the year is over for long-time poultry exhibitor Doug Bain.

After several months of winter and spring shows around the South Island with a lot of ribbons and accolades it is back to the real work of breeding hens and ducks for next year.

“You need to have a reason to get up in the morning. It’s a hobby for me,” the 82-year-old says.

He doesn’t keep count of the birds he breeds and has no preferences.

“I like them all.”

And as much as he is fond of them there are no pet names.

“That’s getting too personal.”

Bain had a big 2018 New Zealand Agricultural Show (formerly the Canterbury A & P Show) in mid-November, winning five ribbons for best or reserve best in his poultry section category.

They included the Supreme Poultry Exhibit, with his spectacular white silkie hen.

Then to top everything off he was named Show Legend for his voluntary work over many years.

He retired this year as convener of the poultry section.

He’s chuffed with all of that.

The poultry convener is responsible for the upkeep and care of the birds during the show.

“If anything goes wrong, your head is on the block.”

On some days more than 30,000 people go through the show gates and he says at least a third of them go to see the poultry, most arriving through the adjacent farmyard.

“We get a bit of strife at times but I’m not saying any more than that.”

Bain has been showing birds at shows for 55 years.

He won at his first attempt, with a cockerel chicken at Milton in south Otago in 1963.

“That was good luck more than anything.”

In his early days he bred mainly Buff Orpington ducks and gold colour hens. The white silkie, a Chinese breed, came much later.

STILL GOING: Doug Bain, with his white silkie hen that was Supreme Poultry Exhibit at the New Zealand Agricultural Show, is in his 80s but has no intention of retiring.

Photo: David Alexander

You can call it what you like. I just take each day as it comes. I do what I can and I enjoy what I do.

Doug Bain Bird fancier Bain worked as a shepherd and moved to Canterbury in 1973 as head shepherd at Mount Hutt Station. That was well away from major show venues but he became busier after 1985 when he moved to Dunsandel as a freezing works shepherd.

He’s shown all around the South Island and won a lot of awards but says none really stands out over others.

“I’m interested in all of them.

There’s been a few supreme awards and there’s a box full of ribbons under the bed.”

He does have a soft spot for the Ellesmere Show at Leeston, near where he lives now at Killinchy, having spent years as poultry convener there as well.

He’s known as a character and for his tongue-in-cheek sense of humour.

“You can call it what you like,” he says.

“I just take each day as it comes.

I do what I can and I enjoy what I do.”

Both he and the poultry

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sector achieved some fame and notoriety as a result of the Pecking Order documentary film highlighting Christchurch Poultry Club infighting in 2014 and 2015 when Bain was chairman. He was deposed soon afterwards.

“Strife happens in big clubs and I haven’t lost any friendships over it,” he says.

“If someone thinks they can do it better then that’s all right.”

The film raised the poultry sector profile but he’s not sure it has helped get more people involved in showing.

“Quite a few people come up to me at the shows wanting to take a selfie with me.”

One of his concerns is that not enough young people are interested in showing hens and

ducks and other birds so he spends quite a bit of time trying to encourage them.

“We get a few in at an early age, up till about 17, but then they start doing other things and drift away.

“It’s hard work for us older blokes to hold the fort but you just do what you can and if they don’t want to carry on, it’s up to them.”

One youngster he gave some birds to won two awards at the Leeston show but only time will tell if he carries on.

Bain might have stepped back from his official roles but his show days aren’t at all finished.

“I’m 83 next birthday but I’ll keep showing. You need to show an interest. I’m not slowing down though I probably should be.”

On Farm Story

22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

Farmers reflect on 2018 For the last edition of Farmers Weekly we went back to some of the farmers featured in On Farm Story this year and asked them to look back on the year that’s been, and ahead to what’s in store for New Zealand agriculture.

PERFECT: Will Morrison is looking forward to having time to enjoy the farm scenery and healthy livestock.

Will Morrison What has 2018 been like for your farming business?

Seasonality for Morrison Farming feels like an increasing challenge. The consistent, well spread 1000-1200mm annual rainfall and summer-safe tag for western Rangitikei no longer feel so consistent or safe.

However, prices were fantastic and financially 2018 has been one of Morrison Farming’s strongest.

What are the big challenges New Zealand agriculture faces?

Climate change, the threat of increased regulation, clean water, a dead wool industry and others continue to overshadow the elephant in the room – where is the primary industry work force going to come from?

Sheep and beef, dairy, forestry and horticulture appear to be competing for a smaller and smaller pool of skilled, enthusiastic, young people.

Every sheep and beef farm I visited in 2018 commented on the difficulty of finding and employing good people.

Listening to the plight of teachers and nurses, maybe this challenge is more widespread.

What does 2019 have in store for your farming business and the wider industry?

Perfect weather, highest production ever and record prices.

Who knows? We are all just working hard trying to get all the jobs done and the farms organised so staff and families can have a bit of time off to relax over Christmas and New Year.

We have a full-time job at Morrison Farming and two three-month farm internships available for 2019 so we are looking forward to having some smart, keen new members in the team and living in the brand new staff accommodation.

What is your perfect Christmas?

Eating quality Christmas food prepared by Ros Morrison and Janet Parkes. Having time to cruise around the farms without the pressure of jobs and emails, taking pleasure from the beautiful scenery and the healthy livestock, reflecting on the progress made at Morrison Farming and dreaming of the projects and opportunities to come.

A GOOD OUTLOOK: The story for 2019 looks promising for New Zealand farmers.

Mike Cottrell What has 2018 been like for your farming business?

It’s been a good year. We’ve been very blessed that the season has been kind. Last sumer was moist and prices have been good for ewes, rams and cattle. Overall, it has been a good season. Good summer growth.

What are the big challenges NZ agriculture faces?

The urban perception of the rural way of life and what we’re doing is the biggest challenge.

It’s difficult but we need to work harder to get across what we are doing. I hate to think that we would get any deeper into the divide. The On Farm Story is great and I hope it’s going to the wider community. Rural magazines and newspapers are read by farmers but how many urban cousins read the articles?

So, there are challenges there for us as a rural community.

There are good farmers out there doing good things for the environment.

What does 2019 have in store for your farming business and the wider industry?

It’s looking good for the sector – our markets have been up and

down a lot but we’ve had two good seasons in a row. It would be great to get some consistency in price and markets. Brexit and the other trade issues aren’t going to help us but the season is starting off quite well.

Environmentally, regional councils are open to what we’re doing. We just have to be more forthright in doing it. Locally, there’s even a push to group together in our Rangitikei catchment.

There’s an opportunity there for us to be more proactive in what we do in terms of environmental impact.

If we can show off our own

bat that we’re taking measures to limit our footprint then councils will look favourably on that. I don’t think they want to impose rules but they will if we don’t show them we’re making changes and those rules will be tougher if we don’t get in first.

What is your perfect Christmas?

We’re having one. Vicki and I are going to Twizel to meet up with daughters and sonsin-law and Vicki’s family. Being together as a family at Christmas is priceless.

It won’t matter what the weather does.

PEOPLE: Mike Cottrell, centre, with stock manager Josh Hooper and wife Vicki is looking forward to being with family.

On Farm Story

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

John Falconer What has 2018 been like for your farming business?

It was a year of extremes. It started out very dry in January and February, which was concerning, but then we had the most amazing autumn and spring.

Prices have been ahead of where I thought they would be

and I have more feed for this time of year than I’ve ever had, so all in all its been a good year.

What are the big challenges that New Zealand agriculture faces?

The single biggest challenge that I face is finding temporary and part time staff.

I am lucky with the four staff I have got for the summer, but it is not easy finding

HOPING: Maniototo deer farmer John Falconer hopes he won’t have to irrigate over Christmas so he can get out on the boat.

>> Video link: farmersweekly.co.nz/on-farm

Cam Henderson What has 2018 been like for your farming business?

It has been a great year on the farm this year.

The weather has co-operated, we have had a largely stable milk price, a great team and everyone is really positive about the business for next year.

scholarship and the opportunity to collect new ideas and opportunities and enthusiasm for the years ahead.

What is your perfect Christmas?

Some sun and heat finally, and a $7 payout!

What are the big challenges that New Zealand agriculture faces?

How we act and present ourselves to the NZ public is a challenge we continue to grapple with.

We are not great at crafting our messages and being proactive in addressing public concerns and instead wait for regulators to step in, then fight them publicly which is not a good look.

A stronger vision and leadership for the future still eludes us.

What does 2019 have in store for your farming business and the wider industry?

Hopefully more steady growth. I am very happy just to run a stable business for another year.

On a personal note, I am looking forward to my Nuffield

SUN’S SHINING: Cam Henderson has had a good year and says 2019 looks positive as well.

23

casual staff such as tractor drivers.

What does 2019 have in store for your farming business and the wider industry?

I am optimistic because venison and velvet prices have held and with the feed around it looks like it won’t be an issue. We have got good crops established and plenty of summer and winter feed.

I have also got the first crop of yearling stags from the Red stud I bought, and it has been great watching them develop and there are a couple of bolters.

What is your perfect Christmas?

If I don’t have to irrigate over Christmas and New Year it will be as good as it gets. It frees me up to spend time with my family, get the boat out on the lake and do some fishing. I irrigated for three days a month ago but haven’t had to since.

TRAVELS: Sophie Barnes and partner Dorrien Neeson are heading off travelling to learn more about different farming systems in New Zealand.

Sophie Barnes What has 2018 been like for your farming business?

2018 has been great on the farm for us. I moved in with Dorrien in January and we took over managing his parents farm.

Our goal was to up production, our first target being our mated hoggets. We changed up their management system quite a lot and had great success. We also planted the first crop (leafy turnip) on the farm for 12+ years which we’ll begin to graze between Christmas and New Year. It’s been challenging to say the least! I was diagnosed with a chronic illness and also had a fairly major surgery this year that caused my manual labour input to be very limited but working as a team using both of our strengths meant we’ve throughly enjoyed our first year managing.

What are the big challenges that New Zealand agriculture faces?

As a Pom who’s only been here three years I’m still getting my head around the difference between UK and NZ ag policies.

But, universally, the way the world works now means our biggest threats are those who don’t understand agriculture yet appear to have the power to change, or put pressure on

to change, our policies and the way we farm. Be it vegans or environmental activists.

However, I believe if you’re farming in the way we should be farming, there’s not much to worry about in that sense.

What does 2019 have in store for your farming business and the wider industry?

Well, we’re actually leaving the farm in February to spend 6-9 months travelling around New Zealand with a pack of working dogs. We’re wanting to see different farming systems and set ups around New Zealand (mainly the South Island) and get some experience under our belts before we settle down for good. I’m also planning on offering a orphan lamb rearing consultation business. I want people to know how easy and successful and profitable it can be to rear orphaned lambs.

So 2019 will be a fantastic year for us both.

What is your perfect Christmas?

A perfect Christmas for me would be being back at home in the UK with my family in front of a roaring fire, belly full of too much good food and wine. I miss “proper” Christmases like you wouldn’t believe! This will be my third summer Christmas and I still can’t get my head around it.

24 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

On Farm Story

NO HOME COMFORTS: Dan and Mandy Shand started on the farm living in the bow of a boat before moving into the luxury of the shearers’ quarters.

Photos: Annette Scott

Variety is the spice of life It’s tough, rough country but Island Hills Station owners Dan and Mandy Shand are passionate farmers and innovative in their diversification to achieve financial sustainability. Annette Scott caught up with them on their remote North Canterbury high country property.

D

AN and Mandy Shand farm Island Hills, a 7000ha station in the back of beyond in the rugged Hurunui high

county.

When the young couple took over the property from Dan’s parents Ed and Jan, they knew from the generations before them it would be tough going.

In the early days access and weeds were the two biggest challenges. For Dan initially, it was possums.

“It’s always been tough farming here.

“Grandpa struggled to grow lambs out so he negotiated forestry land to trial new options off the rugged hills.

“With the property bounded by five rivers Grandpa also had isolation issues, often the farm was inaccessible.

“That’s how Island Hills came by its name and it wasn’t until the 50s that Grandad Arthur built the bridge to at least ensure access to the farm but still, when the rivers are in flood access is frequently washed out to sections of the property.

Through family succession, over

the years development progressed but rising from 400m to 1700m above sea level the station’s limited carrying capacity means it’s marginally economic as a livestock operation.

Dan and Mandy started from the bottom and there was only one way to go and that was up.

“We had to start with the law of minimum. In the beginning it was fences, lime and fertilisers. Now it’s more feed and re-grassing.”

A stock rearrangement has seen sheep move from halfbreds to Landmark ewes, putting a terminal sire over the breeding flock and buying in replacements,” he said.

“We won’t get the same wool cheque but we’ll hopefully grow out a few more lambs and right now that’s where the money is.”

Up to 150 Angus cows are calved each year, steers are carried through to up to three years with some calves sold as store in autumn and again buying in replacements.

“We are concentrating on the forestry blocks but in all we do we are always looking at new and better ways of doing things.”

While his father farmed deer

DO IT YOURSELF: When Dan Shand left Sydney’s fast lane to go farming he hadn’t intended starting an IT business but frustration with incompatible programmes and late nights inputting data inspired him to launch Stock Manager.

they didn’t fit Dan’s plan.

The couple’s intelligent management of fragile soils and the deliberate lack of grazing pressure on valuable native areas lets them invest capital in the difficult land.

But Dan and Mandy have innovatively diversified to other

ventures that have helped the farm achieve financial sustainability.

“Talk about high-performance farming. We didn’t know what that looked like but it sounds good, he said.

Shand was an IT software developer working in Sydney and

Mandy a scuba diving instructor before she married. They knew they had their work cut out taking on the farm.

“There wasn’t a fence on the property when we started. We had to start at the bottom and work up – baby steps.

“We lived in the shearers’

On Farm Story

quarters and we thought we were fortunate. Before that we lived in the bow of a boat,” he said.

The first venture was a commercial walking track across the farm, the three-day Hurunui high country track.

“I had a friend who had a second-hand shop. I borrowed tools off him to build the track and then returned them for him to sell.

“You think now of some of the things we actually had to do but you knew it was another dollar we had to spend on the business.”

While the walking track was hugely successful it took its toll on family life.

The Shands have two children, Amalia, 12 and Hugh, 9.

“We had to plan having our kids around the off season of the track, like born in April-May so they could grow up before the walking season.

“The walking track was 24/7.

We couldn’t go to weddings and funerals, do anything together.

That had to change.”

Shand’s Nuffield scholarship that took him to Britain in 2014 was the catalyst for the change that has put the walking track on the sideline in the meantime.

He came home buzzing and ready to grow their honey business that’s become a sweet addition to the farm income.

Initially, to produce an income off the tracts of native vegetation on Island Hills the business grew exponentially and now boasts 2000 hives with six full-time staff in the honey business.

They provide bee services and produce honey for farmers throughout North Canterbury and export opportunities have now joined the mix.

They extract their export honey in a highly regulated food-grade processing facility on the farm but come the new year that’s about to change.

“We struggled at Island Hills. It’s just too remote for this business to attract staff and logistically.”

An opportunity came their way and the Shands are looking

forward to operating their honey business from the former Glenmark railway site about 30 minutes drive from the farm but just two minutes off State Highway 1.

“It’s been a battle but we are almost there.

The infrastructure is about complete and the extraction equipment is being installed and they are logistically at the ideal location for an export business.

“But I can tell you the most challenging of all getting this set up has been the Resource Management Act – everything has a starting point of $10k and everything’s a problem,” Shand said.

The couple are very proud of their first labelled honeys that include Island Hills clover honey, manuka and multifloral manuka honeys and Beechwood Dew. The business is not just about the bees and honey. There’s a mountain of paperwork involved and that is Mandy’s domain.

“Everything has to be recorded, including the date the honey was harvested, when it came into the shed and the farm it came off,” she said.

The business is audited twice a year so the paperwork has to be kept up to scratch.

“It’s just not as easy as putting hives on a property.

“But we have six full-time staff, including specialist beekeepers and two administration staff, that all know what they are doing and are making everything manageable now as we grow in the honey business.”

While Dan and Mandy have taken their baby steps they know they still have a few rough edges to smooth off.

In January they employed a farm manager.

“It was a big thing for us.

Initially, there was no way we could attract or afford staff so we had to get things to a level that was appealing and finally almost 12 months ago we were able to employ Stu (De Ridder).

“It got to the point where there’s still a lot of rough edges but Stu can now take it to the next level,” Dan said.

He admits he did some damage genetically when he came home to the farm but that was largely due to not knowing.

And who better to fix that problem than an IT worker who

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

25

SWEET: Mandy Shand is proud of Island Hills Station’s first honeys and the business also provides bee and honey services for other farmers.

We won’t get the same wool cheque but we’ll hopefully grow out a few more lambs and right now that’s where the money is.

Dan Shand Farmer knows more than most in the agricultural sector about what is possible with mobile technology?

Knowing it holds the key to a whole wave of advances both for on-farm decision-making and productivity he set about building the software to manage sustainable data collection to make decisions in the field.

Now the Stock Manager software is a team effort.

“We built the team and we all work for equity in the business.

“With Nuffield I went all around the world and everybody is talking value-add but nobody is showing the pathway. The higher value has to come back to the farmer to prove traceability and justify it if you are expecting the world to pay more.

“If you say grass-fed and people

GOING BACK: Dan Shand with Island Hills’ heritage displayed in the station’s museum.

are paying a premium for grassfed then you must be able to prove it for the animal’s entire lifetime – that is real traceability.”

Dan believes Stock Manager could create opportunity for highvalue product if it gets up an extra level and that’s not just for meat.

“In New Zealand we do a really good job farming but we need to prove traceability and not lose opportunity when we buy and sell animals.”

“Connectivity has always been a challenge at Island Hills but good connectivity is crucial for today’s farming.

“We need connectivity as then people buy portable devices, they learn how to use them and they can learn any technology.”

Farmers can move on from connection to collecting information on farm, whether for compliance or their own business decision-making.

Reliable rural connectivity has potential to unlock a whole new era of productivity gains and value can start at animal conception.

“We are using single-purpose devices to collect information such as killing sheets from the meat companies, weights from our scales, EID tag information and none of them work together and everything has to be manually

put into the computer – it needs to be automated.”

It’s that frustration that’s driven Dan’s desire to build software and together with his team of worldwide counterparts he’s almost cracked it with Stock Manager.

“It can be as simple or complex as you make it but we need reliable mobile technology connectivity in even the most isolated pockets of this country to farm into the future.

“This technology is on its way.

“I didn’t plan on having a software business but I was over spending late nights inputting data to add value and traceability to my business. This is farmers seeing opportunity and learning from farmers.

“It’s the industry level that’s lagging behind.”

>> Video link: bit.ly/OFSshand

WAY IN: The bridge built by Dan Shand’s Grandad Arthur in the 1950s ensures access to the farm most of the time.

Taupo Tram Road

Multiple grazing blocks Four titles subject to survey are being offered to the market as one or separate from 90 hectares, two of approx.

140 hectares and 250 hectares. Located 20 minutes from Taupo this land has had no expense spared in its development. Large laneways, top quality fencing throughout with paddocks subdivided to approx. 2.5 hectares, two sets of cattle yards with weigh facilities and concrete floor and an impressive water supply.

Flanked by forestry those looking for a top-quality lifestyle / large runoff will be impressed with what they find here. The prestige in owning one or all of these properties will be evident once viewed. Currently running dairy graziers the land lends itself to all stock types with strong wintering and soil characteristics. Rare offering finished to a high standard, this property will be one all buyers large scale or not, should be giving serious consideration.

bayleys.co.nz/2450033

bayleys.co.nz

Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 4pm, Fri 8 Feb 2019 1092 Fenton Street, Rotorua View by appointment Ben Hickson 021 433 283 ben.hickson@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 17, 2018

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Dannevirke 558 Pukeatua Road

Desirable location- well balanced farm

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Located in the desirable Otope farming district, an easy 10 minute drive east of Dannevirke, this 481ha well balanced farm is available for the first time in 70 years. Faithfully farmed by two generations, this well performing property has all the attributes of an excellent medium scale farming unit with the potential to intensify production further. An appealing mix of contour and aspect, offers warm sheltered breeding country, and easier contour land to finish livestock. Benefiting from well subdivided and fenced paddocks with reliable natural water supply, good fertiliser history, together with woolshed, covered yards and satellite cattle and sheep yards.

Several mature forestry plantations can provide further income opportunities. Includes a spacious five bedroom modern homestead and three bedroom cottage. Grab this opportunity to take it to the next level.

Auction (unless sold prior) 4pm, Thu 7 Feb 2019 On Site; 558 Pukeatua Road, Dannevirke View by appointment Vic Ellingham 027 201 6707 vic.ellingham@bayleys.co.nz

bayleys.co.nz/2870616

NEW LISTING

Whangarei 79 Taylor Road The complete drystock farm A property with multiple options - continue with bulls, run breeding cows, or dairy support. This will appeal to outdoors types who like rolling hills and native bush with a feel of being in the 'real country' without being remote nor rugged. 302ha in 7 titles with an estimated 265ha effective. Complemented by a 240m2 executive style homestead, featuring four bedrooms plus office, three bathrooms, two living areas with open plan kitchen and dining. Double glazing and a free standing fireplace ensure warmth in all seasons. With a wrap-around deck extending indoor and outdoor spaces plus a separate fully fenced swimming pool.

There are multiple sheds including a 5-bay implement shed with high stud, plus good stockyards. Easily managed by one person.

bayleys.co.nz/1050286

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Asking Price $2,600,000 + GST (if any) View by appointment Alex Smits 021 273 6975 alex.smits@bayleys.co.nz Lin Norris 021 959 166 lin.norris@bayleys.co.nz MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

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EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

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farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 17, 2018

For Sale

Taupo | 1232 Tirohanga Road

Price

81.4 Hectares

By negotiation

Proven Low-Cost Performer. An easy 37km drive from Taupo or 54km from Rotorua is this 81 hectare dairy farm. The property has a five year average of 97,500kgMS per season from an average of 235 cows. Approximately 6 hectares of turnips are grown for summer feed, these paddocks are then planted in oats as a supplement to winter the herd along with some purchased hay. All 40 paddocks are accessed by a well-formed race network. These races are maintained with pumice from an on-farm source. Approximately 70% of the farm is mowable. Water is supplied from a district scheme, stored in large mannequin tanks and gravity feed to troughs in all paddocks via a dispenser. The dairy is a 22 aside herringbone, with a recently installed lined effluent pond. Several farm support buildings including a recently built 4-bay implement shed, 1-bay concrete floor and lockable. A good four bedroom home with double garage, carport plus a sleep-out with bathroom to complete this package. | Property ID RT1054

Inspection By appointment

Contact Phil Badger 027 357 5704

0800 200 600 | farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

Licensed under REAA 2008

DAIRY FARM

492 MOONSHINE HILL ROAD, MOONSHINE

64HA OF PRISTINE ROLLING CONTOUR Owned and improved over the past 31 years this hard-to-come-by opportunity will impress the rookie farmer and those wishing to downsize but still keep their hand in. Superbly located and within easy commute to Wellington CBD.

OTOROHANGA, 781 Tauraroa Valley Road Located 30 kilometres East of Otorohanga, in the popular Maihiihi district Tauraroa dairies offers a larger self-contained dairy unit with a good mix of contours, fertile free draining soils and modern on farm infrastructure.

• 469.9179 hectares • 304 hectares in grass of which 219 hectares is milked off balance used as dairy support.

• Milking 630 cows with 260 replacements also grazed on farm as well as growing 15 ha of maize.

• Three-year average production of 242,177 Kg/Ms obtained.

• Modern 50 aside herringbone cowshed with cup removers and feed pad.

• Recently installed lined effluent pond.

• Good quality farm buildings, three quality homes.

• Large areas of native bush teaming with wildlife.

A farm that will tick a lot of boxes for those looking to secure a larger dairy that can winter the herd as well as having the capability of protecting the herds bio security, by being able to graze all replacements. Priced to get immediate interest this property must be viewed before you commit to any other, you won’t be disappointed.

FOR SALE $9,500,000 +GST (if any)

View: Thursday 20 Dec 11:00am to 1:00pm www.harcourts.co.nz/OH8244

• 21 paddocks - all hot-wired • Easily accessible by tractor and quad • Permanent pasture - can be cropped or used for baleage • Trough water via creek and dams • Annually fertilised • 2-stand shearing shed • Over-night capacity approx. 120 sheep • Cattle & sheep yards at road

• • • • • • • •

Additional sheep yards top of the property Up to 700 stock units overall 2 x 50T fertiliser bins Operational airstrip Modular 3-bed Lockwood can be extended Additional build platform State H/W 2 approximately 10 minutes drive Truck access State H/W 58

Presently leased with separate income from the farm and house. Available from 1st July 2019.

Txt 492moon to 3324 to receive your free webbook for more information.

Viewing: By Private Inspection Only

Kerry Harty P 07 873 8700 M 027 294 6215 E kjharty@harcourts.co.nz

Rural Blue Ribbon Realty Ltd mreinz Licensed Agent REAA 2008

LK0095742©

Larger self-contained dairy of 469 hectares

Lana Knaapen 022 188 0221 04 527 2804 lanak@gilliesrealty.co.nz

Grant Campbell 027 442 0343 04 527 2808 grantc@gilliesrealty.co.nz

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

DAIRY, CROPPING, BEEF?

FARM WITHIN CITY BOUNDARY

Situated south of Whanganui is this 175ha farming opportunity.

20 aside herringbone dairy and 300 cow yard with adjacent feed pad.

Herd is split calved, milked all year round, supplying Open Country.

Bore water supplies water to stock troughs, dairy and houses.

Large machinery shed, large silage bunker.

There are two three bedroom family homes set in treed surrounds.

Your chance to buy this farm with a flexible takeover date and take advantage of the coming season, current RV $3 mil.

• Price reduced to $2,995,000. Call Les on 0274 420 582.

• This quality property is located on the outskirts of Palmerston North and is 76 hectares in 4 titles including lovely scattered bush.

• Currently milking cows and would be suited to any agricultural activity with resource consent for intensive agriculture along with a recent upgrade to the cowshed effluent system.

• Facilities include a 16 aside dairy, machinery shed, good hay shed.

• With silt loam soils this could be a great chance to add a forage and heifer block to your current dairy business.

• Call Les on 0274 420 582 to inspect.

QUALITY LIFESTYLE

OUTSTANDING DAIRY FARM

• Situated in a sought after location only minutes from Foxton Village is this quality 2.75ha lifestyle property with excellent sandy loam soils.

• There are 600 mature olive trees on the property planted in 2002.

• Large modern five bedroom family home with outstanding indoor/ outdoor living featuring an in ground swimming pool.

• With two ensuited bedrooms and separate living area this home lends itself to cater for the extended family.

• Why not move your family to this great location for summer?

• Call Les on 0274 420 582 to inspect.

• Your opportunity to own this quality dairy farm in full production.

• Situated in Northern Horowhenua and very well laid out with central laneways, rotary dairy and 600 cow feed pad.

• 170 hectares in three titles with a great mix of Kairanga silt loam and Pukepuke sandy loam soils.

• There are three good family homes in their own sections.

• Our vendors are looking to retire and have priced this property to sell.

• Call Les on 0274 420 582 to inspect.

• • • • • • •

Sallan Realty

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

Google ‘Sallan Realty’ Your Farm Sales Specialist

29

QUALITY DAIRY FARM

• • • • • • • •

Situated in Linton is this exceptional 114.5ha dairy farm.

Has produced up to 120,000kgs/ms from 290 cows.

Good Tokomaru silt loam soils that have been regularly fertilised.

Three good family homes along with a very good 30 aside dairy.

Tank water to the home and bore water to stock troughs and dairy.

Large machinery shed, two silage bunkers and feed pad.

Great chance to own this genuine farm close to the city.

Offers around $4 mil, Call Les on 0274 420 582 to inspect this property.

GREAT STARTER PROPERTY

• • • •

Situated on Whangaehu Beach Road is this 60ha dairy farm.

Well laid out with a good mixture of contour, soils and layout.

Currently milking a 160 cow dairy herd.

Improvements include a 16 aside herringbone dairy, hay shed, machinery shed, small feed pad and good yards.

• There is a nice family 4-bedroom character home set back off the road on a rise with native bush backdrop.

• Great chance to buy a farm that could be used for dairy or beef.

• Priced to sell at $1,885,000. Call Les on 0274 420 582.

CALL 0800FARMTEAM Licensed Agent REAA 2008

LK0095080©

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 17, 2018

PR E N LIM O IN TI A CE RY

PUKEKAKA STATION - 1,103 HECTARES OF HIGHLY DEVELOPED, QUALITY HILL COUNTRY 919 Pukeokahu Road, Taoroa, Taihape Re-investment over a long period of time is clearly evident at Pukekaka, making it one of the best presented hill country farms we have been involved with.

Strong country, a significant portion is medium hill with around 100 hectares of flat to undulating country that is regularly cultivated. With a 6 km Rangitikei River boundary, in the main free draining ash soils overlay a papa base, with a strong fertiliser history. Stock water is a mix of local scheme, natural and tapped springs.

The standard of fencing overall is of a high standard, with many new fences, all conventional other than a 80 hectare deer block. Access is excellent with very good tracks and various laneways radiating from the central stock handling facilities, although the property is also well served with 4 sets of quality satellite yards.

Other recent capital injections include a woolshed upgrade with covered yards and lots of concrete added, alterations to the spacious 1980’s main home with great garaging, sheds and outlook. Impressive results from the 10,000su forward store operation has seen the last 5 years lambing averaging 150%, with the Wairere bred lambs leaving the farm at 35-38kg average (incl. over 2,000 killed last year) and cattle at 18 months. The well bred stock is well regarded and sought after.

Situated just 21km off SH1, south of Taihape, Pukekaka is to be offered for sale by Tender closing 11am, Thu 14 Feb 2019.

1,103 hectares Video on website nzr.nz/RX1734212 Peter Barnett AREINZ 027 482 6835 | 06 323 4434 peter@nzr.nz Jamie Proude AREINZ 027 448 5162 | 06 385 4789 jamie@nzr.nz NZR Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

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PR E N LIM O IN TI A CE R Y

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 17, 2018

GRAZING, HUNTING & FISHING 146 Geanges Road, Apiti Situated just north of Apiti, this 201 acre farm has been a great home for the owners dairy heifers and beef cattle, but it’s the stunning 2km river boundary, deer in the bush margin and duck shooting that really gets them excited about this block. Only for sale due to another purchase, the easy/moderate hills with strong pastures are complemented by approximately 18ha of flats and undulating river terraces. With reliable natural water, cattle yards, the old woolshed has adopted a new life as a hut.

A place where you can mix cost-effective and quality grazing with rest-effective adventure. Call for viewing times.

81.5 hectares Tender nzr.nz/RX1734897 Tender Closes 11am, Thu 7 Feb 2019, NZR, 20 Kimbolton Road, Feilding.

Peter Barnett AREINZ 027 482 6835 | peter@nzr.nz NZR Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company

TENDER

Best of the Best!

• Highly productive nearly entirely flat 59ha unit is on some of the most productive soils in the region • 20 ASHB with rectangle yard, new chiller unit, second calf milk vat with separate chilling • Five-bay implement shed with adjoining calf shed, large implement/hay shed, new four-bay round barn • Good quality deep water bore and raceway network • Large three bedroom, two bathroom home, 180sqm garage workshop and large two-bay garage.

Located adjacent to the desirable Tomarata School, this property really is the "best of the best". Enquire now! pggwre.co.nz/WEL29495 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Tomarata, North Auckland TENDER Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 3.00pm Thursday 31 January

Scott Tapp B 09 423 9717 M 021 418 161

scott.tapp@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz

Employment

Classifieds

Thank you for placing our recent advertisement for an Observer role for the Dairy Holdings Limited Board.

Yours sincerely Dairy Holdings Ltd Greg Gent Chairman

LK0095802©

So good you’ll stay for years!

• 300 cows • 5 minutes from Dannevirke • Supportive off-farm owners great at maintenance • Professional farm consultant

HOMES FARM SHEDS SUBDIVISIONS PUMPS Prices include delivery to your door!

For friendly & professional advice CALL 0800 843 0987 Fax: 07 843 0992 Email: power@thecableshop.co.nz THE CABLE SHOP WAIKATO www.thecableshop.co.nz

Hort Agronomist

What our client is looking for is someone they can have confidence in to get the job done and who ideally has enough experience to run this farm well from the start.

The current sharemilkers have been on the farm since 2004, and have a very good relationship with the owners.

Testimonial Inta-Ag is looking for a knowledgeable agronomist, together with trainee agronomists to join their growing team of specialists. Focus will be on vegetable crops and the right person will develop better farming practices and find effective solutions for the vegetable industry.

The farm has a 32 ASHB dairy with cup removers and fantastic array of sheds. The current sharemilker has one full time worker. There is a three bedroom home with a extra living space that could suit a teenager, and a wonderful view over the farm.

Ezyline Homes Prebuilt have been advertising our homes in the Farmers Weekly for a few years now.

It is the only form of print media we advertise in, because we continually get a good response.

The agronomist will conduct research and provide field scouting, identify and solve problems relating to plant health and soil nutrition and identify damage from insects and disease which will ultimately lead to recommendations to Grower customers.

LK0095865©

The three-year average production is 100,000 kg MS, with summer turnips, maize, PKE, and irrigation from the Manawatu River right on the boundary. The contour is three terraces, including one with exceptional market-garden quality soil.

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

Craigmore Sustainables

Wallace Stewart Managing Director/ Owner

The preferred candidate will have a recognised and relevant industry qualification or wishes to gain this qualification through work experience and must have a full clean drivers licence with the willingness to travel, this position will be based in Pukekohe.

(Shelters removed or harvested)

Please apply in writing to Alison Reeves via email alison@inta-ag.co.nz, applications to be received by Friday 1st February 2019.

With a goal to build a modern food production business that all of NZ can be proud of, Craigmore is a modern, flexible business that has been delivering for years what others are now recognising as the way forward for our primary sector businesses: strong links between consumer and farm, quality production practices and an intense desire to see everyone involved in their business thrive.

www.ezylinehomes.co.nz • 07 572 0230

WANTED FORESTRY/ WOODLOTS What do we do?

The successful candidate will have a generous remuneration package including a company vehicle.

The Craigmore brand is synonymous with quality farming with a focus on team, environment and finance to ensure the ongoing prosperity of individuals, communities and NZ Inc.

We enjoy dealing with farming people and providing housing solutions to them and can market directly to them through Farmers Weekly.

To be a successful candidate you should be focused on developing and promoting better farming practices, be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and be analytical with excellent listening, communication, and problem solving skills.

Agronomist responsibilities: • Studying plants and soil in order to develop better planting, cultivation, and harvesting techniques, improve crop yield, and solve problems facing the Horticultural industry • Visiting fields to collect seed, plant, and soil samples and testing samples for nutritional deficiencies, diseases, or other problems • Keeping detailed records regarding fields, customers, crops, and samples.

• Promote Inta-Ag in all that you do

GENERAL MANAGER – DAIRY & GRAZING

We can purchase standing trees, land and trees or harvest and market on your behalf.

No worries as we’ll do all the hard work for you around health and safety, resource consent application and management.

Harvesting and trucking.

LK0095585©

www.inta-ag.co.nz

Critical to their success so far has been the quality of the people attracted to work in their business; smart, focused, forward thinking and committed to the principles of farming for quality food.

The Role The GM – Dairy position takes responsibility for the livestock businesses in the Craigmore portfolio: 20 dairy farms from north Canterbury to north Otago and a drystock property north of Dunedin. The role reports to the Board and works closely with the teams managing the Craigmore horticulture business.

Whilst you will ‘own’ the strategy for the dairy business, as part of the leadership team you will be contributing widely, your financial, leadership and broader business acumen will be sought after, and you will have the opportunity have impact across the business.

The Person It goes without saying that you will need to have a cows and grass background for credibility and have business and leadership successes on your CV.

GUARANTEED PAYMENTS Call or email Aaron West 027 562 3832 aaron@treetec.co.nz

MERRY CHRISTMAS

50 TON WOOD SPLITTER

Wishing all our readers and advertisers the very best. May you all have a wonderful Merry Christmas.

Heavy duty construction for serious wood splitting. Towable.

12HP, Diesel, Electric Start

Looking forward to bringing you more news and innovations in 2019.

You’ll be committed to a sustainable approach to business and will be able to articulate what this means in a dairy business. You will have examples of where you have made strategic and operational decisions that have put the principles of sustainability first.

Debbie and the team at GlobalHQ

At Craigmore, as well as environmental and financial focuses, sustainability means working with people and living the organisation’s commitment to developing the farming leaders of tomorrow. You can only do this if you know what great people leadership is about and have proven in the past how you can manage and grow on-farm leaders.

Debbie Brown, 06 323 0765 classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

Special Price $3990 Very limited stock To find out more visit

LK0095825©

LK0095808©

Booking deadline: Wednesday 9 January, 12pm Material deadline: Wednesday 9 January, 5pm

LK0095631©

First issue Farmers Weekly 14 January 2019

Still reading? There won’t be many roles this year that tick all of these boxes so take a look at the Craigmore website craigmore.com, then register your interest at www.no8hr.co.nz.

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

We could save you hundreds of $$

For further information please contact: Andy Gardiner 022 1324 297 or 06 376 8451 Email: nicandygardiner@gmail.com

50/50 sharemilking jobs don’t come any better than this… you’ll be working for experienced older farm owners who live 40 minutes away, fix stuff fast, and listen to your requests.

More information about this role, including a position description can be found at www.no8hr.co.nz (Ref #8HR1102).

Go there today to find out more and to apply.

POWER CABLE

A competitive salary will reflect your skills and experience plus other benefits including a recently renovated and insulated 3 bedroom house.

50:50 SHAREMILKER

Of course you‘ll need to supply the normal calf feeding, tractor and farm vehicles. If this sounds like a role that you would be interested in go to www.no8hr.co.nz (Ref#8HR1103) to apply today!

Ph: 03 314 7220 Mob: 0274 351 955 Email info@southislandtoursnz.com www.southislandtoursnz.com

LK0095803©

Email: farmpositions@gmail.com Mobile: 027 493 9064

We had a huge response.

Skills required: • Honest, trustworthy and reliable • Excellent communication skills and work ethic • Take pride in your work and have an eye for detail • Enjoy life and willing to take on responsibility • Able to work unsupervised as well as part of a team • 3+ working dogs • Willing to have fun and learn new skills

LK0095862©

November 2018

LK0095833©

Excellent accommodation provided.

Bring your own 4X4 on a guided tour to discover more of the South Island.

Tour 1: Molesworth Station, St James, and Rainbow Stations Dates – 2019: Feb 22-25, March 3-6, April 4-7, Oct 21-24, Dec 30-Jan 2, 2020 Tour 2: D’Urville Island and MarlboroughHigh Country Dates – 2019: March 24-28 Other dates available for either tour for groups on request.

Limehurst is a 670ha breeding/semi finishing farm running 3000 breeding ewes, 140 MA cows and trade bulls and lambs. We are located 15 minutes from the closest service town Pahiatua, with a 97ha finishing block 15 minutes east of Dannevirke.

Limehurst has recently undergone a capital development programme and needs someone with drive and enthusiasm to help fulfil its potential.

2019 / 2020 Season

• North Rotorua • Summer safe • Mainly flat country • 480 cows • 30 ASHB shed • Low input grass based system • Must have good pasture management

4X4 TAGALONG TOURS

LK0094978©

A Good Keen Shepherd

LK0093222©

TESTIMONIAL

EXPERIENCED CONTRACT MILKER

LK0095784©

www.moamaster.co.nz Phone 027 367 6247 Email: info@moamaster.co.nz

Classifieds

udly NZ Madew Pro Since 1975

021 441 180 (JC)

LK0095587©

frigidair@xtra.co.nz

FOR FARMERS & HUNTERS When only the best will do!

FLY OR LICE problem?

Electrodip - The magic eye sheepjetter since 1989 with unique self adjusting sides.

Incredible chemical and time savings with proven effectiveness.

Phone 07 573 8512 w w w. e l e c t r o d i p . c o m CRAIGCO SHEEP JETTERS. Sensor Jet. Deal to fly and Lice now. Guaranteed performance.

Unbeatable pricing.

Phone 06 835 6863. www.craigcojetters.com

ANIMAL SUPPLEMENTS APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, GARLIC & MANUKA HONEY. 20L - $54.95, 200L $495 or 1000L - $2,200 plus GST with FREE SHIPPING from Black Type Minerals Ltd www. blacktypeminerals. co.nz

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

Phone: +64 6 357 2454 HOOF TRIMMER

EARMARKERS

LK0095591©

DE HORNER

BIRDS/POULTRY PULLETS HY-LINE brown, great layers.

07 824 1762. Website: eurekapoultryfarm.weebly. com – Have fresh eggs each day!!!

CONTRACTORS GORSE SPRAYING SCRUB CUTTING. 30 years experience.

Blowers, gun and hose.

No job too big. Camp out teams.

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

THANK YOU TO ALL my customers from 2018.

Dogs here for you over the holidays. Deliver NZ wide, trial, guaranteed! www.youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos 07 315 5553.

ZON BIRDSCARER

electro-tek@xtra.co.nz

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

DOGS FOR SALE

STOP BIRDS NOW!

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

ATTENTION FARMERS

DOGS FOR SALE ONE 14-MONTH Huntaway, excellent bark.

ONE six-month Huntaway, excellent noise. Phone 06 388 0212 / 027 243 8541.

SMITHFIELD PUPS, bobtail, from long working lines. $500. Phone 027 255 7217.

FERTILISER

HORTICULTURE

DOLOMITE, NZ’s finest Magnesium fertiliser.

Bio-Gro certified, bulk or bagged. 0800 436 566.

FOR SALE RIPCORD HALF PRICE. Search TradeMe under ‘Ripcord half price’.

DOGS WANTED

FORESTRY

HEADING, HUNTAWAY, handy, backing dogs or bitches, 2-6 years. Top money paid. Phone Ginger Timms 03 202 5590 or 027 289 7615.

12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195.

THANK YOU TO ALL suppliers from 2018. Buying South and North Islands.

No breeding required. No one buys or pays more! www.youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos 07 315 5553.

NATIVE FOREST FOR MILLING also Macrocarpa and Red Gum, New Zealand wide.

We can arrange permits and plans. Also after milled timber to purchase.

NEW ZEALAND NATIVE TIMBER SUPPLIERS (WGTN) LIMITED 04 293 2097 Richard.

FARM FOR LEASE FARM FOR LEASE by tender – Tauranga. Quality 196 ha (180ha effective) located in Oropi. Historically used for dairy grazers, beef, sheep and deer.

Good infrastructure. Lease commences 1st June 2019.

Farm open day Saturday 19th January 2019. For further details please contact Dean Edwards, FarmWise consultant, 027 474 3273.

NZ KELP. FRESH, wild ocean harvested giant kelp.

The world’s richest source of natural iodine. Dried and milled for use in agriculture and horticulture. Growth promotant / stock health food. As seen on Country Calendar. Orders to: 03 322 6115 or info@nzkelp.co.nz

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

WANTED

BOOK AN AD. For only $2.10 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Debbie Brown on 0800 85 25 80 to book in or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

GOATS WANTED GOATS WANTED. All weights. All breeds.

Prompt service. Payment on pick up. My on farm prices will not be beaten.

Phone David Hutchings 07 895 8845 or 0274 519 249. Feral goats mustered on a 50/50 share basis.

PROPERTY WANTED HOUSE FOR REMOVAL wanted.

North Island.

Phone 021 0274 5654.

PUMPS HIGH PRESSURE WATER PUMPS, suitable on high headlifts.

Low energy usage for single/3-phase motors, waterwheel and turbine drives. Low maintenance costs and easy to service. Enquiries phone 04 526 4415, email sales@hydra-cell.co.nz

TOWABLE TOPPING MOWER JOHNNY GRAY Specialists in mustering Wild Goats, Cattle, Horses and Sheep across New Zealand 11.5HP Briggs & Stratton Motor. Industrial. Electric start.

$3570

To find out more visit www.moamaster.co.nz

MOA MASTER

Check out our website and let results speak for themselves

+ GST

Phone 027 367 6247 • Email: info@moamaster.co.nz

LK0095630©

+ GST

Working alongside Crusader Meats

Dimensions 1600w x 900d x 600h

100% NZ Merino Sleeping Bag Sale

Ph 06 835 6863 Mob 021 061 1800 Jetter video: www.craigcojetters.co.nz

Tuesday 15 January Ongarue Ewe Fair Thursday 17 January Te Kuiti 2th Ewe Fair 8500 2th Ewes Friday 18 January Te Kuiti MA Ewe Fair

Email: info@nurturedbynature.co.nz Or visit our website: www.nurturedbynature.co.nz

DEADLINES 2018

Last issue Farmers Weekly 17 December 2018

DEADLINES Wednesday 9 January, 12pm

Material deadline: Wednesday 9 January, 5pm The Farmers Weekly office will be closed from 12pm Tuesday 18 December 2018 until Monday 7 January 2019 LK0095674©

SHEEP JETTERS SINCE 1992

Monday 7 January 800 2½ yr Steers Tuesday 8 January 850 15-mth Exotic Steers Wednesday 9 January 900 15-mth Traditional Steers & Bulls Thursday 10 January 1390 15-mth Hfd/Frs,Ang/Frs x Steers Friday 11 January 650 15-mth Exotic Ang,Hfd/Frs x Heifers

Booking deadline:

$125.00 NOW $62.50 LK0095598©

Save time and money – flystrike and lice cost $$$ Guaranteed performance Quick to set up – easy to use – job done

CATTLE

First issue Farmers Weekly 14 January 2019

50% off and valid to 4 January 2019

• Adjustable V panels • Davey Twin Impellor Pump • 6.5 or 10hp motors

UPCOMING CATTLE & SHEEP SALES JANUARY 2019

2019

December sale

• Robust construction • Auto shut gate • Total 20 jets • Lambs only 5 jets • Side jets for lice

TE KUITI SELLING CENTRE

END OF YEAR

wfmcanopies.co.nz • 07 307 2333 • office@wfmltd.co.nz

CRAIGCO SENSOR JET

Livestock

Ph: 027 959 4166 johnnyanderin2017@gmail.com maiexperiencejohnnygray

LK0094398©

Custom builds are available • Shipping costs additional if required

PATHFINDER LOCATES underground services and assets. Lower North Island. www.pathfinder.kiwi.nz Or call Brendan 021 089 59158. Email: pathfinder@ inspire.net.nz

www.aotearoastockman.com

Introducing our new large flatdeck dog box Standard price $1690 (GST incl) Including tie down rail (as shown) $1990 (GST incl)

JOHN DEERE 6410, 6600, 6610, 6800, 6900, dismantling Andquiparts.

Phone 027 524 3356.

SHEEP

TOWABLE FLAIL MOWER

$3910

UNDERGROUND LOCATORS

TE KUITI LIVESTOCK CENTRE

WILTSHIRES-ARVIDSON. Self shearing sheep. No1 for Facial Eczema. David 027 2771 556.

POLL DORSET RAMS, muscle scanned, SIL recorded.

Brucellosis accredited. All sires. Foot rot and eczema tested.

Phone 09 292 2504 or 021 0731 620.

Moa Master provide quality products and services at affordable prices 13.5HP. Briggs & Stratton Motor.

Electric start. 1.2m cut

TRACTOR PARTS

LK0095582©

FREEZERS

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

33

LK0095817©

ANIMAL HEALTH

ANIMAL HANDLING

CHILLERS &

classifieds@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

Nigel Ramsden 06 323 0761 livestock@globalhq.co.nz

2491FW

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 17, 2018

livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

Livestock

Due to calve from 16-7-12, 6.5 weeks AB Jersey and Kiwi cross FARMERS WEEKLY – December 17, 2018 Estimated to be 420 cows after non pregnant, culls, older cows & 5% rejection Production last season 347kgs ms/cow, 1000kgs ms/ha, on rolling of to grass? steeper An abundance contoured farm, no meal, palm kernel or maize Beef cattle too expensive fed.

Young replacement stock also available

• •

STOCK REQUIRED

Breeding ewes, Rom Pere 2 tooth’s Store lambs 25 – 35 kg 15MTH Friesian bulls 280 – 360 kg 15MTH Beef bred Heifers 300 – 360 kg 2YR Ang & Angx steers 500 – 550 kg

SPECIAL ENTRY

•

or hard to find?

Export Contract Contract Export Outstanding genetics & potential to be one of

TE KUITI 15 MTH EXOTIC STEER FAIR

STOCK FOR SALE

Would you consider AYRSHIRE cattle?

Mid 2019 MidFebruary July Delivery the countries leading suppliers of Genetics to I havefor a client with to surplus heiferFull calves, Delivery years come. details 2016 Bornthe dairy industry

Tuesday 8 January 2019 12 noon

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

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

yearling heifers, in calf heifers, in calf and in milk cows.

$1250$1600 GrossEnquiries 2017 Born, + gst to the sole marketing agents:

Give me a call North Island Island North Brian Robinson on Brian Robinson BRLL LukeMcBride McBride 027 027304 304 0533 Luke 0533 0272 410 PH: 8957 0272 410051 or 07051 8583132 WayneDoran Doran 027 027 493 493 8957 Wayne South Island Island South Falkner Richard Harley 021Gary 765430 430 Richard Harley 021 765 Jersey Marketing Service GregCollins Collins 027 481 481 9772 9772 Greg 027 LK0095812©

A/c Mangaohae Station c/- R & J Harre 95 15 mth Charolais Steers 90 15 mth Sth Dev/Ang x Steers Annual draft of Top Quality hill country 15 mth Exotic Steers (View photos on mylivestock.co.nz) Further enquiries: Brett Wallbank 0274881299

available.

Friesian (F12+) Friesian Heifers Heifers (F12+)

LK0095816©

40 Angus 2YR Breeding bulls 14 Murray Grey YR Breeding bulls 60 x Fries here 18MTH steers 400 kg

PH: 027 482 8771 or 07 846 4491 KAUROA (RAGLAN) & WEST COAST LAMB & 2TH EWE & EWE FAIR

Autumn Calving Cows 80 Xbred C/O Cows BW95 PW150 DTC 1/3 $1800 60 F/FX C/O Cows BW113 PW172 DTC 5/3 $1650 50 F/FX C/O Cows DTC 10/3 $1800 All are young well recorded autumn calving cows

SPECIAL ENTRY

170 XBred Cows BW98 PW104 RA98% DTC 1/8.

Web Ref DH1238 Closed Herd for 40 years. Can be purchased in-milk 1st March Del. $2000.

ON A/C G BREWSTER

Thursday 17 January 2019 12 noon

Wednesday 19th December 12 noon

220 F/FX Herd BW73 PW65 RA89% DTC24/7 Web Ref DH1250 Well-bred herd on rolling/steep farm, great production with low SCC $1950.

A/c Moketenui Station 400 2th Coopworth Ewes

300 Fisher Road, Netherton Fonterra 75395

360 FX Herd BW67 PW77 DTC 15/7 Web Ref DH1198 Bred for udders & Fertility, Great temperament & confirmation. $2050

A/c Arapito Station 600 2th Coopworth Ewes

196 Crossbred/Jsy/Jsy x in Milk Cows PW’s up to 312 2 - 8 years old

Central & Southern North Island Dairy Coordinator

South Island Herds & Heifers

LK0095715©

490 A2A2 Jsy Herd BW47 PW58 DTC 10/8.

Web Ref DH1220 100% A2A2 DNA tested herd. Low SCC, young herd on dry farm, 375ms/cow.

180 F/FX Herd BW51 PW83 DTC 1/8 Web Ref DH1223 Managers cows, low SCC $1950 118 FX I/C Heifers BW126 PW124 DTC 24/7 $1750 Paul Kane: 027 286 9279 National Dairy Coordinator

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

TUAKAU HEIFER SALE

Thursday 10th Jan 2019 @ 12 noon A/c OJ & M Cathcart 16th Annual Heifer Sale 800 x 15mth Hfrs Comprising of approx 350 x Angus, 250 x BWF, 200 x Exotic Lines of Heifers suitable for breeding and/or fattening Heifers sourced from sale & Private purchases throughout North Island.

TUAKAU STEER FAIR Tuesday 15th January 2019 @12 noon Comprising of 250 x 2 ½ yr Strs 1400 x 15mnth Angus, Angus Hfrd & Exotic Strs Annual Drafts from: Lloyd Farms, AM Don, OJ & M Cathcart, T Baldwin, Kauri Ridge, B Hill Straight Beef Steers sourced from all over the North Island.

A/c AT Brandon & Sons 350 2th Perendale Ewes

Have been mated LIC Crossbred & Frs Semen, 5 weeks.

Tailed with Jsy Bull.

A/c Windsor Park 400 2th Romney Ewes

Calving from 10 July 2019

A/c GT & RE Burton 450 2th Coop/Rom Ewes

All cows have been DNA G3 Traditionally milked twice a day and then once a day from Christmas.

This season once a day. Production around 370 solids on low cost feed system. SCC 130 000.

A/c Te Toko Station 150 2th Perendale Ewes A/c CG Wright 400 2th Romney Ewes

LK0095861©

Philip Webb: 027 801 8057

460 FX/J Herd BW82 PW101 RA92% DTC 1/8.

Web Ref DH1242 System 1, Bred for fertility & udders, good age structure. $2085

TE KUITI 2TH EWE FAIR

ON FARM HERD SALE

View Listing on mylivestock.co.nz WAI64484

A/c HA Tucker Ltd 400 2th Romney Ewes

Contact Wayne Robb 021 712 511

A/c GJ & HM Beeson 150 2th Perendale Ewes

Open Day and Sale – 19 January 2019, 1pm

Mc Neil Farming Limited

3rd Annual On Farm Sale Tuesday 8th Jan 2019

Venue: Café at corner of Main West Road and Sandy Knolls Road just west of West Melton

2754 Ihungia Road, Tokomaru Bay at 12 Noon

Objectives of the Day

8250 Sheep / 550 Steers

• A meeting of enthusiastic breeders who are prepared to share knowledge with each other and prospective Dorper sheep owners.

• An opportunity to see examples of quality Dorper sheep on display and to discuss the characteristics which contribute to the ideal Dorper • Breeders will offer a small selection of quality Ewe and ram lambs, ewes and adult rams for sale via a Helmsman auction (between 2-3pm).

• A social get together.

1200 Perendale 2th Ewes, 400 Coopdale 2th Ewes 200 Romney 2th Ewes, 1200 Romdale 2th Ewes 650 4 & 5 Year Romney Ewes (Te Whangai Bred) 1400 Pere 5yr Ewes, 700 M/a Pere Ewes 2500 Romdale Crypto Lambs (30kg) 100 2 Year Angus Steers (500 to 520kg) 450 1 Year Angus Steers (350 to 420kg)

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Check out NZDorperbreeders

Enquiries Jim McPhee 021 453 406 Don Edgecombe 021 033 8064

LK0095599©

LK0095813©

All enquiries to Craig Chamberlain 0275 320 253 Dave Anderson 0274 981 201

At 1pm there will be a short presentation followed by questions and discussion.

THURSDAY 10TH JANUARY, 12PM START 5000 Sheep, Comprising: 3000 Lambs: 1000 Top Romney Wether Lambs 1000 Good Romney X Wether & Ram Lambs 500 Med Romney Wether Lambs 500 Suffolk X & S Dorset X Male & Ewe Lambs 500 Romney & Coopworth Ewe & Wether Lambs 2000 Ewes: 1000 Top 2th Romney Ewes 200 Top AM 5yr Romney Ewes 400 Top AM Romney 6yr Ewes 300 Top MA Coopworth Ewes Special Entries Include: A/C Feltrim Farming Ltd (J Fagan, Raglan) 500 Top 2th Romney Ewes (Romney Development Group Bred, FE Gold Rating) A/C Raglan Golf Club (1 Earmark) 200 Top 2th Romney Ewes (Bred by K Abbott, Supreme Romneys) A/C BL Millward 150 Top 2th Romney Ewes (K Abbott Rams) *All of the Above 2th Ewes are Bred by Very High Excema Tolerant Rams) A/C Mrs ME Hayes 200 AM 5yr Romney Ewes A/C Aramiro Station 300 Romney & Suffolk X Lambs A/C Waiteika Station 400 Romney Wether Lambs A/C Percy & Mahood 500 Romney Wether Lambs *The Above Entries are Annual Drafts from Raglan, Waingaro & Te Akau Coastal Hill Country & Highly Recommended for their Shifting Ability & Facial Excema Tolerance* Enquiries to: PGG Wrightson Chris Leuthart – 07 825 8410 or 0274 936 594 NZ Farmers Brent Bougen – 07 848 2544 or 0272 104 698

PUKETORO STATION

Dorper Sheep Breeders

TUAKAU 15mth DAIRY BEEF STEER FAIR Thursday 17th January 2019 Comprising of approx 600 x Hfrd/ Frsn 100 x Angus/ Frsn

LK0095821©

Herds

LK0095819©

34

•

The Ewes docked 150% to the Ram and will be presented in very good condition The Cattle will be sold at the conclusion of the Sheep 1.5% Rebate by arrangement. (Sign Posted) from Tokomaru Bay Lunch & Light refreshments provided

Contact: Shane Scott 0274 956031 for further enquiries

Full Details on our Website or Facebook Central Livestock Limited

w w w. c e n t r a l l i v e s t o c k . c o . n z

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 17, 2018

livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

35

SALE TALK

For advertising enquiries, please contact Nigel on 0800 85 25 80 or email livestock@globalhq.co.nz

“You can’t speak to him here, you’ll get your chance in court,” said the Desk Sergeant.

“No, no, no!” said the man. “You don’t understand, I want to know how he got into the house without waking my wife. I’ve been trying to do that for years!

High Indexing Herd Auction (to be sold in conjunction NZ Farmers Livestock and Rural Livestock Limited)

North Otago and Canterbury Fully-managed Grazing Looking for stock. Fully-managed grazing available with experienced graziers.

Expect to see excellent weight gain results.

Contact Murray Gill 027 206 6760 murray.gill@grazcare.co.nz

CRAIGNEUK

Friday 1st March 2019 12 noon To be held on farm Marshall Rd, Henley on the Taieri Plain (Sign posted from Highway 1)

17th Annual on Farm Sale Friday 11th January 2019

On A/c: Canaan Dairy Ltd (Cam & Anna Edgecombe) 440 Frsn/FrsnX Spring calving Dairy Cows

On offer 260 Rams Made up of 200 Terminal Rams • Dorset Down X lambs growing 500 to 600 grams a day from birth to weaning • South Dorset Rams for quick maturity • SIL Recorded and Studfax • Autumn Scan

BW 123 (up to 220) PW 149 (up to 428) RA 99% This is a top quality Xbred herd, with great dairy type and excellent figures to match.

Good honest cows, producing very well on a true grass-based system. Bred for type and production these cows will not disappoint. Hard to find herds of this quality.

DTC 1/08/19 to Nom AB Frsn/Xbred & Red Wagyu followed by SGS All cows scanned to date. Contracts available for Waygu calves.

Also 60 Halfbred Maternal Rams Merino Ram/Romney Ewe MILK • WOOL • MEAT Bred to fit the Smartwool Contract 20-25 micron Grown in the harsh Maniototo climate

100 FrsnX R2 heifers also available BW 158 PW 160 RA 100%. AB mated CIDR sychro programme (2 cycles) followed Jersey bulls.

All cows and heifers are G3 profiled and A2/A2 tested.

Harry Stanway (NZFLL)

Peter O’Neill (RLL)

harry.stanway@nzfll.co.nz

peter.oneill@rll.co.nz

027 556 9948

027 434 7352

LK0095820©

Prior offers will be considered, and can be lodged with the listing agents:

Enquiries to: Johnny Duncan 027 327 2372 or email: JDuncan.Craigneuk@xtra.co.nz

Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming listings PGG WRIGHTSON JANUARY CATTLE SALE Te Kuiti Bullock Monday 7 Jan 2019 –12pm start A/C B A Murphy 100 Sth Devon x A/C H A Tucker Ltd 28 Sth Devon x A/C Kia Toa 30 Hfd/Frsn x A/C AC Masters & Son 24 Hfd/Frsn x 10 Ang/Frsn x 6 Angus A/C MR & AI Nelson & Sons 16 Ang/Frsn x A/C GM & MM Chatfield 20 Angus x 20 Hfd/Frsn x A/C Stephen Scott Trust 40 Hfd/Frsn & Ang/Frsn x A/C Tanum Farms 40 Hfd/frsn x Te Kuiti 15mth Exotic Steers Tuesday 8 Jan 2019 – 12pm start A/C Marokopa Stn 100 Sim & Sim x steer A/C Fairview Farm 50 Sth Devon steers A/C Maniapoto Training Agnecy 45 Ang/Limo x steers A/C Otaki Stn 45 S/horn & S/horn x steers A/C Belverdere P/S 24 Char x steers Te Kuiti 15mth Trad Steers & Bull Calendar changes Wednesday 9 Jan 2019 –12pm start A/C Bryan Stafford 11 Hereford steers

Te Kuiti 15mth Hfd/Frsn & Ang/Frsn x Steer Thursday 10 Jan 2019 – 12pm start A/C WC Holmes 200 Hfd/Frsn x steers A/C MR & AI Nelson & Sons 39 Hfd/Frsn x steers A/C ST & BV Meads 26 Hfd/Frsn x steers A/C Mangakewa Farms 16 Hfd/Frsn x steers A/C Stephen Scott Trust 80 Hfd/Frsn x steers Te Kuiti 15mth Heifer Friday 11 Jan 2019 – 12pm start A/C Spring Hurst P/S 21 R2 Angus heifers A/C Maniapoto Training Agnecy 30 Ang/Limo x heifers A/C Belverdere P/S 19 Char x heifers Te Kuiti 2th Ewe Fair Thursday 17 Jan 2019 – 12pm start A/C H A Tucker Ltd 400 2th Romney ewes

LK0095809©

Our office will reopen on Monday 7th January.

I wish all readers of Farmers Weekly a happy Christmas and a relaxed 2019. Thank you all for your advertising support which has made the Livestock pages so successful.

2419FW

The first issue of Farmers Weekly for 2019 will be out on the 14th January.

A man went to the Police Station wishing to speak with the burglar who had broken into his house the night before.

Key: Dairy

Cattle

Sheep

Other

ONGARUE EWE FAIR

PRELIMINARY NOTICE

Tuesday 15th January 12pm start Total yarding approx 10,000 Special entry A/C Kohunu Farming 1600 4th-5yr Romdale Ewes - Capital stock - Being sold due to end of lease - Farmed on steeper hill country - High fertility - docked 149% - High EBV Excema tolerant rams used - These ewes will come forward in top condition and can be recommended to shift.

Further enquiries: Marty Cashin – 0274 976414

Tuesday 12th February - Tuakau Saleyards A/C Puriri Whiltshires B & R Johnstone Will offer approx 70 2th Whiltshire Rams 200 Whiltshire Ram Lambs 350 Whiltshire Ewe Lambs Enquiries to: PGG Wrightson: Dave Munro - 0275 904 825 Cam Heggie - 0275 018 182 Vendor: Brook Johnstone - 09 232 9875

Specialist advice for high performance commercial & stud stock

A/C F J Barclay Ltd 300 2th Romney ewes A/C N & L Langlands 200 2th Perndale ewes A/C J R Spellman 250 2th Perendale ewes A/C D Petre 350 2th Romney ewes For more information contact Paul Mitchell – 0272 733 538

Freephone 0800 10 22 76 | www.pggwrightson.co.nz

View Upcoming Ram Sales at pggwrightson.co.nz/ramsales

Helping grow the country

MARKET SNAPSHOT

36

Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.

Suz Bremner

Rachel Agnew

Mel Croad

Cattle

Reece Brick

Sheep

BEEF

Deer

SHEEP MEAT

VENISON

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.45

5.50

5.50

NI lamb (17kg)

7.75

7.90

7.00

NI Stag (60kg)

10.50

10.70

10.60

NI Bull (300kg)

4.90

5.00

5.35

NI mutton (20kg)

4.90

4.90

4.50

SI Stag (60kg)

10.60

10.80

10.60

NI Cow (200kg)

3.80

3.85

4.10

SI lamb (17kg)

7.55

7.70

7.00

SI Steer (300kg)

5.25

5.25

5.50

SI mutton (20kg)

4.90

4.90

4.70

SI Bull (300kg)

4.85

4.80

5.25

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

3.75

3.75

4.20

UK CKT lamb leg

8.53

8.57

9.25

US imported 95CL bull

6.61

6.47

6.70

9.0

US domestic 90CL cow

6.25

6.20

6.73

8.0

7

7.0

6

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

$/kg CW

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

North Island steer slaughter price 6.0

Last week Prior week

Last year

North Island lamb slaughter price

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

10 9 8

4.5 South Island steer slaughter price

$/kg CW

6.0

11

South Island lamb slaughter price

8 7

7.0

6

Oct

Dec

6.0

4.0

5.0

Feb

Apr

5-yr ave

Oct

Dec 5-yr ave

Feb

Apr 2017-18

Jun

Jun

Aug

2017-18

2018-19

Fertiliser

Aug 2018-19

WOOL

Oct

Dec

Feb

Apr

5-yr ave

FERTILISER

Jun

2017-18

Aug 2018-19

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Coarse xbred ind.

2.86

2.89

2.97

37 micron ewe

2.75

2.85

30 micron lamb

Dairy

6.5

420

$/tonne

470

6.0

Jan-18

Mar-18

May-18 Sept. 2019

Jul-18

Sep-18 Sept. 2020

Last price*

Last year

Urea

650

650

520

3.05

Super

315

315

297

-

DAP

813

813

704

Dec-17

Feb-18

Company

Apr-18

Jun-18

Aug-18

Oct-18

Dec-18

vs 4 weeks ago

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

12.37

16.44

11.92

Ryman Healthcare Limited

11.27

14.09

10.27

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

3.60

3.60

3.08

Fletcher Building Limited

4.91

7.96

4.54

Contact Energy Limited

5.80

5.96

5.15

Port of Tauranga Limited (NS)

5.18

5.27

4.74

5pm, close of market, Thursday

5.460

9.950

11.000

7.510

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

4.640

6.660

4.510

Foley Wines Limited

1.500

1.610

1.310

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

0.720

3.000

0.700

360

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

2.200

2.990

1.840

340

PGG Wrightson Limited

0.520

0.720

0.500

Sanford Limited (NS)

6.760

8.500

6.580

Scales Corporation Limited

4.220

5.000

4.200

SeaDragon Limited

0.002

0.006

0.002

Seeka Limited

4.250

7.010

4.250

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

9.100

13.530

6.260

4730

4800

5150

Butter

3800

3800

4170

Milk Price

6.07

6.05

6.19

$/tonne

3.28

Delegat Group Limited

AMF

380

320

Dec-17

Feb-18

Apr-18

Jun-18

Aug-18

Oct-18

Dec-18

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL 350

2900 $/tonne

7.66

4.35

7.660

400

May

14.62

4.31

9.210

2030

Mar Apr 4 weeks ago

11.13

5.460

1990

Jan Feb Latest price

The a2 Milk Company Limited Spark New Zealand Limited

Comvita Limited

1990

Dec

6.11

YTD Low

SMP

2500

7.49

14.620

420

2600

7.10

YTD High

2680

2700

2.75

Auckland International Airport Limited

11.130

2635

2800

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

2645

3000

3.42

Close

WMP

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

YTD High

3.35

Company

440

* price as at close of business on Thursday

Close

Meridian Energy Limited (NS)

Listed Agri Shares

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY Prior week

NZ average (NZ$/t)

Top 10 by Market Cap

370 320

Nov-18

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Nearby contract

-

Prior week

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

7.0

5.5

-

Last week

Grain

Data provided by

MILK PRICE FUTURES

$/kg MS

9

8.0

(NZ$/kg)

US$/t

10

5.0

5.5

4.5

$/kg CW

9.0 $/kg CW

$/kg CW

5.0

South Island stag slaughter price

12

5.0 4.0

Last year

11

6.0

5.5

Last week Prior week

North Island stag slaughter price

12 $/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Ingrid Usherwood

300

T&G Global Limited

3.070

3.300

3.000

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity

15202

17682

14417

S&P/NZX 50 Index

8793

9376

8059

S&P/NZX 10 Index

8318

9212

7640

250 200

Dec-17

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

Feb-18

Apr-18

Jun-18

Aug-18

Oct-18

Dec-18

15202

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

8793

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

8318

37

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018 SI SLAUGHTER STAG

NI SLAUGHTER BULL

SI SLAUGHTER STEER

$/KG

$/KG

YEARLING HEREFORD-FRIESIAN HEIFERS, 325-365KG, AT RANGIURU

$/KG

$/KG

10.60

4.90

5.25

2.93

DON’T STOP HERE...

If you love the information you get from these pages, you will love AgriHQ’s livestock reports.

LivestockEye

Water brings some challenges What’s happening on farms and orchards around Aotearoa New Zealand? Each week Country Life reporters talk to people in rural areas across the country to find out.

NORTH ISLAND

N

orthland has been dry and a rain shower would be a nice Christmas present. Dairy farmers are being told to focus on the things they can control – like keeping production up – because they can’t control the milk price.

Cow condition is good.

As of Thursday, Pukekohe was having a fine week. Many varieties of vegetables are still of good quality and in heavy supply. Harvesting machinery has operated well in the dryer soils lifting potatoes and onions are being clipped by hand. Onion growers are feeling confident they will receive good returns for their main crop in February because of lower worldwide yields, although that all depends on the weather at harvest.

Waikato had a hair curling electrical storm on Thursday – the torrential rain stopped traffic. Some areas did miss out, though. Maize and grass are growing well and milk production is holding – it’s about 2-4% up on last year. Fonterra farmers are grumbling about the co-op clawing back 15c/kg MS from their advance payments.

An agricultural consultant says most cash flows are already in deficit.

Bay of Plenty had 17 days in a row with some rain – a four day break and now it has been raining on and off again for the past four days. There haven’t been big dollops, just enough to stop shearing and silage making; hugely frustrating. Young stock could do with some sun on their backs. However feed is climbing over the fences Taranaki is looking very green and farmers are complaining that it is harder to manage a surplus of feed than a deficit.

Milk production is about 7% ahead of last season.

Across to Gisborne and electrical storms have been rumbling around the hills for the past five weeks. Vines are growing beautifully, flowering has finished and the fruit is set. Yields may be a little down on expectations. The next job is to trim the vines and open up the canopies. The vineyard owner we spoke to said it is a good time to have a glass of Gisborne chardonnay to mark the approach to Christmas – but he would.

Pastoral farmers won’t be complaining; there is an old adage that if the maize is up to the top wire by Christmas it is going to be a good year. And it is. Pohutukawa are out six weeks early and even the jacarandas are flowering.

Hawke’s Bay has had thunder showers too and rain every day. It has been quite cool. Lambs are being weaned and farmers are disappointed they are not the the weights they’d like. It’s been so wet some of the contracting guys are struggling getting onto paddocks; they cannot get hay done and quality is starting to drop off. All grizzling aside, it is fantastic to have had the water – but it does bring its challenges.

It had been dry in Manawatu until Thursday night when between 20 and 40mm of welcome rain was delivered. It will be great for the crops. Hill country farmers are getting their first drafts of lambs away at decent weights.

It would be nice to see the sun in Wairarapa – it has been a week of cloudy drizzly weather and, with all the wet, some brassica plants are rotting in the ground. Cereal crops won’t yield as well as they should either. Farmers are busy weaning well-grown lambs and are receiving record money for them at the works. Store lambs are very hard to come by.

SOUTH ISLAND After a fine start the Nelson/Motueka region had a cloudy and damp end to the week. Despite stop-start showers the ground is still quite dry so irrigation systems are on. Everyone is busy pruning and thinning pip fruit to regulate crop loads.

Lamb weaning is in full swing on Marlborough hill farms. Weights are slightly back on last year due to the cool, damp conditions. With so much feed around cattle are looking tip top. In vineyards the Sauvignon Blanc vines are in flower.

The Pinot and Chardonnay grapes have flowered already but some bunches failed to flower due to the lower than usual temperatures. This is likely to lead to a slight drop in grape production, but not quality.

A farmer at Runanga on the West Coast says he was worrying about things getting too dry, but after week of rain that concern has fallen off the radar. Milking is ticking along okay and bulls are out with dairy cows to clean up after the AI technicians. Most winter crops are in and silage making is starting to tail off.

Canterbury has been wet this week with significant rain especially on the upper plains. Some farmers on heavier soils are now saying that they are going to miss the boat on spring sowing and are unsure when, or if, they will be able to plant.

When it does dry out what is planted will most likely change due to the later sowing.The way things are looking at the moment, irrigators could remain idle for all of November and December which is very unusual.

Farmers in Southern Otago have never made so much silage. Most pits are full so there is tonnes of feed in store. Milk production is a bit behind on last year due to the recent flooding and despite a lack of quality feed. Everyone is making the most of the sunny days this week all the work done and dusted in the lead up to Christmas.

Our contact at Waimahaka in Southland is making silage today. He says there has been no rain this week and the ground is drying out but it is great for tractor work.

Crops could do with a dose of rain to ensure they strike. Artificial insemination of cows is continuing on dairy farms, milk production is holding up and the first draft of lambs are being weaned on sheep farms.

Courtesy of Radio New Zealand Country Life You can listen to Country Life on RNZ at 9pm every Friday and 7am on Saturday or on podcast at radionz.co.nz/countrylife

We create transparency for the industry with these independent, objective reports providing full sale results and informed commentary covering 10 saleyards across NZ that are emailed directly after the sale.

Livestock Insight

Every week, we explain the context of the current market situation, drivers which are impacting the livestock markets and what to expect in the coming week.

Livestock Outlook

For those who want to see and understand forecasting, this monthly report projects farmer operating prices six months ahead and supports these prices with analysis of supply/demand, procurement factors, key export markets and exchange rate effects.

INDEPENDENT • OBJECTIVE TRUSTED • WORTHY Discover how we can help you keep up to date with market conditions.

agrihq.co.nz 0800 85 25 80

2476AGHQ

BEST BUY: Neil Common sold the top four-year Romney ewes at Stortford Lodge at $230.50.

38

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

Breeding ewe prices better than in 2011 The start of the breeding ewe fair season kicked off at Stortford Lodge on Friday, where a smaller yarding of 4700 were penned. All stars aligned to make this the best sale on record, with prices exceeding the highs of 2011. The top four-year and four-tooth Romney ewes made $230-$232, with five-year Romney making $156-$183.

NORTHLAND Wellsford store cattle sale • Two-year beef-cross steers, 455-555kg, were steady at $2.78$2.90/kg • Quality two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 433-458kg, earned $3.05-$3.23/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 326-378kg, lifted to $3.11-$3.30/ kg • Yearling Hereford-cross heifers, 276-308kg, strengthened to $2.97-$3.04/kg • Autumn-born weaner Angus and dairy-beef heifers, 230-290kg, returned $740-$930 WELLSFORD had just under 930 penned last Monday and a moderate buying bench had enough power to absorb the yarding, though the market was varied throughout.

All two-year heifers, 400-511kg, returned $2.75-$2.85/kg regardless of breed.

Results were mixed in the yearling section. AngusFriesian steers sold in two bands with 249-319kg earning $2.76-$2.85/kg, and 332-370kg, $3.16-$3.27/kg, while Hereford-Friesian, 342kg, pushed to $3.48/kg. HerefordFriesian heifers, 316-418kg, eased to $2.80-$2.88/kg, though a line at 368kg were steady at $3.02/kg. Hereford-cross bulls, 293kg, fetched $2.76/kg, with Friesian of the same weight matching their returns.

Weaner cattle were steady with Angus-Friesian steers, 84-132kg, at $455-$610, Hereford-cross heifers, 90-107kg, $385-$450, and Friesian bulls, 117kg, $485.

Kaikohe cattle sale • Three-year Friesian steers made $2.65-$2.75/kg • Two-year beef-cross steers eased to $2.85-$2.95/kg • Two-year Friesian bulls came back to $2.60-$2.65/kg • Yearling Friesian and beef-cross bulls traded at $2.45-$2.80/kg • Weaner dairy-beef heifers traded at $400-$460 The cattle sale at KAIKOHE last Wednesday was harder work, with a small audience and some caution around schedules sneaking into the market, PGG Wrightson agent Vaughan Vujcich reported.

Around 600 head were offered, and prices mainly eased.

Two-year beef-cross bulls traded at $2.65-$2.70/kg, and heifers, $2.65/kg.

Yearlings fared little better as dairy-beef steers earned $2.80-$3.00/kg, and heifers $2.60-$2.80/kg for good lines.

Autumn-born weaner Hereford-Friesian steers sold to $3.20-$3.30/kg, while spring weaner bulls varied from $450$480 for Friesian and $500-$560 for beef-Friesian. Dairybeef heifers made $400-$460.

Dairy cows mainly traded around $1.70/kg.

AUCKLAND AUC Pukekohe cattle sale • Prime steers and forward stores firmed to $2.80-$3.07/kg • Prime heifers also firmed to $2.82-$2.93/kg • Good weaner steers reached $780-$980 • Good weaner heifers hit $900 • Boner cows varied from $1.90/kg up to $2.56/kg Cattle prices continued to improve at Pukekohe on Saturday 8th December, and the year looks set to finish on a high note for vendors. All classes had a firm tone, helped by a shortage of numbers available in the region.

15-month crossbred steers in medium condition made $2.91-$3.32/kg, while heifers traded at $2.74-$2.94/kg.

Demand for weaners was solid and medium crossbred steers earned $470-$670, and heifers, $450-$580. Small crossbred heifers returned $315-$370.

Light cows traded at $1.61-$2.03/kg.

COUNTIES COU Tuakau sales • Heavy steers, 624kg, sold to $3.00/kg, $1870 • Hereford-Friesian weaner steers, 122kg, made $620 • Prime beef cows, 530kg, fetched $1.97/kg • Top prime ewes reached $226

About 700 cattle were yarded at the Tuakau store sale last Thursday and the market was firm, Karl Chitham of Carrfields Livestock reported.

Heavy steers, 585-624kg, sold at around $3.00/kg, $1750$1870, with Shorthorn-cross, 416kg, making $2.98/kg. Most yearling steers in the 300-340kg range fetched $1020-$1160.

In the heifer section, 445kg Hereford-Friesian earned $2.76/ kg, with 270-320kg yearling heifers selling at $850-$950.

Hereford-Friesian weaner heifers, 117kg, made $490.

Last Wednesday’s prime cattle market was steady. Heavy Angus steers, 698-717kg, traded at $2.96-$3.00/kg, and 580-620kg made $2.81-$2.96/kg. Prime heifers, 466-530kg, returned $2.74-$2.81/kg and medium Friesian cows, 435492kg, $1.64-$1.87/kg.

The best of the prime lambs sold at $173-$185 at last Monday’s sheep sale. Medium primes earned $146-$163, light primes $122-$144 and store lambs $67-$102. Heavy prime ewes made $186-$226 and medium $134-$148.

Lighter ewes sold down to $74.

WAIKATO WAIKATO Frankton dairy beef weaner fair • Red Hereford-Friesian steers, 98kg, returned $530 • Hereford-Friesian heifers, 104-105kg, lifted to $400-$475 • Hereford-Friesian bulls, 100-118kg, strengthened to $605-$665 • Friesian bulls, 107-130kg, were steady at $450-$535 • Autumn-born Hereford-Friesian heifers, 174-218kg, improved to $650-$667 Just on 1580 weaners were yarded at FRANKTON last Tuesday, with bulls making up over 70%. There was strong competition for Hereford-Friesian bulls which lifted $80 on average.

Results were mixed for heifers as Hereford-Friesian, 110130kg, managed steady returns at $462-$490, though 95101kg eased to $338-$430. Red Hereford-Friesian, 80-127kg, returned $300-$510, with Angus-cross, 98-108kg, easing to $375-$455.

Hereford-Friesian bulls were popular and 125-139kg lifted to $660-$745, while Angus-cross, 99-113kg improved to $450-$530. Red Hereford-Friesian, 114-181kg, traded at $622-$790. Friesian bulls, 143-163kg, were steady at $570$630, with 86-105kg lifting to $380-$462, and autumn born lines, 132-206kg, $490-$620.

BAY BAYOF OFPLENTY PLENTY Rangiuru cattle and sheep sale • Prime steers and forward stores, 500kg plus, made $2.90-$3.01/ kg • Boner Friesian cows, 383-530kg, firmed to $1.92-$2.04/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 306-322kg, firmed to $3.19$3.33/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, 299-330kg, lifted to $2.95$3.10/kg • 2200 prime lambs were penned and made $74-$163.50

• Yearling beef-Friesian steers, 380-440kg, lifted to $3.19/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, 264-281kg, lifted to $3.04$3.05/kg The last older cattle fair at TARANAKI offered 835 store cattle and 48 prime. Grass drove the market and all cattle were firm relative to quality and type.

Steers easily dominated, and just one line of two-years dropped below $1200 as Hereford-cross, 398-426kg, traded at $2.96-$3.02/kg, while 404-446kg Hereford-Friesian pushed to $3.14-$3.27/kg, which matched yearling steers of same breeding. Heifers of same age were a mix of breeds but priced consistently at $2.83-$2.98/kg range. One line of Hereford-Friesian, 390kg, did push to $3.01/kg.

POVERTY BAY Matawhero sale • Heavy male lambs were $117.50-$127.50 • Medium male lambs eased to $100-$114 • Light-to-medium lambs were $89-$94 Both numbers on offer and prices paid edged down a level for store lambs. The 1700 head offered where mainly whiteface lambs drafted by sex, though a minority were terminal-cross. These terminal-cross lambs often made a $5-$10 premium on other options. All but a few lambs sold for $90-$114. Fairly insignificant numbers were sold in the prime pens, though ewes made as much as $163 with $134.50 the high for lambs.

HAWKE’S BAY HA Stortford Lodge store cattle and sheep sale • Medium-good cryptorchid lambs made $106-$118 • Light-medium blackface mixed sex returned $94-$107 • Yearling Angus steers, 375-410kg, eased to $3.41-$3.50/kg • Yearling Angus & Angus-Hereford steers, 353-392kg, firmed to $3.61-$3.80/kg • Yearling South Devon-cross bulls, 457-546kg, earned $3.08-$3.18/ kg Rain reduced any more pressure to offload into STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday, which was notable in the sheep pens, though high prices still attracted cattle in.

3900 lambs were penned and overall the market was steady. Good mixed sex made $110-119, while lighter lines lifted to $75-$93. Ram lambs sold for $101-$130.

Angus steers easily dominated the sale, making up 330 head of the 530 head yearling steer section. The market was strong and those 430-454kg traded at $3.31-$3.40/kg, while 308-333kg firmed to $3.60-$3.76/kg. Two-year Angus steers, 493-513kg, made $3.03-$3.23/kg.

Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers had a good sale as 321-343kg sold to $3.08-$3.12/kg, though Friesian bulls, 358-381kg, eased to $2.81-$2.89/kg.

Stortford Lodge mixed age ewe fair • Four-year capital stock Romney ewes made top price of $230.50 Six-tooth capital stock Romney ewes traded at $194-$222 Five-year Romney ewes lifted to $156-$183 Just 4700 breeding ewes were offered at the Stortford Lodge ewe fair and with all stars aligned prices lifted $40-$50 on last year. A small line of four-tooth Romney made $232, while $200 was exceeded in all sections bar the five-year ewes. Two-tooth numbers were limited and two lines sold for $210-$226. Three and four-year Romney made $184-$192, while mixed age ewes traded at $159-$200.

MANAWATU MAN Feilding prime cattle and sheep sale • Medium mixed sex lambs eased to $133.50-$154.50 • Medium to medium-good ewes were steady at $123-$145 • Good Friesian cows, 542-585kg, eased to $1.77-$1.82/kg • Jersey bulls, 487-492kg, made $2.37-$2.38/kg

The sale yards at RANGIURU last Tuesday were flooded with cattle as vendors who had been holding on felt the time was right to offload. For the majority prices were steady to firm.

Local and Waikato buyers had come for the yearlings, and there were good volumes at 460 head. Most were steers and Angus, 341kg, reached $3.26/kg, while light lines of Hereford-Friesian sold to $3.33-$3.53/kg.

Second cuts of Hereford-Friesian, 300-380kg, eased to $3.03-$3.10/kg, with Hereford-Jersey, 313-334kg, in that range also. Heifers followed a similar pattern, and 353364kg returned $2.88/kg. Friesian bulls, 272-317kg, fetched $2.84-$2.92/kg.

Weaner beef-Friesian steers were solid at $480-$575, and bulls of same breeding made $480-$500.

Good entries in most sections kept auctioneers busy at FEILDING last Monday. Prime lamb prices eased in line with schedules, though returns were pleasing. The top lines made $170-$177, with few below $133. The ewe market was buoyant for a moderate yarding. Heavy ewes made $148$162 and lighter types, $98-$121.

Cattle entries lifted to 87 head and mainly consisted of ex-service dairy bulls and dairy cows. Friesian bulls, 453kg, were the best-selling at $2.77/kg, while the lighter end of the Friesian cows at 480-500kg returned $1.61-$1.71/kg.

One line of beef-cross cows, 607kg, reached $2.13/kg, while Hereford-Friesian heifers, 512-625kg, earned $2.57-$2.61/ kg.

TARANAKI T Taranaki cattle fair • All prime steers, 530-717kg, traded at $2.98-$3.04/kg • Two-year Angus-Friesian steers, 418-461kg, firmed to 3.02-$3.09/ kg

Feilding weaner fair • Hereford-Friesian bull calves, 100-150kg, were $645-$690 • Friesian bull calves, 129-146kg, were $530-$560 • Hereford-Friesian heifer calves, 97-109kg, made $510-$545 • Autumn born Speckle Park cross bulls, 167kg, made $740

SALE YARD WRAP

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018

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Speckle Park-cross heifers made $980-$1090 at $3.21$3.35/kg. Even Friesian sold well as steers, 323-369kg, made $2.66-$2.74/kg, and bulls, 271kg, $2.62/kg.

The prime market was steady and Murray Grey-cross steers, 491-580kg, earned $2.72-$2.76/kg. Heifers were mainly beef-cross, 388-730kg, which traded at $2.54-$2.60/kg.

SOUTH-CANTERBURY SOUT Temuka prime cattle and sheep sale • Medium-good mixed sex store lambs came back to $99-$128 • Most prime ewes eased to $120-$189 • Beef-cross steers, 575-690kg, were steady at $2.70/kg • Traditional heifers, 475-625kg, were steady at $2.63/kg • Hereford bulls, 660-662kg, returned $2.63-$2.65/kg A yarding of nearly 10,000 lambs and ewes at TEMUKA last Monday included extra tallies that would typically go to the processors. The attraction of the high prices was the driver, though the extra volume eased the market. The bulk of the prime lambs traded at $120-$159, while just one line of ewes hit the $200 mark.

Store lamb entries were up to 4000 and the market came back $10 per head on average. A small entry of males made $88-$118, while good mixed sex was steady at $118-$139.

Lighter lambs sold for $76-$105, while hoggets with lambsat-foot earned $96-$106 all counted.

The cattle section was mainly steady, though Friesian bulls and heifers firmed. Two big lines of Friesian bulls, 566694kg, firmed to $2.41-$2.42/kg, while heifers, 450-488kg, managed $2.30 -$2.43/kg. Most Friesian cows weighed 480633kg and eased to $1.62-$1.75/kg.

SPRINKLING OF SNOW: Speckle Park-cross weaners at last week’s Feilding sale.

Feilding was filled with 1723 calves, making it the largest dairy-beef weaner fair to date this season. Friesian bulls made up most of the yarding with most weighing in at 118129kg making $510-$530, with a heavy line of 164kg making $650.

A larger selection of beef cross calves were the stars of the show 100-150kg Hereford-Friesians fetching $645-$690. In the heifer pens Hereford-Friesian 97-109kg were picked up for $510-$545.

For the results of Friday’s sale at Feilding go to farmersweekly.co.nz Rongotea sale • Two-year Hereford-Friesian heifers, 388-410kg, traded at $2.70$2.75/kg • Two-year Hereford bulls, 572-602kg, earned $2.84-$2.95/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 307-440kg, sold up to $3.08/kg.

• Weaner Friesian bulls, 101-177kg, firmed to $390-$570 • Weaner Angus-cross heifers, 120-157kg, returned $360-$530 The cattle pens were full at RONGOTEA last Wednesday, with a good selection of all classes, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported.

Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 375-465kg, were variable at $2.56-$3.30/kg, while bulls of same breed and 551kg sold well at $2.90/kg. Friesian and Friesian-cross, 590-680kg, returned $2.72-$2.76/kg.

Yearling bull prices varied from $2.68/kg for 440kg Hereford-Friesian to $2.16-$2.36/kg for lighter dairy bulls.

Hereford-Friesian heifers, 239-337kg, lifted to $2.76-$3.25/ kg, while Belted Galloway, 252-296kg made $2.40-$2.78/kg.

Weaner prices were firm and Hereford-Friesian bulls, 104-155kg, made $500-$560 and beef and exotic cross, 110155kg, $510-$560. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 86-135kg, were steady at $375-$540.

Boner Friesian cows, 480-561kg traded at $1.57-$1.79/kg and Friesian-cross 335–571kg, $1.73 - $1.97/kg.

WAIRARAPA WAIR

Masterton lamb sale • Top lambs eased to $119-$127 • Medium types were steady at $105-$112 • Lighter lambs made $90-$103 Store lamb numbers peaked at 10,000 head at MASTERTON last Wednesday, with slightly more Romney cryptorchid lambs than blackface mixed sex this time round. A price correction of $5-$6 was seen on the top end, but light and medium lambs were well sought after, PGG Wrighston agent Steve Wilkinson reported. The top price of $127 was for a line of blackface mixed sex, while very few lambs traded below $90. The buying bench was familiar, with Hawkes Bay, South Island and local all competitive.

CANTERBURY CANT Canterbury Park cattle and sheep sale • Very light male lambs sold for $73-$100 • Medium to good mixed sex lambs eased to $108-$120 • Light mixed sex remained steady at $70-$101 • Prime Hereford-Friesian steers, 530-650kg, firmed to $1.81/kg

• Yearling Gelvbieh-Simmental steers, 313-359kg, made $3.26$3.45/kg Just over 12000 sheep at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday was the biggest sale in exactly a year, and consisted mainly of store lambs at 9200 head. Increased numbers in all sections made buying easier for locals, with prices back $5-$8.

Most store lambs were mixed sex and results were steady to back. Medium to good male lambs made $112-$129, while ewe lambs varied from $66 up to $126.

Prime lambs softened to $120-$169, while the $200 was not reached in the ewe pens, with top price of $196, and most ranging from $90 up to $168.

Steers made up the lion’s share of the cattle though all classes sold on a buoyant market. Exotic steers, 633-643kg, reached $3.02-$3.10/kg, and other high yielding types, $2.80-$2.89/kg.

Extra buyer interest for heifers meant a firm market, and all breeds at 500-598kg made $2.70-$2.76/kg, while Charolais, 508-533kg, reached $2.90/kg.

Coalgate calf sale • Friesian bull calves, 100-120kg, were $430-$470 • Friesian bull calves, 120-130kg, were $455-$495 • Beef-cross bull and steer calves, 110-140kg, made $550-$600 • Beef-cross heifer calves, 110-125kg, made $520-$570 • Beef-cross heifer calves, 100-105kg, made $440-$550 Coalgate was host to 900 calves, half of which were Friesian bulls. As a whole results were solid throughout, meeting pre-sale expectations.

Most Friesian bull calves were $440-$490, with a subset of lighter calves selling for $390-$430. Mixed quality and line sizes meant varied prices through the beef-cross steer and bull, however the better heifer calves were a highlight, pushing above $520 semi-regularly.

Coalgate cattle and sheep sale • Corriedale ram lambs sold for $111-$121 • Corriedale ewe lambs earned $107-$119 • Medium to good mixed sex eased to $90-$129 Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 364-411kg, firmed to $3.09-$3.16/kg Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, 383-420kg, returned $2.84-$2.90/kg Store prices reflected a grass market at COALGATE last Thursday, with cattle notably up though a bigger entry of store lambs did make buying easier.

Store lamb volume lifted to 4800, and while the market was still strong it eased $5-$8. Lighter lines traded at $70$89.

Prime lambs lifted $3-$5 to trade at $120-$159. Ewes were steady and top lines pushed past $200. Good types made $154-$189, while lighter types started at $80 and sold to $139.

There were not enough store cattle to satisfy the buyers, and some reached new levels.

Charolais-cross yearlings were a highlight, with steers, 382-429kg, selling for $3.31-$3.46/kg, and heifers, 374kg, $3.07/kg.

Temuka dairy beef calf sale • Hereford-Friesian bulls, 100-120kg, made $490-$580 • Hereford-Friesian bulls, 125-140kg, were steady at $545-$610 • Hereford-Friesian heifers, 95-120kg, earned $450-$540 • Hereford-Friesian heifers, 121-171kg, returned $500-$570 The first day of a split calf sale at TEMUKA last Wednesday offered up the beef-dairy calves, with the majority Hereford-Friesian. Compared to last year prices were mainly steady for the 1200 head yarding, with grassdriven demand the key factor. A small entry of HerefordFriesian steers, 100-120kg, sold for $470-$610.

Temuka Friesian and crossbred calf sale • Friesian bulls, 80-110kg eased to $370-$390 • Friesian bulls, 101-110kg, also eased to $400-$450 • Friesian bulls, 112-130kg, were steady at $430-$490 • Crossbred bulls, 95-115kg, traded at $235-$350 Round two of the TEMUKA calf sale was the Friesian calves, as well as small entries of crossbred. While there were 2300 calves penned around 1000 were sold prior to the sale or withdrawn. North Island buyers did not have the presence of past years, though grass driven demand from local buyers went some way to compensate.

Friesian bulls accounted for 75% of the yarding, and most sold to a price ceiling of $500, with just 134kg plus of quality trading at $465-$550, and two top lines at $570 and $640.

OTAGO OT Balclutha cattle and sheep sale • Small and medium store lambs firmed to $100-$120 • Prime lambs sold on a steady market at $120-$160 • Heavy ewes retained levels of $150-$165 • Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 321kg, sold well at $3.20/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, 295kg, reached $3.05/kg.

High levels of feed were reflected in strong store prices at BALCLUTHA last Wednesday, PGG Wrightson agent Russell Moloney reported. A big yarding of store lambs met keen interest and the top pens reached $120-$130. Solid demand for prime sheep meant steady results, and medium ewes made $135-$145, and lighter, $70-$125. Rams sold for $70$100.

A medium yarding of store cattle also reflected a strong grass market. Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers reached $1310, while yearling Murray Grey-Friesian steers, 290kg, returned $3.02/kg.

SOUTHLAND Charlton sheep sale • Top store lambs made $125-$135 • Prime lambs were steady at $118-$140 • Light ewes were steady at $110-$125 Store lamb numbers increased to over 2000 head at CHARLTON last Thursday, and sold to very strong buyer enquiry, PGG Wrightson agent David Morrison reported. A firm tone to the market meant medium types sold for $110$115, with at least $90 needed for lighter lines.

Prime prices were steady, though ewe quality and size was not as good as the week prior. Heavy ewes made $175, and medium, $130-$145.

Markets

40 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 17, 2018 NI SLAUGHTER STEER

NI SLAUGHTER LAMB

SI SLAUGHTER LAMB

($/KG)

($/KG)

MEDIUM MIXED SEX LAMBS AT SOUTH ISLAND SALES

($/KG)

($/HD)

7.75

5.45

7.75

112

100-110kg, at Temuka Lodge Ewe Fair Calf Sale

Store lamb prices soar Annette Scott

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annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

HERE appears to be no shortage of confidence in the sheep market right now with store lamb demand reaching historical highs for this time of the season.

AgriHQ analysts are reporting store lambs as officially the most expensive they’ve ever been at this point in the year.

In the South Island store lamb prices have pushed well beyond historical trends and buyers are resorting to sourcing lambs from the North Island given the shortage of local supply.

Rain and feed, coupled with the continuing trend of solid schedules are crucial elements putting lambs in hot demand.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner said grass is 100% responsible for where store lamb prices are currently trading, both in the paddock, on-farm and at the sale yards.

At the sale yards prices have been very strong, up $30-$40 on last year when conditions were dry and there was very limited demand.

“We have even seen an increase in the number of prime lambs also on offer at the South Island yards as farmers opt for that outlet over sending directly to the processors as auction prices are very competitive with schedule.”

Bremner said the larger volume of both prime and store lambs at the yards this week did mean prices eased a little, though for good mixed sex store lambs buyers still needed $110-$120.

The lighter lines are the expensive shopping though on a dollar per kilogram basis, as buyers work to per

UP, UP, UP: As store lamb prices soar to historical highs the lighter lines are proving more expensive buying.

Photo: Annette Scott

head budgets and are paying from $70-$105 for these types.

This means most are trading at $4.40-$4.50/kg liveweight, though $5.00/kg is also not unheard of on the lighter lambs, Bremner said.

In the South Island store lamb values have managed to punch $4 per head above 2011’s stellar market at similar average weights.

But AgriHQ analyst Reece Brick said a reprieve is about to give some breathing space.

“Buyers will be relieved to hear that it does look like we’ve reached a peak for the season.

“Lamb supplies are slowly falling more in-line with buying orders and a few buyers have been sourcing lambs from the North Island too, also helping to stabilise the market,” Brick said.

That’s not to say it’ll necessarily decrease quickly.

“Lamb numbers booked in for on-farm sales are well below last year with vendors instead opting to finish lambs themselves.”

With the cost of replacement stock

$161-$183 high $400-$450 and heavy 5yr lights Weaner Friesian bulls, Good ewes at Stortford

very high and supplementary feed in oversupply, Brick said it’s easy to understand why.

“In the paddock lambs are varied but centred around $3.80-$4.00/kg with a premium of around 20c/kg in Canterbury compared to further south.”

Farmers with lambs ready to go will be weighing up the attractiveness of the money on offer now versus feed utilisation.

The weather will be the ultimate driver of the direction leading into Christmas.

“At this point, you would have to say that the market looks likely to remain in vendors favour through December.”

Meanwhile new season’s premiums come to an end in prime lambs last week, marking the beginning of the fall for lamb schedules.

The removal of the 20-30c/kg premium definitely took a bite out of the market.

“Pre-Christmas bookings are adding up as is tradition which is taking competitive pressure out of the market,” Brick said.

ACROSS THE RAILS – SUZ BREMNER

Expectations met in some cases but not in others WELL, here we are at the end of another year, one that has seen more success than disappointment for vendors offloading stock through the sale yards. The year started and finished with the weather having the biggest impact on markets as rain at both ends was a game changer.

Results through the sale yards over the past few years have just got better and that means vendors of most stock had very high expectations coming into 2018. While some of that was met with a year of solid pricing, for others there was some adjustment needed to meet the markets through the year.

The breeding ewe fairs were a good example of that as all factors suggested a very strong result and while they were good, they were not as high as some expected. Weaner and calf sales started off strong but very high volumes and other factors such as Mycoplasma bovis meant prices did soften as time, and more sales, went on.

Store cattle markets got a bit sticky once the spring growth didn’t really fire from August. Also following another strong year, expectations of where prices should be were very high so it took some time for vendors to adjust.

Buyers had slightly smaller budgets than vendors anticipated but eventually the market was met and sales regained momentum. That was more evident at the yards that are dairy and dairy-beef dominant, with the bubble of strong prices still around traditional cattle.

And so, the year has finished on a high thanks to all that lovely rain and subsequent grass growth. Farmers can go to their Christmas tables relaxed, knowing stock values are not going to do anything drastic over the holidays and animals on the farm will be as well fed as those around their table.

I have enjoyed bringing you all the highlights and lowlights of 2018 from the sale yards and hope you have enjoyed reading them just as much. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.

Find out more about AgriHQ at agrihq.co.nz

The TerraCare team wish you a Merry Christmas.

We care about New Zealand farmers and farms. Contact us to see what we can do for your farm for a great 2019!

0800 342 252

www.terracare.co.nz

LOOK AFTER THE FARMER

NZ’S #1 RURAL REAL ESTATE BRAND ISSUE 2 - 2018

YOUR GO -TO GUIDE FOR REGULAR, INFORMATIVE COMMENTARY ON KEY MATTERS AFFECTING THOSE LIVING AND WORKING IN RURAL NEW ZEALAND.

CHANGE THE ONLY CONSTANT IS

Despite many traditional practices and enduring fundamentals, the rural sector does not exist in a time warp.

Change is inevitable if farming – in all its guises – is to remain relevant, sustainable and profitable.

Hard graft, innovative thinking and a reliable workforce will always be central to the New Zealand rural economy. Good people will always be the backbone of the rural sector.

Bayleys Rural Insight probes topics of interest to our clients and this edition features a look at ways to reduce nutrient footprints on the land, new food sectors to ponder, irrigation improvements for the environment and the farmer, commercial/rural property investment options and calf clubs and AG'days.

What has changed – and continues to do so – is some of the ways we utilise the land, what we are producing from the land and some of the long-term thinking around sustainability, environmental stewardship and the “footprints” we leave behind.

It may sound clichéd to say that Bayleys’ rural agents “walk the talk”, but it’s true. As individuals, they are tightly connected to rural New Zealand and personally invested in their communities. Many are actively farming the land, most are raising their families in the country and all believe in the opportunities that rural New Zealand can offer.

Just as we are no longer solely a “meat and three veg” dietary nation, nor are we merely a dairy and sheep and beef production line.

Rural Insight is an extension of the conversations and communication that Bayleys’ agents have with their property clients on a regular basis.

The conversion of pastoral land into forestry, the rise and rise of manuka as an important component in honey production, the introduction of hemp as a viable crop, the significance of A2 milk, and the emergence of non-meat substitutes – these are all changes that our farming ancestors could not have imagined.

Receiving Rural Insight updates direct to your inbox is as simple as heading to bayleys.co.nz/rural-insight and signing up.

A skim of rural newspaper headlines shows that topics like water woes, emission and biosecurity concerns, a national shortage of rural vets and technological disruption are under the spotlight in the sector.

It’s important that we are mindful of these issues and of the impact they could have on the rural landscape and Bayleys is keen to be part of those discussions.

Every couple of weeks, a fresh Bayleys Rural Insight will be released bringing you trends and happenings in the dairy, sheep and beef, forestry, viticulture, horticulture and lifestyle property sectors.

New Zealand’s rural sector is dynamic and evolving and we’d like to take you along for the ride.

Cheers, Duncan Ross Bayleys national country manager

TO STAY UP TO DATE AND IN-THE-KNOW, REGISTER AT BAYLEYS.CO.NZ/RURAL-INSIGHT TO RECEIVE BAYLEYS RURAL INSIGHT DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX.

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Rural Insight

*For the period 1st April 2017 - 31st March 2018.

Cover photo credit: manawatunz.co.nz

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Boundary lines are indicative only

450 Settlement Road, Kaiwaka, Northland

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80 Lighthouse Road and 699 Manukau Heads Road, Manukau Heads, Auckland

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133 Farmer Road, Waitoa, Waikato

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Boundary lines are indicative only

Boundary lines are indicative only

Boundary lines are indicative only

989 State Highway 25, Pipiroa, Hauraki

362 Paraonui Road, Lichfield, Waikato

153-181 No.4 Road, Te Puke, Bay of Plenty

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275 Pahoia Road, Pahoia, Bay of Plenty

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52 Riverina Road, Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay

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386 Makirikiri Valley Road, Upokongaro, Whanganui

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221 O'Hallorans Road, Glentui, Canterbury

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Ohakuri Road, Atiamuri, Bay of Plenty

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232 Tikorangi Road, Tikorangi, Taranaki

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1399 Long Range Road and 382 Te Manuiri Road, Omakere, Hawke's Bay

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185 Puketawa Road, Tiraumea, Wairarapa

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256 Malling Road, Redwood Valley, Tasman

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35 Fareham Lane, Marlborough

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315 Newton Road, Timaru, Canterbury

150 and 206 Blondell Road, Kennington, Invercargill, Southland

CONTENTS Farmers seek alternatives for lighter footprint......................................4,5

Stepping up for environment awards ........................................................ 14,15

Opportunities lie in new food sectors ...............................................................6,7

Farmers urged to consider partial greenfield orchards ......... 16,17

New cropping sector could ride high on returns ..................................8,9

Commercial-rural property investment options open up ..... 18,19

Horticultural opportunities expand ............................................................. 10,11

Arable prospects ploughing ahead .............................................................. 20,21

Environment and farming win with irrigation ................................... 12,13

Keeping the tradition alive.................................................................................... 22,23 Rural Insight

3

FARMERS SEEK ALTERNATIVES

FOR LIGHTER FOOTPRINT

As farmers around New Zealand grapple with the impact of ever tightening nutrient limits, some options for maintaining fertility whilst keeping nutrient losses down are gaining traction.

N

on-traditional and low phosphate/nitrogen fertilisers are finding their niche among pastoral farmers who are either making the wholesale shift to these applications, or combining them with reduced levels of conventional fertiliser applications.

“The days of simply putting on what you always put on are gone.

Farms have to have farm environment plans and the pressure is on fertiliser companies to ensure they help keep farmers on track, rather than simply sell them what they have always bought.”

The use of such fertilisers has had a controversial history in New Zealand agriculture, the most high profile being the Maxi Crop court case in the 1980s which played out as the country’s longest civil court case that lasted over a year.

His company produce dicalcic phosphate fertilisers delivering a slower rate of release than conventional super, and a valuable option to far slower releasing RPR. Slower releasing phosphate products are finding a place for farmers cautious about losing too much superphosphate to drains and waterways when it is exposed to rainfall. Similarly more farmers are aware that already having high phosphate levels requires getting smarter about how to unlock that.

However, as New Zealand farmers have built up phosphate levels over generations of using traditional super-phosphate based fertilisers, and as nitrogen becomes a focus for regional council nutrient reduction, non-traditional fertiliser companies are reporting strong sales to pastoral farmers.

Arthur Tsitsiras, general manager for Waikato based TerraCare fertilisers says farmer interest in options outside the usual superphosphate/urea fertilisers is very strong but the challenge is to ensure they are still matching their bottom line with the environmental need to lower phosphate run off and nitrogen leaching.

Farms have to have farm environment plans and the pressure is on fertiliser companies to ensure they help keep farmers on track.

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Rural Insight

“And for that reason we will always encourage them to get their soil pH tested, and lime if necessary to unlock what phosphate is already there to use, before putting more on.”

He cautions while nitrogen is the main focus for nutrient limitations now, phosphate will not be far behind in future regional plans, and options are there to manage both today.

Bill Sinclair, managing director of Pacific Bio Fert is proud to be a second generation owner of a company his late father Clive established 40 years ago. His father pioneered a process to make phosphate more biologically available so it was not as prone to being locked up and unavailable, as is the case with conventionally applied phosphate.

His patented Biophos process combines fish by product with a composting process to increase the biologically available phosphate for plants. The phosphate in dicalcic and BioPhos fertilisers have lower water solubility than the phosphate in conventional super

phosphate, meaning they are less inclined to be washed into waterways after rainfall events.

“I think if we look historically at New Zealand farming each generation wants to leave the farm in a better condition than they found it. Our farming sector has been able to achieve the production it has on the back of traditional super-phosphate but more farmers are now taking account of the environmental impacts.

“They have to and they want to, so an ever growing number are seeking alternatives, and recognise those high phosphate applications of the past are no longer as appropriate, or even suitable in some areas of the country.”

Bayleys Canterbury rural agent Ben Turner says more potential buyers are spending time doing due diligence on a farm’s nutrient footprint, and taking the time to understand what the implications are under the region’s land and water management strategy.

“We are talking about a plan that now has an effect on farm businesses within only the next few years.

More potential buyers are spending time doing due diligence on a farm’s nutrient footprint, and taking the time to understand the implications that could affect farm business within the next few years.

“There are farmers out there who have front footed this, and are showing the way in terms of being able to maintain profitability but do things differently. Many are looking harder at fertilisers like RPR and liming more to maintain profitability without compromising nutrient losses.”

Rural Insight

5

OPPORTUNITIES

LIE IN NEW food Sectors

There is a food revolution spreading through provincial New Zealand as businesses founded on a supply of high quality protein and produce start to find their niche in the global food industry.

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hese innovative operators have often started from within their farm gate, turning a past time into a business, and with it proving there is more to the country’s food sector than simply milk and meat.

These innovative operators have often started from within their farm gate, turning a past time into a business.

This year’s Outstanding NZ Food Producer awards was a testimony to the many businesses that have made the step into a tough commercial food world, while retaining the values and quality that sparked their creator’s interest.

The record entries included 186 food products from 100 producers, many from across provincial New Zealand.

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Rural Insight

A recent report by research company Coriolis also endeavoured to look for the country’s “next wine industry”- a product that can become a significant export industry from almost nothing.

The report identified 20 product categories with the potential to deliver significant growth, and they bring some opportunities for rural and provincial entrepreneurs who may be seeking that next wine industry opportunity.

Fresh cheeses including mozzarella, chocolate, blueberries and avocadoes were all identified as good opportunities for future development.

The best opportunities included honey, pet food, salmon, cherries, muesli bars, chocolate and flavoured beverages. Collectively these markets are estimated to be worth at least $250 million a year.

Marton based food business The Whole Mix is an award winning business highlighting the potential of rural based food businesses to punch well above their weight.

The company claimed the FMCG Outstanding New Product Award for their range of vegetable noodles at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards.

marks a big move from the company’s fresh mozzarella they have been manufacturing from their 150 head herd of Italian buffalos.

Buffalo company owners Helen and Richard Dorresteyn highlight the commitment and innovation that accompanies many small rural businesses that have an eye on the potential of local and global markets craving the fresh, genuine food products.

Employing 30 staff The Whole Mix sources the vegetables for its noodle and salad range locally where possible, creating innovative, value added products with a focus on freshness and convenience.

Local Bayleys rural real estate agent Andrew Bonnor based in Feilding said businesses like Whole Mix highlighted a shift in investment that was happening through the horticultural industry.

“Down this part of the lower Rangitikei-Marton district we are seeing greater interest in vegetable and general horticultural production off land that has traditionally been devoted predominately to pastoral farming activities. On the broader lowland sand plains areas where there has been irrigation installed and running for a few years, this country offers some very good opportunities for alternative land uses,” he says.

The Clevedon Buffalo Company south of Auckland also captured judge’s palates and imaginations at the same awards to claim supreme champions with their marinated buffalo cheese. The product

Fresh cheeses, chocolate, blueberries and avocadoes were all identified as good opportunities for future development.

Their marinated mozzarella cheese adds a valuable longer life product to the company’s range which focuses on fresh made, fresh delivered mozzarella delivered as far as a pizza shop on Stewart Island.

While a novelty here in New Zealand, buffalo are common through Italy and Spain, and in recent years the Dorresteyns have sourced genetics from Italy using artificial breeding to lift the volume of their herd’s milk production.

The Dorresteyns had their start at what is often the cradle market for smaller scale farm based artisan producers, the local farmers market.

Helen said she was also particularly proud to see the Clevedon Farmers Market also claim the award for NZ’s most outstanding farmers market at the same ceremony this year. She helped instigated and run the market for many years after establishing it in 2005.

“It has really been the birth place of a number of food businesses that have grown from there.”

Pastoral producers picked up the top two places at this year’s awards, with the Ara Wines Paddock Champion award going to Wairarapa based Homegrown Farm Fresh Meats for their door delivered gourmet whole lamb box.

It was described by one of the judges as the “best lamb ever eaten”, standing apart for its colour and depth of flavour. The farms supplying the lamb run charollais-romney-texel cross sheep, sold in whole and half lamb boxes online.

“The opportunities for land use options and supplying fresh or processed products both locally and for export has never been greater,” says Andrew.

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Ride High NEW CROPPING SECTOR COULD

ON RETURNS

As New Zealand’s arable sector continues to refine its skills and expand the range of high value crops capable of being grown here, hemp is poised to tick another box in the sector’s crop portfolio.

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ypically “hemp” and “marijuana” fall into the same crop category for many people, but the differences between the two do much to explain why one can be grown openly, whilst the other is usually found skulking in a back paddock or the bush.

From a processing perspective hemp is a relatively flexible crop, capable of being grown for fibre, for seed or as a dual purpose crop and has proven to be well suited to being grown on a large scale commercial basis.

Hemp is a plant that contains extremely low levels of the drug compound THC typically found in marijuana, making it safe for human consumption, without the drug effects of recreational marijuana.

Globally the hemp seed market alone is estimated to have a value of about US$1 billion, and is experiencing double digit growth rates as more consumers learn about the highly nutritious nature of hemp oil, with elevated levels of the valuable Omega fatty acids. Hemp seed oil also contains gamma linolenic acid, a proven anti-inflammatory.

As a crop there are an estimated 25,000 products derived from industrial hemp, covering a wide range of categories including automotive, furniture, paper, food and personal care.

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There are an estimated 25,000 products derived from industrial hemp including automotive, furniture, paper, food and personal care.

Last year the Australia and New Zealand ministerial forum on food regulation approved a recommendation by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand to allow the sale of low THC hemp seed for food products for human consumption. Until now only hemp seed oil could be sold legally.

The government is also amending the Food Regulations and Misuse of Drugs (industrial hemp) regulations to enable this to happen, with consultation on hemp seed foods closing off in mid-June.

Prospects the changes will go through has the industry optimistic about the crop’s prospects here, and particularly in Canterbury.

Hemp for fibre and food grade oil has been able to be grown in New Zealand for the past 17 years.

But the prospect of being able to grow seed for human consumption opens up the opportunity for sourcing high value hemp seed meal for food use. At present the hemp seed meal is only allowed to be used for stock feed.

Thomas Chin, general manager for the New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association says hemp crops would suit most of the parts of New Zealand already capable of growing quality arable crops, including northern Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu and Canterbury.

“But the infrastructure for processing the crop is largely in Canterbury at this stage.”

He sees a legislative change offering tremendous opportunity to grow a crop capable of generating $4,500-$5,000 a hectare, similar to a quality wheat crop.

Midlands Seed Director Andrew Davidson is holding his breath in hope the legislation gets over the line in time for planting this spring, but appreciates timing could prove tight.

He is however optimistic about the crop’s future, even if it is delayed by a season.

“We are oversubscribed in terms of people wanting to grow it on contract for us. Over time as we get more crop in the ground we will have a better idea of where it grows well, and where it does not.”

He says hulled hemp seed is currently a hot food item among consumers seeking out high quality, high protein plant based products, and having the ability to sell hemp seed food products as well as hemp seed oil makes the crop significantly more economic from a processing perspective.

Hulled hemp seed is currently a hot food item among consumers seeking out high quality, high protein plant based products, making the crop significantly more economic from a processing perspective.

Midlands currently offers culinary hemp oil products under its “New Hemisphere” brand.

But Andrew cautions while consumer demand is strong, hemp can be a challenging crop to grow.

“It is sensitive to soil temperature, moisture levels and competition from weeds, and requires close attention at sowing to get a good start on the crop.

“Also drying of grain is required at harvest, and access to suitable facilities is paramount if food grade quality is to be achieved”.

Ben Turner, Bayleys Canterbury agent deals in a wide variety of farms capturing most land uses.

He welcomes the opportunities hemp crops bring to widening crop options even further in the region’s diverse cropping options.

“We are seeing an ever increasing number of irrigation schemes opening up throughout Canterbury, and with that the opportunity to support crops like this that may not have even been possible a few years ago.”

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HORTICULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

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Irrigation projects, growing export demand and higher income earners making healthier dietary choices are all contributing to a surge in New Zealand’s horticultural sector. The strong growth promises to see fruit and vegetables knock dairying from its perch as the country’s largest primary export sector.

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he industry has a declared goal of achieving $10 billion of earnings by 2020 and is well on track to make that goal.

While driven by some heavy hitters including kiwifruit, the sector is also increasingly turbocharged by growth in some lower profile but increasingly valuable produce lines including cherries, onions and pip fruit.

Prospects are for global demand to grow strongly due to the world’s population hitting 9 billion people by 2050. That demand will require an eye-watering 4 billion tonnes of fruit, vegetables and pulses a year, at a time when resources including water and land are under increasing pressure.

Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman says New Zealand horticultural products not only has an important economic story to tell, but also a good provenance story as those resources continue to come under pressure globally.

At this year’s Horticultural conference in July he said the industry’s strong environmental sustainability, alongside New Zealand’s high standards of food safety and quality standards positioned this country well to capitalise on that growth.

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Chapman says the industry is also acutely aware however of the need to protect what valuable horticultural soils remain as New Zealand faces the same pressures of urban population growth also responsible for driving the industry’s growth.

A report, Our Land 2018, released earlier this year highlighted the need to protect the country’s best soils.

Mike Chapman said the industry has been talking to government on the issue, particularly with respect to the Pukekohe district near Auckland. The district’s valuable soils have sustained market gardening for over 100 years, but are under greater risk than ever of being concreted over in houses.

“We believe the valuable growing soils, often termed elite soils, should be protected by central government policy. We can’t afford to keep losing these soils if we want to continue feeding New Zealanders their favourite fruits and vegetables.”

At the same time new fruit and vegetable varieties are opening up opportunities for regions that may not be suffering from as much urban creep, or necessarily have elite soils.

The industry is acutely aware of the need to protect what valuable horticultural soils remain as New Zealand faces pressures of urban population.

Zespri’s latest SunGold kiwifruit is proving capable of being grown well beyond the traditional sweet spot for the fruit around Te Puke, with strong interest from large green field developers and iwi to plant the crop on land well into the eastern Bay of Plenty region.

Bayleys Te Puke agent Snow Williams said the fruit’s ability to grow well on more challenging soils has opened up opportunities for investors, orchardists and communities well beyond Te Puke’s high value footprint.

“Areas like Edgecumbe and the eastern Bay of Plenty are starting to be recognised for their potential, and its great for iwi land owners in those areas too who have the land asset and want to earn more from it.”

To the south in Otago the region is enjoying a boom in stone fruit interest and investment, particularly for land suited to cherry growing.

In a sector traditionally known for its inter-generational ownership, interest from larger scale fruit growing companies has become stronger in recent months.

Major investments in the region have included a Hawke’s Bay company making significant investment in the Roxburgh district in a 200ha orchard, and the opening of a 1000t capacity packing facility at Bannockburn.

Bayleys Cromwell agent Gary Kirk said interest in the sector is widespread and the ability to grow the high value fruit in the region is increasing with the wider range of varieties capable of being planted beyond traditional growing zones.

He recently listed a 6ha mature cherry orchard and has received over 20 enquiries, while interest also remains strong in a 60ha block up for cherry conversion in the Tarras district, and another 200ha is to be planted in the Bendigo region.

He cautioned that investors in the cherry sector need to be aware it takes seven years to see a return, and highly profitable operators require a very good level of management skill to maximise their returns on a per hectare basis.

While driven by some heavy hitters including kiwifruit, the sector is also increasingly turbocharged by growth in some lower profile but increasingly valuable produce lines.

“There is also a considerable amount of homework being done by investors on the potential for the new varieties of apricots that have exceptional taste and shelf life compared to the earlier varieties.”

Mike Chapman said given New Zealand’s length and positioning the country offers some exciting opportunities for growers that belies New Zealand’s size, and the ability to supply northern hemisphere markets out of season is invaluable in markets demanding year round supply.

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N O M R I E V N E and NT WIN WITH IRRIGATION Despite the government winding up the Crown Irrigation Investment fund, prospects for irrigation remain upbeat in the eastern regions of both islands, with established schemes well subscribed and proposed schemes keen to continue.

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mong the positive news for schemes in the South Island has been the decision by Environment Canterbury appointed hearings commissioners to grant the Rangitata Diversion Race Management company (RDRML) consent to take additional water from the river when flow was above flood levels of 132cumecs.

The additional water take was ruled by the commissioners to have “minor or less than minor effects on salmon fishing, salmon passage water based recreation or the braided quality of the river.”

The news has been welcomed by land users throughout the region, and puts the storage scheme further down the pathway to becoming a reality.

The news has been welcomed by land users throughout the region, and puts the storage scheme further down the pathway to becoming a reality, with the 250ha Klondyke water storage site being the largest in Australasia.

The 53 million cubic metre facility offers a physical means to achieve regional water targets and outcomes by artificially recharging ground water, and boosting water way levels in the midCanterbury district.

The Klondyke scheme highlights the new approach being adopted by water scheme supporters. The schemes effectively serve as environmental buffers alongside their irrigation purpose, thanks to their ability to lift water tables and help reduce the amount of water being taken out of underground aquifers.

The massive Central Plains Water scheme, now in stage 2 is already proving the environmental benefits irrigation can deliver to districts’ water supplies, alongside viable irrigation schemes.

Established in a district over-allocated for water take, the scheme aimed to reduce pressure on groundwater supply. In 2015 prior to stage one kicking off, 21 m cubic meters was being used from underground sources. This dropped to 15m by 2017 when the scheme was well underway.

Andrew Curtis was until recently the chief executive of Irrigation NZ is now consulting to farmers on water management after a decade in the job.

“We are getting reports ground water levels are now at the highest levels recorded for some years. There is the equivalent of 20,000ha of water application no longer being taken from deep bores, and we are starting to see the benefits of that,” said Curtis.

Many view the cancelled Hunter Downs irrigation project as one that could have offered similar benefits to the environment, providing 10,000ha of irrigation while also helping restore the Wainono Lagoon by flushing volumes of clean water through it, improving wetlands and water tables. Unfortunately this scheme is now off the table after applications for water uptake fell below an economic amount. The company is hoping to secure a water consent by working with Meridian Energy in the future.

News that an appeal to Environment Canterbury’s Plan Change 5 has been resolved with a win to irrigators has been welcomed by the industry.

Described as “the rule that no-one wanted”, originally all irrigators in Canterbury were to be required to upgrade their older spray equipment by 2020, at an estimated cost of $300 million.

Irrigation NZ showed the hearing panel the rule would have wide ranging impacts, with significant costs to implement.

“We are very pleased the appeal has ruled out this rule no one requested,” said Andrew Curtis.

Further north backers of the proposed Wairarapa water scheme remain firmly on track. Scheme director Michael Bassett-Foss is confident the scheme’s ability to be ramped up in 8000ha lots makes it a more flexible design for seeking funding for over time.

Farmers on established schemes are starting to recognise the value they deliver in terms of reducing the farm business risk, and not only around having certainty of supply.

Bayleys Canterbury rural agent Ben Turner says farmers on established schemes are starting to recognise the value they deliver in terms of reducing the farm business risk, and not only around having certainty of supply.

“They also have the ability to diversify their operations which reduces reliance upon a single output. They also have peace of mind the schemes have their nutrient plans included.

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STEPPING

FOR ENVIRONMENT AWARDS

The role people play on farms in helping keep them sustainable and profitable has been recognised with Bayleys rural real estate throwing its support behind the country’s most prestigious, long standing environmental awards.

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ayleys national country manager Duncan Ross said the company’s decision to sponsor a People Award for the Ballance Farm Environment Awards was a natural step for the company, having already sponsored the same award at a regional level in Canterbury last year.

The winner was David Hislop, who with his wife Brenda own a 440ha dairy unit in North Canterbury. The couple were also recognised as the regional winners in the competition.

“The Hislops had a number of overseas workers on their farm, and David has become a leader in terms of how he looks after his staff, nurtures them and sees them develop on a personal and professional level,” said James Ryan, general manager of New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, the body overseeing the competition.

“We now have Horticulture New Zealand as a strategic partner, recognising that this sector is going to play an increased and significant role in our economy in coming years.”

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This has been reflected in the variety of entries received, and this year’s winners were organic kiwifruit orchardists Mark and Catriona White from Opotiki.

The couple matched strong organic values and practices to exceptional production and fruit quality from what they founded from dairy farm land.

“Traditionally the competition has been stronger in the sheep and beef sector, but the interest we get now reflects a wider diversity of growers and farmers keen to participate,” Ryan said.

He said the decision by Bayleys to support the national competition with an award focusing on people underscored a key ethos of the awards - to help identify and develop future leaders in the farming sector.

“Farmers tend to learn from what their neighbours are doing, so we are identifying some leaders that others will look to for ideas and to learn from.

Organic kiwifruit orchardists Mark and Catriona White

The interest in the competition now reflects a wide diversity of growers and farmers keen to participate.

“At the same time good farmers and potential leaders are often not accustomed to getting feedback and attention. The competition and advice from Trust judges helps them to take those first steps in a leadership journey.”

Past winners are increasingly appearing in industry leadership roles, for example Richard and Diane Kidd, supreme winners of the inaugural Auckland regional Farm Environment Awards and national winners in 2016.

As farms consolidate and get larger, staff inevitably come to play a vital part in helping maintain and build on the sustainable goals established by farm owners.

“Having staff on board is becoming more important than ever, you simply cannot run most modern farms on your own, so the ability to have a sustainable vision, and to communicate that vision to those staff, is critical,” Ryan said.

Increasingly, farm sustainability and environmental awareness is becoming a draw card for attracting young staff in a sector in need of attracting the next generation to the land.

Duncan Ross said sponsoring the People Award fits well with the competition’s sustainability emphasis.

“Ultimately sustainability is all about people.

“You can have all the policies and practices possible on a farm, but they will only work if you have the right people there to carry them out. Sponsoring this award helps identify those people particularly good at inspiring and leading on that pathway to sustainability.

“This is something we look to in our own business, identifying and developing the best leaders in the rural real estate sector and building on our leading service levels with an eye to the future”.

Increasingly, farm sustainability and environmental awareness is a draw card for attracting the next generation to the land.

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FARMERS

URGED TO CONSIDER

PARTIAL GREENFIELDS ORCHARD OPTIONS Growing confidence in the kiwifruit sector is providing new opportunities for pastoral farmers to tap into, giving them the opportunity to be part of the horticultural success story without necessarily having to sell their entire farm to do it.

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he latest Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Situation and Outlook report paints a highly positive picture for the primary sector overall, with horticulture standing out as an emerging force for 2019.

Horticultural exports are forecast to rise by 13%, topping $6 billion and the boost is largely coming from improved apple and kiwifruit values and yields for the season.

Last season’s kiwifruit production was 25% up on the poor yields of the year before. Coupled to the conversion to greater areas of high value SunGold kiwifruit, some orchardists are experiencing 90% higher orchard gate returns compared to Green varieties.

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For farmers in parts of the upper and central North Island the improvement in returns can offer a double barrelled opportunity to have a foot in both the horticultural and pastoral sector, spreading their risk, optimising their property’s return and even helping inject some additional capital value into it.

It’s keeping competition quite hot for good properties.

ANZ’s report on kiwifruit industry investment released late last year highlighted the broadening opportunities beyond traditional kiwifruit growing areas, including parts of Northland for the SunGold variety.

University of Waikato has estimated kiwifruit earnings in that region will more than double to $72 million by 2030, as will the number of people working in the sector.

The ability of SunGold to grow well outside of its traditional areas in Bay of Plenty is also opening up opportunities for larger iwi land holders in more remote Eastern Bay of Plenty districts.

Bayleys Te Puke rural real estate agent Snow Williams says he has a database bulging with buyers interested in kiwifruit orchards in the BoP, and his greatest challenge is finding orchard opportunities for each of those buyers.

“It is fair to say supply is quite tight – any growers who have orchards and are successful are not really in a mind to sell at this point, whilst many are also keen to expand, and then there are those seeking entry into the orchard market.

“It’s keeping competition quite hot for good properties.”

He maintains there is an opportunity for farmers in areas suitable for Green and SunGold kiwifruit to consider looking over the fence at their horticultural options, to consider the economics of putting some land into kiwifruit vines.

“I know you do see from time to time shelter belts on pastoral properties where someone has done it some years ago and maybe it has not gone so well - and pastoral farmers can have long memories about these things.”

But the kiwifruit industry has matured considerably from the “boom-bust” days of the 80s that very nearly ended it, and options do exist around subdivision, ownership and leasing that may be worth considering.

Snow has one client who has recently split 40 hectares off their pastoral property for kiwifruit.

But we are not seeing as many as you may think, and pastoral farmers do tend to stick to what they do, but it is not beyond the bounds to look at options.

“But we are not seeing as many as you may think, and pastoral farmers do tend to stick to what they do, but it is not beyond the bounds to look at options.”

Snow believes looking at some kiwifruit options could provide a useful life-stage choice for older farmers on smaller farms in suitable areas.

“You could be on a 60-70ha unit and approaching retirement, but possibly not wanting to leave the farm. You could put a reasonable portion of it into kiwifruit, even lease it out for the income, and keep some of the area for dry stock grazing. Frankly, as farmers age, I think we could expect to see more of this happen.”

The nature of kiwifruit management is such that it can integrate well into a pastoral farming calendar, with the busy picking season coming as pastoral focus tapers off into autumn, while winter pruning comes when things are quieter on farm.

“It is a case of you being able to do as much, or as little, as you may choose given the management options and skills that are out there.”

The ANZ kiwifruit investment report cautioned any greenfields development needed to be appropriately capitalised or have another source of income to support outgoing cashflows for the first few years.

“And having your well established pastoral operation there already doing that can help make a significant difference to the economics of considering your conversion options,” says Snow.

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Commercial-Rural PROPERTY INVESTMENT OPTIONS OPEN UP

There is a shift taking place in rural property investment that has more farmers putting their hard earned equity down the road in commercial property, often alongside their home farm investments.

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ayleys National Country manager Duncan Ross says farmers are starting to recognise the opportunities urban commercial property investments offer.

This was in part due to the ability of Bayleys to introduce them to a range of investment opportunities, backed by an appreciation of the challenges that go with having a significant portion of equity secured within lower earning farm businesses.

The company’s extensive network of skilled rural and commercial agents spanning the country made it possible to link interested farmer investors with opportunities well outside their home district.

“It could well be you are a sheep and beef farmer in Southland looking for an investment opportunity, and through our network we can find a property in Tauranga that meets your needs in terms of investment, return and future potential. The beauty of sound, well laid out lease agreements, and certainty of cashflow can allay the usual concerns that may arise when considering another farm investment.

“While Bayleys are facilitating many of these deals, farmers themselves are also coming to us. We are finding they are

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wanting to look beyond the most traditional urban investment option, the residential rental property, as the look for properties delivering good cash flow returns, without the challenges that traditional investment can bring.”

In recent years greater scrutiny by the Inland Revenue Department on the structure of residential property investments, and enforcement of tighter rental quality standards has made residential rental investments often more problematic, with returns challenged by the time and investment they involve.

The additional attention methamphetamine production and use has bought to rental properties has also added another layer of risk to a residential investment.

Meantime the continued strength of small to medium businesses in New Zealand has continued to keep commercial property returns buoyant, typically between 5.5-6%.

This compares very favourably to standard bank returns of about 3-3.5%, while lease agreements also come with an inflation proofed allowance for an incremental 3% a year increase.

exist that are not possible with the lumpier, singular, high value farm investment.

Importantly too says Ryan, there are tax efficiencies to be gained by using debt raised against the farm’s equity, and against the building as security.

Small to medium businesses in New Zealand continue to keep commercial property returns buoyant, typically between 5.5-6%.

The differential between returns is hard to ignore and Bayleys national commercial property director Ryan Johnson says commercial property is an increasingly appealing option for high equity, retiring farmers to consider.

The payment nature, as a regular monthly deposit also holds significant appeal to a farmer market more accustomed to lumpy “one off” revenue returns off farm businesses, and for this reason the commercial property entity can make a welcome addition to a farm ownership portfolio.

Purchase of a commercial property can also enable the considerable equity tied up in a farm to be unlocked without necessarily having to sell the farm itself. Making a variety of smaller commercial investments can ease the pathway to succession if there are a number of non-farming family members.

The considerable sums held as equity in a farm can mean a range and combination of commercial investment opportunities

The smaller value parcels of commercial property can be spread geographically, and could range from sole ownership of a small provincial light industrial site, to a syndicated share of a large scale, big city retail site.

Bayleys can assist in advising on syndication, a popular option that resulted in $120 million of funds being directed to such investments last year alone, giving investors the opportunity to “scale up” their property ownership goals.

Co-operation between the “town and country” agents at Bayleys means rural and commercial agents work closely together and offer a network of contacts across the country to put potential country investors in touch with urban opportunities.

“Bayleys have worked to build a professional network capable of opening doors to investment possibly not considered before. The opportunity to diversity your investment off the farm, with a lot of proven data and professional support can deliver some very positive earning and succession outcomes,” says Duncan.

The considerable sums held as equity in a farm can mean a range and combination of commercial investment opportunities exist.

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Arable prospects

PLOUGHING ahead Good seasonal prospects, stronger markets and an increased variety of crop options are putting the cropping sector on a good footing after a two tough years, with farmers optimistic returns will be buoyant for some time yet.

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he industry’s latest survey the Arable Industry Marketing Initiative has given farmers and investors an insight to their sector’s success, with the sector appearing to be significantly more positive than only two years ago.

The report indicates stock levels of unsold grain are relatively low through the sector, with unsold cereal grain crops down by 65% over the July-October period of the survey.

Federated Farmers arable sector vice chairman Brian Leadley said the fact stock levels were so low was a good indication growers were generally happy with where prices were at. This was further reinforced by the 2% increase in cropping area committed for this growing season.

This comes after last years’ plantings increasing 17%, driven mainly by feed barley and feed wheat sowings.

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The fact stock levels were so low was a good indication growers were generally happy with where prices were at.

“Generally we are looking at some sound pricing over the $400 a tonne mark for all grain types. This is really where we need to be to have a reasonable return on operations. There are some cost increases that have been coming through, including fuel which hit us twice, once in farm operations and again as freight costs.

The canning of the Hunter Downs irrigation project and the precarious state of the Hurunui project further north are unlikely to put a dampener on the sector’s plans to expand.

“It will mean there are some farms that won’t be able to grow more than they are, but I believe we still have plenty of capacity with the rest of Canterbury’s land area to grow more cereal crops.”

The vitality of the sector has also been buoyed by an increase in the crop options arable farmers have to choose from. Pressure on land in the Auckland region means more companies are choosing to grow potatoes in Canterbury, sometimes leasing land for plantings, while high value vegetable crops are one of the key export growth prospects for the horticultural sector.

The vitality of the sector has also been buoyed by an increase in the crop options arable farmers have to choose from.

“Cereal crops generally fit in well with the rotations with some farmers growing three or four different crops, others as many as 13.

“Having the ability to rotate cereals in and out means we are also able to reduce the risk of resistance developing in all our crop treatments, keeping those treatments more sustainable for longer.”

Bayleys mid and south Canterbury manager Jock Fulton has welcomed the positive news coming out of the arable sector in the past 12 months, boosted by the diversity that Canterbury enjoys in crop type and farmer ability.

“Urea has come up a bit in recent months, and we are also seeing farmers wearing higher environmental costs. The cost of doing a farm environment plan is up at about $10,000 a report, and that comes straight off the bottom line.”

These prices compare highly positively to only two years ago when growers were barely clearing $300 a tonne, leaving significant shortfalls in farm cash-flows and putting an industry already shrunken by dairy conversions in a precarious position.

“We have not had a lot of sales in the past six months, but if you go back over 12-15 months, prices have been pretty solid, sitting around $40,000 a hectare for quality irrigated cropping country in Canterbury,” he says.

Canterbury has also enjoyed a strong symbiotic relationship between dairy and cropping sectors, with dairying enjoying good grain, green feed and straw supplies, while cropping farmers can fill out of season income gaps with winter grazing and drystock options.

“Those who are still cropping and sheep farmers are now seeing rewards for their hard work with sheep, crop and beef prices much improved from past years.”

“We have realised standing still is a hard game to play, we risked losing critical mass and want to see an increase in the amount of domestically grown grain. It appears the milling industry is right behind us on this too.”

The industry has recently been encouraged by moves by Countdown supermarkets to use locally grown grain in all their pre-mixed loaves, rolls, buns and scones that are baked in house.

Leadley says the quality message behind New Zealand grains is spreading, not only among consumers but also among dairy farmers sourcing grain for feed.

“They are recognising there is a real biosecurity risk behind supporting imported grains, with weed incursions not only an arable sector problem, and they can buy local, quality grain knowing those issues just aren’t there.”

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Alive

KEEPING THE TRADITION

School pet days, calf clubs and AG’ days are part of the rural tradition for New Zealand children and still have a part to play in country life.

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ith city boundaries creeping closer to the rural areas of New Zealand and as the bells and whistles of urban life beckon, there’s a real challenge to keep rural traditions alive in country schools.

Calf clubs, agricultural clubs and annual pet days are more than just ways to bring communities together – they help to foster responsibility, compassion and stick-ability in youngsters and show them the importance of the life cycle.

In some parts of the country, these annual events have faded away but for many rural communities, they remain favourite fixtures on the school calendar – eagerly awaited by young and old.

Encouraging a caring community The Horowhenua Boys and Girls Agricultural Club, a non-profit organisation run by volunteers, was founded by local farmers in

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1930 during a national push to promote farming when dairying was seen as the key to New Zealand’s primary future.

Children were encouraged to raise a calf and it’s an initiative that lives on today in the Horowhenua region with parents, wider family and the general public throwing their support behind the Club’s activities.

The Club co-ordinates lamb, calf, goat and garden competitions for rural primary schools from Opiki and Tokomaru in the north, to Te Horo in the south. On regional Group Final Day in mid-November, around 100 children take part.

Club secretary Carol Christensen says its mission statement is “to promote the education of primary school children in the responsibility of caring for animals and plants”.

“There were six schools involved when the club started 88 years ago and at its peak, 15 schools participated with more than 240

The survival of the Club is testimony to the passion and commitment of successive generations of people passing on knowledge, and enthusiasm despite busy working lives.

calves,” says Christensen, whose family is one of a number that has had four generations involved with the club.

“We currently have nine schools taking part as some of the original contributing schools are now classified as urban and the demographics have changed.”

The Club provides funding by way of sponsorship for ribbons and cups as well as arranging and providing judges and stewards for the various school events.

Still going strong after more than 150 years Calf Club Day has been an annual fixture on the Drury School calendar for more than 150 years and traditionally takes place in September.

“The core principle remains – ensuring that as many children as possible can take part in any of the sections we cover, with either a calf, lamb, kid goat or garden,” explains Christensen.

It’s held on the same day as the school’s annual gala and it is classified as a school day with all students expected to attend.

“Kid goats first made an appearance in the 1980s, we have beef calves as well as dairy today and children can have a vegetable or a flower garden, whereas in the early days, only vegetables were allowed.”

This year the Club’s committee made the decision not to run a calf section at Group Final Day or at the school days due to the risk of Mycoplasma bovis (M.bovis).

“We did suggest that if any school was very passionate about having a calf competition, we could supply judges to judge on-farm only,” says Christensen

Amanda Needham, chairperson for Friends of Drury School (FODS), says the main challenge in running the event revolves around getting help on the day and securing sponsorship for cups and ribbons which are presented after judging.

“The combined Calf Day and gala is our biggest fundraising event for the year, helping raise much-needed funds for the school,” says Needham.

In light of M.bovis concerns, the Calf Day name is somewhat a misnomer this year as there will be no calves allowed.

“As a result, we have a lot more lamb entries – 50 to date – our highest number in recent history,” says Needham.

“There are two schools doing this and parents were made aware that calves must stay on their own property and not mix with other cattle from any other property.”

“Getting 50 lambs judged on the day in a timely manner will definitely be a challenge!”

The Club seeks to break down any perceived barriers between town and country and takes an inclusive approach.

Calf numbers have been dropping off over the past few years – the result of changing land uses and increased development in the Drury area.

“Children from town-based schools in the region are encouraged to be involved with the Club’s activities and they’re assigned a school for competition purposes,” says Christensen.

A shift in priorities, changing land uses in the region, and rising feed costs are countered by the passion and tradition which ultimately survives.

“Year after year, the wonderful children keep entering their pets and gardens,” says Christensen.

“Sometimes we train younger judges up then they leave the region, but the survival of the Club is testimony to the passion and commitment of successive generations of people passing on knowledge, and enthusiasm despite busy working lives.”

Christensen has been secretary/treasurer for 23 years and a judge when required; her mother Diana Timms has been judging lambs since 1964, has been on the committee since 1979 and is still an active calf and lamb judge plus life member, while Bayleys Taranaki general manager, Dean File, was a committee member and lamb judge for close to 20 years while living in the district.

“Our lamb entries have been gradually increasing and our students who live residentially are able to take part, too, as lambs make great pets.”

Goats and chickens are also permitted, along with pet dogs. Children are expected to be able to tell the judges how they care for them, too, so the education component is strong.

“Calf Day is an important part of life at Drury School and long may it continue,” says Needham.

The combined Calf Day and gala is our biggest fundraising event for the year, helping raise muchneeded funds for the school.

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23

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