Farmers Weekly NZ January 15 2018 by AgriHQ

12 How did she upset Emerson? Vol 17 No 2, January 15, 2018

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Sea threat arrives You could consider a series of stop banks but you are trying to stop the sea and that is very hard and will be very expensive.

Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com

LOODING at Kaiaua on January 5 is an illustration of the vulnerability of $20 billion of assets threatened by rising sea levels, experts say. The coastal area on the western Firth of Thames has been identified as one of the country’s high risk rural districts under a rising sea level scenario. Other areas include Kaipara, parts of eastern Bay of Plenty and Blenheim. A NIWA report last year highlighted the risk to the nation. In Waikato under rising sea levels the tiny Hauraki Plains service town of Ngatea alone amounted to $175 million of assets sitting below mean spring tide high water lines. In total almost $20 billion in assets nationwide are at risk. There might be many lessons to learn from the flood and from observing what overseas engineers had done when it came to dealing with seawater inundation, Waikato Regional Council soil scientist Matthew Taylor said. “In the Netherlands in some places they have abandoned some control systems because they were not economically viable. “We may instead have to look at what we can grow, another way of farming there, such as using salt water tolerant grasses.” Dealing with salt water damage to pasture might be a skill coastal farmers have to learn should

Stu Husband Waikato Regional Council

INLAND SEA: Salt water from the Firth of Thames covers farmland at Kaiaua.

more similar storms become commonplace under global warming and rising sea levels. Taylor compiled for Rural Support Trust some of his findings from a previous Hauraki Plains sea water flood in 1995 to help affected Kaiaua farmers cope. Typically, pasture covered by salt water for less than 48 hours with good rain after should bounce back. “It is likely the saltwater was diluted by rain during the storm which measured up to 70mm.” In 1995 there was also good

rain and pasture recovered within three months. Overseas experience shows between 48 and 96 hours most pasture dies but stems survive as does clover but after 96 hours all vegetation dies. Taylor’s work indicates farms with clay soils will experience less sea water infiltration, down to about 2cm, and fortunately many soils in the district are marine clays. He encouraged farmers to pump water off where possible and to engage with their farm advisers if concerned about the

need to re-grass. They should test sodium levels on flooded pastures. And farmers at Kaiaua and in other places will have to pay if they want improved flood protection. Waikato Regional Council’s Waihou councillor Stu Husband said getting government funding to protect coastal strips like Kaiaua was a challenge given the bulk of infrastructure like state highways and rail lines lay further afield. However, he was prepared to use a proposal for a tourist cycle way and Miranda’s world

renowned status as a bird sanctuary as leverage when discussing the funding issue with Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones soon. Previous attempts to provide flood protection at Kaiaua had been thwarted by local opposition to the cost being added to rates. Husband said opposition to a payment had typically come from home or small business owners, with farmers appreciating the value of being part of such a scheme. Federated Farmers HaurakiCoromandel president Kevin Robinson said it was concerning the flood had a high water mark of 2.8m, 40cm higher than the last record flood in 1996. “It may be that it requires targeted rates to sort it out but if that is what it takes, so be it.” Husband said the issue of rising sea levels and inundation would now also be an issue that would have to be addressed alongside conventional flood protection. “You could consider a series of stop banks but you are trying to stop the sea and that is very hard and will be very expensive.”

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NEWS

WEATHER OVERVIEW We mentioned last week that a spring-like pattern would affect parts of the country this week and that remains the case with a couple of cold fronts moving up the South Island bringing more rain to the west. Coupled with sub-tropical airflows it might produce some heavy wet weather in the North Island. Despite the heat inland the spring-like symbols in the very south of our 14 day Map indicate a mix of hot, warm and cooler days as these cold fronts pass by. Winds might be a bit blustery at times, especially in the east this week while there’s a 50:50 chance of more subtropical downpours and humidity affecting the north of the country in the next two weeks.

NZX PASTURE GROWTH INDEX – Next 15 days

Pasture Growth Index Above normal Near normal Below normal

7-DAY TRENDS

4 Meat sector great spot to be in Silver Fern Farms remains easily the biggest New Zealand beef processor and marketer though its share of the United States beef quota continues to slip from previous high levels. Downpour comes after damage already done �� 5

Rain Another low crosses NZ later this week with a burst of heavy rain across Tuesday and Wednesday in both islands coming from the west and north. The next cold front moves up the South Island on Saturday, weakening by Sunday in the north.

Uneasy reality of rural life �� 7 Anzco founder pulls up stakes �� 7

Newsmaker �� 8 New Thinking �� 9 Opinion ��10

REGULARS Real Estate ��14-25

Temperature Monday and Tuesday are fairly hot with highs around 30C inland for some but a cooler southerly arrives for the South Island on Wednesday, dropping highs to the mid teens. Another cooler souwester arrives on Saturday in the south, Sunday in the north.

Wind Winds build in eastern coastal areas of both islands to start with then as the low comes in later in the week expect gusty winds near the centre which looks likely to cross the North Island. A windier souwester arrives this weekend

Highlights/ Extremes Hottest on Monday and Tuesday. Highest risks for heavy rain Tuesday and Wednesday. A low with wind and rain crosses the North Island on Thursday. A cooler souwester spreads across the country this coming weekend with colder air behind it.

14-DAY OUTLOOK

For further information on the NZX PGI visit www.agrihq.co.nz/pgi The storm that tracked over New Zealand 10 days ago dumped plenty of moisture with pastures taking off’ for some in the north. It’s a pretty positive outlook for pasture growth for most of NZ with the North Island perhaps getting the best mix of warmth, moisture, humidity and hot sun at times. But it’s worth noting those in Southland and Otago still need more rain and, sadly, still see belowaverage growth and rain for this area.

SOIL MOISTURE ANOMALY 11-01-2018

Employment ��26 Classifieds ��26 Livestock ��26-27

32 Weather governs stock flow Weather conditions will be the major influence of livestock flows into processing plants over the next several weeks.

Source: WeatherWatch.co.nz

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 15, 2018

Farmers make tracing stock hard Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com ERADICATION of Mycoplasma bovis is still the Ministry for Primary Industries’ goal but farmers appear unconvinced it is achievable. Another case confirmed on an Ashburton farm last week took the total to 14 but some of the more than 800 farmers who attended packed meetings with MPI officials in Methven and Ashburton last Thursday think that while admirable, eradication is unlikely and they might have to learn to live with the disease. The ministry’s response incident controller David Yard announced plans to test three samples of milk from every dairy farm in the country from February, including milk entering the food chain as well as milk excluded from the vat in a bid to uncover any infection clusters. One sample will be taken as part of regular bulk milk collection and farmers will be required to provide two samples from discarded milk. Yard said that would equate to about 36,000 samples nationally. “Mycoplasma bovis is more easily identified in milk taken from otherwise sick animals, which makes testing of the discard milk a valuable surveillance tool,” Yard said. Mid Canterbury dairy farmer Will Grayling was one of nearly 500 who attended the Ashburton meeting and he said while officials were determined to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis the feeling at the meeting was that would be a challenge. But the experts must have concluded it was still achievable. “They are the ones in the know so you have got to take their word for it.” Grayling said those attending the Ashburton meeting were keen to listen but officials made farmers aware of the importance of recording stock movements,

IT’S NEW: Farmers are not shirking their responsibility but have never had the need to keep accurate records of stock movements before, Mid Canterbury dairy farmer Will Grayling says.

We are finding many are not NAITcompliant which is making it 10 times harder for us. David Yard MPI

something many had not done and which had made tracking the disease more difficult. “There was no shirking of responsibility but we have never had the need to have done this before but it has become apparent that we need to up our game.” Farmer Willy Leferink said many at the Methven meeting questioned whether eradication was possible given the difficulties identifying and dealing with the

Better

disease and with new outbreaks well away from the source. Leferink said MPI officials were told restrictions were disrupting normal business such as livestock trade and farm purchases. “There are wider implications than the disease itself and the eradication of it.” Leferink said there was also growing frustration among farmers that infected properties were not being identified, not to incriminate those farmers, but to offer support. Infected farms and those farming adjacent properties were being ostracised and abandoned without any help from the local community because their plight was not known, Leferink said. Farmers were also told sales of milk to calf rearers and calves drinking infected milk then being sold could spread the disease but fertiliser spreaders and contractors were a low risk. The latest outbreak near

Ashburton was different to the case MPI said it was investigating before Christmas with the infection discovered from bulk testing of milk samples and confirmed with blood and antibody tests. MPI could not yet confirm if it was linked to the van Leeuwen property in South Canterbury where Mycoplasma was first detected. MPI was tracing animal movements between the farm and other infected properties, which potentially could be an association to 30 other farms. The goal of eradicating Mycoplasma was based on a recommendation from an international panel of experts convened to provide advice on the New Zealand outbreak, which concluded eradication was feasible and the right course of action. “It is a huge benchmark to achieve but our aim at the present time.”

The 14 infected farms were nine in South Canterbury, three in Southland, one at Ashburton and one in Hawke’s Bay but the meetings were told more cases were being found because MPI was looking for them. Yard said tracing stock movement had been an uphill battle because of incomplete records being kept by farmers who were not complying with the National Animal Identification and Tracing programme (NAIT). “We are finding many are not NAIT-compliant which is making it 10 times harder for us.” He urged farmers to practice onfarm biosecurity to reduce the risk of the infection spreading, such using fencing to stop from cattle being in contact with other herds over a boundary fence. Yard estimated 65,000 blood, milk and swab tests had been done so far to track the outbreak and a team of up to 200 people were working on it.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 15, 2018

Fonterra’s rules upset dying farmer Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com TERMINALLY ill Northland farmer Ian Lupton has accused Fonterra of non-compassionate and inflexible enforcement of the share standard, resulting in his debt to the dairy co-operative exceeding $50,000. Lupton, a dairy farmer and sole New Zealand breeder of the Fleckvieh European dairy-beef cattle breed, has told the media of his circumstances and waived his right to privacy. The Fonterra share compliance department responded and the Northland regional and area managers have visited him. They said Lupton’s options were to cease supply immediately on compassionate grounds or share up via Enforced Compliance Trading (ECT). Because of what he said were payouts below the cost of production over two years, Lupton last season opted to feed more calves with milk and advise Fonterra with a Material Change Application that he would supply just 10,000kg milksolids compared with 45000kg and 49,000kg in the previous two seasons. He said the dual-purpose nature of the Fleckviehs enabled him to swing between milk and beef production and feed

We have a responsibility to all other shareholders to enforce the share standard. Christine Burr Fonterra

DUAL-PURPOSE: Fleckvieh cattle are a sub-breed of Simmental, offering good milk production and calf rearing for beef.

more milk to male calves. But he sent in nearly 33,000kg. This season Fonterra applied a modified three-year supply average calculation, giving Lupton some latitude. It notified Lupton he needed 25,299 shares this season and therefore had to buy 8177 shares before the ECT deadline of January 12. Lupton refused to share up and pay the $50,000-plus expense, saying his circumstances had changed and his priority now was

to pay his mortgage and keep farm expenses to a minimum. The Lupton family had employed a dairy worker to operate the Dargaville farm in Ian’s illness. In addition, he was in hospital for treatment for leukaemia throughout December and not able to raise money for a share purchase. Fonterra said it could not make exceptions to the share standard for suppliers with unusual circumstances, such

Meat sector great spot to be in previous high levels. But it retains a more stable share of the beef quota than it does for the European Union SILVER Fern Farms remains easily sheep meat quota, where there the biggest New Zealand beef has been a significant decline, processor and marketer though though not enough to threaten its share of the United States the group’s status as the country’s beef quota continues to slip from biggest meat company. Silver Fern has a 2018 calendar year beef quota of 63,653 tonnes, a 29.83% share, compared to 64,423t and 30.19% last year. Chairman Rob Hewett said the BIRTH HDX REPLACEMENT figures partly LEADERTRONIC LEADER HDX reflect the pressure TAG PRO-TAGGER LEADERTRONIC the group has 2018 LOWEST COST – BEST VISIBILITY been in over recent years but it would be naive to say it presented a EX GST full picture of its activities. Support this NZDFA initiative Silver Fern had MEMBERS ONLY SPECIAL PRICE put a lot of focus on its Reserve LARGE ORDERS CONTACT LEADER! quality beef cuts and other addedADD FARM MANAGEMENT value work into TAGS AND SAVE EVEN MORE ’s other markets, whereas the ORDER ON THE NZDFA WEBSITE AFTER LOGIN US market was More info at predominantly for grinding beef for the hamburger or freephone Leader market. “The biggest market for our Reserve high-

Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com

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paying cuts is China and that’s all in the last four years. “The US is very important and even some beef from prime goes into the grinder market but we can create more value by putting different products into the wider marketplace.” With the big capital boost from the investment by Shanghai Maling Silver Fern was in a position to be more competitive in securing livestock for processing “but we won’t be blowing our brains out on procurement. We’ll be creating more value and sharing that with suppliers who provide us with the right product. “It won’t be supply at any cost,” Hewett said. Silver Fern was happy with its processing portfolio and had set a company record sheep meat tally for December even though two of its sheep meat plants, Fairton and Frasertown, had been closed since the previous season. In the 2018 US beef quota, Affco Holdings displaced Anzco Foods as the number two exporter, though the gap remains narrow. As with the EU sheep meat quota, among the major players, Affco has been the big mover in the beef quota since 2013. It has had an overall 12% lift in beef tonnage since then while Silver Fern, Anzco and Alliance have all dipped. Alliance, the biggest lamb exporter, slipped to fifth for beef exports a couple of years ago, overtaken by Waikato-based

as illness or financial stress. To do so would transgress the constitution and the rules that every shareholder in the cooperative signed up to. It might be possible to agree to an early cessation of supply on compassionate grounds but Lupton said that was no option for the family financially. In communications with Fonterra, Lupton quoted the co-operative values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.

“We have a responsibility to all other shareholders to enforce the share standard so that all shareholders are treated equally,” general manager of share compliance Christine Burr said. ECT consisted of Craigs’ brokers buying shares in the NZX-run market on behalf of the farmer, then adding an administration fee of 0.65% and a fixed fee of $150. The cost was to be reimbursed from the January (paid February) milk statement and any subsequent statements as necessary, while incurring 12.8% interest on the debt balance. Burr said all shareholders were advised of their shareholding requirement in early June and had until December 1 to meet that standard. Those who didn’t were given a “final opportunity to comply” letter.

Beefing it up United States beef quota 2018 (tonnes) 2018

2017

2016

2013

Affco

41,177

40,550

39,970

36,709

Alliance

28437

18,326

18,440

18,596

343

160

Binxi Foods Blue Sky CMP CMP/5star

628

437

343

20,753

20,863

17,243

15,584

3535

4562

Crusader

215

152

Farmers Meat

299

313

320

303

Greenlea

19,442

19,106

18,964

16,339

Lean Meats

177

573

795

1023

Prime Range

899

865

941

756

Riverlands

20,156

20,394

20,597

21,751

Silver Fern

63,653

63,776

63,612

64,765

Taylor Preston

3742

4191

4633

5860

UBP

10,536

10,662

10,856

10,560

Wilson Hellaby

12,915

13,447

14,906

16,243

Total quota is 213,397 tonnes. Individual tallies are rounded, so table may not exactly match that figure. CMP/5star was merged into CMP. CMP and Riverlands are both wholly-owned by ANZCO Foods.

Greenlea Premier Meats, which now has a share 1000 tonnes greater than the southern cooperative. Greenlea’s share has gone to 9.11% from 8.95% year-on-year and Alliance has edged up to 8.64% from 8.59%. Greenlea is up 19% since 2013. Affco has a 41,177t allocation this year, up from 40,553t, and its share has moved to 19.3% from 19%. For Anzco the move is to 40,909t across its two trading entities, CMP and Riverlands, compared to 41,257t last year, a share of 19.18%

from 19.34%. The sixth biggest exporter of the 16 entities with allocations is Wilson Hellaby. Its allocation rose slightly year-on-year but is down 20% since 2013. Hewett described the meat processing environment sector as a great spot for everyone in the current market, over all the species. “Farmers are getting good prices compared to historic levels and processors are making reasonable margins.” Low inventory levels were positive for the pricing outlook.

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 15, 2018

Downpour comes after damage already done RAIN started falling just as the West Coast was added to a drought-support package for community help but the damage was already done, Federated Farmers provincial president Peter Langford said. The wash of seawater that surged through Kaiaua on January 5 had all but disappeared by early last week. A lot of West Coast dairy cows have been culled and many farmers are down to once-a-day milking as feed stocks disappear. “The big question is how will they get through the winter?’’ he said. After a wet last winter that caused poor pasture growth, the West Coast had a very dry start to summer, causing pasture to turn from swamp to concrete-like conditions, Agriculture and Rural Communities Minister Damien O’Connor said. The drought assistance classification gives the West Coast Rural Support Trust and other recovery organisations a funding boost of up to $50,000 to help organise community events and arrange facilitators to work one-on-one with farmers. Income assistance options and tax flexibility can be added where appropriate, O’Connor said. The Upper Grey Valley and Reefton areas were worst affected by drought but the whole West Coast/Buller region from Fox Glacier and Whataroa to Karamea were affected, Langford said. Earlier rain was undone by subsequent scorching temperatures the soils and ryegrass pastures couldn’t handle. However, more rain than expected had fallen in the last few days and more was forecast. If it all comes it would take about three weeks to produce a start to reasonable pasture growth. “We’re in a rainforest region and farmers learn to farm in wet conditions but we don’t learn to farm in hot, dry conditions,” Langford said. West Coast joins lower North Island areas on the Government’s medium-scale adverse event list. Taranaki, western Manawatu-Wanganui and parts of Wellington have been very dry. Those areas had some rain since the classification was put in place just before Christmas but a lot more is needed. Like the South Island’s West Coast they had a sudden change from a very wet winter and spring to a very dry summer. River levels in Otago and Southland are falling with many near or at minimum levels below which water takes have to be reduced or suspended. Otago Regional Council environmental services manager Martin King said river takes for the Kakanui and Waianakarua rivers in North Otago were being rostered while in Central Otago the Lindis and Cardrona rivers were dry in some sections. The Taieri River and rivers in south Otago were at low or close to minimum levels. Land and Water Aotearoa said most Otago rain monitoring sites had between 50% and 90% of the medium rainfall for the month, which follows less rain than usual for December. Environment Southland said 2017 was the driest year since 1971, with areas averaging just 79% of normal rain. October was the driest on record for that month with the region averaging 40% of normal rain. That compounded a dry summer with 10 of the 15 aquifers monitored the lowest on record and river flows, especially on the coast, declining quickly. The storm at Kaiaua on January 5 was perfect because a low pressure weather system matched exceptionally high tides and strong northeasterly winds funnelling down the Firth of Thames, Waikato Rural Support Trust member John Bubb said. “It was also perfect in the sense that it brought

Have your say on this issue: farmersweekly.co.nz

some much-needed rain, which I was also welcoming on our farm until we got the news about the flooding in Kaiaua.” Water as much as a metre deep had washed over farmland, affecting 40 rural properties, of which about half were operating farms. In general, farmers handled the inundation well despite the high tide’s speed. “There have been no stock losses that I know of but quite a bit of rubbish around the place and some minor structural damage but farmers also have been pretty positive.”

DRAMATIC: West Coast land changed from swamp to concrete, Agriculture Ministrer Damien O’Connor says.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 15, 2018

Uneasy reality of rural life Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com THE response that resonated most from the hundreds Matt Shirtcliffe received to an open letter in support of farmers also revealed the uneasy reality of life in rural New Zealand. In response to a spate of farmer suicides before Christmas the Auckland advertising executive wrote on open letter on social media to farmers thanking them for “milk for our lattes, the cream for our strawberries, the steak for our summer barbecues”. He wanted to tell farmers people cared for them and their lives were precious. Shirtcliffe said farmers had been subjected to plenty of criticism in recent years that ignored the care they have for the land and the work they do. His letter circulated like

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wildfire around NZ, Australia, the United States, Britain and the Channel Islands but it was a response from a NZ farmer that hit a nerve. The farmer said her husband worked seven days a week without complaining despite being beaten up by a steady stream of criticism and as a volunteer fireman he was the first responder to attend a suspected suicide. “I thought that was really telling commentary on the realities of living in a rural community,” Shirtcliffe said. “On the one hand they are getting beaten up and on the other hand farmers are the ones who pick up the pieces after a rural suicide.” The unscripted solidarity from the born and bred Aucklander has personal meaning and reflected empathy with farmers. Shirtcliffe’s wife Mary, who farmed in Hawke’s Bay and worked in rural banking before moving to Auckland, also took her life, prompting him to become involved in mental health issues including speaking at workshops aimed at helping rural people. After reading about the spate of six farmers reportedly

Shirtcliffe’s letter STOP IT: People have justified concerns about the environment but personal attacks on farmers are not the way to deal with them, Aucklander Matt Shirtcliffe says.

committing suicide Shirtcliffe heard an interview with a researcher who said many farmers suffered extra stress from being blamed for environmental degradation. “A factor is how beaten up they feel. “No one wants to go to work every day and continuously be told they are doing a bad job,” he said. Much of the criticism was personalised by being referenced to farmers. He believed the conversation about environmental issues should switch to farming so it was more generic. His message also resonated with many urban people who lent their support but Shirtcliffe said it was easy to sit in a city and “want to have your milk and drink it too”. “We have very high expectations but we are not

wanting to stop and grapple with the issue of sustainable food production. “There are justified concerns but the conversation we have to have is not helped by attacking farmers personally.” Any discussion on sustainable food production should avoid animosity and misunderstanding and focus on what it took to produce food and how to do so sustainably. Shirtcliffe chose to honour the legacy of his wife by speaking out about mental health issues and by trying to do good, something he said was not always easy to do. He sought support from his two children before talking to groups on mental health and he said they took the view that if he helped someone then it was worth doing. “It’s a way to respond honestly and positively,” he said.

DEAR Farmers, I’m sitting here in my city office sipping my first of several lattes and thinking of you. This should be a time of peace and joy throughout the land. But for many on the land right now this is a time of deep pain and sorrow. Six of your own have died ... over the last month alone. And they were all young, with a life full of promise. Although I’m just another lattesipping Aucklander, actually I give a damn. One life lost is one too many. Six is an epidemic that’s hard to comprehend. It’s not just those precious lives that have ended. It’s the impact on the families, farm workers and rural communities left behind to try and deal with what’s happened and pick up the pieces as best they can. Of course, we never stop and thank you for the milk for our lattes, the cream for our strawberries, the steak for our summer barbecues. We never choose to see or believe the care you have for your land or the work that goes into providing exactly what we need. So I want to say thank you to the farmers like you who do a bloody hard job, bloody well. No matter how tough it gets out there, please remember that even if you start to feel worthless, your life is a very precious thing. It’s worth a tonne more than your farm will ever be.

Anzco founder pulls up stakes Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com ANZCO Foods founder Sir Graeme Harrison has soldout his remaining stake in the meat processor and exporter to Japanese partner company, Itoham Foods. He will retire from the Anzco chairman’s role at the annual meeting in March. Itoham now owns 100% of the company, increasing its stake from 65%. In the deal completed in late December, it bought the 16.76% stake owned by another Japanese group, Nissui, as well as the 18.24% held mainly by Harrison but also by Anzco management. The latest move was the final step in the process started in 2011, when he signalled his intention to step aside over the next few years. Long-term shareholder Itoham began taking a more active involvement, including attending board meetings, and eventually moved to a majority stake in 2015. Harrison said then that he hoped to be out by the time he was 70, and that’s the result he’ll have. He founded Anzco in 1984 as a sheep meat marketer into Asia. Processing came much later, and beef now makes up about twothirds of the business.

Anzco believes it was New Zealand’s fifth biggest exporter and second biggest meat company in 2016, with annual turnover of $1.45 billion. It employs more than 3000 people, mainly in regional NZ, has eight offices overseas and exports to about 80 countries. Itoham Foods is part of the Itoham Yonekyu Holdings group, one of the biggest meat processing and marketing groups in Japan. Its controlling shareholder is Mitsubishi, one of the biggest world corporates.

All the building blocks are in place for Anzco. Sir Graeme Harrison Anzco Foods Succeeding in world markets was all about access to the “global value chain”, Harrison said. Anzco was benefiting from Itoham and Mitsubishi’s connections, and Itoham – whose main meat business is the domestic Japan Wagyu beef market – was benefiting from Anzco’s distribution expertise across many important markets outside Japan, notably

Europe and Taiwan. “We’ve got formidable access and strong distribution into market,” Harrison said. Itoham had indicated that it wouldn’t be making significant changes to the Anzco business operations in the foreseeable future. Harrison said it was a strength of the business that Anzco has had only three chief executives over its 34 years – with lengthy terms by himself and Mark Clarkson, and Peter Conley for the past year – and to be able to make internal appointments to the role. Outside of its core cattle feedlot, meat processing and exporting operations, the company was an early mover into value-add with its stewardship of FoodPlus, a programme jointly funded by Anzco and the Primary Growth Partnership. Solid progress had been achieved in what was a “long-slog” process, Harrison said. “All the building blocks are in place for Anzco.” Harrison grew up in Methven, and returned there from Wellington a few years ago after buying a large farm as a family venture to run beef cattle and sheep. “I’ll be doing more time on the farm,” he said. “That’s what this is about.

MOVING ON: Sir Graeme Harrison will return to farming in Methven when he retires as Anzco chairman in March.

Some of the guys I went to school with are retiring from farming, but I’m going back to it.” He has also retired as a Nissui appointment on the board of fishing group Sealord. Nissui is a 50% shareholder in Sealord, in a joint venture with Maori. Harrison was a regular attendee at Sealord board meetings, but Nissui hadn’t been at an Anzco board meeting since the mid-1990s, following its 1989 investment. That record highlighted the “complete trust” between the groups, Harrison said. He was critical, however, of the time taken by the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) to approve Itoham’s move to 100%

ownership, especially since it had already approved the move to 65% from 48.3% in 2015. “It took seven months this time, and it took 10 weeks in 2015.” That delay was a blight on NZ’s regulatory arrangements, Harrison said. There was no regard to the previous history, and each application had to start again. “Politicians have left it in a mess in how it operates. Slow justice is no justice.” The OIO should be restructured so that it was able to make decisions clearly and quickly, yea or nay, Harrison said. “If it’s nay, then you just work with it.”

Newsmaker

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 15, 2018

Headwaters sheep flex muscles Farmer Tim Burdon comes from a traditional Merino family so his change to Headwaters sheep doesn’t mean he’s fallen in love with crossbreds. But he does like the result of making changes in response to his growing reliance on the meat cheque rather than the wool income. Neal Wallace reports.

sheep breed, Headwaters. Omega Lamb Primary Growth Partnership project leader Mike Tate said Headwaters was established at a time when dairy cows were replacing sheep on prime country and pushing them into the hills. That created a need for a breed of sheep with high fertility, resilience and lamb growth rates that could survive in high country. Headwaters was established in 2006 by Andy Ramsden, who was assisted by Errol Holgate, geneticist Aimee Charteris and a number of farmers. For Mt Burke that meant running crossbred ewes on traditional Merino country – steep unimproved hills 1500m above sea level. “They enjoy the summer after shearing like the Merinos used to. “Merinos can have a habit Friday 19/01/2018 & Saturday 20/01/2018 of sulking and Wairoa A&P Show congregating Venue: Ruataniwha Road, Wairoa Time: Friday 8.00am-8.00pm, Saturday 8.00am-4.00pm in sheep camps Door Sales only whereas the Wednesday 31/01/2018, Thursday 01/02/2018, Friday Headwaters ewes 02/02/2018 spread out and New Zealand Dairy Event forage over every Venue: Manfield, South Street, Feilding Time: 8.00am-7.00pm each day – Free admission inch of Mt Burke. “So long as they Friday 09/02/2019 go out in good BNZ Northland Dairy Development Trust Annual Conference Venue: Main Lounge, Level 2, Toll Stadium, Whangarei order they sustain Time: 10am – 2pm including lunch with Fonterra chairman their bodyweight John Wilson and BNZ Economist Doug Steele as keynote speakers. right through the Details about the event will be send out via rural delivery and summer,” he said. also on the Trust’s website: www.nddt.nz “It’s a huge AWDT Understanding Your Farming Business relief for us to 3 full-day workshops and an evening graduation ceremony run be able to get over four months 8000 ewes off the Te Anau: 08/02/2018, 08/03/2018, 05/04/2018 and 03/05/2018 lower parts of Cheviot: 14/02/2018, 14/03/2018, 11/04/2018 and the farm and up 09/05/2018 Kaitaia: 14/02/2018, 14/03/2018/11/04/2018 and 09/05/2018 into the hills and Greymouth: 21/02/2018, 21/03/2018, 18/04/2018 and only have to look 16/05/2018 after the 11,000 Fox Glacier: 22/02/2018, 22/03/2018, 19/04/2018 and 17/05/2018 lambs during the Contact: anna@awdt.org.nz or 06 377 4560 summer time.” Website: To register for the programme go to http://www.awdt. Burdon said org.nz/programmes/understanding-your-farming-business/ it wasn’t about AWDT Wahine Maia, Wahine Whenu falling in love 3 full-day workshops and an evening graduation ceremony run over four months with crossbred Kaikohe: 15/02/2018, 15/03/2018, 12/04/2018 and sheep but 10/05/2018 making changes Masterton: 27/02/2018, 27/03/2018, 24/04/2018 and 22/05/2018 in response to a Contact: anna@awdt.org.nz or 06 377 4560 growing reliance Website: To register for the programme go to http://www.awdt. on the lamb org.nz/programmes/uyfb-wahine-maia-wahine-whenua/ cheque. Saturday 03/02/2018 He has had a Paparoa A & P show Venue: Paparoa showgrounds. Time: All day significant boost Trace sites and entries look online: www.paparoashow.org.nz in production. Headwaters ewes scanned Should your important event be listed here? up to 145% and Phone 0800 85 25 80 or email adcopy@nzx.com the benefit was

IM Burdon was an early pin-up for Icebreaker’s Merino wool active wear range in 1997 but a growing reliance on his lamb cheque has since left the Wanaka high country station owner looking for a productivity boost. Mt Burke, a traditional Central Otago Merino property, has been owned by the Burdon family on the mountains overlooking Lake Wanaka for almost 90 years with a focus on producing fine wool. In 2010 they moved to a crossbred ewe flock to increase sheep meat production by introducing a newly developed

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GOOD FIT: Tim Burdon, and wife Lizzie, find Headwaters sheep ideal for use on Mt Burke’s hill country. compounded by better growth rates and lamb performance. Headwaters spokesman Andy Allison said the foundation of the Headwaters breed was about 250,000 ewes owned by 50 shareholders who selected the Headwaters’ foundation breeds: Texel, Romney, Perendale and Finn. Tate said while developing Headwaters they made a significant discovery. “We found family lines that were high in intramuscular fat and substantially higher in polyunsaturated fat and Omega 3.” Those traits, producing what was regarded as good fat, also enhanced meat taste and succulence, were highly heritable and provided attributes which could be exploited in the market. “We thought we were producing the Headwaters product but in the end we are producing a high endrestaurant product.” That led to the $25 million High Health Alliance Primary Growth Partnership between the Alliance Group, Headwaters and the Government, researching the link between long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fats and low pH. The seven-year project had a goal of maximising the healthgiving and taste qualities of lamb and improving market returns. Allison said they found intramuscular fat levels of Headwaters lambs averaged above 3% compared to other breeds

at 1%. The research also found Omega-3 levels were typically three times those of average lambs. Alliance had branded lamb with the attributes. The Te Mana Lamb was released in Hong Kong in May and targeted at Michelin star restaurant chefs throughout Asia.

Headwaters ewes spread out and forage over every inch of Mt Burke. Tim Burdon Mt Burke In October Te Mana Lamb won the Innovation in Food and Beverage category at the NZ Innovation Awards Allison said two years ago 15,000 Te Mana lambs were bred but numbers had multiplied in subsequent years to an expected 120,000 next year and 240,000 in 2020. The PGP calculated premiums of 30% to 50% in prices for Omega lamb but Tate said actual returns exceeded that. He declined to give details but added it was achieved on the back of hard work for farmers. “Yes, we’re getting premiums but a lot of hard work goes in to getting it.”

The supply chain was very precise. All Omega lambs had electronic identification tags, were extensively monitored and recorded and had to meet strict weight ranges before being sent to processing. Lambs spent up to a month before slaughter on chicory crops especially grown by 12 finishers, taking pressure off their home summer dry farms but also boosting levels of Omega 3 and intramuscular polyunsaturated fats. While the health attributes had been an added bonus, for Burdon the primary concern had been the adaptability of Headwaters sheep to the high country. Autumn was typically a challenging time on Mt Burke with little or no growth but Burdon said having the ewes on a rising plain in condition leading into mating meant improved scanning results. Mt Burke was a Te Mana lamb source farm so crossed its Headwaters ewes with Headwaters Omega Rams. In a favourable growing year up to 90% of Mt Burke’s lambs were sold prime but in a dry year that could fall to about 50%. “It’s a different approach, with the customer out in front. “It’s a long-term commitment and the market is already making the right noises. If it achieves its potential it’s a game changer,” Burdon said. Farmers involved in the project were shareholders in Headwaters.

New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 15, 2018

Burning waste grows food plants Taking carbon from trees and growing more food with it could revolutionise the greenhouse industry globally and help make a significant dent in this country’s carbon emissions. Dr Vlatko Materic, founder of Hot Lime Labs explained to Richard Rennie how his carbon dioxide extraction method will help future food production.

MAGIC BULLETS: Dr Vlatko Materic with some of the Hot Lime material his process uses to store carbon dioxide for growing food plants in greenhouses

combustion gases of organic waste was not new. “But the elegance of our solution lies in its relative simplicity. “Other approaches have been done but they either require very large systems or a series of five or six machines to achieve the same result.” And with the lime rock capable of extracting 70% of its own weight as carbon dioxide it is a highly efficient and compact process compared to others.

Our grand vision is to decarbonise the food and flower producing greenhouse industry and move to a fully sustainable, renewable energy base. Dr Vlatko Materic Hot Lime Labs “The current incumbent carbon dioxide capture process uses derivatives of ammonia, known as amines, which are mixed with water and used to wash the gas but their carbon dioxide capture capacity is not high – a Hot Lime unit of the same capacity would be 10 to 15 times smaller in size than an amine plant.” As the country started to grapple with the tough issue of emissions reduction there was a level of irony about a process that burnt organic waste as a feedstock. But the process was particularly

well suited to burning forest harvest waste, something New Zealand has plenty of. As NZ was required to decarbonise and reduce its carbon emissions the Hot Lime process might at first glance appear to be increasing those emissions through the burning process. “But what we are doing is when we burn that sort of waste, you are releasing carbon dioxide to the atmosphere that was taken by those trees years earlier. “There is no net additional carbon dioxide added to the system, unlike the burning of fossil fuels like natural gas used today.” Buying liquid carbon dioxide for greenhouse operations was also expensive and relied on the production of fossil fuels to generate the by-product carbon dioxide at refineries. “Utilising something like forest waste means you are able to generate the heat greenhouses require and clean carbon dioxide right on site.” The ability to attach the Hot Lime unit to different types of heating systems meant it was flexible, with the ability to extract carbon dioxide from various organic sources including the likes of anaerobic digesters used to process animal and human waste. Materic said interest had been strong from greenhouse operators who accepted as a matter of course their yields could be further increased, with a lack of carbon dioxide being a major bottleneck in their carefully optimised environments. He estimated the process could add $40,000-$80,000 a covered hectare a year to operations’

would be appealing. revenues, with a global market Materic also saw the system potential of $800 million a year adding significant value to lowgrowing rapidly as countries value organic waste streams, intensified food production. “The relationship is very direct – including plantation forestry waste with a carbon dioxide value the more carbon dioxide you add, being added into it by the market. the more production you will get “Really, our grand vision is to from the plants in the greenhouse decarbonise the food and flower but growers are limited by their producing greenhouse industry supply at present.” He was excited about being able and move to a fully sustainable, renewable energy base. to open up the industry to new “NZ will always be growing regions, rather than greenhouses more trees as an organic source having to be concentrated around and this opens up an industry to a main gas supply networks, lot of new regions. often competing with expensive “It’s exciting,” Materic said. housing land in fringe urban areas, such as South Auckland. “For example, in the South Island where there is no reticulated gas and the Marsden Point refinery (as a liquid carbon dioxide source) farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz is a long way away, operators 2IC (1) are forced to use coal for heating, Agribusiness (3) meaning that they Contract Milker (2) have no access Farm Manager (3) to clean carbon General Hand (1) dioxide for their General Manager (2) greenhouses at Manager (1) all.” Scholarships (1) As food production Stock Manager (2) also underwent USA Harvest Workers (1) an urbanised revolution Employers: Advertise your vacancy in the with rooftop employment section of the Farmers Weekly greenhouses more and as added value it will be uploaded to common, their farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz for one month or close of application. ability to produce more food without Contact Debbie Brown 06 323 0765 adding to net or email classifieds@nzx.com carbon emissions

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HE dilemma of never having enough carbon dioxide to optimise greenhouse production could be solved with a carbon dioxide capture extraction process developed by Dr Vlatko Materic. He was now ready to test it in a commercial operation. The atmosphere of commercial greenhouses was usually enriched with carbon dioxide to increase the amount available for plants to take up to increase their rate of photosynthesis and growth. Typical greenhouse operations used carbon dioxide by burning natural gas and harvesting the emissions or by releasing liquefied carbon dioxide, often trucked in from refinery production operations. But both of those sources were expensive and used fossil fuels. Materic’s hopes for a more sustainable means of carbon dioxide production advanced late last year when his firm Hot Lime Labs successfully raised his first round of investment through Powerhouse with several coinvestors, including Flying Kiwi Angels. That followed his award from KiwiNet’s Emerging Innovator Programme the year before to develop a proof of concept for the technology. Materic’s hot lime process involved burning almost any organic matter in a boiler then feeding the gases emitted through to his Hot Lime unit, containing the hot lime material, a pelletised mixture of limestone and other ingredients heated to 600C-plus temperatures. The hot lime material effectively acted as a carbon sponge, soaking up the carbon dioxide emitted from the burning matter while letting other undesirable components of the gas go out. A chemical sequence developed by Materic allows the carbon dioxide to be stored then released simply by blowing air over it, thus generating a clean stream of carbon dioxide in air that is safe to contact plants in the greenhouse, unlike the carbon dioxide in the combustion gases. “Essentially the lime rock grabs the carbon dioxide, which becomes part of the rock for a while, and our process unlocks the ability to release clean carbon dioxide from it easily.” The concept of extracting clean carbon dioxide from the

Opinion

10 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 15, 2018

EDITORIAL

Hard to rely on random weather

HE declaration of drought on the West Coast last week is just the latest in a string of downright weird weather events this summer. Just how we went from spring’s mudbath to summer’s desert in what seemed like a few short weeks is baffling. Now, around here at least, it feels like we’re back in spring, albeit with a few degrees extra and some humidity to boot. One’s memory is always tinged with a touch of nostalgia but it seems in years past we could, for the most part, count on the seasons living up to expectations. Sure, we’ve always had weather extremes and events but they just seem so more frequent now. When you make your living at the whim of the weather, that makes planning pretty tough. In last week’s paper we reported New Zealand was now being labelled an extreme weather hazard by those international organisations that help set our insurance risk profile. That same story showed storm and flood insurance claims in NZ rose 56% in the past three years. Of course, we’re already a high risk for seismic activity and Kaikoura farmers are still dealing with the consequence of living on the Shakey Isles. It’s almost enough to drive you to a desk job, at least if a pipe bursts on your computer you can pop down to the shop for another. If your crop is drowned in a flood of seawater, unfortunately you’ll have to wait for next year, at the earliest, for a new one. Luckily, NZ farmers are made of pretty stern stuff. They adapted to the economic upheavals in the 1980s and they’ll no doubt adapt to this new notso-normal. That’ll take innovation, research and development, which means a commitment to the funding of applied science. It’ll also take resilience and tenacity. Luckily, they’re things farmers have in spades.

Bryan Gibson

LETTERS

Welfare concerns are justified out poor animal protection practices.

HOW patronising of Tom Pow (Pulpit, January 8) to say that anyone who cares about animals and their welfare are simply “dogooders” and “animal rights activists”. I am a retired farmer who has always had the welfare of all animals at the forefront of my profession. I am appalled that it appears that only farmers are allowed to have opinions on animal welfare. As farmers do not “lead from the front” with welfare matters for their stock then expect others to quite rightly expose some of the poor practices of some New Zealand farmers If there were no poor practices in the farming sector in NZ then there would be no need for others to point

Alice Hicks Putaruru

Disease holiday I ATTENDED the preChristmas Primary Industries Ministry meeting in Winton in regards to Mycoplasma bovis. Having a cup of tea this morning, is this outbreak just another storm in a tea cup, being that MPI stated no decisions will be made until MPI staff have had their Christmas holiday? So, in New Zealand any disease outbreak goes on holiday too. Predictable is this week’s announcement of another disease outbreak. Farmers are to blame as MPI incident controller David Yard said “Farmers have a poor

record of compliance with national livestock tracking scheme”. So, let’s put MPI, NAIT and the MPI 2002 Diary Milk National Residue Monitoring Programme in this empty tea cup. Since 2002 MPI have never been milk testing for Mycoplasma bovis. Pressure is coming on the Government in relation to the double up of data collection on the private company of NAIT which was sold after three years to OPSPRI. So, 500 dairy cows stolen in Canterbury in August 2016 have never had their data recorded. But this is the farmers’ fault. NAIT does not send any written confirmation of any of my movements so this storm in my teacup claims a lot of misinformation.

I have worked on many farms throughout Waikato and Southland for 18 years and getting near 50 farms as a relief milker. The health effects of this disease have been in my home country for many years. So why have MPI, since 2002, never been monitoring this disease? And what other diseases are they not testing for? Alanna Barrett Nightcaps

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Opinion

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 15, 2018

Green rules change farm market Conrad Wilkshire

HE property market will need to adjust as New Zealand agriculture moves into the new era of environmental regulation. Adjust it will but only with some changed attitudes and practices among property buyers and sellers. Today’s market is struggling with the apparent demands of this new era – evident in a sluggish response to current strong meat prices and the recovery in dairying. Usually such a happy alignment would stoke farm sales and prices but not in 2017-18. So far this season sale numbers are flat or lower compared with a year ago, properties are taking longer to sell and an expected recovery in prices is proving to be slow and variable. Real Estate Institute figures for the three months ended November 30 show an overall 29% decline in farm sales against the comparable period in 2016. The national median price per hectare for dairy land was actually weaker at $44,154 while sale numbers and prices for both finishing and grazing properties were also well down from 2016. This situation appears to have continued through December. There is significant variation in farm sale prices per hectare, not only between regions but also between productive properties near favoured towns and those in more remote farming districts of the same region. The market is responding to obvious influences: extreme weather, the high indebtedness of some farmers and caution among banks as they put greater emphasis on positive cashflows in the wake of the dairy downturn. But there is also a strong new theme – uncertainty among farmers over the emerging environmental limits on NZ agriculture and horticulture and over costs arising from new regional council rules for nutrient management. NZ farmers have always – and

The

Pulpit

quite rightly – taken pride in their stewardship of land and local environments. But they are now facing farmby-farm constraints on nitrates, phosphates, E coli and sediment run-off into rivers, lakes and wetlands that could impact on production and costs, especially in dairying. Demands to control, measure and account for nutrient losses are taking everyone into a new era and raising questions over future cashflows. The environmental science involved and policy measures at central and local government levels can be debated from all sides. Beyond debate, however, is the fact that mitigating the possible effects of run-off from farming will be a complex and costly process in many cases. For the property market that means a lot more thinking and preparatory work by vendors and prospective buyers. Sellers need to front up with information on their farm soils, rainfall, hydrology, vegetation and other relevant environmental features as well as nutrient management records and consents for controlled activities where they apply. The days of marketing your property with a few production numbers and a schedule of associated plant and machinery

ATTITUDE CHANGE: Farm vendors and prospective buyers need to engage with environmental and regulatory issues on the basis of today’s knowledge. Often not all the facts will be available and big judgment calls will be required, Property Brokers rural general manager Conrad Wilkshire says.

are fast coming to an end. Increasingly, prospective buyers will want comprehensive duediligence on environmental as well as financial matters – what are the impacts of the current farming system and what are the likely costs of mitigation and constraints on production? The big issues will arise around, for example, winter grazing and effluent management relative to soil type and rainfall. Vendors who anticipate these questions and have an independent view in support of their farm practice will put themselves ahead of the rest. Indeed, properties coming to the market without a professionally-based environmental plan and mitigation strategy will probably sell only at a discount. That’s the price of uncertainty in any market. What’s more, all parties have to reckon with much variation and complexity in environmental policies as they are being decided and applied in different catchments throughout NZ. Our 16 regional councils are at various stages of finalising

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and implementing their particular regulatory regimes, all intended to support the previous Government’s National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (2014). All regimes are supposed to be operating by 2025. Today, some councils have already established priority catchments and implemented detailed environmental policy frameworks. Others are still in consultation stages. It’s a complex picture but one the market must take into account, catchment-bycatchment and region-by-region. Banks have an increasing role to play as well. While loan decisions are based largely on sophisticated creditscoring models, the three Cs of character, collateral and cashflow are still fundamental. To these add an E for environmental sustainability because banks fully understand that production constraints and mitigation costs impact on both collateral and cashflow. Historically, one of the ultimate credit considerations, particularly around well-analysed dairy systems, has been the lender’s ability to factor in a production hedge for above-average operators to expand and sustain their business models. New environmental standards clearly have potential to set glass ceilings on future production. Farmers might be unable to produce their way out of trouble as they used to, particularly in priority catchments as these are now defined. The market adjustment will take time. It has, after all, taken NZ 10 years so far to develop environment policies for farming. The regional councils will need until at least 2025 to finalise and implement their regulations in accord with that 2014 National Statement. Realistically, for most in the property market, deferring decisions until policy frameworks are settled is not an option. Vendors and prospective buyers need to engage with

environmental and regulatory issues on the basis of today’s knowledge. Often not all the facts will be available and big judgment calls will be required. The adjustment can be particularly tough for farming families as they take what is often their single most important business decision – the decision to sell – and for those of us in the property industry who support the sale process thereafter. When contemplating sale, there is no exact science to separate short-term market volatility from long-term trends. Environmental regulation is definitely among the latter: Your best course, therefore, is to engage with the market on these issues immediately the sale decision is made. There are still many farming families looking to grow their business for present and future generations and this scenario continues to underpin the market on recent sales evidence. What is also clear is that duediligence is moving to a much higher standard than in the past. Having the right team around you as vendor throughout the sales process has never been more important. Questions arising during duediligence should not be viewed as criticism of farming practices but as meeting a buyer’s need to establish, to the best of their ability, the long-term viability and sustainability of your farm business. Ultimately, NZ has committed itself to more environmental regulation for reasons that all Kiwis – and our global customers – can understand. As vendors and buyers gain more confidence and shift their attitudes and practices on E issues, a more efficient property market will develop. That will be to the benefit of all.

Your View Got a view on some aspect of farming you would like to get across? The Pulpit offers readers the chance to have their say. nzfarmersweekly@nzx.com Phone 06 323 1519

Opinion

12 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 15, 2018

The 2017 Emmies acts of distinction Alternative View

Alan Emerson

Gold Star Award for Major Achievement The education, business, local government, community groups and iwi in Masterton for establishing the Wairarapa Youth, Education, Training and Employment (YETE) scheme. YETE was developed to help get youngsters work-ready and into employment. It’s working well, which is great. It is a credit to the organisers, the youngsters and the local business community. The Kim Jong Un Award for Outlandish Quotes Kim Campbell of EMA Northern talking of the need for immigrant workers and discussing local job aspirants said “They are ... high needs individuals with intergenerational unemployment, drugs and alcohol issues”. Maybe he should come to Masterton. Communicator of the Year – Federated Farmers Their ready availability for comment is the best in the business. In addition their news releases and general communications are always timely, factual, pertinent and

well-written despite having the smallest budget of the sector. Other agricultural organisations could learn a lot from them King Edward VIII Award for Abdication of Duty Fonterra. Despite having a communications and spin budget of squillions they couldn’t front up and represent their shareholders. Also a candidate for the Barbie Award for Cuteness. The Gliding On Award for the Worst State Sector Organisation The Transport Agency for its behaviour over the Manawatu Gorge. It’s been a shambles for 13 years. They were going to have an alternative route mapped out by Christmas and now that’s been delayed. If it was in Auckland the road would have been completed yesterday. They need a strong minister. The Muppet Award The new, totally unqualified Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton. We’ve had eminent and sensible scientists in that role but now we have an ex National MP with degrees in literature, music and law. He claims his proud achievement as a minister was to introduce the entirely dysfunctional dog of a system that is our Crown research institutes. Other than jobs for the boys why would you? Shepherd of the Year Fonterra chairman John Wilson and chief executive Theo Spierings

LOSERS: Those gnomes from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have taken out the Gross Stupidity Award.

for continually supporting the dog that is Beingmate. Heavenly Inspiration Award An article appeared in the Havelock North parish news telling us all about my mate Bruce D’Ath’s exploits. “There was much rejoicing at Elsthorpe after Bruce D’Ath’s prize dog (which had disappeared for days) had been found with nine puppies after a request (to the vicar) for prayers just half an hour previous.” An act of God or dog or am I dyslexic? Circus Award The one trick ponies of Massey University’s favourite son, Mike Joy, Fish and Game and Greenpeace for their hysteria over intensive agriculture polluting drinking water in Havelock North while a large amount of our drinking water is unsafe to drink, two of our harbours are polluted with sewerage and not a dickie bird from the trio. The National Environment Award Wairarapa farmers. All rivers in the area were deemed swimmable, so extremely well done. We’re just waiting for congratulatory messages from the three musketeers mentioned above. Silver Star Award for Sterling Achievement All the farmers who donated and raised calves for the IHC calf scheme. Well done. Idiots of the Year Two Worksafe employees who arrived on a mate’s farm under false pretences, didn’t know

anything about shearing and made some stupid suggestions. Finally, when the farmer offered a dozen cans to the seven shearers he was told “you can’t do that, it will lead to hard drugs”. What rock did they crawl out from under? Invisible Champions Award The primary industries component of Massey University. It must be galling for them seeing the university promote such vitriolic anti-farmer messages. The Dunce Award Local government and the Ministry of Health for being missing in action over the quality of our drinking water. The majority of you didn’t do your job and much of our water is unfit to drink. In the past you’ve blamed farmers so now you suck it up and fix it. Gross Stupidity Award Those gnomes from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) who starred in the altogether with the caption “I’d

rather go naked than wear wool”. It just shows how ignorant these clowns are. On the positive side if they did wear wool they wouldn’t have all the wrinkles. The Wimp Award The NZ Police who decided not to prosecute over the CTV building collapse instead of leaving it to the courts to decide guilt. Add Pike River and Cave Creek and we’re very third world. I wonder what went on behind closed doors. The Politically Correct Award Only one contender and that’s the Canterbury King’s Cricket team who dressed in the feminist colour of purple to support the fairer sex. What a bunch of super sensitive guys. I’m looking forward to the Crusaders following their lead.

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

We can all learn from others’ ways From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

LAST week I was invited to interview one of the leading lights of the Regenerative Farming movement. The term is lately bandied about but most of us know little about what exactly regenerative farming is. It implies those of us not considered regenerating our farms are degenerating our land, which is not my view. So, I had a look at the fellow’s website and concluded I and many other conventional farmers were doing a good three-quarters of what he was talking about anyway. The seminar was held locally at Greg and Rachel Hart’s Mangarara Station at Elsthorpe. They are great people and I’ve

HOST: Greg Hart hosted a seminar on regenerative farming at his Mangarara Station at Elsthorpe.

been watching their progress with interest for many years. They are lateral thinkers and consider and try many different angles as a means of diversifying what many believe is the only way to manage dryland, rolling hill country. The have opened an eco-lodge on the edge of their lake and welcome many urban folk to their business and farm. This is a fantastic opportunity for city dwellers to interact with a farm

and the animals on it. They are nurturing a bridge between rural and urban dwellers. They add value to the products they produce by directly suppling customers with their meat packs. I’ve been impressed and envious with how they partnered with companies like Air New Zealand through the Air NZ Environment Trust and received sponsorship and help that saw 60,000 native plants planted on some of their hill country. Now they have a similar arrangement with the Wellington hotel, the James Cook, to assist in getting trees planted around the farm. The fellow presenting at the Harts’ was Darren Doherty. He is an Australian from Victoria and a very accomplished and interesting presenter though his slides were too detailed and busy. However, his enthusiasm and charisma overcame that. Much of what he talked about is common sense and what many dryland sheep and beef farmers are practising anyway on farms — whether for shelter, agro forestry

or riparian strips and protecting the waterways, which many of us are doing, and a growing realisation from others that it needs to be done. His father was killed in the Vietnam War when he was a few months old and he was raised by his mother and grandparents. His first lesson in ecology was from his grandfather who told him when he was young that humans are just like yeast; they eat all the sugar then die in their own waste. I liked that. I asked him what his definition of Regenerative Agriculture was. He said it began as a system that was low on inputs and improved over time and now is the latest branch of sustainable or ecological agriculture. I had to ask him because there are whole pages on the internet devoted to trying to find a definition of regenerative farming and a fair bit of robust debate among devotees around the matter. He added it is holistic agriculture and I had to confess that when I hear the word holistic

I usually head for the door. There was a lot of talk of capturing carbon from the atmosphere, which is an admirable goal, but I think our sheep and beef pasture-based systems on hill country with little soil disturbance are effective already. It is more of a problem of many differing cropping enterprises and other soildepleting farming systems around the world. I don’t think changing to organic or adopting a different grazing system is going to markedly improve this. The scientific evidence on things like biochar that he espoused and the ability of so called holistic systems to sequester carbon faster is either sketchy or just not there. I think we can all learn from other ways of doing things and should at least keep an eye on each other.

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

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bayleys.co.nz Contributor to realestate.co.nz

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – January 15, 2018

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

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

Te Puna

King of the Hill A French colonial style castle, 500m² (approx) on 12.6ha. A 450m² shed and large truck turning and loading area gives lots of business options. Entertainers dream with an all weather flood lit tennis court, cricket net, volleyball court, large petanque area with seating, covered fish smoker, bar area and heaps of concrete for basketball and skating. Six bedrooms, three bathrooms, office, huge kitchen and plumbed pantry. Graze a horse or pony, there is good riding around here. A few beefies for the freezer. Fertile pasture with easy contour. Peaceful, quiet views come home to relax! Close to the City and port, an ideal work from home or additional storage for the business. Call the agent today, vendors are motivated and want this sold. What a huge opportunity! 6

PRICE BY NEGOTIATION

Andrew Fowler B 07 571 5797 | M 027 275 2244 afowler@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/TAR27178

pggwre.co.nz

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

E ND

For Sale

Profitable Farm on the Plains 95 Makumaku Road, Kerepehi

South Canterbury | Kakahu

• 101 hectares with a good balance of soil types • Four titles. Subdivided to 60 paddocks • Top production of 95,000kg/ms, milking 250 cows – OAD from mid-January with low inputs • 24 aside HB cowshed • Modern 4 bedroom brick and tile home with high stud workshop • Located on a quiet, no exit road within 20 minutes of three service towns and 2.5km to Ravensdown bulk store

Trade Me Ref: Open: Tenders close: Contact owner:

FPJ505 Wednesdays 17/01, 24/01, 31/01 – 12-1pm 14th February 2018 at 5pm E: 95makumaku@gmail.com

LK0090935©

This farm has been faithfully farmed by the same family for 36 years – a rare chance to buy in this sought after location!

Price

285.3 Hectares

By negotiation

Future Proofed Dairy Farm. Located on the main tourist route from Christchurch to the Mackenzie Country and the Southern Lakes. Low cost system, self-contained with options, including rearing beef calves to weaning. Environmentally sustainable, this property has been set up to meet the environmental standards of today and into the future. Private, low cost water/irrigation system. Consented to draw 500,000m3 of irrigation water with long term consents in place. Vendors are committed to their next project this winter and are prepared to look at all options presented around share equity or trade for a smaller unit within New Zealand. | Property ID WA1512

Inspection

Licensed under REAA 2008

By appointment

Contact Ian Moore 027 539 8152 Neill Dick 021 359 793

0800 200 600 | farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – January 15, 2018

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

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

168 Range Road Woodville

WEB ID PR59114

WOODVILLE 168 Range Road This 161 ha dairy farm along with a 40 ha support block with renowned superior soils is situated in the heart of Woodville dairy country. Supplements are harvested within the dairy business with a very limited amount of PKE imported. • 133 ha dairy platform milking 355 cows • Multiple titles providing options • 36 aside HB shed with auto cup removers

• 5 year average production 117,956 kg/MS • 49 paddocks on platform, 20 paddocks on runoff • 9 bay calf rearing and implement shed • Support sheds and ample water • Consents in place • Large five bedroom character home with a covered swimming pool, spa and entertainment area

VIEW By Appointment

BY NEGOTIATION + GST (IF ANY) Phil Wilson

Mobile 021 518 660 Office 06 376 5478 Home 06 376 7238 philw@pb.co.nz

Jared Brock

Mobile 027 449 5496 Office 06 376 4823 Home 06 376 6341 jared@pb.co.nz

5 1

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

RURAL Office 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Seriously for sale

WEB ID TPR57000 BY NEGOTIATION WHAKAMARU 671 Sandel Road View By Appointment 414 hectares - Five houses - 48 aside herringbone shed with inshed meal feeders, 800 cows milked averaging 293,000kg/ms, high fertility with superior pastures. 300 replacement heifers on-farm all year round. Paul O'Sullivan A "must see" property - $11,000,500 (Rateable Value) - Land & Buildings

Mobile 027 496 4417 paulo@pb.co.nz

Craig Marshall

Mobile 027 553 2274 craig@pb.co.nz

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

+ GST (IF ANY)

RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

Oio Farms

WEB ID TUR48715

TAUMARUNUI 60 Bullians Road Property Brokers proudly present this 1457.39 ha trophy farm to the market. Oio is located in the southern King Country at the foothills of Mt Ruapehu and near to the world heritage site of Tongariro National Park. Oio Farms is a premium breeding and finishing property with the majority of its country being of easy rolling contour that would lend itself to alternative land uses if desired. Oio Farms Ltd is for sale as a whole unit comprising 1339.76 ha with a further 118.57 ha fattening block located 5km north on SH4. In addition there is an option to look at a part sale of approximately 520 ha (subject to survey)

being all the Oio hill country on the western side of SH4, VIEW By Appointment leaving the balance lot of approximately 820 ha being the main station with all the buildings. The 118.57 ha fattening unit is already on a separate title. The part sale of the hill country and or the fattening unit would be conditional on the contemporaneous sale of all Oio Farms land holdings.

BY NEGOTIATION

Katie Walker

Mobile 027 757 7477 Office 07 895 7123 Home 07 895 7112 katiew@pb.co.nz

ROC Dairies

WEB ID PR56335

PAHIATUA 849 Makomako Road ROC Dairies situated 15km west of Pahiatua and 20km east of Palmerston North is an outstandingly presented 293 ha standalone dairy unit. Features include: • 122 ha milking platform: 160 ha hill support • 245 cows, average 122,000 kg/MS for 3 years • Excellent gravity water system • 27 aside HB shed • 250 cow feed pad • 2x cattle yards

BY NEGOTIATION

• Farm metal pits VIEW By Appointment • 2013 brick four bedroom home plus ensuite and office This property, in an area regarded as summer safe, is in the NON-PRIORITY catchment of the Horizons region, providing an opportunity for the discerning purchaser to reap the rewards of the vendor's ongoing investment.

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

Jared Brock

Mobile 027 449 5496 Office 06 376 4823 Home 06 376 6341 jared@pb.co.nz

Phil Wilson

Mobile 021 518 660 Office 06 376 5478 Home 06 376 7238 philw@pb.co.nz

4 2 2

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company RURAL

LIFESTYLE

RESIDENTIAL

TENDER

Puniwhakau

Secure Your Future Manuka Supply 172 Puniwhakau Road

TENDER

• 776 hectares, more or less, of mixed contour, Manuka throughout • Farm has been running cattle and 200 hives • Manuka regeneration on farm, numerous hive sites • Three bedroom home, five bay shed • Good security, abundant water • This farm has size and huge potential • For Open Days all parties must be off the property by 1pm - Health and Safety requirements

(Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Tania Roberts, 67 Vivian St, New Plymouth Closes 11am, Fri, 23 Feb VIEW 11.00am-1.00pm, Monday, 29 Jan, 5 Feb

pggwre.co.nz/TEK27317

Peter Wylie B 07 878 0265 | M 027 473 5855 pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz

AUCTION

Ohau Farmland 418 Muhunoa West Road 128 hectares (317 acres) currently winter dairy grazing. Good location amongst other farms and away from lifestylers! No house but several great sites if required. Fenced into 50 paddocks, excellent tracks, fencing and gateways. Large, strong cattle yards with good truck and trailer access. Four bay farm-shed, two are lock-up. Good fertilizer history. Blocks of this size without homes are becoming more difficult to locate and buy in the Horowhenua. Shared inland lake with neighbour on western boundary - duck shooting! pggwre.co.nz/LEV27247

Ohau AUCTION Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) 11.00am, Friday, 26 January Levin Cosmopolitan Club

Joe Havill B 06 367 0835 M 027 437 0169 joe.havill@pggwrightson.co.nz

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Kuriwao Breeding Finishing Property • 1837.353 hectares freehold with approximately one third strong paddock country to two thirds oversown tussock country, also capable of finishing • Well presented improvements of high standard including homestead and second home. Full range of substantial farm buildings and yards • Excellent standard of subdivision, four gravity fed water schemes and an exceptionally strong fertiliser history going back decades • Wintered 2017: 10,830 sheep (including 8,290 ewes), 775 cattle (including 404 cows) pggwre.co.nz/BAL26510

South Otago DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 12.00pm, Friday 23 Feb

Stewart Rutter B 03 418 1381 M 027 433 7666

jrutter@pggwrightson.co.nz

Jason Rutter B 03 418 1382 M 027 243 1971

jrutter@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company RURAL

LIFESTYLE

RESIDENTIAL

Sheep and Cattle Grazing Oparure Road • 197 hectares, more or less, of rolling contour • Just 13km to Te Kuiti and 23km to Otorohanga approximately • Currently wintering 1200 mixed age ewes, 600 hoggets, 150 rising 1yr cattle, 170 rising 2yr cattle, 60 mixed age cows • Bare land, good water and very good access throughout

Te Kuiti DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 11.00am, Friday 9 February PGGWRE, 57 Rora St, Te Kuiti VIEW BY APPOINTMENT

pggwre.co.nz/TEK27310 Peter Wylie B 07 878 0265 | M 027 473 5855 pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz

Maize, Grazing and Location 574 Oparure Road • 77.0817 hectares, more or less • Easy rolling contour growing maize and grazing cattle • Five bedroom homestead and three bedroom cottage plus numerous farm shedding • For inspection, please arrange with the agent, Peter Wylie pggwre.co.nz/TEK27260

Te Kuiti DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 11.00am, Friday 9 February PGGWRE, 57 Rora St, Te Kuiti VIEW BY APPOINTMENT

Peter Wylie B 07 878 0265 | M 027 473 5855 pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

pggwre.co.nz

Employment

General Hand

Farm Manager

Northern Waikato

337ha Dry Stock farm Mahoenui

Looking for a general hand for a 1050ha sheep and cattle farm. 3000 ewes and 280 Angus breeding cows. Four dogs supplied for successful applicant.

We require an experienced, capable person to manage this recently purchased property comprising 100ha flats with balance easy hill country.

Skills required: • Able to drive tractor • Keen to learn • Some experience in fencing and general work • Irrigation system on farm which needs someone to learn how to operate this system 2-bedroom house freshly renovated with double garage. Call 07 828 4748 or 027 279 8564 after 6pm

LK0081244©

We require a person with the following attributes: • Top stockman with competent dogs • Sound stock and pasture management skills • Skilled in general farm maintenance • Has the ability to organise and oversee development work • Is a team player with good communication and reporting skills • A tertiary qualification is an advantage but not essential.

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

EXPERIENCED CONTRACT MILKER 2018 / 2019 Season

The farm is located on SH3, 24km from Piopio. A 4 bedroom house is available with primary and secondary school bus at the gate. Please apply in writing to: Rob Duder RD 2, Te Kuiti 3982 Or email: reduder@rozelfarm.co.nz

“PULSE” HUNTAWAY bitch 14 months. All the gear. C. Bolton’s “Bully”. J. Jackson’s “Fran”. $1500. Phone W. Falkner 06 212 4711. Marton.

CRAIGCO SHEEP JETTERS. Sensor Jet. Deal to fly and Lice now. Guaranteed performance. Unbeatable pricing. Phone 06 835 6863. www.craigcojetters.com

SOUTH ISLANDERS! Delivering Huntaways, Heading, Handys January 23rd. North Islanders 27/1 & 10/2. Guaranteed! Trial. 07 315 5553. Mike Hughes. HUNTAWAY PUPS, 3 months old. Well bred. Taranaki. Phone 027 225 1015. ONE 9-MONTH-OLD Heading dog ready to work. Phone 06 388 0212 / 027 243 8541.

ANIMAL HEALTH

DOGS WANTED

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

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

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.

DOGS FOR SALE HUNTAWAY BITCH, 3½ years old, well bred. Excellent on deer. $2,500+GST. Phone 06 329 4745 or 027 636 5446 Manawatu. FOUR BITCH PUPS, 3 months old. Out of T Nalder’s “Sky” by Eion Herbert’s “Haig” (NZ Champion). Phone: Terry 03 525 9809.

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. FREE CRATE OF beer with any Huntaway. Buy from you! 07 315 5553 / 021 030 0037. Mike Hughes.

FERTILISER DOLOMITE, NZ’s finest Magnesium fertiliser. Bio-Gro certified, bulk or bagged. 0800 436 566.

FOR SALE SAVE MONEY ON all tyre sizes. Free shipping NZ wide. Call or text 021 0526 365 or email: charity@ waihekewofcentre.co.nz

FORESTRY WANTED

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.

STOCK FEED MOISTURE METERS Hay, Silage dry matter, grain. www.moisturemeters.co.nz 0800 213 343. BOOK AN AD. For only $2.10 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in The NZ Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Debbie Brown on 0800 85 25 80 to book in or email classifieds@nzx.com

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. WILD CATTLE and goats wanted. 50/50 mustering. Portable yards available. Phone Kerry Coulter 0274 944 194.

FOR SALE

We work weather permitting, so some days can be very long! Living quarters would be in one of two 50 foot crew trailers. You need to get along with others because you are eating, sleeping and working with your co-workers. We pay for all lodging expenses, and a food allowance. We do ask that the entire crew help with daily maintenance on the trucks and headers.

CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISING

Do you have something to sell?

CHILLERS &

FREEZERS

udly NZ Madew Pro Since 1975

For more info or to apply see www.carlsonharvesting.com or email questions to carlsonharvesting@gmail.com

Livestock

Advertise in the Farmers Weekly

021 441 180 (JC) frigidair@xtra.co.nz

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

RAMS FOR SALE WILTSHIRE & SHIRE® rams and ewes for sale. Hardy, low input, easy care meat sheep. No dagging. No shearing. No dip, drench or vaccine since 1989. Deliver all over NZ. www.organicrams.co.nz Email: tim@ organic-rams.co.nz Phone 03 225 5283.

FOR FARMERS & HUNTERS

Call Debbie

0800 85 25 80 classifieds@nzx.com

When only the best will do!

MASSIVE TRACTOR SALE! ONE DAY SALE ONLY Thursday 1st February 2018 • Tractors – ALL makes and models • New and used Manfeild Park – Feilding In conjunction with the: NEW ZEALAND DAIRY EVENT 2018 10 years on and going strong! Wednesday 31st January to Friday 2nd February Enquiries to David 027 200 2726

LK0091120©

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

FREIGHT FREE SAVE ON YOUR INK and TONER print cartridges. Special pricing for our compatible value packs when you purchase all four cartridges. FREIGHT FREE. Visit us at: www. nzconsumables.co.nz or call us 0800 800 857. NZ based and 100% kiwi owned with 30 years industry experience.

LK0091216©

DOGS FOR SALE

USA Harvest Workers Based in northern Minnesota, Carlson Harvesting, Inc., is hiring Header, Truck and Tractor Drivers. Starting the end of March till the middle of December. Travel from Texas to Canada following the wheat harvest. We also harvest beans, corn, sunflowers and canola. We operate 5 CaseIH headers, 5 Kenworth T800 trucks, a 370 CaseIH tractor and a 470 CaseIH tractor.

Classifieds ANIMAL HANDLING

Mamaku Flat, Summer Safe Farm 3-year average milk solids 153,000kgs 480 cows Low Input Grass Based System 30 ASHB shed Approximately 12 minutes from Rotorua Attractive kilograms of milk solids for right applicant Good housing is provided Email: headwaterfarms@hotmail.com Mobile: 027 357 7504

no wool, no worries www.sheddingsheep.co.nz

www.farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

A comprehensive development programme is planned including water reticulation, fencing and upgrade of facilities.

Ag jobs at your fingertips

Farm policy: • Growing top quality dairy replacement heifers • Winter grazing dairy cows • Managing a high performance eczema tolerant ewe flock

LK0091245©

FARM MANAGEMENT, CONTRACT MILKING, 50/50 SHAREMILKING… You choose the opportunity you want • c1200 cows • Oamaru • Excellent housing and facilities After four years owning this farm our clients are consolidating their business to the North Island so have this farm up for sale. The existing, and highly capable, Contract Milkers are moving on so life just got complicated… but this could also be the opportunity that you’re looking for. Our client is open to considering Farm Management, Contract Milking or Sharemilking applicants to run this farm from 1 June. Regardless of the business model they are looking for smart, focused operators to look after their asset and make sure it is in top operational condition for sale. They also know that getting the right sale could take some time. As you would expect in these circumstances, they are looking for people who will maximise farm performance and there are some strategic decisions to be made concerning cow numbers, use of support land and capital development that they want your involvement in before you start. With five quality homes on the property, pivot irrigation and mostly flat to gentle rolling contour, this is a well set up enterprise and there is the potential that some of the existing contract milker’s staff will stay on. Located just 16km from Oamaru the farm enjoys proximity to a great rural service town and represents a great opportunity for the right people to back themselves with the support of a corporate farming structure alongside the independence to ‘make it happen.’ Take a look at some more information and great photos of this farm at www.no8hr.co.nz (Ref # 8HR953) and apply by 21 January 2018 telling us why this opportunity interests you and how you think you could make it work for you.

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – January 15, 2018

LK0091230©

LK0091196©

classifieds@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

LK0091234©

Livestock

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – January 15, 2018

A man boarded an international flight with six kids.

A woman who was sitting across the aisle from him leaned over to him and asked, “Are all of those kids yours?”

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

With a sigh he replied, “No. I work for a condom company. These are customer complaints.”

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

Fairlea Texels

• 70 genuine autumn calving straight Friesian cows 620kg m/s (will sell smaller lines) • 34 genuine Friesian autumn i/c heifers • 30 Friesian, Friesian x autumn cows W 90 PW 110 • 55 i/c autumn Friesian heifers BW 107 PW 112

Brad Devlin 027 498 1203

Ram Private Sales Jan/Feb – Good Rams available now – all breeds

Autumn Ram Sale March 16th – 2th Rams plus Ram Lambs selected for hogget mating • Romney • Romdale • Perendale x Tex x Romney • Texel x Romney • Kelso x Romney • Kelso Maternal • Kelso Terminal (Black Face)

AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE CAPITAL LINE High Producing Autumn Calving Holstein Friesians

2nd Annual Angus Female In-Calf Sale

• 58 years of breeding using top bulls from World Wide Sires and Semex • Averaged 635 MS/kg last season • Young cows • All vetted-in-calf by A.I. to top WWS genomic bulls • DTC from 6/3/18 for 6 weeks

Meaty Muscle Makes Money

– May 2nd

Call Hugh & Helen Winder on 0800 328 877

PGGW: Keith Willson 027 412 5766 Greg Uren 027 4314051 Carrfields: Callum Dunnett 027 5870131 PWA: Hamish Zuppicich 027 403 3025

*Suftex first-cross rams also available

RLL: Anthony Cox 027 208 3071 LK0091016©

1808 Makino Road, RD 9, Feilding 4779 Ph: 06 328 8710 Fax: 06 328 8712 Mob: 027 226 5784 Email: fairleatexels@xtra.co.nz

Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming listings Key: Dairy LK0088725©

Ewes, rams, ewe hoggets. No shearing, crutching, docking. Minimal dagging. Scanned 164% ewes, 103% hoggets. Farmed easy-care on steep hill country.

Phone Stu 06 862 7534

ON FARM CLEARING SALE A/c Brondelwayne Farm Saturday 20th January, 11am

wagon, 2 Hecton dagging machines,

Agonline Ref# 063020 Kent Stove, 0276 645 143 230 Frsn/ Frsn x Cows, BW93, PW105, RA99% Calving 15th July, Ave 390 M/S, 40yrs One Family. $2,150.00

Compressor, Rata Silage Grab, Winstone 500L spray tank with boom,

Agonline Ref# 062769

approx 50 sleepers, 1999 Mazda

Chris Ryan, 0272 431 078

Bounty 4x4 Ute reg & WOF, BT D6

200 Frsn/ Frsn x/ Jsy x Cows, BW69, PW81, RA92%

dozer, 1987 Suzuki GLF truck with hoist AIWI, roller docker, 2 CDax spray

Calving 19th July, One Owner 25yrs. $1,870.00

units, harrows, topper, petrol tanks,

Agonline Ref# 062674

diesel tank, dog box, post hole borer,

Shaan Featherstone, 0276 661 198

chainsaws, sheep troughs, bike trailers,

100 Jsy/ Jsy x Cows, BW92, PW110, RA97%

farm trailers, water fittings & pipes, 2 wheel motorbikes, weed wiper, fertiliser,

Calving 16th July, Ave 383 M/S, All Grass System. $1,750.00

fence reels & standards, wire strainers. LK0090072©

126 European Yearling Hinds Foveran bloodlines. Surplus to requirements. These well bred hinds represent a very good opportunity to invest in years of breeding. Total number consists of three lines of colour tagged according to Sire. $700.00 + GST Kelvin Wilson, 027 478 6190

Calving 20th July, Hill Country Cows. $1,775.00

sheep weighing machine, Stanley

Paul Kane 027 286 9279 (North Waikato/ Northland) National Dairy & Live Export Coordinator

400 Frsn/ Frsn x Cows, BW52, PW70, RA64%

tip trailer, Giltrap double axle feedout

Grunt dagging machine, Racewell

North Waikato 55 Fr Frx Genuine Cows BW64 PW77 DTC 20/3 $2000 165 xbred I/C heifers BW76 PW80 DTC 14/3, I/C to Jrsy $1700

FOR SALE YEARLING HINDS

240 Jsy Cows, BW93, PW78, RA93%

Lister Nova dagging machine, Shear

Agonline Ref# 062986

Old & Antique:

Regan Craig, 0275 028 585

Separators, crosscut saws, valve radios, horse collars, bottles, bikes,

68 Frsn/ Frsn x Cows, BW67, PW90, RA92%

chairs, leadlight, pullies.

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

Contact Brent Bougen

One Vendor Code. $1,700.00 Agonline Ref# 062986

Richard Van Wynbergen 027 445 6056 South Island Dairy Coordinator

027 210 4698

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

LK0091213©

Terms strictly cash or current A/c client.

Aut Calving Carryover Cows, Calving 10th March.

for further information

Other

WAIKATO HERDS FOR SALE

Rhys Mellow, 0272 240 999

2012 K10T TX100 Tractor - 987 hrs, 3T

Northland 40 Fr Frx Genuine Cows BW56 PW60 DTC 20/3 Pick from 60 $2000 81 Fr Frx C/O Cows BW71 PW90 DTC 20/3 (42 days) I/C to Hfd $1650 Assorted lines available of C/O mixed breeds Lines to suit (breed, Due date, BW/PW) $1800

Sheep

Agonline Ref# 062617

Entries Include:

Autumn calvers

Beef

Calving 25th July, Ave 380 M/S. Will Computer Split. $1,750.00

Ongarue Back Rd, Signposted from SH4, Taumarunui

Central & Southern NI 194 Fr Frx Cows BW57 PW58 RA 80% DTC 15/3 $2000 114 Fr Frx Cows BW97 PW135 RA97% DTC 13/3 $2300 120 Fr Frx C/O Cows BW104 PW141 RA100% DTC 20/3 $1800 162 Xbred C/O Cows BW77 PW96 RA 96% DTC 1/3 $1750 58 Fr Frx C/O Cows BW78 PW100 DTC 5/3 $1800

– 50 Meadowslea bred commercial R2yr Heifers

Contact: David Giddings – Meadowslea 03 685 8027 LK0091224©

Contact Hayden McCarthy, NZ Farmers Livestock Ltd 0277 574 727 or 03 348 2360

Approx. – 80 fully recorded Stud Females

Price on application.

Wiltshires for sale

Upcoming on-farm Sales Autumn 2018

Chris Leuthart, 0274 936 594

TEKUITI EWE FAIR Thursday 18th January - 12noon A/C Maikaikatea Stn Co. (Capital stock – farm sold) 750 4th–6th – 4yr–5yr Romney ewes Fresh shorn flock Scanning ave last 3yrs = 175% Waimai Romney rams used last 20yrs High eczema tolerance rams used A/C Ardrossan Farm (Capital stock – farm sold) 1000 4th–6th – 4yr–5yr Highlander ewes Last 3yrs scanning ave = 188% Ewes run in Mahoenui basin A/C Mrs D Ralph (Capital stock – change of farming policy) 400 4th–6th – 4yr Coopworth ewes Scanning ave last 3yrs =195% Top flock Kevin Mortensen, 0274 735 858

MATAWHERO CATTLE Tuesday 13th February Special Entry A/C Morunga Station - Matawai 600 2 1/2yr Angus, Ang/Hfd & Exotic x Steers Well Bred Forward Condition Steers Farmed at High Altitude. Top Shifting Cattle. Tony Blackwood, 0272 431 858

Freephone 0800 10 22 76 | www.pggwrightson.co.nz

Helping grow the country

LK0091227©

15MTH HEIFERS 280-360kgs 340-400kgs 15 MTH BULLS 15 MTH STEERS 330-500kgs R2 or 3 YR STEERS 500kgs+

Autumn calving cows & heifers LK0091250©

After a lot of noise and disruption they finally got settled in their seats.

FOR SALE

SALE TALK

STOCK REQUIRED STORE LAMBS GENUINE BREEDING EWES

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

MARKET SNAPSHOT

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Grain & Feed

MILK PRICE FORECAST ($/KGMS) 2017-18

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Canterbury (NZ$/t)

AS OF 07/12/2017

AS OF 04/01/2018

353

327

NI mutton (20kg)

4.50

4.40

3.00

383

283

SI lamb (17kg)

6.90

6.95

5.10

Feed Barley

389

279

SI mutton (20kg)

4.50

3.00

233

Export markets (NZ$/kg) 9.06

9.15

7.69

7.0 6.5

Maize Grain

444

367

6.0

PKE

268

267

236

What are the AgriHQ Milk Prices? The AgriHQ Seasonal milk price is calculated using GDT results and NZX Dairy Futures to give a full season price. The AgriHQ Spot milk price is an indicative price based solely on the prices from the most recent GDT event. To try this using your own figures go to www.agrihq.co.nz/toolbox

US$/t

WMP GDT PRICES AND NZX FUTURES

UK CKT lamb leg

Prior week

Last year

6.5 6.0 5.0 4.5

Wheat - Nearest

223

221

223

Corn - Nearest

193

195

202

South Island 1 7kg lamb

7.5 7.0

386

ASW Wheat

366

275

Feed Wheat

320

269

Feed Barley

359

342

233

Ex-Malaysia

112

NZ venison 60kg stag

6.5

293

6006.0

PKE (US$/t)

Dec 17 Mar 18 NZX WMP Futures

7.0

CBOT futures (NZ$/t)

APW Wheat

North Island 17kg lamb

7.5

5.5 Last week

3500

2000 Mar 17 Jun 17 Sep 17 C2 Fonterra WMP

275

INTERNATIONAL

Australia (NZ$/t)

2500

276

* Domestic grain prices are grower bids delivered to the nearest store or mill. PKE and fertiliser prices are ex-store. Australian prices are landed in Auckland.

4000

3000

5.05

353

Waikato (NZ$/t)

Nov 17 Jan 18 AgriHQ Seasonal

6.90

Feed Wheat PKE

Sep 17 AgriHQ Spot Fonterra forecast

500

5.5

400

5.0

300

4.5

Oct Oct

104

Dec Dec

FebFeb

5‐yr ave NZX DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Nearby contract

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

WMP

3035

2975

2940

SMP

1750

1700

AMF

6000

Butter

4500

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Last week

Prior week

Last year

1705

Urea

520

482

Coarse xbred ind.

2.74

2.80

3.80

6150

6125

Super

303

317

Nth Isl 37m

2.80

2.85

3.75

4480

4775

DAP

739

Sth Isl 35m

3.15

3.10

4.05

752

CANTERBURY FEED PRICES

3000 2900 2800 Apr

May

Jun

Jul

THE year has started with a hiss and roar as markets across the globe have already hit fresh record highs, continuing the momentum from the end of 2017. However, trading remains muted as many lucky investors remain on holiday. Although there have been only a few economic data points released,there are a lot of important events to come in 2018 that could make it a very exciting year. The US Federal Reserve has started its tightening cycle, having now raised the Fed Funds Rate four times since the alltime lows it shrank to, following the global financial crisis. The central bank is also expected to begin to shrink its enormous balance sheet. The European Central Bank will also be watched closely this year, as economic growth in the region continues to gain momentum. The Central bank has halved its quantitative easing programme as of this month to €30 billion. At this stage the ECB intends to continue this until September 2018. Brexit remains a risk for both the European Union and the UK this year. Market commentary provided by Craigs Investment Partners

14912

18990

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

8250

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

7754

$/kg

250 Jan 15

Jan 16

Jan 17

Feed barley

4 weeks ago

Sharemarket Briefing

S&P/FW AG EQUITY

350

150 Jan 14

NZ venison 60kg stag

4.5

600

c/k kg (net)

NZ$/t

US$/t

3100

Coarse xbred wool indicator

5.5

450

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR

This yr

(NZ$/kg)

3200

Latest price

Last yr

AugAug

NZ average (NZ$/t)

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

Mar

JunJun

WOOL

* price as at close of business on Thursday

Feb

AprApr

FERTILISER

Last price*

2700

Last year

6.85

Milling Wheat

7.5

5.5 Jul 17

Last week Prior week

NI lamb (17kg)

$/kg

6.10

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

c/kkg (net)

6.40 MILK PRICE COMPARISON

$/kgMS

SHEEP MEAT

DOMESTIC

AGRIHQ 2017-18

FONTERRA 2017-18

Sheep

$/kg

Dairy

Jan 18

PKE spot

3.5

400 300

2.5

Oct Oct

Dec Dec 5‐yr ave

Feb Feb

AprApr Last yr

JunJun

AugAug This yr

Dollar Watch

Top 10 by Market Cap Company

500

YTD High

YTD Low

Auckland International Airport Limited

6.41

6.73

6.40

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

13.25

14.39

13.20

Meridian Energy Limited Spark New Zealand Limited The a2 Milk Company Limited Ryman Healthcare Limited Fletcher Building Limited Mercury NZ Limited (NS) Contact Energy Limited Vector Limited

2.90 3.58 7.74 10.94 7.61 3.35 5.43 3.47

3.00 3.68 8.48 11.30 7.81 3.43 5.64 3.48

2.90 3.57 7.68 10.59 7.55 3.35 5.41 3.45

Listed Agri Shares

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Company

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

7.740

8.480

7.680

Cavalier Corporation Limited

0.430

0.450

0.390

Comvita Limited

8.650

8.700

8.300

Delegat Group Limited

8.000

8.050

8.000

Foley Family Wines Limited

1.500

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

6.600

6.610

6.380

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

2.300

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

2.310

2.280

PGG Wrightson Limited

0.570

0.610

0.570

Sanford Limited (NS)

8.270

8.500

8.270

Scales Corporation Limited

4.790

4.920

4.750

Seeka Limited

6.470

6.520

6.450

Tegel Group Holdings Limited

1.180

1.240

1.170

S&P/FW Primary Sector

14912

15161

14912

S&P/FW Agriculture Equity

18990

19377

18990

S&P/NZX 50 Index

8250

8456

8250

S&P/NZX 10 Index

7754

8018

7754

TRADERS taking a This Prior Last NZD vs negative view on the kiwi week week year dollar are having to buy USD 0.7250 0.7153 0.7130 back in at rising levels EUR 0.6022 0.5926 0.6703 as the currency benefits from the good global AUD 0.9183 0.9097 0.9501 growth outlook, strong GBP 0.5355 0.5279 0.5858 commodity market and Correct as of 9am last Friday risk-on investor appetite. The market had been wrongly positioned with a lot of short positions on the kiwi and, coinciding with a weaker US dollar, it was being squeezed up, ANZ Bank senior economist Phil Borkin said. Holiday period trading was also generally a good time for the New Zealand dollar. It had performed well on a TWI basis, including a more surprising lift against an Aussie dollar supported by an improving economy as well as the euro and sterling. ANZ was circumspect on the outlook for the NZ economy but some investors had been too bearish, Borkin said. He believes headwinds for the economy might set-in later in the year, partly stemming from increased volatility as major central banks like the ECB start lifting quantitative easing measures. The kiwi might rise further in the short-term from about US$0.725 now towards 0.73 or even 0.74 in the next few months but that level would be a sell signal. Into the middle of next year, the ANZ forecast the kiwi at 0.65. Borkin said a €0.55 level was expected at that time, from current levels at 0.60 and a forecast €0.58 for the end of this year. Alan Williams

Markets

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 15, 2018

WAIKATO PKE

SI SLAUGHTER STAG

NI SLAUGHTER MUTTON

($/T)

($/KG)

EX-SERVICE HEREFORD BULLS, 600-690KG, AT RANGIURU

($/KG)

($/KG LW)

10.70

276

4.50

Cattle & Deer BEEF Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.40

5.30

NI Bull (300kg)

5.25

5.05

NI Cow (200kg)

3.95

3.85

SI Steer (300kg)

5.30

5.40

5.20

SI Bull (300kg)

5.20

5.25

4.70

SI Cow (200kg)

4.10

4.15

3.80

US imported 95CL bull

6.57

6.01

US domestic 90CL cow

6.58

6.61

5.98

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

North Island steer (300kg)

6.5

$/kg

6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0 South Island steer (300kg)

6.5 6.0

NZ venison 60kg stag

c/k kg (net)

$/kg

600 5.5 500 5.0 400

4.5

300

4.0

Oct Oct

Dec Dec

Feb Feb

5‐yr ave

Apr Apr

Jun Jun

Last yr

Aug Aug This yr

VENISON Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Last week Prior week

Last year

NI Stag (60kg)

10.15

8.10

NI Hind (50kg)

10.05

8.00

SI Stag (60kg)

10.70

8.10

SI Hind (50kg)

10.60

8.00

New Zealand venison (60kg Stag)

$/kg

NZ venison 60kg stag

8 500

400 7 300

6 Oct

Oct

Dec Dec 5‐yr ave

Feb Feb

Apr Apr Last yr

Jun Jun

Aug Aug This yr

5-year ewes at Stortford Lodge 2TH & MA ewe fair

$146-$170 Romney six-tooth ewes at Dannevirke Ewe Fair

Busy first week W HILE most regular sales started the year on a relatively quiet note extra sales kept auctioneers busy, with breeding ewe fairs featuring through the North Island, and on-farm lamb sales in the South. Some of the regular cattle sales were bumped up by service bulls finishing their time in the dairy herds.

NORTHLAND NORTHLAND Any pressure to offload stock in Northland depleted as rain fell, and that resulted in a very small yarding of store cattle at WELLSFORD last Monday. Those that did sell benefited from the rain, with 2-year steers holding value at $2.66-$2.74/kg for all main lines, while a small line of Murray Grey heifers, 433kg, sold for $2.63/kg. Hereford-Friesian steers won the popularity stakes in the 1-year pens as 325-372kg went under the hammer for $2.98-$3.02/kg. One line of HerefordFriesian heifers, 356kg, were not far off that pace at $2.85/kg, while most bulls traded at $2.67-$2.74/kg, apart from a line of five Hereford, 460kg, which reached $2.98/kg. A small offering of weaner’s finished off the day with a few lines sold subject, while Hereford-Friesian heifers, 111121kg, managed $470-$545. COUNTIES COUNTIES TUAKAU hosted two special steer fairs last week. On Tuesday a yarding of 1150 exotic and traditionally-bred 15-month cattle was presented to a buying bench bolstered by outside support from East Coast, Northland, Taranaki and King Country. Craig Chamberlain of Carrfields Livestock said some well-timed rain and keen competition resulted in a very strong sale, and prices were up by around $100/head on the same time last year. The better lots sold particularly well. Heavy Charolais-cross steers, 380450kg, traded at $3.32-$3.38/kg, $1300-

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IN STEP: Stock on their way to last week’s on-farm sale at Puketoro Station. Photo: Central Livestock Limited More photos: farmersweekly.co.nz

$1510 and 320-380kg, $3.30-$3.45/ kg, $1100-$1350. Heavy Angus steers, 380-450kg, sold for around $3.35/kg, with the bulk of the 320-380kg steers making $3.30-$3.60/kg. Lighter Angus, 270-320kg, earned $3.20-$3.35/kg. Prices were not as strong at last Thursday’s dairy-beef steer fair, where 1200 mostly Hereford-Friesian cattle were presented to a bench dominated by local buyers. The better quality steers still sold well, but lighter and lesser-bred lines were much harder to shift. Most of the heavy dairy-beef steers, 380kg-plus, sold at $2.88-$3.00/ kg, with the top lots making up to $1320. Medium steers, 320-380kg, traded at $3.00-$3.25/kg and lighter lots, 270-320kg, $3.05-$3.20/kg. At last Wednesday’s prime sale a small offering of heavy prime steers, 650kg-plus, earned $2.85-$2.88/kg, and medium $2.78-$2.84/kg. Heifer numbers were also light and prime types traded at $2.75-$2.78/kg, with medium earning $2.70/kg. A small yarding of ewes and lambs

was on offer at last Monday’s sheep sale. Heavy prime lambs sold up to $158, medium $115-$125 and lighter $100-$115. Prime ewes were in short supply. The heaviest ewes sold up to $123, medium $80-$100, and light $40$80. WAIKATO It was a positive start to 2018 at FRANKTON last week, with both the Weaner and Store Cattle sales strong. Tuesday’s Weaner sale was well supported by a moderate mainly local buying bench, with the market steady to lifting for the majority, helped by local rain. A total of 1001 weaners were yarded, and heifer returns were strong, with Hereford-cross lifting to $290-$460, as did Hereford-Friesian at $350-$470. The bull market was positive, with only off types showing any easing. Hereford-Friesian, 92-93kg, lifted to $520-$550; 105kg made $550-$602, with

Continued page 30

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Markets

30 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 15, 2018

BAY OF PLENTY BAY OF PLENTY Like a number of yards this week substantial rain, specifically in the past week, made for pleasing sale results at RANGIURU last week. Service bulls were a big feature last Tuesday and Hereford prices were right up to or better than steer returns as 602-692kg realised $2.94$3.06/kg, and most other lines earned $2.83-$2.95/kg. Jersey prices were also pleasing as 486-515kg managed $2.78-$2.83/kg. A hotly contested line of nine Hereford-Friesian steers, 685kg, made $2050, $2.99/kg, though most other lines tended to range from $2.73-$2.84/kg on a firm market. Heifer demand was also solid and a line of high yielding Simmentalcross, 498kg, achieved $2.95/kg, and Hereford-Friesian, 437-543kg, $2.73-$2.80/kg. A moderate yarding of 411 store cattle stepped into the rostrum, and strong demand meant a large portion of the 2-year HerefordFriesian steers lifted to $3.03-$3.16/ kg, while beef-Friesian heifers, 333360kg, made $2.72-$2.82/kg. Lines were small through the 1-year pens and of mixed quality. Most heifers were of Hereford descent and at 261-310kg fetched $710-$810 for variable $/kg. Young Jersey bulls, 316-346kg, traded at $2.09-$2.20/kg.

Sheep made a quiet start to the year and prime lambs were the highlight, selling up to $148. The weaner dairy-beef season is slowly winding down as later born calves now enter the market, but the rain helped give it a boost, with prices at least steady. Numbers climbed to 733 with bulls the main focus. Friesian bulls, 140-150kg, hit the price ceiling of $530-$562, which meant their $/kg value was much lower than those 118-125kg, which sold for $495-520, $4.16-$4.19/kg. Lesser quality lines, 100-107kg, dropped to $370-$390, $3.64-$3.73/kg. The opposite occurred in the Hereford-Friesian bull pens where $/kg consistently climbed as the weight dropped, with buyers working to per head budgets. Those 100kg plus earned $510-$550, though that barely moved for 9098kg which traded at $495-$540, putting one line of 15 head up to $5.51/kg. Heifer prices were also solid and Hereford-Friesian, 97-111kg, sold over a tight range of $420-$470, with most making $4.16-$4.23/ kg, though the exception was the lighter end at $4.54-$4.60/kg. TARANAKI TARANAKI Rain proved to be liquid gold for the TARANAKI cattle fair, as the market responded with at least a $150 lift for 1-year steers, and strong returns for older lines. Weaner prices last Thursday returned to levels seen at the end of November. While this sale was a fair it was much smaller than expected at 318 head, due to the rain and high throughput towards the end of 2017. Manawatu and King Country buyers were present and very active, though local buyers also gave them a run for their money, and the sale was completed within the hour. A capital stock consignment of 2-year Hereford steers set the tone for the sale. Sold in five lines of 12 to 27 head the heavier end, 498-574kg, traded at $2.88-$2.94/kg, though the next cuts, 459-486kg, sold for a premium at $2.98-$3.02/kg. One small line of Hereford-Friesian also managed $3.01/kg. A phenomenal improvement in prices for 1-year Hereford-Friesian steers was the real talking point, with 40-60c/kg added to December 13th prices for lines 375-408kg. Most traded at $2.96-$3.01/kg, while 300-364kg returned $2.99$3.03/kg. In contrast the heifer pens were very mixed in quality which was reflected in the prices. Weaner numbers grew to 1250

head as more confidence in prices drew more to sale. A price ceiling of $600 sat on the Hereford-Friesian bulls as 110140kg sold for $520-$600, and 100108kg, $480-$555. Hereford-Jersey, 110-120kg, returned $450-$500. Of the 730 bulls penned just 30% were Friesian - the smallest percentage this season. A good number weighed in at 130-165kg, and sold for $515-$590, while 115kg and under consistently sold above $4.20/kg. Steers had a good following and prices for Hereford-Friesian, 110130kg, were similar to the bulls at $560-$590. There was plenty to choose from in the heifer pens for those in the market and 116-140kg HerefordFriesian, sold for $480-$540 though some 105kg pens of good quality also made that range. Most other lines, 100kg plus, fetched $450$470. Angus-Friesian, 102-107kg, fetched $410-$430, and Hereford Jersey, $360-$460. POVERTY BAY POVERTY BAY The 2nd annual on-farm sale at PUKETORO STATION, inland from Tokomaru Bay and held last Tuesday, had all the makings of a hugely successful sale with top quality ewes, lambs and steers on offer, and it did not disappoint, Central Livestock agent Shane Scott reported. Despite this sale being relatively young in the fact this was only the second time it has been held, the quality preceded it, drawing in around 60 buyers for the 5400 sheep and 700 steers. All stock came forward in very good order and were a credit to the vendor. The sheep section was topped by a line of Coopdale two-tooth’s at $201, while Romney and Romdale made $188-$191. Perendale fetched $138-$169. Coopdale four-tooth’s made $151$172, and woolly wet-dry Perendale managed $162. In the six-tooth and four-year pens Perendale made $150-$160 and Romney, $147. Five-year Perendale ewes sold for $135-$150. Woolly mixed sex lambs finished off the sheep section in style, with an impressive line of 1271 good to very good lambs making $105.50, and a second cut $89. The attraction of big lines of Angus steers drew a number of keen buyers to the rails, and prices lifted on recent levels. Two-year Angus, with a few Angus-Hereford throughout, 491-510kg, all traded at $3.04-$3.10/kg, while one line of 536kg realised $2.97/kg. Top quality 1-year Angus, 380-465kg, sold for $3.38-$3.44/kg, and 330-379kg, $3.47-$3.62/kg. It was a quick-fire start to 2018

at MATAWHERO, where not even 300 head could be found in the yards. The bulk were store lambs, and these could be split into two categories. The medium lines found new homes at $77-$84.50 while two light pens made $57.50-$60.50. Much of the rest were various lines of prime lambs. These were nearly all $111-$123.50. HAWKE’S BAY HAWKE’S BAY STORTFORD LODGE eased into the New Year with a sheep-only sale last Monday, which was completed within the hour. A very small yarding of lambs improved in price by 35-40c/kg as most traded at $130-$151. The highlight was the ewe market which retrieved all the ground lost at the end of 2017 when space tightened up. The first line sold for $145, though was bettered by the second at $153. The top ewes traded at $124-$153, and light -medium through to good, $100-$121. The store lambs market started on a strong note last Wednesday for a yarding of 3800. The theme continued through to the end with new faces in the crowd as grass continues to flourish. Good whiteface wether lambs sold for $96-$97, with mediums type’s hot on their hooves at $88$91.50. Whiteface ewe lambs were mainly light to medium types and sold for $61-$78, with a few blackface lines making $64-$99.50. Mixed sex lambs split down the middle between blackface at $84-$98.50, and whiteface which returned $52-$79, with an exceptional sale of medium types to $90. Cattle really were a non-event last week, with none sold on Monday, and just 78 last Wednesday. Dairy influence was through all pens bar 14 Angus cows with calves-at-foot which stayed local for $1800 per unit. A line of red Hereford-Friesian steers were impressive animals, with good cover and tipping the scales at 523kg. These also sold local for $2.79/kg. Weaner bulls made up the biggest portion and Friesian, 112-113kg, sold on a solid market at $510-$540, while Simmental-Friesian, 109kg, made a premium at $595 over their beef-cross friends. MANAWATU MANAWATU Rain had a positive impact on the prime market at FEILDING last Monday, and across all classes of stock sold the market had at least a firm tone. A dairy dominant cattle yarding had a good following as both the service bulls and cull dairy cows were subjected to a lift in interest. Heavy Hereford bulls sold to

$2.95-$3.00/kg, with the top dollar going to the heaviest line of 746kg, putting $2238 on their heads. The Jersey bull market also showed good improvement with prices lifting 10-15c/kg as 478-508kg reached $2.43-$2.51/kg, while most other lines traded at $2.20-$2.38/kg. Friesian cows, 528-640kg, lifted to $1.80-$1.87/kg, with the remainder mostly making $1.75-$1.76/kg. Prime Hereford-Friesian cows, 525-546kg, managed $1.92-$1.96/ kg, though were bettered by Angus, 510kg, $2.10/kg. With rain easing the pressure to offload, sheep numbers dropped to their lowest level since early August last year. Very few lambs could be purchased for less than $120, with good competition putting most at $120-$160. Ewe’s finished off the strong tone of the sale, with prices firming across all types. Heavy ewes lifted $8-$18 to trade at $118-$133, while light-medium made $84-$109. The first full week back is inevitably a big one, and older steers are sold a day ahead of the regular sale to fit all cattle in. Recent rain did affect numbers, with 490 mainly good quality Angus and Angus-cross penned. Buyers presented from Hawkes Bay, King Country and local. Prices again exceeded $3.00/ kg for 2.5-year steers and Angus was the standout, having both the numbers and quality that those on the bench were looking for. Most lines were very good forward stores and the highlight was 20 very good Angus, 662kg, which may have sold just below $3.00/ kg at $2.90/kg but their weight put them at $1920. Other Angus ranged from 545-591kg, $3.08-$3.18/kg, while 514kg managed $3.21/kg. Angus-Hereford, 481-494kg, earned $3.08-$3.18/kg, and Angus-cross, 508-562kg, $2.95-$3.03/kg. Store types, 450-470kg, made $2.91/kg while Hereford, 552-583kg, fetched $3.06-$3.09/kg. One line of prime HerefordFriesian, 637kg, realised $2.88/kg. A bit of rain can make all the difference when it comes to the store market and this fact was particularly obvious at Friday’s sale. The bullock fair the day earlier meant there were zero two-year steers, but their absence was balanced out by an influx of exservice bulls. Friesian bulls lifted slightly, but the various beef-breed bulls held steady meaning the vast majority in the 525-685kg bracket sold at $2.93-$3.02/kg. A few 460500kg Jersey bulls were $2.35-$2.44/ kg. A small selection of two-year beef-dairy heifers, 410-455kg, were $2.83-$2.91/kg. A little under 700 head of yearling steers were trucked in, and

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116-126kg steady at $555-$610. Friesian, 96-100kg, were steady at $440-$468, while a nice line of 103kg managed $505. Those 110130kg lifted to $470-$550. A smaller yarding kicked off Wednesday’s Store Cattle sale. Two-year Friesian steers, 372496kg, were steady at $2.62-$2.70/ kg. Angus-Friesian, 444kg, lifted to $2.78/kg. Heifers were strong, with Hereford-Friesian, 468kg, making $2.57/kg, and Hereford-Jersey, 328kg, $2.53/kg. Friesian bulls, 463kg, made good returns at $2.75/ kg. One-year steers were consistent as Angus-Friesian, 351-374kg, made $955-$1025, whilst HerefordFriesian packed more punch at $990-$1150, just breaking the $3/ kg mark. Hereford-Friesian heifers dominated by sheer volume and a pen of 50, 328-346kg, showed steady results at $875-$940. A small quality line of 405kg lifted to $1110. Angus bulls, 493kg, were well received and achieved $1335. Prime cattle results were pleasing, with all beef and beefcross steers, 602-645kg, earning $2.71-$2.86/kg. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 479-516kg, were steady at $2.63-$2.68/kg. Hereford bulls, 675-693kg were a highlight, earning $1885-$1910. Boner cows all made $1.53-$1.67, regardless of breed.

buyers showed good enthusiasm throughout this section. On average values were up 10-15c/kg on the week earlier. The majority of traditional and exotic steers, 390555kg, went under the hammer at $3.15-$3.30/kg. Hereford-Friesian lines were fairly solid too, typically at $3.00-$3.20/kg for 375-460kg. A relatively small number of yearling bulls came forward and eased back a little on the week prior. Most were 435-490kg Friesians at $1200-$1340, $2.69$2.82/kg, though a few 320-435kg Jersey bulls were $730-$1030, $2.27$2.36/kg. One-year heifers were quite as strong as their brothers, but were hardly weak either. Traditional lines, 290-365kg, were mainly $2.91$3.01/kg with dairy-cross lines selling at a 10-15c/kg discount. The sheep yards played host to the largest yarding of store lambs since May last year, but a good crowed of buyers kept the market true, even with a number of regulars not present. The main weakness was through the good mixed sex blackface lambs, but even still these were solid at $97-$109on average, while the mediums were $76-$86. Whiteface cryptorchid and male lambs met the blackface lines at an average of $99-$109 for the good lines and $81-$92 for mediums. Lighter types were fairly well sought after too, generally falling into the $55-$75 range. The average store lamb price for the sale was $88. Only two small lines of mixed age ewes were put forward, making $83 and $121 respectively. DANNEVIRKE ewe fair numbers hit a 10-year high of just over 11000 last Thursday, as capital stock lines from sold properties joined annual draft ewes. Quality was mainly good throughout, and prices lifted. While traders and processors were in attendance they went home empty-handed as a good bench of buyers looking for ewes to farm outbid them. The top Romney 2-tooth lines were chased and three lines sold up to $204-$211, with most other pens making $155-$175. Third cuts returned $135-$140, with RomneyCoopworth trading at $168-$170. A line of 397 Romney-Perendale also reached $204.

Four-tooth Romney traded at $133-$180, and 6-tooth, $153-$170. Five-year ewes made up a big chunk of the sale, and sold very well. Top honours went to a line of 374 heavy Romney at $158, with most other lines selling over a tight range of $140-$151. CANTERBURY CANTERBURY The on-farm lamb sale season is in full swing in the South Island, and one vendor sold a total of approximately 4500 at two properties in Albury. Terminal lambs went under the hammer first with 1500-1800 blackface offered. Prices were $8$10 ahead of expectations across both properties, with the top blackface lambs making $140-$150, and the bulk of the sale at $90-$120. The lightest line sold for $62 though housed just 28 head. South and Mid-Canterbury buyers beat the path to the second property where 2500-3000 whiteface mainly males featured. Reared on tussock country these lambs were generally longer term types, with the top line making $120 and the majority trading at $87-$88. A sizeable cattle sale at COALGATE last Thursday was counterbalanced by a small sheep sale, with prices strong across both sales. Sheep numbers were well down on expected levels but a feature was 400 breeding ewes. The top lines of 2-tooths sold to $180-$181, while 62 mixed age reached $160. All other lines traded at $115-$133. Store lambs made up the lion’s share of the sale, yet could easily have been sold twice over. Quality was very good and coupled with strong demand most ranged from $80-$84, with a small third cut at $71-$77. One small line of exceptional ewe lambs reached $115. Prime numbers were low, especially in the lamb pens where the bulk of the 370 head sold for $120-$157 on a firm market. Extra demand from grazers for ewes, coupled with solid schedule prices meant heavy ewes traded up to $142-$165, and second cuts, $111-$136, with few dropping below $100.

Forward store steers in the prime pens were again hitting the $3.00/ kg mark or were not far off, with 515-523kg at $2.96-$3.00/kg, while finished lines made $2.80-$2.85/kg. A good yarding of beef heifers, 523-574kg, realised $2.73-$2.83/kg and Dairy-cross, 465-517kg, $2.70$2.77/kg. The best of bulls made $2.73$2.81/kg, with these prices reserved for the better lines in the 505-730kg weight band, while five Hereford bulls, 580kg, topped the section at $2.86/kg. A nice line up of Angus cows sold for $2.06-$2.12/kg, while 499-570kg lines returned $1.80-$1.96/kg. A bigger than usual volume of store cattle came out though most of the numbers were in the weaner pens so the sale did not appear overly big. The main feature in the 1-year pens was a consignment of 155 15-month, mixed breed steers and heifers. From this consignment, 17 Angus steers, 381kg, sold for $3.16/ kg, though they were bettered by their similar weighted AngusHereford paddock mates at $3.21/ kg. Charolais, 407kg, also sold right up there at $3.17/kg. The HerefordFriesian lines, 324-368kg, made $2.75-$2.85/kg. Similar breeds featured in the heifer pens and also sold very well. Hereford-cross from the same camp made up a big chunk of the section and two lighter end lines, 289-326kg, managed $3.10-$3.20/ kg, with most other lines at $2.78$2.96/kg. Weaner prices did show some improvement on the end of last year though Friesian bull buyers could not be budged off the $420$430 marker, with these prices covering a 102-113kg weight band. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 104111kg, returned $400-$440. SOUTH CANTERBURY SOUTH CANTERBURY Mother Nature was kind to areas within the TEMUKA sale yard catchment, which meant the sale year started on a positive note. The yarding of nearly 3000 store lambs was easily sold, including a consignment of Merino-Cheviot lambs which sold well at $71-$95. The main focus was on the quality meat breeds and bigger

agriHQ.co.nz

SOUTHLAND SOUTHLAND LORNEVILLE started off the year in style, with small throughput selling to strong demand last Tuesday. The store lamb pens had the top lines at $80-$93, medium $70-$75, and light $50-$65. Prime lambs firmed on the last sale of 2017, with heavy lines reaching $122-$142, medium $100-$111, and lighter $90-$99. Ewe prices were eerily similar, with the tops making $120-$141, medium $100-$116, and light, $77-$94, with lower condition ewes at $50-$71. Rams traded for $112-$120. Prime cattle prices were best described as sound, with heavy steers and heifers reaching $2.70/ kg, bettered by 550-600kg bulls at $2.70-$2.76/kg. Cows made up the majority, and 550kg plus returned $1.80-$1.90/kg, with medium dairy types earning $1.65-$1.75/kg, and light, $1.40-$1.50/kg. Hereford-Friesian bulls, 110120kg, sold for $480-$530, though lighter lines were better shopping at $300-$400. A similar result for the same bred heifers had 110kg managing $430-$460, but 85-95kg, $280-$330. The best of the Friesian bulls, 120-130kg, sold for $440$460, and 90-100kg, $270-$350. A line of 1-year Hereford-cross bulls, 430kg, returned $2.49/kg.

29, 2017

NOVEMBER

EYE LIVESTOCK TTLE TARANAKI CA

2.73

2.47

2.96

2.86

Store cattle

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

Suz Bremner

225 - 245KG

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1-YEA R STEER BEEF/ DAIRY

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

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Receive comprehensive liveweight-based results from the entire sale even when you can’t make it there yourself. Sign up to LivestockEye reports and keep your head in the game. And now LivestockEye Taranaki has joined our collection of nine other saleyards we report on.

Friesian, 293-323kg, managed $3.07-$3.10/kg. Hereford-Friesian was also the highlight in the 1-year heifer pens where two top quality lines of 327-352kg bettered the steer price at $3.10-$3.12/kg. Hereford, 234-296kg, sold at a lesser rate of $2.82-$2.84/kg. A big feature of the sale was the 1-year bulls and nearly 80% was one consignment from the Chatham Islands. All had Devon blood through them though the Devon-Hereford lines made a premium with 378-469kg at $2.71$2.72/kg, and 298-355kg, $2.76$2.80/kg. Devon-cross of similar weight traded at $2.65-$2.71/kg, with one line up to $2.79/kg. Jersey bull prices were very different as 381-389kg earned $1.93-$1.97/kg. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 95100kg, were a highlight, selling for 485-$520, $5.11-$5.20/kg.

line sizes sold at a premium to the smaller lines, which meant variable $/kg. The better mixed sex made $83-$112, though some lines did drop away to $73-$79. Light lines traded at $50-$68. Sale of the day was 159 light-medium ewe lambs which sold for $89. Corrections to schedule prices were reflected in the prime prices, with lambs in particular softening to $92-$147. The ewe market was more resilient though as a wider bench of buyers were active. Better types made $110-$167, and the remainder, $70-$107. Cattle throughput was at typical levels for the first sale of the year. Just over 60% were Jersey and the balance Angus, Hereford and a few Friesian for good measure. Fervent bidding set the tone and Hereford bulls, 687-733kg, managed $2.86$2.92/kg to be the highlight. Lighter Hereford and Angus, 520655kg, were off that pace but still pleasing at $2.77-$2.88/kg, giving the prime steer’s a run for their money. Friesian, 556-762kg, traded at $2.66-$2.78/kg. Buyers were focused on weight and yield on the Jersey bulls as 515-568kg managed $2.59-$2.68/kg, though a similar number weighed in at 444-505kg and sold for $2.35$2.51/kg. Lesser lines dropped down to $2.10-$2.20/kg. The best of the Friesian cows managed to hit $2.00/kg, though the bulk fetched $1.85-$1.95/ kg. Friesian heifers, 503-538kg, generally traded at $2.42-$2.51/kg. The prime steers and heifers did take a bit of a back seat to the dairy stock, though prices held where they left off in 2017. Angus and Hereford steers, 549-664kg, sold for $2.81-$2.85/kg, while Hereford-Friesian tended to trade at $2.70-$2.81/kg. Most heifers sold for $2.64-$2.75/kg, with premiums paid for straight Hereford and Angus. The store cattle sale was a small affair last Thursday, and included a large number of Chatham Island’s cattle. Chatham’s Hereford steers sold to keen interest, and 1-year 339-374kg returned $3.02-$3.04/kg, though lighter lines at 234-285kg made a 5-12c/kg premium. Two nice lines of well-presented Hereford-

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

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2.5

2.74 - 2.77 2.70 - 2.72

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32 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 15, 2018 COARSE CROSS-BRED WOOL

NI SLAUGHTER BULL

SI SLAUGHTER LAMB

($/KG)

EX-SERVICE JERSEY BULLS, 515-570KG, AT TEMUKA

($/KG)

($/KG LW)

5.25

6.90

2.64

ewes at Matawhero Ewe Fair

Weather governs stock flow Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com

EATHER conditions will be the major influence of livestock flows into processing plants over the next several weeks, NZX Agri analyst Rachel Agnew says. “Supply is usually driven by weather at this time of year but this year farmers are making changes to their supply plans day-by-day. Because the weather has been so volatile they’re very cautious and don’t want to take any risks.” Eastern areas of the North Island have had more consistent rain and there’s a lot of movement of supplementary feed from east to west. The six-week dry snap in Canterbury has come to an emphatic end with rain upwards of 110mm over the last three weeks, most of it in the last week. North Canterbury went through the worst of the 2013 to 2016 drought and farmers remain wary despite much of last year being very wet. After about 50 days with no rain Scargill Valley farmer Chris Earl described the recent falls as a fantastic turnaround. Spring crops had struggled to establish but were transforming from poor to very good feed options, providing a boost for lambs that just a month ago had been hard to finish and likely

TASTY: Good rain had put North Canterbury into a sweet spot, farmer David Meares says.

We’re getting an amazing strike of sub-clover and it’s very early for that so it’s a bit scary. Chris Earl Farmer to put ewes into excellent shape for mating. “Lucerne and rapes had been bouncing back after the earlier rain and now we’re getting an amazing strike of sub-clover and it’s very early for that so it’s a bit scary.”

Coastal North Canterbury also had good, recent rainfall, putting most of the area into a sweet spot, Motunau farmer David Meares said. Canterbury farmers are always wary of a dry late summer/autumn, like that two years ago after a soaking wet January appeared to put an end to the long-running drought. Southland, especially western areas, is also very dry. The Lorneville sheep processing plant was at “flat tack” leading up to Christmas as farmers brought forward their weaning drafts because of the conditions, Alliance

livestock and shareholder services general manager Heather Stacy said. That meant the peak kill was now passed though processing remains fullon, with the European and United Kingdom demand for chilled lamb for Easter being the main focus. That also underpins lamb schedules and Alliance is one company with minimumprice contracts, set earlier, about the $6.50/kg mark, which ensured prices remain healthy. Alliance also helps Southland farmers struggling to get their lambs to killweight because of the conditions, selling them as stores to co-operative shareholders in other regions. The Canterbury rain meant there was a strong buyer market in that province, Stacey said. There were also Southland store buyers in parts where there had been more rain. World demand for lamb products remained very strong and Alliance was bullish on the outlook past the Easter peak. Early February is the shipping time for that chilled product to arrive in Europe in late March. Once into February, the focus moves back to frozen lamb. Agnew said the schedule will finally start to fall back then. The kiwi dollar has also risen sharply against the United States dollar in the last couple of weeks, which would also have an impact on margins.

380-465kg, at Puketoro Station on-farm sale

Rain proves to be a game-changer THE hot topic this week for farmers has been the rain and while holidaymakers would have been cursing it, the backbone of New Zealand lapped up every drop. I really couldn’t call myself a Suz Bremner farmer if I didn’t get excited about the AgriHQ Analyst rain and I know I am not alone in my sentiments, as talking to people from around the country the conversation of choice was undeniably centered on the liquid gold. Though it didn’t come without its problems for some areas, most farmers welcomed it with open arms. But what you really want to know I’m sure is what effect, if any, it had on the first sales for 2018. I finished last year saying the weather over the break will dictate these early sales and that was quickly evident as they kicked off. Both prime and store markets have benefitted, along with the numerous breeding ewe sales to some extent. Most store markets, sheep and cattle, showed some increase in price with the rain allowing more to enter the markets as feed levels in some areas respond to the rain. The markets were also helped by low throughput as farmers were able to make the decision to sell rather than have the decision made for them. That, of course, meant less supply for the increased competition – need I say more. The rain also slowed the flow of stock to the processors and despite short kill weeks pockets of space opened up as the bottleneck eased. That, along with other factors, has kept schedule prices relatively stable at a time when they tend to ease and in turn brought more demand and bigger budgets to the prime sales. Sounds like a win-win to me, if you are selling. Exceptional breeding ewe sales have also been a feature and while some of the demand can be attributed to the weather, more so the high lamb and ewe prices and good outlooks have driven prices up this year. It would appear there is a switch back to farming breeding ewes, which is fantastic news for the sheep industry. suz.bremner@nzx.com

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