Farmers Weekly NZ January 8 2018

2 Our new weather man Vol 17 No 1, January 8, 2018

farmersweekly.co.nz

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Rain a big relief T

HE wild storm that ripped a path down the North Island last week proved to be a gift with a sharp clause attached for farmers in the Bay of Plenty and southern Waikato regions.

Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers president Darryl Jensen welcomed the rain on his Paengaroa property that delivered 95mm, more than the total rainfall for November and December combined.

However, the twist in the summer storm’s tail proved to be exceptionally high winds after the rainfall.

As disgruntled holiday makers grappled with fly-away tents, the winds also cut power to many farmers in the region. This had left some farms, including Jenkins’, facing no power for up to 48 hours.

“We are lucky in that we can milk our cows through the neighbours’ dairy, but I was surprised at the time we were told it would take. It seems we were hit with a blown transformer that has taken out our end of the network,” he said.

The wild sweep of weather is another event in what has proven a particularly challenging year for farmers in Bay of Plenty.

Dozens of properties further east at Edgecumbe were hit hard by cyclones Debbie and Cook falling within 10 days of each other in late March, leaving pastures silt damaged and maize crops unharvested.

With year-to-date rainfall totals up to 50% above average by August, the region then struggled

RELIEF: Despite having to milk his cows at the neighbours because of a power outage during last week’s storm, Bay of Plenty farmer Darryl Jensen still welcomed the rain.

Photo: Richard Rennie

with hot, dry conditions from mid-October.

“There are still farmers in the region with issues around silted land that has not been able to be resown since the silt went like concrete, and now needs to be completely turned over,” Jensen said.

Over the Kaimai Range, Hauraki farmers were also welcoming a decent wash of rainfall in a district that had also experienced intense flooding in autumn.

Elstow farmer Lorraine King had received 40-50mm across the family’s farms that included a property further west at Orini, an amount that proved timely as they started to consider options over diminishing feed supplies.

“Everyone here is very happy that it has not been so heavy to pond-up, and it has all soaked in – we were really looking down the barrel of having to make some tough decisions before this,” she said.

Further south in Waikato, Federated Farmers national dairy president Chris Lewis had also sighed with relief at the storm’s moisture content.

“We had everything ready for a dry spell with 40ha of maize and 35ha of chicory, but the dry period came earlier on what is supposed to be a summer-safe farm,” Lewis said.

“We were able to feed some chicory before Christmas. We could not have been any more

prepared supplement-wise and the chicory was a bit of a lifesaver then, but this rain is very welcome now.”

He was resigned to two to three weeks of supplements being fed as grass reserves built up, and was hoping some followup rain may be in store over coming days.

Farmers in the Rotorua-Taupo district were similarly pleased with the rain.

Federated Farmers provincial president Alan Wills said rain had varied between 60-80mm around the region, after only receiving 40mm in total over NovemberDecember.

“This makes a huge difference.

It will take a while to recover, but

this gives us a good chance to do that.”

He hadn’t dried-off any of his herd, and was looking forward to his turnip crop having a good boost post-rain.

Dry coastal Taranaki received some falls of rain over the holiday period to improve morale, Federated Farmers dairy chairwoman Janet Schultz said.

Follow-up rain was needed and coastal dairy farmers still faced a long road, she said.

An excess of standing drymatter plus moisture could create the conditions for facial eczema, so preventative measures would be needed.

Many herds had gone to 16hour or once-a-day milking, while some of the larger properties had dried off two- and three-year-olds, Schultz said.

Two months without rain meant that crops hadn’t germinated properly and not enough silage was made.

“The rest of the season will be lean for many Taranaki dairy farmers, so we need to keep looking out for one another,” she said.

Northland received very useful falls of rain to begin 2018, DairyNZ regional manager Chris Neill said.

“This will become effective as pasture in 10 days, before which there will hopefully be follow-up rain to sustain growth and milk production,” he said.

All districts received between 60-100mm over Thursday and Friday from the first ex-tropical storm event of 2018.

“Farmers will be feeling more confident about the prospects for the rest of the season,” Neill said.

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NEWS

WEATHER OVERVIEW The warmer than usual ocean temperatures around NZ have finally connected with the weather, helping to create significant afternoon downpours recently and of course the deep sub-tropical low at the end of last week that brought overdue soaking rains to many. The biggest shift in the weather pattern now is perhaps a return to more cold fronts and westerlies in the South Island – it will bring rain to the West Coast, a few showers to the North Island and more spring like temperature changes in the lower South Island. While some wet weather is coming for Canterbury we also see a drier trend returning to some in the east over the next 14 days perhaps because of more westerlies in this pattern.

5 Affco increases EU market share Affco Holdings has continued expanding its sheep meat marketing tallies, with another 5%-plus increase in European Union sheep meat quota for this year.

Grain storage future is sealed ���������������������������������������� 6 Honour in the face of adversity ������������������������������������� 8 Dealing with stress on the farm ����������������������������������� 10

Opinion ������������������������������������������������������������14 World �����������������������������������������������������������������18

REGULARS Real Estate �������������������������������������������������19-26

Pasture Growth Index Above normal Near normal Below normal

7-DAY TRENDS

Wind

Rain Classic cold fronts return this week to the West Coast with rain/showers – but these fronts will weaken as they move to the North Island. A few showers are likely in the North Island but drier than usual conditions look set to remain in the lower half of the South Island.

Newsmaker ������������������������������������������������������12 New Thinking ��������������������������������������������������13

DAIRY PASTURE GROWTH INDEX – Next 15 days

High pressure dominates around the North Island this week and then later the South Island. Winds are fairly light but may pick up in South Island coastal areas at times, especially Tuesday and Wednesday. Nothing overly dominant wind-wise this week.

Highlights/ Extremes

Temperature Fairly mild in the North Island this week but the South Island’s more ‘spring like’ with a mix of hotter days and cooler days. The upper North Island sees the most consistent warmth while the eastern/southern South Island looks most changeable, with a cooler southerly on Wednesday.

This week is much quieter than last.

A weak but cooler southerly midweek may cool things down for some eastern/southern South Islanders and even the lower North Island by Thursday. Daytime heating could see more isolated deluges in the North Island on Tuesday, Friday and potentially the weekend.

It’s hardly surprising that the past two weeks have had poor pasture growth but you can feel that more humid La Nina kick in the air now and that should lead to more heavy downpours. Another sub-tropical low like the one last week could reverse the big dry for many. With that recent soaking for many coupled with summer warmth we expect pasture growth to really lift in a big chunk of the North Island, including areas in drought.

Canterbury may see an uptick too.

14-DAY OUTLOOK

Employment ����������������������������������������������27-28 Classifieds ��������������������������������������������������������28 Livestock ����������������������������������������������������28-29

32 High lambs’ wool demand Limited supplies of lambs’ wool were sought-after in late December auctions in Christchurch and Napier, but heavy volumes of adult cross-bred bales took a toll on some other prices.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

3

GDT lift boosts milk price forecast A USEFUL lift in whole milk powder prices from the latest GlobalDairyTrade auction has underpinned the New Zealand forecast farmgate milk price at $6.40/kg milksolids.

Whole milk powder (WMP) prices rose 4.2%, the biggest percentage rise since April.

Some increases for longer delivery periods (May and June) were up 5%, including a mark of US$3000/tonnes for Fonterra’s instant WMP. The effects on milk production from lack of rain in major dairying regions had forced Fonterra to revise its seasonal collection expectation to 1480 million kg of milksolids (MS), and reduce the volumes of WMP offered on its GDT platform.

“Dry conditions are expected to continue, and even if the rain forecast early in 2018 eventuates, it will not be enough to bring production back to previously anticipated levels,” Fonterra said in a statement on December 29.

Despite rising milk production

Our revised forecast at $6.10 remains well-shy of Fonterra’s $6.40, but the likelihood of reaching this forecast has improved given that WMP prices are tracking higher again.

Susan Kilsby AgriHQ in Europe and the United States, and because NZ supplied more than half of world-traded WMP, the revised NZ production forecast boosted a flagging market.

Fonterra said it now expected the negative effect of weather conditions to result in 4% less milk this season, compared with the previous season.

Since the recent peak season of 1614m kg MS in 2014-15 Fonterra suffered three consecutive

REBOUND: Recent lack of rain in the big New Zealand dairying regions has forced Fonterra to revise its seasonal collection expectations, and reduce the volumes of WMP offered on its GDT platform.

seasonal falls in milk collection, totalling 8.3%.

As a result it now had about 15% processing overcapacity at peak because it built more plants to cope with what was expected to be

growing milk production, and its legislative obligation to process all milk that farmers produce.

Fonterra said better dairy product optimisation for added-value was the plus-side

of overcapacity, but there must also be maintenance costs and capital expenditure loan interest payments.

The AgriHQ milk price forecast rose one cent to $6.10 after the auction, but movements in futures prices were mixed.

They lifted a little for WMP but eased for skim milk powder, anhydrous milkfat and butter futures.

The AgriHQ snapshot price, based solely on the January 2 GDT results, lifted 6c to $5.71.

Senior AgriHQ dairy analyst Susan Kilsby said the lift in commodity prices at the first 2018 GDT was partly offset by a rise in the NZ dollar, now US71c.

“Our revised forecast at $6.10 remains well-shy of Fonterra’s $6.40, but the likelihood of reaching this forecast has improved given that WMP prices are tracking higher again.”

Demand for WMP remained steady, as China continued to use imported powder to make up the shortfall in its domestic milk production.

New-look weather page puts farmers first GETTING up close and personal about the weather farmers are experiencing in their district has long been part of Philip Duncan’s philosophy since he started providing forecasts for farmers more than 20 years ago.

The founder of WeatherWatch is now looking forward to building on his dialogue with the farming community as the new forecast provider for Farmers Weekly’s revamped weather page.

Duncan began his forecasting career in the mid-1990s while living on the Hauraki Plains near Te Aroha, long-recognised as something of a black hole by farmers when it came to getting accurate weather forecasts.

Twenty years later Duncan created WeatherWatch, and has built up a strong following within the rural community for not only his forecast accuracy, but also his personable approach to communicating sometimes complex weather situations.

“Farmers will pore over the details in forecasts, the fine print which is great – they appreciate the intricacies that go with forecasting,” he said.

“The new page in the Farmers Weekly provides them with a heads-up on prospects for the coming week, and whether there is anything specific there they may need to keep an eye on as the week unfolds.”

The page includes an overview of rain, temperature and wind prospects and a national pasture growth forecast map.

Duncan said the most frequent question from farmers was “when will it rain?” and “when will it stop raining?”

“It is quite a challenge to be able to address farmers’ needs almost a week ahead, but one that I feel we can deliver at a higher standard, and with more local relevance than they may have had before,” he said.

Farmers Weekly editor Bryan Gibson said bringing weather into the content mix would give farmers more of the information they need.

“We strive to give New Zealand farmers all the tools they require to make better business decisions, whether it is reporting industry news, providing sale results or data on other commodity fluctuations.

“Philip has built a strong relationship with the rural sector through his forecasting and social media use. He understands the farming calendar, and will now bring that expertise to the pages of Farmers Weekly.

“The raw numbers on weather are available everywhere, but Philip will provide the insight farmers need to make more informed decisions onfarm,” Gibson said.

MAN FOR ALL SEASONS: WeatherWatch founder and new Farmers Weekly forecaster Philip Duncan.

A daily weather update will also be provided at www. farmersweekly.co.nz, launched later this month.

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THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

News

Insurance risk profile rises Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com

HARD HIT: The most expensive insurance event of 2017 was Cyclone Debbie, which resulted in 5470 claims totalling $91.5m in losses.

NEW figures from the insurance industry have escalated New Zealand to a high-hazard global ranking as insurance brokers urge farmers and rural agribusinesses to recognise pending weather-related risks.

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insurance claims over the past three years comes ahead of data from the World Meteorological Organisation projecting the pace of weather disasters to continue for the next four decades.

With the number of storm and flood insurance claims increasing 56% in NZ over the past three years, the cost of claims to insurers had spiked at 70%.

As a result the International Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery had ranked NZ at a high-hazard level for most flooding and cyclone events.

NZ was already rated as a high risk for seismic activity.

With new storm and flood losses now also on the radar, Kiwis needed to do more to prepare for adverse weather disasters, NZbrokers chief executive Jo Mason said.

She said area-specific data was used by reinsurers to calculate the risk profile that determined the cost of insurance premiums.

“While we were already rated as a high risk for seismic activity, now storm and flood losses in our market are on their radar as well.”

Mason said of particular concern for NZ was the fact ocean temperatures were among the warmest on record and global sea levels were continuing to rise, so far by 26cm.

“Despite evidence which says emissions are now levelling out, the concentrations [of carbon dioxide] will remain in the atmosphere and have increased at record pace over the last year.”

According to industry figures for the past 18 months, insurers had paid more than $265 million for 15 serious weather events in NZ. The figures showed no particular region affected more than others.

“Weather events may cost less than a serious seismic event, but the increasing frequency and geographic spread of events show every business in NZ should be prepared,” Mason said.

“Unfortunately, preparing a business continuity or resilience plan is often not given the priority it deserves, but it will enable you to respond to an emergency and continue to operate as normally as possible.”

The good news was sharing preparedness could potentially reduce premiums.

“Sharing the extent of your preparedness with the insurer may demonstrate your business in a positive way, increasing the number of insurers that want to compete for your business and help reduce the premium,” Mason said.

The Insurance Council of NZ (ICNZ) reported 2017 as the worst year on record for weatherrelated losses. The most expensive event of the year was Cyclone Debbie that resulted in 5470 claims totalling $91.5m in insured losses.

Flooding was also a big contributor, with insurers paying out $94.6m across 11,455 claims for flood events.

“These extreme weather events highlight the importance of being well-insured,” ICNZ chief executive Tim Grafton said.

Grafton said insurers made decisions about cover and premiums based on their appetite for risk.

“The more common extreme weather events become, the higher the level of risk.

“Being aware of and adapting to climate change are important parts of being a resilient country, and the best way we can reduce our risk,” he said.

Given the volatile nature of the rural industry, insurer FMG anticipated major events such as weather disasters and had set the company up to handle them, FMG general manager for marketing and risk services, Pete Frizzell, said.

“Natural disasters and climatic events are but some of the many challenges the rural industry faces, particularly over the last few decades and while there is little we can do to stop them, as an industry we can learn from them.”

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

5

Affco increases EU market share Sharing the sheep

Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com

EU Sheepmeat Quota (tonnes)

AFFCO Holdings has continued expanding its sheep meat marketing tallies, with another 5%plus increase in European Union sheep meat quota for this year.

Waikato-based Affco has now increased its quota figure by 33% since 2013.

It is comfortably in place as the third biggest lamb processor in New Zealand, though still a distance from market-leader Alliance, and also significantly behind Silver Fern Farms.

In the 2018 quota of the major players, Alliance has a 63,083 tonne share of the total quota of 227,914t from NZ. Silver Fern has 45,220t, Affco 36,323t, the Craig Hickson interests 23,700t, and Anzco Foods’ Canterbury Meat Packers (CMP) 21,915t.

NZ companies haven’t come close to filling the EU quota for several years since China became the largest individual market by volume, but the quota reflects overall market share because it’s based on the total rolling production over the previous three-year period.

Alliance has regained some market share, up from 62,175t last year, but is still behind its 2016 level, and about 4000t down on 2013 levels. It now has 27.68% of the quota.

There’s a big gap to Silver Fern at 19.84%, continuing a steadily falling share in recent years. The three-year rolling production period still largely covers the period when Silver Fern was in a constrained capital position ahead of its big cash-injection deal with Chinese group Shanghai Maling last year. The group has been fully-funded since last July, able to invest in its rationalised processing plant network, and should be starting to be more competitive in the market.

Back in 2006, Alliance and Silver Fern had nearly 61% of the EU

2018

2017

2016

2013

Affco

36,323

34,409

32,138

27,508

Alliance

63,083

62,175

63,440

67,001

Binxi NZ

722

270

-

-

Blue Sky CMP

5999

6283

6307

6870

21,915

21,888

21,572

20,205

Crusader

5449

5285

5008

4922

Davmet

3568

3328

3018

2606

Integrated

2308

2217

2193

1991

Lean Meats Ovation Prime Range

3124

4681

5225

5452

16,024

15,784

15,080

14,671

2203

2052

2117

2405

Silver Fern

45,220

48,236

50,779

53,176

Taylor Preston

12,083

12,820

12,759

12,123

Te Kuiti Meats

4552

4291

4292

3675

Wilson Hellaby

5340

4941

4661

5135

Total quota is 227,914 tonnes. Individual tallies are rounded, so may not match exactly.

UP AND AWAY: Affco’s volume growth into European markets hasn’t come at the expense of profitability, chairman Sam Lewis says.

quota market between them, with Silver Fern having the larger share.

That combined market share is now 47.5%, as smaller, innovative companies have grown.

We’ve not had a deliberate strategy to improve our share, but we’ve been consistently in the market.

Sam Lewis Affco Affco’s share has grown from 27,508t in 2013, and the latest year-on-year increase is 5.56% from 34,409t.

Affco chairman Sam Lewis said the figures reflected the company’s

growth in the South Island though it only had two small plants, in Southland and Canterbury, so there were limits on future growth there. In its North Island base, the plants were well spread geographically.

“We’ve not had a deliberate strategy to improve our share, but we’ve been consistently in the market. We think we led the process on minimum-price contracts and they appealed to our traditional base of mum-and-dad farmers.”

Affco put a lot of store by operational efficiencies, and the volume growth “had not come at the expense of profitability”, Lewis said.

Given water issues covering irrigation and “healthy rivers” regulation, it was possible that dairy cow numbers would plateau in the North Island, Lewis said. If there was an increase in livestock

numbers from here, it would likely be in sheep.

Also using 2013 as a base, CMP’s quota share has grown 8.46% (1710t), Alliance is down 5.85%, and Silver Fern down 15% (7956t).

The Hickson companies – mainly Ovation, but also Lean Meats and Te Kuiti Meats – are down slightly from 2013, at 23,700t from 23,798t. The main marketing business, Ovation, has grown steadily to 16,024t from 14,671t, but the overall figure is lower because of the sale of the Lean Meats’ Oamaru business to Chinese-owned NZ Binxi Oamaru.

Year-on-year, Lean Meats is down

to 3124t from 4681t. Te Kuiti Meats is one of the faster growing smaller meat companies, up 6% (261t) to 4552t.

In the mid-tier group of processors, Taylor Preston’s quota share has dropped nearly 6% on last year. Southland-based Blue Sky Meats has lost more ground in a very competitive area.

Excellent year-on-year gains have been achieved by Hawke’s Bay group Davmet, up 7% (and up 37% in quota numbers since 2013), as well as Wilson Hellaby, up 8%, and Prime Range, up 12%, both after some mixed results in recent years.

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6

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

Grain storage future is sealed Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com THE key to quality onfarm grain storage is to know the target outcome for the grain and match storage to that end, Australian grain storage expert Peter Botta says.

It was also important to know what insects affected specific grain storage, Botta said as he told farmers that investing in gas-tight sealed storage would need to be the way of the future.

Speaking at the Foundation for Arable Research’s Annual Research in Action field day in Mid Canterbury late last year, Botta said having a plan was essential to ensuring successful storage.

“For example, it is difficult to successfully store grain long term in a system intended for shortterm storage.

“The other major consideration is that increasing levels of resistance to the contact treatments used in unsealed storage are making insect control more difficult.

“Investing in gas-tight sealed storage or having at least a proportion of storage gastight sealed enables successful fumigation to kill insects.”

Botta said effective grain storage was essentially about managing time, which in turn relied on knowing which insects affected grain storage, and being able to kill those insects when the need arose.

He said that in a gas-tight sealed silo, grain could be fumigated effectively providing quick, inexpensive and long-lasting insect control.

Market flexibility was also

When the decision is made to store onfarm, the system becomes a part of the food supply chain.

Peter Botta Consultant

BUG BUSTERS: Australian grain storage expert Peter Botta says gas-tight sealable silos should be integrated into New Zealand grain storage systems to ensure long-term storage success.

Photo: Annette Scott

enhanced because grain was stored residue-free.

However, grain storage goals needed to match with a system that was effective and supported best practice.

Botta said some Australian growers used ground dumping, but dumped grain needed to be moved or used within six weeks.

Silo bags offered better protection and were also common in Australia, being particularly good for managing harvest pressure.

But for New Zealand growers

where longer-term grain storage was more common practice, farmers had to be aware that the longer the storage period required, the greater the potential for infestation and the greater need for planning.

Botta said monitoring for resistance would be beneficial in NZ. In Australia resistance to protectants was developing, and it was necessary to use a combination of protectants to manage resistance.

“If market requirements and resistance developments trend

similarly in NZ as they have, and continue to in Australia, grain protectant usage will decline and the requirement for pesticide residue-free grain will increase.

“This in turn will increase the use of fumigants and controlled atmospheres, requiring same gastight sealed storage that meets a standard pressure test.”

To be confident that any new storage was gas-tight, farmers should check that it meets Australian Standard AS 2628-2010.

“It is also important that new storage can meet this standard for

the expected life of the storage,” Botta said.

“Silos that lose their gastightness because of structural failure rather than lack of maintenance are not what you want.”

Botta encouraged farmers to apply the same decision-making principles when buying silos and storage equipment as they would any other piece of machinery – it must be fit for purpose.

In most cases it would be impractical to replace all storage with new sealed storage, but where storage was to be increased good-quality, gas-tight sealed storage should be bought.

Above all, Botta urged growers to keep the market in mind.

“Work with grain end-users to ensure any delivered grain meets the receiver’s expectations.

“When the decision is made to store onfarm, the system becomes a part of the food supply chain, and growers need to manage the grain, understanding it is a food product in most cases.

“A system that allows easy grain storage while maintaining quality will ensure growers can deliver grain that meets market expectations.”

Getting on board with the arable value chain Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com ARABLE farmers as food producers need to be investing in a different part of the value chain to secure sustainable cropping businesses in the future.

That was the message from Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) chief executive Nick Pyke at the organisation’s recent annual Arable Research in Action field day in Canterbury.

New Zealand needs to start from the markets and build on the strengths it has for cropping to meet future food trends and capture more of the value chain for the grower, Pyke said.

“We need to work with our advantages, and obviously what we have around water, soils and climate, topped with very skilled farmers and food producers, is where we need to focus.

“To capitalise on these benefits we need to develop suitable cropping systems,” he said.

This meant selecting crops that could be grown profitably and sustainably, and developing new business models so that farmers

had greater ownership of the value chain.

Understanding future food trends was key to producing high-quality food products that appealed to consumers.

Pyke said FAR’s Future Foods project addressed these issues, and aimed to work both from the market back and from what could be grown forward, to develop new profitable crop and food options.

Internationally there were huge changes in food trends and significant interest in the future of plants to provide protein for products such as Sunfed, a chicken-tasting pea protein, or the plant-based Impossible Burger.

“These things are happening, and we are not on the band wagon at the moment,” Pyke said.

The challenge for plant proteins was to produce a unique product and extract the value for NZ. “It’s nothing totally new, but it’s about bringing the market back into our crops to meet new market demand.

“It’s what we are going to do with it that is new – yes, we can produce the quality the market wants, but when it comes to plant proteins and new food trends, the

question is: have we missed the boat? To some extent we have.

“We need to be more ambitious and innovative in thinking with what we do with these crops,” Pyke said.

Crops trialled at FAR’s Chertsey research site in Mid Canterbury included Miami peas, purple wheat, durum wheat, Rajah red lentils and buckwheat.

The consumption of pulses, perceived as having a reduced environmental effect, was rising in the health-conscious and ethical consumer sector.

Specialty wheats, tending to be the older varieties, were largely used in baked goods where demand was generally niche, with requirements increasing for trendand health-conscious consumers.

Buckwheat fell into the same category because it could also be used for gluten-free flour.

Pyke said there could also be opportunities for nutritional beverages, novel grains, highvalue oils, and fresh water containing plant exports.

But he suggested China was too diverse, instead highlighting better opportunities in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan where

GROUND ADVICE: New Zealand’s arable farmers need to select crops that can be grown profitably and sustainably, FAR chief executive Nick Pyke says.

Photo: Annette Scott

there was a much more defined market and better opportunity to do things a bit differently.

“The challenge to our science community is to make us protein so we have the resource to understand these crops. Somehow we have to get there.

“We have to re-engineer the

value in the value chain and where you, the food producer, fit in with that – that is the challenge now.”

Pyke said that meant farmers had to be investing in a different part of the value chain to secure sustainable businesses and to ensure they reaped greater benefit.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

Honour in the face of adversity Richard Rennie & Neal Wallace NATIONAL president of the New Zealand Rural Support Trust, Neil Bateup, was one of several agricultural luminaries to be recognised in the 2018 New Year Honours for their services in the primary sector.

Bateup received the Officer of the NZ Order of Merit (NZOM) for his services to agriculture and the community.

Well-known ex-Federated Farmers president Dr William Rolleston received the highest of the awards dished out in the New Year, the Companion of the NZOM, for his services to the farming community.

Bateup’s role in community leadership and rural mental health initiatives has become increasingly dominant in the past few years. He was also appointed last year as the inaugural national chairman of the Rural Support Trust National Council.

The council was formed to unite the 14 regional Rural Support Trusts operating throughout NZ under one identity, and Bateup’s appointment reflected his role as the “go-to” farmer for comment when farmers were hitting tough times.

After 13 years working on the Waikato trust, Bateup felt confident the trusts were the most effective interface with farmers when areas faced adverse events that involved government relief.

However, he was also increasingly confident farmers were themselves becoming more confident about raising their hands for help when struggling on the land, regardless of whether they were in the midst of a government-declared adverse event or not.

“I think we are seeing it more often now where these guys who once would not have wanted to have asked for help are recognising they may have a problem, and are seeking some help to deal with it.”

Bateup said this was a welcome shift, particularly as the rural sector starts once again to grapple with dry conditions in many parts of the country, and farmers face the prospect of quitting stock early or drying-off milking herds well-ahead of season’s end.

Data released before Christmas highlighted the continuing stresses farmers face, and the mental health impact it has.

The Coroner’s office released figures showing 22 farmers committed suicide in 2016-17, up

from 18 the year before. Suicide rates in rural areas are almost 50% higher than in urban areas, at 16 per 100,000 people.

But Bateup believed a united body for the Rural Support Network, and greater awareness of mental health issues were positives for the year ahead.

“Each one is a tragedy, and the need for people to support one another on the land has never been greater.”

Bateup and his wife Eileen farm a 700-cow dairy unit near Te Hoe, north Waikato, and were pioneers in a low-cost, once-aday milking system now common in areas prone to early prolonged dry periods.

Penny Mudford was ITALY - SWITZERLAND - FRANCE recognised for her extensive involvement in primary May/June 2018 sector industry groups, including Federated Farmers, the Veterinary Council and a member of the Walkway Access Commission, also receiving an Officer of the NZOM. She also worked in private practice, breaking new ground in dispute resolution A wonderful European experience for farmers and foodies alike! Visit interesting specialising in the rural farms and food related enterprises and get fresh ideas in a fast changing world. sector.

Enjoy wonderful cuisine and iconic cities and regions throughout!

Fonterra senior research scientist Dr Palatasa Havea UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND was recognised for his work June/July 2018 The very best of both in the dairy research England, Scotland, sector, and the Pacific Island Wales and Ireland. Enjoy community, with a Member visits to a wide range of of the NZOM. farming enterprises, the He has led research Royal Highland Show, projects that resulted in a fine gardens, country estates, scenic coastal new manufacturing process regions, the highlands, for separating the functional cultural attractions and properties of whey protein See our website for more 2018 tours! wonderful cities... from its nutritional value, allowing the addition of the Farm To Farm Tours Discover some of the protein at higher levels in world’s best farming, PO Box 239, 92 Victoria St, scenery and experiences Rangiora, 7440 many nutritional products. in the company of like info@farmtofarm.co.nz Other recipients of Ph: 03 313 5855 minded travellers. awards include Dr Garth Carnaby, who received the Companion of the NZOM

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HIGH REGARD: NZ Rural Support Trust national president Neil Bateup was the recipient of an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit award for services to agriculture and the community in this year’s New Year Honours list. Bateup and his wife Eileen run a 700-cow dairy unit in Waikato.

for services to science and governance.

Carnaby was president of the Royal Society of NZ from 2009 to 2012. He chaired the Canterbury Development Corp then returned to personal research, establishing new capability in wool research now based at Lincoln Agritech.

Southland farmer Stuart Collie was made a Member of the NZOM for contributions to agriculture and education.

I think we are seeing it more often now where these guys who once would not have wanted to have asked for help are recognising they may have a problem, and are seeking some help to deal with it.

Neil Bateup Farmer He had a nearly 20-year career in Federated Farmers, rising to the position of national vicepresident from 1990 to 1996. He was a director on the Southern Institute of Technology’s council from 2000 to 2010, implementing the Zero Fees tuition scheme.

He has been a councillor, deputy chairman, and chairman of Environment Southland between 1998 and 2010.

During time on the United Wheatgrowers NZ electoral committee he was involved with the establishment of the Agrichemical Education Trust and the Growsafe accreditation system to raise the standards of agricultural chemical use.

He also served on the

Southland Harbour Board for several years.

Melissa Jebson from Canterbury received the Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to agriculture and the community.

She has been president of the Central Districts of the NZ Royal Agricultural Society since 2016, is a member of the society’s national executive committee, and a national equestrian judge.

She has also had involvement in Young Farmers, the Darfield High School board of trustees, Creative NZ Selwyn District, conducted the Malvern Choir and been active in netball and Plunket.

Dan Lyders from Taieri, south of Dunedin, also received a QSM. He has been a member of the NZ Farm Forestry Association for 50 years and was a founding member of the Waihola-Waipori Wetlands Society. He maintains a private wetland on his property.

Lyders was president of the Otago Acclimatisation Society when it was restructured and the inaugural chairman of Fish & Game Otago.

Within the wider community he has served on the Berwick School committee and West Taieri Medical Services committee, secretary of Otago-Southland Dorset Down Breeders, chairman of Saddle Hill Pest Board, and has been involved with the Taieri Dramatic Society.

Rod Farrow received the QSM for services to Fire and Emergency NZ and the forestry industry.

He began his career in 1957 and was the principal rural fire officer for the Tokoroa Rural Fire Authority for more than 10 years, responsible for overseeing the adoption of modern fire management practices and fire monitoring.

His contribution to managing forest risks has led to better work practices that safeguard wood supply and increased fire response levels.

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

9

Protein battle heats up Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com THE animal protein sector is fighting back at what it sees as the misuse by plant protein makers of terms and images for milk and meat.

In recent weeks the Dairy Companies Association succeeded in making Vitasoy pull a television advertisement implying the plant-based product was nutritionally compatible with dairy without making it clear it was a manufactured, plant-based beverage.

And the Poultry Industry Association had asked the Commerce Commission to rule if packaging of the vegetable-based product Chicken-free Chicken made by Auckland firm Sunfed misled consumers.

Executive director Michael Brooks asked if Sunfed was misleading consumers by using an image of a chicken and the wording “Chicken-free Chicken, Wild Meaty Chunks” on the product’s box.

“The product has a picture of a chicken on the front of it and refers to wild meaty chunks.

“In both cases we are questioning if it meets the legislation.”

Brook said all food producers

THEY’RE NOT STUPID: Consumers know if they are buying real meat or a plant-based substitute, Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor says.

had to adhere to the same labelling laws so consumers were not misinformed.

Dairy association chief executive Kimberly Crewther said the offending television advertisement panned over soy and coconut crops and rice paddies using the term “milk, milk as far as the eye can see”.

It later suggested the nutritional value of plant-based beverages was comparable with dairy.

“The perception given was that it was a natural product when it

is the extract of a manufacturing process.”

When challenged, Vitasoy agreed during mediation to withdraw the advertisement before the Advertising Standards Authority was asked to rule.

Crewther said her association would assess on a case-by-case basis the use of dairy terms by plant manufacturers but would be especially protective of dairy milk’s acknowledged nutritional values.

Dairy companies supported the definition of milk and milk

products and use of dairy terms as established by the global food standards body, Codex Alimentarius International.

It defined milk as the normal mammary secretion of milking animals obtained from one or more milkings without either addition to it or extraction from it, intended for consumption as liquid milk or for further processing.

Beef + Lamb NZ chief executive Sam McIvor said the organisation had commissioned an international company to study the impact of alternative protein and the opportunities and response of the red meat sector, which should be ready by the end of December.

Demand for meat was growing internationally and within that segment, demand for grass-fed, hormone and antibiotic free beef was also emerging.

“As much as I see disruption and risk there is also a sweet spot being created for us.”

United States beef production would reach record levels in each of the next three years on the back of cheap grain but beef consumption was forecast to grow from 118kg a head to 120kg by 2019.

Lamb consumption was low in the US at 0.4kg a head and

McIvor saw plenty of scope for growth.

“We are taking the risk seriously but approaching it from a position of knowledge and understanding.”

B+LNZ would not in general take action to defend wording or images associated with red meat because consumers knew if they were buying real meat or a plantbased product.

Internationally dairy appears more advanced in protecting the use of its traditional terms than other protein producers.

An Australian lobby group Dairy Connect was lobbying Food Standards Australia-NZ to adhere to the Codex standard for the use of dairy terms. Any ruling would also apply in NZ. The European Court of Justice recently ruled plant-based protein could not, in principle, be marketed using terms such as milk, cream, butter, cheese or yoghurt.

US Senator Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin pressured the Food and Drug Administration to legally enforce the labelling of dairy products to ensure the use of dairy terms applied only to milk from cows.

European MPs sought tougher laws preventing plant protein producers from using meat terms such as prosciutto and mortadella.

New Fonterra mozzarella plant near-ready to say cheese FONTERRA’S third mozzarella cheese plant at Clandeboye, South Canterbury, is nearing completion and commissioning is due to begin in May. When the new plant goes into full production towards the end of the year it will double Clandeboye’s output

of individually quick-frozen mozzarella, made in six hours rather than three months.

Eighteen of 19 silos have been installed to hold up to 1.25 million litres of milk and other liquid streams.

Operations manager Steve McKnight said the pipe bridge connecting the new plant with the rest of the site had been completed, using 21km of

steel weighing 173 tonnes, and capable of holding 230,000l.

The construction team numbered 175 people and 75 of the 100 people required for round-the-clock plant operations had begun training, to be joined by the rest in February.

“There’s a real buzz in the air onsite, as we have more people onsite and the plant takes

shape,” McKnight said.

“It’s great to have a whole lot of people joining the Fonterra family who will help us provide a legacy for the future as we become the largest producer of natural mozzarella in the southern hemisphere.”

The capital expenditure was announced in December 2016, to take nearly two years and cost $240m.

It was the biggest single investment into food service capacity on the way to expanding the added-value division to $5 billion revenue by 2023.

The expanded mozzarella capacity will require a muchenlarged volume of winter milk from farmer-shareholders in the region, from May onwards.

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News

10 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

Dealing with stress on the farm THE day Marc Gascoigne told his family and friends about how stressed he felt was the moment his life began to improve.

His message to other farmers who might be struggling with the ups and downs of farming is to stop bottling it up and start talking.

“Really good friends of mine had no idea anything was wrong. Only I could decide to get help and get better,” he said.

Gascoigne and his partner Marcia ran a successful, 150-hectare, 450-cow, family dairy farm just south of Cambridge.

The farm’s production rates and results were impressive enough to feature in industry case studies.

But years of long hours and pressure took a toll on Marc’s wellbeing. A few years back he started to feel under the pump.

The trigger was continued wet weather over winter and spring.

“Weather was one of my main pressures.

“You can’t control it and if you’re talking about mental wellness that was certainly my biggest challenge. Wet weather makes everything difficult and adds a lot of stress to the whole farming system.”

A lot of his anxiety stemmed from concern for the wellbeing of his animals.

“If they’re not happy, I’m not happy.

“Of course it’s always going to rain in winter and spring but when it’s constant rain it makes it nearly impossible to properly feed them.

That really added to my stress levels.”

Things reached the point where the pressure felt totally overwhelming.

“I couldn’t think straight. I remember going to get the cows one morning and despite nothing being wrong, I had a huge panic attack. I felt like the whole world was closing in on me. I felt absolutely shit-scared but didn’t know what I was shit-scared of.

“My body shut off the part of my brain that helps you make decisions. The phone would go, it would be one of my staff but I just couldn’t answer it because I couldn’t make decisions. It was pretty crippling.”

Gascoigne experienced those feelings for a while but never acknowledged them.

“I’d always wanted to be the rock for my family, the strong one. I

Marc’s top wellbeing tips Managing Busy Times “Planning is the key. It’s important to have good systems and routines in place at busy times like calving so everyone knows what’s happening. Delegating and trusting stuff is a big one too. Make use of people like farm advisers. It’s such a co-operative industry. A lot of people are only too happy to share their experience.”

Sleep “At calving time I used to get stressed and not sleep very well.

My mind would be churning. Now I keep a piece of paper and a pen by the bed, write down the jobs I need to do and tell my brain to deal with it in the morning. That helps me get to sleep.”

RELEASE: Waikato farmer Marc Gascoigne’s advice to those struggling with the ups and downs of farming is to stop bottling it up and start talking.

farmstrong.co.nz

wouldn’t admit there was anything wrong.

“The biggest part of getting better for me was admitting I had a problem and not trying to shut it away.

“The turning point was telling my family. Just admitting to people that I was suffering from anxiety and depression was a weight off my shoulders and huge relief.”

Now Gascoigne has made it his mission to share his story so other farmers seek help before they burn out. Two and half years on, his working life looks a lot different.

Exercise – running and cycling – have played a major role in his recovery.

“When you’re getting stressed and anxious on the farm and dwelling on everything, the world closes in. What I discovered was the best thing I can do is pull on the running shoes and go for a run. It clears my head and gives me a sense of escape, I guess. It also burns off stress.”

Getting more time off the farm was another priority. He hired help and learned to delegate.

“I think having a relief milker

is as important an investment as fertiliser or putting detergent through your milking plant.

“When I was younger I used to think ‘I don’t want to spend that, I’ll do it myself’. But that’s the wrong way to look at it. Yes, it’s a cost, but it’s your whole wellbeing at stake. Everyone needs time off.”

Gascoigne also made greater efforts to stay connected with other farmers.

“It has been another really wet spring and I think it helps to touch base with other farmers and see they’re going through the same thing.

“Getting off the farm and going to a DairyNZ discussion group is a great way to see how others are tackling the problem and helps see your own farm with fresh eyes.”

Gascoigne had been farming for 24 years and his love for the industry hadn’t diminished but he was a lot better at looking after himself these days.

“I love farming because you are producing something tangible and I’m proud of producing a high quality product. I also love being self-employed so your work benefits you and your family – if you put the work in and make the right decisions you get rewarded for it.”

But nowadays when things

get busy Gascoigne’s a lot easier on himself and uses a range of strategies to keep well.

“I don’t get hung up with doing everything 100% during busy times. These days I use the 80/20 rule because it’s usually the last 20% of jobs that take the most time getting things perfect.

“A good example is how I used to go around after the contractors had put fertiliser on the paddocks and covered the bits the truck couldn’t reach on my fourwheeler and spreader. It was a huge amount of work at a really busy time. Now I leave those bits because it’s not going to make a big difference. My own energy levels and wellbeing are far more important.

“The main thing I’ve learnt about staying well on the farm is before you can look after your family, your farm and your animals, you’ve got to look after yourself. If you’re feeling tired, fatigued and not in the right head space you won’t be able to look after what’s really important.”

“My message to farmers is that while some stress is normal, when it becomes overwhelming you’ve got to do something about it. Don’t wait for years and years and suffer like I did.”

And employing more help freed

Giving Back “I’m president of the Te Awamutu Cycle Club which ticks a lot of boxes in the Big 5 - giving back, exercise, staying connected.

We’ve got 350 members and run 40-plus races every year on road and velodrome. When you’re helping people like that it energises you and makes a real difference to your own wellness.

I’ve also recently become a facilitator for the Waikato Hauraki Coromandel Rural Support Trust and I’m keen to help people going through the same struggles as I have.”

Enjoying the simple things “We run a bed and breakfast and have people from all round the world coming to stay. When I take them for a tour of the farm in the ute and go to the top of the farm the view absolutely blows them away. That makes me realise how lucky I am to live in such an awesome part of the world.

It’s easy to take that stuff for granted.”

Nutrition “I’ve found exercising gives you appetite. It makes food taste so much better. I never skip a meal.

When I was milking, I’d always grab a plate of cereal and banana before milking. I have fruit and snacks for during the day and try to eat a balanced diet.”

him up to pursue one of his favourite projects – planting to restore a wetland on his property. is the official media partner of Farmstrong

New Fonterra division promotes health in later life Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com THE nutritional needs of ageing and sick people will be addressed by a new division within NZMP, the ingredients business of Fonterra.

Called the Medical Nutrition and Healthy Ageing division, it will accelerate research and development and form partnerships with innovative

partners to find highlyspecialised ingredients.

As people live longer, agerelated diseases such as diabetes and heart disease were becoming more prevalent.

NZMP said malnutrition was not only a developing-world problem, because many people suffered from loss of appetite or gastro-intestinal disorders.

NZMP intended to deliver high-quality nutrition with

products such as protein powders mixed into soups or drinks or compact yoghurts that people could swallow easily.

The quality of life for people facing or undergoing treatment for cancer could be improved with products to help them stay strong for chemotherapy.

A lack of mobility could significantly affect quality of life and protein was key to retaining

and building muscle, especially with age.

Maintaining muscle mass was particularly important for bed-bound patients, facing the loss of about 1kg of muscle for every week in hospital. There was also a desire for people to extend middle age and seek out products that improved their wellbeing, such as food and drinks fortified with extra nutrients to address specific

health needs and help them stay stronger for longer.

NZMP said it would draw on many years of R&D into protein products that fostered health and activity.

Population forecasting said there would be more than two billion people aged 65 and older by 2050.

Already, 27% of Japanese were in that age bracket, and 15% of New Zealanders.

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

11

Utmost safety for new milk plant THE big, comfortable, covered catering area for the 300 contractors building the country’s newest milk factory might seem an unlikely analogy for the culture the management at Mataura Valley Milk is trying to engender.

But forget packed lunches.

Caterers provided workers building the nutritional dairy plant near Gore with barista quality coffee and cooked meals and while it was costly, Mataura Valley Milk general manager Bernard May said the message it sent about the philosophy and culture they wanted to create was far more important.

“If we want a welder to do the world’s best weld we want to ensure he feels looked after and safe.”

From the start Mataura Valley Milk has set its sights on making the world’s best paediatric and adult base nutritional powders, a complex and exacting business that required a culture of excellence among staff and quality processing systems.

That bid for excellence started with construction staff building the perfect $227 million plant, which was designed by leading experts from around the world.

May said to sell nutritional formula for $85 a can instead of $30 meant there was no room for a she’ll-be-right attitude anywhere in the company.

All the company’s eventual 65 staff had to constantly strive for excellence.

Mataura Valley Milk would be the only New Zealand plant to comply with nutritional standards set by the Ministry for Primary Industries, China’s Food and Drug Administration and the

United States Food and Drug Administration.

Another layer of validation of systems and processes by an external agency had been added above that compliance to provide further quality and safety corroboration for customers.

“We are going beyond compliance to validate to customers that everything in the business is working as it should.”

May said the approach taken to product quality and risk was similar to that adopted by a pharmaceutical company.

We are going beyond compliance to validate to customers that everything in the business is working as it should.

Bernard May Mataura Valley Milk “It’s a different approach to looking at risk and managing risk to meet consumers and customers’ requirements.”

The raw milk processing area, for example, was in its own building 120m away from the sterile nutritional production plant because contamination from raw milk was considered a significant risk.

Mataura would be supplying an established, integrated supply chain meaning it would be making sales and earning revenue from the first day of production in August.

China Animal Husbandry Group (CHG), one of 19 agricultural companies owned by the Chinese

government, owned 88% of Mataura but that would dilute to the mid 70s when 35 to 40 farmersuppliers took up shares.

Other shareholders were local investors along with Hamiltonbased blending, canning and sachet business Bodco.

CHG recently increased its shareholding in Bodco and also bought a stake in Auckland nutritional manufacturer and sales company Nouriz.

It had been selling in to China for six years, supplying 5000 stores in 150 cities with 2016 sales of $300m.

That common shareholding created the integrated supply chain.

In the first few years up to 40% of production would go through Nouriz and the rest to other leading international nutritional manufacturers.

Mataura would establish its own brands and specialty products such as butter, cream and anhydrous milk fat and could produce whole and skim milk powder.

The company required about 100m to 130m litres of milk a year or supply from between 35 and 40 farmers, who would be selected from within an 80km radius of the plant. Almost three times that number have expressed an interest in supplying MVM. May said raw milk contributed between 20% and 30% of the end product with the balance ingredients sourced from around the world and blended with fresh milk. The liquid was then dried, packaged and shipped to customers.

Milk suppliers would have to adhere to strict quality standards and become shareholders in the company, paying $2 to $2.50 a share.

ONLY THE BEST: Mataura Valley Milk is engendering a culture of excellence at its new factory starting with the way it treats the builders, general manager Bernard May says.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT YOUR SALEYARD? 0800 85 25 80

agriHQ.co.nz

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NOVEMBER

EYE LIVESTOCK TTLE TARANAKI CA

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60

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on the shoulders of the season and during winter, earning from 50c to $1.50/kg MS depending on when it was supplied. May said that reflected higher feed costs but also capital investment in standoff pads and wintering sheds.

Suppliers would be confirmed in February, the plant commissioned in June-July and production of the first milk and infant milk formula in August May said MVM would invest in other nutritional products, but said success would be judged somewhat differently to traditional manufacturing companies.

“Success for us is not building another drier to dry more milk. It’s investing in plant capability that adds more value to milk already supplied by shareholders.”

May said that meant not feeding palm kernel to cows, as palm oil was no longer used in formula. Milk had to be chilled below 4.4degC in accordance with USA FDA standards, meet a low somatic cell count targets and farmers would have to adhere to animal welfare and environmental standards set by organisations such as Dairy NZ and Environment Southland.

“It is a brand reputation risk we don’t want to incur.”

Eventually May said MVM wanted to establish its own farm gate milk price, but it would start at a level at least 20c/kg MS supply premium above competing prices. In addition it would be topped up with incentives of up to 10c a kg for milk quality.

Farmers would also be incentivised to produce milk

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Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com

12 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

Newsmaker

Farmlands back into the black A focus on business consolidation helped Farmlands Co-operative make a $5.5m profit in 2017, a dramatic turnaround from the previous year’s hefty loss. Alan Williams spoke with chief executive Peter Reidie on how the change was made.

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As this was being done, a brighter outlook for the rural sector led to a pick-up in revenues in the second half of the year, meaning that the income gains went straight to the bottom line.

“We managed the mix more efficiently,” Reidie said.

“We sold more of what made money for us, and less of what we don’t make much money from.”

Underlying profits from the nationwide 82-store portfolio were up 16% on a year earlier – that improvement plus the major divestments allowed a sharp reduction in borrowings at balance date.

“The difference between the best and worst parts of the business is quite broad, and the more we can raise the bar to best level the more opportunities Saturday 13/01/2018 there will be for Te Puna Speed Shear Money raised on the night is going to Assistance Dog NZ to us. There are still help a Speed Shear Family get an assistance dog for their some things we autistic son. See givealittle.co.nz to donate for Kyle Balme. can do better at.”

Location: Top Shot Bar, Minden Road, Te Puna Time: 5.30pm The Nutrition Entry: Gold coin business Contact: Worzel 027 577 2632 recovered from a difficult prior Friday 19/01/2018 & Saturday 20/01/2018 Wairoa A&P Show year, Grain and Venue: Ruataniwha Road, Wairoa Seed was solid Time: Friday 8.00am-8.00pm, Saturday 8.00am-4.00pm in challenging Door Sales only operating Wednesday 31/01/2018, Thursday 01/02/2018, conditions, Friday 02/02/2018 and the Real New Zealand Dairy Event Estate business Venue: Manfield, South Street, Feilding continued Time: 8.00am-7.00pm each day Free admission to expand.

Farmlands has AWDT Understanding Your Farming Business a strong agency 3 full-day workshops and an evening graduation ceremony run over four months supply business Te Anau: 08/02/2018, 08/03/2018, 05/04/2018 and in the likes of fuel 03/05/2018 and fertiliser, and Cheviot: 14/02/2018, 14/03/2018, 11/04/2018 and its Farmlands 09/05/2018 Kaitaia: 14/02/2018, 14/03/2018/11/04/2018 and 09/05/2018 Card is widely Greymouth: 21/02/2018, 21/03/2018, 18/04/2018 and used. It’s also 16/05/2018 pushing hard Fox Glacier: 22/02/2018, 22/03/2018, 19/04/2018 and at an advanced 17/05/2018 Contact: anna@awdt.org.nz or 06 377 4560 technology focus.

Website: To register for the programme go to http://www.awdt.

Since balance org.nz/programmes/understanding-your-farming-business/ date, the co-op has bought a AWDT Wahine Maia, Wahine Whenu 3 full-day workshops and an evening graduation ceremony run 30% stake in the over four months information and Kaikohe: 15/02/2018, 15/03/2018, 12/04/2018 and solutions venture 10/05/2018 Masterton: 27/02/2018, 27/03/2018, 24/04/2018 and FarmIQ, joining 22/05/2018 Landcorp and Contact: anna@awdt.org.nz or 06 377 4560 Silver Fern Farms Website: To register for the programme go to http://www.awdt. in the ownership. org.nz/programmes/uyfb-wahine-maia-wahine-whenua/ “We think it will be a good part of a Should your important event be listed here? co-operative with Phone 0800 85 25 80 or email adcopy@nzx.com 60,000 owners.

EVERAL changes across several parts of the business is how Farmlands achieved a year-to-year $14 million earnings turnaround, chief executive Peter Reidie says.

The rural services co-operative recovered from a $9m loss in the June 2016 year to a $5.5m profit in 2017.

Major moves were selling the group’s two loss-making divisions, Finance and Livestock, and the core retail store business was tightened up in terms of costs and inventory management.

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GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Farmlands chief executive Peter Reidie is confident the co-op’s shareholders will receive a “strong rebate” at the end of this year.

We need to look ahead, and developing solutions for farmers is part of that.”

Reidie said changing market demands were throwing up issues for the sector, and FarmIQ could provide neat adjustments enabling farms to be managed more efficiently and effectively, including benchmarking comparisons.

“We think it’s pretty exciting.”

FarmIQ will operate independently of the core business.

“We’re not seeking to control it or block anyone else from getting involved – as far as we’re concerned, the more participants the better,” Reidie said.

The difference between the best and worst parts of the business is quite broad, and the more we can raise the bar to best level the more opportunities there will be for us.

Peter Reidie Farmlands A bigger spend again is a threeyear, $90m technology upgrade programme called Braveheart, aimed at transforming the business. Microsoft is involved in replacing the technology system installed 20 years ago.

Farmlands will become a “data-centric” organisation, Reidie said. With cloud storage it will make high-value data available to shareholders, covering productivity, input costs, crop and stock performance, farm profitability, and environmental and safety compliance.

“We’ll be ahead of the curve, with great access to information onfarm. We will be turning data into information and better results and recommendations to shareholders.”

The upgrade is due for completion in August-September 2019.

The Finance and Livestock businesses came into the merged Farmlands group through its South Island arm, the former CRT Group.

“Both were losing money, but we got money in from selling them.”

The Finance business also meant exposure to high group borrowings to fund it.

“We doubled our resources over the last two years, but our book didn’t move a dollar. Our shareholders were telling us they didn’t want the co-op to be borrowing money to lend to them,” Reidie said.

The business was sold to ASB Bank subsidiary Finance Now, and an arrangement is in place providing shareholders with a more complete and effective finance offer than Farmlands itself could provide.

In Livestock, Reidie said Farmlands “had half a business” located in the South Island.

Ashburton-based Carrfields also had “half a business”, the largely North Island-based operations acquired from Elders.

“We’d have each had to spend a lot of money to have a national footprint so we put them together, and the next question was ‘who was up to it to do it?’, and Carrfields stepped up for that.”

There is no formal arrangement for Carrfields to handle Farmlands shareholder livestock “but we have a friendly relationship, an arrangement in spirit”, Reidie said.

Farmlands’ borrowings had peaked at $106m in January 2016, and ended that June year at $84.6m. By June 2017, this had been reduced to $66m. Some of the borrowing funding from the Finance business was transferred to Finance Now. While Farmlands directors believe the business “is heading in the right direction”, Reidie and chairman Lachie Johnstone made clear in the annual report that more remained to be done. Only by staying on the growth course achieved in the 2017 year could

it become “the stronger, more secure co-operative it needs to be”, they said.

To help set a foundation for this, a bonus rebate wasn’t paid out to shareholders on the profit improvement. The bonus had been an annual tradition, but has been missed for the past two years.

While the decision was “primarily a fiscal measure designed to position Farmlands for our next period of growth, we acknowledge that it will cause some disappointment”, Johnstone and Reidie said.

Reidie said the group needed to be prudent with its cashflows and spend, and a rebate on a $5.4m profit would probably have been at an insignificant level on an individual shareholder basis.

“We hope to see a sound, strong rebate at the end of this year, and so far we don’t see anything to stop that.”

Keeping the 2017 year’s $5.4m profit for debt repayment and reinvestment left Farmlands with net assets of $121.1m (excluding members’ share capital) out of total assets of $414.8m, compared with a net figure of $118.3m and total assets of $409.8m a year earlier. This meant the equity ratio rose slightly to a fraction over 29% from a fraction under.

This figure is low. By accounting rules, the members’ share capital is treated as a liability because it’s repayable on demand. At a practical operating level, the shareholders’ investment (just under $117m at June 30) was consistent over time, and Farmlands’ bank was comfortable with the balance sheet numbers, Reidie said.

One other issue the co-op dealt with during the year was an imbalance between staff buying privileges (at cost) and prices paid by shareholders, at a time when they weren’t receiving an annual rebate. The co-op’s staff card was removed, with staff encouraged to become shareholders. By June 30, more than 800 of Farmlands’ 1400 staff had signed up. The ambition was for all staff to eventually be shareholders as well, Reidie said.

New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

13

Decoding milk’s brain food power Former Fonterra chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden once described milk as being akin to an onion with many different layers composed of nutrients and components scientists were only just starting to unpeel. AgResearch science group leader Dr Jolon Dyer is one of those doing the peeling and he spoke to Richard Rennie about what they hoped to discover.

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HE New Zealand pastoral sector is looking furtively over its shoulder at the threat posed by nonanimal protein sources synthetic and plant-based milk and meat.

But the dairy sector was also gearing itself up to respond by gaining a better understanding of what makes milk such a valuable nutrient source, through the Smarter Lives: New opportunities for dairy products in the lifespan research project.

Fonterra was on board with the scientists as a commercial partner and research horsepower was boosted from the Riddet Institute, Auckland University’s Centre for Brain Research, Flinders University, University College Cork and Illinois University.

The researchers were looking forward to unravelling the most critical food source required by mammals.

“As a food source milk is unusual in terms of the role it plays, initially in infant protection and growth then through early brain, tissue and bone development, in fact, almost every aspect of early growth.

“And we are only now starting to understand the role it can potentially play at the other end of life in maintaining cognitive function and health,” AgResearch science group leader Dr Jolon Dyer said.

Researchers were starting from some earlier work that indicated milk’s components played a key role in helping with brain development and might play a role in being key ingredients in smart food products of the future.

Dyer was coy on what exactly the components were, with a longer-term research goal being

to take the identified components, once their value had been proved scientifically, and apply them to commercial products.

In a world where the proportion of people aged over 60 was going to increase by 56% from 900 million to more than 1.4 billion in 2030 and outnumbering children aged 0-9 by 100m, milk components were going to play a role far beyond infant nurturing.

“As we get older we experience a decrease in cognitive function and it is thought milk has the potential to play a role in mitigating that.”

A key part of the researchers’ focus included the gut-brain axis, a relatively recent link discovered by researchers.

That new area of research discovered the gut contained neurons similar to those in the brain and through them there was communication linking emotional and cognitive centres of the brain with intestinal function.

Research in the area showed noticeable improvements in the ability of rats to cope with stressful activity when their gut was supplemented by specific microbiota.

Changes in the composition of gut microflora caused by drugs, disease and diet could correlate with changes in the brain’s protein levels and overall performance.

The researchers’ horsepower included science leader Dr Nicole Roy of AgResearch leading a multi-disciplinary team including AgResearch, the Riddet Institute, Plant & Food Research and the University of Auckland covering complementary expertise in food components, auto-immune diseases and gut health.

“Roy is regarded as a world leader in the area of gut health research, researching factors

CHEERS: AgResearch science group leader Dr Jolon Dyer says milk is a “smart” food of the future.

As we get older we experience a decrease in cognitive function and it is thought milk has the potential to play a role in mitigating that.

Dr Jolon Dyer AgResearch which affect nutrient gene interactions and food-host interactions,” Dyer said.

The brain-gut connection was often better understood by Asian consumers, with a culture used to linking mindfulness and mental wellness through foods and herbal remedies.

“They have this understanding

2096FW

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of the value of functional foods, including, for example, wide acceptance of probiotics.”

However, that understanding was now also growing rapidly in Western markets as consumers better understood the effects of processed food consumption and sought purer foods delivering specific wellness outcomes.

“This work will be stepping beyond milk’s known nutritive benefits to provide scientifically validated research about its effect on the brain.”

Dyer said there was also a greater understanding about products like milk delivering their benefits as a more natural whole package rather than in component parts.

With global fresh milk consumption on the slide and alternative milk proteins raucously claiming their position

Photo: AgResearch

in supermarket chillers, he also hoped the research would provide a powerful counter to the arguments those products made about benefits.

“Most foods were not designed specifically to have an impact on human brain development and maintenance, unlike milk, which we hypothesise, does have this specific function for the infant.”

Dyer saw the work typifying a new path of research in the NZ food sector to more premium, value-added outcomes that developed high-value, specific ingredients for use across a range of products.

“It is a very exciting area for researchers to be involved in, stepping well beyond the established work on milk’s nutritional value and into this new area that sees it become a truly functional food.”

Opinion

14 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

EDITORIAL

Winning urban hearts and minds

T

Neal Wallace

LETTERS

Hands-on work hard to come by I READ your recent article, Student farmer helps share the load, with interest.

I’m a second-year animal science student at Massey University. While we have no requirements for practical work in this degree (though I feel we should), I’ve been trying to gain summer farm work.

I grew up on a sheep and beef station in Gisborne, but my experience is limited.

After high school I worked in admin for about eight years before deciding on further study. While picking up another admin-related job this summer was an option, I was desperate for more “hands-on” experience.

Massey had a careers hub with plenty of summer farm work listed.

However, the ads were either

targeted at ag or vet students (because of compulsory practicum requirements) or students with already vast experience (fencing, maintenance, and even a dog or two!).

I enquired on various Facebook pages seeking work experience but to no success, and I have few contacts in the industry.

So I’m staying with my “retired” father (is a farmer ever?) over summer, and we’ve finished weaning, drenching and crutching in just over a day.

My main point is to say thanks for highlighting to readers the need to give inexperienced females a chance in farming – we all have to start somewhere.

Additionally, if you’ve had any feedback from farmers

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Melissa Bennett Gisborne

Whipping boys LOOKING back, farmers are the whipping boys for politicians.

This is because you aren’t organised like the unions used to be. When politicians need a distraction, farmers always and unwillingly provide, from pollution to animal health.

Large farms grow bigger, even though it’s proven that smaller farms produce more per cow and hectare, and the animals are in better health.

For example, at two 700ha dairy farms last year the managers were fined thousands of dollars and more

than 80 cows were euthanased because they had bad feet from neglect. Of course, if you treated an animal like this in the city you’d be banned from owning them.

Big is beautiful? What a load of garbage, especially with animals.

The Labour Party is allowing Landcorp to continue.

Obviously the political fallout from dismantling the organisation and the horrendous costs of the past are too shameful to face.

When I read before the election of the benefits to young prospective farmers from the dismantling of Landcorp I thought common sense had surely prevailed. Of course, I was wrong.

Terry Newton Whakatane

Letterof theWeek

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HE quote, “If you ate today, thank a farmer”, is more than just some glib cliche.

Producing food should surely be one of the most revered and honourable of occupations, but increasingly in New Zealand farmers are cast as villains, variously blamed for water pollution and climate change.

Farmers have never shied away from the reality their industry has real environmental challenges that are being addressed by the vast majority, but constant attacks, regardless of the veracity of the arguments has meant the sector has become defensive. That needs to change.

Farming needs to win the hearts and minds of the urban public, and that starts with schools. It’s no coincidence that environmental groups target their message at school children.

For agriculture that message needs to be that farmers and growers are food producers, responsible for supplying the glass of milk, loaf of bread, bowl of Weetbix, hamburger, steak, apple, carrot, strawberries, fries and so on.

Should we not take that a step further and start referring to farmers and growers as food producers?

Fortunately the historic descriptor “backbone of the country”, while true has disappeared from use. It conjures up an element of arrogance and entitlement, not helpful in today’s judgemental society.

Conversely for an increasing number of New Zealanders, the word farmer doesn’t articulate a producer of food. In fact, farmer has for some become a demeaning term, to the point where stories have emerged of some farmers not proudly proclaiming their occupation.

Ironically, the ability of farmers and growers to provide a year-round supply of healthy, nutritious food has contributed to this disengagement and complacency.

Full supermarket shelves and bellies mean consumers don’t have to think about where their next meal comes from or the need to protect fertile soil.

But that reality also provides an opportunity to proudly but subtly remind the public at large that rural people, working and living on the land, produce the food they eat.

Maybe it is time to more accurately describe those in the primary sector for what they are – food producers.

Opinion

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

15

Animal welfare concerns are the new reality Tom Pow

N

EW Zealand dairying must anticipate the environmental and animal welfare perceptions of members of the public, learning from experiences in the United Kingdom.

On my pre-Christmas, semiannual visit to the UK it was obvious that animal welfare challenges are coming down the track in NZ. British farmers have already adapted to tougher environmental rules and regulations, which are now regarded as normal. In that respect they differ from us because water quality objectives are still being set and much of what we have done up till now has been voluntary.

In “high-risk” dairying areas in the UK, farmers have to abide by the current rules, and if those rules are found to be not working the scientists change them, not the farmers.

The same seems to be happening with animal welfare, as universities and researchers start to gear up.

Animal rights activists have taken their scare tactics from other industries and begun to apply them to dairying. They concentrate on small, distasteful farming practices and blow them out of proportion.

UK farming practices are quite different to ours because cows are housed for long periods, including calving, and feed is brought to them. This results in lower

The

Pulpit

lactations per cow, higher milk yields, a wider range of cheaper feeds, and higher staff costs. Cows also spend many hours each day lying down.

NZ cows remain outdoors and are expected to walk to paddocks to feed themselves on grass.

What we think is allowing cattle to follow their own instincts can, when taken to an extreme, be characterised as exploitation of those instincts.

For example, a NZ cow needs to walk up to 2km between the shed and the paddock, perhaps four times a day – could that be classed as exploitation?

Cow lameness is widespread in the UK where farmers seem to focus on treatments, not remedies.

I saw old barns with historic protection that had been

renovated with new drainage channels and mucking-out systems designed to cut staff time by 10-15 minutes a day.

But cows still had to turn sharp corners on concrete surfaces, and push and shove around at feeding stations.

At the root of the animal welfare debate is that disconnect between farming practices and urban understanding. If we’re perceived as not interested in, or prepared to improve the welfare of our animals, it could reduce dairy consumption in the developed world.

Cow induction and tail docking are now a thing of the past, and other common farming practices will follow.

Cows standing in muddy paddocks on cold, wet days without shelter are a target for any passing camera. We need better weather protection, for both hot and cold conditions, and more home-grown feed options than just grass.

Dairy calf wastage is a topic of concern in both countries, but options are being worked on.

Cows need to live long, productive and comfortable lives, and the large failure rates will need to change.

UK farmers appear to be years ahead of NZ over inter-farm hygiene, something we’re now discovering with mycoplasma bovis and the relative failure of our animal tracing system.

There is no farm access unless a UK farmer’s own hygiene system is followed. This is wellaccepted and followed, even by

GOOD HEALTH: Tom Pow is a Northland dairy farmer and founder of HerdHomes, shelters designed with animal welfare a priority that are built throughout New Zealand as well as Australia and the United Kingdom.

farm inspectors from various authorities.

They also understand market supply terms and conditions much better. Changes in buying habits among consumers quickly become mainstream, and what was someone’s added value becomes the commodity price.

This is more worrying when the NZ Government makes free-trade agreements with countries that have lower hygiene standards, and lower labour and production costs.

They have a range of milk companies to supply and while the general perception is that UK dairying isn’t economic, those farmers who have adapted systems to reduce their cost base are doing well.

The provision of top-up feeding in the UK is also way ahead of NZ, although the leading British farmers are still well-aware of the value of grass in the diet. Cow feed is designed to factory demands

and payment systems that return profits.

To think that NZ’s farming knowledge and livestock arrived by sailing ship less than 200 years ago, mainly from the UK, is somewhat confusing when visiting Britain.

These days it isn’t easy to detect the British influence on our farming systems – we are now like the left hand versus the right hand when it comes to dairying.

But we face the same challenges.

If the cows are unhappy or you think things could be better, then make it better. We should lead from the front and not wait for some do-gooder to set the rules.

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

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Opinion

16 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

New year, same shenanigans Alternative View

Alan Emerson

I TRUST you had a great Christmas and New Year. I know we did.

We hired a campervan and it was an interesting experience.

Having my heavy trade license, I can legally drive trucks up to 30 tonnes. I’ve driven bulldozers and military tanks, but the typical campervan is something else.

If the campervan was classed as a truck it would have a rollover threshold. As a campervan it doesn’t need one, although with the height and the light springing it should do.

Iniquitously, you can drive any campervan with a car license, which may be good for tourist dollars but not for road safety.

The campervan we hired was pristine and well-maintained, but was light in the springs making cornering testing. The wind had a considerable effect and I thought driving at more than 85km/h was verging on being unsafe.

Driving on back-country roads and shingle was testing for me as an experienced driver. The thought of tourists doing the same is somewhat ridiculous.

So if the Government is serious about road safety, they need to consider tourists and campervans.

In the past I’ve struck them on the wrong side of the road, driving at 30km/h between Tekapo and Twizel, and trying to put diesel into the water intake at a Wanaka service station.

The Government could also require campervans to have an up-spec’d cab and chassis, which would also mean heavier springs.

It seems stupid to me to have such a heavily regulated trucking industry when we can have campervans in a Wild West regulatory environment.

We returned home to the New Year’s Honours list, which I found interesting. It was so establishment.

For a start, politicians and the judiciary do very well from the taxpayer trough – to then bestow them with honours is ridiculous.

The exception is veteran MP Annette King, who has always been above and beyond the call of duty. I also support the honours given to both William Rolleston and Bryan Williams.

Where I start to have a problem is the services to fashion, history,

platform diving, sculpture, taxidermy and badminton. The bounteous awards to the arts sector were nauseating.

That list was among the last gasps of the previous National government. I sincerely hope the new Labour-led coalition will move to rewarding those people in the provinces who make the country tick.

I’d also support having Knights and Dames abolished forever.

They were before Sir John Key, for whatever reason, brought them back in 2009. It is an iniquity of the colonial era and should be consigned as such.

Living near Riversdale Beach in Wairarapa as we do has its positives and negatives.

On the positive side, for eleven months of the year it’s an extremely pleasant place to live.

However, for one month during the silly season it’s a scrum.

What makes it particularly galling for me is that I often see kids, some certainly younger than 12 years of age, riding quads at speed with up to five on a bike (that I’ve counted), no helmet between them, and doing so with seemingly absolute impunity.

It wasn’t helped by the condescending message from WorkSafe telling me that it’s a dangerous time of year on the farm.

DRY TIMES: “Big Brother” was about on New Year’s Eve at Riversdale Beach, Wairarapa, in the form of a police liquor ban.

It’s a dangerous time of the year on the beach too, matey.

Then we had Big Brother in the form of the New Zealand Police shutting the beach from midday on New Year’s Eve until six the following morning.

We agricultural types who live in the suburbs are told to park our cars outside the village and walk to wherever we want to go – but don’t take any alcohol or have any in the car, goodness gracious no.

I can’t see what it will achieve other than irritating the tripe out of me. For example, if a youngster wants to bring a car-load of booze and his mates to the beach all they have to do is get there before noon.

Conversely, if I want to go and have a wine with a friend I need to do so by walking and not taking a bottle.

I’d like to know the law that allows the police to effectively isolate a community. This is 2018.

My humour wasn’t helped by a

sanctimonious cop on the wireless telling me of the problems of alcohol on the beach.

Yes, we did have some raucous nights 20 years ago, but the camping grounds have long gone. There are only permanent residences here now. The world has changed, but unfortunately the police haven’t changed with it.

And why do they ignore illegal acts on quad bikes that are inherently more dangerous than mere drunkenness?

My humour also wasn’t helped on New Year’s Day by the police telling me that it was a quiet night compared to last New Year when “1000 revellers got out of hand”.

Not around here, they didn’t. It’s time to take the jackboots off.

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

Meating the challenges ahead Meaty Matters

Allan Barber

IT’S the time of year for making predictions, some of which may turn out to be close to the mark but most, like horse racing tips or economists’ forecasts, will end up looking slightly silly, if anybody takes the trouble to remember what they were. The luxury of writing a column is the ability to speculate without being held to account for any inaccuracies.

However, before I make any predictions for the year ahead it’s worth taking a moment to highlight some of the main features of the year just finished.

Two events of major significance actually had their roots in 2016 – the United States election and the Brexit referendum – but nobody is much the wiser about how they’ll play out from a trade perspective.

As is often the case, what appears to be a seismic event takes longer than expected to have any noticeable effect.

Donald Trump’s presidency is every bit as horrific as feared,

unless people think decisionmaking, threats and insults on Twitter make for good, rational policy development. But in reality nothing much has changed: until the passing of US tax reforms in December, Trump had failed to get any significant policy through Congress and the Senate – the promise to put America first has had minimal impact on trade agreements, Obamacare is still in force and the Mexican wall hasn’t been started.

On the other side of the Atlantic, and against most predictions, Theresa May remains Britain’s prime minister and has very recently gained agreement from the European Union to begin negotiating on key issues like post-Brexit trade agreements, now sufficient progress has been made on Britain’s payment to the EU, the Irish border question and continued residency for EU citizens.

But there only remain fifteen months until the exit date is triggered in March 2019 and there is a massive amount of work to do, not least on extricating Britain from the EU’s legal framework.

Domestically, May will have to get the United Kingdom parliament to approve the final terms of any deal, which won’t be easy to achieve, while the EU will need to convince Spain to allow Britain to

exit without agreeing to hand-over control of Gibraltar.

The uncertainty over trade agreements will continue to cast a shadow well beyond 2018, but it is possible the picture will start to become clearer during the year. However, New Zealand will definitely not be able to negotiate free-trade agreements with either the EU or UK, in spite of expressions of favourable intent from all parties, until the final Brexit terms have been agreed. It is unlikely the formula for dividing the EU sheep meat quota will have been resolved to our satisfaction by the end of the year.

I confidently predict the continuing growth of China as the key market for NZ red meat and dairy products. Although China’s economic growth rate is lower than it was, at about 6%, it is still higher than most other trading partners, and definitely the highest in both value and volume terms. The growth in the Chinese middle class and increasing urbanisation of the population make it certain demand for NZ’s agricultural production will outpace demand from more traditional markets.

The other notable feature of red meat sales to China is the different type of cuts required, often from parts of the carcase that were previously of lower value. This

has been one of the factors in the higher return from beef, lamb and mutton.

I’m less confident there will be any major progress in finalising the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which won’t come into effect until 2019 at the earliest. Multi-signatory trade agreements are notoriously difficult to achieve final sign-off on, and I suspect we haven’t heard the last of Canada’s objections to opening up its dairy sector to competition, which may yet be a stumbling block. The agreement may get over the line, but there will almost certainly be the odd hiccup along the way.

Two other big issues from 2017 will continue to make waves for the agricultural sector this year: one will be the environment and water quality, the other the rise of plant-based proteins.

Irrigation has unfortunately become a dirty word, even where water supply is plentiful, and dairying is inevitably seen as contributing to a reduction in water quality, regardless of efforts by dairy farmers to fence-off their waterways. It’s a shame the dairy industry didn’t signal its awareness of the problem and begin the process of getting positive public relations in front of the public before the green lobby

seized the initiative. Now it must play catch up.

The red meat sector has also realised the need for positive PR based on the Red Meat Story, although this is not so much a matter of seeking a licence to operate, but trying to tell the world why it should want to eat NZ grass-fed meat at all. Now its competitors are no longer other beef and sheep meat producers, but also alternative proteins that aim to attract a socially- and environmentallyconscious consumer base that wants to “save the planet”. These alternative proteins won’t appeal to everybody, but they will take a growing share of developed markets.

In Asia, where meat consumption is still increasing from a low base, plant-based proteins will be slower to gain traction. Promoting the Red Meat Story will be important in protecting the high ground in this region.

Last year was an eventful year, and I can’t see 2018 being any less challenging.

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

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Opinion

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

17

That’s about the size of it From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

OF ALL the great things to comment on in the New Year, sadly I feel compelled to write about United States President Donald Trump.

This is, of course, because of his latest round of tweeting: “North Korean leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the nuclear button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food-starved regime please inform him that I too have a nuclear button, but it is a much bigger and more powerful one than his, and my button works!”

If this wasn’t so concerning it would be highly amusing, and confirms the stereotype about male ego and the obsession with size.

The tweet condemned as bellicose and reckless is unsettling and once more demonstrates a grandiose personality that US psychologist John Gartner has described as the worst case of malignant narcissism he has seen in 35 years of practice.

An example of this grandiosity is Trump’s claim that he was responsible for the safest year ever because not a single person died in a commercial jet crash in 2017 anywhere in the world.

For a start, despite his claim about how strict he’s been on commercial aviation, he’s promised to loosen controls. No passenger has died on a US airline for a decade and Trump has zero control on airlines anywhere else in the world.

There is a growing debate among US mental health professionals that Trump may be becoming increasingly unwell.

BIG TALK: US President Donald Trump claims he has a bigger nuclear button than North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

It is true that Trump has a small red button on his desk but that’s for summoning his valet. The request apparently to the valet is mostly for more Diet Coke.

A recent piece in The Atlantic magazine by James Hamblin canvasses many mental health professionals who have been keeping a sharp eye on Trump.

There’s a consensus that there are increasing abnormalities in both his movements and speech.

When he announced the shift of the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, he was noticeably slurring.

Former PM Rob Muldoon, of course, was slurring as he announced the 1984 snap (Schnapps) election, and each time I see that clip the drunker he becomes, but Trump was sober so there’s something else going on.

Speech experts have analysed his speech patterns over the years and note a reduction in fluency as well as a contracting vocabulary.

This happens to most of us as we age, and Trump is now in his 72nd year so like myself is not the man he once was.

Trump has likened himself to Ronald Reagan, and there are some similarities between the two as to their evolving speech patterns.

After his presidency, Reagan announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis and had a slow decline until his death from this cruel disease.

The problem for the Americans – and maybe the rest of us – is that they don’t have a system that independently evaluates a president’s health and capacity to serve.

The people who sit in the US nuclear silos ready for the command to fire a nuclear ballistic missile are tested three times every month on their ability to follow through with protocols.

But the Commander in Chief whose finger is on the button has no such vetting procedure.

However, there is some good news to come out of the tweetstorm between Trump and Kim Jong Un. Despite both boasting about the nuclear buttons sitting on their desks, it turns out neither of them actually has one.

It is true that Trump has a small red button on his desk but that’s for summoning his valet. The

Stay Farmstrong.

Hang Out With Your Mates.

Connecting with your mates is a massive part of keeping well, whether you’re farming or playing rugby. Sharing the ups and downs of life helps you keep things in perspective and recharge your batteries. So whether it’s hunting, fishing, playing sport or just having a barbie, make sure you catch up with your mates this summer.

request apparently to the valet is mostly for more Diet Coke.

So, Trump is not able to accidently start a nuclear holocaust by sitting on the button or spilling his beverage all over it.

But this is only slightly reassuring because there’s always a military aide within a few steps carting around a briefcase that contains the nuclear codes.

The codes reassure the fellow who does have a button that it is indeed Trump calling and not some crackpot who just wants to fire some missiles for the sake of his ego.

Probably as compelling a case for putting women in charge of the big jobs as any I can think of.

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

Farmstrong is a rural wellbeing programme sharing farmer-to-farmer tips and advice. Find out more at

farmstrong.co.nz

To find out what else could work for you, visit FS001

World

18 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

Victorian irrigators feel squeeze NORTHERN Victorian irrigators have been unable to buy more than 11,000 megalitres of prized low-reliability water shares held by more than 3000 lifestyle and other small-scale water users.

Analysis of the Victorian Water register, by water brokers H2OX, has shown there are 3123 owners of low-reliability water shares (LRWS), who each hold 10 megalitres (ML) or less. In total these small-scale water users hold 11,516ML of the Southern Murray Darling Basin’s lowest-yielding water entitlements.

Another 19,711ML of LRWS are held by 1329 landholders, with volumes ranging from 11-20ML. While it’s rare for water to be allocated against these shares, their value has tripled since the millennium drought because irrigators realised they were a means of buying storage space in the Hume, Dartmouth and Eildon dams.

Owning low- or high-reliability water shares allows irrigators to buy cheap water at the end of the season and carry it over into the next.

The LRWS are attractive because they’re worth $300-$350/ML, compared with $3000/ML for highreliability water shares.

But while irrigators are keen to mop-up parcels of LRWS, they face major transaction costs when trying to buy or lease dozens of small parcels of water held by smaller water users.

“It costs $400 just to set-up a lease

Chinese chooks are ‘GoGo’

STORED: Eildon Dam in northern Victoria supplies irrigation water to the Goulburn Valley via the Goulburn River.

Photo: www.johnholland.com.au

agreement or transfer (ownership),” H2OX business development manager Craig Feuerherdt said.

“I expect many people don’t use these shares, and don’t understand its value.”

LRWS were automatically allocated to anyone who held a water right in 2007, as part of reforms that unbundled water from land to create separate water and delivery shares.

But in doing so, hundreds of smalllot water users were granted minute

volumes of low-reliability water shares.

Victorian Farmers Federation water council chairman Richard Anderson said the best option was to work with Goulburn Murray Water and the Victorian Water register on bulking up these small parcels of LRWS. “They could call for expressions of interest from sellers and get a bulk deal on the transaction costs,” Anderson said. www.weeklytimesnow.com.au

CONSUMERS in China may soon be able to track from a smartphone app how many steps their chickens have taken and what they’ve eaten.

Chinese insurance technology company ZhongAn has launched GoGo Chicken and has already GPS-tagged 100,000 chickens, with the aim of tagging 2.3 million in the next three years.

The app utilises blockchain technology, GPS tracking and facial recognition to give consumers more information about their meat’s life cycle.

United Kingdom food marketing expert Professor David Hughes, from Imperial College London, said there was widespread concern among Chinese consumers about the integrity and safety of their food.

“In China there is mistrust [about food safety], and people with high incomes who can pay for it,” he said.

He added while the numbers seemed large, it was because of the sheer amount of consumers in China, despite not being “big chicken eaters”.

“If something catches on, it catches on big time. The population is so vast,” Hughes said.

“

UK Farmers Guardian

Every cow has its own personality.

This year we had friendly Junior born, we’ve got 101 who’s the Queen, we’ve got Ardie Savea with a hairstyle, we’ve got 166 who needs a scratch every time you see her.

Chris and Siobhan O’Malley – 2017 Sharefarmers of the Year

Real Farming in Action Chris and Siobhan O’Malley switched careers to dairying and have never looked back. Taking out the 2017 Sharefarmer of the Year title, they talk to Craig Wiggins about the keys to success in a dairy career.

Watch the latest short video on the O’Malleys’ approach to healthy and responsible calf rearing.

The bond they form with their calves flows through to adulthood and the O’Malleys are set on rearing happy cows. “We look after them and they look after us in the same way.”

Watch our real farming stories on Farmer’s Voice farmersweekly.co.nz/farmers-voice

”

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

Real Estate

LOCATION, LOCATION

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

GENUINLEY GOOD DAIRY FARM

• Situated on Rangitikei Line west of Palmerston North is this outstanding 176 hectare parcel of land.

• Exceptional soils that are currently used for dairy farming and growing maize crops, but would suit a number of uses.

• Deep lead irrigation bore in place to supply top quality water for up to 70 hectares of land for crops.

• Current dairy infrastructure in place including a modern herringbone dairy and 400 cow feed pad.

• Would have a host of uses from market gardening, dairy or beef production, along with growing silage and crops.

• Very good road access with central laneway system.

• Call Les to inspect.

HUKAVIEW

• This property consists of 116 hectares in five main titles and is situated on Hansens and Rangitikei Line, Newbury, Manawatu.

• Very well farmed with soils that would grow anything.

• Centrally located 30 aside herringbone dairy, with adjacent feed pad and silage bunkers.

• Featuring four family homes, with the main set in established gardens.

• Very good well water supplied via a 50mm main line to stock troughs.

• The farm is currently running a dairy herd and is currently consented for 400 cows and supplying Open Country Dairy.

• With outstanding soils, great location and potential to subdivide this is a great opportunity to grow your farm business or land bank your future.

• Call Les to inspect and discuss your options.

DAIRY SCALE PLUS SOME

• Situated on Kakariki Road in the Hukanui District is this very well laid out and run 174ha dairy farm.

• Currently running a 300 cow milking herd of Holstein Friesians.

• The farm has produced up to 139,000kg of milk solids on a consistent basis off the 114ha effective milking platform with the remainder of the property used for running young stock and winter grazing.

• Bore at dairy supplies high pressure water to all stock troughs and dairy.

• Top quality 32 aside herringbone dairy shed with room for ten more sets of cups if required. Fully equipped with modern electronic Waikato plant with cup removers in-bail feeding and a 480 cow circular yard.

• Great opportunity to secure one of the best farms in the Hukanui District.

• Call Les to inspect.

Sallan Realty

23

Google ‘Sallan Realty’ Your Farm Sales Specialist

• Your opportunity to own this quality large scale dairy farm.

• Very good layout with central laneways and currently milking 1100 cows.

• Has produced up to 600,000kg/ms from the 425ha effective milking platform.

• Facilities include a centrally located 60 bail rotary dairy with in bail feeding and a protrak system.

• Five houses including a substantial main home set in its own private location.

• Our vendors are looking to retire and have priced this property to sell at $16,250,000 land and buildings.

• They would consider selling herd with takeover date to suit.

• Act now and call Les to inspect.

LK0091129©

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – January 8, 2018

LES CAIN 0274 420 582

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

24

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – January 8, 2018

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

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

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

BY NEGOTIATION Jared Brock

• 2x cattle yards VIEW By Appointment • Farm metal pits • 2013 brick four bedroom home plus ensuite and office

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

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.

Phil Wilson

4 2

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

2

www.propertybrokers.co.nz 318HA (785AC)

1 2

Dannevirke

Triple S Dairy Farm — Scope, soils & self-containment are the key to this 318ha (freehold) 40ha (leasehold) unit.

• 306ha milking platform • 52ha runoff attached • 40 bail rotary cowshed • Host of support buildings • Modern 331m2 homestead • 2x 3 bedroom homes • 2x 1 bedroom employees accommodation • Very strong silt loam fertile soils • Very reliable rainfall

6 / 487 Weedons Weedons Road, Rolleston 6/487 Road, Rolleston

FOR SALE BY TENDER Tender closes 4pm Thursday 25 January 2018 (If not sold prior) For Farms (NZ) Ltd, 138 High Street, Dannevirke

Craig Boyden M: 027 443 2738 O: 06 374 4105 E: craigb@forfarms.co.nz

4 |

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

ID FF2530 Property ID FF1299

LK0068450©

www.forfarms.co.nz

LK0090600©

We welcome your inspection by appointment.

3 |

2 |

3

Peaceful picturesque Peaceful Picturesqueprivacy!

Privacy!

All 10 minutes from Dannevirke.

www.forfarms.co.nz

3 LK0090830

TAMAKI FARMS

Set within 5.5ha of tranquil, expansive lawns and mature easy care grounds, the backdrop is set for the perfect retreat from the bustle of the city or for downsizing from the family farm. At the centre of this offering is the magnificent 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home – perfect for those seeking a rural lifestyle only 20 minutes drive from city.

This opportunity comprises the architecturally designed home built to exacting standards, quality sheds, fencing, soils and irrigation, water rights to 2035, superb shelter and is divided into 6 paddocks with a good set of stock yards with cattle crush and heavy vehicle access. It is currently fattening 20 beef cattle. ___________________________________ You will be amazed at what has been thoughtfully developed in its current tenure. Viewing is by Internet www.oneagencyres.co.nz private appointment and it is being sold plus GST (if any) on the land. These unique settings are Contact Mike Goatley 0272495561 highly sought after and rarely become available. So do not delay, contact Mike Goatley today to mikegoatley@oneagencyres.co.nz set your time to view.

___________________________________

Price by Negotiation Internet www.oneagencyres.co.nz Contact Mike Goatley 027 249 5561 mikegoatley@oneagencyres.co.nz

RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

Seriously for sale

Quality 178 ha arable

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 293,000 kg/MS, high fertility with superior pastures. 300 replacement heifers on-farm all year round.

A "must see" property - $11,000,500 (Rateable Value) Land & Buildings.

+ GST (IF ANY)

Paul O'Sullivan

Mobile 027 496 4417 paulo@pb.co.nz

WEB ID AR59665 ASHBURTON 524 Rules Road Highly regarded Chertsey soils in the sought after Pendarves area. A combination of Acton and groundwater applied via centre pivots, a lateral and a gun. Intensive cropping with some stock finishing and grazing. Modernised five bedroom home with a range of sheds, yards and silos. Four different titles allow for various possible purchase options.

DEADLINE SALE View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Friday 26th January, 2018 at 4.00pm, (unless sold prior)

Paul Cunneen

Mobile 0274 323 382 Office 03 307 9190

Chris Murdoch

Mobile 0274 342 545 Office 03 307 9191

Craig Marshall

Greg Jopson

Mobile 027 553 2274 craig@pb.co.nz

Mobile 027 447 4382 Office 03 307 9176

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 approx. 520ha (subject to survey) being all the Oio hill country on the western side of SH4, leaving the balance lot of approx. 820ha 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.

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

BY NEGOTIATION

VIEW By Appointment

Katie Walker

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

26

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – January 8, 2018

SOUTHERN WIDE REAL ESTATE

R

E ND

TE

FORTHCOMING AUCTION – TE ANAU

Profitable Farm on the Plains 95 Makumaku Road, Kerepehi

PUBLIC AUCTION 2PM, 28 FEBRUARY 2018, 195.72 HA FH

• 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

FARMING AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY, 8KM TO TE ANAU

• The farm is very tidy and has good quality pastures and generally well maintained fences.

• The standard of buildings and facilities is adequate although there are no cattle yards.

• Predominantly utilised as a sheep fattening unit with a small number of fattening cattle. As a guide, 2427 lambs fattened at 17.81kg average and 691 ewes at 29.62kg average. The balance of lambs sold undrafted. Lambing 150.8%.

• Its location in Sinclair Road is very handy to all facilities and services and provides an option of closer subdivision subject to obtaining the necessary consents.

• Offers prior to the auction will be considered. Possession 30 March 2018 or earlier by mutual agreement.

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

Web Ref SWI1939

THE DESTINATION FOR RURAL REAL ESTATE Land is the biggest asset to any farming business so it pays to stay up to date with the market.

Connect with the right audience at

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

DALLAS LUCAS p 03 231 3014 m 0274 325 774 e dallas.lucas@swre.co.nz

MICHELLE LUCAS p 03 218 2795 m 0275 640 737 e michelle.lucas@swre.co.nz

Hargest House, Level One, 62 Deveron Street, Invercargill 9810 p 03 218 2795 f 03 214 0872 e southland@swre.co.nz

LK0091101

FPJ505 Wednesdays 10/01, 17/01, 24/01, 31/01 – 12-1pm 14th February 2018 at 5pm E: 95makumaku@gmail.com

LK0090935©

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

Email CV to: gill.dermot@gmail.com or phone 09 232 7845 / 021 283 7140

NEED

STAFF? Call Debbie

0800 85 25 80 classifieds@nzx.com

SEE PAGE 28 NO 8 HR VACANCIES

Central Hawke’s Bay

Established, successful equity partnership seeks equity manager to implement our continuing growth strategy.

Join the three existing equity partners and take advantage of a cross section of business and agricultural skills applied using a collaborative approach. A data driven, analytical business approach will enable you to make informed decisions and potentially grow your knowledge and experience to enhance your dairy career. The current equity manager is retiring and will remain as an equity partner.

Farm description Attractive 313ha property with a high performing 650 cow core business, 227ha milking platform – flat to rolling, 139ha k-line irrigation. 276,000kg MS last 3 years average. 44 aside HB. 5 FTE’s. System 4.

Grow equity through; • 25ha forestry conversion to pasture • 40ha k-line irrigation extension • Increasing on-farm performance • 55ha near to harvest forestry Attributes required: • Experienced dairy farmer with a successful track record of maximising farm potential over a minimum of 5 years NZ dairy farming: at least two years working at Farm Manager level • Focused, motivated, hardworking and energetic person who takes pride in his/her position and performance • Well organised with ability to prioritise • Strong leadership skills which set the culture of developing and growing your people in a positive environment • Models and maintains high standards without losing focus on attention to detail • Good financial knowledge and financial budgeting along with strong feed budgeting and accurate, timely record keeping and reporting • Computer literate • Environmentally and work place safety conscious to ensure farm always compliant • Must be able to maintain and grow assets Accommodation Modern, spacious, warm, 5-bedroom brick home with office. Wood burner, HRV, vented heat pump. 10 minutes from Havelock, approximately 45 minutes from Blenheim and 50 minutes from Nelson. Primary school at Canvastown with bus at edge of farm. Secondary schools at Rai, Blenheim or Nelson.

Pig and deer hunting on farm, trout fishing on boundary, easy access to fishing in nearby Marlborough Sounds. Several major walking tracks all accessed from Top of the South.

Marlborough is a great place to live, work and play and worth your consideration if this role sounds like you. Marlborough also has a lower entry price than traditional dairying regions.

The stock manager position will involve managing the day-to-day operations of the property alongside the farm owner. You will have proven experience and a good understanding and knowledge of grazing systems. The stock involved include 2500 breeding ewes, plus replacements, trade lambs and bulls.

Applicants must be able to work in a team environment and have sound stockmanship skills, knowledge of health and safety processes.

If you are keen to further your career please call Mathew on 027 477 0251

OPERATIONS MANAGER

STOCK MANAGER

Leadership Position – South Canterbury

CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY

Our clients are a large family owned business which operates three dairy farms and support land in South Canterbury.

A position is available on a sheep and beef farm, 420 hectares, 16km south of Waipukurau in the popular Flemington district, wintering 3300 stock units.

Essential requirements for the position are: • Good stock management and finishing skills • Pasture and feed crop expertise • Good stock husbandry • Maintenance and development • Good reporting and reconciliation skills • A team player as part of a larger farming business A first class three bedroom home is available, with Flemington Primary School 6kms. CHB College in Waipukurau is nearby.

A wide range of recreational activities available.

Applicants should apply with CV and referees to: Tim and Janet Cullwick tjcullwick@gmail.com Mobile: 027 245 3396

2500ha, milking approximately 4000 cows and rearing large numbers of calves. Operates virtually self-contained, owning much of the machinery to operate the business.

We seek to recruit a skilled and motivated manager to fill the newly created role of Operations Manager.

This is a leadership role within the business, which will report to the Board of Directors, with 5-6 direct reports. The Owners expectation is that the person who fills this role will take the business to the next level of performance.

Remuneration includes a competitive salary and accommodation, if required.

Applications close 15th January 2018.

For further information contact Dairy Farm Management Services Ltd and see our website www.dfms.co.nz

FULLY SUPPORTED AND MENTORED SCHOLARSHIP

GENERAL MANAGER: AUSTRALIAN OPERATIONS

PROGRAMME 2018

Harmony Agriculture and Food Company (HAAFCO) is a grower and supplier of food to domestic and international markets — from the grazing of livestock in Victoria and Western Australia, through to our domestic customers and customers based in north-eastern China, South East Asia and the Middle East.

WHAT WE OFFER • An outstanding opportunity to be coached and mentored by one of New Zealand’s top rural real estate professionals

We are looking for General Manager Australian Operations to oversee our organisation’s ongoing agricultural and livestock operations and associated plans and processes. Reporting only to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), we expect you to be an experienced leader, have excellent people skills, business acumen and exemplary work ethics.

Responsibilities of the role include: • Design and implement operational strategies, plans and procedures • Development, design, operation and improvement of the processes and assets that deliver livestock and meat product for sales and marketing • Oversee management and daily operations • Participate in expansion activities (investments, acquisitions, corporate alliances etc.)

• Achieve maximum profitability, with best use of physical and livestock assets • Located ideally in Melbourne Office, but able to travel regularly

• Scholarship includes salary, commission, work vehicle, laptop, profile marketing, PI Insurance cover and more • Total package value $100,000 • All course and licensing expenses covered (if unlicensed) • Recipient must reside in Canterbury and only one Scholarship position is available

LK0091180©

Other real estate positions are available nationwide.

Phone Deane Pettit for details on 06 367 0840. To find out more and to apply, visit pggwre.co.nz/scholarship

For full details please refer to http://haafco.com/#section/jobs To apply, please forward your resume and cover letter to Gemma Downie at hr@haafco.com by the 13th January 2018.

Please note HAAFCO are an equal opportunity employer, and this position is open for both men and women to apply.

Mamaku (flat, summer safe), approximately 12 minutes from Rotorua.

3-year average milk solids 153,000kgs. Winter approx for 480 cows. Low input grass based system.

Good house is provided.

Federated farmers contract. Attractive $$$ kilograms of milk solids.

Contract for right applicant.

Email: headwaterfarms@hotmail.com

A 3-bedroom cottage is available and competitive remuneration package.

To apply, please email your CV, covering letter and referee details to daltondowns@xtra.co.nz by 21 January 2018.

If you possess the following skills and attributes, we encourage you to apply: • Proven experience in Agricultural and/or Livestock Operations or relevant role • Demonstrable competency in strategic planning and business development • Knowledge of technological trends in the sector with ability to build and implement leading technology solutions as part of business growth • Strong analytical skills, both operational and financial • Dynamic and collaborative working style that allows you to work with a range of stakeholders • Working knowledge of data analysis and performance/operation metrics • Degree qualified in relevant technical and/or commercial disciplines

2018 / 2019 Season

Mangatarata Station is a stunning 1020 hectare sheep and beef farming operation based 7km out of Waipukurau.

LK0091072©

Good 3-bedroom house and grounds. Salary according to experience.

EXPERIENCED CONTRACT MILKER

Stock Manager

Share in Capital Gain of Growth Dairy Business: Earn a Salary and Invest up to 25% Share

27

Applications close 4pm, Monday, 12 Feb, 2018.

pggwre.co.nz

Helping grow the country Licensed REAA 2008

LK0091170©

This position would suit a motivated person with energy and skill in stock, water and electric fencing.

classifieds@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

LK0091178©

Required for 700 acre bull beef property in South Auckland.

EQUITY MANAGER

LK0091176©

Farm Manager

Employment

LK0091166©

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – January 8, 2018

FLY OR LICE problem?

Electrodip - The magic eye sheepjetter since 1989 with unique self adjusting sides.

Incredible chemical and time savings with proven effectiveness.

Phone 07 573 8512 w w w. e l e c t r o d i p . c o m CRAIGCO SHEEP JETTERS. Sensor Jet. Deal to fly and Lice now. Guaranteed performance.

Unbeatable pricing.

Phone 06 835 6863. www.craigcojetters.com

ANIMAL HEALTH

CONTRACTORS

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

FOR ONLY $2.00 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Debbie on 0800 85 25 80 to book in.

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.

ANIMAL SUPPLEMENTS

FOR SALE

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

SELLING

SOMETHING? 0800 85 25 80

Employment

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – January 8, 2018

DOGS WANTED

BRIAN BURKE, NZ Champ 1984 and 5 times NZ Champ finalist, available to train your working dog.

In three weeks he will transform your heading dog into a productive asset for the farm. Contact Brian 06 343 9561 for further details and pricing (heading dogs only).

12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195.

NEED CA$H? North Island monthly buying trip, January 13th. No one buys or pays more! 07 315 5553.

HUNTAWAYS, HEADING, Handys. Guaranteed! Trial.

Delivering North Island January 13th, South Island January 23rd. 07 315 5553.

Mike Hughes.

YOUNG HEADING and Huntaways. Top working bloodlines. View our website www.ringwaykennels.co.nz Join us on Facebook: Working dogs New Zealand.

Phone 027 248 7704.

FREIGHT FREE

FOR SALE

DOGS FOR SALE

FARM MAPPING YOUR FARM MAPPED showing paddock sizes.

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

DOG/PET FOOD. Lamb/ Beef and chicken products.

All natural - raw - no preservatives or additives.

NOSLOC PRODUCTS. Ex-freezer Te Kuiti. For information and prices www.nosloc.com or phone 07 878 6868.

BOOK AN AD. For only $2.00 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Debbie Brown on 0800 85 25 80 to book in or email classifieds@nzx.com

FERTILISER DOLOMITE, NZ’s finest Magnesium fertiliser.

Bio-Gro certified, bulk or bagged. 0800 436 566.

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

2IC Combi Clamp Sheep Handler

The most versatile Sheep Handler on the market • No power • No air • No breakdowns • Hands free operation • Good flow • Complete control • Portable • Weigh, dag, draft, feet, vaccinate – all in one pass!

FARM MANAGER – MAIHIIHI

RAMS FOR SALE

GOATS WANTED

FERAL GOATS WANTED. All head counted, payment on pick-up, pick-up within 24hours. Prices based on works schedule.

Experienced musterers available.

Phone Bill and Vicky Le Feuvre 07 893 8916.

GOATS WANTED. All weights. All breeds.

Prompt service. Payment on pick up. My on farm prices will not be beaten.

Phone David Hutchings 07 895 8845 or 0274 519 249. Feral goats mustered on a 50/50 share basis.

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.

TRACTOR PARTS JOHN DEERE 6410, 6600, 6610, 6800, 6900, dismantling Andquiparts.

Phone 027 524 3356.

STOP BIRDS NOW!

ZON BIRDSCARER

electro-tek@xtra.co.nz DE HORNER

Phone: +64 6 357 2454 HOOF TRIMMER

EARMARKERS

T HI NK P R E B U I L T

Cattle Handling Equipment

Standard Crush, Vet Crush, Weight Crate, Auto Head Yoke, Sliding Gates • Heavy Duty • Hot dipped galvanized • Efficient • One-man operation • Sure catch – never miss • Self-catching with auto reset • No weight limit • Easily adjustable width • Built to last • Full range of options available

LK0090589©

SOLID – PRACTICAL WELL INSULATED – AFFORDABLE

Southern Fie Days – Go ld Feb 14-1 re 273 Kelly 6th Lane

Reliable Strong, ffi ient and E c

0800 227 228

www.combiclamp.co.nz

Videos on website – On-farm demonstrations available SI Stuart 027 435 3062

Our homes are built using the same materials & quality as an onsite build.

Easily transported to almost anywhere in the North Island. Plans range from one bedroom to four bedroom First Home – Farm House Investment – Beach Bach

Call or email us for your free copy of our plans Email: info@ezylinehomes.co.nz Phone: 07 572 0230 Web: www.ezylinehomes.co.nz

Livestock WANTED

Fairlea Texels

Store Bulls 3-400kg – CK & RS Store Lambs 22-30kg – CK Beef Heifers 300kg + – RS

Meaty Muscle Makes Money

FOR SALE

100 x Frs Weaner Bulls 120kg Ave – BY 65 x Frs Bulls 150kg – BY

DAIRY FOR SALE 120 x Frs in-milk spring calving cows $1650+ GST – AC Aaron Clapperton 027 496 7410 Richard Seavill 021 169 8276 / 07 825 4984 Chris Smith 027 496 7413 / 07 870 4552 Chris Kyle 027 496 7412 Bryce Young 027 496 7411

Office 07 823 4559 BYLLIVESTOCK.CO.NZ byllivestock

Call Hugh & Helen Winder on 0800 328 877

LK0091179©

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

HOUSE FOR REMOVAL wanted.

North Island.

Phone 021 0274 5654.

NEW HOMES

LK0091171©

Are you up for a challenge?

• Halfway between Otorohanga and Te Awamutu • Comfortable home with sleepout • Fantastic leadership opportunity Our clients operate a progressive farming operation encompassing three separate dairy platforms and a number of support blocks. The smallest of the dairy farms is managed independently, but they are now looking for a manager to oversee the balance of the business for the 2018/19 season. There is a level of operational cross over between the farms, with staff and equipment utilised to ensure maximum efficiency for the entire business.

So what does this mean for our new Farm Manager? This role is more complex than your ‘standard’ Farm Manager role, and is definitely not for the faint of heart.

You will be responsible for a number of aspects of this farming operation, including: • the day-to-day management of a 700-cow, 240ha milking platform, along with a further 220ha dairy support land is the key focus for this role.

• a separate 400-cow farm that has a trainee manager in place – while the trainee manager has a good handle on things, he still requires support and mentoring from a more experienced operator.

• management of a separate, 62ha run-off.

What we’re looking for is an experienced Farm Manager who is a self-starter and has what it takes to look after this significant farming asset on behalf of the owners.

You’ll be fully supported by farm owners whose primary focus is your success.

Leading a large team, this is a role where your management and leadership skills will be as important as your technical farming knowledge – which needs to be top rate. It goes without saying that you’ll have had Farm Management experience and you’ll be comfortable working in a mentoring and coaching space to upskill and develop the existing team.

The larger farm has a 50-bail rotary, with a large 5-bay shed close by and a number of other support buildings. There is currently a 16-aside herringbone on the second farm, along with various other sheds and buildings that you would expect to see.

Thinking of applying? You will need to be an organised team player who takes pride in their environment and job. It’s great that you’ll want to be independent, but you’ll also have to prove you actively seek advice and assistance when it is required.

Are you likely to get the job? The successful applicant will be the one who demonstrates the ability to add value and enhance the current operation, can retain and upskill an efficient and focused team and can lead from the front to achieve personal and business goals.

To find out more or to apply please go to www.no8hr.co.nz (Ref#8HR951).

Applications Close 20 January 2017

PROPERTY WANTED

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

Known for good sheep flow, has been tested and proven to be the fastest and most popular Sheep Handler sold in Australia, replacing many Automated Sheep Handler units on properties throughout Australia and New Zealand.

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

GOATS WANTED WILD CATTLE and goats wanted. 50/50 mustering.

Portable yards available.

Phone Kerry Coulter 0274 944 194.

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

The Combi Clamp …

LK0091172©

If you’re serious about your career we’ve got a serious job for you…

• 700 cows • Close to Otorohanga and Te Awamutu • Professional performance focus Our clients operate an extensive farming operation across three dairy platforms and a number of support blocks.

They are looking for 2IC to complete the team for the 2018/19 season on their 700cow farm, and their ideal candidate is someone who is already well experienced at this level and who has have the natural interpersonal skills required to ultimately become a farming leader. You will be able to run the farm and sustain the high standards of the manager in their absence; in addition you’ll already be committed to your farming career and you’ll need to: • Be calm, up front and diligent • Easily relate to and have good people skills • Be trustworthy and respectful • Have an attitude of completing the whole job and going the extra mile • Have a strong teamwork attitude Interested? Take a look at this farm in more detail by logging on to www.no8hr.co.nz and hit apply today if you like the look of this exciting opportunity.

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.

LK0090721©

ANIMAL HANDLING

Classifieds

LK0091108©

classifieds@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

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

*Suftex first-cross rams also available

LK0091016©

28

TE KUITI LIVESTOCK CENTRE JANUARY 2018 LIVESTOCK SALES Te Kuiti 15mth Heifer Fair Wed 10th Jan – 12 Noon start 450 15mth Ang. Exotic, Hfd/Frs, Ang/Frs X heifers

KAUROA (RAGLAN) & WEST COAST JANUARY LAMB & EWE FAIR Thursday 11th January 2018 12 Noon Start 5000 Sheep Comprising 3000 Lambs 1000 Top Romney Wether Lambs 1000 Good Romney x Wether & Ram Lambs 500 Med Romney Wether Lambs 500 Suffolk x & S Dorset x Male & Ewe Lambs 500 Romney & Coopworth Ewe & Wether Lambs 2000 Ewes 1000 Top 2th Romney Ewes 200 Top AM 5yr Romney Ewes 400 Top AM Romney 6yr Ewes 300 Top MA Coopworth Ewes

Special Entries Include A/C Everest Ventures Ltd (Raglan) 450 Top 2th Romney Ewes (Romney Development Group Bred- F.E.Gold Rating)

A/C Raglan Golf Club (1 Earmark) 200 Top 2th Romney Ewes (Bred By K. Abbott-Supreme Romneys)

A/C BL Millward 150 Top 2th Romney Ewes (K.Abbott Rams) (All of the Above 2th Ewes are Bred By Very High Eczema Tolerant Rams)

A/C Mrs ME Hayes 200 A.M. 5yr Romney Ewes

A/C Aramiro Station 300 Romney & Suffolk X Lambs

A/C Waiteika Station 400 Romney Wether Lambs

A/C Percy & Mahood 500 Romney Wether Lambs The Above Entries are Annual Drafts from the Raglan, Waingaro & Te Akau Coastal Hill Country & Highly Recommended for Their Shifting Ability & Facial Eczema Tolerance.

Enquiries to: PGG Wrightson

Chris Leuthart 07 825 8410 or 0274 936 594

NZ Farmers Brent Bougen 07 848 2544 or 0272 104 698

Autumn calving cows & heifers • 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

(please note change of date for some sales)

Brad Devlin 027 498 1203

Call Nigel 0800 85 25 80 livestock@nzx.com

15MTH HEIFERS 280-360kgs

15 MTH BULLS 15 MTH STEERS 330-420kgs R2 or 3 YR STEERS 500kgs + 300-500kg

FORDELL CATTLE FAIRS

SALE TALK

Tues 16th Jan & Wed 24th Jan These sales have been postponed due the current climatic conditions.

Future sales will be notified at a later date as conditions allow.

A bloke is in a store when he sees a dishy blonde waving and smiling hello to him. He is surprised that such a looker would be waving to him, and although familiar he doesn’t remember where he might know her from. He says “Sorry, do you know me?”

She replies “I maybe mistaken, but you might be the father of one of my children” His mind shoots back to the one time he has been unfaithful. “Christ!” he says “are you that stripper-gram on my stag night?”

“No” she replies, “I’m your son’s music teacher.”

Enquires: Harvey Falloon – 0274 429 955 Helping grow the country

29

Buying or Selling Dairy Herds or support Stock?

We specialise in both on farm sales and auctions.

With 60 agents covering Kaitia to Bluff and everything in between.

Contact your local Carrfields agent

A Financing Solution For Your Farm E info@rdlfinance.co.nz

or visit

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz for our extensive listings Alternatively contact: Paul Kane 027 286 9279 (North Waikato/ Northland) National Dairy & Live Export Coordinator Philip Webb: 027 801 8057 Central & Southern NI Dairy Coordinator Richard Van Wynbergen 027 445 6056 South Island Dairy Coordinator

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

HERDS FOR SALE 250 Cow Friesian herd. BW67/38, PW61/37, RA92%. DTC 5/7. Long-standing 3-digit, very strong herd.

Listing # BOP52461.

Braden De La Rue 027 318 3453 230 Predominantly Jersey Cows, long-established family herd with quiet temperament. BW98/45, PW96/64, RA93%.

DTC 22/7. $1900. Listing # TAR53296.

Stephen Sutton 027 442 3207

Beef

Sheep

MATAWHERO EWE FAIR – GISBORNE

Friday 12th January 2018 10.30am

Wednesday 10th January 2018 10am

PGG Wrightson will offer the following outstanding 2th and mixed Aged Ewes on behalf of the following Clients

13450 200 200 550 100 400 250 150 1000 400 700 400 1000 3000 300 1600 900 600 200 1500

A/c Pareroa Partnership (GR Smith) Omakere 275 Romney 2th Ewes Annual line Roundaway bred.

Top pick sires

117 Cow Jersey herd, milking OAD from Xmas. Good udders, high index. BW102, PW103, RA98%.DTC 15/7/18. $1600.

Listing # NOR53012.

Blair Sidwell 021 325 325

A/c PW & SM Allport Waipukurau 200 Romney 2th Ewes Pure Bred Hollycombe sheep Top pick for over 50 years

170 Friesian/Xbred herd. BW76/40, PW90/55, RA95%. DTC 23/7. Young herd – 71% 2-4yo. $1875. Listing # WAI52897.

Michael Conwell 027 226 1611

A/c Kiwikawa Farm Ltd Taihape Road 600 Romney 2th Ewes Annual line by top pick Kiwitahi sires

400 Young Jsy/JsyX cows. 1 herd code.

Currently ranked in top 7%. BW101, PW120, RA97%. DTC 1/8/18. $1800. Also, 117 capital R1 & 101 R2s. Listing # MAN52663.

Cameron Smith 027 311 9887 410 Cow long established Fr/FrX herd.

BW80/44, PW95/62, RA98%. DTC 16/7.

DNA tested. Low SCC. $1980.

Listing # WAI50935.

Dave Morton 027 451 5311

85 Top Friesian & FrX R3 Autumn calving heifers. BW112, PW119, RA100%. DTC 23/3/18. 6 weeks to Jersey bull.

Bill Sweeney 027 451 5310 Visit MyLiveStock.co.nz for full details, photos and more listings.

Ewes comprising: Rom ewes FET Rom ewes Cap Stk Rom ewes Romd ewes Per ewes C/W ewes FET Per ewes Rom ewes Cap Stk Rom/Texel ewes Cap Stk Rom ewes Rom ewes Romd ewes Rom ewes C/W ewes Romd ewes Romd ewes Rom ewes C/W ewes FET ewes

Specials on Account

Further enquiries Don McGregor – 027 445 7629

Rimunui Riverside – 202 – 5yr Rom ewes Marewa Stn – 1100 – 5yr Rom ewes Alpine Angus – 400 – 4th-5yr Rom/Texel ewes (Cap Stk) Steve Goldsbury – 027 446 9969

Upcoming Sales January 9 - Ferndale & Drysdale On Farm Lamb Sale - Hunterville

170 Xbred/Friesian cows, BW80, PW88, RA91%. DTC 10/7. Tidy udders, low SCC. $1850. Listing # WAI51692.

Bryan Sweeney 027 869 2620

2th 2th 2th 2th 2th 2th 4th 4th-6th 4th-5yr 4yr 4 & 5yr 5yr 5yr 5 & 6yr 5 & 6yr MA MA MA MA

A/c Otaka Farm Partnership (P Matthews) Waipukurau 1000 4th 5yr Romney Ewes (Capital Stock) Roundaway and Wairere bred Ewes To be sold in age groups

FEILDING SALES

160 Well-presented Xbred cows. BW99/43, PW127/53, RA96%. DTC 15/7. Strong on figures, type & udder conformation. POA. Listing # TAR50729.

Kent Myers 027 455 5828

Other

STORTFORD LODGE MA EWE FAIR – HASTINGS

400 Xbred cows. BW86/45, PW107/66, RA97%. DTC 1/8 Farmed in tough environment, System 1. Ready to move. $1875. Listing # MAN53188.

Clint Worthington 021 209 2236

January 11 - Feilding 2.5yr Steer & Bull Fair January 12 - Feilding Store January 15 - Feilding Prime January 18 - Feilding Dairy Beef & Ewe Fair January 19 - Feilding Store January 23 - Feilding Prime (Tuesday) January 26 - Feilding Store LK0091130©

Are you looking in the right direction?

LAMBS GENUINE BREEDING EWES STORE

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381

85 Cow Friesian herd. BW97, PW92, RA98%. DTC 15/7. Retiring farming family – 100 year history. Genuine small herd.

Listing # NOR52026.

Donald McKenzie 021 754 174

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

STOCK REQUIRED

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

LK0091104©

Te Kuiti 2th Ewe Fair Fri 12th Jan – 12 Noon start 7400 2th Ewes comprising: • 3250 2th Romney Ewes • 750 2th Perendale Ewes • 1700 2th Romdale Ewes • 1700 2th Coopworth Ewes

FOR SALE

LK0091195©

TE KUITI LIVESTOCK CENTRE

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

January 29 - Feilding Prime Entries are now been taken for the above, please contact your local representative.

RL & JA Pattison 200 – 2th C/W ewes FET Mason Birrell – 027 496 7253

Monowai Trust 1000 – 4th-6th Rom ewes (Cap Stk) Chris Hurlstone – 027 598 6542 H & KJ McMillan 200 – 2th Rom ewes (Cap Stk) Alex Chrisp – 027 801 0104 CAN & JM Marr 1000 – 5yr Romd ewes Wally Moore – 027 473 7455 Hinenui Genetics Ltd Helping grow the country 150 – 2th C/W ewes FET Jamie Hayward – 027 434 7586 Upcoming Sales Wairoa Ewe Fair – Thurs 18th Jan Further enquiries Jamie Hayward – 027 434 7586

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

LK0090071©

Livestock

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – January 8, 2018

MARKET SNAPSHOT

30

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Grain & Feed

MILK PRICE FORECAST ($/KGMS) 2017-18

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Canterbury (NZ$/t)

6.40

6.19

AS OF 07/12/2017

AS OF 07/12/2017

MILK PRICE COMPARISON

$/kgMS

SHEEP MEAT

DOMESTIC

AGRIHQ 2017-18

FONTERRA 2017-18

Sheep 353

327

NI mutton (20kg)

4.30

4.40

2.95

384

283

SI lamb (17kg)

6.90

6.95

5.20

Feed Barley

389

391

279

SI mutton (20kg)

4.45

4.50

2.95

233

Export markets (NZ$/kg) 9.27

9.25

7.69

6.5

Maize Grain

444

444

367

6.0

PKE

267

267

232

WMP GDT PRICES AND NZX FUTURES

5.15

383

7.0

What are the AgriHQ Milk Prices?

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

6.90

353

Waikato (NZ$/t)

Nov 17 Jan 18 AgriHQ Seasonal

275

274

UK CKT lamb leg

* 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.

7.0

INTERNATIONAL Prior week

Last year

4.5

Wheat - Nearest

223

221

223

Corn - Nearest

193

195

202

386

381

293

6.5

6006.0

South Island 1 7kg lamb

7.5 7.0

366

363

275

Feed Wheat

320

315

269

2500

Feed Barley

342

348

233

2000 Mar 17 Jun 17 Sep 17 C2 Fonterra WMP

PKE (US$/t) 112

110

104

Ex-Malaysia

NZ venison 60kg stag

$/kg

ASW Wheat

3000

c/kkg (net)

US$/t

6.0 5.0

CBOT futures (NZ$/t)

3500

5005.5 4005.0 3004.5 OctOct

Dec Dec

Feb Feb

5‐yr ave

NZX DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Nearby contract

6.5 5.5

Last week

APW Wheat

Dec 17 Mar 18 NZX WMP Futures

North Island 17kg lamb

7.5

Australia (NZ$/t) 4000

Last year

6.80

Feed Wheat PKE

Sep 17 AgriHQ Spot Fonterra forecast

Last week Prior week

NI lamb (17kg)

Milling Wheat

7.5

5.5 Jul 17

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

$/kg

Dairy

AprApr

JunJun

Last yr

AugAug This yr

FERTILISER

Last price*

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

WMP

2975

2980

2925

SMP

1700

1700

AMF

6150

Butter

4480

Last week

Prior week

Last year

WOOL

NZ average (NZ$/t)

(NZ$/kg)

Last week

Prior week

Last year

1710

Urea

520

520

482

Coarse xbred ind.

2.80

2.89

4.09

6100

6300

Super

303

303

317

Nth Isl 37m

2.85

2.95

4.00

4460

5025

DAP

739

Sth Isl 35m

3.10

3.25

4.50

752

752

* price as at close of business on Thursday

450

250

Feb

Mar Apr Latest price

May Jun 4 weeks ago

Jul

Sharemarket Briefing ANOTHER year has come and gone, and for investors it was a lucrative one. Despite numerous risks that could’ve derailed things, markets focused on the positives during 2017. United States shares had their best year since 2013 with the S&P 500 posting an annual gain of 22.5% (including dividends). The market was up every month of the year, something that has never happened before.

The local NZX 50 was not far behind, putting on 22% for the strongest performance in five years. However, it’s worth remembering that New Zealand shares experienced a 13% correction in late 2016, so part of 2017’s gain was likely a rebound from that. United Kingdom shares also hit record highs, and Australia returned a commendable 11.9%. Emerging markets were one of the strongest regions, registering a 34% increase.

Oil prices ended the year higher recording gains for the last six months of the year, while gold quietly enjoyed its best year since 2010, rising 13.1% to finish a little over US$1300.

Market commentary provided by Craigs Investment Partners

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR

14962

S&P/FW AG EQUITY

19051

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

8444

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

7998

NZ venison 60kg stag

Dec 14 Feed barley

Dec 15

Dec 16 Dec 17 PKE spot

500 4003.5 300 2.5 Oct Oct

Dec

Dec

5‐yr ave

Feb

Feb

Apr

Apr

Last yr

Jun

Jun

Aug

Aug

This yr

Dollar Watch

Top 10 by Market Cap Company

Close

YTD High

YTD Low

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

14.11

14.39

14.06

Auckland International Airport Limited

6.69

6.72

6.49

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 Air New Zealand Limited (NS)

2.95 3.65 8.24 10.91 7.69 3.38 5.49 3.16

2.95 3.68 8.29 10.91 7.75 3.39 5.64 3.22

2.93 3.63 8.15 10.60 7.60 3.36 5.49 3.16

Listed Agri Shares

$/kg

6004.5

350

150 Dec 13

Coarse xbred wool indicator

5.5

c/k kg (net)

3200 3100 3000 2900 2800 2700

CANTERBURY FEED PRICES

NZ$/t

US$/t

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Company

Close

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

8.240

8.290

8.150

Cavalier Corporation Limited

0.390

0.400

0.390

Comvita Limited

8.400

8.400

8.300

Delegat Group Limited

8.050

8.050

8.000

Foley Family Wines Limited

1.500

0.000

0.000

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

6.410

6.410

6.380

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

2.300

0.000

0.000

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

2.310

2.310

2.280

PGG Wrightson Limited

0.600

0.600

0.590

Sanford Limited (NS)

8.440

8.440

8.310

Scales Corporation Limited

4.800

4.910

4.800

Seeka Limited

6.520

6.520

6.450

Tegel Group Holdings Limited

1.190

1.210

1.170

S&P/FW Primary Sector

14962

14978

14962

S&P/FW Agriculture Equity

19051

19114

19051

S&P/NZX 50 Index

8444

8444

8425

S&P/NZX 10 Index

7998

7998

7967

THE Kiwi dollar has This Prior Last recovered in the New Year NZD vs week week year from election weakness, USD 0.7153 0.7099 0.7030 but the BNZ Bank believes EUR 0.5926 0.5942 0.6630 it will range-trade over AUD 0.9097 0.9093 0.9577 the next six months or so at slightly below current GBP 0.5279 0.5277 0.5659 levels of just above Correct as of 9am last Friday US$0.715.

“We think it will be in a US$0.68-0.70 range, give or take,” strategist Nick Smyth said.

New Zealand’s interest rate differential above the United States could evaporate if the US Fed raises rates a couple of times by mid-year, and the BNZ team believes the positive risk-appetite driving world markets, and pushing commodity currencies like the kiwi higher, could be peaking.

“We think it is about as good as it gets, and it’s hard to see it being more supportive,” Smyth said. “It could come off a bit, and that could weigh on the kiwi in the next few months.”

Beyond then, it’s possible the Fed may be near an end to its rate rises, while from about August the RBNZ might be able to think about its own hikes.

The BNZ expects the kiwi to fall against both the euro and sterling. The Eurozone economy is performing well and the very easy monetary conditions could end sooner rather than later, Smyth said, with more hawkish ECB rhetoric helping push the kiwi to roughly the €0.55 level.

Brexit talks finally look more positive for the United Kingdom, an outlook that might push the kiwi below the £0.50 level through this year.

Alan Williams

Markets

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

31

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

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.35

5.40

5.30

NI Bull (300kg)

5.20

5.25

5.05

NI Cow (200kg)

3.95

3.95

3.85

SI Steer (300kg)

5.40

5.40

5.20

SI Bull (300kg)

5.25

5.25

4.70

SI Cow (200kg)

4.15

4.15

3.80

US imported 95CL bull

-

-

6.01

US domestic 90CL cow

-

-

5.98

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

DESIGNER GENES: Northland ram breeder Bob Steed and the $10,000 Romney ram sold to Manawatu.

North Island steer (300kg) 6.5

$/kg

6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0 South Island steer (300kg) 6.5

$/kg

6.0 5.5

NZ venison 60kg stag

c/k kg (net)

600 5.0 500

4.5 400

300 4.0

Oct Oct

Dec Dec

Feb Feb

5‐yr ave

Apr Apr

JunJun

Last yr

AugAug This yr

VENISON Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Last week Prior week

Last year

NI Stag (60kg)

10.15

10.15

8.10

NI Hind (50kg)

10.05

10.05

8.00

SI Stag (60kg)

10.70

10.70

8.10

SI Hind (50kg)

10.60

10.60

8.00

New Zealand venison (60kg Stag) 11

$/kg

9

A

NZ venison 60kg stag

600 8

500 400 7 300 Oct Oct

Dec Dec 5‐yr ave

Feb Feb

Apr Apr Last yr

Jun Jun

Aug Aug This yr

PROMINENT Northland Romney breeder has sold a ram to Manawatu for $10,000.

Kereru Station principal Bob Steed said the stud sire was bought by Ngaputahi Station, operated by Angus Cameron and Rod McCaughan in the Pohangina Valley.

It’s the second Kereru-bred ram

Does arranging livestock finance feel like the tail wagging the dog?

HBA 1062R

c/k kg (net)

Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com

10

6

Stud ram comes with big price tag

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bought by the Manawatu pair in recent years following success with the progeny from the first ram.

Bob Steed and wife Anne, and their daughter and son in law Helen and Rhys Dackers, run Kereru stud at Tangiteroria, between Whangarei and Dargaville, and have been breeding Romneys for 40 years.

The sale ram had a very high index for maternal worth, plus disease factors (+FE, +FEC), which put him in the top 5% in New Zealand.

Kereru is a member of Advanced Romney Designer Genetics (ARDG), a group of sheep studs that are industry

leaders for production, facial eczema and worm faecal egg counts.

In recent years ARDG rams have been sought-after by top studs in the North Island to enhance their facial eczema tolerance.

Kereru Station sells Romney rams all over the North Island and to the top of the South Island, and the rams are known to shift well and perform to a high standard.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Our usual coverage of saleyard results from around the country will resume in next week’s paper.

It needn’t be. Don’t let your current bank hold you back.

Get livestock finance from $10,000. Apply online now in a few easy steps and you could be making your next livestock purchase with confidence. With Heartland Bank you can get up to 100% finance secured against the stock you buy. Then repay the loan when you sell.

Find out more:

Call 0800 87 50 50.

Markets

32 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 8, 2018

High lambs’ wool demand Alan Williams

L

alan.williams@nzx.com

IMITED supplies of lambs’ wool were sought-after in late December auctions in Christchurch and Napier, but heavy volumes of adult cross-bred bales took a toll on some other prices.

Buyers for lambs’ wool and some selected hogget wool were very active in Christchurch as they worked to fill sales commitments, PGG Wrightson South Island wool sales manager Dave Burridge said.

Some finer microns, in the 28-30 range, were 8% or so higher in price than at the previous sale, and 30 to 32-micron were 2-4% higher.

The two markets closed the year on December 20 with a combined offering of 20,000 bales of wool, and this had an effect on cross-bred fleece 35-micron and above.

These were 4-6% cheaper in Christchurch, with 38-micron down 10%. However, better prepared and coloured wool escaped the worst of the price fall.

Cross-bred, second-shear wools were 2-4% cheaper, with shorter fleeces most affected, and cross-bred oddments were 3-5% cheaper.

Mid-micron wools were 3-5% cheaper on limited volumes.

The pass-in rate in Christchurch was 22%, but the Napier sale had a much stronger clearance, with just 4% passed-in, Wrightson’s North Island auctioneer Steve Fussell said.

In the full-wool, cross-bred market, 34 to 38-microns sold at a premium to the December 14 sale. Lambs’ wool also improved, though the top came

DONE: The Christchurch and Napier wool markets closed last year with a combined offering of 20,000 bales.

Auctions are scheduled at both venues for this Thursday, January 11.

Lambs’ wool also improved, though the top came off the very fine fleece prices.

Oddments were cheaper. off the very fine fleece prices.

Oddments were cheaper.

Both venues have auctions scheduled for this Thursday, January 11.

CHRISTCHURCH sale (December 20) Full wool, good to average.

(All clean price per kilogram)

31, $3.94, up 9c; 32, $3.80, up 9c; 33, $3.33, up 8c.

NAPIER sale (December 20) Full wool, good to average.

25-micron, $10.82; 33, $3.70; 34, $3.68, up 2c; 35, $3.32, up 21c; 36, $3.13, up 1c; 38, $3.08, up 10c.

Cross-bred, second shear: 33-micron, 2-3 inches, $2.54; 35, 2-3 inches, $2.53, down 27c; 37, 3-4 inches, $2.95, up 2c; 2-3 inches, $2.53, down 26c; 39, 3-5 inches, $3.08, down 3c; 2-3 inches, $2.37.

Lambs’ wool: 27-micron, 2-3 inches, $7.83, down 29c; 28, 2-3 inches, $6.88, up 47c; 29, 2-3 inches, $5.95, down 9c.

26-micron, $10.50; 27, $9.70; 28, $8.44; 29, $7.09; 30, $6.71; 31, $4.41, up 20c; 32, $.4.07, up 9c; 33, $3.71, down 9c; 34, $3.65; 35, $3.24, down 19c; 36, $3.12, down 20c; 37, $3.19, down 11c; 38, $3.01, down 35c; 39, $3.04, down 24c.

Crossbred second shear: 33-micron, 3-4 inches, $3.63, up 13c; 35, 3-4 inches, $3.23, down 12c; 2-3 inches, $2.84; 37, 3-4 inches, $3.00, down 30c; 2-3 inches, $2.63, down 27c; 39, 3-5 inches, $2.96, down 34c; 3-4 inches, $2.94, down 28c; 2-3 inches, $2.68, down 22c.

Crossbred lambs’ wool: 28-micron, $6.45, up 30c; 29, $5.87, up 87c; 30, $4.57, up 39c;

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DAIRY commodity markets have started 2018 strongly, with the first GlobalDairyTrade event of the year delivering a cracker Susan Kilsby result. The GDT Price AgriHQ Analyst Index lifted 2.2%, driven up primarily because of the strength of the whole milk powder (WMP) market.

WMP prices lifted 4.2% on the back of Fonterra announcing that it now expects to collect only 1480 million kg of milksolids (MS) this season. This is 3% less than it collected last season.

Given milk intakes in the first half of the 2017-18 season were tracking ahead of the previous season, milk intakes in the second half of the season will need to be at least 6% less than last season in order for the forecast to be achieved.

The GDT result indicates the market has started to wake up to the fact there’s going to be less WMP available to buy later this season. So far prices have only lifted slightly because inmarket stocks are sufficient to meet immediate requirements in most markets.

China’s stocks will soon be replenished, which is expected to eliminate any panic buying. Large volumes of New Zealand milk powder will have landed in China in the past week and will currently be passing through customs. Milk powder that enters China within the 2018 quota attracts a tariff of just 0.8%, instead of the standard tariff rate of 10%.

The lift in GDT prices had a minimal effect on the AgriHQ milk price forecast. The forecast for the 2017-18 season lifted just one cent to $6.10/kg MS. The gains from the January 2 GDT event were largely offset by weaker futures prices for all commodities, excluding WMP. WMP prices need to lift further in order for Fonterra to achieve its current milk price forecast of $6.40/kg MS. susan.kilsby@nzx.com

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120

116

Cottonseed Meal

112

Canol a Meal

108

Control

104

100

96

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