Farmers Weekly NZ March 13 2017 by AgriHQ

4 Life yet in sharemilking Vol 16 No 10, March 13, 2017

farmersweekly.co.nz

NZ story to tell F

Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com

ARMERS, meat processors and the Government have decided to launch a New Zealand red meat story marketing tool to promote and differentiate NZ beef and lamb. This follows a workshop earlier this month of 70 farmers, meat exporters and Government officials who concluded telling consumers the story of NZ meat production would assist marketing and promotion. “It’s definitely going to happen,” Beef + Lamb NZ chief executive Sam McIvor said in an interview. The final format of the red meat story was undecided but McIvor said it could be a brand or appellation added to packaging that sat alongside existing brands. It has evolved from the development of the NZ Farm Assurance Programme by the Red Meat Profit Partnership and followed interviews with 45 farmers to understand their stories and interviews with overseas retailers, importers and distributors. McIvor said developing a story was also consistent with support last year by farmers and processors for B+LNZ retaining a market development role of which this was a part. “Very clearly across the board farmers and processors said ‘yes, you do have a role’.” McIvor said feedback from farmers was that consumers were not being told the NZ red meat story, a view shared by Mike Lee, the chief executive of the New York-based food design and innovation agency Studio Industries. Lee told the conference that what

farmers considered mundane and normal was remarkable to consumers and food enthusiasts. Everyday occurrences such as being at one with the land, a passion to do right by their grass-fed livestock, managing pastures and the environment, family and community involvement and inter-generational farm ownership were considered remarkable. “Stories are what connect people and so any story about food is actually a human story, about the growers and farmers and where and how they produce food,” Lee said in a statement.

Stories are what connect people and so any story about food is actually a human story, about the growers and farmers and where and how they produce food. Mike Lee Studio Industries “Food today is no longer just about sustenance, it’s intrinsically linked with social bonds and personal values. “The food consumers eat says something about how they want the world to be, so in essence people are eating their values and these include the way animals are farmed, although food also needs to deliver on taste,” he said. McIvor said the next step was to collate information from the workshop and then create a NZ story straw man to be circulated for feedback with tenders to be called from agencies in the coming months.

Farmers were humble but McIvor said Lee’s message was that they needed to be louder in telling their story. “We need to be a bit more confident. We have a good story to tell and we need to be confident in telling it.” International recognition that NZ was consistently the world’s least corrupt country and one of the easiest to do business with would all bolster an endorsement story. Claims made by the story would be validated by the NZ Farm Assurance Programme but also by Government administered areas such as food safety. McIvor said it required the industry to be honest in addressing areas of concern. “For example, say that we are aware of concerns about water quality. Be honest, but show we have a plan to address it and if you come back in a year here is the progress we have made. “It’s about you controlling your relationship with the consumer rather than others controlling it.” An aim of the farm assurance programme was that farmers would not have to duplicate compliance but the degree of regulation would be influenced by the story’s content. Ireland’s Origin Green has been seen as a blueprint for a NZ Story but McIvor said while the principles were similar the structure was likely to be different. McIvor was confident the plan had buy-in from processors and consensus was being sought at every step. “The Red Meat Profit Partnership has brought companies and farmers closer together around a common vision and that has stepped up to the red meat sector market development programme.”

MORE: EMERSON’S TAKE

P30

CONFIDENCE: Farmers have a good story to tell and we need to be confident in telling it, B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor says.

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NEWS

OPINION

Soil Moisture Anomaly (mm) at 9am March 10, 2017

60 Wetter than

normal (mm)

-10

-20

4 Sharemilking not done yet

30 Alternative View

Sharemilking was not disappearing and would remain a dairy career stepping stone but one better adapted to a more volatile, uncertain business environment, says an advocate.

Alan Emerson shuts the book on the NZ story.

7 Make or break for TPP

Letters ��28-29

The eleven countries left in the Trans Pacific Partnership will meet this week to discuss whether a deal without the United States is worth resurrecting.

Pulpit ��27 Alternative View ��30 From the Ridge ��31

The new freshwater management rules were a practical and common sense response to water quality issues, according to Environment Minister Nick Smith.

REGULARS

Tech developers target farmers �� 5

Employment �� 32-33 Classifieds �� 33 Livestock �� 34-35

MARKETS

Make or break for TPP �� 7 Merino wool model applied to crossbred �� 8

Investigation of Russian official urged ��11 Smith stands by water rules ��13 Mohair is a fine earner ��13 Solid result expected ��19

26 No kidding, give goats a go Go for goats – give it a go, Taranaki Angora goat farmer Lynne Milne urges.

WORLD LEADING

Map reading tips This map shows the difference or anomaly in soil moisture level at the date shown compared to the average, generated from more than 30 years of records held by NIWA.

Job

of the

Week

Independent Governance Position - Whangara Farms, located just north of Gisborne is a farming partnership formed by the owners of Pakarae A and Other Blocks, Whangara B5 Incorporation, and Tapuwae Whitiwhiti Incorporation. The Partnership farms 6900 effective hectares, on six farms with 70,000 stock units. For more information and a full job description visit the Farmers Weekly jobs site: farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz and click on Agribusiness category. To find all other agjobs click on ‘All Categories’. #agjobs at your fingertips.

Urea prices surge ��10

NEWSMAKER

Drier than normal (mm)

Cartoon ��28

From the Lip ��31

Sharemilking not done yet �� 4

-50

Editorial ��28

13 Smith stands by water rules

Study seeks new ways to farm ownership �� 3

-30

40 Welcomed lift in wool prices A weaker NZ currency and some opportunistic buying helped the latest South Island wool auction achieve further price increases.

Market Snapshot �� 36

Contact us Editor: Bryan Gibson Twitter: farmersweeklynz Email: nzfarmersweekly@nzx.com Free phone: 0800 85 25 80 DDI: 06 323 1519

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Study seeks new ways to farm ownership Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com A SURVEY of up-and-coming dairy farmers aims to highlight new career pathways for aspiring farm owners as traditional routes dry up. AgFirst farm consulting intends to hook into social media to make contact with those farmers who may have taken the less than traditional pathway of worker-contract milker-sharemilking when it comes to building equity for their first property. AgFirst chairman James Allen said the research was a natural extension of the company’s ongoing longitudinal study on the sharemilking sector, and particularly the 50:50 positions that underpinned progression for many. The survey work on sharemilking has been ongoing since 2000, building from private data collected earlier and has indicated a steady decline in positions over time. “In 1995, for example, there were 15,000 dairy farms and of them there were 5000 share milking positions, including lower-order positions. There were 3600 50:50 positions at that time,” Allen said. “Fast-forward to today – of the 12,000 dairy farms there are 4000 sharemilking positions, and only 2000 50:50 positions.” He said as a portion, 50:50 jobs had been one in four of the jobs in the sector, was now at one in five, and was poised to tip further again. Rather than caused by any decline in dairy land area, the drop had occurred as farms got bigger, amalgamated or were corporatised. “Corporate operations prefer to retain ownership of all the assets, including the cows, so they have control of the entire operation.

“Debt levels in the industry have also impacted on the number of 50:50 jobs. With dairy debt at about $22/kg milksolids, it is hard for an average indebted farm to sustain a 50:50 position. “To put it simply the owner needs all the money themselves, and selling the herd is not going to make a significant impact on the debt level,” Allen said. To offer owners a reasonable rate of return and deliver a return to herd-owning sharemilkers, a farm’s debt level needed to be nearer $10/kg milksolids.

Around 1992 you needed about eight cows to buy one hectare of land. That is now nearer 30 cows for a hectare. James Allen AgFirst The affordability of land versus number of cows required to buy it had also shifted in the past 20 years to make sharemilking a more challenging pathway to farm ownership. “Around 1992 you needed about eight cows to buy one hectare of land. That is now nearer 30 cows for a hectare,” Allen said. But the fact there was still a high level of enthusiasm and investment in the sector by a new generation of farmers implied there must be other pathways to farm ownership this new generation was exploring. “The industry is saying this has been the pathway in the

past, and we are looking at what those alternative pathways are now.” Allen said the company intended to contact successful operators taking alternative pathways, using social media to connect with them and pick over their methods to success. “We as consultants also have our own ideas about what works. Once we have narrowed down any common approaches that have worked we intend to put them out as case studies.” Some of the anecdotal examples Allen had seen included younger farmers leasing the farm. “Another is developing a flexi-rate sharemilking model, dependent upon the level of capital invested and the payout, to deliver a fair return to everyone. “There has also been a number of lower-order sharemilkers who have taken the pathway of off-farm investment, including shares and property, which have delivered good returns in recent years.” Allen said the primary sector sometimes risked being myopic in examining its options and AgFirst was also looking at urban business models for examples that could also apply. “We have also looked overseas for examples, but so far have not come back with anything that seems better than what we already have here.” The project was worked up in conjunction with DairyNZ on a time frame intended to deliver options by the end of March, with a report due out in May.

MORE: SHAREMILKING ALIVE

ALTERNATIVES: Farm consultant AgFirst intends to use social media to contact farmers who have thought outside the box to buy their first farm, chairman James Allen says.

Make reducing your break-even milk price a priority this autumn In only two seasons the average dairy farm has managed to reduce their break-even milk price by more than $1.20 – with average savings of over $180,000 p/a.

A FRESH LOOK Do you wonder how you compare with some of our industry’s top operators? Or how they removed waste from their business to ensure long-term success?

TIME TO RESET Autumn is the perfect opportunity to take the time to really understand your business, and set up your farm and goals for the coming season. So join us, and learn more from your peers by attending a DairyNZ Autumn Reset event or visit dairynz.co.nz/tactics for live case studies and practical tips.

Hunter Downs funding approved Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com GOVERNMENT funding has provided the certainty needed for proposers of the $195 million Hunter Downs irrigation scheme to forge ahead. Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd (CIIL) announced last week it had agreed to grant Hunter Downs Water Limited (HDW) $1.37m to complete the next stage of its work programme. This effectively gave HDW the green light to proceed

with the distributions of its product disclosure statement to raise capital for the scheme’s construction, HDW general manager Stacey Scott said. “We have reached an exciting stage with this project and quite obviously we are a very happy to get this funding confirmed. Stage one construction was scheduled to start this winter with a commissioning date of spring 2019. Scott said there had been a core group of shareholders who had helped fund the project to the current stage

and the company would now be asking people to commit to the scheme so it could be built. “We are confident there is definitely a scheme there that is both technically viable and economically attractive. “Over the next month, and it will be a challenging month, we will be offering the opportunity to all of the community to take up,” she said. The total projected build cost at $195m equated to $9,285 per hectare inclusive of funding costs during construction.

Let’s take a fresh look DairyNZ.co.nz/tactics

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Sharemilking not done yet Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com SHAREMILKING was not disappearing and would remain a dairy career stepping stone but one better adapted to a more volatile, uncertain business environment, says an advocate. Richard McIntyre, Federated Farmers sharemilkers section chairman, acknowledged the shrinkage in sharemilking opportunities in the past decade but he was adamant job supply would plateau, and the benefits of the pathway will remain for years to come, albeit in a modified form. “Not every farm owner wants the hassle of dealing with all the administration and compliance that is associated with having salaried staff. Many want to enjoy the success of farm ownership by having someone running it who can deal with all that.” But the lack of alternatives to standard sharemilking agreements have been poorly understood by the industry. A 2016 report done by DairyNZ,

AgFirst and Federated Farmers found a disparity between what sharemilkers and farm owners believed constituted a good contract. Just over half of farm owners believed the business relationship between the parties should be designed to maximise the profitability of both businesses, compared to 83% of share milkers. Only 40% of farm owners and sharemilkers shared their financial budget to ensure alignment of plans and targets. McIntyre is hopeful a much discussed sharemilking hybrid tentatively known as a “variable rate sharemilking model” would deliver a level of flexibility and fair allocation not achieved with traditional set percentage sharemilking contracts. “If we can get it to a point where it mitigates the risk for both parties, it will get over the line. It essentially adjusts for the level of payout, with more to farm owners when payout goes up, and more to the sharemilkers when payout goes down. “It includes all assets both

EVOLUTION: Federated Farmers sharemilkers section chairman Richard McIntyre hopes a much-discussed sharemilking hybrid would deliver a level of flexibility and fair allocation.

parties bring to the agreement to determine a fair rate of return, allowing for the fact the sharemilkers’ assets (cows) carry a degree of risk higher than land with them.” McIntyre acknowledged the proposed contract was not straightforward, and involved exchanges or wash-ups of funds between the parties every couple of months, or as payout conditions change. “For your average mum and dad farmer owners seeking a sharemilker, it may not be

for them. But this contract aims to increase sharemilking opportunities, and that requires it to hold appeal with large corporate farms that typically avoid them. Owners of these farms will find this just another contract to negotiate and work with and will be comfortable with it.” He said 15-20 years ago when sharemilking was far more common, it was also a time when farm management was more conservative and standardised. There was less bought in feed, meaning sharemilkers were

responsible for grass production as the main feed source. Today far more supplements were committed to, and farm debt was on average also sitting much higher putting more pressure on farm owners to claim more of the income proportion. McIntyre said he was aware of many alternative means for raising equity, and often sharemilkers combined them with their farming position, including owning rental properties in town, rearing extra calves on farm or leasing land.

$6 payout still in sight despite big drop at GDT auction Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com DAIRY market analysts were quick to react to the substantial fall in world prices revealed by the latest Global Dairy Trade auction, by cutting their milk price forecasts. However, by and large they still believe Fonterra’s $6/kg milksolids target is achievable, which would be a break-even result for most dairy farmers

from a season to forget. The March 7 GDT index dropped 6.3% but the allimportant whole milk powder (WMP) prices fell 12.4% and skim milk powder (SMP) prices were down 15.5%. The AgriHQ milk price forecast, generated by a computer model based on GDT results and the market outlook from powder futures contracts, came down 30c to $6.06/kg. Westpac economists dropped

their farm gate forecast from $6.20 to $5.90, ASB Bank came down 50c to $6, and BNZ came down 30c to $6.10. Speaking for AgriHQ, dairy analyst Susan Kilsby said the futures market stripped about 15% from near-dated WMP and SMP contract prices over the past fortnight. At the March 7 GDT event much of the milk powder offered by Fonterra failed to lift from its opening price, which were

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approximately 15% below the levels of the previous auction. Fonterra significantly lifted the volume of milk powder through the auction channel; SMP offerings were up 49% and WMP tonnage up 6%. “Good demand for milkfat products such as butter and anhydrous milkfat (AMF) means more milk is being diverted into them and also means more SMP needs to be manufactured,” Kilsby said.

“Unlike SMP there is not a lot of WMP available across the world therefore there is no real reason for prices to drop so sharply. “Demand does often back off a little at this time of the season as China tends to stock up during the low tariff period during the beginning of the calendar year.”

MORE: EDITORIAL P28

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Tech developers target farmers Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com ESTABLISHED agricultural technology companies jumped at the chance of putting their computer programmes and mobile applications on the new Agrigate data platform, launched recently by Fonterra and LIC. The first big opportunity for third-party providers was at Fonterra’s Activate 2.0 event in early March, which drew wellknown tech companies among the seven entrants. Three were selected by Fonterra executives, farmers, and invited tech experts for a final pitch on March 16 to 400 Farm Source staff members in Wellington. The winner will get an expenses-paid trip to a Silicon Valley Agtech forum, a place in the Tech Week 2020 event in May, and the opportunity of going on the Agrigate platform, to sell their services to thousands of Fonterra and LIC farmers. The three were ReGen dairy farm monitoring company, Wildeye irrigation and effluent scheduling tool, and the Agrismart people management software designed especially for the complexity of work hours and tasks in the dairy industry. Unlike the first Activate technology contest for start-ups, won by Job Done from Manawatu dairy farmer Nigel Taylor 18 months ago, the second event was notable for the advanced development stage of entrants. Fonterra Farm Source chief

GRINNERS: Agrismart founder Imran Raza, left, and his sales manager Mark Crarer.

operating officer, Miles Hurrell, said a key criterion for selection in Activate 2.0 was to have an existing product that delivered on a dairy farmer’s need. The whole area of IT products for farmers was moving so fast that Fonterra thought this contest was a good way of evaluation and selection. Others in the sector said scores of new programmes and applications were being written and the Agrigate convergence platform was a very attractive vehicle for entrepreneurs to get large user numbers quickly. The heavy hitters were keen to

contest in Activate 2.0 because of the pathway to widespread usage by farmers on Agrigate, leading to further product development and data benchmarking opportunities. Among the four that didn’t progress to the final were FarmIQ and Tag IT Technologies (Halo Farm Systems), both long-established technology companies. The other two were Mike Seawright’s Rapid Animalside Diagnostics tool for detecting mastitis and the Saflex Pumps business of Sue Bell-Booth for chemical dispensing and flow

meters in dairy sheds, partnered with Ecolab. ReGen and Wildeye have been around for years also, with considerable overlap in their functions, while Agrismart grew out of Timesmart software developed 12 years ago by Morrinsville chartered accountant Imran Raza for use in his own practice. Raza said the anonymous data sharing functions on Agrigate would generate more products based on the averaging of hours taken for different farm tasks. The Agrismart time sheet solution kept track of working

hours and days off, gave alerts when employees dipped below the minimum hourly rate (because they had worked too many hours for their salaries), and made rostering of multiple staff members a breeze. The electronic records of hours by employees on their own mobile phones would provide confirmation in the case of disputes. He already had built a good client base for Agrismart, from one to 10 farms under one owner, and up to 80 employees. Wildeye representative James Riddell said his company was more active in Australia and the United States, because of the large-scale irrigation in arable and horticultural industries. Monitoring and scheduling of water applications reduced cost, increased efficiency, and satisfied compliance requirements. The remote DIY soil moisture monitors worked straight out of the box and fed an intuitive display on tablet, smart phone or personal computer. ReGen founder Bridgit Hawkins said the company’s products now covered effluent spreading, water irrigation scheduling, and nitrogen response rate calculations. These tools were all based on smart phone and created a history of activities that could be used for compliance. Based on soil science, ReGen solutions transformed sensor data into trustworthy recommendations.

Fonterra opens virtual door for entrepreneurs Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com FONTERRA has opened a virtual door for entrepreneurs to work collaboratively on “disruptive ideas for mutual benefit”. The co-operative’s chief operating officer, velocity and innovation, Judith Swales, launched a Fonterra Ventures Co-Lab website platform so that individuals, small businesses, or large corporate could submit game-changing concepts. These would be new products,

services, technologies or processes that could come from existing suppliers or from third parties out of the blue, she said. By its nature, disruptive technology could come from anywhere and there were plenty of examples recently of large and previously successful companies that had failed to adapt to disruption. Fonterra was now welcoming ideas from around the world and it had the staff numbers and filters in place to evaluate quickly and

thoroughly before progressing. Fonterra ran its own Disrupt programme last year when staff members across the whole 22,000 work force were encouraged to put forward innovations, proceed to a 12-week accelerator, and potentially land a new day job if their concept was implemented. Citing confidentiality, Swales was not able to say what ideas had progressed. Komal Mistry, general manager of Fonterra Ventures, said her small team now contained eight people working on two ventures

that emerged out of Disrupt. Swales added that Fonterra had supplied enough resources and opportunities for disruptive ideas to take hold and flourish within the largest corporate in New Zealand. “We want to incubate these ideas and businesses and give them the best chance of being able to stand and thrive. “We keep them separate until the successful ones get to MVP status (minimum viable product), and then we see if they are scalable, either within

Fonterra, in a joint venture, or in some other way.” There was no set formula for the type of relationship to come out of Ventures Co-Lab, but one of the key priorities was to build long-term partnerships with companies that would work synergistically and want to be at the forefront of innovation and disruption. Swales said any new businesses needed to have benefits for both parties, and Fonterra was not setting out to fleece its suppliers of their new and disruptive ideas.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Make or break for TPP Nigel Stirling nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com THE eleven countries left in the Trans Pacific Partnership will meet this week to discuss whether a deal without the United States is worth resurrecting. Speaking before the meeting in Chile the Trade Minister Todd McClay said pushing ahead with the deal without American involvement was still an option. “All the countries see merit in a rules-based approach to trade across the Asia Pacific and they have all in one way or another indicated that they want to have an assessment as to what value remains in the agreement for their countries without the US’s involvement. “So it will be the first chance for us to talk about that at a ministerial level and also to consider what the next steps could be without the US involvement.” Even a slimmed-down TPP makes sense for NZ, which increasingly is on the back foot in Japan without a deal to match tariff cuts for beef won by Australia through its own earlier free trade agreement. There are also benefits for sheep meat in Mexico and kiwifruit in Japan from the TPP as it currently stands. The Government’s agricultural trade envoy Mike Petersen believes TPP will not survive if countries attempt to back out of commitments to open markets made after seven years of often tortuous negotiations. “If there is any suggestion of renegotiation then the chances of keeping this intact are slim. We will open up a whole lot of issues that we will struggle to resolve.” While Japan, for example, had been coaxed in to cutting its 38.5% tariff on imported beef in return for gains for its own automotive exports to the US Petersen said there were still gains

STAND OFF: NZ beef exporters are on the back foot in Japan without the TPP.

for its exporters in remaining TPP markets that could mean it was prepared to maintain its offer on beef. As well as the existing 11 members outsiders China and South Korea will attend the meeting in Chile.

If there is any suggestion of renegotiation then the chances of keeping this intact are slim. We will open up a whole lot of issues that we will struggle to resolve. Mike Petersen Trade Envoy Petersen said expanding the agreement to include South Korea could make staying inside TPP more attractive to Japan. He said the addition of South Korea had been made easier after it concluded a number of trade deals in recent years – including with NZ – with trade and investment rules similar to those in TPP. Looming over the Chile meeting is the role of the US, which will

also be represented despite its intention to pull out. Stephen Jacobi, the executive director of the International Business Forum, which includes among its members primary exporters Fonterra, ANZCO and Zespri, said countries potentially embarking on trade negotiations with the Trump administration – North American Free Trade Association members (NAFTA) Mexico and Canada as well as Japan – were likely to take a waitand-see approach at the meeting. “The role of the US is very unclear and other countries are going to want to see what they are doing before they commit. If the US followed up its antiTPP rhetoric with threats against countries over trade or security arrangements then countries could shrink from continued participation. “How the US positions itself could to a large degree dictate the extent to which the other parties participate.” However Petersen was optimistic that the TPP countries with close links to the US would not be intimidated. For example Mexico was taking soundings on creating a 200,000 tonne tariff-free beef quota for all countries for a period of 12 months – a sign it was preparing to put distance between itself and its powerful neighbour.

TALKS: New Zealand’s minister of trade Todd McClay and the EU’s trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström met in Brussels last week.

Phase one complete on EU trade deal Colin Ley THE first phase of the process to establish a free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union and New Zealand is now officially complete, clearing the way for the real talking to begin.New Zealand’s minister of trade Todd McClay and the EU’s trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström, met in Brussels last week to mark the end of preparatory FTA talks, the two sides having defined which areas will be covered when formal talks begin and setting the “right level of ambition for any future negotiations”. According to a statement issued by the European Commission, the next step will involve asking EU member states for a negotiating mandate for the NZ deal, including setting specific

objectives for the eventual FTA. In addition, the commission is now finalising its assessment of the potential impact of such a trade agreement, taking account of what new opportunities an EU-NZ FTA could create for EU businesses, as well deciding what ‘agricultural sensitivities’ need to be accommodated.“With annual bilateral trade amounting to more than €8 billion, the EU is New Zealand’s second largest trading partner after Australia,” said the commission statement.“For the EU, trade with New Zealand results in a positive trade balance of €1.3 billion, with EU companies holding nearly €10 billion in foreign direct investment in New Zealand. Any potential deal will aim to further deepen this trade and investment relationship.”

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Merino wool model applied to crossbred Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com WOOL may have lost its competitive edge as a global fibre but there’s opportunity for New Zealand to produce wool products relevant to select end users, NZ Merino Company chief executive John Brakenridge says. It was a well-known fact that the wool industry had been in decline since the 1990s but Brakenridge said NZ sheep had the potential to be the most economically and environmentally sustainable farmed animal, producing multiple revenue streams. “But with Merino dag wool currently selling for more than cross-bred fleece, the (wool) system is broken,” he said. He said while NZ Merino (NZM) was best known for its work with fine wool brand partners such as Smart Wool and Icebreaker, it was also contributing to industry collaborative efforts to develop new uses and markets for strong wool. NZM was prepared to establish contracts with premium brand partners and develop new uses and markets for strong wool but Brakenridge said success required industry unity. “And with that unity needs to be a preparedness to invest in front of the curve.” It would be a “long game” that would start farmer collaboration. Moving from being price takers to a market shaping model required investment. Primary Growth Partnerships (PGPs) had enabled that investment, Brakenridge said. Unity among merino growers was a significant reason for the success of the fine wool industry. “This year more than 70% of our fine wool clip will be secured in

contracts with brand partners. “Wool that would have traditionally gone to auction and been subject to a volatile market,” he said. NZM had achieved considerable success through its PGP programme, NZ Sheep Industry Transformation Project (NZSTX), focused on fine and mid-micron wool, which is due to end this year. NZSTX had followed a number of lines of research including using product differentiation to generate better grower returns for fine wool fibre, meat and other products, and genetics, animal health and forage production. This differentiation had enabled NZM to develop new brand partnerships, while also meeting growing demand for NZ finewool fibre from established brand partners. “We have now begun marketing NZ strong wool with several early successes acquiring new brand partners and significant grower commitment.

It’s about strengthening relationships by linking to the land and connecting to the world. John Brakenridge NZ Merino “Like fine wool, unity across the industry will drive positive change. “It’s about strengthening relationships by linking to the land and connecting to the world,” Brakenridge said.

TOGETHER: John Brakenridge says unity among merino growers was a significant reason for the success of the fine wool industry.

NZM had recently helped form the Waka Group, a small group of leading NZ pastoral farmers who together represented more than one million lambs and 25,000 bales of wool. The group was collaborating to find areas where they could work together to build value in the industry. The work was aligned to the NZSTX extension strategy, building relationships with strong-wool growers to develop opportunities for encouraging a shift towards more fit-for-market production. “To achieve stable and fair pricing for wool growers we must market wool’s attributes, benefits and its farming story to strengthen the connection with consumers,” Brakenridge said. PGP initiatives were enabling new conversations within the wider sheep industry and building additional networks and information-sharing, he said. A new PGP – Wool Unleashed, was projected to boost the strong wool sector by $335 million. While in the early stages, the PGP initiative would seek to take what NZM had learned

and developed over the past 20 years in the fine wool industry and apply it to the strong wool industry. Brakenridge said the new programme would focus on low chemical use, quality standards, marketing, identifying and developing new wool products for niche markets, and sharing its findings with others in the sector. In 10 years’ time he wanted 40% of the strong wool bales transacted to be at sustainable prices with substantial premiums over long-term historic prices. The Te Hono movement, the brainchild of Brakenridge, had been a prime example of industry collaboration. It had mobilised a group of over 180 influential leaders representing 80% of NZ’s primary sector. Over 300 actions and collaborations had occurred since the inception of Te Hono in 2012, from the establishment of sophisticated US market insights through collaboration with Stanford University, to the formation of a market hub in Shanghai. “We’re excited about fine wool

START: John Brakenridge says the significant potential for crossbred wools is starting to be realised.

but also the early tracking for strong wool opportunities as a consequence of PGPs. “There has been a significant number of early wins, albeit smaller volumes, but the significant potential for crossbred wools is starting to be realised,” Brakenridge said.

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News

10 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Urea prices surge Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com

some analysts off guard, given global supply was anticipated to continue increasing following the commissioning of three new urea production plants in the United States. But those plants had taken longer than expected to come on stream while there remained a squeeze on Chinese capacity. Wynne said Ballance’s Kapuni plant was back on stream after major maintenance and its future was under consideration by the company. “Our ultimate challenge is to say do we invest in a new one, or do we run the one we have for a few more years yet?” He confirmed there was no concern over gas supplies in Taranaki running out in the near term. India’s extensive use of urea has impacted on urea demand as the government focused on increasing domestic agricultural productivity, but it has a stagnant level of domestic production totalling 22 million tonnes. Subsidies keep prices at about US$80 a tonne but India was eight million tonnes short of product last year. Whitty said a tender in October for over one million tonnes followed by another,

UP AND DOWN: Ballance chief executive Mark Wynne says he anticipated in the short term some supply driven spikes may still occur, but longer term there may be a more stepped approach to any price movements.

since cancelled, drove market optimism. Over use through subsidisation has pushed the Indian government to run “soil health cards” to promote more balanced use of fertilisers. With oil prices bouncing around the US$50 a barrel market, it was not a driver for price rises and Whitty said prices appeared to be starting to settle in the US$200$250 range, which should bring some stability over coming months.

“It is a good place to be. It keeps marginal producers involved. The big unknown from here is the demand from US, China and India over the coming spring months.” Wynne said the NZ exchange rate was the other variable to watch, as pressure came through United States interest rate increases. “Any weakening in our dollar will lead to more expensive urea, but it will also contribute to stronger commodity prices for farmers which will be welcome.”

02045_WPAF_WNZFW

INCREASING Indian demand, lags in global production capacity and government policies have all contributed to a surge in urea prices in recent weeks. The latest announcement by Ravensdown that has it lifting its urea prices 5.5% to NZ$507 a tonne puts it almost on a par with Ballance’s pricing as companies face almost a 40% rise in US priced urea costs since November. The price increases were a rapid turnaround from July last year when commodities tracker Index Mundi had July prices at US$177 a tonne, the lowest level since July 2004. The same index has urea prices rising at a rapid clip, up 11.5% in January alone from December 2016 and now sitting on US$241 a tonne. In a letter to shareholders last week Ravensdown stated the increase came off the back of falling global urea prices in 2016, brought about by increased production capacity in North America and North Africa. This had then caused a number of less efficient plants, particularly in China, to close, in turn reducing production and therefore supply.

Ravensdown general manager Mike Whitty said the urea market was prone to volatility because it was such a heavily traded product. “It has been a bit overcooked, but we are even starting to see that come off now.” He said when prices fell to US$180 a tonne, some major producers dropped out including Indonesia and China. “Around US$200 a tonne marks the point where countries will stop exporting.” Over 2014 and 2015 China was responsible for exporting 13.5 million tonnes a year, but last year this slid back to 9.5m tonnes, with estimates another 10-12m tonnes of capacity still existed but has been idle. Ballance chief executive Mark Wynne said expectations were this year that China would move from being an net exporter of an average of 5m tonnes of urea, to importing about 3m tonnes. He anticipated in the short term some supply driven spikes may still occur, but longer term there may be a more stepped approach to any price movements. “If you take a 10 year view prices are at their lowest, so they have a long way to climb before reaching their average.” The price hike has caught

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Watchdog calls for investigation Nigel Stirling nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com INTERNATIONAL corruption watch-dog Transparency International is calling for an investigation into links between the Russian beef industry and a senior government official in Moscow responsible for blocking beef imports from New Zealand. The call for the Russian government to investigate Sergey Dankvert, the head of the country’s veterinary service Rosselkhoznadzor, came after the president of neighbouring Belarus accused the official of gaining personally from a decision to block beef imports from his country on February 6. That is the same day that Dankvert banned imports of NZ beef on the grounds it was unsafe for Russian consumers following the discovery last year of traces of listeria and a banned feed additive ractopamine. Earlier this month the Ministry of Primary Industries said it was still awaiting responses to its requests for a meeting with its Russian counterparts to discuss the ban. In a statement reported by Russian media Transparency International said it had requested the office of Russia’s public prosecutor check Dankvert had respected the country’s anti-corruption laws in his role as head of Rosselkhoznadzor. “We sent…a request to carry out a check about compliance with the legislation on corruption with respect to conflict of interests: with respect to companies in which Dankvert has shares, and with respect to the taking of decisions in the interests of a company which is managed by his daughter.” The statement said Rosselkhoznadzor’s decision to restrict beef imports from the Minsk region of Belarus had created a “competitive advantage” for local Russian suppliers.

We find some of the findings really unusual because the Russians say they are finding substances that are prohibited here.

“Among the companies which can obtain additional preferences from such a limitation of competition is OAO Agroplemsoyuz, whose board of directors includes the daughter of Mr Dankvert”, the agency said in its request to the Russian prosecutor. Rosselkhoznadzor on February 3 said it would ban Belarusian beef because it could not be guaranteed that it had originated in the country and posed a health risk to Russian consumers. The agency has increasingly become a thorn in the side of NZ agricultural trade with Russia. Speaking to reporters in Moscow after announcing the ban on NZ beef last month Dankvert also put dairy in the firing line. “We are warning NZ suppliers: if the findings are repeated we shall also restrict supplies of butter with fat,” he told reporters. Rosselkhoznadzor notified MPI last December about the detection of “low level” traces of the veterinary medicine tetracycline in anhydrous milk fat from NZ. The detection mystified officials in Wellington because tetracycline has not been registered as a veterinary medicine for farmed animals in NZ since 2011. Rosselkhoznadzor is also the agency responsible for withholding export licenses for a large number of dairy plants ever since Fonterra’s 2013 botulism scare. While the ban was partially lifted for 29 factories in 2015 the plants were still unable to export butter which has historically been the largest part of NZ’s dairy trade with Russia and a critical butter market for the industry internationally. Despite repeated requests from NZ for visits by Rosselkhoznadzor auditors to inspect plants to allow unrestricted export to Russia the visits are still to take place.

A Government source speaking off the record last month told Farmers Weekly that meetings with Rosselkhoznadzor to discuss the latest claims of contamination of NZ beef and dairy products had been sought for months without success. “We find some of the findings really unusual because the Russians say they are finding substances that are prohibited here. MPI have never found it so why are the Russians finding it? “We need the technical people to talk to, to understand whether this is really something or is it some sort of cross-contamination in a Russian lab or is it domestic politics or something else?” A spokesman for MPI said the department had no comment to make on Transparency International’s request that Dankvert be investigated.

BANNED: Russia banned imports of NZ beef on the grounds it was unsafe for Russian consumers.

News

12 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

DIA regional winners found Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com

SUCCESS: Manawatu regional winners in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards this year were, from left, Hayley Hoogendyk, Nikki and Jarrod Greenwood, and Stephanie Walker.

PERSISTENCE and resilience paid off for Manawatu sharemilkers Jarrod and Nikki Greenwood, when they won the New Zealand Dairy Industry Award for their region at the fifth time of trying. The Greenwoods milk 320 cows on a 109ha Palmerston North property, owned by Ian Strahan. Jarrod, now 33, has been dairy farming since

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he was 16 years old, when he studied through land-based training to gain his first farm assistant position. “I’ve worked my way up the industry ladder, progressing into management and then contract/ low order sharemilking positions,” he said. The couple have built a strong foundation in human resources, and aim to provide a safe and enjoyable work environment. “We believe in up skilling and developing our team members and highly value our team and their input into the farm,” Nikki said. “We love to see our staff members progress and succeed in the industry.” The Greenwoods received $7000 worth of prizes for winning the Manawatu Share Farmers of the Year title. The other Manawatu winners were Hayley Hoogendyk as Manager of the Year on Te Paratai Farms, Rongotea, and Stephanie Walker, Trainee of the Year, from Foxton Landcorp Farm. The first of the regional awards to be announced this year went to Rob and Shiralee Seerden, named as Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Share Farmers of the Year. The couple, aged 45 and 44 years and with seven children, are currently sharemilking 225 cows for John and Jean Ellison at Norsewood. They won $9,570 in prizes. The Ellisons said being able to analyse why they made the decisions they did, and ensure they were the best for the farming enterprise, had been a huge benefit of entering awards. The other major Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa winners were Kenny Henderson, the Manager of the Year, and Brandyn Beale, the Trainee of the Year. In Northland the 2017 Share Farmers of the Year were Niall and Delwyn McKenzie, 50:50 sharemilkers for Rodger and Jan Comrie, on a 100ha farm at Kaiwaka, running 230 cows. “We see ourselves as caretakers of the land. We are very lucky to be able to make the most of opportunities that are given to us by our awesome farm owners, who encourage us to strive for success and profitability,” the couple said.

We believe in up skilling and developing our team members and highly value our team and their input into the farm. Nikki Greenwood Manawatu farmer Dairy Manager of the Year in Northland was Greg Imeson, aged 34, a latecomer to dairying in 2014 on his family farm after more than a decade as a structural engineer. The Imeson family, Greg and wife Janelle and two young children, will move to a 200-cow farm they have purchased at Poroti, on June 1. Trainee of the Year in Northland was Blake Anderson, aged 19, farm assistant on Carlton Smyth’s 420-cow, 180ha property in Kaiwaka. Heading the Taranaki awards this year were Dion and Jo Bishell, now in their fourth season 50:50 sharemilking on the Drought & Kalin Family Trust Partnership 150ha Hawera property, milking 470 cows. They have been farming together since 2004. Future farming goals include increasing their equity and investing in a 400-cow equity partnership or smaller farm with the potential to expand, from 2020. The other major winners were the Taranaki Manager of the Year Shaun Neal, and the Trainee of the Year, Tim Bonner. Results from the other seven regions will be published when they are announced.

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Smith stands by new water rules Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com THE new freshwater management rules were a practical and common sense response to water quality issues, according to Environment Minister Nick Smith. He labelled criticism of the policy, which includes a goal of having 90% of rivers and lakes swimmable by 2040, as a debate between “practical environmentalists and environmental purists”. He said criticism that rivers and lakes had to meet swimmable standards 80% of the time did not meet his “common sense” test, because E Coli levels varied according to when rivers had periods of flood and periods of low flow.

Forum chairman Hugh Logan said in a statement that concerns raised by Forest and Bird about matters on which the forum had reached consensus would be covered in its submission on the Government’s freshwater proposals. He regretted the group’s decision to leave the forum saying they had been an important contributor. “Any implications flowing from their decision will be something for other members to discuss when the forum next meets.”

PRACTICAL: Nick Smith says the water quality debate is one between practical environmentalists and environmental purists.

Some of the most polluted waterways were in urban areas and the Government has to find a balance in asking both urban and rural areas to lift their game.

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Nick Smith Environment Minister “The green purest pronouncement is that a river never be allowed to, and be legally banned from, breaching 540 E Coli (per 100ml of water), is totally impractical for the reality for which a river works.” He gave the example of E Coli levels in the Hutt River that this summer rose from 540 to 920 in one day following heavy rain and increased its flow from 10 cusecs to 150 cusecs. Forest and Bird has criticised the policy, saying water quality in a majority of the country’s rivers and streams would not be tested but Smith said they were small waterways and the cost to ratepayers of testing every stretch would be prohibitive. Those waterways flowed into larger rivers that would be tested and monitored, but given the time taken to set targets for 54,000km of rivers and lakes, to do so for all 400,000km was unrealistic. Forest and Bird has resigned from the Land and Water Forum in protest at the policy and said the Government ignored the consensus recommendation of the forum. The body represented 67 industry, user and environmental groups and was designed to get consensus on water management. Fish and Game NZ has previously resigned. It a letter to ministers and forum members announcing its decision, Forest and Bird president Mark Hanger said it was concerned at the “selective cherry picking” of forum recommendations. He was also critical of the lack of control on nitrogen use, that the macroinvertebrate community index be used as a biological measure in the national objectives framework, “and the need to ensure that freshwater objectives are set to achieve ecological health, rather than based on some form of ‘balance’ between environmental and economic considerations”. Speaking before news had broken that Forest and Bird had resigned, Smith said the forum’s recommendations were practical, although misunderstood by some urban New Zealanders especially to do with livestock access to waterways in low stocked, back country areas. He also said Government changes would ensure those living in urban areas did their share “of the heavy lifting”. “Some of the most polluted waterways were in urban areas and the Government has to find a balance in asking both urban and rural areas to lift their game.”

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News

14 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Birds’ role in degradation questioned Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com WATER degradation caused by wildfowl has farming leaders questioning whether the bird population is out of control. The role of wildfowl in degrading waterways has been absent from the debate on water quality, prompting Federated Farmers board member Chris Allen to ask if bird numbers were too high. “Has it come to a point where the bird population is out of hand? Does Fish and Game need to do something?” Elaine Moriarty, a senior scientist with the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, said wildfowl degraded water but the impact was more aesthetic than a human health risk. Wildfowl did excrete high concentrations of E coli into waterways, but she said the pathogens in those faeces were less likely to cause disease than those from ruminants. She said the main issue with wildfowl pollution was aesthetic, giving the example of a pontoon moored in the Avon River at Kerr’s Reach in Christchurch, which was covered in bird faeces. The Avon, like many urban rivers, was polluted from wildfowl and Moriarty said while she would not swim in it or source food from it, communities needed to decide if they were prepared to leave it degraded so they could enjoy the accompanied bird life. The presence of E Coli acted as a flashing light that there was a problem she said, and while pathogens from ruminant animals were more likely to make people sick, all sources of pollution needed to be considered in the debate on water quality. A 2011 study published in the NZ Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research found ducks had the highest loading of E Coli of water fowl and Canada Geese the highest levels of Campylobacter. Each day the study calculated that gulls excreted 50g of faeces, Canada geese 250g, black swan 418g and ducks 336g. It also estimated the mallard duck population at 4.5 million and Canada geese and black swan numbers each at less than 100,000. It did not have numbers for gulls. A 2009 ESR report on the

LOOK CLOSER: Federated Farmers board member Chris Allen says the role of wildfowl in degrading waterways has been absent from the debate on water quality.

This is a convenient argument that suits the politics but it does not have any substance. Bryce Johnson Fish and Game Avon found that E coli levels regularly exceeded Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Health guidelines of 260 E Coli per 100 ml, often reaching 550 E Coli per 100ml, but during and following heavy rain peaking at 3600 per 100ml were reached. Dog excrement became a significant pollutant following heavy rain and low level E coli from human sewage was also detected after rain. “Wildfowl and dogs are the primary contributors to degraded

water quality in the Avon River,” the report concluded. The report noted that pathogens carried by wildfowl and dogs included campylobacter, cryptosporidium, giardia and E Coli but the health risk from the polluted water was not known Environment Southland tested E Coli levels at 18 sites on the Waikaia, Mataura, Aparima and Oreti rivers from January to March 2013 and found wildfowl were a source of E Coli in 16 of those tests. Decaying vegetation was detected as an E Coli source in 13 tests. Commentary accompanying the faecal source study concluded that wildfowl became an important source of E Coli when farmers improved effluent management, removed stock and installed stock crossings. In March 2013 the Otago Regional Council identified colonies of nesting seagulls as the

cause of high concentrations of E Coli in the upper reaches of the Kakanui River in North Otago. Upstream of the colonies the bacteria concentrations were 214 E Coli per 100ml, but downstream it peaked at 2400 per 100ml. Chris Allen said in his home province of Mid Canterbury nesting gulls and pigeons were found to be the source of degradation of the Ashburton River during summer rather than low water flow, farming or heavy rainfall. “It’s not all coming off the land.” He said Canterbury’s Lake Ellesmere, home to thousands of Canadian Geese and swans, was also being degraded by wildfowl. Allen said the role of wildfowl in degrading water has been missing in the wider debate. “It’s real, they do have an effect.” Allen said it was a justified question whether the bird population was out of control and whether Fish and Game NZ had a

statutory obligation to act. “We have to get away from the rhetoric that all water is in a mess and we need a full and frank debate and wildfowl has to be a part of that.” But Fish and Game NZ chief executive Bryce Johnson said he had no intention of investigating the role of wildfowl in causing water degradation, saying other land uses were more significant. “Anything that craps in the water has to have an effect, but on the scale of other primary sources, wildfowl are an absolute minor contaminant compared to other sources.” He said wildfowl had lived on Lake Ellesmere for centuries but it has only been recently degraded by land use. “This is a convenient argument that suits the politics but it does not have any substance.” It was more important to focus on the role of agriculture in degrading water quality, he said.

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16 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

News

Mohair is a fine earner Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com

QUALITY: Australian buying specialist David Williams says length, strength, fineness and general appearance were key to creating the value.

ANGORA goats beckon as viable earners with mohair buyers waiting in the wings to take whatever fibre New Zealand can produce. That was the message to growers and prospective growers at the mohair producers’ national conference held in Ashburton last week. The organisation used the forum to spread the word that the Angora goat industry had a bright outlook with good returns, especially for premium fibre. “We just need to persuade more farmers to give angora goats a go,” said Mohair Producers NZ chairwoman Lynne Milne.

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“We can’t supply the demand for quality mohair fleece.” Markets worldwide remained hungry for the angora fibre that was used in high-end garments and home textiles. Milne said 90% of the mohair produced in NZ was exported through two privately owned warehouses, one in the South Island and one in the north. Producers’ output was pooled and sorted into lines at biannual buying events. “I can’t remember the last pool where the mohair wasn’t all sold,” Milne said. In his address to growers Australian buying specialist David Williams said it was important to understand the needs of the manufacturer and quality of product required to realise its full potential. Williams who sells all his mohair to South Africa, said the mohair industry was focused on the end product. “The end product is about the difference in quality and wearability trait. “Length, strength, fineness and general appearance were key to creating the value,” he said. While top quality NZ fibre was fetching $34 a kilogram, there was potential for NZ growers to do better. A normal 23 micron premium quality fibre could fetch up to $55/kg if it ticked all the boxes. With new genetics coming into the country, NZ could do it, Williams said. More even fibre production and greater volume had potential to bring some consistent high value returns, but it needed to be quality driven. NZ Merino Company (NZM) production science manager Dr Mark Ferguson said first the industry needed to set a purpose for the future and what it wanted to achieve. Understanding the genetics with a strategic plan for breeding and objectives was key, he said. Ferguson addressed how the “Merino experience” including the importance of nutrition to fibre production, could be applied to Angora goat farming. With a background in goat farming from Australia, Ferguson said the power of genes should never be underestimated. He said the genetic work being done by NZM also had clear pointers for Angora goats. Merino and goat fibre had similarities but first the ideal genotype and strategic breeding objective must be identified. “Getting that aim for breeding objective must be really crystal clear, then go about finding the genes to achieve that aim and then go about getting the genes to achieve that goal,” Ferguson said. There was positive correlation in optimum condition scoring between carcase weight and fleece weights. “You need enough genetics to cut a good fleece but still have enough genetic fuel in the tank to score muscle and fat. “Fleece weight to body weight ratio balance is significant. “Angoras are one of the most prolific fleece growers in the world but it’s really important to get breeding objectives absolutely balanced. “It’s not highly productive to be just running around growing fleece if the production system is not optimised,” Ferguson said. Genetics in fat were driving reproduction in sheep. “Fed well plus bred well equals high production,” he said. “We live in awe of the power of genes and we should never underestimate how we can change the animal – production-wise. “All too often we use genes on profit, we need to get the profit-production balance right,” he said. There was no recipe to farming and the general principle of aligning Merino research to Angora was real. “It would be intriguing to play out in Angoras, at this stage we never have done,” Ferguson said.

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18 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Synlait investment a departure for A2

BUYER: A2 managing director Geoff Babidge says the investment demonstrated the company’s commitment to supporting its major contractor.

Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com A2 MILK Co’s new shareholding in Synlait Milk is a partial disconnect from the group’s “capital light’’ focus of not investing in processing assets, Forsyth Barr sharebroking analyst James Bascand says. “There’s been no vertical integration till now. They’ve relied on other processors to make their product while all their cash has gone in to reinvesting in the brand.

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“Synlait is just the opposite, it’s a capital heavy business with all its money in processing.’’ A2 has taken an 8.25% stake in Synlait, buying the parcel till now owned by Dutch dairy cooperative FrieslandCampina. It becomes the third biggest shareholder. The price of $3.275 a share was at a premium to Synlait’s closing price of $3.10 ahead of the announcement. The $47.9 million was due to settle on March 9. FrieslandCampina is selling all of its shareholding, according to a note to the NZX. Synlait manufactures A2’s top-selling Platinum brand infant formula at its central Canterbury processing plant. Bascand sees the new investment as opportunist, after Friesland did not take part in Synlait’s latest capital raise, signalling a likely change in strategic intent. A2 managing director Geoff Babidge said in a note to the NZX that the investment demonstrated the company’s “commitment to supporting our major contractor and we see this as a long term holding’’.

It shows they’re more committed to us but we have to continue to earn that. Graeme Milne Synlait The shareholding would bring stability to Synlait’s capital structure as it grows, and there were no plans to increase it above the current level. That comment was more in keeping with the A2 capital light model, Bascand said, though longer term there could be potential for further investment. With a market capitalisation round $1.8 billion, A2 would have thought $48m a pretty comfortable investment. At its latest December 30 interim balance date, A2 had $108m in cash or term deposits, and no borrowings, and achieving good cash flows despite solid market development spend in China, the United States, and United Kingdom. Of its total assets of $246m, only $8.08m was in property, plant, and equipment. Bascand believes the balance sheet would support the introduction of A2 dividends this year. There did not appear to be any reason under planned new regulatory rules in China for A2 to have direct ownership in Synlait, he said. Synlait chairman Graeme Milne was happy with A2 as a shareholder as well as being a “good customer’’. “It shows they’re more committed to us but we have to continue to earn that.’’ Friesland was also a very valued customer and the Synlait board was not sure of its reasons for selling the shareholding. It had been a relatively passive shareholder. Synlait reports its interim trading results in late March. The market was a bit volatile but Synlait was trading well, Milne said. Chinese group Bright Dairy remains the biggest Synlait shareholder at 39%, with Japanese group Mitsui second at 8.38%. Completing the top five shareholders are US-based customer Munchkin with 3.87%, and Synlait managing director John Penno at 3.41%.

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News

farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

VALUE ADD: John Monaghan emphasised the higher gross margins and greater volumes for consumer and foodservice products when he addressed the annual meeting of the Northland Dairy Development Trust in Whangarei.

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Solid result expected Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com FONTERRA will report a sound firsthalf result next week in which it will emphasise the growing share of its New Zealand milk going into consumer and foodservice products. Much higher gross margins on those products have enabled Fonterra to forecast 50-60c/share earnings in the current financial year, which is not expected to change next week. Only two weeks ago Fonterra directors maintained that earnings guidance, along with a steady $6/kg milk price forecast, from which farmers have been advised to budget for 40c dividend. Changes to those numbers would not be expected three weeks later, and therefore farmers and unit investors should expect a 20c interim dividend announcement. In the first quarter of Fonterra’s 2017 financial year, from August 1 to October 31, it achieved 31% gross margin in the consumer and foodservice business, compared to 12% in the much larger ingredients business. It processed 128 million litres of additional milk volume into consumer and foodservice products compared with the same quarter in FY2016, and lifted the gross margin by 3%. Total sales included 4.5b liquid milk equivalent (LME) and 1.3b in consumer and foodservice, up 11% compared with 1Q FY2016. Last financial year Fonterra turned 20% of its 23.7b litres into consumer and foodservice products. Director John Monaghan emphasised the higher gross margins and greater volumes for consumer and foodservice products when he addressed the annual meeting of the Northland Dairy Development Trust in Whangarei. However, Fonterra’s board and senior executives were in the stock exchange black out period before the interim results announcement on March 22

and he could use only the first quarter figures. Consumer and foodservice sales in China went up 36% in 1Q, with a gross margin of 39%, up 7%. That market delivered 72m LME volume growth out of the total 128m increase. Other Asian and Latin American markets grew by 10%, and achieved gross margins of 33%, while Oceania (Australia and NZ) was unchanged in volume (469m LME) but increased gross margin by 5% to 24%.

The fundamentals of the infant formula market in China remained attractive.

Monaghan also repeated the claim that all new milk in NZ went into consumer and foodservice but that sounded a bit hollow after he said that total NZ milk production this season was now expected to be down 5%, on top of last season’s 3% volume drop for Fonterra. The peak collection period this season was only 80m litres a day, compared with 87m in spring 2015. The unprecedented fall in NZ collection so far this season had created more headwinds for ingredients and the strong NZ dollar was weighing on revenue returns. Global demand was stable in the short term, including a 20% increase in China’s imports over the past 12 months, moderating slightly to 10% increase over October-December. Latin American imports were up 12% over the past year and Asia, excluding China, was up 5%. On the supply side, only the United States was still growing milk production,

up 2%, while Australia was down 7% and the European Union down 3% over September-November. Monaghan spent some time on the potential in China and the suitability of the Beingmate partnership as a vehicle for much of Fonterra’s ambitions in China. Over the past four years Fonterra’s footprint in China had grown 25%, from 4b LME to 5b, with almost all the increase coming from consumer and foodservice sales and the China farms production. Yet the China market for dairy products was vast, including the domestic liquid milk pool of 36b and the consumer and foodservice demand of an equivalent size. Fonterra China and Beingmate, combined, had only 4% of the total market for value-add dairy products – consumer, foodservice, and advanced nutrition (Anlene, Anmum and Beingmate brands). The fundamentals of the infant formula market in China remained attractive because of increasing disposable incomes, continued urbanisation, a growing number of babies, and a low breast feeding rate. The Chinese Government’s policy favoured large foreign and domestic suppliers, saying it wanted 80% of the market supplied by the top 10 players by the end of 2018. More details about the consolidating relationship between Fonterra and Beingmate would be provided with the interim results later in March, he said. He was asked about the problems of Westland Milk and Murray Goulburn and declined to speak on competitors, except to say that Fonterra was in a position of relative strength, or pole position, having made tough decisions in a timely manner. Monaghan was also asked if NZ had reached peak milk production because of environmental constraints and he replied no, because advances in technology and cattle breeding would continue.

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20 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Ag goes big in the Manawatu Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com THE future of New Zealand farming will be examined closely by many speakers during the NZ Agrifood Investment Week, beginning on Monday, March 13 in Manawatu. Alongside the Central Districts Field Days (CDFD) and the Plate of Origin restaurant awards, the agrifood week brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, farmers, growers, government, iwi, investors, and consumers. Project managed by Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA), the week is designed to deliver a programme of events designed to connect, challenge and grow the agrifood industry. The aims and objectives included innovation and investment in agriculture, promotion of sustainability, development of networks, promoting career opportunities, and problem solving. “Agrifood” was a way of describing the complete value chain, from molecule to mouth, and with a number of research centres and primary sector companies Manawatu was ideally placed to host such an event and encourage participation, CEDA chairman Malcolm Bailey said. “What leaves the farm gate is often unusable until it is processed and packaged into a product consumers want. “Consumers and products need to be connected and science, innovation and research have an important part to play along the way,” Bailey said. Along with major sponsor ASB, the NZ Agrifood Investment

BIG WEEK: With a number of research centres and primary sector companies Manawatu was ideally placed to host such the event, CEDA chairman Malcolm Bailey says.

Week and CEDA will present the NZ Future Farms conference on Tuesday and Wednesday, the NZ Agribusiness Investment

Showcase on Thursday, the AgTech Hackathon on Friday and three seminars at the field days on Thursday and Friday.

The Future Farms conference will be held in the Palmerston North Convention Centre for farm owners and managers, agribusiness executives, and local and central government leaders. The conference themes include equity and ownership models, capital funding, succession planning, innovation and technology, dissecting the value chain and high margin food, and how as the nation will achieve its export 2025 goal. The seminar series will be in the ASB Innovation Zone at CDFD; the two on Thursday will be called What is Agrifood? and Farming and Technology, while the Friday morning seminar is a youth debate on To GM or not to GM? Among the seminar speakers will be Steve Maharey, former Massey University vicechancellor, Mavis Mullins of Te Hono movement, Julia Jones from the KPMG Agribusiness Agenda, Andrew Watters, MyFarm Investments, Patrick Verryt, Spark Ventures, and Leander Archer, AgFirst Hawke’s Bay, the 2015 Massey ag student of the year. Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy will open the ASB Innovation Zone at 9.30am on Thursday morning and stay for the first seminar that follows, while the second is at 2pm in the afternoon, and the third at 10am on Friday. The AgTech Hackathon culminates on Friday with a Dragon’s Den type presentation of pitches from teams of technology experts and smart farmers. Sponsored by Microsoft, BCC, the Accelerate 25 regional growth group, and Manawatu-Rangitikei Federated Farmers, the hackathon

participants were challenged to address common farming problems. Among these were measuring grass, managing water supply, dairy shed monitoring, getting cows off the rotary platform, and recording beef genetics.

Consumers and products need to be connected and science, innovation and research have an important part to play along the way. Malcolm Bailey CEDA Accelerate 25 is also holding two livestock water reticulation workshops at the CDFD, on Thursday and Friday. Co-sponsors are Beef + Lamb New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries, and AgFirst Manawatu, which recently completed a study on the financial benefits from investing in stock water reticulation and subdivision in hill country. Those findings, along with a discussion on the economics of the case studies and the issues farmers considered, will be discussed, along with practical solutions for water reticulation. The third Sheep Milk New Zealand conference will be held at the Awapuni Function Centre, Palmerston North, on Monday and Tuesday, March 13 and 14.

Centralisation adds simplicity and savings Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com CENTRALISING the administration of the use of 1080 and other pesticides is expected to save taxpayers and users $11 million over the next 20 years. The Environmental Protection Authority will now administer 1080 and brodifacoum rather than regional councils and Environment Minister Nick Smith said in an interview that provided pest contractors met predetermined criteria, operations would not require resource consent. This centralised approach also standardised the use of poisons and rules governing operations. At present operators can face different regulations for operations that straddle territorial local authority boundaries. Smith gave the example of a pest control operation underway in the Kahurangi National Park in an area administered by the

West Coast and Tasman Regional Councils, with each requiring different regulations such as for public notification. Savings would be generated for OSPRI and the Department of Conservation by not having to apply for resource consent, provided they met predetermined standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency, and from having greater flexibility to ensure operations occurred at the optimum time. Smith said the idea of centralising administration was suggested by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment who noted duplication and inconsistency from differing regional rules. Last year he sought public opinion on the proposal and had 70% of submitters in favour, including from regional councils. OSPRI senior policy advisor Nick Hancox said the change would simplify the process and enable some efficiency that

should free up funds for extra pest control, but overall farmers would not notice much change. At present OSPRI has to apply to regional councils and the Medical Officer of Health for consent prior to a pest control operation. From April 1, when the changes take effect, consent would only be required from the Medical Officer of Health. Smith said a 95% reduction in Tb infection rates in cattle and deer was a “tremendous success story”, and the newly announce changes would ensure that trend would continue. “It is a practical change that will make control easier,” he said. Smith did not think the changes would lessen vocal opposition to the use of the poison. “I like to remind those opponents that stoats, rats and possums kill 25 million native birds a year and if we are serious about ensuring their survival we need to use effective and efficient poisons like 1080.”

SIMPLE: The centralised approach standardised the use of poisons and rules governing operations, Environment minister Nick Smith says.

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22 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Levy to hit game big time Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com

“We are of the view that the levy is excessive and gold-plated. ‘”It would be a punitive financial burden on the A PROPOSED game trophy commercial hunting sector, in export levy would present a particular properties such as ours punitive financial burden on the would be unjustly punished given commercial hunting sector and the vast majority of our exported privately owned game estates, trophies are privately owned High Peak Station deer farmer animals from private land,” Simon and game estate owner Simon Guild said. Guild says. The levy would add significant The Department of cost to the price of a hunt, Conservation has proposed the making NZ a less competitive and new levy to fund activities of the attractive hunting destination, he Game Animal Council (GAC), said. established in 2013 to represent “This will inevitably result in the interests of the hunting sector the shrinkage of our industry, and improve the management especially at the lower end where of hunting resources while the industry’s bread and butter contributing to conservation. clientele are.” The proposed $300 levy would The levy would add 10% for be imposed on each trophy head a hunter spending the average exported from New Zealand, in $10,000 on a three-species hunt. order to raise the $1.6 million “And that’s for no discernible a year needed to make the benefit to them or us. government-driven council self“They may as well choose funding. destinations such as the less The Guild family of expensive Argentina, Canada or Canterbury’s High Peak Station Europe offering similar game has provided international without the tyranny of distance.” hunters with privately-owned Red deer (44%), tahr (19%) and land and animals to hunt since chamois (19%) were the biggest 1987. drawcards for international The family believed the export hunters making up 70% of the levy was the wrong funding total trophies exported from NZ. mechanism for the GAC. About 28,000 hunters visit NZ annually with 81% of those from the United States. Trophy exports were about 5300 animals from a maximum 4000 hunters, the Thursday 16/03/2017 – Saturday 18/03/2017 majority of which Central Districts Field Days were taken on Manfield, South Street, Feilding private land. Time: 8.30am – 4.30pm Tickets: Adult $15, Child free The hunting industry was Saturday 18/03/2017

0076663

200x71.67

agrievents

FMG Young Farmer of the Year Northern Regional Final Venue: Kamo High School, Whangarei Time: 10.00am

Friday 14/03/2017 Beef+Lamb NZ Ladies Long Lunch ‘Celebrating women as critical farming partners’ Venue: Rathmoy Lodge, Cooks Road, Hunterville Time: 11.15am. Guest speaker – Sarah Donaldson Riverside marquee lunch Tickets: $30 each Registration: www.beeflambnz.com/news-events/eventscalendar/ladies-long-lunch/ or email Erica Kinder (B+LNZ): erica.kinder@beeflambnz.com Ph: 027 203 9744 Saturday 25/03/2017 FMG Young Farmer Waikato-Bay of Plenty Regional Final Venue: Kihikihi Domain, Kihikihi, Waipa Time: 10.00am Thursday 30/03/2107 AWDT Protecting Your Team Venue: Heartland Hotel, Croyden Time: 8.45am – 5.00pm Contact: hannah@awdt.org.nz, phone 06 377 4560 Website: To register for this programme go to http://www. awdt.org.nz/programmes/protecting-your-team/

BIG GAME: Chamois, along with tar and red deer, is a drawcard for international hunters.

Tuesday 04/04/2017 Farming for the Future Seminar Venue: Carterton Events Centre, Holloway Street, Carterton Time: 9am – 4.30pm Website: www.farmingforthefuture.org.nz Contact: Jill Greathead 06 379 6193 or info@farmingforthefuture.org.nz Should your important event be listed here? Phone 0800 85 25 80 or email adcopy@nzx.com

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Friday 31/03/2107 AWDT Protecting Your Team Venue: The Gate, Cromwell Time: 8.45am – 5.00pm Contact: hannah@awdt.org.nz, phone 06 377 4560 Website: To register for this programme go to http://www. awdt.org.nz/programmes/protecting-your-team/

NOT ON: Simon Guild, here with guide Heath Smith, says the levy is excessive and gold-plated.

worth $187m to NZ each year, including $50m from the commercial sector. The $1.6m cost of running the council was excessive given the limitations of the Act to public land only, Guild said. Effectively, he said, the export levy had turned the GAC from an opportunity for private operators, such as deer farmers, to a threat. “When the costs to run a sevenperson executive are borne by the one part of the hunting sector that operates primarily on private land over which the GAC has no justification, then it becomes blatantly unfair.” He said the imbalance was further exacerbated by the absence of any defined plan to

seek funding from the wider hunting sector. “If the levy goes ahead as proposed, 80% of the GAC’s proposed $1.6m running costs will be borne by less than 15 businesses for little or no benefit.” “The levy, in its proposed iteration, is a heavy tax on our business for the sole benefit of the recreational hunting sector,” Guild said. “The present threats to our livelihood are the lack of security under legislation, biosecurity threat, the growing scourge of illegal hunting and the vulnerability to political whim.” Guild said over the past 30 years High Peak had lost at least $1m in stolen trophy stock based on the

Photo: Craig Smith

We are virtually powerless to stop this, we have had carcasses left on tracks to taunt us, our fences are cut every year and our staff have to deal with gunshots too close for comfort. Simon Guild High Peak average three stags worth $10,000 each being shot by illegal hunters every year. “We fear the reality is much higher – DOC is not interested and even with proof, the police are reluctant, well won’t, prosecute. “We are virtually powerless to stop this, we have had carcasses left on tracks to taunt us, our fences are cut every year and our staff have to deal with gunshots too close for comfort,” Guild said. “Our point is to ask our clients to pay a $300 levy for every animal we own that is taken from our land to fund an organisation that will solely benefit the very people who threaten our business, is only ever going to be met with opposition,” he said. Submissions on the proposed levy closed on February 13. “We (Guild family) submitted, but quite frankly we believe this is a lip service and the levy will be implemented anyway.” “As it is some of us in the commercial sector will challenge it in court on the grounds of poaching and illegal hunting. The principle is just extremely frustrating,” Guild said. Guild was also involved with submissions presented by the NZ Professional Hunting Guides’ Association and the NZ Association of Game Estates.

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Nuffield scholars identify challenges Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com LAST year’s Nuffield Scholars are uneasy at competing countries’ ability to match or outpace New Zealand agriculture. In a summary of their experiences the unbalanced rhetoric around emerging technologies was also noted. Wellington based government agricultural development manager Jessica Bensemann reported her concern over New Zealand agriculture’s level of disconnectedness from global trading trends and patterns after visiting Asia, United States, Europe and the Middle East. Instead she warned New Zealand’s primary sector appeared to be transfixed within the farm gate. She urged the sector to leverage off its considerable international networks to raise a greater level of awareness of global issues that will impact directly in coming years on NZ’s farming communities. She was also concerned at the stagnation in agri-investment she had witnessed globally with a focus remaining more on productivity gains with sustainability investment only a “nice to have”. For Samuel Leung, environmental manager turned shepherd, putting the substance behind environmental claims was highlighted in Ireland’s Origin Green initiative. He noted that despite the benchmarking and measurement systems in place to provide information to consumers, he was surprised by the lack of interest among farmers to lift their environmental or welfare performance to meet the initiative’s expectations. “Transparency without enough substance carries risk and lessons that we can learn from,” he said. He looked to Israel as an example of a country committed to research and development that included developing more sustainable farming methods. That country had a scientific environment that gave researchers a high level of job and income security, and a reduced competitiveness for funds between researchers and institutions. Te Puke dairy farmer Richard Fowler’s study into synthetic food identified three key drivers behind the investment frenzy underway in that sector, particularly within the United States. He found the biggest driver was environmental, with carbon emissions associated with livestock production claimed to be greater than that from all the world’s vehicles, trains and ships. Animal welfare proved the next driver, impacted by the industrial farming models used in Europe and the US, followed by the common driver of making money. Fowler became concerned at the lack of balance around the claims made for conventional agriculture, and the supposed benefits of cellularsynthetic type food production. Qualified solicitor and Waikato sheep and beef farm co-owner Tom Skerman finished his scholarship challenging the standard industry call for greater corporate governance use within farming systems. He said he was increasingly convinced corporate governance was over-hyped and over sold within many parts of the primary sector, and governance changes have left the sector poorly equipped to handle the massive changes and disruptions due in coming decades. He attempts to address in his final report on whether formal governance structures will benefit owner operators at all, and whether businesses need the “entire” governance workshop experience, or just some parts of it. West Coast dairy farmer Bede O’Connor completed his scholarship over a two year period, and during a visit to China identified a clear and

present danger to NZ’s red meat processing sector. That was in the form of meat processing facilities designed to handle imported carcases that were quartered and frozen. He theorised it was only a matter of time until such plants bought the closure of NZ processing operations as “almost a certainty.” Taking it a step further, he believed this could lead to a loss of NZ’s ability to add value at the point of origin, essentially commoditising red meat further.

WARNING: 2016 Nuffield scholar Jessica Bensemann is concerned about NZ’s disconnectedness from global trading trends and patterns.

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24 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Farming showcase in the far North Farmers Weekly’s Hugh Stringleman took in the sights at last weekend’s Northland Field Days where 300 siteholders showed their wares to a big crowd. BREEDERS: Derek Hayward, left, and Mark McKenzie, showed some of their Speckle Park cattle and won an award in 2016.

RIGHT: Fonterra suppliers Ken Finlayson and Terri Donaldson, who have 200 cows at Maungaturoto.

HUGE: Dargaville nurse Brenda Jackson, below, and Whangarei anaesthetic technician Diana Korach, helped guide members of the public through the giant Mobile Surgical Unit.

Passion on show at the Crank Up John Cosgrove FOR those with a passion for vintage machinery who recognise the names Case, Bedford, Vauxhall, Massey, Harris and David Brown, the 30th annual Crank Up vintage machinery festival held at Edendale near Invercargill was the place to be. Despite the wind and rain on day two, Southlanders and the many who travelled from afar simply donned raincoats and gumboots and cranked on at this highly popular festival celebrating all things mechanical.

The attraction for the large crowds attending both days was a host of traction engines, vintage cars, new and old trucks and tractors, military re-enactors, vintage shearing, chaff cutting and a host of other activities including lawn mower racing. Exhibitors had travelled from far and wide to attend the weekend. They included world champion shearer Sir David Fagan who was the special guest of the show, entertaining guests with his anecdotes and skill with the blades.

WEE ONE: Smaller tractors were also on show.

IN A ROW: Vintage tractors at the Crank Up.

HIGH RIDE: An old beauty takes a drive.

Photos: John Cosgrove

ON GUARD: Some dressed the part as well.

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Exchange rate hitting earnings Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com A HIGH ratio of New Zealand value-added lamb products are earning historically high in-market prices, a leading European importer says. But unfavourable exchange rates were the barrier stopping New Zealand farmers from getting the full value and all parties had to work to ensure they’re achieved in spite of that, German importer Alexander Eyckeler said. It was also crucial for his Dusseldorf-based business because NZ was his chosen source of lamb and the steady fall in the sheep population meant a shortage of some products, notably the high value middle cuts from which French racks and boneless loin were prepared. Alexander Eyckeler Company (AEG) was one of lamb-exporter Alliance Group’s biggest customers, and he did not want farmers to further cut back lamb production. “That’s a challenge for us and that’s exciting,’’ he said in Christchurch on his way to visit Alliance’s Smithfield and Lorneville plants as well as a farm visit in Southland. The business partners were also discussing new product opportunities. Alliance supplied more than 90% of AEG’s total lamb imports and about 85% of what was sent to Europe in retail-ready and convenience packs, Eyckeler said. Consumers increasingly wanted smaller “consumerready’’ products, right down to sliced cuts. “We’re doing really well in value-add, and are always looking for alternative product to further do that and getting the value back to the farm.’’ The product mix these days was evenly balanced between chilled and frozen, but the ratio of chilled was increasing with that trend certain to continue. Through the big Metro group, AEG put lamb, mutton, and venison into 751 stores in 25

countries, as well as into food service outlets. It was a year-round buyer of lamb with peaks at Christmas and Easter, and Eyckeler acknowledged there could be a difficult supply period in the northern hemisphere summer and the NZ winter. Alliance was encouraging shareholders to hold back lambs for winter processing, and those numbers were increasing. He was a staunch fan of NZ sheepmeats and venison, dating back to the mid-1980s when he spent a season on the lamb boning floor at the CS Stevens plant in Kaiapoi, part of his training for the family processing and retail business that was sold in the early-2000s.

We’re doing really well in value-add, and are always looking for alternative product to further do that and getting the value back to the farm. Alexander Eyckeler AEG He set up AEG in 2009 and it has grown to become Alliance’s gateway to Europe, the “eyes and ears’’ for the group and its 5000 farmer-shareholders, he said. “We take product to Europe, we distribute, we discuss it with clients, we do tasting, advertising, marketing, and we show movies in store on NZ lamb.’’ AEG also sells NZ lamb into other affluent northern Europe markets such as the Netherlands and Denmark, the Mediterranean areas of Italy and Spain and the emerging economies of Serbia and Croatia. Alliance has its own agent in France. The home German market was the major one, even though

Germans’ consumption of lamb was comparatively low at just over 1kg per head a year. AEG was working to build on this, with young Germans returning home from international travel with a taste for the meat, and also an increasing ethnic population for whom sheepmeats were a core part of the diet. But many often older Germans associated lamb with the strong mutton flavour. “For them lamb was mutton, and that’s something we’ve worked to change, and our tastings and cooking demonstrations are showing up how surprised people are by the mild flavour of NZ lamb, and also venison.’’ Alliance’s export sales manager, Terry O’Connell, said that while per capita consumption was low, the price per kilo was high. “It’s a discerning market and prepared to pay.’’ Despite the emergence of China in recent years, Europe remained an important market for Alliance, O’Connell said. AEG was “one of our largest individual clients and it grows every year in value and volumes” despite a shortage of middle cuts at times when European demand was matched by strong growth in North America. Alliance did less retail-ready work for the UK market because the big supermarket groups kept further processing in house to meet immediate demands but O’Connell said the high chilled volume and leg cut bias made the UK a high value market. Eyckeler says NZ was the leading country for sheepmeat, and with breeding developments the industry was close to achieving a lamb of exactly the right size, taste and specifications perfect for the market, and returns would follow. “The work being done is impressive and when you do good things you should talk about how good it is. That’s what the German carmakers do.’’

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CHALLENGE: German importer Alexander Eyckeler says unfavourable exchange rates are the main barrier stopping NZ farmers getting full value for their lamb.

26 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Newsmaker

No kidding, give goats a good go Mohair Producers New Zealand chairwoman Lynne Milne sees great potential in the mohair industry, especially if more people can be persuaded to give Angora goats a go. She talked to Annette Scott.

O FOR goats – give it a go, Taranaki Angora goat farmer Lynne Milne urges. Markets remain hungry for Angora goat fibre which is used in high-end garments and home textiles. And Milne said the message from mohair buyers that they would take whatever was produced added to the case that Angora goat farming deserved a greater foothold in New Zealand. “Our message is give it a go, perhaps not with large numbers to start with, I wouldn’t recommend that but just take on a few and see what happens,” the Mohair Producers NZ (MPNZ) chairwoman said. That’s from the mouth of a former dairy farmer who switched to bull beef and goats to make a living. Milne’s love of goats goes back to her childhood when she had a pet goat. “I’d always thought I would like to do more with goats and when

Richard (husband) and I moved to a new dairy farm we specifically looked for a place that also had land for goats.” For 40 years the couple were dairy farmers, running a few goats to satisfy Milne’s childhood dreams. Then two years ago they ditched the dairy cows for beef cattle. “We always knew we wouldn’t be milking forever, but the goats did run well with the cows. “The older goats would run on the hills and in the gullies while the younger goats and the does just kidded on the flats’ better pastures with dairy cows.” But now Milne has the chance to realise her real passion in farming. On their Patea farm the couple now run 220 Angora goats in conjunction with 400 cattle that make up their beef and dairy bull operation. To make progress Milne imported new genetics, three bucks from three different lines. “Then we had a breeding

programme to follow and now the goats pay their own way,” Milne said. Despite looking after and shearing the 220 Angoras herself, Milne found she still had some time up sleeve. “I was persuaded to join the board of MPNZ and I felt I did have time to give something back to the industry.” What she hadn’t bargained on was becoming chairwoman. “Barely six months into my time the chairman resigned and when no else would step forward, it was me. “It’s been quite a steep learning curve,” she said. But passion drives motivation. “I will make no apology for the fact that as a commercial farmer of mohair and chairwoman of MPNZ, I place emphasis on achieving a sustainable income from mohair production. “As an industry if we get this aspect of our businesses right then everything else will follow and we can also present ourselves

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ON A ROLL: Mohair Producers New Zealand chairwoman Lynne Milne says farmers should start small but give goats a go.

as a viable option within the wider agricultural sector,” Milne said. “There is great potential in Angora goats, especially targeting premium mohair. “We just need more farmers to give it a go, we need more volume to get the real advantage of what is being offered,” she said. At its peak worldwide mohair production reached 24 million kilograms a year. Now it’s just under three million. Milne said South Africa was the powerhouse but political and other changes had seen production dwindle. But markets remained hungry for Angora goat fibre. About 90% of the mohair produced in NZ was exported through two privately-owned warehouses, one in Canterbury and one in the North Island. The angora goat was shorn twice a year, in autumn and spring, with producers sending their fibre clips to one of the warehouses where it was pooled, sorted and prepared for sale at two buying events each year. “It’s about getting volume, quality and consistency in what we are offering the market,” Milne said. At the MPNZ conference last year world-renowned mohair producer from South Africa, GT Ferreira, lifted the sights of local producers. In particular he suggested they should put a much greater emphasis on premium mohair. “Achieving good versus premium is not a huge leap for farmers,” Milne said. Essentially it was about matching good quality mohair with staple lengths greater than 115mm. “Sometimes it’s easy to think let’s shear it now and be done with it. “But leave it, say two to three more weeks, it can make the premium line.” It was a matter of clarifying in producers’ minds just exactly what they were targeting and how to do it, Milne said. Working with the pooled system through the two warehouses had

increased returns 10% in its first year. “And the feedback from buyers is that if we can get the volume up, 10% is only the beginning.” There were just under 200 mohair producers in NZ and while there had been interest from new farmers over the past year or so, there were not big numbers. “We’re not getting large numbers but we are getting a trickle of newcomers. “Quite a few of them are younger and frequently females, who seem to get on with goats and enjoy them,” Milne said. The advantages of controlling weeds on pasture land meant goats were a viable means of diversification, particularly with beef and dairy cattle. They were not so compatible with sheep as goats and sheep did share a number of grazing and disease similarities. The average price for mohair at 30-32 microns was about $20 a kilogram with a good goat doing two to three kilograms every six months. It was a good option to initially run mohair wethers. “Then you don’t have to worry about breeding and kidding but you are still doing the same dollar return. “Wethers can return $100 a year just as easily as a doe and a wether can be run for three or four years, returning the same as a good big fat lamb, but you haven’t got the work involved,” Milne said. There was the option to go high end. Two NZ producers had recently imported Australian goats to access new genetics. The 90-115kg animals shear big weights of mohair but deserve to be treated in a way akin to a good dairy cow, she said. “You need to feed them well and keep them on good country.” Staying with the NZ-type of Angora means they can run on more secondary country. “Enthusiasm and commitment will be vital ingredients as we work to stimulate the farming of Angora goats and mohair production,” Milne said.

Opinion

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Drowning in vat of compliance Biddy Fraser-Davies

HERE has been quite of lot of media coverage lately about the effect of intensive dairy farming. My little dairy operation with only four contented Jersey cows on 4.4ha is, however, the antithesis of these debt-laden enterprises. Ours is a very sustainable enterprise with no environmental damage and yet Ministry for Primary Industries regulations make it impossible for us to earn a sensible living. We use all the milk to make internationally prize-winning traditional hard cheese, but there are moves afoot in Parliament, following the report on the Fonterra whey contamination scare, to add further “reforms” to the new Food Act to make it even harder for us. Farmers Weekly has been kind enough in the past to write about us so I thought I’d fill you in with what has been happening in the interim period as the “reforms” make compliance costs even more unsustainable for smallproduction artisan cheese makers. I am a very small-production cheese maker and only make traditional hard farmhouse cheese – a cheddar style – that is intrinsically safe since its acid content and lack of moisture makes pathogen growth extremely unlikely. I make about one tonne of cheese a year and we stagger calving so we always have cows in milk throughout the year. Our herd is a “closed” one, which means I can guarantee the health, hygiene and purity of the milk as well as the welfare and happiness of the cows. I made my first submission to the Primary Production Select Committee at Parliament in 2010 and was successful in getting a “template” recognised for small “micro” cheese makers on

The

Pulpit

smallholder farms. However, this was only for operations making hard cheese using heat-treated milk. Because I am getting older – I’m soon to be 75 – I was finding it harder to lift large pans of 20 litres or so of milk into larger pans of boiling water on the gas stove in my cheese room and then having to lift them out to put the pan into ice water to cool it down before I could even begin making my cheese.

Ours is a very sustainable enterprise with no environmental damage and yet Ministry for Primary Industries regulations make it impossible for us to earn a sensible living.

It is so much easier and more energy efficient to make raw (unpasteurised) cheese, where the filtered milk comes out of the cow’s udder at the right

NOT FAIR: Eketahuna cheese maker Biddy Fraser-Davies says regulations are making it hard for small-scale producers.

temperature and can be in the cheese vat within three minutes of leaving the udder. But the horrendous testing regime imposed by MPI (more than $500 a week) is rapidly depleting all our ‘dotage’ funds as I don’t sell (or make) enough cheese to pay such an expense through sales. To try and get MPs to understand the issues I have contacted all the members of the Primary Production Select Committee following my second submission to them last October and every Member of Parliament who will be voting on the reforms shortly. To date there have been 507 laboratory tests done on the milk, the immature cheese curd and final product, mature cheese. The only limit breeched was a somatic cell count in the milk

when one of the cows developed a Streptococcus uberis infection in one quarter – this particular pathogen has NO implications for human health and was veterinary treated and cured. No cheese was made with her milk during the time she was on medication or the withholding period after. I am not sure why MPI is insisting that I have so much laboratory testing done on my raw, unpasteurised hard cheese, even after the validation protocol has shown that my premises, systems and processes are all safe. I can only assume all the data they are extracting from me is to aid MPI’s research without having to pay for it. I have worked out that under their present testing regime it will cost me $26,000.00 annually. My turnover is around $40,000.00

annually and that’s turnover – not profit. My laboratory testing costs in December 2016 were $4053.39. I sold $5,290.43 worth of cheese and had no more to sell. Lest you think the difference was enough for a geriatric cheese maker, the wages we pay our excellent part-time worker (who prior to working for me for the last seven years was 15 years on a benefit) was $1,549.76. She looks after our customers while I am busy in the cheese room. Hardly a sustainable business for us as we still have to fund dairy cleaning products, feed for the cows, power, rates insurance etc. The on-going testing regime MPI insists on costs just under $500 a week. I have made a complaint to the Ombudsman but apparently they can’t take any action as the requirements are enshrined in existing legislation. I make good cheese, and I wouldn’t have been judged a Super Gold Winner in the World Cheese awards 2014-15 in London with 2700 entries from 33 different countries and have my cheese one of the top 62, were it not good. I have enough HACCP and Risk Management Documentation to paper a palace. My MPI raw cheese audit in November with two MPI officials found no non compliances. Tourists, especially overseas ones, cannot understand why, in the biggest dairy country in the world, government legislation is designed to make it impossible for small boutique cheese producers like myself to survive economically. Why is this?

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Opinion

28 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

EDITORIAL

Don’t panic over GDT fall

LETTERS

More letters P29

Farmers no longer effecting change TWENTY years ago when I was on provincial federated farmers, we had five active local branches in our area. Now we have none. Twenty years ago the Resource Management Act arrived and farmers mobilised at meetings, hearings and made an unprecedented 50 appeals. Now, as a new wave of freshwater environmental regulations arrive, farmers are burnt out. The problem after 20 years of battling the RMA is the inability of the farming sector to effect positive change. To make matters worse we now have poorly drafted freshwater plans pitting one farming sector against another leaving the Feds caught in the middle. Feds has had to form its own

bureaucracy as it struggles to keep up with the constant flow of new plans and rules coming from 78 councils throughout NZ. The RMA is a master at divide and rule. So yes I agree with Neil Henderson in the Farmers Weekly (February 20). Federated Farmers need to listen to their members and the freeloaders. Ask around these parts and the most common reason for farmers leaving the Feds is the lack of strong effective voice on RMA and other compliance issues. In the big picture going to meetings, working within the system approach of the Feds is not working. Feds is no longer a force to be reckoned with as they will always mediate and compromise. And the system

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Farmers and their representative groups need to get much better at acknowledging the negative impacts of farming on water quality, the need for farmers to care for the natural environment. But we also need solutions that are practical, cost effective and don’t unfairly strip away the equity and private property rights of farmers or create divisions in our community. Federated Farmers has an outstanding resource of policy people trying their best and we have seen some excellent writings from a number of provincial presidents. Our own local president Lynda Murchison is highly regarded by members and non-members for her strong Continued next page

Letterof theWeek

EDITOR Bryan Gibson bryan.gibson@nzx.com EDITORIAL Stephen Bell editorial@nzx.com Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com Andy Maciver andy.maciver@nzx.com Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Tony Leggett tony.leggett@nzx.com

and opposing groups know this. While Feds is shackled by the system, the green movement has adapted and are masters at publicity events, attracting media attention and moving public opinion. Farmers and farming groups are actively engaged all around the country in trying to develop water quality solutions, while groups like Greenpeace stand outside the collaborative process hurling rocks, scaremongering and taking court action. Farmers are getting shafted by shonky science and poor planning. Most councils are not being held to account for their failure to follow due process, particularly the requirement to undertake robust Section 32 cost/benefit/alternatives analysis.

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SHARP fall in whole milk powder prices in the latest Global Dairy Trade auction did not surprise analysts and commentators, but the reasons were few and far between. Bank economists and dairy analysts had watched the NZX Dairy Derivatives futures market strip about 15% off powder prices over the past two weeks. The futures market then spilled over into the physical market and GDT prices dropped 12.4% in the latest auction and were now 22% below their December high point. AgriHQ dairy analyst Susan Kilsby suggested that news of improving milk production in New Zealand combined with a lull in Chinese buying caused the lowprice sentiment. Sentiment is one thing; evidence something different. As the world’s largest supplier of internationally traded dairy commodities, Fonterra’s increase of both skim and whole milk powder tonnages into recent GDT events must produce a market reaction. News that its NZ milk supply this season would be minus 5% compared with last season, instead of minus 7%, also moved the market. But step back and it seems clear that demand and supply factors haven’t changed much since the end of last year. Dairy farmers have also been reassured that Fonterra’s $6/kg milksolids forecast remains realistic – indeed its lack of a rise in forecast on February 23 now looks canny. The weaker NZ dollar is also playing a part in keeping the milk price steady. In February Fonterra said the global dairy outlook remained positive with supply and demand relatively balanced. It expected global dairy prices to hold or gradually increase towards the end of the season, a view shared by most market analysts. Those analysts have now dropped their forecasts by 40-50c to sit around $6. There will be another GDT on March 21, one day before Fonterra releases its first-half results and no doubt makes more market comments. It is wait and see time for dairy farmers but no need for panic. Hugh Stringleman

Opinion

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Rapid reactions Study seeks new ways to farm ownership

Farmers Weekly Farm Life Competition We will be running this competition every month, so send your Farm Life photo to our Facebook page or Twitter with the hashtag #farmersweeklycompor email them to us at nzfarmersweekly@nzx.com and you will go in the draw to win a cool spot prize.

A survey of up-and-coming dairy farmers aims to highlight new career pathways for aspiring farm owners as traditional routes dry up. Sue McKay – We bought a dairy farm with no family backing and I believe it can still be done. But it doesn’t happen with 80 days off a year. Farms are bigger so the numbers have dropped in both farms owned and herd owning SM. The profit margins at any level have dropped. Ross Woods – Dairy farming is a victim of its success. A bit like Auckland houses. People are investing not just on basis of cash flow but the capital gains over a 20 year period. Not driven by politics but people behaviour. It used to be a 50-50 was almost sure to be able to step up to ownership. This was often done by 35. Now with the capital and corporates involved you have to be a very smart business person to succeed in that model. Ross Upton – For some farmers the debt levels are because of compliance costs and natural rises in farm milk production meaning more supply shares more dollars borrowed Follow us: @NZFarmersWeekly

COLD CALL: Sophia Clark tests out her brand new water system.

Correction

LETTERS effective rural voice. But the problem lies at effecting change at the national level and the inability of the Feds to take a strong national position on those regulations that are really causing grief. Sometimes you just have to put a line in the sand. We need a national rural voice more than ever and in this increasingly regulatory environment Federated Farmers needs to re-adapt and stand strong. Jamie McFadden Cheviot

Apex polluters WHILE everyone peers up the rear end of the nearest cow we are in danger of totalling missing the bus that’s about to flatten us all. The cow in question is usually

grass-fed and has been vaccinated and drenched. After turning a year-old nothing more usually needs to be done. In Raglan we have had many sewage spills with the human at the beach “letting go” in the water also a source of pollution. Freedom campers are sold to us as little goldmines but they’re more like “landmines” with sewage scattered in and beside our waterways and onto paddocks. Giardia, didymo, varroa mite and TB are touristdriven disasters that walk straight in our front door. The feral bird population and chickens also have the ability to take us out with campylobacter. Pigs and fowl will eat anything, hardly the clean animals they’re often touted to be. Cattle and sheep chose to

eat living grass - it’s only when science presents their food in a more palatable, chemicallymodified way that they are contaminated. A thought on the Port Hills fires. Living next to a pine plantation is like living next to a petrol station. Pine trees smother this country and when clearfelled leave hillsides eroded and waterways full of sediment. In the past the Port Hills were farmed and grazed. Take a look down onto the valley when you next take the deviation to Raglan. The green is from our unpaid firefighters: the grass-fed animal. People are the apex polluters and they need to clean up their ways. Jo Loveridge Raglan

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Red herring THERE is some controversy regarding grandparenting rights for nutrients. Grandparenting solves none of the issues with regard to nutrients reaching water. Some advocate a trading regime where dairy farmers, for example, could buy nitrogen credits that would allow them to maintain or increase their nitrogen loss while those who sold would be required to maintain or reduce theirs. Similarly, of course, those hill-country farms who are losing phosphate to water through erosion could buy phosphorous credits from flat-land farmers such as dairy. All of this trading, of course, solves no problems but might be perceived to maintain land value by the trading of nutrient credits.

The Ministry for Primary Industry has not received an application for the release of a new variant of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease which it will assess under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act and the Biosecurity Act.

Grandparenting and nutrient trading in my opinion is a red herring. Where there are problems with nutrient loss let’s concentrate on how to solve them. If we don’t have the solutions, appropriate spending on science and research will eventually yield the solutions, as it always has. Government and regional councils need to be proactive in this space. John Barrow Tararua

Opinion

30 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Close the book on the NZ story Alternative View

Alan Emerson

I AGREE with special trade envoy Mike Petersen on a lot of things. I don’t, however, agree with his recent articles and interviews saying we need a NZ primary sector story and now. It is an issue I’ve heard frequently over the decades and on each occasion it’s come to nothing. Petersen says that a “NZ primary sector story must be a combination of marketing, collateral and qualified assurance about the claims and hard won reputation being attached to the products we are selling to the world”. He goes on: “communicating this through a smart digital strategy will move us onto the front foot, rather than being reactionary to the challenges our sector continues to face”. He then goes to suggest we need an initiative similar to Irelands Origin Green “but in a NZ way”. I don’t want a bar of anything remotely resembling Origin Green in a Kiwi way or otherwise. For a start as we know Ireland’s agriculture is heavily subsidised. Second, it seems to me that Origin Green is a government sponsored (and paid for) initiative that binds producers in a bureaucratic straitjacket and that is the last thing we need in NZ. In fact Origin Green describes itself as “the only sustainability project in the world which operates on a national scale uniting government, the private sector and food and drink producers through Bord Bia (Irish Food Board)”.

Farmers in Origin Green need to document their energy use, emissions, biodiversity, water use, socioeconomic factors, raw material sourcing, waste and social sustainability amongst other things. While that may be fine if the government is paying you to do all those things it would be a nightmare here where the cost would land on farmers. Origin Green also waxes lyrically about its achievements including the fact they’ve diverted 6400 tonnes of waste from landfills, met 92 biodiversity targets, saved 1.1 million cubic metres of water and recycled 24,000 tonnes of waste. As I said we don’t want a bar of any of it. Among other things anything like Origin Green here in NZ would have implications for agriculture’s inclusion in the ETS, which is the last thing we want. Further, I’m reminded of the Red Meat Sector Strategy Report of 2011, done when Mike Petersen was chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand. It had three core strategy themes; co-ordinated in-market behaviour, efficient and aligned procurement and sector best practice which included selling the NZ story. I’m unaware of any real progress on those initiatives in the six years since the report was written. The strategy’s aim was to “improve the long-term profitability of all the participants in the red meat sector and thereby enhance the reinvestment and sustainability of the sector”. That certainly hasn’t happened. I can remember the strategy also developing a word – coopetition – where companies both co-operated and competed in markets. If that is happening could someone please let me know? We’re also told that the Red Meat Profit Partnership will consider New Zealand stories. Please don’t.

NO GO: The world doesn’t want to digest the NZ story, Alan Emerson says.

On the positive side I am aware of the RMPP developing a single nationwide farm assurance program and I certainly support that. There are two additional issues that tend to work against New Zealand branding. For a start a lot of products are sent overseas to be rebranded with the outlet’s own brand. A NZ brand would achieve little. The second issue is to ask if say an Affco, Alliance or Positive NZ brand would mean anything to a Chinese, Middle Eastern or Arab consumer. Finally, would our processors work together to develop a single brand? I don’t believe there would be a snowball’s chance in Hades of that happening. In researching this article I

googled “Brand NZ” and got onto a website that did just that. It’s called NZ Story and was launched by Steven Joyce in his previous role in Business, Innovation and Employment Minister. It tells the NZ story well. It is a highly professional site that exporters can access. In addition we had MPI’s strategic advisory group considering the NZ Story initiative before Christmas. At that stage Petersen told Farmers Weekly that “competing food processors were already developing their own authenticity stories”. That, I’d suggest, is where it should be. MPI have said they were considering developing a NZ story but that the work had just started.

For the record I’d sooner have MPI calling the shots in a reasoned way than a burst of raw enthusiasm pushing us towards Origin Green. We also read in Farmers Weekly that participants in the Te Hono programme, which represented leaders of a sizeable chunk of our primary industry, would discuss a NZ brand in the coming months. My records suggest they’ve been doing that for the last five years so I’m heartened by their position as it means the NZ brand will inevitably disappear into obscurity.

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

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Opinion

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

Staggering to the finish line From the Lip

Jamie Mackay

I WRITE this aboard Air New Zealand flight 5352 to Palmerston North where I’m heading to attend the inaugural Norwood NZ Rural Sports Awards and the Hilux NZ Rural Games. More about that later. Firstly though, I want to talk about retirement, a word that doesn’t always sit comfortably with rural folk. In the case of farmers it can sometimes even have deadly consequences. I know too many farmers who have either retired early to town, only to die on their La-Z-Boy recliner, or those who have never retired from the farm at all and died with their boots on! Which leads me to the big political debate of the past week – the age of eligibility for national superannuation. I reckon the solution to the super debate is simple. Lock Bill, Andrew, James and Metiria, Te Ururoa and Marama, David and Peter in a confined space and only let them out when they’ve reached a bi-partisan

agreement on national super. Note that I haven’t included Winston in the aforementioned group of political party leaders, due to his propensity and penchant for peeing into the tent from the outside. Although it’s admirable Bill is tackling this thorny (some would say no-win) issue in election year, I question the reasoning for the arbitrary peg in the sand in 2037. That can end up being tinkered with by successive governments over the next two decades. Surely the answer lies in a graduated introduction sooner, over a longer time frame, meaning those who have to face the full noise of the national super at 67 get a long period of notice to prepare. My theory is that from April 1, 2020, the age of eligibility for national superannuation is lifted by one month per calendar year. Under that scenario by April 1, 2044 (after 24 annual incremental increases of one month) the age of eligibility would be 67 years. For someone of my 57 years that would mean that I’d qualify for national super at the age of 65 years and four months but I’d have eight years warning to figure out to fund the four month deficit. Similarly, someone aged 40 has 27 years to plan for a pension at the age of 67 in 2044. So what about the critics who quite rightly claim such a scheme would disadvantage manual

BEST SHOT: Gumboot throwing champion Kristen Churchwood was vying for the Rural Sportswoman of the Year.

workers whose bodies wear out more quickly, or Maori/Pacifika whose life expectancy is less than that of Caucasians? Once again the answer is simple. You choose to take national super at a younger age but the trade-off is you accept payment at a lesser rate commensurate with the total value of the benefit over its expected lifetime. As for the migrants, Winston’s basically right there. A 20 year qualification period (25 is a bit tough Winnie!) seems much more equitable than the currently generous 10 years. I’m sorry, but a decade of contribution to the national coffers and economy should not equate to a full pension at 65 years of age. After all, the rest of us have chipped in for 45-50 years. Yes, in a perfect world, the age of eligibility would stay at 65. However, with the cost of funding superannuation effectively doubling in the next 20 years as well as a burgeoning number of ageing baby boomers likely to see our hospitals bursting at the

seams, we need to prioritise our welfare spending. Bill English is to be congratulated for his intestinal fortitude if maybe not his political timing. History will no doubt judge the latter. Speaking of judges, I don’t envy the panel deciding the inaugural Norwood NZ Rural Sports Awards. Included are such rural luminaries as Sir Brian Lochore, Sir David Fagan, MP Barbara Kuriger, equestrian royalty Tinks Pottinger, Games founder Steve Hollander and two men with a close association to this publication – former managing editor Tony Leggett and regular correspondent Craig “Wiggy” Wiggins. Guest speaker Mahe Drysdale and Dame Valerie Adams will be there as well, adding the sporting glitz and handing out the gongs. Gun shearer Rowland Smith, champion fencer Shane Bouskill and the gloriously-named speed tree climber Scott Forrest compete for Rural Sportsman title. Woolhandler and shearer Pagan Karauria, world champion

tree climber Chrissy Spence and gumboot throwing queen Kristen Churchwood vie for the Rural Sportswoman of the Year. The Young New Zealand Rural Sportsperson of the Year and the Contribution to the Rural Sports Industry will also be awarded. The Hilux NZ Rural Games feature speed shearing, wood chopping, dog trials, speed fencing, Highland games, coal shoveling, speed tree climbing (for aborists), gumboot throwing, egg throwing and catching, wine barrel racing not to mention the have-a-go sports such as speed milking, hay stacking, olive stonespitting and cow pat tossing. By the time you read this we’ll know all the results. I suspect though, following on from the Golden Shears, it will yet another winning weekend for Rowland Smith.

Your View Jamie Mackay is the host of The Country that airs on Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport, 12-1pm, weekdays. jamie@thecountry.co.nz

Let’s stamp out misogynistic attitude OVER the two decades I’ve written this column I’ve seen a change in the type of topics rural columnists are willing to approach. A good example is the freedom with which folk will now talk about their own battles with mental illness and in particular depression as a means of helping others to deal with their own difficulties. I admire them greatly but have been fortunate to this point in not having experienced it myself so have left this to others. But an issue that surfaced last week has given me pause to think and I will give my own thoughts on this matter. We heard of appalling behaviour first by the boys from Wellington College who penned disgraceful, sexist posts on social media about women and those who supported them by liking it and followed the next day with news that four students from St Pat’s Silverstream had sexually harassed female staff members by inappropriately filming them. Addressing these terrible failings in our society usually falls to

From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

women like the incredibly brave Louise Nicholas or those from groups such as Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Prevention Network. But this is not a women’s problem, it is a men’s problem and we men need to do something about it. I was lucky in that I was brought up in a household where my mother and sisters were treated with respect. I went to a co-ed school where girls were our friends and equals and my male mates from homes like my own treated women well. I was also fortunate that the world of the 1970s wasn’t awash in pornography nor was there social media where I could put stupid thoughts down to be read instantly by all.

I can’t recall any gutter talk like the Wellington College boys promulgated and was under no peer pressure to think of or treat girls and women badly. So, I’ve been conditioned through what I’ve observed around me to be as I am. I’ve never hit or hurt a woman. But still I’m not perfect. I was fortunate to marry an independent and strong woman and early in our marriage I needed some training. When I would try to bend Jane to my way of thinking she would push back and accuse me of being a bully. Now she’s got me pretty well where she wants although I could still be better. The rape culture we observed last week includes the jokes, talk and attitudes towards women which shows a lack of empathy and normalises this type of thinking. What Roger Moses, the principal of Wellington College called good boys just being foolish young men reflects an attitude that is rotten to its core. Reported statistics from universities where these middle class educated young men go are

that 1 in 4 women will be seriously sexually assaulted and 1 in 100 will be raped. And these are just the reported statistics as many go unreported. These women are our daughters, our sisters, our wives, our friends. Experiences like these will scar them for life. Women in the media, since these examples of misogyny have surfaced, report a daily tirade of sexual suggestion and harassment. This happens every time this behaviour comes to light. Last year we watched in utter disbelief as a man who called women “disgusting animals”, “fat pigs”, “dogs”, bragged about grabbing them by the genitals and subject to numerous complaints from women about his sexual conduct was still able to be elected as President of the United States. Just as disheartening was that 53% of white women still voted for him. We live in the 21st century in what we consider an enlightened and fair society for goodness sake. We tut tut about societies where women are expected to wear veils or are not able to be treated as equals but we appear no better.

This type of thought and behaviour needs to stop right now. I have three sons, young men now, and I believe and trust they have the same values and respect for women that I have. However, in all their growing up, I never thought to sit them down and have that difficult conversation and talk about how to treat women properly, matters of consent, rape and the effects of alcohol. I suppose I just believed they would know. Working on it never being too late I now plan to do it anyway. The examples of what has come out from those Wellington boys’ schools last week makes a good place to start. How about other men out there have similar conversations with their sons, nephews or young men they are charged with mentoring? Or at least get them to read this piece.

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

FARM ASSISTANT 1150 Cows

45 minutes to Hastings/Napier

We are looking for a motivated person to help with the day-to-day running of Golden Springs Ltd (This is 1 of 10 farms within the TH Enterprise company – for more information about the company please view the company website: www.thenterprises.co.nz). This farm has been recently re -converted, re-watered and fenced four years ago.

Due to the exciting news of the Manager (ex-Trainee Farm Manager) purchasing their own property, we seek expressions of interest for this role in Patoka, Hawke’s Bay. Patoka is an established farming district with a reputation for consistent seasons and excellent farming conditions, our client has a 560ha property in the district supporting a sheep, beef and dairy grazing business. The farm has a high level of improvements including fencing, water systems and pastures/forages and has a proud heritage of owners who put value on aesthetics.

We work an all grass system. The cows are wintered off and young stock are grazed on runoffs in Rerewhakaaitu. 60-bail rotary.

For more information, or to fill out an application, please visit www.ruraldirections.co.nz or phone the Rural Directions team in confidence on 0800 475 465 (Reference #2422). Applications close 5pm Monday 27th March 2017

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Patoka has an excellent school and early childhood centre and the 3-bedroom house on-farm has just undergone renovations including a new kitchen and extended living room with great views and deck. If progression is your focus this will interest! Employee references are available by request.

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

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We are a family run contracting and farming business. Specialising in big straw and hay baling, haylage and silage baling. We are looking for employees to start June/July until end of September with accommodation suitable for male/female. 45 minutes from London. Please email Gavin & Liz at: blackwaterbaling@tiscali.co.uk or telephone (UK) +44 7702 322203

www.farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

2200 ewes, 250 ram hoggets, 250 ewe hoggets, 500 heifers and 50 beef cows are the winter numbers. R1 heifers are transferred on-farm in December and May then wintered on fodder beet with a prescriptive diet. All sheep progeny finished (and a trade if conditions allow) on the designated clover finishing blocks.

Ag jobs at your fingertips

We encourage upskilling in the dairy industry.

The business has a reputation of training and developing people, exposing them to systems that provoke thinking and supporting them in decision-making and plan execution. There is a focus on utilising technology to assist in growing farm productivity and people capability; Farm IQ, Farmax and Figured are the operating tools currently deployed on the farm. This role will suit those who are driven to plan and to document their planning, to measure and monitor, to seek opportunity and communicate regularly with the owners.

NEED

STAFF? Call Debbie 0800 85 25 80

classifieds@nzx.com

EMPLOYMENT REACH EVERY FARMER IN NZ FROM MONDAY $2.00 + GST per word - Please print clearly Name: Phone: Address: Email: Heading: Advert to read:

The successful applicant must be honest, drug free, reliable, have good animal handling and be competent on motorbikes and tractors. This is a great opportunity to grow within the company. Applicant must have a desire to grow in the dairy industry and be a team player. Farm is positioned on State Highway 5 between Rotorua and Taupo (25 minute drive from Taupo and 35 minute drive from Rotorua). Great location close to suppliers, schools, playcentre and in a really good community (Reporoa). There is 3-bedroom house is available with garage. Fire is available for heating with dry wood supplied. Send CV and references to: andrea.muggeridge@xtra.co.nz

1150 Cows

We are looking for someone to take on responsibilities and share the running of Golden Springs Ltd ( This is 1 of 10 farms within the TH Enterprise company– for more information about the company please view the company website: www.thenterprises.co.nz). This farm has been reconfigured four seasons ago, re-watered and fenced. We work an all grass system. The cows are wintered off and young stock are grazed on runoffs in Rerewhakaaitu. Experience is required in feed budgeting, animal health, managing people and be competent on the tractor. Level 4 AGITO or similar would be preferred, however not required. Applicant will be responsible for all animal records and the running of the dairy shed. 60-bail rotary. This is a great opportunity for you to grow within the dairy industry and the company. Applicant must have a desire to grow in the dairy industry and be a team player. You must have a New Zealand drivers licence and be eligible to work in New Zealand.

SHEPHERD GENERAL General shepherding duties on a 10,000su property.

Farm is positioned on State Highway 5 between Rotorua and Taupo (25 minute drive from Taupo and 35 minute drive from Rotorua). Great location close to suppliers, schools, playcentre and in a really good community (Reporoa). Tidy 3-4 bedroom houses available with garage. Heat pump and fire available. Send CV and references to: andrea.muggeridge@xtra.co.nz

Tuscan Hills is a well-known hill-country property in the Pahiatua district. We are seeking a person who will be working alongside the manager, but will also have the ability to work solo. The applicant should have 2-3 working dogs under good control.

2IC Hangawera Station

We run a sheep and beef farm and the person needs to be efficient in working well with stock.

Hangawera Station, 700ha rolling to steep country, based in the Waikato region (Tauhei). It is a sheep and cattle operation specialising in breeding Hereford bulls for the dairy market and FE Coopworth ewes.

There is a comfortable 2-bedroom house supplied, and school bus past the gate. Pahiatua township is 15km from the farm on a good sealed country road. If interested please contact: Craig McGregor 06 326 8286 or tuscan.hills@xtra.co.nz

WHANGARA FARMS

INDEPENDENT GOVERNANCE POSITION Whangara Farms, located just north of Gisborne is a farming partnership formed by the owners of Pakarae A and Other Blocks, Whangara B5 Incorporation, and Tapuwae Whitiwhiti Incorporation. The Partnership farms 6900 effective hectares, on six farms with 70,000 stock units. In 2009, Whangara Farms won the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy recognising excellence in Maori farming.

The successful applicant will need to demonstrate: • Pasture and farm production management experience; • A commitment to Health and Safety on farm; • Sound leadership and coaching skills; • The ability to develop an effective team, including farming cadets; • The ability to work well with others across our farming operations; • Farm planning, budgeting and reporting skills; and • Ability to use farming software and systems e.g. FarmIQ, NAIT • Class 1 and 2 licences are required

The Board of the Partnership comprises five members - three appointed by the Partners and two independent board members. The vacancy has come about due to an independent board member stepping down after ten years.

We are looking for a motivated individual committed to driving outstanding results. In return we offer an outstanding opportunity for the right person to develop their career in rural operations, farm development and leadership. An on-farm 3-bedroom cottage is provided with this role. Three local rural schools close by, with school bus at the end of the road and secondary school in Morrinsville. 20km to Morrinsville and 35km to Hamilton central.

Whangara Farms seek applications to join the Board as an independent board member and applications will be accepted up to 7 April 2017.

The Secretary Whangara Farms C/- PO Box 169, Gisborne Email: chris.torrie@bdo.co.nz

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Applications or questions can be emailed to the Secretary at the address below. Please include an updated CV and a letter of introduction including how your skills could add value to the Partnership. Visit the website www.whangarafarms.co.nz for further information regarding the Partnership.

We are seeking to employ an experienced 2IC to lead the farming operation at Hangawera. Working closely with our Farm Manager/Rural Operations Manager, your key areas of responsibility will include the day-to-day running of the station in consultation with management, leading a team of staff and maximising farming returns. You will also work as part of our Rural Operations team and help with farming operations and development on our other sheep and beef farms based in the Waikato region. Also (TGH) will offer the opportunity for training to further your career.

Hangawera Station is one of nine farms and two support blocks owned and managed by Tainui Group Holdings Ltd (TGH). We are an iwi organisation that has a strong values-based culture with a sustainable focus on people, Maori culture, environment and commercial outcomes. Our organisation will continue to grow so further career opportunities are likely to be available for those that perform and deliver.

The Partnership support innovation and want to attract candidates who have previous governance experience and expertise in working through governance challenges that face large farming operations such as Whangara Farms.

Return this form either by fax to 06 323 7101 attention Debbie Brown Post to NZX Agri Classifieds, PO Box 529, Feilding 4740 - by 12pm Wednesday or Freephone 0800 85 25 80

EXPERIENCED 2IC/ ASSISTANT MANAGER

If this is what you are looking for please forward your CV and cover letter to www.waikatotainuicareers.com. For a copy of the position description please email: Kiera.Daji @tgh.co.nz Applications for the role close at 5pm on Friday 17 March 2017.

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Trainee Farm Manager

TRACTOR DRIVERS REQUIRED

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

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Employment

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classifieds@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

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THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

Employment

classifieds@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

FARMS MANAGER Hamilton based

VARIOUS POSITIONS TH Enterprises welcomes applicants for 2ICs, Farm Assistants and Calf Rearers within our South Island Group of Farms.

LIC are a leading provider of Herd Improvement solutions to the rural community. To achieve this they work to generate value on farms through the development of solutions and services to farmers. Their overall strategy involves maintaining a high standard throughout their management team, along with an expectation of accountability and consistent communication across its leaders, to provide value for farmers and shareholders. They have a strong focus on health and safety in the workplace, acting as a role model for good practice.

We have four farms within the Selwyn/Dunsandel areas. We pride ourselves on being a family owned and operated business and enjoy a family based culture across our farms. All farms use MILFOs dairy sheds ranging from 50-60 bales and total cows ranging from 500-1100. All farms are located close to townships and within 45 minutes of Christchurch.

This fixed term role (18 months with the potential for continued employment) reports to the General Manager of Operations and Service and will be focused on achieving the following objectives:

Please note that for all positions you MUST be able to: • Provide between 2 – 4 references. One of these must be a current or last season employer • Pass a drug test • Must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand.

To apply please email your Cover Letter and CV to jobs@fegan.co.nz or phone 07 823 0105 to speak to Linda-Maree.

•

Management of the innovation dairy farm at Ngahinapouri

Applications close at 4pm 19 March 2017.

•

Managing staff following good practice guidelines including leading, coaching and gaining the best from their team of eight (8) direct reports and supporting staff

•

Ensuring that all regulations regarding the collection and storage of semen are complied with at all times

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

TWO WELL BRED Heading bitch pups. 12 weeks old. Phone 06 385 4031.

THREE WELL BRED strong eye Heading dog pups, tri-coloured. $400 each. Phone 06 862 4087.

BORDER COLLIE, working pedigree pups. Bred to work from the finest NZ, Aust and Welsh lines. Working lambs at 8 weeks. Strong-eyed, b&w. Phone Somerton Park Kennel. 03 342 8488.

DAIRY, BULLS, SHEEP, Deer. $1000-$2500. Ship NZ wide. 07 315 5553. Mike Hughes.

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

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

Feilding 26th March. Wellsford 2nd April. Morrinsville 5th April. Tihoi, Taupo 9th April. $100 pp free booklet. Limited places - 35. Phone (06) 212 4848

DOGS WANTED 12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195. QUICK CA$H $ALE! No one pays or buys more! 07 315 5553. Mike Hughes. HEADING, HUNTAWAY, handy, backing dogs or bitches, 2-6 years. Top money paid. Phone Ginger Timms 03 202 5590 or 027 289 7615.

www.annaholland.co.nz BEARDIE HUNTAWAY pups. 3 months. Good type, well grown, good bark, keen on stock. Very trainable. Guaranteed to work. Phone 07 896 6709. ONE 6-MONTH-OLD Heading pup. Phone 06 388 0212. 4-YEAR-OLD Huntaway dog. Under good command. Easy to work. $3000. Phone Mark Porter 07 825 4423.

www.fegan.co.nz

Classifieds

DOGS FOR SALE

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

A full job description for this position is available on request.

Efficient management of the Newstead and Manawatu Bull Farm properties to reach production targets

DOGS FOR SALE

Anna Holland FARM DOG TRAINING DAY

Our preferred candidate will be tertiary qualified with exposure either on farm at a senior level, or relevant senior Agribusiness experience.

•

ANIMAL HANDLING

ANIMAL HEALTH

The successful applicant will have proven experience in farm management (practical and theory) and animal husbandry. Your knowledge will include experience in setting operational budgets, managing expenditure and developing farm plans as required. This role also has a key role of engaging with multiple parties across LIC. The role holder will therefore require excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Human Resources & Recruitment • • Employment Relations •

For more information and to apply please see our website at: thenterprises.co.nz

classifieds@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

Maintain all health and safety requirements to ensure a safe working environment for staff

FOR SALE WINDMILLS for water pumping. Ferguson Windmills Company. www.windmills.co.nz sales@windmills.co.nz Phone 09 412 8655 or 027 282 7689.

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

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.

LEASE LAND WANTED

WORK WANTED

FARM LAND WANTED to lease for sheep and beef. 2000su+. Long term. North Island. Phone David 027 728 2104.

21-YEAR-OLD male, looking for work in the Manawatu / Rangitikei areas. Experienced in sheep and beef and general farm work. Have completed a certificate in Farm Management and Agriculture at Telford. Also have two working dogs and references. Phone Shaun 027 726 8879.

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

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.

RAMS. SOUTHDOWNS AND Suffolk/ Southdown X for heavy fast growing lambs. $250- $500. Phone 06 357 7727 or 021 133 7533. RAMS. HILL COUNTRY Perendales. Easy care with good size and quality wool. $250-$500. Phone 06 376 4751 or 021 133 7533.

GRAZING AVAILABLE

FOR ONLY $2.00 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in The NZ Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Debbie 0800 85 25 80 to book in or email classifieds@nzx.com

DAIRY HEIFER grazing up to 400 head. Rolling quality West Waikato. Phone 07 282 1679. FOR BEEF COWS, NW Waikato. Large numbers. Now until 20th May. Phone 027 697 1049. LONG TERM for approximately 100 dairy heifers and 50 hold over cows. Experienced grazier. North Waikato. Phone 021 416 526.

PUMPS HIGH PRESSURE WATER PUMPS, suitable on high headlifts. Low energy usage for single/3-phase motors, waterwheel and turbine drives. Low maintenance costs and easy to service. Enquiries phone 04 526 4415, email sales@hydra-cell.co.nz

w w w. e l e c t r o t e k . c o . n z STOP BIRDS NOW!

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

ZON BIRDSCARER

electro-tek@xtra.co.nz DE HORNER

Phone: +64 6 357 2454 HOOF TRIMMER

EARMARKERS

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We are looking for staff who seek to grow in farming. We care for our stock and we expect you will as well. There are huge growth opportunities for those who are willing to put the effort in. You must be honest, hard-working and a good communicator.

•

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!

NEW Combi Trailer

• Road legal • Swing-arm suspension • 400ml ground clearance • 2 minute setup • Lowers flat to ground • Stone guard converts to roof • Fits existing Combi Clamps

Cattle Handling Equipment

Autumn Deal Classifieds display advertising March 6 to May 29

1. Autumn colours 2. Central Districts Field Days - Manfeild Park, Feilding (March 16-18) 3. FMG Young Farmer of the Year Northern Regional Final - Kamo High School (March 18) 4. Heritage Harvest Festival (March 25 & 26 Southland District) 5. Local Wild Food Challenge (April 1 - Days Bay Pavilion – Eastbourne)

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Here are 5 things to love about Autumn

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

And NOW there are 6! 6. Buy 4 ads and pay for only 3 What does the deal include? • Colour • Discussion around the content of your ad • The design of your ad • Proof to you for your approval for signing off

To be part of this Autumn deal – Call Debbie on 06 323 0765 or email classifieds@nzx.com

eliable Strong, fRficient and E

0800 227 228

Centr Field D al District 16th,1 ays, site O1 7th,18 8 th Mar , Sth Isla ch nd Kirw Days, s ee Field it 30th, 3 e 282, 29th, 1st Ma rch

www.combiclamp.co.nz

Videos on website – On-farm demonstrations available Stuart Oliver - SI Agent 03 318 0771 / 027 435 3062

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

Livestock

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

SALE TALK

MEADOWSLEA

Autumn Ram Sale On-farm Fairlie – Friday March 17 – 1pm

On offer: 150 Friesian Crossbred cows Calving from 17th July 2017 Note: Cows will be sold in-milk Also on offer – a good selection of farm machinery Full details to follow

11.00 am 23rd March 2017 Account: WR & CJ James – Flagpole 17-month Cattle – not registered 18 Pure Limousin Bulls 3 XBd Limousin Bulls 15 Pure Limousin Females, scanned empty Enquiries: Phil Manera 027 462 0125

• Perendale X Texel X Romney

Private sales option for early mating delivery

Contact: David Giddings 03 685 8027 Auctioneers PGGW Keith Willson 0800 309 554 Callum Dunnett 027 590 8612 or your local agent www.meadowslea.co.nz

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DAIRY HERD AUCTION

Preliminary Notice A/C of Hophead Farms Limited To be held on the property 107 Kiwi Road RD6 Te Awamutu Date: Tuesday 11th April 2017

120 2th Rams-including selection for hogget mating • Romney • Kelso Maternal • Romdale • Kelso X Romney • Kelso Terminal (Black Face) • Texel X Romney

Coalgate Saleyards, Canterbury

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livestock@farmlands.co.nz

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

For further information, contact: Stephen Weck 027 455 1106 Jason Duncan 021 170 5354

PHONE NIGEL RAMSDEN 0800 85 25 80

The young wife was suing for divorce. She went to see her lawyer to discuss her dilemma. “On what grounds?” asked her lawyer. “You’ve got to have grounds”. “But we do, “ she assured him. ”Yes we have large grounds, a 25 hectare block. “No .No,” he said. Do you have a grudge?” “Yes, we have a double garage, because we have two cars.” “No. No.” said the lawyer, near exasperation. “Does he beat you up?’ “Never,” she said. “I am always up at six, and he sleeps in till 10 sometimes.” The solicitor finally grabbed her by the shoulders. “Reasons!” he shouted. “What are your reasons! You must have reasons.” Just as exasperated, she shouted back. “NO! It’s NOT the raisins. We just don’t communicate.”

First Annual Female In-Calf Production Sale

PRELIMINARY NOTICE

TAIHAPE WEANER DEER SALES

On-Farm Fairlie – 5 May at 12 Noon

Animals Required

Offering: approx. 60 Stud Fully Recorded Females including: - Selected R2yr, R3yr, R4yr - Annual draft proven cows

Note: Cows are mated to all the Top Stud Sires at Meadowslea

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Red & Hybrid deer, bred on strong Taihape Hill Country Wed 5 April – Stags Thurs 6 April – Hinds Waiouru Deer Selling Complex – 12 Noon Start

: R2yr heifers mated to top low birthweight calving ease yearlings

For details contact: Andrew Peters - 06 388 0929 Robert Auld (PGG) 0275 901 335 Derek Mickleson (Carrfields) 0274 719 025

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Approx. 50 R2yr Commercial Meadowslea-bred heifers - Ex - Grays Hills Stn, Grampians Stn, Braemar Stn.

Vendor: D S Giddings 03 685 8027 Auctioneers: PGG Wrightson Callum Dunnett 027 590 8612 Participating companies: PWA Hamish Zuppicich 027 403 3025 Rural Livestock Anthony Cox 027 208 3071

www.meadowslea.co.nz

Good quality grazing available for: Heifers Carry over cows Winter cow grazing Other species Animals are fully monitored by trained staff. All information is managed through a online system which you can view at any time. For more information phone: Bryan on 027 296 0852 for all North Island enquiries. Chris on 027 474 7558 for all Southland/Otago enquiries. For all Canterbury enquiries please phone 03 325 2808.

Cover

Beef

GROWING NZ FARMING

Country-Wide Beef 2017 will be delivered free to over 15,000 sheep and beef farmers.

BANK THE GAINS

Publication date: May 1, 2017 Booking deadline: April 3, 2017 Book now to secure great positions in the leading beef publication Contact Nigel Ramsden, Livestock account manager today!

freephone 0800 85 25 80 email livestock@nzx.com

incl gst

Country-W

ide Beef May 2016 Country-W

$12.00

MAY 2016

ide Beef May 2016

Livestock

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

Attention – Sheep Milkers Auction – DairyMeade Milking sheep

17 Xbrd Cows BW28 PW57 DTC 10/3 I/C to AB $1400. Peter Pembroke 027 288 3371 96 Unrec Frsn Hfrs DTC 20/4 to Jrsy 6 weeks $1400 ono. Kris Sturge 027 510 4385 28 Frsn 2.5yr Hfrs DTC 20/3 to Angus $1550. Dave Anderson 027 498 1201

LK0086462©

Breeding E EWES WES FRIESIAN BULL CALVES 120-‐200kgs 320-‐450kgs 18 320-‐450kgs 18 MTH BULLS ULLS 18 18 MTH MTH STEERS TEERS 330-‐420kgs 330-‐420kgs 470-‐520kgs 2.5 YR STEERS

18 MTH ANGUS & EXOTIC HEIFERS EIFERS 300-‐380kgs Store LAMBS 26-‐35kgs 26-‐35kgs

750 Frsn CRV Herd BW31 PW37 DTC 25/7 DNA G3 $1900. Kris Sturge 027 510 4385

64 FJX Yng Cows BW83 PW112 (60 2-5yrs) DTC 15/7 $2250. Peter Pembroke 027 288 3371

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

105 Fr/FRX Hfrs BW65 PW72 DTC 1/8 to Jsy $1450. Brad Bell 027 696 1937 79 Jsy Hfrs BW76 PW75 DTC 20/7 to Jsy $1400. John Price 027 594 2544

Ross Dyer 0274 274 333 333 381 LK0086242©

On Farm Clearing Sale OUTSTANDING XBRED HERD & HEIFERS Tuesday 4th April On A/c Dairy Diva Ltd Dawsons Rd, Ashburton Comprising: 450 Outstanding LIC xbred Cows BW74 PW94 RA 99% (BW’s to 163 PW’s to 304) 120 R2 Xbred I/C heifers BW107 PW113 Last year production of 494kgs/cow 1827/ha, as at 1/3 17 still producing 1.8MS. Herd I/C to LIC Forward Pack and Nominated bulls, Heifers to Belted Galloway calving 1/8. SCC 80,000 BVD neg If you are after extremely good conformation and udders you should attend this sale. Full ad to come and catalogues. Contact: James Perkins NZFLL 027 232 8052 Rachel Schmack 027 588 9098

ALL CCLASSES LASSES OF STOCK

280 Fr/FrX/J Herd BW72 PW92 DTC 28/6 440ms $1950. Val Ditchfield 027 573 7480

I/C Heifers

75 Fr/FrsnX/Jsy hfrs BW111 PW118 RA 93% DTC 20/7 $1700. Keith West 027 214 9180 56 Fr/FRX Hfrs BW80 380kgs DTC 20/7 to Jsy $1750. Andrew Gordon 027 487 2044 More stock available on our website or contact National Dairy Coordinator Paul Kane Ph 027 286 9279. paul.kane@carrfields.co.nz

FOR SALE DALNESS SOUTH SUFFOLK STUD On Account DH KING, ASHBURTON

LK0086505©

LK0086491©

280 well-presented high producing predominately Ambreed cows. • 450kgms/cow on an all grass system • D.T.C 25th July to 4 weeks Nominated AI Friesian • BW 55 PW 63 RA 90% • Excellent Dairy Type • $1990 • View Listing WAI44860 Enquiries contact: Michael Conwell 027 226 1611

Herds

PRELIMINARY NOTICE

NOMINATED FRIESIAN HERD

Autumn Calvers

LK0086492©

Client has 200 cows to sell from a large operation. Either: • Select 200 from 280 R3yr Friesian X heifers. D.T.C 1.8.17 or • Select 200 from 550 MA crossbred cows. D.T.C 1.8.17 or • Select a combination from both lines. Smaller lines can be sold. P.O.A. Enquiries contact: Michael Conwell 027 226 1611

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Over 60 young breeding rams and ewes, all genetically ranked, from the Kingsmeade Flock will be available for auction on 15th March, 2pm, Hicks Family Pavillion, Clareville showgrounds, Wairarapa. Viewing of these top milk producing animals from 1pm. Online bidding from the DairyMeade website available from Friday 9th March. Purchases strictly cash on the day unless prior arrangement with the Vendor. The expectation is that all purchases are collected on the day of auction unless prior arrangement with the Vendor. Any enquiries to: Miles and Janet King Kingsmeade Cheese 06 378 7178 or 06 377 5252

Select 50 from 80 strong Friesian cows D.T.C 20th July 400kgms/cow – $1600

66 MA ewes 50 ram lambs 50 ewe lambs Well bred line of ewes. Contact: Callum Dunnett 027 590 8612

Masterton Weaner Cattle Fair 15 & 16 March, commencing 11am (both days) Wed 15 March, Weaner Bulls and Steers 220 Angus Sim x Wnr Bulls 40 Char & Angus x Wnr Bulls 30 Hrfd/Frsn x Wnr Bulls 20 Char Frsn x Wnr Bulls 1000 Angus & Angus x Wnr Steers 140 Sim x Wnr Steers Thurs 16 March Weaner Heifers 400 Ang & Ang x Wnr Hfrs 100 Sim x Wnr Hfrs 100 Char x Wnr Hfrs 20 Hfrd/Ang x Wnr Hfrs Annual Entries Glenbrae P/S, 220 Angus Simmental x Wnr Bulls Onetai Trust, 120 Sim x Steers & Heifers Homunculus Trust, 180 Angus Steers & Heifers Mathewson Farms Ltd, 90Angus Steers Further Inquiries Steve Wilkinson

027 594 5110

Buy and sell livestock at

Providing the most comprehensive Dairy Livestock network in New Zealand. NORTH ISLAND HERDS FOR SALE:

NORTH ISLAND HEIFERS:

SOUTH ISLAND HERDS FOR SALE:

309 MA Frsn/Frsn X Cows, BW:92, PW:110. Very young Frsn/Frsn X Herd, 19 years on the same Farm. All DNA profiled, very good BW/PW, Bulls out early.

59 Frsn I/C Hfrs, BW:60, PW:68. Frsn I/C Hfrs, Purchased as Calves, 1st May Delivery.

180 MA Frsn, XB Cows, BW:51, PW:70. Predominantly Frsn X, production last year of 382 Kgs done on OAD from 20/12/15.

$1,950 +GST

(Agonline Ref: 060955)

Regan Craig, 0275 028 585 232 MA Frsn/Frsn X Cows, BW:86, PW:108. Best presented young Friesian & Friesian X herd farmed on 2/3 system doing over 400M/S annually ,100% RA with good BW & PWs.

$1,975 +GST

(Agonline Ref: 060823)

Peter Forrest, 0275 986 153

550 M/A X/B Cows, BW:45, PW:5. Nice line up of Kiwi X Genuine Once A Day Cows, off very challenging farm with long walks, great age structure with tidy udders.

$1,650 +GST

(Agonline Ref: 060925)

$1,570 + GST

(Agonline Ref 060942)

Dean Evans, 0272 431 092

70 Frsn I/C Heifers BW:55, PW:69. CRV Friesian Replacement line. Predominant breed I/C to Jsy.

$1,700 + GST

(Agonline Ref 060860)

Stu Ward, 0275 927 542

57 F/FX I/C Hfrs,BW:83,PW:101. Very well grown Frsn Cross Bred Hfrs, Black to Black & White. Genuine Surplus - Delivery Neg.

$1,600 + GST

(Agonline Ref 060899)

Jason Roberts, 0272 431 429

Neil Penman, 0275 927 567

$1,950 + GST

(Agonline Ref 060686)

Fraser Weir, 0278 073 254

302 M/A Frsn, X/B, Jsy Cows, BW:39, PW:52. 356 kg Milk solids / cow, 1st August start of calving.

$1,685 + GST

(Agonline Ref 060843)

Murray Bain, 0274 338 678

115 M/A Frsn, X/B Cows, BW 66, PW 80. Currently on very tough farm but strong Cows with great production potential.

$1,950 + GST

(Agonline Ref 060393)

Neil Carter, 0272 821 104

SOUTH ISLAND HEIFERS: 145 X/B I/C Hfrs, BW:112, PW:123. Top Quality Mainly X/B I/C Hfrs, View is a must, ring me to arrange a time.

$1,700 +GST

(Agonline Ref: 060692)

Stu Walsh, 0274 344 093

44 F/FJX I/C Hfrs, BW:82, PW:100. All Heifers mated to AB over 3 days. Complete replacement line in Nelson.

$1,750 +GST

(Agonline Ref: 060455)

For photos and more information visit www.agonline.co.nz:

Craig Taylor, 0274 357 437

133 Frsn, FJX I/C Hfrs, BW:94, PW:112. Very Even Line of Exceptional Hfrs, suit the most discerning of buyers.

$1,600 +GST

(Agonline Ref: 060613)

David Walker, 0272 189 526

www.pggwrightson.co.nz

STOCK REQUIRED EQUIRED

LK0086415©

IN-MILK COWS

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

For sale photos and catalogues please visit www.agonline.co.nz/sales/upcoming# Helping grow the country

MARKET SNAPSHOT

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Grain & Feed

MILK PRICE FORECAST ($/KGMS) 2016-17

6.06

AS OF 23/02/2017

AS OF 09/03/2017

Prior week

Last year

Jan 17 AgriHQ Seasonal

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

5.35

4.90

327

350

NI mutton (20kg)

3.20

3.25

2.50

302

294

304

SI lamb (17kg)

5.30

5.20

4.80

Feed Barley

307

289

293

SI mutton (20kg)

3.30

3.25

2.25

213

Export markets (NZ$/kg) 7.82

7.96

7.18

240

245

UK CKT lamb leg

Maize Grain

375

352

PKE

238

248

211

North Island 17kg lamb 7.0

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

6.5

Prior week

Last year

Wheat - Nearest

230

225

250

Corn - Nearest

212

208

209

APW Wheat

316

313

348

3000

ASW Wheat

298

289

333

2500

Feed Wheat

287

278

293

2000

Feed Barley

253

249

305

1500 May 16 Aug 16 Nov 16 C2 Fonterra WMP

PKE (US$/t)

5.0

CBOT futures (NZ$/t)

4.5

Feb 17 May 17 NZX WMP Futures

Ex-Malaysia

105

NZ venison 60kg stag

6005.5 5005.0 4004.5 300

4.0

Oct

Dec

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

WMP

2585

2980

3395

SMP

2010

2350

AMF

5500

Butter

4430

Last week

Prior week

Last year

2550

Urea

507

482

505

6.65

8.95

5520

Super

317

330

35 micron

4.40

3.93

5.85

4390

4500

DAP

845

39 micron

4.15

3.78

5.83

739

CANTERBURY FEED PRICES

5.5

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Sharemarket Briefing MARKETS eased from recent highs this week ahead of the Federal Reserve’s March meeting. Global markets have enjoyed a strong run with the US S&P500 gaining more than 10% driven by optimism on tax cuts and deregulation. The New Zealand reporting season has ended so investors were looking to global sentiment and economic data with interesting reports released this week. Building consents for January rose 0.8% from December ending two months of declines, but was up 3.4% on last year. The latest Global Dairy Trade auction recorded a second successive decline but while economists did not expect Fonterra to cut its $6 forecast milk price, most were not expecting an increase. Focus would shift to the US Federal Reserve meeting and whether President Trump can implement his proposed policies. Beyond that in April there were elections in France, Europe’s second largest economy. Market commentary provided by Craigs Investment Partners

$/kg

c/k kg (net) Mar 14

Company

7141

7084

Mar 17

PKE spot

YTD High

YTD Low

7.06

7.43

6.31

Meridian Energy Limited

2.74

2.795

2.57

Spark New Zealand Limited Fletcher Building Limited Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd Mercury NZ Limited (NS) Ryman Healthcare Limited Contact Energy Limited Vector Limited Port of Tauranga Limited (NS)

3.56 9.2 9.4 3.17 8.51 4.89 3.23 4.29

3.71 10.86 9.6 3.175 9.05 5.02 3.3 4.52

3.41 9.2 8.5 2.94 8.17 4.65 3.15 3.86

Auckland International Airport Limited

Listed Agri Shares Company

4.5

500

400 3.5 300

2.5Oct Oct

Dec

5‐yr ave

Feb

Apr

Last yr

Jun

Aug

This yr

Dollar Watch

5pm, close of market, Thursday

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

2.48

2.85

2.06

Cavalier Corporation Limited

0.57

0.81

0.57

Comvita Limited

7.8

8.02

Delegat Group Limited

6.5

5.65

Foley Family Wines Limited

1.36

1.5

1.36

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

6.29

6.4

5.99

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

2.6

2.61

2.55

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

1.32

1.42

1.27

PGG Wrightson Limited

0.53

0.55

0.49

Sanford Limited (NS)

7.3

7.75

6.7

Scales Corporation Limited

3.46

3.65

3.32

5.02

4.3

1.29

1.46

1.26

Seeka Limited

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

Mar 16

Top 10 by Market Cap

Tegel Group Holdings Limited

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

Mar 15

Feed barley

4 weeks ago

NZ venison 60kg stag

600

250 150 Mar 13

35 micron wool price

6.5

NZ$/t

US$/t

This yr

Prior week

2500

11470

Aug

6.65

350

9831

Last yr

Aug

Last week

3000

S&P/FW AG EQUITY

Jun

29 micron

450

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR

Jun

(NZ$/kg)

3500

Latest price

Apr

NZ average (NZ$/t)

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

May

Apr

WOOL

* price as at close of business on Thursday

Apr

Feb

FERTILISER

Last price*

2000

Feb

5‐yr ave

NZX DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Nearby contract

6.0 $/kg

3500

South Island 1 7kg lamb

6.5

Australia (NZ$/t)

4000

6.0 5.5

INTERNATIONAL Last week

WMP GDT PRICES AND NZX FUTURES

Last year

5.35

Feed Wheat

Waikato (NZ$/t)

Nov 16

Last week Prior week

NI lamb (17kg)

Milling Wheat

PKE

Sep 16 AgriHQ Spot Fonterra forecast

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

c/kkg (net)

$/kgMS

MILK PRICE COMPARISON

US$/t

Last week Canterbury (NZ$/t)

6.00

8 7 6 5 4 3 Jul 16

SHEEP MEAT

DOMESTIC

AGRIHQ 2016-17

FONTERRA 2016-17

Sheep

$/kg

Dairy

S&P/FW Primary Sector

9831

9307

S&P/FW Agriculture Equity

11470

11571

10899

S&P/NZX 50 Index

7141

7180

6971

S&P/NZX 10 Index

7084

7254

7047

THE kiwi dollar has This Prior Last NZD vs suddenly broken lower, week week year and the fall might have USD 0.6901 0.7056 0.6662 further to run. EUR 0.6511 0.6718 0.5959 The kiwi slipped below AUD 0.9191 0.9328 0.8964 US$0.69 for a time and could fall to the mid-60s GBP 0.5661 0.5752 0.4674 around mid-year, Westpac Correct as of 9am last Friday Bank strategist Imre Speizer said. In the next few weeks, he thinks going below 0.6850 could be a struggle, as the NZ economy remains strong and there could be legislative delays to US fiscal plans. The US dollar is strengthening against all-comers as Federal Reserve interest rate rises loom, with a start this week a “donedeal’’ according to markets. As well as US strength, the RBNZ has signalled the OCR is going nowhere for a long time so NZ is losing its interest rate advantage. Dairy commodity prices have also slipped back, reflecting higher NZ production. The kiwi has fallen from A$0.96 to below 0.92 since the start of the year, on the respective commodity price moves, and may be headed to 0.88, Speizer said. A weaker outlook also exists against the Euro, from €0.68 just three weeks ago, to just over 0.65 and a possibility of a sharp fall to €0.60 over the year, excellent for agri and fruit exports. Speizer sees a move lower against the Yen, perhaps to Y77. His bearish outlook extends to the Sterling cross, after slipping below £0.57, but he’s staying neutral at this point, pending potential Brexit impacts on the UK. Alan Williams

Markets

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017

SI SLAUGHTER COW

NI SLAUGHTER STEER

SI SLAUGHTER LAMB

($/KG)

FRIESIAN HEIFERS, 375-425KG, AT TEMUKA

($/KG)

($/KG LW)

5.35

4.10

5.30

Cattle & Deer

$710-$820

$1490-$1640

Weaner Friesian bulls, 150-200kg, at Taupo

R2 Angus-cross steers, 445-515kg, at Temuka

More photos: farmersweekly.co.nz

BEEF Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

2.42

high lights

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.35

5.40

NI Bull (300kg)

5.30

5.40

NI Cow (200kg)

4.20

4.35

SI Steer (300kg)

5.30

5.20

SI Bull (300kg)

5.00

4.90

SI Cow (200kg)

4.10

4.00

3.90

US imported 95CL bull

7.24

6.98

7.10

US domestic 90CL cow

6.82

6.59

7.21

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

North Island steer (300kg)

6.5

$/kg

6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0

BIRD’S EYE VIEW: Trucks lining up after the weaner sale at Kaikohe last week. See next week’s FW for a full story.

South Island steer (300kg) 6.0 5.5

NZ venison 60kg stag

c/k kg (net)

$/kg

600 5.0 500 4.5 400 4.0 300

3.5

Oct Oct

Dec Dec

Feb Feb

5‐yr ave

Apr Apr

Jun Jun

Last yr

Aug Aug This yr

VENISON Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Last week Prior week

Last year

NI Stag (60kg)

8.00

7.35

NI Hind (50kg)

7.90

7.25

SI Stag (60kg)

8.25

8.15

7.35

SI Hind (50kg)

8.15

8.05

7.25

New Zealand venison (60kg Stag)

9.5

c/k kg (net) $/kg

8.5

NZ venison 60kg stag

600 7.5 500

6.5 400

300

5.5 Oct

Oct

Dec Feb Dec Feb 5‐yr ave

Apr Apr Last yr

Jun Jun

Aug Aug This yr

Weights down but prices up for weaner cattle

N THE whole, the early weaner fairs were not too dissimilar to last year, though price ceilings were firmly in place, and heavier types sold at slightly lesser levels. However, most of the light to medium lines tended to be more expensive than the previous year. Of note was that at most fairs, the weaners offered were generally lighter in weight, due to dry conditions through the northern and eastern areas of the North Island, which pushed up cents-per-kilogram. NORTHLAND NORTHLAND The usual Monday sale at WELLSFORD was replaced with the weaner steer fair, and while the market

was still good enough, prices reflected a lighter weighted offering, and limited local buying power.Weights were down on the previous year due to the drought, and autumn-born Charolaiscross, 308-358kg, sold for $1020-1150, while Angus, 299-332kg, made $1040$1135.In the weaner section, most lines of better quality traded at $800$980. Angus, 206-225kg sold for $800$935, and Hereford-cross, 262-267kg, $860-$890. Top Hereford-Friesian, 303kg, were popular at $1100, though 145-177kg made $610-$730. The biggest yarding of weaner steers last week was found at KAIKOHE on Wednesday, with nearly 1800 sold. A big buying gallery from Kaitaia through to Hawkes Bay firmed the market on last year, PGG Wrightson

agent Vaughan Vujcich reported. Numbers increased as new drafts joined the annual draft lines, and quality was mainly very good, with the yarding split almost equally into Angus, Charolais and Simmental, with smaller lines of Hereford-cross and exotic-cross offered. Autumnborn Simmental and Hereford-cross, 330-360kg, sold on a steady market for $1100-$1250, $3.30-$3.50/kg. The top weaners, around 300kg, were not far behind at $1050-$1150, $3.60-$3.70/ kg, and 250-300kg $950-$1110, $3.70$3.80/kg. As the weights dropped the c/kg prices climbed over $4.00/kg, and 210-240kg returned $840-$910, and 160-210kg, $700-$840.

Continued page 38

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Markets

38 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017 COUNTIES

Good rain boosted grass growth in South Auckland and North Waikato, strengthening demand for store stock at TUAKAU last Thursday. About 500 cattle were offered to a big bench of buyers, Keith West of Carrfields Livestock reported. While heifers sold at similar levels to the previous week, prices for the better steers lifted by 10-15c/ kg. The steer section included some 30-month lots at 530-580kg, which made $2.80-$2.87/kg, while good R2, 345-420kg, traded at $3.05$3.35/kg. Weaner steer numbers were low and Angus-cross and Hereford-Friesian, made $625$760, with lighter weaners earning $460-$580. The heifer section included 2-year lots at 475-500kg, at $2.80$2.85/kg and R2, 340-360kg, traded at around $3.00/kg, selling up to $1065. The better weaner heifers made $630-$680, and light, $430-$570. About 300 prime cattle were yarded last Wednesday, and steer and heifer prices lifted 8-10c/ kg. Heavy steers fetched $2.86$2.93/kg, medium $2.80-$2.84/ kg and lighter $2.74-$2.78/kg. Heavy heifers returned $2.83$2.90/kg, medium $2.74-$2.79/kg and lighter, $2.68-$2.74/kg. The beef cow section included in-calf Angus cows, 392-455kg, which sold at $2.46-$2.76/kg. Other heavy beef cows returned $2.14$2.27/kg, and heavy Friesians $1.93-$2.07/kg. Medium cows made $1.79-$1.89/kg and lighter boners $1.56-$1.70/kg. A small entry of bulls traded at $2.65$2.72/kg. The market for prime ewes and lambs firmed $2 per head last Monday. Heavy prime lambs sold at $110-$117, medium $101-$108, and lighter $90-$100. The best of the store lambs made $82, with lighter sorts sold down to $69. Heavy prime ewes made $84-$93, and medium, $71-$80. BAY OF PLENTY BAY OF PLENTY A yarding of 530 cattle was spread through nearly every section at RANGIURU last

Tuesday, though the R2 steers and heifers were the main feature. Bidding was very competitive on the R2 steers, with good quality Angus, 374-410kg, making $1130$1270 at $3.02-$3.10/kg, and Hereford-Friesian, 302-396kg, $3.00-$3.06/kg. Friesian steers also sold well and 353-458kg returned $2.68-$2.82/kg. The R3 heifer section was small but mighty, with most making $2.85$2.95/kg. R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 318-381kg, returned $2.78$2.85/kg, though Friesian, 326397kg, sold down to $2.15-$2.26/ kg.Boner cow prices were firm for limited numbers, and Friesian, 516-543kg, fetched $1.81-$1.85/ kg, while a line of run-with-thebull Simmental, 618kg, sold for $1370, $2.22/kg. WAIKATO FRANKTON’s week started off with a Monday sale, as beef weaner’s took centre stage. Last Wednesday saw specially advertised vetted-in-calf Hereford cows and heifers featuring, for a yarding that was again mainly small lines averaging 3-7 head. Good grass growth brought extra local buyers to the rostrum for the beef weaner fair last Monday. Prices were steady to firm on last year’s sale, and the highlight was a large number of Hereford bulls and heifers. Bull prices lifted $100-$150, with most 170-250kg, and making $1085-$1200.Hereford heifer prices also lifted, with lighter lines, 120-192kg, up $40$90 to $530-$730, while 201-237kg made $720-$840. South Devon heifers improved, and at 222282kg, returned $840-$1060, while lighter Simmental-cross, 176192kg, made $660-$700. The steers was the smallest section and Angus, 152-188kg, firmed $30-$45 to $700-$790, with South Devon, 158-262kg, earning $600-$1020. The vetted-in-calf Hereford lines proved popular last Wednesday, with cows selling for $1270-$1280, and heifers, 470636kg, $1230-$1680. HerefordFriesian cows, 513-559kg, returned $1020-$1200, with most earning $1.99-$2.03/kg. Most R2 steers were Hereford-cross or HerefordFriesian, and at 309-395kg, sold to

high demand at $3.09-$3.38/kg. R2 Friesian bulls, 379-427kg, made $2.68-$2.78/kg, while HerefordFriesian heifers, 297-413kg, returned $2.87-$2.93/kg. Friesian heifers made market value at $2.13-$2.23/kg. The weaner pens consisted of mainly very small lines, and Friesian bulls, 151169kg, sold over a tight band at $590-$665, and Friesian-cross, 153-172kg, $495-$560. The weaner fair at TAUPO last week was split into two days, as bigger numbers come forward. Monday saw steers and heifers offered, and outside buyers dominated the market. Weaners were of mixed quality, with a large number of crossbred lines. Straight Angus steers made a premium, and at 226-268kg, sold for $855-$1000, though Limousin-cross, 233-235kg, eased to $875-$895. Most steers offered were from 200-250kg, and traded at $680-$850. The heifer market eased on last year’s prices, with Angus, 214-241kg, trading at $740$865, Hereford-Friesian, 123151kg, $435-$545, and Simmentalcross, 180-207kg, $590-$640. Just over 950 bulls were offered last Tuesday, and 90% of the yarding were Friesian. Buyers came from far and wide to take advantage of buying from large numbers, and good line sizes of quality bulls, with vendors well rewarded. The lighter the bulls, the bigger the gap with last year’s prices, with 140-141kg lines up $115-$125 to $670, while 148152kg lifted $100-$110 to $682$710, and 190-203kg, up $65 to $755-$825. Very few Friesian lines sold below $590 as buyers looked to work to reasonable per head budgets. TARANAKI TARANAKI STRATFORD held three successful sales last week, with Wednesday and Thursday the main focus.Tuesday saw a small sale consisting of 150 prime cattle and bulls. All classes were firm, with steers selling up to $2.93/ kg.A busy day on Wednesday saw 950 store cattle offered, and the best of the R3 steers matched the prime prices at $2.90-$2.95/kg, with some lines pushing past $3/

kg. Bidding was cautious however on 450-500kg, with prices around $2.85/kg. As the weight dropped, the demand came back in the market, and R2 steers, 400kg, traded at $3.00-$3.05/kg. The R2 heifer section was a highlight, with 250 well-presented Hereford-Friesian on offer, though again bidding was cautious. Most were 370-400kg, and traded at $2.65-$2.72/kg. A small offering of R2 Friesian bulls, 413-426kg, traded at $2.88-$2.96/kg.A consignment of capital stock Romney ewes were also offered, with good competition seeing 2-tooths make $121, 4-tooth $136, and 5-year, $113. Sales continued on Thursday, with an 800 head dairy-beef weaner sale. The market went to a new level, driven by an increase in buyers and good quality cattle. The weaners were generally lighter than last year, but vendors received similar values, with the market up $50-$80. A run of top steers sold in excess of $1000, with 270-315kg trading at $1000$1100, $3.46-$3.60/kg, though some lines cracked $4/kg. Lighter types, 200-255kg, returned $840$995, with the lighter end earning $4.13-$4.17/kg. Heifer prices were equally as strong, and 270-290kg made $960-$965, while 215-240kg returned $775-$860. A small offering of Hereford bulls was well sought after, and 210kg sold for $1130. POVERTY BAY POVERTY BAY MATAWHERO held its monthly cattle sale last Tuesday, and the yarding of 1500 included annual draft lines of locally bred traditional cattle, which drew a big crowd of local, Hawkes Bay and Manawatu buyers. Of the 1500 offered, the R3 and R2 steer pens consisted of mainly big Angus lines. Strong demand from Manawatu saw R3, 425-500kg, sell for $1355-$1535 at $3.07-$3.22/kg, with R2, 345430kg, earning $3.20-$3.36/kg, and 295-385kg, $3.25-$3.31/kg. Exotic heifers proved popular, and 345-355kg returned $990$1045, $2.87-$2.94/kg, while 295305kg made $3.00-$3.05/kg. One line of 30 Angus, 385kg, fetched

$2.97/kg, though were bettered by Charolais, 330kg, at $3.24/kg. It was all fairly stable among the store lambs sold on Friday, mimicking other store lamb trading through the east coast earlier in the week. There were a good number of ewe lambs on offer, and medium lines sold a little better than last week. Medium-to-heavy types made $76-$81.25 and other lighter lines were $68-$71. Male lines tended to sell to a steady market. One heavy line was the standout at $97.50, but other medium-toheavy pens made $80-$89. Light and medium males were $60$76.25. Mixed sex made consistent per kilo returns, ranging from $105.50 for a very heavy line to $66 for a light line. Light store ewes were $57.50. Prime ewes and two-tooth’s made $73-$84, while a single line of prime lambs were $92. HAWKE’S BAY HAWKE’S BAY The first round of weaner fairs drew good crowds at STORTFORD LODGE last week, and the markets were not too dissimilar to 2016.Just 17 prime lambs were offered last Monday, and with the majority ewe lambs, prices ranged from $82-$120. Ewe numbers dropped to 900, which heightened demand and prices held the previous week’s lift. Heavy ewes traded at $98-$99, medium-good $75-$94, light $67-$72, and very light types, $51-$59.Bidding from farmers lifted Angus steer prices 10c/kg, with 536-567kg earning $2.99-$3.01/kg. A small offering of cows sold on a firm market, and better weighted lines made $1.89-$1.93/kg, with a lesser conditioned line of Friesian, 401kg, at $1.69/kg.Light store lambs were expensive shopping last Wednesday, while medium to good types sold on a steady market. The yarding of 6400 sold to mainly local buyers, though some outsiders were also successful. Very light lambs sold for $66-$73, while medium-good ewe lambs traded at $81-$85, males, $84-$95 and mixed sex, $80-$90. Determined bidding from one buyer saw all ewes

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Markets

head away together, with 5-year Perendale making $100-$108. The first round of weaner fairs were also held, and last Tuesday played host to the exotic weaner steers, and all breeds bulls, with steers mainly steady on 2016 results. Simmental-cross, 275295kg, returned $1000-$1100, and Charolais-cross, 237-281kg, $910-$985. Charolais, 215-268kg, made $800-$1010, though lighter lines tended to soften slightly, with Simmental-cross, 188260kg, earning $700-$980.The feature of the bull section was 36 Simmental-cross, 239kg, at $1005, while the top Hereford line, 210kg, returned $897, with similar weighted Charolais-cross and Angus-cross earning $730-$785.A sea of black heralded the start of the traditional weaner steer fair last Wednesday, with numbers lifting to 1052. Weights were on average lighter, and the heavier lines sold at a $20 per head discount last year, though that was made up on the bigger number of weaners in the 190-230kg range, with these $20-$30 up. Two lines hit $1100, but that was the price ceiling, with Angus, 243-255kg, steady at $1000-$1055, while 213227kg lifted $20-$30 to $865-$942. More of the Angus-Hereford and Angus & Angus-Hereford were in the 160-180kg bracket, and traded at $715-$775, while 215-250kg sold on a steady market at $910-$1045. Results were pleasing at DANNEVIRKE last Thursday, with the store lamb market very steady, while demand for heavy ewes was firm, PGG Wrightson agent Bjorn Andersen reported. A tick over 900 store lambs were offered, and sold to strong demand for a very good quality line up, with most of the yarding cryptorchid at $85-$93. A smaller offering of ram lambs fetched $75-$83, while ewe lambs earned $80-$86, and mixed sex, $84-$85. Prime lambs returned $79-$110. Interest in ewes was high also, with the heavier lines selling above schedule and to a top of $123, with an average of $85. MANAWATU MANAWATU This sale started with another indication of the strength in the ewe market as essentially medium ewes sold to strong demand at up to $130 for two-tooths and $118.50 for mixed age ewes. The rails were packed for the lamb section with Hawkes Bay buyers active again. The cents per kilogram range was, once again this week, within reasonably tight parameters. The top lambs, if we exclude two pens of ewe lambs bought probably for breeding purposes, sold to steady demand but there was increased demand for the medium lambs. Longer term lambs have been selling very well lately and today’s market was steady at these recent heights. The heaviest lambs, 144 mixedsex blackface lambs sold for $109, but these could go straight to the works and the top ewe lambs mentioned sold for $109.50 in a lamb yarding slightly smaller than advertised at just less than 9,000. Two-tooth’s, $98-$130; MA ewes, $94-$114; Lambs; Heavy, $94$109; Medium, $79-$103; Lighter, $68-$90. The cattle sale was dominated by eighteen month cattle and dairy cross weaners. After a steady

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017 start for the older steers, with 16 Angus steers selling to $1700, $2.95/kg, the market firmed. Buyers are looking for quality cattle, not surprisingly, but are finding such cattle hard to buy as their current owners are sitting tight. The best of the eighteen month steers, 23 Angus-Hereford sold up to $1582, $3.19/kg, to improve that market. Useful autumn-born Friesian bulls sold to steady demand, $1535 at $2.93, and the weaner Friesian bulls lifted again. The dairy influence was prevalent in the heifer sections which were roughly steady with empty Friesian eighteen month heifers offered as well. Steers; R3, 366-576 kg, $1080$1700, $2.73-$3.18; R2, 283-496 kg, $905-$1582, $2.82-$3.78, lift; R1, 145-156 kg, $460-$621; bulls; R2, 242-523 kg, $620-$1535, $2.56-$3.02, steady; R1, 111-200 kg, $470-$690, $3.27-$4.72, lift; heifers; R2&3, 280-466 kg, $560$1325, $2.66-$3.07; R1, 122-188 kg, $410-$700, $3.62-$4.42; incalf, 450 kg, $1170. Friday’s store sale sale started with another indication of the strength in the ewe market as essentially medium ewes sold to strong demand at up to $130 for two-tooths and $118.50 for mixed age ewes. The rails were packed for the lamb section with Hawkes Bay buyers active again. The cents per kilogram range was, once again this week, within reasonably tight parameters. The top lambs, if we exclude two pens of ewe lambs bought probably for breeding purposes, sold to steady demand but there was increased demand for the medium lambs. Longer term lambs have been selling very well lately and today’s market was steady at these recent heights. The heaviest lambs, 144 mixedsex blackface lambs sold for $109, but these could go straight to the works and the top ewe lambs mentioned sold for $109.50 in a lamb yarding slightly smaller than advertised at just less than 9,000. Two-tooth’s, $98-$130; MA ewes, $94-$114; Lambs; Heavy, $94$109; Medium, $79-$103; Lighter, $68-$90. The cattle sale was dominated by eighteen month cattle and dairy cross weaners. After a steady start for the older steers, with 16 Angus steers selling to $1700, $2.95/kg, the market firmed. Buyers are looking for quality cattle, not surprisingly, but are finding such cattle hard to buy as their current owners are sitting tight. The best of the eighteen month steers, 23 Angus-Hereford sold up to $1582, $3.19/kg, to improve that market. Useful autumn-born Friesian bulls sold to steady demand,

$1535 at $2.93, and the weaner Friesian bulls lifted again. The dairy influence was prevalent in the heifer sections which were roughly steady with empty Friesian eighteen month heifers offered as well. Steers; R3, 366-576 kg, $1080$1700, $2.73-$3.18; R2, 283-496 kg, $905-$1582, $2.82-$3.78, lift; R1, 145-156 kg, $460-$621; bulls; R2, 242-523 kg, $620-$1535, $2.56-$3.02, steady; R1, 111-200 kg, $470-$690, $3.27-$4.72, lift; heifers; R2&3, 280-466 kg, $560$1325, $2.66-$3.07; R1, 122-188 kg, $410-$700, $3.62-$4.42; incalf, 450 kg, $1170. Numbers were limited to mainly weaner cattle and boner cows at RONGOTEA last Wednesday, and prices reflected strong demand, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported. Feature lines in the older cattle section included 2-year Hereford bulls, 535kg, at $2.99/kg, and Angus heifers, 428kg, $2.74/kg. R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 315365kg, returned $2.52-$2.88/kg, while heifers, 285-321kg, made $2.55-$3.00/kg.Weaners were mainly dairy-beef, and steers, 130-208kg, made $640-$840, with heifers, 130-153kg, $560-$610, and 100-119kg, $450-$540. Friesian bulls, 155-175kg, fetched $560$600.Boner cows sold on a firm market, with Friesian, 421-667kg, earning $1.60-$1.90/kg, and Jersey, 460-470kg, $1.62-$1.70/ kg.Mixed age ewes made $66 - $83 and 2-tooth $88, while in the lamb pens mixed sex fetched $84-$96, with light lines at $45-$75. CANTERBURY CANTERBURY The welcome sound of rain on the roof lifted spirits and store prices at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday.Store lamb numbers increased to 5400, with consignments from North Canterbury and Marlborough, but the promise of growth saw demand improve. Medium-good ewe lambs traded at $75-$85, with similar condition mixed sex earning $78-$80, and males, $80$85. Heavy mixed sex returned $82-$88. Heavy prime lambs lifted $5 to $120-$131, with the remainder mainly trading at $80$119. Ewe prices held, and $72-$117 covered a large portion of the offering, with most light ewes at $60-$66.Just prime cattle were offered and prices were steady to firm. An extra buyer on Angus steers and heifers pushed prices to $2.90-$2.95/kg for both, while the rest of the steers sold for $2.75$2.85/kg.Export grade heifers returned $2.83-$2.89/kg, with local trade lines steady at $2.70$2.80/kg. Bull and cow numbers were very low, and sold to firm demand.

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Top quality traditional cattle featured at TEMUKA last Thursday, while Monday’s sale saw a fall in sheep numbers. Just 1400 store lambs were offered, with prices steady to firm. Mediumgood ewe lambs traded at $76-$82, and similar weighted mixed sex, $77-$85. Two lines of light Merino mixed sex fetched $55-$68. Prime lamb numbers dropped below 1000 head, with the market firm at $90-$128. The ewe market was steady for a smaller offering of 1400, and most traded at $80$119, and light $50-$79.All classes of prime cattle sold to strong demand, despite high numbers of heifers and cows. Steer numbers also lifted to 88, and HerefordFriesian, 515-695kg, made $2.68-$2.78/kg, with top beef lines selling to $2.80-2.89/kg. The heifer pens offered up more beef-cross as well as dairy, and HerefordFriesian and Angus-cross, 450629kg, fetched $2.66-$2.78/kg. The top Friesian-cross, 416-485kg, sold well at $2.41-$2.51/kg, but second cuts eased to $2.04-$2.10/ kg. Friesian heifers lifted, with 470-519kg making $2.47-$2.57/ kg, and 410-421kg, $2.36-$2.45/ kg. Dairy cows dominated the cow section, and prices were mainly steady, with better yielding Friesian earning $1.93-$2.04/kg, and second cuts, $1.77-$1.87/kg. Friesian bulls, 435-560kg, returned $2.58-$2.65/kg.Thursday’s store cattle sale offered one of the best yardings of quality 18-month beef lines seen for some time, and of note was a consignment of hill country Gelbvieh-Angus steers from Fairlie. All lines were 443509kg, and sold to high demand at $1460-$1630, $3.19-$3.39/kg. Angus-Hereford, 457-516kg, made similar values at $3.18-$3.26/kg, while Hereford-Friesian, 372419kg, made $2.89-$2.97/kg, and Friesian, 359-396kg, $2.70-$2.73/ kg.In the heifer pens top quality Angus-Hereford, 329-431kg, made $3.02-$3.12/kg, while lighter Angus 258-321kg, managed $3.07$3.19/kg. Exotic-cross, 349-400kg, made $2.92-$2.95/kg. Also offered were Friesian and Friesian-cross lines, which, at $2.35-$2.47/kg for the top lines, were very buyable compared to the beef heifers. OTAGO OTAGO The focus of the BALCLUTHA sale last Wednesday was on the prime lambs and ewes, with just a small yarding of store lambs penned, PGG Wrightson agent Emmett Sparrow reported.Store lamb prices firmed on the back of limited numbers, and top lines made $83, medium $72-$77, and light, $69. A heavier top end of prime lambs saw prices firm to $115-$121, with the pattern

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continuing on the medium lines at $97-$109, and lighter, $85-$95. A large yarding of ewes sold to strong demand, especially the lighter end. Heavy ewes traded at $105-$113, medium $80-$92, and light $70-$73. Rams sold for $50-$90. SOUTHLAND SOUTHLAND Store lambs sold on a steady market at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday, though the prime sheep market could not maintain the higher levels, and prices eased. Heavy store lambs traded at $75-$84, medium $65-$74, light, $55-$64, and very light $25-$45. Heavy prime lambs eased $5-$7 to $101-$111, with a similar easing for medium at $90-$100, and lighter, $82-$89. wA lesser quality yarding of ewes sold at reduced levels, with heavy types back at $90-$106, medium $72-$87, and light, $51$70. The better 2-tooths made $69-$85, with lighter types earning $46. In the breeding ewe pens, 2-shear Border-Leicester sold for $160, and mixed age Romney $135, while other lines of capital stock ewes returned $110-$150. After the excitement of the cattle fair last week, a big yarding of store cattle featured, with calves filling most pens. R2 Hereford-cross steers, 341kg, sold for $2.55/kg, while the heifers, 356kg, returned $2.52/kg. Weaner Friesian bulls, 170-180kg, made $600-$620, and 150kg, $550$600. Beef-cross, 130kg, returned $450-$520, while similar bred heifers, 120-125kg, made $400$460. Numbers were also up in the prime pens, and steers, 480kg, returned $2.50-$2.70/kg, while the best of the beef-cross heifers, 450kg plus, made $2.60/kg. Dairy heifers made up a big portion of the yarding, and at 380-420kg, made $2.10-$2.30/kg, with lighter types earning $1.90-$2.10/kg. The top cows traded at $1.90-$2.05/kg, medium $1.80-1.90/kg, and light, $1.70/kg. Auctioneers were busy in the store lamb pens at COALGATE last Thursday, with a large yarding offered, which sold to strong demand. Heifers featured in the prime cattle pens, while the store section was on the small side. Store lamb numbers lifted by 2000 head, but prices were firm, and heavy types made $80-$88, medium earning $68-$78, and light, $50-$65. Demand for prime lambs also lifted, with heavy lines up $4-$5 to $111-$133, and the remainder, $81-$109. Ewe prices also firmed on the back of limited numbers, and heavy lines made $110-$130, medium $80-$110, and lighter, $60-$80.The prime cattle section was largely heifers, with 128 offered. Heavy, high yielding beef lines, 573-628kg, sold on a steady market at $2.80-$2.82/kg, though local trade firmed to $2.80-$2.90/ kg. Dairy, 311-378kg, traded at $2.08- $2.21/kg. Angus steers, 565kg, sold to $3.05/kg, with other beef lines trading at $2.92$3.02/kg. Heavy types, 638-690kg, returned $2.88-$2.98/kg. Beef cows traded at $2.10-$2.15/kg, and boners, $1.76-$1.81/kg. Quality was limited in a small store offering, with the stand out being R2 Angus heifers, 390kg, at $3.00/ kg, while 4 weaner Char x bulls, 226kg, sold for $710.

Markets

40 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 13, 2017 WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

SI SLAUGHTER STAG

35 MICRON WOOL

($/T)

($/KG)

MEDIUM-GOOD MALE LAMBS AT STORTFORD LODGE

($/KG)

($/KG LW)

8.25

238

4.40

87.50

Wool rebound welcomed Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com

WEAKER New Zealand currency and some opportunistic buying helped the latest South Island wool auction achieve further price increases. Prices are off the lows of early February, also helped by many farmers holding back supply. At Christchurch on Thursday, strong wool prices just made it back to the “trigger’’ point at which buyers might decide it is worth returning, NZ Wool Services International (WSI) marketing manager Malcolm Ching said. This is at about $3kg greasy for full body wool and second shear. With second shear 3 inches to 4 inches long rising to about $4.10kg clean at auction, the greasy value is round the $3.15 mark, Ching said. Good colour full body wool was at about $4.35kg clean. The kiwi dollar was about 3% lower than a week earlier, and this added about 3% to 4% to prices, with the increase across all types being in the 4% to 10% range. A 28 micron fleece was about 4% dearer than a week earlier at $7.90kg clean; 34 micron full fleece $4.55kg. First lambs’ wool, 29.5 micron 2 inches to 3 inches in length up nearly

RETURN: strong wool prices just made it back to the “trigger’’ point at which buyers might decide it is worth returning, NZ Wool Services International (WSI) marketing manager Malcolm Ching said.

10% at $4.40kg clean, and 31 micron 2 to 3 inches also stronger at $3.85. Average to poorer wools were also up, and crossbred oddments were up to 9% higher. The Christchurch auction had 5300 bales offered, with 4629 bales sold, leaving a pass-in rate of 12%. Traders from China led the market, with competition from Western Europe, the steady lift in prices encouraging them that they can make money on further improvement, Ching said. Supply and demand is reasonably balanced, with the wool coming forward from the farmers always prepared to meet the

market – meaning there’s no over-supply but not a real shortage either. He expects those farmers who have held back wool will be starting to take notice. Some might come back in for their own financial or logistical reasons, but many who do not have to sell might take the view that prices are rising and they can wait a bit longer. If the dollar slips further from here, that should be a good call, Ching said. “It’s crucial for the market that the wool on the sidelines comes back very gradually. The downside of the hold strategy is that it creates an invisible stockpile

that can feed back in a way that it limits the upside.’’ Market expectations are that brokers and merchants are talking to farmers about the need for a gradual return of volumes. There’s no sign yet of a rush. This Thursday will have sales at both Christchurch (6600 bales scheduled) and Napier (11,900 bales). Ching believes the market can cope with the higher volumes. The North Island’s shorter second shear and lambs wool suits the China and European markets, while the South Island has a wider range, but no big volumes in any particular type.

high $4.08-$4.18/kg lights Weaner Angus steers,

240-250kg, at Stortford Lodge Steer Fair

$1480-$1535 R3 Angus steers, 460-500kg, at Matawhero

Strong start to weaner fairs NORTH Island yards were alive, with the sound of….freshly weaned calves, as weaner fairs stepped up a gear last week. From Northland to Hawkes Bay to Taranaki, and places in between, Suz Bremner weaners went under the hammer, and AgriHQ Analyst the fairs were closely scrutinised, to see if they lived up to last year’s records. Just for interest’s sake, my prediction for the weaner fair market was that prices could not push past the records set last year, though they should be right up there. This was all dependent of course on what the weather and grass growth did in the lead up to these fairs, but timely rain almost made that null and void. My prediction for Stortford Lodge was right, to some extent. There was certainly a maximum level that buyers were sticking to with the top lines of traditional steers hitting $1100 and staying there, but what was interesting was that lighter lines lifted $20-$30. Prices held for the heavy exotic steers, though lighter lines eased. Those reading the LivestockEye Taupo weaner bull report on Wednesday morning probably choked on their cornflakes, as this market did what the steer market did last year, and shot up $100-$120. It wasn’t due to a lack of numbers, as 860 Friesian bulls were offered and many orders were filled, but they paid through the nose for them. The weaner steer and heifer fair the previous day was overshadowed by the bulls, and prices had in fact eased slightly on 2016 results. Frankton and Stratford held successful fairs, with quality lines generally $30-$90 stronger, though again the heavy lines hit price ceilings. Results from Northland sales were up and down, with Wellsford lacking local buying demand after a dry summer seeing prices ease, while Kaikohe sold above last year’s levels. So that’s the early weaner fairs in a nutshell, though you can find more in-depth reports on these fairs in the saleyard section. suz.bremner@nzx.com

MORE FROM AGRIHQ: MARKET SNAPSHOT MARKET WRAP

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We’re very proud that The Farmers Weekly has been the country’s most read rural publication for more than a decade. Latest independent research says every week on average 117,000 farmers choose to read Farmers Weekly - that’s thousands more than any other rural newspaper in the whole country, and farmers read each issue for longer than any other title. That’s a powerful combination when you want real farmers seeing your advertisement. New this autumn is a special property pull-out in Farmers Weekly that will run through our March issues. Book a campaign of three or more advertisements in March and get a complimentary editorial on your property in one of our pull-out specials. Talk to your agent now and make sure you are in the paper that more farmers read. *conditions apply

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Top dollar for top farms T

The sales during December and January could be a pointer for the year and there were new offers being made in the wider market.

Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com

HREE recent dairy farm sales at more than $42,000/ha have highlighted real estate activity in Southland, complemented by a range of sales at lower prices. That top figure represents a good quality farm and good price in today’s market, Southern Real Estate managing director in Invercargill, Dallas Lucas said. At the latest market peak, 18 months to two years ago, they might have made more than $45,000/ha. The sales during December and January could be a pointer for the year and there were new offers being made in the wider market. Overall, dairy farm prices are about 10% off their peaks, with signs of a further easing occurring, possibly in the 2-5% range, in a very cautious market, Lucas said. Buyers are still seeing international milk prices rising, then falling again. Generally, buyer interest has been at the top end of the market with limited interest elsewhere but there has been activity in the $23,000/ha to $28,000/ha price bracket, for farms further away from processing factories and also requiring some improvements to be carried out. There has been steady activity in the sale of support blocks, mainly in the 30-60ha bracket, with a range in quality and location. Typically, prices have been in the $20,000/ha to $30,000/

SOLID: Otago is relatively busy, compared to Southland, Southern Real Estate managing director in Invercargill, Dallas Lucas says. ha area, but with the best land above this, especially where there is horticulture potential, Lucas said. The sheep and cattle farm market has been quieter, but with reasonable activity in west Otago and eastern Southland, and in quite a lot of cases blocks have been consolidated into adjoining farms. Otago is relatively busy, compared to Southland, because there is still a lot of sheepbeef properties there, whereas

Southland has had a high volume of dairy conversions over the years. This process of buying a sheep farm to switch to dairying has either run its course or very close to it, Lucas said. “There’s no golden rule about the values of sheep farms, as many of these have a mix of sheep, beef cattle, and sometimes dairy wintering or heifer grazing.’’ “They’re often valued on a per stock unit basis, which is pretty broad but as a guide, $1000 would be middle ground, with larger

store stock properties being more like $800 per stock unit on the larger properties and some of the best units exceeding that $1000 level.’’ Farm sales aside, there has also been some leasing activity, in both dairy and sheep and beef. Leasing of the latter type of farm hasn’t been common, but it is emerging – possibly with one generation retiring and the next generation too young to take over, he said. Base values have been about $30 per stock unit, up to $40

on specialised fattening units. For dairy drystock, the range is $500/ha to $1000/ha depending on location and land quality, then up to $1000/ha to $1100/ha where the land adjoins a dairy farm. Three newly-listed properties within a 20km radius in western Southland are a good summary of the rural real estate market, showing the very good choice of farms available, Lucas said. Dairy: on the market at $7.33 million, a 202ha freehold and 148ha leasehold farm with production of 287,386kg/MS in 2015-16 from 820 cows. A high standard unit, with additional lease land available. Sheep and cattle, with options: $4.575m for 579ha, a strongly performing 5000 stock unit farm, with tidy home and buildings. Dairy grazing unit: $5.95m for a 298ha block on two terraces, with excellent soil and high standard of improvements. The block can run up to 1000 heifers as well as 800 cows during the winter, Lucas said.

North Island analysis next week.

Value hammered home at latest auctions Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com A TE Awamutu dairy farm sold for $59,375 a hectare at auction on March 2. The winning bid was $5.725 million for the 96.24ha property at Kakepuku Rd, Pokuru, Pastoral Realty agent Brian Peacocke said. This was a good, strong price for the Te Awamutu area, and the sale was assisted by the farm having outstanding housing.

The 293 cows milked produced 124,136kg/MS in the 2015/16 year. There were only two bidders on the day, but that was sufficient for a good outcome, Peacocke said. Pastoral Realty had three auctions on the day, with a good quality 36.5ha dairy support block in Wallace Rd, Ohaupo, and close to both Te Awamutu and Cambridge, selling under the hammer for $1.275m. The property also had potential

for cropping and beef finishing, and created good interest. The buyer at auction was an adjoining dairy farmer who planned to bring the block into his milking platform, replacing an area on his existing farm that was further away from the dairy shed. This was the sort of activity under the Waikato Regional Council Healthy Rivers plan where there was a trade-off for farmers planning a change of land-use, Peacocke said.

The third property up for auction was passed in. This property, a 100ha block at Te Rahu, north of Te Awamutu, was mainly of peat soils and with good housing but not the outstanding facilities of the other dairy farm. It was passed-in at a $5.2m vendor bid, but has since been put back on the market at a $5.5m asking price. The auctions highlighted that buyers remained selective and were deliberating a long time for farm purchases, Peacocke said.

The three would have been 35 to 40 inquiries for the two dairy farms, and 20 to 25 inspections. • In late February, a Paeroa dairy farm, of just over 200ha, including 34ha of regional authority leased land, and milking 550 cows, sold ahead of a scheduled auction for $8.2m. This was $47,200/ha for the acquired land, said PGG Wrightson agent Alwin Thomas George, who marketed the property with colleague Sue Williams.

Country magazine OUT NOW Check out your free copy in this weeks Farmers Weekly

NESTLED IN THE PINES

23 Schumacker Road, Te Kauwhata

This quality 74ha dairy unit presents the perfect opportunity for a lucky buyer to get into their first farm. The property is a true credit to the owners which has been in the family for a number of years. Contour is a mix in terrain; predominantly flat to undulating with some steeper sidlings and plots of mature trees. The dairy is a 14 ASHB which supplied Fonterra a three year average of 24,619kg/MS milking 110 cows. Support to the dairy includes a brand new, compliant effluent system, inline dispenser and bore (dropped in 2006). Additional infrastructure is ample with a 2,000 bale capacity barn, an implement shed with one lockable bay and calf shedding. Racing is of a high standard and is well-maintained by the properties own rotten rock quarry. The main home is an excellent addition to the property and features five bedrooms plus office, two bathrooms, open plan living and dining. The home provides year round comfort with insulation throughout, a fire place and HRV system. Handily located only a few minutesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; drive from SH2, the commute to city centres 71km south to Hamilton or 60km to Manukau is desirable. Everyday amenities and secondary schooling are on offer in Te Kauwhata and Ngatea 22 and 28km away respectively. An easy to manage, well presented dairy unit in a great location.

Auction 11am,

CAHERSIVEEN DAIRY FARM

945 Kaahu Road, Whakamaru

Cahersiveen is 334 hectares made up of three titles. Contour is mixed with easy to rolling and some steeper, this allows for young stock or some beef cattle to graze the area outside the milking platform. Wintering up to 800 cows, with an average production of 266,000kgMS, over the last three years, peak milking 750 cows. Currently supplying Miraka. The property has three houses. A very good 50 bail rotary with auto cup removers. The shed is well sited to limit the walking distance. The effluent system will irrigate up to 75 hectares. Water is supplied by a bore at the Dairy with consent to 2030. The three houses are supplied via their own bore. Cahersiveen has a cropping regime of approximately 40 hectares per annum. Being a mix of both turnips and swedes. This is also used as a new pasture programme Cahersiveen has a very good fertiliser history, with soil tests to back this up. Cahersiveen is approximately 20 minutes drive to Taupo township and 10 minutes to Whakamaru - there is a veterinary clinic, cafe, dairy and a service station.

Tenders Close 2pm,

Here is a great opportunity to purchase in a district that seldom has properties of this scale and quality come to the market. Cahersiveen is going to be sold as a Tender (unless sold prior) Stock and Plant will be available.

www.bayleys.co.nz

Thurs 30 Mar 2017 (unless sold prior) 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton

View Wed 15 & 22 Mar 12-1pm www.bayleys.co.nz/812511

Karl Davis

Lee Carter

M 027 496 4633 B 0508 83 83 83 karl.davis@bayleys.co.nz

M 027 696 5781 B 0508 83 83 83 lee.carter@bayleys.co.nz

SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

Thurs 6 Apr 2017 (unless sold prior) 44 Roberts Street, Taupo

View Thurs 21 Mar, 11am www.bayleys.co.nz/2650196

Stan Sickler M 021 275 7826 B 07 376 0099 stan.sickler@bayleys.co.nz WESTERMAN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

All companies within this composite are Members of Bayleys Realty Group

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Check out your free copy in this weeks Farmers Weekly

PRODUCTIVE SHEEP & BEEF UNIT An excellent opportunity to purchase a productive and well managed farm with great implementation. Comprised of 221.35 hectares

1572 Tangowahine Valley Road, Dargaville

For Sale View by appointment

TRADITIONAL BEEF AND SHEEP FARM

Pukehuia Road & SH14, Tangiteroria

This 912 hectare property (more or less) in multiple titles offers

Tender 2pm,

desirable qualities for only the most discerning buyer. Currently

www.bayleys.co.nz/1050064

utilised as a sheep and beef unit with supplementary cropping, the

front of the property and conditioning hills to the rear. Located in the

Stewart Ruddell

property is centrally located midway between Whangarei and

well known and sought after farming area of Tangowahine Valley the

M 027 273 6860 B 0800 80 20 40 stewart.ruddell@bayleys.co.nz

Dargaville. The farm is supported by a charming original 1920s four

(more or less) the property has a good balance of fertile flats at the

property is currently utilised as a beef and sheep block farming 2,600 stock units in the winter (approximately) along with

MACKYS REAL ESTATE LIMITED, BAYLEYS LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

supplementary calf rearing and cropping. A great fertiliser history and

bedroom villa and infrastructure is plentiful including woolsheds, yards, crushes and a barn along with good water supply and fencing with some central raceways. The property has approximately 100 hectares of fertile river and higher flats (which are currently growing

consistency. Farm infrastructure is strong and includes multiple

12 hectares of kumara) with the balance being rolling to steeper

sheds, yards and a woolshed. Good fencing erected on the property

grazing country. An excellent fertiliser history and management

and ample water is supplied from a creek on the farm. A large double

practices have ensured this farm is high producing and carries stock

storey home complements the property and all of the hard work is

well. A rare opportunity to purchase an outstanding property in many

done - donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss out on the chance to secure this outstanding farm!

respects that is ready for you to take over and farm immediately.

View by appointment

www.bayleys.co.nz/1050070

Stewart Ruddell M 027 273 6860 B 0800 80 20 40 stewart.ruddell@bayleys.co.nz MACKYS REAL ESTATE LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

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management practices have ensured high productivity and

Thurs 6 Apr 2017 (unless sold prior) 84 Walton Street, Whangarei

SHEEP AND BEEF BREEDING UNIT This 205 hectare property offers endless opportunities with 1,800 stock units, good easy rolling contour and has the potential to increase with further development - an attractive proposition. The farm is subdivided into 10 paddocks plus three holding paddocks and they are all conventionally fenced. A high standard of infrastructure combined with well formed internal races is a key factor in making this property easy to run and very appealing to the

245 Page Road, Ruawai

LARGE SCALE DAIRY UNIT

Auction 1pm,

This 218 hectare dairy unit, with an all flat contour, is split into two

Fri 7 April 2017 (unless sold prior) 84 Walton Street, Whangarei

View by appointment

www.bayleys.co.nz/1020060

Catherine Stewart

new owner. There has been significant capital fertiliser applied over

M 0800 422 959 B 0800 80 20 40

130 hectares, some 420 tonnes. Water supply for the farm is

catherine.stewart@bayleys.co.nz

predominantly dams with 22 having been newly rebuilt and majority

MACKYS REAL ESTATE LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

1067 Hauraki Road, Turua

blocks and accessed via an underpass. The 35ASHB is centrally located and feeds out to 120 paddocks via a very good race system. Supplying Open Country Dairy 600 cows were milked in 2015/16 season with production of 248,000kgMS. Around 10% of production is achieved with a winter milk contract. Water is provided from the Hauraki County metered water scheme. Adjacent to the dairy is a 270 cow concrete feed pad with associated bunkers and supplementary feed pads. Buildings include a large high stud workshop and implement shed, large half round implement shed, three calf rearing

of the dams being spring fed. There is a pristine three bedroom

sheds, three hay barns, a portacom building used as an office plus

bungalow that has been fully renovated with gorgeous polished floor

four dwellings. A very well set up large scale unit with an excellent

boards. There are endless options with this fantastic property -

address which enjoys the attention from its great road appeal.

phone me today to truly see the benefits of owning this farm.

Open Days Thurs 16 & 23 Mar 12-1pm

All companies within this composite are Members of Bayleys Realty Group

Tenders Close 2pm, Thurs 6 Apr 2017 (unless sold prior) 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton

View Thurs 16 & 23 Mar 12-1pm www.bayleys.co.nz/812588

Mike Fraser-Jones M 027 475 9680 B 07 834 3841 mike.fraserjones@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

www.bayleys.co.nz

Country magazine OUT NOW Check out your free copy in this weeks Farmers Weekly

VERY TIDY UNIT This extremely tidy and well set up 86 hectare dairy unit has an all flat contour with three races running out to all 50 paddocks. A modern 24ASHB is well located with a 300 cow circular yard. The farm supplies Open Country Dairy with production of 91,991kgMS in 2015/16 season from 250 cows. Water for stock, dairy shed and the dwelling is provided from the Hauraki County metered water scheme. Effluent is managed through a sump at the dairy and pumped to a travelling irrigator covering approximately 20 hectares with underground plumbing and hydrants. Buildings include a near new large gable implement/calf rearing shed, a hay barn and two

291 Wharepoa Road, Turua

DIVERSE CALF REARING OPERATION

Tenders Close 2pm,

This well-established operation, on 37ha (STS) near the Hamilton city

Thurs 6 Apr 2017 (unless sold prior) 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton

View Thurs 16 & 23 Mar 12-1pm www.bayleys.co.nz/812589

Mike Fraser-Jones M 027 475 9680 B 07 834 3841 mike.fraserjones@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

boundary, rears 4000-5000 dairy and beef calves annually from four days to four months old. The hub of the operation is the large main calf rearing complex well positioned to all other ancillary buildings. A recent addition is the hydroponic shed for growing barley seed into fodder feed to mitigate risk through bought in supplements. Further infrastructure includes multiple calf rearing sheds, implement sheds and barns including a handling facility and separate stock yard with loading ramps. There are two main dwellings with further accommodation. The contour is flat to rolling and is a mix of clay

implement/storage sheds plus a four bedroom home with swimming

loam and silt soils. A good central lane way feeds out to 38

pool. Three primary schools are all within easy commute as is a

paddocks. The business is being sold as a going concern including

sunny Coromandel Peninsula with its great beaches and fishing.

land, buildings and a wide range of machinery.

Open Days Thurs 16 & 23 Mar 12-1pm

Open days Tues 14 & 21 Mar, 12-1pm

SO MANY TITLES, SO MANY OPTIONS Comprising 84.4ha in nine separate titles, each with its own road access, this property will appeal to a variety of astute investors. 50ha in irrigated market gardening, with the balance flat to rolling grazing land. Situated 70kms to Auckland, and 77kms to Hamilton. Lot 1 - 2.19ha, two storey home, sleepout, 842mÂ˛ shedding Lot 2 - 15.42ha, undulating grazing land

366 Koromatua Road, Hamilton

Auction 11am, Tues 4 Apr 2017 (unless sold prior) 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton

View Tues 14 & 21 Mar 12-1pm www.bayleys.co.nz/812543

Scott Macdonald M 027 753 3854 B 07 834 3847 scott.macdonald@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

Clark and Denize Road, Pukekawa

DAIRY, GOATS, FLOWERS, CHEESE MAKING

Tenders Close 2pm,

167 Campbell Road, Brunswick

Auction 2pm,

Tues 11 Apr 2017 (unless sold prior) 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton

This property is currently: Milking 45 goats and 60 cows in a

Thurs 27 Apr 2017 Collegiate Quality Inn 122 Liverpool Street, Wanganui

View Wed 15 & 22 Mar 11-12pm www.bayleys.co.nz/812591

composite shed, growing hydroponic and traditional flowers in several tunnel houses, plus cheese processing in a modern facility. Over 30% of the contour is flat, consisting of some of the regions

Wanganui

View by appointment

www.bayleys.co.nz/3000335

Peter Kelly

most sought after soil types from the Westmere series.

Knud Bukholt

The homestead is a very comfortable bungalow, displaying typical

Lot 5 - 12.52ha, irrigated cropping land

M 027 432 4278 B 07 834 9575 peter.kelly@bayleys.co.nz

M 027 222 6161 B 06 348 0573 knud.bukholt@bayleys.co.nz

Lot 6 - 8.01ha, grazing and covenanted native bush

Karl Davis

Lot 3 - 16.42ha, irrigated cropping land Lot 4 - 11.50ha, irrigated cropping with 884mÂ˛ bulk shedding

M 0508 83 83 83 B 027 496 4633 karl.davis@bayleys.co.nz

Lot 7 - 8.89ha, irrigated croping land Lot 8 - 6.47ha, irrigated cropping and grazing land Lot 9 - 2.97ha, lifestyle and grazing

rural ambiance with a large kitchen/family room. All farm facilities are operational and capable of catering for the requirements of the current stocking ratios and management practices.

SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

Options available to purchase one to all nine titles.

www.bayleys.co.nz

All companies within this composite are Members of Bayleys Realty Group

COAST TO COAST LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

Country magazine OUT NOW Check out your free copy in this weeks Farmers Weekly

397 Tutaenui Road, Marton

BEES, GRAZING, HUNTING, FORESTRY

Wanganui

’RAHIRI’ FERTILE BOUTIQUE FARM

1561 Tokomaru East Road

For Sale Offers invited by

The sale of RAHIRI represents an opportunity to purchase a 21.1

270.22 hectares (subject to survey) approximately 25 kilometres

2pm, Thurs 6 Apr 2017 (unless sold prior)

north of Wanganui, with multiple income strings. Cropping, grazing, bee keeping, hunting and forestry, with a tidy three bedroom home plus sleep-out, with numerous sheds, set in a beautiful bush backdrop. The grazing land is made up of flats and sidlings estimated at 18 hectares. 135 hectares of manuka, native and scrub gullies, currently utilised for beekeeping, hunting and recreation, while the

hectare (more or less) smaller farm with exceptional soils, in a part of the Marton area, in the Rangitikei district renowned for high

View by appointment

yielding cash cropping. The land will suit many forms of agricultural

www.bayleys.co.nz/3000334

or horticultural production. The property is 5km from Marton and

Knud Bukholt M 027 222 6161 B 06 348 0573 knud.bukholt@bayleys.co.nz COAST TO COAST LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

42km from Wanganui, Palmerston North 49km away. The farm has a one stand wool-shed and sheep and cattle yards. With established shelter belts, around 30 years old, of pine and blackwood,providing shelter for livestock and a respite from the prevailing winds. To complement the land is a 250m² (more or less)

pine forest is just over 107 hectares.

four bedroom homestead in established grounds with wonderful

Auction 2pm, Wed 12 Apr 2017 (unless sold prior) 49 Manchester Street, Feilding

View by appointment

www.bayleys.co.nz/3100059

Andrew Bonnor M 027 941 7630 B 06 323 0333 A/h 06 323 0563 andrew.bonnor@bayleys.co.nz COAST TO COAST LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

specimen trees and many cottage garden surprises.

Suited for: first farm buyers, beekeepers, semi retired farmers.

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The vendors have instructed us to auction their property.

SPECTACULAR RUN COUNTRY

Oxford

BREEDING, FEEDING AND SUCCEEDING

3733 Lees Valley Road

Deadline Sale 1pm,

1192 Domett Road

Deadline Sale 4pm,

High country run of approximately 3,680ha (subject to survey) in the

Thurs 20 Apr 2017 (unless sold prior)

An excellent 363ha sheep and beef breeding and fattening unit with

Wed 12 Apr 2017 (unless sold prior)

heart of Canterbury. Okuku River on one boundary, easy tracks to mix of contour and aspect. Approximately 350ha cultivatable flats, large areas of tussock and Manuka country and an extensive area of bush. Winter stocking is estimated by vendor at 2,500 breeding ewes and 550 breeding cows. Additional grazing may be available. Sheep yards, hayshed but no dwelling. Nearby power gives options to build a new home and supporting infrastructure. Within an easy drive of Christchurch with options for hunting, tramping, apiary, further develop the operating farm business or preserve and enhance this fantastic slice of New Zealand.

View by appointment www.bayleys.co.nz/554089

Dean Pugh M 027 335 6303 B 03 375 4728 dean.pugh@bayleys.co.nz

Mark Clyne M 027 531 2964 mark.clyne@bayleys.co.nz WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

good flats, downs and hill, quality soils and plenty of workable land, running a mix of breeding ewes and dairy heifers. Features include a large area of clean, open, well-subdivided, easy land at the top of the farm, County Scheme water to numerous tanks and outstanding shelter. A very good maintenance programme and recent development including considerable fencing, matagouri spraying, topdressing and oversowing, with lime on the hill producing excellent cover, even in mid-summer. This, and the ability to grow more crops on the flats, provides upside. Excellent three-stand raised-board

Domett, North Canterbury

View by appointment www.bayleys.co.nz/554074

Ben Turner M 027 530 1400 B 03 375 4700 ben.turner@bayleys.co.nz

Mike Adamson M 027 221 1909 mike.adamson@bayleys.co.nz WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

woolshed with covered yards, cattle yards, good sheds and a large, four-bedroom home support the property. In a region well-regarded for stock health and performance, their stock look magnificent.

All companies within this composite are Members of Bayleys Realty Group

www.bayleys.co.nz

FINDING YOUR PERFECT RURAL PROPERTY MADE POSSIBLE

WITH BAYLEYS COUNTRY MAGAZINE The Autumn 2017 edition is out now, featuring a selection of the best farm, horticulture and lifestyle properties for sale in New Zealand. In this edition we take a look at the exciting opportunities starting to emerge in the alternative dairy scene, with developments afoot in both sheep and goat milking. We also celebrate shearing’s contribution to rural New Zealand with its colourful, inventive and competitive history. Plus, 10 things to consider before heading down the B & B path… A complimentary copy of Bayleys Country handbook has been provided along with your Farmers Weekly. For a copy of the full magazine, including the latest insights and editorial content on key topics of interest to the rural property sector, call 0800 BAYLEYS or view online. Your rural property search starts here…

www.bayleys.co.nz/country Licensed under the REA Act 2008

RURAL REAL ESTATE BRAND

SHEAR HARD WORK

New Zealand was founded off the sheep’s back, and shearing is a quintessential strand in our nation’s story.

MORE MILK, LESS COW

Alternative sources of milk from sheep and goats offer up another land use option.

95 FEATURING

FARM, HORTICULTURE AND LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES FOR SALE ISSUE 1 – 2017

A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Character on boutique property DEEP fertile soils, town water supply and a character homestead retaining its charm and native timbers come together on a 21ha property near Marton that is now for sale. Rahiri is a boutique farm carrying sheep and cattle these days, but it has grown cash crops in the past and the neighbouring property grows potatoes, which shows the diversity and fertility of the Kiwitea and Marton silt loam soils. Andrew Bonnor from Bayleys said Rahiri was a well set up property with many options for someone wanting a good chunk of land with a character homestead in established grounds. “The key to this property is

the town water supply and its extraordinarily fertile soils – it’s beautiful, fertile land.” Rahiri spreads over flat contour and pastures are predominantly rye and clover, with an area of plantain and clover. Water is supplied from the Marton town water supply and provides pressurised water for the home and farm without the need for any pumps. A one-stand woolshed, implement shed, haybarn and sheep and cattle yards suits Rahiri’s needs, with good-quality conventional fencing throughout and shelter belts of pine and blackwood provide shelter for livestock. Set in established grounds

with specimen trees of its era is the Rahiri homestead – a fourbedroom plus office 1914 villa with the native timbers worked by the talented craftsmen of its time. Over the years the home has had some upgrades and been repiled, reroofed and had wiring updated without altering its essential character. The hub of the home is the cook’s kitchen designed so all the necessary requirements for a country banquet are near at hand. Rahiri is located 5km from Marton and 49km from Palmerston North. It will be auctioned on April 12. More? Contact Bonnor on 06 323 0563 or 027 941 7630.

STATELY: The 1914 villa has native timbers worked by the talented craftsmen of its time.

VERSATILE: Rahiri carries sheep and cattle these days, but has grown cash crops in the past.

HAVEN: shelter belts of pine and blackwood provide shelter for livestock.

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

Winter milking brings year-round income WINTER milk ensures year-round cashflow on a 252ha Manawatu farm that grows most of its supplements as well as grazing all its young stock and still produces more than 1000kg milksolids a hectare. The Ohakea farm has consistently supported a split-calving herd of 500-550 cows on a 180ha milking platform, milking about 200 through winter, including 70 or so empty spring calvers. In the past four seasons it has produced between 199,429kg milksolids (MS) and 227,191kg MS. Stuart Sutherland from Property Brokers said it was one of the smartest and tidiest dairy farms he had handled in recent years, while the level of improvements and infrastructure were “outstanding”. A contract milker has been at the helm for the past decade and employs two staff to run the operation that grows about 33ha of crop each year including maize, silver millet and fodder beet. The only bought-in supplement last year was 246t palm kernel. “It’s pretty much self-contained apart from the palm kernel. Even with all the young stock kept at home, they’re still producing more than 1000kg MS. So someone could go to another level if they wanted.” The farm’s highest production in recent years was the 2014-15 season when it reached 1377kg MS/ha off the effective milking area of 180ha. Milk is supplied to Open Country Dairy and Sutherland said that can continue under new ownership, as well as the option of winter milk for its premium. Each year the farm raises about 100 calves and keeps them at home all the way through to being mated and calved before joining

the herd, with spring calving kicking in from July 24. The entire farm is flat on mainly Ohakea silt loam and while 180ha makes up the milking platform, the cropping takes place on another 33ha, while 30ha is used for drystock and 6ha is river accretion used for winter grazing. All up, it is subdivided into 101 paddocks that are serviced by a metal race leading to the dairy. Water for stock and dairy is sourced from a quality artesian bore at 100m and reticulated to troughs in all paddocks. At the other end of the system, effluent from the dairy and feedpad head through a sump before being spray irrigated onto 60ha of pasture. At the heart of the operation is the 37-aside herringbone dairy with Nu Pulse automatic cup removers and a flood wash system in the yard. Nearby is the 300-cow concrete feedpad that was built in 2002. Also near the dairy is a new six-bay calf shed and numerous other support buildings and facilities including seven and five-bay implement sheds, haysheds and even stables and a horse arena. A four-bedroom split-stone homestead is set in large established grounds and the farm also has a three-bedroom cottage and a two-bedroom cottage for staff. Sutherland said the contract milker, who knows the farm well after 10 years, is willing to stay if it suits a new owner. Tenders are invited on the farm, which has a 2016 rateable valuation of $9.8 million. More? www.propertybrokers.co.nz ID FR54345 or contact Stuart Sutherland on 027 452 1155 or Blair Cottrill on 027 354 5419.

UNDER COVER: The farm includes a new six-bay calf shed, seven and five-bay implement sheds, haysheds and even stables and a horse arena.

IN HOUSE: The farm self-contained raising all the young stock and growing crops.

GOOD CROP: The contract milker currently grows about 33ha of crop each year including maize, silver millet and fodder beet.

Wairarapa Greytown 35.1 Hectares Offers Te Kauwhata Vineyard Road For Sale From $325,000 View By Appointment www.harcourts.co.nz/RU5743 Lance Fletcher M 027 222 2185 P 07 853 0055

Monarch Real Estate Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

LK0086436©

STAGE 1: * Lot 4, Lot 6, Lot 12, Lot 27, Lot 28 & Lot 34 STAGE 2: * Lot 1, Lot 2, Lot 4, Lot 5, Lot 7, Lot 9, Lot 10, Lot 11, Lot 13, Lot 14, Lot 15, Lot 16, Lot 17 & Lot 18 Sections ranging in size from 5000m2 to 1.86 ha. Great country views, North facing, power and phone available. A rapidly growing area. Easy distance to both coasts. Prices range from $325,000 to $400,000. Come and view, or phone Lance today!

The Golden Mile. This block sits just minutes from Greytown city limits on the popular Woodside Road, handy for commuters to the Woodside Railway Station. Split in two titles with views towards the Tararua range and the eastern hills. The Moroa water race runs across the land which is fenced into six paddocks. A great opportunity for farmers as a run-off and the perfect opportunity for developers. | Property ID MA1221

Plus GST invited by 4pm, Friday 31 March 2017 (unless sold prior)

Contact Damien Pivac 027 437 4822

0800 200 600 | farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

For Sale NEW LISTING

Southland | Pine Bush 259.2 Hectares Pine Bush Dairy Farm. • Well established and set up unit in excellent heart, with a proven record of reliable production • Large lease block located 4km away for ease of wintering and young stock control makes for a farm with many options • Four bedroom manager’s home with two additional homes • 40 aside herringbone cow shed with circular yard and new effluent consent to April 2026 • Double sided concrete feed pad plus additional stand-off pad • Excellent fertiliser and re-grassing history, stands of pinus radiata • For genuine sale – a farm well worthy of inspection to appreciate all that it has to offer to the new owner | Property ID IN2022

North Auckland | Wellsford 156 Hectares A Smart Move. This dairy farm is located only 83km north of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, 10km west of Wellsford. There are two good homes and the 32 aside cow shed is central to the farm. There is plentiful water from a man-made lake and an attractive stand of mature native bush. Buildings and improvements have received a significant injection of cash in the past few years. In spite of a few management issues, production has averaged 86,500kgMS over the past three seasons on an all grass system with the help of an adjacent block of lease land which would also be available to the successful purchaser. | Property ID DG1003

Licensed under REAA 2008

Central Otago | Lowburn

Price

377 Hectares

On application

Inspection

John Beaufill 027 431 0054 Patrick Bowden 027 436 5161

Lowburn Valley Investment Opportunity. Run as a sheep breeding/finishing unit as well as for the harvesting of winter crops off the irrigated flats. Improvements include a three bedroom homestead, three bedroom historic cottage, woolshed and yards, deer shed and yards along with an implement shed, storage sheds and two hay barns. Potential also exists to further increase production by expanding the gravity fed irrigation water supply and water storage system. The property also offers diverse farming opportunities including viticulture and horticulture and with the proximity to Lake Dunstan and Cromwell township, there is potential for subdivision and/or exclusive lifestyle development. | Property ID CO1047

Tender

Northland | Matakohe

Tender

Deadline Sale Closing 4pm, Friday 7 April 2017

Inspection By appointment

Contact

Closing 2pm, Wednesday 12 April 2017 (unless sold by private treaty)

Inspection By appointment

Contact Nicky Reid 021 103 6277

191 Hectares Quality Dairy Unit. This dairy farm offers a near new rotary cow shed and good contour in a sought-after location. It has produced a six-year average of 84,873kgMS on a grass-only system while also rearing all of its 300 plus calves to weaning and running its own young stock up to one year of age. The 30 bail Milfos rotary cow shed is centrally located. The water system is also new, the races are in good condition. There are ample good quality sheds, a totally refurbished family home and one workers cottage. Located only 3km off State Highway 12 and only 13km from Ruawai where there is good schooling, groceries, and a range of rural support businesses. CV $2,615,000. | Property ID DG1021

By appointment

Contact Trevor Norman 027 435 5433

Closing 2pm, Tuesday 21 March 2017 (unless sold by private treaty)

Inspection By appointment

Contact Nicky Reid 021 103 6277

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

Rain magnet a top first farm AFTER 20 years on the farm it’s time to get the boat out more, which means the 82ha dairy farm on the foothills of Maungatautari Mountain east of Te Awamutu is now an opportunity for first-farm

buyers to make their move. Neville Kemp from Ray White Real Estate said it is a beautiful property and the husband and wife team have cared for it well in the past two decades.

Today they milk 265 crossbred cows and have achieved up to 79,000kg milksolids (MS) as well as grazing the calves through summer and wintering the cows on the farm.

It’s unirrigated, but doesn’t need it as it captures summer rain from the mountain behind it and continues to grow well through the season. Four hectares of turnips

provides extra summer feed and when needed the cows get a bit of palm kernel and maize. This season 28t of palm kernel was bought in, plus 90t of maize. “The bush line on the mountain

HANDY: The farm is just 28km from Te Awamutu.

Accelerating success.

Reach more people - better results faster.

DAIRY FARM - TIME TO GO

A great opportunity exists here to invest in the dairy industry. This 82ha (STS) dairy unit with 26ASHB is located east of Te Awamutu in the beautiful Pukeatua district. Nestled on the foothills of Maungatautari mountain the rolling contour of this tidy well presented property beckons for a new owner to now take the helm. Our current vendors have cared for this beautiful property since 1987 and it has produced well. With a good fertiliser history, waterways all compliant and internal races in good order this farm says ‘take me higher.’ Our vendors are serious so you need to plan to be at the Open Day!

colliers.co.nz

Tender Tender closes 4pm, Thursday, 13 April 2017 at Ray White Te Awamutu office, 223 Alexandra St, Te Awamutu. (highest or any tender not necessarily accepted) Price will be plus GST (if any) MAY NOT BE SOLD PRIOR View Tuesday’s, March 21, 28 & April 4, 11 ALL OPEN DAYS 11am - 1pm Website & ID number: rwteawamutu.co.nz/TEA22544 Contact Neville Kemp 027 271 9801 Office 07 871 9801 neville.kemp@raywhite.com

LK0086258

2045 Arapuni Rd, Te Awamutu, Waikato

Rosetown Realty Ltd (Licensed REAA2008)

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

is a magnet for rain, so it’s good rainfall and good summer growth. It’s all rolling country right up to the bush line and they get good natural water straight from the bush, unlimited supply that goes to troughs in all the paddocks.” A good race system connects all the paddocks and lead to the 26-aside herringbone dairy at the base of the farm that has 12 sets of automatic cup removers to make it a one-person dairy at milking. “It’s a great opportunity to invest in the dairy industry. The vendors are ready to take the boat out more and they’re negotiable. “There’s still work that could be done like tidying up some of the little gullies. But it’s got a good fertiliser history, the waterways are all compliant and the races are all in good order.” On its boundary is the Maungatautari Ecological Reserve and nearby is Lake Arapuni, which is popular for swimming, fishing and water sports. Yet it is still close to town, with Te Awamutu just 28km away. The farm has a 2016 rateable valuation of $3.590 million and Kemp reiterates that the vendors are willing to negotiate so they can get the boat in the water. More? www.rwteawamutu. co.nz/TEA22544 or contact Neville Kemp on 07 871 9801 or 027 271 9801.

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

STARTER: This 82ha farm is ideal for first-farm buyers.

SINGLE-HANDED: The dairy has 12 sets of automatic cup removers to make it a one-person dairy at milking.

FINAL NOTICE

MARQUEE DAIRY FARM

Strike the jackpot on this beautifully presented dairy farm of 172ha including 117ha of fully irrigated pasture, which has been faithfully farmed for five generations by the same family. The effluent system, feed pad with green water flood wash, water supply and all other farm infrastructure has been designed, built and maintained to a very high standard. A total of three tidy houses complement this marquee property. * 90-110mm effluent loop line with hydrants * Milking approx 600 cows * Av production over past 3 seasons 298,000kg MS * 44-bail internal rotary shed with Waikato cup removers * 117ha irrigated - K Line with some long laterals * Green water feed pad flood wash * Fully lined 5000cu effluent pond with two stone traps, variable speed drive pump with flow meter You need to check this one out! Opportunities like this are rare! Call Neville Kemp for further information and plan to be at the Open Days!

Tender CLOSES: Wednesday March 29th 2017. At Ray White Te Awamutu office, 223 Alexandra St, Te Awamutu, no later than 4pm. Highest or any Tender not necessarily accepted. Price will be plus GST (if any). (MAY NOT BE SOLD PRIOR) Web ID: rwteawamutu.co.nz/TEA22521 View Wednesday’s March 15, 22 ALL OPEN DAYS 11am - 1pm Contact Neville Kemp Mob 027 271 9801 A/h 07 871 9801 Email: neville.kemp@raywhite.com www.nevillekemp.co.nz

Rosetown Realty Ltd Licensed (REAA 2008)

LK0086005©

95 Lethbridge Road, Te Awamutu

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

PANORAMIC: This farm has views over Lake Taupo.

Farm in dream location IT’S a dream location on a peninsula jutting out into Lake Taupo with 230ha spread over a plateau where it captures vast views over the lake to the mountains beyond. As a farm, it is capable of carrying a combination of service bulls, ewe replacements and lambs as well as growing up to 100ha of crop each year for a cut and carry operation. But it’s location with those

stunning views overlooking the western bays of Lake Taupo that is its greatest asset, says Stan Sickler from Bayleys. “It’s a beautiful property with stunning views and surrounded by bush on a peninsula with a no-exit road so you don’t feel like you’ve got neighbours – it’s very tranquil. “At the same time you have this good parcel of flat land with easy access.”

About 190ha of the farm is effective grazing that rolls over flat to undulating contour with another 30ha of moderate to steeper land that has small areas of scrub and gullies. Because it is located in the Lake Taupo Catchment area, farming practices need to comply within the nitrogen discharge allocation and obtain resource consents for any land use changes. The property has an allowance

RURAL Office 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Productive small farm with location

WEB ID DR54265 DANNEVIRKE 180 Waitahora Road View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Friday 28th April, 2017 at 4.00pm, A very versatile 174 hectare bareland block which (unless sold prior) could be used for a first farm or as support for your existing farming unit. Approximately 7km to the town boundary, located in the traditionally fertile, productive area of Waitahora. This bare block farm comes complete with a three stand woolshed and separate sheep and cattle yards. Predominantly solid traditional Jim Crispin fencing with some electric support, this farm is well Mobile 027 717 8862 subdivided with the bonus of having several sheltered Office 06 374 8102 Home 06 374 6768 valleys for lambing.

DEADLINE SALE

jimc@propertybrokers.co.nz

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

of 2387kg a year, which equates to 13kg N/ha/year over the effective area. That area is subdivided into 34 main paddocks that are accessed by a central laneway and each paddock has troughs fed from a shared off-farm bore through an easement line to a reticulated water system. Other improvements on the property include two hay barns and stock yards.

A three-bedroom home sits on the plateau but Sickler says there are sites around the plateau for someone to build their dream home to get the full panoramic view over the lake. Tenders for the property close on March 22. It has a 2016 CV of $2.755 million. More? www.bayleys. co.nz/812456 or contact Stan Sickler on 021 275 7826 or Mark Dawe on 027 507 0861.

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

FERTILISER: The farm’s nitrogen allowance equates to 13kg a hectare a year.

GRASS: About 190ha of the farm is effective grazing.

CHOICES: Though the farm has a three-bedroom house there are plenty of other sites to build a dream home.

Top category dairy    •  •  • 

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Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

Family farm hits the market after 100 years FAITHFULLY farmed by the same family for nearly 100 years and now for sale, a 34ha bare land property on the outskirts of Palmerston North has the ability to grow a wide range of crops or finish stock and just needs the grand house to complete it. The productive property has grown maize and squash in the past and is now used to finish lambs, grow out hoggets and finish rising two-year steers. Chicory, brassica and pasja have been sown for stock while the remainder is in permanent pasture of ryegrass and clover.

Peter Barnett from NZR said it’s a simple property divided into five paddocks on flat land, with utilities already at the railed entrance for someone to plan their home with a sizeable chunk of land around them. “It’s close to Palmerston North and Feilding for anybody who wants to have a marquee-type place to build a grand house with an acreage around them. These opportunities don’t come along too often.” The property has been extensively drained and well fertilised over the years, with highanalysis fertiliser on the cropped areas.

FERTILE: The property has been extensively drained and well fertilised over the years.

HANDY: the farm is close to Palmerston North and Feilding. A two-stand woolshed with a covered yard was built in 2007 after it was moved from a garden centre in the city and Barnett said it was an impressive building for the size of the property. “It’s a very smart woolshed. They bought it from a garden centre and turned it into a

woolshed and it’s an outstanding shed.” Artesian stock water supplies the property and is reticulated to troughs in each paddock via natural flow. Tenders for the property close on April 6. More? ww.nzr.nz/F111 or contact Peter Barnett on 06 323 4434 or 027 482 6835.

SMART: The two-stand woolshed with a covered yard was built in 2007.

WHAKATANE FOR SALE TE MATA FOREST Coromandel

EXECUTIVE RURAL LIVING PRODUCTION FOREST ATTRACTIVE LAND This production forest and attractive land holding is located at Te Mata, Coromandel some 136km cart distance from Port of Tauranga. Showing excellent growth and adopting a pruned regime from predominantly

+ 463ha land area, 280ha Radiata, majority 20 years old + DOC boundary, plantation manuka potential + Pruned and thinned showing excellent growth + Permanent sample plot information available

1996 plantings, this forest has a Net Stocked

+ River, swimming holes and hut

Area of around 280ha which will appeal to a

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Friday 17 March 2017 at 4.00pm

range of buyers. Full Information Memorandum available and

JEREMY KEATING 021 461 210

WARWICK SEARLE 021 362 778

inspections by arrangement.

94A TE RAHU ROAD

Planned to cater for the needs of a busy family, three more double bedrooms, storage room and the main bathroom are all on level two. A feature is the upstairs family room with a private deck which takes in excellent rural views to the west and setting sun. As well as stairs, an internal lift is a huge convenience as is the central vacuum system. Adjacent to the home, with separate access and turnaround space are two large, lock up sheds; 16m x 12m and 10m x 6m. These are multi-purpose facilities - ideal for vehicle, boat and motorhome storage, with workshop space and power on. An oasis of rural tranquility, the home is set in a tropical themed landscape and surrounded by farmland including the properties’ own grazing paddocks. Located 9 km from Whakatane the property is in both the Awakeri Primary, Trident and Whakatane High School zones with school buses available. Council administered water supply. 3.68 Ha (9.11 acres). Vendor Seeks Offers - Guide $1,295,000. Price plus GST (if any, on land value only).

www.propertyconnector.co.nz/12345678 CBRE (Agency) Limited, Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008)

BY NEGOTIATION

Te Rahu Rd. A rare opportunity to own a substantial country residence just minutes from town. Positioned on a rear lot back from the road and accessed by a private driveway, the 356 m2, two level home was built in 2005. Downstairs the formal entrance opens to a large lounge then through to the dining and kitchen. The master with ensuite, study and spa room are all handily located on the first floor, together with the laundry, a separate toilet and internal access single and double garages.

View professionalswhakatane.co.nz Web ID PWK00797

Maurice Butler AREINZ p 07 307 0165 m 0274 514 395 e maurice@professionalswhakatane.co.nz

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Park-like deer farm an attraction A WELL-ESTABLISHED and proven deer unit for sale on the outskirts of Timaru has been taken to the next level of production with irrigation from an on-farm bore. The 164ha park-like property has a diverse contour well suited to all types of deer or even cattle farming and Simon Richards from Farmlands Real Estate said it would make an ideal stud property. “It’s a great property with a superb location close to town and they have been breeding,

finishing and producing velvet, so multiple income streams within the industry along with achieving good production make it an attractive proposition.” The recent implementation of irrigation from an on-farm bore with a sustainable test pump rate of up to 110l/sec and a resource consent of 60l/sec that Richards said creates the opportunity to extend the irrigated area across the property and could increase production and reliability further. Underneath is Timaru and

Wakanui silt loams that have been regularly fertilised according to recommendations and crops of fodder beet producing 22t DM/ha reflect those soils and fertility. The property flows from 40ha of flat contour into 74ha of rolling land and then 50ha of medium to steeper ground that is all subdivided into 34 main paddocks with shelter planting of various species. An extensive laneway has been developed for easy management to move deer between paddocks

and the quality deer handling facilities. On this mix of contour it has been carrying 400 stags and 470 mixed-age hinds, with 95% fawning, plus 240 Elk-cross weaners introduced for fattening to 110kg for the OctoberNovember market. It also finishes 320 red weaners that are bred on the farm, with the balance sent off farm. A range of farm buildings support the operation including a three-bay implement shed,

four-bay haybarn, lockable workshop/chemical and storage shed and even a four-bay tunnel barn. Completing the farm is a modernised four-bedroom homestead. “The property is in five titles, which creates further opportunity and gives the purchaser options going forward into the future.” Offers are invited by March 24. More? www. farmlandsrealestate.co.nz ID TU10908 or contact Simon Richards on 0274 570 990.

ON A ROLL: The property flows from 40ha of flat contour into 74ha of rolling land and then 50ha of medium to steeper ground.

GOOD MIX: The farm is a great property with a superb location close to town, Simon Richards from Farmlands Real Estate says.

OFTEN SOUGHT SELDOM AVAILABLE 347 Lakes Road, Ohakune An attractive, well balanced 82ha farm in the sought-after Lakes Road Valley, only 5km to Ohakune or 11km Raetihi. With approximately 50% flat cultivatable contour, opens up an opportunity for market gardening, arable or intensive fattening regime with the balance easy to medium hills. Soils consist of top Ohakune silt loams renowned for the suitability of a number of root crops and brassica. Infrastructure includes calf rearing shed/woolshed, ½ round shed, cattle and sheep yards and an older 3-bedroom cottage. Well subdivided into 19 paddocks with gravity feed water to all paddocks.

WELL-TRAVELLED: An extensive laneway has been developed for easy management.

82 Hectare Auction www.nzr.nz/nzrr213 Auction 20th April 2017, 11am, 1 Goldfinch Street, Ohakune Jamie Proude AREINZ 06 385 4789 | 027 448 5162 jamie@nzr.nz NZR Central Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

Top farm on good finishing country EXTENSIVE flats and easy-rolling contour can be hard to find, but 45km south of Te Kuiti is a 170ha farm for sale with not just the contour, but the soils and water to match. The combination of contour, Mairoa Ash and silt loam soils, plus strong fertiliser applications over a long time has made it an ideal dairy farm support block. Alongside 300 R1 cattle, it has wintered extra heifers and carryover cows, plus on average 800 mixed-age ewes. It’s also produced 250 bales of supplement a year. And it’s available for just $2.2 million, which Peter Wylie from PGG Wrightson Real Estate said makes it an ideal first farm or a cattle grazing farm for dairy heifers, bulls, finishing and supplements. “It’s been a dairy runoff for 10 years so it has a good fertiliser history and good pasture and the contour means you could

possibly run 100% cattle,” he says. “It’s good cattle finishing country that would suit anyone who wants a fattening block, runoff, or are first farm buyers.” The farm is subdivided into 30 paddocks, with water sourced from a spring at the top of the farm and gravity fed to most of those paddocks, apart from those beside the creek. Good access throughout the farm connects paddocks and leads to support buildings that include a three-stand woolshed, three hay sheds and a five-bay implement shed. The one weakness of the farm is the three-bedroom house that has been empty for a couple of years and is in need of some TLC, though it does have a brand new roof. More? www.pggwre.co.nz/TEK2498 or contact Peter Wylie on 07 878 0265 or 027 4735 855.

TOP SHELF: The farm is subdivided into 30 paddocks, with water sourced from a spring at the top of the farm.

A DAIRY WITH THE "X FACTOR" Manson Siding Road, Owhango If a better summer rainfall farming environment is needed this property needs to be seen. A low input 350 cow herd on the 180 hectares dedicated milking platform with the balance of land utilised as the support plus a sheep/beef and deer operation adds to this exciting mix. A versatile 438 hectares situated a short distance south of Owhango, a district renown for the reliability of production through the defined seasons. Farm buildings include two dwellings, a 50 aside herringbone shed, woolshed and deer yard complex and a large implement shed with office and single man´s quarters.

438 Hectares Deadline Private Treaty www.nzr.nz/nnzz094 Deadline Private Treaty Closing date for offers 30th March 2017 (unless sold prior). Jamie Proude AREINZ 06 385 4789 | 027 448 5162 jamie@nzr.nz NZR Central Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

CONTOUR: The combination of contour, Mairoa Ash and silt loam soils makes it an ideal dairy farm support block.

CHOICES: The farm has wintered extra heifers and carryover cows, plus on average 800 mixed-age ewes.

MELLINGTON DAIRY - 260 HA PLATFORM PLUS 108 HA SUPPORT ALONGSIDE Rangatira Road, Rangitikei Comprising a 260 hectare milking platform of quality Kiwitea loams, with 108 hectares of medium hills alongside, providing the potential to be self-contained. The 60 bail rotary dairy and feed pad were commissioned in 2009 and include an automated dairy management and ACRs. The farm has three homes, primary school bus at the gate, is close to the active Hunterville community and only 42km to Feilding.

368 hectares Deadline Private Treaty www.nzr.nz/F082 - incl. video Deadline Private Treaty Offers Close 3pm, Thu 23 Mar 2017 (unless sold prior). Peter Barnett AREINZ 027 482 6835 | 06 323 4434 peter@nzr.nz NZR Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

FAMILY FRIENDLY MULTIPLE INCOME BUSINESS "Little Tora" 460 Tora Road, Tora, Martinborough

962.17 ha TENDER www.nzr.nz

A rare and unique opportunity presents itself to astute investors - this one has been worth waiting for - located in a vibrant rural community 25 minutes from the wine village of Martinborough Little Tora is more than just a well appointed sheep and beef station. Not many properties can boast the standard of improvements that Little Tora has - the four bedroom modernised homestead is set in park like grounds accompanied by a two bedroom sleep out, pool and as new tennis court. Included in the sale are the profitable Tora Outstation accommodation and ToraTora Mountain bike businesses. A recent addition to the multiple income streams has been Manuka honey - with potential to increase to 250 hives. Around 600 hectares of effective land runs between 2500-3000 ewes and 180-200 cows, with replacements, under a semi finishing regime. The property is very well subdivided with 80 paddocks, and access lane ways coupled with fenced off gullies allow excellent stock management. The four stand woolshed and covered yards have 1000NP. A feature of Little Tora is its excellent water supply. Other special benefits are the hunting with an abundance of Red deer, fellow deer and wild pigs - and the Tora Beach and coastline - extremely well renown for its abundance of Paua, Crayfish and excellent recreational fishing - also one of NZ´s most popular surf beaches. Call Blair today for a property report. Inspection by appointment only.

85 ACRES CLOSE TO THE CITY 445c Milson Line, Newbury, Palmerston North Situated only 6.5km from the city square and 12km to the Feilding saleyards, this productive bareland property is offered outside the family for the first time in nearly 100 years. Access via a tarsealed lane off Milson Line creates the perfect spot to build a private home, with utilities already at the gate. Having regularly grown maize and squash, the current land-use of the Te Arakura Sandy Loams is primarily lamb and cattle finishing, with tidy facilities and artesian stock water. You’ll find it hard to beat this size and location!

34.53 ha (85.34 acres) Tender www.nzr.nz/F111 Tender Closes 3pm, Thu 6 Apr 2017, NZR, 20 Kimbolton Rd, Feilding Peter Barnett AREINZ 027 482 6835 | 06 323 4434 peter@nzr.nz NZR Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

ref: W022

Tender Closes 4pm, Thus 6 Apr 2017 Level 1, 16 Perry St, Masterton Blair Stevens 06 370 9199 | 027 527 7007 blair@nzr.nz NZR Real Estate Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

MANUKA HONEY & MUCH MUCH MORE! "Kandahar" 978 Tora Road, Tora, South Wairarapa Located around 25min drive east of Martinborough, and only 5min to the renowned surf break of Tora. A smaller sheep and beef breeding operation as well as 120 hives this summer, supplemented by firewood income. Improved by a woolshed with yards, cattle yards & satellite yards. Bounding a Scenic Reserve offers hunting opportunities. The beautiful Awhea River winds its way through the property. This is the perfect property for those that like a bit of variety and a spread of income - with a vendor lease back this could be your hunting & honey block without the day to day hassle - don´t miss this!

362.1274 hectares Tender (if not sold prior) www.nzr.nz ref: W021 TENDER (if not sold prior) Closes 4pm, Wed 29 Mar 2017 Level 1, 16 Perry St, Masterton Blair Stevens AREINZ 06 370 9199 | 027 527 7007 blair@nzr.nz NZR Real Estate Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

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THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

EASY: More than 30% of the farm is flat contour with some of the region’s most sought-after soil types.

A bit of everything near Whanganui LONELY Goat cheese, floriculture and a 60-cow herd all come together under one umbrella at Te Ngaio near Whanganui as a diverse business with multiple incomes and a bright future. Brian and Rae Doughty have been milking cows for 20 years or so on their 65ha property, just 10 minutes from Whanganui, and along the way added a hydroponic flower-growing operation for mainly gerberas as well as traditional beds for a range of cut flowers. Now they also milk 45 goats in a composite shed used for the cows as well and process the milk into cheese for their Lonely Goat label,

which is sold through the local Rivers Traders Market and other outlets. Feta, blue, camembert, farm house firm, halloumi, cream cheese and yoghurt are created four days a week in the modern facility on the farm and are gaining steady recognition at the Saturday market, which is becoming one of the best in New Zealand with as many as 100 stalls. Knud Bukholt from Bayleys said the goat cheese business is ripe for an enthusiastic young family to take it to the next level and reap the benefits of a growth industry.

DUAL USE: The dairy has been converted to cater for the cows and the goats.

“The potential is there as it’s very much a growth market and at the moment they’re doing it all themselves.” More than 30% of the farm is flat contour with some of the region’s most sought-after soil types from the Westmere soil series and Marton black silt loam. The flats move into easier hill country and some steeper contour, with 19ha of native and regenerating bush on steeper areas, plus 7ha of pines. The goats graze in a spray-free zone of the farm where organic fish fertiliser is applied and drenching is done on a daily basis

with cider vinegar, molasses and nasturtium leaves to enhance the cheeses. Meanwhile, the cows have their own milking platform and are milked at the same time as the goats before breakfast. The dairy was built in the 1960s as an 18-aside herringbone with a 150-cow yard, along with automatic cup removers. It has since been converted to cater for the cows and the goats so that 40 goats can stand within the holding race with eight twin-teat goat cups at the vat end. Other facilities for the cows and goats extend to covered calf

PICK ME: The cow and goat herds are also available for sale.

pens, kid pens, a hay barn, a lean-to implement shed, garage and workshop, plus yards. Both the cow and goat herd are also available for sale. At the Saturday market, the goat cheeses are on sale beside an array of cut flowers that are grown in two tunnel houses as well as shaded growing areas “Indications are that this income stream has good potential for growth as large areas of the shade house are currently undeutilised.” Te Ngaio will be auctioned on April 27. More? Knud Bukholt on 06 348 0573 or 027 222 6161.

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

Room to grow in Otago WAIKOUAITI is a small town in East Otago, yet close to Dunedin which makes it a great location for a 138ha dairy farm that in conjunction with a 105ha lease block, milks a 430-cow herd with a target of 150,000kg milksolids this season. The farm is for sale by tender and Craig Bates from Farmlands Real Estate said it still had room to lift production further as half the herd this year were heifers and enlargening the irrigation dam would irrigate more of the milking platform. Its contour stretches over flat and rolling land that is subdivided into 50 main paddocks and the irrigation dam stores 55,000 m3 that is used to irrigate 80ha by K line. Bates said the farm has consents in place to pump water to the storage dam and could potentially increase storage to 125,000m3. “That would definitely increase production, so there’s upside there. “It’s a semi self-contained farm that winters the cows and they make their own silage and hay, plus grow turnips for summer and fodder beet for winter. They only buy in a bit of supplement when they need it.” The 105ha lease block has a contract through to April 2022 at a cost of $52,000 plus GST per annum and is paid monthly. Together, the blocks this year have 21ha planted in fodder beet and 12ha of summer turnips with the balance in permanent pasture. Cows head to a 37-aside herringbone dairy for milking while other support buildings include a seven-bay calf shed plus other smaller calf-rearing sheds, a two-bay implement shed and a workshop. Home base is a two-bedroom roughcast home has been renovated and modernised. Tenders for the farm close on April 6. More? www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz ID DU2491 or contact Craig Bates on 027 489 4361 or Alan Eason 027 489 8760.

RESULTS: The farm milks a 430-cow herd with a target of 150,000kg milksolids this season.

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company

Licenced under REAA 2008

AUCTION

MORE: The farm had room to lift production further as half the herd this year is heifers and enlargening the irrigation dam would irrigate more of the milking platform.

New Zealand's leading rural real estate company

Licensed under REAA 2008

TENDER

A Gem Waiting To Be Polished

Putaruru

109.75ha dairy farm comprising of approximately 95ha of flat to easy rolling contour with the balance being sidlings and 13ha (approx) of native bush. Presently milking 230 cows through a 21 ASHB cow shed, with good infrastructure and support buildings makes for easy management. A three bedroom Huntly brick home with a single basement garage is tucked into the hill with amazing views over the surrounding district. A double Skyline garage and a single mans hut/office are situated beside the home. With a change in direction the vendors are ready to move on.

AUCTION

www.pggwre.co.nz ID: PUT23067

(Unless Sold Prior), 11.00am, Monday, 27 March, NI Kindergarten Conference Centre, 6 Glenshea St, Putaruru OPEN DAYS 10.00am-11.00am, Thursday, 16, 23 March, 389 WAOTU SOUTH RD

Hunting Block Plus Beef/Sheep (And Honey?) 2,200 acres easily accessible hill country for hunting, recreation and grazing. Possibly suitable for honey as a bee colony location. Six titles from 250 acres to 480 acres in size offers potential for syndicated ownership. Sold in 2014 by the agent to current vendor now concentrating farming operations in the South Island. Three road accesses. Greatly improved vehicle access to the middle known locally as "Mud Flats" with yards, service buildings and 8bunk hunting lodge. RV $903,000. Rates $4,183.00

Richard Leach B 07 882 1485 M 027 472 7785

www.pggwre.co.nz ID: LEV25616

pggwre.co.nz

Shannon TENDER

For sale by tender (plus GST, if any). Tenders close 1pm, Thursday, 6 April (unless sold prior)

Joe Havill B 06 367 0835 M 027 437 0169

pggwre.co.nz

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – March 13, 2017

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Farm next door to nature A 94HA self-contained dairy farm in an idyllic location bordering the Maungatautiri Ecological Bush Reserve near Te Awamutu has upside and price on its side for first-farm buyers.

It borders the reserve, which has a rodent and possum-proof fence around it, so it’s an idyllic spot with plenty of native bird life.

Located close to both Te Awamutu and Putararu and with an effective area of about 74ha, the farm is run as a self-contained unit that carries young stock and operates once-aday milking on a low-cost system. This means it has upside and potential to lift production, Doug Wakelin from Property Brokers said.

He estimates the farm could carry 200 cows and produce 70,000kg milksolids. It is priced at $3.25 million. “It’s a reasonably tidy little property and it has infrastructure that lends itself to different farming policies, especially the large pole shed, which could be used as a herd barn.” As well as the 10-bay pole barn, the farm has a seven-bay calf shed, two hay barns, a concrete-floor workshop and a tidy 20-aside herringbone dairy with meal feeders that is supported by two 12t silos. “It borders the reserve, which has a rodent and possum-proof fence around it, so it’s an idyllic spot with plenty of native bird life. And it’s a good farming address, so it’s a good first farm proposition.” A tidy three-bedroom home completes the farm. More? www.propertybrokers. co.nz ID TER54442 or contact Doug Wakelin on 027 321 1343.

STOCKED: The farm has a 10-bay pole barn, sevenbay calf shed, two hay barns, a concrete-floor workshop and a tidy 20-aside herringbone dairy.

HOME: A tidy threebedroom home completes the farm.

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

NEW LISTING

Licenced under REAA 2008

OPEN DAY

A True Family Dairy Unit

Pelorus Bridge

Future-Proofed Dairy Farm

Lincoln

A rare 427 ha dairy farming opportunity is presented for genuine sale due to retiring vendor. Recognised as one of Rai Valleys finest dairy farms, positioned in the green belt of Marlborough. The dairy farm comprises of a milking platform of 130 ha, producing 100,000 MS (with potential for further increase) from 270 cows with a further 68 ha of grazing and native bush and trees. A 16 ASHB dairy shed and yards plus numerous quality farm sheds. There is a modern four bedroom homestead plus two further dwellings and a second rotation 150 ha forestry estate plus 79 ha run-off block.

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY

• 174.7985 hectares in total area (subject to final subdivision) • 99.9183ha (subject to survey) dairy platform plus three run-offs - several purchasing options • Westfalia-designed, 32-cup, herringbone dairy shed • Near new, well-equipped cow barn with consent for 465 cows • Good housing and shedding with impressive, modern effluent storage • This unique opportunity is offered by our retiring vendors

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY

www.pggwre.co.nz ID: BLE25577

Plus GST (if any) (Unless sold prior) Closes 4pm, Friday, 7 April PGG Wrightson, 20 Westwood Ave, Blenheim

Greg Lyons B 027 579 1233 Joe Blakiston M 027 434 4069

www.pggwre.co.nz ID: CHR25400

Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 4.00pm, Friday, 7 April OPEN DAY 11.00am, Wed, 15 March Assemble in dairy shed yard, 563 Hudsons Rd. Prior registration essential.

Sam Davidson B 03 341 4301 M 027 488 8269 Peter Crean B 03 341 4315 M 027 434 4002

pggwre.co.nz

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

Licenced under REAA 2008

AUCTION

Valley Run - 689 Hectares

Hauturu AUCTION

• Breeding and lamb finishing hill country farm • Wintering on average 1230 mixed age ewes, 410 2th ewes, 460 ewe hoggets, 92 mixed age cows • Contour is rolling hill with some steeper sidlings • Four bedroom homestead, three stand woolshed, covered yards and various farm buildings • Long strong fertiliser history, natural water throughout

(Unless Sold Prior), 11.00am, Wednesday, 19 April, PGGWRE, 87 Duke Street, Cambridge OPEN DAYS 11.00-1.00pm, Tuesday, 21, 28 March, 4 April

www.pggwre.co.nz ID: TEK25626

Peter Wylie B 07 878 0265 M 027 4735 855

NEW LISTING

Attractive Dairy Farm In Puhipuhi 212.6 ha dairy unit in Puhipuhi, a well established dairy farming area just north of Whangarei. The soil type is excellent, being described as Puhipuhi volcanic. The contour is great at 70% flat to easy. The infrastructure is functional with a very good 36 aside HB dairy shed and good support buildings. The fences are internally two and three wire to 50 paddocks and the pasture is with clover and rye and a presence of well managed kikuyu. Add to this two good houses. The homestead boasts three bedrooms with two bathrooms, all recently renovated to a high standard and topped off with wonderfully landscaped grounds and inground swimming pool. The second home is a very sound three bedroom, well presented. Currently milking 330 cows and targeting 125,000kg MS this season. Production has been improving during the past four years in the current vendor´s ownership.This farm is all compliant, set up and ready to go. There is still the ability to get more out of this farm. www.pggwre.co.nz ID: WHG25622

Whakapara TENDER (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 4.00pm, Thursday, 6 April Barfoot & Thompson Office 53 Kerikeri Road, KERIKERI

Dennis Wallace B 09 470 2528 M 022 312 7704 Claude Shepherd M 027 441 0436

pggwre.co.nz

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

Licenced under REAA 2008

Low Cost Water Dairy Farm

Ashburton

188.0872ha freehold dairy farm with very good water rights. 941 shares in Mayfield Hinds Irrigation Ltd. Cost of water for 2016/17 is $80 per hectare. Two laterals, one centre pivot, sprinklers, K-Line. RDR water runs in to a 30,000 pond with a consistent flow of 77 l.p.s, plus bore for irrigation of stock and domestic water. Power costs for 2016 for irrigation $35,673pa. Lane down middle of farm. Approx. 670 cows included in the sale, winter grazing confirmed for cows for 2017. One 38 ASHB cow shed. Several calf sheds. Homestead plus two houses and granny flat. Elevation 60m AMSL.

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY

www.pggwre.co.nz ID: ASH25549

Plus GST (if any) (unless sold prior) Closes 4.00pm, Thursday, 6 April

Robin Ford B 03 307 8725 M 027 4336 883 H 03 308 0458

TENDER

High Producing Dairy Farm

Feilding

Hunter Hills Station - 2634.9091ha

Hakataramea

• 66.7295ha located only 7km from the rural servicing town of Feilding • Three year old four-bedroom home plus office overlooks the property • 250 cow housing-feed barn - 16 ASHB with inshed feed system • Good bore water is a feature of the property • Supplying Open Country, Sharemilker in place • Production 2015-16 72,186kgsMS, 2016-17 on target for 90,845kgsMS • High producing farm with good schooling nearby, good home & location

$2.75 MILLION

A magnificent sheep and beef breeding and finishing property. Excellent mix of hill and developed country running up to 8000 su. Immaculately fenced, with excellent access and lane systems and stock water systems. Two very tidy homesteads and a single mans cottage. Excellent shedding, including two woolsheds (one with covered yards). Two implement sheds and workshops and the usual amenity sheds. Two sets of stock handling facilities. Hunter Hills Station is renowned for its stock health and finishing ability.

TENDER

www.pggwre.co.nz ID: FDG25494

Plus GST (if any) Rateable Value: $2.9million

www.pggwre.co.nz ID: GER25553

Wayne Brooks B 06 323 0709 M 027 431 6306

Closes 4.00pm, Wednesday, 12 April Plus GST (if any)

Richard Scott B 03 687 7330 M 021 352 701 H 03 693 8311

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