Farmers Weekly NZ November 27 2017 by AgriHQ

Vol 16 No 46, November 27, 2017

Summer to be good for grass Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com

TOUGH summer for crops but a good one for growing grass are the prospects being delivered by a mild El Nino and easterly conditions through much of the country. As the upper North Island only now started to dry out after a run of weather that had some areas 50% above their annual rainfall average, weather forecaster Tony Trewinnard predicted more rain might be on the way heading into Christmas and New Year. Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather’s forecaster and director, said weather patterns indicated a slow, late developing La Nina that would continue to build in influence over the coming months, with potential to continue well into next year and beyond. “The El Nino is very much reflected in what we have seen so far. “That includes the stormier conditions over winter that were generally not as cold as usual with early spring westerlies then dropping into more of a summer pattern, which we are seeing now.” The high pressure systems were likely to dominate in Canterbury and Otago into summer as the North Island started to fall under the effect of tropical systems

moving off the Queensland CoastLord Howe Island area, bringing damp, easterly weather with them. So Canterbury was likely to see less norwesterly wind and the accompanying heat, instead having calm, hot conditions. Generally, the further south, the drier and hotter conditions would get. A drought on the West Coast was possible. The emerging humid easterly conditions in the North Island later in January would make it almost a summer of two halves, with ideal drier haymaking conditions turning to good grassgrowing weather later in summer. “It is likely though that these conditions will move further south, through Marlborough and Canterbury, and we do not expect the dry conditions Canterbury is experiencing now to still be dry come autumn.” He predicted the wetter weather for Canterbury might start later in January as the sub-tropical weather crept further south. Rather than preparing for drought-like conditions in any particular part of the country Trewinnard said the bigger risk for farmers along east coast areas of the North Island and Northland would be floods starting mid-late January. Other indicators supporting the easterly conditions included the Quasi-biennial Oscillation (QBO), which was pushing further east. Met Service forecaster Georgina Griffith expected the effect of the

La Nina to be light and almost secondary to other influences in the weather systems. “This La Nina is a late developer and is fairly weak and almost borderline. “But there are other players in the mix bringing easterly-La Nina like conditions. This includes the Southern Annual Mode (SAM), a big driver of our southern weather.” The SAM identified the northsouth movement of fierce storm systems that ranged between Antarctica and New Zealand. The high pressure or positive value it was recording brought more blocking highs to the South Island and fewer southwesterly storm systems. In contrast to Trewinnard, Griffith expected La Nina to deteriorate heading into autumn. But, meantime, the lack of northwesterly winds and the creep of wetter, humid weather from the north could pose a challenge for Canterbury grain growers trying to harvest crops. Trewinnard recommended they consider booking drying space early. “Horticultural crops including grapes on the east coast could also face a challenge with increased humidity causing fungal issues like botrytis and lower sugar levels due to lower sunshine hours.” While the weather would be good for grass growing through late summer it would also bring a significantly elevated risk of facial eczema under the warm humid conditions.

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PRICES SIZZLE: Lambs were selling up to $35 a head more than last year at onfarm sales in Canterbury but the big bonus was in the mutton prices with ewes hitting $183 a head, just $3 off the most expensive lambs, Hazlett Rural group general manager Ed Marfell says. He described the ewe prices as tremendous money with strong activity right through the lamb range and buyers really chasing the killable stock at the top end.

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NEWS

NEW THINKING

Soil Moisture Anomaly (mm) at 9am November 24, 2017

23 Boffins unlock pine tree

secrets

60 Wetter than

Imagine 18 billion pieces of DNA from the pine tree genome scattered through an empty room like jigsaw pieces.

OPINION

normal (mm)

26 Alternative View 5 Dairy sets itself lofty goals The dairy industry has reiterated lofty goals and ambitious promises in its strategic vision for the future, now called Dairy Tomorrow.

7 Alliance doubles its profit

Alan Emerson thinks harnessing our water is the key to future-proofing agriculture. Editorial �� 24 Cartoon �� 24

13 Things look up for grain

28 Debt surge follows dairy crisis

Cattle disease now on new farms �� 3 Lower Fonterra milk price appears likely �� 4 Dairy sets itself lofty goals �� 5 Alliance doubles its profit �� 7 Weather threatens beekeepers �� 8

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Drier than normal (mm)

Pulpit �� 25 Alternative View �� 26

The indicators are lining up for cropping farmers to have a better harvest this season.

Letters ��24, 27

The biggest sheep meat processor, Alliance Group, has doubled annual operating earnings to $20.2 million and is increasing the bonus rebate payout to farmer shareholders.

growers

From the Ridge �� 27

WORLD The true picture of Victoria’s dairy price crisis is emerging with dairy farmers facing massive water debts.

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.

REGULARS Real Estate �� 30-45 Employment �� 46-47 Classifieds �� 47 Livestock �� 48-51

MARKETS

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Things look up for grain growers �� 13 Wool sales give market insight �� 16 Penalty planned for late payers �� 19 Hesitancy over new nitrogen inhibitor �� 20

NEWSMAKER

22 Big changes win world

accolade

Canterbury farmers David and Mavis Bennett have farmed sheep on their Mid Canterbury coastal property for almost 40 years.

56 Sales give good signs Competition was fierce for prime lambs at Hazlett Rural’s Glenmark Drive onfarm sale in North Canterbury.

Market Snapshot �� 52

our pioneering

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

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Cattle disease now on new farms Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com CATTLE farmers are back on high alert because the Mycoplasma bovis has spread wider than the original properties. But despite adding a further 1000 cattle to its list for eradication the Primary Industries Ministry remained confident the disease was confined to South Canterbury. Eight properties had now been confirmed with the disease, the latest farm completely separate from the initially infected van Leeuwen Dairy Group farms. While MPI had been aggressively testing and tracing all cattle movements since putting the farm under lockdown two weeks ago, there had been no indication the latest property, one of several believed to be owned by the Whillans Group, had any connection with a van Leeuwen farm. MPI response incident controller David Yard said it was likely a second Whillans Group property put on restricted place notice at the same time could test positive for the disease. “We have no link as yet (to van Leeuwen) and we are still testing and waiting for results on the second restricted place property.” Questioned why all Whillans farms had not been put under lockdown, as all 16 van Leeuwen farms were when the disease was confirmed on the first property, Yard said the decision was riskbased. “We assess each property and consider all risk very carefully and at the moment there are some subtle differences between these latest two farms and their wider group,” Yard said. There had been very few animal movements and low level of infection. The van Leeuwen properties were at a very high level with significant animal movements posing high risk and hence the

STAY ALERT: It is too early for any farmers to relax yet, Primary Industries Ministy Mycoplasma bovis incident controller David Yard says.

At the moment there are some subtle differences between these latest two farms and their wider group. David Yard MPI decision to lock down all 16 farms, Yard said. He understood farmers wanted some reassurance infected and risk properties were locked down and protocols were being followed. “They can be assured all decisions and actions are risk-based and very carefully considered.” Sharemilker Leo Bensegues, farming on a Whillans property,

told a public meeting in Morven his herd was the latest farm to be infected. He raised the idea of double fencing and asked that MPI change the requirements. Yard said as a result of discussion at the meeting MPI was considering introducing a prescribed fence requirement with a set boundary distance. There were already such requirements for infected or restricted place notice properties. Because the erection of temporary fences was a specific requirement imposed under the Biosecurity Act, the cost of complying would be repaid. Yard said MPI had initially imposed a more specific requirement that temporary fences should be at a set distance from boundary fences but feedback from affected farmers determined the method to be overly restrictive to normal farm operations.

“We are looking at it again now and will have something out as soon it’s approved.” Yard said it would be very disappointing if the disease was found outside the WaimateMorven district. “At the moment it is believed it is still contained and the overall aim remains to eliminate the disease from the district.” MPI would know more on any likely further spread of the disease once the Pathway Tracing Report was released in the next couple of weeks. Meanwhile, the last cattle from the first depopulated dairy farm were removed for slaughter on Wednesday and MPI had now started the depopulation on the next property, Yard said. The number of cattle to be eradicated had risen to 5000. At the completion of depopulation the farms would be disinfected, followed by a stand-

down period where no cattle would be allowed back onto the property. Restricted place notices on two farms had been replaced by notices of direction. While they restricted movements of risk goods it was the first step in removing all movement restrictions from the farms. The decision to do that was based on negative surveillance results and how connected the farms were with infected properties. Yard said there was still a great amount of stress on farmers and he urged communities to get behind them. “There is a lot more the community could do to support farmers who need to up the responsibility for their own onfarm biosecurity. “It is too early for anyone to relax yet,” Yard said.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Lower Fonterra milk price appears likely Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com FONTERRA might reduce its farmgate milk price forecast by 25c to 50c/kg as early as this week after the fourth consecutive fall in world dairy prices on the fortnightly Global Dairy Trade auction platform. Global prices fell 10% over the past two months since Fonterra reaffirmed its $6.75/kg forecast at the time of its annual results presentation. After the latest 3.4% GDT index fall market analysts have found some unanimity with forecasts of $6.25-$6.50, along with predictions Fonterra would have to downgrade sooner rather than later. Should Fonterra’s own continuous price modelling disclose 30c/kg or more movement to its forecast it was obliged to publish that immediately and a revision required by the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act is due in midDecember anyway. It also planned an investor day and the release of its firstquarter trading results at about the same time. The AgriHQ farmgate forecast fell another 5c to $6.19/kg after the NZX Dairy Derivatives

market reacted to the latest GDT numbers. Analyst Amy Castleton said the milk price was supported by a moderately stronger shortterm outlook for anhydrous milk fat and a slightly weaker New Zealand dollar. The AMF index was unchanged and prices for shipment from February through April were up. Butter prices fell 5.9% and had fallen nearly 15% since their high points earlier this year. Whole milk powder prices fell 2.7% in the GDT event and were now down 16% from their 2017 highs. However, the high milk fat product prices underpinned a $6-plus milk price, at which dairy farmers would remain profitable. ASB senior rural economist Nathan Penny said higher NZ milk production in October and the lift in European and American dairy exports contributed to the run of weak GDT results. That led to a revision of his milk price forecast from $6.75 to $6.50. Rabobank dairy analyst Michael Harvey said the GDT result was not what NZ dairy farmers wanted.

OH DEAR: The GDT result was not what New Zealand farmers wanted as European Union milk flows increase, Rabobank analyst Michael Harvey says.

The general sentiment in global dairy markets was bearish and the GDT index was at an eight-month low point. Harvey also drew attention to the October NZ milk flow and that EU milk deliveries were up 4.3% in September, the strongest growth in 18 month. Rabobank would review its NZ milk price forecast in December.

Flat milk peak affects export volumes Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com MILK production in New Zealand rose 3% in October compared with a flat spring peak last October but has showed nil increase in the past 12 months, compared with the previous corresponding period. Dairy exports from NZ fell by 2% in the year to the end of September but those of the United States rose by 11% and from the European Union by 5%. The surge in exports from those two largest dairy producing regions helped explain why world prices were falling when production from NZ, the world’s largest exporter, was also falling. The November edition of Fonterra’s Global Dairy Update said the spring milk production peak was 82 million litres a day, 10% below the peak three years ago and well below the installed processing capacity. Fonterra’s October milk intake was up 2%, compared with the same month in 2016, but the flatter, elongated spring peak was repeated because of wet weather and low energy levels in pasture. Season-to-date milk supply had not increased compared with the first five months of the 2016-17 season, Fonterra said. The Dairy Companies Association reported season-to-

date milk collection was up 1.1%. The deduction to be made was that Fonterra continued to lose market share – if its supply was steady, supply to all other, smaller companies must have risen by as much as 7%. European production for September had the largest growth, at 4.3%, since early 2016 as farmers increased milk production in response to increased demand. Year-to-date EU production remained steady, whereas US production was up 2%, both yearto-date and in September. EU exports were up 227,000 tonnes over the past 12 months, an amount equivalent to 8% of Fonterra’s annual production. The biggest market growth was in China, up 12%, equivalent to 263,000 tonnes, and in Latin America, up 10% or 181,000 tonnes. Australia’s milk production recovery slowed in September, down 1%, and the year-to-date figure was minus 4%. However, Fonterra Australia said its collection in the four months to October 31 had risen 26%, including 31% in October. It was enjoying a huge growth in market share after the troubles of Murray Goulburn. Fonterra Australia collected 52.6m kg milksolids, compared with 502m in NZ.

Dairy leader Michael Spaans dies FORMER DairyNZ chairman and Fonterra board member Michael Spaans has died. Spaans, who was 54, joined the DairyNZ board in 2008 and was elected chairman in November 2015. He was also a director of Fonterra from 2013 until January this year when illness forced an early retirement. “Michael will be greatly missed by the board, our staff, our farmers and the wider Waikato community,” DairyNZ acting chairman Barry Harris said.

“His passion and knowledge of the sector and dedication to improving outcomes for dairy farming profitability and sustainability are well known. “We are going to miss his thoughtful debating and farmerfirst approach to investment, his involvement with the dairy leaders group, his focus as chairman of the Waikato Dairy Leaders Group and the group’s desire to improve the state of the Waikato River and support for the Healthy Rivers Plan, in particular.”

Fonterra chairman John Wilson said Spaans brought experience and a huge level of energy and commitment to Fonterra’s board. “Michael was a man who knew the importance of detail. He made sure that he knew this business extremely well, understood our strategy and was completely across the detail of the numbers. “He always looked for constructive solutions and thought deeply about our co-op’s governance and his role in the

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evolution of our business,” Wilson said. Spaans grew up on a family farm at Tauhei, near Morrinsville, and attended Mangateparu School, Morrinsville Intermediate and Morrinsville College. He later took over his parents’ farm at Manawaru, living there with his wife Kristina and their three children, now aged 16, 20 and 22. A keen basketballer as a young man, Spaans started farming life in Te Aroha as a young sharemilker.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Dairy sets itself lofty goals Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com THE dairy industry has reiterated lofty goals and ambitious promises in its strategic vision for the future, now called Dairy Tomorrow. In response to the pace of change in the global and local operating environment, the refresh was the third edition of an industry-wide strategy developed in 2009 then upgraded in 2013. It was renewed by DairyNZ, Federated Farmers, the Dairy Companies Association and the Dairy Women’s Network. The 2013-2020 strategy was reviewed after four years to see where progress had been made or where it had been slow or difficult. Dairy farmers were consulted and input was received from organisations, government officials, industry stakeholders and international dairy representatives. Achievements were claimed in sustainable dairying, riparian fencing, career advice, workplace relationships and leadership development. Less successful were objectives linked to the pace of change in biological systems and the reputation of the industry for environmental care and animal welfare. Some of the more explicit financial targets had not yet been attached to the six high-level commitments and their 22 related goals. Targets were re-set within the next eight years to: • Protect and nurture the environment for future generations; • Build the world’s most competitive and resilient dairy farming businesses; • Produce the highest quality and most valued dairy nutrition; • Be world-leading in onfarm animal care;

• Build great workplaces for NZ’s most talented workforce and; • Help grow vibrant and prosperous communities. The nearer targets included more effort to improve fresh water quality through partnerships to achieve swimmable waterways, developing benchmarks for international competitiveness, resilience, sustainability and community expectations and a strategy to promote the unique value proposition of NZ milk. Not mentioned in the overview was the existing financial target for increasing farm profitability through productivity by up to $65 a hectare by 2020. Absent also was a financial goal for the industry’s export earnings, which in 2016 because of low world dairy prices fell about $5 billion short of the $19b by 2020 target set in 2013. A DairyNZ spokesperson said the implementation plan for the strategy was yet to be developed and it might revise, repeat or omit the financial targets. Acting DairyNZ chairman Barry Harris said the commitments and goals would help prepare the sector for the future. “We heard very clearly that farmers want options and solutions to help them farm sustainably. “Maintaining our international competitiveness is essential and leveraging new digital and other technologies will be essential to that. “We also want to ensure that NZ dairy products remain a valued part of the diet. “That requires us to be open and transparent about our performance. “We know the demand for high-quality dairy will always exist so long as we can prove our production chain is sustainable. “Another key theme is the importance of people to the sector.

NO SWEAT: Young farmers are comfortable with an environmental goalsetting strategy that is also party aimed at an urban audience, Titoki farmer Andrew Booth says.

“We need to focus on bringing talented people into the dairy sector, providing them with a great work environment and helping them to develop their careers. “We want to ensure our sector is helping make this country the best place to live and for dairy to be a celebrated part of the national identity and Kiwi way of life.” Dairy Women’s Network chief executive Zelda de Villiers said the strategy targeted areas where more progress was needed. “Collectively, these goals will mean we will improve our productivity and competitiveness while ensuring we have the trust of our communities and that Kiwis value us as a sector.” Young Northland dairy farmer

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is in our interest to do so.” Federated Farmers national dairy chairman Chris Lewis said a regular resetting of goals and aspirations was admirable. “It’s not all about economic returns. Our products are locally and globally recognised for their quality and nutritional value. “The sector’s future challenge is to reaffirm that our production and value chains are sustainable and do meet the expectations of all consumers and communities.” Lewis believed the dairy sector should be considered part of the national identity and something to celebrate, where all New Zealanders could relate to the products and what went into making them.

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Andrew Booth, of Titoki, near Whangarei, said the strategy was a good way of charting the direction of the industry and getting extra buy-in from all participants. “Over the time frame the targets should be achievable,” he said. Booth, aged 30, joined the consultation during the redrafting of the strategy and said younger farmers were comfortable with such a goal-setting process and saw the need for it. “It is partly aimed at the urban audience because there is a perception that nothing is being done. “The industry needs to showcase its achievements and create the information flow and contact opportunities because it

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Alliance Group doubles its profit Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com THE biggest sheep meat processor, Alliance Group, has doubled annual operating earnings to $20.2 million and is increasing the bonus rebate payout to farmer shareholders. The Southland-based cooperative also made about $8m on the sale of its former Makarewa venison processing site, increasing total pre-tax and rebate earnings to $28m for the year-ended September 30. The shareholder suppliers would receive a total $11.8m in rebate payments, up from $9.8m last year. It was paid out on a perhead basis of stock supplied for processing. Alliance had also made loyalty payments to suppliers and passed on significant gains in farmgate prices during the year, chairman Murray Taggart said. The earnings improvement was very good given where Alliance

STRONG: Alliance earnings are very good given where they were a few years ago but still have a long way to go, chairman Murray Taggart says.

had come from in the last few years but profits should be greater for a business of its size “so there’s a long way to go”. Revenues for the year were $1.53 billion, up from $1.36b a year earlier.

The bottom-line after-tax profit wasn’t disclosed in the preliminary report but indications were the group could have $17m to $18m for reinvestment, after allowing for some of the rebate cash to be retained as under-

shared suppliers were issued shares. All meat markets were pretty strong and the fundamentals of supply and demand in the sheep meat and venison sectors were very strong, Taggart said.

In the North American market sheep meat supply competition from Australia was not as strong now as it usually was. Offsetting the good meat markets, co-products were still a difficult export business though some parts were showing a bit of life. Alliance had spoken for the last two years about major efforts to penetrate more deeply into markets and increase returns from existing markets and was now getting into the main part of that strategy, Taggart said. That includes the food service initiative in the United Kingdom and the recent acquisition of the Alliance Asia marketing business in Singapore. The group strengthened its balance sheet over the year with core borrowings halved to $19m at balance date. That was after major spending on plant upgrades, including robotic technologies. Shareholders’ equity was 71%, up from 70% a year earlier.

Weaner calves test beef demand Tim Fulton tim.fulton@nzx.com TEMUKA brimmed with weaner dairy-beef calves for the first time as buyers tested talk of possible over-supply. South Canterbury livestock reps added the sale to their calendar this year and it might be the first of three in the next couple of months. The first of those sales offered nearly 2200 calves, down on the advertised 2700 but well supported by buyers as far afield as the North Island. Peter Walsh and Associates representative Craig Buckley said prices were quite favourable with 100-110kg Hereford-Friesian calves consistently making $480-

$510 and good 120-130kg calves $550-$600. Another agent’s report said the small Hereford-Friesian market was held together by two main buyers and heifers made identical prices to the bulls. Hereford-Friesian 85-100kg bulls and heifers traded at $470-$525 and 101-115kg made $520-$560. Friesian and Friesian-cross bulls made up 65% of the total yarding and two North Island buyers added certainty to the market, though they kept to their budgets. One of those two outside buyers focused on the 90-110kg calves while the other was intent on 110kg plus so there was little cross-over in the bidding. Most

lines about 100kg made contract value of $450-$470 and 110115kg made $465-$490. Buyers had to be pushed past $500 with only 130kg-plus stock attracting higher bids. The lighter end, 75-95kg, traded at $340$460. Buckley said the sale was a forerunner to the larger IHC calf sale on December 12. There might also be another sale in mid to late January if numbers warranted. The closure of the Tinwald yards at Ashburton was a factor in the growing number of dairybeef weaners for sale, Buckley said. Temuka was now the largest selling centre in the South Island.

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THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Weather threatens beekeepers Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com AFTER a dismal harvest last year manuka honey producers have their fingers crossed this season will be more positive and help many struck by low yields recoup some of their losses. Last year’s very wet, windy spring that stretched into the prime manuka season of late November to Christmas resulted in yields 40-60% down on the year before and had some declaring it the worst honey harvest season in 20 years. The impact was from a shorter flowering season with flowers often knocked off in high winds while variable temperatures had affected nectar flows. Unique Manuka Factor Association spokesman John Rawcliffe said it was still early in the harvest season and only patchy reports had come through about harvests in some areas to date. “What we are hoping to get is no wind, some moist soil conditions and some warm weather over the coming weeks.” He was optimistic a mild weather outlook heading into December would help fulfil those conditions. Manawatu beekeeper Jason Prior of Downunder Honey said Wairarapa was looking promising with a good level of manuka flowering and prospects of some settled weather ahead over the next week or so, coinciding with peak nectar flows. “But manuka is also a fickle tree. It likes a bit of heat but it also likes to have wet feet. Also, there is a lot of clover about in the area this year. Once temperatures exceed 13C at night the clover will produce a stronger nectar flow and bees will head there instead. It’s the same for bush honey.” Weather predictions for summer were for an extended period of warm, dry weather before more

No one is buying until they know where the standards are going to go. Jason Prior Downunder Honey

MAKE OR BREAK: Another tough season for manuka honey will mean people without deep pockets might have to quit the industry, Jason Prior of Downunder Honey says.

easterly rain, which could also limit manuka honey production. “While last year had very low flows of nectar, it was exceptional quality and there is always the risk that if flows are up this year that quality will be lower.” That would bring problems for an industry still sitting on many tonnes of lower grade manuka honey that needed a market. Prior had eight tonnes of lower grade manuka on hand from last season and he knew of operators with warehouses stashed with drums of the product. Part of the difficulty in selling last season’s product stemmed from ongoing delays over the Ministry for Primary Industries establishing industry-endorsed

standards for manuka honey. Initial standards took three years to develop, only to have the industry turn them down on scientific grounds. MPI had agreed to extend the submission period on the standards and further delays have come from the change of government and impending devolvement of MPI’s break-up. “No one is buying until they know where the standards are going to go,” Prior said. It was even suggested by NZ First leader Winston Peters during the election that the standards would be thrown out and they would use the UMF standards. There has been no definitive indication since the election this

would still be the case. Apiculture NZ chief executive Karin Kos said the industry had to wait for Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor to get started in his portfolio. “We need to have independent, government-endorsed standards but they also need to be robust.” The past tough season has taken a toll on the bank balances of processors large and small. In August Comvita reported an after-tax operating loss of $5.5 million and revenue was well down at $156m from 2016’s $231m. Only a third of the expected manuka honey harvest was collected. Meantime, earlier this month Ngai Tahu separated from its joint

honey partner Watson and Son after only two years of investment in what had initially intended to be a long term project. It was hit with a $19 million loss from the venture. Watson and Son processed honey sourced from around the North Island from 40,000 beehives. Industry rumour was also rife another big manuka honey processor was teetering after an extremely tough trading year. Prior said the manuka industry had witnessed heavy investment from many new players in the past two years, some who did not appreciate the volatility of the biologically driven sector. “Wairarapa had had three to four good seasons but anyone who has been in it here for a while knows that before that we had a few poor ones too. “Unfortunately, some had done their budgets based on those good years continuing.” Prior said many in the industry would either need very deep pockets or have to exit if another tough season was dealt out in coming weeks. In the South Island Apiculture NZ board member John Hartnell said things were poised for a good season, with an abundant source of clover to generate good pasture honey volumes, and was starting to dry out. West coast beekeepers had reported excellent honey flows after a run of good weather and areas like Banks Peninsula looked more promising than a year ago.

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For the past 10 years, he also owned and managed his own farm and property development near Hanmer Springs, North Canterbury. In joining Property Brokers, Conrad returns to the Manawatu where his career began with the Rural Banking & Finance Corporation in the 1980s. His connections with the region today include being a director at Hopkins Farming Group, and contributing his time and experience to the

Manawatu Chamber of Commerce’s Advisory Board and to Talent Central, a trust that supports the region’s young people into careers. Conrad believes his finance and management background will be of real value to Property Brokers and to clients. “I’m looking to make a big difference by shaping the way we deliver advice to farmers and growers on all matters pertaining to the rural property market, particularly matters beyond the

farmgate,” Conrad says. He sees plenty to be positive about in today’s rural market. “While horticulture is now the standout, it’s great to see improvement now occurring also in year-on-year comparisons of sale numbers and prices across much of the pastoral sector.” When not in the office or out with his team and clients, Conrad loves outdoor sports, although these days he favours the bike

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

New Lincoln is coming next year Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com THE first signs of the new Lincoln University should be obvious by the middle of next year as the struggling tertiary institution begins transforming from a standalone university to a global academic leader in land, food and ecosystems. Chancellor Steve Smith said the council had adopted a report by the Lincoln University Transformation Board, an international body of experts convened to turn around the struggling 139-year-old tertiary institution. Central to the transformation was using opportunities presented by the Lincoln Hub, a 27,000 square metre research centre to be built alongside the campus, specialising in agrifood and technology. It would house 700 researchers from AgResearch, DairyNZ, Landcare Research, Plant and Food Research and Lincoln with the first stage, a $206 million facility jointly owned by Lincoln and AgResearch, approved by the Government in June. “The thing we bring to the hub is a body that is the academic heart,” Smith said. The board said the university should aspire to be a globallyranked top five agri-focused university and one of New Zealand’s top five universities focused on land, food and ecosystems but that required significant change. Smith said such high aspirations and focusing on such a narrow niche meant the university had to do it well and one of the early pieces of work was to build the university’s academic capability, a deficiency the report identified. “It is about finding initiatives that attract great academic leaders either from within NZ or offshore and those leaders will attract other great researchers around them,” Smith said. An implementation plan would be developed in the first few months of next year and changes should follow relatively quickly. “I’d expect to see signs of the new Lincoln in the first six months of next year,” he said. A milestone would be

construction of the jointlyowned Lincoln and AgResearch facility, which was “hugely significant to allow the unleashing of the culture of collaboration”. It was due for completion in 2020. Smith said another sign of change would be the culture of staff and students, the diverse people attracted to the university and what they were taught and how they were taught. The board warned the university had a number of hurdles to clear before any transformation could be considered successful, including its small size and the need to improve relationships with key stakeholders and organisations.

It is not performing to its potential because its vision and strategy are not well defined or understood and the governance, leadership and management of the university have lagged behind best practice for a decade or more. Lincoln report “It is not performing to its potential because its vision and strategy are not well defined or understood and the governance, leadership and management of the university have lagged behind best practice for a decade or more.” It identified Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands as a model to follow. Like Lincoln it struggled to attract students through the 1970s and 1980s but turned itself around by improving reporting and management systems, having a clear strategy, improving engagement with alumni and partners in the sector and building a strong profile. Today Wageningen was

recognised as one of the leading agrifood and forestry institutions in the world with a staff of 6500 and about 10,000 students from 100 countries. Research for the board showed stakeholders supported for the university transformation but wanted action quickly. The report also said there might need to be a rethink of the courses offered to acknowledge the value of the university to the tertiary sector and the economy was much wider than agriculture but Smith said that was an evolutionary process. Lincoln’s strength was likely to continue to be in agriculture commerce and science, tourism, environment and ecology with systems developed so courses could be bolted on to each other to satisfy student demand. In the 10 years up to 2016 Lincoln reported annual operating deficits while also weathering the global financial crisis and the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 but there was also evidence the university was not delivering on its potential. A subsequent review revealed outdated infrastructure, a poor strategy, weak relationships with stakeholders, academics operating in silos, inflexible programmes, a lack of critical mass and poor technology for students and staff. The 2016 appointment of vicechancellor Robin Pollard saw a number of initiatives introduced to address those issues including the establishment of the transformation board and the divestment of the Telford training farm in south Otago. As a result, it reported a $493,000 profit in 2016, its first surplus in a decade, but the board warned enrolments were still lower than desirable and the university was still not well placed to withstand another external shock. It employed 598 full time staff and on October 1 had 2649 full time student equivalents. Revenue on December 31 last year was $118 million with education and training representing 43% of that and research and development 33%, a sign, the report warned, of the progress Lincoln had to make to achieve impacts at scale.

TURNING UP: Lincoln University chancellor Steve Smith expects to see signs of the new Lincoln in the first six months of next year.

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Things look up for grain growers Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com THE indicators are lining up for cropping farmers to have a better harvest this season. Federated Farmers grains section chairman Brian Leadley said a healthy supply of grain with prices holding firm had arable farmers crossing their fingers after the damp start to spring. The latest Arable Industry Marketing Initiative survey of cereal growers revealed a resurgence in feed barley with planting returning to historical levels. “The signs are better for the industry as a whole after the previous two seasons, which were indifferent,” Leadley said. While there had been reluctance among growers to plant barley, this year’s wet spring had changed that. “A lot of farmers have had to plant barley as they haven’t been able to plant other vegetable crops in the sodden conditions,” Leadley said. Meanwhile, grain moving off farms was an indication of pricing positivity returning to the market. But Leadley said yields next April could yet be compromised. “It depends on how late planting actually was and if spring crops have been firmly established, assuming they are resilient enough to get through warm, dry spells.” While there had been a lift in demand and price Leadley was reserved on whether that would be the case after this summer’s harvest. “I think the end users are still cautious and may be even cash tight. “So, if they are buying, it’s more on requirement than opportunity. I doubt most have or are thinking of filling up their silos,” he said. The long-term forecast was for a La Nina cycle. “This may mean drought type

USEFUL: Federated Farmers grains chairman Brian Leadley says AIMI is proving to be a valuable planning tool for the arable industry. Photo: Annette Scott

I think the end users are still cautious and may be even cash tight. Brian Leadley Federated Farmers conditions for some so I would encourage farmers to contact local suppliers to secure domestically produced cereal grain that is of a quality standard.” In an industry that relied heavily on forecasts and trends, the AIMI survey was considered a reliable source in terms of providing comparative data and rolling averages.

“Anyone who wants to follow arable yields and what those results mean are increasingly relying on the AIMI. “It’s a great planning tool for growers, merchants and end users who we know are using it more.” Being able to produce credible data was proving useful for measuring whether there was a necessity for extra imports. “As an industry we can demonstrate to the market the volume of domestic grain supply at any given time.” The notable increase in biosecurity incursions was a logical reason for reducing imports and that promoted better outcomes for all those associated with the agriculture sector, Leadley said. “The reality is one

contaminated import can have long-term implications, especially with costs and managing it. “You can reduce this risk by buying locally and knowing it’s from a reputable grower.” Meanwhile, the AIMI survey indicated a leap in area planted in feed barley for harvest in 2018. There was also a little more unsold grain around than there was at this time last year but unsold stocks of cereal grain, summed over all six crops, were estimated to have reduced by 53% between July 2017 and October 2017. The total area expected to be sown to cereals for harvest in 2018 was up 20,000 hectares or 19% on last season, mainly because of the increased sowing of feed barley. Feed barley area was expected

to jump 59% this season with a total 55,400ha sown for harvest in 2018. While that was a huge jump against last year, Leadley said it actually took feed barley back to more historical levels. Malting barley area was also up but by a much smaller amount than feed quality barley. A total of 12,320ha of malting barley was expected to be harvested this season, up 13% on last season and 90% of it had been forward sold. Wheat was mixed with feed wheat area up 4%, totalling 38,946ha while milling wheat area at 15,000ha was down 5%. Given growers had struggled to sell oats this year it was understandable the survey showed plantings were back 48% for the 2018 harvest.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Coarse wool outlook improving Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com VERY high prices for fine Merinotype wools could eventually push buyers back to the coarser end of the market where prices have fallen away, Wool Services International chief executive John Dawson says. “You normally get some price resistance when they get this high,” he said from China. “We haven’t seen it yet but you can’t discount it from happening.” China was the key market for New Zealand wool and a downturn in sales in recent years was the reason the strong price had fallen away. And that was why exporters like Dawson kept travelling there to get a gauge on the market. Sales into Europe, the next most important market, had remained steady. NZ used to have a very good market in China for the big volumes of 32 to 38 micron wool used in top-making. But volumes were down about 40% in the last four to five years as manufacturers shifted to finer wools to make garments. That fall in demand hit crossbred wool prices very hard. “People are prepared to pay

People are prepared to pay more for the fineness and the feel of the higher-value articles because they are now able to afford them. John Dawson Wool Services International

KNOCK ON: The high prices of fine wool might push some buyers back to coarser wools, Wool Services International chief executive John Dawson says.

more for the fineness and the feel of the higher-value articles because they are now able to afford them.” In recent months strong wool prices spiked up briefly but fell again and recovered again at the latest sales in Napier and Christchurch. At Christchurch on November 16 some categories were up by

10% to 17% on a fortnight earlier. Examples included good colour 33 micron up 40c at $4.24/kg clean; 34 micron up 60c at $4.02/ kg clean; 35 micron up 47c at $3.71; 36 micron up 47c at $3.61/ kg clean; and 37 micron up 35c at $3.60/kg clean. But the jury was still out on what might happen next for the typical strong wool fabric.

“We’re getting a better feel for the Chinese market and we’re more optimistic about what’s ahead but it is a tentative view at this stage. We can’t be sure and we haven’t seen it yet.” Exporters were getting orders for coarser wool but not in the volumes to drive prices consistently higher. “Some of our users here are huge and they are restocking at attractive levels. “They don’t need new demand to be doing that and they expect demand to pick-up again after the Chinese New Year.” No-one was really sure how big the volumes were of unsold wool

overhanging the market but there was a lot and it was just trickling onto the market. The real test would be the first three months of next year when big volumes of this season’s wool came on to the market. The downturn had proved farmers who supplied better coloured and well-prepared wool were seeing better demand than those supplying poorer wool, he said. The impact on prices of slower Chinese buying meant European carpet makers could buy at attractive prices. “The major European guys have been buying all the way through and some are using more NZ wool than in the past,” Dawson said. “But they can’t take up the slack of the reduced China buying.” WSI was typically one of the leading buyers at the wool auctions, buying 715 of the 6715 bales sold at the latest Christchurch event at the Canterbury A&P Show. Its sister company in the Lempriere group, J S Brooksbank, bought 810 bales, amounting to 22% of the offering between them. The two companies operated separately with WSI focusing on scour product and JSB on greasy wool.

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News

16 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Get rural sports names in now ENTRIES are open for the New Zealand Rural Sports Awards. The awards, run by the NZ Rural Games Trust, will be held at Awapuni in Palmerston North on Friday, March 9. There are five categories: The Norwood Rural Sportsman of the Year The Skellerup Sportswoman of the Year The Fonterra Young Rural Sportsperson of the Year The Federated Farmers Contribution to Rural Sports The Toyota Lifetime Legacy Award Trust chairwoman Margaret Kouvelis said the awards were designed to raise the profile of traditional sports like wood chopping, shearing, tree climbing and sheep dog trials and to recognise the important role such sports play in NZ society. “Our top rural sportspeople are among the best athletes in NZ,” Kouvelis said. “Last year the inaugural winner of the Rural Sportsman of the Year, Rowland Smith, went on to break a world shearing record in England. “We aim to showcase their talent, dedication and success at competing on the world stage in their chosen rural sporting discipline,” she said. Rural sports associations could nominate athletes. Nominees would be shortlisted by a judging panel chaired by former All Black captain and World Cup winning coach Sir Brian Lochore, who was also a founding board member of the trust. The other judges were

STANDING OUT: Helen Cameron made herself heard above the hubbub of the fast and spirited bidding and audience at the wool sale at the Canterbury A&P Show.

CRITICAL EYE: Sir David Fagan is one of the judges for the Rural Sports Awards.

Wool sales give market education Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com

Shearing Sports chairman Sir David Fagan, Olympic equestrian medallist Tinks Pottinger, Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger, founder and trustee of the Hilux Rural Games Steve Hollander and agricultural journalists Craig Wiggins, NZ Farmlife

media owner Tony Leggett and Farmers Weekly columnist Jamie Mackay, who would also emcee the event. The awards dinner will the night before the Hilux Games in Palmerston North where nominees and winners would be competing.

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WEEKLY wool auctions are a valuable snapshot of what is happening in the market at the time, Christchurch wool exporter Helen Cameron says. That meant they could be very good education of people in the industry, including growers, about what happened to the wool once off the farm. “It’s all done very efficiently and you get your money in 11 days. “The changeover in ownership is extremely smooth. “And if it wasn’t for the auction system it would be hard to work out what value a farmer should put on their contract wool.” Cameron is a wool exporter for SchneidersNZ and was the only woman among a dozen men on the buying bench at the wool auction held at the Canterbury A&P Show in Christchurch. All wool auctions were open to people to go and watch but the show facilities made it easier. She liked the idea of the open auction but said it was really no different to the ordinary fortnightly events. “You’ve still got to make yourself heard.” Bidding at the show auction was fast and spirited, just as it always was. “It’s all market-led, what we’ve had here is not just a show, it’s normal,” SchneidersNZ was part of a Swiss family-owned business operating in several parts of the world. Cameron bought only at the fine-end of the wool market. The group had fine-wool manufacturing operations in Italy, Egypt, China and Argentina.

She bought wool at auction and on contract in NZ. “We buy wherever we can get our wool and we’d buy more here if more was available.” Australia, South America and South Africa also had the finewools the group wanted though there were overseas manufacturers of casual and sports apparel who insisted on NZ Merino wool because of the NZ story about the origin and the quality of the animal management.

It’s all done very efficiently and you get your money in 11 days. The changeover in ownership is extremely smooth. Helen Cameron Wool exporter With the NZ’s fine wool season nearly over, Merino wools were priced at their highest levels in a generation, topping the $20kg level on a greasy-basis, the amount returned to the farmer. That equates to a clean (scoured) price about the $30kg mark. The prices were a supply and demand story, Cameron said. “They’re getting up towards the top end for us and exporters have to work at making sure their clients have an understanding of the market. “I’d say at the moment that prices are reasonably sustainable but they are at a point where they can be impacted by outside events that the industry has no control over.”

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Penalty planned for late payers Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com WOOLS of New Zealand is going after shareholders to recover unpaid money owing on the Wool Market Development Commitment. The directors might also give notice to cancel shares where the funds were unpaid and recover the costs of the process, they said in the latest annual report. The accounts for the year ended June 30 had a provision for a $1.03 million write-down relating to payments being more than 90 days late. Wool growers signed up to WoolsNZ and the commitment in 2013. The payment was set at 20c/kg of wool produced until June next year. The company had about 750 shareholders but only 60% transacted with the company. The others were still obliged to pay the commitment. The scheme had raised nearly $11m since 2013, with $7.2m of it invested in marketing and innovation activities including the GlacialXT and Kiteq technologies for which the group had high hopes. The latest year’s payment was

HARD YARDS: The year was one of the toughest for strong wool, Wools of New Zealand chairman Mark Shadbolt says.

WoolNZ’s net revenues excluding agency payments relating to wool delivery to scour for the year were steady at $15.4m. Operating profit before the commitment impact was $1.18m, a good improvement on the previous year’s $581,000 but the write-down reduced the surplus to $142,769. There were also finance costs of $595,432, mainly foreign exchange losses, leading to a pre-tax loss of $452,663, reduced to $321,000 by a tax credit.

the lowest over the five years and coincided with the collapse of strong wool prices. The payment total was $1.63m, down from $2.65m in 2016, and payments of $2.1m, $2.25m, and $2.28m in the 2013 to 2015 years. To reward shareholders meeting their full payment obligations through to the end of next June, WoolsNZ was planning a share options issue, with one share issued for every dollar contributed. Shareholders in arrears would be ineligible.

In the previous year, foreign exchange gains had pushed the bottom-line profit to $1.48m. At balance date WoolsNZ had total assets of $8.8m and shareholders’ funds of $5.24m. A year earlier, equity was at $5.2m, helping fund total assets of $11.32m. Nearly $2m of borrowings were repaid in the latest year. WoolsNZ had operating cashflow of $1.47m, compared to an outflow of $1.79m previously. The year had been one of the most challenging for strong wool, chairman Mark Shadbolt and chief executive Rosstan Mazey said in the report. Global demand for wool continued to trend downwards and traditional importing countries, notably China, had increased domestic production. The fall in volumes to China had a significant impact on NZ’s overall export effort, they said. A strong NZ dollar had also been an obstacle. WoolsNZ had worked hard to maintain contracted wool volumes with international partners and in securing forward contract prices to provide growers with an element of certainty in a vulnerable market. In a low-priced market it was

The fall in volumes to China had a significant impact on NZ’s overall export effort.

challenging to conclude fair-value contracts but WoolsNZ believed it was continuing to deliver strong forward prices. It was clear that continued investment in the branded model, underpinned by innovation, was essential for the group to provide a differentiated approach to build greater demand for NZ wool, the directors said. GlacialXT, the new scour process achieving cleaner, whiter, brighter and more consistent wool would open up new contracts, with the Middle East as a target market, and deliver opportunities not previously available for strong wool. The Kiteq dye process would increase colour opportunities for wool and give better resistance to light. No longer would synthetic products be able to claim a relative advantage for resistance to light-fade, the directors said.

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News

20 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Hesitancy over new nitrogen inhibitor Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com A NEW nitrification inhibitor for use on dairy farm soils needs more testing before being used, wary fertiliser companies say. Soil scientist and Summit QuinPhos founder Dr Bert Quin has imported a nitrification inhibitor he believed could replace the much maligned dicyandiamide (DCD) inhibitor. DCD, marketed as Eco-N by Ravensdown, was applied to paddocks post-grazing to reduce the level of nitrate losses through the soil from urine patches. However, it was withdrawn in 2013 voluntarily by fertiliser manufacturers after Fonterra detected traces of it in dairy products. While it was not a food safety concern, both the large fertiliser companies chose to drop the compound as a precaution. Quin’s compound, sodium thiosulphate, was one he said had been hiding in plain sight, proved to be safe for treating manure 35 years ago. “But its potential for dealing with urine patches, winter grazing crops and effluent paddocks has been overlooked, partly because higher quantities were needed per hectare.” Typically, it had to be applied at rates several times greater than other inhibitors. In the United States it was used in a different form, ammonium thiosulphate (ATS), which contained nitrogen fertiliser in it. Quin said he did a thorough literature search on STS and found no issues with its use as an inhibitor. A search by Farmers Weekly found work done in 2008 that determined ATS was effective in reducing nitrate losses but not as effective as DCD. A trial in 1992 found thiosulphate inhibited nitrate loss from poultry manure and nitrogen fertilisers by 89% over four weeks.

WHERE: A new nitrogen inhibitor was hiding in plain sight, Dr Bert Quinn says.

No standards had been set in New Zealand for a minimum safe level of the compound’s use. In 2013 Ravensdown tried to work with Ministry for Primary Industries on developing a code for nitrification compounds that would be acceptable overseas. Typically, such a code would fall into the Codex international food standard classifications. At the time Ravensdown chief executive Greg Campbell said the company was in a holding position on nitrification inhibitors until a Codex standard was set. A Ravensdown spokesman confirmed the company was staying in close contact with MPI as NZ worked with other countries through the World Health Organisation Codex system on its proposal for developing better processes for handling substances inadvertently present in food at low levels. They included DCD and other safe substances that could, if detected at even minute levels, disrupt trade. Quin acknowledged the absence of a standard for STS and the lack of any efficacy trials for its

APPLICATION: A nitrification inhibitor can be applied to paddocks with Spikey.

The problem is the industry got such an almighty scare with DCD they have said no to nitrification inhibitors. Dr Bert Quin QuinPhos

effectiveness in a NZ farming context. “The problem is the industry got such an almighty scare with DCD they have said no to nitrification inhibitors. This is actually a very simple product that gets oxidised by bacteria in the soil to become sulphate. It acts over 20-40 days which is exactly what you want for nitrate control.” He felt the science sector had

also become wary about research into inhibitors. “So I felt I had better start talking about this as an option.” Ravensdown’s chief science officer Dr Ants Roberts said the product’s efficacy would need extensive trialling to ensure it worked effectively at the nitrogen concentrations in urine in NZ dairy soils and did actually reduce nitrogen loss in whole farm dairy systems. And despite thiosulphate occurring naturally in soils, application on urine patches might be higher than natural levels. Full eco-toxic testing would need to be done to also ensure no residue issues. Ballance science strategy manger Warwick Catto said two key concerns included any product having to meet the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act criteria to be exempt for use and the need for robust NZ field efficacy.

Ballance had invested significant sums over many years and continued to consider a range of inhibitors. “We put any product through comprehensive testing for efficacy and also effort into primary sector market acceptance, such as with our SustaiN urease inhibitor product.” Ballance remained committed to seeking solutions for farmers to address greenhouse gas, ammonia and nitrate leaching losses. Fonterra said it would take direction from MPI on the compounds. Quin hoped to use the STS compound in his newly developed nitrification inhibitor machine (Farmers Weekly, September 26) which delivered targeted inhibitor application specifically to urine patches in paddocks. The equipment was now in use by farmers in the Rotorua Lakes catchment.

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22 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Newsmaker

Big changes win world accolade Breeding rams to produce lambs destined for specific international market requirements meant huge farming changes for David and Mavis Bennett. It also earned the couple global recognition. Annette Scott caught up with them and their award-winning business.

ANTERBURY farmers David and Mavis Bennett have farmed sheep on their Mid Canterbury coastal property for almost 40 years. In 2009 the passionate sheep breeders took up an opportunity that required huge changes to the way they farmed. Their new farming journey has now earned them international honours. In the United Kingdom last week the Bennetts were named as the global winners of the Waitrose Farming Partnerships Innovation Award 2017. Modest about their accolade the couple were literally blown away on getting the news. “We couldn’t have done this on our own. We have a great team working alongside us,” they said. “We were humbled to be nominated but to win – it’s quite amazing. We never expected this and many thanks go to the Anzco team of Alan McDermott, Julia Galwey and Cameron Millar who work very closely alongside us. “It’s a whole team effort. We need their assistance for the technology and recording and they need us for the land to run and manage the flock. It’s all about the partnership,” David Bennett said. The Bennetts began farming on their own account on their 360 hectare property in 1980. A third generation Mid Canterbury farmer, David Bennett grew up on the nearby family farm and went on to take over

his grandfather’s Glenmoria Poll Dorset Stud. “We gained a lot of knowledge and experience with stud sheep from that while we also ran a Corriedale ewe flock. “I grew up showing sheep at A&P shows and going to ram fairs. We had a lot of fun,” he said. As a hobby they still ran a small flock of English Leicester stud ewes and rams and returned home from the recent Canterbury A&P Show with the 2017 champion ram and ewe. “And it’s still a lot of fun.” Farming through the 80s was tough for the young couple but, as they could, they developed the original dryland farm to now being 66% irrigated. In the 2000s, as water developed, land use changed in Mid Canterbury and there was less demand for rams, which had been a cornerstone of their sheep operation with the Poll Dorset stud. “The local demand we supplied diminished and while we enjoyed the stud it was not very profitable any more.” Timely as it was, life on the farm then took a new direction when Waitrose and Anzco were discussing ways to create a superior lamb brand. Aware of their passion and expertise in sheep breeding, Anzco offered the couple the chance to manage the Longdown stud ewe flock. Longdown lamb was bred exclusively to produce sensational lamb with unparalleled quality

SPECIAL: David and Mavis Bennett sell their Longdown terminal sire rams to farmers around the country and those supplying Waitrose, the progeny can be marketed under the Longdown lamb brand. Photo: Annette Scott

and taste. Waitrose was so passionate about its product that it and Anzco invest significant time and money, constantly innovating to remain flexible and responsive to the ever-changing consumer demands. That was the venture the Bennetts would be entering. “We thought long and hard and eventually decided there were some big opportunities here and we really weren’t going that well with our own sheep. “We decided we could do it – at least we should try it,” Bennett said. In 2009 the meat line of the Longdown ewe flock was moved from South Canterbury to their farm and they took on its management. By 2010 they had phased out their own flock ewes and the Poll Dorset stud and for the past seven years have worked solely with the Longdown flock that started with 230 and had now grown to 470 mixed-age ewes plus 240 ewe hoggets. “We knew about looking after sheep but this was one challenge after another and we did begin to wonder with all these targets to meet.” The focus of the stud was to produce lamb that met

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the Waitrose specifications, determined by the company’s customers. It was precision and data from woe to go. New innovation in muscle density and eating quality aimed to produce a superior product. “We were used to knowing our own farm management but the progress, innovation and technology Anzco has brought to the programme have meant huge changes for us.” One of the biggest changes to their sheep policy had been keeping all the new season’s lambs through to late February when the selection of replacements and sale rams was complete. “That’s different compared to fat lamb production when we could have them gone by Christmas and perhaps buy in some stores. “But then irrigation has helped that too and showed me you can carry lambs over summer – but it’s been a big change,” Bennett said. “A huge learning curve that’s for sure – new challenges and a big workload but we have enjoyed it. “There’s been a lot more to it than we anticipated but the sheep have improved and we have helped with that so that’s pretty satisfying.” The sheep operation was just

part of the business the Bennetts ran in partnership with their son Andrew. “She’s a big jig-saw here. Every bit has its place.” Andrew’s focus was on the arable operation, working closely with the feeding requirements of sheep, beef and dairy grazing. “Crop varies from year to year. This year it’s more simple than normal with more early cereals and mainly spring barley, with a return to growing potatoes. “The plan is to get as much crop in the ground in autumn and early winter while also factoring in the needs of all stock classes.” And with regular international visitors these days there was always something to do to ensure the farm was presented in tip-top order. “We are conscious we have to keep farm appearance as best we can all the time as we can get notice at any time of people coming onfarm.” That means when he wasn’t working with the sheep Bennett would likely been found spraying fence lines or helping with irrigators – if he hadn’t managed to slip away to pursue his lifelong interest in hockey and A&P show involvement.

New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

BIG JOB: Dr Emily Telfer is leading a project to define 18 billion pieces of pine DNA then work out how they all fit together.

Photo: Jamie Troughton

Boffins unlock pine tree secrets Sorting through billions of bits of data will allow scientists to read the story that tells them all about pine trees collectively and individually. That will allow them to naturally select trees best suited to particular areas and those best equipped to face the challenges of climate change while shortening the growing time. They told Richard Rennie about the Herculean task.

MAGINE 18 billion pieces of DNA from the pine tree genome scattered through an empty room like jigsaw pieces. Scion scientists were given the task of joining them together, analysing each one to find the joins with their neighbouring pieces and ultimately create an image of the pine tree genome, similar to that done for the human genome in 2003. For the past two years that has been the focus of Dr Emily Telfer and her science team in Rotorua. They hoped mapping the pine tree genome in the same way the human genome was mapped would help breed trees that were future-proofed for everything the environment and climate were likely to throw at them. “It is surprising to many but the pine tree genome consists of 25 billion base pairs of DNA nucleotides (consisting of A, C, G and T), considerably more than the three billion in the human genome. “The genome itself is in 18 billion pieces and our job has been to try to get the puzzle together.” The volume of extra data was partly created by the sheer age

of the conifer genome. “In the DNA sense, dating back 300 million years you tend to pick up a fair bit more genetic baggage along the way. “This includes hybridisation events, something plants tend to do a lot more of than us simple humans.” That genetic horsepower was no more evident than the ability to take a cutting off a plant, put it in water and see it regenerate with a root system, a luxury not afforded humans. Similarly, the genetic deck of cards had been shuffled a lot more along the DNA chain for pine trees. Where grasses might have only one or two copies of a gene, conifers might have six copies, for example, of the cellulose synthase gene responsible for converting carbon to cellulose, the main building block of wood. The team made its first effort to sequence the genome in 2015. After an eight-month assembly period through a genomics computer they had completed only 10% of it, making the completion date of 2023 seem a lifetime away as technology and genomic understanding raced onwards.

“It required us to be more ingenious about how we approached the technology to break apart and put the gene together. “We decided to stick to gene islands, those genes among all the genetic DNA that are coded to perform certain tasks.” There were 50,000-60,000 genes in a conifer that could be in a genome.

This was a huge milestone. Something that was going to take almost eight years was down to 10 days. Dr Emily Telfer Scion Telfer likened DNA to a library containing books on how to run an organism, whether it was how to replicate, how to acquire chlorophyll or how to breath. “But there is also a huge amount of information in the library we do not know what it does.” Researchers had to drop the

image of DNA neatly lined up and linear and view it as a ball of tangled wool, complete with the pieces of DNA whose purpose was uncertain but which were thought to help create a 3D architecture of DNA. “Some of that DNA has lost its purpose now and has been viewed as junk DNA initially. “But with this 3D understanding of DNA we do know this DNA is responsible for helping other genes line up for duplication and activation.” Researchers now knew simply grabbing the genes they thought mattered and discarding the junk DNA would not deliver a full genomic map. “For example, if pine trees differ, maybe it is because it is not by the genes, but by the way this DNA has arranged those genes.” The scientists convinced Scion accountants to invest in a computer to have another go at assembling the data. The three terabyte of RAM and 250Tb processor assembled the data over 10 days. “This was a huge milestone. Something that was going to take almost eight years was down to 10 days.” Telfer likened the resulting 18

billion pieces of DNA to words they were building into sentences and ultimately paragraphs then chapters describing the genome. “We have gone from 18 billion words to 53 million sentences. We now have to go on to the paragraphs.” But it was too early to highlight any particular findings about tree variations though the scientists appreciated there was some urgency about their work. “We need to get to the point where we can quickly sequence trees cheaply then we can look individually at each tree’s traits, say seeking trees for dry areas or trees with certain disease resistance,” she said. The 25-year span between identifying a tree with specific traits and harvesting it needed to be shortened and a genomic map would allow the best trees to be selected for the best areas without that long interval and with more certainty. “We have climate change happening faster than their generational phase and we have disease incursions that so far have been more nuisance than fatal but that could change and we would need to identify trees capable of enduring such incursions.”

Opinion

24 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

EDITORIAL Difficult task can be done

Bryan Gibson

LETTERS

More letters P27

Ag must stick up for itself STAND up Federated Farmers, Wools of New Zealand, Beef + Lamb, veterinary groups, SPCA, PGG Wrightson, Farmlands, Silver Fern Farms, Alliance and various other agricultural organisations that live on the sheep’s back. Where is our voice? Where is the call for a boycott on any film with Alicia Silverstone in it? Why do we sit by and let one actress and PETA campaign for the extinction of sheep? Millions of sheep face extinction and thousands of jobs will be lost. Years of hard work will be wasted if we sit idly by and let this misinformation and propaganda that shearing is cruel be spread by PETA,

the ISIS equivalent of animal rights groups, go unchallenged. PETA should be dragged over the coals and Silverstone, who has to take her clothes off to get attention, should be blacklisted. In my opinion she is not worthy of wearing wool anyhow. We need a united voice by someone who is conversant in today’s social media to rebuff the baseless and blatant lies spread by PETA and its radicalised recruit. John Gower Whangamomona

No, it’s not true JOHN McCarthy’s letter, Is it true? (November 20) included a number of inaccuracies so it’s important farmers understand the facts. The disestablished role

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Meat Industry Association and the Government and there have been visits by myself and directors to Europe and the UK to gather information and reinforce our relationships. We are also in discussions with the MIA about additional joint resources that could potentially be applied. Our focus over the next few months is on working closely with the industry, the Government, the UK and EU to ensure our World Trade Organisation rights are preserved and we maintain our access arrangements to this important market. The NZ sheep and beef industry is not seeking windfall gains from the Brexit process. However, we cannot contemplate a situation

Continued page 27

Letterof theWeek

EDITOR Bryan Gibson bryan.gibson@nzx.com

McCarthy is referring to was in fact a marketing position, not a trade policy position, and was part of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s recalibration of our market development activities. Since 1989, B+LNZ has covered trade policy developments across the European Union, including the United Kingdom, from our office in Brussels and we continue to do so. We have built up and maintained an extensive range of contacts across the continent and the UK in government and industry organisations. We are acutely aware of the risk from Brexit. Since the vote, our regional manager in Europe has been focused on the issue. We have a number of staff in Wellington who have been working very closely with the

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HE dairy industry has launched its Dairy Tomorrow strategy with some fantastic goals being set. As we know, dairy has been copping a fair bit of flak for its environmental record and animal welfare standards, among other things. Our export markets and our fellow New Zealanders are demanding that farming’s footprint is lighter on the land and that the benefits we get as a nation from farming are not outweighed by the negatives. The sector has done a lot in recent years to address these issues but acknowledgement of that work has been slow to come. Still, more needs to be done. The goals in this updated strategy, if reached, will do a lot to reassure critics that farmers are on the right track. Following through on those goals is the key, though. It’s one thing to state an intention, it’s another thing entirely to enact it. Next month farmers around NZ are opening their gates to the public so some of the mysteries and misunderstandings about farming can be laid bare. I hope all those who latch onto the negativity around farming here take the time to visit a farm and see just what happens there with their own eyes, rather than continue to form their views from the proclamations of groups with an interest in seeing farming’s demise. Those groups have already come out criticising the strategy as being big on rhetoric and small on detail. In some ways they do have a point. Should we be writing specific targets into the plan? With the vast variances in land types and climate in NZ that would be very difficult. Improving our environmental impact while remaining profitable is difficult but not impossible. The same goes for improving our reputation with those who matter. We’ll need to succeed at both to secure our future.

Opinion

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Farming in age of disruption

AME as it ever was, same as it ever was.” So goes the eighties classic from seminal new-wave band Talking Heads. But after nearly a decade of much of the same in farming, different is coming. It’s approaching like a freight train – not a New Zealand freight train, a seriously fast one. Milk made from yeast, meat from a scraping of cells, a side of lab beef grown in a month, customers going planetarian, cutting back on animal protein because of climate change, ethical investors pulling out of agricultural financial arrangements because of links to water and climate pollution, it’s all on. So how will NZ agriculture handle this sort of disruption? Let’s see, when confronted with the prospect of a new Government we saw the farming leadership stage reactionary protests in Morrinsville. There was talk of towns being smashed and people ruined by Jacindageddon. Then, after the coalition Government was announced, Federated Farmers Mid Canterbury vice chairman David Clark talked about hunkering down, going into defensive mode and putting off all non-essential spending. Clark was turning off the sitting room lights and heading down into the bunker. Remember that kids’ movie Happy Feet where the emperor penguins all huddle together, facing inwards, backs to the Antarctic blasts, urging each other to endure? That’s one way to deal with change but perhaps not the best way. Astute operators will tell you disruption is where genuine opportunity lies. To quote Forbes Magazine missing these opportunities will see you left behind in the foaming aftermath. So, after nine years of National, many saw the new Government as something of a disruptive event. It might prove to be a small blip compared with the other stuff rattling down the pipe. It’s all pretty sci-fi. Beware the Upside Down. That’s the last eighties reference, I promise. For those who don’t know the cult Netflix show Stranger Things, that’s a bleak parallel universe that

“

The

Pulpit

exists underneath our own world. Depending on how we deal, that’s exactly where NZ might end up. To expand, these are some of the pertinent trends on the Greenpeace radar as we witness international concern about freshwater pollution and climate change going mainstream. Globally, people are waking up to industrial agriculture’s massive contribution to climate change.

People are waking up to industrial agriculture’s massive contribution to climate change.

It’s just been reported that if Fonterra and the other 19 biggest meat and dairy companies were a country they’d be the seventh biggest climate polluter in the world. International campaigns are being launched by Governments and non-government organisations to get people to cut their meat and dairy intake, not just for their own sakes but for the health of the Earth. They call themselves flexitarian or planetarian. Paul McCartney and Woody Harrelson have just put out a viral video asking people to do Mondays without meat Food customers are actively looking for products that don’t harm the climate. One Dutch chicken farmer has gone beyond free-range and organic. He is now stamping his eggs carbon neutral.

Whether you agree with synthetic foods or not, ramping concern about climate change will push more investment into this industry - it’s already sitting at $8 billion a year. Beef cultured from cell scrapings, milk made from pea protein or yeast, these clean food start-ups have a mission to disrupt the global food market. As has been reported, by 2054 an estimated third of global protein could be comprised of non-animal products. Domestic concern about polluted rivers is at an all-time high. DairyNZ says almost all New Zealanders want farmers to do better. That’s quite likely to spill over to overseas markets. Taika Waititi’s comments about NZ’s poisoned rivers and lakes will not be the last word despite cries of treason. People at home and abroad could start to demand clean water cheese to go in their carbon neutral omelettes. Such concerns will drive financial flight by ethical investors who don’t want to be associated with water and climate pollution. As Rebecca Macfie points out in her excellent article groups like Ceres, which manages $17 trillion worth of assets, are already steering clear of such investments. This is not some Kermit fantasy. A combination of any of these realistic predictions could genuinely tip NZ agriculture, with its high-production, low-value, commodity-focused model into the Upside Down. While it’s true that these trends are more prevalent in developed countries and developing nations are tending to eat more meat and scoff more dairy, they are not immune from the peer pressure of climate change. China, for instance, has already issued guidelines to cut meat intake by 50%. Unless we seize the opportunity to change now and invest in non-intensive, value-added, regenerative farming models that we can market the hell out of we

might find ourselves with polluted rivers, a ruinous climate, sitting on a pile of dirty commodity protein that we can’t sell. Like David Byrne in the Talking Heads song “You may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?”

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

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Opinion

26 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Protein crops need lots of water Alternative View

Alan Emerson

I NOTICED Greenpeace had another protest at Parliament recently. It is a credit to much of the mainstream media that they ignored it. Greenpeace presented a petition signed by 70,000 people on the subject of reducing irrigation. A spokesperson said they had collected the signatures for almost a year and there was strong public support for reducing big irrigation. By my maths 70,000 people isn’t much more than 1% of the population and that took a year to collect so claiming strong public support is pure hyperbole. They then regressed to the old mantra of New Zealand having too many cows. Our 12,150 dairy farms and 6.5 million cows earned $12.1 billion in the year to June 30 so my view is that the dairy industry is to be congratulated. That aside, the debate about irrigation versus cows is simplistic. As I’ve previously written we studied the Ord River irrigation scheme in northern West Australia and there wasn’t a farm animal to be seen.

The Ord River scheme irrigates 21,000 hectares with land capability for irrigation of over five million hectares. In Western Australia 40% of the state’s water is devoted to irrigation of which 55% is for horticultural crops. The percentage of water in NZ allocated to agriculture is minimal. We prefer to let it run out to sea. Getting back to the rhetoric from Greenpeace about cows and irrigation, what Australia did better than NZ was to properly research various crop options for use with irrigation. Sandalwood is a case in point. With the Ord scheme that provides an annual return of $A100,000 a hectare. We’re not adequately doing that research here and in my view that needs to happen as a priority. I remain optimistic new Science Minister Dr Megan Woods will kick-start the process. She has had an impressive start to her portfolio. A lot of the irrigation water in Canterbury comes from the aquifers. The new schemes, those Greenpeace opposes, will actually harvest water in winter when the rivers are flowing to the sea then store it for the dry summers. That process will both replenish aquifers and encourage rivers to flow, which isn’t happening now. Yes, there will be some extra cows but I’d suggest not a lot and with the science we have there doesn’t need to be pollution. The reason irrigation has

GOOD START: Science Minister Dr Megan Woods has had an impressive start and now has to kick-start research into irrigated crop options.

encouraged cows is because the work done by our dairy farmers over the decades has meant dairying is infinitely more profitable than sheep and beef. We can wonder what would have happened if our sheep and beef farming leaders had shown the same commitment. It is also important to recognise that many of our strong dairying areas like central Taranaki, north Waikato and much of Southland don’t need irrigation to produce milk. It has also been pointed out to the naysayers that horticulture is rapidly expanding under irrigation and will continue to do so. What amazes me with the anti-

farming jump for joy brigade is that they talk of removing animals from agriculture. I recently wrote an article on the threat of synthetic plant produced meat and milk to our farming model. Those products need plants in massive amounts, particularly soy and legumes, all of which we can grow here. Those plants need regular water and that means irrigation so I could put up an argument suggesting the way towards clean rivers is to irrigate and massively so. We can’t do it by relying on our rainfall, particularly with the inevitable consequences

generated by climate change. With that phenomenon happening now it is my strong view we need to future proof the economy and do it with extensive irrigation. We are told the east coasts of both Islands are going to become considerably drier and the west coasts considerably wetter. There is little irrigation on the west coasts of either island and logic suggests it won’t be needed in future. There is little irrigation on the east coast other than in Canterbury. We need considerably more irrigation there, specifically in Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa and that will become vital in the future. The issue I have is that we have emotive outbursts about not needing extra water either now or in future and it comes from the same brigade who will tell us the end is nigh courtesy of climate change. You can’t have it both ways. So, my hope is for us to follow Australia’s example and adequately research new and improved crops for growing under irrigation and that includes those crops required to produce synthetic meat and milk. I also want to see new irrigation proceed and at pace. Our future as a country depends on it.

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

Navigate maze, not glass ceiling Different Perspectives might not lead to the end and

Lindy Nelson

A RECENT conversation made me realise our sector still has plenty of work to do in embracing, supporting and creating opportunities for women as leaders. The conversation was “Oh she has hit the glass ceiling”. That is a corporate view, doesn’t support women navigating their leadership journey and is a poorly-articulated metaphor to describe it. It assumes women can reach only a certain point and that somehow the constraints around us will stop us breaking through. It assumes success occurs only when we smash the glass ceiling. In reality, for most women in primary industries, their leadership journeys are more like negotiating a maze. A maze better reflects navigation through high walls without being able to see too far ahead, choosing paths that

discovering new directions and possibilities. It describes what happens when we come to a dead end and have to find a ladder (support) to help us over. The glass ceiling depicts a linear path whereas a maze acknowledges the road will have twists and turns. It sets women up for the reality of their journey. Using a maze as a metaphor forces us to understand the barriers women in our sector come up against and tests our commitment to supporting them. Agriculture’s history is one of those obstacles. We are a traditional lot and, until recently, male-dominated. At grassroots level we’re only just coming to grips with women as critical farming partners, let alone leaders. I risk offending those of you who are investing and changing. Please don’t be offended. This isn’t a judgement. It comes from research and deep experience in working with farming couples and women seeking to contribute as leaders. We are not great at understanding the difference between leadership roles, traits and behaviours. So, often, we choose a personality who looks leader-like. By default, a woman

might not fit our mind’s eye. Research confirms we associate women and men with different traits. Based on our greater exposure to male leaders, we see them as having more of the traits that fit our mental model of leadership. One woman does not sector diversity make. When I founded the AgriWomen’s Development Trust (AWDT) I talked to male directors and leaders in the agri sector. Many would say “But I know a woman who sits on XYZ board” or “Jane is a leader”. The idea that one woman is enough is flawed. It’s a huge ask of any lone woman. Rather, we need to embrace the value of diversity in meeting the challenges our sector faces and in creating new opportunities. However, diversity itself can be challenging. A brave director I interviewed recently about this topic said “Diversity is a pain in the ass when it shows up in your boardroom”. I admired his honesty. He acknowledged he wasn’t used to women as leaders. They thought differently, solved problems differently and different made him uncomfortable. As humans we like what’s familiar and comfortable. It’s easier not having to cope

with both the problem in front of us and the person who is challenging our thought process. Diversity in this situation becomes the problem. Men’s paths to leadership are not disrupted by parenthood as they are for women Women can lose confidence in the early years when their main focus is their families. They don’t see or understand that their experiences in juggling farming, family and supporting communities are in fact growing their leadership behaviours. Roles and leadership opportunities can be easier for men during this time and to women it seems hard to catch up for what might appear to be lost time. So, why should we put our backs into supporting, growing and nurturing female talent and what works? Sponsoring, mentoring and supporting the development of professional networks delivers results. Mentors use their experiences to support leadership growth. Sponsors use their networks to talk about their mentees. Making introductions and building networks creates new opportunities and social capital. Building agri businesses that engage women as equal partners

and decision makers who have the knowledge and skills to succeed is critical to future success. The red meat sector is doing this well by investing in women’s development through the Red Meat Profit Partnership and AWDT. This year record numbers of women applied for AWDT’s Escalator programme. This tells me that women want to lead and are hungry for greater involvement. Be aware of female talent and be prepared to challenge, change and advocate. When you sit on a board, committee or project look around and ask “Are we balanced and what are we going to do to ensure we are?” Women are not asking for special favours but do want support to be ruled in rather than ruled out. Women don’t have a glass ceiling, they need to navigate through a maze. The prize that sits at the end is a thriving sector that is able to use 100% of its talent. Build a ladder with us, partner with us for our sector’s collective success. Become a mentor, a sponsor and an opener of networks for the next woman who has talent and shows a desire to lead.

Opinion

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Earth will be flat as he hits it Steve Wyn-Harris

I SEE Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has just taken the unusual step of cancelling a parliamentary sitting week. That appears to have attracted relatively little comment, which surprises me. Isn’t this the thin edge of the wedge? Cancel a parliamentary sitting week this week, next week dissolve parliament then annul elections, imprison Bill Shorten and have all the houses of the opposition bulldozed. Jacinda Ardern was tough on Turnbull over the Aussie’s disgraceful rounding up of boat people and imprisoning them for years somewhere in Papua New Guinea so I’m wondering if we are watching this latest development. Is there a case for sending in the NZ army to restore democracy across the ditch given they are our great mates and one of our biggest trading partners? After all, that’s what friends do when the chips are down. Given the Aussies’ penchant for

LETTERS Continued from page 24 where the quality or quantity of NZ’s existing WTO market access rights with the EU or the UK are eroded. James Parsons Chairman, B+LNZ

Good change AN OLD cocky once told me to keep a weather eye. Farmers sniff the wind, it’s clear, it’s the wind of change for the better. Imagine living in a country where our international image, 100% Pure was not the stuff of Tui ads, our water was good, our land practices were sustainable and our animals well cared for. To be at the top of our game means anticipating and researching our markets for top of the line good food for our discerning international and domestic consumers. They are seeking quality fresh food that is not tinkered with, sprayed and gives an honest living to the grower/ farmer. As an indication of uptake domestically take the sure rise of farmers markets, unthought of only 30 years ago, and their prominence in any town. The community spinoffs are great as are the incomes and new sources of employment, especially in rural areas. It is timely to recognise our farming community is made up of many producers, such as ourselves, traditionally a beef producer, now diversifying into manuka, firewood, timber and other future income

shipping Kiwis back over here if they have broken the law, will we also be seeing the likes of Barnaby Joyce, the recent ex deputy PM who broke electoral law by being elected to parliament while a citizen of our great nation sent here as well? Democracy might be slipping away over the Tasman but there’s finally some relief for poor benighted Zimbabwe. Mugabe started well fighting against unjust minority rule and when he came to power looked promising with his calls for racial reconciliation and social reform. He could have been a great leader. However, most do not have the character of a Mandela and the old maxim of power tending to corrupt and absolute power corrupting absolutely proved true yet again. His 37 years of autocratic, despotic rule over what was once a country with tremendous resources and opportunity and is now a basket case ended abruptly. Good job and let’s hope the people of Zimbabwe get better leadership even though it could hardly be worse. And good to see the United Nations tribunal convicted former Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic, also known as the Butcher of Bosnia, of genocide and crimes against humanity for orchestrating massacres and ethnic cleansing during Bosnia’s

PROOF: The pointy bit of Mike Hughes’ rocket is likely to be as flat as he thinks Earth is when he crashes into it.

war and sentenced him to life in prison. Let’s hope that gives his many victims some solace. My favourite story of the week though must be Californian chauffeur Mike Hughes who has a plan to prove the surprisingly popular view that our ancestors were right all along and the world is indeed flat. I’ve been indoctrinated all the way through school and life to believe that the globe is round, which is why it’s called a globe, but large numbers of people are convinced this is a hoax put out by NASA and others. Mike has built himself a steampowered rocket out of scrap metal

More letters P24 potentials. Many in our community also work off-farm and rely on our more urban communities for jobs, services and commodities. This reflects the modern farming era where neighbours rub shoulders at A&P shows, Landcare groups and farmers forums on pest control, catchment quality and other topical issues. A precautionary approach to field release of GMOs would be prudent and visionary and also leave our country in the premium product state to take advantage of the unmet world demand for organic produce as indicated in the article on P18 of your November 13 issue. It is time for traditional farming promotion and support groups such as DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb NZ and Federated Farmers to find the commonalities rather than the differences with sustainable practice groups and continue to advocate for their clients’ opportunities into the future to provide premium produce and command a premium return on the quadruple bottom line. That old cocky was pretty smart. Trina Upperton Ohaeawai

and plans to launch himself 584 meters into the air from whence he will be able to quickly take photographs proving that the earth is not round but indeed a flat disc. His proposed flight will cross 1.6km of the Mojave Desert at 800kmh so will be brief. He’s agreed he is no rocket scientist but is optimistic about his chances. This particular branch of the flat earthers believe NASA hasn’t sent anyone into space but all footage comes out of a studio in Hollywood, which I guess is possible given how many other things I once believed are now no longer true.

They are pretty sure the oceans, always a tricky problem for flat earthers, are held in place by a ring of sea ice and what is beyond that is anyone’s guess. That is no harder to believe than the popular view of a round planet with all the water not falling off into space because it’s held there by gravity. Mike might well provide definite proof one way or the other should he and his camera survive the landing.

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

GLENGARRY POLL DORSET

51ST ANNUAL SALE Monday, December 4th, 2017 – 1pm Feilding Saleyards, Manchester Street, Feilding

130 Rams up for Auction Why you should buy a Glengarry ram: • 41 years performance recording • Major emphasis on growth, survival and muscling • All sires DNA tested for footrot and muscling genes • No. 1 ranked Terminal Sire 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010 & 2017 (SIL ACE list) • 550 stud ewes means only the best rams are sold • Four Rams in Top 10 2017 SIL Terminal Growth • Finalist in two categories at 2017 Sheep Industry awards.

For ram and semen enquiries contact Ross & Ben Pratt today: Ross 06 323 3827 • RD 5, Feilding Ben 027 2356 577 • RD 2, Kimbolton • benpratt@xtra.co.nz

Letters to the Editor Letters must be no more than 450 words and submitted on the condition The New Zealand Farmers Weekly has the right to, and license third parties to, reproduce in electronic form and communicate these letters. Letters may also be edited for space and legal reasons. Names, addresses and phone numbers must be included. Letters with pen names will generally not be considered for publication.

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From the Ridge

World

28 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

Debt surge follows dairy crisis THE true picture of Victoria’s dairy price crisis is emerging with dairy farmers facing massive water debts. Almost 2000 irrigators were more than four months overdue in repaying $11.98 million to Victoria’s largest water corporation. Three hundred of those farmers owed an average of $40,000 each. Goulburn Murray Water reported a 43% surge in overdue debt over the past two years, mainly from dairy farming irrigators battling to repay debts accumulated in the wake of last year’s milk price cuts. Most worrying for dairy were the 300 irrigators more than four months overdue on repaying at least $10,000 each, with the average owing about $40,000. “A retrospective price cut by processors to the milk price paid to suppliers in April-May 2016 coupled with continuing dry conditions at the time was a shock to customers,” GMW managing director Pat Lennon said. In the lead-up to April last year many dairy farmers paid high prices for temporary water, based on dairy processor Murray Goulburn Co-operative’s forecast end-of-season milk price of $6 a kilogram of milksolids. When reality finally struck home MG cut the milk price back to $4.31/kg MS in the wake of disastrous financial results. “GMW recognised these market conditions would impact on the ability of some of these customers to pay their 2016-17 accounts

DOESN’T ADD UP: Australian dairy farmers paid high prices for temporary water to boost production before Murray Goulburn cut its milk price last year.

and have effects into the future,” Lennon said. In its annual report GMW said “Overdue debtors, greater than four months, are still considered collectable due to them being secured by a lien (claim) over the customers’ properties. “In the event that debts are not paid, when a property is sold, any outstanding debts

will be recovered as part of the settlement process.” The pain of last year’s milk price cuts had also led to a spike in overdue water bills on Southern Rural Water’s accounts, as Macalister irrigators struggled to pay. The amount SRW customers owed, which was more than three months overdue, had risen 25% in

12 months, from $1.7m in 2015-16 to $2.14m in 2016-17. SRW chief financial officer Stuart Wrigglesworth said much of the increase was due to the introduction of extended payment arrangements for some customers in the Macalister, Bacchus Marsh and Werribee districts. “There’s been an increase

in customers seeking these arrangements but not to the extent seen up north,” Wrigglesworth said. GMW had introduced hardship arrangements that offered irrigators discounts, waived interest provisions and deferment of existing debt to ensure farmers were not at risk of losing their water supply. “Over the past 12-18 months GMW has continued to take steps to address hardship concerns for customers in respect of ongoing dry conditions and the 20% reduced dairy price impacting customers – more than 1300 including farms growing feed for dairy farms,” Lennon said. “GMW recognises that providing assistance to customers by supporting viable businesses is in the best interest of both customers and GMW.” Victorian Farmers Federation water council chairman Richard Anderson said GMW was doing all it could to assist irrigators. “They’ve done the right thing bringing in different payment options and scheduled payment arrangements,” Anderson said. “Now GMW has to monitor these debt levels so it doesn’t face problems.” Anderson said everyone was struggling and many farmers were slow to pay on many inputs, from hay to water. “People are slow to pay me (for hay),” he said. “It’s the same for all of us.” www.weeklytimesnow.com.au

Wool and lamb returns break new ground AUSTRALIAN sheep producers are riding an unprecedented wave of phenomenal returns for wool and lamb. Strong global demand has seen multiple records broken with experts tipping the best might be yet to come. Wool’s benchmark Eastern Market Indicator hit a record 1681c/kg — up 58c/kg on the previous week and its highest level since it was launched in 1976. National first-cross ewe records were broken with Border Leicester-Merino ewes fetching $366 at Naracoorte in South Australia. Young ewes sold to $330 and ewe lambs fetched $302 at sales in Bendigo. Major export processors released forward contracts of up to 630c/kg carcase weight for lambs. National Farmers’ Federation president Fiona Simson described the prices as fantastic while Australian Wool Innovation said some of the fibre’s price gains were staggering. The strong increase in prices for wool was attributed to buoyant demand from Europe and China. The EMI had risen 103c/kg, or 7%, in a fortnight and was trading at a premium of almost 400c/kg or 30%, to this time last year.

In one week 18-micron and 17-micron wool rose 111c/kg and 95c/kg respectively at sales in Melbourne. All micron indicators were sitting at record or nearrecord levels. Elders southern zone wool manager Lachie Brown said he expected the market to remain strong at least until Christmas while Australian Wool Network auctioneer Kevin Shelley said the perfect storm of strong retail and processor demand and lower volumes of wool were something that usually happened only two or three times every decade. Many overseas customers were very nervous about filling their wool orders in the coming months. Brown said some wool growers had locked in forward contracts of 1650c/kg for 21- micron wool, which was above the physical market. “If you take the forwards as a rough guide then I can’t see a lot of downside between now and Christmas,” he said. “And the forward market is saying it will only ease 3-4% through to autumn.” On the prime lamb front the $366 paid for 1.5-year-old Border Leicester-Merino ewes came just a day after similar-aged lots sold to $330.

HOLDING UP: Record prices for sheep in Australia are likely to continue into next year.

Trevor James, from Mundulla in South Australia, who sold the top-priced Naracoorte ewes, attributed the sale to exceptional lamb prices. Meat and Livestock Australia’s restocker lamb indicator rose 35c/ kg to 702c/kg carcase weight while

trade lambs lifted 6c/kg to 627c/ kg. They were trading 95c/kg and 96c/kg higher than this time last year. Export lamb prices improved 8c/kg to 623c/kg carcass weight, 106c/kg more than this time last year.

Tom Dennis, of Elders Naracoorte, said with the global market for lamb on a solid footing and an outstanding sucker season in southern Australia, the sheep industry was breaking new ground. Almost 20,000 first-cross ewes averaged $301 at Naracoorte, a record for the selling centre. Lynda Cartwright, who sold the $330 top-price ewes at Bendigo, said the price reflected the money being generated by sheep, with lambs, mutton and wool all on highs this spring. “On one hand it is huge money but you also have to consider what people can get out of these ewes in the next 12 months and from that perspective the price is not out of the way,” Cartwright said. Diane Allan, of Mathoura, said the $302 achieved for her 250 March-April drop lambs at Bendigo exceeded all expectations. Confidence the lamb market would continue to hold onto record prices over summer was building with the release of forward contracts by processors. Agents said 600-630c/kg for lambs delivered in January had been offered by supermarkets and export meat works, money not seen before at this time of year. www.weeklytimesnow.com.au

Rural Survey THREE

500

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Real Estate

WELL BALANCED DAIRY FARM

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – November 27, 2017

GENUINELY GOOD DAIRY FARM

• Very nice 260 acre dairy farm on the town boundary of Eketahuna. • Well laid out with flat to rolling contour and growing well. • Good 24 aside dairy with 250 cow yard and adjacent feed pad. • Modern three bedroom family home, master with ensuite, farm style kitchen with open plan living, on its own title. • Has produced up to 88,500kgs milk solids from 230 cows with the heifers grazed off. • Your chance to own this farm now with a first of June 2018 takeover. • $2,350,000 plus GST if any. Call Les to inspect.

Sallan Realty

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THE DESTINATION FOR RURAL REAL ESTATE

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• 116 hectares in five main titles situated on Hansens and Rangitikei Line, Newbury. • Very well farmed with soils that would grow anything from pasture to vegetables. • Centrally located 30 aside herringbone dairy, with adjacent feed pad and silage bunkers. • Featuring four family homes, with the main set in established gardens. • Very good well water supplied via a 50mm main line to stock troughs. • The farm is currently running a dairy herd and supplying Open Country Dairy. • With outstanding soils, great location and potential to subdivide this is a great opportunity to grow your farm business or land bank your future. • Price $6,250,000. Call Les.

LES CAIN 0274 420 582

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

LK0089956©

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – November 27, 2017

Opunake Dairy Farm with Lease

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Rare Chance this Season

N O I T C AU

TENDE

Located only a few minutes from Opunake is this mainly flat 96 hectare farm in two titles comprising freehold and WCL. Two homes and a 20-bail rotary cowshed with automatic cup removers, well raced and subdivided making this a easy to run operation. Currently milking 235 cows with production history over 80,000kg/ms and calves on till May. This farm has an excellent history of good imputs and is in great heart. OPEN FARM: Wednesday 6th December 12.30pm-2pm – 125/153 Kaweora Road, Opunake

Seldom have we seen an opportunity to purchase a quality operation like this 85 hectare Lower Duthie Road dairy farm in the sweet spot of Taranaki. A mainly flat farm with excellent strong pasture and good fertility a testament to the stewardship of the current owners. 20 aside herringbone cowshed with ACR, three bedroom home, good range of farm building and a brand new ring water main around the farm make this a very appealing property. Milking 255 cows this season the farm has a excellent production history and would appeal to a couple who a looking to farm together.

AUCTION: 11am Friday 15th December 2017 at the Sandfords Event Centre Opunake.

TENDERS: Close 4pm Friday 15th December 2017 at the offices of Matthew & Co Real Estate Ltd.

Phone Matthew McDonald 06 765 5599 or 0274 814 468

Phone Matthew McDonald 06 765 5599 or 0274 814 468 Matthew McDonald Ph 06 765 5599 Cell 0274 814 648 Nicole McDonald Ph 0274 355 650 Mike Johnston Ph 027 272 4044 www.matthewandco.co.nz

TAMAKI FARMS

318HA (785AC) FOR SALE WAITERIMU FOREST RAWSON ROAD, Ohinewai, North Waikato

Dannevirke

Triple S Dairy Farm — Scope, soils & self-containment are the key to this 318ha (freehold) 40ha (leasehold) unit. • 306ha milking platform • 52ha runoff attached • 40 bail rotary cowshed • Host of support buildings • Modern 331m2 homestead • 2x 3 bedroom homes • 2x 1 bedroom employees accommodation • Very strong silt loam fertile soils • Very reliable rainfall

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

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

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

All 10 minutes from Dannevirke.

www.forfarms.co.nz

ID FF2530 Property ID FF1299

LK0068450©

www.forfarms.co.nz

LK0090600©

We welcome your inspection by appointment.

OLDER AGE CLASS FOREST INVENTORY AVAILABLE Waiterimu Forest represents a great opportunity for a purchaser to secure a Cutting Right over a first rotation forest showing good growth and form with age class spread of 18 – 23 year old trees. Located within easy cart distance to multiple domestic processors and approximately 138km to Tauranga or 90km to Auckland for containerised volume. For those looking for their own forest or land to escape to, the 52ha of freehold title offers an interesting block with great views of Lake Waikare from the ridges, significant stands of native bush all located at the head of a no exit valley within 1 1/4 hours drive of Auckland CBD (off peak).

+ 161ha of mixed Age Class Radiata + Majority of crop 18 to 23 years old, with small stand of 27 year old + Range of purchase options including Cutting Right only + 52.9682ha freehold and crop available separately or together DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Friday 8 December 2017 at 4.00pm JEREMY KEATING

WARWICK SEARLE

021 461 210

021 362 778

www.propertyconnector.co.nz/210134Q37 CBRE (Agency) Limited, Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008)

LK0090212©

OPEN DAY: 7th December 2017 at 12.30pm-2pm – 556 Lower Duthie Road

KAIANGAROA STATION - HIGHLY ATTRACTIVE AND SUPER PRODUCTIVE 1222 Otuarei Road, Pukeokahu, Taihape Quality natural assets, infused with a long history of capital inputs, has created one of the North Island’s premier breeding and finishing properties, backed up with impressive production and financial results. Nestled within a basin, around half of the effective area is undulating to rolling, enabling close to 500 hectares to be cultivated in the past eight years, allowing quality pastures and specialist crops to be grown. Incorporating a bull finishing system, a higher cattle ratio is definitely an option here and with over 650ha deer fenced you have high versatility of land use. The balance is medium and steeper hill, plus 75ha of attractive native bush. The lane system provides access to about 70% of the farm´s 100+ paddocks with plentiful trough water gravity fed from a district scheme. Buildings are of a high standard, including the large homestead built in ’81, a 5 bedroom home rebuilt in ’03, a tidy cottage and a modern two bedroom single quarters. The woolshed complex was built in ’06 adjacent to the modern circular cattle yards, while the large older shearers quarters provides farmstay potential. Closeby adventure tourism with primary school on the boundary adds to the appeal, and makes this a truly unique and quality package. Tenders Close 3pm, Thu 7 Dec 2017, NZR, 20 Kimbolton Road, Feilding.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE, PRODUCTIVE AND PROFITABLE - 252 HA 150 Himatangi Beach Road, Himatangi

1278 hectares See video on website nzr.nz/RX1266077 Peter Barnett AREINZ 027 482 6835 | 06 323 4434 peter@nzr.nz Jamie Proude AREINZ 027 448 5162 | 06 385 4789 jamie@nzr.nz NZR Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

252 hectares See video on website nzr.nz/RX1285284

Tender Closes 3pm, Tue 12 Dec 2017, NZR, 20 Kimbolton Road, Feilding Peter Barnett AREINZ 027 482 6835 | 06 323 4434 The flat farm is a mix of heavier and lighter sand based soil types with only around a 30 minute (max) walk to the shed - great for the cows feet! peter@nzr.nz Accommodation includes five houses, with the renovated main homestead on a separate title. Being only 5km from the beach, the locals claim a warmer climate and NZR Limited | Licensed REAA 2008 more sun than the city, while being handy to schooling and Massey University - factors the owners say contribute to a stable team environment.

The addition of pivot irrigation onto this property 17 yrs ago, heralded a profound change in the way this property was farmed. Expansion of the irrigated area to 160ha, addition of a central 60 bail rotary with ACRs and auto yard wash 9 yrs ago enables a 3 person team to operate this 650-700 cow operation. Moving to on-farm wintering in recent times, the 3 year production average has been steady around 300,000kg MS with limited in-milk supplementation.

VI W DEO EB O SIT N E

UNRIVALLED INFRASTRUCTURE WITH CONTOUR - SUMMER SAFE ’Wai-iti’, 14203 Route 52, Alfredton, Wairarapa

TENDER CLOSES (unless sold prior) 4pm, Mon 11 December 2017 NZR Office, 16 Perry St, Masterton Blair Stevens AREINZ 06 370 9199 027 527 7007 blair@nzr.nz NZR Real Estate Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

VI W DEO EB O SIT N E

This very presentable sheep & beef unit is located in the renowned summer safe farming district of Alfredton in the northern Wairarapa / Tararua district. A real feature of the property is the contour- situated in a basin sheltered from southerlies, of the 620 effective hectares 220 hectares have been cultivated, with 60% of the farm being classed as easy to medium hill and the balance medium to steep hill. The 10 year annual rainfall average is 1130mm, with 76, 80 & 55 mls average in the Dec, Jan, Feb months. Wai-iti has excellent infrastructure; well subdivided into 85 main paddocks, new covered yards at the four stand woolshed, five sets of satellite yards, good access and ease of stock movement via a metalled central lane, two new sets of cattle yards, 100t fertiliser bin and ample support buildings. There is a comfortable three bedroom dwelling with a detached double sleep out and a shearers quarters. Running around 6,000su the regular fertiliser applications and hence good fertility levels (P 21 & pH 5.7, av.) have helped Wai iti produce consistently high levels of stock performance translating into very competitive EFS. Being the 2016 winners of the Wairarapa Sheep & Beef Farm Business of the Year there is comprehensive information on the property, including financial analysis, after inspection. Why settle for less, buy the best!

682 hectares Tender (unless sold prior) www.nzr.nz ref: RX1284496

EFFICIENT SCALE & QUALITY SOILS 273b Diversion Road, Kahutara, South Wairarapa This 88.89 hectare flat irrigated dairy unit is blessed with very fertile Ahikouka silt loam soils which have been developed into a very efficient and easy to operate dairy farm. Located just 7.5km from Featherston and close to the popular weekend destinations of Martinborough and Greytown the property is just an hours drive from Wellington. The farm has a character four bedroom homestead, 18 aside cowshed with all new pumps and pit, implement and other calf rearing and support sheds. The farm is subdivided into 31 paddocks all supplied with beautiful clear water. Of the 83ha effective there are 60ha irrigated via K-Line and a 25 l/s irrigation right. The soils are well drained with a share in a local drainage scheme. The five year average production is 95,500kgMS off around 260 cows aided by consistent fertiliser applications demonstrated in the soil test averages of pH 6.1 & OlsenP 39. The current pit effluent system has consent to 2022. This is a well located quality dairy unit with high class soils underpinned by irrigation to ensure consistent production. The size is "just right" with a husband & wife team making the best labour mix. There is historical financial analysis to EFS level available post inspection to interested parties- could suit an equity partnership? A detailed Property Report is available. Stock available at valuation. Inspections by appointment only. Video on website. A very aesthetically pleasing property well worth a visit - don’t miss this!

88 hectares Tender www.nzr.nz ref: RX1289950 TENDER Closes: 4pm, Tues 12 Dec 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

N O TI CE FIN AL

EXCELLENT DAIRY UNIT - CENTRAL WAIRARAPA LOCATION 188 Waihakeke Road, Carterton, Wairarapa

ref: RX1276510

Tender Closes: 4pm, Thurs 7 December 2017 NZR Office, 16 Perry St, Masterton Blair Stevens AREINZ 06 370 9199 027 527 7007 blair@nzr.nz NZR Real Estate Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

N EW

LIS TI N G

This highly specced dairy unit is located a very short drive from both Greytown & Carterton offering the owners the sanctity of a real work/life balance with cafes, schools, shops & suppliers closeby. The infrastructure on this property is top class. The 50 bail rotary cowshed with Waikato plant has ACRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, auto drafting, covered vet yard, 400 cow yard and many energy & labour saving features. The original 18 aside herringbone is still operational, used for colostrum cows. The farm is very well set up for other buildings, with two specialist barns catering for 150 calves under cover. The farm has a mix of soils including highly fertile alluvial silt loams, and there is extensive drainage. Large areas have been re-grassed and the Tow & Fert system has lifted the clover component of the pastures with no N applied in last 2 seasons. The fertility levels are optimised. The last 6 years production av. is 178,000kgMS, off around 400 cows and over a 159 ha platform area (includes 6ha lease). The 65 paddocks all have filtered water and are linked by two underpasses. The whole milking platform is irrigated via 4 separate irrigation consents. The effluent can also be applied to the whole farm. Both mainline systems are linked together. The main dwelling is 4/5 bedrooms with a tidy 2 bedroom workers cottage close to the rotary. Nine titles offer a 123ha farm / 46ha bareland split. There are many extras being left with the farm to ensure it is any easy start-up for the new owner.

169 hectares TENDER www.nzr.nz

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS 148a Kirton Road, Taumarunui An opportunity to secure this superbly contoured 172Ha farm only 8.6kmÂ´s south of Taumarunui. The farm is mainly effective grazing land from flat to easy hill country with well-formed laneways providing access to most areas of the farm. Reticulated spring water is fed to stock troughs throughout. The property is currently used as a beef block but would also make a great fattening or Dairy support block. Purchasing options available: Option 1 - 172ha, Option 2 153ha (bareland), Option 3 - 19ha (house and yards)

172 hectares Tender www.nzr.nz REF:RX1329651 Tender (unless sold prior) 4pm, Mon 18 Dec 2017, 1 Goldfinch Street, Ohakune Jamie Proude or Juliane Brand 027 448 5162 | 027 515 5581 jamie@nzr.nz | juliane@nzr.nz NZR Central Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

260 HA PLATFORM + 108 HA SUPPORT COUNTRY 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 See video on website www.nzr.nz/F082 Deadline Private Treaty Offers Close 3pm, Tue 12 Dec 2017 (unless sold prior). Peter Barnett AREINZ 027 482 6835 | 06 323 4434 peter@nzr.nz NZR Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – November 27, 2017

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Dairy, heifer grazing or beef finishing    •  •  •   •  •  •   •   •  •   •  •   •    •      

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 

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06 323 3363 Farm and Lifestyle Sales The Complete Package

For sale by TENDER closing 4.00pm Tuesday 12 December 2017 at our office, 56 Stafford Street, Feilding M 027 543 1610 M 027 446 1157



Thames

TENDER

1333 Tangimoana Road, Tangimoana  140 hectares (135 hectares effective) central Manawatu dairy farm  26 aside Herringbone farm dairy  Water is from a good bore and reticulated via a 50mm ring main  Soils are mostly medium-heavy sands including Carnarvon Black Foxton Association and Awahou Foxton Association  Three bedroom home with double garage  This is a well-located dairy unit with proven production  Two road frontages and excellent tracking throughout  All set up to simply milk cows

Richard Anderson Pat Waugh



Web ID: RAL517

www.ruralandlifestylesales.com

LONG AWAITED – NOW AVAILABLE

TENDER

8922 State Highway 26, Puriri Tenders Close 5pm 19th December 2017 • Corner State Highway 26 & Neavesville Road Puriri • Buy one lot or both • Lot 3 - 5.1958 ha (old house block) • Lot 4 – 6.1053 ha (old cowshed & loading race) OPEN: By appointment www.richardsons.co.nz/RT5211

/ Peter Tong Licensed Salesperson 07 868 6978 / 021 987 867 petert@thames.richardsons.co.nz

LK0090613

  



RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

148 ha - dairy - great location

WEB ID AR58645 LAURISTON 1847 Thompsons Track This quality dairy unit is located at Lauriston approx. 18km west of Rakaia and 19km east of Methven. This farm was one of the first irrigated conversions in Mid Canterbury and has been continually improved over the years. Special features include; Pivot Irrigation, Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Water, 54 bail rotary shed, three good homes plus self contained unit, excellent shedding and lanes system. Milking approx. 515 to 550 cows for 233,000kg/MS. This unit has it all from capital improvements to proven production.

Control your costs- 169 ha

DEADLINE SALE View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Tuesday 12th December, 2017 at 3.00pm, (unless sold prior)

Chris Murdoch

Mobile 0274 342 545 Office 03 307 9191

Greg Jopson

Mobile 027 447 4382 Office 03 307 9176

WEB ID AR58763 WINCHMORE 282 Braemar Lauriston Road 169.8252 hectare dairy farm currently milking 540 cows, consistently producing over 240,000 milk solids with a low input/largely grass based system. The farm is well set up with central lanes, 21 paddocks, 40 aside herringbone shed with modernised Read plant. The highly regarded Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Scheme Water delivers pressurized water to the farm boundary. Infrastructure includes two centre pivots, a number of implement and calf sheds, two comfortable staff homes and impressive 250sqm homestead.

Rodger Letham

View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Monday 11th December, 2017 at 4.00pm, (unless sold prior)

Greg Jopson

Mobile 027 447 4382 Office 03 307 9176

Rodger Letham

Mobile 0274 333 436 Office 03 307 9192

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

Rodger Letham

Mobile 0274 333 436 Office 03 307 9192

3 2

Dairying on Devondale

DEADLINE SALE

Mobile 0274 323 382 Office 03 307 9190

Mobile 0274 342 545 Office 03 307 9191

Well developed arable unit- 230 ha

Paul Cunneen

Chris Murdoch

Mobile 0274 333 436 Office 03 307 9192

WEB ID AR58788 ASHBURTON 683 Singletree Road 230.9707 hectares. Location, layout, lateral irrigators, abundant irrigation water, this farm has it all and is ready and waiting to achieve serious results. A rare opportunity with scale and a range of farming options. Farm improvements include two homes, woolshed, sheepyards, cattleyards,and a number of sheds and silos. Pendarves is considered Mayfair/Park Lane in farming terms.

DEADLINE SALE View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Wednesday 6th December, 2017 at 4.00pm, (unless sold prior)

WEB ID TMR58759 TEMUKA 297 Te Awa Road View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Thursday 14th December, 2017 at • 260.8663 hectares 4.00pm, (unless sold prior) • Excellent farm infrastructure • 44 Bail Rotary Shed • Four very good homes • Close proximity to Fonterra Michael Richardson • Great irrigation Mobile 027 228 7027 • Price plus GST (if any) 4+ Office 03 687 7145 An exceptional well set out dairy farm in a popular and michael@pb.co.nz well-regarded farming location. Excellent infrastructure 4 and four homes on a very tidy property. Good soils, Marcus Nurse great irrigation, excellent dairy shed and proven Mobile 027 480 6551 production with the farm currently supplying Fonterra. Office 03 687 7144

DEADLINE SALE

marcus@pb.co.nz

RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

100 hectares flat land

Birchwood - 282 ha

AUCTION

WEB ID PR58478 EKETAHUNA 653 South Road No 2 This 100 ha flat dairy unit with a near new 24 ASHB shed, inshed feeding and excellent infrastructure presents a great opportunity. It is very well located being close to Eketahuna and only 25 minutes from Masterton and 45 minutes from Palmerston North city. • Free draining silt loams, excellent access and reliable rainfall. • 96,600kg M/S of production in 2016-17. • Fully consented until 2030. • A good three bedroom brick family home set in established grounds completes the package. You need to view now.

AUCTION View By Appointment AUCTION 11.00am, Fri 15th Dec, 2017, (unless sold prior), Eketahuna Community Centre, Haswell Street, Eketahuna

Jared Brock

Mobile 027 449 5496 Office 06 376 4823

Phil Wilson

Mobile 021 518 660 Office 06 376 5478

John Arends

Mobile 027 444 7380 Office 06 376 4364

Ngapuhi - 377 hectares

WEB ID MR58767 GLADSTONE Clifton Grove Road Ngapuhi is an attractive breeding and finishing property located in the desirable Admiral valley, 38 kilometres south east of Masterton. The property is in 2 separate units, each side of the Wainuioru river. The east facing block is 227 hectares of strong papa hill country with a 3 stand woolshed. The home block contains 50 hectares of productive flat and cultivated easy hill. The homestead is an outstanding 4/5 bedroom home with 2 living areas, rumpus room and office set in attractive grounds and views to the north.

WEB ID PR57720 EKETAHUNA 1125 Kakariki Road Birchwood Dairy Ltd is located in the summer moist district of Kakariki 23km south of Pahiatua. The well presented 282 ha farm in 10 titles has an effective flat dairy platform of 216 ha with a 32 ha hill block as support. Peak milking 430 to 440 cows the property has produced a 3 year average of 170,771 kg/MS through the well set up 36 aside HB cowshed, supported by a very good range of other buildings. The dairy platform is subdivided into 91 main paddocks. Housing is well provided for by 3 sound homes. Birchwood provides a great opportunity for investors or owner operators.

BY NEGOTIATION View By Appointment

John Arends

Mobile 027 444 7380 Office 06 376 4364

Phil Wilson

Mobile 021 518 660 Office 06 376 5478

Jared Brock

Mobile 027 449 5496 Office 06 376 4823

Proven dairy performer - 277 ha

WEB ID DFR58719 OXFORD 340 Dixon Road View By Appointment View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Tuesday 19th December, 2017 at DEADLINE SALE closes Friday 8th December, 2017 at This well-developed property located near Oxford 4.00pm, (unless sold prior), Property Brokers Ltd, 84 Chapel exhibits all the strengths of a top Canterbury dairy farm, 3.00pm, (unless sold prior) Street, Masterton with consistent physical and financial performance that sets it apart from its competitors. Currently milking 930 cows through a 60 bail rotary dairy shed with average Gareth Cox total production for past 3 seasons of 430,000kg/MS. Mobile 021 250 9714 Waimakariri Irrigation Scheme provides low cost reliable 4 Office 03 929 0306 water with on-farm storage combined with gareth@pb.co.nz environmental compliance. Superior location, irrigation 2 Paul Joblin water and infrastructure are the signature features of Keith Hamill Mobile 027 443 3756 this property that cannot be ignored. Office 06 378 7604 Mobile 021 082 98551

DEADLINE SALE

Home paulj@pb.co.nz

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

06 372 7789

DEADLINE SALE

Office keith@pb.co.nz

03 313 8022

4 2

RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

Well located dairy

"Appin" fertile Waitotara farm - 49.6 ha

OPEN DAY

TENDER

WEB ID MOR01751 MORRINSVILLE 184C Kuranui Road VIEW 29 Nov & 6 & 13 Dec 11.30 - 1.00pm AUCTION 11.00am, Tue 19th Dec, 2017, (unless sold prior), This property has been faithfully farmed by the same Property Brokers, 78 Studholme Street, Morrinsville family for over 80 years and it comes to the market for the first time in excellent heart. The property has always looked a picture with its long road frontage on prestigious Kuranui Road. Several farm options present themselves for this property. A total of 117 hectares over two titles, contour being approx. 78 ha flat with balance rolling to medium hill. Milking 340 cows through a 30ASHB shed, producing 107,000kg/MS average over the last three seasons on a low-cost system, leaves excellent scope for incoming owners. Peter Lissington

AUCTION

WEB ID WGR58386 WAITOTARA 155A Waitotara Valley Road Barely a kilometre off State Highway 3, "Appin" farm is located at the gateway to the Taranaki region. This productive 49.556 ha farm is presented in good health. The 26 ha of river flats lend themselves to all manner of production. Part of the balance of the farm is a hill block of 18 ha, planted in pine trees. The property features a recently renovated two bedroom home, a large workshop and a former coolstore. There is a large livestock shed ideal for calf rearing. Water supply is from the local water scheme. This is a "turn-key" farm, providing the options of grazing and finishing livestock

Mobile 027 430 8770 peterl@pb.co.nz

TENDER View By Appointment TENDER closes Friday 8th December, 2017 at 4.00pm, at Treadwell Gordon, Third Floor, Wairere House, Corner Somme Parade and Bates Street, Whanganui

Richard White

Mobile 027 442 6171 Office 06 281 3720 richardw@pb.co.nz

Simply the Best

TENDER WEB ID FR58773

KAIRANGA 909 Kairanga Bunnythorpe Road Ideally located Kairanga dairy unit - 94 ha of flat contour All within 4km of Palmerston North city. (subject to survey) The level of improvements and general on farm 28 ASHB dairy shed with 380 cow yard, 280 cow feed infrastructure on this outstanding property make this pad, numerous support buildings. Well maintained one of the tidiest dairy farms we have been associated races, metalled gateways and quality bore water. with in recent years. One must appreciate the quality soil types - arguably some of the Manawatu's most highly Two houses, one being a modern three bedroom productive. dwelling, the second being a sound, recently renovated three bedroom home. We can thoroughly recommend this impressive property.

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

TENDER

VIEW By Appointment TENDER closes Thursday 14th December, 2017 at 11.00am, (unless sold prior), Property Brokers Ltd 54 Kimbolton Road, Feilding

Stuart Sutherland

Mobile 027 452 1155 Office 06 323 5544 Home 06 323 7193 stuarts@pb.co.nz

Blair Cottrill

Mobile 027 354 5419 Office 06 323 1538 blair@pb.co.nz

6 2

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – November 27, 2017

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

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

NEW LISTING

Entry Level Self Contained Dairy Unit 179 Tunakino Valley A very tidy dairy unit of 302ha (746 acres) in the heart of sunny Marlborough. A 60ha milking platform producing 60,000kg MS from 160 cows. Well positioned adjacent run off with a stunning backdrop of native bush. Infrastructure includes a well maintained 16 ASHB dairy shed and many sheds. Good fertiliser history and improved pasture Dairy farm / dairy run off or a stand alone beef finishing unit. Tidy four bedroom homestead and extra garaging complete this picture. pggwre.co.nz/BLE27071

McCallbraes Dairy

Marlborough

171 and 186 Hall Road

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 4.00 pm, Thurs, 14 Dec 20 Westwood Ave, Blenheim

Greg Lyons M 027 579 1233 Greg.Lyons@pggwrightson.co.nz Joe Blakiston M 027 434 4069 jblakiston@pggwrightson.co.nz

RURAL Office 0800 FOR LAND

Private 8710m2 lifestyle

WEB ID FL58765 FEILDING 40A Pharazyn Road View By Appointment If a pair of gumboots and a lifestyle property is something you have considered but the reality of living out of town and having to travel just doesn't appeal? Living on this lifestyle, travel would not be an issue. The property doesn't just have the location but it offers privacy and security with neighbours nearby yet they are carefully hidden from sight with mature trees and plantings. The sheds also will tick the boxes with a Lianne Masters double internal access garage plus another generous Mobile 027 288 1801 Office 06 323 1520 shed and carport situated across the sealed driveway.

BUYERS $669,000+

lianne@pb.co.nz

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

• 358 hectares with 320 hectares (effective) dairy platform including 55.25 hectares leasehold • 50 bail rotary shed with all modern conveniences • Strong pasture renewal programme • Well maintained buildings including homestead, second home and new two bedroom cottage • Milking 900 cows average, cows wintered on with large percentage of supplements made on property • McCallbraes Dairy has now consolidated into a desirable dairy farm situated at Wharetoa and has production potential

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY

pggwre.co.nz/BAL27124

jrutter@pggwrightson.co.nz

(Unless Sold Prior) Closes 12.00pm, Thursday 14 December

Stewart Rutter B 03 418 1381 M 027 433 7666

jrutter@pggwrightson.co.nz

Jason Rutter B 03 418 1382 M 027 243 1971

pggwre.co.nz

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Property Brokers Limited Licensed REAA 2008

South Otago

3 2 3+

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company RURAL

LIFESTYLE

RESIDENTIAL

TENDER

Whakatane Surrounds

Dairy in Five Titles - Horticulture Potential 630 Otakiri Road

TENDER

• Total land area - 118.3023 hectares • In five titles with areas as follows: 7.5557Ha, 10.6790Ha, 11.3380Ha, 27.2152Ha, 61.5144Ha • 36ASHB dairy shed, built in 2007 with Waikato milking plant and automatic cup removers • 400 cow yard with stand off and feed pad and other excellent infrastructure • Production average over five years - 138,832kgMS, milking 351 to 361 cows (from 125Ha) • Pod irrigation over most of the farm • Manager's three bedroom home and a three bedroom cottage, both tidy and comfortable • Naturally fertile soils with possible horticulture or lifestyle potential

Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 4.00pm, Thursday, 14 December VIEW 11.00-1.00pm Wednesday, 29 November & 6 December

Phil Goldsmith B 07 307 1620 | M 027 494 1844 pgoldsmith@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/WHK27015

A Rare Find • 51.9 hectares in nine titles • Right on the town boundary • Currently milking 120 cows • Lovely three bedroom home that has been renovated • 14 ASHB cowshed • A lovely first farm with lots of options - retirement, development, lifestyle or dairying • Location is a big plus with the property being only minutes from town. A well balanced farm with fertile flats and rolling contour pggwre.co.nz/DAG27051

Dargaville SALE BY SET DATE Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 2.00pm Friday, 15 December

Megan Browning B 09 439 3344 M 027 668 8468

mbrowning@pggwrightson.co.nz

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Quality Farm with Location Located on SH3, in the Rangitikei District close to the settlement of Turakina. Comprising 121.8443ha of land made up of approximately 49ha flat with the balance gentle rolling land divided into 15 paddocks. Farm buildings include a good 3-stand wool shed, large 5-bay implement shed, sheep and cattle yards, a chemical storage shed with w.c. and wash basin, workshop/storage shed and disused grain silo. A well-presented three bedroom home with self-contained sleepout. Currently farmed as a ram breeding operation and finishing cattle.

pggwre.co.nz/WAN25572

Turakina PRICE BY NEGOTIATION Plus GST (if any)

Doug Glasgow B 06 349 2005 M 027 204 8640

dougglasgow@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company RURAL

LIFESTYLE

RESIDENTIAL

AUCTION

Something Special - Highly Productive Dairy Farm in Mata • 107.055ha (95ha in grass and effective more or less) 16km from Whangarei CBD with two houses and a sleep-out • 20 ASHB dairy shed, new calf rearing facility, three bay feed pad/wintering barn, implement shed, hay barn, PKE bin with retractable roof and water from spring fed dam and stream • Milking 255 cows with production to 120,000kg MS • 80% flat, remainder easy rolling with the flats laser drained and central raced to 55 paddocks Under company ownership for the last seven years the input around infrastructure and general farm improvement is truly significant. The hard establishment work has been done, riparian planting has been done, the houses have been renovated, this farm is all set up and will be a pleasure to farm. With location, presentation and production figures behind it, this farm is truly something special.

Mata AUCTION Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) 1.00pm, Thursday, 14 December

pggwre.co.nz/WHG27014

Dennis Wallace B 09 470 2528 | M 022 312 7704 dennis.wallace@pggwrightson.co.nz

Fantastic Opportunity

Dargaville

• 147 hectares productive fertile land, 70% tile drained • Large three bedroom modernised and renovated Kauri villa • Three bedroom villa second home • 27 ASHB cowshed with new ice bank for refrigeration, five and four bay calf implement sheds • Feed Pad, calving pad, maize bin • Milking 310 cows with three year average production 116,000kg MS • A great opportunity to purchase this very productive dairy farm, which has been in the family for three generations, only three kilometres to Dargaville township pggwre.co.nz/DAG26992

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

$3.2M Plus GST (if any) Offers to be presented on or before 2.00pm, Friday, 15 December

Megan Browning B 09 439 3344 | M 027 668 8468 mbrowning@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz

Employment

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – November 27, 2017

WANTED URGENTLY

GENERAL MANAGER • Support from Professional Board

• Sunny Central Hawke’s Bay location

BEL Group is the pride of Central Hawke’s Bay dairying, providing employment for over 65 people, supporting thriving rural communities and delivering meaningful work to a diverse and enthusiastic workforce…these are the things that make the business special, reflecting the core values of the business owner. They are now looking for a strong General Manager to work with the Managing Director and Advisory Board to help them shape and execute strategy, ensuring the business continues to sustainably thrive in an industry where there are significant opportunities as well as many challenges. With a business framework centred around the 4 Pillars of People, Profit, Production and Pride, this role plays a critical part in strategic input through to operational delivery. We’re looking for someone who shares the business’ deep desire to be a good corporate and community citizen, who knows dairy farming like the ‘back of their hand’, who can demonstrate environmental awareness and also knows how to lead people to become the best they can be. You’ll come from a strong dairy farming operational background, know your numbers, understand risk and ultimately have people’s safety, wellbeing and professional progress as cornerstones of your leadership paradigm. As General Manager of the nine dairy farms (9500 cows) and eight dairy support properties you’ll be responsible for leading the operational business and contributing to organisational and strategic decisions. You’ll provide business and technical expertise, role modeling to our team what a successful farming professional does and what a successful farming business can achieve. Take a look at the business at www.belgroup.co.nz and get more details about the job and how to apply at www.no8hr.co.nz. If that’s not enough, phone us on 07 870 4901 for an informal and confidential conversation about how this opportunity might suit you. Applications close Thursday 7 December 2017.

ASSOCIATED AUCTIONEERS Regional Livestock Saleyards Manager Part-time Position LK0090655©

• Substantial dairy farming business

Drystock Manager’s position or lease land required. Experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of farming, and development, also heavy machinery. Anything considered. Please phone Ian 027 287 7522

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

CONTRACT MILKER – HURUNUI (CANTERBURY)

This role is therefore an ideal opportunity for an experienced and focused contract milker who knows how to get returns from good cows and grass performance and has the communication skills needed to ensure the Management Board is fully informed of plans and progress. The farm is 232ha effective, and infrastructure includes a 44-aside herringbone dairy with ACRs, three houses, and a wide range of shedding. Farm performance, soil and other information are available on our website so take a deeper look and see what you think you could do.

We’re particularly interested in hearing from people who take a strong business-like approach to contract milking and who are keen to work within the strong reporting processes and accountability framework that working for a syndicated farm and reporting to a Management Board requires.

This role is going to suit contract milkers who have strong organisational skills and know what results this can drive for them. You’ll need a businesslike approach and will be happy working within the strong reporting processes and accountability framework of a corporate system.

LK0090601©

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

Take a look at www.no8hr.co.nz Reference Number: 8HR941 for more details and to apply. Applications close 3rd December 2017.

Whilst much will be done by phone, appreciable travel will be required, from a base preferably reasonably central within the area. The role is estimated to be 50% of full-time. This is a demanding role which may suit someone with existing rural sector interests and seeking another challenge.

LK0090602©

Located 17km from Culverden, a family and farming friendly district, the property is well set up with a 54-bail rotary shed with Protrack and in-shed feeding along with a modern four-bedroom main home and two other new Stonewood homes.

Applications close 4th December 2017.

Ideally applicants will have: • Livestock industry knowledge, and familiarity with sale yard operations • A strong focus on people, health and safety, and operational compliance/regulatory requirements • Relevant maintenance experience • Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills • Good administration and basic accounting/budgeting/ computer skills

Terrace Pastoral has been a MyFarm managed dairy business for over three years. MyFarm are looking for the next dynamic contract milker to continue moving farm production forward for it’s overseas investors.

To be successful at this level of business with MyFarm you will be an experienced contract milker, will know what it takes to make a dairy farming business of this level perform at its best.

Are you ready to take the next step in your professional farming business career? Find out more at www.no8hr.co.nz (Ref 8HR940) and apply today to find out more about what could be in it for you.

The RLSM will work with owner groups and managers for each yard to ensure stakeholder expectations are met or exceeded, and will be supported by contracted admin/accounting resource.

Experienced contract milker required • 635 cows • Farm for returns • Overseas investors

Hurunui has been part of the MyFarm portfolio for six seasons and an intensive re-grassing programme means our clients have set this farm up to be even more successful over the coming seasons. Hurunui is a 214ha effective flat irrigated dairy platform, making this an attractive and likely sought-after Canterbury contract milking opportunity.

Senior Shepherd Pukemiro Station

ORGANICS CONVERSION, OAMARU

Ngāti Awa Farm is owned by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, and managed by Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Limited – the commercial arm of Ngāti Awa.

We reckon this’ll take a ton of skill, a truckload of conviction and a decent dose of hard work, and that’s before you’ve achieved the year one transition plan.

Pastoral farming on Ngati Awa Farm covers approximately 470ha with an additional 130ha coming on stream over the next 12 months. Our increased focus on sustainable farming practices has contributed towards the creation of this new position. The total farm size is 1194ha, with the balance of land in Conservation and Forestry plantings. The area is culturally significant to Ngāti Awa and this is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a unique and progressive farming operation.

Craigmore Sustainables is looking to the future and eyeing the opportunity of organics. They’ve done their due diligence, chosen a farm that’s fit for purpose and have secured industry expert knowledge …. and so now the hard work begins. With an established team in place and on-farm training set to begin in January what we need now is an experienced farm manager who knows what it takes to make a low inputs system work and who can see the opportunity that organic farming presents to the farm, the business and the NZ dairy economy.

The General Shepherd will be primarily responsible for ensuring the Company’s farming assets and livestock are maintained, managed and cared for in a competent and professional manner. The role will include a mix of farm maintenance and stock duties. Reporting to the Farm Manager, priority is to be given to Ngāti Awa Farm (drystock) based in Whakatane/ Ohope with some scope for short-term assistance on two associated dairy farms if required.

This is not an exercise in tree-hugging, it is a legitimate and well thought out business strategy that aligns with Craigmore’s core philosophies; this is not an exercise in throwing you in at the deep end and seeing how you go, there’s a plan and a team in place to help you make it happen; and it’s not an exercise in taking a poor performing farm and somehow thinking it will do well under an organics programme, Arnmore has everything a self-contained organic dairy farm needs to survive…

The successful applicant will have the ability to inspire young people by completing tasks to a high standard of workmanship and demonstrate excellent work ethic. They will be familiar with industry ‘best practise’ within sheep and beef breeding and finishing systems and also familiar with modern farm monitoring systems. In return we will offer a competitive remuneration package based on your level of experience, regular rostered time off in weekends, tidy 3 bedroom accommodation, support with personal development and training and will provide the ability to assume more responsibility and grow within the role. Start date in 2018 is flexible for the right applicant.

The successful applicant will need: • Quad experience – Farm Safe or similar certificate • Weed spraying experience – both quad spot spraying thistle and tractor spraying gorse and thistle • Tractor experience – hill country Health & Safety Certificate • Stockmanship – all facets of sheep and beef handling including drenching, crutching, mustering. Must have own dogs, minimum of 3 broken-in dogs required • Drivers Licence – as farm vehicles are on public roads • Ability to take responsibility when required • To complete random Drug Tests as required

This is a commitment to careful innovation with the support of a business that knows how to be successful. What we need is a great farmer, the kind who likes to get their hands dirty making it work, who pays attention to detail and really know their cows. You’ll likely have a background that includes other types of farming, you’ll like to look after your farm and your land, and you’ll be willing to turn your hand to whatever needs doing.

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

Pukemiro Station is owned by the ADB Williams Trust and is part of a 13,000su Sheep and Beef breeding and finishing operation located 10 minutes East of Dannevirke. The Station is home to the Pukemiro Station Cadetship with the inaugural Cadet intake commencing in January 2018. We are looking for an enthusiastic Senior Shepherd who has at least 4 years relevant experience to join our team. We require someone with an ability to work effectively in a team, an ability to ‘coach and mentor’ 2-3 young farm cadets as they work alongside you on a daily basis and has a good team of 3-4 working dogs.

GENERAL SHEPHERD

Passionate about the future of dairy farming and wanting to play a role in it?

This role has a starting date of 8 January 2018. A three-bedroom private residence with new log burner may be available to the successful candidate. The addition of the residence will be subject to negotiation. A job description for this role can be found at www.ngātiawa.iwi.nz Applications close 4pm Wednesday 6 December. For further inquiries email: glenda@ngatiawa.iwi.nz or Ph 07 3070760 Ext 203

LK0090593©

An average of 40hrs per week with 6 days on / 2 days off single rotation. LK0090635©

More information about this attractive opportunity, the farm and the Craigmore business can be found at www.no8hr.co.nz (Ref #8HR938)…go on, take a look!

Contact Steve Morrison: 027 432 3389 or steve.morrison@nzfll.co.nz

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

DAIRY FARM MANAGER

You’ll have lead a successful team before, you’ll engage with people and know how to bring them along for the ride, and you’ll also know that you don’t have to have all the answers because there’s a whole world of knowledge out there you can use.

The operators, (Associated Auctioneers), of several major saleyards in Northland, Waikato, King Country and Taranaki are seeking a person to oversee the management of these saleyards. This role will involve supervision of respective local Yard Managers to ensure effective staff management, compliance, operation, maintenance, cost management of each sale yard.

CONTRACT MILKER – GORE

Setting you up for success • Culverden • 615 cows • The next step in your contract milking career

LK0090650©

LK0090646©

classifieds@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

For all enquiries contact: Jed Murphy – Farm Manager on 027 861 4221 Applications close 4th December 2017

LK0090645©

Large Scale Farm Manager Lower North Island Due to the retirement of the incumbent after 35 years tenure, we are excited to be in search of a Farm Manager on this family owned dry stock operation based on the outskirts of Levin. The business has grown to now encompass 1800ha (across 4 main blocks), including three dry stock operations and a 170ha dairy business, run separately yet contiguous to the farm.

LK0090638©

ASSISTANT FARM MANAGER Dairy Farm - Cambridge

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

BRIAN BURKE, NZ Champ 1984 and 5 times NZ Champ finalist, available to train your working dog. In three weeks he will transform your heading dog into a productive asset for the farm. Contact Brian 06 343 9561 for further details and pricing (heading dogs only).

is able to demonstrate a desire to make a career for yourself in this This 220ha (incl2run off) of dairy farm sits just from the thrivingand towna industry. With years experience in a16km similar environment of Cambridge. 370 cows are milked a 32ASHB and now the land is a formal qualification to enhance yourthrough knowledge you are looking flatpractice. to rolling.You There is some dry stock onoperating the steeper section. tomixture put thisofinto must be comfortable machinery positionto requires theand successful to dogs have under 2-3 years’ inThis the rolling hilly terrain have 2 toapplicant 3 working good experience to support the following: command. • Responsibility management and milk Experience working for in adairy team would stand you in quality good stead as you • beCompetent tractor and feed-out skillsexperienced Head will working with theoperation Farm Manager and an • Experience pasture measurement feed budgeting Shepherd. You willin also be capable and and comfortable with working on • Assist with staff supervision with the ability to step up when the your own when required. owner is away

FARM MAPPING YOUR FARM MAPPED showing paddock sizes. Priced from $600 for 100ha. Phone 0800 433 855. farmmapping.co.nz

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

FOR SALE DOG/PET FOOD. Lamb/ Beef and chicken products. All natural - raw - no preservatives or additives. NOSLOC PRODUCTS. Ex-freezer Te Kuiti. For information and prices www.nosloc.com or phone 07 878 6868. WINDMILLS for water pumping. Ferguson Windmills Company. www.windmills.co.nz sales@windmills.co.nz Phone 09 412 8655 or 027 282 7689.

GOATS WANTED

FERAL GOATS WANTED. All head counted, payment on pick-up, pick-up within 24hours. Prices based on works schedule. Experienced musterers available. Phone Bill and Vicky Le Feuvre 07 893 8916. GOATS WANTED. All weights. All breeds. Prompt service. Payment on pick up. My on farm prices will not be beaten. Phone David Hutchings 07 895 8845 or 0274 519 249. Feral goats mustered on a 50/50 share basis.

LK0090618©

HEADING DOG. 2 years old. Firm on cattle. $650. Phone 07 873 0711.

SELLING

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

SOMETHING?

T HI NK P R E B U I L T

Have something to sell?

NEW HOMES

Advertise in Farmers Weekly

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

SOLID – PRACTICAL WELL INSULATED – AFFORDABLE Our homes are built using the same materials & quality as an onsite build. Easily transported to almost anywhere in the North Island. Plans range from one bedroom to four bedroom First Home – Farm House Investment – Beach Bach

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

Fuelcon Tank Manufacturing

HEADING PUPS Out of T Nalder’s Sky by Eion Nerbert’s Haig (NZ Champion). Phone: Terry 03 525 9809.

YOUNG HEADING and Huntaways. Top working bloodlines. View our website www.ringwaykennels.co.nz Join us on Facebook: Working dogs New Zealand. Phone 027 248 7704.

HOUSE FOR REMOVAL wanted. North Island. Phone 021 0274 5654.

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

FOR SALE

HEADING DOG 2 years old. Working sheep and cattle nicely. Under good command. $2,500. Phone Mark Porter 07 825 4423.

HUNTAWAY b&t, 4 years old. Father by A Robertson’s ‘Monk’. Works sheep and cattle. Good in yards. Very capable. Owner retired. $4500. Central HB. Phone 06 856 8180.

PROPERTY WANTED

RAMS FOR SALE

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

END OF MONTH clearance sale! $1000 or under. Guaranteed. Deliverable. Exchangeable. 07 315 5553. Mike Hughes.

A• competitive salary on offer as is arequirements. recently renovated and very Comply with all ishealth and safety tidy three bedroom house. This role will suit a person who is keen to take the next step in their dairy

Advertise your vacancy in Farmers Weekly

DEMOLITION. Country Villas, houses, buildings, commercial, industrial. Any area. NZ. Please phone 027 405 2391.

DOGS FOR SALE

experienced owner who is prepared to help you further develop Toyour be farming successful in this role you will be an enthusiastic person who career?

RUN OFF YOUR FEET?

ATTENTION FARMERS

GORSE SPRAYING SCRUB CUTTING. 30 years experience. Blowers, gun and hose. No job too big. Camp out teams. Travel anywhere if job big enough. Phone Dave 06 375 8032.

Our client owns and operates a well-established sheep and beef operation with superb facilities and amenities, on high producing rolling hill country, located near the coast between Raglan and Port Waikato. They annually finish 600 head of beef cattle and over 3000 prime lambs. Incorporated into the operation is the very successful Kokonga Hereford Stud from which 50 herd bulls are sold Do you want to work on a well-developed farm, alongside an annually.

www.fegan.co.nz www.fegan.co.nz

NATIVE FOREST FOR MILLING also Macrocarpa and Red Gum, New Zealand wide. We can arrange permits and plans. Also after milled timber to purchase. NEW ZEALAND NATIVE TIMBER SUPPLIERS (WGTN) LIMITED 04 293 2097 Richard.

COUNTRY GIRL, (widow, retired), around 70 years. Likes travel, company. Bring some romance back in life. 027 887 6690. No voice mail, thanks.

CONTRACTORS

SHEPHERD Kokonga Farms – 1200ha – 10,000su

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

12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195. NORTH ISLAND buying trip 9/12/17. No one buys or pays more! 07 315 5553.

WANTED

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

ToToapply 0117for formore moreinformation information or or email email your your applyphone phone07 07 823 823 0117 CV CVtotojobs@jegan.co.nz jobs@fegan.co.nz.

PERSONAL

ANIMAL SUPPLEMENTS

RECRUITMENT & HR

Ifcareer you are to grow house your career in athe dry stockremuneration sector and and eager a three-bedroom is part of competitive looking for variety in your next role this is an excellent opportunity and package. one not tophotos be missed. To view www.fegan.co.nz

FORESTRY

ANIMAL HEALTH

The platform is laid for a focussed and driven Manager to demonstrate their skills across a large scale operation in an enviable location. Full support will be given, however we seek a self-starter with a vision to succeed and a desire to measure and monitor.

Applications close 5pm Monday 11th December 2017

DOGS WANTED

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

This role requires the appointee to work with the owners in an inclusive manner, yet the operational management of the farm will be the appointee’s responsibility. There is a requirement to embrace the philosophy of ‘many hands make light work’ and that the Farm Manager is an operationalist, stock specialist, team player and has a genuine aspiration to drive production forward.

For more information including an information pack, 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 #3204).

ANIMAL HANDLING

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

The business has undergone years of excellent stewardship and is now set to take the next step into operational excellence. This includes focus on team and block collaboration, the adoption of a cohesive one farm system, the collection and reporting of farm information and stock flow planning and the matching of supply and demand. The business is a multi-dimensional operation, supporting cows, ewes, trade lambs, winter grazing, supplement supply and forestry. It is receptive to the introduction of technology to assist in this journey of high performance management.

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

Classifieds

AD0089621©

Employment

• Lease • Buy • Service • Compliance

Fuel Storage Solutions Call 0800 FUELCON 0800 383 5266

LK0088514©

LK0088895©

Livestock

Ratapiko Dorpers

100 x STATION BRED 360kgs 1YR ANG HEIFERS

Taranaki

Ideal for Breeding – Draft Numbers Suitable 1YR FRSN BULLS 350-430kgs

East Friesians

STOCK REQUIRED

Fertile, friendly fast-growing milkers

COWS WITH CALVES AT FOOT BREEDING EWES

18TH DECEMBER 2017

Reared and SIL tested on hill country 85% genetic imported from Etiwanda Stud, Cobar, NSW Tested on Australian Lambplan under tough conditions

Comprising of 53 x cows with calves @ foot 3 x CTP Hfrs 14 x RWB R2yr Hfrs Stud Bulls Assortment of Semen Straws

Phone Boyd on: 06 756 9197 Also, 2 young rams entered in Feilding Ram sale 12th December 2017

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

Canterbury A&P Association ELITE RAM & EWE SALE

In-Calf Heifers for lease

10.30am Friday 01 December 2017 (Viewing from 9am) Canterbury Agricultural Park, Curletts Road, Christchurch

HIGH BW 2016 Born In-Calf Heifers for lease

240 Rams & Ewes for Sale

131 x Friesian – Friesian X (BW111 PW112)

SALE ORDER Dorper South Suffolk Corriedale Charolais Hampshire Romney Poll Dorset Border Leicester Texel English Leicester Dorset Down Southdown Suffolk

(AI’ed to nominated LIC Bulls from 9th Oct) – Followed with Jersey Bulls G3 DNA Profiled 70 x Friesian X – X Bred (BW121 PW126) (AI’ed to nominated LIC Bulls from 12th Oct) – Followed with Jersey Bulls G3 DNA Profiled

LK0090634©

Both lines well grown and exceeding liveweight targets Canterbury/Otago Region Phone Blake: 021 278 8550

• •

View on: www.ratapikodorpers.co.nz

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

LK0084897©

ENQUIRIES WELCOME Jeanette & Andy Galpin 1286 Wellington Road, RD 1, Marton Phone 06 327 6308 Email: maungatiro@farmside.co.nz

White Dorper rams for sale

•

1YR BEEF & BEEF X HEIFERS

WOODCALL SHORTHORN STUD DISPERSAL SALE

RAMS 2 22 3 2 6 13 12 14 27 4 33 42 40

EWES Supported by: 6 8 6 -

For more information: Graham Sidey: 027 432 1384 Anthony Cox: 027 208 3071 Catalogue available online at www.theshow.co.nz

Herds 1st June 2018 delivery Northland 152 XBred Herd BW115 PW138 RA100% DTC 20/7 OAD herd, years of breeding $1750 Central & Southern NI 233 Frsn Herd BW83 PW78 RA99% DTC15/7 Top well-bred Frsn herd, good history $2000 424 Frsn Herd BW68 PW87 RA100% DTC 19/7 Good type Friesian herd producing well $1875 288 Frsn Herd BW75 PW84 RA100% DTC 25/7 Well balanced herd producing well $1950 569 Frsn FrsnX Herd BW76 PW90 RA92% DTC 25/7 $1950 Canterbury 760 FrsnX Herd BW76 PW99 RA96% DTC 1/8 Low input farm with great production $2100 300 XBred Herd BW59 PW65 RA82% DTC 25/8 150 x 2 & 3yr cows, computer split $1900 Otago Southland 500 Jersey Herd BW49 PW50 RA84% DTC 5/8 A2 70-80%, DNA tested, CRV history $1900 Contact: Philip Webb: 027 801 8057 Central & Southern NI Dairy Coordinator Paul Kane 027 286 9279 (North Waikato/ Northland) National Dairy & Live Export Coordinator

EFTPOS AVAILABLE CATOLOGUE OUT NOW Contact Carrfields Agent, Rhys Dackers: 0272 415 564 or 09 433 2461

HERDS FOR SALE

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Fairlea Texels

424 cow Friesian herd BW70, PW85, RA100. DTC 17/7. Exceptionally clean, tidy cows with a great deal of potential. $1880. Listing # BOP49887. 270 are 2, 3 or 4-year-olds. One herd code. Braden De La Rue 027 318 3453

ROCKLEA

Meaty Muscle Makes Money

(Formerly known as High Plains)

SOUTH SUFFOLKS & POLL DORSETS On-Farm Ram Sale Friday 1st December 2017, 2.00pm, by Auction

10th Annual Ram Sale Stud and Flock rams available 130 South Suffolk rams 35 Poll Dorset rams Eye muscle scanned SIL Recorded High growth and high yielding rams

• • •

Born and bred under challenging conditions All Sires DNA foot scored All Poll Dorset Rams guaranteed to have a 1 or 2 in their foot score

Rams that will MEAT your requirements. For further information or catalogues please contact: Simon Prouting, 06 374 3661, 57 Birch Road East, Weber, Dannevirke • prouting@inspire.co.nz • www.rocklea.co.nz The future of the sheep industry is dependent on our ability to farm productive ewes on marginal country

Providing the right sires for you... Romney. Breeding Composite. Terminal Composite. Perendale.

Tom Jackson 07 825 4966 021 929 389

tom@piquethillfarms.co.nz

piquethillstud.co.nz

Will Jackson 07 825 4480 027 739 9939

william@piquethillfarms.co.nz

280 cow Spring calving portion of pedigree Friesian cows. Ambreed bred for 30yrs. Going to Autumn calving. DTC 25/7. Big production cows. $2400. Listing # WAI50259. Jono Wright 027 801 3052 400 Xbred/Friesian herd. BW66/42, PW82/53, RA94. DTC 05/8. No carry-overs kept. DNA tested. OAD from late January. $2100. R2s also available. Listing # SOU50981. Gareth Brooking 027 285 6205 540 Friesian/Xbred cows currently doing 2.3kgms and 30.5 litres per cow. Quality long time Ambreed bred herd. Medium to large capacity cows. DTC 28/7. $2300. Listing # SOU51102. Harry Stanway 027 556 9948 140 Friesian cow herd that’s been in the same family for 26 years. Originally a pedigree herd. Big framed cows on a grass based system. $1850. TAR51290. Kent Myers 027 455 5828

Proven - Coopworths celebrate 50 years of performance recording Efficient - ewes weaning their own weight in lambs

For more information please contact us

300 cow Outstanding Friesian herd with 40 plus years of history. BW85/44, PW 100/51, RA98. DTC 18/7. POA. Listing # MAN50136. Plus 90 well grown R2 Friesian heifers. Sole agency. Emmet McConnell 027 443 7671 270 Xbred cows. BW78/45, PW103/64, RA99. DTC18/7. Outstanding SCC herd, 9yrs grade free. Top 1% last 3 years. Sexed semen used this year. 50 straws mated to LIC this season. $2100. Listing # WAI50906. Closed herd, owned 35 years. One herd code. Sole agency. Liam McBride 021 222 2662 or Bill Sweeney 027 451 5310

LK0090182©

CALL US ON 0800 328 877

LK0090591©

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

• • • • • •

Machinery consists of: 1972 Ford 5000, 75hp 4WD, Dual wheels, aux hyd. 1960`s County 654, totally re-built in 2013, 7600 engine, 100hp, front dozer blade, dual wheels. 1995 Landrover Discovery, 3.9, V8, Current farm rego, WOF, tow bar, mud tyres. 2011 Suzuki Kingquad, 18,000 km. 2013 Aitchison 3019 disc grass drill. 2012 3mt flat roller. 2010 Maxum 330 mower, twin wilters. 2009 Sitrex hay tedder/swather. 2002 NH 740, round baler, 18,000 bales, Net/twine. NH 370 conventional baler, twine. JF 5.6mt twin rotor grass rake. Claas Volto 540 grass tedder. 3mt single rotor grass swather. Conventional bale sledge. Soft hands 3PTL. Spring tine cultivator, 3mt with cage roller. 3mt Cage roller with tyre harrows. Bulk lime/ fert spreader, single axle, hyd shut off. Flat trailer, twin axle, steel deck, 6mt, hyd brakes, swivel hitch. Tipping trailer, twin axle, 10t, hyd brakes. Tipping trailer, Single axle, 3t. James mole plough. Diesel tank 2500lt on skids. Bike trailer, LGP tyres, stock crate. Big square/round bale carrier. Single round bale forks. Front end loader for Fordson Major. Truck Bogie, 14t. 16.9x28 tyres, 580x70x38 rear tyre. Truck wheels and tyres. Electric fencers, reels, standards. Fencing posts, battens, wire. Steel , timber and gates. Surplus workshop tools.

LK0090640©

STOCK FOR SALE

MAUNGATIRO

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – November 27, 2017

Productive - high fertility and great mothering ability Look for a breeder near you: www.coopworthgenetics.co.nz

191 cow. Good capacity Friesian to Xbred herd with good age structure. Low input. Top udders with plenty of history behind a top indexing herd. 3 digit herd code. $2200. Listing # TAR51550. Tim Hurley 027 445 1167

LK0090594©

LK0090641©

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

LK0090067©

130 cow. Young, capacious Xbred herd. BW109/45, PW111/59, RA99. 41yrs of breeding. Good production and high indexes.$1925. 3 digit herd code. Closed herd. Listing # WAI51711. Michael Conwell 027 226 1611 Visit MyLiveStock.co.nz for full details, photos and more listings.

Download the app today

Livestock

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – November 27, 2017

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

STOCK WANTED

Meadowslea Hill-Bred Rams

FERNVALE GENETICS

280kg – 320kg R1 Friesian Bulls – RS 400kg Traditional Beef or Beef X Steers – RS

STOCK FOR SALE

100 x 115kg Frs Weaner Bulls avail. this week – BY 150 x 100kg min. Frs Weaner Bulls avail. this week – BY 800 x Mixed sex Blackface Lambs, approx. 28kg – RS 500 x 25kg Mixed sex Lambs – RS 34 x 300kg R1 Blackface/Redface Heifers & Steers – RS Aaron Clapperton 027 496 7410 Richard Seavill 021 169 8276 / 07 825 4984 Chris Smith 027 496 7413 / 07 870 4552 Bryce Young 027 496 7411

Thursday 30th November On-farm – Mt Cook Road, Fairlie Helmsman Auction – 12.30-2.00pm • Romney • TexRom • Romdale • Perendale x Tex x Romney • Kelso x Romney • Kelso Maternal • Kelso Terminal (Black Face)

LK0089445©

Office 07 823 4559 BYLLIVESTOCK.CO.NZ byllivestock

Ram Sale - 300 Rams - 7 breeds

ADELONG

A/c Neville & Dianne Greenwood. Ellesmere

13th ANNUAL ON FARM RAM SALE 2pm Wednesday 6th December 2017

Contact: David Giddings Meadowslea – 027 229 9760 PGGW – Keith Wilson 027 412 5766 Greg Uren 027 431 4051 RLL – Anthony Cox 027 208 3071 PWA – Hamish Zuppicich 027 403 3025 Carrfields – Callum Dunnett 027 587 0131

www.meadowslea.co.nz

Quality You Can See – Performance You Can Trust 110 Poll Dorset 1 shear rams 14 Texel x Poll Dorset rams 12 Suffolk x Texel/Poll Dorset rams Foot Scores – 25 Poll Dorset rams in catalogue with foot scores from 1.1 to 1.3

Have ewe heard the most successful place to advertise your livestock is in Farmers Weekly?

Inspection: Rams available from 11am on sale day Catalogues available from Ryan Shannon, PGG Wrightson 0275 650 979 Stu Uren, PGG Wrightson 0275 910 446 Callum Dunnett, Carrfields Livestock 0275 870 131 Neville Greenwood 0274 311 431 or 03 329 5799

To advertise Phone Nigel 0800 85 25 80 or email livestock@nzx.com

Lloyd Brenssell Moa Flat West Otago

www.fernvale.co.nz

FEILDING ELITE RAM & EWE SALES

BUYING OR SELLING A DAIRY HERD?

MANFEILD PARK, FEILDING

TUESDAY DECEMBER 12, 2017 WOOL BREEDS

Contact Farm Source Livestock for specialist advice and expertise that will help you achieve optimal results, including: • • •

Sale starts: 10.30am 6 Perendale Rams 3 Cheviot Rams

Tailored marketing program Access to Fonterra’s extensive farmer network Fonterra farmer exclusive: Earn valuable Farm Source Reward Dollars on all sales and purchases

Followed by

MEAT BREEDS

This weeks feature: Autumn calvers for sale •

Q853 - 50 Fsn/FsnX, BW 110, PW 157, 20/3 calv, Outstanding, $1900. Ph Kelly 027 600 2374

•

Q861 - 63 Fsn/FsnX, BW 69, PW 151, 10/3 calv, i/c to Charalaois, $1800. Ph Brent 027 551 3660

•

Q862 – 18 Fsn, BW 56, PW 51, 1/3 calv, i/c to Speckle Park, $1675. Ph Brent 027 551 3660

Ph: 03 204 0883 Cell: 027 201 8181 Email: fernvale@farmside.co.nz

11 8 20 15 12 15 8

Poll Dorset Rams South Suffolk Rams Southdown Rams Dorset Down Rams Texel Rams Suffolk Rams Dorper Rams

LK0090216©

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

• Only multiple born and reared animals sold or retained in stud • VIA SCAN and eye muscle scanning used to trace meat yields • Quality outside bloodlines used every third generation • Commercial pressure through 41,000su • Two-year ram performance guarantee • Ewe hogget mating standard practice • All rams are scour scored • 50K DNA data available • SIL recorded

LK0090261©

LK0090190©

LK0089803©

ROMNEY SUFFOLK ROMDALE SUFTEX

View catalogue online at www.pivotdesign.co.nz under catalogues 2017.

0800 548 339 NZFARMSOURCE.CO.NZ/LIVESTOCK

Rams for the Feilding Sale have been selected on type and performance for typical North Island sheep breeding conditions.

Auctioneers: NZ FARMERS LIVESTOCK • PGG WRIGHTSON • CARRFIELDS LIVESTOCK

Livestock

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – November 27, 2017

GRAZING AVAILABLE Central North Island

SOUTHDOWNS

Grazing available for Weaner Heifers from 1 Dec 2017.

Find a registered breeder at:

Would also suit 12 months grazing for 2017 Autumn borns.

LK0090189©

– Ready when U R

www.southdownsheep.org.nz

• Summer safe • Facial Eczema safe Managed by ex-dairy farmers, weighed and drenched regularly with weight reports provided.

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

For more information call:

PHONE NIGEL 0800 85 25 80

Andy Carlson 0274 529 697

That’s right, guaranteed black face lambs sired by Suffolk rams.

E NC A

PERFOR

IT’S TIME TO MEAT A MODERN DAY SUFFOLK FOR A SUFFOLK BREEDER NEAR YOU VISIT nzsheep.co.nz/suffolk

LK0089481©

Growth - Meat - Survival

FOL UF K

SEA

Whether finishing or selling store, only a genuine black face Suffolk ram can give you this advantage.

Performance Recorded Since 1964 Rams That Shift, Thrive and Perform Everywhere

SALE TALK

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Pine Park Rams

Paddy and Murphy were talking one afternoon when Paddy tells Murphy, I reckon I’m ready for a vacation. Only this year I’m gonna do it different. I always took your advice about where to go. Three years ago you said to go to Hawaii. I went to Hawaii and Molly got pregnant. Then two years ago, you told me to go to the Bahamas and Molly got pregnant again. Last year you suggested Tahiti and darn, Molly got pregnant again.” Murphy asks Paddy, “So, what you gonna do this year that’s different?” Paddy says, “This year I’m taking Molly with me.”

FE Tolerant Coopworth FE Romney x Coopworth Texel x Coopworth Suffolk • Suftex Suffolk x Texel/Poll Dorset Texel x Poll Dorset Contact: Edward Sherriff 021 704 778 06 327 6591 312 Tutaenui Road, R D 2, Marton 4788 email: edsherriff@farmside.co.nz

ELITE ALL WOBURN SALE Sarnia Park Woburn Stud 156 Redoubt Road, Cambridge 12.30pm, 16 December 2017

SOLWAY THIS NOVEMBER RISING 4YR

HENRY R SHOWN AT 8YRS AT WOBURN

TORRINGTON SHOWN AT 7YRS AT WOBURN

PENDRAGON X HAYWOOD SHOWN AT 4 YRS

All Woburn sale featuring new genetics from source and the best of Sarnia’s sires represented. Including two, three, and four year sires, plus elite yearling hinds from Solway. For all enquiries contact: Bob Atkinson 021 117 1639 or dayot@hnpl.net Independent agent: Bob Dunn 027 494 8716 or an agent near you

LK0090215©

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

LK0090587©

Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming listings 9TH ANNUAL MERRYDOWNS ROMNEY AND SOUTHDOWN RAM SALE

PRELIMINARY SALE NOTICE MCMILLAN SHEDDING SHEEP INAUGURAL SALE Thursday 22 February 2018 Te Kuiti Saleyards 12pm

On Farm Sale 348 Koi Road RD1, Gore Tuesday 5 December 1 pm Offering approx.: 140 Romney 2th Rams 60 Southdown 2th Rams Both breeds fully SIL recorded. All Rams eye muscle scanned as lambs. OB accredited. Using a combination of stockmanship and SIL data, Merrydowns have produced a quality even line of grunty Commercial Rams. Merrydowns are not solely focussed on high index sheep, they are more interested in the commercial traits of: Lambing % to the Ram, ensuring that the ewes have capacity to hold and rear their lambs, top quality wool, longevity, structural soundness, constitution, growth rate, early maturity, and actual fertility. An open day will be held on Tuesday 28 November from 10am till 6pm. Catalogues available to view online at www.merrydowns.co.nz Further enquiries If you would like an alternative time to view the Rams, please contact Blair or Sally Robertson – 03 207 6851 Callum McDonald PGG Wrightson Genetics 027 4336 443 Paul Pearce PGG Wrightson – 027 4785 761

KAIKOHE ANNUAL AUTUMN BEEF WEANER FAIR & IHC CALF SALE Kaikohe Saleyards, Kaikohe Wednesday 29th November 2017 12.30pm Start 210 A/B Ang, Here and Char X Strs 220 A/B Ang, Here and Char X Hfrs 500 Store Cattle For further inquiries please contact Vaughan Vujcich – 0274 968 706 Tom Bayly – 0274 154 125 Dean May – 0275 901 001 Ross McAlister – 0274 998 902

WAIKATO HERDS FOR SALE 300 XBred Cows, BW73, PW85, RA85% Calving 15th July, Young Herd, Tidy Udders. Sole Agency. Richard Todd – 0274 942 544 Agonline ref: 062748 $1,950.00 270 Frsn/Frsnx Cows, BW72, PW84, RA100% Calving 18th July, Strong Capacious Cows. Sole Agency.

6 250 200 300

2th Wiltshire rams Wiltshire ram lambs 2th Wiltshire ewes Wiltshire ewe lambs

Key: Dairy

Cattle

Sheep

Other

ELITE CHAROLAIS RAM SALE Tuesday 28th November 12 noon Feilding Saleyard Complex

High Growth, high yield, easy lambing, great carcass characteristics, & ideal for hogget mating.

35 Purebred Charollais Rams 60 Charollais X Rams 15 Charablack Rams

Contact Tony Gallen – 0275 901 711 Caitlin Rokela – 0274 056 156

Grant & Sandy have been breeding these sheep since 2004. They have been bred predominately for their full shedding ability, facial eczema tolerance and growth rates. The sheep are farmed commercially on Ongarue hill country. An open day will be held on farm on 8 February 2018 from 11.00am to 2.00pm to inspect the selected sale stock and to talk to Grant & Sandy regarding their breeding programme. Enquiries: Grant & Sandy McMillan - 07 894 6136 PGW - Marty Cashin - 0274 976 414

UPCOMING RAM SALES Date 27 Nov 2017 28 Nov 2017 28 Nov 2017 28 Nov 2017 28 Nov 2017 28 Nov 2017 29 Nov 2017 30 Nov 2017 1 Dec 2017 1 Dec 2017 1 Dec 2017 4 Dec 2017 5 Dec 2017 6 Dec 2017 6 Dec 2017 6 Dec 2017 7 Dec 2017 8 Dec 2017 8 Dec 2017 8 Dec 2017 12 Dec 2017 12 Dec 2017 15 Dec 2017 15 Dec 2017 12 Jan 2018 16 Jan 2018 26 Jan 2018 31 Jan 2018 22 Feb 2018

Sale Manu Poll Dorset Ram Sale Elite Charollais Ram Sale River Run Suffolk/Suftex Ram Sale Argyle Romney Ram Sale G + T Howie Iona Lea Texel & Suff/Tex Ram Goldstream Ram Sale Waidale Stud c/o Ike Williams Meadowslea Ram Sale Mangahauhau Hampshire Ram Wharatoa Genetics Ram Open Day Canterbury A&P Association Elite Ram & Ewe Sale Glengarry Poll Dorset Ram Sale BA + SC Robertson Merrydowns Romney and Southdown Ram Kikitangeo Romney Ram Sale Kiloran Poll Dorset Ram Adelong N Greenwood Poll Dorset Ram Sale The Gums Maniototo Romney and Down Breed Ram Kinnear Suff/Tex Mararoa Downs Ram Te Ruanui Poll Dorset & Poll/Tex Ram North Island Stud Ram & Ewe Fair PS Ponsonby Charollais & Charollais X Ram Wharatoa Genetics Ram Courtney/Stoneylea Stud c/o L Seaton JDS Duncan, Craignuek Dorset Down, South Dorset, Halfbred and Texel X Ram Gore A + P Perendale, Cheviot, Coopworth, Border Leicester and Romney Ram DG Irwin South Suffolk and Texel X Ram T + F Anderson Tralee Downs, Southdown Ram McMillan Shedding Sheep Inaugural Sale

Location Whangarei Feilding Saleyards Kerikeri Kaikohoe Milton Te Kuiti Selling Centre Pleasant Point Fairlie Matawhero, Gisborne Clydevale Canterbury Park Feilding Saleyards Waikoikoi Wellsford Stortford Lodge On-farm (Ellesmere) Cheviot Ranfurly Te Anau Matawhero, Gisborne Manfield Park Gore Clydevale Christchurch Ranfurly Gore Charlton Winton Te Kuiti Saleyards

Representative Cam Heggie Caitlin Rokela Cam Heggie Cam Heggie Callum McDonald Cam Heggie Bruce Orr Joe Higgins Tom Suttor Callum McDonald Ryan Shannon Caitlin Rokela Callum McDonald Cam Heggie Tom Suttor Bruce Orr Bruce Orr Callum McDonald Callum McDonald Tom Suttor Caitlin Rokela Callum McDonald Callum McDonald Bruce Orr Callum McDonald Callum McDonald Callum McDonald Callum McDonald Marty Cashin

Phone number 027 501 8182 027 405 6156 027 501 8182 027 501 8182 027 433 6443 027 501 8182 027 592 2121 027 431 4041 027 446 9967 027 433 6443 027 565 0979 027 405 6156 027 433 6443 027 501 8182 027 446 9967 027 592 2121 027 592 2121 027 433 6443 027 433 6443 027 446 9967 027 405 6156 027 433 6443 027 433 6443 027 592 2121 027 433 6443 027 433 6443 027 433 6443 027 433 6443 027 497 6414

Our nationwide team of genetics specialists can coordinate all aspects of your ram sale, from pre-sale client contact to post-sale follow up, and offer farmers relevant knowledge, advice and support. For more information contact your local genetics specialist or visit www.pggwrightson.co.nz

Jason Roberts – 0272 431 429 Agonline ref: 062301 $1,850.00 230 Frsn/Frsnx Cows, BW93, PW105, RA99% Calving 15th July, 50yrs One Family, Outstanding Herd. Chris Ryan – 0272 431 078 Agonline ref: 062769 $2,150.00 200 Frsn/Frsnx Cows, BW95, PW106, RA98% Calving 17th July, Top 10% for Herds, 30yrs One Owner. Dave Stuart – 0272 241 049 Agonline ref: 062699 $2,100.00

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

Helping grow the country

MARKET SNAPSHOT

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Grain & Feed

MILK PRICE FORECAST ($/KGMS) 2017-18

6.19

AS OF 27/07/2017

AS OF 24/11/2017

MILK PRICE COMPARISON

Last year

Sep 17 AgriHQ Seasonal

WMP GDT PRICES AND NZX FUTURES

7.30

5.60

353

327

NI mutton (20kg)

5.00

2.90

381

379

278

SI lamb (17kg)

7.25

7.15

5.40

Feed Barley

386

385

264

SI mutton (20kg)

4.95

4.80

2.75

216

Export markets (NZ$/kg) 9.62

9.45

7.70

273

267

UK CKT lamb leg

Maize Grain

443

421

360

PKE

269

215

7.0

INTERNATIONAL

2500 2000 Jan 17 Apr 17 Jul 17 C2 Fonter r a WMP

6.0 5.5

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Wheat - Nearest

226

227

212

Corn - Nearest

193

192

395

402

306

6.5

6006.0

5.0

CBOT futures (NZ$/t)

4.5

South Island 1 7kg lamb

7.5 7.0

ASW Wheat

349

389

287

Feed Wheat

310

294

214

Feed Barley

351

361

253

118

119

PKE (US$/t)

Oct 17 Jan 18 NZX WMP Futur es

6.5

Ex-Malaysia

NZ venison 60kg stag

$/kg

3000

North Island 17kg lamb

7.5

* 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.

APW Wheat

3500

5005.5 4005.0

3004.5 OctOct

DecDec

FebFeb

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

Last year

7.30

Australia (NZ$/t)

4000

Last week Prior week

NI lamb (17kg)

Feed Wheat

Waikato (NZ$/t)

May 17 Jul 17 AgriHQ Spot Fonterra forecast

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

c/kkg (net)

$/kgMS

Prior week

Milling Wheat

PKE

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

US$/t

Last week Canterbury (NZ$/t)

6.75

7.5 7.0 6.5 6.0 5.5 5.0 Mar 17

SHEEP MEAT

DOMESTIC

AGRIHQ 2017-18

FONTERRA 2017-18

Sheep

$/kg

Dairy

AprApr

JunJun

Last yr

AugAug This yr

FERTILISER

Last price*

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

WMP

2800

2875

2935

SMP

1705

1735

AMF

6725

Butter

5240

Last week

Prior week

Last year

WOOL

NZ average (NZ$/t)

(NZ$/kg)

Last week

Prior week

Last year

1730

Urea

520

460

29 micron

6.65

6.70

6600

6350

Super

297

310

35 micron

3.55

3.30

4.80

5400

5250

DAP

784

39 micron

3.30

4.65

704

* price as at close of business on Thursday

450

Dec

Jan Feb Latest price

Mar Apr 4 weeks ago

May

Sharemarket Briefing NOVEMBER was a bit weak for the New Zealand market and we looked to be on track to break our 10-month winning streak. However, positive news from the reporting season coupled with renewed interest in some of the growth stocks saw the index rebounded strongly. Although remaining below where it started the month, it is certainly within cooee. The previous three GDT auctions had logged declines and the end of the stability the index had seen for a number of months. The dairy futures market was expecting a gain at the auction, however, the market was disappointed when the headline index finished down 3.4%. There was another decline in the price of whole milk powder. This latest decline has a number of analysts wondering whether Fonterra will maintain the farmgate milk price of $6.75 a kilo. A large number of market commentators have pulled their season estimates back on this recent weakness, however, all estimates are above last season’s price. The weaker NZ dollar might mitigate some of the dairy price declines because it is in United States dollars. However, it will not be enough to entirely offset the weakness. Market commentary provided by Craigs Investment Partners

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR

14669

S&P/FW AG EQUITY

19056

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

8102

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

7467

250 Nov 14 Feed barley

Nov 15

Nov 16 PKE spot

Meridian Energy Limited

3.5 400

300

2.5Oct Oct

Dec

Feb

Apr

Last yr

Jun

Aug

This yr

Dollar Watch

YTD High

YTD Low

2.95

3.02

2.57

Auckland International Airport Limited

6.20

7.43

6.02

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd Spark New Zealand Limited The a2 Milk Company Limited Fletcher Building Limited Ryman Healthcare Limited Mercury NZ Limited (NS) Xero Limited Contact Energy Limited

12.62 3.61 8.43 6.93 9.45 3.39 33.00 5.65

13.88 3.97 9.00 10.86 9.80 3.60 35.50 5.85

8.50 3.32 2.06 6.86 8.12 2.94 17.47 4.65

Listed Agri Shares

500

5‐yr ave

Top 10 by Market Cap Company

$/kg

350

150 Nov 13

NZ venison 60kg stag

4.5 600

c/k kg (net)

3200 3100 3000 2900 2800 2700 2600

Coarse xbred wool indicator

5.5

CANTERBURY FEED PRICES

NZ$/t

US$/t

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Company

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

8.430

9.000

2.060

Cavalier Corporation Limited

0.380

0.810

0.270

Comvita Limited

7.550

8.850

5.150

Delegat Group Limited

7.450

7.550

5.650

Foley Family Wines Limited

1.560

1.200

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

6.330

6.430

5.880

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

2.300

2.610

2.100

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

2.220

2.450

1.220

PGG Wrightson Limited

0.590

0.620

0.490

Sanford Limited (NS)

7.990

8.100

6.700

Scales Corporation Limited

3.810

3.970

3.210

Seeka Limited

5.700

5.930

4.300

Tegel Group Holdings Limited

1.380

1.460

1.050

S&P/FW Primary Sector

14669

15031

9307

S&P/FW Agriculture Equity

19056

19583

10899

S&P/NZX 50 Index

8102

8146

6971

S&P/NZX 10 Index

7467

7643

6927

THE kiwi dollar heldThis Prior Last NZD vs up well after a weak week week year dairy auction result, USD 0.6885 0.6858 0.7002 BNZ currency strategist EUR 0.5808 0.5828 0.6634 Jason Wong says. That AUD 0.9028 0.9031 0.9451 indicated the selling 0.5172 0.5199 0.5622 pressure evident since the GBP Correct as of 9am last Friday September election was starting to come off. Speculative selling by what he called “hot money” overseas accounts had pushed the kiwi to below US$0.68 but over the week it was holding closer to 0.69. The trade is volatile – the selling (short positions) was stretched in May only to be replaced by stretched buying (long positions) in July and now stretched shorts again, leaving the currency oversold. It means the bar for a recovery is now set quite low but Wong says there are a number of offsetting factors that could balance out and broadly leave the kiwi in the 0.69 to 0.70 level or a couple of cents either way over the next year or so. A lot depends on United States inflation and how the Fed moves next year after a priced-in rate rise next month. BNZ believes the euro is poised for a strong year ahead, with good economic data and the ECB not needing to have its current level of monetary support in place. He’s looking at the kiwi falling into the mid-50s, with the risk to the down-side. The sterling cross-rate is hard to pick with a battling United Kingdom economy and so much depending on Brexit talks. Alan Williams

Markets

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017

SI BULL

SI STAG

35 MICRON

($/KG)

NI LAMB

($/KG)

10.55

5.30

3.55

7.30

$2150-$2230 high lights Captial stock Angus & Angus-

$80-$95 Good mixed sex blackface lambs at Masterton Spring Lamb Fair

Hereford mixed age cows, with Angus calves-at-foot, at Stortford Lodge

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

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.70

5.75

5.45

NI Bull (300kg)

5.65

5.20

NI Cow (200kg)

4.50

4.00

SI Steer (300kg)

5.55

5.50

5.15

SI Bull (300kg)

5.30

5.20

4.60

SI Cow (200kg)

4.30

3.70

US imported 95CL bull

7.28

7.14

6.46

US domestic 90CL cow

6.79

6.78

6.07

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

North Island steer (300kg)

6.5

$/kg

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

6.5 6.0

NZ venison 60kg stag

c/k kg (net)

$/kg

600 5.5 500 5.0 400 4.5 300

4.0

Oct Oct

Dec Dec

Feb Feb

5‐yr ave

Apr Apr

Jun Jun

Last yr

Aug Aug This yr

VENISON Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Last week Prior week

Last year

NI Stag (60kg)

10.05

8.15

NI Hind (50kg)

9.95

8.05

SI Stag (60kg)

10.55

10.45

8.15

SI Hind (50kg)

10.45

10.35

8.05

New Zealand venison (60kg Stag)

$/kg

NZ venison 60kg stag

8 500

400 7 300

6 Oct

Oct

Dec Dec 5‐yr ave

Feb Feb

Apr Apr Last yr

Jun Jun

Aug Aug This yr

On-farm sales go well

N-FARM lamb sales were held from North Canterbury through to Banks Peninsula, with around 22,500 lambs offered over five venues. Results were pleasing, with prices up $30-$35 compared to last year. Also a feature this week was a capital stock line of Angus & Angus-Hereford cows with Angus calves at foot at Stortford Lodge, with all lines making $2150$2230 per unit. NORTHLAND NORTHLAND A specially advertised cattle fair at WELLSFORD last Monday drew in good numbers of cattle and people, with the Far North through to Waikato represented. Just over 1200 cattle sold, with some very strong results posted. One local farming corporation delved into the better end of the 2-year cattle, as well as the 1-year bulls, which meant 2-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 392-459kg, pushed to $3.50$3.52/kg, which was also the money paid for 292-324kg 1-year HerefordFriesian steers at $3.44-$3.54/kg. The better lines of 2-year steers pushed past $1400, and included Angus, 473-520kg at $1480-$1570, $3.12-$3.15/kg. Heifers sold on a steady market as Hereford-Friesian, 369-399kg, returned $2.90-$2.99/kg. Other 1-year steers also met strong demand, and Hereford-cross, 249290kg, made $3.31-$3.50/kg, as did heavier Angus, 334-346kg. A line of 33 Friesian bulls sold for $900, $3.59/kg. The 1-year heifer market was solid and Hereford-Friesian and Herefordcross, 283-328kg, fetched $2.92-$3.02/ kg, though select pens of lighter lines of both breeds sold to $3.38-$3.49/kg. A good yarding of weaner steers mainly made $600-$725, and the better bulls, $670-$765. The KAIKOHE sale posted mixed results, PGG Wrightson agent Vaughan Vujcich reported. The 2-year steer market was variable, with good beef lines selling up to $3.15/kg, though most were more realistic at $2.90-$3.05/kg. A small offering of bulls featured a line

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c/k kg (net)

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ALL GO: Hazlett Rural staff run the sale at Glenmark Drive last week. For a full report see P56. More photos: farmersweekly.co.nz

of 520kg, which had to be pushed to $2.80/kg, while heifers tended to range from $2.80-$2.95/kg. The 1-year steers were mainly Angus, Angus-cross, and exotic and good lines sold to $3.30-$3.45/kg, with medium types around $3.00/ kg. A big yarding of 1-year bulls had well marked Friesians at $2.80-$2.85/ kg, though beef and exotic lines were harder to shift and came off recent levels to finish at $3.10-$3.30/kg. In contrast heifer prices were steady, with $2.90-$3.10/kg the range, though most traded at $3.00-$3.10/kg. In the weaner pens good steers, 150kg, sold up to $600-$650, with exotic lines making $3.40-$3.60/kg. Friesian bulls around 100kg sold for $500-$540, and beef lines $550-$600, while heifers traded at $450-$500. A small yarding of dairy cows sold freely as demand from grazers helped the market, and most fetched $1.80$2.10/kg. COUNTIES COUNTIES Good store cattle continued to sell well at TUAKAU last Thursday, but

lesser quality steers and heifers were harder to shift, Keith West of Carrfields Livestock reported. The offering included heavy beef and beef-cross steers, 550-658kg, which traded at $2.91-$2.97/kg. Another cut of older steers, 470-530kg, earned $2.92-$3.02/kg, $1420-$1560. The 15-month steer section was dominated by Hereford-Friesian and many lots sold at $3.20-$3.50/kg. The heavier steers, 380-445kg, returned $1300-$1440, with 340-375kg steers making $1150-$1275 and lighter types, 275-340kg, $900-$1040. HerefordFriesian weaner steers fetched $590$680. Friesian 1-year bulls weighing 355-440kg sold at $3.00-$3.09/kg, and weaner bulls, 128-171kg, $570-$690. A small offering of 2-year heifers traded at $2.80-$2.85/kg and the best of the 15-month heifers, 310-360kg, earned $3.05-$3.18/kg. The next cut at 270-300kg made $900-$1000 and lighter heifers $780-$885. Weaner heifers, 107-150kg, made $525-$630.

Continued page 54

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Markets

54 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017 About 500 cattle were yarded at last Wednesday’s prime sale and the market was steady. Heavier steers made $2.97-$3.04/kg, and medium $2.90-$2.96/kg, with lighter steers earning $2.79$2.87/kg. Heavy heifers returned $2.84-$2.90/kg, and medium $2.75-$2.83/kg. Dairy-type heifers fetched $2.40-$2.62/kg. Cow prices eased by 3-4c/kg but the market was still strong. Beef cows traded at $2.10-$2.53/kg and heavy Friesians $2.09-$2.33/kg. Medium cows earned $1.93-$2.08/ kg and lighter boners $1.69-$1.86/ kg. There was plenty of quality and variety in the bull section, with most lots making $3.00-$3.15/kg. Between 1500 and 2000 ewes and lambs were yarded at last Monday’s sheep sale and prices were firm. Heavy prime lambs sold at $150-$177, medium $130-$148, and lighter $110-$128. The best of the store lambs earned $112 and lighter lines sold down to $76. The prime ewe market was very strong in places, with the heaviest ewes making $179, outselling the prime lambs. Other good ewes sold from $125, and medium $75-$120. WAIKATO A stunning day greeted salegoers at FRANKTON last Tuesday, with a large yarding of 2300 weaners on offer. Weaner bulls dominated in numbers though returns were varied. Hereford-cross, 120124kg, lifted to $580-$610 while 110-111kg eased to $465-$505. Hereford-Friesian, 110-117kg, eased $30 per head on average, making $610-$665, while 93-97kg were steady at $550-$630 and 9093kg lifted to $590-$622. Friesian bulls, 103-110kg, made steady returns at $520-$575, though 118121kg lifted to $585-$630. Heifers were mainly steady, though the tops did not reach the highs of recent sales. HerefordFriesian sold within a $410-$550 range and Angus-Friesian $365$580. A small line of HerefordJersey were well received at $600. Autumn-born steers, 173-188kg, sold to keen interest earning $710-$810, as did beef-cross bulls, 175kg, $785. The buying power for the 1-year bulls and heifers was lacking on the bench last Wednesday as a mainly local bench was present, but all other areas of the sale made steady returns.

Prime steers traded at $2.93$3.00/kg, though were surpassed by a line of seven Charolais-cross heifers, 583kg,$3.10/kg. Straight beef and Hereford-Friesian heifers, 436-540kg, sold to $2.85-$2.91/kg A nice line up of 2-year steers featured Hereford-Jersey, 421472kg, $2.96-$3.02/kg, with all other lines of beef and beef-cross selling for $2.87-$2.98/kg. The best of the heifers traded at $2.82$2.93/kg to sell on a steady market. The steer section was the highlight of the 1-year pens and proved popular amongst the local buyers. Hereford-cross prices firmed as 312-344kg made $3.11-$3.13/kg. Hereford-Friesian, 358-387kg, made a slight premium at $3.03-$3.10/kg over similar weighted Angus-Friesian, $2.97$3.05/kg, while lighter lines of both breeds earned $3.22-$3.32/ kg. The heifer market proved sticky and only the odd good line made it to $3.00/kg, with HerefordFriesian, 295-365kg averaging $2.88/kg, while Hereford, 276337kg, returned $2.90-$2.91/kg. A number of lesser lines sold for $2.70-$2.77/kg. South-Devon cross featured in a soft bull market, and at 232-355kg sold for $2.79-$2.89/kg, while Friesian, 253-315kg, fetched $2.57$2.60/kg. The TAUPO sale last Thursday was not without its challenges as a major power outage meant generators had to be brought in, but in typical kiwi fashion the show went on. Hereford-Friesian featured in the 2-year steer pens and at 476-518kg made solid returns of $2.98-$3.03/kg. Demand was very strong for the same breed in the 1-year steer pens and 378-397kg surpassed $1200 to make $3.20/ kg. As the weight dropped the $/kg increased, and 254-261kg returned $3.50-$3.60/kg. The heifer market was nothing short of outstanding as buyers were treated to a quality line up of Angus and beef-Friesian cattle. Most of the Angus were 207-234kg, and sold for $3.67-$3.68/kg, while well marked Hereford-Friesian, 260kg, achieved $3.25-$3.27/kg, with the balance of the beefFriesian making $2.96-$3.06/kg. Bull numbers were limited but 12 Angus-Hereford, 303kg, made steer money at $3.47/kg. Three lines of mixed sex Suffolk-

cross lambs were also offered, with two good lines making $91.50, and a lighter line, $84. BAY OF PLENTY BAY OF PLENTY Determined bidding from local buyers at RANGIURU last Tuesday resulted in a moderate yarding easily absorbed at good levels. The sheep pens featured the first real run of new season lambs, with prices strong. Prices lifted for prime steers and Angus, 701kg, sold up to $3.25/ kg, $2280, though Hereford-cross and Shorthorn also surpassed $2000 by trading at $3.14-$3.18/ kg. Hereford-Friesian, 575-591kg, lifted to $3.01-$3.06/kg. Cows made up the balance and beef lines sold to $2.31-$2.37/kg, while good Friesian, 520-573kg, achieved $2.23-$2.28/kg, and medium, $1.95-$1.98/kg. The top end of the store pens held short term cattle, and Angus and Hereford-Friesian steers, 523-550kg sold for $2.91-$2.98/kg with 3-year and 2-year heifers not far behind. Four Hereford bulls, 667kg, made $3.15/kg. The strength continued into the 1-year pens were longer term cattle were also sought after. Hereford-Friesian steers, 255310kg, lifted to $3.25/kg, with similar weighted heifers averaging $3.18/kg. At these prices the better steers traded at $920-$1185 and the heifers, $840-$1000. Weaner cattle were offered up in small lines and heifer prices were adequate at $355-$550, though a line of 166kg Hereford managed $700. Hereford-Friesian bulls, 100123kg, sold for $650-$660. Buyers gathered for a much bigger yarding of sheep as the first significant line up of new season lambs was presented. The top prime lambs made $155, with stores selling to $126.50. Ewes with lambs-at-foot made pleasing returns at $93-$104 all counted. TARANAKI TARANAKI Drying conditions impacted the TARANAKI cattle sale last Wednesday and while quality cattle had a good enough following in the moderate yarding, bids were not nearly as forthcoming for lesser types and off-bred lines. Two-year steers eased 10c/kg as the top lines of Hereford-Friesian and Devon-cross, 460-550kg, achieved $2.85-$2.94/kg, with no other lines of any weight selling

above $2.94/kg. Prices for heifers were much more variable as the longer-term cattle really showed the impact of the dry weather. Angus-Friesian, 461-483kg, managed $2.82-$2.91/kg, and a few other small lines were also up to that level, but there was a significant number that traded at $2.40-$2.50/kg. The market came back further on younger cattle and around 20-25c/kg was taken out of recent values. Heavy Hereford-Friesian steers, 385-412kg, made just $2.65/ kg, while the next cut improved to $2.80-$2.85/kg, and further again for 226-264kg to $3.14-$3.16/kg. Similarly the heifer market was harder going, and the best returns were for Hereford-Friesian, 236250kg, $2.70-$2.71/kg, with other lines making $2.40-$2.52/kg. Friesian bulls, 190-238kg, traded at $570-$640 for varying $/kg. Strong buying support mainly from King Country but also Waikato saw prices in general hold for the 1450 head weaner fair on Thursday, with demand consistent through most of the bull pens and a good chunk of the heifers. Good Hereford-Friesian bulls, 118-130kg, made solid returns at $640-$670, and 100-110kg, $610$660. Friesian bulls, 100-115kg sold for $500-$570, while lighter lines, 85-95kg, returned $450-$510. Nearly 70% of the heifers section were Hereford-Friesian, with the balance made up of AngusFriesian and dairy-cross. The top Hereford-Friesian sold to good demand and 100-130kg earned $500-$575, with good AngusFriesian selling to $500. Lines 95-110kg of lesser condition and breeding were harder to shift and mostly made $400-$450. POVERTY BAY POVERTY BAY Timely rain brought a bit more life to the store lamb pens at MATAWHERO last Friday, and the local bench met a smaller line up of bright, healthy lambs. Good male lambs sold on a softer market at $93-$100.50, but medium lines strengthened to $73-$85. Good sized lines of mixed sex made $86-$92.50, while good ewe lambs returned $88-$94, and lighter lines $50-$56. The store section did start with two lines of woolly ewe hoggets and these sold surprisingly well at $133-$144. A small offering of prime lambs

made solid returns at $101$122.50, with ewe hoggets earning $107-$108. Ewes continue to sell to keen interest though quality was down. Store types traded at $69-98, with two better lines to $110-$119.50. HAWKE’S BAY HAWKE’S BAY Larger than usual numbers of ewes have been drawn to STORTFORD LODGE by the high rewards, and just short of 5000 featured last Monday. The highlight of Wednesday’s sale was a consignment of capital stock cows and calves with all lines surpassing $2000. The ewe market made an adjustment last Monday with prices easing $8-$12 across all types. The top ewes made $134$165, though most were medium to good and earned $113-$133. A larger portion dropped below $100, as lighter ewes traded at $83-$99. Lamb numbers climbed to 400 head and the market held. Lambs 40kg plus traded at $140-$163, while those under returned $122$138. Though space is tightening up for cattle demand in the rostrum was still strong, with the focus on a sizable entry of Hereford-Jersey heifers. The better types, 508550kg, fetched $2.86-$2.93/kg, while a very heavy Devon, 830kg, sold to $2291. Angus cows were also a highlight and at 461-567kg sold for $2.25$2.34/kg, with Friesian-Jersey, 546kg, also strong at $2.28/kg. A correction to store lamb prices saw a good blackface mixed sex lambs come back $3-$7 per head, with lighter lines falling by up to $11. Whiteface cryptorchid lambs featured more, with the top lines making $88-$99, and the balance, $63-$78. Mixed sex lambs were mainly blackface and good types made $87-$102, with a few exceptional lines selling higher. Light lines traded at $72-$85, and ewe lambs $62-$81. Ewes and hoggets with lambsat-foot are declining in number as this market draws to a close, and hoggets sold for $72-$83 all counted, with the best mixed age line making $111.50. Sale goers were treated to some classy cattle as the sale got underway with a consignment of capital stock Angus and AngusHereford cows with Angus calves-

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Markets

at-foot. Around 100 head were offered due to a farm sale. These cows and calves were well within their value though the price tags were impressive as two lines of three and four-year heifers made $2200-$2270 per unit, and the mixed age cows traded at $2150$2230. A line of 30 8-year Angus cows and calves from a different camp fetched $2080, while 16 Hereford earned $2050. Once the excitement of the cows and calves was over the market settled, and while short term cattle still sold freely, an element of caution crept into the 1-year market. Beef-Friesian featured through the 2-year pens, with steers, 483-591kg, making $2.96-$2.99/ kg, though Angus and Anguscross lines earned a premium at $3.27-$3.31/kg. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 470-478kg, matched steer price at $2.93-$2.98/kg. Selective bidding on Angus steers resulted in a mix in prices. A line of 362kg managed $3.62/ kg, and 399kg, $3.38/kg, but 344362kg dropped to $3.16-$3.17/kg. Angus-cross, 323-414kg, returned $3.25/kg. Heifer returns were more stable, and Angus & AngusHereford, 312-382kg, mainly made $3.17-$3.21/kg, while a nice line of Charolais, 397kg, sold well at $1185, $2.98/kg. Friesian bulls, 354-371kg, eased to $2.90-$2.94/kg. MANAWATU MANAWATU Ewe numbers continued to climb at FEILDING last Monday with 8700 yarded. Prices eased, but that was expected and vendors were still happy with returns. Heavy to very heavy ewes still managed $134-$152, though a larger number were mediumgood lines at $120-$131. Light and medium lines returned $88-$119 and light ewes, $64-$86. Lamb numbers also nearly doubled as local areas dry out and this market also softened, though by a lesser degree to the ewes. The tops made $138-$170, medium $119-$134, and small store types $55-$113. The cattle pens were much quieter in comparison, with the sale over in short time. Cows featured but Friesian, 475-520kg, eased to $2.04/kg, and AngusFriesian mainly traded at $1.86$1.94/kg. The balance of the yarding were mostly single lines, though four Devon cows, 715kg, sold well at $2.39/kg. After last week’s soft market, lamb entries were slightly reduced at Friday’s sale and buying ranks were deeper so the prediction of a firming in prices was on the mark, although mainly for the better lambs. 251 undrafted mixed sex blackface lambs sold for $118 and another 70 lambs sold for $113 to lead the market. The top end of lambs recovered last week’s $10 ease and even the tiny lambs firmed. Hoggets were virtually nonexistent and the ewes with lambs at foot earlier in the sale were steady. Sheep (5,612): ewes with LAF, $55.50-$94.50; lambs; 31-36kg, $90-$118, $2.91-$3.41, lift; 26-30kg, $70.50-$88.50, $2.67-$3.06, firm; 18-25kg, $47.50-$67, $2.35-$2.93, firm. Vendors tested the cattle market with very large numbers of

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017 yearling cattle. Earlier in the sale, the older steers eased slightly. A regular vendor’s weekly entry of two year old Angus steers dropped 10 cents/kg to sell at $1860 ($3.15) but, as usual, it was mostly the lesser bred cattle that were affected. Top exotic cross yearling steers sold up to $1430 ($3.16) and top Angus yearlings made $1440 ($3.18). One vendor received over $4/kg for their multiple lines of yearling Angus steers but overall the yearling steers were back a touch in a huge section. A pen of two year Angus bulls left the cows and sold for $1990 ($3.61) as a highlight but the odd passing happened in the yearling bulls and top Friesian yearlings sold for $1175 ($2.77) so the numbers had an impact in this section also. Older heifers were steady without any standout lines and yearling heifers were plentiful with the traditional heifers at a premium in an easing section. Cattle: steers; 2yr, 350-590kg, $940-$1860, $2.69-$3.24, slight ease; 1yr, 240-453kg, $700-$1440, $2.56-$4.22, ease; bulls; 2yr, 372552kg, $960-$1990, $2.58-$3.61; 1yr, 159-423kg, $455-$1175, $2.63$3.59, ease; heifers; 2yr, 376-423kg, $1100-$1285, $2.74-$2.94, steady; 1yr, to 392kg, to $1110, $2.75$3.40. WAIRARAPA WAIRARAPA All eyes were on the 7500 lambs offered at MASTERTON last Wednesday, followed up by the Te Whanga Station on-farm lamb sale of 5500 head. Agents had done their homework and gathered up buyers from Waikato, King Country and a few from Manawatu, with results well up on 2016, PGG Wrightson agent Steve Wilkinson reported. The Masterton section mainly consisted of blackface mixed sex, though it also included a smaller number of Romney cryptorchid and ewe lambs. A larger portion of the yarding were medium types due to slower growth rates this year, but the market was better than expected, and good types made $80-$95, with medium lambs around $68-$78. Lighter lines sold for $45-$55. Annual buyers from local areas and Manawatu featured prominently at the Te Whanga Station on-farm sale that also offered up mainly blackface mixed sex and the balance in Romney cryptorchid. The top line of mixed sex sold to $97, with the remainder reaching similar levels to Masterton. CANTERBURY CANTERBURY South Island buyers had their first real opportunity to purchase good numbers of store lambs at five on-farm lamb sales from Monday to Thursday. These sales were well supported, and the general consensus was that prices were up $30-$35 on 2016, and also above recent levels in the North Island. Around 22,500 lambs were sold over the course of the sales, and were mainly blackface and whiteface terminal mixed sex. The North Canterbury sales kicked off the week and Glenmark sold 15,000 lambs and 1500 ewes. The top prime lambs sold to $184-$186, and medium primes, $120-$148. Most store lambs made

$95-$100, with a few lines to $105, while lighter lambs traded at $70$80. The ewes sold to keen interest, with the best line reaching $183, and most other good types $145$160, while the lightest line made $104. At Banks Peninsula prime lambs sold to $164-$165, with store lambs selling at similar levels to the other sales. New season lamb numbers climbed at COALGATE last Thursday, with just over 1200 in the store pens and a further 1300 prime lambs. Prime cattle outnumbered the stores, and prices were mainly strong. The top store lambs sold for $100-$110, with second cuts making $80-$97, and a small tail end $40-$78. In the same vein the prime lambs had a very good following and sold to $185, with other heavy lambs making $160-$175, and the remainder $110-$159. A big yarding of prime ewes was a good test for the market and it held up well, with prices mainly steady. The top lines made $200$226, with a good portion also at $180-$199. Medium to good lines sold for $130-$179. Also coming forward in good numbers were ewes and hoggets with lambs-at-foot. The feature was 257 mixed age ewes and 314 young lambs, with values realistic at $75 all counted. Most other lines traded at $79-$88, with a top line reaching $108. Specially advertised half-bred ewes, suitable for breeding, made $160. Prime cattle outnumbered the stores with a significant yarding of heifers and steers making up the bulk of the 174 offered. Straight beef steers traded at $2.92-$3.12/kg, though the majority of both the beef and beefFriesian lines were 513-623kg and ranged from $2.90-$3.00/kg. Heifer results were mixed, with finished lines selling to $2.92$2.98/kg for 518-550kg, though local trade, 437-505kg, eased to $2.80-$2.92/kg. A small yarding of cows had the best beef lines at $2.20-$2.26/kg. All lines in the store pens were in single figures, though all bar one line of the 1-year steers sold in excess of $1000, such was the quality in the pens. The $/kg were not over the top, but it was the weight of the cattle that brought the prices up and HerefordFriesian, 351-354kg, made $3.02$3.14/kg, with other lines under $3.00/kg. Hereford-Friesian also featured in the small heifer offering, and 2-year, 402-429kg, traded at $2.62$2.70/kg, with one quality line of 1-year Hereford, 334kg, shooting up to $3.44/kg. SOUTH CANTERBURY SOUTH CANTERBURY With three big cattle sales held at TEMUKA last week, a total of 3970 cattle were offered. Prime cattle sold to keen interest, and North Island buyers kept the weaner bull market alive last Tuesday, while store cattle on Thursday had the weight but prices eased. Ewe numbers increased to 2200 last Monday as high prices draw in numbers. The top ewes still sold to $180-$236 and few lines made under $100, but through the middle prices eased to$110-$168. New season lamb numbers pushed to 560 primes with prices

firm at $141-$178 for the better types, and the remainder, $115$139. A very small store lamb section kicked off the season, and two light blackface lines sold for $85.50$102.50 while a medium line made $103. Merino and Merino-cross hoggets were variable, trading at $70-$175. The other big feature was the hoggets with lambs-at-foot, with a total of 900 all counted. Most lines were singles and all sold for $80$93 all counted. Vendors had a win in the rostrum as demand outstripped supply. The steer section grew by nearly 50 head, helped by an entry 52 Friesian steers, 538-755kg, which sold well at $2.85-$2.95/ kg. High yielding traditional and exotic lines made $3.05-$3.09/ kg, while Hereford-Friesian, 510595kg, returned $2.90-$3.02/kg. Few lines of beef heifers sold below $2.90/kg as all high yielding types easily made $2.90-$2.94/ kg, with a line of three Charolais, 640kg, achieving $2.99/kg. Angus bulls, 600-720kg, sold to $3.05-$3.09/kg, while Jersey, 446470kg, earned $2.68-$2.73/kg. The cow market was a highlight, and prime cows sold as high as $2.40-$2.42/kg for good beef types, and most lines at least made $2.17/kg. Friesian cows, 500-600kg, lifted to $2.13/kg, with $2.07-$2.22/kg common. Lines 400-450kg fetched $1.87-$2.01/kg, while Kiwi-cross, 480-543kg, also made good returns at $2.05-$2.12/ kg. Temuka added a dairy-beef calf sale to its calendar this year as growing numbers in the area warranted it. It was well supported from a vendor point of view with nearly 2200 calves offered last Tuesday, though that was down on the advertised 2700. A small Hereford-Friesian market was held together by two main buyers, and heifers made identical values to the bulls. Hereford-Friesian 85-100kg bulls and heifers traded at $470-$525, and 101-115kg, $520-$560. Friesian and Friesian-cross bulls made up 65% of the total yarding and two North Island buyers added certainty to the market, though budgets were adhered to. With one buyer focusing on the 90-110kg calves and the other the 110kg plus there was little crossover between bidding, though local support underpinned. Most lines around the 100kg mark made contract value of $450-$470, and 110-115kg, $465-$490. Buyers had to be pushed past $500 with only those 130kg persuaded over. The lighter end, 75-95kg, traded at $340-$460. Extra weight in store cattle balanced out prices for vendors as the market eased last Thursday. A small offering of 1-year Angus steers, 265-312kg, sold for $3.58-$3.62/kg, while the top Hereford-Friesian steers weighed in at 330-370kg, which meant a number of lines cracked $1000 despite $/kg prices easing to $3.07-$3.13/kg. Those 314-328kg made $3.13-$3.22/kg, and as more weight came off the $/kg increased to $3.33-$3.43/kg for 250-255kg. Angus-Friesian, 305-348kg, returned $3.09-$3.11/kg. Angus also featured in the heifer pens and 300kg managed $3.31$3.37/kg, with Angus-Hereford,

284kg, fetching $3.36/kg. Murray Grey, 269-314kg, sold for $3.06$3.12/kg. The day really was all about the Hereford-Friesian cattle though, and some heifers made prices were very similar to the steers, while others dropped well below $3.00/kg as buyers were selective. Friesian bulls, 159-256kg, eased to $2.78-$2.87/kg, while Friesian-cross, 277-306kg, sold relatively well at $2.81-$2.91/kg. Friesian bulls, 159-256kg, eased to $2.78-$2.87/kg, while Friesiancross, 277-306kg, sold relatively well at $2.81-$2.91/kg. OTAGO OTAGO The biggest yarding in recent months featured at BALCLUTHA last Wednesday and was made up largely of dry ewes, PGG Wrightson agent Russell Moloney reported. Ewe prices bettered the remaining prime hoggets as the top lines went under the hammer for $150-$160, medium $140-$148, and light, $135-$140. Hoggets sold to $140-$150, medium $130-$135, and lighter, $125-$130, with a small offering of new season lambs making $140. More new season lambs featured in the store pens and sold for $80-$88. Cattle also made the journey to Balclutha last week, and while the market was pleasing it was a shade softer than recent levels. The yarding featured Charolais steers, 430kg, $3.04/kg, HerefordFriesian, 428kg, $2.90./kg and Angus heifers, 457kg, $2.80/kg. SOUTHLAND SOUTHLAND New season lambs are now starting to flow at LORNEVILLE, with numbers increasing in the prime pens last Tuesday. Cattle returns were sound for a moderate yarding of prime, and small number of store cattle. The best of the prime lambs and hoggets sold to $140-$150, with medium types making $130-$140, and lighter, $120. The ewe market was very steady and heavy types made $140-$160, medium $120$140 and light, $90-$110. Twotooth’s traded at $80-$145, while lighter ewes returned $60-$90, and rams, $90-$110. The store pens are still tidying up the last of the hoggets and prices reflected limited interest with all trading at $78-$103. Ewes with lambs-at-foot sold for $85$97. After a strong finish last week light and medium cows eased to $1.50-$1.60/kg and $1.80-$1.90/ kg respectively. Heavy beef lines held value though at $2.00-$2.12/ kg. The opposite rang true for the remainder of the section as steers and heifers firmed. Steers, 520-560kg, earned $2.90/kg, with heavy lines improving markedly to $2.90-$2.96/kg. Good dairy heifers also showed improvement as 420kg plus made $2.20-$2.45/kg, and 370-420kg, $2.00-$2.30/kg. A small yarding of store cattle posted mixed results due to a mixed yarding. Two-year beefcross heifers, 381kg, fetched $2.57/kg, though 1-year Herefordcross, 299kg, managed $3.07/kg. Friesian steers, 311kg, made $2.60/ kg. In the weaner pens medium Hereford-cross heifers sold for $370-$420, while the best of the Friesian bulls made $470-$480, and medium types, $430-$460.

Markets

56 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 27, 2017 WAIKATO MAIZE GRAIN

AGRIHQ MILK PRICE

NI STEER

($/T)

($/KG)

WMP FUTURES DECEMBER

($/KG)

(US$/T)

443

6.19

5.70

2800

high $450-$470 lights Friesian bulls calves,

Sales give good signs Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com

OMPETITION was fierce for prime lambs at Hazlett Rural’s Glenmark Drive onfarm sale in North Canterbury. “The killable lambs were really chased up at the top end but, right through, activity was very strong,” group general manager Ed Marfell said. Competition was strongest in the 15kg to 18kg kill weight range (36kg to 40kg live weight) and the top price was $186 a head for a pen of 234 lambs sold on account of Manahune Partnership. Another pen sold at $184. “They’re not little numbers and it’s in the context that these farms have come through two and half years of drought up to last year so you’ve still got low breeding ewe numbers. “It’s the first time in three years they’ve had grass to feed the lambs.” Across Tuesday’s Glenmark sale and at Port Levy on Banks Peninsula on Wednesday prices were on average about $30 to $35 a head higher than last year. Top prices for primes at Port Levy were $164 to $165. Store lambs sold strongly at Glenmark with an average in the $3.20/kg to $3.30/kg range. The 28kg to 30kg lambs sold from $95 to $100. “Most people were comfortable buying there and occasionally stretching to $105,” Marfell said.

TOUGH CONTEST: Competition for lambs was fierce at the Glenmark Drive onfarm sale.

Lighter lambs made $70 to $80. The stores were mostly bought for Canterbury farms still with plenty of feed though there were signs of a start of some drying-off in North Canterbury. Some lambs were headed for Otago and Southland. The big bonus was in the mutton price. About 1500 ewes were on offer across three of the Glenmark farms with a top price of $183 and light ewes down to $104. The average on one line was $160 a head and $143 on another.

“That’s tremendous money,” Marfell said. “We know those prices won’t survive as more ewes come on stream and contracts are due to wind back at the end of November but all-in-all it’s very good.” There were few ewe lambs on sale, pointing to flock rebuilding. Close to 15,000 lambs were traded at Glenmark with the sale the big one pre-Christmas for Hazlett Rural, so a good guide to sector confidence. With a better growing season than last year weights

were up and with the schedule being about $1/kg higher, the view was positive. Farmers were getting good price indications and confident of working out margins given it did not take a long time to fatten lambs, Marfell said. “Last year the schedule went from $6kg to $5 and the signs this year are it might go from $7 to the low $6.’’ Many of the stores would be gone from farms by Christmas; for others, finishers might be looking for the Easter-trade money.

100-110kg, at Temuka Weaned Calf Sale

$3.50/kgLW 1-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 290-325kg, at Wellsford

Weather rules store market IF I had a dollar for every time someone mentioned dry weather to me this week I would be a rich person. Seems crazy to think that not long ago the areas now worryingly Suz Bremner dry were so wet and the rain AgriHQ Analyst just kept on falling. That’s the reality though and just adds another notch to the year out of the box 2017 has proved to be. The new season store lamb market is well and truly under way and while it started with plenty of gusto and high prices, the last few weeks have seen the brakes come on. This is due to the areas where the big buyers in the North Island hail from needing rain and shows the weather is going to be the real dictator of this market in the weeks to come. Prices have already come back $15-$20 on where they started the season and if the dry conditions continue and more numbers come on stream the decline is likely to continue. This is a hard pill to swallow for those who would very much have liked to get lambs away earlier but the wet spring delayed lamb growth rates and meant weaning had to be delayed – just another challenge to build farmers’ character. Store cattle markets have not been immune either with reports of a noted decrease in interest as buyers watch the skies. Extra numbers are being offloaded but for the same reason buying power is easing. At this stage lesser lines and off-bred types have taken a knock but, again, if the weather pattern continues, buyers will shut up shop and all classes will be affected. So we will continue to watch the skies in the hope areas that need it get some rain in the near future. If only we could have bottled up the surplus that fell in spring. suz.bremner@nzx.com

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