Farmers Weekly NZ October 23 2017 by AgriHQ

3 NAIT response falls short Vol 16 No 41, October 23, 2017

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Farmer: Let’s do it Richard Rennie

richard.rennie@nzx.com

ATUANUI dairy cow and goat farmer Richard Cookson believes the change in government brings opportunity and vision to the sector that has been sorely missing over the past eight years. New Zealand needed more courage and vision to help effect changes in many areas, including sustainable land management. “It simply has been too long without any of that courage. “By now we should be at the forefront of how our products are placed in the world markets and how we genuinely create a premium for those products. “Until now this has all been left up to the industry with no leadership from the Minister of Primary Industries.” He welcomed rumours Green Party leader James Shaw might even head up the

Primary Industries Ministry but hoped pragmatism would win out over idealism when it came to helping the primary sector develop more sustainable practices. “I worry that he may fixate upon organic farming but that will not deal with the issues we face right now and it will not help in getting farmers who own the land on board with any changes.” Cookson believed the last inspiring minister the sector had was the unlikely figure of Jim Anderton. “His roots were far from farming, coming from working class Christchurch, but he got good people around him and had a real belief in making agriculture better.” On the whole the primary sector tended to do better under a Labour-led government. “I think it is because they come in with no preconceptions about the industry and about what it should be.” NZ had been shuffling and indecisive over big issues like managing greenhouse

gases as the rest of the world got on with acting on its commitments. “Right now we have all these disruptors coming down the line at us, especially around environmental issues.” Meantime, countries like Ireland had pushed ahead with successful and authentic efforts to improve their sector’s sustainability and make it a marketing point of difference. He was disappointed the government had left it to the primary industry to grapple with the issues, offering little vision and fewer goals on what needed to be achieved. “DairyNZ is going a really good job but it’s on its own and government has left it to regional councils to enforce standards. “Whoever comes in needs to re-establish trust and contact with regional councils and government departments like MPI. “I am not afraid of this change in government. We badly need more inspirational leaders who are leading change.”

BRING IT ON: Waikato dairy farmer Richard Cookson says he’s not afraid of the change in government and welcomes inspirational leaders who want change.

Reactions go from relaxed to hunkered down Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com FARMER reaction to the new coalition government has so far been muted and relaxed though at least one farmer is barricading himself in for a tough time. “We are completely hunkered

down – in defence mode with all non-essential expenditure and all capital development and plant replacement suspended until we know what new government policies will mean for us,” Mid Canterbury arable farmer David Clark said. “Potentially the two biggest

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issues of concern come from (Winston) Peters saying he is going back to some old style of capitalism and the Labour Party’s industrial relations policies that were never challenged through the election campaign. “I sincerely hope we are not going back to the 70s style union-

dominated workplace,” Clark said. “Obviously there will be a massive turning point for the New Zealand economy and I guess we will see what effect that is going to have as it unfolds. “It is very concerning, the thought of renegotiating freetrade agreements and it remains

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to be seen what the changes in foreign investment will do to investment confidence in NZ. “Peters was very clear he was not going to support water tax and I certainly expect him to follow that pledge.”

Continued page 4

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NEWS

NEW THINKING

Soil Moisture Anomaly (mm) at 9am October 20, 2017

27 Blockchain could save billions Auckland University head of commercial law Alex Sims describes blockchain as a type of digital ledger that records transactions chronologically in blocks of data.

60 Wetter than

normal (mm)

OPINION

30 Alternative View

Alan Emerson says coalition talks made turkeys of us all.

Fonterra has delayed the introduction of a demerit scheme for farmers supplying milk with high fat evaluation index (FEI) levels from the start of next season to September 1.

Editorial �� 28 Cartoon �� 28 Letters �� 28 Pulpit �� 29 Alternative View �� 30 From the Ridge �� 30 Meaty Matters �� 31

8 Tech means go slow to speed up

WORLD

7 Farmers get more time to cut fat

A warts and all insight to precision agriculture’s impact on those at the sharp end includes frustrations over data quantities it generate but also the rewards of sticking with it and saving significant sums along the way.

25 Small town organises fuel stop The loss of essential services like fuel can be fatal for a small rural community but not in the thriving village of Pongaroa in Tararua District where the community has banded together to build its own fuel stop with the help of Allied Petroleum.

NAIT disease response fell short �� 3 Farmers react to political change �� 4 Active government shifts political plates �� 5

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Drier than normal (mm)

32 Recovering from a tough

season

After one of the toughest seasons in years Australia’s dairy industry is recovering, according to the latest Dairy Situation and Outlook report.

REGULARS Employment �� 33 Classifieds �� 33 Livestock �� 33-35

MARKETS

Farmers get more time to cut fat �� 7 Tech means go slow to speed up �� 8 More digital farm input welcomed �� 10

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

Job

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Shepherd general – sheep, beef breeding and finishing operation. Pukerewa Station is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and self-motivated person to join their team. The main duties involve a mix of stock work, fencing, general duties and working collectively with the manager to make decisions around stock management and stock health For more information and a full job description visit the Farmers Weekly jobs site: farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz and click on Shepherd General category. To find all other agjobs click on All Categories. #agjobs at your fingertips.

Dairy foods are earning more �� 16 Another flat peak for this year �� 17 Taratahi takes over at Telford �� 18 Did farmer want shot of wool? �� 20 Small town organises fuel stop �� 25

NEWSMAKER

27 Growers become video stars Graham and Tracey Sinnamon did not expect their product to go quite so public. “We just do what we love doing and that’s farming,” Graham said.

40 US holding export trump card? New trade agreements point to the United States being a stronger competitor with New Zealand for dairy and beef exports to China.

Market Snapshot �� 36

Contact us 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 – October 23, 2017

NAIT disease response fell short Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com NATIONAL Animal Identification and Tracing fell short of expectation in the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis response, Ministry for Primary Industries readiness and response director Geoff Gwyn says. He told a farmer meeting in Waimate on Thursday that NAIT animal declaration had played a key part in the response. “But we have learnt a lot. It has fallen short of expectation, been disappointing,” Gwyn said. “If this had been a fast moving disease we could well be in a different situation. “It is something that we will need to address for the future,” he said. Ospri chief executive Michelle Edge said NAIT had responded as requested by the Government and was doing what it was intended to do as part of the Government’s Mycoplasma bovis incursion response. NAIT was tasked with responding to MPI reporting needs in an incursion response. “That is the role of the programme – to support government in livestock tracing in identification of livestock and premises.” Edge said it must be understood that NAIT could only provide data it had recorded. She said the NAIT team kicked into action from day one of the notification of the cattle disease on the van Leeuwen dairy group’s South Canterbury farm in July. “The system is a system which requires user input. Farmers are required by law to meet NAIT compliance and that was part of the challenge in the still young programme.” NAIT was not able to determine if farmers impacted by the disease response were complying but compliance was part of a review of the programme.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH: NAIT’s response effectiveness could well mean a different situation with a fast-moving disease, Primary Industries Ministry readiness and response director Geoff Gwyn says.

“It’s up to MPI to enforce laws and regulations should noncompliance be identified,” Edge said. She was hesitant to criticise the national system only by the compliance levels in the impacted premises. “What we need to do is strengthen the system and work out how to encourage people to better use and utilise the current system for future response procedures. “Personally, I think there will be a range of education outcomes as a result of this response, including the role of NAIT in terms of disease traceability and the importance of ensuring utilisation by the livestock and farming community,” Edge said. Meantime MPI confirmed to farmers that more intensive,

RUBBISH IN, RUBBISH OUT: Nait can only provide information from data supplied by farmers and if they are not complying it is the Primary Industries Ministry’s job to police and prosecute them, Ospri chief executive Michelle Edge says.

robotic production systems had showed up greater clinical signs of the disease. As a consequence MPI had begun working on welfare regulations around that new generation of dairy farms, MPI veterinarian and field controller Victoria Barrell said. There appeared to be a link between intensive, robotic farming and the Mycoplasma bovis disease. “What we are seeing, finding and know under intensive environment (under roof ) type farming, we are seeing some of the worst clinical cases and overseas literature shows us that too. “On one infected indoor property the clinical signs were horrendous. On the second infected, related outdoor property

NEW RULES: The Primary Industries Ministry is working on new regulations for intensive dairy farms in the wake of Mycoplasma bovis, vet and field controller Victoria Barrell says.

there were no signs,” Barrell said. While MPI had still not been able to identify the source of the disease it hoped to know more by the end of November once a pathways survey being by a team of international experts was complete. MPI continued to work with affected farmers, veterinarians and industry stakeholders to establish a plan for the proposed cull of more than 4000 cows from the infected properties. Gwyn said it was expected it would be another couple of weeks before plans were complete. Compensation would be paid to affected farmers and details around that were available on the MPI website. “There is no intention at this stage to de-populate beyond the infected properties,” Gwyn said.

Barrell said most of the cattle would go to a meat works for processing and all transport and processing would be under strict MPI protocol and control. Some animals would not be fit for transport or ultimately human consumption. They would be killed onfarm. Barrell stressed there was no food safety risk with the disease. MPI had now identified seven infected properties with 20 properties under restricted place notices. A total of 33,000 of 40,000 tests had been completed. “Numbers are our friend in testing. That’s why we are playing the numbers game. “We expect to have the 40,000 test results in about a month’s time,” Barrell said.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Farmers react to political change Continued from page 1 The worst thing about the election campaign was the huge amount of negativity about farming and the lack of acknowledgement of the huge amount of work being done in the agriculture sector to reduce environmental externalities. “We can only wait and see what happens from here,” he said. Irrigation New Zealand remained very strong in its belief a water tax was never going to improve water quality, chairwoman Nicky Hyslop said. “And that is unlikely to happen now with Winston Peters making it very clear in his election campaign that he did not support water tax. “And we will be holding him to that,” Hyslop said. “It’s also pleasing to hear Jacinda Adern recognising that now,” she said. Farmers and irrigators had a lot of common ground with all political parties in terms of improving water quality. “As do all New Zealanders – we do want to continue to improve water quality and we want to continue to have input into shaping that policy, as we have been doing.” Hyslop said a lot of the detail in

We do want to continue to improve water quality. Nicky Hyslop Irrigation NZ

DAVID CLARK: Defence mode.

NICKY HYSLOP: Pleased.

MILES ANDERSON: Relaxed.

Labour’s water policy was already being implemented. “What we need to do a lot better is how we get that message out there. “What we will be asking of the new government is for support to continue the initiatives and

activities already occurring at catchment and farm level.” Hyslop also wanted to see continued support for the National Policy Statement (NPS) on freshwater. “There has been so much change in that space – let’s not

undo a whole lot of work that’s already been done,” she said. South Canterbury sheep farmer and Federated Farmers national meat and fibre chairman Miles Anderson said he was initially quite relaxed about the new government.

“I’m not too stressed at the moment – without detail around policy and specific ministers we don’t know what we may need to stress about,” he said. “But in saying that I was quite surprised to hear Winston (Peters) in his speech, after his period of showmanship, say that the economy would take a hit – that is a concern,” Anderson said. “But that’s not to suggest it’s all doom and gloom – yet.” Anderson acknowledged that NZ First gained a lot of support from the provinces on its policies targeted at the rural sector. “And we have got to have some confidence he will be a man of his word.” “What will be interesting and what we are scant with detail on is the involvement of the Greens Party with Labour.”

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Active government back in farm lives Tim Fulton tim.fulton@nzx.com THE Government is about to step back strongly into farmers’ everyday business. Jacinda Ardern, set to be the country’s youngest Prime Minister since 1856, wanted to twist and tweak the idea of leaving Kiwis to their own devices. Few expected a Kaikoura earthquake magnitude political shift but some long-standing planks of hands-off government might fall into the sea. In her stump speech as Labour’s new leader just a couple of months ago Ardern said “We need to be an active partner for growth in all regions of New Zealand – ensuring that jobs and career opportunities exist right across the country.” On Thursday night, after steering her party back from despair to an unlikely sixth Labour Government, she pledged an economy that delivered for

all New Zealanders, a protected environment and accessible social services for all. Ardern, 37, was not even at school when the fourth Labour government ripped apart a regulated NZ in the mid 1980s. The free-wheeling economics that followed created the backdrop for the career of NZ First leader and Ardern’s new ally, Winston Peter. As a 40-year political veteran and protege of the late Sir Robert Muldoon, Peters had long called for government to be more interventionist in economic and social policy. As a new coalition partner to Labour, he said he wanted to put a “human face” on capitalism. Greens leader James Shaw, who was outside the government tent but still a key coalition ally, said the new set-up would be transformative. Coalition policy and ministerial positions weren’t yet public but Ardern said regional NZ would get

the jobs and infrastructure they deserved. The coalition wrangling of the past fortnight seemed to have given farmers a quick win with Peters saying that when it came to a water tax farmers should be happy.

HortNZ keen to talk on issues Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com THE change of government brings an exciting opportunity for the horticultural sector to work on the challenges it faces, particularly concerning the environment and immigration, Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman says. He was relatively sanguine about the Government’s composition but any real indication of what policy would be was likely to be signalled by ministerial appointments in coming days.

“At this stage nothing is solid and we have not been privy to any information about this but it is quite likely there will be some real surprises that you would not have got had it been a straight out win for Labour.” He believed the water tax proposal had been something of an election gambit. “We have the Prime Minister (Jacinda Ardern) saying the water conditions are deteriorating. Noone is denying that but there are different ways to deal with that.” Hort NZ was had prepared to argue the inefficiency of a water tax and still would if required.

He noted half the support for NZ First came from the rural sector and believed Winston Peters would be mindful of that support when setting rural based policies. Chapman was optimistic the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme would remain, with all three parties expressing their support for it. “The RSE is not immigration and we are interested in who will get the immigration minister’s role and how they will work.” He took comfort in Labour’s immigration policy expressing support for the rural sector’s needs.

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Prices now are driven more by what you can earn off a farm rather than buying for capital gains. Imre Speizer Westpac That wouldn’t be a surprise because it was always the case when major new policy was involved, Westpac Bank strategist Imre Speizer said. The main signals were for a significant reduction in immigration levels, restrictions on foreigners buying homes and higher spending. For areas affecting farming, the new governing parties had both sought a lower kiwi dollar but so had nearly everyone, including the Reserve Bank, to help improve export returns. There was talk of changes to the way the bank prepared monetary policy but Speizer wasn’t expecting anything significant. There might be some extra wording put into the Policy

Target Agreement, such as unemployment levels, but he said that would be cosmetic and he did not believe the Labour team planned to change inflation targets. The NZ First talk of a managed currency, along the lines of the Singapore system, wouldn’t happen. “It works for Singapore because it has a high savings rate and exports money to the world. We have low savings and borrow money from the rest of the world so don’t have the right economic foundations for that.” A part-time farmer as well as a currency strategist, Speizer said any tougher restrictions by the new Government on foreigners buying farmland would be likely to reduce farm prices at the margin. Overseas fund managers had bought some large dairy farms and tended to pay more for them so acted as a pricesupport but if that was reduced there was still an active local market. “Prices now are driven more by what you can earn off a farm rather than buying for capital gains. “If there’s more restrictions prices won’t tumble but we mightn’t see some of the big gains we’ve seen in the past.” Both Labour and NZ First had opposed recent free-trade agreements but Speizer didn’t have a view on where that might lead, saying a lot of the rhetoric had been vague. Outside of direct NZ government impacts, Speizer believed the kiwi dollar was heading lower as overseas economic activity and interest rates picked up.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Farmers get more time to cut fat Glenys Christian glenys.christian@nzx.com FONTERRA has delayed the introduction of a demerit scheme for farmers supplying milk with high fat evaluation index (FEI) levels from the start of next season to September 1. Its Bay of Plenty regional head Lisa Payne, who is leading farmer consultations on the new FEI grading system, said the date was changed to give farmers, particularly winter milkers, more time to review their FEI results and adjust onfarm practices. This season 32% of Fonterra’s winter milk was over the threshold in June, dropping to 12% in July. Payne said Fonterra recognised the issue was not a onedimensional one and knew some farmers would be making decisions now about silage and crops for next year. “While the key factor affecting milk fat composition is the amount of palm kernel fed and its oil content, many factors influence the FEI,” she said. “These include other supplemental feeds, breed of the cow, genetics and weight of the cow, stage of lactation and the environment. Even a 100% pasture diet will register an FEI result.” Federated Farmers dairy chairman Chris Lewis said there was still a lot more work to do with the FEI now in the testing phase. While some farmers appreciated the carrot rather than stick approach it was challenging for others who might need to move away from a cheap, widely accessible feed. “It will be good to have more information in front of us,” he said. “Now’s the time if farmers have concerns to make them known.” They should approach their supply manager then their

Fonterra Shareholders Council member before going to the federation if they were not happy with the response they received. Payne said farmers were being consulted on the grading framework, which would be finalised by the end of the year and was getting some good feedback. “Farmers agree that the overall objective of the co-op should be to maximise returns for our farmers,” she said. “To do that we must have the right milk fat composition to produce the products that our customers demand.” Fonterra would work with farmers to make sure they had the information and tools they needed to produce high quality milk as efficiently and effectively as possible. Two years ago Fonterra set out a

voluntary guideline of feeding no more than three kilograms a cow a day of palm kernel because of concerns it was affecting milk fat composition. A screening method was developed and since May farmers had received their FEI results on their tanker dockets. But there had been anomalies in some cases where farms feeding no palm kernel received high FEI results and testing done by the co-op last season showed 100% variability in oil content of palm kernel shipments. Fonterra told farmers in early June it would introduce a demerit-based grading system from the beginning of June of next year and proposed a farm would receive a demerit after its milk tested outside the acceptable FEI levels three times and it failed a fourth, confirmatory test.

No demerit points would be allocated without the co-op having total confidence in the results of its testing and in the case of extreme weather or an animal welfare event it could use its discretion when applying demerits. Federated Farmers vicepresident and Fonterra supplier Andrew Hoggard said while there was a degree of complacency among some farmers they needed to fully understand the onfarm practices that would contribute to a high FEI result. “Before it goes live Fonterra needs to be 99.99% there on what can happen and have contingency plans if something comes out of the blue.”

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THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

News

Tech means go slow to speed up Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com A WARTS and all insight to precision agriculture’s impact on those at the sharp end includes frustrations over data quantities it generate but also the rewards of sticking with it and saving significant sums along the way. At this year’s precision agriculture conference in Hamilton delegates had the chance to learn about handson farmer experiences with the many different versions of the technology and pick up some lessons on how to get the most from it. Taranaki dairy farmer Hayden Lawrence, also a member of the New Zealand Precision Agriculture Association, brought a research-based and farmfocused perspective to his adoption of variable-rate fertiliser application on his 135 (effective) hectare dairy farm. Lawrence did a degree in agricultural engineering, specialising in precision agriculture, at Massey University and a doctorate in adopting precision agriculture for ground-spread fertiliser application. “We took over the property and identified our single biggest cost was fertiliser so that seemed the best place to start to use precision agriculture to manage the variability in fertility between paddocks.” Working with Dr Ants Roberts from Ravensdown they fertility mapped each paddock. That resulted in seven differing rates of fertiliser being possible across the fertility levels. They had since spent eight seasons perfecting the variable spreading programme. “Initially, the fertiliser contractors were tearing their hair out but it has now become more seamless, to the point if a paddock does not need fertiliser it does not get it.” He acknowledged that would

often run counter to the kiwi farming instinct but in year one 44% of the farm did not receive any fertiliser given existing high phosphorous and sulphur levels. By this year that had dropped to only 9% as levels stabilised. But Lawrence pointed out the technology had to prove itself economically viable and that was the case. “Our annual average saving by not over-fertilising and applying more where necessary is $74 a hectare and pasture production has remained steady. “It’s not the smartest piece of tech but we are now using the tools we have to manage the farm smarter.”

You have to be very clear on what is the strategic reason for using it and what is your benchmark. Mine is profit per kilogram of product. James Parsons Farmer However, he also had some cautions for farmers wanting to capitalise on the technology who also relied on their staff to make use of it. “Just because they may be capable of running a smartphone does not mean they are always capable of managing this new technology.” He welcomed technology that was tiered in its user choices, ramping up in complexity over several levels, giving users the chance to get in on the bottom floor for ease of use and graduate up from there. For Beef + Lamb NZ chairman James Parsons

precision technology was starting to prove its benefit but he cautioned about the time that could be frittered away managing and processing the data it could generate. His extremely steep Northland drystock farm contrasted sharply with Lawrence’s Taranaki dairy unit but he, too, was starting to find benefits in having whole of farm fertility mapped for variable application. Working with variable rates of aerial application, fertiliser rates would vary across country that had pH levels from as low as 3 to as high as 30. However, some of his earlier experiences with precision ag data including EID in his stud sheep flock had buried him in data. “It was a great tool but I did not extract all the value and had to ask if this was really the best use of my limited time?” It was not until a B+LNZ Genetics software system was available that he was able to corral the data into a userfriendly report form. “I learned to look for the 80:20 rule. Where is the low-hanging fruit on the farm, particularly given the time it takes to integrate the technology into your business? “You have to be very clear on what is the strategic reason for using it and what is your benchmark. Mine is profit per kilogram of product.” Along with the EID and fertiliser mapping, Parsons has also incorporated a drone into his farm business, using it to do a lambing beat and already saving four ewes from its observations this season. Parson’s agreed with Lawrence’s acknowledgement the tech was best adopted in small steps, particularly when staff might be involved or time could be consumed in its adoption. “You have to accept that in order to speed up you have to slow down initially to pick up this technology.”

COST CUTTER: Taranaki farmer Hayden Lawrence, with son Fletcher, has made a $74 a hectare saving on fertiliser by using precision agriculture.

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News

10 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

More digital farm input welcomed Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com AGRITECH leaders have welcomed AgResearch’s intention to initiate a major programme to prepare farming for a new era of digital agriculture. The research institute’s programme intended to identify barriers to uptake of digital technology and to build a technology roadmap to support transition to digitised farming systems. AgResearch research director Greg Murison said it was critical New Zealand stayed ahead of the game as an agricultural exporter and he believed the programme was the first of its kind where a system-wide analysis of digital ag had been done in NZ. Rezare managing director and founder Andrew Cooke said while a lot of industry projects had been occurring regardless of AgResearch, having such a significant, overarching research group involved in the fast moving area would be welcome. “AgResearch has vast farm systems experience and lots of people with experience in a number of areas. “That experience includes being the founder of Farmax software as a farm system modelling tool and

COME IN: An overarching research group in the field of digital farming is welcome in the scattered landscape, Rezare managing director Andrew Cooke says.

obviously Overseer too.” Cooke said despite the industry’s best efforts to date the area of digital agriculture remained quite a scattered landscape and the industry was very much still in its early stages of maturity. Farmax chief executive Gavin McEwen said he welcomed any thought leadership AgResearch could provide to what he described as a big space. “There are so many different

tools out there that are only one part of the entire process and the challenge is how do we get all this stuff melded together to deliver value to farmers? If, by being involved, AgResearch can do that, then great.” He acknowledged AgResearch had a breadth of experts from across disciplines as varied as social science and soil science, which would do much to bring the diverse elements of digital technology down to farm systems

relevance. “And I think as more technology becomes available there will only be more and more data and this can distract farmers somewhat. “They need smart tools to make sense of it all and to deliver information for better decisionmaking.” McEwen noted the digital chasm many small tech firms fell into when developing software applications for the relatively small NZ farming market but he

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THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Practical students lift rural morale RURAL wellbeing initiative Farmstrong has been supporting Lincoln University students from Handy Landys to help farmers doing it tough. The Handy Landys was a Lincoln club with a core group of 20 agricultural studies students volunteering their time and labour to help farmers. They’ve been busy repairing fences, chopping wood, planting trees and doing other jobs, particularly in Waiau and Kaikoura this year. Closer to home, they’ve helped flood-hit farmers around Banks Peninsula and Amberley, including one farmer who was recovering from open heart surgery. They also helped at events like The Drought Shout at Hurunui, North Canterbury, designed to boost the morale of a community under the pump from prolonged drought then hit by an earthquake. Club chairwoman Paige Harris, a second-year agricultural science student, said a lot of the work this year focused on Waiau, the epicentre of last November’s 7.8 magnitude quake. “We’ve been working on three farms up there that are all really deserving of help and had a tough time during the earthquake. “On the worst-affected farm all the hills have slipped, wiping out boundary fences and infrastructure like wool sheds and water systems.” she said. While the sight of 10 students turning up in a van after a twohour drive was undoubtedly a

morale boost for farmers they also quickly learnt the students had the hands-on skills to make a difference. Handy Landy Peter O’Connor, a first-year student from Westport, said “the sheer power of the quake was enormous. Just seeing the cracks on the land was incredible”. “By putting a boundary fence back up you’re giving the farmer back his land so he can put stock on it again. That’s a very practical thing to do.” Handy Landy treasurer Mac Thomson had noticed other changes in the farmers they met. “Sometimes the conversation’s as important as the work. “When you first turn up they’re a bit quiet and stoic but by the end they’re right into it and you can’t shut them up. “Many farmers battle away in isolation and it was a real eye-opener to turn up and see the extent of what they are dealing with alone. Something like the Handy Landys can really help take some of that stress off people’s shoulders.” Harris said the project gave her and the other students an insight into farming’s staunch culture. “One of the challenges for us is getting farmers to ask for a hand in the first place. These farmers have been through a heck of a lot but they don’t really show it. Their whole farm might have been flipped upside down but they really do try and just keep going alone. “Our message is don’t isolate yourself or to be too proud to ask for help. Anything that makes

AT IT: Lincoln University students in action on a farm this year helping where they can.

rural communities stronger has got to a good thing. “We’ve got students with hands-on experience who can come out and make a difference. A lot of farmers are hesitant at first but they soon come to see us as just another support network they can use.” Club vice-chairman Charles Morrison grew up on a sheep and beef farm in Wairarapa and believed the industry needed to evolve its mindset to attract the next generation. “I’ve seen first-hand that farming can be a lonely and a tough occupation for a lot of people – with the climate and volatile prices. “A lot of farmers are very old school and won’t ask for help. But if we want to keep making farming a desirable occupation for people my age we need to break down those barriers so it’s okay to ask for help. “We also need to make sure there’s always a support network there.” The students agreed the community give-back initiative had wellbeing benefits both ways. “It does give you a huge buzz to see that you’ve actually made a difference to someone,” Morrison said. “I’ve learnt there’s no greater gift than giving your time to people. That pay-it-forward type thinking is very rewarding.” Club foreman-manager Tim Abbiss, who made two trips to Kaikoura this year, agreed. “It’s definitely a two-way street. It’s a great way to meet people. We’re learning a lot from the farmers too and they’re happy to teach us so we can help more.” Harris, a townie whose folks ran a motel in Invercargill, said her involvement in the Handy Landys had fuelled her passion for the industry and its many opportunities. “Reaching out to people who have gone through hard times and need a hand teaches you a lot about farming and life. “I’ve learnt that just being able to batten a fence with your mates and the farmer makes for a really good day. It’s a very rewarding feeling.” The group planned to expand its numbers and reach more farmers in the year ahead. “We’re a young club but there’s huge potential for this community give-back concept to grow at Lincoln and elsewhere around the country. “We’re very grateful for Farmstrong’s advice and support. It’s been an easy match up for us. We couldn’t have done half the things we’ve done this year without them,” Harris said.

To get in touch contact: www.handylandys.co.nz

TEAM: The group behind the Handy Landys are, from left, Paige Harris, Jack Ternouth, Peter O’Connor, Mac Thomson, Charles Morrison, Ryan MacArthur, James Atkinson and Tim Abbiss.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Feds want a say on biosecurity FEDERATED Farmers wants to join the Government Industry Agreement for biosecurity readiness and response, believing its involvement will benefit its members. While it could not have a formal operational agreement for specific biosecurity threats that set out detail of the role for each specific party in readiness and response, it considered joining the GIA was the right thing for the organisation and its farmer members to do, Federated Farmers senior industry adviser David Burt said. The GIA framework was designed to deliver better biosecurity by using a partnership approach between government and industry. The operational agreements came at a cost to the industry that paid a share of the costs involved depending on a number of factors including the scale of the incursion and whether it had implications beyond the industry sector. Burt said the key point of difference between the federation’s proposal and the industry-specific partnerships was that the federation was seeking to sign the GIA Deed only. While the federation would not be an operational partner it would use its substantial connections to farmers to work with other organisations and would continue to play an important role in readiness and response activities. “Exactly as we have been in the current M bovis and recent velvetleaf and pea weevil incursions,” Burt said. “The federation would also use its expertise, resources and pan-sector reach to contribute, as a member of the GIA Deed governance group, in work in the wider biosecurity area. “That is outside operational agreements, such as strengthening New Zealand’s pre-border and border biosecurity systems.” Meantime, after working with the Ministry for Primary Industries for some time on GIA, the federation was joining other livestock sector organisations Beef + Lamb NZ, DairyNZ and Deer Industry NZ in a co-ordinated but separate mandate-seeking process from livestock farmers. Over the next two months livestock farmers would be provided with the information needed to make an informed decision on the combined livestock industry proposal. “Biosecurity is an important issue for farmers and will become even more so in the future. “It is vital that farmers have their say on the proposal and provide feedback to their organisations,” Burt said. Federated Farmers believed the livestock sector was best formally represented at an operational agreement level by industry-good organisations that would ultimately be responsible for managing the majority of the industry funding. If the livestock sector organisations were successful in gaining the mandate, livestock farmers would have the strongest possible team – Feds, B+LNZ, DairyNZ and DINZ representing them at the GIA table. Burt said Federated Farmers would provide members with information about its GIA proposal through a range of channels with the formal consultation process to take place from October 31 until December 6. “If we are successful then an application to join GIA will be submitted to MPI as soon as possible,” Burt said. Separately, the Federated Farmers arable industry group was working in a co-ordinated approach with other arable sector bodies and stakeholders on a process to join GIA. A secure pathway forward for the arable GIA had been confirmed with agreement in principle to form Seed and Grain Readiness and Response NZ

Inc. It would become the GIA Deed signatory on behalf of the arable industry. The five member groups were Federated Farmers arable industry group, FAR, NZ Grain and Seed Trade Association, NZ Flourmillers Association and United Wheatgrowers. With the structure of the entity secure, SGR would soon begin consulting arable crops growers and members of the pre and post-harvest sectors on the decision to join GIA.

LET US IN: Federated Farmers wants to join the Government’s biosecurity agreement with industry groups in its own right and as a member of groups representing the livestock and arable sectors.

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THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Award win answers sheep milk’s critics PERSISTENCE has paid off for New Zealand’s largest sheep milk company. It won the supreme award at the New Zealand Food Awards. Spring Sheep Milk Company claimed a category win last year with its whole milk powder product and this year’s supreme award was earned by its powdered, probiotic, vanilla milk drink. The company was a 50:50 joint venture between Landcorp and SLC Ventures milking 2000 sheep this year after a hard cull last season brought numbers down from 3000 East Friesian sheep. Spring Sheep chief executive Scottie Chapman said the win was an answer to critics who two years ago challenged the wisdom of milking sheep in NZ. “Some said we were crazy to be milking sheep here so to be recognised by our peers in the food industry after such a short time authenticates what we are doing and is also great for NZ Inc.” Awards entries ranged from Croucher craft beer to low-carb potatoes and locusts from Otago. Judge organiser Kay McMath noticed a shift in the type of entrants over the past six years. “Originally we saw a greater number of largescale companies entering but it has moved to a wider range of foods and smaller companies that are proving themselves to be highly capable of scaling up their business under good management, often going from starting with five staff to now be employing 50-60.” While the novel food award winner, Otago Locusts, drew attention, McMath said a company like the Pure Food Company highlighted the innovative approach food producers were taking. “It is a company that has developed meals capable of being eaten by people who may be in hospital or have problems swallowing whole food. They have taken typical meals like roast chicken and made them highly nutritious and palatable for patients.” Chapman said the alternative dairy market was starting to boom, driven in part by Asian consumers’ interest and frequent preference for non-cow dairy products. The global sheep milk market alone was estimated to be worth US$8 billion and Spring Sheep was one of three significant producers alongside Southland’s Chinese-owned Blue River Dairy and Maui Milk near Taupo. “This is completely consumer driven. Many of our customers find they cannot drink cow’s milk. The secondary benefit they also enjoy is knowing that it is sourced from a very sustainable farming system.” Chapman likened the sheep milk sector to where the dairy goat sector had been 15 years ago but said with the strength of market demand it was catching up fast. “When we started out what caught our attention was the fact the market was worth about US$8b, with a lot of that coming from sheep cheese production in Europe. “Sourcing a sheep based product out of NZ tends to make sense from a marketing perspective. Most of our market associates two things with NZ, the All Blacks and sheep. It is logical.” Part of the growth challenge had been to match milk supply with demand. “We do not have large numbers of dairy sheep in NZ and we have effectively been milking an Angus but that is changing.” Over the past 12 months Spring Sheep had imported embryos and semen with lambs hitting the ground now as either half-bred or purebred East Friesians. With lambing percentages of 200% and intentions to use sexed semen in future, Chapman was confident numbers would ramp up quickly.

The company had just established a pilot farm near Cambridge that was outside the Landcorp ownership. Chapman said over time the business might accommodate farmers wanting to opt in to sheep milking. The company also claimed the NZTE Export Innovation award.

WINNER: Spring Sheep Milk chief operating officer Nick Hammond accepting the Supreme Food Award.

To see the full winners visit foodawards.massey.ac.nz/

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News

16 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Dairy foods are earning more Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com FONTERRA’S rapidly growing food service division will push further into sports, medical and advanced adult nutrition, chief executive Theo Spierings says. The food service staples of cream and cheese in different forms would be joined by more dairy protein products, many of them in drinks. He was speaking during an Anchor Food Professionals event at Fonterra’s Auckland head office to mark its $2 billion annual revenue achievement and 27% growth in sales volume in the 2017 financial year. More than 200 industry guests sampled the cakes, savouries and drinks made from Anchor products. When he started at Fonterra six years ago the value-add production and sale of food

service items was a non-dedicated part of the dominant New Zealand Milk Products ingredients division, Spierings said. Its beginnings were in the 1990s, a category identified by the NZ Dairy Board as an evolution of the old cheese division. He quickly realised the potential of catering for the growing out-ofhome food sector, with its hotels, bakeries, cafes, aeroplanes and quick-service restaurants. Former Fonterra Brands leader Sanjay Khosla had alerted him to the rapid growth rates already being achieved. Spierings then went to the Fonterra board in 2012 with $250 million of capital expenditure proposals to boost food service processing capacity. As demand continued to grow $850 million was spent or committed in the last five years here and in Australia. The NZ manufacturing plants

STRETCHY: Fonterra consumer and food service chief Lukas Paravicini, left, helped Anchor Food Professionals global category and innovation leader Keith McDonald cook pizzas.

included Te Rapa for cream cheese, Edgecumbe for butter sheets, Waitoa for UHT creams, Eltham for sliced cheese, Whareroa for block mozzarella and Clandeboye for individual quick-frozen mozzarella. Anchor Food Professionals, as the food service division was renamed last year, was now the sixth-largest NZ export business after tourism, dairy commodities, meat, forestry and fruits. “We are now in a very good space with processing capacity, skills and intellectual property,” Spierings said. In advance of the commissioning of Clandeboye mozzarella cheese plant three, Darfield cream cheese plant one and the extension of Waitoa’s UHT cream capacity, all due next year, Fonterra’s food service capability was fully used. Global growth of food service and out-of-home eating was growing at 5-6% a year and Anchor Food Professionals was growing at 10 times that rate. Global consumer and food service chief operating officer Lukas Paravicini said Fonterra was dealing with 10,000 bakeries across Asia, providing products and solutions from its 56 in-house chefs. “The gross margin from food service is two or three times what we can earn from basic ingredient products,” he said. The chef-led business model was based on providing solutions from customer insights, helping to delight their consumers, reduce waste, save time and cope with labour shortages. Paravicini, less than six months into his new role after four years as chief financial officer, said he

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SATISFACTION: Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings takes a tea macchiato, one of the fast-growing food service items for Anchor Food Professionals in China.

was confident of reaching the target set for food service of $5b revenue by 2023. “In the United States more than 50% of all spend on food and

We know the smallest things can make a difference so we make our products last longer, stretch further, work faster, waste less, withstand more. Grant Watson Fonterra beverage is now out of home and in China the market has grown by 30% over the last five years. “As a result, the global industry is predicted to be worth US$3 trillion in 2021.” Food service global director Grant Watson said the business was arranged in channels. “This provides food service kitchens around the world with ingredients for some of the largest

categories in the business – Asian style bakeries, Italian kitchens and quick-service restaurants. “Our ingredients include our extra stretch mozzarella, UHT culinary and whipping creams, laminated butter sheets and cream cheese. “We know the smallest things can make a difference so we make our products last longer, stretch further, work faster, waste less, withstand more. “We bring together world-class dairy products and the deep expertise of our people to work alongside the passionate, talented and innovative food professionals who are driving the food service industry to new heights,” Watson said. In China, AFP had four demonstration kitchens and staff members in 76 cities and its sales volume growth last year was 48%. On a visit there last week, Spierings and Watson said AFP China’s ambition was to more than double its reach to 176 cities. The demand for tea macchiato, made with blended cream cheese and UHT cream, was extraordinary and had transformed traditional Chinese tea houses into hip cafes.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Another flat peak for this year Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com

LITTLE CHANGE: Fonterra now expects this season’s milk collection to be up only 1% on last.

Fonterra had to dump waste streams and make lower-value products, at a lost opportunity cost of $1 billion. The biggest single-site expansion was at Lichfield, South Waikato, where a new drier could take more than 4m litres a day. Fonterra’s revised seasonal forecast was now 1540m kilograms of milksolids, an increase of only 1% on last season and a revision of minus 2.2% on the prior forecast of 1575m. “The full season forecast is dependent on improved conditions through the rest of the season,” the update warned.

Season-to-date collection across NZ to the end of September was down 1% compared with the previous year, and 2% behind in the South Island, despite having started strongly in June and July. Less than 20% of the seasonal forecast had been collected in the four months to the end of September. The collection by Fonterra Australia, by contrast, had risen by 23% in the first three months of its season, which began on July 1. New suppliers plus favourable seasonal conditions, strong pasture growth and reasonable feed input costs had all combined

for growth, the monthly update said. NZ dairy export volumes in the 12 months to the end of July were steady on the previous corresponding period. Fluid, fresh dairy, whole milk powder and cheese contributed to a 100,000 tonne increase in those products, about 3% higher than the year before. That was balanced by a fall in anhydrous milk fat, butter, skim milk powder and casein. Exports from Europe were up 4% or 192,000 tonnes, concentrated on cheese, infant formula, lactose and SMP.

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FONTERRA has reduced its forecast of New Zealand milk supply for this season as a flat peak similar to last spring now seems inevitable. The company knew from its milk flow monitoring that a prominent peak would not now appear even though excessive rainfall that caused soil and pasture damage from cow trampling had eased in many districts and sunshine hours and temperatures were rising. Milk collection in September was 2% lower than for the same month in 2016 and during October the expected build to a normal peak had not happened. The trend in the milk collection graph published in the October Global Dairy Update, although three weeks behind, illustrated that flat peak expectation as the line dipped below last year. Daily collection was not expected to exceed 80 million litres, despite Fonterra having the processing capacity to handle up to 95m litres during the spring peak. Capacity was expanded by 10% after the 2013-14 season when

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News

18 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Taratahi takes over at Telford Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com THE new provider of agricultural training at Telford’s campus in south Otago is confident it can rebuild the roll. Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre has taken over from Lincoln University as the training farm’s provider for sub-degree levels three, four and five courses. Its chief executive Arthur Graves said initial signs indicated plenty of interest from prospective students. After a tumultuous 18 months, Murray Pilgrim, chairman of the Telford Farm Board that owns the property, said it was a relief to have a new educational provider not only for the training farm but also for NZ agriculture.

Lincoln had for the last seven years delivered education for students at Telford but in response to its financial difficulties and then some funding irregularities from off-campus providers, last year it said it was withdrawing from the role. Nearly a year of negotiations followed before the handover was formalised at a function last week. Telford’s roll peaked several years ago at about 250 effective full-time students, including those off-campus, but it was now about 95 effective full-time students and Graves expected numbers to grow next year. “We’re banking on that definitely happening this year and next but we think it will be about the right size in two to three years.”

DEAL DONE: At a function marking Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre’s takeover of Telford Farm were, from left, Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan, Telford board chairman Murray Pilgrim, Taratahi chairwoman Mavis Mullins and Taratahi chief executive Arthur Graves.

Interest in taster courses where potential students could experience what was in store for them and from school students had been promising, a sign Graves said that Telford was no longer viewed with uncertainty. While it was business as usual, there would be some changes. Courses offered would be reviewed over the next few years by Taratahi, industry training and industry bodies. They were looking at introducing a level three certificate and a summer school. Teleford now offered the Lincoln University diploma in agriculture course and Graves said a similar course would continue to be offered. The solution was a three-way

effort between Lincoln, Taratahi and the Telford board but Graves also acknowledged the uncertainty endured by staff and students. Taratahi would celebrate its centennial in about 18 months and Telford recently marked its 50th anniversary, notable achievements which he said provided foundations and also legacies. “We have a chance to build an educational system that is sustainable, creates value for people working the land and will help grow the farms of the future.” Lincoln vice-chancellor Robin Pollard said the change allowed a fresh start and a chance for Telford and Taratahi to be the country’s

leading provider of sub-degree agricultural training. Pollard also acknowledged the difficulties faced by staff, students and the community from the uncertainty of the last year. Earlier this year 16 Telford staff were made redundant. Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said Telford was an integral part of the district’s history since the Telford family gave the farm for the training of young people in agricultural skills and they were not about to let it disappear without a fight. It was a new chapter for Telford and he urged everyone to look forward not back. “Without Taratahi’s vision for the future, things could have got pretty grim around here,” he said.

Young Farmers explores farm options Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com A NEW training farm planned for South Auckland could be working within two years, helping expose a third of the country’s secondary school students to primary sector careers. Earlier this year a 74ha dairy farm at Manurewa and Whitford was left to New Zealand Young Farmers by the late Donald Pearson, who said it must be used to encourage young people into agriculture and not sold for residential housing. Young Farmers chairman

Jason Te Brake said ownership of the farm still had to be legally processed but for the coming season the farm would continue to be a milking platform while discussions were held with funders and other industry bodies and sector trainers on how best to manage and run it. He hoped the dairy, sheep, beef and horticulture sectors would all be involved in the farm so school pupils could be exposed to a range of primary sectors. Te Brake said options were also being explored about working closely with ASB, KPMG and parties involved in the Mt Albert

Grammar School farm. The organisation already worked in schools through its Get Ahead Careers and Teachers Day Out programmes promoting primary sector jobs and Te Brake said the Clevedon farm would complement those efforts. Each year Young Farmers arranged for buses of school pupils to attend National Field Days at Mystery Creek to expose them to the primary sector and Te Brake said the Pearson farm would be an extension of that. “We have already got channels into many schools. Now we have got another option.”

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Te Brake said there would be immense benefit in allowing pupils to be around animals, to watch cows being milked then seeing that milk processed into cheese or cream. Pearson had no children and no formal connection to Young Farmers and the farm could easily have been soaked up in Auckland’s urban sprawl, he said. “For him it was really around keeping a legacy going of his farm so it doesn’t end up in housing but is used to attract the next generation of farmers,” Te Brake said.

CARRY ON: A showcase farm to be run by Young Farmers will extend the work it already does, chairman Jason Te Brake says.

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Kiwi campaign to sell more pork Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com DESPITE the uncertainty of the election aftermath the pork industry is forging ahead with plans for its new financial year. While keeping a close watch on any changes in Wellington and how they might translate for the productive sector, NZ Pork was preparing to engage on a campaign to support sales of New Zealand-born and raised pork, bacon and ham, chairman Ian Carter said. “One of the consistent factors of the MMP system has been the degree of uncertainty it creates in the immediate aftermath of the election. “Over the last 20 years a single party has never reached an absolute majority so after each election the country always has to wait days or even weeks for a clear result. “For businesses in any sector, that uncertainty can be a challenge,” Carter said. But the rest of the country doesn’t stop while the politicians sort out their deals. “Decisions need to be made, investments pursued as costs continue to be accrued while markets and consumers respond with caution.” Carter said this election had added an extra dimension to that pattern with the potential for a number of different government arrangements. “Based on the results of the electorate votes, the primary sector has a pretty clear preference in terms of a possible outcome. “Regardless of where we stand in a few weeks’ time, for our industry one of the most important advantages we have as a statutory body is the requirement to be consulted. “We have a voice in Wellington, one that is often greater than the size of our industry alone would dictate and we have a respected team on the ground with ongoing relationships with a wide range of people who will remain in place, regardless of the final shape of our

BETTER: Higher red meat prices against lower pig supply numbers have pushed pork schedules up 10c/kg, Pork NZ chairman Ian Carter says.

government,” Carter said. “While any possible changes to regulations affecting our industry are likely to sit fairly low on the priority list we’ll be making every effort to ensure communication is established with the incoming government as soon as possible.”

Decisions need to be made, investments pursued as costs continue to be accrued while markets and consumers respond with caution. Ian Carter NZ Pork Carter hoped a new government might also provide a chance to revisit Country of Origin Labelling, which sat before Parliament.

“Getting some further movement on this important piece of legislation would likely provide significant benefit for our farmers right through the supply chain to the end consumer.” As NZ Pork entered its new financial year it continued to develop ways to engage local consumers and support sales of NZ born and raised pork, bacon and ham. One of the key areas of focus was the summer, particularly following Christmas. “We want to spread demand across the season and give Kiwis more reasons to buy pork in a period when demand is traditionally more constrained,” Carter said. The launch of two new campaigns included a series of barbecue features, with video, social media and accompanying recipes designed to get New Zealanders thinking of pork born and raised in NZ as their favourite barbecue protein. “Whether they’re a casual

backyard cook or a true pit master there’ll be some fresh inspiration for the whole summer in this new campaign.” February would have the return of the Chinese New Year campaign, this time with double the opportunity to win travel and other prizes. Following the success of last year’s event, travel-industry sponsors were getting behind the NZ Pork promotion with even greater support making it a key promotion for the industry, Carter said. “With the opportunity provided by greater lead-in time we’ve also been able to give our retail partners the opportunity to think about how they might incorporate the campaign into their planning.” Meantime, pork was attracting steady demand in a positive market with schedule prices increasing up to10c/kg in the September report fetching up to $3.65/kg in the North Island and $3.45/kg in Canterbury for pork

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News

20 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Did farmer want shot of wool? Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com KUROW wool merchant Don Urquhart had a scare when his team found a live shotgun cartridge in a bale of wool. A used cartridge was also lying in the wool. Live ammunition was a real safety issue, he said. “The risk at our end is reasonably low but the fear is if it gets through into the scour machinery where you’ve got high speed gear at eye level it could take someone’s head off.” If a live cartridge had gone through the scour machinery it would have exploded, Cavalier Wool Scours chief executive Tony Cunningham said. “It is a major health and safety issue for our staff and would damage the machinery.” The Kurow cartridges, a live 12-guage and used 20-guage, were found when the team was repacking fadge wool into a full bale in a farmer’s shed. “We think the farmer or a farm worker would have left them there,” Urquhart said. “They might have been shooting pigeons or starlings in the shed and then just chucked the cartridge down.” The cartridges were found in crossbred wool but Urquhart’s business, Kurow Wools, handled a lot of high-value Merino wool as well and “nasties” were also found in that. It was the first time he had seen live ammunition but empty .22 shells had

been found before along with steel bars, clothing, bags and items used in animal vaccines. “We’ve been talking about this for 20 or 30 years but it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.” The find was a reminder to everyone involved in the shearing shed to be vigilant and avoid leaving any contaminants lying round.

The risk at our end is reasonably low but the fear is if it gets through into the scour machinery where you’ve got high speed gear at eye level it could take someone’s head off. Don Urquhart Kurow Wools This message was backed up Cunningham and Wool Classers Association executive officer Bruce Abbott, who said classers and handlers were often blamed for contaminants being found but the issue most often occurred because farmers did not leave their shearing sheds clean and tidy. “They need to remove all loose items. There are a lot of things hanging or sitting

on edges of beams and they end up falling off.” There were also instances of shearing gang workers taking off a top when they got hot and throwing it aside, often to get lost in the wool. Having hooks to hang clothing on would help. “Bullets are a danger and something serious could happen but all contaminants are serious in terms of lost money and reputation.” Canterbury Wool Scours supply coordinator Straun Hulme told a classers’ forum in May that a live bullet had been found in wool supplied to the group’s Timaru scour but this week said he didn’t know of one going through a scour process. “I’m just pleased they found this one.” Cavalier owned both New Zealand scour businesses, operating in Napier and Timaru. Cunningham said metal detectors were used effectively but could not find every piece of metal in wool and scour staff were rewarded for finding contaminants. The hardest to find were synthetic clothes and fertiliser and animal feed bags. They could go right through the scour process and end up in a carding machine and even in yarn itself, where it was detected and the batch was rejected. That was a big cost for the industry, Cunningham said. His Cavalier staff collected all contaminants they found, photographed them and sent the photos back the supplier to pass on the message to growers.

DANGER: Joe Collins displays the shotgun shells found in a bale by Kurow Wools staff.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Scott expanding to meet demand Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com AUTOMATED equipment for meat processing was again the biggest revenue item for Scott Technology but only just as the general automation and robotics division picked up steam. The automation was providing extra dollars in meat yields for sheep and beef processors, including $4 to $5 for every lamb carcase, Scott chairman Stuart McLauchlan said. The yield gain was greater than the savings in labour costs, a key reason for the technology changes. After a 256% increase in meat processing sales in the 2016 year, revenues in the latest year to August 31 were up just 2% to $39.58m. In their report for the year, directors said the division had consolidated while the group readied to expand for the next phase of growth. A significant expansion of the manufacturing plant in Dunedin was based on the meat technology, McLauchlan said. He hoped it would be completed in the next year. Scott Tech was active in lamb processing automation through the Robotic Technologies jointventure with Silver Fern Farms and in beef automation in Australia where it worked closely with its own majority shareholder, the JBS group. The company was also developing pork and poultry automation for customers in the United States and Europe. Scott Tech’s managing director Chris Hopkins now spent considerable time in Sydney and had been doing a round of presentations to investors in Australia, organised by Wellington-based advisory group Woodward Partners. Since JBS came aboard about the middle of last year with

SMILING: It all adds up for Scott Technology managing director Chris Hopkins as the firm needs to expand to cater for existing demand before seeking new sales avenues.

A significant expansion of the manufacturing plant in Dunedin was based on the meat technology. Stuart McLauchlan Scott Technology the capital injection that gave it a 50.1% shareholding, Scott Tech’s market capitalisation had risen to the point where the company was attracting interest from institutional investors, McLauchlan said. At a share price of $3.55 the company was worth about $265m on the NZX; the gain for shareholders this year alone was

about 67%, including dividends. Scott Tech reported a successful first full-year with JBS as the main shareholder with a 26% lift in after-tax profit to $10.26m, up from $8.13m. Operating cashflows wwere lower at $13.4m, from $16.1m but the balance sheet was very strong. Shareholders’ equity ratio was above 70% and there were no borrowings. As well, there was just over $26m in cash and the company was looking for acquisitions. They should fit in with the existing core businesses and the geographical base, McLauchlan said. In the latest year, the Appliances division lifted revenues to $26.3m from $20.1m, helped by the acquisition of a German competitor business last year. The Mining technology

business improved to $26.4m from $22.3m, and the big improver was the other industrial automation (including robotics) division, which lifted to $38.5m from $27.29m. That business had a significant US presence. The directors expected further strong growth as US and Australian customers looked for solutions to their labour concerns. Customers were looking for ways to increase productivity, improve quality or reduce costs and in many markets there was a shortage of suitable workers so automation and robotics were high on the agenda. Meat processing revenues rose from the 2016 year’s $38.87m. One of Scott Tech’s major acquisition successes was the Australia-based Bladestop bandsaw safety technology business last year, which it was

incorporating into the meat processing industry along with its own auto and robotics technology and putting into the US. The technology allowed instantaneous stopping of a saw blade as soon as a foreign object was detected, making it a valuable health and safety tool. “It means a slight nick at the most instead of losing fingers,” McLauchlan said. Scott Tech was now looking to put the meat processing units into lighter customer operations such as butcher shops. But first it had to increase production capacity to meet existing demand. In major meat processing plants the technology had led to securing more meat off the bone; less meat down the waste belt; better cut optimisation and better information from the whole process.

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News

22 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

More emphasis on sustainability Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com THE red meat sector’s research and development strategy is being reviewed and will put greater emphasis on sustainability, particularly the industry’s social licence to operate. The Meat Industry Association’s 2017 annual report said food safety and product quality

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would remain the highest-ranked priorities for collaborative research and development investments. But sustainability and the social licence were increasing in importance and were now a specific priority investment area. The strategy contained an objective to ensure the processing industry was recognised as a global leader in animal welfare and environmental stewardship. It also had an ambition for an exemplary health and safety record. Animal welfare was arguably the key non-food safety concern raised by customers in mature markets and increasingly in newer markets, the report said. NZ’s very high animal welfare standards and good reputation did have some gaps. The oversight and inspection regime headed by the Ministry for Primary Industries did not cover all parts of the primary sector. “This inconsistency resulted in the high-profile issue involving bobby calves being mistreated by a pet food manufacturer,” the report said. “The MIA is strongly of the view on the need for effective regulation and consistent enforcement of regulation across the sector. “That is because it helps protect the industry against false or misleading claims that can damage our reputation with the NZ public and with overseas customers.” The MIA led the cross-sectoral bobby calf working group that developed and rolled out through MPI the new handling, shelter and transport regulations that came into effect this year. It was still working on industry requirements for documentation and digital tracking. During the year a Fit for Transport mobile application was launched to help farmers, transport operators, livestock agents and veterinarians. “It consolidates available information in one place and doesn’t require internet access, which makes it suitable for onfarm use.” The MIA operated through different vehicles to implement the research and development strategy and its essential innovation pathways, the report said. They were direct investment via MIA Innovation, through the NZ Food Safety Science and Research Centre, Ovine Automation and member companies. MPI collected money for the Meat Industry Initiative Fund through slaughter levies and the fund was used for short-term, single-milestone projects. In the past year it was used to update the Food Quality System Model, fibre containment on the slaughter floor and bunging technologies. The fund was also used for about $1.2 million in the research and development partnership with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Among the results during the past year was data to provide a better understanding of how a carcase was contaminated. Dressing practices could be modified to reduce the impact of spoilage bacteria on the life of chilled lamb. Researchers were collecting evidence to suggest that shiga-toxin producing Ecoli (STEC) bacteria were at low levels on NZ farms. The most common STEC bacteria causing human illness and even death in North America was E coli 0157. STECs were considered unlikely to occur in NZ adult beef, with industry efforts focused on reducing the risk in bobby veal. New pathogen policies and genomic tests were being developed in the United States and MIA staff saw how confidentiality would be maintained in NZ testing results.

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Century Awards grows bigger Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com THE Century Farms and Station Awards event has become so successful it has outgrown its community management. As the awards committee geared up to receive its 13th year of applications from families with a long heritage of farming their land it was now being led by part-time national co-ordinator Melinda Foster. The awards began in the Otago town of Lawrence in 2005 with the aim of capturing and preserving histories of pioneering families and their descendants. Eligible families submitted narratives of their farm histories with copies of relevant photographs and documents that were then archived at the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, ensuring all records were kept in perpetuity. Until recently the highly successful awards programme had been solely managed by a small number of hardworking and dedicated volunteers from Lawrence. But the initiative had grown to such a size that the committee had to employ Foster as its part-time national co-ordinator

It is a real privilege for the town to be able to roll out the red carpet each year to these well-deserving awardees. Symon Howard Century Farms

RECOGNISED: The Drummond Family of Five Rivers in the South Island receive their Century Farms honour and bronze plaque at the 2016 awards.

to keep up with the growth and maintain the momentum of interest, chairman Symon Howard said. The introduction of a new Century Farmers membership club had also encouraged previous recipients to remain interested in the programme with the possibility of regional events in the future.

Howard said the committee and Lawrence community had worked hard to develop the annual awards into a high profile date on the farming events calendar. “The committee is very proud to be able to drive this important national initiative out of Lawrence. “It is a real privilege for the town to be able to roll out the red

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A formal dinner in Lawrence each May honoured the award recipients. “It is a chance for families to meet each other and formally receive their distinctive bronze plaque and certificate to display on their property,” Howard said. In its first 12 years more than 400 families had joined the circle of centenarians and sesquicentenarians. Any families wanting to apply for this year needed to get their initial application in by November 30.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Small town organises fuel stop A unique partnership between the Pongaroa community and fuel supplier Allied Petroleum will ensure local farmers and contractors never run out of fuel as well as injecting funds back into the community. Rebecca Harper reports.

HE loss of essential services like fuel can be fatal for a small rural community but not in the thriving village of Pongaroa in Tararua District where the community has banded together to build its own fuel stop with the help of Allied Petroleum. The community had been without its own fuel supply for more than two years but the days of driving to town with fuel cans on the back of the ute or rescuing stranded tourists on the popular route were now over. The Pongaroa Fuel Stop opened on Saturday October 14 and fuel was now flowing 24/7 at the unmanned stop on State Highway 52. The village of Pongaroa was home to about 300 people, many of them working as casual labourers or in shearing gangs on farms in the surrounding area as well as servicing the needs of local farmers, contractors and passing tourists. Pongaroa Fuel Stop Incorporated committee member and farmer Mark Wheeler said the service would have many benefits for local farmers. “Now that Allied is in the area the Fuel Stop may have an effect on reducing onfarm delivery prices. “There are lots of casual workers and shearers in the village. They are more likely to get to work on time. Contractors can also get hold of fuel when and where they need it. If they run out and there’s not a delivery for several days they don’t need to draw on emergency supplies.” As well as accepting eftpos, debit or credit cards, farmers can apply for an Allied card. Any farm fuel bought at the stop or delivered onfarm by Allied within a specified boundary would return a 3.5 cents a litre fee to the society for distribution in the community. “The society is a registered charity and that money will be available to non-profit organisations within the community as a non-contestable grant,” Wheeler says. “The idea right from the start was we wanted to do something that would not only return a fuel service to Pongaroa but income generated would be put back into the community.” Wheeler said the Fuel Stop was built at a cost of $600,000. Of that, about $248,000 came from the community. It comprised an interest-free loan negotiated with Allied, a $60,000 grant from Tararua District Council, about $60,000 in donations from the community and the balance was debentures. The land for the Fuel Stop was given by the Broughton family. The community owned the land and was responsible for the ground work required to get it ready to put the Fuel Stop on

top of. Allied installed the tanks, pumps, drainage and took care of the licence fees and consent. Allied Petroleum marketing manager Brett Haldane said the company’s roots were in rural New Zealand and it had partnered with many provincial service stations in the past. “We were happy to consider the establishment of an unmanned fuel stop in Pongaroa but without the community’s contribution the project would not have been viable. “We commend the township’s efforts. They’ve worked hard and it’s a fantastic achievement.” For Allied the project was a commercial investment and meant an addition to its growing refuelling network. While its tanker was in the area it was keen to work with new customers needing a bulk fuel delivery. “Finally, it’s just a great feeling for our people knowing that they’ve helped a small community establish a local forecourt.” Fittingly, Allied’s slogan was Never Run Out. “We chose it as a way of telling our customers we understand their productivity is important, whether that be the tractor or the truck. But also it means being committed to NZ too – even its little towns,” Haldane said. Local farmer and Fuel Stop committee member Jason Ellmers said it was great that a commercial outfit like Allied backed the project. “They have helped make it viable with the community and have seen that the community is worth investing in. I’m sure that the community will get in behind Allied as well. “I think it’s an outstanding community effort.” But it had been a long haul to get to opening day.

WATERING HOLE: All sorts of transport was used to get to the opening of Pongaroa’s new fuel stop.

The journey started in 2015 when contractor Dave Monk was doing some cropping on a nearby farm and got to thinking about whether the community could build its own fuel stop. How hard could it be? “That’s the last time we let him think and work,” Wheeler joked. “It was bloody hard.” The Fuel Stop committee was formed in October 2015 and there were many challenges along the way but they had accomplished what they set out to do. “It hasn’t completely sunk in yet. We went outside on Saturday night after it was dark and a few of us said ‘There’s no Christmas light display as good as this’. We stood there in silence, looked at it and thought ‘wow, we’ve done it’. “There were times we didn’t seem to be making progress but going out there and seeing it all

lit up, it really is a tremendous feeling.” Wheeler thinks the project could be replicated in other rural communities. “You just need people with a can-do attitude. We had an extraordinary depth of skills and areas of specialty in the community that we tapped into.” One of the biggest obstacles was gaining funding. Because it was a public/private partnership, legislation prevented them accessing money from the likes of the Lotteries Commission. Wheeler hoped that might change. “If the community is selffunding, like this will be here, it will free up money to put into other areas so it’s a win-win. “They can’t give a grant to a commercial company and us being in partnership with a

commercial company effectively ruled us out. “They were sympathetic about it and could see the advantages in us self-funding our district as there’s never enough grant money to go around but their hands were tied by the law,” he said. “We didn’t do this for glory. We wanted to do this for the community. “The council called it a legacy project and it’s something that will be here for 20 to 50 years. “By having it we have ensured Pongaroa won’t lose any more services. It’s an essential service and where there are services, there are people too.” Wheeler hoped the community would get in behind the Fuel Stop and repay Allied for the investment it made in Pongaroa. “They say ‘build it and they will come’ – let’s prove that right.”

KIWI MADE

26 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Newsmaker

Wool growers become video stars Pamu wool growers Graham and Tracey Sinnamon have hit the global market with their crossbred strong wool grown on Meringa Station. Annette Scott caught up with them.

RAHAM and Tracey Sinnamon did not expect their product to go quite so public. “We just do what we love doing and that’s farming,” Graham said. “Having a contract like this is very rewarding but I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this,” he said of the limelight they have attracted. The Pamu (Landcorp) station managers have been promoted on the world stage by United States online retail giant Huckberry, which enlisted their help to promote Glerups shoes, a Scandinavian slipper made from New Zealand wool. A video featuring the couple has been launched on Huckberry.com as part of a new supply deal between the online retailer and Glerups. The video showcases the natural beauty of NZ and highlights the connection between the growers and end users of NZ wool. Huckberry is an independent online retailer for “guys who love adventure”. More than a million active professionals use Huckberry to buy emerging brands, gear and lifestyle inspiration. The Sinnamons manage Pamu’s Meringa Station at Taumarunui in the central North Island and supply wool to Glerups through a contract with the NZ Merino Company (NZM). Having a strong passion for wool the Sinnamons, though a little stage shy, saw the chance to promote Pamu wool and the NZ industry to a global audience as good for NZ farming. “We consider ourselves very lucky to farm in this environment and enjoy seeing where our wool goes and how it is used,” he said. “It is great to be able to share that, not only with friends and family but now a much larger audience.” Sinnamon, 50, grew up on a cattle farm in western Queensland, Australia. “What I know is farming from a very early age,” he said. He met Tracey in Australia and the couple moved to NZ in 1989 to work on a central North Island Landcorp farm. Almost three decades later they are still Landcorp farmers, back in the central North Island after a short stint in Wairarapa. “It was an original goal to own our own farm but I spent too much time living the good life when I was younger. Now I think it’s too late for that,” Sinnamon said. But the couple have the best of both worlds. “I have worked for Landcorp for 28 years and clearly have no

FOOTING IT WITH THE BEST: Tracey and Graham Sinnamon wear their Scandinavian Glerup shoes designed and manufactured in Denmark and made from crossbred lambs’ wool contracted from Meringa Station.

regrets. I am allowed to work and farm as if it was our own farm.” Graham and Tracey have managed Meringa Station for 15 years. They employ a stock manager, two shepherds and a general hand. The operation runs sheep and cattle, primarily finishing stock on 1500ha of rolling hill country. Becoming a crossbred wool supplier for Glerups was a move made by Landcorp in partnership with NZM and the Sinnamons relished the opportunity. “It is rewarding knowing what’s happening with your wool. “After years of growing, shearing, sorting and sending it out the front gate it is nice to know there is a product at the end of it. “Before this contract we have never known where the wool went once it went off farm to the auction, other than a price from the auction. We have never seen the end product of our wool. “After all these years to see an end product of such quality is really satisfying.” High specifications had to be met for the wool shorn off Meringa Station’s more than 20,000 lambs each December. Minimum length must be

achieved and the wool must be clean, bright and well presented. “Yes, we do have to have a good team of shed hands and NZ Merino works closely with our shearing contractors.”

After years of growing, shearing, sorting and sending it out the front gate it is nice to know there is a product at the end of it. Graham Sinnamon Meringa Station Sinnamon said lambs’ wool was the ultimate to produce luxurious wool to the highest standard for Glerups and the bulk of the Meringa lambs’ wool clip went to the contract. Pamu had been supplying wool to Glerups from Meringa Station for the past three years. Pamu chief executive Steve Carden said it was a relationship made possible through the

establishment of the Pamu brand and a partnership with NZM. “Our Pamu brand captures the quality of our farming and allows us to enter partnerships that connect what we produce with high-value consumers around the world. “This is a great example of our Pamu strategy in action,” Carden said. Glerups founder Nanny Glerup, who handmade and sold the first pair of Glerups in 1993, and director Jesper Glerup Kristensen visited NZ earlier this year to meet the growers of Pamu wool. “The fact that Nanny and Jesper were out here visiting the farms and our growers shows it actually is a relationship. “It’s not often a farmer gets the chance to meet their customers and see where their product ends up,” Carden said. Kristensen said surging popularity of the shoes worldwide led the company to seek a new supplier of quality strong wool and NZ was the obvious choice. “Pamu growers share the same values we do – a commitment to quality and integrity. “People who buy our shoes are after more than something to keep your feet warm and comfortable.

“They’re also buying into a more relaxed and values-based lifestyle. “It’s incredibly important to our customers along with the exceptional craftsmanship of the shoes,” Kristensen said. The Danish innovation was the unique Glerups design and manufacture of the felt indoor shoes made with 100% pure, natural wool. An increasing number of Europeans, North Americans and others who loved the comfort and warmth were buying the shoes. The value chain was created by NZM with the Pamu wool grown and harvested on 12 sheep farms, each a Landcorp property in the North Island or Canterbury. In 2014-2015, Landcorp entered a two-year contract to supply more than 90 tonnes of strong wool to Glerups’ specifications. The wool was exported as tops and manufactured into the felt footwear at the Glerups factory and distributed from the Danish provincial region of Aars. Glerups worldwide sales were growing at 20% a year and the company had indicated to NZM its desire for greater security for longer-term supply.

New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Blockchain could save billions An emerging technology promises to tip the world of logistics and exporting on its head, streamlining global trade and saving exporters billions of dollars in transaction costs and time. Richard Rennie spoke to two experts on the technology known as blockchain.

UCKLAND University head of commercial law Alex Sims describes blockchain as a type of digital ledger that records transactions chronologically in blocks of data. When used for supply chains that data was open to selected parties to view as the service or product moved through the supply chain. At its most simplistic level each block of information could be likened to a Google.Doc capable of being shared by multiple parties along a supply chain. A further version of that would involve a permissions programme specifying who could see what information. But, unlike a Doc, information could not be changed or deleted. If changes or additions were required, a new version of the Doc (a new block) was made so the entire history could be traced.” The history of the technology lay in the cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. More recently the financial sector had started developing it to try to make claims, settlements and international payments more secure and efficient. Recently, it had been picked up by big global players like Walmart and hypermarket owners Carrefour as a means of tracking products from their point of

manufacture to final consumer purchase. Sims was particularly excited by the global initiative between giant shipping company Maersk and IBM to use Blockchain when customers shipped products globally. Maersk New Zealand chief executive Gerard Morrison was a vowed Blockchain convert. He happily admitted a huge sense of excitement over what the technology offered countries like NZ, so dependent on traceable, genuine exports for income and timely economic shipping for their delivery. He did not see NZ being particularly slow to pick up the technology and had an enthusiastic response from exporters here about its potential. Rather, he saw the entire global shipping-logistics industry as one still tied to relatively old methods of recording and reporting, ripe for a Blockchain revolution. During the early stage of the IBM-Maersk software programme development Maersk identified 200 communications by multiple organisations were needed to send a shipment of flowers from Kenya to Rotterdam. “We live in a world where I can order something off Amazon and it’s here within a day. Yet an exported product can generate 200

HELPFUL: Blockchain could keep track of imports, facilitate speedier compliance and mean being paid for them quicker.

separately identified transactions that all have to be recorded, slowing the system down. “And the fresher the product is, the more requirements there are for documentation.” Typically the programme would start with a grower/exporter filling out an electronic packing list on a smartphone or PC, visible to all participants in the supply chain. That initiated the product’s biosecurity approval process and from there a visible digital path was laid down on the product’s container number, location, mass and arrival status as it moved through the chain. As NZ exports like chilled lamb faced increasingly tight shipping deadlines and short shelf times on arrival in supermarket chillers, the reductions in time for transfer and document approval were particularly welcomed by exporters Morrison had spoken to. “And there is also a strong security aspect welcome in Blockchain. “At present the perception is supply chains are safe. “I would argue that is not necessarily so. “For example, documents are still required to be signed off with a wet signature but how do we know that signature is genuine?” Sims said the ability to make select parts of documents visible to different people in the supply system was a flexibility companies welcomed.

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IoT sensor in a container can determine when that container has landed and initiate an automatic payment to the supplier without the paperwork and time usually involved in payment. “The buyer through the Blockchain process has confidence that process is complete. This has already been trialled successfully in Australia with the cotton sent to China” Governments were also showing a keenness for the technology. Sims said Blockchain was now on the Government’s Primary Sector Science Roadmap plan as a means of ensuring provenance, source and transparency. The Australian government’s tax office was also keen to see it used to better follow tax sources. “It is also possible to specify X percent to be paid automatically to the tax department on a goods sale, giving the government a better cashflow and better insights to the flow of funds, not to mention, in NZ, Ministry for Primary Industries and other government departments having real-time access to what is being exported.” Morrison said the figures for savings and streamlining via Blockchain were eye-watering. “We have estimated the global cost of trade to be about $1.8 trillion a year and estimate Blockchain could take about 10% of that cost out of the system.”

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“People may not want others to see who they are buying goods off and for what cost and they can prevent others from seeing that information. But they may still want others to know that the product was sourced from a legitimate source. “There is a process called zero knowledge proof where one party can prove to another party that a statement is true without giving away any information apart from the fact the statement is true, retaining confidentiality around the transaction details.” Blockchain would allow consumers greatly increased information about the goods they wanted to buy. “For example, if you are an ethical clothing company and you want to prove you are not using slave labour you may make that manufacturing information accessible.” Consumers could access that information in a shop by scanning a product’s QR code. The appeal to NZ exporters wanting to ensure provenance of fresh products like manuka honey, which was frequently faked, was significant, Sims said. The often prickly issue of payment for goods could also be streamlined by integrating Blockchain with Internet of Things (IoT) technology. “Once a smart contract is initiated and the product moves through the supply chain an

PROVEN

Opinion

28 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

EDITORIAL Farmers will get wins and losses

Bryan Gibson

LETTERS

Free water aids export income PUTTING a price on water is silly. Free water gives us a competitive advantage with our agricultural products overseas. Besides, we are hardly a desert. We are a wet little country down here in the middle of the Roaring 40s. Granted, the water is not always when and where we need it but that’s an engineering problem. This whole kerfuffle was triggered by the bottling water industry, which uses a teeny weeny portion of our water. Granted, it is a licence to print money but putting a price on water is not the way to go. The problem is that we don’t own the bottling companies and overseas corporations

have many ways to avoid paying taxes. Now we are considering a diverted profit tax; a total nightmare to measure and administer. To get money in the exchequer all we need to do is to own the bottling companies and tax their profits as we would any other company. The same holds for so many other branches of our economy. Surely, if we can manage the vastly more complex products wine and milk from production to marketing we can manage bottled water without overseas expertise.

Umbrage taken

He states there was a complete lack of anything positive as far as farming was concerned at the Organised Morrinsville protest. As attendees of the Morrinsville gathering, we did exactly what Federated Farmers and Farm Source had suggested – show a positive side of farming. It was not the fault of the farmers present that the media would not show the positive messages and instead focused on the negative signs. However, television did fleetingly show our banner and I attach a picture captured from the television to verify that there definitely were positive messages. Emerson should follow his own statement: Get your facts right.

WE TAKE umbrage at the article by Alan Emerson in the October 2 NZ Farmers Weekly.

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EW Zealand has a new Government but just what that means for farmers is unclear at this stage. With Labour at its core the coalition has the Green Party – for so long critical of current farming practices and intent on ensuring the primary sector’s footprint is lighter on the land – on one flank. On the other flank is New Zealand First, which this campaign aligned itself with the regions and promised to advocate for farmers inside the beltway. It did that, of course, while pushing for curbs on immigration and trade, two areas vital to the sector. In revealing his decision on live television last week Winston Peters said farmers should be happy so it would seem Labour’s water tax is off the table in its proposed form but reform around commercial water will happen in one way or another. Announcing its confidence and supply agreement the Green Party had climate change and water quality front and centre and we can expect it to have a say on policy in those areas. It’s worth remembering that measures to improve water quality were inevitable no matter who sits in the Beehive – the nation demands it – but the pace and perceived severity of those measures will be what to watch here. Federated Farmers has put on a brave face, stating it is ready to positively engage with the new Government, after sparring with those same parties during the campaign. At first glance this coalition looks like it will be a difficult one to manage – it’s hard to ignore the vast range of opinions around the table there. As with every change in political ideology there will be wins and losses for farmers. The rural sector has been critical of our leaders in recent times for forgetting the regions. This new “active Government” as Jacinda Ardern has called it, will certainly rectify that. Whether that attention will be of the type farmers were hoping for is yet to be seen.

Opinion

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Future uncertain and exciting Sam McIvor

ISRUPTION wasn’t in our vocabulary five years ago. But now we seem to be disrupted left, right

and centre. As food producers we’ve never been under greater scrutiny – whether it be the environment and water quality or food safety and animal welfare. Yet our market opportunities have never been more exciting … nor more uncertain. So, it’s timely for Beef + Lamb New Zealand to refresh its strategy for supporting farmers over the next five years. Our vision is profitable farmers, in thriving rural communities, valued by all New Zealanders. In fact, it’s our farmers’ vision, developed after talking extensively with farmers and industry stakeholders to ensure we’re working on issues that matter. Our recent UMR quarterly survey showed farmer confidence steady at 43% positive about the future of the industry, about 70% awareness of B+LNZ’s role and satisfaction with our performance edging up to 47%. So, we’re doing okay but can do better and our strategy refresh has asked what we need to do to have greater impact on behalf of farmers. Farmers have told us they want better extension activities, their backs covered on key issues, the red meat sector story told and that our urban audiences and global customers understand the sector. Our strategic response hinges on four priorities over the next five years: to support farming excellence, unlock market potential, enhance the sector’s environmental reputation and engage with government and urban communities on behalf of farmers. So, what does success look like in 2022? We’ve set goals that will drive all our activities. Number one is improved prices for farmers through consumer

The

Pulpit

insight, telling the NZ red meat sector story, the Farm Assurance Programme and assessing new markets or new opportunities in markets. The red meat story is coming. We’ve put in place the Farm Assurance Programme, via the Red Meat Profit Partnership, letting consumers know where the product is from, how it was raised and that it’s safe to eat. Additionally, it streamlines the audit process for farmers so if you supply more than one meat company, only one audit is needed. Consumer insights work is focused on understanding how consumers experience food and make decisions related to red meat. This will help us shape our story and we’ve been testing what we learn in the United States, China, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, India and here at home. We’ll also see increased market access by 2022 through free-trade agreements (FTAs) enabling maximum value capture, returned to farmers. Our focus is protecting access rights for sheep meat to our UK customers in the face of Brexit. In negotiating FTAs with the European Union and the UK we’re looking to retain access and quality on sheep meat and

MONEY: Beef +Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor’s top priority is improving prices for farmers.

grow our access on beef. And, we’re feeling positive about TPP11 and hope this momentum will continue. In 2022 farmers will have grown profit through improved efficiency and lower cost of production. That is about supporting excellence through better extension and our RMPP extension investment is about to deliver real value. Extensive work has gone into understanding how farmers learn best and what support they need to be profitable. Now, we’re working with RMPP to roll out the lessons in the Action Network extension programme with opportunities for farmers to get involved. And it’s about more effective research and development, through integration with the other sectors. We’ve been working with the Government, researchers, farmers and processors and are completing an integrated sheep and beef sector research strategy. We’ll be sharing that with the wider sector to drive that desired cooperation.

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And we will not only deliver value to our dairy farmer levypayers but also drive the integration of our industries to benefit both – a case in point being the bobby calf, both a risk and an opportunity. By 2022 farmers will be recognised for their commitment to the environment while maintaining the productive capacity of the land. That includes making sure farmers have access to the right tools and that the right policies are in place. More than a third of our farmers have a written or recorded farm environment plan and our focus will be ensuring farmers need to do it only once and that it meets their regional council regulatory and market needs. Water quality will remain a priority with ongoing work helping farmers prepare and present submissions in the regional planning processes. Likewise, B+LNZ will continue to argue on behalf of farmers against our industry being in the Emissions Trading Scheme. And in 2022 farmers will have

access to the right people with the right skills with a new generation of leaders developing. In 2016, 4441 people received training supported by sheep and beef farmer levies; many through the RMPP programmes. With three years to go we’ll be doing a thorough review of our investments with our partners involving farmers to ensure we’re delivering maximum value to farmers. Key to success is having farmers intimately involved in our business. We aim to lift farmer engagement from 50% to reach 80% engagement by 2022. Ultimately, this is all about delivering on what farmers want – a highly profitable red meat sector that all New Zealanders can share pride in.

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

Opinion

30 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Talks farce is all theatrics Alternative View

Alan Emerson

I SINCERELY hope by the time you read this that we have a government of sorts and I’ll be interested to see if it can last the distance. The election was interesting. From three months out when National was waltzing home the campaigning became incredibly tight. The final result on election night bore no resemblance to the state of the parties some months prior. As with all campaigns there were highs and lows. My view of Labour’s David Parker is that he should be in the back room and not on the front bench. The water tax proposal was shambolic. In the same category were the initial Labour announcements about tax. They had nine years to sort it out and shouldn’t have dropped it seemingly from the sky like seagull droppings. I believe that if Labour had done the tax announcements

properly and professionally they’d have been in government now. Correspondingly, National displayed its win-at-all-costs mentality personified by Steven Joyce’s $11.7 billion hole in Labour’s budget. It was a deeply cynical lie that the media, to their credit, were quickly onto. That Bill English perpetuated the myth did him no credit. What I did find interesting was that despite the National Party doing everything it could to whip up an anti-Labour frenzy in the rural heartland it didn’t work. In Canterbury’s Selwyn electorate, the heart of irrigation country, the gain for Labour was 13.3%. In Waimakariri it was 15.7%. In the National bastion of Clutha Southland the gain for Labour was 13.2%. National won the election in Auckland, end of story. Labour made gains in the provinces, particularly in the South Island. It is a fact our rural politicians should be well aware of. The final result was incredibly close with Labour and the Greens coming within 1.2% of National and the Green’s within 0.9% of New Zealand First. NZ First ended up as the kingmaker as we all knew it would and what an absolute circus that became. Actually farce would be a better

word to describe their actions. For a start, eight out of 10 New Zealanders voted for either National or Labour. One in 14 voted for NZ First. That tells me they don’t have a mandate to do anything and the post-election farce was compounded by the fact the deals were in secret and not costed. The cynical treatment of the population by Winston Peters annoyed me considerably. Telling me it was all about policy was ridiculous. Politics is about power. Policies are what are required, reluctantly by some, to get into power. Going on ad nauseum about policies was, to me, a smokescreen. The theatrics of it also irritated me. We were going to have a daylong NZ First caucus meeting for whatever reason and then the mysterious board was going to make a decision. It was a ridiculous situation. Winston Peters is NZ First so why all the pointless drama? I received, with some amazement, a media release from NZ First begging me to respect the privacy of their board members, the people who are to decide our future over the next three years. Would Winston Peters respect anyone’s privacy if the boot was on the other foot? No.

So we had caucus meetings, board meetings, the board left and caucus resumed its meetings. We then heard that the leaders of both National and Labour had individual meetings with Peters. Neither the board nor the caucus were involved. So it comes down to what it always does, the baubles of office and accommodations. For example, if National didn’t stand a candidate in Northland NZ First would be guaranteed an electorate seat. That concession would be important because without Winston NZ First needs an electorate seat as they’d be unlikely to poll above 3%. I can’t see the current deputy, Ron Mark, whipping up any electoral frenzy and neither will Shane Jones. Could a knighthood be in the mix or a cushy diplomatic post? None of that would be policy but baubles. So my view is that the negotiations were more about bluff and bluster than hard dealing. Both National and Labour would have known NZ First needed some reasonable wins and would have offered them early. Then you had the NZ First caucus, two of whom were previously aligned with Labour and two with National, supposedly making the hard decisions.

CONTROL: Winston Peters is in the driving seat so why does NZ First pretend with board and caucus meetings he’s not making the decisions?

That was followed by the circus of a board that had to work around funerals and day jobs. Would they have questioned Winston on anything? I don’t think so. To me the negotiations were a big turkey strut with NZ First treating the country like turkeys while resembling them in so many ways. That strutting is set to continue into cabinet and government, perish the thought. The country deserves a lot better.

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

Don’t tell me the financial system is fair From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

SEVERAL weeks ago I wrote a piece on Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings’ pay packet of $8.3 million and said I reckoned it was obscene. As you might imagine I had quite a few emails from folk who agreed but there were also a couple who reckoned it was fair enough.

In that column I said one of the biggest problems we have is the growing gap between rich and poor and the disparity of income and wealth. It is immoral and it is destabilising to running a civil society. I’ve been thinking some more about that and then last week Forbes released its annual billionaire list, which only went further to inflame my social liberalism. That we even have these rich lists and feel compelled to scroll through them is bad enough. But the folk on these lists aren’t just rich. They are indecently, obscenely and offensively wealthy, out of all proportion to what they need to live even

a luxurious and deluxe life. Bill Gates of Microsoft once more sits on the top with US$89 billion but to his credit appears a decent fellow and runs a foundation supporting good causes. Jeff Bezos of Amazon is next with $86b stashed away, then Warren Buffett with $81b and Amancio Ortega $80b while Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook with $73b rounds out the top five. Three of them and many of the others on the list have made their fortunes in the brave new world of digital and consequently manage their affairs so they pay next to no tax where they make these fortunes in countries just like ours, thus making no contribution to

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the societies that enrich them, leaving that tax burden on the middle classes. Corporate tax dodging is costing $100b each year to poor countries and if paid would go a long way to eradicating poverty in the world. Many of these wealthy companies pay their staff the barest minimum wages. Much of the commentary on the list’s release was the glee around Trump’s fall down the list. He claimed in the presidential campaign that he was worth $10b but Forbes put his wealth at $3.1b, a fall of 31% over the last two years. But the real story here is the obscenity that the top eight men (where are the women?) total

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more wealth between them than the poorest 50% of the world’s population or 3.6 billion people. Three-quarters of the world’s population holds just 3% of the world’s wealth. Try to tell me the financial system that has evolved that we are all part of is working and is fair. These inequality levels are already causing instability around the globe and this will only increase as the have-nots compete against the haves for a share of that wealth.

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

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Opinion

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Indecision as problems multiply Meaty Matters

Allan Barber

AN AGRI Brigade piece in the latest Private Eye, that marvellous example of good, old-fashioned investigative journalism, made me acutely aware of the law of unintended consequences that inevitably applies to trade agreements. With less than 18 months until Brexit, the United Kingdom’s negotiators don’t appear to have made any tangible progress towards a workable agreement with their European Union counterparts. In fact, each side is talking right past the other. The EU wants to set the amount the UK will pay to exit before discussing important things like trade and the UK doesn’t want to mention it for fear of causing political mayhem at home. And we think we’ve got problems with the coalition discussions, which should have reached a conclusion by the time you read this. Private Eye draws attention to imminent decisions to be made by UK farmers who will be dramatically affected by the lack of transitional arrangements or a trade deal. At least one of them will also have a significant impact on the New Zealand red meat sector. UK sheep farmers are faced right now with deciding whether

to keep millions of ewe lambs for breeding or to send them for slaughter. If they keep them for breeding they won’t lamb until spring 2019, just when Britain is leaving the EU with or without an arrangement. About 40% of all UK lamb production is exported to the EU, which, without a trade agreement, will incur a tariff of £2689 a tonne, roughly equivalent to $125 a lamb by my calculation and, as a result, the UK lamb price will collapse. I don’t imagine the price would react very well either if the ewe lambs are sent for slaughter. This information coincides with the news about the proposed arrangement for the EU and UK to split NZ’s sheep meat quota on the basis of the last three years’ percentage to each market. Not unnaturally, Beef + Lamb NZ and the Meat Industry Association are most unhappy with this proposal, which contravenes the tariff rate quota’s legal status under World Trade Organisation rules because it would remove NZ’s flexibility to switch product between all current EU members including the UK. Realistically, the worst case scenario would see the UK flooded by cheap domestic lamb NZ exporters would not want to compete with but would be unable to send surplus product to the EU above the reduced allocation. The UK quota would remain unused unless, by some freak of fate, a trade deal can be reached before the deadline. Other difficult decisions with similar or even longer implications face British beef and arable farmers whose production won’t be sold until after the March 2019 exit date.

STRANDED? Lamb markets could be left in disarray if Europe and Britain split import quotas and come to no new arrangement for sales among themselves.

A specific example of this problem is the export of organic Kingdom Cheddar cheese to the United States under US-EU trade agreements. It took the Organic Milk Suppliers Co-operative eight years to build up supply from accredited organic farmers and develop the brand but it now says it will cease production of the niche product at the end of December because its 18-month production cycle means it might not be able to sell it after Brexit. Although British beef, arable and dairy marketing problems might not have a direct impact on NZ’s exports, they will inevitably cause disruption of global supply and pricing patterns, which will almost certainly end up affecting our markets. For this reason NZ’s trade relationships must be carefully nurtured to ensure our exporters enjoy the best possible access to overseas markets. That is my main concern with the outcome of our general

election because whichever combination ends up in power will be under the influence of NZ First, a party whose attitude to free trade goes back to before 1984. More misgivings arise from Labour’s belief it can renegotiate TPP11 without delaying the whole agreement indefinitely because a change in NZ’s commitment will give other signatories the perfect opportunity to introduce their own wish lists to the exercise. Now is not the time to take the pressure off diplomatic efforts to secure the best and widest range of trade agreements. NZ First’s well publicised objections to foreign investment in our productive value chains also signal the possibility of the establishment of a fortress NZ mentality, which would sit very uncomfortably with a National-led government. I am not averse to looking at the provisions of the Overseas Investment Act to ensure we are not losing ownership or control of strategic assets but joint ventures

or partnerships with carefully chosen overseas businesses bring the best of both worlds: capital and access to an international value chain combined with NZ’s innovative and productive capabilities. Silver Fern Farms, Synlait and T&G Global (formerly Turners & Growers) are three agricultural companies with significant overseas shareholders who have brought stability and value to the NZ businesses. It would be a backward step if such constructive relationships were to be banned under the new government. Britain’s difficulties as a consequence of Brexit should give our politicians reason to be cautious about putting any undue restriction on our ability to trade.

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

The death of rural programmes The Voice

Craig Wiggins

THE announcement that NZ on Air funding has been cut for the Rural Delivery television programme has not come as a surprise to me, having witnessed the demise of support for the Young Farmer Contest from those in control of the programming and funding of what we get to watch on television. The time slot allocations and in turn the lack of viewers engaged in the topics being covered don’t stack up against the mind-dumbing and increasingly popular reality television series we get these days. It’s a sign of the times that people turn on their televisions to escape reality and be entertained, not really informed now.

I would suggest that if Country Calendar didn’t have as much of an entertainment and voyeuristic content as it does then it would be in for the chop as well. It has definitely changed its content to cater for the lifestyle farmer viewers living the dream, engaging those who sit on their urban couches wishing for the kiwi lifestyle block. We had a great advocate for coverage of the Young Farmer Contest in Mark Leishman as I witnessed him and his wife/ producer going into bat for the contest with the network programming managers but even with his contacts, and perhaps a lack of support for his efforts from the management of the contest, we lost that link to the 50-year-old, iconic rural competition. I don’t think we will ever get it back. God help us if we lose Country Calendar too. We do have the new, multiplatform Rural Exchange programne on at the unenviable time slot of 5am to 7am Saturday and Sunday mornings, which will be an interesting exercise in

longevity for presenters, viewers/ listeners and ratings. I really hope it lasts because the industry needs every positive voice. We need to move into the new dimension as far as media are concerned. Social media, the medium where we can control the content, is accessible to people on demand at their fingertips. Many in rural NZ don’t have the coverage required for high speed internet but it is on its way if you believe the promises of the telecommunication companies. However, those who need to hear our stories do have it. We must demonstrate to the world the reason we get out of bed in the morning. I’ve written before about the video series called The Farmers Voice hosted by this newspaper. This has developed to where we now see numbers of views increasing and getting noticed by a company proud to partner new and existing rural ventures. Bayleys Real Estate via its Rural Insight has come to the party and sees the importance of telling the rural stories from the

heart of those with skin in the game. Along with Stoney Creek putting good clothing on me, we are posting videos on The Farmers Weekly website and social media pages every two weeks. They are bite-size segments of real rural people. I am worried the dirty laundry exposed during the election by those trying to ratchet off the emotional voter who believes the negative media against the primary industry will have affected our markets internationally. It certainly left a bad taste in the mouth of rural NZ. We hope The Farmers Voice videos lift the profile of those we feature, the sharefarmer of the year winners, the champion shearer and his family, not only who they are but informative videos on what they do and why. This in turn will help bridge the gap or at least give a pathway between those we sell to and are interested in what we do. It will maybe even entice more young people into the industry. The last two videos certainly

show the passion of those who started off young and are reaping the rewards of hard toil. Let’s face it, we are pushing water uphill with a sharp stick as far as mainstream media is concerned at the moment. We need to tell our stories and I want to do that, so line up your story and get in touch, share the other stories we film and like a snowball it will grow and in turn increase the knowledge of those who watch and the desire to be involved in or support the primary Industry. And at the end of the day if we as farmers can watch them and feel proud of those we know or those who do their best in their field and we can get a kick out of that helping us with our need for entertainment that’s not scripted like most reality television programmes, then that’s a good result. If it bridges the gap between markets and supplier or corrects the negativity portrayed by media and emotive vote catching then that’s a step in the right direction that will improve who we are in the world we live in.

World

32 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

Recovering from a tough season AFTER one of the toughest seasons in years Australia’s dairy industry is recovering, according to the latest Dairy Situation and Outlook report. The report from Dairy Australia said despite the price volatility that hit the 2016-17 season farmers in export-focused states such as Tasmania coped fairly well. DA senior analyst John Droppert said the report reflected the reality of the ups and downs of the industry over the past 12 months. He said “2016-2017 was undoubtedly a tough season for cashflow but the ability of farmers to adapt, together with generally lower hay and grain costs and better weather conditions, has helped many to generate a more positive financial result than they may have anticipated.” Good seasonal conditions and improved prices meant milk production in Tasmania fell less than in other parts of the country. The report said good seasonal conditions and better returns this year meant overall production should improve. In the domestic market butter sales had been a standout. During 2016-17 butter sales volumes increased by 1.9% while

THROUGH IT: Low feed costs and good weather helped Australian dairy farmers withstand a tough year for farmgate returns.

major price rises put the value of sales up by 12.2% to $242 million. The value of cheese sales grew by 3%. Results from the Dairy Farm Monitoring Project showed similar or slightly improved earnings before interest and tax compared

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agrievents DWN Coaching Conversations module Registrations are now open for 20 free nationwide events, aimed at helping those in the dairy industry coach and empower the people they interact with on a daily basis. Events will run regionally from November 1, 2017 through to March 2018. To register: www.dwn.co.nz/events Contact: events@dwn.co.nz or 0800 396 748 Wednesday 15/11/2017 AWDT Understanding Your Farming Business 3 full-day workshops and an evening graduation ceremony run over four months Venue: Moutere Hills Community Centre, Upper Moutere Contact: anna@awdt.org.nz Website: To register for the programme follow this link http://www.awdt.org.nz/programmes/understanding-yourfarming-business/ Thursday 27/10/2017 to Saturday 29/10/2017 Waikato A&P Association - 125th Jubilee Show Venue: Claudelands Showground, Hamilton Entries and contact: Trish Lloyd – 07 855 4776 or accounts@waikatoaandp.co.nz Website: www.waikatoaandp.co.nz Wednesdays 08/11/2017 & 06/12/2017 AWDT Understanding Your Farming Business 3 full-day workshops and an evening graduation ceremony run over four months Venue: Waverley Contact: anna@awdt.org.nz Website: To register for the programme follow this link http:// www.awdt.org.nz/programmes/understanding-your-farmingbusiness/

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Friday 10/11/2017 to Saturday 11/11/2017 145th Marlborough A & P Show Venue: A & P Park Blenheim Time: 9am - 4.30pm both days Website: www.marlboroughshow.co.nz

Should your important event be listed here? Phone 0800 85 25 80 or email adcopy@nzx.com

supply and demand, changing little over the past few months. Butter prices were near record levels while skim milk powder values remained suppressed by big volumes held in European storage.

Many farmers in domestic-focused regions have seen milk prices ease over the past season.

Prices for most other products remained somewhere closer to average. Based on a combination of contained input costs and the modest improvements in farmgate milk prices, Droppert expected growth in milk volumes in the southern dairying regions. “Dairy Australia’s forecast for 2017-18 milk production remains a growth range of between 2% and 3% on the 2016-17 total of 9.02 billion litres,” Droppert said. “This implies a forecast total of around 9.2 billion litres for 201718.” www.weeklytimesnow.com.au

GM foods okay but crops not

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Saturday 02/12/2017 Whangarei A&P Show – One Epic Show Day Venue: Barge Showgrounds, Maunu Road, Whangarei Time: 9.00am start Trade Sites and Entries contact Chris 09 4383109 ext 3 Website: www.whangareishow.co.nz

to the previous 12 months. Droppert said while EBIT results were better than the previous season many farm businesses would be using any surplus cash for debt reduction or expenses incurred from last season. Despite the lowest milk price

received in the history of the project, 89% of farmers recorded a positive return on assets as good conditions reduced feed costs, helping offset low prices. The report found 89% of surveyed farmers were optimistic for the 2017-18 season with most predicting an improvement in farm business returns. The report highlighted an upward swing in national production but noted seasonal and price challenges facing the domestic-focused Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. Droppert said while the overall market did appear to be improving, challenges remained for suppliers in the domestic market. “Many farmers in domesticfocused regions have seen milk prices ease over the past season,” he said. “Coupled with the extreme weather events in parts of Western Australia, Queensland and NSW, this has squeezed margins and impacted farm profitability.” In the broader context dairy market settings remained supportive of a gradual recovery. International commodity prices reflected relatively balanced

FOOD derived from 60 genetically modified crops can be imported into Australia but local farmers can grow only one GM food crop — canola. GM proponents said complex and costly regulations, state bans and Australia’s small market meant local farmers could not access a raft of genetically modified food crops. Yet Food Standards Australia New Zealand has signed off on the import of food derived from GM potatoes, corn, soybeans, sugar beet and rice, which were found in many of the products sitting on Australia’s supermarket shelves. Over the past 17 years Bayer, Monsanto, Du Pont, Pioneer, Dow and Syngenta had gained FSANZ approval to ensure there were no Australian import restrictions on food imports derived from those GM crops. They delivered agronomic benefits to United States, Canadian, Brazilian, Chinese and other nations’ farmers, such as drought tolerance or resistance to herbicides, disease or insect attack. Now a new wave of GM food crops was sweeping the world, which shifted the emphasis from onfarm benefits to consumers. SPS International recently gained FSANZ approval to import food derived from genetically modified non-browning potatoes. FSANZ was also deciding whether to allow imports of golden rice that had been genetically modified to boost vitamin A levels. The world’s first non-browning GM apples would go on sale in the US next month, offering consumers pre-cut and peeled

apples and pale juices. In Canada purple GM tomatoes were being commercialised. They produced high levels of antioxidants and would be marketed as reducing the incidence of cancer. But GM proponents said Australia’s costly and protracted regulatory hurdles were restricting farmers’ access to technologies and undermining their competitive advantage. The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator had approved only the commercial release of GM canola, cotton, carnations and vaccines. CropLife Australia chief executive Matthew Cossey said the cost of getting a GM crop to market was about $170 million and could take up to 13 years of research and development. “Regulatory approval accounts for one-third of that cost,” Cossey said. “The Australian market is already quite small and the risk to business in bringing a product to market in Australia is very high. He called for the removal of unnecessary regulations on GM crop innovations to allow access to plant breeding innovations, including scrapping GM bans in New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said the fact consumers were eating imported GM foods showed the need to reduce regulatory hurdles. “With such fast-moving technology we need to be open to its adoption,” Jochinke said. www.weeklytimesnow.com.au

HOW DOES THAT WORK: Only one genetically modified food can be grown in Australia but 60 can be imported.

Employment

Move to the Bay Of Plenty! Fencing and outdoor working skills required for developing kiwifruit orchards in Bay of Plenty region. Excellent opportunities to grow your skills and income with our team focused, progressive, respectful and values-based company. References required.

Email your CV to: lee@sxhort.co.nz

Puke Te is close to schooling and town work opportunities for partners. It includes a 3-bedroom house for the successful applicant.

Shepherd General

The successful applicant must have stock sense, be able to demonstrate excellent fencing and maintenance skills and be able to drive a tractor. They must have attention-to-detail and take pride in their work. 1 or 2 dogs at the most could be advantageous.

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Sheep, Beef Breeding & Finishing Operation

Please send CVs and applications to bulls@totaranuistud.co.nz by 3 November.

EXPERIENCED SHEPHERD

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

ATTENTION FARMERS

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The successful applicant will: • Have a good team of dogs • Demonstrate initiative • Take a practical approach to tasks

The position includes a comfortable 3-bedroom home, fenced section with double garage, only 5km to Primary School.

Three bedroom cottage available on property. Remuneration package will be aligned with skills and experience.

E X P E R I E N C E D OPERATORS – Spreaders Computer and GPS equipped – 3 trucks available. Phone John 027 442 9136 or 06 323 7069. Greater Manawatu.

Applications close at 5pm, 31 October 2017

Please provide your CV including phone referees to fiona.morton@farmside.co.nz by 3 November

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For more details please phone 06 328-2856 (Andrew Morton) or 06 328-5772 (Stewart Morton)

HAZLETT RURAL LTD TRAINEE LIVESTOCK REP An exciting career is awaiting you at Hazlett Rural Ltd. We are looking for a Trainee Livestock Rep to join our expanding stock and station company, whose strong culture views its people as its greatest asset. This will be a fantastic opportunity to develop and grow in a supportive and training focused environment exploring all of the key aspects involved in the Industry. Your “can do” attitude, excellent communication and interpersonal skills will hold you in good stead in building a strong foundation for a career in the company. This position will suit a motivated, competent and focused individual. Previous agricultural experience or interest are essential.

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

BOLTON-RILEY GROUND SPREAD

To apply visit www.pukerewastation.co.nz or contact Don Clark 029 770 0096 for a job description & application form.

The property can be viewed at www.paki-iti.co.nz

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.

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

DIESEL IRRIGATION PUMP PERKINS DIESEL. Southern Cross pump. Skid mounted with 400 litre fuel tank. Refer Trademe #1440745396 or phone 027 772 0030.

DOGS FOR SALE 7-MONTH HEADING pup. Ready to train. Phone 06 388 0212 or 027 243 8541. FIFTY WORKING Huntaways, Heading and Handys. $500-$2500. 07 315 5553. Mike Hughes.

DOGS WANTED 12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195. QUICK EASY SALE! No one buys or pays more! 07 315 5553. Mike Hughes. BOOK AN AD. For only $2.00 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in The NZ Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Debbie Brown on 0800 85 25 80 to book in or email classifieds@nzx.com

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

– Bay Of Islands

For further details contact: Adrian Barclay – Lawyer Sainsbury Logan & Williams Ph 06 835 3069 • Email : agb@slw.co.nz

FOR SALE

The position requires a progressive individual to manage the day-to-day operation of the farm and the following key attributes will be an advantage: • Relevant experience and a team of good working dogs • A high level of skills in livestock husbandry, pasture management and general farm maintenance • A sound knowledge of reticulated water supply systems • People management and leadership skills • Computer literacy skills and willingness to adopt new technologies • Good communication and reporting skills • Conscientious recording and performance monitoring • Appreciation of health and safety and environmental issues • Self-motivated, reliable and honest

SELLING

SOMETHING? Have something to sell? Advertise in The NZ Farmers Weekly

A competitive remuneration package will be negotiated with the successful applicant. LK0089997©

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

GRAZING AVAILABLE FOR DAIRY WEANERS. Long term, great rates. Phone Dave 06 864 4412.

LEASE LAND WANTED LEASE LAND WANTED in the Manawatu or Horowhenua areas suitable for grazing dairy stock. References available. Phone Richard McIntyre 021 143 1588.

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE B R O O K L A N D SIMMENTAL, LBW, short gestation, bulls, suitable for beef or dairy, EBV’s available. Phone 06 374 1802.

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

HIGH PRESSURE WATER PUMPS, suitable on high headlifts. Low energy usage for single/3-phase motors, waterwheel and turbine drives. Low maintenance costs and easy to service. Enquiries phone 04 526 4415, email sales@hydra-cell.co.nz BOOK AN AD. For only $2.00 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in The NZ Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Debbie Brown on 0800 85 25 80 to book in or email classifieds@nzx.com

RAMS FOR SALE 2017 has been a good season for Romneys. Top Ramguard Facial eczema tested, SIL recorded, Purebred Romney Rams will be hard to find. Approx 80 Rams will be available at the 33rd Mid-Northern Romney Ram Fair Thursday 2nd November 2017 at 12 noon. In conjunction with Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Waikato Events Centre. Claudelands Hamilton.

STOCK FEED MOISTURE METERS Hay, Silage dry matter, grain. www.moisturemeters.co.nz 0800 213 343.

WANTED TO BUY SAWN SHED TIMBER including Black Maire. Matai, Totara and Rimu etc. Also buying salvaged native logs. Phone Richard Uren. NZ Native Timber Supplies. Phone 027 688 2954.

Livestock

Full interim and final dividend paid plus an extra 20 cent dividend per share annually.

On SH10 and 10 minutes to Paihia or Kerikeri, it is located within easy reach of services and good schools.

3RD ANNUAL HIGH INDEXED IN-MILK AUCTION A/C: LOMBARDY FARMS DATE: Friday 3rd November 2017 ADDRESS: 71 Cheal Road, Stratford D/N 40610 START TIME: 11:30am (auction under cover) COMPRISING OF: 200 in-milk Friesian & Friesian X cows BW 100, PW 118, R/A 99% HERD DETAILS: • Mating commenced to AB to calve from 20th July • All capital stock, milked in HB shed • All cows calved and in-milk from 20th July onwards • 80 MA cows and 120 1st calves • TB C10 EBL free, lepto annually, herd tested AUCTIONEERS NOTE: A great line of in-milk cows in very good condition. Predominantly young high indexed cattle. Herd currently producing 2.3 mspd with a bulk ssc 100,000. Vendor will provide full satisfaction guarantee. PAYMENT/DELIVERY TERMS: 20th November 2017 with deferred payment/delivery options available. FARM SOURCE LIVESTOCK AGENT: Colin Dent 06 754 6838 or 027 646 8908 VENDORS: Dave & Trish Dent 027 425 5016

Applications to: The Secretary, Oromahoe Trust by email to: oromahoetrust@xtra.co.nz or postal address: Box 221, Kerikeri 0245

Sale catalogue available on nzfarmsource.co.nz/livestock or from your Farm Source Livestock representative

EARN DOUBLE FARM

Please provide three references, at least one from a professional in agriculture.

Applications close 13th November 2017

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.

PUMPS

Our client is looking to secure up to 25,000 DRY Fonterra shares (or units) for a period of minimum 1 and up to 5 years.

Oromahoe Trust requires a progressive farm manager for its intensive sheep and beef farm in the Bay of Islands. The farm has an effective area of 750 hectares of flat and rolling to easy hill-country wintering 7000 stock units.

A full job description is available from the Secretary.

GOATS WANTED

DRY FONTERRA SHARES WANTED

Farm Manager Beef Sheep

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Applications close 2 November 2017

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

We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and self motivated person to join our team. The main duties involve a mix of stock work, fencing, general duties and working collectively with the manager to make decisions around stock management and stock health. • Have drive and passion for the sheep and beef industry • Be self-motivated • Have excellent communication skills • Have a current drivers licence • Must enjoy working in a team environment • Have a good team of working dogs • Good previous knowledge in the sheep and beef industry

Located in Rangiwahia, Manawatu, the job offers a variety of experiences including involvement in a Romney ram breeding operation.

Applications including a CV can be sent by email to: Ed Marfell - emarfell@hazlett.nz

ANIMAL HEALTH

Pukerewa Station is a 1000ha hill-country farmland property located on the west coast in Waikaretu, approximately 1 hour from Auckland and Hamilton.

The Applicant must:

Our previous shepherd has moved on after five years. We now require a new enthusiastic and motivated person for a full-time position on our 890ha hill-country property.

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

FOR SALE

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

SOURCE REWARD DOLLARS For every purchase at on farm auctions with Farm Source Livestock Sept - Nov 2017* *

Fonterra Suppliers Only. T&Cs apply. See nzfarmsource.co.nz/

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The property has a balance of flat, rolling and steep hill country. It is intensive, currently running 6000 ewes, 240 cows and close to 1000 Friesian bulls.

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

CONTRACTORS

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We seek an enthusiastic and hard working General for Puke Te Station, a 1600 hectare breeding and finishing property 10 minutes east of Masterton.

The successful applicant will possess: • Strong work ethic • Excellent organisational skills • Be a team player and committed to the best oldfashioned value of personal service and face-to-face communication • Rural knowledge would be an advantage along with experience in livestock • Full drivers licence

ANIMAL HANDLING

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General – Puke Te Station

Classifieds

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

SALE TALK

Meadowslea Hill-Bred Rams

Open Day - 500 Rams - 7 breeds Ram Selection Forum

Beef and Lamb Genetics – NZ Maternal Worth Index explained

A boy was assigned a paper on childbirth and asked his parents, “How was I made?” “Well honey…” said the slightly prudish parent. “The stork brought you to us.” “Ohh…” said the boy. “Well, how did you and daddy get born?” he asked. “Oh, your grandparents found us under a rock.” “Well how were grandpa and grandma born?” he persisted. “Well darling, they were found under a cabbage leaf,” said the parent. Several days later, the boy handed in his paper to the teacher who read with confusion the opening sentence: “This report has been very difficult to write due to the fact that there hasn’t been a natural childbirth in my family for three generations.”

Canterbury A&P Association ELITE RAM & EWE SALE

Friday October 27th 1 – 3pm on-farm SH 8, Fairlie

• Romney • TexRom • Romdale • Perendale x Tex x Romney • Kelso x Romney • Kelso Maternal • Kelso Terminal (Blk Face)

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – October 23, 2017

PROTECT YOUR FUTURE FLOCKS

STOCK REQUIRED

ECZEMA TOLERANT

AUT or SPRING BULL CALVES

WAITEIKA HILL COUNTRY ROMNEYS RAMGUARD TESTING SINCE 1985

1 YR FRSN BULLS 260-400kgs

260-330kgs 1 YR ANG & ANG X STEERS

***** RATING

1 YR BEEF & BEEF X HEIFERS 200-300kgs 440-500kgs 2 YR FRSN & BEEF BULLS

* Robust functional sheep that survive * Dag and Condition Scoring * No ewes worm drenched, dipped or vaccinated * Monitoring Parasites

2 YR X BRED HEIFERS

COWS WITH CALVES AT FOOT

WormFEC™

Keith Abbott Raglan 027 463 9859 www.waiteikaromneys.co.nz

Genetically linked to Waimai Romney

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

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

10.30am Friday 1 December (Viewing from 9am) Canterbury Agricultural Park Curletts Road, Christchurch

PAKI-ITI SUFFOLK

Quality Rams & Ewes for Sale

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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

Livestock

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Ram Sale

Corriedale, Charollais, Hampshire, Romney, Poll Dorset, Border Leicester, English Leicester, Texel, South Suffolk, Suffolk, Dorset Down, Southdown, Dorper.

www.meadowslea.co.nz

Catalogues will be available online at www.theshow.co.nz from 5 November.

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

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

Thursday 30th November – 300 Rams

Are you looking in the right direction?

NUMBERS TELL A STORY • 147 clients purchased or leased Paki-iti rams last year • 97% terminal sale rams fully SIL performance recorded • 400+ Suffolk and Suftex rams sold and leased last year • 5 years of C/T scanning • 10 years of wintering ram hoggets on steep hill country • 97 years of breeding rams for the NZ sheep industry

PAKI-ITI SUFTEX

BUT BREEDING IS MORE THAN NUMBERS It is about longevity, structural soundness, constitution and then the numbers.

Supported by:

Call Nigel 0800 85 25 80

paki-iti.co.nz

livestock@nzx.com

MANU

Visit to view our breeding programs

FOREST VIEW

Poll Dorset Rams

On Farm Auction – 27 Nov 2017

Private Paddock Sales

Stewart Morton 06 328 5772 • Andrew Morton 06 328 2856 R D 54 Kimbolton, Manawatu • pakiroms@farmside.co.nz

Northland Poll Dorset Breeders on the move Poll Dorsets with a difference

MANU 38/11

FV 99/12

Rams on show at the Waikato A&P Show.

Rams with meat in all the right places.

Manu Poll Dorset Stud Alex & Delwyn Clements 09 433 5871 clements@ubernet.co.nz SIL recorded

Inspections welcome

FOREST VIEW 99/12

Breeding for • Early growth • Meat • Hind quarters • Good feet

Forest View Poll Dorset Stud Brian & Jean Clements 09 433 7033 bjclements@xtra.co.nz

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Come and see us

WE HAVE YOUR STUD STOCK NEEDS COVERED

Jon Knauf

1447 Hereheretau Rd, RD 6, WAIROA 4196 PROFIT-A-BULL EXCELLENCE

CONTACT: Jon Knauf 06 838 6793 E: jsknauf@gisborne.net.nz Phil Transom 0274 420 060 PGG Wrightson Ross Mitchell 0274 048 965 Fergus Rural

www.kerrahsimmentals.co.nz

Quality Rising 2yr Old BULLS FOR SALE

Callum Dunnett

Roger Keach

callum.dunnett@carrfields.co.nz

roger.keach@carrfields.co.nz

Livestock Agent - 027 587 0131 A Simmental bull for every purpose!

Livestock Agent - 027 417 8641

LK0089872©

Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming listings

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Grain & Feed

MILK PRICE FORECAST ($/KGMS) 2017-18

6.75

6.36

AS OF 27/07/2017

AS OF 19/10/2017

Prior week

Last year

May 17 Jul 17 AgriHQ Spot Fonterra forecast

Sep 17 AgriHQ Seasonal

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

WMP GDT PRICES AND NZX FUTURES

7.20

6.00

353

333

NI mutton (20kg)

4.25

2.85

379

381

274

SI lamb (17kg)

7.10

5.75

Feed Barley

386

388

256

SI mutton (20kg)

4.30

2.75

233

Export markets (NZ$/kg) 9.30

9.21

7.34

256

253

UK CKT lamb leg

Maize Grain

423

421

355

PKE

257

251

235

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

7.0

INTERNATIONAL Prior week

Last year

3000 2500 2000 Dec 16 Mar 17 Jun 17 C2 Fonterra WMP

4.5

Wheat - Nearest

222

228

216

Corn - Nearest

193

194

South Island 1 7kg lamb

7.5 7.0

408

406

311

6.5

6006.0

ASW Wheat

391

393

305

Feed Wheat

268

267

220

Feed Barley

364

243

111

106

PKE (US$/t)

Sep 17 Dec 17 NZX WMP Futures

6.0 5.0

CBOT futures (NZ$/t)

APW Wheat

3500

6.5 5.5

Last week

Australia (NZ$/t)

4000

North Island 17kg lamb

7.5

Ex-Malaysia

NZ venison 60kg stag

$/kg

5 Mar 17

5005.5 4005.0

3004.5 OctOct

DecDec

FebFeb

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

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

WMP

3060

3050

SMP

1810

1880

AMF

6575

Butter

5680

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Last week

Prior week

Last year

1875

Urea

477

460

29 micron

6.65

6.70

6350

6675

Super

297

310

35 micron

3.30

4.95

5880

6100

DAP

784

39 micron

3.30

4.90

704

3000 Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

THERE were a number of economic events last week with the highlight being the third quarter Consumer Price Index. Expectations were for a quarterly increase of 0.4% and an annualised increase of 1.8%. However, inflation came in above expectations with a 0.5% increase for the quarter and a 1.9% increase for the year. The biggest driver of the stronger-thanexpected reading was a sharp increase in the price of food, particularly vegetables. Housing and household utilities also rose strongly. The latest Global Dairy Trade auction had another decline in the headline index. The GDT index fell 1%, adding to the decline from the previous auction when prices fell 2.4%. All but one product had declines with anhydrous milk fat the only product to rise. Key product group, whole milk powder, had a 0.5% decline but remains narrowly above $3000 a tonne. Fonterra’s farmgate milk payout forecast remains at $6.75 a kilo of milksolids and that was last updated in September. Of the institutions that provide milk price forecasts, one has downgraded its expectations on the back of this result, saying the payout is more likely to be between $6.25 and $6.50. Market commentary provided by Craigs Investment Partners

14334

S&P/FW AG EQUITY

18730

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

8124

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

7569

$/kg

250 150 Oct 13

4 weeks ago

Sharemarket Briefing

5.5

NZ venison 60kg stag

600

c/k kg (net)

350

NZ$/t

US$/t

3100

Coarse xbred w ool indicator

6.5

CANTERBURY FEED PRICES 450

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR

This yr

(NZ$/kg)

3200

Latest price

Last yr

AugAug

NZ average (NZ$/t)

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

Dec

JunJun

WOOL

* price as at close of business on Thursday

Nov

AprApr

FERTILISER

Last price*

2900

Last year

7.25

Feed Wheat

Waikato (NZ$/t)

Last week Prior week

NI lamb (17kg)

Milling Wheat

PKE

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

c/kkg (net)

$/kgMS

Last week Canterbury (NZ$/t)

MILK PRICE COMPARISON

US$/t

SHEEP MEAT

DOMESTIC

AGRIHQ 2017-18

FONTERRA 2017-18

Sheep

$/kg

Dairy

Oct 14 Feed barley

Oct 15

Oct 16 PKE spot

Oct 17

Auckland International Airport Limited

300

2.5

Oct Oct

Dec Dec

FebFeb

AprApr Last yr

Jun Jun Aug Aug This yr

Dollar Watch

YTD High

YTD Low

6.25

7.43

6.17

Meridian Energy Limited

2.89

3.02

2.57

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

12.83 3.76 7.87 7.95 3.48 9.58 33.70 5.55

13.15 3.97 7.92 10.86 3.60 9.80 35.50 5.74

8.50 3.32 2.06 7.38 2.94 8.12 17.47 4.65

Listed Agri Shares

4003.5

5‐yr ave

Top 10 by Market Cap Company

4.5

500

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Company

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

7.870

7.920

2.060

Cavalier Corporation Limited

0.400

0.810

0.270

Comvita Limited

7.850

8.650

5.150

Delegat Group Limited

6.500

7.000

5.650

Foley Family Wines Limited

1.300

1.500

1.200

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

6.220

6.400

5.880

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

2.300

2.610

2.100

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

2.070

2.090

1.220

PGG Wrightson Limited

0.580

0.620

0.490

Sanford Limited (NS)

7.850

8.000

6.700

Scales Corporation Limited

3.750

3.960

3.210

Seeka Limited

5.300

5.600

4.300

Tegel Group Holdings Limited

1.400

1.460

1.050

S&P/FW Primary Sector

14334

9307

S&P/FW Agriculture Equity

18730

10899

S&P/NZX 50 Index

8124

6971

S&P/NZX 10 Index

7569

7643

6927

NEW Zealand’s This Prior Last NZD vs dollar fell sharply on week week year Thursday’s Government USD 0.7136 0.7116 0.7098 announcement but the EUR 0.6027 0.6078 0.6422 move had done its dash by Friday, Westpac Bank AUD 0.9112 0.9130 0.9371 strategist Imre Speizer said. GBP 0.5374 0.5426 0.5793 He does expect the kiwi Correct as of 9am last Friday to fall further over time but more because of improving economies and interest rate rises in our important trading partner countries. It fell from US$0.717 to 0.7012 on word of the coalition Government on Thursday and was still around that level on Friday morning. There was a significant move lower on the Aussie cross, partly because of strong jobs data in Australia, and weakened against the euro, sterling and yen. “It was a big day yesterday but the smoke is clearing and now we go back to watching the United States again,” Speizer said. That will be the main influence on currencies. The US dollar has been recovering on improving economic news and a Federal Reserve rate rise is priced in for December with another one or two expected by the market next year. He expects the Fed rate to be higher than the RBNZ’s Official Cash Rate by the end of next year. The kiwi has already reached the level Speizer expected for year-end and he now has US$0.68 to 0.69 in mind, slipping further next year. He’s also forecasting an A$0.88 rate by year-end, a level around €0.56 to 0.58 on an improving Eurozone and £0.52. Alan Williams

Markets

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

NI SLAUGHTER STEER

SI SLAUGHTER MUTTON

($/T)

($/KG)

5.75

257

4.30

Cattle & Deer Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.75

5.80

5.40

NI Bull (300kg)

5.55

5.50

5.10

NI Cow (200kg)

4.25

4.30

4.00

SI Steer (300kg)

5.45

5.50

SI Bull (300kg)

5.10

4.90

SI Cow (200kg)

4.25

4.00

US imported 95CL bull

6.69

7.05

6.07

US domestic 90CL cow

6.73

5.97

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

5.5 600 5.0 500

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)

9.70

8.90

NI Hind (50kg)

9.60

8.80

SI Stag (60kg)

9.95

8.90

SI Hind (50kg)

9.85

8.80

New Zealand venison (60kg Stag)

11 10

NZ venison 60kg stag

c/k kg (net) $/kg

9 600

500 8 400 7

300

6 Oct

Oct

Dec Feb Dec Feb 5‐yr ave

Apr Apr Last yr

($/KG LW)

2.87

high lights

Jun Jun

Aug Aug This yr

ULL ewe markets nationwide strengthened again last week, adding yet more value to already historically high prices. Numbers are climbing in most areas as docking, tailing and weaning activities increase, but extra buyers and competitive bidding has seen most ewes trade at $100-$160.

$3.40-$3.80/kg

1-year Friesian bulls, 260-330kg, at Coalgate

Traditional yearling steers at the Blenheim spring cattle sale

NORTHLAND NORTHLAND Northland is finally starting to dry out to some extent, and local interest improved at WELLSFORD last Monday. Older cattle numbers were limited, and steer quality in particular was low. Two standout lines of Herefordcross and Hereford-Jersey, 352-412kg, managed $3.03-$3.06/kg, though most other lines were dairy-cross and traded below $3.00/kg. More consistency through the heifer pens was reflected in better prices, and Angus, 362kg, managed $3.00/ kg, and Hereford-cross, 264-336kg, $3.01-$3.05/kg. Other lines sold to $2.86-$2.94/kg, but overall pen sizes were very small. Hereford-Friesian heifers were the highlight in the 1-year pens, with a good local following. Those 261-263kg returned $3.30-$3.33/kg, with similar values for 232-234kg. Hereford-Jersey, 247-251kg, sold for $3.03-$3.06/kg, while in the steer pens Herefordcross, 261-264kg, fetched $3.41-$3.43/ kg. Small lines of Simmental-cross featured through the 1-year steer and weaner sections, and met keen interest. The 1-year steers, 185kg, managed $800, $4.32/kg, while heavier weaner’s, 190kg, returned $705. Two small lines of cows, run-withHereford bull were also offered and traded at $2.28-$2.34/kg. AUCKLAND AUCKLAND Prices were strong across the board at PUKEKOHE on Saturday 14th October, with grass growth helping the store market, while demand outweighed tight space and downward pressure on schedules, Livestock Mart Auction agent Pat Farrell reported.

More photos: farmersweekly.co.nz

LINE-UP: Weaner steers on sale at the Stortford Lodge saleyards last year.

Buyers also had in mind that there will be no sale held over Labour weekend. The best of the prime steers weighed in at 607kg and sold for $3.03/kg; chased by 482kg, $2.90/kg and also heifers, 475-551kg, $2.88$2.92/kg. Good yielding cows, 626kg, returned $2.30/kg, while boners, 534kg, made $1.74/kg. Plenty of highlights through the store pens was a reflection of an increase in demand from local buyers. Good 2-year steers, 400-420kg, made $2.93-$3.00/kg, but the exceptional sales were the 18-month lines of 339-397kg at $3.09-$3.22/kg. Small crossbred 15-month steers, 233-250kg, fetched $550-$840, with light 1-year’s not far behind at $550-$700. Older heifer numbers were low, but a highlight was a line of 431kg at $2.94/kg, while 365kg returned $2.78/ kg. Plenty of interest in medium 1-year heifers saw some exceptional results posted, with 220-289kg achieving $890-$930, and the lighter line reaching $4.21/kg. Lighter types, 160kg, made $530-$730, and other crossbred lines, 118-151kg, $445-$615. COUNTIES COUNTIES Almost 1100 cattle were yarded at the TUAKAU store sale last Thursday

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HBL0107

$810-$880

Great returns for cull ewes

BEEF Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

PRIME HEREFORD-FRIESIAN STEERS, 545-685KG, AT CANTERBURY PARK

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and the market was buoyant, Kane Needham of PGG Wrightson reported. The sale drew a good bench of buyers, with plenty of outside buying support, and prices were up across the board. Included in the offering were 583kg Angus-Friesian steers, which traded at $2.95/kg, $1720. A pen of HerefordFriesians at 540kg made $3.07/kg, $1660, and very good 15-month Hereford-Friesians, 395kg, $3.27/kg, $1290. The 1-year section included a nice line of Charolais steers, 405kg, which sold at $1320, with another cut at 341kg making $1200. Angus steers at 383kg fetched $1285 and 308kg Hereford-Friesians returned $1100. Good Hereford-Friesian weaner steers at 148kg traded at $770 and another pen at 137kg made $600. Friesian weaner bulls, 110kg, $525. In the heifer section, AngusFriesians, 514kg, traded at $2.92/ kg, $1500, and 407kg Angus heifers $2.95/kg, $1200. Very good Charolais 1-year heifers, 377kg, made $1160 and another cut at 318kg $1040. HerefordFriesians at 287kg earned $960, with Hereford-Friesian weaner heifers at

Continued page 38

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Markets

38 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017 178kg fetching $690 and a lighter pen at 98kg $540. Steer and heifer prices lifted by 5-10c/kg at last Wednesday’s prime sale, where around 400 cattle were on offer. Heavy Angus steers sold at $3.06-$3.12/kg, with other heavy beef lots earning $2.98-$3.05/kg. Medium beef steers made $2.94$2.98/kg and lighter types $2.89$2.93/kg. Heavy Angus heifers sold to $3.04/kg and other heavy lots $2.94-$2.97/kg. Medium beef heifers fetched $2.87-$2.94/kg and lighter types $2.83-$2.86/kg. Heavy, well-conditioned Friesian cows traded at $2.05$2.15/kg, with medium cows making $1.88-$1.97/kg and lighter boners $1.70-$1.80/kg. Angus beef bulls earned $2.93-$3.05/kg and other beef bulls $2.80-$2.91/kg. About 600 ewes and lambs were presented at last Monday’s sheep sale. The best of the new season prime lambs made $158 and lighter types sold from $140. Heavy old season lambs traded at $155$177, with medium types making $135-$145 and lighter lambs $120$130. Heavy prime ewes sold at $120$147 and mediums $90-$105. Lighter ewes $70-$80. BAY OF PLENTY BAY OF PLENTY The welcome return of out of town buyers to RANGIURU last Tuesday coincided with a spell of sunshine and wind to help dry local pastures out. Numbers lifted in both the store and prime pens, with nearly all classes covered to some degree. Prime Hereford-Friesian steers, 623-658kg, were a highlight at $3.10-$3.12/kg, while Herefordcross heifers, 478-530kg returned $2.87-$2.92/kg. Three Angus bulls, 686kg, sold well at $3.15/kg, $2160. Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers sold in line with the prime steers, and 394-453kg firmed to $3.02-$3.10/kg. The 1-year section was split almost evenly between the steer and heifer pens, and there was a noted increase in interest for good lines from local buyers. Beef-dairy steers, 330-360kg, lifted to $3.19/kg, though 328345kg Hereford-cross managed $3.28-$3.35/kg. The heavy end of the Hereford-Friesian heifers showed some softening and 260-310kg eased to $3.01/kg, but was balanced out by 170-208kg achieving $3.44-$3.53/kg. Boner cows sold on a mainly steady market, with Friesian, 542-588kg making $1.96-$2.01/kg, and 512-536kg, $1.81-$1.98/kg. Of note also was a line of 46 Friesian cows with 36 dairy beef calves-atfoot from Matakana Island. With just the cows weighing in at 419kg these sold for $1000, with the calves included in that price. The first of the new season store lambs had a good following and eight sold for $83. Prime and store hoggets made $91-$163, and ewes, $95-$120. WAIKATO The Dairy Beef Weaner Fair at FRANKTON had a small increase in the number of cattle presented and were mostly steady on the previous week. Wednesday’s sale also increased in numbers from the week before and were well received, in particular younger

Hereford-Friesian cattle. Though quality was perhaps a little less, prices were mostly consistent on the previous sale last Tuesday. The local buying bench met with a larger yarding than the week before, but this was still well off the pace of last year’s levels. There was a general feel of consistency to the sale though some lines showed fluctuations; in particular Hereford-Friesians. Heifers of this breeding at 130kg lifted $45 from the last fair to $535, and their lighter sisters, 95-105kg, up $30 to $500-$560. Hereford-Friesian bulls were mainly steady, with 105-114kg making $590-$650, however lighter bulls, 95-100kg, lifted markedly and returned $560-$580. Friesian bulls, 126-132kg, were on par at $580-$605, whilst 105kg lifted $30 to $580. Friesian-cross bulls, 99101kg, sold strongly at $510-$515. A slight increase of cattle to sale last Wednesday was likely helped by a bit of sun and growth underfoot. The yarding was well sort by both the local buying bench and some support from Taupo. Two-year beef-dairy cross steers 450-570kg eased, returning $2.91/ kg, heifers of the same breeding, 380-530kg, lifted to $2.92/kg. In the 1-year pens AngusFriesian cross steers, 258-308kg, were well sought after making, $845-$1020, and their HerefordFriesian counterparts, 325-338kg, also proved popular returning $1055-$1100, making very similar $/kg. Hereford-cross heifers, 239287kg, were well bought at $702-$820; and Hereford-Friesian 281-315kg, lifted to $895-$990. The ever popular Hereford-Friesian were also well contested in the autumn-born weaner pens with steers, 163kg earning $725. Friesian boner cows were steady with those 461-645kg making $2.12-$2.25/kg. A frosty morning gave way to a great day and an even better sale for vendors at TAUPO, as reported by Shane Scott of Central Livestock. The yarding only tallied 380 head, but what it lacked in size it made up for in quality. A solid crowd of locals had to compete with other buyers from the Hawke’s Bay, Waikato and King Country. There wasn’t all that much exciting in through the two-year steers as 400-480kg Angus-cross made $3.02-$3.09/kg, though some 435kg exotic-cross were solid at $3.16/kg. The exotic-cross types were the strongest of the two-year heifers too, with the 360-370kg lines making $2.94-$3.01/kg. The main highlight of the sale was a large line of 310kg 1-year Hereford-Friesian steers which sold at a very impressive $1170, $3.79/kg. Another 225kg line was similarly sought after at $870, $3.87/kg. Yearling Heifers were the largest section of the sale, and traded on a strong market. Hereford-Friesians, 180-270kg, sold in the narrow range of $3.40$3.50/kg, though one 260kg line went as high as $950, $3.65/kg. A line of straight Hereford heifers, 310kg, were strong too at $1120, $3.64/kg. A few 115-125kg HerefordFriesian heifers made $520-$540, while 120kg Hereford-Friesian steers were $570.

KING COUNTRY KING COUNTRY The market was a bit easier at the TE KUITI sheep sale, Carl White of Carrfields reported. A mixture of prime hoggets were $160-$175, with two-tooths at $114-$130 and four-tooth making $91.50-$149. Heavy prime ewes were $134-$144, though the good cutting ewes did look to have eased by $7-$8. In the store pens estimated 38-40kg males made $111-$119, while some ewe hoggets were $106. Anything longer-term made $90-$100. A line of ewes with docked lambs-at-foot were $76 all counted. TARANAKI TARANAKI A yarding of around 400 cattle were mainly a mixture of smaller, average quality yearling steers and heifers, but Grant Hobbs of NZ Farmers Livestock reported that quality lines still sold well.

Your NAIT mate

Beef-bred lines accounted for the majority of the two-year cattle offering. Angus, Limousin and Simmental steers, 335-390kg, were bought at $880-$1020, $2.54-$2.68/kg, while 295-450kg Hereford-Friesians made $2.91$3.12/kg. Traditional heifers, 265-455kg, were mainly traded at $2.70-$2.85/kg, with some 290435kg Hereford-Friesians making $2.60-$2.63/kg. A line of 725kg Simmental bulls made $3.02/kg. A line of 285kg Speckle Park steers stood out among the yearlings at $1000, $3.48/kg. Other better quality Hereford-Friesian types did well with 215-250kg lines selling to $900-$955, $3.36-$4.22/ kg. A few 245-360kg Murray Greys made $2.83-$2.96/kg. Heifers sold to a firm market considering the lines on offer. Some 155-260kg beef and beef-Friesian lines mainly made $2.80-$3.18/kg, with 205kg Speckle Park making $700, $3.41/kg. A line of 285kg HerefordFriesian bulls made $720, $2.53/ kg. Autumn-born Hereford-Friesian heifers, 130-135kg, were $450$500, and a line of 165kg bulls of the same breed made $540. Ewes with lambs-at-foot made $75-$76 all counted, while prime hoggets made as much as $156. POVERTY BAY POVERTY BAY A small yarding at MATAWHERO mainly consisted of three lines of ewes with lambs-at-foot. Two good mixed-age lines made $87.50-$90 all counted, and a hogget line was $78 all counted. Top prime hoggets were $169$191, with the rest mainly $136$156. Prime ewes were $96-$110, though one line made $129.

HAWKE’S BAY HAWKE’S BAY The highlight of a strong sale at STORTFORD LODGE last Monday was the ewe market, with an increase in entries met by a bigger increase in demand, and most lines lifted $10 per head. Ewe numbers swelled to 1700 with most very good to very heavy. The top line of 31 hit $164, but a good portion made $140-$158. Good to heavy ewes returned $126-$139. The hogget market held its ground despite a mixed yarding. The highlight was 253 good ewe hoggets, $134, while heavier ewe hoggets traded for $139-$153. Medium ewe hoggets sold well, making $99-$122. Male numbers were limited, with most trading at $134-$187, though a line of seven very heavy ram’s reached $209. One line of black face spring lambs sold for $132.50. Prime steers firmed, with 630658kg Angus earning $3.15-$3.24/ kg, and Hereford, 571kg, $3.13/ kg. Angus heifers, 522-580kg, sold exceptionally well at $3.07-$3.09/ kg. A blanket could be thrown over the prime cow market, with all lines Angus and Angus & AngusHereford and trading over a tight band of $2.17-$2.22/kg. It was a solid market all-round at the STORTFORD store sale. It was a return back to a more normal sized cattle yarding, bulls being the main focus point. Overall it was a solid sale for the yearling bulls. There was a consistent market for the 335-385kg traditional and exotic lines, which were regularly bought at $3.18-$3.29/kg. Two big lines of 305-315kg Friesians weren’t too far off the beef breds either at $3.15-$3.18/kg. Two lines of two-year Friesian bulls, 465495kg, were at $2.86-$2.90/kg. The only other lines were a mixed offering of yearling steers and heifers. A line of 355kg Angus steers sold to at $3.52/kg. A standout in the 1-year heifers were some 275kg Angus which went for a very positive $1010, $3.69/kg. A few 315- 325kg Hereford-Friesian heifers also made $970-$1060, $3.10-$3.27/kg. A key point of interest for many was the first offering of new season lambs for the year. Solid demand for these blackface lines was evident from the offset. The two heaviest lines went for $116.50$124 while the lighter lines made $104-$109.50. The other draw-card for the sale was the 1400 head of hoggets from the Chatham’s, still with their lambs teeth. Mediumgood ewe and mixed sex hoggets were $125-$145.50, with a few heavy lines $149-$160. A consistent stream of ewes with lambs-at-foot came forward, but essentially traded to a steady level. The lighter lines were mainly $82.50-$90 all counted, and anything better $93.50 or higher. MANAWATU MANAWATU It was a near capacity yarding at RONGOTEA reported Darryl Harwood of NZ Farmers Livestock, though there was only a small number of calves available. It was an all dairy affair through the older cattle. A line of 465kg Jersey steers made $1090, $2.34/kg, while 405790kg Friesian bulls were $2.25$2.42/kg and 495kg Jersey bulls made $2.51/kg. Two-year Friesian

heifers were $1290, $2.66/kg. The beef-bred 1-year steers showed the most strength at $2.86-$3.80/kg for some 205325kg Hereford-Friesians, and $705, $3.08/kg, for a line of 230kg Red Devon. A few 245-270kg Angus steers made up to $685, $2.04-$2.54/kg. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 185-310kg, made up to $819, $2.81-$3.69/kg, and 285kg Angus-cross heifers were $760. A mixture of 145-320kg yearling Friesian bulls were $2.60-$3.84/ kg, while 275-380kg HerefordFriesians were up to $1010, $2.10$2.97/kg. Through the weaners, 130-215kg Hereford-Friesian bulls made as much as $655, $3.07-$4.52/ kg, while 140-260kg Jerseys were $1.94-$2.07/kg. A line of 110kg Friesians were $495, $4.40/kg. Angus-cross heifers, 125-135kg, went as high as $550, $2.92-$4.04/ kg. In-milk Friesians cows were $840, with similar Jerseys at $550-$580. Boner Friesian cows, 400-605kg, were $1.49-$1.74/kg. A variety of exotic-cross bull calves were $240-$320, while Friesian bull calves made $60-$80. Hogget numbers continued to defy the odds at FEILDING last Monday, with a further 3000 prime and 250 store’s yarded. More dairy cows and heifers are also coming forward, with cattle numbers lifting in response. Also included in the sheep pens was the start of the new season prime lambs, with a line of 74 black face lambs earning $147, and a smaller line, $149. Demand for hoggets with lamb’s teeth did not falter and prices showed improvement as buyer’s battle to the last. Heavy hoggets made $160-$188, and medium, $131-$164. The ewe market went from strength to strength as a larger offering met better demand and prices lifted. Good ewes made $131-$158, medium $98-$132, and lighter, $77-$97. The cow market posted good results, with prices regaining ground lost in the last few weeks. Friesian boners were firm, and 505-580kg averaged $1.96/kg, though results were steady for 470-500kg at $1.86/kg. As the weight dropped another tier the market firmed again to $1.90/kg. Friesian heifers, 432kg, returned $2.30/kg. Most other lines had dairy influence, and Angus-Friesian cows, 405-414kg, made $1.94$2.01/kg, while three Angus, 580kg, returned $2.00/kg. Similar sheep entries to last week led to another brief sheep sale on Friday but with yearling bull numbers seemingly governing the size of the cattle sale this was more substantial. Ewes with lambs at foot still seem good shopping to this observer, this week selling between $69 and $98. Over 1,000 spring lambs were offered and these eased back from last week’s high levels although the sale prices were very acceptable. 113 mixed sex Poll Dorset cross lambs sold for $118 and the smallest of the spring lambs sold for $67.50. A handful of hoggets, mostly woolly ewe hoggets, ended the sale as a clean-up. Ewes & LAF, $69-$98; Spring lambs, $67.50-$118; Hoggets, $75$120.

Markets

The better steers generated some interest and sale prices lifted by around 10c/kg for 2-yer and 3-year steers. Threeyear Charolais steers sold for $1950, $3.32/kg, which was nearly matched by the top 15 2-year Angus steers that made $1930, $3.25/kg, and top Angus yearlings made up to $1335, $3.61/kg. A warm day made some difference to the market. Nearly 300 yearling bulls offered something for everybody with purebred Simmentals at $1510, light Jerseys at $600 and indicator yearling Friesians selling up to $1130, $3.01/kg, which is consistent with recent weeks. Autumn-born bulls sold to firming demand although there must be plenty around. At least there were some older heifers offered this week which sold to firm demand. The yearling heifer section was “all over the place” with regard to pricing and paid little heed to breeding at times. Steers; 3-year, 532-588kg, $1700-$1950, $3.20-$3.32/kg; 2-year, 375-593kg, $1220$1930, $2.76-$3.47/kg; 1-year, 273-370kg, $1020-$1335, $2.77-$4.00/kg; Bulls; 1-year, 131-376kg, $460-$1510, $1.98$4.66/kg; Heifers; 2-year, 341-490kg, $955-$1380, $2.59-$3.02/kg; 1-year, 177346kg, $440-$1070, $1.88-$3.59/kg. MARLBOROUGH MARLBOROUGH It was a solid and satisfactory sale for the 700 head offered at BLENHEIM, as reported by Pete Barnes of PGG Wrightson. Good quality traditional lines draw a bit of buying power from the North Island on top of the usual local interest but most lines stayed within the Nelson and Marlborough regions. The approximately 400 yearling steers mainly traded in the $3.40-$3.80/kg range, while 300 heifers went under the hammer at $3.10-$3.50/kg. A few heavy old steers were also offered and made $2.50-$2.80/kg. A handful of Friesian bulls were available too, but these met limited interest. CANTERBURY CANTERBURY Cull ewe vendors nationwide are enjoying a very competitive market, and at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday the yarding of 580 head lifted $5-$10 from already historically high levels. Cattle prices however softened, though are still sold at similar levels to 2016. Prime hoggets came off the trucks from North and Mid Canterbury, with a total of 2000 penned. Buyers were extremely competitive, and big lines offered through the $160-$177 price range meant a large portion traded at that level. Very heavy lines sold to $180-$189, with $110 the price floor. High demand and good schedule returns drove the cull ewe market higher. Heavy lines sold to $150-$167, with medium-good and good lines returning $126-$147. Two-tooth ewes mainly traded at $100-$124. Just six main lines of store hoggets made an appearance, and included 88 mixed sex Merino-cross, $121 and a lighter line, $111. There was no shortage of prime steers with 125 head typical for the time of year. Forward store Angus steers hailed from one property, and apart from one Charolais, were the only lines to crack $3/kg at $3.11-$3.15/kg for 478-509kg. The balance of the section were heavy finished lines and prices came back 5-10c/kg to $2.83-$2.93/kg. Friesian and Friesian-cross steers, 483-630kg, sold in a tight range of $2.75-$2.79/kg. Very little differentiated export and local trade heifer prices with most making $2.72-$2.84/kg, though higher yielding Murray Grey, 480-570kg, managed $2.83-$2.87/kg. Cow numbers were limited, and Hereford, 494kg, returned $1.89/kg, and Friesian, 558-650kg, $1.76-$1.80/kg.

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017 A beautiful spring day greeted punters at COALGATE. Just under 450 store cattle arrived but some lines of store cattle definitely felt some weakness. With that said the two-year steers enjoyed a fairly solid sale. Three separate lines of 415-490kg Angus-Friesian steers did well enough at $2.96-$3.01/kg. The two-year heifers were mainly AngusFriesians too, and these 380-440kg lines made $2.72-$2.85/kg. Quality wasn’t outstanding through the yearling steers and heifers, but what was offered generally sold to expectations. Shorthorn-cross and Hereford-Friesian steers, 300-320kg, were $810-$890, while 270-290kg heifers of the same breeds were $810-$910. The main draw-card was a selection of more than 250 1-year Friesian bulls. The lighter-end generally met expectations with 260-275kg lines making $830-$860, $3.05-$3.28/kg. However the top-end definitely came up against a weaker market, with 290-330kg lines at $840$880.

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Change in the prime section was minimal. Three good sized lines of 545560kg beef-cross steers were solid at $2.93-$3.00/kg, though other 500-545kg lines were mainly $2.85-$2.94/kg. Heifers were similar, with 515-555kg beef lines at $2.82-$2.90/kg. The majority of the cows sold quite well. Most 525kg plus lines went for $1.91-$2.00/kg, and a few 430-505kg cows made $1.67-$1.84/kg. It was a slightly smaller yarding filling the sheep pens, but interest was keen throughout. The first set of spring lambs were available for the year. These were a small consignment of xbred mixed sex lambs which made $104-$108. The rest of the store offering were a mixture of lateborn fine wool type lambs, which met good demand. A few lines of ewes with LAF came forward again and sold above expectations. One line with 10 ewes made $113 all counted, while the other two lines with decent numbers to them were $79-$90 all counted. The heavier types found the strongest interest in the prime hoggets, lifting by up to $5 at $170-$190. The medium and lighter cuts were steady at $150- $170 and $120-$140 respectively. Prime ewes were short in numbers, but met a steady market. Heavier pens made $130-$150, mediums were $110-$130, and the rest mainly $90-$110. SOUTH CANTERBURYSOUTH CANTERBURY Merino hoggets are the main feature in the sheep pens at TEMUKA, while dairy heifers and cows continue to dominate the cattle section. Demand was solid for the store Merino hoggets, and fine wool farmers are being rewarded. Good male lines made $93$106, while 74 mixed sex of similar weight made $115, and a medium line, $97. Other good to heavy mixed sex hoggets returned $116-$129.

Most prime hoggets are still trading at $120-$175, with a couple of big lines meaning half sold in the $160-$169 price bracket. Top lines reached $182-$195, with this market not looking to slow down yet. Similarly demand for ewes is a talking point, with 75% selling in a $130-$177 range. One good line of 62 ewes with 72 lambs-at-foot made $85 all counted. Feeder calves are still coming in and of the 152 offered, Hereford-Friesian bulls made $80-$120 and heifers, $30-$100. Friesian bulls sold for $50-$105, and heifers, $20-$50. Dairy cows are flowing freely and mainly steady schedules was reflected in the auction prices. Heavy Friesian cows, 600-650kg, sold to $1.94-$2.04/kg, and 500-580kg, $1.87$1.94/kg. Lighter lines made $1.74-$1.82/ kg. The Friesian heifer market remained steady, and 418-500kg traded at $2.40$2.55/kg. Beef cows with good cover sold well, and Hereford, 552-615kg, managed $2.04$2.13/kg, while two Charolais, 680-815kg, sold to $2.12-$2.21/kg. Most other lines earned $1.70-$1.87/kg. Returns for steers were solid, though missing the $3.00/kg plus price tags seen earlier in the season. Well finished Hereford, 555-565kg, sold to $2.93-$2.98/ kg, though most beef lines traded for $2.80-$2.88/kg. Friesian, 485-520kg, returned $2.52-$2.58/kg. The one blip on an otherwise solid day was the beef heifers, with export and local trade types falling 10c/kg and selling over a tight range of $2.65-$2.77/kg. OTAGO OTAGO A small selection of store cattle were put under the hammer at BALCLUTHA, finding a solid market reported PGG Wrightsons agent Russell Moloney. Some 265kg 1-year Angus heifers made $1000, $3.70/kg, and 350kg 1-year Herefordcross steers made $1250, $3.50/kg. A small but quality offering of prime lambs sold well. Heavy pens made $145$157, while mediums and lighter cuts made $130-$140 and $120-$125. Prime ewes were strong too, making as much as $140-$147, while mediums made $130$135 and light lines $110-$120. Only a few store lambs traded at $88-$100. SOUTHLAND SOUTHLAND Sheep numbers are dropping each week at LORNEVILLE with a very small yarding last Tuesday that featured ewes with lambs-at-foot. Prime cattle prices were steady, and good quality 1-year cattle proved popular. No store hoggets made an appearance, but the top ewes with lambs-at-foot reached $100 all counted, with medium types making $83-$90, and lighter, $70. The prime market continued its strong theme, and top hoggets made $140-$150, with medium lines earning $125-$138, and lighter, $110-$120. The best of the ewes sold to $125-$135, medium $100$115, and light, $70-$90. Rams earned $50-$90. A large prime section featured heifers and cows and prices held those of the previous week. Beef heifers, 460-500kg, made $2.70-$2.85/kg, and dairy, 400450kg, $2.15-$2.30/kg. Heavy cows, 500kg, sold for $1.85-$1.98/kg, and 450-500kg, $1.80-$1.90/kg. Lighter lines, 400-450kg, fetched $1.70-$1.80/kg. Demand for good 1-year cattle was high, and Hereford-cross steers, 280kg, reached $3.64/kg, while heifers, 293kg, made $3.37/kg. Lighter lines dropped to $2.90-$2.93/kg though, while good crossbred bulls, 270kg, returned $2.87/kg. Friesian bull calves sold to $60-$160, and Hereford-Friesian, $80-$130, with medium types earning $40-$70. The best of the Hereford-Friesian heifers returned $80-$100, and medium, $40-$70.

Record season for dairy bull sales This year’s dairy bull sale season was one of the best ever, says PGG Wrightson Livestock National Genetics Manager Callum Stewart. “We saw close to total clearances throughout the country, and average prices at least $500 per head higher than last year. “With changing attitudes towards the slaughter of bobby calves, which has become less acceptable in the modern world, and the current strength of the beef market, dairy farmers are recognising the value of using quality recorded, high genetic merit beef bulls over their dairy herds, able to sire calves with specific characteristics, instead of putting out unrecorded, inferior bulls. “In the past six weeks, with auctions starting at the top of the North Island in early September, and working down through the country, PGG Wrightson sold close to 3000 bulls at auction, excluding private on-farm sales. Whereas previously prices ranged between $1500 and $2000 per head for yearling bulls, this season average prices ranged from $2000 to $4000 per head,” he said. Hereford and Angus bulls are most popular, with Murray Greys also sought after. Callum Stewart says dairy bull genetics have the potential to add considerable value. “Farmers are concentrating on bulls that will give their herd shorter gestation times, and easier calving, looking at the whole process from paddock to plate. Aiming to produce good quality, well-flavoured beef is the objective. From a four-dayold calf, to a 100 kilogram cattle beast, concentrating on earlier maturing to finish the animals quicker, it is an end to end process where the right genetics can make a big difference. “From the dairy, as opposed to the beef perspective, shorter gestation and easier calving means reducing the period before the cow is back in-calf, while of course more days in milk provides obvious financial benefits,” he said. Commercial beef breeders have also attended sales, purchasing yearlings with a view to saving future expenditure on two-year-old bulls. “Some farmers are buying a couple of yearling bulls now at the same price they might pay for one two-year-old. While this makes sense, it could have a future impact on the market for two-year-old bulls,” said Callum Stewart.

Get in touch: 0800 10 22 76 www.pggwrightson.co.nz

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Markets

40 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – October 23, 2017 NI SLAUGHER LAMB

SI SLAUGHTER STEER

SI SLAUGHTER LAMB

($/KG)

HEREFORD-FRIESIAN BULL CALVES, 95-100KG, AT FRANKTON

($/KG)

($/HD)

7.25

5.45

7.10

560-580

high $116.50-$124 $845-$950 1-year Herefordnew season lights Good Friesian heifers, store lambs at Stortford Lodge

Prices defy supply trend We stick with our milk price forecast of $6.75/kg milksolids and expect weak NZ production to translate into higher auction prices by the end of the year.

Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com

LOBAL Dairy Trade auction prices have run contrary to the latest downward revision of New Zealand’s milk production to lose more value, dropping 1% overall and 0.5% in whole milk prices. World prices continued to reflect balance between supply and demand forces, having remained steady for the past five months – six small falls in the GDT index and four small rises. Fonterra’s downward revision of NZ milk production from 3% growth to only 1% this season did not result in higher GDT prices the next day. ASB rural economist Nathan Penny said his own adjustment of likely production was to trim his 4% increase to 3% across all processors. “The auction result came as a surprise – NZ production is the dominant driver of dairy prices for the products that matter to NZ. “Other factors that contributed to the weak result are all secondary to the material change in NZ production. “Accordingly, we stick with our milk price forecast of $6.75/kg milksolids and expect weak NZ production to translate into higher auction prices by the end of the year,” he said.

Nathan Penny ASB

NO REACTION: Milk production might have to go even lower to provoke a reaction on the Global Dairy Trade platform, Rabobank analyst Emma Higgins says.

ANZ Bank reduced its milk price forecast to a range of $6.25 to $6.50/kg. Rural economist Con Williams said near-term delivery prices for key commodities were no longer high enough to support a farmgate price of $6.75, which was Fonterra’s latest prediction. AgriHQ analyst Susan Kilsby said falling NZ milk production should have supported whole milk powder prices but Fonterra also lifted its WMP offer volumes on the GDT platform. Therefore, GDT buyers seemed to be confident they could source WMP whenever they wanted so were not competing hard for it. Successful 2018 delivery

contract prices fell below US$3000/tonne, indicating buyers thought NZ milk production would be adequate and European milk production increases would contribute early in the year. AgriHQ cut its farmgate milk price by 24 cents to $6.36/kg. Westpac economist Shyamal Maharaj said there was still time for NZ milk production to pick up beyond Fonterra’s estimate. But on the demand side slightly weaker Chinese economic growth might pose a risk to dairy prices. The National Congress theme of reform of credit appetites and attitudes might lead to a slowdown in the industrial economy and a

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cap on consumption. “We maintain this to be a downside risk at this stage rather than a structural shift away from NZ dairy products,” he said. Therefore, Westpac held steady on its $6.50/kg payout forecast but with more downside risk than before. Rabobank dairy analyst Emma Higgins said the discouraging GDT result showed the market was not yet bothered about the prospect of a NZ milk production slowdown. “We may need to see our milk numbers drag lower before we see a price reaction emerge on the GDT platform.” Rabobank had recently lifted its farmgate milk price forecast to $6.50, partly based on higher fat prices flowing through. “However, we believe the price cycle has peaked and if we continue to see weakness, in the WMP prices in particular, there is a risk to our forecast.”

245-270kg, at Taupo

Milk price looks to be aspirational THE potential for milk prices to fall short of Fonterra’s expectations has increased on the back of another lacklustre Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction. The AgriHQ milk price for the 2017-18 Susan Kilsby season has been revised back to AgriHQ Analyst $6.36/kg MS, well below Fonterra’s latest forecast of $6.75/kg MS. The GDT price index fell 1% at the October 17 event after already giving up 2.4% on October 3. Whole milk powder price movements were mixed with support for the nearer dated contracts being more than offset by weaker prices in the later dated contracts. Buying from the Chinese market for the lower tariff window early in the New Year provided support for products to be shipped in December, as that will land them in China in early January. The weakness in the GDT WMP contracts with a 2018 shipping date was also reflected in the prices for WMP futures trading on the NZX Dairy Derivative market. WMP futures are priced just above US$3000 through to the end of the season. These markets appear to be taking little notice of the poor spring growth in NZ and the impact it is having on milk supply. At this point WMP prices are being driven down by the general bearishness seen across global dairy markets. In the international markets butter prices have finally weakened and skim milk powder prices have come back further. Sales of dairy commodities equating to about half of NZ milk supply will have been negotiated by now. Therefore, from now on it gets harder to make up ground lost during the early part of the season. It certainly isn’t impossible to get to the $6.75/kg MS forecast by Fonterra but it’s getting harder by the day. The September 18 milk price futures contract trading on the NZX Dairy Derivatives market fell to $6.50/kg MS following the weak GDT result. susan.kilsby@nzx.com

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Market picking up

Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com

URAL real estate sales were down by nearly a third in the latest three-month period because of waterlogged pasture in many parts of the country but signs are pointing to a pick-up. A considerable number of farms were now coming forward or would be soon but marketing projects had been pushed back about two to three weeks compared to usual trends, Real Estate Institute rural spokesman Brian Peacocke said. “This is from early October to late October and then you might be into late November to early December to get it done.” An interesting spring was emerging along with potential listings as more landowners considered their options, he said. Labour, climate, environ-

mental issues and politics were among the driving factors for decisions being made by some older farmers. The number of farm sales in the three months ended September 30 was 271, down 30% on the 388 tally the same time a year earlier. There were 311 sales in the three months to the end of August this year. That was usually the slow time of the year, with farmers busy with lambing and calving but the drop in sales was significant in such a period of terrible weather. Eleven of the 14 sales regions had falls in the number of sales, led by Nelson and Auckland. There had been some activity around the soughtafter Matamata-Piako area in Waikato with one dairy farm at Matamata selling for a very good $66,000/ha, Peacocke said. “Rural morale has been severely tested but the redeeming feature of a strengthening milk payout,

stable interest rates and steady exchange rate environment have provided light at the end of the tunnel – an increase in sunshine would be the bonus.” The wet September had been frustrating for dairy and arable farmers and agricultural contractors unable to get machinery onto farmland. For the year-ended September 30, there were 1667 farms sold, down 6.6% on the previous year, though there were 43% more finishing farms and 31% more dairy farms sold, with falls for grazing and arable properties. The median price for the three-month period to September 30 was $27,363/ ha, up from $26,825/ha a year earlier but slightly down on the latest August period. The institute’s All Farm Index rose by 10.6% year-on-year. The index adjusted for farm size, location and farming type whereas the median figure did not. For dairy farms, the median sales price for the September

period was $37,812/ha over 22 properties, about steady with the $37,842/ha for 26 properties in August but up on $33,132/ha for the September 2016 period. The median price was up 14% year-on-year but the institutes’s Dairy Farm Price Index fell 6.5% year-on-year. The index was the more accurate guide and people were watching the political scene closely. There were indications of imminent listings of some second-tier dairy farms in the Waipa area of Waikato and that would create interest as that part of the market was not really tested last season. Overall, during the sales period, talk of water taxes was a concern in South Island areas depending on irrigation and talk of capital gains taxes was a well-publicised concern around the country. The median price for finishing farm sales was $30,828/ha for the three-months, pretty steady on the August period but

well up on the $26,834/ha for September 2016, a 15% year-onyear gain. There were steady sales in Northland, Auckland and Waikato and an increase in Nelson and Canterbury. However, Canterbury reports indicated transactions were taking longer and banks were being more restrictive. Northland also had good grazing property sales volumes though most other areas had reduced activity. The median price for grazing farm sales was $12,031/ha, higher than the August figure of $11,355 but well behind the $15,339/ha of September last year. That was a year-on-year fall of 22%. Horticulture property prices were generally higher, up 6.4% year-on-year, to a median $189,044/ha from $177,726. Activity was centred on Northland, Hawke’s Bay and Nelson with continuing interest in smaller orchards in Bay of Plenty.

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

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 23, 2017

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – October 23, 2017

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Multi-faceted operation 40 years and Andy Poswillo of Bayleys says their retirement brings a chance for a new owner to intensify the multi-faceted operation. “It’s got good soil, good rainfall and 120ha of flats that allow for numerous land use options. “Multiple titles provide subdivision opportunities, especially when it is very handy to the amenities of Havelock and best of all, the marina and the Marlborough Sounds.” Two water consents from a local river and stream are being renewed and can deliver up to 2450 cubic metres of water a day, though some of the crops have been grown without irrigation, including sweetcorn that produced between 20 and 24t/ha. Numerous sheds and buildings support the farm operation, from a four-stand woolshed and large implement shed to a six-bedroom homestead, three-bedroom cottage and one-bedroom cottage. The farm will be auctioned on November 17.

GINGKO is added into a diverse mix on a 392ha Marlborough property that grows seed and processing crops as well as carrying sheep, cattle and deer. Located in Marlborough’s greenbelt and handy to Havelock, with the choice of Blenheim in one direction and Nelson the other, the farm with its four titles covers 120ha of fertile flats that has been successfully growing crops such as sweet corn, popcorn, peas, beans, maize and red clover seed as well as 2ha of gingko that was planted a few years ago. Between 100 and 130 fourday-old calves are raised on the farm each year as well and sold at various ages while a small flock of breeding ewes and a mob of deer run for venison and velvet add further income streams. For the past decade 85ha was leased to a neighbouring dairy farm to extend its milking platform and this lease has now come to the end of its term. As part of the farm sale the gingko crop will be leased by the retiring owners for the next two years and even longer if possible. On the balance of the property stock graze the hill country, which has potential for forest and honey production. The owners have faithfully farmed the property for about

This farm grows ginko, crops and seeds as well as running sheep, cattle and deer.

View the farm at www.bayleys. co.nz/132133 and for further information contact Andy Poswillo on 027 420 4202 or Grant McLeod on 027 540 4412.

FOR SALE

LONG LEASE INDUSTRIAL - 9.2% YIELD ON OFFER 3 STRATFORD STREET, Gore

MANGAKAWAKAWA FOREST JACENTHO ROAD, Kaitaia

MAINLAND MINERALS (SOUTHERN) AS TENANT EIGHT YEAR LEASE

FAR NORTH QUALITY FORESTRY! Mangakawakawa Forest offers purchasers a superb opportunity to secure a quality near mature forest. The current owners have tended the block to a high standard with tracking throughout and significant portions able to be ground base harvested.

+ 244.8 hectares of Pinus Radiata + Majority 23 years old crop + Pruned and Thinned + Close to Domestic Processors + Inventory Available

Call today for a confidential discussion or information memorandum.

CBRE is pleased to offer this highly functional industrial property occupied by Mainland Minerals, an iconic Southland business with a long trading history, and a new eight year lease with rights of renewal. The property will appeal to passive property investors looking for a high yielding investment that outperforms bank deposit rates and has built-in rent growth linked to CPI movement.

+ 2,836sqm approximately of buildings + Net rental of $90,000 plus GST p.a. + Built-in rental growth + Two six-year Rights of Renewal + Expansion opportunity + Seismic report available FOR SALE BY NEGOTIATION $975,000 (plus GST)

DEADLINE TENDER Friday 1 December 2017 at 4.00pm WARWICK SEARLE 021 362 778

+ 4,554sqm of land in five titles

SCOTT BENTLEY scott.bentley@cbre.co.nz

JEREMY KEATING 021 461 210

027 203 3310

www.cbre.co.nz/200583Q37

www.propertyconnector.co.nz/210850Q47 CBRE (Agency) Limited, Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008)

CBRE (Agency) Limited, Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008)

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – October 23, 2017

Self-sufficient and meticulous A 299HA farm combines an economic unit with a location near Fairlie that puts it right in the heart of some of New Zealand’s best outdoor pursuits. Proud owners have meticulously maintained the two blocks of land, Birchlands and Nelson Rd, for their breeding and finishing unit which encompasses sheep, cattle and deer. Michael Richardson from Property Brokers says there is now an opportunity for a new owner to take over and make money without spending a thing. The property has been run as part of a 700ha enterprise, achieving 150% lambing from its ewes, as well as lambing hoggets, breeding from 150 Murray Grey cows and finishing the majority of its progeny. It has also finished deer and grazed dairy heifers as part of a well-run business, Richardson says. “It’s been run as a sheep, beef and deer unit so suits all types of farming. “The farm has been well maintained by very proud owners who are great farmers. “It is extremely tidy and provides plenty of opportunity for future owners.” Pasture and crop rotation are well managed and there’s been a mix of grazing maize, fodder beet, kale, a plantain and clover mix, plus Italian rye grasses planted on the farm. The balance is planted in permanent pasture mix that includes ryegrass, fescue, cocksfoot, lucerne and some other

varieties, depending on soils, slope, fertility and paddock size. Supplements have traditionally been made on the farm with lucerne made into balage from two cuts then hay. Last year the farm got more than 300 bales from two cuts. The farm is split into two blocks, with 45 paddocks on Birchlands and 23 paddocks on Nelsons Rd. Deer fencing covers the majority of Nelsons Rd and about half of Birchlands. Troughs are in all bar three paddocks with water sourced from a private scheme that supplies about 80,000l of storage. Being two blocks, the farm has two woolsheds and a good mix of essential infrastructure, plus a lovely, warm fourbedroom brick home built in the 1960s on one block and a three-bedroom weatherboard home on Nelson Rd. Richardson says location is a big factor for the farm which sits near the small township of Albury in South Canterbury, an area known for its rural community and close to fishing, hunting and numerous outdoor activities. Albury has a hotel, golf course and primary school while Fairlie is just 25km away and Timaru 40km. Birchlands has a deadline sale date of November 17.

This farm runs sheep, cattle and deer on two blocks.

To view the farm visit www.propertybrokers. co.nz ID TMR57976 and for further information contact Michael Richardson on 027 228 7027.

Accelerating success.

Reach more people - better results faster.

colliers.co.nz

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – October 23, 2017

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Best in the province? CHELTENHAM Dairies near Feilding fits the definition of trophy farm with 284ha spilling over fertile land, immaculate presentation and an impressive 838 square metres home. The much admired dairy farm 15km north of Feilding is for sale for the first time in about 25 years and has a long-term lease for the adjoining 96ha block of equallyproductive land to enable it to milk up to 1200 cows for a six-year average of 451,000kg milksolids. Peter Barnett from NZR describes it as the best unirrigated dairy farm in Manawatu and quite possible the best dairy farm. “It’s an outstanding farm, genuinely a trophy farm of exceptional quality in all respects. “The house is impressive and the 80-bail rotary dairy is immaculate but they’ve done all the simple things really well as well.” Quality flat land on three terraces is made up predominantly with Kiwitea loam, which is a top-quality soil ideal for a diverse range of intensive cropping and in the past its owners have grown potatoes, process peas, sweet corn, squash and oil and rape seed. Maize has also been grown and on the bottom terrace, fodder beet has been planted in early October.

Built in the middle of the farm 14 years ago is the 80-bail rotary dairy with a circular yard capable of accommodating 900 of the owner’s Friesian cows. A 500-cow feed pad is alongside. A low-cost, simple water system is a good example of the farm’s set-up. Once water is pumped to a high point on night rate power it is fully gravity fed to roughs, houses and back to the dairy. One of the most impressive features of the farm is the 10-yearold homestead with six bedrooms plus office and various large living areas. It has defined accommodation spaces in different wings as it was designed with homestay and small conferences in mind. Set on its own 7.9ha title in the corner of the dairy farm allows it to be sold with the farm or separately. The farm has ample accommodation with three other houses, including one on its own 1.4ha title, plus a home on the lease block. Tenders for Cheltenham Dairies close on December 8.

This farm has produced an average of 451,000kg of milksolids with no irrigation.

For further information contact Peter Barnett on 06 323 4434 or 027 482 6835.

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OWNERS DEMAND A SALE!

Reach more people. Better results faster.

CORPORATE ASSET DIVESTMENT FOR SALE BY DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY closing 30 November 2017 at 4pm 1109 WOODBANK ROAD, HANMER SPRINGS FINISHING

FOR SALE BY DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY closing Friday 10 November 2017 at 4pm 145 AITKENS ROAD, HORORATA, CANTERBURY

628.57 ha Freehold

105 ha Irrigation

Reliable Stock Water system

Three bedroom Homestead

Above Average Fertility

Quality Subdivision and Access

Following a refocusing of the companies farming policies, our corporate owners are now looking for a sale. Very few properties offer the productive upside “Grantham” has to offer. A large area of clean, open, easy-contour land that spreads between the Grantham and Waiau Rivers is complemented by low cost irrigation water which is drawn from the Waiau River at up to 225 litres per second. Further expansion of the current 105 hectares of pivot irrigated land will cement the gains already made in land improvement, soil fertility, and pasture and Lucerne development. The combination of the above and the workable contours of the terraces mean the property is ready for the new owner to take advantage of this opportunity to secure a genuine development proposition.

Richard O’Sullivan 027 292 3921 colliers.co.nz/143004

Agri Realty Limited Licensed under the REAA 2008

colliers.co.nz

324ha Freehold & 147ha adjoining lease land

Modern 54 bail rotary shed

Forecast production 326,000kgms

135ha consented for irrigation

Higher rainfall area

Developing dairy farm with good potential for upside having not yet reached its full productive capacity. Also suitable for alternative farm systems such as beef finishing.

Ruth Hodges +64 27 309 0334 ruth.hodges@colliers.com

Gareth Cox +64 21 250 9714 gareth@propertybrokers.co.nz

colliers.co.nz/135943

propertybrokers.co.nz/DFR58199

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – October 23, 2017

Farm and environment balance MAUNGA-AWA, a top-performing 540ha sheep and beef property near Dannevirke has a well-deserved list of farming and environmental awards that reflect the work of its owners. High-performing sheep genetics, 180ha of cultivatable flats and proactive environmental work is matched by immaculate presentation on the farm, which is for sale by auction. Tony Rasmussen says he has never seen a farm as well presented as Maunga –Awa, which is a real credit to its owners, John and Marina Poulton and family. “The presentation is fantastic and it’s a fine example of getting the balance right between production and the environment.” A flock of 2500 Wairere Romney ewes achieves in excess of 150% lambing at docking and new-season lambs killed in November are more than 17kg carcase weight. Hoggets reach about 100% lambing and their lambs are targeted for the winter lamb trade. Depending on the season, another 500 to 1500 store lambs are bought in and finished. On the cattle side of the farm operation, 300 R2 steers and heifers are usually bought in through spring, summer and autumn and finished the following spring and autumn. All of the stock are available for sale at valuation, which would enable a turnkey operation for a new owner who could then reap the benefits of established, highperforming sheep genetics. “There’s a good opportunity to buy some really good sheep genetics with high lambing percentages and growing lambs to heavy weights.”

Environmentally, Maunga-Awa has had more than 4000 natives planted as part of a stream protection/water quality project in the QE11 and Horizons’ retirement areas, more than 15,000 poplars and willows planted during the past 20 years and a 2ha wetland established beside the Manawatu River, which in time will offer recreation and possible ecotourism opportunities. The property has twice been a finalist in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards and category winner on both occasions and most recently the Beef + Lamb New Zealand livestock award. This year John Poulton and the farm’s manager Alistair MacPherson were runners-up in the Tararua Farmer of the Year competition. Maunga-Awa has a good balance of contour including the 180ha of cultivated flats, which have a pH exceeding 5.8 and P levels mostly higher than 23, making them highly productive and hence the engine room of the property. Large areas of plantain plus red and white clovers combine with highperformance perennial diploid and tetraploid ryegrass-clover mixes. A 20ha area of red metal flats is ideal for wintering heavy cattle on crops and is close to the house to make it convenient for break feeding during winter. About 300ha is medium hill country that comfortably carries 12su/ha and supports high-lambing percentages as well as high growth rates. Rasmussen says a very high standard of access is evident throughout the property, making it efficient to operate, especially the central metal lane running through it. It was metalled from the farm’s own red metal pit.

Tender

71.9ha

Pokuru 30 Wyatt Rd Tender Closes 3pm Thursday 16th November 2017, LJ Hooker Office, 41 Mahoe Street, Te Awamutu Open Wednesday 25th October 2017, 11:00am - 1:00pm

Mark Weal 027 451 4732 mark.weal@ljhta.co.nz Te Awamutu 07 871 5044

One of the longest established, Robotic Farms in the North Island. A farm with excellent infrastructure. Rolling fertile land purposely set up for easy cow flow into the cowshed, which features three Lely Astronaut A4 milkers and a cow brush. Average production for the past two years from 155 cows is 76,963kgsMS milking all year round, supplying OCD and run in conjunction with a lease block. There is a five bedroom Lockwood homestead with a swimming pool plus a second two bedroom cottage and ample farm buildings. Seize the opportunity to secure a fully operational Robotic Farm in the popular district of Pokuru. Enjoy the freedom this farm will give you.

Te Awamutu Realty Licensed REAA 2008. All information contained herein is gathered from sources we consider to be reliable. However, we cannot guarantee or give any warranty about the information provided. Interested parties must solely rely on their own enquiries.

LK0089995©

Established Robotic Dairy Farm – 71.9ha (approx)

The standard of improvements and infrastructure on Maunga-Awa can only be described as excellent, Rasmussen says, including the impressive covered yards and four-stand woolshed complex. Completing the farm is the large and well-maintained four-bedroom homestead set in immaculate gardens just 12km from Dannevirke.

The farm will be auctioned on November 16.

To view Maunga-Awa, visit www.bayleys. co.nz/2850944 or https://youtu.be/Dq47juj37cA. For further information contact Tony Rasmussen on 027 429 2253.

This 540ha sheep and beef farm near Dannevirke has its stock available for sale with the environmental showcase property.

For Sale NEW LISTING

Canterbury | Rangitata

Deadline Sale Closing 1pm, Tuesday 21 November 2017

260.9 Hectares (Subject to survey and title) Looker Farm - Location, Quality And Production. • Outstanding, very well-presented dairy unit in Orton • 260.9 hectares (subject to survey and title) • 6 year average production of 410,000kgMS • 40% of cows are wintered on the farm, milking 990 cows this season • Includes a 60-bail rotary with automatic cup removers • Pivot irrigation, on farm pond storage with good water consents, all on premium dairy soils • Well presented managers and staff accommodation • Located approximately 6km from Clandeboye Dairy Factory | Property ID TU11014

NEW LISTING

Northland | Pukehuia 348.7 Hectares Outstanding Finishing Property. 348 hectares in two titles, presently farming and finishing 750 bulls. Fenced, raced and water to 105 paddocks. Achieving in excess of $1,000 per hectare gross over the last three years. Regular fertiliser applications, soil tests tell the story. Improvements include a 4-stand woolshed and covered yards, two sets of cattle yards, two implement sheds, shearers quarters, airstrip and bin. Complementing the property is a pristine three bedroom bungalow which has been fully renovated, new carpet and paint, open-plan living, a fully fenced inground pool. Succeeding here should be easy due to the hard work, foresight and planning by our Vendors. | Property ID WG1033

Licensed under REAA 2008

Inspection By appointment

Contact Calvin Leen 027 453 0950 Simon Richards 027 457 0990

OPEN DAY

Tender Closing 3pm, Thursday 30 November 2017 (unless sold by private treaty)

Inspection By appointment

Contact Tom Hackett 027 498 2908 Brian Marsh 027 498 3809

Newstead | 868 State Highway 26 65 Hectares Cropping Block Minutes From Hamilton. Superior cropping block, 65 hectares (more or less, subject to boundary adjustment) located on the outskirts of Hamilton. Brand new 14-bay shed, extra-large concrete floor workshop or implement shed, two large water ponds ideal for irrigation, good water available and three road access points (State Highway 26, Platt Road and Oak View Place), two good-size homes and office with kitchen and two rooms. This property presents an excellent opportunity to secure a good size cropping block in a great location, close proximity to quality schools and minutes to the new highway. | Property ID MV1015

Tender Closing 12pm, Friday 10 November 2017 (unless sold by private treaty)

Open Day Thursday 26 October 11.00 to 1.00pm

Contact Chelly Aitchison 022 697 8779

109 HA DAIRY FARM WHAKATANE

236 DOWNARD ROAD, WHAKATANE 109 Ha Dairy Farm. Approx. 79 Ha flat, 30 Ha rolling to med. (100 Ha effective). The farm is well laid out, well raced, approximately 52 paddocks. An on-farm Pumice Pit aids track maintenance. 30 aside herringbone cowshed. Cup removers, two vacuum pumps, pulsators with electronic control unit, electronic drafting gate. Infrastructure includes good range of sheds, HerdHomes, large volume supplement storage bunkers, airstrip plus three dwellings available for owners and staff. The property is well located in the Eastern Bay of Plenty with the main centre of Whakatane just 16 Km away. Excellent local schools, great climate, all services available and a popular district to live in. This is a well set up farming business and retiring vendors are keen to move on. Included in the price; Land and Buildings. 109.1623 Ha (269.74 acres). Price Plus GST (may be zero rated). Herd and Specialist farm machinery available as extras, by negotiation. Subject to issue of new title for boundary adjusted area. Council Consent granted. Title expected prior to settlement. Contact Agents for IM and appointment to view or visit one of the advertised open days: Fri 27th October & Wed 1st November from 10.30am-1pm.

Maurice Butler 0274 514 395 maurice@professionalswhakatane.co.nz

@RuralRealEstateWhakatane

07 307 0165 professionalswhakatane.co.nz Licensed under REAA 2008

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – October 23, 2017

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

EDGECUMBE DAIRY FARM 74 Ha 141 McCRACKEN ROAD, EDGECUMBE McCracken Rd, Edgecumbe. First time on the market in three generations. 74.9 Ha Rangitaiki Plains Dairy Farm situated just 1 Km from Fonterra’s Edgecumbe Facility. Milking 220 Friesian Cows through a 16 aside H/B shed with the five-year average production over 87,000 kg ms. The land is whey irrigated, herd is wintered on farm. The farm has been operated by 50/50 sharemilkers for over 30 years. Buildings include a four-bedroom brick owner’s residence, three-bedroom farm cottage plus a 5 bay Round Haybarn, second large barn and other farm buildings. A rare opportunity to purchase a long-held dairy in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Property is in three titles. Total Area 74.952 Ha (185.2 acres). Land, buildings and Farm Chattels, are offered for sale by TENDER, Tenders Close 12.00pm Wednesday 22 November 2017 at the office of: Professionals Whakatane Ltd, 38 Landing Rd, Whakatane, Price is PLUS GST (if any), will not be sold prior. Information Memorandum available Viewing; Contact the agents for an appointment to view or attend an open day: Mon 30 Oct, Fri 3 Nov, Wed 8 Nov, all 10.30 am to 1.00 pm.

TENDER closing 12pm, Wednesday 22nd November 2017 at Professionals, 38 Landing Rd, Whakatane. VIEW ONLINE: professionalswhakatane.co.nz PWK00989

Maurice Butler 0274 514 395 maurice@professionalswhakatane.co.nz

@RuralRealEstateWhakatane

07 307 0165 professionalswhakatane.co.nz Licensed under REAA 2008

06 323 3363 Farm & Lifestyle Sales Opiki - Say No More

167 hectares

TENDER

153 Ngui Road, Opiki

If you are from the Manawatu you know how sought after farms in the Opiki area are.  Large tracts of quality Opiki land are rarely made available for sale - and for good reason as this high natural fertility district always supports superb agricultural production  We are pleased to offer this 167 hectare property comprised of 12 freehold titles from 4 hectares to 32 hectares  Operated as a low input dairy unit featuring a well equipped 50 bail rotary dairy  Horizons Consent for 800 cows - not in a priority catchment  Three houses, including one tenanted at $230 per week with the tenant keen to stay if possible  High natural fertility from the Opiki peaty loam and Kairanga silt loam with the main requirement being lime  Excellent artesian water supply  Currently an Open Country supplier, or make a switch to Fonterra if you wish  Mid-season takeover as a going concern is preferred

OPEN FARM starts 11.00am Thursday 2 November 2017 please bring 4WD or quad bike and helmet For sale by TENDER closing at 4.00pm on Thursday 7 December 2017 Robert Dabb M 027 255 3992 H 06 353 0298

56 Stafford Street, Feilding

▪ www.ruralandlifestylesales.com

Richard Anderson M 027 543 1610 H 06 323 1390

Web ID: RAL519

▪ 38B Main Road, Tirau

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 23, 2017

LIS TI N G N EW

EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY IN ALL RESPECTS - 284 HECTARES + 96 HECTARE BOUNDING LONG TERM LEASE 1674 Kimbolton Road, Cheltenham, Manawatu Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true that the really great properties only come up every now and again - this is one of those times. Just north of the bustling rural town of Feilding, the current owners have developed this property over 30 years, into one of the most admired properties in the region by doing the simple things well - but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plenty of "blue sky" in it for the next owner, with a 9 year lease of fully integrated dairy platform right alongside. Advantages here start with high quality and versatile soil types - predominantly Kiwitea Loam with Manawatu Silt and Sandy Loam on the lower terrace; highly productive dairying soils that have also allowed the owners to incorporate potatoes, squash, process peas, sweetcorn and oil seed rape in the past. A focus on soil fertility and pasture renewal ensures this place grows a lot of grass. There are cost and production efficiencies throughout, including the smart 80 bail rotary sitting right in the middle of the property flanked by high quality calf rearing facilities and sheds, a gravity driven effluent system and water reticulation. Four dwellings, three on separate titles, include the impressive main homestead; sprawling to over 800m2 and only 10 years old, this home is finished to an extremely high standard and is a purchase option with the farm. They say "you never go wrong buying quality" and this seems most apt with this property.

284ha plus 96ha lease See video on website nzr.nz/RX1279694 Tender Closes 3pm, Fri 8 Dec 2017, CR Law, 19 Manchester St, Feilding Peter Barnett 027 482 6835 | peter@nzr.nz NZR Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

LIS TI N G N EW

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. Incorparating 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.

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

QUALITY LAND HANDY TO THE CITY 1265 Roberts Line, Feilding - Palmerston North Located on a quiet no exit road, the versatile Te Arakura and Karapoti sandy loam soils, combined with an excellent fertiliser and pasture renewal program, mean this place is really pumping. Used to winter dairy cows, graze heifers and grow maize, the good stock water, central yards and woolshed combine to ensure a wide range of land-use options. Its close proximity to both Palmerston North and Feilding offers potential for subdivision, while its slightly elevated position provides a great place to build with a wide outlook over surrounding countryside. Only for sale due to business growth.

227 Waihuka Road, Waimiha, Taumarunui Waihuka Road presents the opportunity to purchase a quality and well-presented 442-hectare breeding/finishing farm. It is evident that significant capital, management and development has transformed this farm into what it is today. Emphasis has been placed on pasture regeneration, fertility and fencing. Combination of all this is in the outstanding production figures. A tidy 4-bedroom home is situated on an elevated site overlooking the farm plus another second dwelling is a tidy 2bedroom cottage. Other Infrastructure includes a 3-stand woolshed and sheep yards, cattle yards with loadout off a metal road and implement shed / workshop.

71 hectares Tender nzr.nz/RX1262516 Tender Closes 3pm Thu 9 Nov 2017, NZR, 20 Kimbolton Road, Feilding Peter Barnett AREINZ 027 482 6835 | peter@nzr.nz NZR Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

442 hectares Offers Invited www.nzr.nz Ref: RX1275838 Closing date for offers: 4pm, 23rd Nov 2017, 1 Goldfinch Street, Ohakune Jamie Proude AREINZ 06 385 4466 | 027 448 5162 jamie@nzr.nz NZR Central Ltd | Licensed REAA 2008

HARRIS ROAD, RAETIHI

36 hectares Auction www.nzr.nz Ref:RX1268895

An opportunity seldom available is this 36-hectare bare land title that boasts enormous Mount Ruapehu views along with wonderful building sites and situated in a private, quiet location Auction (unless sold prior) 10am, 30th Nov 2017, only 12km to from Ohakune and 8km from Raetihi. 1 Goldfinch Street, Ohakune This diverse property is currently used as part of the ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jamie Proude or Juliane Brand intensive livestock fattening unit, along with a past cropping 027 448 5162 | 027 515 5581 regime. Further possibilities for the property would include jamie@nzr.nz | Juliane@nzr.nz dairy support, supplementary fodder and horticulture crops, or NZR Central Limited | Licensed REAA 2008 the development of the ultimate lifestyle block.

A BLUE-CHIP PROPERTY - 176 Pukerimu Road, Maxwell A rare opportunity to purchase a Blue Chip property, situated in the highly sought after Maxwell region, with many land uses including dairy conversion and cropping. Currently farmed as an intensive fattening unit, achieving impressive weights from all classes of livestock, in conjunction with an extensive cropping regime. The superb mix of contour includes an estimated 245 hectares of flat and 40 hectares of gentle rolling gullies, with the balance easy hill and a few steeper sidings. The property features an excellent reticulated water scheme throughout, a history of high fertiliser inputs and is well subdivided by excellent conventional fencing. Purchasing options available.

434 hectares Tender (unless sold prior) www.nzr.nz Ref: RX1267861 Tender (unless sold prior) Closes 4pm, 9th Nov 2017, 1 Goldfinch Street, Ohakune Jamie Proude AREINZ 06 385 4466 | 027 448 5162 jamie@nzr.nz NZR Central Ltd | Licensed REAA 2008

LIS TI N G N EW

OTAHU 270 and 855 Okahuhura Saddle Road, Matiere Immaculately presented in all respects, this 947.31ha hill country breeding/finishing farm represents an opportunity to secure a farm that is set up to just walk in and start doing the job. A good balance of contour consists of easy to undulating land suitable for cultivation along with the majority being mainly clean medium to steeper hills, all giving options for different farming systems. A flexible farming regime is adopted depending on seasonal climatic conditions or market trends altering the closing winter stocking rates between 7500su to 8000su on the effective 800ha. Otahu is held in 8 titles. Improvements include two quality dwellings. The main house is a brick 4-bedroom home that is well maintained throughout. Situated on an elevated, private and sheltered section. The second dwelling a 4-bedroom home located at the other end of the property. A top 5 stand wool-shed with covered yards (1200 NP) in the middle of the property along with a second shed plus yards. Subdivided into 55 main paddocks plus holding paddocks along with good access by well-formed and maintained tracking throughout, 3 sets of cattle yards load-out and 3 sets of satellite sheep yards with covered drenching races all add to the ease of running this farm. Scattered native bush along with other trees all enhance the look of this attractive landscape.

QUALITY OWHANGO DAIRY UNIT 2646 State Highway 4, Taumarunui A real little cracker, this attractive dairy unit located in the sought after Owhango area which is renowned for impressive consistent production figures from the regions reliable climatic conditions. The 85.2 Ha currently producing 93,000 kg/MS over the last 4 years average with the addition of an extra 20 Ha neighboring lease title adjoining. Improvements include a quality 3-bedroom home which has seen a complete refurbishment in 2008. 22 aside Herringbone shed with a 250-cow yard plus a 4-bay calf rearing shed. An excellent reticulated spring fed water system provides quality water year-round to troughs throughout the farm. Subdivision consists of 58 main paddocks linked by a network of well-formed and maintained pumice raceways and an underpass. Held in 3 titles, the property features fertile, free draining Owhango Loamy soil types with a mix of flat to undulating contour. Pockets of native trees and extensive plantings around water-ways all add to the attractive appeal of this property. Overlooking the Whakapapa river renowned as an outstanding fishing spot plus its close proximity to the adventures of the Ruapehu region make this farm well worth considering.

947.31 hectares Tender (unless sold prior) www.nzr.nz REF: /RX1275468 Tender (unless sold prior) 4pm, 1st Dec 2017, 1 Goldfinch Street, Ohakune Jamie Proude 06 385 4466 | 027 448 5162 jamie@nzr.nz NZR Central Ltd | Licensed REAA 2008

85.2 Hectares Auction (unless sold prior) www.nzr.nz Ref:RX1259163 Auction - 2pm, 30th November 2017 Taumarunui Golf Course, Golf Course Road, Taumarunui Jamie Proude AREINZ 06 385 4466 | 027 448 5162 jamie@nzr.nz NZR Central Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – October 23, 2017

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Indoor farming offers flexibility a year as part of the fertiliser programme and simple storage means low labour input and minimal risk of system failure. Self-cleaning slatted floors and concrete containment bunkers ensure the system is low maintenance. Beyond the HerdHomes, the farm stretches over mixed contour, including 79ha of flat land and 30ha of rolling to medium hill country. It has been well laid out and subdivided into 52 paddocks leading to the 30-aside herringbone dairy with automatic cup removers and a yard capacity for 460 cows. Past production figures are based on the property being part of a larger farm and last year that amounted to 194,500kg milksolids off the original 206ha. Now it is milking 350 mixed-age Friesian cows which will be available for sale with the farm, at valuation, as well as 100 in-calf R2 heifers and 100 R1 heifers. The farm sits 16km from Whakatane, close to long stretches of sandy beaches for swimming, surfing and fishing while to the south is the forested wilderness of Urewera National Park.

This farm is now milking 350 mixed age Friesian cows.

To view the farm visit www. professionalswhakatane.co.nz ref PWK00985 and for further information contact Maurice Butler on 027 451 4395.

N EW

LIS TI N G

A TIDY 109ha dairy farm near Whakatane more than caters for its herd in three HerdHomes and has three houses, all for the affordable price of $4.7 million. The property was part of a larger dairy farm, hence the amount of infrastructure, which means a new owner has three HerdHomes to cater for the herd throughout the year and the flexibility that offers. Maurice Butler from The Professionals says the farm is well set up and great value for all that it offers. The HerdHomes have been a successful addition into the vendors farming system. “Housing the cows helps with pasture management, more efficient feed rationing and more comfort for the cows, especially during inclement weather. “Benefits include reduced nitrogen leaching and pugging plus better feed conversion – efficiency increases as animals are protected from weather extremes and there is less feed, less wastage. “Cows calve in a constantly warm, dry environment and shade is provided in summer months when the cows seek refuge from the heat of the day,” he says. “A big advantage with HerdHomes is the ability to capture and store all effluent until ground conditions are suitable for spreading.” Emptying is done once or twice

BAGSHOT - HISTORY, LOCATION & CONTOUR - 586HA 756 Whangaehu Valley Road, Masterton Located in the dress circle with views over Masterton from the west Bagshot is only 15 minutes drive from town. One of the Wairarapa´s original farming family´s the Mawley´s accumulated large tracts of farmland in the late 1800´s and now descendants offer Bagshot for sale - what a rare opportunity this presents! The property is very well balanced with 552ha effective featuring 150ha of flat to rolling easy hill and 200ha of easy-medium hill; including 220ha of easy rolling Limestone country. The property winters around 3000 ewes and 110 cows, with replacements; approx. 5,400 stock units. The farm is well subdivided into 78 paddocks, with a quality water supply - all but 6 paddocks rely on dam water. Bagshot has an excellent fertiliser history with between 60-100t of Super applied every year, on average. A recent soil test indicates Olsen P levels of 31.2 and pH 5.62, average. The rainfall is 1100mm in a semi summer dry climate. The homestead is a character family home set in established grounds with a tidy cottage and managers house handily located. The four stand wool shed is accompanied by a large set of covered yards, cattle yards, satellite yards and numerous other support sheds and buildings. An old homestead offers potential. The property is made up of 6 titles including access off Rangitumau to the west. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase the historic Bagshot - call Blair today - property report available. Video on website.

586 hectares Tender www.nzr.nz ref: RX1245607 TENDER Closes: 4pm Thurs 30 Nov 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

RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

Picture perfect!

City fringe farming

OPEN DAY

WEB ID MAR57588 TE AWAMUTU 530-550 Pirongia Road Retiring vendor has put this picture perfect 65 ha dairy farm on the market. It ticks all the boxes with excellent location and fertile sandy soils. The farm boasts a consistent production record. Improvements include a 18 ashb cowshed with meal feeding system and silo and also a good array of farm buildings. Comfortable 3 bedroom home. Add to this excellent water and racing. The farm is currently milking 160 Friesian cows and supplies OCD. Would also suit horses or horticulture.

OPEN DAY

AUCTION VIEW 25 Oct & 1 & 8 & 15 Nov 11.00 - 12.00pm AUCTION 11.00am, Fri 17th Nov, 2017, (unless sold prior), Te Awamutu Rugby Club 420 Albert Park Drive Te Awamutu

A must to view.

Peter Lissington

Mobile 027 430 8770 peterl@pb.co.nz

WEB ID MAR58194 TEMPLE VIEW 333 Tuhikaramea Road VIEW 24 & 31 Oct & 7 & 14 Nov 11.00 - 12.00pm AUCTION 11.00am, Fri 17th Nov, 2017, (unless sold prior) Our Vendors have purchased a bigger farm and have decided to put this 73 ha flat and fertile farm on the market. This is your opportunity to purchase a property with a proven production history very close to town. Milking 250 Jersey cows through a 30 ASHB shed equipped with a meal feeding system and silo. Peter Lissington Production to 93,000 kg/ms. A ring race gives access to Mobile 027 430 8770 all 34 paddocks. Town water supplies both the house peterl@pb.co.nz and farm and mains gas supplies the house, both 3 connected at the gate. The soil tests reveal the fertility of the consolidated peat soils. Doug Wakelin

AUCTION

Mobile 027 321 1343 dougw@pb.co.nz

Often sought, seldom found

315 ha Solid sheep and beef

OPEN DAY

WEB ID MAR56974 TAUPIRI 281 Tenfoot Road Located approximately 20 km north east of Hamilton, this flat, fertile 158 ha property is in 4 titles. The well appointed 41 ASHB is equipped with a meal feeding system and Protrac drafting. Excellent water and racing, recently installed Kliptank, production to 196,000 kg/ms from 480 cows calved. The 3 dwellings include a 2 storey, 3 bedroom main home with inground pool, a managers home with 4 bedrooms + sleepout and a 3 bedroom home with sleepout. Having farmed this property for over 20 years, my retiring Vendors have made a decision to sell.

OPEN DAY

WEB ID TUR57973 TAUMARUNUI 1834 Ongarue Back Road VIEW 26 Oct & 2 & 9 Nov 12.30 - 2.00pm AUCTION 11.00am, Mon 13th Nov, 2017, (unless sold prior), Brondelwayne farm is located 25 km north of 281 Tenfoot Road Taumarunui. Approx. 50 ha of rolling flats complement Taupiri the medium to steeper hill country which faces north to north west. Good natural water is on the farm with some reticulation and the solid fert history and weed control programme are apparent. Good buildings and infrastructure support the farm with 2 good houses, a 4 stand woolshed and haybarns. This is a genuine King Country sheep and beef farm that offers a fantastic 3 opportunity to existing farming operations or someone starting out. Peter Lissington

AUCTION

Mobile 027 430 8770 peterl@pb.co.nz

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

AUCTION VIEW 25 Oct & 1 Nov 11.00 - 1.00pm AUCTION 11.00am, Fri 17th Nov, 2017, (unless sold prior), Te Awamutu Rugby Club 420 Albert Park Drive Te Awamutu

Katie Walker

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

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RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

Te Miro - reap the rewards

DEADLINE SALE WEB ID WR58126

NORSEWOOD 354 Manawatu River Road 146.9 hectares situated under the Ruahine Ranges, 9 km west of Norsewood in Southern Hawke's Bay. Te Miro was converted in 2009 resulting in a well laid out dairy unit. Extensive areas regrassed in recent years. Contour easy/medium with some steeper sidlings with numerous retired areas and riparian plantings established. Features include: • 40 a-side herringbone shed, 300 cow feed pad • 3 bedroom home plus staff accommodation • Summer moist • Fertile & free-draining soils

• Excellent race system • Effluent reticulation system • Option to buy as a going concern

DEADLINE SALE

VIEW By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Thursday 7th December, 2017 at 4.00pm

The development undertaken on this property is impressive and provides an exceptional opportunity for the new owner.

Pat Portas

Mobile 027 447 0612 Office 06 928 0521

Bevan Pickett

Mobile 027 220 2766 Office 06 928 0520

Jim Crispin

Mobile 027 717 8862 Office 06 374 8102

Dairy ownership/expansion opportunity

DEADLINE SALE WEB ID WR58127

NORSEWOOD 296 Gundries Road Riverview (96.5115 ha) provides an opportunity for dairy farm ownership of a versatile property. Situated under the Ruahine Ranges 3km west of SH2 in the well-recognised Norsewood area of Southern Hawke's Bay. Flat to easy-undulating in contour with infrastructure and buildings more than adequate for the property. Features include • Summer-moist area • 35 a-side herringbone shed • 500-cow feed pad • Easy contour with fertile soils

• 3 bedroom home with 3 bedroom sleepout • Significant regrassing undertaken • Option to buy as a going concern This opportunity will appeal to those at the entry level of the market or added to an existing portfolio. Make the move now.

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

DEADLINE SALE

VIEW By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Thursday 7th December, 2017 at 4.00pm

Bevan Pickett

Mobile 027 220 2766 Office 06 928 0520

Pat Portas

Mobile 027 447 0612 Office 06 928 0521

3 1

Jim Crispin

Mobile 027 717 8862 Office 06 374 8102

RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

Once in 110 year opportunity - Braeview

Dairy grazing or beef finishing

AUCTION

WEB ID WR57738 CENTRAL HAWKES BAY 512 Nicholls Road View By Appointment AUCTION 3.00pm, Thu 23rd Nov, 2017 Braeview is on the market after more than 110years. 283 ha within minutes of Waipukurau. Undulating to easy contour with parts medium. Good buildings and improvements; comfortable three bedroom family home, 4-stand woolshed, covered yards, Bevan Pickett excellent cattle yards. Subdivided into 27 main Mobile 027 220 2766 paddocks. Office 06 928 0520 Long fertiliser history and pasture renewal programme. bevanp@pb.co.nz Reliable stock water. Pat Portas Currently finishing large cattle. FEMP favourable. Mobile 027 447 0612 Start your legacy. Opportunities like this are rare, act Office 06 928 0521 now. Home 06 855 8330 patp@pb.co.nz Adjoining 370 ha also available for sale.

AUCTION

WEB ID TPR57756 NGAKURU 142 Dods Road VIEW Thursday 26 Oct 11.00 - 1.00pm AUCTION 2.00pm, Tue 14th Nov, 2017, (unless sold prior), This grazing property may be just what you have been Motion Entertainment Centre, Te Ngae Road, Rotorua looking for. Well located in the popular Ngakuru, Whirinaki Valley area. Currently operating as a dairy runoff, would also make a great beef finishing unit or first farm. 55 Ha Contour approx. 50% mowable, 25% rolling, 25% steeper. Running 135 R1yr heifers plus 135 R2yr heifers, also cutting up to 140 large round silage 3 bales. Wintered up to 200 dairy cows in the past. Half round three stand woolshed could convert to workshop, 2 haybarn and cattle yards, deer fenced.

AUCTION

Brett Ashworth

Mobile 021 0261 7488 bretta@pb.co.nz

Central plateau dairy

Fantastic property - great options

WEB ID TPR57000 WHAKAMARU 671 Sandel Road View By Appointment 414 hectares, 800 cows milked through a 48 aside herringbone, in shed meal feeders. Production average over 5 years is 293,000 Kg/ms. Contour is rolling, some hill with steep sidings, but ample hectares for silage and cropping. A picturesque self-contained, fertile farm with excellent fertiliser Paul O'Sullivan history. Mobile 027 496 4417 Come and see it! $30,000 per ha. paulo@pb.co.nz For Sale $12,700,000 + gst Land and buildings

$12,700,000 + GST (IF ANY)

Craig Marshall

Mobile 027 553 2274 craig@pb.co.nz

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

WEB ID TPR57955 BY NEGOTIATION + GST NGAKURU 257 Galatos Road VIEW Wednesday 25 Oct 11.00 - 1.00pm 249 hectares fully deer fenced, well located quality grazing property. This very tidy farm is a credit to the owners, Top quality fencing, high fertility, quality pastures. Approximately 80 hectares of mowable/cropable contour, balance rolling to some steeper hill. Currently run as part of a larger property averaging 16 stock-units/ha wintered. 3,900 stock-units of profitable farming options. The home is sited in a very private location with amazing views over the property and district. An attractive very useful property within easy commuting distance to Rotorua.

(IF ANY)

4 Brett Ashworth

Mobile 021 0261 7488 bretta@pb.co.nz

RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

Dairy with location - 100 ha

Ohaupo dairy

OPEN DAY

WEB ID PR56754 PAHIATUA 418 Scarborough Road New to the market, is a well presented 100 ha OCD supplying dairy farm 7 km south west of Pahiatua, within an easy commute to Palmerston North. With 95 ha effective, 45 main paddocks and peak milking 270 cows for a 3 year average of 122,500 kgMS this property is well worth inspection. Farm improvements include an 18 ASHB cowshed with inshed feeding system, 6 bay implement shed including lock up workshop, PKE shed, 5 bay calf shed and other utility sheds plus cattleyards.There is a seasonal farm irrigation agreement through K-Line system applied to the platform. The very comfortable ...

TENDER View By Appointment TENDER closes Thursday 2nd November, 2017 at 2.00pm, Property Brokers, 129 Main Street Pahiatua

Jared Brock

Mobile 027 449 5496 Office 06 376 4823

Phil Wilson

Mobile 021 518 660 Office 06 376 5478

John Arends

WEB ID TER58101 OHAUPO 342 Jary Road This 80.5927 ha property is conveniently located approximately 11 km north of Te Awamutu and 25 km south of the Hamilton CBD. Fenced into 56 paddocks, all of which are accessed off a race system. Contour is approximately 90% flat with a small rolling area along the road frontage. Soil type is consolidated peat with rolling area being Ash over Clay. Water is supplied from a bore with a backup system available via the Pukerimu Water Scheme. Structural improvements include a 24 ASHB with ACRs, 250 cow feed pad, PKE bin, 6 bay round barn and a 4 bay calf shed.

Mobile 027 444 7380 Office 06 376 4364

AUCTION VIEW 24 & 31 Oct & 7 Nov 1.00 - 2.00pm AUCTION 11.00am, Fri 17th Nov, 2017, (unless sold prior), Te Awamutu Rugby Club 420 Albert Park Drive Te Awamutu

3+ Doug Wakelin

Mobile 027 321 1343 dougw@pb.co.nz

Lochiel 637 ha

WEB ID PR58165

PONGAROA 1530 Waihi Valley Road Property Brokers are privileged to offer one of the best contoured properties in the Tararua to the market. Lochiel is centrally located 7 km west of the township of Pongaroa and under 45 minutes drive to both Pahiatua and Dannevirke. The 570 ha of effective area featuring over 300 ha of cultivatable land has been intensively developed to suit most farming practices. Quality infrastructure includes reticulated water, laneways, 5 stand woolshed (1500npc), airstrip, cattleyards, ample shedding and three generous homes.

Lochiel's development of pastures and fertiliser history is second to none and is sure to impress.

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

DEADLINE SALE

VIEW By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Thursday 16th November, 2017 at 2.00pm, (unless sold prior)

4 Jared Brock

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

2 1

RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

Ngaroma grazing

Birchlands and Nelsons

OPEN DAY

WEB ID TER57917 OTOROHANGA Aotearoa Road Located approx 57 km south east of Te Awamutu, 50 km south west of Putaruru and 64 km east of Otorohanga, the contour here is best described as rolling to medium hill with the odd steep sidling. There is all-weather access around the property via well constructed rotten rock tracks with metal being sourced from the quarry on the property. The farm is subdivided into approximately 20 paddocks with well maintained conventional and electric fencing. Soil type is Maeroa Ash. A reliable, spring sourced water supply is pumped to a manicon tank via a multi stage pump which is then gravity fed.

AUCTION VIEW 25 Oct & 1 & 8 Nov 1.00 - 2.00pm AUCTION 11.00am, Fri 17th Nov, 2017, (unless sold prior), Te Awamutu Rugby Club 420 Albert Park Drive Te Awamutu

ALBURY 171 Monavale Road • 299.0638 ha • Birchlands 201.1300 ha • Nelson's Road 97.9338 ha • 2/3 Deer fenced • 2 x Homes • Connecting all-weather laneway

WEB ID TMR57976

Buy together or separate; the farms work hand in hand with both having the infrastructure in place for Deer, Sheep and Beef. The farm has been farmed to a very high level, with a tidy main homestead. Just walk in and carry on. Call now for a viewing!

Doug Wakelin

Mobile 027 321 1343 dougw@pb.co.nz

Valley View

DEADLINE SALE View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Friday 17th November, 2017 at 4.00pm, (unless sold prior)

Michael Richardson

Mobile 027 228 7027 Office 03 687 7145 michael@pb.co.nz

4 1

Limestone Hills

WEB ID TMR57975 TIMARU 690 Taiko Road View By Appointment • 53.6530 hectares, Good 3 bedroom home • Excellent farm infrastructure • Fertile flats with some rolling hills • Great access from all-weather lanes • Water, 3000 litres per day This is a very good starter farm for someone looking to enter the rural scene! With a good 3 bedroom home and buildings, and excellent access from the all-weather lane set across 53.6530 ha of fertile flats with some rolling hills. It is currently run for rearing 300 calves and Michael Richardson trading lambs, but it has been previously farmed as part Mobile 027 228 7027 of a bigger operation. This property is a must to view! Office 03 687 7145

$1,425,000 + GST (IF ANY)

michael@pb.co.nz

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

3 1 2

WEB ID TMR57149 PLEASANT POINT 320 Mt Gay Road View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Thursday 2nd November, 2017 at • 146.5885 hectares 4.00pm, (unless sold prior) • Lovely 4 bedroom home • Central main yard, excellent sheds • High standard fencing • Central all-weather lane This will be a very sought after farm! 146.5885 hectares of predominantly rolling hill country with steeper gullies. 4 Perfect for first farm owners or as an add on farm for finishing, or even those looking to semi-retire! With very 1 good home and buildings, and excellent access from Michael Richardson all-weather lane-ways, this property won't be on the Mobile 027 228 7027 market for long! Office 03 687 7145

DEADLINE SALE

michael@pb.co.nz

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – October 23, 2017

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

This farm comes with a high-tech dairy and all cows wear leg bracelets.

Immaculate in conception BY DEFINITION, Glenn and Karen Speed’s 396ha Taupo dairy farm, Foxbay Dairy 1, is a trophy farm representing the highest standard across all facets. Created from former forestry country, the farm now milks nearly 1000 cows on 305ha and has a three-year average of 458,627kg milksolids. As one of three large-scale dairy farms owned by the Speeds, they have decided it’s time to sell Foxbay Dairy 1 to give them a chance to look at other ventures and that creates an opportunity for a new owner to run the highly productive, cost-efficient dairy unit. The Speeds have converted several properties for dairying and have a reputation for doing the job well.

Foxbay Dairy 1 lies about 20 minutes northwest of Taupo at Oruanui and was converted from forestry 12 years ago, initially as a support block for three years then milking cows from 2008. Glenn says its easy contour and pumice soils topped with Taupo ash showed its promise from the beginning and they treated it accordingly. “We could see the potential of the property – the contour was great and everything felt good about it and so we made sure we put the right infrastructure in and did everything properly.” Today the farm consistently achieves high production, reaching a three-year average of 1502kg MS/ha and 478kg MS/ cow while the three-year average somatic cell count was 124,000.

Last season production reached 478,455kg MS. While achieving high production the farm also manages to keep farm working expenses below $4/kg MS, including wages for the contract milker. All the cows are wintered on the free-draining property with winter crops and Glenn says the cropping regime has been important for the development of the farm. Stan Sickler from Bayleys says the farm has outstanding infrastructure on every level, especially in the 60-bail dairy where an Afi computer system assists management of milk production and mating. “The cows all have leg bracelets and the information that comes out of that system is second to none.

RURAL Office 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Versatility Highbank - 161 ha

WEB ID AR58085 METHVEN 247 Woods Road View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Friday 24th November, 2017 at Every now and then something special arrives on the market and here it is. If you are looking for a property 4.00pm, (unless sold prior) that has true diversity look no further. Special features of this property are endless but here is a few: - Quality arable soils and excellent fertility - Several ultra high towers - Excellent lanes system Chris Murdoch - Pivot irrigation Mobile 0274 342 545 - Well sub-divided and troughed Office 03 307 9191 Home 03 307 2940 - Two homes and good shedding.

DEADLINE SALE

chris@pb.co.nz

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

“You can alter feed for that cow or give X amount of palm kernel for low-condition cows. “It’s a pretty smart system and if you purchase the cows with that system in place, you know so much about them.” The quality herd is available for sale to provide a turnkey operation. This year the farm calved 950 cows with artificial breeding completed within 24 days and bulls usually removed on December 29. Everything on the farm has been completed to a high standard, from the dairy with its automatic cup removers, in-shed feeding system and Afi computer system to well-formed, pumicecovered wide lanes and quality fencing.

The farm has been subdivided into 70 paddocks with the average size 4ha. Three good houses on the property include a substantial main home with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, office and under-floor diesel heating. “Glenn and Karen Speed have converted other properties as well and just do a very good job. “They are pretty proud of their assets and they are putting a good asset on the market,” he said. Tenders for Foxbay Dairy 1 close on November 10.

The farm can be viewed at www. bayleys.co.nz/2650552 and for further information contact Stan Sickler on 07 376 0099 or 021 275 7826.

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – October 23, 2017

Scale, contour, fertility METICULOUSLY maintained and well managed, Woodlynd Station near Gisborne is a rare opportunity to buy scale, appealing contour and fertility all in one. The 689ha station sits inland from Gisborne at Ngatapa where it borders the National Arboretum of New Zealand, Eastwoodhill, and is part of a desirable farming community. Spread across attractive farmland including significant portions of flat and easy contour gives the station the ability to finish all progeny and creates opportunities for feed crops to further increase production. Extensive subdivision and meticulous maintenance of infrastructure have ensured a sound operation and Simon Bousfield from Bayleys says it has exceptional workability rounded off with good access throughout the farm. “Preparation to present the farm to market has been undertaken for a number of years,” he says. “The farm is immaculate, fencing is of a very high standard, access is brilliant and fertility levels high.” The Wanklyn family has farmed Woodlynd Station for two generations, expanding the original parcel of land and running a Hereford stud since 1953. Today they run a sheep and beef breeding and finishing operation

that adds up to about 5500 stock units, made up of 1400 breeding ewes, 1450 hoggets, 281 registered cattle and 424 commercial cattle. Ewes scan about 175% and achieve 150% at docking while hoggets reach about 100% at docking. Cows average 94% calving and R1 bulls are sold in September and October at weights averaging 360kg. Bousfield says the farm carries the 5500 stock units comfortably so a new owner could push that further. “It is one of the top-performing properties for its size in the region – in a lot of facets it is above the district average according to farm analysis reports.” A superb mix of contour across the farm, ranging from 22ha of flats and 104ha of easy country to medium hill and steeper provides a good balance to facilitate breeding and finishing stock. Added to that is a favourable mix of aspects that provide shelter as well as summer and winter growth. “It’s got very good contour and has a number of possibilities such as feed crops to increase production. “It has exceptional aspects with a lot of shelter for lambing and areas that hold on well during the summer.” An abundance of farm buildings are in very good condition, with multiple sets of sheep yards,

two sets of cattle yards and two woolsheds in the mix. A tastefully set out fourbedroom homestead is set in tranquil, established grounds overlooking the farm while a three-bedroom cottage built in the 1980s provides farm staff a comfortable home close to town and schooling. Tenders for Woodlynd Station close on November 16.

To view the farm visit www.bayleys. co.nz/2750603 and for further information contact Simon Bousfield on 027 665 8778, James BoltonRiley on 027 739 1011 or James Macpherson 021 488 018.

This farm is immaculate and one of the top performers in its region.

Ardrossan Farm    •  •  •  •

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THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – October 23, 2017

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

SOUTHERN WIDE REAL ESTATE

VENDORS DEPARTING, ARE YOU EMBARKING?

DEADLINE SALE, WAIKAIA, SOUTHLAND ‘ENFIELD’ - 259.00 HA FH

Web Ref SWG1765

TUPS HILL – 98.10 HA FH

Web Ref SWG1784

The sale of ‘Enfield’ provides the opportunity to purchase a proven and highly productive finishing and cropping property in a favoured location. Features an outstanding homestead, two additional homes and excellent range of support buildings. The farm layout is well planned and includes plantings of native and exotic trees together with three established duck ponds. LK0089801©

This local bareland block has been run in conjunction and is located 3.3 kilometres from ‘Enfield’. Deadline Sale closing 3pm, Friday 8th December 2017. Prior offers considered.

MARK WILSON m 027 491 7078 e mark.wilson@swre.co.nz

JON CARSWELL m 027 687 0113 e jon.carswell@swre.co.nz

39a Medway Street, Gore 9710 p 03 208 9283 f 03 208 9284 e gore@swre.co.nz w www.southernwide.co.nz

SOUTHERN WIDE REAL ESTATE SRM Realty Ltd, Licensed under the REAA 2008, 21 Macandrew Road, Dunedin 9054 p 03 466 3105 f 03 456 3105 e otago@southernwide.co.nz

483 BURNSIDE ROAD, WINDSOR, WAITAKI

505.29 HA

Southern Wide Real Estate is privileged to offer for sale this very attractive 505.29 hectare dairy unit partially self-contained, situated in the North Otago region. Farm buildings on the property are of a good standard with a 60-bail dairy shed, five dwellings and an array of farm buildings. Also a large feed pad facility constructed adjacent to the dairy shed which provides very good facilities overall. Burnside Pastoral Limited is based around a 1550-cow irrigated, spring calving dairy farm with adjoining support land, situated 16km north west of Oamaru and 125km North of Dunedin. The property has quality soils irrigated by pivot and k-line with water accessed from North Otago Irrigation Company, stage one and stage two. The total land area is 505.29ha and farmed in conjunction with 81.9ha irrigated adjoining lease. Last year production of 574,891kg/ms was achieved, but with additional land purchased, increased pivot irrigation, fencing and race development, is targeting 634,000kg/ms in 2017/2018 season. Overall an opportunity to purchase a well improved dairy unit in the strong farming area of North Otago, with reliable irrigation. Contact sole agents to inspect. BY NEGOTIATION Web Ref : SWDR1304

JOHN FAULKS M: 0274 525 800 E: john.faulks@southernwide.co.nz

BARRY MEIKLE M: 0274 365 131 E: barrym@southernwide.co.nz

LK0089941©

PRIME DAIRY FARM

barfoot.co.nz

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – October 23, 2017

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

DELLARANDALL.CO.NZ

2 8 F L A X M E R E S T R E E T, WA I K A N A E B E A C H , K A P I T I C O A S T

Elegant Country Living Minutes from Waikanae’s beaches, river, cafes, trains and expressway, this immaculately presented 1900’s villa offers delightful country living. Set on around two acres of established gardens and trees, this light-filled and private home features stylish, spacious and comfortable living inside and out. With three to four bedrooms, two bathrooms, spa area, wrap-around deck and custom-built triple garage with loft studio, this is the perfect place to entertain, unwind and watch the sun set after long summer days enjoying all that Waikanae has to offer. Character properties of this quality are rare in Kapiti - don’t miss the opportunity to view.

Deadline Sale: closing 1pm Tuesday 07 November 2017 View: www.dellarandall.co.nz/properties FLOOR PLA N S

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0800 22 22 33 DE L L A R E A LT Y G R O UP L I M I T E D L I C E N S E D UN DE R R E AA 2 0 0 8

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – October 23, 2017

This farm runs lambs, hoggets, beef and dairy heifers, steers and bulls and has areas of pine forest.

Simple and sustainable MORE than 30 years focusing on soil health and nutrition of a 490ha finishing property near Pleasant Point in South Canterbury has resulted in quality pasture production and livestock performance. Set in a great location and picturesque setting on a tourist route not far from Timaru and featuring amazing limestone rock formations including Maori rock art adds the potential for tourism as another income stream from the farm, which is now for sale. A good balance of contour from flats to rolling downs and some steeper gullies provides 350ha of workable land that is exceptionally

well subdivided and has good all-weather tracks and central lanes. A large percentage of the farm is in new grass, with emphasis on a lucerne, prairie grass and plantain mix which has proved beneficial in all seasons, particularly in this early spring country. The focus has been on soil structure by direct drilling and using a balanced nutrient mix. The farm is being run as a finishing and grazing operation for heifers, beef cattle, bulls and lambs and Ben Turner from Bayleys says it follows a very simple, cost-effective system operating in a sustainable manner

that essentially future-proofs the property. Lamb growth rates have achieved a minimum of 200g/day and the farm owners aim for more than 300g/day, which is possible from the lucerne/grass mix that consistently grows 12 to 13t/ha. Large areas of brassica are grown for wintering stock and Turner says the warm country continues to grow pasture through winter as well. This year the farm wintered 3500 lambs, 650 hoggets it was grazing, 120 R2 dairy heifers, 120 R1 dairy heifers, 70 R2 beef heifers and steers, 65 R2 bulls and 55 R1 bulls. The 120 heifers are grazed

for a neighbouring dairy farmer who is keen to continue with the arrangement. An 18.7ha section of the property is planted in Radiata pines under a joint venture forestry agreement and a further 17.8ha is planted mostly in Radiata pines, with a small amount of Corsican pine and macrocarpa. A wonderfully appealing character home adding up to 345 square metres was built about 1880 and dates back to the Levels Station. The six-bedroom homestead has been upgraded over the years and today has three bathrooms along with its formal dining room

and large heart-rimu kitchen/ dining area. Established grounds with mature trees, in-ground swimming pool and an asphalt tennis court help make it the perfect place for tourist accommodation, especially as it is on the tourist route and could be coupled with viewing the rock art. The property has a deadline sale date of November 2.

View the farm at www.bayleys. co.nz/555568 and for further information contact Ben Turner on 027 530 1400 or Kurt Snook on 027 256 0449.

HAHEI HOMESTEAD

pggwre.co.nz

• • • •

4-5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 lofts, 2 living areas Fully serviced 6195sqm site with mature plantings Possible sub-division potential

Gavin White Licensed Branch Manager Mobile: 021 424 341 Phone: 07 866 3781 Email: gavin@hahei.richardsons.co.nz

John Binning Director, Commercial Sales and Investments Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008) T +64 9 363 0233 M +64 21 944 442 E john.binning@ap.jll.com

LK0090000©

‘The Homestead’ or the ‘Big House’ is rich with history. It’s a local landmark, and this is the first time it has been on the market for over 100 years. Built in 1874 by Robert Wigmore the ‘Father of Hahei’ and purchased by the Harsant Brothers in 1915.

Southern Alpacas • 7.9ha of excellent soils; large and small paddocks • Large, stunning home and attached triple garage • Lots of living spaces and excellent outdoor entertaining area • Covered indoor saltwater swimming pool and spa pool • Property has irrigation rights and numerous sheds • An attractive property offering many options and a great location pggwre.co.nz/DAR25950 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

West Melton DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 4pm, Thurs, 23 Nov VIEW 1-2pm, Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 October

Min Cookson M 027 249 5417

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company RURAL

LIFESTYLE

RESIDENTIAL

TENDER

Large Dairy/Beef Investment 305.3195ha in seven titles ideally located between Mangawhai and Kaiwaka. Contour a mix of flat to rolling with elevated areas. 34 ASHB, PPP in-shed feeders, good support buildings, best production of 181,000kgMS from 475 cows. Four bedroom main home, two additional homes with sleep-out. The majority of the dairy platform is located in a sheltered valley. This farm has been well maintained and developed for a number of years, good infrastructure and housing. This block should tick all the boxes. pggwre.co.nz/WEL26594

Kaiwaka / Mangawhai SALE BY SET DATE Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 4.00pm, Thursday, 16 November

Scott Tapp B 09 423 9717 M 021 418 161

Harbour Side Dairy Unit • 118.51 ha, north facing in two titles, contour is mix of flat to easy rolling, with huge harbour views • 22 ASHB cowshed, modern four bay shed, support buildings, best production of 96,000kgMS • Four bedroom main home, second is three bedroom home Continue to dairy or change to a quality grazing or finishing block in an impressive location. Tenders to be dropped off at PGG Wrightson Real Estate Wellsford Office at 2 Port Albert Road, Wellsford by 4.00pm, Thursday, 23 November pggwre.co.nz/WEL26753

scott.tapp@pggwrightson.co.nz

This 103.54ha dairy unit on Schollum Road presents a great opportunity to purchase before prices possibly increase in line with payout. A tidy 24 ASHB dairy, all flat contour, central race system, good support buildings. Milking 300 cows with average production of 103,000 kgMS. The main home has with four bedrooms, office and large dining / lounge. The second dwelling is in good condition and occupied by a farm worker.

Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty)

Scott Tapp B 09 423 9717 M 021 418 161

AUCTION

Eureka AUCTION (Unless Sold Prior) 11.00am, Thursday, 2 November, BNZ Business Cntr, Morrinsville VIEW 11am - 1pm, Tue 24 & Thu, 26 October 26 SCHOLLUM ROAD

Well Located Breeding/Finishing Unit 194.2614ha property comprising approximately 20% flat land with the balance being rolling to medium hills with some steeper sidlings. Fenced into 26 paddocks. Water is spring fed to a holding tank and pumped to troughs. Implement shed/hay shed and various other sheds throughout property. Two sets of sheep yards and cattle yards. Fertiliser bin and airstrip. Cheerful two bedroom cottage.

pggwre.co.nz/HAM26661

TENDER

scott.tapp@pggwrightson.co.nz

AUCTION

Proven Dairy Location

Helensville

Russell.Thomas@pggwrightson.co.nz

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

AUCTION Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) 2.00pm, Tuesday, 28 November

pggwre.co.nz/WAN26694

Russell Thomas M 020 4004 0360

Whanganui

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

TENDER

Ongarue Station - 683.8656ha 547 Ongarue Waimiha Road • Excellent opportunity to purchase a top performing farm with contour mix and infrastructure that will be sure to please • Contour mix allows for maize, supplement making, dairy graziers, breeding herd and ewe flock for hills • 2 x 4 stand covered wool sheds, main homestead is four bedroom with adjoining two bedrooms (self contained unit). Managers house is a quality three bedroom home • Excellent water supply, metal lane way, good soil types, high standard of fencing and excellent fertiliser history • A property with a long history of producing very good livestock performance pggwre.co.nz/TEK26769

Taumarunui TENDER (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 3.00pm, Monday, 27 November PGGWRE, Rora Street, Te Kuiti VIEW 11.00-1.00pm, Thurs, 2, 9, 16 Nov Please bring own motorbike

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

OPEN DAY

Fertile Productive Plains - 61.4947 Hectares 313 Hydro Road • 12 ASHB dairy, in-shed feed system, 200 cow yard • Production: 87,200kgMS 2015/16, 87,000kgMS 2016/17 • Three-bay implement shed, two-bay implement shed, 1600 bale barn • Whey irrigated • Three bedroom family home and farm cottage • Top quality soils, with possible horticulture potential • Centrally located on the fertile Rangitaiki Plains • Horticulture potential 3

pggwre.co.nz/WHK26783

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Edgecumbe TENDER Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 4.00pm, Friday, 17 November VIEW 11.00-12.00pm, Wednesdays, 25 October & 1 November

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

pggwre.co.nz

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company RURAL

LIFESTYLE

RESIDENTIAL

OPEN DAY

Vendor Says Sell - 117.8752 Hectares 294 Tirohanga Road • Motivated vendor, wants to retire • Milking platform of 69 hectares • Production average over last three seasons - 64,103kgMS • Milking 200 cows, wintered on farm • 24ASHB dairy with good standard of improvements • Own rotten rock quarry • 10km from Opotiki Township Only 3km away is the beautiful Tirohanga Beach, known for safe swimming and long-line fishing, and the local convenience store with petrol and takeaways. 3

Opotiki TENDER Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 4.00pm, Thursday, 30 November VIEW 11.00-12.00pm, Tuesday, 31 October

pggwre.co.nz/WHK26809

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

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

pggwre.co.nz

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company RURAL

LIFESTYLE

RESIDENTIAL

AUCTION

Immaculate Breeding and Finishing 917 Ugly Hill Road • 355.95ha (880 acres) approximately • Mainly easy rolling contour • Excellent subdivision with intensive bull unit • Spacious four-bedroom home in landscaped gardens • 27km south west of Waipukurau • Auction to be held at the Waipukurau Club, 10 Russell St, Waipukurau

pggwre.co.nz/WPK26815

Waipukurau AUCTION Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) 2.00pm, Thursday, 30 November VIEW 1.00-3.00pm, Tues 24 & 31 Oct & 10.00-12.00pm, Thurs 26 Oct

Max Lyver B 06 858 6780 M 027 597 5818

Richlea Farm - 31.9950ha

Seadown

A rare opportunity to purchase irrigated farmland in the very tightly held Seadown district. Being sold for the first time since 1920, the farm is subdivided into 10 main paddocks with highly productive Wakanui soils. Consent to irrigate at 14 litres per second from 10.3m bore, with hydrants in all paddocks, a comfortable solid home in good order, plus a good range of outbuildings. A substantial amount of first mortgage finance at a favourable rate for a term of three (3) years may be available from the vendor to a suitable purchaser. pggwre.co.nz/TIM26813

mlyver@pggwrightson.co.nz

AUCTION Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) 1.00pm, Friday, 10 November PGG Wrightson, Timaru

Jamie McKenzie B 03 687 7330 M 027 240 7784

jamesmckenzie@pggwrightson.co.nz

NEW LISTING

Dairy, Beef Finishing, Lifestyle in a Stunning Location 726 Tunakino Valley Road A rare opportunity exists to secure a 581 ha (1435 acres) farming property positioned in the green belt of Marlborough. The dairy farm consists of 85 ha milking platform producing an average of 64,500 kg-ms (once a day milking) from 220 cows. Balance of land is grazing and forestry with a further 380 ha of native bush for hunters. A 16 ASHB dairy shed and yards plus numerous quality farm sheds. There is a modern three bedroom homestead plus a further dwelling, a 23 ha forestry block plus run-off block. Also available is a 21 ha (54 acres) lifestyle property with home and grazing. 3

pggwre.co.nz/BLE26789

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Rai Valley DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 4.00 pm, Thurs, 23 November Greg Lyons B 03 579 1188 | M 027 579 1233 Greg.Lyons@pggwrightson.co.nz Joe Blakiston B 03 579 3702 | M 027 434 4069 jblakiston@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company RURAL

LIFESTYLE

RESIDENTIAL

South Canterbury

Wainono Dairy Farm - Quality Productive Property • Freehold area - 467.64ha, Leased area - 244.98ha • Milking area - 562ha, Production - 800,000 kgMS • Cows wintered 1868 • Reliable irrigation supply, 596ha irrigated, 388ha pivot • Operated in two units, 339ha and 223ha • Two rotary sheds, good farm buildings and homes • Freehold for genuine sale and leased land can be assigned • High sustainable cash yields

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 4.00pm, Thursday, 7 December Dave Finlay B 03 433 1340 | M 027 433 5210 dfinlay@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/OAM26757

Robin Ford B 03 307 8725 | M 027 433 6883 rford@pggwrightson.co.nz

NEW LISTING

Established Dairy Unit • Well established 337.3636ha dairy unit in a reliable location • 60 bail rotary dairy shed, ACR's, milk hub, in-shed feeding system, gateway vat monitor • Five well maintained homes • Strong soil types with excellent fertiliser history • Consistent production across the seasons on a production two system pggwre.co.nz/INV26683

TENDER

Southland TENDER Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 12.00pm, Wednesday, 29 November

Tony Paterson M 027 594 8341

tony.paterson@pggwrightson.co.nz

Andrew Patterson M 027 434 7636 apatterson@pggwrightson.co.nz

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

From Organic Pasture to Palete Retro Organics is an organic dairy processing factory and certified organic 125ha dairy farm, manufacturing and distributing a range of products including New Zealand's only lactose free yoghurt produced from cows milk. The farm and factory offers a rare opportunity to invest in an unique business where milk is produced from the dairy farm and immediately supplied to a processing plant where pure and fresh dairy products are manufactured. New Zealand's only scalable artisan organic dairy processors of yoghurt, cheese, butter and milk. pggwre.co.nz/GOR26707

Southland TENDER Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 12.00pm, Tuesday, 12 December

Darrell Duncan B 03 209 0302 M 027 432 5767

dduncan@pggwrightson.co.nz

Andrew Patterson B 03 211 3144 M 027 434 7636

apatterson@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz

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