Farmers Weekly NZ September 11 2017 by AgriHQ

7 More fresh milk exports Vol 16 No 36, September 11, 2017

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Lambs hit $7/kg L

Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com

OW global stocks pushing lamb markets above the odds for this season is positive news for the New Zealand sheep industry but farmers are not yet jumping with excitement, Federated Farmers meat and fibre chairman Miles Anderson says. Latest trade statistics revealed average export prices for both chilled and frozen product were tracking well above any prices seen in recent years, including 2011, the last time NZ saw such strong global demand for lamb. Demand for chilled lamb had held solid in recent months, driven by the tight supply with chilled prices reaching historically high levels. The average price for chilled lamb in July, at $14.50/kg, was 20% above last year, 14% above the five-year average and 12% above the peak of 2011. While in that year the high market prices were followed by a rapid market decline, NZ exporters pointed out the difference now was that many global coldstores were empty, which should prevent the sharp downturn seen in 2011. “It’s definitely been a struggle being a sheep farmer this past few years with commodity prices and various climatic conditions around the country so, without a doubt, this is good news,” Anderson said. But he cautioned processors

would need to keep a careful watch. “If we can keep lamb prices around $6/kg, that’s the mark we see as sustainable to keep sheep numbers stable, then farmers will be happy,” he said. “What we don’t want to see is a blowout as in 2011 followed by an immediate crash. “We would hope the meat companies are well aware of jumping too high and then crashing. We are optimistic,” Anderson said.

The desire to secure market share appears to be trumping margin management for this point in the season. Rachel Agnew AgriHQ With the best start to spring in several years, sheep farmers were on a trot to better times with good lamb drops reported across the country despite some issues with over-conditioned ewes from the abundance of grass before lambing. While slow coming, the sun was now shining and the South Island was moving out of the doldrums of winter into what was shaping up to be a kind spring. For those in the middle of lambing, conditions had been very close to ideal and lamb survival was looking good.

“But in saying that, the bulk of the lambing in the South Island hasn’t started yet or is just about to start in the foothills and high country so let’s hope we haven’t spoken too soon,” Anderson said. Meanwhile, procurement competition had stepped up a notch through the upper areas of the South Island. Operating prices (schedule plus premium) in Canterbury and further north were about $6.80/ kg, with some reports of levels closer to $7/kg being paid, AgriHQ analyst Reece Brick said. With good grass covers, finishers were trying to grow out to as near to the chilled Christmas peak as possible forcing processors to throw some money about to draw numbers off farm. Brick said the strength of the store market hadn’t helped with lighter lambs making an obvious premium and farmers opting to sell store rather than sending direct to slaughter. Given there were still four weeks left until the chilled Christmas production period kicked in there was a lot of expectation the $7/ kg mark would be reached in the South Island, Brick said. The North Island lamb market was also experiencing low lamb supply with competition dominating the market and not expected to change in the next couple of weeks. Prices remained in the $7$7.20/kg range with any price variability driven by low supply and processor requirements to fill specific orders. AgriHQ analyst Rachel Agnew said results at the prime sales signalled the extent some

BRIGHTER: Latest lamb prices are, without a doubt, good news for Miles Anderson who has found it a struggle being a sheep farmer in the last few years. Photo: Stu Jackson

processors were willing to go to to secure lamb with returns well over operating price levels. “The desire to secure market share appears to be trumping margin management for this point in the season,” she said.

While there were signs of prices easing in some markets the outlook was positive and it would take a significant market correction to knock lamb prices back to levels seen in the past few years.

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NEWS

NEW THINKING

Soil Moisture Anomaly (mm) at 9am September 8, 2017

27 Riparian survey to capture

4 Council cuts numbers, calls a

snap election

Fonterra Shareholders Council has substantially downsized itself and called an election for all 25 of the new, enlarged wards.

8 Water tax might change

data

60 Wetter than

Farmers are being invited to provide information on their riparian plantings to help measure their effectiveness and provide a pool of data for future plantings.

OPINION

normal (mm)

30 Alternative View

-10

Alan Emerson spends some time in Taranaki and loves what he sees.

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Editorial �� 28

-30

Cartoon �� 28

-50

Drier than normal (mm)

Letters �� 28, 31 Pulpit �� 29 Alternative View �� 30

strategy

Meaty Matters �� 30

A water tax at the level expected would reduce earnings on one of Rural Equities’ irrigated Canterbury farms by about 13%, company chairman David Cushing says.

From the Ridge �� 31

23 Fear drives views of science Fear and simplicity are powerful weapons in driving public perception against scientific evidence, former Federated Farmers president Dr William Rolleston says.

WORLD

Map reading tips

33 Views differ on Britain’s

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.

future

Results to show strategy outcome �� 3

British farmers are in a precarious position when it comes to Brexit, a report examining possible future trading arrangements between the United Kingdom and European Union says.

Council cuts numbers, calls a snap election �� 4

REGULARS

Calves with disease destroyed �� 5

Real Estate �� 34-41

More fresh milk flying to China �� 7

Employment �� 42

RMA far from finished, 26 years on �� 10

Classifieds �� 43

RMA vision distorted �� 11

Livestock �� 44-51

Water upgrades going nowhere �� 13

MARKETS

Deer boost financial performance �� 18 Kiwi helped Paraguay farming �� 20

56 Price going up or down

Fear drives public views of science �� 23

Global Dairy Trade auction prices remained steady in the latest auction within the plus or minus 2% range for the overall index that has prevailed since June.

NEWSMAKER

CORRECTION

26 Farmer fears for future

In last week’s FW a story stated it was the Government’s goal to roll out ultra-fast broadband by 2024. The correct date for the network’s completion is 2022.

Government looks to improve China FTA �� 22

David Clark is a full time, working arable farmer, passionate about the greater industry and its sustainability for future generations.

Job

of the

Week

Farm manager: Conway Park is one of three units of the Turley Farms cropping operation. Based in Pendarves, Canterbury, it is a 1000 hectare property covered by the Acton Irrigation Scheme. The entire property is serviced by modern irrigation infrastructure. Key crops produced are wheat, grass seed, clover, hybrid vegetable seed, onions and potatoes. For more information and a full job description visit the Farmers Weekly jobs site: farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz and click on Farm Manager category. To find all other agjobs click on All Categories. #agjobs at your fingertips.

Market Snapshot �� 52

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 – September 11, 2017

Results to show strategy outcome Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com EQUITIES analysts and investors are keen to know if Fonterra can maintain value-add earnings when paying a higher milk price to its farmer-suppliers. The dairy giant would announce its 2017 results on Monday, September 25, and was expected to confirm last season’s $6.15/kg milksolids payout to farmers and the 40c/share dividend to farmershareholders and unit investors. There might be room for small increases in the finalised measures of both returns because of the strong dairy market recovery during the past 15 months. Attention would also be focused on Fonterra’s forecasts of supply and demand in world dairy markets, any change to its $6.75/ kg milk price forecast for 2018

New auction investigation THE Fonterra-owned GDT platform has announced a letter of intent signed with the European Energy Exchange (EEX) to evaluate a new auction mechanism for dairy products in Europe. EEX’s offering for dairy products included financially settled futures on SMP, butter and whey powder. Since the dairy products launch in May 2015 EEX derivatives had become the largest dairy risk market in Europe. EEX and GDT would consult with dairy product buyers and sellers about the possibility of jointly offering price discovery for European dairy products through a credible auction mechanism designed for the European market.

and its 45-55c/share earnings guidance. As the co-operative champion of New Zealand’s biggest primary industry and the largest company in the economy, its annual results would be carefully studied around two major themes. The first concerned progress in adding value to standard dairy commodities and the extent to which that resulted in sustainable profits and dividends. Attention would be paid to the performances of its offshore businesses that collectively amounted to New Zealand’s largest foreign direct investment – in Australia, China, Sri Lanka, Chile and Europe. Analysts expected Fonterra to announce a slightly reduced net profit after tax (Npat) in the range $775-$790 million for 2017, versus $810m in 2016. With 1.6 billion shares issued, earnings per share (Eps) would therefore be in the range 46-49c, from which Fonterra directors had already made guidance that a 40c dividend would be paid. The first guidance made in late July for the new financial year was reduced slightly to 45-55c Eps, from which directors would have to pay out a high proportion to maintain dividend at 40c. Rising world prices of dairy commodities including milk-fat products at all-time highs made it harder for Fonterra to maintain profit margins and earnings. It valued its own ingredients as higher cost inputs when making added-value products. The worst example of that problem was three financial years back when dividend shrank to 10c as the milk price reached $8.50. Company strategy was to drive down costs, try to maintain profit margins and to convert more and more milk into higher-value products, particularly food service items like cheese and cream. Chief executive Theo Spierings

DO THE NUMBERS ADD UP? Progress on reaching higher milk prices and profits in Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings’ Velocity strategy will be seen on September 25.

set goals that targeted both high milk prices and higher profits, not either/or. He called it the “volume to higher value at velocity” strategy. Craig’s Investment Partners said a main measure would be the turnaround in the Australian business to be reported for the 2017 financial year. “Recent financial results have demonstrated a stronger base, good management execution and debt levels have reduced to more comfortable levels.” Other share market analysts were not so positive. “The flat year-on-year earnings guidance range is likely driven by rising input costs, squeezing the earnings margin for Fonterra’s consumer and foodservice operation,” Forsyth Barr said. “Earnings volatility in the ingredients business has raised its head again in the form of uncertain stream returns.”

Forsyth Barr also drew attention to the unresolved court action between French dairy giant Danone and Fonterra, stemming from infant formula market disruption after Fonterra’s voluntary whey protein concentrate recall in 2013. Another analyst said he would be watching Fonterra’s ability to generate sustainable earnings growth, the value attributed to larger offshore investments and their contributions, and the loss of NZ milk supply to competitors. Performance in two out of three key investment directions had been disappointing – the capital sunk into China Farms and the $700m invested in Beingmate, the Chinese infant formula maker and distributor. The third strategic investment, into more food service product processing capacity, looked more encouraging. But it was possible Fonterra’s

Earnings volatility in the ingredients business has raised its head again. Forsyth Barr falling milk supply in NZ was being undermined by an inability to add sufficient value from its larger overseas investments. Perhaps that was being viewed negatively by dairy farmers pondering switching supply to independent processors versus having capital tied up in Fonterra shares. Farmers might be happier if Fonterra concentrated on adding value to its NZ milk pool rather than the offshore pools, the analyst said.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Council cuts numbers, calls a snap election Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com FONTERRA Shareholders Council has substantially downsized itself and called an election for all 25 of the new, enlarged wards. After 11 retirements, the election outcome could vary from a total replacement of councillors all the way to only one newcomer, with different mixes in between. The 24 councillors putting themselves up for re-election would have the benefits of incumbency, knowledge and visibility in their expanded wards. They would also get some credit for having tackled reform after the long-running governance and representation review was approved by shareholders in October 2016. Council chairman Duncan Coull, who would be standing again, said the council had given effect to the recommendation of shareholders last year that a self-review should establish

ACTION MAN: Fonterra Shareholders Council had acted on farmeers’ recommendation an got on with a self-review, chairman Duncan Coull says.

the reduced number of wards within the range permitted by the constitution. Councillors had decided to downsize from 35 to 25 with all wards be re-elected this year. Subsequently 11 councillors – Terence Brocx of the Far North, Bill Millar of South Auckland,

Kevin Ferris and Steve Hines of South Waikato, Kevin Turnbull of north Taranaki, Rob Poole of Egmont Plains, Ellen Bartlett of northern Manawatu, former deputy chairman Philip Palmer of Wairarapa, Charles Whitehead of Ashburton, current deputy chairman Greg Kirkwood of

Waitaki and Vaughan Templeton of western Southland – said they would retire. One of them said the self-review was harmonious and the outcome should lead to better decisionmaking. Coull echoed that hope in the official announcement of the election process. “A smaller Shareholders’ Council will increase the pool of potential candidates in each ward, increase competition and lift the calibre of future councillors. “Furthermore, it will increase the accountability of individual councillors to the farmers in their ward.” The self-review and downsizing decision was completed by the council in July and the outcome had been communicated to farmer-shareholders since then. Nominations closed at noon on Thursday, September 21. Details of the new wards were contained with the candidate handbook available from

the returning officer and all candidates had to satisfy eligibility requirements. After this year the council would resume a three-year term for councillors, with one third of wards up for election each year. The sequence would begin with wards 1, 4, 7 etc, then wards 2, 5, 8 etc and in the third year (2020) wards 3, 6, 9 etc would be up for election. The boundaries had been redrawn to include an average of 420 supply farms in each, compared with 300 previously. “We felt that a smaller number of higher-quality councillors would discharge their duties of representing farmers and monitoring the board more effectively,” a retiring councillor said.

Nomination papers and handbooks are available from the election helpline on 0800 666 034 or at iro@electionz.com

Bobby calf welfare improvements follow education Tim Fulton tim.fulton@nzx.com IMPROVEMENTS in bobby calf health and welfare reported last week came after education programmes and companies adjusting their procedures. DairyNZ had delivered an education and awareness campaign including the development of six training videos in skills such as transporting calves from paddock to shed, ensuring calves were fit for transport, farmer resources, website information, events and an online media campaign. More than 61,000 people visited the caring for calves section on the DairyNZ website

and information had been shared with the wider action group. DairyNZ worked with the Dairy Women’s Network on a national roadshow of 19 calfrearing workshops on colostrum use, disbudding and caring for calves best practice. Two live Facebook sessions reached more than 10,000 farmers by providing an opportunity to ask DairyNZ experts calf-care questions. An awareness drive at field days nationwide showed farmers how to work with transporters, processors and farm teams. Ask-Us events held in Northland, Taranaki and Waikato honed in on compliance-related topics.

DairyNZ’s animal husbandry specialists were also involved in events for calf transporters and processors, raising awareness of new regulations and providing training to multi-farm businesses and milk supply companies. The Petfood Manufacturers Association updated its code of practice for managing bobby calves and established a verification regime. Members also started a voluntary agreement to install cameras to monitor the unloading and slaughter of bobby calves at all pet food premises and a pre-season training programme for processing staff. The Meat Industry Association worked on standard messaging

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The NZ Livestock Transport Assurance Programme was reviewed to ensure it remained fit for purpwose and the Road Transport Forum worked with the action group to improve calf-holding and loading facilities while communicating the new regulations to the road transport sector. Federated Farmers briefed members on the new rules and communicated farmer concerns and issues back to MPI and other industry partners. “The health and welfare of calves is our priority and everyone across the supply chain has a role play to protect them,” MPI spokeswoman Melinda Sando said.

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for farmer suppliers and transporters and worked with the Ministry for Primary Industries to understand “the causal factors across the value chain that are influencing animal welfare”. MIA also developed training videos for transport drivers and lifters and industry-standard documentation for pick up. In Waikato it was also trialling a digital app to manage the flow of calf data from farmer to processor. Dairy Companies Association members reviewed their terms and conditions of supply for farmers with respect to animal welfare and worked with other organisations to support the flow of information to farmers for calving.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Farm calves with disease destroyed Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com CALVES identified with the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis on a North Canterbury property have been destroyed. The Ministry for Primary Industries confirmed all calves a property near Rangiora were killed and autopsied by a ministry vet for research. The samples taken would be used for research to improve the understanding of how Mycoplasma bovis behaved in New Zealand conditions, an MPI spokesman said.

At the moment what we are finding can all be traced back to the original source. Roger Smith MPI After the autopsy the calves were rendered. The property remained under movement restrictions. Meanwhile, the first round of testing of farms in the van Leeuwen Dairy Group (VLDG) had been completed with no further positive results. Follow-up testing rounds were being planned. Mycoplasma bovis was identified in NZ on July 21 when samples taken from a South Canterbury dairy herd tested positive. On July 31 a

second farm was identified as positive. Both farms were part of the 16-farm van Leeuwen group. All 16 farms had been under MPI movement control through restricted place notices since the start of the response. On August 23 a third farm, near Oamaru, was added to the list of infected properties. The farm, understood to be a calf rearing property, had a direct connection with one of the infected van Leeuwen farms, having received animals from it. On August 29 three more farms, two of them van Leeuwen properties, were added to the list of infected farms. The North Canterbury property on which the calves were destroyed had received calves from the Oamaru property. MPI said the number of infected places would likely increase as it traced the movement of animals to and from restricted properties. All detections to date were linked to the original infected properties via animal movements and had been caused by close animal contact. MPI chief operating officer Roger Smith said while detections could be traced back to the original source there was no serious concern the disease had spread further. “It’s not a numbers game. It’s when we start to find positives that we can’t trace back to the original source that will trigger concern beyond the feasibility of

containment and control. “At the moment what we are finding can all be traced back to the original source, indicating eradication is fully doable while this is what we are finding,” Smith said. He hoped to be in a position by the end of November to say if eradication was possible. “Testing is telling us how widespread the disease is and if isolation to a region is clear we will give it a shot.” Despite intensive testing, no adjacent properties had been identified as infected. Anyone who suspected Mycoplasma bovis was in a herd should call a vet.

It all starts with a clean paddock

CONFINED: Testing is not showing any widespread of Mycoplasma bovis, Primary Industries Ministry chief operating officer Roger Smith says.

Care urged with semen, bulls Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com WITH spring mating of cows imminent, farmers have been urged to get fully conversant with the transmission risk of Mycoplasma bovis in semen. A document released by the Ministry for Primary Industries urged farmers to make an informed decision on the use of local or imported semen. While imported semen was tested for the disease “the tests are not particularly reliable”, it said. The information noted that while semen was considered a low risk in the spread of Mycoplasma bovis, it was a possible entry pathway for the cattle disease found here in July. MPI had not yet determined how the disease entered New Zealand.

Mycoplasma bovis was present in most other countries in the world, including countries that NZ imported semen from. The Import Health Standard that regulated the import of semen recognised it was a potential pathway. “Antibiotics routinely used in the processing of frozen semen may not be completely effective in killing mycoplasmas and Mycoplasma bovis can survive freezing,” MPI said. MPI recommended farmers ask their semen supplier what assurance they could give that insemination would not lead to an outbreak of Mycoplasma bovis in their herd. Farmers should also question whether the donor bulls had been tested for the disease and what assurance the company could

give that their semen was free of Mycoplasma bovis. The main way the cattle disease spread from farm to farm was by the movement of infected animals so farmers managing service bulls should also check the source herd and understand its health history before buying or leasing bulls. Once bulls arrived onfarm they should be kept separate for a few days so their health status could be monitored. If leasing bulls out for mating it was recommended that bulls were quarantined on their return for seven days and thoroughly checked for lameness and any signs of respiratory disease. More information was available through MPI, the NZ Veterinary Association, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

More fresh milk flying to China Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com MILK New Zealand has launched supplies of its Theland Farm Fresh Milk brand directly to Chinese consumers through the Alibaba Tmall e-commerce platform, the world’s largest online retailer. The fresh milk would be flown to China by China Eastern Airline Cargo after being produced near Hamilton and processed by Green Valley Dairy in northern Waikato. Milk NZ managing director Terry Lee said the trade would start with about 20,000 one-litre bottles a month, rising to four times that amount by the end of 2018. “It’s an exciting prospect not only because it promotes the collaboration we have with Alibaba but also provides Chinese consumers with insight to where and how the milk is produced. “Traceability from pasture to plate is very strong in China,” Lee said.

“Consumers want to know that the product they are consuming has been produced with the highest animal welfare, environmental and quality processes.”

Consumers want to know that the product they are consuming has been produced with the highest animal welfare, environmental and quality processes. Terry Lee Milk NZ Milk NZ would supply the milk from one of its company dairy farms, on the southwest fringe of Hamilton. It was the operating company for linked Chinese firms Shanghai Pengxin and

Hanan Dakang, which owned 16 (former Crafar) North Island farms and 13 South Island (formerly Synlait) farms respectively. They were now called Tahi Farm Group and Purata Farms. Collectively they produced about 10 million kilograms of milksolids annually, processed by Fonterra, Miraka and Synlait into Theland milk powders and UHT liquid products. Theland Farm Fresh Milk would retail in China at the regular Alibaba price of $8 a litre, with a special price of $8 for two litres to VVIP members, numbering nearly 600,000 middle to upper-class families. Milk should be in the hands of customers three to four days after production and had a shelf life of 16 days. Fresh milk from NZ, also processed by Green Valley, had been air-freighted and sold in China for several years by Oravida, a company founded by NZ Chinese entrepreneurs Stone Shi and Jenny Xu and chaired by Dame Jenny Shipley.

TAKE OFF: Theland Farm Fresh Milk from New Zealand will be air freighted to China for sale on the world’s biggest online sales site, Milk NZ managing director Terry Lee says.

Chilled custom cuts of Kiwi meat to bring premiums Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com NEW, customised meat cuts and products are being sent to China as part of the six-month chilled meat trial. Silver Fern Farms had a container of prime beef on its way to China and sales manager Grant Howie said the consignment included eight cuts

of beef that would otherwise have been sold as frozen, secondary cuts at lower prices. “We can get true chilled premiums from those cuts.” Howie said SFF had sold frozen premium beef in China, what it called Reserve Beef, at chilled prices but this trial would return premium prices over and above those. SFF had been working with its

Chinese partner Shanghai Maling to develop the cuts and Howie said one such cut was a shin shank, cut from the lower leg. Typically the meat would end up as manufacturing beef but it was considered a popular delicacy in China where it was boiled in herbs and spices, left to cool then eaten cold. The beef shipment was being

sent to SuShi, a subsidiary of Shanghai Maling which owned half of SFF’s processing arm, and would be distributed to its own and third-party supermarkets in and around Shanghai. In tandem with the shipment, lamb and beef was air freighted to China allowing SFF to work with food service company Bester Foods to host 60 chefs from high-end restaurants and

hotels at events in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to launch its chilled new range. The trial involved meat supplied from 10 plants and was designed to test the coldchain systems for the storage and transport of products and customer demand. Feedback for grass-fed natural red meat in chilled form was positive.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Water tax might change strategy Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com A WATER tax at the level expected would reduce earnings on one of Rural Equities’ irrigated Canterbury farms by about 13%, company chairman David Cushing says. “Some people are saying it won’t have a big impact but that’s not right. “It would be very material to us. “We’d have a hit to earnings and a flow-on effect on land values.” The company was considering diversifying into non-agri investments, including further overseas investment. It owned four irrigated dairy farms in Canterbury, contributing substantially to group earnings. Cushing did the sums on one of the farms, using 2.5 million cubic metres of water a year for irrigation, if a new Labour-led Government brought in a new tax. “At that tax figure of 2c per cubic metre, that would cost that farm $50,000 a year,’’ he said. Environmental regulations were also likely to restrict landuse options. Rural Equities reported a 40% increase in operating earnings (Ebit) in its latest year and directors were reasonably confident about the prospects for this year but the possibility of a water tax was “a black cloud on the horizon”. Ebit for the year ended June 30 was a fraction short of $5 million, up from $3.5m a year earlier, based largely on the recovery in milk prices. Sheep and beef returns were steady. When all non-operating gains were added in, the firm had a total comprehensive income of $8.98m, compared with a loss previously of $4.06m. Investment and property revaluations totalled $6.39m, including the value of the Websters farming/water group shareholding in Australia.

Good gains for wool at Napier Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com

CHANGING FOCUS? Puketotara Station at Ruawaro, Waikato, is an intensive beef and lamb finishing farm owned by Rural Equities, which is now considering non-agriculture investments because of planned water taxes.

At that tax figure of 2c per cubic metre, that would cost that farm $50,000 a year. David Cushing Rural Equities A 5c a share dividend would be paid on October 11. The annual result left REL with a net tangible asset backing of $5.71 a share, up from $5.46. The seldom-traded shares were worth $4.76 each on the Unlisted platform at time of writing. At balance date, REL had more than $200m of total assets and

borrowings had halved during the year to just $12.4m. REL owned 22 farms in New Zealand, nine of which were farmed directly, seven of them dairy farms. The others were leased out. The dairy price outlook was favourable and with a good lambing on its Waikato pastoral farms the group would be in a strong position to take advantage of higher lamb prices this season, Cushing said. REL had three leased Hawke’s Bay farms it had signed up for water from the planned Ruataniwha water storage scheme, which now looked unlikely to proceed. The company had not incurred any onfarm costs related to the scheme. “We always knew it was contentious, with probably a

50:50 chance of going ahead. If it had gone ahead we would have started making changes to the farms then,” Cushing said. Though the scheme had been very divisive for the region, the outcome was a sad one and a lost opportunity for Hawke’s Bay. Directors had decided some time ago to consider investments outside the NZ rural sector, Cushing said, and the potential for a water tax “makes you think a bit more about it”. “We’ve turned a few investments down in the past, when we should have been a bit more open-minded.” Directors were doing some preliminary work on the new strategy. REL had a strong balance sheet to finance new investment and farm sales were a possibility.

WOOL prices made another useful gain at Thursday’s Napier sale. Even poorer style coarse wools were in stronger demand, with coarse crossbred, including oddments, up to 11% higher than previous levels, New Zealand Wool Services International said in its market report. PGG Wrightson said full fleece 35 micron, good to average style, was up to 15% more expensive with 37 micron and stronger good style 7% to 8% better. Finer second shear and fleece wools were up to 17% better. Wrightson’s North Island auctioneer Steve Fussell said there was good confidence among a full bench of buyers, boosted by the level of overseas interest leading to a very competitive sale. The main buyers were from the United Kingdom, Western Europe, Middle East, India, China and Australia as well as NZ carpet mills. The pass-in rate for the 8000 or so bales on offer was just 3.5%. Some prices were (all per kg clean): Full fleece, good to average, 29 micron, $4.44, 33 micron $4.18, 34 micron $3.71, 35 micron $3.60, 37 micron $3.20, down 2c. Crossbred second shear 33 micron three to four inches $4.06, two to three inches $3.25, up 26c, 35 micron three to four inches $3.53, 37 micron three to four inches $3.41, up 27c, 39 micron three to four inches $2.94, two to three inches $3.07, up 36c. Lamb’s wool: 30 micron, two to three inches $3.73, up 8c.

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News

10 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

RMA far from finished, 26 years on The Resource Management Act is now 26 years old but it’s still a work in progress for most political parties. Tim Fulton looks at party promises for one of the country’s most contested laws.

T’S a safe bet the Resource Management Act will continue to be a political plaything. The National Government passed amendments to the law in April with support from the Maori Party. The act had become excessively complex and expensive, Environment Minister Nick Smith said. “We currently have 80,000 pages of RMA plans and rules or an average of 1000 per council. “The new national planning standards will hugely reduce the bureaucracy and the new, streamlined planning process will speed up the time it takes to write replacement plans,” Smith said. The Maori Party claimed two policy wins in the amendments: pulling back regulation-making powers so Maori communities could have a greater say and enabling councils to ban GM crops in their region without permission from central government.

2017

election But most parties viewed the latest law change as a comma rather a full-stop on RMA reform. Labour wanted to remove some resource consent application options, like a ministerial bypass sending applications direct to the Environmental Protection Authority. Environment, water and regulatory reform spokesman David Parker said the RMA needed to provide more local decision-making, informal first hearings at minimal cost to participants, the return of certain appeal rights and greater use

PAPERWORK CUT: There are 80,000 pages of Resource Management Act plans and rules so National’s amendments were designed to hugely reduce bureaucracy with a streamlined planning process, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

of national policy statements. In April, after the last amendments, Parker said National had spiked the recommendations of a National Policy Statement and replaced them with weak substitutes. “We’ve got to return to Judge Sheppard’s National Policy Statement that said increases to land use intensity causing more

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nutrient and faecal contamination to our waterways should no longer be a permitted activity,” Parker said. The stated purpose of the act was to promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources “in a way or at a rate, which enables people and communities to provide for their social, economic and cultural well-being and for their health and safety”. Parker said despite the complexity it was still possible to strip the RMA back to its first principles. Parker, a former lawyer, said the danger of tossing out the RMA and starting again, as ACT proposed, was that resource management decisions would be subject to new legal tests. The Green Party promised a Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand’s environmental management and planning laws, including the RMA. Environment spokeswoman Eugenie Sage told the Environmental Defence Society “The heart of the act – the purpose and principles of sustainable management in Part 2 are a strong foundation. “But RMA’s effects-based regime and the overall broad judgement approach are not working. “They are not working to protect the climate, our rivers and lakes, safeguard native plants and wildlife on private land or ensure we have compact and well planned cities that are great places to live.” There had been a plethora of ad hoc changes to the RMA that had made the law cumbersome and more complicated, Sage said. “People are increasingly shut out of decisions that affect their neighbourhoods and the places they care about. “There has been an exponential increase in ministerial powers to dominate local and regional decision-making and undermine local democracy.” The Greens wanted national policy statements, bolstered environmental standards and more funding for the Conservation Department and Environment Ministry. NZ First wanted one RMA for all, objecting to the new iwi

participation rights, in particular. It also wanted to limit the scope for the Environment Court to hear applications outside the appeal process unless under exceptional circumstances such as challenges to legal interpretations. The Environment Court should be limited largely to rehearing council decisions while appeals to the High Court would be based on law only, once the facts of a case were established. “This is indelibly linked to our view that if the pre-hearing and hearing phases are improved, the contestability of facts and law are greatly reduced.” NZ First would require specific, agreed timeframes for the hearing phase of consent applications and do more to ensure that those hearing evidence had the necessary knowledge of RMA process. Any party asking to change the scope or pace of the RMA process would be required to foot the extra cost. ACT leader David Seymour said the RMA should be scrapped and replaced with legislation based on property rights and scientificallygrounded decisions. The existing law was one of the greatest obstacles to economic development, he said. “Even small-scale consents cost too much in fees and take too long in processing and consultation. “National has stalled on real RMA reform and made it worse by creating new iwi participation provisions. “National voted down ACT’s proposed amendment that would have recognised property rights in the RMA and rejected our offer of support for reform without new iwi participation provisions. ACT will replace the RMA to make it easier for rural businesses to operate and grow.” It would replace the RMA with legislation that balanced environmental considerations with property rights and acknowledged the importance of economic development. ACT made RMA reform one of its three priorities for a confidence and supply agreement backing the National government. Not even the most optimistic staff member in Smith’s office would believe National was finished with the RMA, Seymour said.

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Promises for road and rail Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com ROAD and rail connections between major regional population centres have been a strong theme in political party promises in the election campaign. NZ First leader Winston Peters grabbed the headlines with a pledge to move Auckland’s huge port to Northport, on the Whangarei Harbour alongside the Marsden Point oil refinery. That would require an upgrade of the Main Trunk Line north of Auckland and a new spur to Marsden Point, some 20km eastwards, which transport commentators estimated would cost $1 billion. The promise was aimed at Northland residents in his electorate who feared the hundreds of logging trucks on the provincial highways and the Auckland residents who would value recreational access to the massive wharves now covered with imported cars and containers. However, the Road Transport Forum said most imported goods were destined for Auckland or places further south so it made no

economic sense to incur the cost of moving to Northport and the ongoing extra distance costs. Labour saw votes in rail as well when it vowed to build a modern, rapid-rail network connecting Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga, covering half of the country’s population. A passenger service costing $20 million was the first phase, followed by passenger and freight services travelling at speeds as high as 160kmh and extending further, for instance to Rotorua. The Green Party had already declared its commitment to passenger rail services between Auckland and Hamilton (five times daily) and between Auckland and Tauranga (once daily) from 2019. Labour also promised to double the committed regional road funding, from $70-$140m to $140$280m. It would work with local government to establish priority projects, especially to eliminate black spots. “Labour will also re-open mothballed railway lines like the Napier-Gisborne line if there is evidence that they are sustainable,” transport spokesman Michael Wood said.

RMA vision distorted Tim Fulton tim.fulton@nzx.com THE principles of the Resource Management Act are being reinterpreted “beyond the wildest dreams” of its architects, expert Lynda Murchison says. Murchison, a farm owner and resource management lecturer at Lincoln University, said farmers trying to apply practical fixes for environmental problems were being swamped by plans and policy statements. Farmers were finding that “the nice little recipe” of installing a new effluent pond system or replacing an irrigator was no longer enough to satisfy councils. Before becoming North Canterbury Federated Farmers president four years ago, Murchison worked in resource management for district councils, the Canterbury Regional Council and Ngai Tahu. In recent years she had seen the RMA used bluntly to limit farmers’ water and nutrient use. In Canterbury, RMA-based limits were meant to “manage the diffuse loss of nutrients from farming activities”. She was aware of a farmer who feared not being able to farm 60ha of a 140ha property once the new nutrient limits took effect.

Unlike the Public Works Act, there was no compensation mechanism in the RMA for loss of property value. Farmers were starting to seek professional advice on how far councils could go to stop landowners exercising their legal property rights, she said. Political positions on the RMA varied from National’s preference for the status quo to Labour, the Greens and ACT touting more makeovers. The only consensus was that that after 19 rounds of RMA amendments in the past 25 years, more adjustment was needed. The principles and purposes of the RMA were “pretty bloody broad” so the legislation itself wasn’t to blame, she said. The RMA would work better if policy-makers paid heed to section 32, which required council planners to assess economic, environmental and cultural costs and benefits. Under amendments introduced four years ago, policy-makers had to assess “the risk of acting or not acting if there is uncertain or insufficient information”. Future amendments should be more about simplifying procedures and processes than trying to swing the legislation to favour certain interests, Murchison said.

2017

election “We will also investigate a spur line to Marsden Point and the upgrading of the North Auckland Main Trunk line.” Transport Minister Simon Bridges said the rapid-rail passenger emphasis in Labour’s policy was unworkable because the single rail line sections were already carrying freight. “Because it does not propose to double track large sections of line, its proposal effectively means kicking economy-fuelling freight off and replacing it with empty commuter carriages.” Bridges and Prime Minister Bill English had announced a $10.5b extension to the Roads of National Significance (RONS) programme, to include 10 projects in addition to the seven already under way. The new RONS candidates were: Wellsford to Whangarei; the East West Link in Auckland; Cambridge to Tirau; Piarere to the foot of the Kaimai Range;

FOCAL POINT: Both Labour and New Zealand First are talking about upgrading rail and port facilities at Marsden Point.

Tauranga to Katikati; Napier to Hastings; Manawatu Gorge; Levin to Sanson; Christchurch Northern Motorway; and Christchurch to Ashburton. “Like the first tranche, they will be funded from the National Land Transport Fund and the use of public-private partnerships (PPS). “We are investing now to encourage future economic growth rather than waiting until the strain on the network becomes a handbrake on progress,” Bridges said. “The chosen projects are our highest volume roads and they are a sensible and logical extension of the original seven projects.

“Together they will help provide a strong, safe highway network that links our regions effectively with our major cities.” ACT Party leader David Seymour said he would ensure National kept its transport promises when in government. For example, the four-lane Northland highway would never progress if National was in coalition with NZ First, which was opposed to PPSs. Seymour’s role would be to hold National to its promises and not let them quietly disappear, as its promise in the 2015 by-election to build 10 Northland bridges had done.

News

12 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

CHANGING: Demand for tailored products and advice is increasing because farming with limits is here to stay, Ballance chairman David Peacocke says.

Rebate means loss for Ballance Alan Williams alan.williams@nzx.com

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BALLANCE Agri-Nutrients has again recorded a bottom-line loss after paying out the rebate to shareholders. The loss was lessened slightly through receiving an income tax benefit. The Bay of Plenty-based fertiliser group made a pre-tax profit of $50.9 million in the year-ended May 31 but the rebate cost $54.16m. That was a deficit of $3.25m, reduced to $2.79m by the tax benefit. Despite a third year of a loss, Ballance ended the year with a very strong balance sheet, shareholders’ funds making up 78% of total assets and there were no borrowings. Its annual report said about $10m of the rebate was paid-out in new shares, allowing those funds to stay in the business. Operating cashflow improved to $83m from $35.3m a year earlier, helping pay off debt. Ballance was left with a $14.8m deficit in 2015 after paying out $72.4m in rebate and nearly $4m in dividends. In the “tough” 2016 year the loss was $13.77m after paying out $30.4m in rebate. That year also included a $13.3m charge for costs of the urea plant replacement project that did not proceed beyond the planning stages. The latest year contained a final $3.8m charge. The greenfield project was the group’s preferred strategy but had been shelved indefinitely when an investment partner could not be found. The existing plant would be upgraded in stages, financed from cashflow. Though the plant was less efficient that modern urea plants it had record production in the latest year and had operating resource consents to 2035, chairman David Peacocke and chief executive Mark Wynne said in the report. They said there was a growing recognition onfarm that sustainability and profitability went hand-in-hand. There was a 180% increase in staff time meeting shareholder demand for environmental compliance support, driven by the rapidly changing regulatory landscape. There was also an increase in demand for highquality, targeted inputs, notably NZ-made nitrogen products with better environmental performance, with Sustain and PhasedN now making up more than half of nitrogen fertiliser sales. “While our total fertiliser volumes were down about 1% and the average price to farmers was lower, there is a growing preference for these smart products that deliver higher margins.” Farming with limits was now here to stay and the tailored products and advice were helping farmers future-proof their businesses, they said. The group’s animal-feed subsidiary SealesWinslow had improved profitability on a big lift in sales but still had a way to go to provide a level of return that “would see it making a good rebate contribution for the co-op”. The rebate was increased by $20 over a year earlier, to $45 a tonne of fertiliser purchases. The gross profit was $56.8m, a $22m improvement on the previous year.

Your comment counts Add your voice to this story at farmersweekly.co.nz

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Water upgrades going nowhere Tim Fulton tim.fulton@nzx.com STATE funding for improving drinking and wastewater should be doubled or tripled in response to the Havelock North bore contamination, Water New Zealand says. Central government funding for new and upgraded treatment plants had dried up. A lobbyist for the water infrastructure industry, Water New Zealand chief executive John Pfahlert, said NZ had gone nowhere on catching up to world health standards in the past 10 years. The cost of new systems for smaller communities was “insurmountable” without at least $20m annually from central government for drinking and wastewater, Pfahlert said. Local authorities were drawing down the last of a Crown subsidy, offered from 2006 to 2015, that aimed to help small or disadvantaged communities start to improve drinking water supplies. The subsidies covered up to 85% of costs for upgrades in communities marked as seven or higher on a deprivation index. Eligible projects supplied between 25 and 5000 people and a minimum of 25 people for 60 days of the year. Ministry of Health public health director Caroline McElnay said it was working on a number of recommendations as a result of the Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay, inquiry. The ministry would closely follow inquiry developments, including anything related to drinking-water suppliers and recommendations to help water suppliers meet health requirements. The Government’s sewerage subsidy programme, now in its final stages, helped disadvantaged communities of 100 to 10,000 people fund the capital cost of new sewerage systems or to upgrade existing sewage collection, treatment and disposal systems. Sixty-seven projects had been completed, with a total subsidy value of $135.1 million, to provide safe sewage treatment and disposal for more than 68,000 people. “There are three projects remaining and if these projects are also successfully completed over 76,000 people will have benefitted from access to safe sewage treatment and disposal.” The Drinking-Water Subsidy Scheme helped

small, disadvantaged communities of 25 to 5000 people have access to safe drinking water. If all projects under way were completed, the Government would have provided just over $96m to nearly 300 communities totalling more than 130,000 people to receive safer and more secure water supplies. McElnay said the ministry would continue to contract services to support owners and operators of small drinking-water supplies of up to 5000 people to improve the quality of their drinkingwater. The contracts included technical advice and information to help them make informed decisions about the provision of safe and adequate drinking-water, she said.

MONEY NEEDED: At least $20 million a year is needed to help small communities catch up with acceptable drinking and wastewater standards, Water New Zealand chief executive John Pfahlert says.

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AGMARDT is offering five scholarships for management, leadership and governance training in the agribusiness sector. The scholarships were available for people who wanted to grow their management, leadership or governance skills to take on future leadership roles in agribusiness and beyond, AGMARDT general manager Malcolm Nitschke said. “We believe the success of New Zealand agribusiness will be driven by talented and inspired leadership. “We want to support people who may need some help to meet the financial costs of training courses themselves and have a passion for and commitment to future leadership roles in the primary sector.” The $15,000 scholarships would enable recipients to attend governance training programmes or fund an overseas business school programme as part of a broader, comprehensive personal development programme tailored to suit them.

News

14 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Green tax is seen as a slap in the face Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com

PAY UP: Farmers had invested in environmental improvements and taken ownership of the issue but the Greens’ were going to tax them anyway, Federated Farmers water spokesman Chris Allen says.

FEDERATED Farmers is concerned the Green Party policy on water quality and accompanying nitrate taxes is dangerously tilted towards dairying and fails to recognise advances made by the sector in cleaning up waterways. Water spokesman Chris Allen said the federation found the policy to be a slap in the face, coming two months after the party’s leader James Shaw assured farmers the issue

of water quality was a united effort. “There is a cow phobia here with this initially applying only to dairy farming, going to other farmers later on. “There has been significant investment by this sector into fencing and planting waterways, focused on mitigation and taking ownership of this issue and they say they will tax us anyway.” For a Canterbury farmer mulling Labour’s water tax or the Greens’ nitrate tax it was “first equal” when trying to determine which party had the more financially damaging policy. The Greens’ estimates were the nitrate tax would cost an average Canterbury dairy unit $18,000 a year while the water cost on Labour’s policy was estimated to cost the same farm about $45,000 a year. However Allen welcomed any additional investment that could be made into both Overseer and the Sustainable Farming Fund. DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said he was concerned at the proliferation of levy and taxation proposals seen this election campaign, often tackling only one dimension of New Zealand’s environmental management challenges, in a blunt and piecemeal manner. “The Green Party does not appear to understand nitrogen leaching is already being dealt with as part of the community-driven land and water processes facilitated by regional councils right across NZ. “We are committed to meeting the targets that arise from those plans, which must be squarely aimed at fixing water quality issues in a sustainable way. They also appear to overlook the initiatives like the 50 catchment challenge recently announced by Fonterra that will look to fix real issues with genuine solutions.” Mackle said urban and rural communities contributed to the environmental footprint, including contributing to poor water quality. “What we really want is for political parties to realise we must solve these challenges together.” Massey University soil science professor Michael Hedley said a better approach would be to focus on the efficiency of nitrogen use in a farm system, rather than the amount leached out of it. “What we want to do is focus on a system’s attributes so a particular set of soils, climate and farm is producing milksolids with minimal nitrate leaching.” Freshwater ecologist and sustainable farming advocate Alison Dewes said the Greens’ policy was putting a lot of emphasis on Overseer to model nitrate losses. She agreed with the party’s estimate it needed about $10 million of Crown investment to improve its accuracy. “That is the biggest challenge for a nitrate tax, having accurate measuring tools. “But there could also prove to be benefits by providing farmers with more information on nitrous oxide gas losses, another issue they will have to deal with. “There also has to be an allowance for nitrate losses across the board, not just on dairy farms and that should have been there from the start.” She agreed, however, the Greens’ policy was the most closely aligned so far to the Freshwater Action Plan proposed by environmental groups earlier this year. That included a fund for farmers to apply to when seeking to develop more sustainable, low nitrogen methods of farming. Dewes said it might prove not a bad thing for farmers to get signals about the wrong land use in the wrong place, such as having intensive, high nitrogen losses on leaky soils. “Having the transitional farming fund there is important for farmers to receive the support they need to climb this wall of environmental compliance that has appeared before them.”

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Bike makers take safety lead Bryan Gibson bryan.gibson@nzx.com MANUFACTURERS are taking the lead on reducing the number of farm vehicle accidents. In launching its new Kodiak 450 all terrain vehicle recently Yamaha outlined initiatives it hoped would help reduce incidents in Australasia. Australia’s Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries ATV manager Mark Collins said three coronial inquests into ATV deaths there recently outlined several causes of accidents. Not wearing a helmet, children riding full-size ATVs, carrying passengers and using drugs and alcohol were identified as the main causes. Australian coroners recommended addressing the issues as well as developing an

We want every customer to have access to a high standard of training. Denis Roberts Yamaha

accredited training programme for ATV users and introducing a standard for ATV helmets. Collins said retailers were ideally placed to communicate the safety messages. Yamaha planned to use its dealers to spread safety messages and had teamed up with a training provider to help improve riding ability through its ATV SSV Safety Institute (YASSI).

Safety instructor Carl Egganhuizen said the goal was to try to lift the skill level of all customers. At this stage it was available only in Australia but online training was accessible from New Zealand. A NZ coroner had echoed the findings of her Australian counterparts. Coroner Brigitte Windley was investigating the death of Neville Ian Anderson, who died on a farm at Clutha in 2014. One of her recommendations was that training be implemented for farmers and their staff using ATVs. Yamaha motorcycle divisional manager Denis Roberts said ATV and SSV training was crucial to ensure the safe operation of the vehicles.

“We want every customer to have access to a high standard of training.” Yamaha also took the opportunity to launch a new helmet especially designed for ATVs. The Shark, made by Ficeda, sought to address many of the reasons farmers didn’t like wearing helmets. It was roadworthy and had an easy-use buckle, cooling vents that could be opened and closed and was lightweight. Yamaha believed design improvements to the Kodiak

would make riding safer for working farmers. With a new chassis and an increased width and wheelbase, the ATV was more stable than its predecessor. All-wheel downhill engine braking gave more control on hills. Yamaha shunned rollover protection devices. Collins said more work was needed to gauge their efficacy. Research in Australia showed there was a 40% chance of the device hurting the rider in a rollover.

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Visit www.kellogg.org.nz for more details.

News

18 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Deer boost financial performance Tim Fulton tim.fulton@nzx.com TOM and Samantha Macfarlane have tilted the stocking mix at The Kowhais near Fairlie firmly toward deer and, with input from a deer industry Advance Party, are boosting the farm’s financial performance. The South Canterbury couple took over in May 2013, not long after a family-based equity partnership bought the freehold and a former lease off the neighbouring farm. The deal expanded The Kowhais from 350ha to nearly 650ha effective, giving Tom and Samantha licence for a series of deer-based improvements. Hind numbers have gone from zero to 850. Lifting the deer breeding and finishing component boosted the financial performance of the whole farm, he said. “The aim is to produce over 500kg of product per hectare and have an EBIT per kilogram of product of over $2 from a combination of sheep meat, wool, beef, velvet and venison. “Obviously, venison and lamb are less efficient converters than beef but have a higher value so it’s all about the balance.” His over-riding goal for the deer was increasing carcase weights at slaughter from 59kg into the mid 60s, targeting an average kill date of mid-November. The deer industry’s South Canterbury/North Otago Advance Party had been watching the overhaul at The Kowhais with a keen eye, helping Macfarlane and his team to move from weaner finisher on a small scale to breeding and finishing on a much larger scale. The farmer-led group was one of 25 around the country and Macfarlane and his team are regular contributors. Party facilitator Justin Geary said Macfarlane had a strong data collection and analysis system that allowed the group to have detailed discussion about performance and challenged the expectations in the group,

WORKING: Deer farming is proving a productive enterprise for Samantha and Tom Macfarlane.

making red clover silage for a high protein supplement to feed with fodder beet. It was exploring the opportunities of modern cocksfoot and fescues for drought tolerance and summer production while maintaining animal performance. As a keen user of fodder beet, Macfarlane and the party had been monitoring liveweight gains to manage the risk of deer “tanking” with low levels of protein in the fodder beet. Other party members had reported deer getting sick of it after 60 days of grazing, leading to a check on weight gain. But fodder beet worked well for The Kowhais, Macfarlane said. Geary said fodder beet had proved its value on The Kowhais’ steeper faces where 15 tonnes of high-quality, direct-drilled feed was a significant improvement on the previous pasture-based system. “Fodder beet is the big game changer on this property and more work is going into complementary feeding to reduce the instance of tanking at day 60-70 where it appears the weaners run out of protein,” he said. In 2016 the farm bought 1000 weaners for finishing. Weaner supply was tight at the time and sale prices were high. Around the time, the visiting party suggested I have been purchasing Gleniti Romney Rams for many years. Macfarlane increase his hind For me, they have consistently provided the following qualities to the flock: numbers to give a better • Constitution • Fertility • Mothering ability • Growth weights and wool weights balance to the external Gleniti Romneys are suited to our eastern Taranaki hill country. Their good temperament supply of weaners. Taking and mobility ensures ease of farming. A testament to the breed. the advice on board, he Loyd Bishop, Makahu, Taranaki increased breeding herd numbers to 770 hinds in 2016, with good venison Bill Hume 06 307 7847 production genetics. David Hume 06 307 7895 This year numbers lifted Gleniti, RD 2, Featherston again to meet the 850 head LK0088909©

“

particularly with weaner growth rates. In return, the party had offered The Kowhais advice from fodder beet management to practical steps to make weaning, weighing and drenching easier. As part of the refurbishment, the farm added about 60km of new fencing in the past few years and overhauled pasture and crop rotations. Much of The Kowhais was previously in high-endophyte ryegrasses or brown-top pastures. Macfarlane now maximised weaner growth rates on a host of specialist crops, like red clover, chicory clover and plantain, both under irrigated and dryland systems. He had completed a significant amount of over-sowing on broken country with plantain and clovers to ensure hind performance was also nearing its potential. The farm had also been

”

of mature breeding stock he had estimated The Kowhais could carry because of contour and country type balance. He had bred a lot of his own replacements through AI and bought good-quality hinds to build up the herd, basing his genetics on 12-month weight BVs, which were indicative of good weaner growth rates.

Venison and lamb are less efficient converters than beef but have a higher value so it’s all about the balance. Tom Macfarlane Farmer The farm held its first in-calf hind sale in June, offering 550 pregnant mixed-age hinds that were surplus. “We sold everything for an average of $665 a head and we will definitely be doing it again. Next time will be exciting as most of the breeding will be our own,” he said. Some of the sale results indicated good demand for quality venison breeding hinds. “I didn’t think the R2s would have been so highly priced. I will likely offer more R2s and R3s next time but this should suit our system anyway with breeding all hinds to red stags for replacements.” Next time he might hold the sale a little later. Some buyers said they might have needed stock but couldn’t be sure as they hadn’t scanned yet. “I think it could be an option for people with smaller herds

to buy in all their replacements as specifically bred hinds and terminal sire their whole herds to keep things simple. “Eliminating a stock class and not having to grow out replacements in a summer dry environment could be an advantage for some farmers.” The changes to the deer herd represented a significant shift on the farm, which only four years ago carried 2500 ewes, finished 3500 lambs, 300 R2 bulls, 500 R1 bulls and about 500 weaner deer. Now, The Kowhais was brimming with 2100 weaner deer and 850 hinds, including pregnant R2s. It was also running 350 R2 cattle and 550 R1 cattle. The sheep contingent was down to a modest 500 ewes. Macfarlane says the party’s input has been reassuring as the farm implemented its development, finishing and breeding and retention policies. The party’s contribution had included advice on pastures and rotations and the best animal health regimes. “There is a lot of experience around the table with our AP. The advice has been valuable on lots of small fronts rather than one big one. “A lot is reassurance that you are on the right track and to carry on,” he said. He saw the party as being important for the farm’s staff, none of whom had farmed deer before going to The Kowhais. “I try and get them to as many meetings as possible and find it gives them perspective on our farm versus others. Staff are a big part of our operation so we need them to have buy-in to the system and be progressive with us. We’re lucky to have young motivated staff who are keen to learn and adapt.”

News

farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

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Scheme links hunters with willing farmers Sandra Taylor A SCHEME linking accredited hunters with farmers wanting pests controlled is being launched in Canterbury, Marlborough and Otago. The Canterbury branch of Deer Stalkers Association was setting up an online register of skilled, accredited hunters for farmers to use. Based on the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia’s Farmer Assist programme, the register was open only to hunters whose skills had been accredited by the Deer Stalkers Association. It was up to farmers to select and contact the hunters they thought would meet their pest control requirements. No farmer details were on the register. Canterbury branch president Ian Brabbs said the hunters were insured by the association for up to $10 million and all health and safety regulatory requirements were taken care of. The scheme was advantageous for farmers because they got free pest control by skilled hunters. Farmers could select the individuals they wanted to go onto their properties. “Each visit is a separate entity so the hunters do not expect ongoing access and the farmer can change or withdraw permission to be on the property at any time.” To be part of the register shooters had to be association

FAST, POUR-ON PAIN RELIEF WIN-WIN: Deer Stalkers Association Canterbury president Ian Brabbs says hunters and farmers will benefit from a new matchmaking scheme.

members, have passed a target-shooting test and have signed an agreement to adhere to the association’s ethics and standards. To ensure pest control objectives were met, the farmer and hunter put together a property-based wildlife management plan. It outlined the landowner’s objectives, pest management strategy and timing and frequency of the pest control programme. Hunters would keep a record of what pests they saw, what they shot and what they did with carcases. At the completion of each job, both parties filled out a report to ensure expectations were met. Brabbs believed the initiative

was a win for both parties. “Farmers have access to a guaranteed, skilled resource at no cost while the hunters get access to properties they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.” Hunters paid a small fee to register and could be removed at any time if they did not meet required standards. Brabbs said the Australian programme had been very successful. Launched in Queensland five years ago, it had since been rolled-out in most states. He hoped once the programme was established in Canterbury, Marlborough and Otago it would become available in other parts of the country.

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Alliance updates meat plants ALLIANCE will invest $1.7 million in its Pukeuri and Lorneville plants to extract more value from its products. The investment would improve the recovery of offal at Pukeuri in North Otago, which at its peak employed more than 920 people. The beef pet food area would be upgraded and a new facility created to help boost the recovery of blood-based products for sale to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The blood products were

used in the development of vaccines, cancer treatments and drugs to treat neurodegenerative, haematological and endocrine disorders. The investment at Lorneville would also help extract more value from blood products. The co-operative had installed a laboratory-standard bloodprocessing facility at the plant. Chief executive David Surveyor said the range of beef offal captured at Pukeuri was limited by the size of the space at the plant. “Part of capturing more

value is optimising the collection of blood products from processed animals. This upgrade will boost the capacity of our bovine offal and blood capture facilities significantly.” There had been a substantial lift in demand from the pharmaceutical industry for New Zealandsourced blood products, he said. “We expect to collect greater volumes of blood products this year, representing real value-add for our farmershareholders.”

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20 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Kiwi helped Paraguay farming Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com ROY Gallagher, a New Zealander honoured in his adopted country of Paraguay for revolutionising pastoral farming, died there in July, aged 91. A cousin of the late Bill Gallagher senior and son Sir William Gallagher, Roy was born in 1925 into a dairy farming family, trained at Massey and worked for 18 years at Ruakura Agricultural Research Station before going overseas. He was recruited by former Ruakura director Dr Campbell McMeekan for the World Bank in 1964. After getting an agriculture diploma and doing post-graduate study at Massey, Gallagher joined Ruakura in 1945 at the Fertility Centre, where he became the second person to perfect inter-uterine artificial insemination (AI) of dairy cows at a commercial scale. At that time NZ was the first country in the world to found a national

AI service, now part of LIC. He was also an extension officer, helping organise the Farmers’ Week Conferences for up to 1000 people that became McMeekan’s pulpit for pastoral improvement. Very keen on rugby, Gallagher used a six monthsecondment to the Sigatoka Animal Research Station in Fiji to coach and play and years later he introduced rugby to his adopted homeland of Paraguay. On return to Hamilton, his research work was cattle breeding trials to confirm the heritability of growth rates and that led to cattle evaluation systems like Beefplan in NZ and Breedplan in Australia. When McMeekan called, Gallagher took his wife Mavis and two children, Michael and Michelle, to Paraguay to run a World Bank multi-million dollar project on improving the beef cattle industry. “It was one of the poorest, most isolated and corrupt countries in the world,” son Michael said. “However, we had

diplomatic status and lived a comfortable and privileged life in Asuncion.” The very hard-working Gallagher spent a long time away from home and after six years the marriage turned into separation and Mavis returned to NZ. Much later he remarried, to a Paraguayan woman, Julia Genes, and is survived by stepson Ramon, daughter Maria Luisa and son Albert. The early work involved receiving, assessing and monitoring loans to ranchers, mostly at first for fencing and almost all inspections were done on horseback. The demanding task required bringing together the often-competing agendas of politicians, central bank, development bank, rich and poor ranchers. Over 40 years the loan money transformed the Paraguayan cattle industry, extending the national herd from four to 14 million head, now the sixth-largest beef exporter in the world. With other expatriates

he founded the Asuncion Rugby Club in 1968, now one of 30 clubs playing in five divisions throughout the country. After retirement he bought farmland and became a rancher of 2800ha, an enterprise that was subsequently sold and the proceeds distributed to three generations of Gallaghers in NZ and elsewhere and to his Paraguayan family and friends. In 2016 Gallagher was honoured by the Paraguayan government with a ceremony and plaque from the Ministry of Agriculture and Stockbreeding. His brother, Don Gallagher, hosted a memorial function in West Auckland recently that featured tributes from around the world. Gallagher was remembered as a practical, resourceful, generous man who made the development of cattle ranching, establishment of grasslands and genetic improvement in Paraguay his life’s work.

HONOURED: New Zealand farmer and researcher Roy Gallagher with his plaque from the Paraguayan government.

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farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

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Dairy farms first to cop nitrate tax Richard Rennie richard.rennie@nzx.com DAIRY farmers will be first in line to pay a tax on their nitrate losses under the Greens’ fresh water policy. That charge had been set at $2 a kilogram of nitrogen leached and after three years was expected to include other land uses including drystock operations and horticulture. Council urban wastewater treatment stations would also ultimately be charged. Greens environmental spokeswoman Eugenie Sage said the party estimated the charge would cost an average Canterbury dairy farmer about $18,000 a year, based on nitrogen losses of 64kg/ha/year. In contrast someone farming on a less porous Northland soil losing 23kg a hectare a year would expect to pay only about $6000 a year. “We are not wanting to impose limits on inputs like fertiliser or stock, which is done in some countries including Ireland. “What we do want to do is leave it to farmers to decide how best to minimise their nitrogen losses through using new and best practices,” Sage said. However, farmers could not expect to simply pay the fee and not have to change their practices. Regional councils were already setting regulated limits on acceptable nitrogen losses but the Greens intended to strengthen the National Freshwater Standards to give councils stronger powers around the limits they set. “We will also be looking at ensuring the Environmental Protection Agency is not as politicised as it is now and ensure it has a stronger watchdog role in this.” The Overseer nutrient model

2017

election was central to any enforcement programme and Sage said the party acknowledged the issues it faced as an enforcement tool, given its known measurement inaccuracies. “Scientists I have spoken to tell me it requires another $10 million to be spent on it and we acknowledge it is the best tool but it does require significant Crown investment to bring it up to standard.” In an echo of the seven point Freshwater Rescue Plan released in June the Greens intended to establish a fund that would help farmers transition to lower nutrient loss systems, funded from the nitrate levy. Estimates were the nitrate tax would provide about $136 million a year in the first year, with the levy being collected through milk processors, not farmers directly. The party had also been the first to talk specifically about lowering cow numbers as one approach to reduce nitrogen loadings as an outcome of the levy. “Until now the impact of increased stocking rates has been upon the environment. We want to move that to the polluter,” Sage said. To ease the transition to lower cow numbers and more mixed farming systems, the party intended to boost funding for the Sustainable Farming Fund from $9m a year now to $60m over three years. The creation of a Transformational Farming

Partnership Fund would have $210m injected into it over three years, with an emphasis on projects that improved water quality and land use sustainability. Landcare Trust would also be on the receiving end of a serious funding boost, going from $900,000 a year to $16m over three years to allow it to upscale its work. The message on lowering cow numbers would also be driven home by banning the import of palm kernel, withdrawing the Crown Irrigation Fund and placing a moratorium on dairy farm conversion. Sage said in contrast to Labour’s recently announced freshwater policy that specified irrigators for a water tax, the Greens were trying to separate the issues of water’s value and water quality. “Labour has not done a whole sustainable farming package, which is what this is. Instead of handing out hundreds of millions to clean up waterways we see the nitrogen charge as one way to get it out of the system and have the other initiatives to help farmers achieve that. “We want to provide farmers with a means of transitioning and funds to ensure that can happen.” The party’s policy on valuing water had a base “free” allowance for human daily use with all commercial use both urban and rural being charged at a base rate. Water bottled for export would attract a 10c a litre royalty on top of the commercial base rate. “But we do not support a water market. The risk of it going the same way as a fisheries quota system is quite high.” The Greens accepted some negotiation with iwi over water’s value was part of the process.

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News

22 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Science must tell its stories Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com THE divide between evidencebased fact and perception is a key issue for media and the science community, Science Media Centre director Peter Griffin says. And bridging the gap was about getting smarter in communicating, he told an Agricultural and Horticultural Science Institute forum. It was not acceptable journalists had to go through the Official Information Act to get information. Abuse of the OIA was the result of government officials’ attitude and that needed to change, Griffin said. He urged the science fraternity to get its news out to the media to increase the chance of reporting science evidence and eliminating public perception. “We are not communicating science well enough and that can be overcome with better communication but we need people in the primary sector science community stepping up. “Media will do science better when science does media better,” Griffin said. The bigger problem in science was often not the fake news but the public relations hype.

Thousands of scientific papers were being published every week and their authors and institutions were often under intense pressure to generate interest in the research beyond the world of peer review. It meant researchers and their institutions needed to improve their game when it came to communicating their science, if they wanted to be featured in the top media outlets, Griffin said.

Scientists often disagree on their conclusions and policymakers often can’t wait for more research. Sir Peter Gluckman Government scientist The unhealthy aspect of that was the trend towards hype and sensationalism in press releases issued by research institutions. Press officers were competing with click bait and feeling pressure from their institutions to gain more “share of voice” in the media. “They know that underresourced newsrooms and general

reporters without much science reporting experience are likely to lean heavily on the press release in reporting new findings. “All of this means that when we read hyped-up stories about a scientific breakthrough the hype is as likely to have come from the scientific community as it is from overzealous reporters.” So if it was realised in hindsight that the press release didn’t quite represent the science accurately, advise the media asap with an updated press-release and retraction of the previous version, GET REAL: Science Media Centre director Peter Griffin says bridging the gap between Griffin said. scientific truth and public perception is about smarter communication. Photo: Annette Scott The Prime Minister’s chief science adviser structured had potential to put “There is a sense that we can Professor Sir Peter Gluckman said the credibility of science at risk. find simple solutions to complex social media had changed the way With short timeframes and problems but being informed science was viewed. often insufficient time to without interpretation is not The role of science as an gather adequate scientific data, enough,” he said. institution in a world where policy decisions were more “It has changed public access there was trust in experts was in frequently made with incomplete to knowledge but most of that decline. knowledge. knowledge has not passed the That was largely the result of “Scientists often disagree test.” a much more empowered and on their conclusions and Gluckman believed science was information-rich society, fuelled policymakers often can’t wait for in a “post-elite” era rather than a by interest groups, social media more research.” post-truth era. and polemic that had replaced Political parties and particularly “It is no longer the realm of dialogue on complex issues. governments also had different experts only.” There was a popular sense that agendas making his role these The fragmented way in which experts were no longer needed days one of brokerage rather than science research was funded because everyone now had an advocacy, Gluckman said. and the way career paths were answer to every problem.

Government looks to improve free-trade agreement with China THE New Zealand government has agreed a negotiating mandate for the upgrade of the free trade agreement with China, with a goal of $30 billion of twoway trade by 2020. Top of the agenda is improved terms for dairy, forestry and wood processing exporters, new rules to enhance online and digital trade and better measures to deal with non-tariff barriers, Trade Minister Todd McClay

said. The two countries currently have $24 billion in two-way trade. McClay said the mandate agreed upon would “deliver thousands of jobs and be worth billions to our economy”, with a focus on improving access and levelling the playing field for New Zealand exporters. In March, during a visit by China Premier Li Keqiang,

the government confirmed commencement of official talks on an upgrade to the nine-year old free-trade agreement between the two countries. That meeting also saw 21 other agreements signed, including a six-month trial for 10 local meat processors to sell chilled meat to China for the first time, mutual recognition of trusted exporters to speed up the

customs process, a new air services agreement to increase the number of flights between the countries, and the adoption of a climate change action plan. The countries also signed a memorandum of arrangement to find a way to draw New Zealand into China’s Belt and Road regional trade strategy. The March agreements

came after Prime Minister Bill English launched New Zealand’s refreshed trade strategy to 2030, with the government set to inject $91.3 million over the next four years to beef up the ability to negotiate new free trade deals, get more out of existing ones, and break down non-tariff barriers that have become increasingly popular as a form of protectionism. © BusinessDesk

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HOPING: William Rolleston is optimistic science will win the day in the end. Photo: Annette Scott

Fear drives public views of science Annette Scott annette.scott@nzx.com FEAR and simplicity are powerful weapons in driving public perception against scientific evidence, former Federated Farmers president Dr William Rolleston says. And when public figures abused scientific argument it led ordinary people not to trust science at a time when scientific research and progress were more important than ever, he told an Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science forum. “But don’t get me wrong, science should always be questioned. “In fact it is within the very nature of the scientific process itself to be sceptical and question everything. “The moment we stop questioning is the moment we move from science to a belief system,” Rolleston said. The gap between public perception and scientific evidence was not unique to NZ farming – it existed in many of the debates where science mattered. “Those who work to change public perception in spite of the evidence use a number of tactics. “They cherry-pick data, they drive fear, they oversimplify, they take data out of context, they deliberately confuse correlation with causation and they undermine trust. “We have seen activists use this tactic in the debates on fluoride, immunisation, 1080, climate change, genetic modification and in the debate on water. “Moreover, in these debates protagonists use fake news and half-truths to influence public perception,” Rolleston said. “Nothing we do is without risk yet the demand is often that any new technology should be risk-free.” The conservative regulation of genetic modification,

particularly, had been driven more by public perception than science. Fear was a powerful driver and as the world had become more complicated the assessment of risk had become more difficult for the individual. “We follow the simple concepts we can make sense of and we tend to gravitate to those who have simple messages. “The disadvantage for science in this narrative is that the answers are not simple, risk is assessed in uncertainties and needs to be put in context.” Rolleston said activists used the so-called precautionary principle as a weapon against scientific progress.

We follow the simple concepts we can make sense of and we tend to gravitate to those who have simple messages. William Rolleston “That is, if there is any risk in doing something, then don’t do it. This is not a useful test as it ignores the risk of the alternatives.” He acknowledged the communication of science and evidence took time and good news did not travel. It was absolutely clear that science would not progress and evidence would not drive decision-making if scientists did not speak out and communicate with the public. “My time with the World Farmers Organisation has shown me that the campaign against farming and livestock farming in particular is not confined to NZ. “It is the multinational organisation Greenpeace that has brought this international campaign against farming to our shores,” Rolleston said.

He questioned what record Greenpeace had when it came to the facts. “Hashtag toomanycows is catchy and simple but where’s the evidence? “Their anti-dairy fundraising ad campaign was sensationalist but unfortunately for DairyNZ the Advertising Standards Authority did not have to consider if it was factual – just one example. “It reflects the struggle science has in this modern world,” Rolleston said. “My point is that bad news travels fast and can be highly effective in influencing public perceptions, even if it is not right. “The risk is that decisions end up being made on perceptions rather than the evidence – I call it post-factual science.” Farmers in NZ had been proud to live without trade distorting subsidies and that had enabled them to make decisions in response to market signals rather than government whim. Farmers also stood against the imposition of market-distorting penalties such as carbon charges and water taxes. “I am optimistic that science will win the day in the end and there will not be a tension between scientific evidence and public perception, just as we now accept as a society that the Earth goes around the Sun. But Rolleston said for change to happen farmers must take charge of the narrative. Positive environmental outcomes happened when farmers saw the problems, were given ownership of them and when solutions were reasonable, practical and affordable. “Farmers need scientists to help them tell their story and we need to be open, transparent and interactive. “Farmers are already well along this journey but the public need to know that it will take time,” Rolleston said.

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GREENFINGERS: Richard Wright, left, and Andy Macklow have been planting wetlands at Hatuma and used solar power to deliver water to stock.

Sunshine powers water on Hatuma stock farm Tim Fulton tim.fulton@nzx.com A CENTRAL Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farm is using solar power to keep stock hydrated and waterways clean for less than $14,000. Waiou Family Trust member Richard Wright and lessee Andy Macklow have been planting and fencing natural springs at Hatuma, near Waipukurau.

We also don’t need a lot of sun as the pump simply slows down on a dull day. Richard Wright Waiou Family Trust Wright’s family started planting hundreds of trees on a retired area in 2011 and now a second spring was being retired, fenced and surrounded with 500 more natives. A $4500 grant from Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s landcare scheme covered half of the costs associated with protecting and restoring the wetland. It did not include the capital costs of installing the pump and

reticulation, which had already been done. The challenge was to ensure stock still had access to water. “Getting electricity to the site was too expensive and petrol pumps can be very problematic so we were keen to find a cheaper, more reliable alternative,” Wright said. As an architect with a passion for environmentally sustainable design, he investigated using a $1200 solar power to pump water to stock troughs. His solution was a submersible pump capable of pumping 400 litres an hour and powered by two 100 watt solar panels. Builders in the family built a frame and a local electrician supplied the gear and wired everything up. The system pumped water about 20 metres uphill to a 25,000 litre concrete tank and water was gravity fed to two stock troughs on the farm. “To service the tank and two stock troughs we don’t need a huge pump and because we have opted for a submersible pump it is self-priming. “We also don’t need a lot of sun as the pump simply slows down on a dull day,” Wright said. There was some investment in the tank, trough and trenching along with buying the pump

A NEW technology transfer drive will get $4000 from the Red Meat Profit Partnership for each farmer who joins. The cash was to pay for facilitators and experts. Called RMPP Action Network, it involved groups of seven to nine farmers with a shared focus led by a qualified facilitator who, along with experts, would be paid for by the RMPP. An RMPP spokesman said the action network would

progressively be rolled out but what made it different to other information extension programmes was the small number of participants, having trained facilitators and the ability to employ expertise as required. Each group would decide its aims and goals for the coming year. They would be submitted to the RMPP for approval. The organisation would pay costs up to $4000 for each farm business member. Facilitators were essential to the project with research showing gaps in previous

Yield. Feldherr. The low DM

fodder beet that doesn’t sacrifice yield.*

How much did it cost? • Solar pump $1200 • Controller $326 • Contactor and control box $262 • Two solar panels $290 each • 32mm pipe, 350m $826 • 278m cable $675 • Pipe and electrical fittings $2000 • Labour $1375 Total plumbing and electrical $7251 • Solar frame $500 • Trenching 270m $500 • Concrete tank 25,000 litres $5000 • One extra trough $224

and solar panels but there were no ongoing costs and the initial outlay was a lot less than trying to get grid power to the site. In all, the cost of materials and installation was about $13,500. Regional council senior land management adviser Warwick Hesketh said solar technology had improved to the point solar pumping was a realistic and affordable option, especially where there was no access to electricity. “The national policy statement for freshwater management means farmers do need to exclude stock from many natural water sources and solar water pumping will help them achieve that,” he said.

Red meat gets action groups Neal Wallace neal.wallace@nzx.com

Let’s talk

discussion structures in following up whether individual farmers had met their goals. The first stage being rolled out this month involved the establishment of 50 groups. Each group would identify a topic it wanted to explore in a process designed to test RMPP systems and the ease of joining and getting groups started. Phase two would begin in January creating groups for anyone wanting to be involved.

Yield matters most when it comes to driving production in animals. • High leaf yield for extra protein Ask your seed merchant or see our Fodder Beet Yield Trial Results at dlfseeds.co.nz/yieldtrials to learn more. *From DLF Fodder Beet Yield Trials conducted 2013 – 2017.

www.dlfseeds.co.nz DLFFW3

News

26 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Newsmaker

Farmer fears for the future Mid Canterbury cropping farmer David Clark has grave concern about the disconnection between food production and urban people. He talked to Annette Scott about his passion for the land and his fear for the future of farming in New Zealand.

AVID Clark is a full time, working arable farmer, passionate about the greater industry and its sustainability for future generations. The Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers vice president says the farming industry has been good to him and his involvement in Feds is one way he can give back to the industry. If there is an issue to sort, Clark will be there to contribute his bob’s worth for the betterment of farming. He has been involved with numerous arable industry issues, taking a particular interest in improving biosecurity. He visited Malaysia in 2012 to check out the controversial palm oil industry and in 2013 pitched in to organise 15,000 bales of ryegrass straw to be shipped to drought-stricken North Island farmers. That’s just a skiff off the top of his extensive contribution and keenness to get involved in wider farming issues and activities. But a modest Clark said it was his chance to give back. “This industry has been good to us and Feds is an opportunity to give back to the wider farming industry where I can. “I see it as putting my shoulder into the scrum,” he said. Clark’s farming roots began on the family’s town milk dairy farm at Clevedon, South Auckland. An inter-generational farmer, his family has been farming in New Zealand for almost 140 years with its beginnings in the 1870s when his great grandfather, Australian-born Joseph Clark, jumped ship as an orphan in Auckland. He bought farmland in the Thames area and the family had farmed continuously in various parts of NZ since. On leaving school Clark worked on a sheep and beef farm at Orere. “I was very fortunate to be employed by the Cashmore family and it was this opportunity that set my course for my farming career.” While up north Clark also established his own contracting business. In 1994 he sold up the contracting business, the family farm was sold and the Clark family pooled resources to head south and take on a big, rundown dryland sheep property in Mid Canterbury. Historically farming in partnership with his parents, Terry and Pam, Clark and his

CLEAN HERE: David Clark regularly swims with his children in the river that bounds his farm – in fact he quite happily drinks it.

wife Jayne set about developing the property while also starting another contracting business, which the couple sold in 2010 to invest in more efficient irrigation. Their operation crops 400 hectares in cereals, small seeds and vegetables, carries 1000 ewes and normally fattens 8000 store lambs.

It really saddens me to hear and read the hatred and vitriol that has been brought into this election campaign. David Clark Farmer While Clark accepts farming will always have its challenges, it’s the upcoming election policies that have him fired up. “In our business we are challenged to produce food at the lowest price in the world. “We do so by employing worldleading technology to be some of the most efficient producers on the planet.” So Labour’s proposed water

tax, an Emissions Trading Scheme that would have Kiwi farmers trying to compete in the global marketplace with one hand tied behind their back, the Greens’ proposed $2/kg nitrogen tax, the suggestion of capital gains tax and to top it off, union-dominated industrial relations, “which would take us back to the 70s” had him baffled. “I am not sure where Labour and Greens think all this money is coming from because it’s certainly not in a tin under the pillow. “All of the money for these taxes has got to come from somewhere and that somewhere is out of rural business in our rural towns due to reduced farm spending,” Clark said. “Union-dominated labour relations would mean standardised pay rates, work to rule and the unions flexing their muscle by having the (processing) works on strike every January and the ferries on strike every school holidays – behaviour we have not seen for 30 years in NZ. “Capital gains tax will take us back to the time of death duties and put a major impediment in the way of intergenerational ownership of farmland.” Farm succession required capital to pay out non-farming siblings to fund the purchase of land for another farming sibling

or the purchase of a house for the retiring generation. “Often families struggle at this point and if you then tax the working life rise in value of the land that money, that would have otherwise funded the settling of family obligations, will be lost to government by way of tax.” That would lead directly to either greater corporate ownership of the land or the English situation of land held in trust by wider family groups with the farmer just a leasehold tenant and not having land as collateral to raise working capital. “My real fear is that the culmination of all these policies, as an outright attack on the production sector, has the very real risk of causing the collapse of the economic confidence that has prevailed since the 80s. “It really saddens me to hear and read the hatred and vitriol that has been brought into this election campaign and I am very concerned at the rift between urban and rural and the disconnection between food production and our population.” Clark accepted farming had an environmental footprint and farming practices needed to and were changing because of environmental regulation. But he strongly opposed a tax

Photo: Annette Scott

on water to clean up degraded waterways. “Water tax is grossly unfair in that it taxes the use of water to fund waterway restoration when the main water degradation is in areas of no irrigation.” Interestingly, Clark noted, the three key policies Labour proposed to implement were already in place by way of the Canterbury Land and Water Plan. “But I don’t think that is the end of the debate. “We regularly swim with our children in the river that bounds our farm – in fact I would happily drink it. “In comparison, I cannot swim in the Avon or Heathcote (Christchurch city rivers) yet the Left are silent on urban water quality issues. “We all have a footprint on this planet and poor water quality has many causes and we are all responsible for the many solutions. “Taxing only one group is not the solution. “My principle of farming is this is an intergenerational business and we must leave it in better order than when we started. “I am but a caretaker and would hope that at least one of my children might take our family forward as food producers – that is our turangawaewae.”

New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Riparian survey to capture stream data As the go-to option for managing sediment runoff, bugs and nutrients there are surprisingly few case studies showing how different approaches to riparian plantings work. Now Niwa researchers hope to change that with a national online survey for before setting up a riparian restoration database. Richard Rennie spoke to freshwater ecologist Richard Storey who is leading the initiative.

ARMERS are being invited to provide information on their riparian plantings to help measure their effectiveness and provide a pool of data for future plantings. “Riparian plantings are now a major investment people all over the country are working on and that includes dairy processors and industry groups,” Niwa scientist Dr Richard Storey said. “But information is patchy on just how much is going on and if it is always having the effect they want it to.” Fonterra suppliers alone had fenced 24,000km of waterways while the DairyNZ Water Accord reported cattle were now excluded from 97.2% of waterways on dairy farms. Niwa had set up an online survey site, https://riparian.niwa. co.nz, and was inviting farmers and landowners to enter details of their riparian projects, including photos and species details. Perhaps surprisingly, what data Niwa already had on riparian strips and stream health had delivered something of a mixed bag of data on their success. “The water quality improvements are there in most of them,” Storey said.

“However, when it comes to whether insect and fish life comes back, that is less predictable. “In some cases you may well find the invertebrate species like mayflies, that are a good indicator of stream health, just are not there despite the plantings.” While far from being watery deserts, the water systems bore a resemblance to where they needed to be but could fall short. The options for repopulation might include relocation of freshwater species into the stream within the planted or fenced riparian area. Another might be to encourage corridors of protected vegetation and waterways that allowed the species to spread naturally. The second phase of the project intended to help with that understanding. It would let farmers become “citizen scientists” with researchers making a selection of farmers from the survey responses who could be trained, equipped and supported as volunteers to monitor the water quality and stream life in their protected water courses. Storey acknowledged riparian strips were by no means a silver bullet solution for the farming sector.

FULL VIEW: NIWA freshwater ecologist Dr Richard Storey will look into the effect riparian planting has on water quality. Photo: Sarah Brook “There has been a lot in media on how successful they are. “They don’t necessarily stop nitrate getting into streams if the groundwater flow bypasses the root zone of the riparian vegetation and pops up into the stream from deep springs but there are a number of other benefits they do offer for water quality and biology.

We are confident riparian planting is an effective long-term approach to improving waterway health. Dr Richard Storey NIWA

“They can indirectly help reduce nitrate’s impact by tree plantings shading water courses, in turn reducing the amount of algal growth that would otherwise develop due to nitrate levels in the water.” Once determined, the area of riparian plantings could also

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provide farmers with a useful indicator of their ability to deal with another environmental issue circling farm businesses, climate change. “While they tend to be too narrow to be recognised as carbon-offsetting forests under current ETS rules, the riparian strips at least give farmers some sense they have helped offset their own emissions by planting them.” Niwa scientists were also working to determine the economic contribution riparian zones could offer through plantings such as manuka for honey production “We are looking at a number of different products to grow there, including iwis’ medicinal plants and flaxes.” The second phase of the project would give farmers tools for watercourse sampling. Niwa has a Stream Health Monitoring and Assessment Kit and was considering the addition of real-time water sensors for webbased updates on watercourse health. Despite some gaps in information to date, researchers do have some ideas on what constitutes a successful riparian area.

“The longer the strip is the greater its success will be because it takes a while for the temperature to drop and nutrients to be absorbed. The most successful ones are at least several hundred metres long.” Generally, they should be 10m wide with dense plantings in part to reduce weed infestation and with thick grasses on the farm edge to act as a “mop” for initial runoff. But ideal width for water quality benefit varied depending on factors including the adjacent land’s slope, length and soil drainage. Storey said more information would also help determine how long restoration took to occur. “Relatively quick responses are possible from pathogenic bugs and fine sediment reductions that occur with riparian strips. “You can see a change within a few short years.” But there can also be surprises due to legacy effects of stream channel narrowing in pasture. He urged farmers not to despair over the time it might take systems to repair and improve. “We are confident riparian planting is an effective long-term approach to improving waterway health.”

Opinion

28 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

EDITORIAL Science must win hearts and minds

Bryan Gibson

LETTERS

More letters P31

Calf welfare ignores disbudding pain PRIMARY Industries Minister Nathan Guy and his Ministry for Primary Industries cohorts are failing New Zealand farmers and NZ’s reputation once again. Given that many of the new animal welfare reforms are long overdue, MPI’s pencil-pushing policymakers have failed once again to get off their concrete-seated backsides in Wellington and put in place “best practice disbudding regulations” in a sensible timeframe. Farmers expected the requirement for use of pain relief to become compulsory, preferably this season or at the latest in 2018. A study of pain in cattle in 2012 stated disbudding without some form of pain relief is the near-equivalent of breaking a calf’s leg or 7/10 on the pain scale – a considerable

more amount of pain than being carelessly mishandled. So, Guy has designated that it will take three years to embed this process. Absolute bollocks. Training can take place in a matter of hours and processes for legal use of the restricted veterinary medicine can be simply completed. Vets all use anaesthetic as do the best contractors in the industry. The cost to use anaesthetic is minimal. Overseas buyers are demanding our dairy companies make this a compulsory requirement. However up to 50% of calves are still disbudded without any pain relief. No doubt Guy’s conscience is clear with the fact that hundreds of thousands of calves that will feel the pain equivalent of a broken leg because of his complete lack of empathy and insight.

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Passion remains I WRITE in response to the comment in Alan Emerson’s Alternative View, titled Ag scientists must speak up (NZ Farmers Weekly, August 21). Emerson observes the need for scientific champions and laments Jaqueline Rowarth’s move to the state sector. He should be delighted to know that in her role as chief scientist at the EPA, an independent Crown entity, Rowarth continues to play a pivotal role in promoting

scientific understanding among New Zealanders on issues related to our mandate. Rowarth participates in a diverse range of scientific conferences and events, authors articles on aspects of science relating to the environment and is a frequent commentator on these issues on radio and television. She has long been an advocate for using accurate science and data to make good decisions about the management of NZ’s natural resources and remains dedicated to promoting awareness of science and the importance of research to schools, interest groups and society in general. Rowarth’s passion for science and communication of its benefits and applications remains undaunted. Allan Freeth Chief executive, EPA

Letterof theWeek

EDITOR Bryan Gibson bryan.gibson@nzx.com

I wonder why bobby calf pens are so much more important. Most would be appalled by this and many vets and good farmers are calling on this to be immediately rectified.

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HE election campaign can seem a little overwhelming, with political parties firing out policy promises left and right, some of which are more detailed than others. The Labour Party’s plan to put a price on irrigation water is one policy that has consumed a lot of column inches in Farmers Weekly recently but there are many others that will impact on farmers. Tweaks to the tax system, resource management and climate change policies are just a few that are being pitched to the electorate. Of course, science is the basis for these policies or at least it should be. But science can often be used and abused in arguments about how to care for our environment or how to grow our food or how to manage our resources. At the recent New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences event former Federated Farmers president Dr William Rolleston argued that interested parties often cherry-picked science to suit their needs and that fear and simplicity were driving public perception against scientific evidence. Science communication has emerged in recent years as a discipline that’s almost as important as the science itself. For scientific progress to be enacted in everyday life, it needs to be communicated, understood and signed off by decision makers and the public. What we often get, though, is different factions using science to back their view. This is where it gets tricky, as researchers work in a tightly-defined field and one study might not be suitable as evidence to back a policy that has wide-ranging effects. The research done by a freshwater ecologist will differ from that of an animal production scientist but both are often used as ammunition in debate. Many of our science institutes are moving to collaborative hubs that invite crossdiscipline research. Science is done to benefit people and the planet so perhaps those hubs should include the social sciences and humanities as well. If research has the interests of the community with it from the beginning it will have a better chance of having the support of the community once it’s done.

Opinion

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Can we produce next axe handle? Conor English

HE axe handle was incredibly important for the human race. By combining three previously separate elements – a stone, a stick and string – humans invented a tool that gave them leverage and strength to better hunt animals that were faster and stronger than us. It increased the distance you could throw a stone and the force of the blow. The axe handle is a big reason why we became top of the food chain. But why? Separately, a stone, stick or piece of string are not much use. But some handy caveman decided to use the string to tie the stone to the stick. He, or maybe she, combined different technologies so the sum of the parts was far greater than the parts operating separately. And so it is often with technology and know-how. We all know the story of Kodak going broke because it failed to realise a camera should be put to your ear to talk to other people. Apple combined the sum of the parts – the phone and the camera along with the calculator, maps, music player etc all into one and changed the world. They joined the dots. New Zealand has a deserved reputation for productivity and quality with our traditional farm systems. Our fresh air and grass-fed, freerange systems have helped build a nation. Now, globally, significant capital is starting to flow into the agtech and food tech space. New technologies will both assist innovation and create disruption.

The

Pulpit

NZ needs to be on its game. The Internet of Things along with increasingly sophisticated sensors will see humans, devices and systems all connected. Information is available in real time, which will enable constant optimising. This will fundamentally change how products are invented, manufactured, shipped and sold.

Alternative proteins such as labproduced meat are a real threat. Relationships across the supply chain will change. Emerging technologies such as big data, drones, genomics, smart devices and machinery, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence and machine learning, satellite and imagery among others, provide

opportunities to improve our existing farm systems. All these technologies help make more optimal decisions, thus reducing risk and improving productivity and returns. Those who adopt these technologies will prosper and attract more capital. Over time they will prevail over those who choose to ignore them. Other countries are in the race as well. I’ve been in Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Rwanda looking at farm systems and everywhere I go there is always someone from Australia, Ireland, Holland or Israel there as well. They are competing hard to be global leaders in ag and food tech. They are not sitting still. Any advantage we believe we have will soon be superseded if we don’t keep moving forward ourselves and fast. But that is not all there is to think about. As well as these essentially complementary technologies to existing systems and supply chains, we also have the disrupters. These might put the status quo under significant pressure. The block chain is often mentioned. I am not sure we really understand it yet but we instinctively know it will change things significantly. Alternative proteins such as labproduced meat are a real threat. We know synthetic carpet disrupted and captured the global wool carpet market, destroying value in the traditional sheep wool industry. This new meat could do the same to traditional meat producers. Plant-based meat substitutes are also gaining momentum as are alternative non-dairy milk products.

GOOD AND BAD: New technologies will help innovation and create disruption in agriculture and food, Agribusiness New Zealand chairman Conor English says.

Vertical farming or indoor farming, as it is sometimes called, builds on the initial hydroponic systems using advances in energy and light technologies among others. It is creating a new generation of super-efficient food production in an urban environment. This post-organic technology allows fresh, plant-based food to be grown in a city, dramatically shortening the supply chain and enabling food without pesticides or herbicides. If the cost can continue to reduce, it will be a compelling story for many consumers. These new foods, along with food printing technology, allow the convergence of food and medicine. The eat-for-health trend will become more achievable as the increased transparency and

information throughout the supply chain will allow more informed consumers to eat what most suits their body’s requirements. Just as the axe handle allowed the human race to prevail, NZ needs to put its mind to discovering the next combination of technologies that are going to keep our country at the forefront of ag and food technology. That is going to take capital, risk and some out of the box thinking. There is much to do if we want to lead the race.

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

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Opinion

30 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Threats require a farming response Alternative View

Alan Emerson

I HAD a most enjoyable trip to Taranaki last week. I’d been asked to speak to the Western North Island Beef + Lamb annual meeting, which was an interesting event. The trip was certainly worthwhile. There was a good crowd of farmers and it was great to get out and about at grassroots level. Local director Kirsten Bryant was most impressive. Her presentation on B+LNZ’s projects was highly informative. I didn’t have a problem with the vast majority of the initiatives and certainly welcome the organisation’s efforts to work with other farming groups. Chairman Bevan Proffit and extension officer Jason Griffin discussed local initiatives and there were many. They certainly gave the impression of being a focussed, on the ball organisation. I wanted to air my concerns

about our ability to continue farming. I believe the threats to farming’s future are both real and present. For example, the Canterbury Regional Council has told the Government farming in Selwyn District will have to close down if it is to meet the Government’s national water standards. I can’t see the Government relaxing its standards. The problem is Lake Ellesmere, which was a cess pit when I fished its tributaries decades ago. Nothing has changed and it’s never going to with thousands of ducks and geese crapping at will but that’s not a farming problem. The good news is there could be sheep farming at Selwyn, limited to half an animal a hectare. There’s also the conservation order on the Ngaruroro River sought by our old friends Fish and Game and Forest and Bird along with a local marae. If successful it will mean, according to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham, that the Heretaunga Plains is finished. Those plains are a valuable contributor to NZ’s wealth. Taranaki was having problems too. Taranaki Regional Council’s environmental director Gary Bedford told the council policy and planning meeting Taranaki would have to get rid of its cows

and control the weather to meet national water swimmability standards “As long as cows continue to graze in paddocks and as long as it rains in Taranaki and there is surface runoff from heavy rainfall, the region could not meet the standards,” he said. The threats to farming are real. I supported the formation of the Farming Leaders Group and would like to see its activities extended to form a pan-industry lobby with the aim of righting misconceptions and selling the farming story. It needn’t be large or expensive but would need a reputable scientist, as I’ve previously mentioned, a writer to offer balanced opinion pieces in the non-farming media and a social media expert. The latter two positions could be part time. It needs to be led by a streetwise and media savvy person, either a farmer or someone close to farming. It is vital for farming. Federated Farmers does an excellent job with the limited resources it has combined with the incredibly high workload. The problem is its budget is less than $6 million. The combined income of Greenpeace, Fish and Game and Forest and Bird is more than $27m.

HOSTS: Taranaki farmers Helen and Bryan Hocken.

Also factor in that I believe Greenpeace bagging farmers and not letting facts get in the way of a good story is more about generating income than fixing the environment. We must counter that and now. I went up to Taranaki at the invitation of Bryan Hocken. You’d remember him as Taranaki Feds chairman during the fart tax protest that he inspired. He was on the steps of Parliament rallying the troops with his megaphone while then MP Shane Ardern drove Myrtle the tractor up the steps. It was a high drama that farmers won. Hocken was pivotal in that and we’ve kept in contact since. I stayed the night with Bryan and Helen Hocken and it was a great night, helped in no small part by the company and a superb Aberlour whisky. Hocken is an enthusiast who I’m sure could do anything except stand still.

His farm, now owned by daughter and son-in-law Sarah and Jarred Coogan, is a jewel in the crown of Taranaki farming. They farm 6000 stock units on 460 hectares and do so superbly well. We did a full farm tour and his pride and passion for the enterprise were amazing. It is hard hill country, you don’t see thistles or rushes, the pasture is to be envied and the stock is in great shape. As well as being on the local B+LNZ council he chairs both the local hall committee and the dog trial club. Elected Mayor of Tarata during the centennial of 1989 he is passionate about the community. He is also passionate about his family and farming. We need more like him.

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

Meanwhile… in the real world Meaty Matters

Allan Barber

THERE are large operators, small suppliers, traders and third party agents and in times of tight livestock supply the lines between them start to get a bit blurred and the classifications move around, depending on who is making the judgement. From a competitor’s perspective one company’s large supplier is a trader who is always presumed to earn a massive premium over schedule, far higher than loyal suppliers who don’t have the same bargaining power. Of course, it’s invariably other companies that are the guilty parties when it comes to using third-party agents, generally the stock firms. As always, the truth isn’t quite so simple. In an ideal world all meat companies would source their livestock from contracted suppliers who would supply guaranteed volumes at the right time to the desired specification. For that they would be rewarded

with a genuinely market-related payment providing them with a profit. There would be no prime stock sold through sale yards because that adds cost and puts another link in the traceability chain. In the real world, annoying factors like competition, space availability, weather and market forces get in the way. But it’s been a long time since processors could depend entirely on their own buying team to fill the plant every week because, unfortunately, monogamous relationships between farmer and meat works are comparatively rare. In any case, before company livestock buyers came on the scene it was the stock agent who handled sales to the works. Recently, at least in the South Island, more lines have been bought in sale yards and sold directly to the meat works, which, if processors are to be believed, puts all the risk back on the trader. Meat companies assure me they pay only schedule, agreed premium and headage to the agent based on the slaughter weight and the agent bears the risk of stock not killing out at the right weight and price. However, one senior executive told me the situation in the sale yards this year was “ridiculous” in spite of similar lamb volumes

this year compared with last. As livestock volumes have diminished across the board, procurement competition has increased and there has been greater reliance on traders and buying in the sale yards, more so in the South than in the North Island. Alliance is seen as the main aggressor and chairman Murray Taggart accepts the company now tends to lead the field on price, a fact he attributes to efficiency gains with a lot of costs being taken out of the business coupled with price gains in the market. He maintains Alliance does not spend much time worrying about its competitors but now feels confident enough to run its own race. Taggart says Alliance is actually much closer to its co-operative principles than before, sticking to price structures that suppliers are informed of at the annual and supplier meetings. All shareholder suppliers can qualify for specific volume-based incentives and a farm quality assurance premium (FQA) that applies only to stock supplied with clear traceability. Only rarely does the company stray outside the specified volumes applicable to a premium level, usually to avoid losing a valuable supplier, but Taggart admits all rules can

be broken in case of necessity. To earn the FQA premium the supplier must clearly demonstrate the farm of origin, which would generally disqualify any livestock bought through sale yards. In the North Island traders have always been an important source of livestock, which meat companies have generally been content to use to protect their market share. Warren Robinson is a wellknown Waikato trader who buys and consolidates large quantities of cull cows for sale to several processors, for which he receives a premium. This arrangement suits all the parties: the sale yards get the yard fees, agents earn their commission, Robinson knows he has more than one buyer willing to pay an acceptable price for a substantial volume of cows while the processors can fill capacity without having to buy them in small lots from individual dairy farmers who want them off the farm as quickly as possible. That type of trade is totally different to the chilled lamb and prime beef segment of the market that demands traceability or proof of provenance. This doesn’t mean traders or, preferably, large suppliers have no role to play, especially during the short processing season leading up to chilled Christmas shipments.

The difficulty is to distinguish between large suppliers who can meet production requirements from their own properties to those who operate as traders, consolidating lines of lambs from several properties to meet volume commitments. It would be naive to expect processors and suppliers to stop dealing through traders and third parties or putting lines through the sale yards because of the traditions and structure of the New Zealand red meat sector. But the industry’s increased dependence on targeting high end global consumers prepared to pay for guaranteed quality demands absolute credibility underpinning the red meat story. This will require total compliance with a tight set of specifications involving not just eating quality but also traceable provenance and sustainability of production methods. In a world of cheaper alternatives we have no choice but to move upmarket and we can’t do that by buying or selling through third parties. It’s time to walk the walk.

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

Opinion

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

A babe in the woods makes a complaint From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

I TOOK a complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority over TVNZ’s Sunday programme The Price of Milk. I’ve just finally heard the result of the complaint and, not surprisingly, lost the case. I say not surprisingly because I quickly learned in these matters one comes up against clever and articulate lawyers and if you haven’t taken a complaint before, one can be like a babe in the woods in comparison. I’ll give you an idea of the process, which might be of use should you ever see garbage masquerading as journalism and feel inclined to do something about it. Attitude Pictures received $160,000 from NZ on Air and

one must wonder if there is any accountability from the funders as to the quality and integrity of the product delivered. The programme aired on April 9 and the following day I complained to the broadcaster that the programme was not fair, balanced or accurate. As you may recall, the programme visited two quite different farms, neither representative of the dairy industry.

I quickly learned in these matters one comes up against clever and articulate lawyers.

The programme claimed it was going to give farmers’ views on the issues after several programmes that had given the sector a good beating. The conventional one was filmed in an exceedingly wet

period complete with mud for Africa with dark brooding skies, cows in distress and even the slaughter of a home kill heifer for good measure. The organic lifestyle property was filmed in summer with the flowers flowering, the birds singing and the farmer an antipodean version of Heidi. Now I know bad journalism when I see it but I was incensed enough to take a complaint instead of just shouting at the television, which I did the following day. TVNZ used up all its allowable days before coming back to me saying it didn’t agree with my complaint. Well they wouldn’t, would they? This allowed me to then take my complaint to the BSA. I learned that the original complaint is the one that goes through the process. I should have spent more time crafting it and putting my argument together more coherently over several days rather than knocking it up in the heat of the moment. I found out further compelling

UP AGAINST IT: Television New Zealand employs lawyers to repel complaints about the standard of its programmes.

information to back my argument while waiting for TVNZ’s initial response, which I put in front of the BSA with my complaint but TVNZ’s lawyers had that removed because it wasn’t part of the complaint I had directed to them. There is some toing and froing between the parties but you quickly see that you are the layman in the process. Then you wait several months for the BSA to make a ruling. The BSA is a good institution that we have and a decent check and balance on the broadcasting

LETTERS

media. I see from its website that most complaints are not upheld but some are. If I so wished, I could take this one further step and appeal against the BSA decision with the High Court. It could be interesting but I suppose I should instead focus on getting the docking finished.

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

More letters P28

Logic and reasoning on immigrants a puzzle I HAVE no doubt that Steve Wyn-Harris and Dan Elderkamp are both likeable fellows and the interchange of views over the pros and cons of the Ruataniwha Dam proposal is positive in stimulating widespread discussion and debate. I am puzzled, though, by some of Wyn-Harris’ logic and reasoning and wonder what his point is when he states that “folk like Dan, who emigrate to this country and end up in a place like Central Hawke’s Bay” and that “we welcome these new people”. I would suggest that most of us in NZ are either immigrants or descendants of immigrants and Wyn-Harris’ surname might indicate he is also relatively new to a place like Central Hawke’s Bay.

The changes experienced by farmers in the 1980s certainly changed the way we farm to survive but is this different to countless other businesses through NZ that have faced or are facing similar challenges to survive? An example is the businesses in Woodville facing the closure of the Manawatu Gorge. There is no doubt they will take stock of the situation, adapt and carry on in the best way possible and we won’t hear a bleat about the great difficulty they face in 20 years’ time. Indeed, farming has moved from the 1980s with some change in land use, lateral thinking, forward planning and greater efficiency and even these processes have

contributed to a fall in rural population and school rolls in some areas – presumably in Central Hawke’s Bay to a degree. Obviously this has also occurred in some regions where there is plentiful rainfall and no need for irrigation. Wyn-Harris notes “dam opponents tell us that onfarm storage is the answer although this has a much higher unit cost than water from a scheme.” This is still an option for farmers and other businesses facing a drier future. Those farmers and businessmen (along with their counterparts in Woodville) will apply lateral thinking and good planning to prosper and deal with challenges for the next 100 years.

Proven eczema genetics – but so much more

What I consider to be most unfortunate about Wyn-Harris’ reply to Elderkamp from Forest and Bird’s “serve” is when he states that “what is difficult to swallow is when someone like Dan does everything he can to deny a sustainable economic future for our district’s youth, then decamps to the Waikato, a region I note doesn’t require irrigation through summer and has a heavy dependence on dairy with consequent burgeoning of school rolls and plentiful prospects”. Of course, Forest and Bird and Elderkamp are interested only in preserving our natural bush, habitat and fauna nationwide and any suggestion that it is an attempt at economic sabotage for Central

John Reeves 07 825 4763

Hawke’s Bay is totally irresponsible and should be beneath WynHarris’ dignity. In conclusion I could ask WynHarris’ opinion perhaps to be answered in a later column. In NZ there are about 4300 QEII National Trust covenants, extending protection of our natural heritage across NZ’s productive lands where it is at risk. Would he be comfortable with any decision or law change to destroy 22 hectares of any one of those covenants and the rights of any covenantor – often farmers – in the name of building an irrigation dam? Dale Percy Pahiatua

Alastair Reeves 07 825 4925

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World

32 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Glanbia claims world first with five-year milk price IRISH co-op Glanbia has offered farmers a five-year, fixed-price milk contract it claims is a world first. The contract allowed producers to lock in 10-100% of their milk price at 31 eurocents a litre (28p/ litre or NZ$7.22/kg MS) at 3.6% butter fat and 3.3% protein. Glanbia’s 4800 family farms would also have the option of locking into a five-year feed contract with Glanbia Ireland’s Gain Animal Nutrition range. Dairy farmers would receive a €30/t (£27.30/t) loyalty discount on all dairy feed that must be bought from the processor for the duration of the contract. Those who took part in the feed loyalty scheme would receive a “feed adjustor” of 2-3 eurocents/ litre depending on the volume committed to the scheme and level of feed use. That would take the maximum contract price to 33-34 eurocents/ litre (30-30.91p/litre). The new contract would go live from January 1 and if oversubscribed the processor would prioritise applicants also

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taking part in the feed loyalty scheme. “This deal represents a sensational offer for farmers,” dairy expert Chris Walkland said. “A price of 28p/litre was where retailer premiums were last year and every producer would have grabbed that price with both hands then. “If producers can get their cost of production down to 25-26p/litre and guarantee profit margins there is so much planning and reinvestment they can achieve across a five-year period.” Walkland estimated the fixed price was about 10% higher than the average milk price over the past five years and was something Irish producers would definitely be interested in. “For some reason, the Irish seem to be setting the pace on fixed-term contracts. “We are quite a long way away from these sorts of contracts in the United Kingdom but we are starting the journey at eliminating volatility for non-aligned farmers,” Walkland said. Muller has announced a Direct Future contract available to its 700 nonaligned dairy farmers in Britain. “In the long term, this is the

agrievents

Wednesdays 20/09/2017, 18/10/2017 & 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/ Wednesdays 13/09/2017, 11/10/2017, 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-yourfarming-business/

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Wednesday 18/10/2017 to Thursday 19/10/2017 East Coast Field Days 2017 Two day agri business event, promoting agriculture in the East Otago area. Venue: Palmerston saleyards, State Highway 85, Palmerston, Otago Contact: President, Paul Mutch, 021 800 833 or Secretary, Maria Barta, 021 211 1111 Email: info@eastotagofielddays.co.nz Website:www. eastotagofielddays.co.nz

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

CERTAINTY: Linking a portion of farm production to futures prices can protect farmers from farmgate milk price uncertainty, Muller agricultural director Rob Hutchinson says.

milkprices.com said “This contract allows suppliers to take an element of control in order to build some milk price stability into their businesses. “At the same time, the ability via the Muller farmer website to lock in volume through fresh deals at a set time each month also adds a new dimension of flexibility for the supplier.” Lactalis, County Milk, Yew Tree Dairy and Crediton Dairy also now offered fixed price contracts. UK Farmers Weekly

Linking a proportion of your farm’s production to the futures market could help to protect your business from uncertainty. Rob Hutchinson Muller

Hands-free hectare harvest here

AWDT’s Escalator 2018 Applications for AWDT’s Escalator 2018, growing primary industry leaders, are now open. Applications close September 30, 2017 To apply: Admission to Escalator is by written application. Places are limited to 14 each year. For an application pack and more information please contact: www.awdt.org.nz/ programmes/escalator/ Phone: 06 377 4560, Hannah@awdt.org.nz

Friday 27/10/2017 to Sunday 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

direction the UK dairy industry should head to. “Even one-, two- and threeyear contracts that can iron out volatility must be welcomed,” Walkland said. Muller’s new Direct Futures contract was an effort to mitigate milk market volatility for its 700 non-aligned farmers. Producers would be able to commit up to 25% of their annual milk supply for up to 12 months ahead into a fixed-price contract, linked to the UK Milk Futures Equivalent (UKMFE). “Linking a proportion of your farm’s production to the futures market could help to protect your business from uncertainty caused by changes in the farmgate price,” Muller agricultural director Rob Hutchinson said. “Certainty on future milk price will enable you to better forecast your business margin.” Muller would offer an initial 35m litres of milk into the first 12-month phase starting in September, with a further two phases planned for January and April, which would take the total volume to 100m litres. If the contract was oversubscribed Muller would divide the volume out with the minimum allocation of 10,000 litres first then evenly allocate any remaining volumes among producers. Stephen Bradley of

A CROP experiment aiming to be the first in the world to be grown from start to finish using only drones and autonomous vehicles is about to be harvested. The crop of spring barley grown in Britain by Harper Adams University in partnership with Precision Decisions would be harvested in the next three weeks by an autonomous combine. The Hands-Free Hectare team had been working hard to ensure the robotic combine would be ready in time. Project lead Kit Franklin said he expected the crop to yield reasonably well despite misses where the autonomous tractor was not driving straight. “The combine is using very similar systems to the ones we established on the tractor that we used for spraying, drilling and rolling our hectare,” Franklin said. “There’s a large number of actuators to move and control all of the systems on the combine which have had to be fitted.” While the harvest was looking promising, the project had not gone completely to plan.

LOOK MUM, NO HANDS: The CLAM crop sampling drone system is used on the Hands Free Hectare.

After successfully drilling and rolling the crop the team missed the target for applying a pre-emergence spray because of the time taken to reconfigure the tractor. “Sadly, we missed that target but we have since managed to get on our T1 and T2 fungicides, including a herbicide to help tackle some grass weeds we were seeing and micronutrients to aid the crop growth,” Franklin said.

The team’s agronomist, Hutchinsons’ Kieran Walsh, had to rely on a robot scout to bring back soil and plant samples from set points in the field for him to examine. He said the project forced him to think “outside the box” to be able to give the best agronomic advice. “For me this has been one of the most challenging parts of the project as I get a feel of what crops are doing when I walk through a field.

“With our hands-free crop I’ve studied the scout video footage very closely to determine the weed levels and disease on the crop,” he said. “We’ve also used live streaming from mission control which has been very useful. “This has enabled me to ask the team to pick certain plants and check specific areas for disease levels and crop growth stages.” UK Farmers Weekly

World

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Views differ on Britain’s future BRITISH farmers are in a precarious position when it comes to Brexit, a report examining possible future trading arrangements between the United Kingdom and European Union says. The year-long analysis examined the impact of three different post-Brexit trade agreements on UK agricultural productivity and prices. It was done by economists from the Belfast-based Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in conjunction with the University of Missouri in America. A bespoke free-trade agreement with the EU – in line with the goals of the UK government’s Brexit White Paper – would lead to relatively small changes in producer prices, the paper said. Such an arrangement would involve tariff- and quota-free access for UK exports to the EU and tariff- and quota-free access for imports into the UK from the EU. But the study incorporated additional trade facilitation costs arising from crossborder paperwork, food safety inspections and delays at ports. It suggested changes in farmgate prices across all agricultural commodities under the scenario would rise or fall by as little as 3%. In the absence of a free-trade agreement, the UK would revert to World Trade Organisation tariffs, at least in the short term. Under that scenario, most favoured nation (MFN) tariffs would be applied on UK exports to the EU and likewise imports from the EU to the UK.

I think that we are in a safe place. Colin Rayner Farmer

TALKING: National Farmers Union president Meurig Raymond and Chancellor Philip Hammond discussed Britain’s agricultural future at the Chertsey Agricultural Show.

The study said that would lead to significant disruptions to trade between the UK and EU though the impact would vary across different farm sectors. Dairy prices were projected to increase by 30% while those for beef would rise 17%, pork would go up by 18% and poultry 15% because the UK was a net importer of those products. Although that should benefit producers there would also be knock-on consequences in the form of higher consumer prices, the report said. But some producers would suffer, with sheep and barley prices projected to fall by 30% and 5% respectively because the UK was a net exporter of those products. The report said the negative price impact would be particularly marked in the sheep sector

because of the large quantity of sheep meat exported from the UK to the EU. The third scenario examined was unilateral trade liberalisation where the UK reduced tariffs on imports from the EU and the rest of the world. This scenario would see the UK set zero tariffs on imports to the UK from both the EU and the rest of the world even though UK exports would be subject to MFN tariffs. The report said it would have a depressing impact on UK prices across all commodities, particularly in the beef and sheep sectors, where international competition was very strong. Producer prices in the beef and sheep sectors were projected to fall by 45% and 29% respectively, with a drop of 12%, 9% and 10% in prices for pig,

Report suggests UK should declare unilateral free trade ECONOMISTS have clashed over whether Britain should open its doors to tariff-free food imports after the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. It followed a report that suggested Brexit could boost the UK economy by up to £135 billion a year – worth about £5000 a year to the average household. Due to be published in full this British autumn, the 50-page study by Economists for Free Trade (EFT) suggested the boost could also be accompanied by an 8% drop in consumer prices. The a 16-strong group of economists included Patrick Minford, professor of economics at Cardiff University and Roger Bootle, chairman of consultants Capital Economics. Minford argued that the best Brexit deal would be a free-trade agreement between the UK and the EU – plus new free-trade deals with other major economies such as the United States. But that might not prove possible. The solution would be for the

UK to announce that it would unilaterally eliminate trade barriers, such as tariffs, for the EU and the rest of the world, Minford said. “This is unilateral free trade whereby we simply abolish our trade barriers without asking others to do the same.

All anyone needs to know about this absurd plan is that its own author admits it would mostly eliminate manufacturing in the UK. “The most famous example of this was in 1846 when Sir Robert Peel abolished the Corn Laws, greatly reducing the price of food and helping to stimulate the Industrial Revolution.” But critics argued that unilateral free trade would be bad for British farmers. Economist Monique Ebell of the National Institute of Social and

Economic Research (NIESR) said unilateral free trade would damage UK producers and consumers. Alison McGovern MP, a supporter of the Open Britain group that wanted the UK to remain part of the EU single market also said a hard Brexit would be bad for farmers. “All anyone needs to know about this absurd plan is that its own author admits it would mostly eliminate manufacturing in the UK. “Unilaterally scrapping our tariffs without achieving similar reductions in the tariff rates of other countries would see Britain swamped with imports, leaving our manufacturers and farmers unable to compete. “The levels of bankruptcy and unemployment, especially in industry and agriculture, would skyrocket. “This is a project of economic suicide, not prosperity. “No responsible government would touch this report with a barge pole as a source of ideas for our future trade policy,” McGovern said.

poultry and dairy farmers. But industry leaders sounded an upbeat note after holding talks with Chancellor Philip Hammond about the future of UK agriculture post Brexit. Hammond spoke to Chertsey Agricultural Show president and farmer Colin Rayner and National Farmers Union president Meurig Raymond at the show about future farm policy. Afterwards, Raymond said the talks went very well and Hammond was keen to ensure British agriculture would get a good deal after the UK left the EU in March 2019. “He is very much wanting to direct support into investment, access to capital and how we become more efficient,” Raymond said. “We talked about food inflation, provenance and UK product and

standards. I said to him I was delighted that (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary) Michael Gove said he was against importing food produced to lower standards. “But I said I get very nervous when Gove starts talking about enhancing welfare standards. He did say that Michael sticks up for farming at Cabinet.” Hammond also explained that though the UK would leave the single market and customs union on March 29 2019, the government would be seeking a Turkish model customs union agreement that would allow the UK to trade freely with the EU during the transitional period. Rayner agreed discussions had gone well. He urged farmers to stay positive about Brexit and back politicians to deliver the right result for the industry. “I think that we are in a safe place, that we have the right team negotiating it,” Rayner said. “I have great confidence in Philip Hammond and Michael Gove to deliver the right result for the industry. “We need to support this government as much as we can to get the right deal and we shouldn’t be criticising and complaining until we know the results.” UK Farmers Weekly

US to put hard word on trade talks partners UNITED States President Donald Trump’s nominee for US chief agricultural trade negotiator has pushed for America to ditch trade talks with the European Union if it refuses to drop its ban on beef reared with antibiotics and growth hormones. Gregory Doud, who was nominated for the top job last month, made the remarks in a 2013 paper on the beef trade for the University of Nebraska. US beef producers were already known to be desperate to break into the British market post-Brexit but Doud’s hardline stance would concern United Kingdom farmers given the British government’s determination to sign a trade deal with America. In his paper, Doud identified genetically modified organisms (GMOs), beta-agonists (growth hormones), antibiotics and animal welfare as the key matters holding up a US-EU trade agreement. “There is no question

that these issues have been seemingly intractable for decades,” he said. “It should be strongly emphasised there is absolutely no guarantee that some or all of these issues will even be brought to the negotiating table unless agriculture interests slam their collective fists on the table … and force it to happen.” The paper went on to suggest trading partners should deal with the issues quickly – before activists could “get to the politicians” and before “politicians end up saying something stupid” which stops any talks progressing. According to Energydesk, another of Trump’s nominees, Ted McKinney, was previously a director at Elanco Animal Health – a major manufacturer of growth hormones. If the nomination was approved McKinney would become Under-Secretary of Trade at the US Department of Agriculture. UK Farmers Guardian

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Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – September 11, 2017

Ben Turner 2017 REINZ Award Winner Top NZ Rural Salesperson for the fourth year running The NZ Real Estate Institute of NZ has again recognised Ben as NZ’s top rural agent. Ben and his team are hugely grateful for the loyal support given by the rural Cantabrians, enabling them to gain this award. Dairy, Sheep and Beef, Arable and Lifestyle. For a professional service that achieves results, contact Ben and his team.

027 530 1400 03 375 4700 ben.turner@bayleys.co.nz WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Autumn 2017 Property Pull-Out We’ve got you covered Following the successful Spring Property Pull-Out in 2016 comes the Autumn 2017 Property Pull-Out feature that runs in The Farmers Weekly issues through all of March. Book a campaign of three or more advertisements in March and get a complimentary editorial on your property in one of our pull-out specials. We’re very proud that The Farmers Weekly remains committed to the Real Estate Industry, and that we have been the most read rural publication for more than a decade. Talk to your agent now and make sure you are in the paper that more farmers read.

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THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – September 11, 2017

Real Estate

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TR ANS F O R M I N G R E A L E STAT E I NTO REAL ADVANTAG E FOR SALE HONIKIWI FOREST 1753 HONIKIWI ROAD, Otorohanga

ALL THE HARD WORK DONE!

FULL HARVEST INFRASTRUCTURE Honikiwi Forest represents a superb opportunity for a purchaser to secure a mostly younger forest, but with a stand of near mature Radiata. Being second rotation there is full existing forestry harvest infrastructure. Located just South West of Hamilton, 143km from the Port of Tauranga and close to numerous processing facilities means this property is positioned to take advantage of both international and local markets. + + + + +

394ha Titled Area 237ha Pinus Radiata 14ha Minor Species Aged from 2 - 31years Only 143km to Tauranga Port

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OPARAU – 599 Okupata Road MULTIPLE FARMING OPTIONS • 342ha-330ha approximately effective (846 acres) • Mairoa Ash soils • 114 paddocks – mixture of 7 wire, 3 wire, semi permanent, single wire electric fences • 106 paddocks with water troughs • 75% easy rolling contour • Central laneway services approx 70% of farm • Currently beef fattening, dairy grazing, small flock of sheep • Average annual rainfall 1600mm • Very tidy, well presented 3-bedroom home Tender Closes 4pm Wed 11 October 2017 (unless sold prior) Tender papers available from: Halliwells Solictors PO Box 422 Hawera 4640 Or email Admin@halliwells.co.nz

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Real Estate

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – September 11, 2017

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

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

Owners are moving

Parish Dairies 149 ha - Oxford

WEB ID TPR54579 BY NEGOTIATION TOKOROA 48 West Road View By Appointment 71.51 ha in two titles. 24 ASHB shed milking 200 cows 89000kg/ms. Rolling contour subdivided into 54 paddocks. Two homes, two haybarns, two calf sheds and a double bay implement shed compliment the farm structure.

+ GST (IF ANY)

Call Paul O'Sullivan 0274 964 417. Paul O'Sullivan

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WEB ID DFR57501 DEADLINE SALE OXFORD 379 Parish road View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Friday 6th October, 2017 at 3.00pm, Located near Waimakariri Gorge comprising of 149 (unless sold prior) hectares this property features a modern 40-aside herringbone dairy shed with meal feeding, executive style 5-bedroom homestead plus staff accommodation. Gareth Cox Spray irrigated by centre pivot from combined Mobile 021 250 9714 Office 03 929 0306 Waimakairiri Irrigation and groundwater takes providing gareth@pb.co.nz reliable cost efficient water. The excellent shape and layout of this property provides ease of management. Keith Hamill Property has been operated as larger unit and a Mobile 021 082 98551 purchase option is available for an adjoining 116 ha Office 03 313 8022 irrigated property. keith@pb.co.nz

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NEW LISTING

North Otago Omarama 475.9 Hectares Deadline Sale Chain Hills. Approximately 400 hectares of flat and 75 hectares of rolling to medium contour, partially irrigated via pivot and K-line. This property in two titles and features a four bedroom home, a 5-bay implement shed with two enclosed bays, hay barn, open bay shed, pump shed, cattle yards and grain silo. Currently run as beef finishing, cut and carry and a dairy run-off block. | Property ID TU10993

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Closing 4pm, Thursday 5 October 2017 (unless sold prior)

Contact Merv Dalziel 027 439 5823

0800 200 600 | farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

Morrinsville 161 Tainui Road Twin View Farms – 125.38ha

Central Waikato Realty Limited. Licensed REAA 2008.

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farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

Dave Young 027 457 9060 LJ Hooker Morrinsville 07 889 8015

5 years into development and time for you to reap the reward of someone else’s hard work. In 5 years production has increased from 56,000 ms to presently 97,800 ms off 125ha milking 300 cows. 28-bail rotary shed, centrally located (22 minutes longest walk for the cows) with 400 cow capacity yards – all yards have feed bins and water. 7-bay shed consisting of 2-bay workshop with concrete floor and power with the remainder used as implement shed/calf rearing. Also a 5-bay and 3-bay 1/2 round barn shedding along with woolshed gives this property lots of options. The farm is of flat to rolling contour with approximately 40ha mowable and 90% spreadable. Subdivided and raced into 70 paddocks with 10ha of native bush. Potable water farm supply is added advantage. The property has a comfortable 3-bedroom home with large lounge, single garage and carport.

LK0089252

Price Sale by deadline 25th October 2017 (unless sold prior) View Thu 21st & 28th Sept 11am-12pm ljhooker.co.nz/B3VGEW

RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

Award winning dairy

DEADLINE SALE WEB ID PR57116

EKETAHUNA 54 Morgans Road We are privileged to bring this award winning dairy business consisting of a 117 ha dairy farm well supported by 26 ha located nearby. Both properties are located under 10km south of Eketahuna & 25km north of Masterton in an area regarded as summersafe. Currently utilising 100 ha of the dairy farm as platform, milking 240 cows for a 3 year average of just under 90,000 kgMS, this property is exceptionally presented & is well worthy of its 2011 Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards. With all infrastructure being mainly under 10 years old including a 26 aside HB shed,

250 cow wintering barn, effluent system & 9 bay calf rearing shed, this property certainly represents a turnkey opportunity. The family home consists of a 2 storey fully refurbished 4 bedroom home with 2 bathrooms, double internal access garage & north facing deck. This is a brilliant opportunity to purchase a property where all the hard work has been done & you can reap the rewards. Support block also available PR57117.

DEADLINE SALE

VIEW By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Thursday 5th October, 2017 at 2.00pm, (unless sold prior), Property Brokers Pahiatua Ltd 129 Main Street, Pahiatua

Jared Brock

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

Phil Wilson

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

4 2 2

ROC Dairies - 293 ha

TENDER WEB ID PR56335

PAHIATUA 849 Makomako Road ROC Dairies situated 15km west of Pahiatua and 20km east of Palmerston North is an outstandingly presented 293 ha standalone dairy unit. Features include: • 122 ha milking platform: 160 ha hill support • 245 cows, average 122,000Kgms for 3 years • Excellent gravity water system

• 27 aside HB shed • 250 cow feed pad • 2x cattle yards • Farm metal pits • 2013 brick 4 bedroom home + ensuite and office This property, in an area regarded as summer safe, is in the NON-PRIORITY catchment of the Horizons region, providing an opportunity for the discerning purchaser to reap the rewards of the vendors ongoing investment.

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

TENDER

VIEW By Appointment TENDER closes Thursday 12th October, 2017 at 2.00pm, Property Brokers, 129 Main Street Pahiatua

Jared Brock

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

Phil Wilson

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

4 2 2

New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading rural real estate company RURAL

LIFESTYLE

RESIDENTIAL

TENDER

Dairy Support - South Wairarapa This specialist 394ha dairy support farm near Greytown is one of the largest flat contoured units in the region, currently wintering 2000 cows and grazing up to 1000 R1 and R2 heifers after a major farm development programme. As a highly profitable standalone business, outstanding sustainable returns on investment are being achieved. The free draining Tauherenikau stony silt loam soils are ideally suited to winter grazing and summer grain crops and fertiliser history is excellent with recent soil tests averaging 32.4 Olsen P levels and pH5.8. All pastures have been renovated, paddocks re-configured and stock water system upgraded to meet industry best practice across the farm. Improvements include a comfortable four bedroom home, two general sheds, two sets of cattle yards and a woolshed with covered yards. Approved subdivision proposals give prospective purchasers options including whole farm, being 394.0951ha or a combination of: (2) Woodside block - 236.7244ha (3) Centre block off SH2 157.3707ha (all Subject to Survey). Farm Open Days to be held 11.00am to 2.00pm, Friday 22 and 29 September. Route from 1899 State Highway 2 to be flagged. Assemble at woolshed. For further information or an appointment to inspect, please call John Murray on 0274 933 759. pggwre.co.nz/MAS26344

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Greytown TENDER (Unless Sold Prior) Plus GST (if any) Closes 2.00pm, Friday, 3 November PGG Wrightson Masterton OPEN DAY 11.00am-2.00pm, Friday 22 and 29 September

John Murray B 06 377 5181 M 027 493 3759 H 06 372 5717 john.murray@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company RURAL

LIFESTYLE

RESIDENTIAL

Leaders.

List now with New Zealand’s leading rural property magazine:

Property Express Over generations, we have earned our reputation as New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company. Tried and trusted for over 160 years, our local knowledge and expertise will get you the results you need. Don’t miss out. Contact your local PGG Wrightson Real Estate expert today at pggwre.co.nz/property-express.

TENDER

South Auckland Dairy Farm 47 and 100 Goodwin Road, Aka Aka • 40 bail rotary shed • Three houses • Well supported by auxiliary shedding • Contour 80% flat and 20% rolling • Options to purchase are 115 hectares with five titles or 33 hectares with one title, or both. This dairy farm and support unit sits on six titles and is located in Aka Aka, a well known dairying area of Franklin. pggwre.co.nz/PUK26519

TENDER

Pukekohe TENDER Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 4.00pm, Thurs, 12 October OPEN DAY 1.00-2.00pm, Saturday, 16 September Adrian van Mil B 09 237 2041 M 027 473 3632 avanmil@pggwrightson.co.nz

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Mountains to the Sea 294B Busby Road 11.6ha, flat and fertile horticultural land to plant avocados or kiwifruit. Sub dividable farm land in the Busby Road lifestyle zone (5000sqm minimum average lot size). Immaculate four bed, three en suite, newly refurbished home for tourism? Views from every room, huge sheds, excellent grazing for a pony, horse or cattle. Stunning outlook over the Bay of Plenty and Kaimai Forest Park. A pristine clear mountain stream with swimming holes and fenced off native bush. Check the online video. pggwre.co.nz/TAR26631

Katikati TENDER (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 4.00pm, Wed, 18 October OPEN DAY 12.30-1.30pm, Sun, 24 September

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

pggwre.co.nz

Pukekaka is an 1100ha sheep and beef breeding hill-country property, 30 minutes east of Taihape. We are looking for a shepherd general to work with the manager, someone who is passionate about farming and willing to learn so you can grow your own career with at least 2 or 3 good working dogs. Some experience in most aspects of sheep and beef farming along with a can-do attitude would be an advantage to the successful applicant. comfortable LK0089262©

Good remuneration and a 3-bedroom house are available.

ALL ENQUIRIES TO ROB STRATTON

06 388 0052 EVENINGS

Shepherd General – Puke Te Station

Macfarlane Rural Business is an experienced farm management consultancy business, established in 1997. Based from Ashburton, we consider our key geographical base to be East Coast South Island. MRB has a strong team ethic and works collaboratively across a wide part of the agri food sector, specialising in the integration of farm business systems, which means our advisers can advise across the whole farm business.

The property has a balance of flat, rolling and steep hill country. It is intensive, currently wintering 12,500 stock units; 6000 ewes, 240 cows and the balance Friesian bulls.

The successful person would require 2 to 3 working dogs in good control, good fencing skills, and enjoy working in a team. They would have to be able to demonstrate excellent stockmanship skills. Please send CVs and applications to bulls@totaranuistud.co.nz by 22 September

EXPERIENCED SHEPHERDS GISBORNE

Komihana & Maungahaumi – Whatatutu Located 40 minutes from Gisborne City, these sheep and beef properties require experienced stockmen to tame these steep extensive hill-country properties. Good horsemanship and a strong team of dogs is a must. Ideal applicants will thrive on seeing stock perform, will have at least two years’ modern farming experience, and a good team of at least three dogs.

Further information please visit our website https://www.iflgroup.co/ Alternatively please contact Brent Anstis, GM - Farming b.anstis@iflgroup.co or Debbie Viljoen 06 869 1330 or 027 512 0793

LK0089256©

If you are looking for the next challenge in your career, with ongoing training and support this is it!

The position will include: • Managing dairy replacements • Managing the ewe flock • Winter grazing dairy cows We require a person with the following attributes: • Top stockman with competent dogs • Have a sound understanding of modern grazing methods • Is a team player with good communications skills • Is skilled in general farm maintenance work • A tertiary qualification is an advantage but not essential

Roger Lasham Agronomist

Farm Manager - Conway Park Mobile:

+64 274 342 434

“Trevenna”

Office +64 3 615 9991 Guild Road Conway Park is one of three units ofFax: the Turley Farms Cropping Operation. Based380 in Pendarves Office: +64 3 615 9533 Canterbury, it is a 1000 hectare property which is covered by the Acton Irrigation Scheme.R.D. The26 Home +64 3 302 7508 Temuka 7986 entire property is serviced by Email modern irrigation infrastructure. Key crops produced are wheat, rogerlasham@turleyfarms.co.nz New Zealand grass seed, clover, hybrid vegetable seed, onions and potatoes.

We now wish to appoint the senior position of Farm Manager - Conway Park. As Farm Manager, you will report to and be mentored by Murray Turley. You will have three direct reports. As your expertise grows, you will assume full P&L responsibility for the operation. Over time, you will be empowered to make all of the day-to-day farm management and purchasing decisions. 35466 Turley Farms BC 5xNames.indd 6 The in-house TURL1 Agronomist will advise and assist you with fertiliser and chemical recommendations and the in-house Accountant will assist you with financial analysis. A permanent material three bedroom home is available for the successful candidate, along with a work vehicle and other tools of trade. Competencies required to be successful in the role include: • Hands-on experience in a cropping operation • Excellent influencing and team building skills • A high level of personal organisation and motivation • Hands-on pro-active team focused attitude To enquire in confidence about this role, please either phone Deb Francis on 021 2245000 or forward your CV with covering letter via www.agrecruit.co.nz by Wednesday 27 September.

We specialise in agri-business

www.agrecruit.co.nz

Call Debbie 0800 85 25 80 classifieds@nzx.com

Above all we are seeking a high level of selfmotivation, energy and confidence, someone who is professional and has a strong ability to think laterally to deliver focused business solutions. A large four-bedroom home is available onfarm in the Waikura Valley but alternative options could be considered. To apply for this role, please submit a letter of introduction and an updated CV via www.qjumpers.co.nz/job-seeker – highlighting how your experience aligns with the requirements of the role. Go to www.waikura.co.nz for further information about Waikura Joint Stations

Account Managers INFORM – EXCHANGE – GROW NZX Agri is the recognised leader in the rural media sector in New Zealand. It is also developing a global reach with its publications and primary sector analysis delivered in both digital and print.

The property is located 7km from Te Kuiti. A comfortable three-bedroom home will be available with school bus at gate. Please apply in writing to: Rob Duder, 4 Ahoroa Road, RD 2, Te Kuiti 3982 or email reduder@rozelfarm.co.nz

Skill sets and interests we are currently interested in adding to the team include • dairy management • environmental management • rural valuation

We are looking for candidates who have a broad range of skills and experience encompassing leadership, finance, planning, asset management, and compliance monitoring and reporting. You will have commercial acumen and the proven ability to translate this into delivering expectations.

NEED STAFF?

LK0089271©

Waimata Valley – Gisborne Located 10 minutes from Gisborne City, this sheep and beef property ranges from steeper hill-country to intensive flats and offers opportunities to be involved in breeding, finishing and cropping.

We require a capable and enthusiastic person to manage the dry stock component of our 1000ha dairy and dry stock operation.

Our client, Waikura Joint Stations, has business interests across the East Cape of the North Island of New Zealand consisting of forestry, farming, beekeeping and hunting. This new role will manage group operations to deliver on company objectives, provide quality leadership for managers and staff, drive internal reporting improvements and maintain regular and proactive communication with the Chairman on all aspects of the East Coast operations.

As part of our succession planning, we would like to employ more capability to replace some retirements.

We welcome enquiries or applications, naming two referees to, Jeremy Savage or Julian Gaffaney, contact details: Jeremy Savage 027 433 1069 jeremy@mrb.co.nz Julian Gaffaney 021 891 104 julian@mrb.co.nz

Dry Stock Manager

An opportunity has arisen within Integrated Foods Ltd for dedicated and motivated individuals to join our farming teams in and around the Gisborne Region. We pride ourselves on growing our people and providing career paths within our business, and are well placed to support those looking for ongoing career opportunities.

Group Manager

FARM MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

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

Puke Te is close to schooling and town work opportun-ities for partners. It includes a 3-bedroom house.

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – September 11, 2017

The Account Manager will focus on print and online digital sales into our leading rural publications - NZ Farmers Weekly, farmersweekly. co.nz along with other subscription publications we represent, NZ Dairy Exporter and Country-Wide magazines. You will take full ownership of a portfolio of clients in understanding their business objectives and be responsible to maintain and accelerate customer revenue and bring in new client business. You will be comfortable selling directly to clients and also into advertising agencies. We have two opportunities available for you to be the face of NZX Agri in the Auckland/Northland and South Island regions working remotely out of either our Auckland NZX office, or your home office based in Christchurch, reporting into AgriHQ in Feilding. You will be part of a wider sales team and will be working to reach business KPI’s and successfully manage your revenue pipeline to achieve sales performance targets. As you will be working independently you’ll need to have loads of energy, a can-do attitude and strong communication skills. Your resilient sales skills and your ability to build client relationships at all levels will be essential in this role. You will need to demonstrate sound computer skills, past media experience is preferred especially with advertising agencys and an absolute passion for NZ’s agricultural sector is essential.

14/09/09 10:58 AM

You will be well rewarded for your performance with a competitive salary, potential to earn sales incentives and a company car, phone, laptop etc are all part of the total remuneration package. To apply for this role go to Seek and search either Account Manager – Auckland. Job #34325144 or Account Manager – Canterbury Or if reading this online: Click here to apply Applications close on Monday 25th September

LK0089297©

SHEPHERD GENERAL

Employment

LK0089287©

classifieds@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

LK0089280©

Classifieds

ANIMAL HANDLING

DOGS FOR SALE

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

SMITHFIELD 10 MONTHS, and Heading bitch, keen. Phone 06 374 2881. ONE BLUE BEARDIE dog. Two years old. Basic commands. Phone 027 271 0558.

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

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

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

DOGS WANTED 12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195. BUYING DOGS NZ wide daily! No one buys or pays more! 07 315 5553. Mike Hughes.

GOATS WANTED GOATS WANTED. All weights. All breeds. Prompt service. Payment on pick up. My on farm prices will not be beaten. Phone David Hutchings 07 895 8845 or 0274 519 249. Feral goats mustered on a 50/50 share basis. FOR ONLY $2.00 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in The NZ Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Debbie on 0800 85 25 80 to book in.

FERTILISER

GRAZING AVAILABLE

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

120 HEIFERS, from wean to R2. Flat to hill country in Alfredton Wairarapa. Phone Josh 027 380 9981 or 06 376 8834.

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. FEEDER CALVES. 3 weeks old. Bulls/ Heifers all breeds from $200+ gst . See our Trademe ad #1392763424 for more info, or inquiries welcome phone 027 478 7170.

CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISING

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

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

TRACTOR PARTS JOHN DEERE 6410, 6600, 6610, 6800, 6900, dismantling Andquiparts. Phone 027 524 3356.

Do you have something to sell? Advertise in The NZ Farmers Weekly

Phone or text Murray 027 508 7834

With automatic release and spray system. www.vetmarker.co.nz 0800 DOCKER (362 537)

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

NEW Combi Trailer

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

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

Call Debbie

0800 85 25 80 classifieds@nzx.com

Reliable Strong, ffi cient E and EARMARKERS

VETMARKER

LAMB DOCKING / TAILING CHUTE

Combi Clamp Sheep Handler

Cattle Handling Equipment

‘Property Wanted’

Couple want to buy West Coast South Island land for lifestyle & family gold prospecting.

FOR SALE

LK0089243©

ANIMAL HEALTH

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

SURVEILLANCE. Farmers - Hunters. Security-Animal observation. Thermal Night Vision or instant notification via Trail Cam. Pulsar XQ38F $3800 – GPRS Trail Cam $499. Contact peteryelena@gmail.com 021 448 027. WINDMILLS for water pumping. Ferguson Windmills Company. www.windmills.co.nz sales@windmills.co.nz Phone 09 412 8655 or 027 282 7689.

BIRDSCARER LK0089124©

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

YOUR NEXT DOG is here. Guaranteed! View online or onfarm. Deliver NZ wide. Thirty day trial. 07 315 5553. Mike Hughes.

FOR SALE

classifieds@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

LK0089269©

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – September 11, 2017

DE HORNER HOOF TRIMMER

FOR SALE

Advertise in the NZ Farmers Weekly

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

www.combiclamp.co.nz

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

$2.00 + GST per word - Please print clearly Name: Phone: Address: Email: Heading:

CLASSIFIEDS REACH EVERY FARMER IN NZ FROM MONDAY

0800 227 228

Advert to read:

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

Livestock

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – September 11, 2017

> Every sheep farmer

2016

Sheep

> Award winning writers

> Unique breeder directory

Providing the right sires for you...

COMING SOON!

ncy Emffiakcinie g more from less

incl gst

FE TOLERANCE

g rams for when buyin What to look

$12.00

October 2016

Country-Wide Country-Wide

2016 Sheep October

Contact Nigel Ramsden, Livestock account manager today! phone 06 323 0761 mobile 027 602 4925 email livestock@nzx.com

Romney. Breeding Composite. Terminal Composite. Perendale.

ON FARM YEARLING SALE

For more information please contact us

MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 - 10AM

Tom Jackson 07 825 4966 021 929 389

stud 2-year-old with low BW, short gestation and easy calving

LK0089153©

tom@piquethillfarms.co.nz

65 stud yearlings with low BW, short

Will Jackson 07 825 4480 027 739 9939

william@piquethillfarms.co.nz

piquethillstud.co.nz

Stokman / Heather Dell Yearling Sale Selling - 90 Angus Bulls 30 R1 Commercial Angus Heifers

gestation and easy calving

26 low BW commercial bulls mated by our own low BW stud

bulls and fully performance recorded including carcass scan data

AVOID SLEEPLESS NIGHTS & CALVE WITH EASE ADD VALUE TO YOUR DAIRY BUSINESS. USE SPECIALIST HEIFER BULLS ACROSS BEEF HEIFERS. CONSIDER TE WHANGA ANGUS View catalogue online: http://pivotdesign.co.nz/ebooks/2017/tewhanga-bull-sale/index.html

Wednesday 20 September Taupo Sale Yards - 1 p.m.

TE KOPI ROAD, RD 4, MASTERTON CONTACT SCOTT GUDSELL 0274 570 526 ROBIN BORTHWICK 06 370 3368 EMAIL te_whanga@borthwick.co.nz WEBSITE www.borthwick.co.nz

Your Angus Bull Source

ANNUAL YEARLING SALE

K AY JAY A NGUS

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

GOING GOING GONE!

Calving Heifers Since 1958 Pictured: Pictured: Heifer Heifer and and calf, calf,

+3.1

+4.3

600 Day

+104

+100

Self Replacing

+137

+104

Angus Pure

+150

+121

PGG Wrightson Bruce Orr 027 592 2121 Heather Dell Angus Cam Heggie 027 501 8182 Pete Henderson 027 475 4895 Mark & Sherrie Stokman Neil Heather Steve Wattum 027 493 4484 027 421 4050 • 07 357 2142 07 3332446 • 0276404028 Central Livestock: mtkiwi@farmside.co.nz neil-heather@xtra.co.nz Shane Scott 027 495 6031

at at 290kg 290kg at at 200days 200days

ENQUIRIES ENQUIRIES & & VIEWING VIEWING WELCOME WELCOME •• For For CATALOGUES CATALOGUES or or to to join join our our MAILING MAILING LIST LIST Contact: Contact: Neil Neil & & Joan Joan Kestrup Kestrup 06 06 372 372 2838 2838 or or Roddy Roddy Kjestrup Kjestrup 06 06 372 372 2495 2495 Rodderskj@hotmail.co.nz Rodderskj@hotmail.co.nz or or kayjayangus@xtra.co.nz kayjayangus@xtra.co.nz

Birth Weight

Call for a catalogue or view on www.angusnz.com

calf calf 33kg 33kg at at birth birth and and weaned weaned

FRIDAY 15 September at 12 noon 32 YEARLING BULLS 20 YEARLING HEIFERS

Call Nigel

0800 85 25 80

RANUI

livestock@nzx.com

Hillcroft Est. 1960

Annual Spring Bull Sale

25 ANGUS YEARLINGS

Rangatira 13-4 Photo taken as 2 yr old

Selected for heifer mating

Sires: • Rangatira 13-4. His sire Kaharau Cobra 546 sired top priced bull in NZ this year • Glanworth 63-14. Very easy calving

73 ANGUS 2 YR OLDS

Sires: • Meadowslea F766

• Te Mania 455 • Meadowslea 176

* Well grown, good docility * Suitable for heifers or cows * BVD Tested and vaccinated * C10 status - EBV recorded * Carcase scanned * Stokman bulls fertility, semen and 150K Genomic tested

NZ Breed Average EBV’s on Stokman Sale Bulls Average

ANGUS

• Riverton Lochie 1320. Top 5% C ease

12 noon Tuesday, September 12, 2017 Karamu, 662 Rangitatau East Rd, Wanganui

YEARLING BULL & HEIFER SALE

ON OFFER: 30 yearling bulls 35 yearling heifers

12 noon Tuesday, September 25, 2007

31 HEREFORD 2 YR OLDS

Sires: • Ardo Prophet 2329. Top 5% Hereford prime and dairy maternal. Top 10% NZ calving ease, NZ carcaseweight

YEARLING BULL & HEIFER SALE

Karamu, 662 Rangitatau East Rd, Wanganui

On offer: 25 yearling bulls 30 yearling heifers, which will be sold in lots  All cattle BVD & EBL tested  All cattle electric fence trained

ENQUIRIES TO: Lin Johnstone 027 445 3213 INQUIRIES TO: Lindsay Johnstone 027 445 3211

 TB status C10  Vet inspected  Quiet temperament

Lot 13

Malcolm & Fraser Crawford: Matahuru Rd, Ohinewai Malcolm Phone 07 828 5709; Fraser Phone 07 828 5755, 0272 85 95 87

PGG WRIGHTSON AGENTS: Callum Stewart 027 280 2688 Ken Roberts 027 591 8042 Caitlin Rokela 027 405 6156

LK0088912©

Lot 3

LK0089044©

Lot 2

On bull farm: 820 Waiterimu Road, Ohinewai • Monday 18th September 11.30am

Lin Johnstone Lindsay Johnstone 06 342 9833 06 342 9795 W & K AGENTS Blair Robinson Don Newland 027 491 9974 027 242 4878

Livestock

R1 Friesian, Friesian X & Jersey Recorded Dairy Heifers

“What’s in the bags?”, asked the guard.

150 Traditional Beef Steers 400-450kg

WAITEIKA HILL COUNTRY ROMNEYS RAMGUARD TESTING SINCE 1985

“Sand,” said the cyclist.

R1 & R2 Friesian Bulls

“Get them off – we’ll take a look,” said the guard. The cyclist did as he was told, emptied the bags, and proving they contained nothing but sand, reloaded the bags, put them on his shoulders and continued across the border.

100 Traditional Beef Heifers 250kg Contracts available for 80-100kg Friesian Bulls

***** RATING

STOCK FOR SALE

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

Two weeks later, the same thing happened. Again the guard demanded to see the two bags, which again contained nothing but sand. This went on every week for six months, until one day the cyclist with the sand bags failed to appear.

100 Autumn Hereford Frs x Heifers 110kg Ave $480 200 Angus Steers 250kg Ave

A few days later, the guard happened to meet the cyclist downtown. “Say friend, you sure had us crazy”, said the guard. “We knew you were smuggling something across the border. I won’t say a word – but what is it you were smuggling?”

Aaron Clapperton 027 496 7410 Richard Seavill 021 169 8276 / 07 825 4984 Chris Smith 027 496 7413 / 07 870 4552 Bryce Young 027 496 7411

LK0089239©

WormFEC™

The man replied, “Bicycles!”

Office 07 823 4559 BYLLIVESTOCK.CO.NZ byllivestock

Genetically linked to Waimai Romney

LK0089293©

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

While crossing the US-Mexican border on his bicycle, the man was stopped by a guard who pointed to two sacks the man had on his shoulders.

SERVICE BULL AUCTION A/C: DJ & AG Booker DATE: Wednesday 20 September 2017 ADDRESS: Bookers Property, Lander Road, Ohangai, Hawera START TIME: 11:00am

Maximise Calf Sales HILL COUNTRY SERVICE BULL AUCTION

THE CHOICE IS

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Farm Source Livestock Agent: Warren Espin 06 278 1316 or 027 667 6361 Our Vendors: David and Angela Booker 06 272 2850

SOURCE REWARD DOLLARS

For every purchase of service bulls with Farm Source

Livestock at auction during Sept and Oct 2017*

Livestock at auction during Sept and Oct 2017 LK0088700©

SERVICE BULL PLAN - 0% INTEREST – ASK US NOW

SERVICE BULL PLAN - 0% INTEREST – ASK US NOW *

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

MAHUTA HEREFORD STUD

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

AUCTIONEERS NOTE: • Due to our robust selection criteria, purchasing well bred, well recorded empties from established herds has meant good quality outcomes for repeat buyers. • A complete herd of mixed age dairy cows in very good condition, showing excellent dairy type. All cows are inmilk, herd tested and commenced calving early May 2017. • This in-milk herd calved from May onwards. BVD tested clear milk result. TB C10, EBL free, Herringbone shed, producing 22 litres per day on average. All cows are sound in all quarters and after auction date, the farm is replanted in maize. • All cows unmated and in great condition for Spring mating.

OUTSTANDING HEREFORD & SPECKLE PARK YEARLING BULL AUCTION FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2017 - 12:00PM 45 MAUNGAHINA ROAD, OFF CASTLE POINT ROAD, MASTERTON COMPRISING OF: • 35 x purebred registered Hereford yearling bulls • 10 x purebred Speckle Park yearling bulls • 10 x Speckle Park / Hereford yearling bulls

PAYMENT TERMS: 12 days from auction date. Cattle will be available for delivery on the day in co-operation with transport companies. View the sales catalogue on nzfarmsource.co.nz/ livestock

Mark & Melissa McKenzie 06 378 6896 or 027 415 8696 AGENTS: Bunter Anderson 027 444 1169 Monty Monteith 027 807 0522 Hamish Manthel 027 432 0298 Kelly Higgins 027 600 2374 Brent Espin 027 551 3660

Annual Sale 22nd September

EARN DOUBLE FARM

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/livestock

LK0088070©

EARN TRIPLE FARM SOURCE REWARD DOLLARS FOR EVERY PURCHASE OF SERVICE BULLS WITH FARM SOURCE LIVESTOCK AT AUCTION DURING SEPT & OCT 2017. LK0089016©

Contact John Allen 09 294 7178 or 027 440 7504 jvmeallen@farmside.co.nz

AGENT: Ben Deroles 027 702 4196

LK0089037©

Mahuta King 4060 EBVs BW 0.3, 600 day growth +50, milk +14

10TH ANNUAL QUALITY IN-MILK AUCTION A/C: FINCH CONTRACTING DATE: Thursday 21 September 2017 ADDRESS: 972 Paterangi Road, Te Awamutu START TIME: 11:30am COMPRISING OF: 190 Friesian and Friesian X in-milk cows BW 104, PW 147, LW 158, R/a 100% (40% Friesian, 40% Friesian X, 20% Jersey)

EARN TRIPLE FARM

On-farm auction, Marton

www.ezicalve.co.nz

LK0089261©

PAYMENT TERMS: 20th October 2017 AGENT: Steven Hiscock 027 453 8769

12 noon, Tuesday September 26th WILLIAM MORRISON 06 327 8236 RICHARD MORRISON 06 327 8282 ardofarm@xtra.co.nz

PAYMENT TERMS: Payment due 20 October 2017, with delivery as required or by arrangement.

DETAILS: • All TB tested clear • All bulls BVD tested and inoculated • Delivery of bulls up to 30th October 2017

30 TWO-YEAR-OLD BULLS 80 YEARLING BULLS

T&Cs apply. See nzfarmsource.co.nz/rewards

LK0089087©

MATING DAIRY COWS?

COMPRISING OF: 200 Autumn and Spring calved herd: • 70 Autumn calved and mated cows • 130 Spring calved cows unmated DETAILS: • Production 650 MS/per cow average • BW 11/28, PW 31/13, R/A 90%,all DNA profiled • Whole herd A2 profiled • Owned 20 years bred to WWS AB • SOM cell 194,000, system 5 feeding • Autumns mated to ID bulls to calv from 2 April. • TB C4, lepto annually,BVD free. AUCTIONEERS NOTE: Excellent dairy type cows bred to produce. A2 DNA profiled, in very good condition. Many young cows bred specifically to produce volume. 90% of herd DNA confirmed and offer unique opportunity to all farmers but especially to robotic dairy farmers. Farm has been sold. PAYMENT TERMS: 14 Days following auction Pre-auction inspections welcomed. Delivery immediate with consideration for trucking availability.

EARN FARM SOURCE REWARD DOLLARS ON ALL FARM SOURCE LIVESTOCK PURCHASES & SALES*

AUCTIONEERS NOTE: All bulls are BVD tested and vaccinated. All bulls are TB tested prior to sale. All bulls will come forward in excellent condition. Buy with confidence at this outstanding service bull sale.

COMPRISING OF: 86 Service Bulls • 40 x Top Angus 2yr Bulls • 26 x 2yr ID Jersey Bulls • 20 x 1yr ID Jersey Bulls

A/C: McCONNELL FARMING LTD DATE: Friday 15 September 2017 ADDRESS: 358 Holland Road, Hamilton START TIME: 11:30am, DAIRY NO 72717

AGENT: Matt Hancock 027 601 3787

COMPRISING OF: • 33 x Hereford 2 & 3 year bulls • 26 x Angus 2 year bulls • 70 x Jersey 2 & 3 year bulls • 15 x Friesian 2 year bulls

A/C: GRAHAM FARMS DATE: Monday 25 September 2017 ADDRESS: Rodeo Arena Huntly on SH1, South of Huntly START TIME: 11:30am

Bulls For Heifer Mating

OUTSTANDING FRIESIAN IN-MILK AUCTION

LK0089083©

ECZEMA TOLERANT

SALE TALK

STOCK WANTED

PROTECT YOUR FUTURE FLOCKS

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

LK0089085©

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – September 11, 2017

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

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING PHONE NIGEL RAMSDEN 0800 85 25 80

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

Livestock

KAIRAUMATI POLLED HEREFORDS SALE

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – September 11, 2017

YEARLING

BULL SALE

21ST SEPTEMBER 2017 12.30pm – 68 NGATAIPUA RD, TURUA, THAMES

Contact Roy or Kaye Ward 021 128 7174 Dave Stuart 027 224 1049 Cam Heggie 027 501 8182

LK0089276©

20 YEARLING BULLS 26 RSG 2-YEAR BULLS 1 HERD SIRE

Bulls born and bred on the top of the Coromandel

TOTARANUI YEARLING BULL SALE 79 BULLS Tuesday 19 September, midday on farm

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• BVD tested and vaccinated • C10 status • Carcase scanned Totaranui Angus sale bulls avg Angus Pure index +143 Self replacing index +126 Birthweight EBV +2.8

National avg +121 +104 +4.3

www.totaranuistud.co.nz Email for a catalogue: bulls@totaranuistud.co.nz

Daimien & Tally 06 376 8400 Pierre Syben 027 625 9977 Mark Crooks, PGG 027 590 1452

HILL COUNTRY BORN & BRED

SHADOW DOWNS

1st Annual on farm Bull Sale at 375 Turitea Rd, Otorohanga Tuesday 19th September 2017 - 12pm

WEDN ES DAY 13th S EPT, 2017 - 12 N OON

PARADISE VALLEY MURRAY GREYS

12 x 17 month bulls - Performance recorded & transferable 22 x yearling bulls - Ideal for heifer mating CONTACT: MIKE PHILLIPS • P: 07 873 8115 • E: pvmg95cl@gmail.com PGG WRIGHTSON • Andy Transom, M: 027 596 5142 • Wium Mostert, M: 027 473 5856

P OL L E D H E RE FORD S TUD

L O W E R HE RE N G A W E RO A D , W A V E RL E Y

“The beef breed for every need” Genuine Home-Bred Beef & Dairy Bulls

52 2yr & 16 1yr Offering Merit Sires • Low Birth Weights Easy Calving • Whitehead Premiums Performance Recorded • BVD & Lepto vaccinated/tested

2-YR OLD BULLS FERTILITY TESTED

IAN & DANIEL SMITH PO Box 102, WAVERLEY P/F: 06 762 7899 • Mobile: 021 749 235 • Email: daniel.rae@primowireless.co.nz

NZ FARMERS LIVESTOCK Jeremy Newell: 027 664 8832 Tim Hurley: 027 445 1167

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING Are you looking in the right direction? Call Nigel 0800 85 25 80 livestock@nzx.com

PGG WRIGHTSON Mark Neil: 027 742 8580 Caitlin Rokela: 027 405 6156

Livestock

ANGUS ES1908T. Dan & Barbara Ramsden of MOANAROA ANGUS, Akitio

Home Bred Well Marked Hrfd Bulls BVD Tested

Are pleased to offer 18 quality, R1 Angus bulls – ideally suited for either beef heifer or dairy mating. Sale date: Thursday, October 5th Start time: 11.30am Venue: NZ Farmers Livestock sales complex, Rongotea, Manawatu

Tuesday 4 July 2017

Colin & Carol King

Ylg Angus Bulls Sired By Low Birth Weight Registered Stud Bull

Waitangi Angus

Awakino Gorge State Highway 3 Awakino

BVD Tested and Twice Vaccinated

30-40 1yr Angus Bulls $1475.00 – 330- 360kgs Payment - Delivery & Carrfields Bull Plan Options Available ENQUIRIES ARMYN SANDERS 027 753 8010 CAREY ASHWELL 021 433 274

Yearling Bull Sale

20 17 Tu es da y 19 th Se pt at 12 noon on farm

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

Contact John & Joss Bayly Email: jbayly@xtra.co.nz

GOING GOING GONE!

www.waitangiangus.co.nz

0800 85 25 80

nds Waitangi, Bay of Isla Ph: 0274 743 185

Call Nigel

38 Ylg Hereford Bulls 570kg Top Weight Hereford 18 Ylg Angus Bulls BVD Virus Negative Plus Twice Vaccinated Lepto Vac – EBL Negative C10 – TB Tested PAYMENT TERMS 14 Days Bull Plans Available with Respective Companies LIGHT LUNCHEON AVAILABLE CONTACT CARRFIELDS LIVESTOCK GRANT ROSS 021 174 8403 NZ FARMERS LIVESTOCK BRENT BOUGEN 027 210 4698 STEPHEN SUTTON 027 442 3207 VENDORS COLIN & CAROL KING 06 752 9863

livestock@nzx.com

FOR SALE

FOR SALE 2YR FRIES/FRIES HERE ANG X STEERS 480kgs

Complete GENUINE Friesian IN-MILK herd • 40 years owner/operator • 2.6 kgs m/s per day 1/9/17 • BW 57/42 PW48/46 RA 100% • Pick 160 Friesian cows from 215 • Delivery September/October

STOCK REQUIRED

2YR ANG & ANG X STEERS 400-500kgs 400-500kgs 2 YR FRIES & BEEF X BULLS 2YR BEEF & X BRED HEIFERS 320-400kgs

230-330kgs 1YR FRIESIAN BULLS 1YR ANGUS X HEIFERS 220-300kgs 250kgs+ 1YR ANG & ANG X STEERS

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

Brad Devlin 027 498 1203

Friday 29th September 12 Noon

15 1yr Angus Bulls $1600.00 – 400kgs

LK0089222©

Annual Bull Sale

A/C Bexley Hereford

26 1yr Hrfd Bulls $1500.00 - 350kgs

LK0089240©

For catalogue or pre-sale inspection contact: Dan Ramsden 06 374 3889 Hugh Ramsden 06 374 3552 Todd Bray (NZFLL) 027 235 5991 John Watson (NZFLL) th 027 494 1975

20 2yr Hrfd Bulls $2450.00

LK0089219©

MOANAROA

DAIRY SERVICE BULLS

ANNUAL YEARLING HEREFORD ON FARM BULL SALE

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

Herd for Sale

Complete Dispersal

430 cow Friesian herd BW64 PW62 RA91%

120 x Fr Fr X In Milk Cow Herd Matamata Sale Yards

A rare opportunity to purchase 41 years of breeding. This top quality well established herd from North Waikato is for sale as the farm has sold. These capacious cows are LIC breed with very tidy udders and a low SCC to match.

Wednesday 20th Sept, 11am start

A young herd with over 200 x 2 & 3 year olds. You choose the mating date that suits. This herd will not let you down!! All young-stock available as well. Contact: Craig Chamberlain to view Ph: 027 532 0253

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

More herds available on our website or contact National Dairy Coordinator Paul Kane Ph 027 286 9279 • paul.kane@carrfields.co.nz

Selling on behalf of M&T Black Waimana BOP. This three digit herd has been farmed by the Black family for over 67 years calving from 25/07. Herd test figures and profile will be available from 16th. BW 70 PW 75 Rec Ans 97% C10 HB shed Paul Collins Mobile: 027 304 8994 Phone: 07 304 8999 Email: pclivestock@gmail.com

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

We’ve got the North Island covered NORTHLAND Reuben Wright Neil Miller Wayne Semenoff Kris Sturge Jasyn Yearbury Haydn Evans Paul Chapman Michael Younger Rhys Dackers Tim Williamson Andrew Simpson Grant McLean Mike Gamble

027 284 6384 027 497 3492 09 409 5522 027 510 4385 027 655 6551 021 985 863 021 242 7799 027 439 4023 027 241 5564 027 511 7778 0274 491 228 021 775 848 027 405 8627

NORTH WAIKATO Paul Kane Keith West Kerry Coulter Deone Coulter Dave Anderson Craig Chamberlain Peter Pembroke

0272 869 279 027 214 9180 027 494 4194 027 498 1206 027 498 1201 027 532 0253 027 288 3371

WAIKATO

Danny O’Leary John Price Greg Anderson Peter Cain Andrew Jardine Jason Duncan Stephen Weck

BAY OF PLENTY Chris Jackson Paul Collins Val Ditchfield Richard Baird Andrew Gordon Willie Purvis Philip Webb

GISBORNE Glen Forrest Simon Lourie Andrew Holt Reese Clarke

021 954 283 027 594 2544 027 580 6979 027 493 3808 027 397 7005 021 170 5354 027 455 1106

027 433 9089 027 304 8994 027 573 7480 027 407 0562 027 487 2044 027 630 7004 027 801 8057

021 228 2535 027 652 7100 027 496 3311 0272 404 800

HAWKE’S BAY Paul Carney Colin Smyth Iain MacEwan Angus Schaw John Kingston Chris Campbell Ken Browne Tony Proudfoot Colin Schaw Chris Johnson Paul Johnson Robbie Stuart Simon McDonald

TARANAKI Karl Stratton

WAIRARAPA

Andy Donaldson Dick Chamberlain Carey Ashwell Max Hutchings

027 444 1517 027 290 5445 027 293 4866 027 397 0131 027 284 9730 027 513 8024 027 449 4010 027 491 4745 027 493 4525 027 406 2001 027 441 2229 027 443 5662 027 355 4949

027 316 5572

021 628 094 021 945 238 021 433 274 027 538 4961

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

LK0089249©

FOR SALE

LK0089218©

PRELIMINARY NOTICE

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

LK0089283©

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – September 11, 2017

Paul Lyttle Armyn Sanders Peter Dick Greg Cuttance Phill Robson Roger Watts

MANAWATU

Cam Waugh Darrin Holm John Botham Rhys Staples Graham Brown David Haworth Chris Hansen Lindsay Bensemann Lance Crocker Derek Mickleson Damian Clarke Bob Barrell Brad Bell

027 837 6009 027 7538 010 027 443 8100 027 374 6501 027 442 4059 027 446 0005

027 480 0898 027 242 2905 027 487 2690 027 209 2836 027 271 4722 027 450 4133 027 225 8923 027 484 0551 027 542 8396 027 471 9025 027 498 7252 027 498 7253 027 696 1937

Livestock QUALITY IN MILK COWS & HEIFERS

SPRING CALVING SALE

Tuesday 19th Sept 2017 12 Noon

A/C M V Trust

COMPLETE DISPERSAL OF TOP LIC FRIESIAN HERD & REPLACEMENTS

NZFLL Agent in charge Bryan Sweeney 027 869 2620

LK0089234©

On farm 3596 SH 29 Te Poi Matamata S/N 77565 Friday 15th Sept - Start 11.30am Comprising: 150 In milk & 30 CTP Frsn Cows BW 90 PW 105 RA 97% 26 Empty Frsn Cows BW 85 PW 105 39 Frsn Ylg Hfrs BW 113 PW 106 This outstanding young Friesian herd of 40+years LIC breeding (some nominating in the past) comes to the market with BW’s to 148 and PW’s to 306. There are 130 2, 3 & 4-year olds and only 9 9-year plus. Herds of this quality seldom come to the market as in milk. Current SCC of 185,000. Milked on the base of the Kaimais these cows know how to work and will shift extremely well. These are lovely styled cows so if you are after high indexed wellbred Friesian cows with great confirmation and type you should attend this sale. Also the complete line of yearlings will follow the sale plus 20 high BW mt cows. Catalogues available on request Light Luncheon Sign posted

100% RECORDED IN-MILK HERD

Monday 18th Sept 12 Noon

Friday 22nd Sept 12 Noon

On farm 350 Collins Rd, RD 2, Hamilton

DNA Farms Ltd 185 Eureka Rd, RD 7, Hamilton Comprising: 80 Frs Frs X Cows

A/c H & M Budd

Comprising: 185 In Milk Frs FrsX Cows

425 Tauhei Rd, RD5, Morrinsville

BW’S up to 168 PW’s up to 324 RA 98%

The farm has sold so these young in milk cows come to market. 137 Crossbred cows with very low cell count, all grass fed. BW 82 PW 86 RA 100%. TB C10, EBL Free Avg 340 MS/Cow

TB C10, EBL Free, farm policy has changed to

BW 71 PW 100 RA 98%

100% autumn calving so these quality young

Dan and Abigail have been running a very

cows are offered for sale.

successful split calving operation and have decided

Currently Avg 2.2 MS/Cow, nice type and

to go full autumn calving. The Hinton’s have

in good condition.

completed their autumn mating program and will

DEFERRED PAYMENT UNTIL OCT 2017

be selling the unmated portion of their herd. The herd is TB C10, EBL Free, Lepto Innoc and has

View profiles and photos on

been BVD tested – copies available. The herd has

www.mylivestock.co.nz

Enquiries welcome to Glenn Tasker 027 477 7345

Or contact NZFL Agent in charge

produced 420 MS/Cow and 1350 MS/ha

Download the app today

Dave Morton 0274 515 311

In conjunction with CL & MH Moore – Morrinsville Comprising: 54 Capital Stock In Milk Frn FrsX

Download the app today

Heifers. BW 92 PW 111 RA 84%

IN-MILK SALE

Colin & Mel sold there herd last season and retained their heifers, now coming forward for sale Farm is TB C10, EBL Free, all BVD tested and Lepto Innoc. All enquiries to NAFL Agent in charge Stu Wells 027 282 8204

Macklebo Farms

PRELIMINARY SALE NOTICE

due to exiting the dairy industry.

22 Upper Taumaha Road, RD2, Patea Friday 29th September – 11.20am 100 sound 2-7 year Friesian Friesian/x and xbreed in-milk cows. C10 TB Status, EBL Free and Lepto vac. BW up to 168 PW up to 294

C & J Goodchap Stratford Sale Yard Thursday , 21st September at 11.30am

Download the app today

On Farm Annual 1yr Angus Bull Sale

86A Thames Road Paeroa. 20th September - 12Noon

45 sound Friesian/FriesianX and Xbred in-milk heifers, C2 TB status, EBL free and Lepto vac. • LIC • BW up to 146 • PW up to 155 • Payment due 24/10/2017 • All heifers presented in good condition and type and quietness.

Mix of LIC and Ambreed. All cows Herd tested on 21st September.

LK0089104©

Download the app today

View listing #WAI49330 for profile and photos. Light Luncheon provided on sale day

Contact listing agent Kent Myers for a profile of the sale, or contact any other NZFL livestock agent. Phone Kent Myers 027 455 5828 Kent.myers@nzfll.co.nz

Waitawheta Angus 32 Angus 1yr Bulls

Contact: Alistair & Pat Sharpe 07 863 7954 or 021 054 7862 Kevin Fathers 0272 799 800 - Brent Bougen 027 210 4698 NZ Farmers Livestock Stud Stock: If you are looking for Pure NZ Genetics with substance and constitution we recommend you attend this sale.

Download the app today

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING 0800 85 25 80

The herd test and final sale tally available 25th September of all sound cows for sale – payment due 24/10/2017. Buy with confidence, all cows presented in excellent condition and type and quietness. For any further enquiries phone listing agent Kent Myers or any other NZFLL agent Phone Kent Myers 027 455 5828 Kent.myers@nzfll.co.nz

LK0089284©

A/c Birchlands Ltd

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – September 11, 2017

LK0089237©

LK0089236©

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

LK0089233©

Download the app today

Bulls Eye Sale

12th Annual Service Bull Sale - Undercover Thursday 21stSeptember - 11am Start concludes 2pm approx 300 McDonald Mine Road - Signposted from Huntly Bridge 600 BULLS COMPRISING:

HEREFORD

11.00am Beef Bulls 90 x R3 PB Hfd Bulls 90 x R2 PB Hfd Bulls 8 x R3 PB MGrey Bulls 30 x R3 PB Ang Bulls 60 x R2 PB Ang Bulls 20 x R2 PB Red Dev Bulls 12 x R2 Hfd/Frsx Bulls 4 x R2 B/Gall Bulls 1pm (approx.) Dairy Bulls 70 x R3 Jsy Bulls 136 x R2 Jsy Bulls 60 x R2 Frs Bulls 20 x R2 Rec Xbred Bulls

6th Annual Bull Sale - Monday 25th Sept 2017 1358 Buckland Road Cambridge- Undercover - 12 Noon

52 Grass fed Hereford Yearling Bulls - Approx 460kg l/w ave. Suitable for cows. BW & LW provided, TB C10, EBL Free, BVD & Lepto 7in1 Double vaccinated

Bred for medium birth weight, calving ease and temperament. All bull purchasers enter a draw for 2 x lots of 45 native trees from Cambrilea Riparian Services. Light luncheon & drinks provided. Signposted from Mobil Karapiro. SH1 FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT: VENDORS: HELEN & CHARLIE LEA - 07 827 6868 OR 021 833 221. info@ratanuifarm.co.nz BRENT BOUGEN - 027 210 4698 GARETH PRICE 0274 777 310 ANDREW FINDLAY 027 273 4808

Vendors: David & Fiona MacKenzie and Greg & Vicki Straker

Agent in Charge: Bill Sweeney - 027 451 5310 I have personally inspected the bulls this season and can verify that they are in outstanding condition. Bulls are sold in lots of 1 -5 to suit all buyers . * Delivery every Monday until 31st October* Pick what you want, when you want and pay via Bull Plan! View photos of the bulls on www.MyLiveStock.co.nz WAI49222

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS WEEKLY – September 11, 2017

Livestock

livestock@nzx.com – 0800 85 25 80

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

Shrimpton’s Hill eleventh annual Hereford bull sale carries strong appeal for dairy farmers

NEWCASTLE POLLED HEREFORDS Annual Bull Sale

On 27 September in Cave, South Canterbury, this year’s Shrimpton’s Hill Hereford bull sale, overseen by PGG Wrightson, will attract interest from dairy farmers throughout the South Island.

12.30pm – Tuesday, September 19th Frankton Saleyards, Hamilton – 70 Bulls

Have you got a bull sale coming up? Advertise in The NZ Farmers Weekly

• 20 x 15-month Registered Hereford bulls, from 400kg up to 600+kg • Very well grown, dark coloured, excellent temperament • Bulls suitable for cow mating and others for heifer mating • TB = C10, vaccinated = BVD (x2) and 7-in-1 (x2)

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

LK0089270©

In-milk Jersey herd for sale. 190 mixed aged cows. TB free C10. Grass fed only. Good young herd. $1850 + GST Phone Paul 021 917 632

LK0089163©

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

“More days in milk at no extra cost provides excellent returns for the dairy industry. Cows that calve earlier start milking earlier. Although early calving results in various benefits, ultimately it means more money for the farmer. Last season, we added 288,000 extra days in milk for the New Zealand herds using our genetics, creating a value of over $3 million for the dairy industry,” he said.

Vendor – Noel Smith 07 824 8300 PGG Wrightson – Cam Heggie 027 501 8182

Glen R Angus

Adding Value to Dairy Beef

Annual Bull Sale

RIVERTON HEREFORDS Bulls For Heifer Mating

Shrimpton’s Hill began breeding Herefords in 1969, and held its first on-farm Spring sale in 2007. This year 150 two-year-old bulls will be offered for sale. “We are proud to present an entire catalogue of bulls that are all in the top ten per cent for gestation length for the Hereford breed, with half of the offering in the top one per cent,” says John.

SPECIALISTS IN DAIRY HEIFER MATING

26TH ANNUAL SALE

As the genetics have been refined through the programme over more than a decade, Shrimpton’s Hill reports several calves born up to a month early, with the great majority of its embryo transplant calves arriving at least a cycle early.

FORDELL, WANGANUI THURSDAY 21 SEPT – 12 NOON

35 Rugged 2-year-old Bulls

1st ANNUAL BULL SALE Lynrich Jersey’s Richard & Christine Lansdaal 200 Luck at Last Rd, Karapiro Cambridge

Monday October 2 – 1.30pm Open Day to view bulls: Tuesday September 19 from 1.00-3.00pm Sandown 445 Deans Road, SH 72, Darfield

LK0084229©

LK0089275©

30 TWO-YEAR BULLS 110 YEARLING BULLS MIKE CRANSTONE 06 342 7721• 027 218 0123 crannyandcath@outlook.com

John and Liz McKerchar, with son Hamish, run Shrimpton’s Hill, which specialises in short gestation genetics. Dairy cows crossed with these bulls calve earlier, increasing the cow’s days in milk, says John.

Call Peter Heddell on 03 318 3080 / 027 436 1388

13 September 2017 – 12pm

Alongside its bull sales, this makes Shrimpton’s Hill the largest supplier of beef genetics to the New Zealand meat industry. Joe Higgins, PGG Wrightson Regional Livestock Manager for South/Mid Canterbury is managing the sale, alongside livestock representative Matt Gibbs. “We achieved a 100 per cent clearance at the sale last year, and expect to repeat that. Last year we had buyers from Southland to North Canterbury and the West Coast. In the past bulls have also been sold throughout the North Island. Various buyers take multiple bulls and last year one large buyer accounted for 30 purchases.

On Offer are: 165 x R1 Rec G3 profiled Jersey Bulls – BW’s up to 183 35 x R2 Rec G3 profiled Jersey Bulls – BW range 103-178 6 x 2yr WF Bulls

“Short gestation bulls have obvious appeal for the dairy sector. Plenty of farmers are also seeing four-day-old calves as an easy entry point to beef, with Herefords an ideal option for that, giving this sale appeal on many levels,” said Joe Higgins.

The top 50 R1 Jersey Bulls have a range of BW’s 154-182 and are Registered Pedigree bulls. Weights as at 16th August ave 265kg. 45 of the bulls are A2A2. The R2 Jersey bulls have a range of BW’s 103-178. 26 of these bulls are A2A2.

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

Our vendors are offering quality well grown Jersey bulls from their own herd - BW141 PW157, 7th in NZ. The bulls are coming forward in fantastic condition. Current ADG 0.7kg. All bulls – TB Tested (Herd status C10, EBL Free) • BVD tested negative and double vaccinated • Lepto vaccinated (vet certs available on the day) • Delivery will be every Wednesday with prior arrangement until the 11th October Bulls staying will be at purchasers risk Sale under cover – Light luncheon provided

Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) has a breeding relationship with Shrimpton’s Hill, which supplies semen and embryos exclusively to LIC’s breeding and marketing programme

44 Yearling Bulls

TUESDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER, 2017 - Starts 1pm at 43 Finlay Road, Cambridge On account of: Takapoto Angus

N BULL PLAE FINANC LE AVAILAB

Catalogue available on www.MyLivestock.co.nz Or by contacting your local NZFL agent Queries Ollie Carruthers 0274 515 312 Richard & Christine 027 353 5693

Bulls available for viewing from 11am on sale day or by prior arrangement by contacting Sam Le Cren Ph: 027 474 9989 Email: lechurch10@gmail.com

Selling Agents: PGG Wrightson Bruce Orr 0275 922 121 | Cam Heggie 0275 018 182

Helping grow the country

Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming listings

Key: Dairy

MANAWATU & TARANAKI SPRING BULL SALES

TURIHAUA YEARLING ANGUS BULL ONFARM SALE

MOTERE STN ANGUS YLG BULL SALE CANCELLATION NOTICE

UPCOMING SALES

771 SH35 MAKORORI GISBORNE

MOTERE STATION, OMAKERE Due to unforeseen circumstances the Motere Stn Angus Ylg Bull sale scheduled Thurs 21st Sept 2017 has been cancelled.

Ranui Angus Ylg Bull Tues 12th Sept – 30 Yearling Bulls Whanganui 12pm Start Contact Ken Roberts 027 591 8042 Shadow Downs Hereford Bull Wed 13th Sept – 52 2yr Bulls, 16 Yearling Bulls Waverley 12pm Start Contact Mark Neil 027 742 8580 Mangaotea All Breeds Bull Thurs 14th Sept – 180 Bulls of All Breeds Tariki 12pm Start Contact Kim Harrison 027 501 0013 Riverton Hereford Bull Thurs 21st Sept – 110 Yearling Bulls, 30 2yr Bulls Fordell 12pm Start Contact Keith Wilsher 027 596 5143 Ardo Hereford Bull Tuesday 26th Sept – 80 Yearling Bulls, 30 2yr Bulls Marton 12pm Start Contact Maurice Stewart 027 246 9255 Pine Park Angus Dairy Bull Wednesday 27th Sept – 25 2yr Bulls, 15Yearling Bulls Marton 12pm Start Contact Phil Transom 027 442 0060 For any further inquiries please contact Caitlin Rokela 027 405 6156 PGG Wrightson Genetics

Cattle

Sheep

Other

DISPERSAL SALE KING CONTRACTING

Wednesday 27th Sept 2017 @ 1pm Will offer approx 30 Yearling Angus Bulls • Over 100yrs of Quality Angus Breeding. • Low Birth Weight • www.turihaua.co.nz • facebook:Turihaua Angus Contact Steve Goldsbury Hm: 06 8688113 Mob: 027 446 9969

The Annual Motere Stn Angus Bull Sale will proceed as scheduled in June 2018. Further enquiries: Brenton Giddens 027 446 9961 or Tom Suttor 027 446 9967

WAITERENUI ANGUS LTD YEARLING ANGUS BULL SALE

STORTFORD LODGE CATTLE SALE

ONFARM - Waiterenui Angus Ltd, 1573 Raukawa Rd, Raukawa

STORTFORD LODGE SALEYARDS, HASTINGS

Friday, 29th September 2017 @ 12noon Waiterenui Angus Ltd will offer approx • 40 Yearling Angus Bulls • Quality Angus Breeding • Low Birth Weight • www.waiterenui.co.nz Contact: Neil Common 027 444 8745 Tom Suttor 027 446 9967

Wednesday 13th Sept 2017 @ 10.30am

On Farm 1139 Rapaura Road, Blenheim, Friday 22nd September 2017 Commencing 11.00am Vehicles: JD6230 Tractor,JD Gator, Vineyard Equipment: Landquip Gondola, ERO Vine Trimmer, ERO Leaf Plucker, Spray Equipment: 2 x Quantum Mist Sprayers, 2x Bertolini Weedsprayers, Mowers, Mulchers, Cultivators, Rollers, Drills: Alpego TR36 1.8mtr Mulcher, Grays Heavy Roller & Hydraulic Wheels & Hitch, Ploughs, Harrows, Levellers: Fencing & Posts: Fencepro Post Driver & 2 Spikes, Farm Equipment & Sundries: Approx 50 Rounds of Meadow Baleage, Workshop Equipment & Tools, Office & Household Furniture. For Full Details Ref: http://agonline.co.nz/Upcoming Sales. Peter Barnes, PGG Wrightson Blenheim Phone 0275 918 415 or David King (Vendor) Phone 0274 356 690

------------------------------------------WAITARA STATION, Te Pohue • 150 1yr Angus Steers

MATAWHERO HORSE FAIR

• 40 1yr Angus Heifers All home bred. Annual Line.

MATAWHERO SALEYARDS, GISBORNE

Contact: Dale Ching 021 249 4382

Tuesday 12th Sept 2017 @ 10am

--------------------------------------------

Comprising -

WAITERENUI ANGUS LTD

• 50 Broken in

W&V MacFarlane, Raukawa

• 60 Unbroken

• 75 R2yr Angus Heifers Outstanding opportunity to purchase quality Angus Heifers suitable for breeding from a renowned Angus Stud environment. Drafted to suit all potential purchasers. TB:C10.

• Asstd Sundries Contact: Wally Moore 027 473 7455 Tony Holden 027 598 1538

Contact: Neil Common 027 444 8745 -------------------------------------------MOTERE STATION, Omakere • 100 R1yr Pure Bred Angus Heifers A great opportunity to purchase quality Angus Heifers. TB:C10 Contact: Brenton Giddens 027 446 9961 --------------------------------------------

IN MILK DAIRY HERD AUCTION Account Reckless Limited C/O M/s K&K Parry To be held at Inglewood Saleyards Friday 22nd September at 11.30am 140 In Milk Frsn & FrsnX Dairy Cows

WAIROA CATTLE SALE

BWs to 175 PWs to 222 Payment 20th October

NOTICE OF RESCHEDULED DATE TO: Thursday 28th Sept 2017 @ 11am The Wairoa Cattle Sale calendared for Thursday, 14th September has been rescheduled to Thursday, 28th September 2017.

On Farm Bull Sale – 27th September 2017 at Midday 150 Elite SGL 2yr Performance Recorded Hereford Bulls World leading genetics, 100% of the catalogue in the top 10% for gestation length Sole supplier of SGL Hereford semen to LIC Your cows and our genetics equal: 1) Shorter gestation, thus more days in milk 2) White faced advantage for easy and instant identification 3) Sale topping bobby calves. Catalogues available from: John and Liz McKerchar, Shrimpton’s Hill Herefords Cave, South Canterbury | P: 03 614 3759 | E: shrimptons@farmside.co.nz W: www.shrimptonshillherefords.co.nz

All enquiries please contact:

Full catalogues available online agonline.co.nz LIC Electronic Screens operating on sale day.

Mason Birrell 027 496 7253

Contact Mark Neil 027 742 8580 for further details or your local agent.

KAIRAUMATI POLLED HEREFORDS BULL SALE

PRELIMINARY NOTICE ON FARM HOGGET SALE

Thursday 21st September, 12.30pm

JG & DA CRAWFORD Oxford, Canterbury

On Farm: 68 Ngataipua Rd, Turua, Thames Comprising: • 26 R2 Bulls • 1 Herd Sire

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

All cows are DNA’d, Metrichecked and Herd Tested.

Ian Rissetto 027 444 9347

• 20 Ylg Bulls

Find out more contact PGG Wrightson Livestock Representatives Joe Higgins on 027 431 4041, Matt Gibbs on 027 555 2307 or John McKone on 027 229 9375.

A grand opportunity to purchase genuine spring calves.

Wednesday 4th October We will offer approx. 4500 Shorn Hoggets Further enquiries to: Glenn Peddie 027 200 2232

Contact: Dave Stuart 0272 241 049 Cam Heggie 0275 018 182 Vendor: Roy & Kayne Ward 0211 287 174

Helping grow the country

Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming listings

Key: Dairy

56TH ANNUAL NATIONAL HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN BULL SALE

95TH ANNUAL NATIONAL JERSEY BULL SALE

Tuesday 19th September 2017, 10.30am Start

Wednesday 20th September 2017, 11.30am Start

Te Awamutu Saleyards Paterangi Road Te Awamutu

Te Awamutu Saleyards, Paterangi Road Te Awamutu

A Well Presented Offering Comprising:

• 24 Yearling Holstein Friesian Bulls

• 12 2year Jersey Bulls

• 9 15–20 month Holstein Friesian Bulls

• 3 15 - 20 month Jersey Bulls

• 59 2 year Holstein Friesian Bulls

• 36 1 year Jersey Bulls

AYRSHIRE BREEDERS BULL SALE Monday 18th September 2017, 11.30 am Start

Plus 420 straws of Jersey semen to be offered at completion of the bull sale.

All bulls comply with TB and Nait requirements and have been BVD tested/ vaccinated.

Again our vendors offer a well grown, well presented line of high genetic value Holstein Friesian bulls. Backed by generations of the best bloodlines and high production these are bulls you can confidently keep replacements from. Dam best records up to 1295 kgs milk solids with BWs up to 170. Those farmers requiring to purchase well recorded, high genetic value bulls should attend this sale.

Again our vendors offer a well grown, well presented line of high genetic value Jersey bulls. Backed by years of the best Jersey bloodlines and high production these are bulls you can confidently keep replacements from. Dam best record average is 510 kgs milk solids with BWs up to 197. Those farmers requiring to purchase well recorded, high genetic value bulls should attend this sale.

Make sure you receive a catalogue from the auctioneers or view online at www.brianrobinsonlivestock.com or www.pggwrightson.co.nz

All enquiries to

PGG Wrightson Andrew Reyland 0272 237 092

Ryan Shannon Canterbury (Trainee) 0275 650 979

• 8 2 year Ayrshire Bulls • 4 15 - 20 month Ayrshire Bulls

Caitlin Rokela Manawatu/ Whanganui/ Taranaki 027 405 6156

4: Meadowslea Angus, Fairlie Fri 6th October - 1pm 5: Stern Angus, Totara Valley Wed 11th October - 1pm

All bulls comply with TB and Nait requirements and have been BVD tested/ vaccinated. Again our vendors offer a well grown, well presented line of high genetic value Ayrshire bulls. Backed by years of the best Ayrshire bloodlines and high production these are bulls you can confidently keep replacements from. Ayrshires are renowned for good conformation, high protein %, ease of calving and hardiness.

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

For full details contact: Joe Higgins 027 431 4041 John McKone 027 229 9375

Make sure you receive a catalogue from the auctioneers or view online at www.brianrobinsonlivestock.com or www.pggwrightson.co.nz All enquiries to

PGG Wrightson Andrew Reyland 0272 237 092

Brian Robinson Livestock Ltd Brian Robinson 0272 410 051

Secure your bull team with no upfront cost. pggwrightson.co.nz/deferabull

PGG Wrightson Genetics is a nationwide team of livestock breeding professionals, passionate about improving farm productivity through genetics.

Callum McDonald Lower South Island 027 433 6443

SOUTH CANTERBURY 2017 SPRING BULL SALES

3: Kakahu Angus, Geraldine Thu 5th October - 1pm

Brian Robinson Livestock Ltd Brian Robinson 0272 410 051

LEADERS IN OUR FIELD

Other

2: Bluestone Hereford, Cave Wed 4th October - 1pm

A Well Presented Offering Comprising:

Plus 575 straws of Ayrshire semen to be offered at completion of the bull sale.

51 head

Brian Robinson Livestock Ltd Brian Robinson 0272 410 051

Morrinsville Saleyards

32 head

Plus 100 straws of Holstein Friesian semen to be offered at completion of the bull sale.

Sheep

1: Shrimpton Hill Herefords, Cave Wed 27th September - 12 Noon

• 20 1 year Ayrshire Bulls

92 head

Cattle

We understand your farming business and your needs and are committed to helping you achieve your production goals.

Tom Suttor Hawke’s Bay, East Coast, Wairarapa 027 446 9967

Cam Heggie Upper North Island Auctioneer 027 501 8182

To find out more contact your local genetics specialist below.

John McKone Canterbury Auctioneer 027 229 9375

Callum Stewart National Genetics Manager 027 280 2688

Helping grow the country

MARKET SNAPSHOT

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Grain & Feed

MILK PRICE FORECAST ($/KGMS) 2017-18

6.75

6.65

AS OF 27/07/2017

AS OF 07/09/2017

Prior week

Last year

Apr 17 Jun 17 AgriHQ Spot Fonterra forecast

Aug 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

7.00

6.00

348

333

NI mutton (20kg)

4.20

2.80

364

359

272

SI lamb (17kg)

6.90

6.85

5.45

Feed Barley

372

369

256

SI mutton (20kg)

4.05

4.15

2.70

230

Export markets (NZ$/kg) 8.29

8.17

7.38

235

225

UK CKT lamb leg

Maize Grain

422

347

PKE

233

223

234

7.0

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

6.5 6.0

INTERNATIONAL

5.5 Last week

Prior week

Last year

5.0

CBOT futures (NZ$/t)

4.5

Wheat - Nearest

212

213

187

Corn - Nearest

186

193

174

359

352

283

6.5

600 6.0

7.0

APW Wheat

3500 3000 2500 2000 Nov 16 Feb 17 May 17 C2 Fonterra WMP

ASW Wheat

348

341

270

Feed Wheat

270

267

254

Feed Barley

319

331

235

PKE (US$/t)

Aug 17 Nov 17 NZX WMP Futures

South Island 1 7kg lamb

7.5

Australia (NZ$/t)

4000

North Island 17kg lamb

7.5

Ex-Malaysia

NZ venison 60kg stag

$/kg

5 Feb 17

500 5.5 400 5.0

300 4.5 OctOct

DecDec

FebFeb AprApr

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

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

WMP

3125

3225

3300

SMP

1955

1960

AMF

6450

Butter

6025

Last week

Prior week

Last year

(NZ$/kg)

Last week

Prior week

Last year

2010

Urea

477

460

29 micron

6.65

7.30

6450

6325

Super

297

303

314

35 micron

3.10

5.25

5830

6150

DAP

784

39 micron

3.10

2.65

5.20

702

5.5

Oct Nov Latest price

Dec Jan 4 w eeks ago

Feb

Sharemarket Briefing MARKETS were rocked last week by increasing geopolitical tensions as North Korea conducted a sixth successful test of nuclear weaponry. The unpredictable nation has been the cause of plenty of volatility with a war of words erupting between North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un and United States President Donald Trump, followed by further missile tests. Locally, the election is front of mind for investors. Neither Labour nor National is standing out as a clear winner and it looks more and more likely Winston Peters and NZ First will be the king maker. The latest poll from Colmar Brunton put Labour in the lead for the first time. Whatever the outcome of the election on September 23, it is unlikely to cause a major disruption to the market and the economy. New Zealand is in a strong economic position. Growth is robust, unemployment is low, the dairy sector has improved substantially and most parts of the economy are doing very well. Despite the likelihood of short-term volatility, financial markets will ultimately put more weight on fundamentals, rather than political change in Wellington. Market commentary provided by Craigs Investment Partners

12244

15236

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

7804

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

7533

NZ venison 60kg stag

$/kg

600

350

c/k kg (net)

NZ$/t

US$/t

CANTERBURY FEED PRICES

250 150 Sep 13

Coarse xbred w ool indicator

6.5

450

S&P/FW AG EQUITY

This yr

NZ average (NZ$/t)

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR

Last yr

WOOL

* price as at close of business on Thursday

Sep

Jun Jun AugAug

FERTILISER

Last price*

3500 3400 3300 3200 3100 3000

Last year

7.00

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

Sep 14 Feed barley

Sep 15

Sep 16 Sep 17 PKE spot

4003.5 300

2.5

Oct Oct

Dec Dec 5‐yr ave

Feb Feb

AprApr Last yr

JunJun AugAug This yr

Dollar Watch

Top 10 by Market Cap Company

4.5

500

YTD High

YTD Low

6.43

7.43

6.31

Company

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

5.800

5.960

2.060

Cavalier Corporation Limited

0.290

0.810

0.270

Comvita Limited

7.460

8.650

5.150

Delegat Group Limited

6.850

7.000

5.650

Foley Family Wines Limited

1.340

1.500

1.200

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

6.120

6.400

5.880

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

2.400

2.610

2.100

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

1.770

1.870

1.220

PGG Wrightson Limited

0.580

0.620

0.490

Sanford Limited (NS)

7.400

7.750

6.700

Scales Corporation Limited

3.350

3.680

3.210

Seeka Limited

5.250

5.500

4.300

Tegel Group Holdings Limited

1.230

1.460

1.050

S&P/FW Primary Sector

12244

12270

9307

S&P/FW Agriculture Equity

15236

15374

10899

S&P/NZX 50 Index

7804

7879

6971

THE double hurricane hit This Prior Last on the United States might NZD vs week week year delay Federal Reserve USD 0.7224 0.7176 0.7389 interest rate rises and help EUR 0.6012 0.6030 0.6564 push the kiwi higher over the next several months, AUD 0.8987 0.9030 0.9671 ASB Bank institutional GBP 0.5516 0.5549 0.5556 currency dealer Tim Correct as of 9am last Friday Kelleher says. Huge repair costs in Texas and potentially in Florida could delay Fed action by three to six months from a December rise earlier thought possible. International investors are still ‘’long” (keen buyers) of the kiwi though positions have been trimmed back from higher levels and ASB is not expecting the New Zealand election to change that too much. A hung Parliament might take US1c off the kiwi, Kelleher said. The bank’s forecasters now expect the kiwi to head towards US$0.74 by March next year and 0.75 in June. The euro has been the big mover higher against the kiwi in recent months along with a big gain against the US dollar as the European Central Bank moves slowly towards a firmer monetary stance but Kelleher thinks the path might be flat from here into next year, staying at or just below current levels. A similar outlook applies on the sterling cross, which he does not expect to move above the 0.56 to 0.57 level through next year. The kiwi has slipped further against the aussie, to below A$0.90 on sharply firmer iron ore prices across the Tasman. Kelleher thinks a 0.90 to 0.9025 level is likely in the months ahead.

S&P/NZX 10 Index

7533

7643

6927

Alan Williams

Auckland International Airport Limited Meridian Energy Limited

2.93

3.02

2.57

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

12.50 3.86 8.23 3.45 9.15 5.80 3.51 5.38

12.51 3.97 10.86 3.60 9.50 5.96 3.61 5.74

8.50 3.32 7.38 2.94 8.12 2.06 2.08 4.65

Listed Agri Shares

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Markets

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

NI SLAUGHTER LAMB

SI SLAUGHTER STEER

NI SLAUGHTER BULL

($/KG)

2-YEAR BEEF-CROSS HEIFERS, 300-400KG, AT WELLSFORD

($/KG)

($/KG LW)

5.30

7.00

5.50

2.95

high lights

$3.12-$3.22/kg $1000-$1030 2-year Beef-Friesian heifers, 335-380kg, at Taranaki Cattle Fair

1-year Angus and Angus-Hereford steers, 240-250kg, at Lorneville

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

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.60

5.50

5.65

NI Bull (300kg)

5.50

5.40

NI Cow (200kg)

4.40

4.35

4.40

SI Steer (300kg)

5.30

5.35

5.50

SI Bull (300kg)

5.00

5.05

5.15

SI Cow (200kg)

4.20

4.25

4.35

US imported 95CL bull

6.65

6.56

6.58

US domestic 90CL cow

7.05

7.06

6.37

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 $/kg

Spring fever hits cattle prices

5.0 500

400 4.5 300 4.0

Oct Oct

Dec Dec

Feb Feb

5‐yr ave

Apr Apr

JunJun

Last yr

AugAug This yr

VENISON Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Last week Prior week

Last year

NI Stag (60kg)

9.60

9.50

8.60

NI Hind (50kg)

9.50

9.40

8.50

SI Stag (60kg)

9.60

9.50

8.60

SI Hind (50kg)

9.50

9.40

8.50

New Zealand venison (60kg Stag)

10 9

NZ venison 60kg stag

$/kg

600

c/k kg (net)

More photos: farmersweekly.co.nz

NZ venison 60kg stag

5.5 600

c/k kg (net)

ON PARADE: A scene from a recent sale in Temuka.

500 400 7 300 6 Oct

Oct

Dec Feb Dec Feb 5‐yr ave

Apr Apr Last yr

Jun Jun

Aug Aug This yr

ITH a few more cattle hitting the marketplaces this week prices are starting to show a hint of the spring fever markets that vendors look forward to at this time of year. There has been a noted increase in attendance from both local and outside buyers at the bigger sales, as some buyers look to secure numbers early, though others are still so wet underfoot they are being forced to hold off. NORTHLAND NORTHLAND A tick over 850 cattle made up the second spring cattle fair at WELLSFORD last Monday, and the sale was well supported by a local buying bench. All pens were occupied and the market was at expectations for all but

the heavier 1-year bulls, with heifers the highlight. The market held for 2-year steers, with prices mainly steady. Most of the beef-cross and beef-Friesian with weight and quality sold for $2.86$2.95/kg, while similar lighter types made $2.96-$3.04/kg. A line of 366kg Angus-cross managed $3.11/kg. The heifer markets were the shining light as local buyers have killed in time to re-enter, and Charolais, 303kg, managed $3.15/kg, while Herefordcross, 339-401kg, made $2.89-$2.96/ kg. The strength continued in the 1-year pens, and 17 Angus, 287kg, fetched $940, and all beef-Friesian lines, 187-234kg, $750-$850. Quality was mixed in the steer pens, but lines were well contested. Beefcross, 245-260kg, made $850-$910, though Hereford-Friesian, 207-257kg, returned $800-$915 for much higher c/kg.

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Heavy 1-year bulls sold below expectations, though buyers got their flow on for the lighter lines. Friesian, 302-317kg, proved very buy-able at $865-$920, $2.86-$2.90/kg, while 204227kg pushed to $750-$780. With grass starting to move interest in store cattle is picking up, though numbers are yet to follow suit at KAIKOHE, with a small yarding of 280 head penned, PGG Wrightson agent Vaughan Vujcich reported. The real strength was in the heifer pens, where a consignment of 50 good quality 15-month Angus-Friesian and Hereford-Friesian were the highlight. At 310-315kg these averaged $3.00/ kg, with the Angus-Friesian line purchased for breeding. Other 2-year heifers sold for $2.75-$2.85/kg. Quality was respectable for a small yarding of 1-year cattle. Angus

Continued page 54

Markets

54 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017 Hereford and Charolais steers sold to $3.60-$3.80/kg, with lighter heifers of similar breeding making $3.30-$3.50/kg. A nice line up of Friesian bulls mainly traded around $3.22/kg, while autumn-born beef-cross fetched $450-$500. Around 20-30 cows were offered, with the bulk trading at $1.80-$1.85/kg. AUCKLAND AUCKLAND The onset of spring brought more life to the market at PUKEKOHE on Saturday 2nd September, as buyers start to stock up, auctioneer Pat Farrell reported. Prime numbers were low, with mainly heifers, 615kg, at $3.02/kg, though the better 2-year steers, 544-670kg, made $2.94-$3.00/kg. Bulls, 559-677kg, returned $2.79$2.85/kg, and boners, 436kg, $1.90/kg, and 521kg, $2.28/kg. Store prices reflected the increase in inquiry, and medium 2-year steers, 434-467kg, fetched $2.89-$2.93/kg, while light 15-month, 297-305kg varied from $2.88/kg to $3.36/kg dependent on quality. Heifers of similar condition and 228-291kg were more consistent at $3.28-$3.33/ kg, while 1-year, 150-161kg, made very good returns at $630-$740. In the weaner pens steers, 142-186kg, earned $670-$790, and heifers, 116kg, $530. Lesser quality crossbred heifers, 107kg, sold for $295-$300. COUNTIES COUNTIES Last week’s store cattle market at TUAKAU was a little sticky in places, Kane Needham of PGG Wrightson reported. Good lots sold well, but bidding was tempered by another run of wet weather and the market wasn’t as strong as the previous week. The yarding of 500-head included 439kg Angus-Friesian steers, which traded for $2.94/ kg. A very nice line of 20-month Hereford-Friesian, 472kg, sold at $3.07/kg, and good Simmentalcross 1-year steers, 391kg, made $1210. Other Hereford-Friesian, 313kg, earned $1050, and, 231kg, $900. Angus-Friesian also featured in the heifer pens, where 470kg returned $2.91/kg, while Hereford-Friesian, 382kg, made $2.85/kg. A top quality lot of wellmarked 1-year Hereford-Friesian, 295kg sold for $940, with 217kg making $760, and a red bodied lot, 179kg, $650. Steer prices were firm at last Wednesday’s prime sale, but the heifer market softened slightly. The best of the prime steers sold at $3.04/kg, with other heavy lots making $2.97-$3.02/kg. Medium steers earned $2.92-$2.96/kg, and lighter $2.82-$2.90/kg. Heavy prime heifers traded at $2.79$2.83/kg, and medium beef $2.73$2.78/kg. Lighter beef heifers fetched $2.70/kg and heavy, well-conditioned Friesian cows $2.10-$2.25/kg. Medium Friesian made $1.90-$2.05/kg and lighter boners $1.75-$1.80/kg. Heavy beef bulls earned $2.88-$2.94/kg, and medium $2.75-$2.85/kg. About 840 ewes and lambs were presented at last Monday’s sheep sale and the market was buoyant. The best of the heavy prime lambs made $186, with other

good lambs returning $155-$177. Medium lots fetched $130-$150, and lighter $120-$130. Store lamb prices were also firm. Good stores sold at $105-$114, and medium $85-$95. The best of the prime ewes made $142, with other heavy ewes earning $110-$125. Medium ewes sold for $80-$95, and light $60-$75. BAY OF PLENTY BAY OF PLENTY The cattle market at RANGIURU was largely unchanged from the previous week, as the numbers offered matched the demand from buyers. Competition for prime cattle is picking up as numbers are scarce. Most steers traded at $2.90-$3.02/ kg, including Friesian, though a line of Friesian & Friesian-cross, 592kg, managed $3.11/kg. In-calf boner cows sold well above empty price which was a good sign. The Friesian and Friesian & Friesian-cross lineup traded at $2.53-$2.66/kg, while empty Friesian, 354-420kg, fetched $1.95-$2.02/kg. Just one line of 2-year steers were offered, and being Angus, 424kg, managed to sell to $3.04/ kg, while a better quality lineup of heifers saw beef and beef-cross, 410-455kg, make $3.02-$3.11/kg, with Hereford-Friesian reaching similar levels. Quality 1-year lines sold well, and at least $850 was needed to secure steers, with better types making $930-$1190, and the remainder $850-$890. HerefordFriesian heifers, 287-360kg, returned $915-$1030. A good number of weaner’s are also starting to come forward, albeit in small lines. Little differentiated steer and heifer prices, and all beef-Friesian steers traded at $750-$815, with similar weighted heifers making $760$770. Lighter lines, 120-168kg, sold for $580-$630. Sheep numbers were very low once again at just 168. Prime lambs sold to $150, with prices averaging $122, while a small offering of ewes traded at $90$107. With calving now well through feeder calf sales are winding down, with interest doing the same. Heifers outnumbered the bulls, though the majority sold at $50 and below. A few bigger lines of Hereford-Friesian reached $55-$80. Hereford-Friesian bulls still sold to strong demand, and top lines made $200-$220, with medium types earning $95-$120. WAIKATO A mixed yarding greeted buyers at FRANKTON last week as prices reflected. Local buyers remain strong on good quality cattle. Three-year plus Angus and beef-cross steers, 631-779kg, remained steady at $2.90-$2.96/ kg. Heifers were on par, with those 460-502kg making $2.92-$2.97/kg. With only a handful of steers offered, heifers were the highlight in the 2-year pens and continue to make good returns. AngusHereford, 367-399kg, made $3.01/ kg, while Beef-cross, 399-448kg, returned $2.95-$3.07/kg, though a line of Murray Grey, 362kg, bettered this at $3.15/kg. Beefcross and Friesian bulls traded at $2.99-$3.00/kg. Returns for 1-year steers were

in line with recent sales. Beefcross and Hereford-Friesian, 219338kg, made $800-$1125, with better lines selling up to $3.65/ kg. Hereford-Jersey, 245-269kg, managed $740-$925. Quality was high in the heifers and they consequently lifted. Traditional and beef-cross, 233-336kg, made $755-$1140. Hereford-Friesian were strongly represented both in numbers and corresponding bids. The lighter lines, 189-234kg, returned $730-$880, and 267316kg, garnered $950-$1115. Autumn-born weaners were of mixed quality and prices reflected this. Again Hereford-Friesian dominated by sheer numbers, and steers, 166kg, were picked up for $800, with heifers, 111-125kg, reaching $510-$520. Bulls, 99107kg returned $505-$655. KING COUNTRY KING COUNTRY Rain continues to fall in bursts around King Country, though the TE KUITI sale was largely unaffected last Wednesday, with a small sheep yarding easily absorbed, Carrfield’s agent Carl White reported. The sale took little over an hour to complete, though vendors walked away happy with returns. The top prime lambs were Coopworth rams, with two lines making $178 and $186 respectively, while the remainder traded at $135-$150. Ewe numbers were light, but returns solid as the better end made $137-$144, and lighter woolly lines, $104-$120. One line of ewes with lambs-at-foot sold for $73 all counted. Store lambs filled 17 pens, though quality was mixed. A line of Suffolk-cross topped the section at $140, with Coopworth ewe lambs making $123. Most of the lambs ranged from $120-$125, with no lines selling under $100. TARANAKI TARANAKI The specially advertised TARANAKI cattle fair last Wednesday showed good strength from the first pen sold to the last, as a big bench of buyers gathered and prices had a touch of spring, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Stephen Sutton reported. Numbers were at the expected 800 head, and quality through all sections was very good. The sale dove headfirst into high prices from the start of the 2-year steers, as 540-597kg were knocked down for $3.02-$3.08/ kg, while a line of 470kg managed $3.14/kg. Two outstanding pens of Hereford-Friesian, 354-386kg, sold to $3.60-$3.61/kg, and traditional, 320kg, $3.48/kg. The market did not falter in the heifer pens either, and a consignment of 70 Hereford-Friesian and 30 Angus-Friesian were chased for breeding. The heavier end, 404415kg, earned $2.90-$2.96/kg, but prices climbed for 335-380kg, which returned $3.12-$3.22/kg. Nearly half of the consignment headed to Hawkes Bay for breeding. The 1-year section also travelled along in fine form, and a mix of beef-cross and beef-Friesian lines sold at similar levels. Steers, 333361kg, made $1160-$1260, $3.48$3.49/kg, but the c/kg climbed as high as $3.90/kg as the weight dropped away. Those 290-320kg

returned $1080-$1210, and 255267kg, $1000-$1005. Of the 800 head yarded, around 200 could be found in the 1-year heifer pens, where the majority sold at $750 and better. Two good quality lines of Hereford-Friesian, 293-299kg, made breeding values at $1000-$1020, while a good supply of heavy lines, 245-290kg, traded at $810-$940. Lighter lines, 140-230kg, brought in $585-$750. POVERTY BAY POVERTY BAY Rain had an impact on the monthly cattle sale at MATAWHERO last Tuesday, though this time it was getting stock to sale that was affected, not the prices. Numbers were below advertised levels, with just shy of 900 cattle penned. The focus from the buying bench was very much on big lines and the quality that this area is renowned for. In the 2-year steer pens that was easy to find, with nearly 230 selling in 12 main lines. Prices exceeded expectations as Waikato, Hawke’s Bay and local buyers battled it out, with one line of 440kg Angus making a 23c/kg premium on last month’s sale at $3.45/kg, and other lines, 410415kg, returning $3.28-$3.35/kg. Exotic prices also improved, and 420-450kg averaged $3.35/kg. Vendors of 1-year cattle targeted this sale, and numbers lifted significantly on August levels. Buying power was mainly local and Angus steers, 160-260kg, fetched $850-$980, though the only line to crack $1000 was 17 Angus-Hereford, 275kg, at $1040. A line of hand reared, beefFriesian heifers met keen interest, and at 285kg, sold for $950 to top the section. Angus and Angus & Angus-Hereford, 220-255kg, lifted to $855-$930. A good yarding of Friesian bulls proved popular, with 240-270kg earning $915-$955, and 210kg, $750. Angus weaner bulls, 165240kg, traded at $700-$830. Minimal numbers were to be found yet again at Friday’s sale. Top dollar in the store lambs went to a line of heavy males at $147, while other medium ewe and mixed sex lines were $111-$129. There were three pens of ewes with lambs-at-foot available. These were in good condition, selling to a reasonable $86-$89 all counted. Prime ewes made anywhere between $91-$111.50. HAWKE’S BAY HAWKE’S BAY Ewes with lambs-at-foot were the main feature at STORTFORD LODGE last week, with high prices driving more to market. Store lamb prices eased on the previous week, while prime prices last Monday repeated the current market. Prime lamb numbers are at record levels for this time of year, but the 1800 head met extra buyers and the market was very firm. There was no differentiation in prices for male and ewe lambs, with most heavy male lambs making $150-$160, and ewe lambs $148-$167. Very heavy males sold to $176-$179, though a line of 60kg plus ewe lambs fetched $192. Low volumes of ewes sold on a steady market, with heavy lines making $128-$147, and mediumgood, $114-$127, while the lighter end made $80-$98. Just 19 cattle were offered,

though featured Angus steers, 632-638kg that sold on a firm market for $3.11-$3.12/kg. Three high yielding South Devon heifers, 553kg, made $3.05/kg, while the only cows was a line of four Jersey, 467kg, which sold for $1.86/kg. The noise coming from the sheep pens conjured up thoughts of docking, as over 700 new season lambs called out for their mothers in the next pen. The ewes with lambs-at-foot market grew to 470 ewes plus the lambs, and was contested by a big bench of buyers. With most lines multiples and healthy, mainly blackface lambs, good ewes made $87-$94 all counted, and medium-good, $82$90, while 80 ewes with 82 lambs managed $95. Store lambs took a back seat, though 4100 were still penned, with a higher volume of ewe lambs, but still good numbers of males. The market had a softer tone overall despite much of the yarding still trading at $120--$160. Medium-good ewe lambs made $117-$140, with similar weighted males making $121-$135. Lighter lines are selling for the lowest c/ kg as buyer interest is limited. Sale-goers would have been forgiven for thinking they were on the western side of the country, with a small store cattle sale dominated by dairy and dairycross lines. Two-year steers were scarce and quality was back, with beef-cross and Friesian-cross making $2.61$2.62/kg. Friesian bulls were the main feature, and prices were relatively steady, with 512-523kg selling to $3.02-$3.10/kg, and 408kg $3.19/kg. Small lines of mixed quality made up the 1-year section, with Angus steers, 293kg, fetching $1040, while heifers, 271kg, returned $950. Charolais-cross heifers, 173kg, hit the $4/kg mark when they sold for $695. The biggest section was the 1-year bulls, with Angus, 248-316kg, buyable at $735-$945, $2.96-$2.99/ kg, though buyers were more competitive on Friesian, 276296kg, $867-$940, $3.14-$3.18/kg. MANAWATU MANAWATU At RONGOTEA last Wednesday a good yarding of Angus cross cattle to suit all buyers were available, with weaners, 1-year and 2-year cattle of both sexes, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported. A handful of in-calf cows and heifers were offered, with the cows making $1210, and heifers, $1130-$1360. The 2-year steer market showed improvement, with Angus-cross, 352kg, making $2.99/kg, and Hereford-Friesian, 407-452kg, $2.82-$2.92/kg. Friesian, 405kg, managed $2.93/kg. Angus-cross heifers however went one better, selling to $3.08/kg, though other lines traded around $2.66/kg. Bulls made up the bulk of the 1-year pens, where Friesian, 215-220kg, returned $760, and Hereford-Friesian, 175-375kg, $670-$1210. Demand held for other dairy lines also, with Jersey, 155-222kg, making $515-$740, and Ayrshire, 355kg, $1060. Heifers were mainly beef-cross, with the dominant Angus-cross,

Markets

CANTERBURY CANTERBURY The market was very buoyant across the steer and heifer pens at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday, for what was probably the best prime lineup in some time. The sheep section continued in the same vein as August sales, with strong returns for lambs, and Groundhog Day in the ewe pens. A consignment of 480 mixed sex store lambs made up over half the offering. These were mainly medium to good types, and traded at $113-$122 to a variety of buyers. Medium-good lambs eased, though still made good values at $122-$130, with lighter types returning $110-$120. Two lines of ewes with lambs-at-foot sold exceptionally well at $92-$93 all counted. Strong competition on 1200 prime lambs saw a top price of $183 achieved, and other heavy lines managed $170-$180, with most trading at $120-$169. Prime ewes offered up little in the way of numbers, and with mutton schedules improving, the market followed suit. Heavy lines sold to $130-$156, medium-good $116-$125, and light, $51-$90. While most steers were good prime types, there was a consignment of 30 forward store Hereford steers entered as well, with two finishers battling it out

but just one successful at $3.40$3.45/kg for 447-484kg. Finished steers sold on a steady market at $2.95/kg, while lighter lines lifted, with 495-580kg Hereford-Friesian and Angus making $3.09-$3.13/ kg. Heifers were mainly local trade, and prices lifted. Some lines hit and passed $3/kg, but generally 480-585kg beef and exotic-cross sold for $2.90-$2.98/kg. Cow numbers were very low and prices were steady, with better beef, and Friesian lines making $2.00-$2.05/kg, though two Angus-Hereford, 570kg managed $2.25/kg. Buyers breathed a sigh of relief to see a good sized yarding of store cattle at COALGATE last Wednesday, and the market had a real spring feel to it. Prime lambs featured in a small sheep sale, with prices lifting $10. The store lamb section consisted of nine small lines, six of which sold for $120-$122. Two lines of ewe with lambs-at-foot returned $76-$91 all counted. Regular buyers with similar budgets pushed the prime lamb price $10 higher, and a third sold for $180-$188, with most making $140-$185. With lambing underway on lower country ewe numbers to auction are scarce. Prices held, with most making $120-$148. Just shy of 300 store cattle were yarded with most 1-year, and a big gallery of buyers from the wider Canterbury area meant business. A small 2-year section consisted of Hereford-Friesian steers, 406kg and 449kg, which made $3.55/kg and $3.30/kg respectively. The highlight in the 1-year steer section was a consignment of Fleckvieh-cross and HerefordFriesian Fleckvieh which, at 248-268kg, had 2-3 buyers bidding to $1090-$1150, and lighter lines selling up to $4.40/kg. A few lighter lines of other breeds sold over $4/kg, with most of the section making $820-$1160. Hereford-Friesian featured in the heifer pens, and at 252-260kg, sold for $780-$980. Friesian bulls sold above expectations as 232-260kg reached $700-$800, $3.02-$3.08/kg, though these were bettered by 268kg, at $890, $3.32/ kg. Prime prices also lifted 10c/ kg and Steers, 480-720kg, traded at $3.00-$3.12/kg, with higher yielding heifers managing $3.00$3.09/kg. Other beef-Friesian heifers traded at $2.78-$2.92/kg, while 613-685kg Limousin bulls proved popular, and earned $3.28$3.39/kg. Cow prices followed suit and beef lines sold to $2.10-$2.15/ kg, with the bigger dairy portion making $1.98-$2.08/kg. A small feeder calf sale saw

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Hereford-Friesian bulls sell to $185-$195, medium $120-$155, and small, $60-$110. Good heifers sold for $185-$195, and small, $102-$145. SOUTH CANTERBURY SOUTH CANTERBURY Dairy calving continues to bring more cull cows and heifers to market, while buyers looking for store lambs had very little to choose from at TEMUKA last Monday. The store lamb pens featured just five main lines, though this included 134 specially advertised ewe lambs, suitable for breeding that sold for fattening at $140. Two small lines of mixed sex made $106-$121, with buyers looking to the prime lamb pens for inspiration to bid, though had to have at least $120 to do so. Over half the 1400 primes penned made $160-$178, though medium types eased slightly to $130-$159. Numbers were boosted in the ewe pens by a consignment of 400 shorn fine wool ewes, and the top line made $107, with most of the remainder earning $92-$96. Heavy ewes traded to $122-$158, with few lines selling below $70. New season lambs coming to sale with their mothers gave the yards a spring feel, and most traded at $75-$83 all counted. Results were mixed in the rostrum for the nearly 300 head yarding, with prime cattle and heavier, higher yielding cows selling on a steady to improved market, though lesser, lighter lines eased. Steer numbers were low and prices firm with 445-620kg ranging from $2.85-$2.95/kg. Results were similar in the heifer pens, where Angus and Hereford, 453-530kg, returned $2.81-$2.95/kg, with the heavier Friesian’s not far off that pace. Well finished Friesian cows managed $1.94-$2.09/kg, while Angus, 539-650kg, returned $2.13$2.14/kg. The market buttoned off for second cuts of boner heifers and cows, and Friesian heifers, 445510kg, eased to $2.43/kg, with 480-530kg cows showing the same downwards movement to $1.89/ kg. OTAGO OTAGO Prime lamb prices continued to improve at BALCLUTHA last Wednesday, as the season winds down and numbers become scarce. Prices increased $3-$5 across all types, PGG Wrightson agent Russell Moloney reported. The top lambs sold to $180, with heavy lines ranging from $165-$180. Medium types also improved to $140-$165, and lighter lines made good value at $110-$130. Demand held for the heavy ewes, and prices were on par at

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tight but what cattle was offered sold to good demand and prices generally lifted. Good older, traditional steers sold between $1760 and $1775, $3.27-$3.35/kg and, with more weight this week, the yearling steers also firmed up to a top price of $1220, $3.62/kg, again for Angus steers. Older bulls are still in low numbers but a pen of 10 beef bulls took the eye and sold for an impressive $1805, $3.19/kg. With some vendors selling a number of pens, once again yearling bulls were in good supply and many of the Friesian bulls were useful cattle. These cattle enjoyed the day’s biggest lift and improved by up to 20 cents/kg with 22 earlier born Friesians selling for $1345, $3.24/kg, the top money. More heifers were offered and sold and, with local trade still improving, demand for shorter term heifers strengthened in spite of dairy influence in many cases with the top money up to $1470, $2.98/kg. Good store Charolais cross yearling heifers made $1000-$1060. Steers; 2yr, 354-538kg, $930$1775, $2.38-$3.54/kg; 1yr, 202-337kg, $740-$1220, $3.24$4.14/kg; Bulls; 2yr, 414-565kg, $1300-$1805, $2.90-$3.20/kg; 1yr, 110-414kg, $490-$1345; Heifers; 2yr, 297-492kg, $880-$1470, $2.96$3.60/kg; 1yr, 215-317kg, $740$1080, $3.22-$4.40/kg.

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150-228kg, returning $600-$805, and Hereford-Friesian, 150-213kg, $620-$750. Angus-cross steers, 212-233kg, made $810-$840. Autumn-born bulls traded at $565-$670 for all breeds, while heifers returned $465-$600. The calf pens were full once again with solid prices keeping vendors satisfied. Friesian bulls sold to $140-$170, and small, $60-$100, while Hereford-Friesian topped at $200-$280, with smaller calves making $80-$190. The best of the Hereford-Friesian heifers made $200-$280, and small $80$180. White Galloway bulls sold to $400, and the heifers, $330. Ewes with lambs-at-foot are coming forward, and made $51$80 all counted, while other ewes traded at $82-$110. Mixed sex lambs sold for $90-$150. Good numbers of prime lambs continued to come forward at FEILDING, while the rostrum resembled a dairy shed, with the only cattle offered dairy heifers and cows. Vendors were well rewarded for their prime lambs again, and very heavy primes firmed to $158$184, with medium primes lifting to $128-$164. Heavy dry ewes featured in the pens, and prices lifted to $126-$147, while a firm tone on medium ewes saw most make $85-$123. Just 74 cattle were penned, of which 64 were cows, with a mix of empty and in-calf, though all made similar values as the same buyers operated. Prices eased, with the majority of the Friesian cows weighing in at 467-570kg, and earning $1.90-$1.98/kg, with the remainder making $1.80$1.90/kg. Heifers were all Friesian, with one selling to $2.57/kg for 480kg, while a further six, 388kg, made $2.26/kg. Calf numbers are on the decline at Manfeild Park, but the usual bench of buyers kept the market buoyant. Good Friesian bulls made $170-$195, and medium $145-$165. Hereford-Friesian sold to $230-$270, with medium types making $175-$220, and AngusFriesian, $150-$180. In the heifer pens, Hereford-Friesian made $200-$225, with medium types earning $130-$175, and AngusFriesian, $145. Once again, much of the attention in the sheep pens went to the ewes with lambs at foot. The better prices are paid for the early lambs with lower percentages and this week the top price lifted to $104.50 for 31 ewes with 32 lambs at foot. These lambs will offer an early drafting opportunity. On Friday, the lamb section lifted in terms of numbers and was dominated by tail end lines of ewe lambs. These sold to good demand and even firmed slightly with buyers looking for one last trade after the better lambs were roughly steady. With the improvement in ground conditions, a few more locals were active. Ewe with lambs at foot; $76$104.50; Lambs; Very heavy, $144-$154.50; heavy, $129-$145; medium, $116-$130; mediumlight, $108-$123.50. The cattle sale did not offer an over-abundance of high quality cattle with many owners sitting

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017

Tho

$115-$125. Quality dropped in the medium and light pens though, which was reflected in a softer market. Medium ewes made $85$105, and lighter, $60-$80. A small yarding of quality store lambs also showed some softening in price, though top lines still managed $110-$118, and medium $95-$105, with few selling below that level. SOUTHLAND SOUTHLAND The onset of spring brought more yearling cattle to market at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday, which were greeted by a keen bench of buyers. The sheep market continued in the same vein as recent times, with prices strong across the board. The store lamb section was a carbon copy of the previous week, with results posted identical. The best lambs made $95-$105, medium $80-$90, and light, $65$75, with a small tail end earning $50. Heavy prime lambs held their value at $145-$155, though medium types firmed to $130$140, with prices steadying again for lighter lines at $110-$120. The trend was similar in the ewe pens, though medium types eased to $90-$110, with heavy lines holding at $125-$140, and light, $65-$80. Ewes with lambs-at-foot sold for $75-$82 all counted. Good quality beef and beefcross yearlings were the highlight of the cattle sale, and returns proved this market will be strong this season. Angus & AngusHereford steers, 240-250kg, made $1000-$1030, while Hereford-cross and Murray Grey-cross, 230-260kg, returned $900-$1000. Herefordcross bulls, 300kg, managed $930, and heifers, 194kg, $760. The prime market was similar to recent weeks, and steers, 480-570kg, made $2.82/kg, with 470kg earning $2.72/kg. Beef heifers, 400-450kg plus sold for $2.70-$2.80/kg, with 400kg dairy returning $2.20-$2.30/kg. Heavy cows sold to $1.90/kg, though medium types eased slightly to $1.70-$1.86/kg. Good numbers of feeder calves continue to come forward, and quality calves are still being snapped up. Good Friesian bulls made $135-$195, medium $90-$120, and small, $30-$80. Hereford-Friesian sold to $160$180, and Angus-Friesian, $140$190. Hereford-Friesian heifers made $180-$185. Prime lamb prices headed in just one direction at CHARLTON last Thursday, with a small yarding selling on a lifting market. Results were more mixed through the ewe and store lamb pens, though no sections showed any signs of softening. Store lambs sold to $100-$115, with medium types firm at $95$105, and lighter lines steady for $70-$85. New season lambs came in with their mothers, and sold for $75-$80 all counted. The prime lamb sale was the highlight, and heavy lines lifted to $140-$160, with $10 added to medium types at $125-$135. A similar lift on the lighter lines saw most trade at $115-$120. The ewe market was consistent with the previous week across all types, as heavy lines made $120-$130, medium $100-$118, and light $60$90. Rams traded at $40-$80.

Markets

56 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 11, 2017 WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

NI SLAUGHTER STEER

SI SLAUGHTER LAMB

($/T)

($/KG)

2-YEAR ANGUS STEERS, 380-415KG, AT MATAWHERO

($/KG)

($/KG LW)

233

5.60

6.90

3.31

$3.40-$3.45/kg high lights Forward store Hereford steers, 447-484kg, at Canterbury Park

Price going up or down Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@nzx.com

LOBAL Dairy Trade auction prices remained steady in the latest auction within the plus or minus 2% range for the overall index that has prevailed since June. But dairy analysts took different messages from the auction result, saying it signalled a milk supply-driven price fall to come or a pause before fat-driven demand gave the market a boost. ASB rural economist Nathan Penny went the positive route, saying a fresh record high for butter prices and continued wet weather in New Zealand could push up the Fonterra farmgate forecast to $7/kg. “Reportedly, production is down versus last season in some key regions. “While it is still early spring, if the rain continues and production remains weak, dairy prices will rise. “In Europe, butter shortages have led to a price spike in prices to US$7750 a tonne, well above NZ prices. “At these levels European buyers are likely to increasingly turn to NZ for butter supply. “Time is running out for our weather to improve. If it doesn’t soon we see potential for this season’s milk price to quickly move to $7 or above,” Penny said. Westpac senior economist Michael Gordon said

OPTIMIST: ASB rural economist Nathan Penny expects butter demand and wet weather to push this season’s farmgate milk praice to $7/kg.

We see a risk that collections in NZ could rise substantially more than the 3% Fonterra forecast. Michael Gordon Westpac the global dairy industry remained geared towards stronger supply this year. “We see a risk that collections in NZ could rise substantially more than the 3% Fonterra forecast.” The June and July figures showed the industry had the capacity for a strong lift in production during the peak of the season, weather

permitting. “For that reason we have maintained our farmgate milk price forecast at $6.50, compared with Fonterra’s higher estimate of $6.75.” The GDT index rose 0.3% and butter rose 3.8% to US$5954 but whole milk powder dropped 1.6% to $3100. Nonetheless, WMP prices continued a period of relative stability about $3000 extending back almost 12 months, which had enabled Fonterra to maintain farmgate prices in the $6s. This recent stability was welcome and allowed farmers to plan further ahead, Fonterra’s Farm Source chief operating officer Miles Hurrell said. Widespread wet weather held back milk volumes in July and August but given

REAPING WHAT YOU SOW MADE POSSIBLE

some drier days ahead, he still expected a good spring flush. Fonterra’s prediction was for a 3% lift in milk production for the full season though that was under review for a further announcement soon, alongside another milk price forecast when the annual results were released on September 25. The AgriHQ farmgate forecast dropped 10c to $6.65 after the GDT auction and a short period for futures prices to adjust. Analyst Amy Castleton said WMP futures trading on the NZX Dairy Derivatives market followed the GDT price down. WMP futures contracts between September and May had eased US$40 to $100 since mid-August. The derivatives market now expected WMP to peak at US$3200 in November and December. Skim milk powder futures were all about US$2000/ tonne for the season, Castleton said. The July dairy import figures for China made interesting reading as demand indicators. The WMP July tonnage was up 65% on July 2016, SMP imports were up 100% and the year-to-date figure for SMP was plus 25%. It was thought SMP demand might be driven by Chinese infant formula manufacturing. NZ was the primary source of Chinese WMP and SMP though its purchasing of European SMP had risen while world prices remained low.

$93-$95 Good ewes with multiple blackface lambs at Stortford Lodge

It’s a win:win on lambs this year WE ALL know lamb markets can be volatile – we need only look at the roller coaster of prices from 2011 to 2017, with the two outside years being the strongest and those in between all over the Suz Bremner show. AgriHQ Analyst In 2011 schedules through August and September sat at $7.70-$7.90/kg CW in the North Island and $7.50-$7.55/kg CW in the South. This year they are $6.40-$7.20/kg depending on which side of Cook Strait you are on. While there is a bit of a difference, they are the best levels seen in recent times, 50-60c/kg CW ahead of last year. All this schedule positivity has been flowing nicely into the lamb pens at auction this season and farmers around the country have been quick to take advantage. We have seen more come to auction at this time of year than usual, particularly at the prime sales, as buyers look to get the best for their lambs that they can. For the heavy lambs, at least, this has been the best outlet as overfat lambs that would be penalised at the processors have proved very popular at auction. Prime lambs have easily made $130$180 on both islands, compared to $90-$160 in 2016. The store lamb markets have also been strong through the season with $3.60-$3.80/kg LW easily achievable at auction for most types, with some lines selling over $4/kg LW for a time. Sending to auction also gives vendors certainty as to when their lambs are going and given the very wet winter and spring so far, this has been taken advantage of time and again. We are far enough through last season’s lambs now to tick this year up as a win for farmers, though as the last of the old season lambs hit the chains at the processors, schedules might come back down faster than first anticipated. For farmers, though, that is now not their problem as the lambs are well past the farm gate. suz.bremner@nzx.com

MORE FROM AGRIHQ: MARKET SNAPSHOT MARKET WRAP

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