Farmers Weekly August 5 2019 by AgriHQ

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Vol 18 No 30, August 5, 2019

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Leaders fail us Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz

GRICULTURE sector leaders, notably co-operatives, fall back too much on competition rather than collaborating and do not make clear strategic choices, research by insurer FMG says. But they will have to work together and stop needlessly protecting their trade secrets for export success to continue. Even their own supply farmers have difficulty getting information out of them, the research found. And in the spirit of the message it is sending the sector, FMG has decided to release the survey findings, something it doesn’t usually do. It says the industry leadership model is under pressure with key people struggling to keep ahead of significant changes. Particular challenges are the rise of ethical consumers and the clear need to collaborate on industry issues. FMG’s report was based on interviews with about 30 people working in high levels or being influencers in the sector. The insurer does a deep-dive into the future every two or three years as part of the board’s strategic planning, client strategy and advice services head Jason Rolfe said. Previous findings have not been released but the latest one has been because of the

leadership issue that emerged. “We haven’t needed to get involved before but it has come through strongly this time so we thought we should get some discussion going to show leadership ourselves.” The same feedback is received from FMG’s farmer and grower clients, Rolfe said. “Our clients make up 50%-plus of the rural sector so we thought we needed to be more involved.” The industry processors have information on consumer demands and insights but keeping the knowledge too close. In many cases farmers are not aware of what consumers want but are now starting to get the information from other sources. “It’s all about trade secrets. “They don’t want to share but we say there are a lot of people to feed.” Agri leaders need to send clear signals to farmers about how they see New Zealand’s future, either as a commodity provider or a highly valued natural farming system setting high standards to drive value, the report said. A choice has to be made and clearly communicated and it was probably the most important decision of our time. NZ food is highly sought after for its clean, sustainable and naturally farmed origins. Farmers should work to ensure premium product and the processors and exporters should then compete on market niches and value and not against each other. Those niches could be coastal

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CONNECT: Agricultural industry leaders need to send clear signals to farmers, something they are not doing, FMG client strategy and advice services head Jason Rolfe says. Photo: NZ Story/Paul Sutherland Photography

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NZ country of origin because of its inherent goodness. The report said all industry players should agree to collaborate in pre-competitive areas – carbon zero, water quality,

data storage and sharing, animal welfare, labour welfare and natural, non-factory farming. “We see a future where pastoralbased leaders will work much closer on the nationwide and global issues.” Rolfe said the change is important because even with a doubling or tripling of horticulture activity pastoral will still be by far the biggest farming land-use by area. Another area of concern is mergers and acquisitions over the last 20 years removed the previous training ground for agri leaders in small regional organisations on their way through to national roles. People are now getting to governance levels with shallow experience. “International experience is beyond most and for farmerelected boards it’s extremely rare.” The authors said the overstretching of capacity is the area needing to be addressed. Boards should take less risk in international areas and allow more joint venture partnerships. “This requires agri leaders to recognise their capability constraints and not try to be things they have no strength in.” The report said NZ farmers and growers have a bright future but there will be changes. Technology advances, compliance and the required financial sophistication will produce farmers who are more business and goal focused. The future will have fewer farmers in it just for the lifestyle.

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NEWS

WEATHER OVERVIEW This week kicks off on a wintry note, which makes sense as we are literally at the coldest point now. We’re also now past the solar winter – the 12 weeks of the year with the least amount of available sunlight six weeks either side of the shortest day of the year on June 22 – so the days will become noticeably longer and brighter. This week the cold, windy blast from the weekend eases and turns more westerly. High pressure is also parked just north of New Zealand bringing sub-tropical breezes back to the north but cold west to southwest winds remain in the south. Low pressure is possible this weekend. Next week might have another wintry southerly but it’s not yet locked in.

7 No-deal will shut export gate New Zealand’s export gateway to Europe via Britain will close with a no-deal Brexit, Kiwi red meat sector Brexit representative Jeff Grant says.

Newsmaker ��20 New Thinking ��21 Opinion ��22

Pasture Growth Index Above normal Near normal Below normal

7-DAY TRENDS

Rain We have a west to southwest lean to our weather over the next week, which means most rain falls on the West Coast and up to about Taranaki and Waitomo and in Southland and parts of Otago. It is drier than average elsewhere, especially east.

World ��27

ON FARM STORY

NZX PASTURE GROWTH INDEX – Next 15 days

Temperature A fairly cold start to the week but milder air moves in on Tuesday and Wednesday then cools again for southern and eastern areas later in the week. This weekend looks average but next week might see another cold nationwide southerly.

Wind This week kicks off with a cold southwest flow but as early as Tuesday winds turn milder westerly and some will have northwesters and even sub-tropical breezes by mid week. But west to southwest winds return by the weekend for many.

Highlights/ Extremes Nothing too extreme this week but all eyes are on this coming weekend and next week when a large area of low pressure might move in followed by a polar southerly. It is not yet locked in but certainly one to monitor.

14-DAY OUTLOOK

A change in our weather pattern for August will put the brakes on pasture growth for some because of an uptick in colder southerlies. While there might be too much wind for frosts, daytime highs look to be frequently colder. Some regions have warmer weather, even subtropical, coming in, mainly to northern NZ. In a nutshell pasture growth will slow in the next week or two but warm events in northern NZ might still see some faster growth there.

SOIL MOISTURE INDEX – 02/08/2019

28 Keeping it simple Golden Bay dairy farmers Ben and Renee Riley are proving a small farm can offer big payback.

REGULARS Real Estate ��30-31 Employment ��32 Classifieds ��33 Livestock ��34-35 Markets ��36-40 GlobalHQ is a farming family owned business that donates 1% of advertising revenue to the Rural Support Trust. Thanks to our Farmers Weekly and Dairy Farmer advertisers this week: $695. Need help now? You can talk to someone who understands the pressures of farming by phoning your local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.

Source: WeatherWatch.co.nz

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Wary welcome for training rejig Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz PROPOSED changes to industrybased training can deliver more skilled workers to a primary sector crying out for them, agriculture sector leaders say. In announcing a shake-up of work skills training Education Minister Chris Hipkins said vocational, trades and on-thejob training have been allowed to drift and the changes will give industries greater control over all aspects of vocational education and training, making the system more responsive to employers’ needs. It’s an idea that, if it works, has support from Primary ITO and Federated Farmers. Hipkins said the Government wants more workplace learning, more apprentices and more chances for people to earn while they learn. One of the key changes is to set up industry-governed workforce development councils by 2022 to make programmes more responsive to employers’ needs. The councils will replace industry training organisations like the Primary ITO and over the next two or three years the role of supporting workplace learning will shift from ITOs to training providers, with holding organisations formed to smooth the transition. Primary ITO chief executive Linda Sissons said the primary sector has probably done worse out of the education system than most others and the concept of a unified vocational education and training system led by workforce development councils is a positive step. However, there is a lot of work to be done before the changes are rolled out and Primary ITO will work with officials to make sure any workforce development council properly represents primary sector employers and that

DO IT RIGHT: The training sector shake-up must get work-ready people onto the land without bumbling around because missing a beat will make the worker shortage worse, Federated Farmers spokesman Chris Lewis says.

Whether people are in Auckland or in the back blocks, funding has to be there to ensure people are educated to the same standard. Chris Lewis Federated Farmers it understands the sector,she said. Primary ITO could be one of the first to be incorporated into the new system because it already has a better footprint across its sector than similar organisations. The long-term aim is for trainees to be looked after by a training provider rather than the ITO but that transition will not happen overnight because providers don’t exist, so there will be no noticeable changes in the immediate future, which could run to a few years.

In the meantime, the ITO’s core roles of working with employers to identify necessary skills, create qualifications and courses to meet those needs and set standards for their assessment remain the same. Initially, it’s a change of brand more than anything else, she said. In the last 12 months the Primary ITO has launched a range of micro-credentials, short pieces of learning that address specific industry needs by allowing participants to up-skill quickly in specific areas, much of it in the workplace. Sissons said those courses are already proving their worth and the Government’s plan for a single campus network overseen by one large institution runs the risk of what might be seen as more wide-ranging qualifications being favoured over a more nimble approach where training needs can be met quickly as they are identified. However, she is encouraged by a positive response from Hipkins

to those courses and says she will keep him to that. Federated Farmers workplace skills and training spokesman Chris Lewis said changes will be judged on whether they can get more people work-ready in the rural sector. One of the biggest challenges is that delivering real education to upskill workers in rural areas is expensive because of remote locations and the small classes. Courses need to be well run and well funded and opportunities for training need to be fair and equitable. “Whether people are in Auckland or in the back blocks, funding has to be there to ensure people are educated to the same standard.” The people on a workforce development council will have an important role to play and it’s crucial they are not isolated from day-to-day reality, Lewis said. “Even in my role with Federated Farmers I spend a little bit off-farm and that removes me

from the reality of what’s going on on-farm. So you can get that disconnect. “What we want is people who have a passion for education, who walk and breathe that and who have the tools to connect with staff. If we get the right people in those roles who understand the issues then the potential is there.” It’s important not to drop the ball during any changeover to a new training system, Lewis said. “We can’t miss a beat over the transition period. We can’t afford to be bumbling around because that will just increase the shortage of skilled staff and that’s the last thing we need.” Under the proposed changes anyone enrolled in a training programme will have that commitment honoured by the Government so Sissons and Lewis encourage employers and employees considering training to sign up now. A Bill is likely to be introduced to Parliament in the next couple of weeks.

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THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Fonterra to fill structure gaps Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz FONTERRA has to fundamentally change for the co-operative to pass to the next generation, chairman John Monaghan says. In a written preview for the Farm Source magazine of the big strategy reveal in September, Monaghan said the operating model and capital structure will be addressed next. Farmers will be consulted by directors and senior executive team members in a round of meetings following the annual results. “The last pieces of the puzzle are our operating model and capital structure. “We have been keeping one eye on our future capital needs as the strategy has been developed and already have a small team of people looking at our options. “The work will ramp up once our strategy is finalised and we’ll be out talking to farmers on capital structure in September. “It is critical to the future of our co-operative that we get our capital structure right.

STREAMLINING: Fonterra has dropped its plan to increase milk volume to 30 billion litres by 2025 to prioritise New Zealand milk over overseas pools and will concentrate on a simplified portfolio of premium products, chairman John Monaghan says.

It is critical to the future of our cooperative that we get our capital structure right. John Monaghan Fonterra “It will be a key priority and opportunity for us through to the end of the year and into 2020.” Monaghan said there will be no big surprises in the strategy reveal because the best strategies are often the simplest. He recaps the portfolio moves in the drive to get $800 million of debt repaid. But he does not promise the target will be reached in September, only that more asset sales are likely. Sustainability is now at the heart of everything the company does. It has launched the Cooperative Difference to recognise

farmers and milk quality and made a number of commitments to tackle climate change. While they were the right things to do, they also recognise more value will be earned from milk produced with ethical and sustainable practices. More value will also be earned from products backed by Fonterra’s unique heritage and provenance. Monaghan re-emphasised the first big decision in the portfolio review – to drop the volume ambition of 30 billion litres by 2025. “Growth of 35% in five years would have required investment

in overseas milk pools and the people, infrastructure and operating costs that come with them,” he said. “With that driver gone we are prioritising New Zealand milk and only looking to our global sources where they are needed to complement our NZ supply.” Premium quality will be emphasised right through the supply chain, starting onfarm and flowing through to a simplified portfolio of premium products to sell to premium customers. The portfolio will include core ingredients, advanced ingredients,

consumer-ready products and food service products. “A simplified portfolio means focusing on the markets and prioritising the products we already do best – that includes proteins, powders, cheese and butters.” Fonterra has the best milk in the world for which people will pay a premium, he said. It makes high-quality ingredients at a consistency, scale and efficiency that is hard to match. Its employees are world leaders in dairy innovation and know-how and the company’s intellectual property has real value.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Red meat exports worth $8.8b Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz THE value of New Zealand’s red meat exports has played against the odds given the global drive against eating meat to save the planet. The latest Meat Industry Association figures reveal exports of beef and sheep co-products increased by 8% to $8.8 billion for the year to June 30. BIG BUYER: China took more than half of New Zealand’s sheep meat exports in the last year and beef exports to it have increased by 79%.

We’re getting more bang for our buck off sheep meat. Tim Ritchie Meat Industry Assn Almost 400,000 tonnes of sheep meat, similar to 2018 volumes, was sold but the value increased by 6%. Beef export volumes were up by 9% to 450,000 tonnes with a 13% increase in value. Coproducts exports increased by 5%. Beef exports to China increased to 25,000 tonnes, more than the annual exports to Taiwan, Japan or Korea. The volume of beef exports to Japan also increased, by 10%, against the same time last year. For the first half of this year since the Comprehensive

and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership came into force, exports to Japan are up 29% by volume compared to the first half of last year. While the overall volume of sheep meat was down for the month compared to last year, including exports to China, the

value of exports to China still increased by 20%. China remains the largest market by value for red meat and co-products with $319 million exported to the country in June, followed by the United States and Britain. Association chief executive Tim

Ritchie said China has again been the lead performer in the past 12 months. “China has taken more than half of NZ’s sheep meat exports and beef exports have increased by 79% by volume, overtaking the US as our largest beef market. “It’s also very pleasing to see

we’re getting more bang for our buck off sheep meat exports with value up 6% on last year despite volumes remaining the same.” The weaker British market in the past 12 months, with overall value down by 11%, reflects continuing uncertainty over Brexit, Ritchie said.

Buyers in quick for new mid-micron fleece Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz NEW season mid-micron wool starred at Thursday’s Christchurch wool sale where poorer-quality, crossbred fleece again struggled for attention. In the mid-micron range, good quality 30 micron was up 9% on the previous sale and 25 to 27

micron nearly as good, with the market also helped by a lower dollar. Superior and well-prepared crossbred wools were sought out by buyers, PGG Wrightson South Island sales manager and auctioneer Dave Burridge said. Buyers were selective and focused on wools with very low vegetable matter.

The 31 to 35 micron wools were 1% to 6% stronger than on July 18, with poorer fleece down by 2% to 4%. The better 35 micron and stronger wools were 1% to 3% better but poorer offerings 2% to 3% cheaper. Crossbred second-shear wool was largely steady. The pass-in rate was 17%.

Details, in microns, price/kg clean: Full wool, good to average colour: 25, $15.27, up $1.13; 26, $13.80, up 92c; 27, $12.35, up 70c; 28, $11.03, up 20c; 29, $9.76, up 26c; 30, $9.25, up 75c; 31, $6.36, down 44c; 32, $5.30, up 17c; 33, $4.90, up 21c; 34, $3.89, up 15c; 35, $3.50, down 20c; 36, $3.24, down 18c; 37, $3.10, down 10c; 38, $3.10, down

10c; 39, $3.09, down 4c. Crossbred second shear: 33, 3 to 4 inches, $4.17, down 4c; 2 to 3 inches, $3.47, up 7c; 35, 3 to 4 inches, $3.08, down 7c; 2 to 3 inches, $2.63, down 2c; 37, 3 to 4 inches, $2.88, down 8c; 2 to 3 inches, $2.58, up 3c; 39, 3 to 5 inches, $2.77, up 2c; 3 to 4 inches, $2.70, up 2c; 2 to 3 inches, $2.54, up 4c.

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News

US stance knocks kiwi dollar THE New Zealand dollar was knocked back by a rebounding United States currency after Fed chairman Jerome Powell said the latest interest rate cut is not the start of an easing cycle. Markets had priced in a 50-basis point cut in the Fed rate but the cut was only 25 points, ASB Bank institutional currency strategist Tim Kelleher said. “Equities were sold down, Asian and commodity currencies like the kiwi were sold, gold and silver fell and the US dollar was strong. The market was too far ahead of itself.’’ The Fed was a reluctant cutter and did the bare minimum and said it will now wait and see what happens in the economy. Kelleher said the NZ dollar could go lower but in any case looks very unlikely to get past US$0.68 over the rest of this year. At current levels the dollar is close to long term averages, producing good returns for farmers. The kiwi fell further than the Aussie dollar and could fall towards $A0.93 over the next few months as the Aussie economy now looks better than NZ’s, with tax cuts and a higher inflation reading than expected. He thinks the RBA will hold interest rates steady while the RBNZ will cut rates this month and probably once more this year. – Alan Williams

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

No-deal will shut export gate Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz NEW Zealand’s export gateway to Europe via Britain will close with a no-deal Brexit, Kiwi red meat sector Brexit representative Jeff Grant says. NZ sees Britain as a natural entry point for trade with the European Union, especially for small businesses that can’t afford to have a foot in both markets.

The impact of a nodeal will be brutal. Jeff Grant But if there is no deal by October 31 that gateway will be jeopardised. The odds are it will be a no-deal Brexit, Grant said. “And that will have serious implications, particularly for the red meat industry. “Commercial risk management is going to be very important to negotiate trade deals with the United Kingdom in years to come,” Grant told the Red Meat Sector conference. “It’s a bugger’s muddle – predict anything on what the model might look like going forward and there’s a 50% chance of being right. “There are no experts and there is no model. “The reality is most people are trying to work out how they got there and where they may go.” Britain has debated its membership since joining the EU in 1973. In the 2016 referendum 52% of people voted to leave the EU. Of the 650 current MPs, 70% voted to remain. “Hence the problem,” Grant said. “They are not particularly interested in the way they leave.” Grant said the process isn’t what the exit argument is about. It’s about tribal politics in Westminster.

MESS: Jeff Grant says Brexit is a bugger’s muddle – predict anything on what it might look like and there’s a 50% chance of being right.

“In the best interests of the country for us was not to get caught in a bind, it needed a circuit breaker. “We got that last month in Boris Johnson. “I’m not saying he’s right or wrong but the simplicity of his message has some breakthrough. We have the circuit breaker,” Grant said, “He’s turned it back on the Europeans. He’s strongly argued no-deal and an exit will take place if no change in the withdrawal agreement.” Grant predicts a 60-70% chance of a crash-out no-deal on October 31. “There’s a 20% chance they’ll give Boris (Johnson) the finger, my figures only. “There’s a 30% chance, I think, the public reaction will be quite

clear blocking him out. I can’t see him having the ability.” Then there’s 30 Tory MPs saying they will bring the Government down if they don’t stop a no-deal scenario. The election option is very strong across a mix of the options. “It’s a big risk but I can’t see him doing anything before October 31.” The NZ red meat sector has referred the split of its quota between the EU and Britain to the World Trade Organisation Geneva. “NZ is seen as leading this debate in respect to WTO Geneva. “This is fundamental. We may lose it there but I think of all the issues we are dealing with we need to keep this drive. “The impact of a no-deal will be brutal,” Grant said. Meat access, geographic indicators, standards and

environment will come under pressure in an EU28 free-trade deal. Beef exports will probably be similar to a 20% tariff. Grant said consumer patterns continue to change and are supermarket-driven rather than consumer-driven. While 38% of all food consumed is outside of the home, 86% of consumers buying for home cooking walk into the supermarket and buy on price. “It’s non-government organisations who do these surveys and they are based on rankings so it’s all panic about where they fit and that’s what drives it – not consumers.” Consumption of lamb and beef has taken a hit in Europe and Britain with the heat wave slowing economies.

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THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

LOOK MUM, NO HANDS: Farmers will be early adopters of autonomous vehicles, an FMG report says.

New risks shape insurance future Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz DEMAND from farmers for insurance will continue to grow as they diversify their activities and adopt new technology. That will involve new and emerging risks with cyber, drones and sensors already being adopted and farmers diversifying into the likes of agri tourism and niche products and brands as traditional farming becomes less dominant, mutual insurer FMG says in a Future of Insurance report. Increasing regulation and compliance will also increase liability risk. FMG, which insures more than half the farm sector, expects a move away from capital gain as a primary wealth driver in agriculture because of limits on production to meet environmental rules and the

influence of ethical consumers. New ways to grow businesses will be formed, involving different risks and untested new ventures. “Wider liability products and future-proofed advice will be needed to manage a more complex farming and growing operating environment.” It noted that as climate change impacts grow, farming and horticulture will become more reliant on Government and industry agreements to underwrite business because farmers cannot insure for major pest and disease incursions. Horticulture and crop insurance will involve more volatility as crops are grown in new areas and extreme hail and storms occur out of season. Larger agri corporates are already exporting directly and involved in tourism and smaller businesses are also diversifying. Farmers will be early adopters

of autonomous vehicles for farm work. There will be more horticulture infrastructure, machinery, cool stores and pack houses and new technology and more brands, products and farm IP to insure. In the wider insurance economy in the last 12 to 18 months there has been a strong move to risk-based pricing and insurers exiting some selected markets, notably Wellington property, indicating a shift in risk appetite. New Zealand isn’t immune from global risk sentiment and it is likely more extreme storms and natural disasters will occur. The NZ insurance market can expect significant disruption in the next five to 10 years and possibly another major disaster in the next 20 years. For the last 10 years the world reinsurance market was an easy

place to get capital, even after the Canterbury and Kaikoura earthquakes.

Wider liability products and futureproofed advice will be needed to manage a more complex farming and growing operating environment. FMG However, the market is just one major event, local or global, away from big price adjustments with higher premiums and high excess costs. With most insurers being Australian-owned, a major event

in Australia could affect capital available in NZ. The report said technology will lead to lower-cost models in the sector and teams and systems are being restructured as part of that. However, old legacy systems are soaking up resources and making the change difficult to implement fully. That is making existing insurers vulnerable to being overtaken by new business models and wellcapitalised start-up offers. Ethics will also drive regulators to take more oversight as insurers gain access to far greater amounts of information from clients that could be used to decline claims, exclude risks and cover only the best risks. Balancing consumer expectations of fairness and profit maximising for shareholders will be the tension for the industry to navigate, FMG’s report said.

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10 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Book charts kiwifruit success Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz THE time agricultural journalist Elaine Fisher spent writing a book about the kiwifruit industry’s history was as much a story about her own back yard as it was about the industry. The Bay of Plenty writer has spent many professional hours covering the industry’s ups and downs, from the darkest days of the Psa discovery to the more recent, rapid rise of SunGold as a million dollars a hectare, rock star of the fruit world. Fisher was commissioned by Kiwifruit Growers to write The Seeds of Success, released in time for the organisation’s 25th anniversary. The book captures the 100-year history of kiwifruit, once known as Chinese gooseberry, growing in NZ, providing an entertaining and enlightening perspective on an industry that leaves readers with a sense it could only ever have happened in NZ. That was thanks to a pioneering combination of landscape, climate, people and opportunities. Fisher has traced the industry’s early days that started from the intrepid visit by Wanganui Girls College headmistress Isabel Fraser

to China via Japan to see her missionary sister. She had a chance encounter with British naturalist Ernest Henry Wilson, an Indiana Jones character collecting new plant species in China, who gave her the seeds forming the stock for today’s industry. It was good fortune that meant a few thousand seeds were bought to NZ. But it was even greater fortune they gave rise to male and female plants, whereas those that went to the United States and Britain were only male. “It struck me that throughout the industry’s success story there have been these quite serendipitous events occur that helped give NZ a head start,” Fisher said. Her work traces the gritty reality of establishing a completely new fruit type in a country still in its pioneering heydays, where a bunch of hardened individual growers around Whanganui worked to get this unique fruit established. The names of some of them continue to live on today with Bruno Just and Hayward Wright having their names bestowed on the early varieties cultivated from the original seeds.

WRITER: Seeds of Success author Elaine Fisher with Agriculture Minister Damian O’Connor at the Kiwifruit Growers 25th anniversary dinner.

Bruno fell quickly out of favour because of its poorer keeping qualities while Hayward remains the dominant green variety today. Ironically, it was Bruno rootstock that played a crucial role almost a century later as the basis for re-establishing gold kiwifruit in the wake of Psa devastation, thanks to its tolerance of the bacteria. The jagged pathway to export success is traced by Fisher, with families that are prominent in the industry today recounting the

Super

tough times trying to make a living off the newly commercialised crop. The story of Jim and Molly MacLoughlin, regarded as the founders of the industry in Te Puke, is a typical one. The family secured some land over the Depression after Jim’s redundancy and started to grow the fruit. Their orchard was stymied by having their only truck commandeered for the war and the young mum Molly was left to walk 8km down No.3 road with her

Spring Deals

small children to get into Te Puke. A generation of younger growers used to marketing their fruit under the Zespri single desk banner could be forgiven for being unaware of the trials and tensions the industry went through to get to today’s successful status. However, Fisher recounts the dark days of reform in the late eighties after changes in government policy and the stock market crash sucked out much of the investor funds from the sector. Deep divisions existed over whether the industry should form a marketing board or individuals should go it alone. “It was pretty intense stuff, requiring 80% grower support and some very strong personalities on both sides of the table.” Fisher credits the strength of Nelson grower John Palmer, who worked closely with then Agriculture Minister John Falloon as being instrumental in getting cohesion and negotiating the sector’s way through an $80 million debt. “As a sector it has had more than its share of ups and downs but what came through was the determination of individuals to see the sector grow. It’s been a good journey to write about.”

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Farmers keen on new self-help silos Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz BALLANCE Agri-Nutrients has set up self-service silos in several regions to help farmers achieve more timely and efficient fertiliser applications. The easier, automated and round-the-clock access allows them to time their applications most effectively for nutrient uptake so less fertiliser is often required, chief executive Mark Wynne said. There are six silos so far, with the latest just set up in Hokitika. Another five are planned for this financial year. SustaiN and urea fertilisers are available from them and other fertilisers will be added at different times of the year. There has been a fantastic response to the initiative, Wynne said. Ballance has reported profit before rebate and tax of $72.5 million for the year-ended May 31, a 4% improvement on a year earlier though product sales of fertilisers, animal feeds and industrial ingredients were just steady at 1.64m tonnes. The fertiliser sales season was an unusual one with a strong first-quarter in June to August followed by a very wet spring making paddock access for spreader trucks difficult in many places, followed by a very dry summer to April, he said. Nitrogen sales were back a bit as a result. But directors and management are pleased with the trading result. With good price signals for farm products such as dairy, red meat and fruit and arable prices solid the outlook for the coming season is positive and early orders are good. Nitrogen prices are firm and expected to rise further while phosphate prices are flat and could move slightly lower. That is a supply and demand equation with China shutting down some old, coalpowered urea manufacturing plants. There are good supplies available because of very wet conditions over large areas of North America, preventing spreader truck access to nearly 3.5m hectares of farmland. Ballance’s Kapuni plant has paid its way over the year, providing an improved manufacturing margin as international urea prices firmed and was a key contributor to earnings. During the year $25m was spent on regular refurbishment of the plant. Ballance will pay about $57m to farmershareholders through a $45-a-tonne rebate on purchases, steady with both last year’s rebate and the 2017 figure. The co-operative will retain $12m for reinvestment, notably in high-value digital platforms and services. The total spend will be significant though not at the level of last year’s capital spending of $87m, about double typical amounts, and include investment in the distribution network and expanding capability for precision aerial topdressing with a new plane going into the Gisborne region. Ballance is also investing in its hydrogen jointventure project in Taranaki, in which the fuel, produced by wind turbine-generated electricity, will replace natural gas in part of the urea production process. The project will be modest, though still commercial scale, in the early stages with 7000 tonnes of annual production out of total production of 270,000 tonnes and will be expanded over time. The “green” urea, due in the market at the end of 2021, will reduce the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide as taking 2600 cars off the road and the green hydrogen fuel could run about 6000 cars or 300 buses and trucks a year. The co-operative will be working to maintain its strong balance sheet through the investment projects, Wynne said. Balance sheet, revenue and detailed earnings figures will be released in the written annual

report over the next few weeks. Ballance is also about to launch the My Pasture Planner product developed in the just-completed Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) with the Crown. The product is designed to optimise and minimise nitrogen applications. A second project, Mitigator, is already in use as a pay-for-service run by a small, dedicated Ballance team to mitigate nutrient issues. Ballance hopes to license the technology to other users, Wynne said.

EASIER: Another five self-service silos for famers will be installed this year, Ballance chief executive Mark Wynne says.

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News

12 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

NZ must exploit the untapped grass market Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz NEW Zealand’s position as a yearround producer of grass-fed dairy products is unrivalled and should be pursued as a value proposition, former Fonterra Shareholders’ Council chairman Simon Couper says. He studied the potential of marketing the provenance of yearround, fresh, pasture-fed dairy and visited American markets for his Massey University masters degree. His thesis is pasture-fed, branded dairy products are being developed and marketed around the world with different claims, such as 120 days on pasture in the United States and up to 300 days in the Irish Origin Green standards. NZ has a distinct point of difference in being able to graze outdoors for 365 days a year but is not making such marketing claims. “Will the current market trend be sustainable, large enough and valuable enough to be worth chasing?” he asked. The NZ economy misses out when value-add by a foreign company is not returned to NZ farmers. Synlait, Open Country Dairy, Miraka and Oceania were mentioned as non-co-operatives with full or part foreign ownership. He acknowledged Fonterra chairman John Monaghan and chief executive Miles Hurrell have begun emphasising NZ provenance and grass-fed opportunities since Couper began his study in April 2018. In the context of Fonterra’s strategy reset, delivering an authentic strategy focused on this grass-fed advantage is farmers’ ADVERTISEMENT

best chance of maintaining ownership and control. Couper also suggested market premiums could help destocking on dairy farms in response to environmental pressures. “For the average low-cost, pasture-based farmer that operates a spring calving system there is negligible premium for any of the attributes that make their milk top quality,” he said. The milk price adjusted for inflation has not increased over the past 10 years. Over 90% of the milk payout to Fonterra farmers still comes from dairy commodities. “Presently, almost all value the consumer might pay as a premium for NZ’s clean, green, pasture-fed milk is lost when it is manufactured into a commodity. “While Fonterra fails to substantially add value, more and more foreign-owned processing is being built in key dairy areas. “Developing and marketing the value of the best grass-fed milk in the world could be a path NZ dairy could take to maintain control and ownership.” Pasture-fed milk is more natural and perceived as being likely to be healthier than other options, containing more omega 3, keratin and conjugated linoleic acid. There is a perception cows’ milk has become less favourable to human health because of less grazing and more concentrates. The success of A2 milk and the branding of grass-fed milk in the US suggest consumers recognise that. And a growing distrust of regulatory systems has given rise to the “clean” trend of being free from additives and fully traceable. Synlait has already developed a grass-fed standard stipulating

Almost all value the consumer might pay as a premium for NZ’s clean, green, pasture-fed milk is lost when it is manufactured into a commodity. Simon Couper Farmer cows must be fed 365 days a year on grass, forbs (legumes, brassicas, fodder beet), browse, cereal grain crops in the vegetative state, hay, balage, silage and crop residue. Grain, palm kernel and any GMO feed is prohibited and all feed, except minerals, must be grown in NZ. “The Synlait grass-fed standard is proven to be possible and delivers a premium to suppliers.” Couper researched the launches of new butter products in the US during the past decade. Of the 446 total, 40% claimed to be organic, natural or free-from but that percentage increased from an average of 35% in the first five years to 48% in the second five years. Of the 186 products with clean claims, 56 also claimed to be from grass or pasture and that proportion rapidly increased over the past four years. He found some price premiums in the market for Kerrygold, which has grass-fed claims in its marketing and for Anchor butter from Fonterra, compared with US domestic butters. Couper visited the US Midwest and found Kerrygold has become the second biggest butter brand by emphasising it comes from Irish grass-fed cattle. The clever use of gold in the name associated the naturally

USE IT: New Zealand’s grass should be marketed as a value proposition, former Fonterra Shareholders’ Council chairman Simon Couper says.

yellow colour of grass-fed butter because of its carotene content by comparison with most US butters, which are white. Since 1999 Kerrygold has been marketed in delicatessens, by in-store demonstrations, targeted print advertising, social media and television cooking channels. It has built up a large and loyal following and recently successfully defended a law suit by saying nowhere is it stated Kerrygold is 100% grass-fed. Instead, its cows are on pasture for up to 300 days with no minimum limit stated. Fonterra US employee James McVitty said there are no consistent standards for grass-fed in the US. “The best way for NZ to differentiate itself in the market may be through complementing grass-fed with terms such as pasture-grazed or pasture-raised and promoting the world-leading time NZ cows are out on pasture,” McVitty said. Customers of New Zealand Milk Products ingredients already have

those branding options available. Synlait and its US customer Munchkin are awaiting Food and Drug Administration certification for a grass-fed infant formula powder. Only five infant formula products have been launched in the US market with grass-fed or pasture-fed claims, Couper said. French dairy giant Danone is launching or relaunching a growing number of products into the US market with non-GMO claims. Couper’s study concluded by asking who will develop a NZ grass-fed standard and how it can be communicated, either by companies or the country as a whole, like Ireland’s Origin Green. He recommended further research into other markets, into the life cycle of products with grass-fed claims and the motivation of consumers buying clean products. What consumers perceive as the meaning of grass-fed also needs to be studied, such as whether it includes silage and hay.

LEGAL TALK with Barbara McDermott Unsuccessful application for transfer of father’s estate’s land

After all liabilities have been paid the executors must (depending on the term of the Will) transfer any assets given specifically to beneficiaries to those beneficiaries, or sell the assets and pay the proceeds to the beneficiaries. In a recent case two daughters unsuccessfully endeavoured to use a section of the Trustee Act 1956 to secure ownership of some land that had not been specifically left to them under their father’s Will. The daughters’ father had purchased four hectares of land and used it as a market garden and later as a vineyard and winemaking business. All the family had assisted in these businesses. The father died in 1975 leaving the mother the right to receive the income from his estate for her lifetime. The Will permitted the father’s trustee to postpone the sale of the land.

Barbara McDermott Phone 07 834 6159 barbara.mcdermott@nwm.co.nz

On his wife’s death the father’s estate was to pass equally to their four children. The land was the only asset of the estate. One of the daughters had been living on the land most of her life at the time of her mother’s death. When the mother died, that daughter and another daughter wanted part of the land transferred to them, but they could not agree with their two siblings on the price of the land. The land was in several lots and could be subdivided. The daughters asked for the court to make an order under section 14(6B) of the Trustee Act (called a “partition order”). This section permits the court to order part of the land of a deceased person’s estate to be transferred to a person “interested” in the estate if the court is satisfied that this would be advantageous to anyone “interested” in the estate. The court considered the law and the wording of the father’s Will and concluded that ultimately the trustee of the estate was required to sell the land and divide the net proceeds equally between the

www.nwm.co.nz

four children. Although the children as residuary beneficiaries were “interested” in the entire estate, they did not have an “interest” in the land itself. The court said the children might have been entitled to a partition order if the father’s Will had specifically gifted the land to the children. The court also said that, even if they had concluded a partition order was legally possible, they would not have found it “advantageous” to those interested in the estate to make the order because the valuation evidence provided to the court did not show it was advantageous to do so. The court acknowledged this was an unfortunate result for one of the daughters in particular because of her life-long connection to the land. The court suggested the trustee put the land up for tender in separate parts. This would give the daughters the opportunity to bid for the land they wanted and would mean the trustee could accept the offers that gave the best price to all the beneficiaries.

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The executors of an estate are obliged to carry out the terms of the deceased’s Will. That involves gathering in the deceased’s assets and using those assets (including selling any of them if necessary) to pay the costs of administration of the estate and the deceased’s debts.

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News

14 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Zespri wants even more overseas fruit Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz ZESPRI’S worldwide sales of kiwifruit grown outside New Zealand jumped nearly 20% in volume last year but is still well short of potential demand. The increase to 18.4 million trays in the year ended March 31, from 15.5m a year earlier, is an important step towards the ambition of 12-month supply, chief executive Dan Mathieson told shareholders at the annual meeting. As markets and products continue to develop and improve there will be further sales opportunities. Globally sourced fruit are still a small part of the overall volumes. Zespri’s sales include 76.6m trays of NZ-grown Green kiwifruit, up from 64.4m, and 65.4m trays of Gold, up from 52.1m. Supply from overseas included 7.8m trays of Green, down from 9.1m, and 10.6m of Gold, up from 6.3m. As well, there were exports of

organic Green and Sweet Green. Zespri expects continuing growth in Gold sales as new orchards come to full production and that is where its hopes lie.

A decision on whether to commercialise new Red and Green kiwifruit varieties will be made in September.

The higher than expected volumes of Green kiwifruit caused challenges in the 2018-19 year, leading to a longer-than-ideal sales period and pushing per-tray returns lower, to $5.45 from $6.71, Mathieson said. The higher volumes did increase returns per-crop hectare, to $63,622 from $59,981 a year earlier. The per-tray returns are expected to vary as yield and

volumes change with Zespri focusing on maintaining and improving the per-hectare returns. It is working out the optimal supply window for Green to help maintain value and avoid that longer sales period. Longer term, the group expects a reduction in the Green supply to steadier volumes between 60m and 70m a year, with per-hectare returns needing to improve each year to help offset rising costs, he said. Despite the lower per-tray returns for Green, the kiwifruit sector is well ahead, with total world sales rising more than 20% and global revenues topping $3 billion. Total fruit and service payments to growers rose 24% to $1.8b. Gold returns per-tray were well ahead at $10.89 and the perhectare return was $145,991, both record numbers. Zespri plans big spending to replace outdated operating systems, covering the whole supply chain. Mathieson has told share-

NOT ENOUGH: Though supplies of foreign grown kiwifruit jumped 20% last year they are still well short of potential demand, Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson says.

holders the cost will not affect existing loyalty payments or dividend payout policy and it can be paid for over the next 10 years without going to the industry for more money. Grower loyalty payments will be maintained at 25c a tray, as will the dividend payout ratio of between 70% and 90% of profit. Chairman Bruce Cameron said Zespri is at one end of a very long international supply chain and improvements are needed all the way through. A decision on whether to commercialise new Red and

Green kiwifruit varieties will be made in September. Zespri shares traded at $8.20 each on the Unlisted platform at time of writing, giving the group a market capitalisation of $1.5b. The shares have lifted from $5.90 each on March 18, the first day of trading after shareholders were given one new share for every two they owned. Cameron said adding value to the group does not have to mean processing. “In our case it is the Zespri brand.”

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

How do we cut on-farm emissions? In the third article of four about climate change and agriculture in New Zealand Dr Harry Clark of the Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre explores options for reducing on-farm greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a daunting challenge but every small step counts.

ANY farmers ask what more they can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on their

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farms. I’d love to be able to tell them there’s a tried-and-true formula but, unfortunately, there isn’t. Reducing emissions without reducing profitability and thereby compromising the viability of individual farms and the national economy is extremely challenging. In recognition of that, successive governments have invested in research to identify cost-effective options. The Biological Emissions Reference Group (BERG), a collaboration between government and industry, reported in 2018 New Zealand agriculture might be able to reduce emissions by 4%-24% relative to 2005 levels by 2030. It reckoned up to 10% should be achievable without adversely affecting many farm businesses – but it acknowledged success hinges on the specific operations and skills available on individual farms. A good place to start is to calculate the emissions produced by your farm. A recent Ministry for Primary Industries survey found only 2% of farmers have taken that step. Once you have a benchmark it’s possible to quantify how changes to your operation might affect emissions. Eventually, it’s likely these numbers will need to be included in your farm environment plans, which are required by an increasing number of regional councils and processors.

A number of online tools is available to help. Dairy farmers using Overseer already have emissions calculated for them. There’s a range of other simple calculators, such as Lincoln University’s Farm Carbon Footprint Calculator, that need minimal data to produce a quick emissions estimate. While there’s no one-size-fitsall solution or silver bullets, an examination of every aspect of your operation might reveal where small improvements can be made. And every small step is a step in the right direction. Here are some options you might like to consider. Is it possible to get more production from grass and reduce the use of imported feeds? Are alternative forage crops an option? Fodder beet has high energy and low protein, which can result in improved animal performance and lower nitrogen excretion, offering greenhouse gas and water quality benefits. Plantain shows promise for reducing nitrous oxide emissions and nitrogen leaching. Is it possible to reduce animal numbers but increase productivity per animal? That can maintain output while reducing emissions. Try using high-genetic merit animals, which have higher performance. Can you achieve greater longevity in the breeding herd or flock? That might let you maintain overall output and profitability while reducing stocking rates. BERG estimates on some dairy

DO IT AT HOME: Farmers can consider getting the most out of their grass and reduce the use of imported feeds as a means of cutting greenhouse gases.

farms once-a-day milking could reduce production and emissions by 6%-7% while maintaining profitability. However, for that to work, reduced labour costs need to balance the reduction in total milk production and milk income. Applying nitrogen fertiliser only when required, using precision technologies, reduces nitrous oxide emissions. On dairy farms it might be possible to reduce emissions by improving effluent management. Will the installation of dairy sheds, shelters and/or stand-off pads reduce emissions to both air and water? Not all farms have the same potential to reduce emissions. Some farmers have already done what they can. Others are limited by their unique climate, topography, markets and infrastructure. Rest assured, you’re not alone in your efforts. Consulting officers,

environment specialists, extension staff and other rural professionals are gearing up to help through an MPI-funded programme. Research into technologies that might help in the future is under way on several fronts: Some animals emit less methane per unit of feed eaten than others thanks to a smaller rumen with a distinctive population of micro-organisms. Breeding for this trait could result in a potential emissions reduction nationally of 3%-8% over 20 years. That research is well advanced in sheep and it’s likely the trait will be included in the selection process in the next few years. Work in cattle is just starting. Methanogen vaccines and inhibitors are also under development. Vaccines are being tested in the laboratory with the goal of reducing methane emissions by 30%.

An inhibitor has already been developed in the Netherlands that demonstrably reduces emissions by at least 30%. However, in its current formulation it must be included in every mouthful of feed – less than ideal for NZ’s grazing livestock. Work continues and new formulations or alternative products could be on the market in the next five to 10 years. Products that inhibit nitrous oxide emissions from urine patches are also under development. In the next issue, I’ll wrap up this series of articles with a look at how our efforts to reduce on-farm emissions of greenhouse gases can be consistently measured and assessed.

www.farmingmatters.nz/farmingmatters/what-can-i-do-on-my-farm-toreduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions/

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Ask your animal health advisor for Nilvax.

News

16 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Nation put on pig fever alert hardy and can survive almost indefinitely in frozen meat. It can also be carried on clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles.

Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz THE World Organisation for Animal Health has declared the deadly pig disease African swine fever a global pandemic. That is an international major event putting New Zealand’s $750 million commercial pork industry at risk, NZ Pork general manager David Baines said. “It’s concerning. It isn’t going away. In fact, it’s got bigger,” Baines said. NZ Pork, the Ministry for Primary Industries and AsureQuality have embarked on a nationwide education campaign to warn people keeping domestic pigs or coming into contact with feral pigs of the risks of the disease. “The industry is taking the threat of the disease extremely seriously. “Watching the disease spread through Europe and Asia demonstrates how devastating it could be if it reached NZ,” Baines said. Though the disease has no effect on human health the only response is to cull infected herds, which could wipe out the entire local industry. “That’s why we are doing

WEBSITE

We want more access to information and data from the Ministry for Primary Industries to give us confidence. David Baines NZ Pork

VIGILANCE: The African swine fever outbreak overseas has got bigger so New Zealand must be on alert, NZ Pork general manager David Baines says.

everything we can to raise awareness about the risks.” There is no effective treatment or vaccine. While there have been no detections of the it in NZ, about

www.crmcphail.co.nz

60% of pork consumed in NZ is imported from more than 25 countries including China, Poland and Belgium that are identified as having the fever. The virus is exceptionally

enquiries@crmcphail.co.nz

The information campaign provides details about the global spread of ASF as well as precautions farmers with pigs need to take to prevent the disease reaching NZ and spreading. It’s estimated pigs are kept on at least 5500 properties outside the commercial industry with an unknown number of animals. “One of the things we’re really emphasising is the importance of not feeding untreated meat scraps to pigs,” Baines said.

PHONE

(06) 357 1644

“The major risk to our industry is that African swine fever gets into the lifestyle or paracommercial pig population through the feeding of untreated food scraps and from there into our commercial herd.” In NZ it is illegal to feed meat to pigs unless it has been cooked at 100 degrees, essentially boiled, for one hour. “This is a key biosecurity measure as African swine fever is a very hardy virus and can survive in pork products that might not have been cooked thoroughly as well as various types of processed pork products. “It can infect the pigs that eat them.” A recent study of infection in China showed feeding meat scraps, a common practice in the country that produces almost half the world’s pigs, accounted for 38% of new infections. Baines said industry is working with MPI but needs to get more information to be confident the best possible biosecurity measures are in place. “We understand there is a balancing act between biosecurity risk and trade implications but our focus is on protecting the supply of fresh, born and raised in NZ pork.”

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Feds scorn planned firearms register WON’T HELP: Only law-abiding citizens will comply with a register of firearms, Federated Farmers rural security spokesman Miles Anderson says.

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THE practicality and cost of a firearms register will be a waste of money and resources, Federated Farmers says. The second tranche of proposed Arms Act amendments features a range of tighter controls on firearms ownership and licensing, some of which beg serious questioning, Federated Farmers rural security spokesman Miles Anderson said. Feds has previously opposed the compulsory registration of all firearms based on the complexity and cost of the process, questionable safety benefits and the likelihood of success. “We haven’t had a firearms register in New Zealand for almost 40 years. “The successful re-establishment of one now would require a considerable investment, both economically and socially,” Anderson said. He cited Canada, where a register was initiated in the 1990s. “After a lot of money and quite a few years it was abandoned when it was clearly obvious that only law-abiding people were complying and the bulk of misuse of firearms cases involved unregistered guns and unlicensed users.” The money tagged for a firearms register would be better spent on upping rural police resources and improved practice for issuing licences in the first place, he said. “We have serious misgivings over a waste of money and resources on something that’s flawed from the start. “We are so under-resourced in rural policing it makes more sense to work on what can be a more practical and viable solution in the use of taxpayer money. The second round of proposals features a range of tighter controls. Some will get the Feds’ support. “When firearms are used irresponsibly or illegally in NZ it is often farmers who suffer the consequences through the theft of livestock, poaching of wild animals or the risks of dangerous behaviour. “Hopefully, some of these proposed changes will help to prevent that,” he said. “We are very interested in how the police propose to practically manage common activities such as the loaning of firearms between two licensed individuals.” Federated Farmers will consult members on the amendments before submitting. “We are pleased to see that this time there is a reasonable consultation period, unlike the first tranche of the law change that was not conducive to good democracy. “This is a very important issue for farmers and we need to get it right.” Anderson said Feds is still lobbying over concerns about some of the earlier amendments to the Arms Act. Since the initial changes in April the pest management criteria has been proved not to work for farmers and land managers who still need semi-automatic centre fire rifles. “Pest animals can be found in very high numbers on some private land and the right tool is needed to control them humanely and effectively. “Continued access to these firearms under strict controls is essential for both our primary industries and indigenous biodiversity. “The pests are the winners and the environment the loser with landowners severely disadvantaged when it comes to the control of a number of serious pests including wallabies, deer, pigs, goats and Canada geese.” While the Conversation Department and regional councils have been granted exemptions,

some pest control operators are finding it difficult to get exemptions and the suggestion of farmers banding together to form a pest control group is no happening. “We are still lobbying for exemption for those with genuine need for pest control and we will use the second round of consultation to revisit this important issue with the select committee.” Legislation will be introduced in late August with three months for public feedback.

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Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

News

18 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

INTENSIVE: Avocado seedlings planted in the Far North at shorter distances with artificial shelter.

Go north for horticultural scope Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz MAJOR avocado, kiwifruit and berry fruit developments in the north signal strong confidence in horticulture and point the way for Northland iwi investments from Treaty of Waitangi settlements. Commitments for more than $100 million spending on 1000haplus of the region’s best soils and water availability have been announced in recent times and in many cases planting is under way. The two latest announcements are $38m for land and kiwifruit development by Craigmore Sustainables on a Kerikeri site coming out of dairy farming and a $2.37m loan from the Provincial Growth Fund for hydroponic berry production at Maungatapere, near Whangarei. The award-winning Malley family will create a centre of excellence for hydroponic horticulture to train skilled managers and operators on the

The extensive Kaipara plantings on the Tapora peninsula are led by well-known industry people like mandarin grower Tony Gibbs, capsicum grower Hamish Alexander, forestry investor Glen Inger and Fresh Food exporter John Greensmith. As in the Bay of Plenty, Maori land-owners are taking considerable interest in the horticultural prospects for suitable land and the long-term sustainability and employment opportunities, she said. Industry projections are that new plantings will continue at a similar pace in the future and avocados will earn $1 billion a year by 2040. Bayleys Northland horticulture representative Vinne Bhula said a recent tender for the 30ha Paparore orchard north of Kaitaia was won by two young brothers from Tauranga who are existing growers. The undisclosed bidders bought 5000 intensively spaced clonal trees planted last summer on a fully irrigated, sheltered, redeveloped orchard from which 30-year trees had been removed and the compacted sandstone pan broken up. Earlier in the year a 20ha orchard with 20-year-old trees owned by industry stalwart John Weissing on Whatatiri Mountain sold for $4m. Bhula said any land available in the Maungatapere Water Company irrigation area “We guarantee is now keenly sought for avocados or kiwifruit. these will be the Valic NZ, an overseas investment vehicle that cosiest socks you bought NZ’s largest avocado King Orchard, in have ever worn” business, 2015 is also establishing gold kiwifruit at Whatatiri. Roger Beattie It recently began taking out old avocados and replacing them with gold kiwifruit because of the excellent market prospects for Zespri SunGold, Valic director Alistair Nicholson said. That is not a lack of 03 377 0365 confidence in avocados

high-technology platform (see story, p19). Avocado NZ chief executive Jen Scoular said more than 1000ha of new avocado orchards has been planted over the past three years in the Far North, Mid North around Whangarei and Kaikohe and at Tapora on the Kaipara Harbour northwest of Auckland. When established and producing that land will provide a 25% increase in the national productive avocado canopy and help fulfill the industry’s goal of doubling avocado sales to $280m by 2023. Confidence in the future is demonstrated not only by the new ground being planted but also more intensive spacings, sales of clonal seedlings from nurseries and the offshore advice being sought from Australia and Latin America, she said. Investors in Northland are corporates like Seeka, King (Valic NZ) and MyFarm, syndicates and family groups of new and existing growers.

wyld.co.nz

Cosy Ewe, Cosy You

but recognises the suitability of that site for kiwifruit rather than avocado replanting. King now has 100,000 trees in the Far North, 75% of them Hass variety and the rest Reed, though recent disappointment with Reed prompted some replanting and regrafting to Hass, he said.

Industry projections are that new plantings will continue at a similar pace in the future and avocados will earn $1 billion a year by 2040. Nicholson, who is the Far North director on the NZ Avocado board, said orchard owners in the north are a similar crosssection to those found elsewhere but there is scope for larger contiguous blocks. More and more new plantings are intensive, with or without clonal root stocks, which offer better resistance against phytophthora, the root rot also causing kauri dieback. Scoular said the avocado industry sits well alongside the kiwifruit sector, sharing packing and infrastructure facilities while kiwifruit workers can move to avocados as the season changes. Northland’s horticultural developments over recent years have been heavily weighted towards avocados rather than kiwifruit. However, there has been a recent surge in gold kiwifruit through grafting onto cut-over Hayward Green vines and in new developments. Two notable Whangarei plantings under way involve tree removal and replacement with kiwifruit canopies. At Maungatapere mature avocados are being removed and at Glenbervie the former Huanui mixed fruit tree orchard is being converted to kiwifruit.

Both have irrigation, from the community water scheme at Maungatapere and from groundwater bores at Glenbervie. Green kiwifruit yields in Northland have consistently been below those obtained in Bay of Plenty and the cloud over the continued use of Hi-Cane (hydrogen cyanamide) to boost flowering, bud break and fruit yield has been heavier in the north. Regular cut-over conversion of green to gold has been under way in the north for years, such that this year’s harvest volume was about 75% gold. Northland produces less than 5% of the national kiwifruit crop but that will increase steadily when new entrant Craigmore Sustainables plants up to half of 137ha of dairy land near Kerikeri Airport. The $38m investment will increase Bay of Islands kiwifruit production by more than a third and create 29 full-time equivalent jobs. However, the results of the 2019 SunGold licence tender showed how long the full Craigmore orchard development might take. Northland secured 8ha, with 6ha destined for cut-over, at an average price for successful bids of $290,000/ha. Further Northland applications covering 16ha were unsuccessful, 11ha of that planned new development. Ngati Hine Forestry Trust now owns five kiwifruit orchards in the north as diversification from its main forestry business. It works with Seeka, the Bay of Plenty-based industry leader that rebuilt and opened a new $20m pack house at Waipapa in time for this year’s kiwifruit pack. That facility will also handle avocados, citrus and berry fruit. Last year Seeka paid $40m for the Kerikeri holdings of T&G Horticulture and is rejuvenating and selling the nine orchards with a total area of 288ha. Agreements worth about $30m have been made, with a further $20m expected to be confirmed by the end of the year.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Loan work will help all growers Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz HYDROPONIC growing of berry fruit is to be expanded and a centre for skills education and employment developed at Maungatapere, near Whangarei, with a $2.37 million loan from the Provincial Growth Fund. The existing covered 5ha of raspberries, blackberries and blueberries will be expanded by 4ha in the first stage, using another 20ha of land. The Malley family spent a considerable time scoping, revising and presenting an application to the Provincial Development Unit of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Onyx Capital, which trades as Maungatapere Berries, consisting

of former Young Grower of the Year Patrick Malley and his father Dermott Malley and their wives Rebecca and Linzi, has been growing kiwifruit and avocados since 2011 and four years ago branched out into the labour and technology intensive hydroponics. The business now employs 45 full-time staff members and provides employment for up to 180 people during the peak picking periods. Maungatapere Berries has grown to be one of the largest soft fruit suppliers to supermarkets in the north and extended the harvest season with new varieties and pest and environment controls. Berry vines rooted in bags of coir substrate are grown hydroponically with water from the Maungatapere Water Scheme,

SKILLED: Onyx Capital director Patrick Malley, left, with berry fruit manager Aroha Heta.

stored and filtered, enriched with nutrients and controlled electronically. Rain is also collected from the tunnel houses and directed back to subterranean aquifers or stored in a giant dam. The Malleys won the supreme award in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards for Northland this year. Maungatapere Berries wants improved social outcomes for staff and their families and proposes extra rewards and fringe benefits for well-performing full-time staff, Jones said.

Hydroponic growing offers sustainable horticulture with protection against storms and extreme temperatures, increases yields and reduces inputs of water and fertiliser, Patrick Malley said. The loan and partnership agreement stipulate open house and sharing of all developments in protected cropping with other intending growers. “We have a lot of milestones in employment, training and reporting that we have to meet. “Ongoing research into new fruit crops along with greenhouse innovation has the potential to

develop a large, environmentally sustainable horticultural industry that supports real growth in living wage employment and social equality for Northland.” He believes Maori farming will move from pastoral agriculture to horticulture because the Malley model shares many of the same values as iwi have for their people. Traditional fruit tree horticulture requires perhaps one labour unit a hectare but hydroponic berries need six to 12. “We also provide more surety of work, someone protected against bad weather and crop failures.”

Newsmaker

20 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

WINNERS: Anna and Brian Coogan, centre, with farm worker Zac Reid and national judges Adrian Arnold, left, and Charlie Seymour and Dave McKelvie, right.

Third time lucky for winners Romney genetics and consistency guide Brian and Anna Coogan’s farming philosophy. They told Luke Chivers about winning the annual national ewe hogget competition.

ONVINCED by his wife Anna to enter the national ewe hogget competition Brian Coogan has walked away with the top honours. The Taihape farmer took out the Romney and flock performance sections, finishing just 0.33 of a point ahead of runners-up Allan and Leeann Woodrow of Waikana before going on to win the overall breeds supreme award in the 23rd annual event in Christchurch. The Coogans have farmed sheep and cattle in Rangitikei District for 18 years. “I’ve always loved life on farm,” he said. Following a quick stint at Massey University in 1992 Coogan worked on three farms before going shearing for four years in the Manawatu-Wanganui region. But after returning to farming eight years ago Coogan was struggling to make progress with the composite breed. “They weren’t that structurally sound. Their survivability wasn’t that strong. “Their growth rates and results

played a big part in enticing me to make a move.” Coogan took on the challenge and switched to Romney genetics and has never looked back. The Central North Island couple now run 1700 Romney ewes, 500 hoggets, 110 Friesian dry cows and 80 heifers, which are bound for China, and grow 10ha of summer crops on their 850-hectare (330ha effective) property. Their farm also has about 16ha of regenerative native bush. The couple run a split flock system with A and B flocks. “Any in the B block are going to a Suftex ram as a terminal sire,” Coogan said. Replacements are sourced from the A flock, which carries only ewes that have reared a lamb as a hogget. To stay in the A flock, they need to continually have two lambs each year. Their flock breeding objective is to breed robust, easy-care sheep and respond by getting in-lamb early to wean heavy lambs. “We emphasise maternal ability so that our sheep can have a couple of lambs, get them up and going and do a good job of it. “We want our twin ewes to be weaning their own body weight plus in-lambs,” he said. Their first time entering the competition in 2017 they finished in 11th place. Last year the Coogans won the flock performance category, came third in the Romney breed and third overall, placing just half-a-

point behind North Canterbury farming couple Richard and Mez Power. Brian is a great all-rounder. “He’s good at reading stock. He’s done very well and he deserves what he’s won,” Anna said.

I’d definitely encourage other farmers to enter the competition. There’s a lot to gain from it. Brian Coogan Farmer “When you see the score sheet, you know how close it’ll be. You never take anything for granted.” The annual event boasting $20,000 in prizes is a chance for farmers to benchmark their flocks against others at local and national levels. It is also a chance to compare different farming systems and learn from other competitors as well as the judging panel. Judging is based on flock performance. There are six sections: fine wools, Romney, Perendale, Coopworth, crossbred and composite. Hogget mating is not compulsory. Points are awarded on production (50%), phenotype (20%), breeding objectives (15%) and wool quality (15%).

This year, more than 250,000 ewe hoggets from 200 entrants were judged. The Coogans took home $8000 in prizes, a plaque and a medal. Awards judge Adrian Arnold said the Coogans farm their property to an exceptional standard. “Several qualities of their operation stood out to us, the first being consistency of outstanding figures relative to their climate, altitude and typography.” It was consistency that led them to win the supreme title this year, Arnold said. “Ewe hogget uniformity and type relative to their breeding objectives that were explained to us were impressive. “One of their objectives is to breed a Romney with a meaty hind quarter – this being a notable case in point. “A split lambing and weaning policy, with terminals exiting first and ewe lambs weaned later onto the terminal country maximised the strengths of certain blocks on their farm.” Last year 91% of the Coogans’ lambs were killed prime off dams, averaging a kill weight of 19.7kg, he said. “Male Romney twins are shorn and dosed and put back on their dams – a strategic policy to ensure a high percentage is picked at weaning.” Coogan said he can’t speak highly enough of the awards. “From the judges to what you

learn off other participants – if you’re willing to listen, it’s all there for you. “I’d definitely encourage other farmers to enter the competition. There’s a lot to gain from it.” The competition concludes later in the year with a field day on the Coogans property.

Farmers Weekly is the official media partner of the NZ Ewe Hogget Competition.

Results Supreme winner and Romney section winner – Brian and Anna Coogan, Taihape Fine Wools – Andrew and Lynnore Templeton, Middlemarch Coopworth – Kevin McCallum, Winton Composite – Stuart and Jo Fraser, Hawarden Crossbred – Raymond and Janet Harre, Piopio Perendale – Allan and Leeann Woodrow, Gore Special Awards Flock performance – Brian and Anna Coogan Large flock award – Stuart and Jo Fraser Phenotype award – Allen and Leeann Woodrow Best quality wool award – Iain and Jacelyn Wright Young achievers award – Stuart and Jo Fraser

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Farming is easier with Farmquip Rural Mincer T22 Rural Mincer T12 Farmhand Round Hay Feeder Make mince and sausages from home Make mince and sausages from home. • Stainless steel body • 750W motor • Stainless steel body • Capacity 150kg/h • 850W motor • 4mm, 6mm, 8mm • Capacity 250kg/h grinder plate • 4mm, 6mm, 8mm • 3 blades grinder plate • Food pusher • 3 blades • Sausage spout • Food pusher • Sausage spout

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New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Soils could become a carbon sink The Interim Climate Change Committee recently ruled out using soil to store carbon on farms because the science doesn’t support it. But, as Colin Williscroft discovered, research is under way to see how that might change in the future.

T LEAST 60% of New Zealand’s highproducing grasslands – those on less than a 20-degree slope – have some potential to store carbon and help cut greenhouse gas emissions, research shows. Plant and Food Research principal scientist Dr Mike Beare, who is working on Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centrefunded soil carbon programme, said increasing the amount of carbon stored in soils could reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and partially offset the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. There have been a number of different strands of work over the past four or five years looking at how that might be achieved. “Developing soil management practices that lead to increases in soil carbon stocks depends on identifying soils that have the capacity to store more carbon,” Beare said. “In general, soils with a high clay content and a high mineral surface area have the greatest capacity to store carbon. “Our recent research found that soils with a high mineral surface area are better able to protect new plant carbon inputs from decomposition, which helps to explain why these soils have a greater potential to stabilise carbon.” Though about 60% of highproducing grasslands have some potential to store more carbon in the topsoil many of those are near carbon saturation point. The greater potential for carbon storage is in the subsoils, those deeper than 15cm, which have a considerably lower carbon concentration so researchers have used the same method used to predict topsoil carbon storage to make similar predictions for subsoil. It’s hoped those soils might be able store much more carbon if management practices can be developed to expose them to greater carbon inputs. “These management practices may include the sowing of pasture species with large, deeppenetrating root systems that deposit more carbon deep in the soil profile,” Beare said. No pasture species with root systems that penetrate deep enough have been identified yet. Another approach being investigated is the use of fullinversion tillage (FIT) during pasture renewal to bury topsoil carbon and bring low-carbon subsoil to the surface where it

TAKING STOCK: Roberto Calvelo Pereira from Massey University examines silos used for measuring greenhouse gases at Massey’s No 4 dairy farm.

can be exposed to high carbon inputs through the growth of new pasture. That research is being done at five sites – two at Massey University, a commercial farm near Whanganui and two places in the South Island.

Soils with a high clay content and a high mineral surface area have the greatest capacity to store carbon. Dr Mike Beare Massey University Massey agriculture and environment research officer Roberto Calvelo Pereira said while ploughing is usually associated with carbon losses that is because that type of ploughing is done frequently at shallower depths than the approach the research is taking. Instead of ploughing to a depth of about 15cm the depth is set at 25cm to 30cm. It would also done far less frequently, about once every 20 to 30 years. Any other soil

renewal would need to be done without tillage. The FIT research started in 2017 and at this stage it has funding till 2020. Earlier this year Massey hosted a field day at its No. 4 dairy farm to share the results from the research and see how a plough is set up for the type of tillage being investigated. Indications are the practice shows potential to maintain crop and pasture yields while reducing net greenhouse gas emissions from grazed pastures. However, it’s not a practice that will work in all scenarios and on all soils and one of the reasons for the research is to work out where it could best be applied. The potential benefits and trade-offs of pasture renewal using FIT are being investigated by scientists here and their peers in Ireland and Germany in a separate research programme supported by the Global Research Alliance for Agricultural Greenhouse Gases. While research into the potential for soil to store carbon is showing promising it is still early days, Beare said. Work is continuing, including looking at some of the practical implications for farmers and effects on pasture management and grazing.

SINK: Increasing the amount of carbon stored in soils could reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, Plant and Food Research scientist Mike Beare says.

“There are some important practical implications of this research for increasing soil carbon storage in New Zealand’s pasture soils. “First, the development of management practices to enhance soil carbon storage should target those soils that have a relatively

high mineral surface area. “Second, they should focus on exposing low-carbon subsoils, 15-30cm deep, to higher inputs of carbon from plants or perhaps manure, particularly where the subsoil carbon concentrations are less than half that of the surface (0-15cm) soils.”

Opinion

22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

EDITORIAL

Grass might be a silver bullet

EW Zealand researchers are starting work to quantify the carbon sequestration capacity of the soil under pasture and believe it might be significant. I’m not a scientist but it makes sense that if trees suck carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere to grow then grass obviously does that too. It’s exciting news for farmers who are under pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with new regulations set to tax them for those emissions from next year. I said recently the agriculture sector needs to get on board with this. In both a physical and optical sense, addressing the issue is the only way forward. It will make our customers and the planet happy. But the accounting system needs to be fair and if farmers are sitting on carbon sinks in the form of pasture they need to be able to get the credit for that, especially if they’re forced to pay the price for the biological greenhouse gases their animals produce. A recent story in a Scottish farming newspaper said regulators there are moving towards including pasture in the carbon equation and it will paint a rosier picture for livestock farmers there. The phrase carbon neutral was mentioned. It’s early days for the science here and there are a lot of variables – tillage, fertiliser use and amount of grass eaten in every rotation spring to mind. The results of this research might be some way off but the science in this whole space is always evolving. That’s no reason to sit and wait, though. People want action on climate change and agriculture has been sitting on the sidelines for some time. Now it’s in, though with a 95% discount. That gives the industry more time to do the research, look at on-farm practice and foster an industry that’s sustainable, profitable and revered. And who knows, we might find out the silver bullet for the industry was under our feet this whole time.

Bryan Gibson

LETTERS

Grasp chance to press wool case FOR eons man has trusted wool for warmth. Completely natural wool is nature’s answer to heat regulation, keeping sheep comfortable through a dramatic range of temperatures. It is warm in the hardest of winters and cool in the most unbearable of summers. Wool insulation is naturally warmer than most polyester or fibreglass, providing a natural, breathable insulation that moderates against both cold and hot weather, keeping the home at a steady, cosy temperature throughout the year. The extremely high integrity of wool fibre allows it to outperform the synthetic competition while decreasing the impact on the environment. Congratulations to Landcorp

(Pamu), which has committed to upgrading all its South Island farmhouses and all new houses to wool insulation. So come on Government – Kiwibuild homes get on board too. Use a natural product grown in New Zealand, support our economy and stop importing products from abroad. Wool insulation is completely safe to handle without the need for gloves, goggles or masks. Recently, there were stories about furniture foam catching fire and within six minutes a

house was lost. Furniture foam is highly flammable and gives off toxic gases. The Government’s response to this story was that manufacturers must find ways to make foam-filled furniture safer. So, come on our furniture manufacturers, what about using wool? Because of the way the wool fibre is structured it requires more oxygen than is available in the air to become flammable. Wool is accordingly an excellent fibre when it comes

to fire safety. It is actually fire resistant. I quote from a book many of you might have read, Sarum by Edward Rutherford. “Our merchants have good cloth to sell but they fail to press their case strongly.” And nothing has really changed 250 years later. So, come on coarse wool farmers and politicians – we have a good product to sell, let’s press our case strongly. John Bird Taihape

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Letterof theWeek EDITOR Bryan Gibson 06 323 1519 bryan.gibson@globalhq.co.nz EDITORIAL Stephen Bell 06 323 0769 editorial@globalhq.co.nz Neal Wallace 03 474 9240 neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz Colin Williscroft 06 323 1561 colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz Annette Scott 03 308 4001 annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz Hugh Stringleman 09 432 8594 hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz Alan Williams 03 359 3511 alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz Richard Rennie 07 552 6176 richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz Nigel Stirling 021 136 5570 nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com PUBLISHER Dean Williamson 027 323 9407 dean.williamson@globalhq.co.nz

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Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Future-ready Pamu is a success Warren Parker

ARMING is being disrupted by climate change, resource limits, changing consumer diets and shifts to non-animal foods, to name a few. Disruption is never comfortable – it presents a new set of challenges for the producers, processors and marketers of pastoral livestock products but it also generates opportunities. The strategy being pursued by Pamu (Landcorp Farming) is a response to these emergent disruptive forces. It embodies the need for new thinking while also running the traditional farming business as efficiently as possible. The strategy is designed to ensure the company stays in control of our future rather than have it shaped by others. It requires us to do two things really well. First, investing in exploring future farming systems that have a materially smaller environmental footprint while producing higher value and margin products than today. Second, lifting the productivity of our dairy and livestock farms through the smart use of technology and best practice management and by fully exploiting our geographic diversity, scale and ability to meet product quality standards to maximise product premiums. Doing both things at once of course creates a tension between allocating capital to evaluate new ideas, applying capital to replace and upgrade assets in operations and paying a dividend. Our mission is to enrich our people, our land and the future for farming. The emphasis on farming and its future success is deliberate because the disruption of food and fibre markets by non-animal products means we must find viable methods of food and fibre

production that are genuinely environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable. We are not alone in facing this, of course – all farmers know future prosperity lies partly in regenerating rather than depleting the stocks of natural capital on which farming depends and producing much lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions than we do now. As a state-owned enterprise we must achieve this transition to a sustainable farming business while generating returns comparable to our private sector peers. Our shareholders rightly demand this. The evaluation of new farming systems and development of new supply chains is funded via the working capital we generate, contributions from our partners and, if required, debt. We don’t have an open cheque book or a shareholder that willingly parts with cash – quite the opposite in fact. We partner with others to spread the risk but also ensure that best expertise is brought to bear on the challenges before us. The sheep milk and deer milk ventures are great examples of working with other farmers and investors to provide new farming options for the future and to access expertise and share the rewards and risk. We work closely with the Crown research institutes and universities, industry organisations, notably Beef + Lamb NZ, DairyNZ and DeerNZ, Maori entities and technology providers. Our expertise and resources are complementary and we can achieve more together, faster than by working independently. For the same reason, our environmental advisory group is deliberately diverse including the voices of non-government organisations concerned about the sustainability of farming methods. We appreciate this has

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The

Pulpit

been controversial for some but we intentionally want to hear all viewpoints and build their understanding of the commercial realities we face. Where land development was once a core function of Landcorp, our focus now is on ensuring land is put to its best use, whether that be animals, forestry (right tree, right place) or increasingly horticulture – we are trialling

avocados in Northland. How to optimally integrate these enterprises spatially to improve water quality, restore biodiversity and habitat for endangered species and generate a carbon portfolio is a challenge we are embracing. Carbon provides a new source of liquidity and reduces Pamu’s carbon liability. Land is also leased to vegetable and arable crop growers and to evaluate novel plant corps where it sensibly fits into a pasture renewal programme and can generate returns above livestock farming. Livestock genetic improvement is a core capability of Pamu. Through Focus Genetics, our wholly owned genetics subsidiary, the sires supplied to Pamu and commercial farmers are continually improving the feed conversion efficiency, reproductive efficiency, longevity and animal health resilience of our livestock. Our role in running progeny test trials to assess the performance of Pamu and industry beef cattle and sheep sires under the same environmental conditions is hugely valuable to the farming

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industry and we see scope to further collaborate with other industry breeders and use the power of Focus Genetics to breed animals with lower methane emissions, less need for synthetic animal health interventions and greater tolerance to hot weather. I am conscious we can further improve the transfer of information to the farming sector and we are contemplating how we can work alongside industry organisations and consultants to achieve this. This will almost definitely include on-farm field days and increasing use of technology to relay developments in real time. Finally, Pamu cannot succeed without outstanding people. More than 700 people work on our farms. They take pride in their work and contribute to the communities they live in. Our investment in lifting on-farm health and safety is continuing to reduce lost time injuries to industry best practice and is creating a safe workplace culture where staff look out for each other and the visitors to our farms. And, we are investing in the knowledge and skills of our people so that we can adapt and respond quickly to the new challenges and disruptors confronting farming. Like every farmer, our staff each day seek how to farm things more efficiently, safely and produce more value for Pamu and New Zealand.

Who am I? Warren Parker is the chairman of Pamu.

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Opinion

24 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Taking potshots at the law-abiding folk Alternative View

Alan Emerson

LIKE you, I was appalled at the unprovoked massacre of innocent people in Christchurch in March. Subsequently, what I found concerning was the cynical and opportunistic use of that massacre as an excuse to change our gun laws. It was led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and supported by the police. Yes, the shooter had a military style semi-automatic. In fact, he had several, all obtained legally. There are many questions including asking how he was able to get an arms licence. All the reports suggest the process was flawed. When concerns about the shooter were expressed to police they were ignored. The shooter went to quite a few dodgy places in his world travels, which our security agencies didn’t pick up? I know there is a Royal Commission to look at the bureaucratic process but it is shrouded in secrecy that will assist no-one except the Government and government agencies. That is obviously so it can concentrate on gun owners and not complicate the issue with bureaucratic slackness. The original cry from Ardern was for a ban on military style semi-automatics and I didn’t have

a problem with that. The police continued that call, always quick to front a photo opportunity with the most military style semi-automatic available. In my naivety I believed Ardern and the police and understood they were talking military style semi-automatics when the truth was they were talking all semis. For example, a Browning has a three-round circular magazine that can’t be adapted. But it is illegal when a far more lethal pump shotgun isn’t.

The vast majority of weapons used in homicides in NZ between 2004 and 2019 are .22s or shotguns, both are still legal.

When the ban was announced it was to be part of our war on terror. That’s wrong in fact. Terrorists mainly use suicide vests and car bombs to ply their trade, not semi-automatics. Then we were told the ban was going to make New Zealand a safer place. That comment’s either naive or dishonest. The vast majority of weapons used in homicides in NZ between 2004 and 2019 are .22s or shotguns, both are still legal. Shotguns were used in 33 homicides over that period with .22s killing 30 people. Military style semi-automatics killed six.

Though six is too many it is less than 10% of the homicides in NZ over that period. Of the 84 murders involving guns only 12, just 14% of the perpetrators had a gun licence. The police estimate there are 1.5 million guns in NZ but say there’s no way of knowing how many are in the hands of criminals. There are more than 248,000 people with a legal arms licence. Using the police figures there are six guns for every licensed firearms owner, which I find grossly excessive. Adding to that, I haven’t seen any patched gang members at the gun collection points. Police admit they regularly find firearms when searching homes and cars connected to gangs and organised crime. One could then ask, with the utmost humility, why police and politicians are targeting legitimate, licensed firearm owners. Police Association president Chris Cahill told us the proliferation of firearms and gun crime, particularly gang-related gun crime, is undeniable. Police added there is a burgeoning black market for firearms. Again, why target legitimate, honest gun owners? We then read Cahill wants a firearms licence revoked if security is inadequate. No doubt that would occur at the Palmerston North police station where a multitude of guns were stolen. So now we’re going to have a whole new set of rules and regulations including a gun register that was tried by Canada and Australia and rejected as being excessively bureaucratic, horrendously expensive and didn’t work.

DEMO: Police showed automatic weapons to politicians as a ban was contemplated.

Ardern’s statement that if police are called to a house they’ll know how many guns are there with a register is laughable. If the police are called there’s very little chance of the person being licensed. My strong belief is that because many legitimate gun owners have been made to feel like pariahs they will buck the system and the number of firearms handed in so far supports that. The police don’t have the resources to do much about it so life will continue totally unaffected by the legislation. That means the Government’s and the police’s emotive and unjustified war on legitimate gun owners, while giving both parties much-needed publicity, will achieve little else.

Someone should have pointed out it’s better to engage than enrage – if you want co-operation, that is. So we’ve had a cynical and opportunistic manipulation of a tragic event to rush through ill-conceived legislation while making pariahs out of legitimate and lawful firearms owners. My view is because of that arrogance the legislation will be ineffective and neither the Government nor the police have the resources to make it work.

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

Who ate the dead horse A Loan Again? HAVE you heard the story about the horse A Loan Again? The best thing about this horse was its name. It was a New Zealand-born harness racer but hadn’t exactly seen its name in shining lights. It had 166 starts but just 12 wins and made about $140,000 during its career. Somehow, it ended up racing in Tasmania and ran its last race at Elwick Racecourse, which is north of Hobart. The race went badly then the horse died, apparently from natural causes but they would say that wouldn’t they? But it does remind me of another NZ horse’s death. Phar Lap, unlike our mate A Loan Again, was incredibly successful. He was racing in the United States but mysteriously died. It was speculated at the time

From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

he ws poisoned, possibly by bookmakers worried about making large losses. He had been shot at previously. Fifty years after his death it was revealed he hadn’t eaten green feed for two weeks and his trainers allowed him to graze fresh lucerne the day before his death and that might have killed him. More recently, a study of his hair showed traces of arsenic. So, perhaps, he was deliberately or

accidentally poisoned with that. His skeleton is in Te Papa, his hide in the Melbourne museum and his massive heart is in Canberra. But poor old A Loan Again hasn’t been afforded the same fanfare. On June 6, in a debate on Budget estimates, of all things, in the Tasmanian parliament the Green’s leader alleged the dead horse had been fed to lions at the Zoodoo wildlife park. That is so startling I’d like to add an exclamation mark but my editor doesn’t like them. A week later the racing minister confirmed the horse had been buried but was silent as to where. Then on July 30 the racing minister said the dead horse had been exhumed at Zoodo and identified as the unlucky horse.

Zoodoo denied the horse had been dug up on its property. It said it doesn’t accept dead horses, greyhounds or any other deceased animals from the public.

When I went there in 1982 I spotted several bumper stickers saying Save a kangaroo, eat US beef.

Staff don’t bury them, nor do they feed the lions with them either. Parliament then confirmed the horse had been exhumed from private property and the body was indeed dead and that of A Loan Again. To rub salt into the wounds

of the long-suffering owners their trainer was fined $200 for not reporting the death and for disposing of the carcase without permission. I’m reminded of when the Aussies were pinged for getting caught exporting kangaroo meat to the US and labelling it as beef. When I went there in 1982 I spotted several bumper stickers saying Save a kangaroo, eat US beef. It does make you wonder given the way the story keeps changing as to what really happened to poor old A Loan Again’s carcase. Perhaps it wasn’t the lions that ended up eating him.

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

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Ignore experts, red meat is vital Meaty Matters

Allan Barber

BELGIAN food scientist Professor Frederic Leroy specialises in animal product technologies. At the Red Meat Sector conference last week in Christchurch he held his audience’s attention with a compelling presentation on the challenges red meat and dairy face in the post-truth era. According to a vocal minority the future of food is nonfood, promoted vigorously by companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods. Surprisingly, global organisations like United Nations and the World Health Organisation also appear intent on eliminating animal-based products from the food chain while the EAT-Lancet Commission has published its Planetary Health Diet urging drastic reductions in animal products as well as rating sugar as more beneficial to health than meat and dairy. The major issue is the apparent credibility of these campaigns, backed by eminent scientists who are, unfortunately, selective with the facts they use to justify their position. It seems the EAT-Lancet report has conflated its diet recommendations with the need

to reduce carbon emissions to reduce the rate of climate change in the face of a growing world population. Leroy sees meat and animal products being used as scapegoats when the reality is universal adoption of veganism would reduce the carbon footprint by only up to 6%. Livestock are responsible for 4% of greenhouse gases while transport and energy production produce 50%. Leroy called the Planetary Health Diet science fiction because eating meat has provided a healthy diet for many thousands of years, pointing out ancestral diets comprised 68% animal proteins compared with a modern Western diet at only 30%. He believes telling people in other parts of the world to adopt a Western diet will lead to an increased prevalence of Western diseases. Animal sourced foods also deliver protein much more efficiently than plant based. He drew our attention to the Public Urban Rural Epidemiology study involving 135,535 people aged 35-70 across 18 low, middle and high income countries in North America, Europe, South America, the Middle East, south and southeast Asia, China and Africa. Findings show carbohydrate intake increases mortality rates while high fat intake significantly lowers mortality risk with no link to heart disease and a 21% reduced risk of strokes. Those findings are totally at variance with current dietary advice though one WHO document says eating meat has

not been established as a cause of cancer. The Guardian newspaper was financed in 2017 by the Open Philanthropy Project to produce a series of articles called Animals Farmed, which come up with horror farming stories from around the world. One of the parties involved with OPP is also an investor in Impossible Foods. It is only one example of the worrying trend of media platforms generating click bait by making sensational claims based on selective scientific findings. New Zealand readers have also found instances of articles being removed or edited if the science doesn’t agree with a site’s chosen position on climate change or fails to generate enough clicks. Leroy questioned the motives of alternative protein companies, pointing out their need for solid backing and continuous innovation to be able to keep growing. Those companies are no different from any other fastmoving consumer goods marketer that takes cheap raw materials, adds value through further processing and tells stories to generate profits, in contrast to animal producers whose raw materials are expensive and make small margins. He used the example of margarine, which was developed in the 19th century and achieved an image of being healthier and tasting better than butter. It has lasted but consumers now see butter as a superior product that can justify a premium. This points the way to the eventual co-existence of meat

and alternatives or fake meat products but meat must develop its story, demonstrating factually the excellence of the product and being proud of how it is farmed. Meat must be portrayed as more than just a commodity, backed by science and farmers shown as working with not against nature. Leroy eloquently demonstrated the power of correct scientific facts and urged the red meat sector to focus on telling its story with pride. Meat seller Michael Berger provided an exciting example of how the sector can position itself successfully to gain consumers’ confidence by working closely with farmers to produce and market a high-quality product successfully. He founded grass-fed, organic hamburger restaurant chain Elevation Burgers with a partner in 2005, built it up to 45 restaurants in the US and Qatar and recently sold the business to concentrate on developing custom protein supply chains for food service distributors, manufacturers and retailers through partnerships with farmers. Berger’s message for the NZ red meat sector is totally consistent with Taste Pure Nature, which connects identified consumer groups with the unique attributes of NZ grass-fed beef. Though Elevation Burgers was specifically founded in 2005 on US Department of Agriculturecertified organic beef criteria, his objective was to focus on serving grass-fed beef of the highest quality to his target customers. He was so successful that both Impossible Foods and Beyond

WRONGLY ACCUSED: Meat and animal products are being used as scapegoats, Belgian food scientist Professor Frederic Leroy says.

Burgers approached the company to get their alternative products on the menu, requests he refused point blank because that would have been completely at variance with his product offering. He pointed to the market success of NZ lamb in the US, which should serve as the model for our grass-fed beef as well. The Taste Pure Nature campaign aims to achieve that by highlighting farmers and the light environmental footprint of NZ’s farming methods.

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

Spare a thought for all the hassles vegans go through Town Talk

Amy Williams

IF YOU think farmers get a bad rap in the press, spare a thought for vegans. They’ve been typecast as extremists who call meat eaters murderers and activists who try to stop stock trucks on their way to the works. It being 2019 we all know a vegan or two and I know only one who actively evangelises the life choice and posts memes online. The thing is, I respect their decision and reasons for going vegan because it can’t be easy. It would be impossible to be a closet vegan. At some point everyone has to know and everyone will have a reaction likely based on

something they’ve heard in the news. Such as recently, when vegans sabotaged supermarket meat packs by putting stickers with anti-animal product slogans on them. The New Zealand Vegan Society was reported as saying it sympathised with the activists. Some stickers said “WARNING: this package contains the body of someone who did not want to die.” Beef + Lamb said it is illegal and the activists are interfering with people’s livelihoods. The supermarkets said they are beefing up security and took the affected meat packs off the shelves because they’d been tampered with. I sided with the supermarkets and farmers on this one. By the time an animal is on supermarket shelves it is just a few hours away from being a lasagne but in this case the meat had to be binned, which is even more of a waste of an animal’s life. Vegan vigilantes don’t need to visit the meat aisle. Recently, in one week I ate two

vegan burgers, bought vegan curries from our local Indian eatery to stock up the freezer and shopped vegan week at the supermarket. Every other day I ate meat. Sinking my teeth into a bean patty I felt there is a lot vegans miss out on. I’d asked for Wise Boys Burgers’ cheeseburger substitute. The most-burger-like, please. Softer than a meat patty, the kidney and black bean middle had none of the moreish bite of beef. The upside was that I had no heavystomach burger regret. The second burger was tofu in a bao milk bun from Happy Boy and I liked it because it wasn’t trying to be a beef burger. Though I enjoy vegan meals I like to know what I’m eating – which brings us to Hell Pizza. In June the pizza chain pranked customers when it sold them pizzas with a medium-rare burger patty crumbled on top. It was later revealed the topping was a plant-based ingredient from United States company Beyond Meat. The reaction was predictable,

NO REGRETS: Eating a kidney and black bean burger left Amy Williams with no heavy-stomach regret though it lacked the moreish bite of beef.

with some customers feeling misled and others saying they couldn’t tell the difference anyway so maybe meat substitutes are okay. Even so, some took their feedback to the Commerce Commission, which is

investigating after receiving complaints. Whatever the outcome, Hell Pizza was leveraging the interest in vegan activism for its own publicity. It didn’t do the collective vegan reputation any favours.

Opinion

26 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

A game-changer for ag training Linda Sissons TRADITIONAL learning has not delivered the results farmers deserve. We think there’s a better way and at Primary ITO we’re seeing the results to prove it. The Government has been considering plans to reform vocational education, proposing changes for industry training and a massive shake-up for polytechs. The decisions were released last week. There’s no argument from us that changes are needed. There have been welldocumented cases of financial issues for polytechs. In the primary sector we’ve also seen the failure of Taratahi after nearly 100 years. But longer-term than that, the education sector has struggled to serve the needs of a rural and highly dispersed workforce in the primary sector. As part of the solution Primary ITO is embracing micro-credentials. For example, learner shearer and wool handler qualifications featured in Farmers Weekly on July 15. Micro-credentials are short pieces of learning, ideally suited to up-skilling in specific needs of the food and fibre sector. Quality assured and registered by the Qualifications Authority, they are a brand-new approach to building skills and having that knowledge governmentaccredited and recognised internationally. What I’m genuinely excited about is the potential to use them to address the longterm challenges of training in farming and other primary industries, along with the ability

assessed by industry experts. This is a commitment but with an estimated total time required of up to 100 hours, mostly for the practical workplace plan development and implementation, it is an achievable and valuable one.

The results are frankly stunning. They show how the industry model of training can adapt and stay relevant.

FIRST RESPONDERS: Micro-credentials courses can be set up and delivered quickly to respond to specific rural sector needs, Primary ITO chief executive Linda Sissons says.

to up-skill fast on new needs and opportunities. The best example right now is biosecurity. As we know, New Zealand is the world’s top dairy exporter but diseases like Mycoplasma bovis can devastate our farmers’ livelihoods. Equally, the horticulture industry has been anticipating and dealing with a myriad of external pests and diseases. There is strong industry demand to improve biosecurity skills by embracing new learning opportunities.

We have been running a pilot of about 200 horticulturists and farmers, including 80 sharemilkers, contract milkers and dairy farm managers. The results are frankly stunning. They show how the industry model of training can adapt and stay relevant. It is one way we’ll support industry in new ways in the future. The biosecurity microcredential first brings participants on a one-day workshop. From there, they need to develop an action plan and implement it in the workplace. Finally, it is

Across the dairy farmers involved, participants reported a very significant rise in their biosecurity skills and knowledge. Some reported how the training has already enabled them to avoid threats to their businesses. There are several factors that showcase this as game-changing. For a start, doing this training as a micro-credential means a massively improved speed to market and to full capability. Industry was telling us it needed biosecurity skills training, that it should be delivered by industry experts and pitched precisely at the correct level of owners, managers and team leaders. It must have proper quality assurance and the time commitment must be businessappropriate. The micro-credentials framework was announced last August. By November the pilot had started. This speed would not have been possible using more traditional qualification development processes.

Farmers and horticulturists who’ve been on the course tell us how much it’s improved their confidence and ability to address biosecurity issues and to share their knowledge with staff. With the bulk of the course spent developing and implementing a biosecurity action plan it can be done in the workplace and the learning results in a direct business deliverable. Key to its success is that groups like DairyNZ, HortNZ, farmers and growers told us what they wanted in the qualification. Industry leadership is critical in vocational education – employers being able to lead the development of skills training that meets their needs. So whether that’s shearing, biosecurity, refrigeration, product to plate or handling agrichemicals the industry can direct the design of the training to meet its needs. We don’t see micro-credentials as the be all and end all of vocational training for farming. Certificates, apprenticeships, diplomas and even degrees can also play their part. Farmers and Primary ITO continue to see enormous value in the body of learning that can be gained only through a long-term commitment. We see them remaining an essential tool in the compliance and regulatory toolkit – and in terms of acquiring some specific, accredited, knowledge and skills that can be used immediately, micro-credentials are gamechanging.

Who am I? Linda Sissons is the Primary ITO chief executive.

Let nature take care of the soil Sue Edmonds WHAT is really under our feet these days? Is there still any life down there? I still remember a field day I was covering some years ago, where the featured expert stood in the field and asked a goodly crowd of farmers what they thought they were standing on. There was a lot of nervous viewing of feet and one or two suggested loam. Nobody appeared to have a clue about the trillions of soil life – mycorrhizae and their glomalin, numberless bacteria, good and bad nematodes and all those necessary minerals being exuded and taken up symbiotically by those below and the green things on top. There is this curiously, may I say it, masculine idea that we are such whizzes at technology these days that we have the world and its productivity sorted. That guy Justus von Liebig sorted out in about 1840 which chemical elements are needed to make plants grow and we’ve been

spreading them liberally ever since we worked out how to create them in quantity. In recent years I have read an enormous amount about something needing to happen in the soil to make those chemicals acceptable to plants and very little about what is already present down there that can be dragged up from the depths by that soil life, changed by them then presented to plants with the right flavours and qualities. And the dosages we’ve spread of those chemicals over time have discouraged that soil life from even trying, so it dies off or moves away. Many farmers know clovers, which used to make all the plantavailable nitrogen needed in their little rhizomes, simply found they weren’t needed and gave up. And along came a root weevil that found inert roots with no rhizomes and munched happily on any that were left. Has it never occurred to people the bug infestations we get regularly these days could have

something to do with the fact the particular types of soil life that used to deter them and prevent massive multiplication are simply not there any more?

There is this curiously, may I say it, masculine idea that we are such whizzes at technology these days that we have the world and its productivity sorted.

There are already places in the world where so many chemicals have been applied that absolutely nothing green will grow there now. We have already moved from applying 55,000 tonnes of urea in the 1980s to about 700,000 tonnes last year. I haven’t noticed reports that

our country has grown 12 times bigger in that time. So, what do we need to do? We need to regenerate our soils by studying what nature does at different times of the year, reduce our chemical inputs, possibly add some carefully bred mycorrhizae and bacteria and let them multiply and start doing their proper job. We need to stop ploughing before and after our crops. We need to make sure bare soil is covered with plant material at all times if possible. Nature and soil life don’t do bare. We need to plant multiple species, both in cropland and pasture, and let each do what it’s good at, again symbiotically. And what will all of this achieve? Well, when the mycorrhizae put out their miles-long hyphae and the lovely sticky glomalin coats each strand, we shall get agglomeration of all those tiny dirt particles, creating small pure spaces for both air and to hold water when it rains. We shall make use of the

enormous amount of phosphate we’ve added over the years, which now either runs off during rain or just sits and sulks because it’s the wrong formula for plants. The more than 60% of what we spread will stop sifting down into groundwater and messing up our streams and rivers. And best of all, when the soil life gets going we shall grow more of everything and that growth will have a high nutritive value. And all those poor cows and sheep, whose tummies get upset by the urea on and in the pasture, won’t have to burp and drink and pee madly to cope with their rumbles it causes. And think what that might do for our climate change efforts. This is the second in a series of articles by Sue Edmonds on regenerative farming with more to come. Edmonds says new ideas and systems are always difficult to absorb quickly and she will look at different aspects of what has already occurred and what different thinking might need to be done.

World

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Britain to prop up meat farmers THE British government is considering buying up finished livestock if European demand collapses because of high tariffs following a no-deal Brexit, according to a media report. The Times newspaper claimed former Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove, now leading preparations for a no-deal, is drawing up plans to potentially buy lamb and beef at set prices after the end of October. It suggests the commitment could cost the Treasury about £500 million a year and says the scheme could be extended to some arable crops. The claim coincided with Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit to a Welsh farm on Tuesday when he pledged British farmers will be better off if the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, even without a deal. “I will always back Britain’s great farmers and as we leave the EU we need to make sure that Brexit works for them,” he said.

“Once we leave the EU on 31 October we will have a historic opportunity to introduce new schemes to support farming – and we will make sure that farmers get a better deal.

I will always back Britain’s great farmers and as we leave the EU we need to make sure that Brexit works for them. Boris Johnson UK Prime Minister

“That means scrapping the Common Agricultural Policy and signing new trade deals – our amazing food and farming sector will be ready and waiting to continue selling ever more, not just here but around the world.”

Farming leaders, however, have warned about the risks of a no-deal exit with Helen Roberts of the National Sheep Association in Wales saying it will be absolutely catastrophic and calling on Johnson to stop playing Russian roulette with the industry. But Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford said Johnson has no public mandate for a nodeal Brexit, which would be catastrophic for Wales. “If the UK does leave the EU, the UK government must work in close partnership with the Welsh government to mitigate negative effects on Wales and its economy.” His comments came after Gove said the government is now working on the assumption of a no deal. British farmers get about £3 billion a year from the EU under the CAP, via direct subsidies and agri-environment schemes. The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced plans to phase out direct payments over

MONEYBAGS: British MP Michael Gove, who leads preparations for a no-deal Brexit, is reportedly working on a plan to prop livestock farmers up by buying £500 million worth of beef and lamb.

seven years from 2021, giving farmers time to adjust. It will introduce a new system of paying farmers public money for public good. Brexiteer ministers have consistently said the Treasury will be able to fund UK agriculture to at least the same level after Brexit. However, the government has made no firm commitment to funding post-2022. Pro-Brexit MP George Eustice

is back as a minister at Defra after quitting the department earlier this year over Brexit concerns. Eustice resigned in February over Theresa May’s decision to allow MPs to have a vote to extend Article 50 and delay Brexit. He said allowing the EU to dictate the terms of the UK withdrawal and to request an extension would be the final humiliation for the country. UK Farmers Weekly

Johnson says GM is way of future The government’s priority should be supporting a shift to more environmentally friendly farming practices and putting farmers in the driving seat of sustainable innovation. THUMBS UP: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to approve the use of genetic modification.

The restrictions and subsequent lack of progress for both GM and GE techniques have reduced the audible arguments between the polarised pro- and anticamps. Now, though, Johnson’s speech has sparked a quick response from both sides. Rothamsted Research, which has done GM trials, welcomed the new prime minister’s speech. Rothamsted chief executive Achim Dobermann said “We welcome the prospect of a more pragmatic approach to the risk assessment of genetically engineered crops, which have already been widely grown around the world – including in Europe for a generation. “What we need in the United Kingdom is a more straightforward process for

the regulation of genetically engineered crops that meets the highest standards in terms of safety as well as productivity, nutritional value and environmental impact.” “There is also a requirement for better legislation on genome-editing that, firstly, distinguishes it from other GM technologies and is differentiated in terms of where it is being applied – whether it’s crops, microbes, animals or human medicine.” But the PM’s backing was quickly countered by organic farming body the Soil Association. The organisation’s head of food and health policy Rob Percival said the PM’s pledge is GM bluster and a distraction. “The government’s priority should be supporting a shift to more environmentally friendly

Rob Percival Soil Association farming practices and putting farmers in the driving seat of sustainable innovation. “This will help tackle the climate and wildlife emergencies we are facing instead of looking to risky technologies and chemicals as a sticking plaster for the symptoms of those crises.” Anti-GM campaigners GMWatch went further, branding Johnson as deluded and his viewpoint as imaginary. “Of course Johnson is deluded. GM hasn’t yet produced blight-resistant crops while conventional breeding has,” a GMWatch campaigner said. “But he could easily cause massive damage to our health and environment by allowing GMs into our food and fields.” UK Farmers Weekly

agrievents AWDT Understanding Your Farming Business 3 full-day workshops and an evening graduation ceremony run over four months. Equips and supports women involved in sheep and beef farming to lift business performance. Registrations for 2019 programmes are now open, visit the website for more information and to register. Locations and dates (3 modules & graduation): Takaka: 21 Aug, 18 Sep, 16 Oct & 13 Nov Kaikoura: 28 Aug, 25 Sep, 23 Oct & 20 Nov Pukehou, Hawke’s Bay: 4 Sep, 2 Oct, 30 Oct & 27 Nov Masterton: 5 Sep, 3 Oct, 31 Oct & 28 Nov Clinton: 11 Sep, 9 Oct, 6 Nov & 4 Dec Lawrence: 12 Sep, 10 Oct, 7 Nov & 5 Dec Website: To register visit www.awdt.org.nz/uyfb/ Contact: keri@awdt.org.nz or 06 375 8180 for more information. Thursday 8/8/2019 - Friday 9/8/2019 It’s all about YOU A two-day personal development programme for women involved in the primary sector or rural communities. Discover your true value, refocus on what is important, explore possibilities and create new networks. Visit the website for more information and to register for Blenheim Website: To register visit www.awdt.org.nz/its-all-about-you/ Contact: contact@awdt.org.nz or 06 375 8180 for more information. Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) – facilitation training workshops For rural professionals looking to facilitate an RMPP Action Network Action Group. Lead Facilitator 2019 workshop dates: Alexandra 13-14 August Palmerston North 4-5 September Action Network Fundamentals and Extension Design 2019 workshop dates: Havelock North 24-25 July Christchurch 20-21 August For more information or to register go to www.rmpp.co.nz or email training@rmpp.co.nz

Should your important event be listed here? Phone 0800 85 25 80 or email adcopy@globalhq.co.nz

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BORIS Johnson’s backing for biotechnology has reignited the war of words between proand anti-genetic modification campaigners. During his first speech as British prime minister Johnson pledged to ditch the European Union’s stance on GM and gene-editing. “Let’s liberate the United Kingdom’s extraordinary bioscience sector from antiGM rules. “Let’s develop the blightresistant crops that will feed the world,” he said. His sentiments chimed with pro-GM groups that blame the European Union’s precautionary approach to GM approvals for stifling the technology’s development. To date, just one GM crop is grown inside Europe – Monsanto’s MON810 maize – though it is unilaterally banned by several member states. Last year many science bodies also rallied against an EU decision to include the more recent technology of gene-editing under the same rules that govern GM use. Gene- or genome-editing is promoted as a lesscontroversial approach because, unlike GM techniques, it does not manipulate DNA across different species. However, its inclusion under GM rules means it, too, faces lengthy procedures and hurdles before it can be commercialised.

On Farm Story

28 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Keeping it simple Golden Bay dairy farmers Ben and Renee Riley are proving a small farm can offer big payback. Luke Chivers explains.

ARMERS have been worshipping at the altar of productivity for too long. “More production doesn’t necessarily mean more profit,” 35-year-old Ben Riley says. “It’s more about keeping your costs low.” Ben and wife Renee milk 110 cows on their 38 hectare farm at Rockville in Golden Bay. The farm is System 2 and they are adamant a small farm doesn’t have to mean less value so focus on profitability rather than production. They focus on maintaining a grass-based system and looking after pastures, particularly through winter and spring to sustain quality. “More work and more cows don’t always mean extra dollars,” Ben says. “If you keep expenses down, which we do using a mostly grassbased system, then the cost of producing each milksolid is far less than if we were pumping extra feed into the system.” The new Federated Farmers Golden Bay dairy chairman is proving small-scale farming can be lucrative by keeping it simple. “It was the approach that my father used and it’s tried and tested,” he says. “It’s starting to come through in the industry again, that simplicity, just focusing on grass utilisation and keeping a really close eye on costs. “Even in those low payout years, sort of two or three years ago when we were sharemilkers, we were still paying our mortgage principal,” he says, which was better than the industry average at the time.

“So, our system is very resilient and we’re always going forward not backwards. That’s the goal, anyway.” Ben is involved in DairyNZ’s DairyBase, which analyses farmer financial information and compares it to industry standards, helping farmers access information they need to make effective farm management decisions. “We enter all our farm data and it benchmarks us against other nearby farms,” he says. “In that system they show a farm system which is simple and consistent will more than likely have the most profit long-term.” The couple are open about their finances and what they do. Just last month they held an open day as a way of sharing that knowledge. “It’s not a competition, we can learn from each other and the first step in that is sharing what we do and why we do it.” Returning home was always on the cards for Ben and so, too, was the goal of owning his own farm. He’s a fourth-generation farmer. Leaving school in 2001 he did a building apprenticeship and worked in the industry for nine years. Ben still does building and for eight weeks over autumn works for a local building firm. “The cows are on once-a-day by then so I go off after milking each morning and do about seven hours a day,” he says. “Having that little bit of extra income comes in handy.” Renee was raised in Greymouth and went to college in Nelson but insists she was never really a townie. “The primary sector wasn’t that

FIT FOR FARMING: Ben and Renee Riley with their dog Pepper. They run a small but profitable dairy farm at Golden Bay as well as running the local gym. Photos: Tim Cuff

foreign to me,” Renee says. “I had quite a few connections in the Bay and, funnily enough, my mum was raised on the property next-door to where we are now.” Being a keen sportswoman throughout her schooling, it was only natural she continue in that field. Renee trained at Christchurch‘s Institute of Sport and got an exercise prescription diploma and worked at a large gym and in retail in Christchurch but found she didn’t really enjoy working in the gym. “I was in my 20s and telling 40-somethings what to do and how to lose weight didn’t sit well with me. “I enjoyed retail more and

thought I should get some life-experience before I took on something bigger.” In 2004 she met Ben, who was building in Nelson. They did nine months in Australia but returned to look after the family farm while his father was away. Renee had intended to work in retail while Ben worked on the farm but decided to help Ben instead. It was her first experience working on a farm. “We did eight weeks over the summer and I loved every minute of it from milking to driving the tractor. I learnt how to do it all,” she says. “By the end of it I was asking when we could move here.” So in 2011 they moved to Rockville and married in 2012.

Their move coincided with his father’s retirement, which gave them the chance to take the driving seat. They managed the farm for three years before becoming 50:50 sharemilkers in 2014. Last year they bought it and have been running it as a duo ever since, milking 110 cows twice-a-day, while raising their three children, Zoe, 10, Millie, 8 and Lydia, 5. It is inland from Golden Bay, bordering the northwest Nelson Conservation Park, which Ben describes as flat country prone to high rainfall. They also have a 10ha support block about 25 minutes south. Last season they achieved production of 38,000kg MS, which was down on budget because

On Farm Story

of drought. This season they are targeting 40,000kg MS on a mostly grass diet with a small amount of hay and balage made on-farm. “We try and keep our round fairly short and target about 26 days and we top paddocks to keep on top of the quality,” Ben says. Excess grass is locked up for balage and they make about 50 bales and 1400 small bales of hay on the milking platform. On the run-off they make 100 bales of balage and 70 medium square bales of hay for winter feed. Supplementary feed, such as palm kernel, is bought only in the case of bad weather. “Generally, we farm only with what we can make here,” Ben says. “We’re trying to refine our model and keep things consistent. When you do this you know what your costs are and what your production is going to be.” They target farm working expenses of about $2.30/kg. About 65 cows are wintered off the farm at the run-off while the rest stay home. They move the herd the old-fashioned way and walk them the 25km there and back. “It takes about four to five hours each way but there’s not a lot of traffic so it’s not so bad,” Ben says. They return just before calving begins on August 8. “Calving just that little bit later makes a big difference,” Renee says. “It gets quite wet over winter then it is good for a while and gets wet again in September. We have had an amazing autumn with really good grass growth and nice, warm days. It hasn’t really been cold.” Ben checks the herd up to four times a day and with only 110 cows to calve, eight calves in a day constitutes a big day. “If the calf is up and about, strong and feeding then we will leave them with mum but if it is a cold, wet and miserable day then we bring them in,” he says. “Because there is just the two of us we like to keep it simple and as easy as possible. We tend not to get overworked during this time of the year, which is great.” They aim to keep 27 replacements and keep them inside for four weeks feeding milk and muesli until weaning at 80kg or about 10-weeks-old. The calves remain on the

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

WORK ON IT: Renee divides her time between the family, farm and Bay Fitness where she offers everything from one-onone training to group classes and health coaching.

platform for the first year then are moved to the run-off where they remain until May the following year when they return as in-calf heifers. “In June each heifer is teat sealed by the vets as a preventive measure,” Ben says. “Heifers can bag up a few days before calving and their udders start dripping. By teat sealing we can generally stop any infections during that first lactation. We have found that if a heifer doesn’t get mastitis after her first calving then she stays healthy throughout. “Training and milking a heifer is no fun at the best of times and the last thing you need is a cow booting wildly at you during treatment.” Their herd is made up of Jerseys, except for one crossbred to remind them why they don’t milk them, Ben says. “We have always milked Jerseys here. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. “Jerseys suit the land as being lighter, they don’t cause as much damage as other breeds. And they have a nice temperament and are efficient converters of feed into milk and especially fat, which is what we are getting paid for now.” Mating begins on November 3 and AI runs for four weeks. Cows then run with an Angus bull until January 15. “We don’t do anything different with AI but this is something we will look at improving.”

Ben’s idea of a perfect cow is one with longevity, good fertility and low somatic cell counts. They are also looking to increase the stature of the Jersey so the herd is slightly bigger. Renee pitches in on the farm whenever she is needed and so do the girls, who help out during calving and hay-making and occasionally help milk though they are still young. But away from the farm Renee is kept busy running Bay Fitness, the gym she established in 2011. “I usually work at the gym from 9am to 3pm and then again in the evenings so it is not full on fulltime,” Renee says. “I like to be available to help when he needs it because he supported me in getting this all going. Working as a team and good communication ensures we do what needs to be done in both places.” Four years ago Renee moved the business out of her home garage into a local 150-year-old town hall she has since converted into a fully equipped gym offering everything from one-on-one training to group classes and health coaching. Had it not been for Renee’s ingenuity the hall would’ve likely been demolished. It was hardly used. Now it is part of the social fabric. Renee’s efforts have already won her numerous awards, including

Exercise NZ’s small group trainer of the year and community excellence for fundraising efforts totalling more than $20,000 toward mental health, among others. Renee also runs online programmes through a computer application, giving users individual, scientifically proven advice on ways they can improve their wellbeing. “People are getting more into taking care of themselves. “In fact, I don’t think I could’ve kept the gym going for the past eight years without the support of the community. “That’s what I love about rural living – it’s the people. It’s just a big family, really.” Ben suggests that’s, in part, because of the isolation experienced by many on farms. “You’re alone quite a lot and you don’t get out too often. “Plus, weather is a big thing. You know, when you’ve had a drought or terrible spring and it’s pretty tough, you can get pretty down.” But they believe farming communities are getting better at connecting with one another. Most of the stress experienced by farmers is sparked by uncertainty, they say. “At the moment farming is going pretty good. It’s not a bad dairy payout. “But there’s so much unknown in the market – from carbon

changes, water quality and onfarm compliance – and these are the biggest things farmers are facing.” Part of the reason for their focus on keeping their operation simple is to give them more flexibility. “I love being my own boss, not have anyone tell me what to do. I can do what I want, when I want. “If I want to go fishing for a day, I can.” It also allows the couple to spend more time with their children. “For the kids to grow up on the farm they get to enjoy all the things that we used to when we were young.” And maximising profit safeguards them against on-farm requirements costs, often fuelled by the urban view of agriculture, Ben says. “You do feel like you’re under the gun a bit by the public and the media and you don’t feel like you’re given a fair chance. “I think a lot of it is that the public is misinformed about what agriculture is actually doing, particularly with the environment. “Some people think we’re all just greedy farmers, making a killing and ripping off the environment but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” he says. “We’re not making a killing; we’re not ripping off the environment. “We are trying to sustain it and go forward and do riparian planting. We need more media stories, not hyping us up but showing what we are doing and talking about our finances as well.” The reality is farmers get zero return from planting up a stream or putting a stock underpass under a road. “It costs us money.” Primary industry revenue reached $45.7 billion for the year to June 2019, growing 7.1% on the previous financial year, he says. “Our sector is the main earner for the country. “A bit more recognition would be good to see. “As farmers we need to work more closely with environmental groups so they understand what a realistic target on-farm is.” First published in Dairy Farmer. >> Video link: bit.ly/OFSriley

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; August 5, 2019

NEW LISTING

Boundary lines are indicative only

Pukekohe/Patumahoe 131 Kingseat Road Chicken broiler farm - Good income Chicken meat farming is a proven business model that offers: a rural lifestyle, good income opportunities and a modest work week, so that you can enjoy a balanced lifestyle. Located near Patumahoe, in rural south Auckland, this 6.975ha lifestyle farm features a 220sqm brick and tile home, land and an excellent income from three, well maintained, chicken rearing sheds with a supply contract to Brinks NZ Limited. Training and support will be provided for the new owners. Property information memorandum (PIM) and annual turn over available on request.

bayleys.co.nz/1970932

Patoka 1438 and 1600 Waihau Road 1

Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 5pm, Wed 28 Aug 2019 8 Massey Ave, Pukekohe View by appointment Benjamin Jameson 021 568 800 ben.jameson@bayleys.co.nz BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, PUKEKOHE, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Quality 241 hectares finishing land Located only 10km from Patoka Primary School and 45km west of Napier city is 'Little Falls', a very attractive 241 hectare property with huge potential to crop and develop large portions of flat and easy land. Utilised in recent times as an organic dairy runoff, there is also the option to run sheep and beef with the quality four stand woolshed, three bay implement shed/workshop, sheep yards and two sets of cattle yards. A real feature of the property is the recently fully refurbished three bedroom home which is well positioned to capture the sun and fantastic rural views over the rolling rural landscape to the north. This attractive farm has great potential as a finishing property or dairy runoff. A must view for local and out of town buyers. Open Days 1-2pm 6 and 13 August.

bayleys.co.nz/2851778

Auction (will not be sold prior) 2pm, Thu 29 Aug 2019 52 Bridge Street, Ahuriri, Napier View 1-2pm Tue 6 Aug or by appointment Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253 tony.rasmussen@bayleys.co.nz Gavin Franklin 027 427 8000 gavin.franklin@bayleys.co.nz EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – August 5, 2019

Rural

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

OKOROIRE, SOUTH WAIKATO

PRICE BY NEGOTIATION Plus GST (if any)

Large Dairy Goat Opportunity

Picturesque and premium lifestyle 70 Cowan Road, Te Awamutu

For Sale $1.62m + GST (if any)

A versatile 18.56ha property located in the sought after Te Awamutu/Puahue area. The three bedroom plus office Branderson home is modern and tidy with a rural outlook towards Mt Maungatautari. With bore water for house and farm plus excellent shedding, 22 well fenced paddocks, a central race, two haybarns, horse stables and a great set of cattle yards, this property is a dream to run and maintain perfect for a retiring farmer.

View by appointment Neville Kemp

027 271 9801

Noldy Rust

www.rwteawamutu.co.nz/TEA23317

027 255 3047

Rosetown Realty Ltd Licensed REAA2008

A rare opportunity has been contracted to our firm to market this large dairy goat operation in the favoured Matamata area. The Dairy Goat Co-Op market is anchored on demand for dairy goat milk and added value products and is showing consistent global growth in an ever expanding market place. A total of 144ha (more or less) with approximately 130ha effective of flat to easy contour of cut and carry country for feed production. Soils are predominantly free draining Tirau Ash / Loam soils religiously fertilised with goat shed litter and traditional fertilisers.

Trevor Kenny M 021 791 643 B 07 888 4572 E trevor.kenny@pggwrightson.co.nz Peter Donnelly M 021 449 559 B 07 888 4572 E pdonnelly@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/MAT30665 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

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Helping grow the country

LINTON FARM • Situated on Millricks line in Linton is this exceptional 72 hectare approx dairy farm. • Currently milking 280 cows in conjunction with a neighbouring 38 hectares and fully consented. • Has produced up to 1050 kgs/ms/ha with the herd wintered off. • Very good Tokomaru silt loam soils that have been regularly fertilised. • Improvements include a very good three bedroom family home along with 30 aside dairy. • Water is supplied by bore to stock troughs and dairy, and by tank to the home. • Farm is well laid out with good track access to all paddocks. • Includes a large machinery shed and good storage, two silage bunkers. • Great opportunity to secure your first farm. What is your offer? • Call Les on 0274 420 582.

• Situated south of Whanganui is this 82ha approx farming opportunity. • 20 aside herringbone dairy and 300 cow yard with adjacent feed pad. • Herd is split calved, milked all year round, supplying Open Country. • Very good bore water supplies water to stock troughs, dairy and houses. • Large machinery shed, large silage bunker. • Three bedroom family home overlooking the countryside and out to the ocean. • Your chance to buy this farm with a flexible takeover date and take advantage of the coming season. • Priced to sell. • Call Les on 0274 420 582 to discuss your options.

Sallan Realty

VIEW By Appointment Only

CALL 0800FARMTEAM

THE DESTINATION FOR RURAL REAL ESTATE

Land is the biggest asset to any farming business - so it pays to stay up-to-date with the market.

Connect with the right audience at farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

LK0098553©

Boundary indication only

classifieds@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

NZ’s #1 Agri Job Board

HEAD STOCKPERSON REQUIRED FIELDS TRACK STATION

SHEPHERD GENERAL

A Head Stockperson is required for Fields Track Station, a 1920 hectare hill country breeding property situated 45 minutes from Wanganui.

We are looking for someone who is interested in farming as a career and wants to work in our team. Waipapa station is 1100 hectares running 4500 breeding ewes, 200 breeding cows, 600 fattening catle and 120 dairy grazers. • A passion for modern farming practices • Two or three good working dogs • Minimum of 1 years dry stock experience or someone who has just completed an approved farming ITO dry stock course A three bedroom house approximately 25 minutes from Taupo and 15 minutes lo Kinloch is available for the successful applicant. All enquiries to the farm manager Denys Gayton 027 430 9514

or mail to: Waipapa Station 2738 Poihipi Road, RD, Mangakino 3492

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Email CV to: waipapa.stn@ruralinzone.net

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT CAREER MOVE?

Our selection processes We are Delegat – our selection of top talent is critical to our future growth, and as such, our obsession in selecting the perfect quality match for this role is deliberate. We will tap into your potential and inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

NEED

STAFF?

We’ve currently got roles in • Farming • Consulting • Administration • Engineering & Trades • Labouring • Management • Business Development

What we offer you: • Competitive salary, benefits, and a supportive environment to grow and add value • A culture where our values are at the heart of what we do • Support, feedback, and encouragement

Call Debbie

0800 85 25 80

classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

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

GET IN TOUCH

For all your employment ads Debbie 06 323 0765, classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

Success in this role may lead to a management position, in time. A 3 bedroom house is available, so could suit a couple or family.

We have a vacancy in our AgriHQ team for a smart-thinking candidate with a genuine interest and knowledge of the business of

For more information please contact Mike Ramsey on 07 878 7077

farming. You will be working alongside our brilliant AgriHQ team of six sector reports and analysis.

Applicants must have NZ residency or valid NZ work visa.

GlobalHQ is the country’s most innovative multi-media agriinformation hub. We work hard to create valuable content that informs, inspires and entertains. We invest in great people, and products including the AgriHQ suite of data and analysis products,

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

Farmers Weekly, On Farm Story and Dairy Farmer.

JOBS BOARD

If you have ambitions to succeed in the primary sector, this is the perfect place to start.There are great prospects at GlobalHQ and this job will give you a solid platform to launch your career in This position is a fixed term parental leave cover and ideally would be based in our Feilding office although hours and location are open for discussion. AgriHQ is in a period of growth and there is a LK0098795©

genuine opportunity for long term employment prospects.

The Role Based in Christchurch and reporting to the Group Managing Director, the New Zealand Operations Manager will direct, coordinate and motivate our operations team delivering product to customers and exceeding expectations. A full position description for this role can be viewed at www.peoplemad. co.nz/current-jobs

To be successful in this role you will: • Have a background of exceptional performance in operations and logistics • Be highly motivated and bring energy and enthusiasm • Be a team player with empathy for the agricultural sector • Thrive on the challenges of a growing company • Be analytical and able to communicate ideas to a broad audience.

*FREE upload to Farmers Weekly jobs: farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

Seed Force is a wholesale proprietary business established in 2006, producing and supplying circa $40m in forage and broadacre seeds across the temperate zones of Australia and New Zealand, in partnership with the major globally respected seed company RAGT Semences. To ﬁnd out more about Seed Force visit www.seedforce.co.nz

It’s a small team and you will need to roll up your sleeves and muckin at times. You will be an expert in operations/logistics strategy and implementation, setting and managing budgets, forecasts and inventory, ﬁxed asset and staff management, targets and performance. In this role, supplier management is key, and you understand the importance of these relationships. Seed industry experience is an advantage but not essential.

2IC Agribusiness Analyst Expression of Interest Farm Manager Grower Liaison Officer Livestock Specialist Manager Shepherd / General Stockperson Various opportunities

agribusiness.

Operations Manager The Business

Please apply with your CV and cover letter to: hra@crusadermeats.co.nz

analysts to produce in-demand red meat, livestock and forestry

Applications close: August 16, 2019

You’re reading the Farmers Weekly and so are the people you want to employ.

On occasion you will be required to work on two other Company farms to help out and cover periods of leave. No dogs are required.

– Fixed term

please email: steph.holloway@globalhq.co.nz

WE ARE THE SOLUTION

We are looking for an experienced Shepherd General to join our team. We are a deer only farm located in the Rerewhakaaitu, between Murupara and Rotorua. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person, preferably with previous experience working with deer. Ideally, you will have tractor, fencing and chainsaw experience.

AgriHQ market analyst

To register your interest and request a job description,

Apply now: www.delegatwines.com

SHEPHERD GENERAL LK0098811©

Go to www.no8hr.co.nz or give us a call on 07 870 4901 to talk to us about your future.

About your challenge • Positively impacting the business through experience and engagement • Providing relevant and meaningful experiences for our growers • Rising to meet our Aim High benchmarks – maximising every opportunity to deliver success • Attracting and retaining proud, supportive grower partners About us You will be working for a proud New Zealand success story that delivers world class distinctive Super Premium wines. We seek high achievers who wish to grow with us and be an integral part of and a valuable contributor to our global development plan.

We have a number of exciting opportunities nationwide - opportunities with our clients and also in our own business. If you’re thinking about making a change, go to www.no8hr.co.nz and click on ‘Current Jobs’ to check out the range we have on offer.

And if the opportunity you’re looking for isn’t there today, make sure you register to get notifications of future jobs, because you never know what tomorrow may bring!

About you • You are tertiary qualified, or come from Agri Commerce • You will have strong technical ability with a demonstrated understanding of horticulture or viticulture • You may have experience in an agri-business development or a sales role • You have the ability to plan and execute a call cycle that ensures you visit all grower vineyards with appropriate frequency for the purpose of effecting positive change in Viticulture practices • You leverage your genuine authentic personality to build relationships founded on mutual trust • You have strong analytical and financial skills and can influence effective outcomes based on sound reasoning and advice. • You ‘Aim High’ and you’re an ambitious and dynamic high performer • You are able to earn respect for the way you present yourself, the way you lead, and the way you conduct business

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Offered is an attractive remuneration package and a comfortable four bedroom house, with local primary school nearby.

About the opportunity You have a rare opportunity to represent the Delegat Partners for Prosperity Grower Development Programme. You will join the grower management team in providing operational and technical advice to maximise the potential for growers to produce quality fruit with varietal intensity and character. You will join a great team at Delegat where you will be set up for success and your career will grow.

LK0098807©

The successful applicant would bring to the position: • First and foremost a good attitude, self-motivation and reliability • A team of dogs • Preferably some horse experience • Farm maintenance skills • An ability to work independently and a willingness to take up the opportunities of working within a supportive team environment.

Closing Date for applications: 18th August 2019

Grower Liaison Officer

You should have:

To apply

*conditions apply

Contact Debbie Brown 06 323 0765 or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

If you want to be part of this successful team, please forward your application letter and CV (in conﬁdence) by email to: lynsey@peopleMAD.co.nz Applications close on Monday 12th August 2019.

LK0098806©

This property is one of two adjoining breeding units and part of a larger farming operation based in the Wanganui region.

All interest and applications to: Mike Abbiss, RD 9, Feilding 4779 email: abbiss@xtra.co.nz

FARMERS WEEKLY – August 5, 2019

Waipapa Station, Taupo

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Noticeboard

ANIMAL AND HUMAN healer, also manipulation on horses and dogs. 5th10th August, Canterbury. 12th-14th August, Kaikoura / Blenheim. 15th-25th August, North Island. 26th28th August, Nelson. 29th30th August, Murchison / West Coast. For more information phone Ron Wilson 027 435 3089.

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

FARM MAPPING FOCUS ON YOUR strengths with a farm map showing paddock sizes. Contact us for a free quote at farmmapping.co.nz or call us on 0800 433 855.

FORESTRY WANTED

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

ATTENTION FARMERS FAST GRASS www.gibb-gro.co.nz GROWTH PROMOTANT Only $6.00 per hectare + GST delivered Brian Mace 0274 389 822 brianmace@xtra.co.nz DAGS .25c PER KG. Replacement woolpacks. PV Weber Wools. Kawakawa Road, Feilding. Phone 06 323 9550.

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.

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE WILTSHIRES-ARVIDSON. Self shearing sheep. No1 for Facial Eczema. David 027 2771 556. 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.

MANUKA SITES WANTED CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND. Whanganui, Taranaki, Wairarapa. Excellent site rental paid on quality honey. We are looking for long term relationships. We are experienced and honest. Contact 027 372 0842. Email: zerbywerby@ gmail.com

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

STOCK FEED HAY 12 EQUIVALENT squares $70. STRAW 12 equivalent squares $55. BALEAGE at $80. Unit loads available. Phone 021 455 787.

0800 436 566

HOMES FARM SHEDS SUBDIVISIONS PUMPS

5’4, blonde silky hair, hazel eyes, slim build with a beautiful smile. She loves the country life, horses, swimming, and a good conversation.

Sid

gin

leg

et ack ld j e i dsh Win

Manufactured to the highest standards, Squire’s clothing & accessories stand the test of time.

Prices include delivery to your door! For friendly & professional advice CALL 0800 843 0987 Fax: 07 843 0992 Email: power@thecableshop.co.nz THE CABLE SHOP WAIKATO www.thecableshop.co.nz

ng eni

Check out our website: www.squires.co.nz Or phone Shane: 06 388 1201

www.countrycompanionship.co.nz

SELLING SOMETHING? Advertise in Farmers Weekly

Phone Debbie Brown 0800 85 25 80 or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

Become a highly funct ioning board...

FO SALR E

Board Training, Development & Policies Incorporated Societies and Charitable Trusts gailmunro@governancestrategies.co.nz | Ph 027 340 8186 www.governancestrategies.co.nz Online governance training: www.govern.co.nz

STEEL TANK SPECIALISTS

BIRDSCARER DE HORNER HOOF TRIMMER

“Your Fuel Storage Solutions” Includes: 3 piece gates both sides, rubber floor, draft handle, rear remote for head bail, parallel squeeze, + much more

WANTED FORESTRY/ WOODLOTS (All volumes – big or small)

We purchase standing trees, land and trees or harvest and market on your behalf. Working the Waikato area 2019/2020. All paper work is done for you around health and safety, resource consent application and management.

$16

Full ,340 + y op g tion st ed

GUARANTEED PAYMENTS Call or email Aaron West 027 562 3832 aaron@westtreenz.co.nz for a no obligation appraisal

0800 383 5266

www.petrotec.co.nz/products

The versatile standard unit with draft, weigh, and gadget holder extras

WE HAVE A TOP selection of young Heading and Huntaways for sale. We are not traders we are breeders trainers and sellers based in Southland. Transport to the North Island no problem. Join us on facebook workingdogsnewzealand. Check out our web site w w w. r i n g w a y k e n n e l s . co.nz. Ringway Kennels. Phone 027 248 7704. WHATATUTU DOG SALE. Saturday 24th August at Otara Station, 319 Whatatutu Road. Te Karaka, Gisborne. Sale starts 12 noon. Entries close 18th August. Dosing clearance required. Enquiries to Allen Irwin. Phone 06 862 3618. Email: toromirostation@gmail. com

We could save you hundreds of $$

RURAL LADY LOOKING FOR LOVE!

Fuelcon Farm and Trailer Tanks by:

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7½-YEAR HEADING bitch. X station worker, sheep and cattle. Phone 06 328 4830 Manawatu. FOR SALE, HUNTAWAY, 14 months, keen to go, $700. Phone 06 863 9815. VIEW SIXTY DOGS on video. Deliver NZ wide, trial, guaranteed, www. youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos 07 315 5553.

POWER CABLE

NZ’s finest BioGro certified Mg fertiliser For a delivered price call ....

EARMARKERS

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

DOGS FOR SALE

For Farming & Shearing Clothing and Accessories

LK0098278©

CONTRACTORS

Contact Lance McNicholas PHONE 027 294 7504 EMAIL mcnicholas@xtra.co.nz

DOLOMITE

CALF TRAILER MATS SOFT, DURABLE, FREE draining rubber mats. Easy to clean. Call to order on 0800 686 287 – www. numat.co.nz

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

Our aerial operation can selectively cull your feral deer population and pay a royalty.

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

To meet, please call 0800 446 332 quote code 59

LAMB DOCKING / TAILING CHUTE

(FROM PRIVATE BLOCKS)

STANDARD FEEDER (C6 Pinned) • • • •

1 x 6 foot bale 2m diameter 15 feed positions 15 - 30 animals

100% New Zealand Made Quality Stockfeeders

0 $ 85 +GST

• • • • •

3 x 4 foot bales 2 x 6 foot bales 24 feed positions 24 - 48 animals 4m long

$ 120+G0 ST

0800 104 404 | www.stockfeeders.co.nz

New Zealand’s proven stock feeder for 24 years | 100% New Zealand Tensile Steel

gst

50 +G, GH 8 , 7 $ ,W D

3W SU,

Loadbars and indicator not included

OVAL FEEDER (S2 Pinned)

LK0096638©

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

BOOK AN AD. For only $2.10 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Debbie Brown on 0800 85 25 80 to book in or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

VETMARKER

PURCHASING FERAL DEER

TOP PRICES PAID for old motorcycles or parts. Basket cases welcome! Old fella retiring, needs project. Phone Mark 027 806 1651.

LK0094587©

FLY OR LICE problem? Electrodip - The magic eye sheepjetter since 1989 with unique self adjusting sides. Incredible chemical and time savings with proven effectiveness. Phone 07 573 8512 w w w. e l e c t r o d i p . c o m

12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195. QUICK SALE! No one buys or pays more! 07 315 5553. Mike Hughes.

WANTED TO BUY

HORTICULTURE NZ KELP. FRESH, wild ocean harvested giant kelp. The world’s richest source of natural iodine. Dried and milled for use in agriculture and horticulture. Growth promotant / stock health food. As seen on Country Calendar. Orders to: 03 322 6115 or info@nzkelp.co.nz

LK0098780©

DOGS WANTED

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ANIMAL HANDLING

classifieds@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

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FARMERS WEEKLY – August 5, 2019

Talk about BANG for your BUCK! 0800 227 228 www.combiclamp.co.nz ™

South Island - Stuart 027 435 3062

livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – August 5, 2019

A r v i d s o n W I L T S H I R E S - Pure Meat, No Shearing

STOCK REQUIRED

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NZ’s No1 F.E. Meat Breed Flock * SIL * Parasite Testing Well Muscled - Fast Growth. Ph: David 027 2771 556

R2YR FRIES BULLS 450-500kg 120-200kg R1YR FRIES BULLS

PROCESSORS OF LAMB, MUTTON, GOATS & BOBBY CALVES

2&3YR ANGUS STEERS 500-650kg 300 x ROMDALE WILTSHIRE X

EWE HOGGETS SIL

SOME REAL BENEFITS TO YOU THE FARMER IN SUPPLYING CRUSADER MEATS:

(To Wiltshire RAM 20 Aug)

• Same day kill where possible • Payment within 2 business days of kill • Kill sheet – emailed afternoon of kill • Competitive schedules • New Zealand family owned business • Just a bunch of really good buggers

HAVE A SALE COMING UP?

Kokonga Ironside 5005 Boehringer Ingelheim Dairy Sire

Call Nigel

Key: Dairy

Beef

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

LK0097856©

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

For all livestock enquiries contact our livestock coordinator: Danny O’Leary Mob: 027 467 6251 Ofﬁce: 06 363 7237 Email: danny@crusadermeats.co.nz

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

JOHN STEPHENS 0279 392 369

Sheep

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING PHONE NIGEL RAMSDEN 0800 85 25 80

Other

0800 85 25 80 livestock@globalhq.co.nz

CLEARING SALE G&S Hay Ltd, Avonlea 523 Hakataramea Valley Road, RD 1, Kurow

Kokonga East Road (end of road by woolshed) off the Port Waikato - Waikaretu Valley Road, RD5 Tuakau

Friday 9th August 2019, commencing 12 Noon Due to Sale of farm we are privileged to offer full range of plant, machinery, workshop items & assortment of farm antique items.

TURANGANUI ROMNEYS

New Holland T7 210 2014 Tractor (3650hrs) – front suspension, mid mounted remote, power commander, auto reserve fan, & Mailleux Front End Loader with Weigh Log 200, Front PTO & Linkage Robertson Combi Ex Silage Wagon, Willett Rata 2014 Discs (with new discs), Vaderstool CR420 Discs, Duncan 3000 E Drill (23 run), Robertson Silage Wagon, Lely 320 F Front Mower, Rockmaster Stone Picker, Rata Silage Grab, Rata 3 Point Linkage Quick Hitch, Breviglierii Hurricane Mulcher, Duncan Seedliner 700 Drill, Caulder Stewart 30 Tonne V Bottom Silo, Irrigation Gun Andrews & Bevan, Diesel Ford 500 Irrigation Motor & Pump, Vicon Rotaflow Spreader, Ellis Chalmer AC 60 Motor Driven Header, Honda CRF 50 F Motorbike, Honda TRX 500 4x4 Motorbike (47200km), Honda TRX 500 4x4 (21080km), K-line - Quick Hook Included, Honda TRF 230 Motorbike, Honda XR200 Motorbike, Tractor Tyres 600/65R28 x 2 half worn, Tractor Tyre 540/65R28, Electric Milk Separator, 5 inch Alloy

Clients Owen and Tim Evans, Longridge North, Southland

TE KUITI YEARLING STEER & HEIFER FAIR

Irrigation Pipe (numerous lengths), Fencing materials including Standards, Netting, Wire & Posts, Water Troughs, Old Grain Augers x 3 , Antique Horse Drawn Gear, Old Plough Discs, Grubbers (Good for Garden Ornaments), Workshop Sundries Outside Entries John Deere 1065 Combine 14ft Front Duals (1280 Engine Hours), 4M 13 Tyne Chisel Plough, 7m Foldout 29 Spring Tyne Grubber Wide or Narrow Point Manual Fold Out, 6m Trailing Hydraulic Cover Harrows, Trailing 4 T Grain Bin, Duncan 701 Seedliner with hydraulic lift & harrows, New Holland TM125 with loader & bucket (Appros 6150 hrs), New Holland BR7070 baler, Weigh Crate with load bars & monitor, Stall Euro hitch. We are accepting Outside Entries for this sale. More photos will be added to Agonline as we get closer to the day. A light lunch will be available from the Kurow Pre School. Sale will be conducted Purchase price plus 15% GST. Terms are Cash or Cheque on Day of Sale unless you have a PGG Wrightson Ltd account. No EFTPOS available. Enquiries: Kelvin Sadler 0274 302 029

Secure your bull team with no upfront cost

Friday 9th August 12.00pm Start

Dairy service bulls. Buy now. Pay later.

A/C Neal Farming Ltd 73 R1 Hereford Hfrs One mark, very well bred. Contacts Bill Harrison .................. 027 473 5860

“The Turanganui team has done all the work so we don’t have to!”

Kevin Mortensen.......... 027 473 5858

pggwrightson.co.nz/deferabull

National Yearling Sale  February 2020

06 307 7841 06 307 7802 0274 465 312

RD 2 FEATHERSTON 5772

Jarred Pead

027 363 0899 LK0098684©

Michael Warren

hosted auction | Reach more buyers online

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

Helping grow the country

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – August 5, 2019

livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

SALE TALK An attorney arrived home late, after a very tough day trying to get a stay of execution. His last minute plea for clemency had failed and he was feeling worn out and depressed. As soon as he arrived home, his wife started on him, ‘What time of night to be getting home is this? Where have you been? Dinner is cold and I’m not reheating it’. Too shattered to respond to this familiar ritual, he poured himself a shot of whiskey and headed off for a long hot soak in the bath, pursued by sarcastic remarks. While he was in the bath, the phone rang. The wife answered and was told that her husband’s client, James Wright, had been granted a stay of execution after all. Wright would not be hanaged tonight. Realising what a terrible day he had, she went upstairs to give him the good news. As she opened the bathroom door, she was greeted by the sight of her husband, bent over naked, drying his legs and feet. ‘They’re not hanging Wright tonight,’ she said.

Here at Farmers Weekly we get some pretty funny contributions to our Sale Talk joke from you avid readers, and we’ve keen to hear more! If you’ve got a joke you want to share with the Farming community (it must be something you’d share with your grandmother...) then email us at: saletalk@globalhq.co.nz with Sale Talk in the subject line and we’ll print it and

He whirled around and screamed, ‘FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WOMAN, DON’T YOU EVER STOP!’ – Supplied by Lindsey Thompson

credit it to you. Conditions apply

Ruapehu Speckle Park purebred bulls for sale

annual angus bull sale Tuesday 20th August 2019 – 12.30pm 341b Matauri Bay Road, RD1, Kaeo, Northland 80 Lots - Comprising 66 R2 Bulls & 14 Autumn Born Yearlings The stud herd is run under commercial conditions on hill country. LK0098817©

All progeny from Canadian blood lines. Phone: 07 895 4730 Ray 027 365 4641 Email: raynjanbrown@outlook.co.nz

Weekly Auctions Wednesday night - North Island Thursday night – South Island

For more information go to bidr.co.nz or contact the team on 0800 TO BIDR

Matauri has established itself as a leading provider of NZ based genetics in the Australasian industry. Matauri genetics have had phenomenal success in a wide variety of environments having been used in 212 stud herds. Matauri Reality 839 now has over 5000 progeny analysed on Breedplan. The Matauri AI team and sons used in other stud herds have continued to top sales on both sides of the Tasman this season. One highlight was a Matauri Reality 839 grandson selling for $85,000 in a South Island sale. In the Wairarapa 8 sons of Matauri Smokin’ Joe averaged $18,437 with a top price of $45,000.

Bid, buy, sell all things rural

CONTACTS Cam Heggie Bruce Orr Neil Miller

027 501 8182 027 492 2122 027 497 8691

Tom Bayly Colin Maxwell

027 415 4125 09 405 0357

For more info please email colin@matauriangus.com or visit www.matauriangus.com

HAVE YOUR BULLS GOT GREAT PACKAGES?

Take a look at ours to promote them . . .

Deliver your bull sale messaging to every farm letterbox nationwide with publications that farmers choose first for news, opinion, market updates and even their own advertising.

Spring 2019 Bull Combo

Book two advertisements in Farmers Weekly and one advertisement in Dairy Farmer over spring and receive a complimentary Dairy Farmer Bull Directory advertisement over the same period.

Dairy Farmer spring publications: • September 2 – Better Bulls Better Calves Feature • October 7 Bull Directory publishes August, September and October. Terms and conditions apply.

8 1

Awards and website – Voyager Media Best trade/specialist publication farmersweekly.co.nz Vol 18 No 23, June 17, 2019

2019

Emptiness worries meat man $3.95

Incl GST

April 2019

Outlook is rosy those commodity prices will continue to stay up unless we coordinate and collaborate our sales N A global environment efforts. characterised by increasing “And farmers must still work uncertainty the primary hard to make sure they get a good sectors are continuing to profit.” deliver, Agriculture Minister Despite economic and political Damien O’Connor says. uncertainty affecting world Joined by 100 farmers and markets, New Zealand’s returns industry leaders at the National have remained solid and though Fieldays O’Connor launched there is continuing risk it is offset Outlook and Situation the latest to some extent by the weak report for Primary Industries dollar. (SOPI) produced by MPI. “This export performance by sector the across “It’s great news NZ’s primary sector producers with headline figures showing is all the more impressive continued growth.” the weakening global considering risen Agricultural exports have economic environment and $7.5 billion in the last two years the high degree of uncertainty but returns are expected to soften creating tensions across his year before growing again, international markets,” MPI O’Connor said. director-general Ray Smith Export returns for primary said. produce in the year to June 30 are However, given the uncertain expected to be $45.7b. international backdrop The report also predicts a slight and despite strong export fall in the coming year before performance the downside risks returns start climbing again, to to the forecast are heightened reach $48.5b in 2023. over the next few years. “Horticulture has continued Production and returns are to be the star performer with its the in expected to fall slightly in focus on the customer resulting next year before resuming its success,” O’Connor said. moderate momentum in the “The meat sector is solid and is medium term in meat, dairy and given way that continue to likely horticulture. the challenges in China with their Sustained Chinese and pork production. southeast Asian demand is aquaculture seeing “We’re also supporting strong prices and grow which is a real positive. the weak dollar is expected to “But farmers can’t assume

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Incl GST

Luke Chivers and Stephen Bell

than 7% this year to $45.6 billion, Agriculture revenue is expected to jump by more CHALLENGING: Primary industry export he attended with Prime Minister Jacinda leaders at the National Fieldays when Minister Damien O’Connor told industry Ardern.

We are moving into challenging economic environments and trade is being kicked around like a football. Damien O’Connor Agriculture Minister continue supporting export returns. “Strength in prices supported by an increasing proportion of higher-value products is expected

to sustain growth in dairy export revenue despite constraints on milk production growth,” Smith said. “NZ’s current run of export success over the past two years has occurred despite a rising sense of uncertainty in global markets. “This is in part because the products we trade in haven’t been directly affected so are and in part because the NZ dollar has fallen over the past two years. “However, these issues do provide an increasingly uncertain backdrop to the otherwise positive outlook.”

global economic growth expectations, rising protectionist sentiment and uncertainty caused by Brexit, United States-China trade tensions and outbreaks of African swine fever. But the bigger concern for NZ is their potential impact on consumer demand in Britain, America and China. “We are moving into challenging economic environments and trade is being kicked around like a football,” O’Connor said. “Our sector shouldn’t assume anything and will need to

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For further information contact Nigel Ramsden 06 323 0761, 027 602 4925 or livestock@globalhq.co.nz

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.

Suz Bremner

Mel Croad

Nicola Dennis

Cattle

Reece Brick

Caitlin Pemberton

Sheep

BEEF

William Hickson

Deer

SHEEP MEAT

VENISON

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.90

5.80

5.55

NI lamb (17kg)

8.20

8.10

8.20

NI Stag (60kg)

9.00

11.40

NI Bull (300kg)

5.50

5.35

NI mutton (20kg)

5.50

5.15

SI Stag (60kg)

8.85

11.40

NI Cow (200kg)

4.40

4.50

SI lamb (17kg)

7.90

7.80

8.00

SI Steer (300kg)

5.65

5.50

SI mutton (20kg)

5.45

5.40

SI Bull (300kg)

5.20

5.30

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

4.25

4.40

UK CKT lamb leg

9.71

9.75

9.06

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Last week Prior week

Last year

Export markets (NZ$/kg) 8.01

7.88

6.62

US domestic 90CL cow

7.38

7.13

North Island steer slaughter price

6.0

North Island lamb slaughter price

8.5 $/kg CW

US imported 95CL bull

$/kg CW

South Island steer slaughter price

$/kg CW $/kg CW

$/kg CW

6.5

Oct

Feb

Jun

2017-18

Dairy

Aug 2018-19

Apr 2017-18

Jun

Aug 2018-19

Last week

Prior week

Last year

3.26

Apr-19 Sept. 2020

320

Jul-18

Sep-18

Nov-18

Jan-19

Mar-19

May-19

Jul-19

440

3070

2925

420

SMP

2425

2455

2530

400

AMF

5620

5830

5900 5100

Milk Price

6.41

6.40

$/tonne

3050

4955

380 360 340 320

Jul-18

* price as at close of business on Thursday

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

Sep-18

Nov-18

Jan-19

Mar-19

May-19

Jul-19

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

3150

350

$/tonne

US$/t

3100 3050 3000 2950 2900 2850

Au g

Sep Oct Latest price

Nov

Dec 4 weeks ago

Jan

783

750

Top 10 by Market Cap

400

WMP

4750

304

DAP

vs 4 weeks ago

Butter

485

313

4.75

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY Prior week

616

313

Jun-19

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T)

616

360

Last price*

Aug 2018-19

Urea

30 micron lamb

$/tonne

6.25

Nearby contract

Jun

Last year

3.35

440

Feb-19

Apr 2017-18

Prior week

480

Oct-18 Dec-18 Sept. 2019

Feb

Last week

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

6.75

NZ average (NZ$/t)

37 micron ewe

7.25

Aug-18

Dec 5-yr ave

Fertiliser Super

Grain

Data provided by

MILK PRICE FUTURES

5.75

Oct

FERTILISER

Coarse xbred ind. 5-yr ave

$/kg MS

Dec 5-yr ave

(NZ$/kg) Apr

8.5 7.5

7.5

WOOL

Feb

9.5

5.5

5.0

Dec

South Island stag slaughter price

10.5

4.5

Oct

8.5

11.5

5.5

4.5

9.5

6.5

8.5

6.0

10.5

6.5

South Island lamb slaughter price

4.5

Last year

7.5

4.5

5.0

Last week Prior week

North Island stag slaughter price

11.5

7.5

5.5 5.5

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Ingrid Usherwood

300

Company

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

17.67

18.04

10.42

Meridian Energy Limited (NS)

4.83

5.03

3.38

Auckland International Airport Limited

9.495

9.85

7.065

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

16.35

16.82

12.3

Spark New Zealand Limited

3.97

4.18

3.54

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

4.75

4.85

3.51

Ryman Healthcare Limited

12.85

13.45

10.4

Contact Energy Limited

7.78

8.08

5.82

Mainfreight Limited

42.01

29.95

Port of Tauranga Limited (NS)

6.18

6.4

4.9

Listed Agri Shares

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Company

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

17.670

18.040

10.420

Comvita Limited

3.050

5.420

2.920

Delegat Group Limited

12.060

12.500

9.400

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

3.770

4.850

3.450

Foley Wines Limited

1.820

2.000

1.470

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

1.030

1.080

0.750

Marlborough Wine Estates Group Limited

0.220

0.240

0.192

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

1.850

2.980

1.760

PGG Wrightson Limited

0.550

0.580

0.470

Sanford Limited (NS)

6.710

7.060

6.350

Scales Corporation Limited

4.550

5.130

4.340

SeaDragon Limited

0.002

0.003

0.001

Seeka Limited

5.150

5.350

4.200

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

10.100

11.350

8.450

T&G Global Limited

2.610

2.810

2.600

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity

16651

17434

15063

S&P/NZX 50 Index

10861

10898

8732

S&P/NZX 10 Index

10633

10696

8280

250 200

Jul-18

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

Sep-18

Nov-18

Jan-19

Mar-19

May-19

Jul-19

16651

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

10861

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

10633

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

5.50

NI SLAUGHTER MUTTON ( $/KG)

5.50

SI SLAUGHTER LAMB ( $/KG)

7.90

BONER FRIESIAN COWS, 565-640KG, AT TEMUKA ( $/KG)

1.95

Cold and wet everywhere NORTH ISLAND

INTER’S been tracking quite dry in Northland so working outside has been pleasant. Kumara growers are starting to put their kumara beds in. The grower we spoke to will spend the next six weeks putting in 7km of small tunnel houses about a metre wide and half a metre high. He says you have to grow a crop to grow a crop. Seed kumara will be put in by hand and spend a couple of months in the houses growing and sprouting before being planted out in the paddocks. Pukekohe has had changeable weather with some showers from passing cold fronts. Vegetables are in heavy supply because of near-perfect winter growing conditions and extensive plantings. That’s excellent for consumers but growers are losing money. Waikato cooled a bit last week. Calving has been going well in fine conditions. Some cows are coming down with salmonella. It can kill them if it’s not picked up early. The consultant we spoke to says you see more salmonella when it’s been warm. The cow stops eating, runs a very high temperature and needs to be treated with a broad spectrum antibiotic. King Country was cool on Friday morning. Farmers are waiting for the days to get a bit longer and for lambing to start in earnest. The main drop is a week or so away. There’s been snow on Ruapehu and the ski traffic has increased. Traffic officers are out and about at six in the morning and four in the afternoon as skiers head to and from the mountain. Bay of Plenty’s been cool and blustery with the odd shower. Dairy farmers report calves are arriving quickly. Most people are satisfied with feed supplies. Lambs are appearing too. Taranaki has become damper underfoot so the water table will be filling up but it’s still pretty firm and muddy mainly in gateways rather than in paddocks. Grass growth continues to be fantastic. The farmer we spoke to says calving is going well. He’s pleased they’re over half way through with the heifers. It’s nice if farmers can get the new mums used to the milking shed before the main herd calves and starts coming in for milking. The grape grower and wine maker we rang in Gisborne was bottling his 2018 chardonnay when we called. He says the week was clear and fine and with a cold wind from the west. Friday morning brought a slight frost. It was very welcome because some vines have buds swelling five weeks too early and cold is needed to slow things down. He says the grass is growing like it’s October. And wine lovers take note, we’re told the 2019 vintage is the best since 1998. Hawkes’ Bay has been dry and cool. The region’s looking for moisture to get growth going. Usually at this time of year farmers are looking to keep out of the mud. Lambing is under way – there’s a huge spread in Hawke’s Bay because of the temperature variations across the region. It starts in July and goes to October. In Wanganui and Rangitikei lamb

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BLACK AND WHITE: Dark skies eventually brought rain to the Feilding sale yards on Friday.

survival is good though there will be fewer lambs born because scanning results shown numbers are down. It was dry at mating time and some ewes had signs of facial eczema. Cattle in the region have come through winter well and use of crops has been great because of the dry weather. In fact, there’s so much grass around lambs are short of iodine and cows short of phosphorous because they’re not scuffing around eating nearer the soil. There have been a few farms on the Central Plateau where cows have produced unexplained midget calves, about 20kg or less when an average calf would be 30kg. The lamb schedule is strong at more than $8/kg and increasing and beef, which has taken longer to rise this winter because lots of Mycoplasma bovis cattle were available for the works to kill, is now increasing as well. Wairarapa had welcome sun on Friday morning after a bitterly cold week. Snow is gracing the Tararuas. Although the grass has kept growing it has no guts to it so metabolic issues are coming to the fore now dairy cows are calving. They’re low in phosphorus and magnesium. A vet we spoke to said it is all go. Calving started on Thursday and the clinic had five calving calls in the first hour. Manawatu and Horowhenua have been blasted with very wet, cold weather. Growers can’t get tractors onto paddocks. SOUTH ISLAND It was raining when we talked to an apple grower in Nelson/Motueka but he says pruning continued nonetheless. They’re about two-thirds of the way through now and it’s pretty much the main job on the property. Other orchards in the region are also planting new tree varieties. Pruning’s also in full swing in Marlborough’s vineyards while further up the valleys on high country properties Merinos are on winter rotation and getting a top up of balage. It’s the same

for cattle, bulls and rams. Ewes are being crutched and our contact is getting ready for the pre-lamb shear. Now the Westland Milk sale is behind them dairy farmers on the West Coast can focus on calving. On some farms it’s already under way but a farmer at Lake Brunner says her cows are in bagging up, where the udder swells pre-calving. She says there’s been a mixture of rain and sun and from the farm she can see the mountains have had a good dump of snow. Lambing’s under way in north Canterbury. One farmer says she’s does two or three rounds a day to check on the new born lambs and mums. She’s feeding out supplements every day too so a very busy time of the year. Despite some sunny days it’s still very wet underfoot but on the upside pasture is shooting out of the ground. Our contact at Clydevale in south Otago says his main dairy herd is not due to start calving until August 20 but he’s noticed there are quite a few calves on the ground already in his district. He says its been a dry winter so far, only 35 millimetres of rain was in the gauge for July. Despite that there’ has been some good grass growth and stock are in excellent condition. Cows still in wintering sheds are on grass silage and young stock are out in paddocks on kale. Milking machines on Southland dairy farms are up and running now early calving is under way. Weather-wise in the west of the region it’s been wet and mild. A farmer at Blackmount says stock behind wire on winter feed crops are making a mess as the ground is not able to firm up. Lambing on the farm’s due to start on September 15. Scanning results for ewes are okay at 180% but for two-tooths its back a bit at 160%. Other farmers have similar results for their two-tooths and it could be because of worms in sheep that weren’t drenched. Scanning’s also shown triplet numbers are back, which is pleasing for farmers because sheep have only two teats.

Courtesy of Radio New Zealand Country Life You can listen to Country Life on RNZ at 9pm every Friday and 7am on Saturday or on podcast at rnz.co.nz/countrylife

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

Strong demand pushes up prime cattle prices Strong competition from several parties for limited supplies of prime and boner cattle resulted in a lift in prices while lambs are holding at high levels. At Temuka boner Friesian cows, 565-640kg, lifted to $1.95/kg, while at Feilding Friesian cows of similar weight but better yield lifted to $2.45-$2.60/kg. Traditional heifers, 480615kg, lifted to $3.01-$3.10/kg at Stortford Lodge with traditional cows, 620-708kg, also selling well at $2.76-$2.87/kg. At Rangiuru prime Hereford-Friesian steers up to 700kg sold for $3.07-$3.10/kg. NORTHLAND Wellsford store cattle • R2 Angus-Friesian steers, 369-412kg, sold well at $3.16-$3.17/kg • Most R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 363-454kg, softened to $3.00$3.16/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 348kg, lifted to $3.05/kg • R1 Hereford-Friesian steers, 177kg, improved to $725 • Fourteen Hereford-Friesian cows with Speckle Park calves-at-foot earned $1290 per unit An increased yarding of just under 630 cattle were penned at WELLSFORD last Monday. R2 Hereford-dairy steers had mixed results as 370-398kg improved to $2.91$3.00/kg, though 411- 423kg eased to $2.78-$2.86/kg. R2 Angus-Friesian heifers, 332-405kg, held at $2.78-$2.91/kg, while Angus, 323kg, traded at $2.88/kg. R1 steers managed solid returns for most, though heifers were harder work. Steers, 203-260kg traded at $650-$820, regardless of breed. Angus heifers, 168-177kg, returned $455-$495 and beefdairy, 158-212kg, managed $400-$550, while all bulls, 205270kg, traded at $515-$645. Autumn-born weaner steers, 101-150kg, fetched $500-$610, though Angus-Friesian heifers, 136kg, could only muster $400.

AUCKLAND Pukekohe cattle • Top prime steers lifted to $2.94-$3.08/kg • Light boner cows made $1.84/kg • R2 crossbred steers earned $2.83-$3.10/kg There was a smaller offering last Saturday at PUKEKOHE, although the market firmed. The prime market had strong competition between both local and outside buyers. Prime heifers sold very well with the top end earning up to $3.00/ kg. Quality younger cattle also strengthened with limited supply. Light R1 crossbred steers made $720, with medium crossbred heifers at $650-$750. Small-medium weaner steers made $500-$630, while medium heifers were $455$510.

COUNTIES Tuakau sales • Angus steers,300kg, earned $1010, $3.36/kg • Friesian-cross steers, 676kg, made $2000, $2.96/kg • Prime steers sold to $3.21/kg • Top boner cows earned $2.53/kg A kind winter and a shortage of cattle fuelled demand at TUAKAU last Thursday, PGG Wrightson agent Chris Elliott reported. Most beef-type steers over 400kg traded at $3.12$3.47/kg, with 300-400kg earning $3.05-$3.39/kg. HerefordFriesian,160kg, made $740 and 120kg, $650. A line of vettedin-calf Hereford-Friesian cows sold at $2.35-$2.45/kg, with heifers over 400kg at $2.85-$3.07/kg. The prime market lifted again last Wednesday. Heavy steers traded at $3.00$3.21/kg and light-medium, $2.88-$3.00/kg. Heavy heifers made $2.98-$3.12/kg and light-medium, $2.80-$2.98/kg. Monday’s sheep market was firm. Prime lambs sold to $245 and store lambs fetched $70-$150. Heavy ewes made $150$195, medium, $100-$140 and light, $60-$100.

WAIKATO Frankton dairy beef weaner fair • Hereford-Friesian heifers, 81-128kg, returned $445-$560 • Hereford-cross heifers, 98-112kg, earned $410-$490 • Hereford-Friesian bulls, 91-124kg, traded at $455-$665 • Friesian bulls, 102-133kg, fetched $450-$580 A mild but changeable day played host to 550 autumnborn weaner cattle at FRANKTON last Tuesday. The market was solid with a good number of buyers present and agents with orders to fill, leaving vendors happy with returns.

Hereford-cross bulls, 103-128kg, managed $440-$565 with Angus-cross, 127kg, well received at $655. Frankton cattle and feeder calf sale • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 353-481kg, lifted to $3.03-$3.29/kg • R1 Hereford-Friesian steers, 157-180kg, strengthened to $680$780, $4.33/kg • R1 Hereford-dairy heifers, 219kg, sold well at $780, $3.56/kg • Prime beef-dairy steers, 596-677kg, improved to $2.96-$3.05/kg • Prime beef-dairy heifers, 425-495kg, lifted to $2.96-$2.98/kg Four seasons in one day greeted sale goers at FRANKTON last Wednesday. Nearly 430 cattle were penned, with quality types rewarded. R2 Friesian-cross steers, 340-355kg, held at $2.56-$2.76/kg and beef-dairy heifers, 431-461kg, were well received at $2.75-$2.98/kg. R1 Hereford-dairy steers lifted to $610-$875 and Angus heifers, 173-199kg, held at $530$575. Beef-dairy heifers, 204-243kg, earned $600-$725, while 142-168kg improved to $450-$575. Dairy-bred bulls, 170-277kg, held at $470-$595, while Angus, 210kg, returned $620. Nearly 1300 feeder calves were offered. Good Friesian bulls made $160-$190, medium $100-$130, and small, $40-$70. Good Hereford-Friesian bulls traded at $330-$350, medium $250-$290, and small $150. Heifers of the same breeding returned $240 for good types, while medium made $120-$150 and small, $70-$100.

BAY OF PLENTY Rangiuru prime and boner cattle; all sheep • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 385-406kg, traded at $2.96-$3.00/kg • R1 Angus-Hereford steers, 280kg, made $905 • R1 Simmental-cross heifers, 194kg, fetched $700 A bigger yarding of store cattle presented at RANGIURU last Tuesday following the strong pricing evident at the previous sale. Strength in R1 cattle continued, and Angus and Angus-Hereford heifers, 260-270kg, sold to $850-$860 and Hereford-Friesian steers, 181-210kg, $700-$795. With few prime cattle offered, buyers eyed R3 cattle and steers, 465-486kg, traded at $3.11-$3.17/kg and heifers, 452548kg, $3.03-$3.08/kg. Most prime lines were steers, 580640kg, and these traded for $3.02-$3.10/kg. Prime lambs performed well with the top price $208 while the best store lambs made $121.

TARANAKI Taranaki cattle • R3 Hereford-Friesian steers, 464-480kg, made $3.13-$3.20/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 391kg, sold very well at $3.52/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 360kg, traded at $3.38/kg • R2 Charolais-cross heifers, 446kg, fetched $3.08/kg • Boner cows, 421-455kg, were bought for $2.04-$2.07/kg Last Wednesday’s TARANAKI cattle sale had strong competition with the market firming. Steers had particularly strong interest, and big-framed hill country R3 Friesian steers, 515-556kg, earned $3.01-$3.04/kg. R2 steers regularly fetched above the $3.00/kg mark, while heifers varied. R1 steers were also popular and Hereford-Friesian, 237-283kg, strengthened to $1000-$1040.

POVERTY BAY Matawhero sale • Very heavy store ewe lambs made $156-$168.50 • Mixed age Romney ewes earned $81-$129 • Prime mixed age ewes sold for $142-$158 There was just 907 store lambs at MATAWHERO last Friday. These were all ewe lambs and while medium lambs eased a little to $110-$132, heavier weights sold well with heavy types mostly $150-$166 with some above this range. Prime lambs lifted with the top end earning $191-$221.50 and two-tooth ewes easing to $146-$158.

HAWKE’S BAY Stortford Lodge prime cattle and sheep • Angus cows, 507-608kg, lifted to $2.60-$2.75/kg • All steers, 595-780kg, improved to $3.07-$3.25/kg • Angus heifers, 478-610kg, strengthened to $3.01-$3.10/kg • Heavy male lambs held at $198-$222 • Heavy mixed-age ewes held at $153-$170.50 A bigger yarding of cattle was penned at STORTFORD LODGE last Monday, with a decent buying bench very competitive on the offering and all sections strengthened. Good Angus &amp; Angus-Hereford cows improved to $2.87/kg, and all traditional heifers, 475-660kg, lifted to $2.93-$3.09/kg. Lamb throughput increased to just over 830, and there was strong competition from the rails. Heavy to very heavy mixed-sex lambs were solid at $171-$214. Ewe lambs improved for most and very heavy types lifted to $188-$193, as did good up to $162. Light-medium to very good mixed-age ewes held at $110$151, while the tail-end lifted to $57-$95. Heavy two-tooth and two-four tooth ewes all eased to $146-$158. Stortford Lodge store cattle and sheep sale • R8 & R9 Angus cows, vetted-in-calf to Angus bull, made $1590$1710 • R3 Hereford-Friesian steers, 530kg, firmed to $3.17/kg • Heavy male lambs reached $182-$190 • Good to heavy ewe lambs were steady to firm at $160-$185 • Six crossbred ewes with eight older lambs-at-foot made $109 all counted July finished with another big yarding of store lambs at STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday, completing a busy month in these pens. Just over 9000 were penned but were comfortably absorbed by local and Manawatu buyers. Better lambs sold on a steady to firm market, while a larger instance of medium types had males at $147-$171 and ewe lambs, $122-$152. Four lines of mixed sex were variable in type though sold for $150-$171. The main feature in the cattle pens was a consignment of cast-for-age Angus cows from Wairoa. These sold well with all purchased by a local farmer. R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 435-455kg, held at $2.99-$3.00/kg, while R1 steers of the same breed and 327kg returned $1100. The balance of the yarding was small lines of mixed quality.

MANAWATU Feilding prime cattle and sheep; feeder calves • Very heavy male lambs firmed to $190-$235 • Prime traditional cows, 410-430kg, sold for $2.15/kg • Boner Friesian cows, 470-535kg, rose 39c/kg to $2.45/kg • Good Friesian bull calves eased to $170-$195 • Charolais- cross bull calves made $300 A sunny day in Manawatu put the prime stock in good light at FEILDING last Monday. Most boner cows sold above $2.25/kg and Friesian, 575kg plus, pushed to a record $2.52/ kg. Demand for prime lambs remained high, with very heavy ewe lambs at $191-$194, and mixed sex, $188-$220. No lines sold below $159. The ewe tally halved and featured more variation in quality. Heavy ewes sold at $179-$184 with very good lines $158-$166. Good lines were numerous and sold for $136-$148.50. Feeder calf sales continued at Manfeild Park, with buyers attending from around the lower North Island. Feilding store sale • Capital stock VIC mixed age traditional cows, 450-475kg, were $1340-$1460 • R2 and R3 Angus steers, 455-555kg, made $3.34-$3.54/kg • R2 Friesian bulls, 460-530kg, lifted to $3.09-$3.19/kg • Good in-lamb ewes, SIL 172% plus, made $201-$241 • Average store lamb made $157.50 Around 1100 store cattle met an even hotter market. A wave of straight Angus R2 steers were easy shifting, rarely below $3.35/kg, while even the good 370-425kg HerefordFriesians were knocking around $3.15-$3.35/kg. R2 Friesian bulls were centred on $3.10/kg. Straight beef and good beef-Friesian R2 heifers mainly made $3.00-$3.15/kg. Traditional and Simmental-cross R1 steers, 235-310kg, went for $3.60-$3.85/kg, not far ahead of the bigger lines of 225-260kg R1 bulls at $3.30-$3.60/kg. Traditional and Charolais-cross R1 heifers, 230-290kg, were $3.40-$3.65/ kg. The 10,000 store lambs again sold well, generally on par with the week prior. Three lines of males went all the way to $190-$200, but $166-$181 was the norm for the better male lambs. The four earliest lines of ewe lambs were taken to $171-$180, but $145-$167 was much more common for the other decent lines. A showing of 1600 in-lamb ewes sold for similar values to past weeks. Good cuts were at $201-$241, while anything medium quality or low scanning more like $146-$180. Rongotea • R2 Hereford bulls, 495kg, traded at $1490, $3.01/kg

SALE YARD WRAP

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019

SIZZLING IN THE COLD: About 1100 store cattle met an even hotter market at Feilding on Friday. • • • •

Yearling Speckle Park-cross heifers, 322kg, made $850 In-calf Friesian-cross cows fetched $1210 Friesian-cross boner cows, 495kg, held at $1.78-$1.89/kg Big Friesian bull calves sold for $170-$205 Wet weather did not dampen prices last Wednesday at RONGOTEA, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported. R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 380kg, earned $2.76/kg, while same breed heifers, 398kg, sold well at $2.98/kg. Yearling Friesian bulls, 271kg, earned $790, with Speckle Park-cross steers, 315kg, at $840. Weaner beef-cross steers earned up to $550, and heifers, $420. In the calf pens better quality types lifted, with Hereford-Friesian bulls up to $230-$325.

CANTERBURY Canterbury Park sheep and cattle • Heavy prime lambs made $200-$230 • In-lamb crossbred ewes fetched $194 • Prime Charolais steer, 575kg, sold well at $3.24/kg • Prime Charolais heifers, 503-620kg, earned $3.00-$3.11/kg There was a smaller yarding of prime lambs last Tuesday at CANTERBURY PARK, although prices remained firm with light to medium lambs making $140-$190. The quality of prime ewes eased, although heavy types made $180-$220. There was strong demand for store lambs from local buyers and top types sold for $130-$145. A small yarding of mostly good quality prime cattle improved the market. Prime steers strengthened with traditional and heavier Hereford-Friesian, 570-680kg, commonly earning $3.06-$3.14/kg. Prime heifers also lifted with most Angus, 391-419kg, up to $2.79-$2.80/kg. Coalgate prime and store sale • Capital stock 4-5 year Perendale ewes, scanned-in-lamb to Perendale, made $200 • Top prime lambs sold for $210-$224 • Prime Charolais steers, 673-759kg, made $3.11-$3.15/kg

All bar the prime cattle pens had limited volume at COALGATE last Thursday. Just 14 store cattle were penned and R1 Belted Galloway steers, 390kg, were the best of the bunch at $970. There was more stock available in the prime pens where the balance of the steers, 525-670kg, fetched $3.00-$3.10/kg. The top heifers, 644kg, made $3.06/kg while 427-645kg earned $2.73-$2.85/kg. Prime and boner cows sold in two cuts; 636-765kg were $2.07-$2.24/kg, and 484-615kg, $1.90-$2.00/kg. Sheep throughput overall was low. Barely 100 store lambs presented, the best $130-$137. A quarter of the prime lambs were good lines at $200-$219, with mid-range types $171-$199. Good condition ewes made $161-$180, and medium, $123-$154.

SOUTH-CANTERBURY Temuka prime and boner cattle; all sheep • Heavy mixed sex lambs sold for $140-$158 • Prime steers, 460-615kg, sold at $2.85-$2.96/kg • Boner Friesian cows, 565-640kg, rose 6c/kg to $1.95/kg • Boner Friesian cows, 445-520kg, firmed 2c/kg to $1.83/kg Strong store lamb pricing continued at TEMUKA last Monday. With no male lines offered, mixed-sex prices firmed slightly, and all sold for $114-$155. Prime lambs sold on a good market with the top lines $188-$222, and medium $160-$180. The best ewes were down slightly at $200-$240, and a third of the tally sold for $150-$196. Plenty of variety was presented in the prime cattle pens, with most categories lifting in price. Heifer lines sold well with Angus, 595-649kg, the best at $2.98/kg and Hereford-Friesian, 485586kg, up 11c/kg to $2.85-$2.96/kg.

OTAGO Balclutha sheep • Heavy prime lambs, made $176-$170 • Heavy prime ewes earned $150-$170 • Top store lambs sold for $130-$145

Prime lambs sold on par with previous sales at BALCLUTHA last Wednesday, with medium types earning $140-$150. Heavy prime ewes sold well with the lighter types lifting to $100-$120, and mediums at $130-$140. Store lambs continued to sell under strong competition due to limited supply. Mediums fetched $110-$120, with lighter types down to $80.

SOUTHLAND Lorneville cattle and sheep • Heavy prime lambs lifted to $176-$196 • Two-tooths earned up to $160 • R2 Angus heifers, 345-360kg, made $2.94-$3.01/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 400kg, traded at $3.00/kg At LORNEVILLE last Tuesday, prime lambs strengthened and light to medium types sold well at $139-$177. Heavy prime ewes made $162-$180 and medium types $132-$151. There was a small offering of store lambs which softened at the top end, back to $120-$135, with light to medium lambs at $100-$118. The small yarding of prime cattle sold well, with good beef heifers earning $2.80/kg, and cows, 480-550kg at $1.80$1.85/kg. In the store cattle pens, R1 Murray Grey heifers, 195-230kg, made $550-$700 and 165-185kg Speckle Park steers returned $560-$600. Charlton sheep sale • Heavy prime lambs made $180-$190 • Heavy prime ewes earned $168-$188 • Top store lambs made $125-$130 There was a medium sized yarding of prime lambs at CHARLTON last Thursday. These sold to strong demand, with light to medium earning $135-$170. Prime ewes also sold well with most making $110 and above, while light to medium local trade rams fetched $35-$75. A small yarding of store lambs met limited demand. Light lambs struggled, selling down to $50 with medium types at $100-$110.

Markets

40 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 5, 2019 NI SLAUGHTER STEER

NI SLAUGHTER LAMB

SI SLAUGHTER STEER

($/KG)

R2 ANGUS-FRIESIAN HEIFERS, 330-345KG, AT WELLSFORD

($/KG)

5.90

8.20

5.65

2.90

$200 high $1590-$1710 Capital Stock 4-5yr VIC R8 & R9 Angus cows lights to Angus bull at Stortford Perendale ewes, in-lamb

Lamb numbers break record Suz Bremner suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

HEEP pens were again full to the last row on the gravel at Stortford Lodge sale yards last Wednesday. Typically, at this time of year, focus shifts from store lambs to store cattle as lamb supply falls and the spring cattle sales get under way. However, high prices for lamb this year have driven so many into the yards there has been minimal let-up in volume at the bigger North Island selling centres of Feilding and Stortford Lodge. While that is not unusual for Feilding, Stortford Lodge has been consistently higher than historical levels through June and July, finishing with close to 38,000 for July 2019, which is the largest volume on LivestockEye records that started in 2008. It is also 15,500 head up on July 2018 and just over 17,000 ahead of the fiveyear average for the month. “The lambs just seem to keep coming,” Stortford Lodge sale yards manager Bruce Campbell said. “A few weeks ago we thought we were seeing the end of it but today we have just over 9000 penned. “The dry and prices are leading the charge.” The high lamb prices have been a popular topic of conversation this year and are the main driver of the increase in volume to the yards. PGG Wrightson agent Neil Common said that since the margins are above schedule in many cases, more sellers are taking the opportunity now. “Many are drafting now as forward store lambs rather than holding on to finish in the September-October period. “A $40-$50 per head winter margin is typically worked towards and since that is achievable now and feed levels are tight the safe option for many is to take the money now. “Most are, therefore, drafting off for the sales instead of the processors.” While ewe lambs make up a larger percentage of the sales at this time of year, recycled male lambs are coming in and keeping a good supply in the market for buyers.

BUSY: Yard manager Bruce Campbell watching loading of some of the 9000 lambs yarded at Stortford Lodge last Wednesday.

The lambs just seem to keep coming. Bruce Campbell Stortford Lodge

larger outside areas to come in.” The catchment area for Stortford Lodge has grown in the past few years. It is common now to see Taupo, Wairoa, Gisborne, Chatham Islands and Dannevirke on the books alongside the local lambs. The car park was also full in anticipation of another big day and local stock trucks at the ready. There was no lack of buyers yet again and no let-up in the market either as local and Manawatu buyers once again dominated the sale.

700 Common believes there are still a few more weeks left of these high volumes too. “I don’t think we have broken the back of them yet as there are still lambs from

Lodge

to Perendale ram, at Coalgate

ACROSS THE RAILS SUZ BREMNER

R2 Friesian bull market started at the top? TWO consignments of older Friesian bulls have kicked off the season and it appears market prices have started at the top end. At Matawhero 365-402kg Friesian bulls made $2.97-$3.01/kg but at Feilding annual draft autumn-born bulls went one better. PGG Wrightson agent Phil Transom, representing a Feilding client, said they were very pleased with results though the prices were an accurate reflection of the selective buying as well as producing them to a high standard. “It is not just luck that sees these cattle command a premium. They were handpicked from the autumn weaner sales in Waikato then farmed for optimum performance until time of sale. Presentation is also key with the whole consignment a clean, even line of well-marked bulls with no horns. That is what brings regular buyers back in a bench that not only features fatteners but, given these bulls are good enough to be a two-way option, a few dairy farmers are also interested.” At 460-490kg the bulls outweighed some of the spring-born lines and sold for $3.05-$3.10/kg while a lighter line at 422kg reached $3.20/kg. Those prices are expected to be at upper limit. Paddock prices in the North Island are $2.85-$3.10/kg compared to last year’s July average of $2.73-$2.78/kg and $3.05-$3.10/kg briefly for September. With schedules 15c/kg CW higher than last year there might still be some room to move on bull prices though they are unlikely to exceed those paid at Feilding. Feed supplies will also be taken into consideration and while the winter has been mild it has not provided much in the way of moisture for bull finishing regions, which could dampen demand. Origin of cattle is more of a selling point now than it ever has been and is pivotal to their success, both in the paddock and in the rostrum. The lower the risk of Mycoplasma bovis the larger the buying bench and buyers are showing a clear preference for bulls born in the North Island. There is still a market for South Island bulls but it is more limited and in a lower price bracket because of the risk factor. suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

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