Farmers Weekly NZ March 6 2023

New thinking needed for rebuild

The lights go on in Pātoka

“Now that lights have come on farmers want to start focusing on animal welfare, getting to stock, fixing fences and stuff like that.

ACHEER has finally gone up around Pātoka

After 15 days without electricity, power is back in the small Hawke’s Bay community – and for many it is the first real sign of progress since the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle.

“It was a big morale booster,” said farmer and community board member Isabelle Crawshaw.

“We had a big cheer, a round of applause and a few tears. We’ve got a long road ahead of us in terms of isolation. But just having that basic necessity of power restored to families is huge.”

Plenty of challenges remain for locals and the next focus is ensuring they can get enough fuel to enable farmers and the community to return to some normality.

Access to Pātoka, Rissington and Puketitiri was crippled when the Rissington bridge was destroyed in the cyclone.

With road links to the region expected to remain cut off for another four to six weeks, they are still reliant on what supplies can be brought in by helicopter or army unimog vehicles travelling across river access points. As soon as it rained the river became inaccessible, and it stayed that way for days.

“The generator that is fuelling our substation is extremely thirsty and that’s what is keeping everyone’s power going now. So that’s another battle,” Crawshaw said.

Ripcord

Insecticide

All of that requires a lot of fuel for tractors and quad bikes.

“We’re far from being out of the woods yet in terms of what supply we do have and are obviously heavily reliant on the resources in town to keep getting us the fuel that we need.”

Crawshaw, part of a group co-ordinating the community’s cyclone response, estimated Pātoka and its 300 people need about 2000-3000 litres of fuel a day to sustain the community and “we’re not getting close to that”.

The local school and kindergarten have reopened, but because residents have to restrict fuel use some families are unable to transport children to class.

What has been evident since the cyclone is community spirit. Locals gather regularly for meetings to update the situation (See story on page 9) and are quick to put their hands up to support neighbours. Organisations and businesses that normally service the community have stepped up with significant donations.

“The support has been humongous. We now have access to everyone, which is amazing. We’ve gone through the immediate emergency phase of people chipping in around the community,” Crawshaw said.

“Now farmers have got the massive task of sitting down and looking at the their individual situations.

Continued page 5

Down south, dry conditions start to bite

With the dry coming a bit earlier this year, stock manager Scott Baker, left, and farmer owner Peter Gardyne were selling cattle at Lorneville this week.

NEWS 7

Charting dairy’s trajectory of change

DairyNZ’s new strategy and investment leader spent years at the top of the global food chain with a key consultancy in Europe, before coming home to a pivotal role in the dairy industry.

PEOPLE 24

As communities start to pick up the pieces after Cyclone Gabrielle, farmers gather for counsel and comfort.

NEWS 9

New Zealand exporters could benefit from BSErelated suspension of Brazil’s beef exports to China.

MARKETS 14

Synlait has launched a drive to increase the numbers of farms supplying milk to its Pokeno plant.

NEWS 18

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Don’t let flies take away all your hard work

Photo: Natwick

Craig Page PEOPLE Weather

Improving soil health

Everything we farm and grow begins in the soil. Healthy soil means healthy food, and the better the soil, the more sustainable and productive our land will be.

Why is healthy soil so important?

Part of good soil health is all about its ability to hold and cycle macronutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur. Healthy levels of macronutrients mean plants will develop stronger and deeper roots, resulting in optimum yields and feeds, and increases the capacity to retain water. There are three main ways to test soil health: physical, chemical, and biological.

Physical

This determines the pore space within the soil, which influences root growth and air/water movement. Soil with healthy structure retains water, minimises erosion, and keeps nutrients where the roots are. To promote healthy physical structure of the soil, keep it covered in vegetation, use less intensive/frequent cultivation, and match heavier animals to right soil conditions.

Chemical

This means the cycling of the nutrients themselves, which is what aids the plants to grow. These should be tested with regular monitoring. pH testing for acidity and alkalinity shows how available the nutrients are for plant growth. The ideal pH range is 5.5-6.5. Olsen P, ASC, and CEC testing are also valuable indicators of soil health. Regular testing prevents you from over-or-under-applying nutrients.

Biological

Healthy soil contains a huge amount of life, and organisms keep soil healthy in several ways. Earthworms take in soil and organic matter and eject fine soil particles full of bacteria and nutrients. Soil fungi and bacteria along with plant roots exude a glue-like substance which help to clump soil and form the structure of a healthy, free draining and aerated soil. Growing a variety of plants helps support different organisms.

Talking soil health with Peter Carver

Peter and Nicola Carver run a 515ha sheep, beef, and dairy farm out of Ohangai. They make smart use of the flats and hills of South Taranaki country by combining dairy and dry stock farming. They’re passionate about their business and the long-term sustainability of their land.

Why is healthy soil important to you and your farm’s future?

“It’s the foundation of everything, where farming begins. Healthy soil means healthy food, healthy stock, better crops, and a better lifestyle overall. You can’t build a future without a good foundation.”

What are some challenges you’ve faced when it comes to soil health?

“Weather uncertainty has been one of the big challenges, one that’s hitting all farmers. My advice is that there’s no normal anymore, there’ll always be a new challenge to face every year. So, you need a backup plan all the time. You can’t rely on what’s happened last year to keep the grass growing all year round, so have a plan just in case.”

What healthy soil initiatives have you implemented on your farm?

“Direct drilling has been a game changer for our farm system. With cultivated soils you’re losing out to moisture loss, wind erosion, water erosion. Why disturb it if it’s already healthy?

Regular soil testing and monitoring is a must, as it informs all your other planning. I soil test months out from sowing, so if there’s ever an issue, I have plenty of time to address it.

The animals and plants will let me know when something’s off, and it’s up to me to think on my feet. On our farm we found that keeping the heavier animals off the hills in winter, applying lime, and growing feed in autumn instead of winter have all helped the soil health of the farm.”

Ballance with Nature

Making it easy for you to care for and protect your natural resources. If the natural world is healthy, so too are the people. Taiao ora, Tangata ora.

Why is sustainability important when it comes to healthy soil?

“Part of building a successful business means getting better each year, and sustainability is a big part of that. If you aren’t thinking long-term when it comes to soil health, you won’t have a healthy business. When the time comes to sell, I want to feel proud of what I’m selling.

Healthy soil is difficult to recover once it’s gone. I’ve worked around the world and seen first-hand the damaging effects of decades of overworking soil.

It’s not all about the bottom line, it’s about making the land better for tomorrow, too. We’re lucky here in New Zealand that our farming traditions mean minimal soil disturbance – let’s keep it up.”

What excites you about the future of farming in NZ?

“New Zealand produces good food, and the world will always need that. As we get better at balancing cost and sustainability, we’ll only get better at producing. New systems and technologies will help us produce in cheaper but ecologically favourable ways.

Farming is a great way to be your own boss, be one with nature, and leave the world in a better place.“

Over the coming months, we’ll be meeting farmers all across the country, celebrating success stories and sharing ideas. Scan the QR code to find out more about soil health.

Peter

Peter and Nicola Carver

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China rebound

Food and beverage retail sales in China are expected to rebound strongly this year as the country emerges from covid pandemic restrictions, according to a Rabobank report.

The report said changes in Chinese consumer behaviour and an accumulation of savings could fuel economic growth, especially for beef.

Higher income groups are more frequently eating beef, perceiving it as tastier and healthier than other meats.

Disease warning

Cases of salmonella and leptospirosis are rising in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle. Beef + Lamb New Zealand said spikes of leptospirosis are often seen after flood events – and bad weather can increase the spread of salmonella, too.

Deer conference

In 2026 Dunedin will host the International Deer Biology Congress, which is expected to attract 500 industry experts.

It is the first time the congress will be held in New Zealand since Dunedin hosted the inaugural event in 1983. Last year’s conference was held in Osijek, Croatia. Biologists, ecologists, veterinarians, geneticists, wildlife managers, conservationists and food, health and production researchers are expected to attend.

Board appointments

ANZCO Foods’ chief executive Peter Conley has been appointed a director of Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the New Zealand Meat Board.

Conley, who joined ANZCO in 1991, said he welcomes the opportunity to serve New Zealand’s red meat sector in a governance role.

Dairy on tightrope as payout forecast cut

Gerald Piddock MARKETS Fonterra

FONTERRA’s reduction of its milk price forecast for this season has reduced the difference between profit and loss for dairy farmers to a razor-thin margin.

The co-operative recently reduced and narrowed its 2022/23 season forecast milk price from $8.50-$9.50/kg MS with a midpoint of $9/kg MS to $8.20$8.80/kg MS with a midpoint of $8.50.

Going by data from farm consultancy AgFirst’s 2022 financial survey of Waikato and Bay of Plenty farms, that new midpoint sits just above the survey’s break-even figure of $8.44/kg MS.

Similarly, DairyBase figures from 130 Waikato farms compiled by DairyNZ show a break-even milk price of $8.68/kg MS.

Farm costs tend to follow some way behind the milk price when the forecast lifts or falls. This is happening right now, but labour and interest rates are still high, Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre said.

“There’s generally a lag between when the payout goes up and farm working expenses go up – so farmers typically make a lot of money during those times and that’s what we have seen.

“But when the milk price goes down, expenses often take time to go down as well for various reasons.”

The biggest pressures for farmers at the moment are interest rates and labour costs. The median wage has increased to $29.66 and farmers using migrant labour will have to pay that hourly rate, he said.

“So, $8.50/kg MS is now roughly in line with the break-even milk price and there will be farmers that are still cashflow positive but

there will also be farmers that are cashflow negative.”

Farmers produced milk this season and made spending decisions on the assumption that the milk price would be higher than it currently is. There is little farmers can do for this season with the bulk of that spending paid out.

However, farmers are starting to compile budgets for their bank managers for next season and those budgets and systems need to be reviewed to ensure they are as efficient as possible, he said.

“We hope for the best and plan for the worst. I hope $8.50/kg MS is what next season is as well but there’s a chance it could be worse and we need to ensure we are as efficient as possible to so we don’t get to this time next year and get told that the milk price is $6.50/ kg MS.”

DairyNZ solutions and development advisor Paul Bird said the forecast downgrade means

“There is a mammoth road ahead for a lot of farmers out here and it’s only just now people are stepping back and saying ‘Where do we start, where are our focal points and what’s our plan for the next 6-12 months?’

“There will be some difficult conversations for a lot of people.”

Crawshaw said discussions have been held with the Rural Support Trust and it is hoped funding can be found for “some outside eyes” – such as farm consultants or advisers – to assist locals. After so many days looking at property damage, it is difficult for farmers to make rational decisions about their recovery.

“Those fresh eyes and that experience is going to be crucial to

incomes will be down, depending on where the final payout ends up.

“Revenue is going to be down and the inflation impact is still coming at us and we have a double whammy. If you look at farm working expenses, we estimate they could be around $6.40/kg MS – up from $5.46/kg MS last year.”

Bird said it will make farmers

get farmers through however long this recovery is going to take.”

She said work is also being done with the Ministry for Primary Industries to enable farmers to access vital supplies such as fencing through their regular companies, and for the New Zealand Defence Force to transport it into Pātoka.

“It’s a mind-shift from survival into what’s ahead of us and what do we need to start looking at. But we’re lucky. We’re not in same boat as some horticulture and viticulture properties that have been completely wiped out.”

For the time being Crawshaw’s focus remains on the local community and she is prepared to continue to make sacrifices to ensure that happens.

Her husband Patrick has

tighten up their financial situation, reflect on their positions and review next season’s budgets, going down every item and negotiating with suppliers.

One small positive was that large areas of the North Island have plenty of pasture covers, which could allow farmers to reduce their supplementary feed usage and reduce their costs, he said.

effectively been left on his own to manage their sheep and beef farm while Crawshaw focuses on the community’s needs. The couple chartered a helicopter to evacuate their two young children to family in Wellington while the clean-up continues.

“Yes it is hard. We are in the same boat as all the other farmers in terms of our farm and the damage caused to it,” Crawshaw said.

“We’ll need to take some time to sit down and make a plan. I’ve not been out on the farm yet. I haven’t been able to bring myself to do that. I just want to focus on the community for the moment.

“I don’t think I have the capacity to even think about the worries and the long-term recovery plan that we are facing on our property.”

LAG: Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre says when the milk price goes down, on-farm expenses often take time to go down as well –putting the squeeze on budgets.

Continued from p1

WELCOMED: A trailerload of supplies is gratefully received in Pātoka.

‘Nail in the coffin’ for one kiwi season

Richard Rennie PEOPLE Weather

GISBORNE kiwifruit

grower Tim Tietjen counts himself luckier than some in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake, but he is also far from comfortable about what the future may hold.

The New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI) rep for Gisborne has 3ha of SunGold fruit, 3.5ha of SunGold organic and 4ha of new Ruby Red vines growing in Matawhero. He is nervously monitoring his fruit on a daily basis to see if two days of submerged roots will result in some, or even complete, vine losses over coming days and months.

The water was sitting over the ground for at least a couple of days ... Bruno rootstock does not really tolerate wet feet for more than 24 hours.

Tim Tietjen Gisborne kiwifruit grower

He counts himself more fortunate than two other orchards in the district that were completely wiped out by flooding, but said the floods could yet prove make or break for his own operation.

Orchards near the Te Arai River were particularly hard hit. “The water was sitting over the ground for at least a couple of days. We have two rootstocks for our vines, Bruno and Bounty. Bruno does not really tolerate wet feet for more than 24 hours.

Bounty seems to tolerate it better, and was developed for orchards in wetter areas.”

He has more of the Bounty rootstock vines in the wetter areas, and has seen orchards where Bruno stock vines are already falling over from being submerged.

Gabrielle’s arrival was the dismal climax to a season that has been saturated with rainfall going back to last June, with prolonged wet weather and a lack of sunshine hitting Gisborne crops hard even before the cyclone.

“So Gabrielle has been the nail in the coffin for the season,” Tietjen said.

He is nervously monitoring his fruit’s condition every day, knowing one option to save stressed vines is to pull crop off before it matures, voiding a season’s income.

“If we see fruit going soft, we may have to make a move.”

Like most growers, Tietjen carries a mortgage, and interest rates are surging along with operating costs while this year’s crop yield was already looking compromised due to earlier conditions.

The upside is that, should the crop be harvestable, the SunGold fruit are showing exceptional size this year, though they will require sunshine to lift sugar and taste profiles.

He said he had conversations with his bank and accountant as he revised the season’s budget.

“They seem to understand this could just be a short-term issue and we can try to ride it out.”

Overall the Gisborne district has about 700ha of kiwifruit or about 10% of the national total. It has enjoyed strong growth in plantings over the past three years, with about 100ha of new crop coming

on stream each year, particularly for SunGold.

Earlier in the week NZKGI chief executive Colin Bond confirmed that 70% losses in Gisborne may not be an unreasonable estimate. Looking to the future, Tietjen said ironically the only thing constraining further growth in Gisborne, other than flood risk, is a lack of water for irrigation on the plains.

“They will probably also have to be a lot more selective about where they plant crops. The Gisborne District Council does have a good mapping tool to identify flood areas, but you do need to know where to look.”

Bridges, fencing lost as slips aplenty scar the Kaipara Hills

Hugh

Stringleman

PEOPLE Weather

KAIPARA Hills farmers Scott and Philippa Innes estimate they have between 700 and 800 slips on the hills in their 160ha sheep and beef farm and the

1000ha leased family farm next door.

“We have lost fences, bridges and tracks and we think it will take months, possibly years, to restore all the infrastructure,” Scott said.

The priority is getting access to all parts of the farms, for which

a digger and operator have been hired. The Auckland Anniversary storm caused most of the slips and Cyclone Gabrielle tended to make fewer slips much bigger, with losses of fencing spans up to 40m wide.

One recent riparian fencing project done with help from the Auckland Council has been wrecked along 300-400m. Scott will take advice on what to plant in the slips to aid stabilisation. Older willows ripped out by floodwaters have caused much of the damage to bridges.

Loss of pasture is probably around 10% but, because summer and autumn growth has been so good, Scott thinks winter feed will be adequate for the livestock numbers – 1000 cattle and 3000 sheep.

NERVOUS: Coming days and weeks are a nervous time for Tim Tietjen as he monitors how his vines are recovering from having their root systems submerged.

GONE: Slips are everywhere across the Kaipara hill country.

2023’s harvest of silt and salvaged fruit

four weeks if the silt is left.

THE Hawke’s Bay apple harvest that began this week is going to be far from normal for growers.

Brydon Nisbet, a local grower and president of the Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers Association, said the degree of orchard damage from Cyclone Gabrielle ranges from total destruction to hardly touched.

His apple-growing business straddles that ambit.

A 2ha orchard at Puketapu beside the Tutaekuri River is unsalvageable, buried under 1m of silt, while an adjacent 5ha block has a mat of between 20cm and 50cm of silt. He believes he can pick about 30% of the crop above the flood line.

A third orchard’s 10ha are sodden but the crop should be able to be picked.

Nisbet said his first goal is to save the trees he can, and diggers are removing silt from around trunks to allow the trees to breathe.

Trees will start to die in three or

Nisbet estimates it will cost him between $40,000 and $60,000/ha to remove what he has calculated at 15,000m cu of silt from his 5ha orchard.

This week he bought himself some time by applying SmartFresh to his trees. The chemical delays fruit ripening for a week.

Nesbit said some growers, many small intergenerational businesses, have lost everything and others are mentally wilting under the pressure, with some already seeking assistance.

Volunteers have stepped up to help and the association has set up a fund to pay for counsellors to help those struggling to deal with the disaster.

The economic impact from the decimated apple industry, Nisbet said, will be felt throughout Hawke’s Bay.

Meanwhile damage to an estimated 10% of vineyards in Hawke’s Bay and a similar area in Gisborne has not stopped the new season grape harvest, also getting underway this week.

Brent Linn, the executive officer of the Hawke’s Bay Wine Growers, estimates about 500ha of grapes in the region were severely compromised by the cyclone.

He said viticulture consultants have been out in vineyards assessing fruit quality and access, and concluded that growers have time to save their vines.

If silt is below the graft union, it is not an immediate concern and fruit can be harvested before silt is removed.

If silt is 20-30cm above the graft, he said, it has to be lowered first to save the vine.

“Grape vines are a robust plant and we are confident minor silt inundation can be mitigated.”

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Flexibility key as dry conditions start to bite

“I expect to be dry for six to eight weeks each year,” he said.

PETER Gardyne’s Eastern Southland farm dries out each year, but this year it is happening a bit earlier than usual.

Gardyne, selling cattle with stock manager Scott Baker at Lorneville this week, said the medium soils on his Knapdale farm north of Gore and the positioning of the weather influencing Hokonui Hills mean most Februaries are dry to the point of limiting production.

Linn said some vineyards have silt up to post height, which creates a whole new level of problems for harvesting and saving the vines.

Fruit exposed to inundation by water and debris must first be checked for contaminants.

“Like anyone in the primary sector, we’re dealing with what is in front of us,” said Linn.

Growers and volunteers are helping each other, including lending or swapping equipment and arranging access to wineries for those that have been lost.

The weather was favourable throughout Southland up to the end of January but since then, Gardyne said, certain areas, including those heavier soils, have started to dry off.

While drier than usual, Gardyne said, conditions on his farm are better than those in South Otago.

Gardyne farms sheep, beef and grows crop, and said he has to be flexible because of that risk, and that means selling cattle once pasture is controlled.

Two growers have not only lost their vineyards but also their homes.

Mark Thompson, chair of Gisborne Wine Growers, said disease is emerging as a problem in some vineyards.

“We’ve got quite a lot of infected vineyards and we are close to harvest.”

Harvesting started 10 days ago, in mid February, and will peak within the next 10 days. Thompson said growers were buoyed by forecasts of two weeks of fine weather.

Neal Wallace NEWS

Horticulture

FIRST AID: Growers are removing silt from around the trunks of apple trees before they die.

IN CHARGE: Hawke’s Bay apple grower and president of the Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers Association, Brydon Nesbit.

Neal Wallace NEWS Weather

GETTING DRY: Knapdale farmer Peter Gardyne, who was selling cattle at Lorneville this week, said Southland has started to dry out in the past few weeks.

Photo: Natwick

Gathering to share counsel and support

Suz Bremner NEWS Weather

COMMUNITY halls around cyclone-hit regions have come alive with meetings as farmers gather to listen to speakers talk about insurance, slip damage, government funding and rural support in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.

One of the most recent meetings, at Sherenden Hall on the Taihape Road, Hawke’s Bay, on February 28, was hosted by Between the Two Rivers Community Catchment and attended by about 75 farmers. It followed a similar meeting at Kereru the day before.

Advice on insurance was to act fast and get claims in as soon as possible.

“Become your insurance companies’ best friend,” Brett Barrett of Crombie Lockwood Insurance said.

“Get those claims in to join the queue. Companies want clients happy and up and running again as soon as they can.”

Barrett said insurers need to be fully aware of what level of support is needed. Insurers can reinstate pre-damage or make a cash settlement. Advanced payments are available and taking photos of the damage is very important.

He noted that while New Zealand’s Earthquake Commission national insurance does not cover floods, it does cover damage to land within 8m of a home.

Barrett also warned the meeting to brace for higher premiums, which are expected to rise by around 15% with some companies possibly making those changes from June onwards.

Top of mind for many at the meeting was the issue of slips.

Representatives of the Rural Advisory Group were present, led by Mark Harris from Beef + Lamb NZ, who farmed through Cyclone Bola in the late 1980s.

His advice on slips was “they’ve slipped, there is nothing you can do to change that”.

“Once the ground settles, throw some seed at it and likely it will come away in thistles initially, but they do provide a protective layer and in 12 months’ time there will be a lot of grass there,” he said.

“No two slips are the same and each farmer will be dealing with a different scenario.”

These sentiments were echoed later in the meeting by Paul Smith of Abron, who advised farmers not to spend too much money on slips, especially given that the ground is still moving.

Harris also had some advice on how to get through times.

“What you see is what you have to deal with after a cyclone – unlike a drought – and you are affected personally.

“Think of it not as a rebuild, but a redesign and order jobs by priority – what needs to be achieved in three days, three weeks, three months, three to 10 years,” Harris said.

“You are the crisis manager, but you need to build your team of family, friends, contractors, advisers.

“Be organised and start early, make things happen by utilising the network of help around you.

“Your property will never be the same, but it may be better.”

John Bell from Rural Support Trust – also a Bola survivor –echoed these sentiments.

“In the recovery stage many people are tired and likely not running at optimum decisionmaking levels. Look after yourself first, then your family and thirdly your community. In 1988 [after Bola] we thought the land would never recover, but it did.”

Seeking help was a key point stressed by the speakers. Jim Galloway from Federated Farmers said that more than 600 offers of help have been lodged but only 58 farmers or growers have applied for the help.

The main areas of concern from the gathering were access and infrastructure issues, security and communication.

“Rural Support Trust and organisations like Farmstrong are here to look after farmers’ welfare, so reach out if it is needed for yourself or someone you know.

You are now in the recovery stage after the initial response stage, which largely ran on adrenaline,” he said.

Local farmer Andrew Russell, a member of Between the Two Rivers Community Catchment, aired concerns about access to information in the early stages.

“We had a transmitter radio but there was no pattern to the information coming through.

If we knew that on each hour there would be an update on road conditions or closures and other important information needed, then we could have been able to

utilise our time better,” Russell said.

“But the information was sporadic, and you never knew when something important was going to be announced, so you had to stay by the radio.”

Roading was the main topic of discussion for Hastings District Council rural community board member Marcus Buddo.

Within the Hawke’s Bay District Council area 16 bridges were washed away. All were insured, and more than 100 roading crews have been deployed to clear roads and try to reinstate access. At the time of the meeting, 2900 people were still cut off. Army personnel were able to reach 1700 and the rest could be reached by air.

Many of the roads that have been re-opened are accessible only by four-wheel drive vehicles, and Buddo invited anyone with roading and access concerns to contact him.

Approximately 18 roads remain closed in Central Hawke’s Bay, with significant road closures through northern Hawke’s Bay and other affected regions as well.

Nationwide Numbers

ATTENTIVE AUDIENCE: Farmers from Sherenden, Waiwhare, Crownthorpe and Pukehamoamoa gathered at the Sherenden Hall on Taihape Road.

Photo: Suz Bremner

Think of it not as a rebuild, but a redesign ... be organised and start early, make things happen by utilising the network of help around you. Your property will never be the same, but it may be better.

Mark Harris Beef + Lamb NZ

Rule changes raise Dutch forester’s costs

Neal Wallace NEWS Forestry

ANETHERLANDS-based company that has recently purchased eight New Zealand properties for forestry says changes to Overseas Investment Office rules will make future land purchasers more costly.

A spokesperson for Ingka Group, which has bought 16,000ha of NZ farmland for conversion to forestry or existing forests, said purchasing NZ land is already more challenging than buying in other countries.

“We do not expect the process to take much longer than before, but we do expect it will become more costly,” the spokesperson stated in written responses to questions.

In response to criticism about the volume of farmland being bought by foreign entities for conversion to forestry, last August the government reinstated a “benefit for NZ” test that overseas purchasers must pass to get approval.

In 2018, the government introduced the special forestry

test, which lowered that threshold and streamlined the process for foreign investors buying land to plant commercial forests or to buy existing commercial forests.

It accelerated interest.

There were 29 applications granted to foreign investors for 21,700ha from 2011 to 2019. The easing of regulations swelled approved sales to 72 from 2019 to 2022, covering 66,500ha.

In 2022 there were 31 sales to foreign investors, covering 26,261ha.

The special forestry test exempted buyers from having to satisfy the tougher “benefits to NZ” test, in terms of which they have to show that the purchase will benefit the economy and natural environment, and gives decision-makers discretion to consider factors including the land’s environmental features and how productive it is.

Ingka, which is the largest franchisee for global retailer IKEA, said while difficult to compare since each country has its own specific rules, on the whole the current process in NZ is more challenging than that of other countries.

The spokesperson said NZ was chosen because it has qualities that suit large-scale afforestation.

“New Zealand is economically and politically very stable and the government’s one billion tree programme was part of our inspiration.

“New Zealand also has a wellestablished forest industry and a climate that benefits forest growth.”

Ingka said it is not investing in NZ to earn income from carbon credits.

“We do not sell carbon credits, so carbon farming is not an objective for Ingka Investments and is not a consideration when exploring investment opportunities.”

Ingka seeks to achieve its climate commitments through investing in development and innovation, renewable energy, recycling infrastructure, and better forest management practices with an impact on biodiversity and surrounding communities.

While aware of concerns, especially from rural communities about the impact of land converted to forestry, the spokesperson said Ingka believes its approach

positively impacts local job creation, the environment, the community and climate change.

“When we invest in land, we are also investing in the community. We plan to be here for a long time, and we hope to be a good neighbour. We want to hire locally, buy locally, think locally.”

Its commitment to NZ is long-term and it believes it has got the correct approach, the spokesperson said.

“Our investment approach will not change, as we have a structured and diligent working process in place and will continue to explore suitable investment opportunities that contribute to

the portfolio and community.”

The spokesperson said in Central Hawke’s Bay it has had “some exciting conversations with Pōrangahau iwi and expect to work closely with them”.

In South Otago, Ingka has worked with community leaders to hear their thoughts and ideas, and has plans to meet with other community groups, including iwi.

“Elsewhere we are exploring opportunities for co-investment with local businesses, collaboration with local schools, hosting local outdoor events, and welcoming all those who love the outdoors, whether for fishing, hunting, cycling or hiking.”

LONG HAUL: Ingka, the largest franchisee for flat-pack furniture behemoth IKEA, says NZ rules make it relatively challenging to invest in forestry in the country – but it isn’t going anywhere.

When M bovis response ‘had vets in tears’

SOUTHERN rural

veterinarians were in tears describing their anguish at being excluded by the Ministry for Primary Industries from making decisions about clients during the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak, a University of Otago study says.

The study found vets felt “disempowered and inconsequential” and were placed under “psychological stress” during the MPI’s biosecurity response, which began after the disease was first confirmed in New Zealand in 2017.

Their knowledge was considered irrelevant, or ignored, and they witnessed adverse treatment of their human clients and animal patients. Some vets were reduced to tears while being interviewed by researchers.

“In Southland and Otago local veterinarians were keen to support the eradication programme by

providing access to additional skilled staff, however, they failed to secure engagement from the government agency,” the study says.

The research study, “The moral distress in rural veterinarians as an outcome of the incursion in southern New Zealand”, was conducted by Dr Fiona DoolanNoble, Dr Geoff Noller and Associate Professor Chrys Jaye of the University of Otago’s department of general practice and rural health, and Southland veterinarian Mark Bryan.

It follows an earlier study from the same group, released in 2021, which looked at the psychosocial impact of M bovis on rural communities. The report labelled MPI’s response a “badly planned and poorly executed process, leaving farming families feeling isolated, bewildered and powerless”.

The MPI has previously responded, saying the M bovis programme had undergone significant reviews and changes had been made.

The disease was first confirmed in New Zealand in July 2017, triggering a biosecurity response that still continues today.

Since the programme began, 279 properties have been identified with the disease. About $234 million has been paid out in compensation to farmers and 180,872 cows have been culled. It has now been confined to five farms in Mid Canterbury.

Bryan, who is managing director of VetSouth in Southland, said the interviews and analysis were carried out by researchers to prevent any suggestions of bias from him.

When M bovis was first discovered, Bryan was aware of local vets’ attitude towards the MPI but said he had no idea how significantly they were personally affected.

Vets raised concerns with the MPI about their treatment but Bryan said there was no proper mechanism to communicate their issues.

“If you are being systemically ignored, then by definition it’s hard to raise a concern because it will simply be treated the same way.”

Local vets had the knowledge, contacts, resources and logistical capabilities to serve the MPI, “and we offered these time and time again”.

is effectively an extended family –which added to the responsibilities vets were feeling.

The study has received a mostly positive response from the MPI and Bryan is hopeful it will lead to change.

“MPI now has a new chief veterinary officer (Mary van Andel) – a position that hadn’t been filled for a couple of decades – and that in itself is a huge step forward.

CONSEQUENCES: Mark Bryan says he is aware of local vets’ feelings towards the MPI but says he had no idea how significantly they were personally affected.

However, the findings “were certainly feelings that resonated with me in terms of my experience and vets I spoke to”.

“What was surprising in terms of the study was finding how strongly and consistently this occurred.”

He said he was unsure if it would have made a difference had local vets been used more effectively, as they may have found working closely with a bureaucratic process even more challenging.

“The real issue isn’t MPI or the

people that work there. It’s that there needs to be a bureaucratic process that government manages; and it needs at some stages and points in any event to interact with local communities who by and large are run along free-enterprise and community-spirit lines. And the two sets of machinery are so fundamentally different.”

The role of a rural vet is markedly different to that of a vet working in the city, he said. In small rural communities everyone knows everyone, and it

“I’m not saying this is anything to do with our study but there is certainly a real willingness to do things differently compared to previously.

“There certainly has been a significant change in MPI’s willingness to work with the profession. With these changes I feel we are better placed than ever to have a much more positive relationship moving forward. The next few years could be really important in terms of facilitating some meaningful change.”

Craig Page NEWS

Animal welfare

IGNORED: Vets have the knowledge, contacts, resources and logistical capabilities to serve MPI, ‘and we offered these time and time again’.

If you are being systemically ignored, then by definition it’s hard to raise a concern because it will simply be treated the same way.

Mark Bryan Report co-author

New thinking needed for flood rebuild

Annette Scott NEWS Climate change

RURAL communities will face some tough decisions on infrastructure in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, says Infrastructure New Zealand policy director Michelle McCormick. And infrastructure that is fit for the future will not be affordable by the government alone.

“The big question being can we build back more resilience,” she said.

“We need to, and there will be hard decisions for communities.

“As a country it will be what can we afford to maintain. Do we need to rebuild all that has been lost?

“Do we need duplication of highgrade highways and rail networks? How can we build more resilience and at what cost?

“These are the hard questions and they will be scrutinised for answers that work for communities and all of NZ.

“Potentially it is not going to be the same again.”

Future-proofing key in repair planning

“Future development needs to take a long view.

will be resilient into the future,” McCormick said.

Infrastructure NZ’s members are from diverse sectors across New Zealand, including engineering consultancies, construction companies and contractors, funders and advisory and legal firms. The public sector often relies on Infrastructure NZ’s pool of knowledge and expertise for advice on matters relating to the infrastructure sector.

McCormick said much has been said about NZ’s significant infrastructure deficit and the need to address it.

The Treasury’s 2022 Investment Statement puts the dollar amount of that deficit at $210 billion. The NZ Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga has said that the country will need to spend $31b on infrastructure each year for the next 30 years if it is to build its way out of current and future infrastructure challenges.

“That puts into context the severity of the situation NZ is in and it is simply not sustainable,” McCormick said.

“We must make better use of

the infrastructure we have and find better ways to pay for future infrastructure projects including using the range of funding and financing tools we already have, which include public-private partnerships, lease structures and development contributions and developer agreements used by local government.

“Government alone cannot pay for all this. We need to look at options.

“We must also prioritise the infrastructure we build and enable the project and skills pipeline to deliver it.”

McCormick said climate change and its implications are well recognised and, with several councils around the country and the government having already declared a climate emergency, the time to act is now.

“There is an opportunity to design and build our cities, towns and rural communities that makes them better, safe and more sustainable places to live.

“There is also an opportunity to make better use of the infrastructure we already

have, including using it in transformational ways.

“Infrastructure will play a significant role in how we respond to climate change whether it is mitigation, adaptation or increasing resilience.”

The sector is struggling to attract and retain the skills needed to deliver projects as it competes with the worldwide war for talent, McCormick said.

“We are losing people we have to better pay and better opportunities elsewhere and this has been made worse by the fact we do not train enough of the people the infrastructure sector needs.”

The cyclone rebuild will take place over a series of steps, she said.

“It might be one lane or 4WD connection before we get to a plan, and once we get an agreed plan we need bipartisan – the government and people of NZ need to commit going forward.”

The timeframe is unknown.

“We are still ascertaining in the response what the plan will need to be and how that will look,” McCormick said.

NEW Zealand must not lose the opportunity to build back better from the “catastrophic extreme” weather events of the past two weeks, says the Insurance Council of New Zealand Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa.

The rebuild rethink needs to be big-picture and large-scale for long-term solutions.

“Repairing and rebuilding property and infrastructure in high-risk areas to the same specifications as the past will only lead to a repeat of the dreadful consequences we have all seen,” ICNZ chief executive Tim Grafton said.

“Indeed, it could be worse with more extreme and frequent weather events as a result of climate change. Most communities have infrastructure built decades ago that may have been fit for the hazards of the time, but are now demonstrably inadequate.

“Massive and sustained investment is required to address that.”

Grafton said now is the time to reset and ask questions about whether to rebuild in some locations.

“If it is a rebuild, it’s about how to rebuild better to better protect ourselves,” he said.

Every dollar invested in risk reduction will save many more dollars in future economic costs, keep people safer and reduce the stress, trauma and loss to the community from similar events in future.

“It is time to draw a very clear line in the sand and not consent to build in dumb places and in a way that can’t cope with what’s to come.”

ICNZ has talked with Parliament’s Environment Select Committee considering the Natural and Built Environment Bill, which contains draft provisions to reduce risks from natural hazards as a condition of rebuilding after a disaster.

Unfortunately, this legislation does not fully come into effect for several years.

“The question that should be asked now is whether we can afford to wait till this bill and accompanying legislation to replace the Resource Management Act, the Spatial Planning and Climate Change Adaptation Bills, take effect.”

ICNZ advised the Select Committee that the insured losses from the recent extreme weather events would exceed the comparable losses for all of 2022, which was a record year for insured losses from extreme weather.

Total economic losses from recent climate events will run into billions of dollars.

It is time to better future-proof people and their properties.

“It’s time now to rethink, are there locations where we should not be rebuilding, if we are rebuilding what is being done to improve the resilience to protect people and property?

“This is the opportunity to engage early and make decisions on maybe relocation to future-

proof protection or put back together and wait for the next disaster.”

In terms of regulation, that is the government’s call. How private insurers respond, especially if nothing is done to improve protection in the future, Grafton anticipates will come back to a case-by-case basis of what level of risk they are prepared to take on.

“Irrespective of insurance we need to look at all the reasons why we would want to protect people and property and communities in the future.

“People have lost their lives, people are in absolute traumatic situations, livelihoods, homes, businesses, crops and orchards are totally decimated – that’s reasons enough to build back better,” Grafton said.

Meanwhile NZ’s largest rural insurer, FMG, said more than 2000 claims have been lodged but that

number is just the beginning and expected to rise significantly as people are able to assess damage and communications lines open up.

“We appreciate clients will be at different stages of assessing damage, so one of our main focuses right now is getting in touch with impacted clients to support them with any advice they may need on making a claim” FMG’s rural propositions manager Karen Williams said.

“With communication avenues sketchy in some parts, we’re using a broad range of channels to try and get through. We’ve emailed and text messaged some 6000 clients across the East Coast region and have also emailed some 20,000 in the wider Northland region.

“To support this, we’re also getting on the phone and running an outbound calling Parking,

It is time to draw a very clear line in the sand and not consent to build in dumb places and in a way that can’t cope with what’s to come.

focusing on the East Coast region to begin with.

“This has been in support of using wider media channels including, print, radio and online –channels we’ll continue to use.

“The size and scale of this event is significant and while we’re out there and reaching some clients, we need to emphasise that getting to all clients who need an assessor will take time,” Williams said.

It will be what is affordable, sustainable and meaningful to cater to community needs.

“It might look a bit different to what we have been used to but it

Annette Scott NEWS Weather

CLAIMS: FMG’s rural propositions manager, Karen Williams, says getting in touch with clients to support them with any advice they may need on making a claim is the focus at the moment.

Tim Grafton ICNZ

WAY AHEAD: Infrastructure NZ policy director Michelle McCormick says the big question in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle is whether we can ‘build back more resilience’.

Join us at our Interim Results Roadshow!

20–24 March

Come along to one of our informal farmer meetings where we’ll celebrate you and all your hard work plus have a conversation about the Co-op’s performance and outlook.

Your Directors and Management Team will be on the road from 20–24 March to meet with you and discuss our results and strategy, as well as key topics such as emissions and capital structure. And, of course, there’ll be light refreshments on offer, including delicious Kāpiti cheese made with your milk!

You can RSVP at nzfarmsource.co.nz/meeting-schedule

Brazil’s mad cow woes could benefit exporters

Neal Wallace MARKETS Meat Industry Association

THE suspension of Brazilian beef exports to China following the discovery of mad cow disease could benefit New Zealand exporters, says the Meat Industry Association.

Mad cow disease, or Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), a fatal neurological

disease in cattle, is linked to CreutzfeldtJakob disease, which affects the brain in humans.

Last week it was detected in a nine-yearold bull in the Brazilian state of Para in the north of the country, resulting in the immediate suspension of exports to China.

Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said the impact on NZ trade from Brazil’s suspension will depend how long it is in place.

When BSE was last discovered in the Brazilian beef herd in 2021, exports were suspended for three months.

“If the case is an atypical form of the disease, which is indicated, the suspension may not last long and may have limited impact on trade,” she said.

“However, if it is a longer suspension, China will need to source beef from other suppliers.”

In 2022 we were the fourth largest beef exporter to China, behind Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. So New Zealand along with these other South American exporters, could benefit if there is a longer suspension.

Sirma Karapeeva Meat Industry Association

Initial testing confirmed the presence of BSE in the small Brazilian herd, but further tests are required to determine if it is atypical BSE, as was the case in September 2021 when it was detected in an older cow.

Canadian research has determined that atypical BSE affects some older cattle. While fatal, there is no evidence atypical BSE can be transmitted to humans.

Karapeeva said that last year NZ exported record volumes of beef to China of just under 220,000 tonnes, accounting for 45% of total NZ beef exports for the year by volume.

This is dwarfed by Brazil, the world’s largest beef export, which last year exported around 1.3 million tonnes of beef to China. She said NZ is well positioned.

“In 2022 we were the fourth largest beef exporter to China, behind Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

“So New Zealand along with these other South American exporters, could benefit if there is a longer suspension.”

NZ beef exports to China increased at the end of 2021, the last time Brazil was suspended, but it was not significant.

Karapeeva said another factor is that while some Brazilian consignments for China will likely be held until the suspension is lifted, some Brazilian beef may end up going into other markets.

“Brazil does not have access to other major markets, so there could be an increase in Brazilian beef exports into some of our smaller markets like Indonesia, which has recently approved a number of Brazilian beef plants.”

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OPPORTUNITY COST: Meat Industry Association CEO Sirma Karapeeva points out that some Brazilian beef may end up going into other markets.

Comvita abuzz, but harvest may get sticky

Hugh Stringleman MARKETS Apiculture

LISTED apiarist Comvita increased revenue by 7% in the first half of the financial year to $112 million and has declared a fully imputed interim dividend of 2.5c a share.

Operating profit has gone up 60% to $11.6m and net profit after tax up 19% to $4.2m.

Chief executive David Banfield said the company is on track to deliver its 2025 target of $50m in earnings before interest and tax.

GROWTH: Comvita

CEO David Banfield says the company’s facilities in Hawke’s Bay suffered extensive damage and are expected to be written off with full insurance cover and a site clearance.

The company’s facilities in Hawke’s Bay suffered extensive damage and are expected to be written off with full insurance cover and a site clearance.

Extraction has been moved to another facility without material impact to daily operations, Banfield said.

Chair Brett Hewlett said the company is showing resilience in results with the sixth consecutive reporting period with a doubledigit increase in earnings.

“The result shared today gives more evidence that we can deliver revenue, margin and earnings growth while investing in long-

term brand and business-building activity.”

However, the 2023 honey harvest has been severely impacted by weather events in December, January and February after initial flowering was delayed by four weeks.

It won’t be until April that Comvita gets a full understanding of the quality and volume of the harvest.

Comvita shares have traded in the range of $3 to $3.50 during the past year.

Comvita has 550 fulltime equivalent staff roles and 62% of these are filled by women.

The result shared today gives more evidence that we can deliver revenue, margin and earnings growth while investing in long-term brand and businessbuilding activity.

David Banfield Comvita

UNSCATHED: Delegat said it did not incur major damage to its vineyards and wineries in Hawke’s Bay from Cyclone Gabrielle.

Delegat wine exports continue to grow

Staff reporter MARKETS Horticulture

DELEGAT achieved a 4% increase in wine case sales to 1.97 million, and a 12% increase in sales revenue to $197m in the first half of the 2023 financial year. The listed winemaker and exporter declared net profit after tax of $40.2m, up 2%, but directors stuck to the policy of not paying an interim dividend.

Delegat said it did not incur major damage to its vineyards and wineries in Hawke’s Bay from Cyclone Gabrielle.

The outlook is for global case sales of 3.65m in the full financial year to June 30 and operating profit guidance of $59m-$62m.

During the past year Delegat shares have fallen from $13 to around $9 and, with the most recent dividend of 20c in FY2022, have been low yielding.

Q. Which one deserves Teatseal?

Digging deeper into silt and sediment

Homes, crops and farmland have been buried under silt after Cyclone Gabrielle smashed through parts of the North Island. Associate Professor Peter Almond, from Lincoln University’s soil and physical sciences department, explains where the silt has come from and what the future holds for sediment-covered land.

What is the silt made of?

“Silt” is being used as a generic term for the sediment that has ended up on floodplains in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti. Silt refers to a particular size grade of sediment between 0.002mm and 0.063mm. Sand is between 0.063mm and 2 mm in size. Below 0.002mm the sediment is referred to as clay or mud.

The sediment in these floods is made of a range of particle sizes from sand through silt to clay (mud). The distribution of the sediment types on the floodplains is determined by the energy of the water flows. Close to rivers and in channelized zones, only the largersized material (sand) can settle because of the strong current. In areas where flows are lower, dominantly silt and fine sand may settle. In ponded areas, clay (mud) can settle.

The sediment is derived from rocks dominated by the (silicate)

minerals quartz and feldspar with some mica. These are naturally occurring minerals common to many of New Zealand’s rocks and sediments. The sediment is usually low in organic carbon and nitrogen, phosphorus and available potassium unless it was eroded from a nearby fertile soil and redeposited quickly.

The sediment is not toxic unless it dries and fine material (often siltsized) is breathed in; this material can cause respiratory problems and, with long-term exposure, silicosis; or where the sediment has interacted with stormwater and sewage in settlements and urban areas.

In the latter case, pathogens may be in the sediment, which could infect people if it is swallowed or inhaled.

Where has the sediment deposited during flooding come from?

Sediment on the floodplains is coming from material eroded from hillslopes, or sediment in river channels or adjacent to them in river banks. In places, flooding rivers have scoured floodplains themselves, which can provide sediment that is deposited elsewhere or carried out to sea.

In the big picture, the fertile plains of Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti owe their origin to the kinds of events we have witnessed with Cyclone Gabrielle.

However, the frequency of the large sedimentation events building the plains has increased as a result of changes to land use, primarily the clearance of native forest from the hills. Climate change, bringing more frequent and more intense storms, will also speed up the frequency and rate of sedimentation on the plains.

These events pose a greater hazard as populations grow and more people are put in harm’s way.

What condition might topsoils be in after this storm?

On hillslopes where soils have been eroded usually the topsoil and subsoil down to the bedrock (mudstone, siltstone or sandstone) are removed by the processes of land sliding.

There will be other kinds of erosion involving flowing water such as rilling and gullying, which will remove all of the pre-existing soil.

Eroded areas on hillslopes will have little or no soil left and soil formation will have to start anew. This stripping and re-forming of soils is a common phenomenon in the rapidly eroding, steep soft-rock hill country of eastern North Island. It is common too in the Rangitikei, Manawatū and Whanganui regions.

Where sediment has been deposited, the fate of the preexisting soil will be determined by the depth of sediment deposited on it. Where sediment is thin (less than 5cm) existing plants will readily grow through it, albeit with some mortality, and the sediment will eventually get mixed into the

organic-rich topsoil by biological processes.

Where sediment is deeper a new topsoil will have to form. Where soils are buried by thick sediment and particularly where that sediment is fine (silt and clay) the zone near the buried topsoil becomes anaerobic (lacking oxygen), which can be fatal for plants rooted in that zone (that is, pre-existing pasture or trees/ vines), and the gas ethylene can be produced; it is toxic to germinating seeds.

What long-term implications could that have for working with the land?

Where sediment is thin (less than 5cm) it can be readily incorporated into the pre-existing topsoil or direct-drilled to reestablish pasture. With greater thicknesses (up to 25cm), deeper cultivation can be used to achieve the same effect although there is a greater concentration of fresh sediment, which has a bigger impact on soil physical and chemical properties (lower fertility).

In thick sediment where it cannot be removed, a new soil will have to form in the sediment. How that new soil develops will be influenced strongly by the nature of the sediment (sandy vs silty vs clayey).

Depending on management approaches, the new soil can be growing pasture somewhere more than 70% of its original productivity within 18 months. Fertiliser additions are essential, especially when the sediment is thick because the sediment normally is of low fertility. The sediment will normally need capital applications of phosphorus and potassium and regular additions of N will be needed to support pasture.

The sediment has a near-neutral pH (not acidic), so it will not need liming.

Experience from the 2004 Manawatū floods showed that despite a relatively quick recovery to productive pasture, land affected by sedimentation tended to be affected by pugging and weed problems for a sustained period after sediment deposition.

SILT CENTRAL: The chronically silted Waiapu River. The frequency of large sedimentation events on the fertile plains of Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti has increased as a result of changes to land use.

FRESH START: Peter Almond says eroded areas on hillslopes will have little or no soil left after Cyclone Gabrielle and soil formation will have to start anew.

Synlait pumps for greater Pokeno supply

Hugh Stringleman NEWS Dairy

SYNLAIT has launched a drive to increase the numbers of its milksupplying farms, with an emphasis on the wide catchment area for its Pokeno plant in the North Island.

Newly appointed director for on-farm excellence and business sustainability Charles Fergusson is keen to recruit A1 protein-free milk supply in Waikato, Coromandel and Hauraki Plains.

“We can make a compelling offer consisting of a competitive base price, up to 20c premium for participation in Lead with Pride and a further 20c for A1 protein-free milk,” he said.

Synlait uses the term A1 protein-free to distinguish from the A2 Milk Company, a shareholder and customer.

“We are very keen to grow our milk supply to Pokeno, which is a state-of-the-art dairy processing plant capable of different options.

“There are herds already producing A1 protein-free milk without getting a premium and there are farmers who can quite quickly convert if they have an incentive.

“That transition has been happening naturally for some time and there are ways to accelerate it.”

Fergusson was appointed to the Synlait leadership team during February after 12 years with Fonterra, the second half as northern South Island regional head of Farm Source.

Against the background of a declining milk supply for New Zealand as a whole and more stainless steel being built, competition for the supply of farmers to their processors is getting hotter, he said.

Synlait Pokeno is regionally competing against Open Country’s Horotiu and Waharoa plants, seven Fonterra Waikato plants, Tatua at Tatuanui, Green Valley Organic at Mangatawhiri, and the new Happy Valley Nutrition plant at Otorohanga, which will begin processing next season.

Neighbour Yashili Pokeno may also be looking for farm supply.

In its 2022 annual report Synlait said there were 63 supply farms to Pokeno and 212 to the home-base Dunsandel plant in Canterbury, rising to 220 in the 2023 season.

Fergusson was not prepared to disclose how many sign-ups have been already received for the 2024 season, but a decision to leave Fonterra would have to be made by now.

Synlait has an advance payment schedule similar to that of Fonterra but Fergusson is keen to introduce flexibility, perhaps including variable payment times and percentages and hedging options.

“Anything we can to do accelerate cash to farmers will be critical in our review of the advance rates,” he said.

Pokeno plant has geared up for a nondairy multinational for which production is under way and whose identity will be disclosed at the May 8 Investor Day on site.

Fergusson said that is evidence of Synlait’s willingness to be innovative and that A2 products beyond milk powder for infant formula are possible in future.

Synlait’s forecast milk price for the current season is $9/kg milksolids but that has a downside risk following Fonterra’s trim of 50c to a midpoint of $8.50.

ENTHUSIASM: Charles Fergusson has a new role at Synlait, focussing on increasing its farmer supply base.

Maize harvest starts after gruelling year

offers of stock feed to help are flooding in, he predicted these farmers may have more feed pressure closer to winter.

WAIKATO’s maize harvest is shaping up as a 50-50 situation where half of the crops will yield well while the rest will be poor as the wet summer takes its toll.

A handful of early-planted crops have been harvested with good yields reported, but with harvest fast approaching, Waikato Federated Farmers arable chair Keith Holmes said he expects the harvest to be challenging following so much wet weather.

“In a season when grain farmers were looking to make windfall profits despite significantly higher costs, very few will and many are looking at total devastation,” he said.

The federation must be vocal in getting financial help for affected farmers, he told a meeting in Hamilton with the organisation’s wider executive.

“The extent of some of the damage is life threatening in every sense of the word, sadly,” he said.

Holmes said it is likely farmers in Waikato will be asked to assist impacted farmers with feed, grazing space and machinery as the cleanup continues. While

The weather has also provided the perfect conditions for bugs. Fall army worm has now spread across New Zealand and has been found in 113 maize and sweetcorn crops. Corn leaf blight had also been found in parts of South Waikato, he said.

Around the rest of the country, the very south of the South Island is dry and is harvesting excellent crops. Holmes described the rest of the country as a mixed bag, though Manawatū up to Waverly have some of their best maize crops.

Northland has suffered terribly with paddocks on its third attempt at planting unlikely to survive the waterlogging.

The East Coast down as far as Wairarapa had some excellent crops but many now have been annihilated by the rain and unprecedented flooding.

“Some areas it is so bad that even if their crops by some miracle survived the wrath of the gods, getting anything harvested is going to be a greater issue,” Holmes said.

He urged farmers to show some kindness towards contractors.

“Treat the contractors with empathy and as one of us – it is

going to be a very difficult few months.”

Rural Contractors NZ president Helen Slattery said the effects of the two flood events have been “devastating”.

Even before the two cyclones struck her association had been in discussions with sector leaders about the poor maize yields given the wet summer.

Slattery said provided stalks have not snapped and once the soil dries out, there could still be harvesting options. She has not made contact with members in Hawke’s Bay as they deal with the immediate response.

Holmes said the price for maize grain is still unknown at this stage due to the impact of the war in

CYCLONE GABRIELLE CLAIMS ADVICE

Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the recent cyclone and storms.

Cyclone Gabrielle has caused widespread devastation and we want you to know FMG is here and ready to support you with your claim.

Given the size and scale of damage our priority right now is our most vulnerable clients - including those who have lost their home or business.

Getting to these clients, and others who need an assessor, will take time due to limited access following slips and road closures, and given the number of claims we’re preparing for.

Ukraine. However, the vast number of maize grain growers on the East Coast are likely to be wiped out this year due to the cyclone.

In a season when grain farmers were looking to make windfall profits despite significantly higher costs, very few will and many are looking at total devastation.

“This could affect the local market price for both manufacturing and stock feed grain.

“There is likely to be a huge demand for seed for re-grassing – so don’t be fussy and be very wary about late summer weeds; you might have to spray and spray early before it gets out of hand.”

A lot of next season’s maize seed crop has been destroyed or damaged.

“However, they generally carry half a season’s seed forward but there may be pressure on some varieties next spring. A big issue as of today is whether they can get enough diesel to the grain driers at the moment.”

If your claim is not urgent please consider lodging it via our online service, FMG Connect, which is also available on our website www.fmg.co.nz. This will go some way to help keep our phone lines available for those in immediate need.

We have advice on our website that will help with preparing your claim, including taking photos, what repairs you can do now, and what damaged items you can throw away.

If you need to call us we’re here and ready to support you through your claim on 0800 366 466.

Gerald Piddock NEWS Crops

REACH OUT: Waikato Federated Farmers arable chair Keith Holmes says it is likely farmers in Waikato will be asked to assist flood-hit farmers with feed, grazing space and machinery.

Keith Holmes Waikato Federated Farmers

From the Editor

That’s why having leaders who have firsthand experience of global farming, but a grounding in the New Zealand way, is vital.

As our trade links grow stronger they also become more prescriptive.

Recent deals with the United Kingdom and the European Union not only cement quotas and tariff reductions, they outline a direction of travel.

Gibson Managing editor

LIVING on temperate islands at the bottom of the world has its advantages.

Our environment is a perfect place to grow food. It’s safe from many pests and diseases and for the most part the weather is kind.

We’ve taken that advantage and turned it into a food production system that’s the envy of the world.

But isolation has its disadvantages too.

It’s easy to forget about what’s going on elsewhere, to think that events and trends on the other side of the globe won’t affect us.

But they do.

For our food production sector to flourish in the coming years, we’ll need to not only continue to evolve our world-class farming and growing systems, we’ll need to do it in a way that’s more closely linked to the whims of the wider world.

Letters of the week

Forestry cops ignorant flak

David Field Rotorua

YOU might want to draw the attention of your cartoonist to the farming photos you printed at the bottom of page 20 and the top of p22 of your latest edition.

Chris might then produce a farming version of “Wrong land use, wrong place”.

I’m a forester turned farmer and have a very good idea of what our farming forefathers did to produce a “green and pleasant land”.

They felled/burned a good deal of our native forests in both islands and converted much unstable land into farms.

Recent heavy rain on our east coast ran straight off the farmed upper catchments, accounting for the excessive flooding and silting on the plains.

Unfortunately the torrents also picked up logging slash in Tairāwhiti with horrendous results.

The bulk of New Zealand’s forest management is not like that and is copping a lot of ignorant flak.

production will help in two ways.

First, the more we can educate farmers and growers here about the changing attitudes and expectations of consumers, retailers and producers overseas, the easier it will be to get the buy-in required to do what’s needed to flourish.

They’re contracts that reflect the values and expectations of the retailers and shoppers that will stock and purchase our food.

Those trade deals also reflect the laws and regulations of the nations we want to sell into, and those nations quite rightly want to make sure food they import meets the standards of the food they produce themselves.

We can say we’re better at farming than other nations, but now we have to walk the talk on our sustainable evolution.

And we have to prove to all of New Zealand that it’s the right path.

DairyNZ’s new head of strategy and investment is just the type of thinker we need charting our farming future.

Alyce Butler grew up on a Taranaki dairy farm and has spent the past decade working for Deloitte, with a stint in Amsterdam as its Future of Food director.

The challenges farming faces are universal and food producers in other countries are trying to overcome them, just like we are here.

A more holistic, global view of food

The market is helping to lead the sustainable revolution in food production, which is a fact that some critics who are quick to blame regulators still fail to acknowledge.

But regulators can learn a few things as well.

Butler has seen first-hand how not to implement new policies. She’s seen protests on the streets of the Netherlands, Ireland and elsewhere after those governments failed to bring farmers with them.

Change is never easy and NZ is experiencing its own period of angst as it sketches out what the future of food production will look like.

People such as Butler have an idea of how that picture will be received by international stakeholders and we should listen to them.

Many farmers now understand the impacts of draining natural wetlands, allowing stock access to waterways and excessive use of some fertilisers.

Some are now dealing with such bad practices from the past, in a positive way.

Straight shooters needed

David Tranter Gore

TONY Orman’s raising of valid points regarding the government’s absurdly misguided firearms legislation, “Illogical arguments”, (Letters, February 20) has me wondering again why politicians so frequently fail to foresee the obvious consequences of the laws they create.

I think I may have the answer, drawing on Tasmanian senator, Jacqui Lambie, who recently stated, “We need more real people in parliament.”

Having investigated the make-up of the New Zealand Parliament I note that most have university degrees. It seems to me that when they create and/or rubber-stamp legislation, they approach it as if writing a university essay focusing on material set by their lecturers rather than on practical, reallife experience.

Hence, they have created firearms legislation without noticing that it would target law-abiding gun owners.

I don’t think Lambie would have missed that flaw in their reasoning.

Just the type of thinker our sector needs

Bryan

We’ll need to not only continue to evolve our world-class farming and growing systems, we’ll need to do it in a way that’s more closely linked to the whims of the wider world.

Leadership and collaboration are the way forward

Emma Crutchley

Central Otago sheep and beef farmer

ARAPID bombardment of policy from Central Government in the past five years has put huge pressure on the primary sector. Food and fibre producers feel unheard, exhausted and threatened, which leads to a widening gap between policymakers, farmers and communities.

I disagree with those who suggest it is an entire industry resistant to change; instead, it is a top-down framework that completely misses the fundamental role that hearts and minds of rural communities play in managing our environment.

As New Zealanders, we pride ourselves on our No 8 wire ethos, our ability to solve problems and an unfailing sense that everyone should be given a fair go. Dismissing farmers’ input dismisses the fact that they are part of the solution as experts in their own field.

The pace and scale of change creates different levels of comfort, and this is clear when opening the voting packs from Beef + Lamb NZ (BLNZ) prior to this year’s annual general meeting in March. The competition for director seats for both vacant seats and challenges for incumbent directors is a good thing, because if there is one thing our sector needs right now it’s leadership and people putting their hand up to lead.

Secondly, there are nine remits that need to be read and considered. I encourage levy payers to consider all these remits and vote.

Farmers who are not making a profit make poor environmental-

ists and are less resilient in a fastchanging world. Resilience to me means our capacity to withstand challenges, looking after people, profit and planet.

Thinking becomes more reactive and the lens shifts from long-term vision to shortterm survival. When the cost of compliance increases, coupled with high interest rates and increasing input costs, the first things that go off the farm expenditure list are investments in environmental initiatives, pest control and climate change adaptation. The contribution to community initiatives drops and the focus shifts to the needs within individual businesses.

Freshwater and biodiversity and the impacts of climate change are not tied to legal boundaries and collective solutions require community engagement and volunteer time.

As farmers and irrigators from Central Otago, we have for years been caught in the debate that open markets/trading schemes and taxes should be used in freshwater management, that the best way to solve environmental challenges is by pushing water to the most economically efficient end use. Increasing costs drives behavior change, but not always the right way. Efficiency is a balance of outputs against the inputs we have, such as costs and land class, and this should be based on environmental, social and economic dividends, not just reacting to economic drivers.

The response is that as cost is added, the lower value land uses are impacted first, but this doesn’t necessarily correlate with poor resource management. Many sheep and beef farms use an area of irrigation to create resilience to uncontrollable aspects of the

farming system such as drought and long winters. As input prices increase, those producers that don’t have an option to change land use need to consider what they do with that land.

Long-term “whole of community” outcomes are most successful when authorities and stakeholder groups are trusted and engaged.

What is the choice of land use for those that do have an option?

For us, the transition from border dyke irrigation to the spray system and farming operation that we have today was a 20-year journey. Having time and access to the tools, technology and a secure water supply allowed us to plan and investigate the most costeffective and environmentally sustainable and efficient pathway to get where we needed to go. We

O19

were able to work around seasonal changes, family requirements and income to achieve a positive outcome for the business, our environment, and our rural community.

With the complexity of these challenges, I think some of the BLNZ remits are worth taking a moment to consider. Some are specifically related to the advocacy role that BLNZ plays in representing sheep and beef farmers as part of the He Waka Eke Noa partnership. It needs no discussion that agriculture has no place in the Emissions Trading Scheme because this is a direct tax on food production. This resulted in the primary sector being given the opportunity to develop an alternative pricing mechanism in 2019 along with a deadline.

To be clear, a zero-pricing mechanism was not an option given to primary sector partners. This discussion is driven by the government, as are the 2030 and 2050 methane targets.

As with freshwater, pricing

methane in any way leaves lower income land uses such sheep and beef vulnerable. But long-term “whole of community” outcomes are most successful when authorities and stakeholder groups are known, trusted and engaged over time. Here in Central Otago, seeking solutions around water quantity have been the most successful in communities that have leadership, and have engaged, collaborated and made compromises to reach a solution. While pricing emissions is not the right way, we need to balance that and consider if exiting these conversations is a constructive pathway forward for our industry.

Two of the most precious resources we have are time and people. The current challenges we face are not finite; this means leaders are leaning in making the best decisions they can, with the opportunities and information they have at that time. They do this recognising the need to adjust as society and science move, handing on to the next leader to take up that conversation. In the turmoil of change we can’t lose sight of a deeper level of thinking as we adapt to the addition of new information and science and bring this to the conversation of advocacy at the table.

As a sheep and beef farmer, I’m a firm believer in all advocacy, but we need someone that’s in the room, and we need to acknowledge how challenging that can be. Any protest I have will be made in this year’s general election for a government that reflects positive engagement with the primary sector and rural communities for positive outcomes.

Got a view on some aspect of farming you would like to get across? We offer readers the chance to have their say. Contact us and have yours.

farmers.weekly@agrihq.co.nz Phone 06 323 1519

CONTACT US CONTACT US

principles of simplicity, versatility and efficiency in the forefront of our minds. The manual operation significantly reduces the physical demands of working with Sheep and increases the precision and appeal of many animal health treatments such as dagging, drenching, weighing, vaccinating, capsuling and foot trimming.

Cattle Handling

Equipment is built with superior strength and reliability. With automatic catching of polled and horned animals, as well as controlled release and doors that automatically reset, ready to catch the next animal. Must be seen to be believed!

ENGAGEMENT: Pricing methane in any way leaves lower income land uses such sheep and beef vulnerable, says Emma Crutchley, but given the complexity of the challenge, ‘some of the BLNZ remits are worth taking a moment to consider’.

The Combi Clamp Sheep Handler was designed with the

Combi Clamp

Rio Tinto farce underlines the GHG hypocrisy

Alternative view

us that the Tiwai Point smelter is highly efficient, producing just two tonnes of CO2 per tonne of aluminium.

I found that figure interesting, as burning coal, the worlds’ worse polluter, gives three tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

Interestingly, AgResearch has shown that milk production produces just 770 kg of CO2 per tonne of product, making milk production almost three times more environmentally friendly than the smelter.

IWAS interested to read that Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods had told Rio Tinto its behaviour at the aluminium smelter was “not good for New Zealand or Southland”.

I totally agree.

That was followed by Contact Energy head Mike Fuge telling me Rio Tinto was ready to sign “a long-term deal” for electricity.

I’m on Minister Woods’ side of the discussion, and question why we are subsidising a polluting and highly profitable Australian multinational at the expense of our own economic wellbeing.

The answer we are continually given, that of the 800 jobs in Southland, is fallacious. There is an employment crisis, there is such a shortage of workers we’re importing them and the Southland dairy industry is infinitely more environmentally friendly than the smelter and it needs workers.

Further, Rio Tinto proudly tell

As the smelter produces around 330,000t of aluminium a year, using the AgResearch figure that’s roughly equal to the carbon footprint of a million cows. As we are only milking 4.9 million dairy cows, the smelter’s contribution to global warming is highly significant.

Iniquitously, it seems we want to tax milk production and give the smelter another get-out-of-jailfree card. It doesn’t make sense.

It actually gets worse. Back in 2021, Radio NZ told us that they were confident the Tiwai Point smelter wouldn’t close if aluminium prices remained high.

Ridiculously, they added that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) claimed there were risks this “would add millions of tonnes to greenhouse gas emissions”.

So MBIE aren’t worried about greenhouse gas emissions from an Australian multinational but they’re verging on the hysterical when it comes to cows?

Just imagine if Feds president Andrew Hoggard got up and told the nation that we were going to add another million cows to the herd with the resultant increase in methane emissions. Climate

Change Minister James Shaw would be apoplectic; Greenpeace would be hysterical, and our old friends from PETA suicidal. Another reason the smelter should close, as I’ve mentioned in previous articles, is that it increases the price of power for everyone else.

We currently have a cost-ofliving crisis, with many ordinary Kiwis yearning for the extra $200 they’d save annually if the smelter wasn’t there. The Electricity Authority estimated that $200 figure as a result of the subsidised cheap power to the smelter.

Can anyone tell me why ordinary, everyday Kiwis should be subsidising an Australian multinational that last year made a profit of $53.5 billion, up from $36bn the previous year?

Can anyone tell me why a majority state-owned electricity company, Meridian Energy, offered a “significant deal to Rio Tinto to keep the smelter open”. Further, there’s the pollution problem. I wonder why an Australian multinational can get away with considerable pollution whereas if a dairy farmer’s pump

breaks and causes pollution they are hit with the full rigour of the law and pilloried in the media.

At the end of 2021, tests showed that soil, drains and groundwater were contaminated at levels that exceeded key thresholds. It found 83% of groundwater samples fell foul of drinking water standards as well as regional council guidelines for aluminium and toxic fluoride.

The jackbooted response from the smelter was that no one uses groundwater for drinking. That was despite the testing being done at 238 different locations. Just imagine if a dairy farmer used that excuse.

Late last year a new assessment of the smelter was completed by Southland Regional Council. It showed, among other things, that the groundwater was contaminated “with elevated levels of fluoride, aluminium, arsenic, hydrocarbons and cyanide”. Stormwater drains’ sediment contained elevated levels of “fluoride, aluminium, hydrocarbons and heavy metals”.

Late last year another report suggested the cost for cleaning up the smelter would be $1bn.

So MBIE aren’t worried about greenhouse gas emissions from an Australian multinational but they’re verging on the hysterical when it comes to cows?

The smelter has been operating for 50 years. That means the people of New Zealand have been subsidising Rio Tinto for that time and one would have to ask why. Using the current figure of $200 a year, times 50, comes out at a $10,000 handout to Rio Tinto, which is totally unacceptable.

Also consider that we burn coal to fill the gap in electricity generation and you have a totally farcical situation.

Add to that the $30 million handout the Key government donated to the smelter and consider for a minute if Fonterra had the same cosy deal the Australian multinational had. It could run its boilers on electricity, not coal, and the whole of NZ would benefit.

Digging my neighbours into a bit of a hole

From the ridge

I’ve got my own damage to sort out and besides I’m getting too sore with decent physical activity.

I drove up to Bayview near the Esk Valley with some giveaway rams to shore up a mate’s ewe tupping.

I found him shovelling silt out of his cattleyards as they planned to pregnancy-test the cows the following day.

However, Philip wasn’t letting his age of 70 slow him down. Bathed in sweat, and he still projected his insouciant character despite the damage, silt and debris everywhere.

I’VE volunteered for past flood clean-ups and even went down to Christchurch after the earthquake for a few days’ shovelling liquefaction, but I’m sitting this one out.

Two weeks without power and slips across all their hills, but he was still able to smile.

Over in the Esk Valley another mate, Harvey, is operating his digger to help others and he’s 82.

Alan Emerson Semi-retired Wairarapa farmer and businessman: dath.emerson@gmail.com

SMELTING POINT: Nice of every single New Zealander to have given, by Alan Emerson’s calculation, a giant polluting Australian multinational $10,000 in subsidies.

Steve Wyn-Harris Central Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmer: swyn@xtra.co.nz

MUD WRESTLING: It started simply enough, but several muddy vehicles later Steve Wyn-Harris and his neighbours were up to their axles in it. Continued next

Using forestry to offset carbon emissions

Phil Journeaux Hamilton-based AgFirst agricultural economist

THIS article follows on from an earlier one, “GHG: no magic bullets” (January 27), where I discussed changing farm systems and land use change into horticulture as GHG mitigation strategies. I now want to look at forestry as an offsetting strategy, where a forest is planted and the carbon sequestered by the trees is used to offset GHG emissions from a farm.

As part of our case study work on farm, we have routinely incorporated forestry as an offsetting scenario, to investigate the costs and benefits of doing so. The main tree species we model is, of course, Pinus radiata, mainly because of the large amount of information readily available around growth rates, sequestration rates, and costs and returns. This is not to say we’re advocating pines, as they are not necessarily the best in all circumstance – it comes back to the mantra “right tree, right place”. We also look at another exotic species, usually cypress, as an alternative special purpose species, and of course natives.

For our case study farms we planted 10% of the farm – usually the less-productive farmland, into trees. There’s nothing magic about the 10% figure – just a good figure to use, and many sheep and beef farms could easily incorporate such a regime without much effect on the remaining pastoral operation. For dairy farms it’s a bit different, as most dairy farms have relatively little lower productive land, and even with the current carbon price the profitability of most dairying is much greater. If the carbon price gets to $170+/ NZU, that situation changes rapidly.

What the modelling has shown is that forestry, for sheep and beef farms, is usually the most economic, and probably the most practical solution, at least in the short term, in offsetting GHG emissions, relative to other mitigation options.

I need to stop going on about my own age.

But it is extremely tough for them and thousands of others.

My neighbour Di rang me with a story.

She’d donated hay to that big Canterbury snowstorm in 1992 and she and her kids had shoved a note into the hay bales.

I’d done similar and added beer cans but figured mine had probably been dropped from the air into the high country, never to be found.

But she had heard back from her recipients, with their thanks.

The other day she had a message

Again, this is important for sheep and beef farms, in that they are proportionally much more vulnerable to a carbon levy compared with dairy farms. This due to two factors: the average sheep and beef farm emits 67% more GHGs in total compared to the average dairy farm, while operating at around 20% of the dairy farms’ profitability. In this situation, forestry can be very valuable in ameliorating the situation.

An example of the impact of forestry is shown in the following analysis on an actual 1620ha farm. In this example we’ve used the carbon levy prices suggested by He Waka Eke Noa in their original proposal to the government, and a carbon credit value of $85/NZU in 2025, and $138/NZU for 2030.

This example demonstrates a number of things:

• By 2030 the gross carbon levy, in the absence of any mitigation/ offsetting, is starting to bite at 11% of Ebitda

• The addition of forestry has significantly offset the cost of the levy

• The level of sequestration is directly related to the amount of carbon credits generated, with pines greater than cypresses, which are greater than natives.

It is important to note that the addition of the 10% area in forestry has not made the farm carbon neutral – that’s an entirely different story.

Another aspect to consider is, if the carbon credits from the forestry were solely used to offset the carbon levy, rather than converted to cash, then in the above example the offset would last for 30+ years. Something to think about.

The other issue with using forestry as an offset is, of course, that gross emissions are not decreasing – something New Zealand as a whole is yet to grapple with.

Another study investigated the impact on two representative farms, in Northland and Hawke’s Bay, of planting 10%, 30% and 100% of the farm in forestry –pines, cypresses, natives and a combination of all three.

from the same farmers – 30 years later – wondering if she was still around and did she need any help.

Around the corner was a ram struggling to run along the road with the handle of an empty 500kg fertiliser bag strung around his neck ...

She was emotional and grateful and I suggested she write up her story but she preferred I did it.

And now some light relief.

I went to load out the rams mentioned above. They had

Finding the right tree for your place

BY THE NUMBERS: An AgFirst study looked at the economics of planting pine, cypress and natives and the impact of the levy and forestry credits. It showed

What the modelling has shown is that forestry, for sheep and beef farms, is usually the most economic, and probably the most practical solution, at least in the short term, in offsetting GHG emissions, relative to other mitigation options.

At a farm level, planting up the less-productive land resulted in an increase in farm profit, meat and wool production, and greenhouse gas emissions per grazed hectare on the more productive land, but a reduction in total farm output across all three.

In the absence of a carbon value, the 10% planting of radiata gave a very similar return to the original farm.

Applying a carbon value ($85/ NZU) significantly improved overall profitability, with the

just been shorn so, given it was pouring with rain, I’d left them around the woolshed with shelter and grass.

The gate was flung off its hinges and no sign of the rams or their mates.

I followed the droppings along the road and around the corner was a ram struggling to run along the road with the handle of an empty 500kg fertiliser bag strung around his neck. Explained why the rams had hit the gate with enough force to throw it off the hinges.

One hundred metres further on were his mates, sprinting in terror away from the sound of the bag dragging along the road.

most profitable option being to plant 100% of the farm in pines, followed by 100% in cypresses. On the other hand, planting in natives resulted in a much lower Ebitda relative to the pastoral (base) operation.

For the purposes of the exercise, the areas on farm were planted immediately. A thought, though, would be to stagger this to smooth cash flow– so, for example, if you were planting say 50ha, the idea would be to plant 10ha every five years.

Once you’re harvesting the first trees the semi-regular harvesting of trees thereafter would significantly aid the business cash flow.

While planting 100% of a sheep and beef farm to exotic forest would be, under current settings, the most profitable option, there are negative impacts across the regional economy.

For the 30% and especially the 100% planting into forestry, GDP and employment were significantly reduced over the

I managed to turn them around but had a devil of a time getting them past their mate and then catching him in the watertable to get the bloody bag off his neck.

A couple of days after the cyclone, near a blown-out culvert, I tested the creek and reckoned I’d be able to get the four-wheeler across, which I did – but got stuck in the silt beyond.

I didn’t want to trouble my farming neighbours given everyone was under pressure so, as I’d spent a couple of hours the previous day getting my lifestyler neighbour’s water supply going, I asked him to bring his little tractor down to tow me out.

Bike popped out without any

period of the rotation up to harvest.

At harvest, though, there was significant increase in both GDP and employment as a result of the harvesting/processing.

From an employment perspective, staggering planting and harvesting would certainly help.

Another thing to consider is that the addition of a value for carbon provides no net gain in GDP, as the impact of a value for carbon is essentially an internal wealth transfer, with no overall net benefit at a national level. Current policy settings mean that planting whole farms into forestry is very profitable, thereby promoting the activity. As an alternative, the addition of “woodlot” forestry on farms can directly improve the financial resilience of the farm business and make a significant contribution in offsetting carbon emissions. In this respect therefore, the mantra should be “trees on farms” not “farms into trees”.

trouble, but we got David’s tractor stuck in the process.

So, I went and borrowed one of the neighbour’s tractors and it got stuck.

This was turning into needing a bigger bigger yellow digger debacle.

I then had to walk to another neighbour to ask if they could spare a bit of time giving me a hand to extract the other three machines.

It took me six hours to retrieve my bike and I managed to tie up much of the district’s machinery at a time when they really needed to be doing something else.

Hopefully, they all forget about this incident soon.

that the level of sequestration is directly related to the amount of carbon credits generated, with pines greater than cypresses, which are greater than natives.

Continued from previous page

Charting dairy’s trajectory of change

DairyNZ’s new strategy and investment leader spent years at the top of the global food chain with a top consultancy in Europe before coming home to a key role in the dairy industry. Alyce Butler talks to Gerald Piddock.

THE dairy industry’s future is framed by challenges and opportunities.

Identifying and navigating both will be the job of DairyNZ’s new strategy and investment leader, Alyce Butler.

The challenges range from current and future government policy to evolving consumer demands and external vulnerabilities that may indirectly affect the dairy industry.

Butler describes it as “crystal ball gazing – but reality checked, based on the trajectory of change over the past 10 years”.

For dairy, she says, the challenge was simple – how to keep producing dairy products while operating within acceptable environmental limits and competing against dairy alternatives.

There are so many factors, but it’s mostly about getting the pace of change right so we’re going in the right direction, but we’re not forgetting one side of the equation.

Alyce Butler DairyNZ

Once issues are identified, Butler and her team look at ways to future-proof the industry. At the same time, DairyNZ also has to ensure it was delivering impact to farmers.

“Sometimes those things are very aligned, and sometimes there’s a natural tension. Our job is to foresee some of that and build it into today’s programmes,” Butler says.

If and when these issues emerge, DairyNZ has a possible way to respond ready to go. Farmers can then take up those solutions, so the industry can continue to exist.

An example of one such issue is the ongoing labour shortage in the dairy industry. She estimates that the industry needs 4000 more people.

There are tactical things DairyNZ is doing to assist farmers around immigration or assisting them in recruitment.

“But there are also some longterm crystal-ball-gazing things, like what should a dairy work force look like, and workplace look like, in the future.

“What are some of the practices and opportunities that if people took them up now – how could that impact the labour shortage?”

Butler was raised and worked on a dairy farm in Taranaki. She graduated with a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University of Wellington, and is a chartered accountant.

For the past nine years she worked at Deloitte, firstly in New Zealand and then as the consultancy firm’s Future of Food director based in Amsterdam.

The group supported and advised multinational food and agricultural companies on how it will be possible to feed the world’s growing population in a more sustainable and nutritious manner – while looking after the livelihoods of food producers.

Clients included most of the main players in food, commodities and agrichemicals within the Netherlands and globally.

Butler says they learnt that finding solutions for these problems is hard.

“Almost every food and agricultural value chain has vulnerabilities. There’s deforestation in certain chains, there’s biodiversity – there’s a multitude of vulnerabilities and, depending on which chain you’re looking at, there’s a different emphasis.

“Meat and dairy, for example, have the emissions side of things. On the other side you have the

obligation for society to also be producing sufficient food of a nutritional quality to also feed a growing population.”

That led to trade-offs, where the pace of change has to be managed to take care of some of the vulnerabilities that may arise, she says.

“There are so many factors, but it’s mostly about getting the pace of change right so we’re going in the right direction, but we’re not forgetting one side of the equation.”

That balance was critical for being able to keep producing food while meeting those vulnerabilities.

Butler was in Europe when widespread protests broke out in the Netherlands after its government introduced policies aimed at cutting nitrogen emissions – which may lead to the closure of 11,000 farms.

She was also in Ireland when similar protests broke out over its government’s climate action plan, finding herself blocked from the restaurant where she and her colleagues were meant to be eating dinner.

“This is why we are doing it. There is clearly some failure if this is the type of thing that’s happening and it’s why we were taking a holistic view in solving these problems.”

She also saw the disruptions caused by the covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, which completely flipped the hierarchy of needs around food production.

Before the pandemic and the war, issues such as food security, access and affordability were taken for granted and much of Butler’s focus was on added value, branding and sustainability of food.

Those two global shocks changed that.

The debate over energy was similar, where people assumed they had access to energy for their home or business and then all of a sudden security of energy supply became a national issue in many countries, she says.

Butler says she always took a farmer’s perspective with her into projects, in a nod to her upbringing.

“I was always specifically interested in how do you achieve

Picton to pilot Rabobank global strategy

We’re thrilled to further strengthen our already very strong food and agri commodity research capabilities in New Zealand, with this newly-created macroeconomic strategist role to work alongside the highly regarded RaboResearch food and agri team.

Todd Charteris Rabobank New Zealand

Staff reporter PEOPLE Finance

RABOBANK has appointed Ben Picton to the newly created role of senior strategist, global economics and markets.

Picton, based in Sydney, will provide strategic macroeconomic research and engagement – including on interest rates and economic projections – for the specialist global agribusiness bank in New Zealand and Australia.

Rabobank New Zealand chief executive Todd Charteris

said this is the first time Rabobank’s global economics and markets research team will have a representative based in the region, with the role specifically covering macroeconomics for NZ and Australia.

“We’re thrilled to further strengthen our already very strong food and agri commodity research capabilities in New Zealand, with this newly-created macro-economic strategist role to work alongside the highly regarded RaboResearch food and agri team,” he said. Charteris said Picton will

“hit the ground running”, having more than seven years’ experience with Rabobank’s global financial markets team, where he held a number of positions in derivatives sales and trading, working with the bank’s wholesale agribusiness and farming clients. His most recent role with Rabobank was director, corporate risk and treasury management.

Picton holds a combined Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Newcastle and a Master of Economics from the University of Sydney.

all of these things while also making sure that farmers are wanting to produce food for the world in the foreseeable future?”

She moved back to NZ with her Dutch husband so her two young children can experience the lifestyle she had as they grow up. The job at DairyNZ sealed the move.

Butler hopes to take her Deloitte experience and use it as she refreshes her knowledge about the NZ dairy industry after nearly a decade living abroad.

She says she is excited to be returning to her farming roots with an opportunity to support farmers, helping them feel more confident about the sector’s direction.

“Farmers are facing some difficult times, with a more volatile climate, changing consumer demands and government requirements, both on a national and international scale.

“My work will help support farmers through some of these key challenges, while also opening new opportunities. I want to help build a resilient and successful dairy sector, where dairy farming is a career people are proud of.”

FUTURE OF FOOD: Alyce Butler worked for Deloitte in Amsterdam as a Future of Food director before joining DairyNZ as its new strategy and investment leader.

TREASURY: Senior strategist, global economics and markets Ben Picton’s most recent role with Rabobank was director, corporate risk and treasury management.

Hard choices loom for rural communities

The dreaded phrase ‘managed retreat’ will be heard more and more as the reality of climate change starts to hit rural communities, not all of which will be restored to what they were before the storms. Economist Dr Bill Kaye-Blake speaks to Richard Rennie.

AFTER rural communities have scraped up the silt, re-fenced paddocks, and hammered out repairs, policymakers will be starting on the maths of “how much”, “where” and “for who” to reinstate rural infrastructure in battered regions.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has already intimated that, despite pumping $250 million into road repairs and $50m into grower/ farmer recovery, the future of some roads and even highways is up for discussion.

With that come some major implications for the future of rural

communities along and at the end of many of those roads.

Economist Dr Bill Kaye-Blake has long studied rural communities’ strength and ability to remain viable and relevant in a dynamic, climate change environment. Most recently he contributed to the book on this subject, Heartland Strong.

He cautions his expertise is more on longer-term outcomes after such events, rather than the immediate, messy, heartbreaking business of disaster response.

“You are having people say ‘We need better roads to an area.’ But on the other hand, people are also saying ‘We may need to see some sort of managed retreat from some areas.’

“It can risk coming across as heartless discussing it in this recovery phase. But agencies do have budgets and will be asked about where the best place for their money is to go.”

Cyclone Gabrielle is likely to open the door to the looming conversation about vulnerability to climate change and an affordable response to it, providing communities with infrastructure fit for purpose.

“This provides an opportunity to get things right for the future.”

He notes the phrase “managed retreat” is most associated with movement from eroding coasts or riverbanks.

But it may need to be interpreted in a wider sense, encompassing communities restricted by vulnerable roading and power networks proving simply too expensive to restore.

But we also have to consider what is government’s responsibility to iwi? Under the Treaty there may well be obligations to support small communities with strong tribal affiliations.

“It may be that land use change that comes in Gabrielle’s wake will also influence retreat. For example if farms are no longer farmed, there is a shift in the type of community and facilities that go with it.”

He acknowledges that to physically relocate a community is a significant challenge.

In 2005 when the tiny settlement of Matata was struck by a major flood-slip event, it cost $15m in central and local government funds to buy out at-risk properties and relocate residents, along with a bitter, lengthy court battle. Today a large part of the tiny

town is a red zone, banning future building.

“In an environment with a full joint government approach, you probably could do it. All agencies will make their costings on restoring their assets, roading, education, health, and housing.”

Sometimes those calculations will deliver a decision to shut down a facility.

He had experience with a Southland school that shut, sending children to a larger school in Gore. Subsequently the road was improved, and ultimately the community felt it had been the right move.

“But we also have to consider what is government’s responsibility to iwi? Under the Treaty there may well be obligations to support small communities with strong tribal affiliations.”

Efforts may focus on strengthening a community’s emergency preparedness, rather than upgrading a road network that is rising in repair costs after every event.

Kaye-Blake says it is unlikely rural communities can afford to take over roads councils no longer

want to fund, such is the cost.

The eye-watering costs were highlighted by estimates that Kenepuru Road in Marlborough would cost $160m to rebuild for about 1000 people along it, against the region’s entire repair budget of $25m.

A recent Farmers Weekly visit to Ruatoria on State Highway 35 found the community planning to prepare shipping containers as survival pods, containing generators, Starlink modems, water treatment plants and dried food to weather future isolating events for longer.

Research has shown that five years after an event residential property prices tend to trend close to where they were pre-event.

Kaye-Blake says given farms do not tend to sell as frequently as homes, it would be interesting to see if these events affect values for a period of time, and how farming communities respond to possible land use change.

“We do have to remember, we are talking about people – it is easy to sit in an office with a spread sheet and say ‘no’ to a rebuild without appreciating the impact on those people.”

Bill Kaye-Blake Economist

PRIORITY: Bill Kaye-Blake says efforts may focus on strengthening a community’s emergency preparedness, rather than upgrading a road network that is rising in repair costs after every event.

RETREATING: Rural communities may have to familiarise themselves with a broader definition of ‘managed retreat’ when assessing rebuild likelihood, says economist Bill Kaye-Blake.

Miranda 1337 East Coast Road Auction

The catch of a lifetime!

This 79.9 ha dairy farm offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of New Zealand's rural paradise. Protected from summer dry, the farm is well equipped to support a thriving dairy operation boasting 30 ha of irrigation and a 4.5 ha irrigation dam. Producing 115,000 kgMS per year and boasting two large herd homes, this farm is a highly productive and profitable investment. The cowshed is a 26 ASHB and the farm is currently run as a winter milking operation with a split calving herd meaning that February can be spent fishing for snapper and enjoying the long summer days. In addition to the dairy facilities, the property also has three titles and offers the potential for future development with much of the farm enjoying stunning views of the Hauraki Gulf. The well-built four bedroom brick and tile home with an internal double garage provides a comfortable and spacious living space for the owner, or manager of the farm.

Together Stronger

Our combined strengths complement each other, creating more opportunity for our customers and Farmlands shareholders across provincial New Zealand.

• A nationwide network from Northland to Southland

• Sound, trustworthy advice from market-leading experts

• Shareholder benefits and preferential commission rates means more money in your pocket

Bigger networks, more buyers, better results

For more information call 0800 367 5263 or visit pb.co.nz/together

PB053815

4 1 2

Auction 12.00pm, Tue 21st Mar, 2023, (unless sold prior), Hautapu Sports Club, 211 Victoria Street, Cambridge View Wed 8 Mar 11.00 - 1.00pm Wed 15 Mar 11.00 - 1.00pm Web pb.co.nz/CBR113633

David McGuire

M 027 472 2572 E david.mcguire@pb.co.nz

Jeremy Waters

M 021 607 281 E jeremy.waters@pb.co.nz

Te Puninga 333 Manhire Road

Auction

Dairy support - Prime location

A unique opportunity to own 44 ha of prime real estate in the heart of Tatua Dairy country, 13 km to Tatua dairy factory. This property features two titles and a charming two bedroom log cabin-style house.

Centrally raced, this is property makes a great support block for your existing dairy operation, with the perfect conditions for growing maize, or having control over grazing your own young stock.

A disused cowshed provides additional storage options.

Don't miss out on this rare chance to own an attractive piece of rural paradise in a highly sought-after location. Contact us today for more information!

2 1

Auction 12.00pm, Tue 21st Mar, 2023, (unless sold prior), Hautapu Sports Club, 211 Victoria Street, Cambridge View Tue 7 Mar 12.00 - 1.00pm Tue 14 Mar 12.00 - 1.00pm Web pb.co.nz/CBR113634

David McGuire M 027 472 2572

Jeremy Waters M 021 607 281

Wharepuhunga 879 Mangawhio Road Auction

The hunt for diversity and scale ends here

•South Waikato dairying opportunity

•300 ha - 250 ha effective, milking O.A.D

•Good 50 ASHB. Two homes and shedding

•Mixed contour - self-contained unit

•A great late season chance to buy scale

Vendors are ready to move.

Galatea

4860 Galatea Road

Open Day

Auction 12.00pm, Tue 21st Mar, 2023, Hautapu Sports Club, 211 Victoria Street, Cambridge

View Tue 7 Mar 11.00 - 1.00pm

Tue 14 Mar 11.00 - 1.00pm

Web pb.co.nz/TWR116789

John Sisley

M 027 475 9808 E john.sisley@pb.co.nz

Seasonal supply dairy farm

Located within the picturesque Galatea Valley is this 129.61 ha (more or less) dairy farm consisting of three titles. 121 ha of the property forms the milking platform with a 3-year average production of 127,000 kgMS from 300 cows with all cows being wintered on farm. 86 ha of the property is covered with irrigation with 58.5 ha under a centre pivot with the remaining 27.5 ha covered with a Bosch Lateral system. Farm infrastructure includes a modern 30 ASHB shed with 300 cow yard capacity, a vast array of farm shedding including a near new implement shed / workshop. The property will also come complete with a newly consented effluent system complete with a 300 cubic metre bladder. Housing is catered for via two good three bedroom homes complete with detached double garaging, with the main dwelling being only recently built.

Tender closes 12.00pm, Thu 30th Mar, 2023

View Wed 8 Mar 10.30 - 12.00pm

Wed 15 Mar 10.30 - 12.00pm

Wed 22 Mar 10.30 - 12.00pm

Web pb.co.nz/WTR116037

Phillip Berry

M 027 478 8892 E phillip.berry@pb.co.nz

Dannevirke 918 Otope Road

Te Ngae - honest and handy

343 ha sheep and beef breeding and finishing unit. Located in a prime and sought after district, Otope Valley. This property contains quality soil types. Limestone base ensures secure spring fed water supply. Water is provided through springs, streams, dams and a small gravity fed supply to troughs. Fencing is conventional subdividing property into 28 paddocks, with well formed access tracks. Infrastructure includes a delightful 2 bedroom dwelling with office, modern kitchen and bathroom, lounge opening out to a lovely patio, overlooking well manicured gardens and lawn, 1 bedroom semi detached self contained sleepout. Included within private setting is a grass tennis court and fenced in swimming pool. This property has a tree lined and sealed driveway leading to quality sheds. A 4 bay workshop with concrete floor, pit and electricity. There is also a 2 bay garage with electric door and remote plus secure lockup bay. Further improvements consist of airstrip, 50 tonne bin, 5 bay hayshed.

Leeston 355 The Lake Road

Tender

Lakeridge - 98 ha versatile options

With the iconic Lake Ellesmere as the backdrop for 'Lakeridge Farm' the area is both picturesque and sought after. The 98.2 ha sheep and beef property has been the pride and joy of the current vendors for over 20 years. Traditionally the farm has run around 1,250 stock units all of which are wintered on the farm. Farm improvements include a five bay implement shed, two stand wool shearing shed, and yards plus two 20 ton silos. Just 10 minutes from Leeston this property offers a rural lifestyle with the convenience of being close to a supportive farming community. A two-story five bedroom home allows space for a family to live and enjoy all the area has to offer.

Tender closes 5.00pm, Tue 4th Apr, 2023 (unless sold prior), Property Brokers Rolleston Shop 13/9 Masefield Drive, Rolleston 7614

View Tue 7 Mar 12.00 - 2.00pm Web pb.co.nz/ROR115869

Justin Le Lievre

M 022 628 1306

Gareth Cox

M 021 250 9714

Stephan Knowler AREINZ

M 027 229 9522

3 2

For Sale By Negotiation + GST (if any)

View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/DL114562

Sam McNair

M 027 264 0002 E sam.mcnair@pb.co.nz

Jim Crispin M 027 717 8862 E jimc@pb.co.nz

PB064156

Hikurangi 295 Rusk Road

Very appealing dairy unit

This 113.016 hectare (more or less) dairy farm has that x factor appeal. With road frontage in excess of 1.5km, a great balance of contour, tidy infrastructure and a recently renovated dwelling with a strategic planting of trees for shelter. This very appealing unit has a centrally located 16 aside dairy shed and is currently on once a day system. Historically, the farm was producing 130,610kgMS from a three year average and milking 250 cows twice a day. The vendor has chosen the OAD approach and currently on target for approximately 75,000kgMS from 160 cows. Support buildings include a four bay implement shed with concrete floor, PKE concrete bunker with rolling retracting roof, calf rearing shed with seven pens and two large hay barns. bayleys.co.nz/1060336

Whakatane 693 State Highway 2 West

Wairoa 357 Patunamu Road

Cropping and red metal quarry

Located 32km north west of Wairoa township in the Patunamu area is this 151ha, cropping/finishing farm with metal quarry. The land is capable of growing very good maize crops. The farm bounds the Waiau River and Patunamu Road and is largely terraced river flats of which approximately 90ha of cropping land and 61ha of sidling’s, red metal and river metal pits. Plus an added bonus of a three bedroom home with hunting, fishing and a duck shooting pond at the back door. Call now to view. bayleys.co.nz/2853215

113.015ha

Auction (unless sold prior) 12pm, Wed 22 Mar 2023

84 Walton Street, Whangarei

View by appointment

Catherine Stewart 027 356 5031 catherine.stewart@bayleys.co.nz

MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Panoramic sea views and possibilities in Pikowai

A significant coastal landholding of 14.330ha (more or less), introduces ample opportunities to a variety of buyers. The real beauty at this property, lies within the possibilities. Offering two elevated dwellings capturing stunning views, there is clear future development and subdivision potential. Currently, there is an approximate 4.5ha of pines and an approximate 5ha of grazing land that is spread across 8 established paddocks, home to 15 cattle.

This area is consistently sought after due to its abundance of recreational activities, with the ultimate coastal lifestyle on offer. bayleys.co.nz/2503062

14.333ha

Auction (unless sold prior)

1pm, Wed 29 Mar 2023

247 Cameron Road, Tauranga

View by appointment

Steve Low 027 285 7313

steve.low@bayleys.co.nz

SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

151ha

Tender Closing 4pm, Wed 12 Apr 2023

17 Napier Road, Havelock North

View by appointment

Monty Monteith 027 807 0522 monty.monteith@bayleys.co.nz

Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253 tony.rasmussen@bayleys.co.nz

Stephen Thomson 027 450 6531 stephen.thomson@bayleys.co.nz

EASTERN

Wairoa 532 Waiatai Road

Pirinoa Station

Located only 9km north of Wairoa just off State Highway 2, this 515ha farm comprising of approximately 100ha of flat cropping land, 300ha of medium hill country, 100ha of Kanuka and 20ha QEII bush, the options for a combination of enterprises is fantastic. The property runs either side of Waiatai Road which provides great access for cropping or forestry. The property includes a large four bedroom home, a two bedroom cottage and two bedroom shearers quarters. Call today to view. bayleys.co.nz/2853216

515ha

Tender Closing 4pm, Wed 12 Apr 2023

17 Napier Road, Havelock North View by appointment

Monty Monteith 027 807 0522 monty.monteith@bayleys.co.nz

Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253 tony.rasmussen@bayleys.co.nz

Stephen Thomson 027 450 6531 stephen.thomson@bayleys.co.nz

bayleys.co.nz

30

Real Estate

NEW LISTING

Hastings 65 Palomino Road, Haumoana

Turnkey apple orchard with two homes

Located in the beautiful coastal community of Haumoana, only 13 kilometres from Havelock North and Hastings is this turnkey 12.81 hectare apple orchard with two low maintenance dwellings. The quality 10.5 hectare planted apple orchard includes modern varieties of NZ Queen, Galaxy, Royal Gala, Aztec Fuji, Jazz and young plantings of Dazzle. Orchard infrastructure includes a four bay lockup shed, good water consent and supporting irrigation system. Given the location, two private homes, shedding, soils, climate and water consents, this turnkey operation is a must view. Plant and machinery available at valuation. bayleys.co.nz/2853223

NEW LISTING

12.81ha 7 4

Auction 12pm, Thu 6 Apr 2023

17 Napier Road, Havelock North

View 1-1.45pm Sun 12 Mar or by appointment

Jeff Kevern 027 482 0745 jeff.kevern@bayleys.co.nz

Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253 tony.rasmussen@bayleys.co.nz

EASTERN

Rangitikei 52 Ratana Road, Whanganui

Options and opportunity

This 96.8ha farm (subject to survey/new title), situated 20kms from Whanganui, presents an excellent opportunity as a cut and carry block, calf-rearing venture or finishing unit. Most of the land is flat and easy with approximately 16ha of Turakina River flats, and the balance being table-top flats and sidelings. There will be a water right from the neighbouring bore. Currently utilised as a finishing and winter grazing block, it is divided into approximately 21 paddocks with a mix of electric and conventional fencing. The 1940s home needs a bit of TLC. Overall, this property is a great option if you're looking for a manageable and affordable piece of land or expanding your existing operation. Call now for the comprehensive property memo. bayleys.co.nz/3002113

96.8ha

For Sale by Deadline Private Treaty (will not be sold prior)

2pm, Thu 13 Apr 2023

Bayleys, 158 Wicksteed Street, Whanganui

Oxford 452 Raineys Road

Productive, fattening and support

This is a rare opportunity to own a high-quality fattening dairy support farm spanning 369.4743 hectares. With excellent fencing and infrastructure, as well as great shelter, this property ensures maximum productivity year-round. Located in a productive area with good rainfall, it is ideal for sheep breeding or lamb finishing and the excellent quality of the pasture ensures clear results when it comes to fattening cattle. Furthermore, there is a 8-hectare feedlot for up to 2,000 cattle. This property comes with a large homestead located in an attractive, mature setting, complete with a swimming pool. Whether you are an established farmer looking to expand your operations or someone new to the industry, this property provides an excellent opportunity to invest.

bayleys.co.nz/5520565

369.4734ha

Deadline

3

Options Galore

780 Wani Rd, Paeroa

152 ha (more or less) dairy farm with five titles in Awaiti, Netherton. Currently milking 450 cows on once a day which has been a lifestyle choice. This all flat contour is well drained and has both county water and a bore to supply water for the stock and the 36 ASHB. Looking for storage, this has plenty in the way of multiple buildings around the dairy shed area so your implements and calves are well taken care of. The main home is a great family home with a swimming pool and a large carport to accommodate at least four vehicles.The property also has another cottage for any farm labour needed on site. A great size property with many options being available with the multiple titles.

Give Jack a call to learn more.

DEADLINE SALE

152 ha

Deadline Sale

Closes Thurs 23rd March, 3pm (unless sold prior)

View Thurs 9th & 16th March

11am - 12pm

LJ Hooker Matamata

07 888 5677

Link Realty Ltd.

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

WELCOME TO WAIMIRO 214 HECTARES

Dannevirke

Waimiro is a well presented 214 hectare (528 acre) sheep and beef farm located in Horoeka, approximately 45km from the township of Dannevirke in the reliable farming district of Tararua. In stable and free-draining country, the farm has excellent water, being part of the district’s water scheme. There is a 3-stand woolshed, 3-bay implement shed, cattle yards and a great network of tracks throughout. To complement this great farm package there is a well presented 3-bedroom 2012 built home with double garaging. Local schooling includes Weber or Pongaroa Schools, both traditional rural full primary schools. Don’t miss out!

Call me today to book your appointment to view.

www.forfarms.co.nz - ID FF3557

$2,200,000 + GST

POROPORO, WHAKATANE 110 Station Road

Six Titles 120 Hectares - Location, Location

Here is an appealing 120 hectare dairy farm situated on the Rangitaiki Plains, a renowned region known for its great climate and highly productive agri soils. The flat to slightly undulating contour land makes it an ideal area to dairy or intensively crop. With its great location, being within 10 kilometres of the Whakatane CBD, the property is close to all the amenities and services the local community offers. Historically the farm has milked 320 cows with an impressive production of 137,030kg MS on Dairy NZ System 3 production system, milked through a 32 bail rotary dairy shed.

The property has two three bedroom family homes, one with an additional sleepout. A good selection of support buildings complement the farm including two calf rearing sheds, two implement sheds and two hay barns. With a good fertiliser history, the property is growing strong, weed free pastures and is serviced by the Rangitaiki Plains water scheme for domestic and dairy shed water with a bore located on farm for stock and wash down supply.

This is an excellent opportunity to purchase a well-established, highly productive dairy farm in a most desirable region, a decision your family will thank you for in decades to come.

pggwre.co.nz/WHK37334

ARIA, WAIKATO 510 Barclay Road 'Barclay'

The Barclay family started farming in the Aria district in 1932 and have grown their holding into the high producing 867 hectare (more or less) farm it is today. Built on hard work, fertility and strategic selection of high performing livestock, this is a top performing farm. Fertiliser applications have never missed a year. Target kill weight for both bulls and steer is 400kg dressed. The top Romney flock lambing percentage is over 150%. On average 400 bales of silage is made. Two dwellings - large four bedroom and three bedroom houses. Two x three stand woolsheds and multiple farm buildings. Water - approximately one third reticulated and the balance are ponds. A lot of water located on farm. Fenced into 151 paddocks. This is a farm that produces great weight into all classes of stock. It is rare to have the opportunity to purchase this size holding that has the ability to winter and fatten cattle to the weights that this property achieved, year in year out it has produced. Schools nearby and blessed to have the vibrant Aria farming community. See you at the Open Days.

TENDER Plus GST (if any)

(Unless Sold By Private Treaty)

Closes 4.00pm, Friday 24 March

VIEW 1.00 - 2.00 pm

Tuesday, 7 & 14 March

Phil Goldsmith

M 027 494 1844

E pgoldsmith@pggwrightson.co.nz

TENDER Plus GST (if any)

(Unless Sold By Private Treaty)

Closes 11.00am, Thursday 6 April

VIEW

10.00 - 12.00pm

Wednesday 8 & 15 March

Peter Wylie

M 027 473 5855

E pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz

For more great rural listings, visit www.pggwre.co.nz

BALFOUR, SOUTHLAND Specialist Dairy Grazing Opportunity

This 211.6347 hectare property has had a history of dairy grazing for many years. Infrastructure includes a three-bedroom home, a twobedroom cottage, cattle yards, two implement sheds, a two-bay fertiliser shed, three hay sheds, a woolshed and a large set of covered yards. Lane access to the 48 paddocks together with the excellent water scheme to troughs in each paddock (sourced from a reliable bore) has been installed to a dairy farm standard.

Secure your 2023 winter grazing needs with 35 hectares of kale and supplements available to the purchaser.

This property is a great opportunity to control your dairy grazing costs or to secure a property with good income stream options. Equity options could be available.

pggwre.co.nz/INV35868

TENDER Plus GST (if any)

Closes 4.00pm, Friday 31 March

VIEW By Appointment Only

Robin Greer

M 027 433 2058

E robin.greer@pggwrightson.co.nz

ARE YOU OR a loved one battling the e ect of alcohol or drugs? The Retreat NZ is a discreet residential facility o ering a 30 programme to recovery.

Set in 7 hectares of native bush it o ers a private and healing place to be. Phone 0800 276 237 or email: reception@theretreatnz. org.nz Website: https:// www.theretreatnz.org.nz

MOWER MASTER MARCH SPECIAL

Farm Manager

Mt Damper, North Taranaki

We have a vacancy for an experienced farm manager. This position is initially 2IC to the owner with the expectation that you will take over the day-to-day running of the farm after a thorough orientation, and as such this position may also suit someone who has not yet had management experience but has the skills to do so. This position is ideal for a couple with hours available for both, although individuals may also apply. We are looking for a positive, motivated, dedicated person with leadership and teamwork skills.

The successful applicant will be responsible for managing 8000 stock units consisting of high performing Romney ewes and Angus breeding cows on a day-to-day basis, and thus will require a well controlled team of stock safe dogs to undertake this responsibility. We are located 1hour 15 minutes from New Plymouth, or Taumarunui. West Coast fishing is just a 40 minute drive.

To apply go to TradeMe#4016974473

Farm Manager – Mt Damper Or email: louise@limelimited.co.nz

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST WELCOME

We are a growing beef finishing enterprise, currently farming 1050ha effective of owned and leased farms near Whangarei, wintering 3000 head.

We are looking for opportunities to expand our enterprise and would welcome expressions of interest from prospective farmers in Northland looking to lease farmland suitable for beef.

We have a proven record of building/ maintaining relationships, are financially sound, and are excellent custodians of the land.

Senior Arable Operator

We are looking for a talented individual to join our team at Fairfield Farms. Fairfield Farms is a division of Talley’s Ltd based 10 minutes north of Ashburton.

Job Description

Reporting to the Farm Supervisors, this role will provide an opportunity to work primarily with our Cropping and Cultivation teams, meaning no two days will be the same and a variety of tasks will be offered.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have:

Attention to detail and take pride in completing tasks to a high standard Tractor operation experience (in particular, large horsepower tractors) including cultivation, drilling, spraying, fertiliser spreading, and crop harvesting.

• Modern technology and GPS knowledge

Class 5 licence (would be an advantage) or willing to obtain

Additional Information

In Return we can offer:

• A challenging but rewarding work environment

• Opportunity for individual growth

• Competitive starting remuneration rates depending on experience

Ready to start?

Applicants must be legally entitled to work permanently in New Zealand. If this sounds like the opportunity you have been looking for, please apply online now at https://www.talleys.co.nz/job-openings and include a cover letter and a copy of your CV, or alternatively contact:

Geoff Roberts on 027 487 9867

CONTRACTORS

GORSE AND THISTLE SPRAY. We also scrub cut.

Four men with all gear in your area. Phone Dave 06 375 8032.

DOGS FOR SALE

BUYING / SELLING. Huntaways. Heading dogs. Deliver NZ wide. https:// www.youtube.com/@ mikehughesworkingdog 07 315 5553.

ONE YOUNG Heading dog.

ONE Heading pup. ONE young Huntaway. Phone 027 243 8541. Taihape. TOP BLOODLINES. Heading and Huntaway pups. Phone Dave Andrews 027 450 6095.

GOATS WANTED

GOATS. 40 YEARS experience mustering feral cattle and feral goats anywhere in NZ. 50% owner (no costs). 50% musterer (all costs). Phone Kerry Coulter 027 494 4194.

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.

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

RURAL MASSAGE

RELAXING FULL BODY massage in rural Ohaupo. Unwind. De-stress. www. ruralmassage.co.nz or call 027 529 5540.

Farmers/Woodlot owner

Tired of waiting for someone to harvest your trees?

We are not committed to one buyer that is how we get our customers the most profit we can. Set up to do the smaller, trickier wood lots. No job too big or too small.

Buyers of Woodlots and Forest.

BTZ Forestry Marketing and Harvesting

SAWN SHED TIMBER including Black Maire. Matai, Totara and

FARM MAPPING

ACCURATE AND PRACTICAL farm maps showing area sizes of paddocks and vegetation. Visit farmmapping.co.nz or phone 0800 433 855 for a free quote.

GRAZING AVAILABLE

LEASE LAND WANTED LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

■

THINKING ABOUT RETIRING but don’t want to sell the family farm? Looking to expand our drystock property. Northland drystock / nishing farms of 100ha or more preferred. If bigger than 500ha then further away would be considered. Five year lease with option to extend to 10 years preferred. Enquiries ring Marty Vermeulen 09 439 0004.

■ Variable speed from 2600-3500rpm

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Jerseys Golden Opportunity Cream of the Crop

Our vendors have made the decision to sell the top end of the prominent Ashvale Jersey Stud for late May delivery. The opportunity presents to pick 100 cows out of the listed 150 top cows in the herd. BW 346, PW 375, DTC 08/08/2023. Also available are the top line of 52 In calf heifers BW 392, PW 354, DTC 01/08/2023.

Stud Facts:

• Arguably the most prominent Jersey Stud sale this Autumn

• Established 1970

• Highest producing Jersey Herd of its size in New Zealand last 3 years

• Consistently averaging 500kgs m/s

• High per hectare production

• Highly profitable

• Bred number of bulls for AI market

• Females sold at auction have founded many significant cow families in Stud herds

• Noted for both production and type

• All G3 tested

• Cows carrying calves BW 374

The studs vendors deserve a rich sense of pride and satisfaction for over 50 years of constructive breeding resulting in a magnificent Jersey herd.

Further enquiries to:

Agent Ross Riddell 027 211 1112 rriddell@linklivestock.co.nz

www.linklivestock.co.nz

Rivermoor

White Dorper Stud

Commercial 2th Rams available

Glenrobin Stud

Beltex X Ram Lamb Sale

Sale Day: Wednesday 8 March 2023

AUCTION at Gore Showgrounds

Viewing from 12pm Sale starts 2pm

Also on– hybrid livestreamed auction

SALE TALK

A farmer decided he wanted to go to town and see a movie. As he approached, the ticket agent asked, “Sir, what’s that on your shoulder?”

The old farmer said, “That’s my pet rooster Chuck. Wherever I go, Chuck goes.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” said the ticket agent. “We don’t allow animals in the theater.”

The old farmer went around the corner and stuffed Chuck down his overalls. Then he returned to the booth, bought a ticket, and entered the theatre. He sat down next to two old widows named Mildred and Marge. The movie started and the rooster began to squirm. The old farmer unbuttoned his fly so Chuck could stick his head out and watch the movie.

“Marge,” whispered Mildred.

“What?” said Marge.

“I think the guy next to me is a pervert.”

“What makes you think so?” asked Marge.

“He undid his pants and he has his thing out,” whispered Mildred.

“Eh, don’t worry about it,” said Marge. “At our age we’ve seen ’em all.”

Low birth weight for reduced lambing difficulties – ideal for hoggets or ewes.

Proven strong survivability due to thicker birth pelt and great lamb vigour.

Proven comparable growth rates to other top yielding terminal breeds.

Exceptional muscling for increased meat yields.

Reduced cover on your crossbred progeny for less crutching.

ONLINE AUCTION

027 433 6443

“I thought so too,” said Mildred, “but this one’s eating’ my popcorn!”

7:30PM

NZDFA will hold an online auction to raise funds for members of our deer farming community whose lives have been tipped upside down by Cyclone Gabrielle.

We have already had generous offers of stag semen, fencing gear, accommodation at holiday homes.

Hosted on Bidr.co.nz

CJ & DJ Dunnett, Christchurch

Thursday 9th March - 7pm

Online Bidr Auction

> 28 Mixed Aged Suffolk Ewes

> 14 Suffolk Ewe Lambs

All females will have videos and SIL data available to view on Bidr®

To register for Bidr® please go to www.bidr.co.nz. If you would like assistance registering please call the bidr team on 0800 TO BIDR (0800 86 2437).

Catalogue available via the agent or at www.hazlett.nz/livestock/sale-catalogues

Further enquiries: Alex Jarman 027 462 0129

Clevedon Cattle Corporation Limited

We are offering joint venture grazing to interested parties.

– We buy them

– You graze them

– 50/50 on all profits

> 190 2th Ewes > 300 4th Ewes > 190 Ewe Lambs Breeding Rams >12 Ram Lambs All purchased ex Mt Cass, Waipara Bidr® online bidding option available if you cannot attend the auction. To register for Bidr® please go to www.bidr.co.nz. If you would like assistance registering please call 0800 TO BIDR (0800 86 2437). Wiltshire Flock for sale at Coalgate Saleyards Tuesday 14th March - 1pm start Further enquiries: Phil Manera 027 462 0125 www.dyerlivestock.co.nz Ross Dyer 0274 333 381 STOCK REQUIRED BREEDING EWES FRSN BULL CALVES 150-200kg 300-380kg 18MTH HEIFERS 18MTH BULLS 330-450kg 380-450kg 18MTH STEERS 18MTH HERE BULLS 1YR ANG & ANG AX STEERS 500-600kg COWS WITH CAF E info@rdlfinance.co.nz A Financing Solution For Your Farm 37 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 6, 2023 Livestock 37

Large to small scale. South Auckland & Waikato regions. Call Hugh Green Jnr on 021 888 412 or email admin@clevedoncattle.co.nz for all enquiries.

MT MABLE ANGUS Stud Quality Heifers

● 10 Stud quality replacement heifers carrying the best genetics from renowned Mt Mable Angus Stud

● BVD Tested Clear, BVD and 10 in 1 Vaccinated

Stud Quality Heifer sale

Thursday 23rd March 2023 - 7:30pm

Enquiries and inspection invited. Kevin or Megan FRIEL ph: (06) 376 4543 or (027)625 8526 kev.meg.co@xtra.co.nzwww.mtmableangus.co.nz

● Breedplan Recorded, DNA profiled, parent verified and will be genomically profiled before sale

● TB Status C10

● Herd completely free of known genetic defects

● All vetted in calf to easy calving specialist heifer mating bulls with calving dates detailed.

LK0114412©

WHANANAKI COASTAL CHAROLAIS REDUCTION SALE

Wednesday 23 September

1.00pm | Whananaki

Comprising:

• 36 - MA In Calf Charolais Cows 28 - 1st Calving Charolais Hfrs

3 - Open MA Cows (Suitable for ET)

For further information please contact: Craig & Greta Harman

Vendors 09 433 8253

Enquiries: Cam Heggie 027 5018182

HIGH BW

HERD & REPLACEMENT DISPERSAL

Thursday 30 March

11.30

Machinery | 12.00 Herd

2528 Cambridge Road, Te Awamutu

A/C PV Ward & VR Gale

Herd Comprising:

79 Frsn/Frsn X/Jsy X Incalf Cows A2/A2 BW 227 PW 269 RA 100%

• 39 Frsn/Frsn X/Jsy X Incalf Cows A1/A2 BW 227 PW 269 RA 100%

39 Frsn/Frsn X R2yr Incalf Heifers BW 275 PW 289

• 26 Frsn/Frsn X R1yr Heifers BW 313 PW 324

Vendors instructions go straight to auction. This 3 digit herd code has been in the family since 1969. Herd calving 17th July, for 6 weeks LIC custom mate tailed off with XBred bulls, bulls out 27th Dec (Scanned to dates). Herd Ave 400 m/s on system 2, ave SCC 137, once a day. After Xmas BWs up to 368 PWs up to 531. Good history of contract mate cows 70% of cows A2/A2. Incalf heifers calving 17th July to Jsy bulls, bulls out 20th Dec. Heifers well grown & in excellent condition. Herd TB C10, EBL Free, BVD Neg, MBovis not detected, shed drenched, H/Bone shed. Closed herd. Catalogues available after herd test on 10th March.

Machinery Listings:

Inshed Drench System, 32 Teat Mobile Calfeteria, 2 x 15 Teat Calfeteria on Stands, 2 x 1000 Litres Colostrum Tanks, Suzuki TF 125, Honda TRX 420 4X4, 2 x PK Troughs, Hardi Boomsprayer, Calf Meal Troughs, Ford 3000 Tractor, Mowzip Topper, Grades Blade, Hydraulic Tip Trailer, Lely Hay Rake, Cambridge Roller, Levelling Bar, Tip Trailer, Kyhn Disc Mower, Giltrap M25 Feed Wagon, UDY Bale Feeder - Non hydraulic, 3 Test buckets, Urea Spreader, Reels & Standards.

Delivery - Immediate delivery unless prior arrangement is made before the sale.

Payment - Livestock 1st June 2023

Payment - Machinery on day or 14 days for full PGW account holders. Dean Evans 027 243 1092

NZ can bless the rains down in America

Stratospheric cow slaughter tallies have essentially clogged US beef supply for a

period over the past year or two.

THE news from exporters continues to be positive for bull farmers.

The United States market for manufacturing beef fell away noticeably in the fourth quarter of last year, but has been on an upwards trajectory since, really gaining pace since the start of February.

Prices for the US’s own lean grinding beef have lifted US24c/ lb since mid-December, and the imported market that New Zealand trades on has jumped by a similar margin. Once you factor in the better exchange rate, imported 95CL bull meat is paying around NZ$1.70/kg more than at that low point in December, and imported 90CL cow meat is up $1.10kg since then.

The main driver here is the US cow kill, or rather what it’s expected to do over the coming months.

Much of the US experienced severe drought for an extended

With beef breeders having to reduce numbers to manage feed, that sent the cow kill through the roof.

In the year to late-January, cow slaughter tallies were the highest since at least 2006.

Therefore US traders have been flush with their own supplies of lean grinding beef.

However, overseas analysts are picking a swift change of tune in these supplies.

Other than a pocket of land around Kansas, the worst of the drought has essentially broken. And with weather forecasters picking a switch from La Niña to El Niño, conditions should, in theory, continue to improve as the year progresses, pushing the industry into “herd rebuild” mode. US buyers are aware of this and are willing to pay more to secure extra product now, on the assumption that they could battle to find their required volumes late in the year as the cow kill really starts to tank.

The last big US drought was back in 2012 and early-2013, and was

Make decisionsyour easier

US buyers are willing to pay more to secure extra product now, on the assumption that they could battle to find their required volumes late in the year as the cow kill really starts to tank.

followed by a massive drop-off in the cow kill, which in turn sent imported grinding beef prices skywards in 2014 and 2015. And the re-emergence of China has added a bit more urgency to this activity for those that look to NZ and Australia for product.

China was taking a reasonable volume in the last few months of

last year, but orders and prices paid have kicked up a gear since the nation has come back from the Chinese New Year break.

They will likely be even more active over the next few weeks, given Brazil is temporarily unable to supply China with beef after detecting an atypical mad cow disease case.

Imported 95CL bull meat prices have jumped more than other cuts under the manufacturing beef banner, but this can be blamed on NZ’s slow bull kill.

The bulk of cattle classes in NZ were killed at around normal levels in December and January, but bull throughput was the lowest in nine years, 13% less than last year.

There are a few factors working against NZ exporters, though.

For one, the Australian beef kill is set to lift this year now they’re a few years into post-drought herd rebuilding.

That’ll especially mean more cows hitting the slaughter system considering few have been culled since the start of the pandemic.

The other is alternative proteins. The US chicken and pork industries are running at full blast again, sending prices for these meats down.

US inventories of chicken and pork were up 12% and 19% on last year at the end of January. Eventually this will flow down to retail pricing and ultimately lead to consumers buying more of these meats in place of beef, especially as inflation means consumers are tightening their belts.

MOVING AGAIN: The current dynamics in the United States beef market spell good news for New Zealand bull farmers.

Photo: Natwick

while, but the drought there has broken – and that’s good news for bull farmers in New Zealand

Reece Brick MARKETS Beef

Weekly saleyards

Despite so many weather-related issues, store markets have made some surprisingly strong moves, and store lamb trading has had a boost. In the North Island it has been a numbers game – Feilding has sold 20,000 fewer lambs than average for this time of the year. The South Island has had rain and is more confident after the freshen-up. The first Southern Man cattle sale was well supported by purchasers and vendors. Cattle sold to Otago, Canterbury and the North Island. The exceptional line-up of beef cattle set the market fairly in line with current schedules and environment.

| February 28 | 366 cattle, 249 sheep

Park | February 28 | 244 cattle, 1923 sheep

Cattle Sheep Deer

Fertiliser

Forestry

Dairy

Grain

Close of market

Listed Agri shares

Finally, North Islanders catch a break

Philip Duncan NEWS Weather

THE North Island storms so far this year have been relentless. Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle, the squash zone event that flooded Auckland on January 27, and others, then more flash flooding in the past seven days. Now we’re seeing March kick off with a (likely temporary) pattern change –with longer and larger dry spells coming into the North Island. Relief.

La Niña is likely finished this month. The Bureau of Meteorology out of Australia says indicators show La Niña is continuing to ease, even though it has taken nearly two months longer than originally expected. But just because it’s fading doesn’t mean a major change is coming.

It’s a bit of one step forwards and one step backwards as we see La Niña easing but at the same time the cyclone season peaks ... so, put simply, we may not notice

the change for another couple of months.

As La Niña fades we’re also seeing more energy from the Southern Ocean (normal for this time of year to see weather systems “waking up” south of New Zealand). This has been evident in southern and eastern areas having

We talked to JCB LOADALL owners across NZ about how it impacts their operation.

a colder southerly change coming in each week. We see more of that coming up – and still plenty of summer-like warmth in the mix, too. Some of those southerlies may contribute to rain in the eastern North Island – and not all of it will be heavy tropical storms; some of it may just be your typical wet

southerly moving through.

Long range, we’re seeing a lot of low pressure remain in the tropics for the next two months –and while we’re also seeing a good mixture of high pressure zones coming into NZ too, the risk in between highs for a tropical or sub-tropical rainmaker is elevated. Hopefully the worst is behind us, but we can’t rule out future heavy rain heading down to NZ from the north.

Elsewhere, those in Southland and Otago have seen further relief, but very hit and miss. The drought/big dry in some parts of southern NZ may ease for some in the coming month, due to the Southern Ocean becoming more active (or put another way,

becoming more “autumnal” – what a great word!).

Long range into winter, Southland and Otago may not see a huge amount of rain to return things to normal, so be prepared for the dry to linger for longer in some locations.

Upcoming highlights

• Temperatures lift in Southland following a cool weekend

• Apart from a few showers on Monday March 6, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne have more dry weather coming

• Northland, Auckland and Waikato look to lean drier than average for the first half of March

• Still plenty of hot days in the mix for inland areas

• Southern Ocean showing more signs of life

• Tropics remain active this month and likely in April too

• Generally speaking, northern NZ looks to lean 0.5degC warmer than normal in March, and southern NZ heading for 1.1degC warmer than average

When it comes to a JCB LOADALL, farmers across New Zealand who own one (or more) universally agree on one thing - that they couldn’t imagine running their business without one!

To watch the full testimonials of JCB LOADALL owners and operators, or for more information about how a JCB LOADALL can make your operation more efficient, visit our website.

Here’s what they said...

JCB LOADALL OWNERS

“ YOU DON’T REALISE HOW MUCH BETTER HAVING A JCB TELEHANDLER IS UNTIL YOU’VE GOT ONE! ”

THOMAS KERSHAW T Kershaw Contracting, Greytown

FOR VIDEOS, TESTIMONIALS AND OTHER INFORMATION GO TO: JCBAGRICULTURE.CO.NZ YOU’LL WONDER HOW YOU FARMED WITHOUT IT.

As La Niña fades we’re also seeing more energy from the Southern Ocean –it’s normal for this time of year to see weather systems “waking up” south of New Zealand.

March 2023