Ag&Ed

Volume 130 I November 7th, 2022 I email:agined@agrihq.co.nz I www.farmersweekly.co.nz/agined

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EMPOWERING WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE – THE SOUTHLAND WOMAN SHARING HER PASSION

Follow this link to watch the episode https://www.youtube.

com/watch?v=iKi1zBdjGsQ

Laura Douglas embodies resilience and uses her experiences to share her passion for agriculture with other women. Including running her own business Real Country which is all about showcasing real, rural New Zealand. 1 Where in NZ is Laura based? 2 What does Laura believe are the key attributes needed when starting out in a rural career?

STRETCH YOURSELF:

1 When did Laura set up Real Country? 2 Do some research, what other jobs has Laura done in her life? 3 What happened in March 2020 that made

Laura change direction in her business? 4 Laura runs the Fairlight Foundation. What is this and what do they do? 5 Do some research. How do interns get places at

The Fairlight Foundation? 5a How long is the internship? 5b What do they learn? 6 What is Laura’s long-term goal?

LOOKING AT THIS NZ CATTLE KILL GRAPH CAN YOU ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS?

1 On this graph when was cattle kill at its highest On this graph when was cattle kill at its highest this year? 2 When was it at its lowest this year?

STRETCH YOURSELF:

1 In what months this year has cattle kill been above 2021 levels? 2 In what months did it fall below 2021 levels? Can you think of reasons why this may be? 3 Towards the end of October there is a trough in both last years levels and the 5-year average, can you explain this? (hint: think about anything that affects working week length at this time) 4 Looking at the trends from previous years what would you expect levels to do from here until Christmas?

In China there is reportedly a 26-story pig farm facility under construction. The facility will be one of China’s most modern breeding farms and boasts lower costs, better ecological outcomes and labour efficiency. To read more head to https://www.pigprogress.

net/the-industrymarkets/market-trends-analysisthe-industrymarkets-2/under-construction-a-26storey-pig-house/?fbclid=IwAR31Uld0Vd3DyhBqQIa KCIbtemwA0BjfUCdj14yGG05JFsHMn_IWmN0mTkk

1 How many sows and boars will be How many sows and boars will be housed in the new complex? 2 How many pigs will be on each floor of the building?

STRETCH YOURSELF:

1 Do some research. How much pork does China consume each year? 2 How much of this is produced in China and how much do they import? 3 Looking at the estimated production of the new facility. What percentage of the countries yearly consumption would it be able to provide? 4 One of the major shareholders of the corporation that owns the complex is a local cement producer. How will providing the heating for the pig farm benefit them? 5 What will the pig manure be converting into? 6 If the building is 400,000m2 and has 26 floors, approximately what square footage is each floor? 6b Using the approximate square footage of one floor and that there will be 1000 sows per floor. How much area does each sow have?

Agricultural emissions are a hot topic with everyone in the food and fibre sector trying to keep up with what the government decides to implement next. Pricing of agricultural emissions is obviously of great concern to everyone involved in our agricultural industries. Obviously different sectors each have their own systems and outputs. Pork was one of the industries that the government has been looking at in this primary sector climate action partnership proposal. The government has proposed to exclude pig farming from emissions pricing from 2025. To read more head to https://www.farmersweek-

ly.co.nz/pig-farmers-welcome-emissions-exception/?fbclid=IwAR16_WWxDbx3vtvJD9gie8CYL8ebLi7dmZmr-fie661h-eZJsXpT9Yr8STk

1 Why has the government made this decision? 2 According to Brent Kleiss how much of the total agricultural emissions in NZ are estimated to stem from pig farming per year?

STRETCH YOURSELF:

1 Why would there be a great amount of uncertainty on pricing for pig farmers as opposed to sheep farmers? 2 How have pig farmers started reducing emissions on farm? 3 What steps has NZPork’s climate change strategy taken to try and achieve their carbon neutral commercial pig farms? 4 When do they hope to have achieved this goal? Do you think that this is realistic? Needed? Why or why not?