Farmers Weekly NZ December 14 2020 by AgriHQ

8 Otago seeks clarity on new rules Vol 18 No 49, December 14, 2020

farmersweekly.co.nz

Land Champions Our picks for 2020

LIKE TO PUT BACK IN WHAT YOU GET OUT? THE FEELING’S MUTUAL.

As a mutually owned insurer, any profits we make go straight back into the business, not shareholders’ pockets. If that sounds good to you, ask around about us. Or better still, call us now on 0800 366 466. FMG0862FWFPS_M

We’re here for the good of the country.

$3.95

Incl GST

NEWS

ON FARM STORY

10 Top RWNZ award for shearer

A competitive and world record-holding shearer, Sarah Higgins’ passion for shearing has earned her a top award at the NZI Rural Women NZ 2020 Business Awards.

22 Farming through the generations

Members of Guy Bell’s family have been farming in Hawke’s Bay for five generations, with his sons making it six.

REGULARS News ��1-8 Land Champions �� 9-21 On Farm Story �� 22-23 Real Estate �� 25-29 Tech and toys �� 30-31 Employment �� 31 Classifieds �� 32-33 Livestock �� 33-35 Weather �� 37 Markets �� 36-40

17 Driving force behind water quality

Lloyd McCall’s lightbulb moment was initially marked by horror, but quickly changed to defiance and determination to fix it.

20 In it for the long haul Prem Maan is playing the long-term game when it comes to sustainable dairy farming.

GlobalHQ is a farming family owned business that donates 1% of all advertising revenue in Farmers Weekly and Dairy Farmer to farmer health and well-being initiatives. Thank you for your prompt payment.

AFFCO.co.nz For more than 100 years, AFFCO has been taking the finest New Zealand meat to the world and achieving the highest returns for our farmers. But don’t confuse our age with our attitude. We’re a modern and progressive business, equipped with the latest technology and working at the leading edge of the industry. We’re proud to introduce our new website to the world. It’s simpler, it’s faster, it’s here.

WWW.AFFCO.CO.NZ

WAVE25893

say hello to

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

EDITORIAL

Together we weathered the pandemic storm

HAT a year 2020 has been. To say it has been a challenge would be somewhat of an understatement. The global pandemic that shut down the nation took away jobs, money and hope for many. It also took away our ability to come together as communities, which is the centre of life for most. But we came together in other ways. We came together to make sure our neighbours had groceries. We came together to make sure essential work could carry on and those doing it were supported. And, we came together collectively as a nation to mostly rid New Zealand of covid-19. That effort has borne fruit in the way we can move around the country free of the restrictions many others still face. Through all this, our primary industries continued to flourish. Food is perhaps the most essential thing to living and our farmers and growers continued to produce, despite some tricky challenges. And the world continued to buy it, reinforcing the fact that food production is the bedrock of our economy. As lockdown started we were unsure whether we’d be able to continue to publish Farmers Weekly, as at first it wasn’t designated as essential. But wise heads prevailed and the fantastic GlobalHQ team found a way to get the news you need to you each day. It’s been our privilege to serve New Zealand’s primary industries this year in our own small way. The challenges won’t disappear with the end of the year, but farming is well placed to thrive despite them. The pandemic has in some ways hastened the evolution of agriculture towards a more sustainable future. When consumers are worried about their health they gravitate towards the best food they can find – we need to ensure that food is grown here. Change is never easy but if 2020 has shown us anything, it’s that New Zealanders can meet the sternest of obstacles and work together to overcome them. So as we sign off for 2020, we’d like to thank you, NZ’s farmers and growers, for the work you do year in and year out. Have a great festive season, and we’ll see you in 2021.

Bryan Gibson

Rise in confidence of pastoral farmers SENTIMENT remains at negative levels among New Zealand farmers in the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, despite rural confidence rising to its highest level since late 2019. After falling marginally in the September 2020 quarter, the final survey found net farmer confidence was up to -23% from -32% recorded in the last quarter. The survey, which was completed last month, found a small increase in the number of farmers expecting agricultural economic conditions to improve in the coming 12 months, while there were less farmers expecting conditions to worsen. The number expecting the performance of the agricultural economy to stay the same rose to 44% from 40% last quarter. Confidence was up among the pastoral sector with dairy, sheep and beef farmers citing improved demand and overseas markets as the key reasons for a positive outlook, Rabobank New Zealand chief executive Todd Charteris says. “Demand for NZ dairy products has held up well since the last survey in September and GDT event results have trended upwards over recent months,” he said. He says Fonterra’s recent 40 cent lifting of the midpoint of its farm gate milk price range would have boosted spirits among dairy industry participants. While sentiment was up this quarter, Charteris says overall confidence among pastoral farmers remained mired in negative territory amid concerns over government policy and covid-19. Farmer expectations for their own farm business were also up, driven by improved expectations among dairy farmers. Satisfaction rates between farmers and their banks were also down. In a separate survey of 1341

BOOST: Rabobank New Zealand chief executive Todd Charteris says Fonterra’s recent 40 cent lifting of the midpoint of its farm gate milk price range would have boosted spirits among dairy industry participants.

Grower confidence slipped marginally from September, with this largely attributable to concerns related to covid-19 and the associated labour shortages in the sector. Todd Charteris Rabobank farmers by ResearchFirst on behalf of Federated Farmers, 65.4% said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their bank relationship. That’s down from 68.5% from the Feds’ survey in May.

Federated Farmers president and commerce spokesperson Andrew Hoggard says satisfaction had slipped over the past three years from 80.8% in November 2017. “That’s probably no great surprise. Banks have been trying to reduce their exposure to agricultural lending as it is considered risky, including by the Reserve Bank,” Hoggard said. “Banks put the pressure on farmers to reduce their debt when commodity prices are good to put them into a better position to weather the next downturn, and there is also a trend by banks to diversify agricultural lending from dairy to other sectors, especially horticulture.” He says agricultural debt had been squeezed down as a result and dairy farming has been bearing the brunt, with dairy debt down almost $2 billion over the past year to $39b.

When you run a farming business, there’s no time for standing still.

Our obsession

is driving your farming business further

Which is why you need easy, reliable access to fuel, at competitive prices, for all the equipment that drives your farm every day. With a Ruralco card, you’ll consistently save at least 12c o� the pump price at over 340 outlets, nationwide. And with a single monthly billing system, you save time, money and get a clear picture of your monthly fuel consumption. Get trusted advice, convenient service and the best price. Join Ruralco today - we’re obsessed with agriculture.

0800 787 256

ruralco.co.nz

OBSESSED WITH AGRICULTURE

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

Environment research funding fragmented Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz THE Government needs to reconsider the way it funds environmental research, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton says. In a report released on Wednesday, he says public funding of environmental research is fragmented, which makes it hard to respond to long-term environmental problems such as climate change, freshwater quality and biodiversity loss. The report, a review of the funding and prioritisation of environmental research in New Zealand, asks what gets funded and why. It outlines how the current funding allocation system for environmental research is disconnected from government priorities and proposes replacing it, in part, with a funding system solely focused on environmental research. “No single agency is responsible for ensuring that our investment in environmental research spans the range of knowledge gaps that need to be filled,” Upton said. “There should be a strong link between the priorities the Government articulates and where the funding is allocated.” He says the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) needs to develop an environmental research strategy and dedicated long-term funding for environmental research should be ring-fenced – similar to money set aside for the Health Research Council of NZ – and explicitly linked to the research strategy. Upton puts forward two models for distributing research funds, one of which would involve the establishment of a dedicated Environmental Research Council, the other promoting change through altering the roles of key

government agencies and the skills available to them. He says under both options all institutions with relevant expertise should be able to access available funds, whether they are negotiated or contestable, with funds allocated by people with strong experience in what environmental research entails, and matauranga Maori would be integrated in a way that allows both matauranga and science to prosper.

It is disappointing that no increase in funding is proposed, only its reorganisation. Yet our economy depends on this environment being healthy, both for ecotourism and reputation for dairy, wine and food production. Professor Mark Costello University of Auckland

“The emphasis should be on collaboration, thereby providing a strong incentive for research institutions independent of central government, such as tertiary institutions and independent research organisations, to align their work with the proposed environmental research strategy,” he said. Depending on how environmental research is defined it is estimated that in the 2018-19 financial year, total investment in it was between $427 million and $516m. Upton makes no comment about whether that investment

is enough, as it falls outside the purpose of his review. University of Auckland School of Biological sciences associate professor Cate Macinnis-Ng welcomes Upton’s report. “Because the current funding model lacks central coordination, we have a large number of knowledge gaps in ecology and broader environmental sciences,” Macinnis-Ng said. “In particular, we do not have long-term monitoring such as the long-term ecological research networks in Australia and the US, and our environmental databases and collections are chronically underfunded. “We are therefore well behind other countries in detecting and understanding long-term environmental change processes such as climate change and biodiversity loss.” She says although NZ has had many conservation successes, including around pest eradication, they are very patchy with uneven distribution of research funds. University of Auckland School of Environment professor Mark Costello says the report is correct in pointing out the present system is not fit for purpose, and does not provide and manage national environmental and biodiversity data in sufficient breadth, depth and frequency to enable evidencebased management. The study estimates just 10% of current national research funding goes to environmental research, which Costello says is appalling. “NZ has one of the highest species extinctions rates of any country in the world; polluted rivers and lakes are overrun by introduced pests, and only fragments of natural habitats exist on some islands, remote fjords and in marine reserves,” Costello said. “It is disappointing that no increase in funding is proposed, only its reorganisation. Yet our economy depends on this

CONNECTION: Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton says there needs to be a strong link between government priorities and environmental research funding allocation. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

environment being healthy, both for ecotourism and reputation for dairy, wine and food production.” NZ Association of Scientists president professor Troy Baisden says aspects of the recommendations resemble what some people consider one of the worst funding mechanisms: investments from 2005 to 2015 in ecological research supported the policy needs of operational agencies at the perceived expense of long-term science investment and excellence. “Despite this, the already large investment by agencies such as regional councils raises the question of whether central government should better support work, particularly environmental monitoring, that is of national

interest, but beyond immediate benefit to local ratepayers, or beyond a particular agency’s interests,” Baisden said. “More broadly, the 2010 report of the CRI taskforce is not mentioned and should be: it highlighted that stable science institutions should have the leadership to manage and account for funds, and attract international advisory boards to review their success.” Baisden says a return to such a simplified, stable public good model should be considered along with the recommendation for an Environmental Research Council, which was compared only to the status quo’s array of funding sources and governance mechanisms.

FAMILY BRINGING THEIR DOG ONTO YOUR FARM THIS CHRISTMAS? MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THEIR VET DOSE IT FOR SHEEP MEASLES BEFORE COMING!

For more information or resources contact Ovis Management on 0800 222 011 or go to www.sheepmeasles.co.nz or www.facebook.com/sheepmeasles/

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

M bovis tracing system working Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz THE eradication of Mycoplasma bovis is going to plan and looking to track down the final infected properties, before moving to longterm surveillance some time next year. M bovis programme director Stuart Anderson says 2020 has seen significant progress in driving down the number of farms affected by the cattle disease. The year started with 25 active confirmed properties and 193 confirmed properties under active surveillance. By late September, the number of infected properties had dwindled to one, but a cluster of new infected properties in Canterbury has the number back up to nine as of December 3. In total, there have been 259 confirmed M bovis infected properties, of which 250 have been cleared of infection. Of these, 137 confirmed properties have been beef, 64 dairy and 58 classified as other, including calf rearing, grazing and lifestyle. The national surveillance programme has been actively

ONGOING: M bovis programme director Stuart Anderson says while they’re on track to eradication, there’s still a lot of hard work ahead and they expect to find more infected herds.

looking for pockets of infection not currently known to the network of infected farms. Beef surveillance as of November 11 has tested more than 86,000 cattle from 4000 farms across New Zealand with no infected properties notified. Anderson says this continues to give confidence that the disease is not widespread in the beef sector. Bulk milk tank (BTM) testing up until November 18 has screened 324 detect results with 13 infected properties identified following

on-farm investigation. “While we’re on track to eradication, there’s still a lot of hard work ahead of us and we do expect to find more infected herds as we track down the remaining pockets of infected farms,” he said. “Now, we all need to stay vigilant and not ease off if we’re going to track down and eradicate this disease, one that could have caused an estimated $1.3 billion in lost productivity over 10 years. “Eradicating it protects the productivity of the cattle sectors,

New docking rules coming AS THE 2020 lambing season comes to a close, farmers, sheep owners and tailing contractors are being encouraged to think ahead, with new sheep taildocking regulations set to take effect next year. The regulations aim to improve sheep welfare by clarifying how tail-docking should be done and who can carry it out. There are new offences and penalties for breaches of the rules. From May, a sheep’s tail cannot be docked shorter than the distal end of the caudal fold. This means the tail needs to be long enough to cover the

vulva in ewes, and a similar length in rams. Docking too short could result in a fine of $500, or $1500 for a business. If multiple sheep are involved that could lead to court proceedings. Docking of sheep under six months old must be done using a hot iron or rubber ring. Any other method could result in a $500 fine. For sheep older than six months, the procedure can only be done by a veterinarian, using pain relief. Not doing so could result in a criminal conviction and fine of up to $3000, or $15,000 for a business. Raising awareness now, while

tailing is still front of mind for many, is key in ensuring no one is caught out by the changes. “We know that people care about their livestock and want to follow the rules. Many will already be meeting these requirements, but some will have to make changes to their practices for next year,” veterinarian and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Animal Health and Welfare director Dr Chris Rodwell said. The regulations come into effect on May 9, along with others covering a variety of surgical procedures carried out on a wide range of animals.

reduces our reliance on antibiotics and ensures animal welfare.” The main means of M bovis spread in NZ is through movements of infected cattle and calves drinking infected milk. Good National Animal Identification Tracing (Nait) records remain key in tracking movements of infected animals faster and stopping the spread of the disease. “Incomplete Nait records make tracing infected cattle a difficult job and our national surveillance tools like the BTM screening programme and beef sector surveillance have been developed to not only help find any remaining infection faster, but to give us all confidence long-term that NZ is free from the disease,” he said. The eradication programme is funded by a combination of farmer levies and taxpayer money. “The $350 million spend to date has got us to this point, but there is more work to do over the next few years as we finish tracking down infection and then testing to ensure freedom from disease,” he said. “Given the investment to date, it’s important everyone does their bit and is vigilant with their Nait and on-farm biosecurity.” National surveillance includes routine testing of the dairy sector’s BTM and beef sector surveillance, both of which, Anderson says, will be a key component in providing confidence in the future that NZ is free from the disease. Through the BTM programme several new properties were found over the 2020 spring milking season. “This showed our national surveillance programme working as it should – detecting possible cases and showing us where we need to look to eliminate the infection,” he said. The nine new infected properties in Canterbury, eight in Mid-Canterbury and one in the Selwyn district, were all picked up through the spring BTM testing. All were identified through tracing animal movements from one of the three Mid-Canterbury

It’s important to note this is not an outbreak, this supports that we are dealing with an isolated cluster connected by animal movements. Stuart Anderson farms initially picked up. Anderson says this was expected. “There continues to be no evidence this is widespread, no additional farms in the area have been detected in subsequent BTM screenings,” he said. “It’s important to note this is not an outbreak, this supports that we are dealing with an isolated cluster connected by animal movements. “More infected properties were expected over spring and the numbers found were well within what had been forecast.” As fewer cases are found, the M bovis programme’s efforts in next year will focus on national surveillance to provide confidence that the disease is eradicated. “We’re working harder to find fewer properties and looking to track down the final infected properties and move to long term surveillance some time in 2021,” he said, An independent technical advisory group is currently reviewing the existing performance measures and will provide technical advice to support the next stage of the programme. Anderson expects this report will be complete in the first half of next year. Meantime, as infected property numbers dwindle, he acknowledged the support of farmers and rural communities. “We can not downplay the major traumatic experience for infected property farmers and rural communities, we recognise that and thank them for working through this with us,” he said.

Increase your farms productivity with PFP’s Lime Prills • Cost effective, low application rates reduce the applied cost • The higher the purity and finer the grind, the better the results

Call us now for an information pack – includes a free sample 06 858 5235 or email: info@pfpfert.co.nz

www.pfpfert.co.nz

Ultra-fine particle technology working for you

LK0100870©

• Unlock your soils full potential with an optimum pH

RAV-14DEC-FW-NI

Buy yourself some time N-Protect®

Cert TM

Adam Williamson – Sharemilker Read Adam’s story on our website.

You can’t count on the weather, but you can control how much you get from your N fertiliser. Research shows the risk of urea N-loss from volatilisation spring to autumn averages 18%, unless 10mm of water falls within 8 hours - and that’s a tough call in dry summer conditions. N-Protect’s urease inhibitor coating limits N-loss from volatilisation by up to 50%. Take control of your N-loss. Time it right with N-Protect.

Smarter farming for a better New Zealand® 0800 100 123 ravensdown.co.nz

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

Promising weather forecast Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz FARMING conditions heading into Christmas and the new year are a mixed bag for the North and South Islands, with some areas well placed heading into the heat of the summer and others struggling with dry conditions. Great pasture conditions and buoyant milk prices have put North Island farmers in good spirits, while the lack of rain in some areas of the South Island are capping off a tough year. Persistent rain and warm weather boosted grass growth over the past few months in Waikato, and with farmers managing to get summer crops in the ground and silage cut and baled, they are well set up if it turns into a dry summer.

From what I’ve heard, there’s a lot of silage that’s been made and there’s a lot of silage that can be bought and sold. Ben Moore Feds Federated Farmers dairy vicechair Ben Moore says he made two cuts of silage off his pasture in the past few months. His farm near Tirau got 150mm of rain over November. The only negative was a drop in production due to poorer grass quality. “But all the crops are looking good and the maize is already fence high,” he said. Moore says the good growing

conditions meant farmers are prepared as well as they can be if conditions turned dry after Christmas. “From what I’ve heard, there’s a lot of silage that’s been made and there’s a lot of silage that can be bought and sold,” he said. Hawke’s Bay had recovered well after suffering the worst of last season’s drought. Federated Farmers president Jim Galloway says pasture covers are looking very good across the region. Pasture quality had become more of an issue than quantity with farmers unable to keep control of the growth, causing it to go to seed in many paddocks. “Grass-wise we’re looking as good as we normally do going into this time of year. There are still some that are down on stock numbers and financially, we’re still recovering from it because it was a big hit,” Galloway said. At the bottom of the country, mild weather and periodic rainfall also had Southland farmers well placed heading into the heat of summer. Southland farmer and the region’s Federated Farmers provincial vice-president Bernadette Hunt says farmers were now wondering how the rest of the season would play out. “Southland’s in a pretty good place and we’re in that in-between time of ‘are we still going to get regular rain or is the tap going to be turned off?’” she said. She says summer feed crops were growing well and the region’s farmers were as well prepared as they could be if it turns dry. In contrast, significant areas of North Otago are looking dry, the region’s provincial president Jared Ross says. The region had only had about half on its average annual rainfall for the calendar year.

GREENER PASTURES: Favorable growing conditions in the North Island and in Southland have enabled farmers to make lots of supplementary feed.

“It’s been a tough year,” Ross said. While there had been some rain, strong winds had dried off any moisture it had provided. He says dryland farmers have had to grin and bear it. “There has been some premature stock movement, feed pricing is reflecting that,” he said. One dairy farmer told him he was paying 50 cents a kilogram for silage landing on the farm. “I’ve never heard of a number that high,” he said. The dry weather included parts of South Canterbury. It had also been a cold September, which kept spring growth back. While dry summers are not

unusual in the region, it was affecting farmers’ ability to source feed and forced them into making decisions around shifting off capital stock. Ross says that coupled with the concern many were feeling around the new freshwater rules meant the mood was not great among farmers. Irrigating farmers have had a slightly better season so far. A warm August meant irrigation demand was strong before dropping off in September due to cold weather. It has since picked up again, despite the strong winds. Conditions are patchy in North Canterbury with those farmers fortunate enough to have received

rain over the past few months in a better position than those who did not, Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Cameron Henderson says. Parts of inland North Canterbury and into Cheviot, which was typically dry at this time of year, had received enough rain to keep things longer than normal. In contrast, coastal farms had struggled. “It’s the luck of the draw as to whether you caught the fronts,” he said. While soil moisture levels are no worse than normal, he says farmers are very wary of the La Nina weather pattern forecasted this summer.

Otago, S Canterbury high fire risks Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz SUMMER looks like it will be dry with the predicted La Nina weather pattern expected to create the greatest fire risk in Otago and South Canterbury. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) wildfire specialist Graeme Still says NZ weather is influenced by a number of drivers of which La Nina will be one, and it will be felt greatest on the east of the South Island. “This summer, La Nina is the predominant weather feature,” Still said. “This means we are expecting the East Coast of the South Island, in particular Otago and South Canterbury, to be the highest risk areas this season.” “However, it is important to remember that NZ’s weather is influenced by a number of drivers and while La Nina may be the predominant feature, others will dominate at times.”

Early summer dry conditions in all of Otago and Nelson and parts of Hawke’s Bay has seen restricted fire season status imposed last week, while Canterbury and Marlborough have high fire risks. In the North Island there are dry areas in Northland, Auckland, Hauraki and Gisborne. “If the expected La Nina rainfalls don’t occur, areas in the North Island could experience higher fire risk danger levels this summer,” he said. Still says those living in rural communities, on lifestyle blocks, near town boundaries or large areas of scrub and bush, should protect their homes from the risk of fire. “This includes maintaining a defendable area free of vegetation around their homes and removing flammables such as firewood from up against the house,” he said. Regardless whether people have a permit, Still says if they

are planning to have a fire or carry out activities that could produce sparks, they should first carefully consider the conditions. “We encourage farmers to keep a close eye on the fire dangers in their areas as well as the forecast,” he said. For farmers working during extreme fire danger periods, Still says they should not use welders, chainsaws, slashers and reduce some tractor operations. Diesel trucks with exhausts higher than the cab should have spark-arrester shields fixed when carting hay, and harvester operators must be made aware of conditions, and therefore dangers, outside their airconditioned cabs. Still urged farmers and machinery operators to check bearings and moving parts to prevent sparking and to carry fire extinguishers, shovels, or knapsack sprayers during highfire danger periods.

PRECAUTION: FENZ wildfire specialist Graeme Still says farmers should keep a close eye on the fire dangers in their areas as well as the forecast.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

Otago seeks clarity on new rules Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz FARMERS attending a field day in Otago seeking more details about the Government’s new freshwater rules would have been disappointed. Organised by Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) and with the Otago Regional Council in attendance, many questions from farmers went unanswered due to the absence of interpretations and guidance from the Ministry for the Environment (MfE). More than 100 farmers attended the meeting on Berkley Hill, a 1000ha farm owned by brothers Hamish and Ralph Brown at Waitahuna. The Browns use direct drill instead of cultivation and had their winter crops sown by November 24, the earliest for many years. But under the Government’s new rules, for the next four years Otago and Southland farmers must have winter crops resown by November 1, and thereafter by October 1. Claims the resowing dates were unworkable were one of five issues raised by farmers at the meeting that could not be answered until there is MfE clarification.

The others were how to calculate the 10-degree slope for winter grazing, what species constitutes a fodder crop, the extent of feedlot rules and issues with the online slope maps. Otago Regional Council regulatory manager Richard Saunders tried to answer the questions he could, but noted much about the legislation remains unknown. He told farmers the council is working with Environment Southland and Horizons regional councils to develop an easy to use resource consent application form for intensive winter grazing. Saunders says they hope to have it ready by next February, but existing use rights apply for farmers who are not altering their wintering practices meant they will not need resource consent for the coming season. Otago has operated a permissive rules system, in which people can do as they like provided they do not breach limits, but Saunders says this means the impact of the freshwater changes will be greater here than any other province in New Zealand. The council expects the number of resource consents it has to process to increase from less than 400 a year to 2000, and are in the

Under the pump?

WATER CONCERNS: South Otago farmer Hamish Brown hosted a field day on new freshwater legislation.

process of recruiting more staff. Once farm environment plans are mandatory, these will guide how farmers manage activities such as intensive winter grazing, replacing the just-released rules. B+LNZ environment strategy manager Corina Jordan says the Government’s rules could have been even more oppressive had it not been for lobbying by primary sector bodies. The original proposal would have grandparented land use and required fences set back five metres from waterways, but success in pushing for changes shows the importance of being

involved in the process. “If we’re not at the table, others certainly will be at the table,” Jordan said. Jordan says the Government is being lobbied hard by farming groups and regional councils to make further changes, and there is consistency in the changes being sought. “It seems we are mostly singing from the same hymn sheet,” she said. Jordan says farming groups such as B+LNZ are urging the Government to use plans developed and written by industry. “We’ve written it for them to

hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz

Sam Whitelock Farmstrong Ambassador

For tips and ideas, visit farmstrong.co.nz

Corina Jordan B+LNZ

show how it can be done,” she said. But that does not mean the rules can be ignored, and urges farmers to understand them and use that knowledge to think of solutions.

PGW reaps spring demand Hugh Stringleman

When life gets busy remember to eat well, get quality sleep and keep active.

We’ve written it for them to show how it can be done.

PGG Wrightson has increased its earnings guidance by 50% less than halfway through the financial year. Chair Rodger Finlay says the rural servicing company is well placed to deliver earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of $57 million, including the lease accounting standard NZ IFRS16. That would be a 27% increase on FY20, including NZ IFRS16, and around $35m excluding, up 50%. He foreshadowed a minimum interim dividend of 10c to be declared in February based on the strong trading

performance. PGW shares immediately added 10%, increasing from $2.88 last Monday to $3.19 on Tuesday. Chief executive Stephen Guerin said the company had benefited from strong retail demand over spring, while livestock trading volumes and sale yard throughputs had been healthy. Rural and lifestyle real estate had enjoyed robust buyer interest. “With seven months to run in the financial year, unpredictability remains in world markets, but we are very pleased how PGW is tracking and optimistic about our prospects,” Guerin said. In FY20, the Ebitda inclusive

CONTRIBUTED: PGG Wrightson chief executive Stephen Guerin says the company benefited from strong retail demand over spring.

of NZ IFRS16 was $45.2m and $23.5m excluding the lease effects.

Land Champions

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

A life’s work of plant breeding Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz TEN years after the kiwifruit sector was all but wiped out by Psa, Te Puke plant breeder Russell Lowe takes some humble satisfaction knowing his work brought it back from the brink to become the country’s highest value horticultural crop. Lowe has been part of Plant & Food’s kiwifruit breeding programme at Te Puke for 30-plus years and while just retired, he continues to keep a watching brief on how future breeding work is coming along. Today’s world-leading kiwifruit breeding facility is a far cry from the wooden bungalow, maize crops and pile of orchard posts that greeted him and his wife when they arrived in the early 1970s. He had got the position after completing a major in chemistry at Canterbury and building an interest in horticulture while working in the Horotane Valley over the holidays. That had been followed by a stint at the then DSIR orchard in Appleby in the Tasman district as a horticultural technician. “And in those days when we arrived at Te Puke in 1972, it was largely citrus fruit throughout the Bay of Plenty, and the growing of kiwifruit was pretty limited,” he said. However, the Rogernomic reforms of the mid-80s requiring dollar for dollar investment by the industry, alongside government funding and a search for higher value crops, prompted more kiwifruit research. The original Gold kiwifruit, known as Hort 16A was hailed as the crop to help kiwifruit make another leap in value and returns until Psa struck in November 2010. “We soon discovered the majority of the diploid plant material was Psa sensitive, and this included 16A,” he said. Diploid genetics contain two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, while tetraploid have four sets of

PURSUIT: Russell Lowe says plant breeders will always strive to improve even the most perfect of fruits.

chromosomes, two from each parent. But Lowe and his team had also learnt well before Psa struck back in 1995, that they could improve shelf life and fruit size in Gold kiwifruit by using some tetraploid genetic material which had improved storage characteristics, albeit poorer taste. “It had started to look good, but 16A was doing well at the time so we stuck with it. But when Psa struck, we discovered the Gold3 tetraploid material was surviving quite well,” he said. Fortunately, there were semicommercial plots in place and hundreds of plants were at a mature enough stage to source grafts off. “Growers were able to just chop off their 16A and regraft the Gold3, initially registered as Zesy002, onto their original root stock. It meant in a couple of years the new fruit was in production again,” he said. Hailed as one of the quickest turnarounds in crop type anywhere, Lowe nevertheless has one eye on “where next?” The Gold3 plants were the

result of one female plant out of a batch of 2500, but that was in turn the result of 10 years and over 100,000 seedlings in total being reared, evaluated and discarded. “And that was just here in Te Puke,” he said. From that one fortuitous seedling the industry now has 5000ha of SunGold fruit in place, producing 75 million trays and generating over $1 billion of export earnings. A further 1400ha of additional plantings are to follow over the coming two years. “We are fortunate to have a good model where we are getting support from government research funding for plant development, and Zespri funds the commercial side of the programme, so we have a route to market for plants,” he said. Lowe recounts the intense pressure breeders and researchers were under to develop plants, treatments and responses to Psa, and it has earned significant recognition locally and globally for collaborative scientific success. Lowe himself has been

recognised by receiving the 2020 Plant Raisers Award by the Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture. In 2018, another Plant & Food team headed by Dr Bruce Campbell were also recognised with the Prime Minister’s Science Prize. Lowe has also just received a lifetime achievement award from Plant and Food Research as this year’s NZ Science awards, recognising excellence among Crown Research Institute scientists and researchers. Lowe says because Psa has been beaten back to a manageable level with the tolerant species, it does not mean the perfect plant has been crafted by him and his team. “We need to keep developing material that has good but different genetics to Gold3, and is still commercially viable. It is like a form of genetic insurance, should another disease incursion come along,” he said. Meantime, work also continues tuning up the recently launched red variety, another area Lowe has been working closely in. “We lost a lot of red plant material to Psa because it was diploid, and more vulnerable. We

Premium New Zealand Merino heirloom baby blankets

have found the version we have now has enough tolerance to Psa with good management to be commercially viable,” he said. Further work will involve boosting its fruit size and storage ability, possibly by combining with genetics from a tetraploid variety originally found in China, or via chromosome doubling techniques. He is optimistic about its future as Asian markets enjoy the colour and berry-like flavour it delivers. While much is made of geneediting technology, Lowe remains ambivalent about how soon it will usurp traditional breeding methods. “It will depend upon when our trading partners would be prepared to accept that type of technology,” he said. Meanwhile, challenges like climate change looms for breeders of a plant that relies upon winter chilling for flowering and cropping. At present, depending upon the winter, the sector uses a controversial spray called hydrogen cyanamide, or Hi-Cane, to promote flowering. “While we may use Hi-Cane now, for how long will that be possible? If it were to be banned, there would be a need for plants with genetics that did not require it. Researchers are working on alternatives, but it would be better to have genetics that did not require it,” he said. Contemplating retirement, Lowe says he hopes to retain regular contact with his colleagues at Plant and Food, and he’s particularly interested in how kiwi-berries, a relatively new but challenging fruit, progresses. He is also considering the options around rose breeding, an intensely commercial and competitive field still full of challenges. “I think I leave with a good succession plan in place,” he said. “Really it has come down to being part of a great team, and as breeders I think regardless of the plant, we will always think ‘what can we do better?’” The challenge is always there.”

de F liv ree Ch er y ris un tm til as

At Natures Gift For Baby we believe the key to a good nights sleep is a great blanket! Gentle on Baby’s skin and gentle on the environment.

www.naturesgiftforbaby.com

LK0105020©

5 timeless colours. $99ea

Land Champions

10 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

Top RWNZ award for shearer A competitive and world record-holding shearer, Sarah Higgins’ passion for shearing has earned her a top award at the NZI Rural Women NZ 2020 Business Awards. She talked with Annette Scott. SARAH Higgins’ Marlboroughbased shearing business breaks all the stereotypes of how a shearing crew might look and behave. “We strive to break through the status quo of the shearing industry,” Higgins said. And, it was her passion and commitment to harness her love of the land that has her Higgins Shearing business now firmly rooted in its local community. Running a mixed-gender team, Higgins works hands-on in the sheds day-to-day and when not on the shearing board, she assists in organising and sponsoring local shearing events and professional development for shearers and wool handlers. It was a combination of her commitment, outstanding leadership for the industry and support for the rural community that stood out to the judges when she was named the Supreme Award winner in the NZI Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) 2020 Business Awards. A win that was not expected. “It’s still sinking in. Some of the other category winners I follow are really successful people as well, and to even be compared with them is humbling.” Higgins says when encouraged to enter the awards she thought it would be a good opportunity to benchmark her company and get a good external overview of her business. “I never expected this, it is pretty exciting, a huge accolade to win,” she said. Higgins grew up on a sheep farm in Havelock North and from her childhood days loved sheep, wool and rural life. The now 28-year-old went on to spend three years studying

agriculture, majoring in marketing, at Lincoln University. It was never a plan to become a shearer, let alone run her own shearing business. But after completing her BCom-Ag she went travelling for two years, all of which she spent woolhandling as she made her way around the UK, Germany, Australia and back home in NZ. “I was going to use my degree very differently, like in marketing in the wool industry,” she said. “It just happened; by the time the two years were up, I had well and truly done my time woolhandling. “But I always said ‘I would love to learn to shear; how cool would it be to shear just one sheep?’” Shear one sheep Higgins did, and that one sheep had a significant bearing on her career path. “When I left school, having worked as a wool handler in the shed, I developed a real passion for wool and wanted to head in the direction of marketing,” she said. “But six months in an office role soon sorted that for me and I couldn’t get shearing out my system.” Her inspiration came from her passion for the job. “People were encouraging. It was amazing the support I got to shear more sheep, and then someone overheard my whisper about starting a business back home and the encouragement for that was incredibly inspiring,” she said. So, the planning began. “My partner at the time and I were going to start up a shearing business, but that fell apart, so I decided to do it by myself,” she said.

• Able to move easily between farms or cattle yards. • Unique electric winching mechanism easily lifts and lowers crush into position • All the features of our standard Stockman Cattle Crush • Road ready Tandem axle trailer unit • Toolbox for storage of accessories • (excludes scales and EID, and ORC)

I always said ‘I would love to learn to shear; how cool would it be to shear just one sheep?’ Sarah Higgins

COMMUNITY: Since shearing full-time, Sarah Higgins says she loves to see others excel in what is essentially a professional sport.

Five years on Higgins, and Higgins Shearing, have branded real success in the industry. With her mixed-gender team of eight, Higgins is full-time on the job, with her team predominantly shearing for the locals in the Marlborough region. I enjoy the day-to-day running of the business, but I love working in the shed and shearing.

• • • • •

“Farmers love our passion for the work we do and the commitment we put in to doing the best we can for their wool in such a professional manner,” she said. “Since shearing full-time, it is now my number one passion and I love to see others excel in what is essentially a professional sport.” Higgins mentors and supports

Heavy Duty Cattle Loading Ramp Inbuilt trailer unit ready for road transport Hot dipped galvanised frame with catwalk Light bar and lights (excludes ORC)

upcoming women shearers, while making an outstanding contribution to the wool industry and shearing community. As a competitive and world record-holding shearer herself, Higgins encourages her team to develop their skills by participating in shearing and woolhandling competitions. On the competitive side of her shearing, Higgins currently holds the nine-hour, four-stand lamb shearing world record, set in January 2020. “I was elbowed to give it a go; it’s been a great achievement but when I look back it was quite a selfish thing to do,” she said. “I was so focused on myself and training, I had to leave others to run my business for a bit. “I am so lucky to have people around me who have given me such support in all my shearing, both as a business and a sport. “It (the record) was such a massive thing to do, I’m not sure I’ll do it again – we’ll see.” Meantime, Higgins is confident the wool industry will pick up. “I feel like the pieces of the puzzle are there for a resurgence, but it just needs some sort of messaging and branding to get it together, and industry will need to work together on that,” she said. The shearer shortage has not presented any issues for her business. “We’ve been okay, I’ve managed to build up a team of locals and we stick together,” she said.

THANKS, FOR SUPPORTING NEW ZEALAND THROUGH A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER. 2020 has been a significantly challenging year for all of New Zealand and our farmers and growers have done us proud. From everyone at FMG, best wishes for the festive season.

0800 366 466 | www.fmg.co.nz

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here for the good of the country.

Land Champions

12 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

Conduit for growers, researchers Late last month Kiwifruit Vine Health liaison adviser and technical specialist Linda Peacock received the Minister’s Award at the New Zealand Biosecurity Awards, recognising more than 30 years of dedicated service to the industry. Colin Williscroft reports. WHEN Linda Peacock received her award from Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor she told the Wellington audience that a key part of her work involves providing a link between growers and researchers to ensure the collaboration the industry is renowned for continues. “I talk to people,” Peacock said. “I help people on the land understand what some of the big words mean and I tell scientists what those people want and have to know, so they can do what they do. It’s all about linkages and collaboration.” Not only does she provide technical and leadership support and help develop kiwifruit biosecurity research initiatives, Peacock is integral to the next steps of those research projects – interpreting outcomes and converting them into practical messages for growers and others in the industry. Over the years she has held a wide variety of roles in the industry, from picking fruit on a family orchard as a teenager to 10 years as technical manager at Direct Management Services (DMS) Progrowers, a Bay of Plenty kiwifruit and avocado orchard management and post-harvest operation. From there she joined Kiwifruit Vine Health, a biosecurity organisation that supports the kiwifruit industry in its recovery from Psa – a bacteria that can lead to the death of kiwifruit vines –

FOCUSED: Linda Peacock tagging kiwifruit vines as part of monitoring in Nelson last month.

and ensuring future resilience from similar threats. Peacock’s experience has not only helped develop industry-wide knowledge, it’s been essential in building trust, an essential element in her current role. She is a dedicated liaison and technical support specialist at the centre of growers, post-harvest organisations, contractors, merchants, researchers, technical advisors, interest groups, regional councils and others working towards biosecurity knowledge and best practice management of Psa. In a nutshell, being a conduit between growers and researchers. Peacock says the kiwifruit industry has a strong history of being well supported by science, as growers appreciate how important it is. For that relationship to work effectively, it is important to be clear from the outset what the

purpose of research is and what value it will provide. She says the industry works on an 80:20 rule. That is, if research is going to be undertaken there needs to be an 80% chance that it will result in something practical that growers can work with. That’s why growers are included in steering groups that help determine the direction of research. “Having them (growers) involved from the beginning helps to sort out the wheat from the chaff,” she said. Another aspect of her job is managing KiwiNet, the industry’s network of about 100 biosecurity champions who look to foster and share knowledge about biosecurity. Those involved also coordinate the deployment of resources into biosecurity responses, such as during the Auckland fruit fly outbreak in 2019 where 41 people

Photo: Supplied

contributed almost 700 “people days” into response operations. Peacock says the network was born out of a post-Psa review that found the industry was not focused enough on biosecurity and despite NZ’s relative isolation in an ocean at the bottom of the world, there were still exposure risks. Building on lessons learned from the Psa experience and work already done in this area by the forestry industry, which was further down the track in developing biosecurity preparedness plans, KiwiNet members began by looking at what potential pests and diseases that could be threats to the kiwifruit industry, what sort of impacts they could have and what could be put in place on a daily basis to deal with different scenarios if the industry found itself in that position. Workshops are held twice a

year so attendees can continue to build their knowledge, share ideas and expertise, and lift biosecurity expectations. There are also podcasts and articles that go into industry journals and newsletters. It’s all about sharing information. While a lot has changed since Psa arrived, Peacock says it is important to remember the lessons learned from the experience and not to allow complacency to creep in following the industry’s success so far in dealing with it. As part of that, she is keen to push ahead with the new Pathway Management Plan, which has been consulted on across the kiwifruit during the past year. She says after the Psa incursion the industry responded with a regulatory plan to deal with it. However, that plan only has a 10-year lifespan, which expires in 2023 and is solely focused on Psa. “The industry now has an opportunity to move forward and improve on what it knows by retaining the benefits of the current plan across the industry, but (also to) broaden its focus to include a wider range of pests,” she said. As kiwifruit growing expands and moves into new geographic areas containing other crops there will be a new set of challenges and the industry needs to be prepared for them. The Pathway Management Plan aims to help by establishing a new set of rules while also developing new tools and resources to help growers protect their investments. It’s hoped that after submitting the proposed plan to O’Connor, and going through the parliamentary process, it will be implemented as part of the Biosecurity Act by April 2022. Peacock says once that is in place the kiwifruit industry will be better placed to meet whatever future biosecurity challenges arrive.

“It’s alright to talk“

Want to talk? Connect to supports that can help you right now: 1737 Need to Talk? Is a mental health helpline number that provides access to trained counsellors who can offer support to anyone who needs to talk about mental health or addiction issues. It is free to call or text at any time. Youthline www.youthline.co.nz offers support to young people and their families, including online resources about a wide range of issues that affect young people. It can be contacted by calling 0800 376 633, texting 234, email (talk@youthline.co.nz) or online chat. Domestic violence and advice & support, call Women’s Refuge Crisis line 0800 733 843. 0800 787 254 www.ruralsupport.org.nz

Alcohol and drug helpline 0800 787 797.

What’s up www.whatsup.co.nz offers counselling to 5 to 18 year olds by freephone 0800 942 8787 (1pm-10pm Monday - Friday, 3pm-10pm weekends) or online chat. Mental health information and advice for children, teenagers and families is available on its website. The Lowdown www.thelowdown.co.nz is a website and helpline for young people to help them recognise and understand depression or anxiety. It also has a 24/7 helpline that can be contacted by calling freephone 0800 111 757 or texting 5626.

rural people helping rural people

Land Champions

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

A new lease on life Torrid life experiences proved to be Lindsay Wright’s apprenticeship for work with the Rural Support Trust in Southland. Neal Wallace talks to the former Wendonside farmer about the scratches and bruises that life has served up to him. LINDSAY Wright agonised for months about what to do with his fourth-generation family farm. The uncertainty was adding to his depression but in the end, the decision only took a few minutes to make once he started working with a counsellor to address his health issues. She asked him three questions: Did he want to stay as he was? Did he want to sell it? Did he want to employ a manager? The answer to all of those was no, leaving him with one option – leasing it out. “It literally took minutes to make a life-changing decision to lease the farm, but the weight coming off my shoulders that instant was unbelievable because suddenly I had a plan and a direction,” Wright said. The scratches and bruises acquired as he battled mental health issues were part of what Wright called a 55-year apprenticeship to prepare him for a career with the Southland Rural Support Trust. His illness gave him an affinity for the mental and emotional struggles many rural people face. Months before the decision to lease out his farm, Wright recalls the exact time and place that he realised he could no longer cope with his mental health issues alone. It was spring 2005 and he was on a lambing beat on his farm near Waikaia and had just driven through a gate. “I drove another 20m and stopped, I realised I couldn’t do this anymore,” he said. “Something had to change, but I wasn’t sure what.” He could not battle his demons alone. For weeks he had sat in front of his computer trying unsuccessfully to balance his budget to account for a sharp correction in new season lamb prices. Prime lambs, which had been worth $100 the previous season, were forecast to be worth $80, but Wright had geared his farm to function at the higher figure, having invested in a badly needed upgrade of machinery and equipment. “My expenses going out were not matching my income and I didn’t know what to do,” he said. Wright initially worked as a computer programmer in Sydney before returning home to the farm in 1982, in time to face the 1984 economic reforms known as Rogernomics. Farming on his own at the time, Wright survived by paring back all costs and doing work himself. “The first piece of mail I got when farming under my own name was an account from Southland Frozen Meat for the pool for the previous season,” he said. The lamb pools had lost money that year and the meat company

sought reimbursement. Fast-forward a decade and financial commitments built up over the previous years meant Wright could not repeat the hunkering down tactic. The worry and anguish of being unable to balance his budget pushed him into a dark hole. “The one thing I didn’t do is ask anyone for help,” he said. “I never put together a management team, so I was carrying the load on my own – especially at 2am each night. “It was the good times that put me under, not the bad times.”

That point of spilling my guts on the floor was a release valve. I let it go and it put me in a position to talk about that stuff. Lindsay Wright For months he agonised over his financial problems, an ever present heavyweight in his stomach a constant reminder. He realised later that he had slipped into depression, something that cost him his marriage. Equally he was in denial. “When I was greeted by someone who would ask ‘how are you?’ I would lie by responding ‘I’m good.’ But I was not good at all,” he said. “I later changed to saying I was battling, and that wasn’t a lie.” In reality, he had hit a wall. Realising on that spring day that he was not coping, Wright called a counsellor in Gore and was fortunate to get an appointment the next day. “I parked 200m away and walked to the counsellor’s office and made sure no one was around before I snuck in,” he said. It was a cathartic experience. “I broke down and howled for 40 minutes,” he said. “The counsellor said, ‘I do not have any answers, but you do and we’re going to find them.’ “That was the beginning. From then on, I would have told the milk boy my story. “That point of spilling my guts on the floor was a release valve. I let it go and it put me in a position to talk about that stuff.” He began parking outside the counsellor’s front door and striding inside, relieved he was finally addressing his issues. He likened his weekly visits to filling his petrol tank. Wright also had the support of four friends he would call regularly and who would listen. Six months after confronting his issues, a voice in his head told him it was time to move on, which

he did by ceasing to reflect on his problems but instead focus on his future. “I’d stepped through the door from looking backward to looking forward,” he said. That included deciding the future of his Wendonside sheep and beef farm. In March 2006 it was leased to a neighbour. Wright took time out to travel, tackle his bucket list, unwinding and recharging. Back home in 2007, he saw an advertisement for the establishment of the Southland Rural Support Trust. “I saw it and wondered if I was of any use or a lead weight,” he said. “I didn’t know what they wanted, so rang them up and said, ‘here is my history’.” His experiences and the associated scratches and bruises were indeed useful to a group charged with helping rural people in need. In 2010 he was elected chair of the trust and two days later a severe snowstorm struck Southland and Otago, demolishing the roof of Stadium Southland in Invercargill and wreaking havoc among farmers. “That was where the Southland Rural Support Trust cut its teeth,” he said. It gained credibility and began a working relationship with Civil Defence, which has remained strong ever since. A further cathartic experience stemmed from a desire to determine his identity. Wright was no longer a computer programmer or a farmer, leaving an unfilled space that irritated him. He enrolled at Otago Polytechnic for a Bachelor of Applied Management degree, which was basically an assessment of prior learning based on what he had learnt through life. Wright’s study focused on his time farming and it revealed he had been successful. When he started farming, he ran 4500 ewes, clipping 2.5kg of wool and lambing 95% with lambs sold for processing averaging 13kg. When he left, he was running 3700 ewes, clipping 5.5kg of wool, lambing 145% and lambs killing out at 18kg. He was selling more than 20 tonnes of extra meat a year. “I suddenly realised I had achieved all I set out to do but had not seen it,” he said. “Rather than focus on what I had done, I had been focusing on what I couldn’t do.” Wright says everyone deals with stress differently, but his story is not unusual for farmers who have the added factor of isolation and working on their own. When they cannot cope, they struggle to make decisions

SHARING IS CARING: Southland Rural Support Trust member Lindsay Wright uses his life experience to help others.

and animal welfare and the environment problems are symptoms of that decisionmaking paralysis. Wright remains heavily involved in the Rural Support Trust, helping rural people deal with challenges such as weather events, or those mentally struggling to cope. During the 2010 snowstorm, 2000 farmers were visited to check their wellbeing and in the Southland floods earlier this year, 1100 were contacted. He has helped promote the Good Yarn workshops, which teaches people how to recognise mental health signs and help those who are struggling. It is in a farmer’s nature to tolerate adversity and confront it through hard physical toil hoping it will come right. But Wright has learnt first-hand that is not a viable strategy, but one that can backfire, affecting relationships with family or loved ones.

He considers it a privilege to be part of the Rural Support Trust network and to help others in the rural community. “I have a lifelong affinity for the rural sector and I have bounced through and got some bumps along the way, but to be able to help somebody going through some pain is very rewarding,” he said.

Suffering from depression or stress, or know someone who is? Where to get help: RURAL SUPPORT TRUST: 0800 RURAL HELP DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757 LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 NEED TO TALK? Call or text 1737 SAMARITANS: 0800 726 666 YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633 or text 234

14 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

Land Champions

Flood master steps down A drive across the Hauraki Plains on a sunny, late-spring day belies the challenges keeping the region’s thousands of hectares habitable and productive. The 1150 square kilometres of rural tabletop sits at sea level, with only a complex drainage system keeping the sea and rainfall from wreaking havoc. Richard Rennie reports. NGATEA farmer Robert Hicks has spent decades tending the spider web of flood protection on the plains that captures, tames and flushes away floodwaters. He has just stepped down following 40-plus years on various iterations of drainage committees at a district and regional council level on the Piako-Waihou flood protection scheme. Time spent with Hicks reveals a farmer with a strong sense of community, and an appreciation for what that means when trying to balance flood waters as they catastrophically spill across farms, districts and communities. “I have always been interested in looking at how something could be fixed and improved,” he said. “But with flood protection, it is not enough to just say ‘the water’s gone from my farm, so it’s all fine now’. “You have to think about where it’s going, and what it’s going to do to the person next door, or down the road from you.” Today that solution is a system that allows councils to perform a hydraulic juggling act when flood risks rise. Splitting the region into 1000ha grids, masses of water are artfully redirected, pumped and distributed, lowering the impact of floods on any one particular district on the plains. Hicks came to be involved in the country’s largest managed flood protection scheme after it was established, but when much still needed to be done, particularly in the Piako district. “It is a catchment that has almost every element of flood risk you could have in New Zealand,” he said. “There is the high rainfall country of the Kaimai-Mamakus to the east and south, many fastflowing tributaries to the Piako and Waihou rivers, and low-lying land next to the coast.” The catchment is almost as long as the Waikato region itself, stretching from the Firth of Thames to Mamaku, near Rotorua in the south. The scheme’s 52 pumping stations, 139 floodgates and 360km of stopbanks mean it is the most intensively drained region in the country. However, the mass of infrastructure required to keep floodwaters controlled and sea water back requires constant budgeting and maintenance. It is something Hicks has quietly addressed as the system has aged, and infrastructure gradually required replacement or repair. His commitment to the scheme

has come not only from owning farmland in the middle of the district, but also from one of his earliest childhood memories. “I remember going with my dad back in 1954, I was seven and we drove up to Netherton and the entire place was under water, just awash,” he said. “Also, my grandfather came here in 1920 and he was on the local drainage board, at a time when the place was known to flood a lot.” Until January 2018, the worst flood recorded on the plains had been in 1938, but protecting the region in earnest had begun in 1910 after the Hauraki Plains Act was passed. “What impressed me was how well the Waihou-Piako catchment had been run over the years before I became chair. That was in part thanks to some of the staff who have also given 40 to 50 years to it,” he said.

You have to think about where it’s going, and what it’s going to do to the person next door, or down the road from you. Robert Hicks He was, however, very conscious that three of every four dollars had been granted by the Government for the project, and the other dollar given as a long-term loan. This left farmers and landowners with a Rolls Royce scheme, but one that could prove hard to afford over time. “So in the early years I got the job of allocating costs, based on benefit received, on new works projects. This started off small, say just on one drain project,” he said. As far as he knows, it remains the only scheme of its type in NZ that is a total catchment benefitbased rate, and helps make the drainage system an exemplar for protection and shared costs. “We worked hard upstream in the Waihou catchment, retiring land, planting trees not for water quality but for erosion, and run-off control, where the effects were felt many kilometres away downstream on the plains,” he said. Hicks’ quiet efforts built relationships, crossing sometimes treacherous gaps between

DRAINED: Robert Hicks is proud to have been instrumental in helping keep the country’s most extensive drainage system effective for the past 40 years.

regional and district councils, and ratepayers helping keep institutional knowledge on its operations and the system itself robust and up-to-date. That robustness was revealed in the January 2018 floods at Kaiaua on the Thames coast. That year a low pressure system and a very high tide pushed waters another metre higher than the 1938 floods. The 3-3.5m stopbanks held well, with breaches coming

mainly in areas where the stopbanks didn’t exist. Hicks has helped keep a local level of contact and expertise about the scheme when consent processes risk it being hijacked by distant Wellington-based bureaucrats. However, he admits the consent process is by far the biggest challenge his successors will face. “They are so time-consuming and expensive. And schemes like

this need very long-term consents, over 20 years, and the longer you seek them for, the harder they are to get,” he said. He finds it frustrating, given the greater public good such schemes play in contributing to the entire region’s wealth. “You have two state highways and a whole coastal region that would not be here without a scheme like this to keep the water out,” he said.

Land Champions

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

Unpacking the politics of water in Canterbury

IRRIGATION STALWART: Farm consultant John Donkers says there’s always been a challenge to use water more efficiently, and IrrigationNZ has played a big role in leading improvement in system design, installation and management. Photo: Annette Scott

Former IrrigationNZ chair John Donkers has long been involved in the politics of water with his many years of service to the industry recently honoured by the organisation. He talked with Annette Scott about his interest in water and irrigation. HONORARY membership of Irrigation New Zealand recognises outstanding contribution to the organisation and the 2020 honour has been awarded to South Canterbury farm consultant John Donkers. A farmer and dairy farm consultant for more than 25 years, with involvement in IrrigationNZ since 2003, Donkers has a good understanding of how Canterbury’s water runs. His initial interest stems from farming in central Canterbury and the need to understand the groundwater network. “There were a lot of new farmers in the Te Pirita area and we were all looking for water to irrigate,” Donkers said. “There was oodles of it (water) and in response to being one of those farmers, I needed to understand the groundwater model. A structure was to become important when Environment Canterbury (ECan) reviewed all the consents of the bordering Rakaia and Selwyn rivers. Donkers first became involved with irrigation in 1989 when employed as a farm supervisor for corporate dairy farmer Applefields Dairy Company. In 1994 he was part of establishing a family dairy farming operation near Dunsandel and in

1997 expanded and purchased the farm at Te Pirita, where successful drilling for water ultimately developed several farms. “At that time, there was significant new development of irrigation from groundwater in the area and there were significant questions being raised about the reliability of the groundwater supply,” he said. This led to the establishment of the Dunsandel Groundwater Users’ Association that assisted in funding science and modelling work to better understand groundwater systems on the Central Plains. The organisation raised $100,000 to assist farmer members when ECan undertook the consents review. Keen to further his understanding and involvement, Donkers put his hand up when a joint steering committee of the Selwyn District Council and Christchurch City Council was being established to investigate the opportunities for the development of water resources for the Central Canterbury Plains. That grew to become the Central Plains Water (CPW) scheme that now irrigates 44,000 hectares. These interests fuelled his interest in the reformation of the NZ Irrigation Association in 1999.

Consultants and famers held several meetings in Ashburton that culminated in the relaunch of the association in 2001, under the chairmanship of Ashburton consultant Bob Englebrecht. Donkers joined the board in 2003, at a time when the association had just 100 members “and a very small budget.” It wasn’t until 2005 and the appointment of its first chief executive Terry Heiler that the organisation gained traction with the majority of the large-scale irrigation schemes coming on board with annual memberships. A tour of irrigation schemes in Australia soon followed and it was from this trip that the foundation for the current structure of IrrigationNZ was laid. Irrigation and water have transformed rural communities that were once prone to drought. It is this that has continued to spark Donkers’ interest in water management. “There has always been a challenge to use water more efficiently and IrrigationNZ has played a big role in leading improvement in system design, installation and management,” he said. Donkers says prior to the formation of IrrigationNZ, the irrigation sector was very fragmented.

“A scheme on one bank of the river might have a problem that a scheme on the opposite bank had under control,” he said. “IrrigationNZ was pivotal in bringing irrigators and schemes together to share problems, ideas and solutions and it continues to do this.”

We can’t say what the future of irrigated agriculture will be, but we can say that farmers will have more options, and all-round that’s a huge plus for the whole wider community. John Donkers Irrigation is so much more than putting water on the land. “I like to think of it as water for communities,” he said. “It goes beyond the farm and has major social and economic influence. “The challenge today is to operate in a way that is socially and environmentally responsible, yet enables farmers to be economically viable.”

Donkers says ideally the future will see the sector continuing to grow with increasing focus on technology to not only improve water use efficiency, but to further reduce the environmental footprint of irrigation. “Unfortunately, irrigation has been linked to dairy farming when it is not just about that at all,” he said. “Irrigation is about choices for farmers. “In future the choice may be away from irrigating dairy pasture to more lucrative agricultural or horticultural crops – without irrigation there would not be this choice. “We can’t say what the future of irrigated agriculture will be, but we can say that farmers will have more options, and all-round that’s a huge plus for the whole wider community.” Twenty years after joining CPW, Donkers remains a director. He is still involved with IrrigationNZ and chairs IrrigationNZ’s accreditation subsidiary. He says while standards in the industry have improved, there is still a way to go. “But, we are growing a lot more crops on a bigger scale with a lot less water – adding a little bit of water to strategic capital has revitalised these rural communities,” he said.

Agripreneur awarded posthumously THE IrrigationNZ 2020 Ron Cocks Memorial Award for outstanding industry leadership was awarded posthumously to Graeme Tulloch, one of the original initiators of the Wairarapa Water project. In accepting the award on behalf of their father, John Tulloch and Christine Bell said of his NZ travels with his farm machinery business, Graeme observed how some areas of the country were badly affected by water shortages in the summer. “When the snow melts on the Southern Alps there is a lot of water in the South Island rivers but the big issue and limiting factor was, and still is, the lack of water storage capacity.

“Graeme began a crusade that went on for most of his life, which was to lobby for a water storage system for Wairarapa,” Christine said.

He always said this is the single biggest transforming project for our district.

“He always said this is the single biggest transforming project for our district. “He believed he would ensure that

the district would have a reliable water supply, he believed this would benefit not just the farmers but also the development of the towns and industry in Wairarapa,” John said. For more than 20 years, and up until he died, he was involved with the Wairarapa Water Project. A farmer, entrepreneur and businessman who never got to see the project to its completion “Not many things beat dad in life, but he did say not long before he died, I think this one might just be the one,” he said. “He would be delighted that the Government has now approved millions of dollars for these important projects.”

REMEMBERED: The late Graeme Tulloch was one of the initiators of the Wairarapa Water project.

Land Champions

16 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

Award winners’ key to success CANTERBURY farming couple Ted and Sue Rollinson are the New Zealand region winners of the inaugural Zimmatic Sustainable Irrigation Awards. The Rollinson’s own a 380-hectare dairy farm in MidCanterbury. Sharemilkers Tom and Leanne Heneghan have been on-farm for 11 years and milk 1500 cows on the property. The Awards aim to celebrate excellence in sustainable irrigation and encourage Australian and New Zealand farmers to share ideas for achieving sustainable water management. Each entrant was judged on the following categories: sustainable irrigation management; irrigationdriven improvements, which may include cost reductions, environmental outcomes, yield improvements and/or improved efficiencies; waterway protection; stewardship/community. For Ted, entering the awards was an opportunity to benchmark their irrigation system, which spans 360ha of their farm, against some of the best operators across NZ and Australia. He is quick to credit the farm’s success to partnership and teamwork. “The runs we’ve got on the board with our irrigation management have absolutely been the result of a 50:50 partnership with Tom and Leanne,” Ted said. “We’ve all worked hard to get to this point. One hasn’t got the award without the other.” Tom agrees and says he is grateful to the Rollinson’s for their commitment to investing in the necessary infrastructure to do the job right. “Ted and Sue have invested heavily in the infrastructure on this farm, when they could have easily cut corners and still had a productive and profitable business. As sharemilkers, we are incredibly appreciative of that,” Tom said. Ted and Tom also acknowledge the input of Charlotte Glass from AgriMagic, who has been their environmental consultant for more than eight years. Awards head judge Keri

WINNERS: Ted and Sue Rollinson (right) and Tom and Leanne Heneghan won at the inaugural Zimmatic Sustainable Irrigation Awards.

Johnston says the Rollinson’s are dedicated to continuous improvement, and have been for many years. “Ted and Sue are just as passionate today as they were when they started. The fact that they have upgraded their irrigation system several times as technology and efficiencies have improved, and are still looking for more opportunities, is testament to their commitment to being irrigation trailblazers,” Johnston said. “They are progressive, smart farmers, who are aware of their environment, the risks and opportunities it presents, and are a valued part of their local and wider community. “And, now with Tom and Leanne, they have another generation coming through, bringing more ideas to the table, collaborating and doing research. The strength of their partnership was really evident to us.”

Recognition from the awards comes after a complete reconversion of the Rollinson’s irrigation system from flood irrigation to spray irrigation, which took place between 2014 and 2017. “Where our Zimmatic centrepivots cross tracks, Precision VRI is used to eliminate watering of these areas. We completed the whole conversion ourselves, re-contouring all paddocks and realigning the tracks using a 25-year-old 20-tonne digger and a 50-year-old grader,” Ted said. Ted first came to MidCanterbury from Murchison in 1981 and was one of the first drivers of dairy in Canterbury. The word in the community at the time was that his dairying dream would only last six months before going belly up. Nearly 40 years later, dairy is now an integral part of the Mid-Canterbury economy. Over the years, Ted has been an advocate for fair and

equitable water access in the region, including working with Environment Canterbury and gaining access for farmers to local irrigation schemes. He was also chair of the Rakaia River Users Group for many years. The judges acknowledged that the Rollinson’s have been influential in sustainable irrigation and their community for a long time. “One of the judging categories was about sharing knowledge and supporting others in their communities to adapt and change, and Ted can certainly claim credit in this space,” Johnston said. Ted says that while he’s had years of farming experience, there is always more to learn and the awards have been a great opportunity to do that. “We certainly won’t let this win go to our head. We just can’t stop farming because we’ve got the award. The award is an

acknowledgement of where we are as a benchmark, and we really appreciate that. We will just carry on farming and do the best we can,” he said. “We’re looking forward to learning from the supreme winners in Australia and see what ideas we could implement here in Canterbury to help us take the next step.” Tom says the award shows they’re on the right track, but it doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement and using what they’ve got more efficiently. “The day you find the perfect farm is the day you give up. And I don’t think you’ll ever find the perfect farm, with a perfect set up, with a perfect use of resources,” he said. “Nevertheless, we strive for that every day, and this award shows we’re on the right track.” James Craft of Zimmatic ANZ, says that the awards acknowledge innovative farming operators and reward them for the vital role they play in the primary sector. “We were extremely impressed by the calibre of applications for the award and the excellence being practiced by these farmers who are focused on improving their irrigation and water management, Craft said. “The awards are an opportunity to help showcase the innovative farming operators who will influence future generations and play a role in strengthening NZ’s success story as global leaders in sustainable and profitable farming. We really look forward to the awards becoming a regular feature on the agricultural calendar in Australia and NZ” Tasmanian farmers Rob and Eliza Tole of Cressy have been announced as the Australian region and Supreme winners of the awards. They have won an overseas trip for two to the US, when international travel is once again feasible. The competition is run by agricultural irrigation systems leader, Zimmatic, with support from New Zealand awards partners IrrigationNZ, Farmers Weekly, Vantage NZ and Irricon.

Letterof theWeek EDITOR Bryan Gibson 06 323 1519 bryan.gibson@globalhq.co.nz EDITORIAL Carmelita Mentor-Fredericks 06 323 0769 editorial@globalhq.co.nz Neal Wallace 03 474 9240 neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz Colin Williscroft 027 298 6127 colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz Annette Scott 021 908 400 annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz Hugh Stringleman 09 432 8594 hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz Gerald Piddock 027 486 8346 gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz Richard Rennie 07 552 6176 richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz Nigel Stirling 021 136 5570 nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com

ADVERTISING

PUBLISHER Dean Williamson 027 323 9407 dean.williamson@globalhq.co.nz

Clint Dunstan 027 474 6004 Real Estate & Farm Machinery advertising clint.dunstan@globalhq.co.nz

Andy Whitson 027 626 2269 New Media & Business Development Lead andy.whitson@globalhq.co.nz Steve McLaren 027 205 1456 Auckland/Northland advertising steve.mclaren@globalhq.co.nz Jody Anderson 027 474 6094 Waikato/Bay of Plenty advertising jody.anderson@globalhq.co.nz Donna Hirst 027 474 6095 Lower North Island/international advertising donna.hirst@globalhq.co.nz Ernest Nieuwoudt 027 474 6091 South Island advertising ernest.nieuwoudt@globalhq.co.nz

ISSN 2463-6002 (Print) ISSN 2463-6010 (Online) Ella Holland 06 323 0761 Livestock advertising 027 602 4925 livestock@globalhq.co.nz Debbie Brown 06 323 0765 Classifieds/Employment advertising classifieds@globalhq.co.nz Grant Marshall 027 887 5568 AgriHQ Partnership Manager grant.marshall@globalhq.co.nz Andrea Mansfield 027 446 6002 Salesforce director andrea.mansfield@globalhq.co.nz Steph Holloway 06 323 0142 AgriHQ Commercial Leader steph.holloway@globalhq.co.nz PRODUCTION Lana Kieselbach 027 739 4295 production@globalhq.co.nz Advertising material adcopy@globalhq.co.nz SUBSCRIPTIONS 0800 85 25 80 subs@globalhq.co.nz Printed by Ovato NZ Ltd Delivered by Reach Media Ltd

Best letter each week wins a quality Victorinox Hiker knife

So go on! Stick the knife in WRITE TO The Editor, Farmers Weekly P.O. Box 529, Feilding EMAIL farmers.weekly@globalhq.co.nz • FAX 06 323 7101

LK0102967©

Farmers Weekly is published by GlobalHQ, PO Box 529, Feilding 4740. New Zealand Phone: 0800 85 25 80 Website: www.farmersweekly.co.nz

Land Champions

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

Driving force behind water quality group The Pomahaka Water Care Group is proof landowners can and will lead changes to improve water quality. Neal Wallace speaks to Lloyd McCall who has been one of the driving forces behind the group seeking to improve water quality in the catchment of the Otago river. LLOYD McCall’s lightbulb moment was initially marked by horror, but quickly changed to defiance and determination to fix it. The West Otago dairy farm, of which McCall is an equity partner with his son and daughter in-law, fronts the Pomahaka River for about 5km, but two tributaries, the Heriot Burn and Crookston Burn, flow through the 320ha property. It was 2013 and the Otago Regional Council was meeting with groups of farmers to discuss issues such as water quality, and they presented data to show the impact farms were having on waterways. It was not good news for McCall. “They had tested the tributaries where they meet the Pomahaka after it had flowed through our farm. It was not good. I just stared at the graph for a few minutes,” McCall said. “That was my lightbulb moment and I told the group the only people who are going to fix this are farmers and landowners.” His philosophy is that issues such as water quality have to be driven from the bottom up not the top down. The water quality results for McCall’s farm came as an added shock because he has reduced use of synthetic fertilisers to strategic only applications, to focus on managing the soil biology and pasture health. “My ethos and that of Adam and Georgie (son and daughter-inlaw), is to never advance myself ahead of land, man or cows,” he said. “We’ll always have well-fed cows, staff that are well looked after and always strive to maintain the land and have a low environmental footprint.” Soon after seeing the water data, McCall and five other farmers met and came up with a plan which, unbeknown to them at the time, would be the foundation of the Pomahaka Water Care Group. Later, Janet Gregory, formerly of NZ Landcare Trust, would help with its establishment. The foundation group committed to testing water at three spots on the main tributaries and waterways that run through their properties, to encourage farmers to learn about their waterways and to test discharges. The aim is to encourage farmers to take ownership.

“Only farmers know those test results and where they come from, but it gives them ownership and they start to learn about their land and interaction with waterways,” he said. Other commitments were to promote best farming practice, publicise their activity, promote land plans and charge an annual subscription of $250. The financial commitment was important. “It gives ownership,” he said. “This is all about ground-up farmers who want to improve waterways rather than farmers who must meet a rule.” Momentum built quickly with 80 attending a public meeting that launched the group. More than that, McCall says there was a genuine desire to ensure future generations could enjoy the river as the current generation had. “People were only told the river was dirty but they were still swimming in it. They couldn’t relate,” he said. That difficulty in relating to declining water quality meant solutions had to be driven from the ground up and not by regulation. “It’s not about rules or regulatory authorities, it’s about landowners wanting to care for the river so future generations can enjoy it as we have,” he said. McCall, who had stepped back from daily management of the farm to focus on his accounting and management business, found himself leading the Pomahaka Water Care Group, a role he has been doing ever since. The 80km long Pomahaka River starts in the Old Man Range above Roxburgh and covers a 2020 square kilometre catchment. It is bordered by about 440 farm businesses of 100ha or more. Of those, 102 are dairy farmers, 180 sheep, 124 mixed sheep and beef and 35 others, including forestry. Some holders own multiple farms. In 2016 the water care group became an incorporated society and subsequently has the support of the Otago Regional Council, Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures, Ernslaw One and 170 landowning members. McCall says the group is intentionally blunt and confronting when needed, publicly highlighting in community rural newspapers

DOING THE WORK: Improving water quality. Lloyd McCall of the Pomahaka Water Care Group in Otago.

If they do it for themselves, the community and the future, they’ll go way beyond those regulations. Lloyd McCall Pomahaka Water Care Group what is unacceptable farm management. Equally, it promotes and explains desired farm management practices such as intensive winter grazing or applying effluent. Signs on roads around the region promote the group, its activities and serve as a public reminder that farmers are improving water quality. McCall says such is the group’s influence, he believes most West Otago farmers will meet most of the intensive winter grazing provisions of the Essential Freshwater Policy, excluding the resowing date, pugging and slope provisions. If there are reports of farmers doing activities deemed environmentally unacceptable, a group known as the Best Practice Response Team will have a quiet word with the offender and offer advice. He says the team was an idea they considered for some time before implementing, worried at how it will be received. “We came up with the idea, then sat on it for a while and then

decided to implement it,” he said. “We’ve had some massive gains from it and often find the farmer doesn’t know the issue raised was happening.” The water care group is also involved in research and demonstrating to members steps or solutions that can be taken, such as building wetlands. McCall says he had a second lightbulb moment with data showing the impact on water quality of a wetland they constructed. Water leaving the wetland had up to 90% of E. coli killed and a 60% reduction in nitrogen compared to where the water entered. It is work they are continuing and have just secured Jobs for Nature funding of $176,000 for the construction of an 11ha wetland on private land between Waipahi and Clydevale. The funding will pay for fencing, the planting and maintaining of 21,000 plants and the construction of a boardwalk. The group is also overseeing 100km of riparian planting in the Pomahaka catchment with funding from the Provincial Growth Fund and the One Billion Trees programme. McCall says farmer efforts have successfully improved water quality, but just as importantly testing highlights areas requiring attention due to a lapse in management or a one off event. Phosphate, nitrogen and E. coli levels are improving overall, but there is an issue with riverbank erosion because landowners are no longer able to manage the build-up of gravel which causes erosion and the release of nutrients.

Testing has also revealed that phosphate levels peak in some areas prior to Christmas, coinciding with sheep farmers applying fertiliser, but then a heavy rain event can wash that phosphate into waterways. It also reveals some anomalies, such as the role ducks and waterfowl have in spreading E. coli in water and high nitrogen levels when leaving areas of native forest. McCall says improving water quality in the catchment is a symptom of landowners being made aware of issues and then addressing them. “You can’t buy water quality and you can’t regulate water quality,” he said. “Water quality has to come from within the people.” Minimum standards still have to be enforced to bring everyone up to acceptable levels, but McCall says when encouraged, human nature is to exceed those limits. “If we go down a regulatory system, the regulation is as far as farmers go,” he said. “If they do it for themselves, the community and the future, they’ll go way beyond those regulations.” The West Otago community is also benefiting from the Pomahaka Water Care Group’s activities. A community-run nursery has been established, which grows 15,000 plants a year for riparian plantings. A portion of proceeds from plant sales are gifted back to the community and has so far raised $40,000 for a cover for the Tapanui Community Pool, with funds now being raised for the West Otago Health Trust.

18 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

Land Champions

Proof of profitability in the north Far North beef farmers Dennis and Rachelle O’Callaghan have spent 20 years refining the most profitable and sustainable management system for their land and have shared every step of the way with fellow farmers and rural professionals. They spoke to Hugh Stringleman. ON THEIR 576ha effective Te Mataa Station at Taipa, most of which drains into the Parapara Stream and Doubtless Bay, Dennis and Rachelle O’Callaghan produce 500kg/ha/year carcass weight by rearing young Friesian bulls. This is more than twice the provincial average for any form of beef production. Almost the whole farm is covered with intensive beef systems (IBS), being TechnoGrazing and variations on cellular systems that carry 2400 yearlings in more than 100 groups. Dennis and Rachelle have changed from traditional setstocking and up to 60% sheep stock units to trading cattle only on rotational grazing in small groups with two-day shifts. They were three years as Meat and Wool Monitor Farmers in Northland, during which the IBS were introduced, and have hosted numerous field days in the decade since. In 2016 they were the Supreme Award winners of the Ballance Northland Farm Environment Awards, along with winning awards for soil management, integrated water management and their livestock. They have proven that IBS are better for a sensitive environment than set-stocking and that kikuyudominant pastures are productive when kept well-grazed and/or topped before winter. Cattle in IBS give the required level of kikuyu control to keep it nutritious and to allow the integrated ryegrass and clover to

WRANGLER: Dennis O’Callaghan calls the horse paddocks his mental health stimulant.

IMPRESSIVE: At 500kg/ha/year carcass weight, Dennis O’Callaghan’s Taipa-based farm produces more than twice the provincial average for any form of beef production.

If we could put together fixed-price contracts between calf rearers and us, between us and the finishers, and between the finishers and meat companies – that would be the goal. Dennis O’Callaghan grow back in autumn. No feed supplements are made or brought in. Bulls are procured at 100kg liveweight (LW) and are taken through their first winter to a

300kg LW target, when they are on-sold to finishers. Dennis says the younger bulls are lighter on the soil structure of his wet country and are the most consistently profitable cattle class. Drainage is classed as poor to very poor throughout the farm, and the laneways of the IBS run across the slopes along contour lines to slow down streamlets and help prevent tomos forming. Hundreds of poplars have been planted in the wettest and potentially most erodible places and all permanent streams have riparian stock exclusion fencing and native plantings. Fencing is all two-wire powered and the standard winter rotation length is 60 days, speeding up to 30 days at higher pasture growing times.

The mild Far North winters enable sufficient grass growth to keep putting weight on the R1yr bulls, whereas spring growth may not be sufficient to finish 2yr cattle or to fatten lambs. A Mycoplasma bovis-enforced depopulation two years back gave the O’Callaghan family a good chance to re-evaluate all livestock classes before buying back in. The cow herd and 2yr bulls were not as suitable or profitable as the younger bulls. For the annual intake, Dennis prefers Friesian bull calves from South Island dairy farms that are bigger and stronger, but obviously carried the M bovis to the north. Many of the one-year-olds go to finishers in Waikato. They are run in mobs of 20 to 30 head and half of the 120 mobs are

shifted every day, a job that takes two family members or workers on specially-equipped ATVs about two hours each morning. Every one of the hundreds of cells on the farm has a ground level micro water trough, fed from a reticulated four-site tank storage scheme with line breakage protection. When asked if he foresaw any further improvements to the farm and its systems, Dennis says he always wanted to be challenged and learn from others. “If we could put together fixed-price contracts between calf rearers and us, between us and the finishers, and between the finishers and meat companies – that would be the goal,” he said. He would also like to see the M bovis control system treat nonbreeding cattle according to their years of birth. For example, any 2018 bulls should be kept on a Notice of Direction (NOD) farm until scheduled slaughter, not killed ahead of time. “By design our mobs are separate in the IBS and we don’t have breeding cattle, so we could keep any infected bulls for their planned stay,” he said. More detailed water monitoring by the Northland Regional Council (NRC) might also establish that sedimentary and phosphate losses are being minimised by the type of farm management. When the NRC formed the Doubtless Bay Catchment Plan for a sensitive district all committee members visited the O’Callaghans to see how intensive systems improved water quality, and not the other way round. A drive to the commanding heights of the farmhouse, about 100m above the sparkling bay,

Land Champions

brings the visitor in contact with several curious quarter horses. Dennis and Rachelle got involved at the Oruru Valley Rodeo Club about 10 years ago and he has served as vice-president and animal welfare officer while she has been secretary-treasurer. The whole family participates in rodeo, travelling long distances to compete during the summer season, and has a full trophy cabinet and a wall of framed

action photos and certificates. Most recently Ryan, 21, was the NZ open champion and the rookie champion, in the same year, for team roping, a rare achievement. After an agricultural science degree at Massey, he works on a farm at Matauri Bay in Northland. Older daughter Gabriel, 23, is a chemical engineer at Golden Bay cement plant, Portland, near Whangarei. While in her last year at

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020 college three years ago, younger sister Tegan, 20, went to the International Youth Rodeo in Oklahoma for barrel racing in an Australian Junior Rodeo Association team, the first New Zealander to attend. She finished her second year in environmental planning at Massey and is working on the home farm during the break. Barrel racing and cattle roping events are practised at home,

but the most difficult job is to desensitise young horses to all the noise, activity and colour at rodeo events. Cattle also must be taught before events – rules stipulate 100-150kg for calf roping and over 200kg for team roping. The national rodeo circuit is 33 events and the O’Callaghans get to about 20 during the year, going as far as Southland. “We are away for quite long

periods, sleeping in the truck and taking four or more horses,” Dennis said. “It’s really my only off-farm activity.” Oruru club has been reinvigorated in recent times with barrel racing and fun events, plus riding lessons for all-comers, mainly young women. It now fields a group of competitors in the Christmas-New Year events at other clubs.

DEPARTEES: Yearling bulls about to be moved to a finishing farm.

ARRIVALS: Weaner bulls get their first taste of life in the North.

NEVER-ENDING: Dennis O’Callaghan drenches weaners when they come on to Te Mataa Station.

There are three ways you can read us: 1. Own a farm. If farming is your main income, you register with NZ Post to have Farmers Weekly delivered free to your mailbox. This is how around 80,000 farmers receive theirs. 2. Read the virtual paper online at farmersweekly.co.nz/topic/virtual-publication. Our online eNewsletters have the paper before it hits mailboxes and you can sign up to recieve them at farmersweekly.co.nz/e-newsletter. 3. Subscribe - a great gift for retired farmers and town dwellers. This is for people in town who want a hard copy of the paper each week. Farmers Weekly is just under $4 per issue ($16/month, $192 incl GST per year) and Dairy Farmer is $8.95 per issue ($98.45 incl GST / year). Pay by credit card or Farmlands card. www.farmersweekly.co.nz/subscribe or freephone 0800 85 25 80

20 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

Land Champions

LOOKING AHEAD: Southern Pastures executive chair Prem Maan says he would love to see how the 20 farms his company runs will fare in 20-100 years’ time.

Dairy company in for the long haul Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz PREM Maan is playing the longterm game when it comes to sustainable dairy farming. The Southern Pastures executive chair and company co-founder wants not only to sustain the 20 farms the company owns in south Waikato and Canterbury, he wants them to improve them too. “I would love to come back and visit these farms in 20-100 years’ time as I am convinced they will become more and more stunning – but I may need to do time travel for that,” Maan said. Auckland-based Maan says his key ethos is that when he is gone, the company would have left behind a positive footprint on the whenua for future generations. His connection to the dairy industry goes back before he, wife Lynette and a dozen others set up investment company Foundation Capital in 2004. Prior to Fonterra’s creation, he helped raise capital from European investors for the NZ Dairy Group while working for Deutsche Bank. “I was selling the NZ dairy industry story to European investors in 1997, I was already exposed back then in terms of trying to sell the NZ dairy industry story to overseas investors,” he said. “So, I already had experience

in my investment banking days of successfully selling the New Zealand dairy story.” When the GFC hit in 2008, he says he saw a unique opportunity to establish Southern Pastures. “We had always looked at the farming industry, but we were looking at buying a farm where we could show a cash return, and until the GFC came along you couldn’t show a cash return out of dairy farming because at that stage, dairy farming values relative to milk prices was too high,” he said. “When the GFC came, farm values fell and simultaneously, milk prices started to go up, so that made it the right climate to set up the fund.” Nineteen of Southern Pastures’ farms are dairy farms and there is one dairy support farm. Maan says they chose those areas based on long-term climate change modelling. “We’re long-term investors and we looked at long-term forecasts for climate change and we feel those areas are reasonably safe. Those areas are able to potentially withstand climate volatility,” he said. This was 10 years ago, and long before climate change was mainstream, popular thinking. “We look at 50 years when we analyse things,” he said. Buying the farms allowed the company to begin with a blank piece of paper because it allowed them to set up Southern Pastures

with the right principles from the beginning. Every farmer who has subsequently joined Southern Pastures has to buy into that philosophy, he says. “If they don’t agree with what we are doing, then they won’t join us. People who do join us, buy into our ethos and that makes it easy for us to walk the talk,” he said. When they first bought their farms, Maan says they were horrified at the high staff turnover on them. Staff were not even staying for the full season. “Now, we have people who have stayed with us for 10 years and the average turnover at the staff level is about three years. We’re quite proud of the fact that we’ve created a culture that people want to stay with us,” he said. The farms in south Waikato that were bought were all forestry conversion farms. He knew the soils could all be improved. Earthworms were introduced to the farms because the farms’ acidic soils contained none of these insects. “We knew there was a lot we could do to those farms to improve them and improve the value,” he said. He wants others in the industry to follow their farming philosophy. Farming is the country’s future and he is happy to share the company’s knowledge with others. Maan is very optimistic about

the industry’s future. There are few places in the world where cows can be fed outside and fed largely on grass and as a result, had superior milk quality to other dairy exporters who largely farmed their cows indoors. “The NZ milk pool is never going to expand again. It is now a finite milk pool in the world,” he said.

We’re long-term investors and we looked at long-term forecasts for climate change and we feel those areas are reasonably safe. Those areas are able to potentially withstand climate volatility. Prem Maan Southern Pastures “The world’s demand for milk was increasing, so we’ve now got this finite pool of milk and it’s going to become a rarer and rarer commodity, so the challenge for Fonterra and the other milk processors is to start demanding a premium for it.” If these processors are smart and could leverage NZ’s grass-fed story and its nutritional qualities compared to other exporters from

other countries and they could turn milk into a value-added product not a commodity. He says it will also help buffer the industry from any potential threats from lab-grown or plantbased milks. “Provided we stick to our free-range farming systems, we shouldn’t see that as a threat. But the intensive barn systems will see that as a threat,” he said. Southern Pastures has taken this approach with its 10-star certified values rating, turning its products into ultra-premium products. Pushing others in the industry down a more sustainable route came down to using a carrot rather than a stick. Maan suggests a solution is to pay farmers more for their product or give them carbon credits if they used fewer inputs and increased their soil carbon. Rather than expand, the plan for Southern Pastures is to keep developing the existing farms and extract even more value from the milk by growing their export market. Its recent purchase of Lewis Road Creamery will help it do that, he says. “In Lewis Road, we saw a muchloved Kiwi brand that we felt we could take overseas,” Maan said. “Lewis Road brand was a good fit because both of us want to take NZ dairy up the value chain – not chase the commodity race to the bottom.”

Land Champions

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

Rural health leadership recognised Raised in a farming family on Pitt Island, Tania Kemp’s upbringing had a huge impact on her career path as a rural nurse practitioner. She talked with Annette Scott about bridging the rural health gap.

SOUTH Canterbury-based nurse practitioner Tania Kemp says rural health care needs to be promoted as a specialty area and not seen as the poor cousin to the glittering lights of urban medical practices. Kemp has been recognised for her commitment and leadership in her drive to improve health care for rural communities. The recipient of the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network 2020 Peter Snow Memorial Award says the inequities of the rural health statistics urgently need addressing. The Peter Snow Memorial Award honours the life and work of Dr Peter Snow, a rural general practitioner who was an inspiring and active leader, who sought to improve the health and safety of rural communities. The award celebrates an individual for their achievement in rural health research, projects, innovation and service. Kemp’s recognition comes for her inspirational nursing leadership and for being a change agent for models of care in rural primary health. A sixth-generation GregoryHunt family Pitt Islander, Kemp was immersed in rural life from an early age. Exposed to the significant challenges in rural health, she knows what it is like for rural communities in an ongoing battle for adequate rural health care models. “I have lived the epitome of rural life,” Kemp said. “My aunty was the resident registered nurse on the island and dealt with all health care. “The nearest medical care was a general practitioner (GP) on the main Chatham Island, so you only went if it was an emergency or something time could allow you to get there.” Starting her registered nursing career in a rural practice in Greymouth, Kemp set up a variety of clinics that were much-needed at the time. After moving back to the Chatham Islands, she worked as a Primary Response in Medical Emergencies (PRIME) trained rural nurse before moving to Waimate, where she finished her clinical master’s and registered as a nurse practitioner (NP). In 2014, she and her husband Darcy purchased the Pleasant Point Health Centre in South Canterbury where she currently works as the lead clinician. As both owner and lead practitioner, Kemp has been able to influence change and introduce different models of care.

HONOUR: Rural nurse practitioner Tania Kemp, with husband and Pleasant Point Health Centre co-owner Darcy, says receiving the 2020 Peter Snow Award gives her the opportunity to continue to promote the more contemporary model of primary health care for rural communities. Photo: Annette Scott

Her work has enabled nurse practitioners to lead clinics and provide a significantly large part of primary care safely and effectively helping to bridge the gap in areas that struggle to recruit rural GPs. With her deep understanding and expertise in rural practice, she has immersed herself in rural work across her whole career and is seen as an inspiration by the nursing profession as a vocal advocate for quality, accessible, local health care. “Knowing what it meant to live and breathe rural was the foundation and became my ideal for the type of nursing I wanted to be a part of,” she said. “After many years of working in rural communities I could see that services could be offered in a different way.” Kemp believed there was room for increasing access to services using different models of care such as NP-led practices and/or clinics. “In 2013 I set my goal to own and run a general practice with the patients registered with a NP rather than a GP as had been the previous model in NZ,” she said. “The Ministry of Health allowed for this and then I had to meet the other contract requirements set by the local district health board. “NPs are not doctors, nor do we profess to be, but there is a

significant amount of health care that can be effectively and safely delivered by NPs as it can by GPs. “This has been shown in both national and international research and in clinical practice, such as our general practice in Pleasant Point.

I felt relatively confident it could work, but being a first nurse practitioner-owned and run general practice in NZ, meant there were a few years of treading water to ensure its success was genuine. Tania Kemp NP Kemp says there has been great satisfaction in seeing the Pleasant Point Health Centre not only survive but continue to grow. “I felt relatively confident it could work, but being a first NPowned and run general practice in NZ, meant there were a few years of treading water to ensure its success was genuine,” she said.

“We have doubled our patient numbers and staff numbers over six years, so I feel I can confidently say the model works. “A huge part of my work satisfaction, and future goal, is to continue to grow our own nurses. “We always have student nurses and NP interns to ensure they see how nursing can work differently than the more usual way.” Working with an amazing team who all believe in what they do and strive to make a difference every day has been a key highlight in her career. “Employing GPs who will work with us in this way and agree that it is working, is very satisfying,” she said. Although, the journey has been challenging. “I will not pretend this journey has been at all easy,” she said. “There were financial, personal health and business issues that made the first few years extremely challenging. “Initially there were battles with every organisation we dealt with that said you can’t do that, as you have to be a doctor, or we don’t have NP as an option in the system. “So, we would send them the NZ Nursing Council description for NP to show I was legitimate and legally allowed to do what I was doing.

Kemp says her hope is that every barrier they came up against has been managed in a way that means other NPs will not come up against the same in future. “However, we did understand that being first at something means people genuinely did not know about the role and that was understandable,” she said. Kemp says the rural health care role needs to sell as a specialty area that brings incredible satisfaction to clinicians and is not the poor cousin to the glittering lights of urban practice. “I have achieved huge job satisfaction in terms of an autonomous practice and need to work at the top of my scope in this role,” she said. “There are aspects of health care my urban colleagues would never get the opportunity to do.” Mental health services for rural people need to include educating communities about how to look out for their people, she says. “Train the locals in first aid for mental health as we do for CPR,” she said. Access to virtual services needs to be made accessible for all rural communities, so they do not miss out on specialist care, counselling, psychology and therapists. “Having to travel, time away and financial restraints don’t have to be a barrier to good health care,” she said.

On Farm Story

22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

Farming through the generations Members of Guy Bell’s family have been farming in Hawke’s Bay for five generations, with his sons making it six. Colin Williscroft reports.

HE Bells are a family that farms four properties across Hawke’s Bay, from the Central Hawke’s Bay coast to the foothills of the Ruahines. Guy Bell is the fifth generation of his family on his mother’s side to farm in the area, and the second on his father’s side. He has two brothers and a sister who also farm in the district. One of his brothers is on the property that his father, who arrived in New Zealand from the UK in 1920, started out on. Across the couple’s four farms they have about 5000ha, split between the 700ha home farm on the outskirts of Waipawa, another property at Cheviot/St Lawrence, not far from Patangata, a third near the Central Hawke’s Bay coast at Pourerere, with the fourth in the foothills of the Ruahine Range where the track to Sunrise Hut begins. They each offer different strengths and options during different climatic conditions. Much has changed since Bell began farming in the area, but one thing he knows he can be sure of is farming in the region brings with it all kinds of challenges, not the least of which is the extremes of weather he’s worked through over the years, both wet and dry. While this year’s drought was a tough one, it’s not the first and it won’t be the last. He says the 1960s were dry years, with 1961 particularly so, while the ‘70s were generally wet. The farm’s soft clay country became so wet during parts of 1977, they had to resort to pack horses rather than tractors for some farm work, although today with quad bikes and trailers it would have been easier.

TEAMWORK: Angus, Guy and Straun Bell work well together keeping the four farms ticking.

In 2011 about 500mm of rain fell in 30 hours on their coastal property, blocking roads and causing slips and other damage that required two years of work to repair. Fortunately they could move stock, including 2000 hoggets, off to their other properties. Bell says the extreme changes have prepared him to farm in any conditions. The experience he’s gained means he’s aware what decisions need to be made and when they need to be made by. “Farming on the east coast is always going to be a bit of a challenge. There’s always going to be dry seasons but we farm for them,” he said. It’s knowledge that is invaluable to sons Angus and Straun, and their wives Sammy and Lizzie, who with their own children live and work on two of the other properties.

HERD: A little under half the stock on-farm are cattle.

Having the four farms means there’s plenty of work and room for the father and sons to focus on their individual strengths, and Bell says they work well together as a team.

Farming on the east coast is always going to be a bit of a challenge. There’s always going to be dry seasons but we farm for them. Guy Bell There’s the odd difference of opinion, but a bit of discussion is never a bad thing and they always come together to work out a plan for the future.

After finishing school Angus completed a bachelor of agricultural science at Lincoln University before starting work on a dairy farm. However, he decided the lifestyle involved wasn’t for him, so came back home to help on the family farm and he’s still there. Struan wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do after leaving school, so he had a gap year before doing an agriculture course at Eastern Institute of Technology, following that up with work around the country on sheep and beef farms, including some of the bigger stations. Other staff include two managers. Overall, there’s seven permanent staff, complemented by a pool of reliable and valued casual labour available based around Waipukurau, Waipawa and Otane. Bell says they have been lucky retaining staff, with one staff

member having been with them for 18 to 20 years, one for about 14 years and another for about nine years. The Bells’ daughter, Henrietta, is not in Hawke’s Bay but she too has chosen a rural life, albeit a bit further south. Her husband, Michael Royston, who holds a managerial position at the ANZ bank in Ashburton, is part of a significant cropping operation run by his family near Methven. It’s a part of the country Bell knows well, having worked on one of the large stations in the

CHANGE: The woolshed used to be a more profitable part of the business back in Guy’s father’s day.

On Farm Story

SUITED: The two central farms are early lambing country.

Ashburton Lakes area before he was married. It was a property where everything was done on a big scale; the blade shearing team part of 50-strong shearing gang working in a 20-stand shed, while the autumn muster was a three-week job, with about 16,000 merinos mustered by 11 shepherds off more than 38,000ha and driven in a single mob around the edge of Lake Clearwater. Today though, his role in Hawke’s Bay is more of an overseer who helps with the bigger jobs during busy times. One of those is docking, a task he enjoys as it provides him with an opportunity to get out and have a good look at the properties. The four farms provide a mix of topography and soil types, each lending themselves to particular roles at certain times of the year. Bell says no farm is perfect, but the combination of properties the family has provide a variety that helps smooth out seasonal variations. The two central farms are good for wintering stock, while the hill country is good for grazing cattle. The three lower lying farms are mainly focused on sheep breeding, along with some cattle and a little bit of lamb finishing. They breed and finish up to about 35,000 stock units, split between prime cattle, lambs and deer. The property in the ranges, which sits between about 500-750 metres, is also used for breeding, with deer added to the mix. Across the four farms the stock mix is roughly 50% sheep, 44% cattle and the remaining 6% deer, which is focused on producing venison, with a little bit of velvet on the side. The central farms are early lambing country, which suits the essence of the operation, which aims to get lambs away as early as possible. The base of their flock is Romney-crosses and Guy says any move away from that in the future will be gradual. During his parent’s farming days wool provided about 60% of the farm’s income – a far cry from today’s returns.

While there are groups working to turn around the strong wool industry, Bell says it will never be what it was in terms of income and today’s farmers have accepted low wool prices, although he is hopeful of a gradual improvement in the future. These days farmers in the industry focus on genetics around fertility and meat production and the Bells’ flock also needs good feet to cope with the environment, with genetics again important. Maintaining the quality of the breeding cow herd is another focus, with a lot of work going into the genetic composition of the cattle. Initially the herd was Angus but as the Bells learned more about cattle and how they coped with Hawke’s Bay conditions, it moved towards an Angus-Hereford-cross,

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

CLAN: Bell family members at Ngahere near the Hawke’s Bay coast. Back row from left, Struan, Angus and Lizzie, and, front row from left, Monty, Myrtle, Buck, Hollie, Fleur and Millie. Photo: Supplied

about 70-30% respectively. Given the summer dry nature of farming in Hawke’s Bay, growing their own supplementary feed is an important part of the business. They make a lot of silage, which is buried underground until it’s needed. They also make baleage and grow summer greenfeed crops, mainly for lambs, while locally-sourced maize is bought in for ewes and deer. The family pride themselves on their stockmanship, which Bell says has been challenging during the past year because of drought conditions in the region. That has meant some breeding stock are lighter than he would like, but overall he’s pretty happy they came through relatively unscathed. Part of that has been because of a good supply of their own supplementary feed, which meant

REFOCUS: The deer yards don’t handle as much stock as they once did.

they were able to maintain stock numbers at a good level. Considering the drought, Bell was reasonably happy with the latest lambing percentages. In early September it was looking like it was going to be a dry start to spring, but in the middle of the month the Waipawa property received about 40mm which, with warm temperatures, resulted in some good grass growth. That said, the district has only received about half its usual rainfall for the year, although a reasonable soaking in early October, followed by another 55mm a month later in Waipawa, with more towards the coast, was welcome. The Bells’ operation won last year’s eastern North Island section of Silver Fern Farms’ Plate to Pasture Awards, with judges noting that as well as their stockmanship, their care for the environment was commendable. The judges said that to manage soil loss from erosion the business has an annual planting programme of 200-300 poplar and willow poles each year, in addition to about 100 hectares of forestry on unproductive land. Nutrient budgeting is also an important part of their approach to managing the environment, with fertiliser applied by ground spreading and from the air, depending on the land in question. Many waterways across the farms have already been fenced off, while future planning on how to approach the rest is being revised. The family respects the history of the properties they are guardians of and have invested in keeping some of it alive. The farm at Cheviot/St Lawrence is home to a historic woolshed that is part of the former St Lawrence Station. Built in 1885, they have spent $50,000 restoring and painting it, complete with original-style doors and latches, while also restoring the original steep-pitched roof. It’s not open to the public but Highgrove, the farm in the foothills of the Ruahines, is a different story, being the main access point for trampers to get

to the Sunrise Hut. Within an hour’s drive of Napier and Hastings, the hut and the track to it attract up to 20,000 visitors a year, who have to travel through the farm gate to get to the parking lot at the beginning of the track.

That said, the district has only received about half its usual rainfall for the year, although a reasonable soaking in early October, followed by another 55mm a month later in Waipawa, with more towards the coast, was welcome.

Guy and Bridget have also developed a strong link to potential overseas consumers, using their Waipawa home as a host farm for international farm stays and tours. They have been running farm stays during summer since the mid-1980s, with the stays proving most popular with German, English and American tourists. The couple have travelled extensively overseas themselves, including specialised farm tours to Chile, Argentina, Brazil and South Africa. They have also visited Portugal and Spain where live shipments of cattle are sent to North African nations on the Mediterranean. In the mid-1970s they went behind the Iron Curtain, travelling through Russia. Not only was it completely different to what they were used to in NZ, the vastness of the country also made an impression on them. With a new generation of the family already growing up on the farms, their approach of building on knowledge to try and do things better means the properties will be in good hands for years to come. >> Video link: bit.ly/OFSbell

AginED Ag ED

FOR E FUTURIA G R R S! U PR EN E

Volume 37 I December 14, 2020 I email: agined@globalHQ.co.nz I www.farmersweekly.co.nz

1 Go to https://farmersweekly.co.nz/section/ agribusiness 2 Find the article “Natural fibres could be a game changer” and watch the Sarah’s Country interview with Craig Carr from New Zealand Natural Fibres (NZNF)

Have a go!

3 Why has the company New Zealand Natural Fibres been formed? 4 What are natural fibres?

STRETCH YOURSELF: 1 Who joined forces to make NZNF? 2 What are the benefits of combining wool and hemp? 3 Wool and hemp are both some of the oldest fibres used by humankind. What sorts of things have these been used for historically? 4 What are some of the projected uses for hemp/wool in the present day? 5 Are there any problems or difficulties with growing hemp in NZ? 6 Can you think of any other fibres or products we grow/raise in NZ that are currently underutilised? How could they be used more productively in future years?

Have a go! 4.0

1 Go the AgriHQ market snapshot page 2 What was the North Island prime steer price last week? 3 How is this tracking compared to year-ago levels?

Traditional steer 475-525kg ($/kg)

3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0

4-Sep

4-Nov 5-yr ave

4-Jan Last year

4-Mar This year

STRETCH YOURSELF: This graph shows traditional steers weighing 475-525kg at the Feilding store sale. 1 What happened last year in January? Why did values suddenly drop off? 2 How do values last week compare to year-ago and the five-year average? 3 Typically, when feed and pasture levels are good, demand for stock is strong. However, farmers look to be ‘playing it safe’ at the moment despite feed levels. The main driver of this is uncertainty around how processor schedules will track through summer. There are also long wait times to get stock killed. Why would this affect demand for store cattle now?

Not all fibres are equal

ACROSS 4

Grows like a weed, often associated with Pandas

A fibre derived from the Agave plant (native to Southern Mexico)

Probably currently the fibre most used in clothing production

A breed of sheep that gives us a fine, soft wool with fantastic insulating properties

Goats produce this fantastic fibre

12 Known as the strongest natural fibre DOWN 1

What family of plants does hemp belong to?

One of the four main synthetic fibres

We get this very soft luxurious fibre from a particular breed of rabbits

How many varieties of hemp can we currently legally grow in NZ

10 Is flame retardant up to 600degC, is a natural insulator but also multi-climatic 11 This animal produces what is considered to be the rarest fleece in the world. These animals are camelids and are mainly in the Peruvian Andes

Happy Holidays!

Let us know what you get up to at agined@globalhq.co.nz We hope you have a safe and Merry Christmas!

For more related content please head to our website at: www.sites.google.com/view/agined/home

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 14, 2020

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

IT’S OFFICIAL. BAYLEYS IS NEW ZEALAND’S #1 RURAL REAL ESTATE BRAND.

Get the best result for your property with the best team. 0800 BAYLEYS bayleys.co.nz/rural

BAYLEYS IS HONOURED TO HAVE BEEN AWARDED BY THE REAL ESTATE INSTITUTE OF NEW ZEALAND WITH THE FOLLOWING AWARDS: WINNER RURAL SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR

Kevin Jenkins 027 577 4232

Niki Bradley 027 607 2555

Ross Ditmer 027 482 2056

Dean Pugh 027 335 6303

Evan Marshall 027 221 0910

Fee Ensor 021 705 014

Joel Meikle 027 814 5208

John Bailey 027 893 0234

Jon McAuliffe 027 432 7769

Mike Preston 027 430 7041

Peter Foley 021 754 737

Ben Turner 027 530 1400

Brook Yates 027 807 8093

Chris Jones Craig Blackburn 027 220 5043 027 489 7225

Ben Turner, Bayleys Country Canterbury

WINNER COMMUNITY AWARD MEDIUM Bayleys Canterbury

WINNER MEDIUM RURAL OFFICE OF THE YEAR

2020

Bayleys Country Waikato

Awards for Excellence in Real Estate

WINNER LARGE RURAL OFFICE OF THE YEAR Bayleys Country Tauranga

NOMINATED RURAL RISING STAR

WINNER

Hamish Lane

Georgie Robson Hamish Lane 027 562 4100 027 685 6204

Kerry Eyles 027 472 6780

Lance Farrant 027 228 2846

Jack Pringle 027 533 4820

Jane Moody 027 455 0161

Mark Parry 027 433 0350

Mark Pringle 027 433 3334

Sam Sidey Sandy Butterick Simon Sharpin 027 346 3500 027 417 2639 027 631 8087

WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Residential / Commercial / Rural / Property Services

2020

Top New Zealand Rural Salesperson BEN TURNER, BAYLEYS

REINZ AWARDS 2020 #1 RURAL SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR Ben Turner, Bayleys Canterbury 027 530 1400 | ben.turner@bayleys.co.nz For a professional service that achieves results, contact Ben and his team. Dairy, Sheep and Beef, Arable, Forestry and Lifestyle Sales

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; December 14, 2020

NEW LISTING

Admiral Hill 792 Clifton Grove Road

Ngatapa - balance breeding and finishing

The 487 hectare (approximately) sheep and beef farm that is Ngatapa, located in the Wairarapa, has a balance of country that is the envy of red meat farmers. With 125 hectares of flat land, 67 hectares being river silt flats ensuring the farm has the capability to grow quality feed throughout the summer and therefore finish all lambs. The large homestead perched on the hill, infrastructure, laneways, fencing, fertiliser and stock water system means this is a property that will be extremely sought after. School bus to the gate and part of the popular Gladstone community.

Tender (will not be sold prior) Closing 4pm, Tue 2 Feb 2021 186 Chapel Street, Masterton View by appointment Andrew Smith 027 760 8208 a.smith@bayleys.co.nz Lindsay Watts 027 246 2542 lindsay.watts@bayleys.co.nz

Ngatapa is well worth consideration.

bayleys.co.nz/3150977

EASTERN REALTY (WAIRARAPA) LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

FARMS WANTED

NEW LISTING

Cash buyer looking for farms only in the North Island (between Feilding and Whangarei) to buy.

Boundary lines are indicative only

Pukehina 32E Pokare Road On the incredibly rare occasion an offering comes along that just needs your attention, if unobstructed coastal vista is on your wish list just a short drive to Tauranga then look no further. Real estate is all about location and this one offers it in abundance and more! With a freehold title of 4.05 hectares (more or less) everything is here for you to enjoy the status quo or create your dream in this wonderful location that enjoys panoramic views from the East Cape up to the Coromandel. The three bedroom home positioned here in the mid nineties could easily give way for new development that would be the envy of many, the array of sheds that has supported the grazing regime of the land would follow. To be sold plus GST (if any).

bayleys.co.nz/2501740

Auction (unless sold prior) 3pm, Tue 22 Dec 2020 247 Cameron Road, Tauranga View by appointment Mark Spitz 027 442 1295 mark.spitz@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Please enquire by email to: dmleo60@gmail.com

LK0105316ÂŠ

Paradise in a coastal location

Seller can lease the farm back. The sale would be handled discreetly.

Cape Foulwind 641 Cape Foulwind Road

Buller dairying at its best Well established 230 ha (160 effective) dairy farm located at Carters Beach, only 6 km from Westport. This property has been well farmed by our vendors for two generations who are now looking to retire. Milking 330 cows with five year average production of 125,000 kgMS through a tidy, well presented 30 ASHB dairy shed, plus a full range of farm outbuildings. Excellent accommodation options with an executive five bedroom homestead positioned with outstanding coastal views, complimented by a modern three bedroom Lockwood home. The combination of soil types and coastal climate offers superior year round growing conditions. Location, scale and improvements on offer here are hard to beat. Stock and plant offered at valuation

For Sale $3,450,000 + GST (if any) View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/WER74676

Gareth Cox M 021 250 9714

E gareth@pb.co.nz

Willie McLaughlin M 021 0267 4385 E williem@pb.co.nz

A real change in real estate. The Property Brokers and Farmlands partnership means great things for provincial real estate Together our combined strengths complement each other to create a unique offering: - A nationwide network from Northland to Southland - Over 750 staff across 75 locations dedicated to real estate - A deep understanding of the land with market-leading expertise in property sales and marketing Bigger networks, more buyers, better results. For more information call 0800 367 5263 or visit pb.co.nz/together

Proud to be together

Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008

Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | pb.co.nz

Proud to be here

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 14, 2020

203 H OT WAT E R B E AC H R OA D

1818

W H E N UA K I T E

TAIRUA-WHITIANGA ROAD

Whitianga

2 03 h o twa te r b e a c h .co. n z

1818tairua-whitianga.co.nz SUBSTANTIAL AVOCADO & KIWIFRUIT PRODUCTION BLOCK

Massive kiwifruit property portfolio for sale

• 37 hectares total (approx.) • 11.05 ca/ha of

• 34 hectares total (approx.) • 11.24 ca/ha of Gold kiwifruit • 3.17 ca/ha of Green kiwifruit

• •

• 10 hectares grazing • Tidy managers home • Excellent water resources

• •

• Huge infrastructure

Auction: Thursday 4 February 2021, from 1pm at 247 Cameron Road (unless sold prior) Sale price Plus GST (if any).

Thursday 4 February 2021 From 1pm, 247 Cameron Rd Tauranga (unless sold prior) Sale price Plus GST (if any)

HMH Ltd, EVES Katikati & Waihi, Licensed under the REAA 2008

Durrelle Green 027 949 3725 | durrelle.green@eves.co.nz

HMH Ltd, EVES Katikati & Waihi, Licensed under the REAA 2008

TATARAMOA DAIRY

Gold kiwifruit 3.5 ca/ha of Green kiwifruit 5 hectares of Hass avocados 5 bedroom managers home Loads of support buildings

Auction

DANNEVIRKE

Two Deeds of Licence on offer Livestock - Deer Hunting

97.74 hectare (241.5 acre) established dairy unit. Superb infrastructure includes modern 24 aside herringbone shed (2003), cup removers, in-shed feeding, new effluent pond, excellent array of sheds, sound four bedroom Bay Villa home and single man’s quarters, very good water system. One Plan consented.

Viewing by appointment.

$1,850,000 + GST

Craig Boyden M: 027 443 2738 O: 06 374 4105 E: craigb@forfarms.co.nz

This very affordable property offers land banking and investment purchase options. $2,195,000 + GST Viewing by appointment

www.forfarms.co.nz - FF3096

LK0105178©

All this on offer in the reliable rainfall district of Tataramoa, only 12km fro Dannevirke.

• Expressions of Interest: 18th December 2020 • Indicative Offers: 12th February 2021 • Viewing Day: 19th February 2021 • Closure of Tenders: 5th March 2021 Enquiries: stephen.whittington@buddlefindlay.com We do not wish to waste your time and would appreciate you not wasting ours. We know exactly what we have and this is a privileged opportunity to attempt to lease Mokai Station.

LK0105260©

Tataramoa

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 14, 2020

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

TENDER

PUKEHINA, BAY OF PLENTY Options A Plenty • • • • • • • •

107.1830ha total land area 20ha approximately potential horticulture land 54ha grazing contourable for further horticulture 33ha pine trees Two sets of very good yards Water right with unrestricted flow Three barns This property has to be viewed to see the diversity potential to develop further horticulture land

TENDER Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 4.00pm, Thursday 4 February

VIEW By Appointment Only

Amanda Edwards M 027 463 3502 E amanda.edwards@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/TEP33308 Helping grow the country

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Your destination for rural real estate Market your property to an audience that counts

Add another touchpoint to your campaign on the website built for farmers. Align your brand with content farmers read: • Geo and agri sector targeting options available • Post campaign analysis of your adverts performance • Advertise on our Real Estate page alongside relevant editorial content • Enrich your print ad - Click through to your property videos or websites from the virtual edition.

Contact your agent to advertise today! 0800 85 25 80 farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

farmersweekly.co.nz/advertising 0800 85 25 80

Tech & Toys

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 14, 2020

Murray Thomson

Heavy duty means made for heavy work - and quality built BERTI mulchers have the design and construction to power through any task.

HEAVY DUTY BERTI MULCHERS

• Mulches tree prunings • Thick standing gorse and scrub • Heavy duty, swinging hammer or tungsten carbide fixed tooth options • For tractors up to 300hp

MAKE SHORT WORK OF ANYTHING. WHEN IT COMES TO HEAVY PRUNING AND TOUGHER STANDING GORSE AND SCRUB, FORESTRY MULCHERS HAVE THE POWER AND CAPABILITY TO GET THE JOB DONE.

FGD1176

Talk to us now for mulchers up to 6.0m working width and for tractors up to 300hp. To see videos of these mulchers in action visit our website. CALL FARMGARD 24 HOURS

FIND OUT MORE AT

Nationwide Dealer

0800 FARMGARD

farmgard.co.nz

Service Network

35 years, Generations of

Experience

Tech & Toys

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 14, 2020

farmersweekly.co.nz/advertising 0800 85 25 80

SHEEP JETTER Sheep dipping… made easier!

• Fantastic penetration • Get one now before price increase

7685

Innovative Agriculture Equipment

+ GST

Serving NZ Farmers since 1962

LK104874©

• Manufactured from stainless steel • Electric Eye • 800-1000 sheep per hour

www.pppindustries.co.nz / sales@pppindustries.co.nz / 0800 901 902

Agri Job Board

If you have aspirations to own a farm, be a share milker or farm manager then we have the perfect role for you, this could be your next step. Our 178 hectare farm with 78 ha irrigation system, milking 500 cows in a 32 aside herring bone shed supported with In-Shed feeding system needs a manager on training wheels to take care of it with relative autonomy. This is an exciting opportunity for a young couple to further their dairy career, gain the experience needed whilst being supported by a Group Manager who will provide training and support. The farm is an important component of a bigger operation which includes a 188ha run off, both Spring and Autumn calving. Waitapu Farms is located in Wellsford with the local primary school and play centre just along the road and the secondary school bus almost outside the door. Nearby is the beautiful Parkiri Beach, along with Matakana and Warkworth. We offer excellent accommodation. Ideally you will have 4-5 years experience be excited for the opportunities and have the following skills: • Good communication skills on all levels • Sound practical skills and problem solving ability • Attention to detail • Enthusiasm and a genuine passion for working with animals • High work ethic and pride in your work

JOBS BOARD

Withers Trust Farm Kaipara Flats, Warkworth

Agriculture Courses Fees Free

This position is available on our sheep and cattle breeding, fattening intensive farm of 375 hectares from 20 January 2021. We are one hour from Auckland.

Contract Milker Dairy DairyMasters Training Courses

Winter stocking 3000 stock units of 1000 ewes, 300 hoggets, 100 Angus cows and heifers.

Farm Manager

Great infrastructure of buildings, fencing, races, water supply.

Livestock Specialist / Regional Manager

3 bedroom house to a high standard with a local primary school handy and the college is 6km away.

Manager

Applicants will need: • Management experience • Be capable with machinery • To have your own dogs • To be well organised with contractors and forward planning.

Shepherd

Apply to: simonwithers0630@gmail.com

Operations Manager Sharemilking

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

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

• Honest and punctual You will need to be eligible to work in New Zealand, have a clean drivers license, and be able to pass a pre-employment drugs test. If this sounds like you please send your CV to hr@waitapu.co.nz

Connecting rural employers and job seekers Advertise your job in Farmers Weekly Email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz or call 0800 85 25 80 today www.farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

MANAGER POSITION

APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY 8TH JANUARY 2021 Do you want to join a leading sustainable farming group operating intensive beef farming on King Island, Tasmania? TRT Pastoral Group owns and operates over 10,000 hectares of prime grazing land in ictoria and Tasmania . The core business focuses on producing high quality Angus cattle raised under sustainable practices . The TRT Pastoral Group herd is one of the largest privately owned Angus herds in Australia .

The King Island aggregation 8,500 ha of some of the most productive beef grazing land in the world 8,000 high quality Angus cows plus progeny :

Farms focus on optimising pasture production and utilisation through advanced gazing management

Position available and responsibilities

Appl' via Email: KIAdmin@trtgroup.com.au

Phone: Cod' Whiteman +61 439 6/6 524 Northern Division management role available Managing large scale intensive beef operations Day to day management of northern division staff Desirable qualification in the Grazing For Profit school or Pasture Principles course Low stress stock handling , handling large numbers of cattle and grazing management Hands on manager who can lead by example , mentor staff and provide a safe workplace Production reporting including collating , analysing and acting on performance data

An attractive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidate , including a vehicle , communications and a comfortable house . *ing )sland offers world famous golf , pristine beaches , surfing , diving , crayfish , fishing and gourmet cheese . Applicants must be an Australian or N citizen .

LK0104232©

Farm Manager on Training Wheels - Wellsford.

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

LK0105135©

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

AG JOBS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Farm Manager

DOLOMITE

Noticeboard

STOP BIRDS NOW!

P.O. Box 30, Palmerston North 4440, NZ

0800 436 566 ZON BIRDSCARER

4X4 TAGALONG TOURS Bring your own 4X4 on a guided tour to discover more of the South Island.

electro-tek@xtra.co.nz

Phone: +64 6 357 2454

DE HORNER

HOOF TRIMMER

EARMARKERS

Tour 1 Molesworth Station, St James, and Rainbow Stations

Dates 2021 March 5-9, March 21-25, April 11-15. Other dates available for groups of 6 or more people on request

Phone 0274 351 955 Email info@southislandtoursnz.com www.southislandtoursnz.com

WOOL

Independent wool brokers Est. 1983

Dedicated to delivering farmers the best service and best returns

LK0105323©

Jan 25-28, Feb 21-24, March 28-31, April 25-28.

Tour 2 D’Urville Island and

ATTENTION FARMERS

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

FAST GRASS www.gibb-gro.co.nz GROWTH PROMOTANT Only $6.00 per hectare + GST delivered Brian Mace 0274 389 822 brianmace@xtra.co.nz DAGS .20c PER KG. Replacement woolpacks. PV Weber Wools. Kawakawa Road, Feilding. Phone 06 323 9550.

WORD ONLY ADVERTISING. Phone Marie on 0800 985 25 80.

BIRDS/POULTRY

Christmas close down

PULLETS HY-LINE brown, great layers. 07 824 1762. Website: eurekapoultryfarm.weebly. com – Have fresh eggs each day!!!

Our last Farmers Weekly publication for 2020 is December 14.

FOR ONLY $2.10 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in Farmers Weekly Classifieds. Phone Marie on 0800 85 25 80.

Our office will be closed from 5pm December 16 and will reopen January 5, 2021 for our first publication January 11.

BOOKS FOR SALE

WARNING

Booking and material deadline January 6

LK0104519©

Dates 2021

Marlborough High Country

ANIMAL HANDLING

w w w. e l e c t r o t e k . c o . n z

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

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 14, 2020

Debbie 06 323 0765 classifieds@globalhq.co.nz farmersweekly.co.nz/advertising

Heavy duty long lasting Ph 021 047 9299

Live Auction . Online Auction

Adding value from shed to sale!

Selling something?

4 3 S ever n S tr eet Pandor a, Napier

Call Debbie

. 06 835 6174 . www.kellswool. co. nz

New book by farmer and hunter Kerry Butler may offend those of a sensitive disposition as it includes steamy tales about hot-to-trot women.

LK0105150©

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

LK104615©

To see all about it including photos from the book, and to read sample chapters just google: Kerry Butler CHB.NET

GENUINE $500 REDUCTION - DECEMBER ONLY SPECIAL -

FARM MAPPING

GORSE AND THISTLE SPRAY. We also scrub cut. Four men with all gear in your area. Phone Dave 06 375 8032.

SIMPLE AND CLEAR farm maps with paddock sizes will help you achieve your daily goals. Get a free quote from farmmapping. co.nz

DEERLAND TRADING LTD DEERLAND TRADING LTD buying deer velvet this season and paying above the average. Also contractor required to buy deer velvet. Payment on commission basis. Contact 021 269 7608.

DOGS FOR SALE ONE 6-MONTH Huntaway dog pup, great breeding and noise. ONE 14-month Huntaway suits cattle or yard work. Phone 027 243 8541. PARAPARA/MAKIRIKIRI SDT CLUB will be holding their annual working dog sale on Sunday 24 January 2021. All enquiries to Duncan Atkinson phone 06 342 6807. Auctioneer Chris Hay 027 632 7177. Registration of dogs for sale can be done with secretary Brenda O’Leary 06 342 7508. SELLING, BUYING DOGS during holidays. www.youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos email: mikehughesworkingdogs@ farmside.co.nz

DOGS WANTED 12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195.

FOR SALE MUESLI BARS - delicious wholefood gift or snack. www.bakergirlnz.wix.com/ gobars, Phone 021 667 486

FORESTRY WANTED

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

GOATS WANTED

FERAL GOATS WANTED. All head counted, payment on pick-up, pick-up within 24 hours. Prices based on works schedule. Experienced musterers available. Phone Bill and Vicky Le Feuvre 07 893 8916. 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. NAKI GOATS. Trucking goats to the works every week throughout the NI. Phone Michael and Clarice. 027 643 0403.

CRAIGCO

SHEEP JETTERS

TOWABLE TOPPING MOWER

0800 85 25 80

CONTRACTORS

SHEEP JETTERS SINCE 1992

11.5HP Briggs & Stratton Motor. Industrial. Electric start.

CRAIGCO SENSOR JET

GST $4200 INCLUSIVE

$3700 To find out more visit www.moamaster.co.nz

Phone 027 367 6247 • Email: info@moamaster.co.nz

TUX NEW ZEALAND 2021

LK0105095©

GST INCLUSIVE

Guaranteed Performance Save time and Money . Flystrike and Lice cost $$$ Quick to Set up . Easy to use . Job Done

WAIKATO CENTRE YARDING & HANDY DOG CHALLENGE NORTH ISLAND SEMI INAL & NEW ZEALAND FINAL WAIKATO CENTRE TRANS-TASMAN COURSE

Robust construction. Auto shut gate. Adjustable V panels Total 20 Jets. Lambs 5 jets. Side jets for Lice. Davey Twin Impeller Pump. 6.5 or 9.0 Hp motors

To be held on Aratiatia Station, View Road, Taupo (off Broadlands Road) Yarding competition: Thursday 14th, Friday 15th, Saturday 16th January Handy competition: Friday 15th, Saturday 16th January Trans-Tasman Course: Thursday 14th, Friday 15th, Saturday 16th January Run off & all finals for Yarding on Sunday 17th January

06 8356863 . 021 061 1800

www.craigcojetters.com

Head Steward: Kim Robinson (09) 233 3155 or 027 499 5077 Secretary: Colin Wilson 027 495 5368, email colin.maplehill@yahoo.com

T HI NK P R E B U I L T

BTZ Forestry Marketing and Harvesting (Obtaining the best profits for our customers) 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.

Free quotes Markets for all species Email: BTZforestry@gmail.com

NEW HOMES SOLID – PRACTICAL

WELL INSULATED – AFFORDABLE

Our homes are built using the same materials & quality as an onsite build. Easily transported to almost anywhere in the North Island. Plans range from one bedroom to four bedroom First Home – Farm House Investment – Beach Bach

Call or email us for your free copy of our plans Email: info@ezylinehomes.co.nz Phone: 07 572 0230 Web: www.ezylinehomes.co.nz

LK0102279©

Rangitaiki Station for their sheep Purina Tux JW Carston Contracting LTD Permapine Ltd Water Services NZ Matamata Tractors & Machinery Blackhills Fencing Ballance Farm Source Taupo ITM Placemakers Hynds Taupo AFFCO VetPlus Taupo Stony Creek Vetora Vets Reporoa Groundspread Ltd Corohawke GoodWood Dog Beds Ravensdown Taupo

LK0105237©

Aratiatia Station for land & sheep Gordon Transport Taupo PGG Wrightsons, Taupo Taupo Power Sports Lakeview Helicopters JAKs Haulage Ltd Tremains Real Estate Ltd Tracmach Ltd Taupo Kia Bunnings Taupo Mitre 10 Hunting & Fishing Farm Source Reporoa Carrfields Carters Trev Terry Marine Tomo’s Saws & Mowers Taupo Vet Centre Farmlands 5 Star

LK0103214©

Many thanks to all our sponsors

Livestock Noticeboard

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

GRAZING AVAILABLE. Short or long term. Port Albert 021 885 436

POLL DORSET RAMS, muscle scanned, SIL recorded. Brucellosis accredited. All sires. Foot rot and eczema tested. Phone 09 292 2504 or 021 0731 620.

NZ KELP. FRESH, wild ocean harvested giant kelp. The worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE WILTSHIRES-ARVIDSON. Self shearing sheep. No1 for Facial Eczema. David 027 2771 556. PERENDALE RAMS, 6 mixed age. Bred Longview Stud, Tutira, FE tolerant, excellent condition. $150. Northern HB. Phone 06 837 5751.

Gore A&P Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

SOUTH ISLAND PREMIER STUD RAM AUCTION 175 Rams on offer

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

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

Got something to sell?

Tuesday 19 January 2021

1.30pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Southern Texel Ram Sale Other Breeds â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Texel, Suffolk, Poll Dorset, South Suffolk, Southdown, Dorset Down, Hampshire and Beltex Rams followed by Flock Rams

250 2YR FRSN/HERE STEERS 500-550kg

FRANKTON SALE YARDS Wednesday 16th December 2020 On A/c: Matijasevich Sons Trust

2YR ANGUS STEERS 500kg

Enquiries to Bill Sweeney 0274 515 310

11. 30am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Romney & Border Leicester followed by Flock Rams

Catalogues available from: www.goreapshowgrounds.co.nz 03 2086441 or 027 374 3314 E: goreapsecretary@gmail.com

60 2YR FRSN BULLS 520kg

ANNUAL DRAFT OF SOUTH DEVON STEERS & HEIFERS

Comprising: 100 x 1Yr South Devon Steers 20 x 2Yr South Devon Heifers 40 x 1Yr South Devon Heifers Capital stock â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hill country cattle that know how to shift.

LK0105288Â©

HORTICULTURE

STOCK FOR SALE 1YR FRSN BULLS 350-480kg

STOCK REQUIRED

1YR ANG & AX HEIFERS 250-320kg

STORE LAMBS Male 24-31kg CULL EWES & DRY COWS www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381 LK0105065Â©

GRAZING AVAILABLE

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

Streamed live on mylivestock.co.nz Auto bids can also be placed

WANTED

TE KUITI LIVESTOCK CENTRE

2020 AUTUMN BORN FRSN HEIFERS 2020 SPRING BORN FRSN HEIFERS F12+: $1600 + GST / head F8-F11â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: $1500 + GST / head F7/Unrecorded: $1300 + GST 170kg min live weight

TE KUITI LIVESTOCK CENTRE

Advertise in Farmers Weekly

Upcoming Cattle & Sheep Sales â&#x20AC;&#x201C; January 2021

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

Delivery Date â&#x20AC;&#x201C; April 2021

â&#x20AC;¢Tuesday 5th Januaryâ&#x20AC;¢ TE KUITI BULLOCK FAIR

Dorper Sheep

â&#x20AC;¢ True to type Friesian Heifers, including the F8-F11 unrecorded heifers.

â&#x20AC;¢Wednesday 6th Januaryâ&#x20AC;¢

The no wool meat breed

Livestock

SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

950 x 2Â½ year Steers

â&#x20AC;¢ Standard Chinese Protocol, heifers must have been on the property for a minimum of 6 months at the time of delivery.

TE KUITI 15-MTH EXOTIC STEER FAIR 1170 x 15-mth Char, Sim, Sth Devon Steers â&#x20AC;¢Thursday 7th Januaryâ&#x20AC;¢ 960 x 15-mth Ang, Hfd Steers

BYLLIVESTOCK.CO.NZ

â&#x20AC;¢Friday 8th Januaryâ&#x20AC;¢

"Maximising your return through personal livestock management"

$440

ANG/FRS STEERS 1550 x 15-mth Steers

â&#x20AC;¢ High meat yielding carcasses

50 Here/Frs Heifers 325kg

â&#x20AC;¢ Self-shedding

50 Here/Frs Steers 3 5kg

â&#x20AC;¢ High libido and fertile rams & ewes

TE KUITI 15-MTH HEIFER & BULL FAIR

â&#x20AC;¢ Continuous breeding season

995 x 15-mth Exotic, Ang & Hfd x Heifers

Owner bred yearling Frs bulls

_______________________________ 021 169 8276 027 96 7 1 |

06 7 6 8968

027 96 7 12

07 88 7 12

027 707 1271 027 96 7 11

07 823 4559

byllivestock

Specialist breeder of fast growth rate and high meat yielding rams that will increase farm profitability.

On Farm Auction;

Friday December 18. 12 midday. Inspection from 10am. 300 Maternal and Terminal Rams. Garth & Chris Shaw, Wharetoa T: 03 415 9074 E: wharetoa@farmside.co.nz www.wharetoagenetics.co.nz

â&#x20AC;¢ Outstanding for hogget mating producing small robust lambs â&#x20AC;¢ Suitable for lifestyle and commercial farms To find a registered breeder near you or to learn more about the breed check out:

www.nzsheep.co.nz/dorper

Beef up your bull knowledge

â&#x20AC;¢Monday January 11thâ&#x20AC;¢

Subscribe to our bull sales eNewsletters to receive updates with the latest results from across the country direct to your inbox.

â&#x20AC;¢Tuesday 12th Januaryâ&#x20AC;¢ LK0105343Â©

WA E

PHONE TIM ON 027 443 7420 FOR MORE INFORMATION

ONGARUE EWE FAIR â&#x20AC;¢Wednesday January 13thâ&#x20AC;¢ TE KUITI 2TH EWE FAIR â&#x20AC;¢Friday 22nd Januaryâ&#x20AC;¢ TE KUITI M/A EWE FAIR

LK0105292Â©

Weaner Friesian Bulls 100kg min. Unit loads.

NORTH & SOUTH ISLAND

TE KUITI 15-MTH HFD/FRS &

â&#x20AC;¢ Excellent terminal sire and fat lamb proposition

FOR SALE

Richard Seavill Chris Smith Chris yle Jason Roberts Bryce Young

LK0105344Â©

TE KUITI 15-MTH TRAD. STEER FAIR

farmersweekly.co.nz/enewsletters

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

Livestock Noticeboard

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 14, 2020

LIVE EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES Carrfields Livestock Agents currently hold export cattle shipment details from multiple reputable exporters that gives you the choice of timing, and pricing that suits you.

LK0104968©

Contact your local Carrfields Agent for more details or Contact: Paul Kane 027 286 9279 National Dairy & Live Export Co-ordinator

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz COURTENAY SUFFOLK FEMALE DISPERSAL SALE

Give Ella a bell: 0800 85 25 80

A/c Seaton Farming On Friday 5th February 2021 at Canterbury Park, Christchurch Viewing from 10am Sale commencing 1pm

PRELIMINARY NOTICE:

WAITUI WILTSHIRE On Farm Sale 27th January 2021

COMPRISING OF: 200 x Mixed Aged Ewes 60 x Ewe Lambs born 2020

COMPRISING OF: 700 Ewe Lambs 400 Cast for Age Ewes 20 2th Ewes 10 Ram Lambs

Courtenay Suffolk flock was first registered in 1980 and has been at the forefront of the breed for a long time. This sale gives all intending purchasers a great opportunity. Carrfields Livestock Agent: Callum Dunnett 027 587 0131

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz LK0105140©

Vendor Warwick Seaton 027 460 2276

CAPITAL STOCK COW SALE

SHIRE® (hair) & WILTSHIRE (shedding) BOOK HARDY MEAT BRED 2 TOOTH RAMS NOW! Shearing Shed used for events now!

ALSO TUFTY® (POLLED HIGHLAND) BULLS, COWS & CALVES AVAILABLE

Certified BioGro (215) Organic since 1989. Deliver all over NZ

Phone Tim & Helen Gow 03 225 5283 www.organic-rams.co.nz • Email: tim@organic-rams.co.nz 2nd annual

Festival 2021 1-3 January 2021

™

HEALING & MUSIC

www.revitalize.nz

Tickets via www.eventfinda.co.nz ◆ PAUL UBANA JONES ◆ CRAIG SMITH ◆ JULIAN TEMPLE BAND

Live music ◆ Guitar & songwriting workshops ◆ Ayurveda ◆ Kundalini Reiki energy healing ◆ Kundaini yoga ◆ Children’s & family yoga ◆ Sabbatical fallowing & organics workshops ◆ Food trucks or own food ◆ Family friendly play areas, walks and animals ◆ $10/day camping on site ◆ Shire hair sheep & Tufty cattle ◆ Brain gym ◆ Open mic night ◆ EVs Cars Bikes UTvs 2576 Clifden Blackmount Rd, between Manapouri and Tuatapere

Livestock Advertising? Call Ella: 0800 85 25 80

.co.nz 0800 TO BIDR (0800 86 2437)

Thursday 7th Jan 2021 @ 12 noon A/c OJ & M Cathcart 17th Annual Heifer Sale 820 x 15mth Hfrs Comprising of approx 200 Angus, 260 Charolais, 310 BWF, 50 Exotic X Heifers sourced from Sales & Private purchases from the North Island.

We will offer a complete dispersal sale of top performing Pure Bred Belted Galloway Cow Herd being sold due to a change in farming practice. COMPRISING OF THE FOLLOWING AGE GROUPS: 15 x 15 mth Heifers 10 x 1st Calving Cows & Calves 8 x 2nd Calving Cows & Calves 8 x 3rd Calving Cows & Calves 17 x 4th Calving Cows & Calves 10 x 5th & 6th Calving Cows & Calves 6 x 7th & 8th Calving Cows & Calves 8 x M/A Cows (no tags) & Calves

TUAKAU BEEF 15mth STEER FAIR Tuesday 12th January 2021 @ 12 noon Comprising of 1400 Beef Bred Steers 630 Angus, 460 Charolais, 310 Angus Hfrd & Exotic Annual Drafts From: AM Don Kauri Ridge OJ & M Cathcart T Baldwin Culverden Holdings

TUAKAU DAIRY BEEF STEER FAIR Thursday 14th January 2021 Comprising of approx 140 x R3 BWF 600 x R2 BWF 100 x R2 Ang X All enquiries to Craig Chamberlain 0275 320 253 Dave Anderson 0274 981 201 or Tuakau Office 09 2369882 Catalogues can be downloaded from our website

LK0105182©

Reduced work, high fertility, hardy, fast growing lambs. Stud established 1987

TUAKAU HEIFER SALE

LK0105174©

NO DRENCHING SINCE 1989

A/c Montevue Farm 1937 Blackmount Clifden Road RD 2 Otautau On 23rd December 2020 at 1.30pm

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

LK0105322©

HARDY low input EASY CARE MEAT SHEEP NO FLY STRIKE, NO DAGGING, NO SHEARING, NO VACCINES, NO DIPPING

TAIHAPE

For further details contact: Derek Mickleson 027 471 9025 or 06 388 1715

For more information please contact:

PGG Wrightson Agent: Simon Eddington 027 590 8612

WAITUI WILTSHIRE

LK0105242©

Stock sale coming up?

All cows & heifers were mated with Lillesleaf Belted Galloway Bulls on 02/12. All cattle have been BVD Tested & jabbed as heifers coming into the herd. The yearling bulls out these cows have been sold to regular buyer to service the dairy industry. A good opportunity to buy genuine cows with good temperament. CONTACT: Steve Brunell 027 473 0317

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Bid online Bid on farm

Livestock Noticeboard

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 14, 2020

SALE TALK A gingerbread man went to the doctor’s complaining of a sore knee. “A sore knee?” the doctor said. “Have you tried icing it?”

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

To advertise

Check out Poll Dorset NZ on Facebook

• Open Headed, Upstanding sheep • High Fertility – 5 year average 170% • Fine Wool Corriedales – 26.8 micron ram hogget average • Footrot Resistant – ALL rams tested • SIL recorded • Drought Resistant, Long Living and Fence Friendly • Proven Genetics and Quality Assured

Call Ella: 0800 85 25 80

Breeding the difference

How much did Santa pay for his sleigh? Nothing. It was on the house!

38TH ANNUAL ELITE SIRE STAG SALE

Here at Farmers Weekly we get some pretty funny contributions to our Sale Talk joke from you avid readers, and we’re keen to hear more!

Saturday 9th January 2021 @ 1pm

WILFIELD CORRIEDALES

FEATURING FULL BROTHERS TO:

MORDECAI, TITANIC, ROBERT HAY, PHOENIX, ICONIC

Plus sons of and progeny by:

If you’ve got a joke you want to share with the Farming community (it must be something you’d share with your grandmother...) then email us at: saletalk@ globalhq.co.nz with Sale Talk in the subject line and we’ll print it and credit it to you.

CANE, ORLANDO, FITZROY, KALLIS, RIGBY, APEX, ADIDAS, MUNRO, MCCAW. ABRAHAM (LINCOLN SON) AND BOSS (PURE GERMAN). SCAN FOR CATALOGUE

Conditions apply

1213 West Coast Road, West Melton, Christchurch Contact Robin Wilson • robin.wilfield@xtra.co.nz • 021 1583866 www.wilfieldsheepstud.co.nz • www.facebook.com/Wilfield sheep stud

Catalogues will be posted out in December

ALL ENQUIRIES: Barry Gard 021 222 8964 bgard@foverandeerpark.co.nz www.foverandeerpark.co.nz

CRAIGNEUK

On offer 280 Rams Made up of 200 Terminal Rams • Dorset Down X lambs growing 500 to 600 grams a day from birth to weaning • South Dorset Rams for quick maturity • SIL Recorded and Studfax • Autumn Scan 80 Maternal Halfbred and Quarterbred Rams Merino Ram/Romney Ewe MILK • WOOL • MEAT Bred to fit the Smartwool Contract 20-25 micron Grown in the harsh Maniototo climate

STORTFORD LODGE SALE YARDS

Opawa Downs Ltd 1299 Mt Nessing Road, Albury Wednesday 6th January, 2021 Commencing 1pm

Stortford Lodge Early Ewe Fair Friday 18th December, 10.30am

Enquiries: Sam Bell 0272 040 499 Helping grow the country

Livestock Advertising? Call Ella: 0800 85 25 80

Friday, 18 December 2020 12.00pm - Wharetoa Genetics Ram Sale Monday, 4 January 2020 7.30pm - Piripiri Station second weaning draft, new season Romdale store lambs, approx 1,400 head

Contact Ella:

0800 85 25 80

livestock@globalhq.co.nz

LK0105315©

8TH ON FARM LAMB & EWE SALE

Signposted from Albury Township.

Tuesday, 15 December 2020 7.30pm Piripiri Station first draft, new season Terminal X store lambs, approx 1,400 head

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

Enquiries to: Johnny Duncan 027 327 2372 or email: JDuncan.Craigneuk@xtra.co.nz

This year’s sale is being held over 2 sets of sheep yards, starting at Riverview yards with approx. 2000 lambs & ewes followed by Opawa Downs yards with 2000 lambs.

UPCOMING AUCTIONS

Going Going Gone!

Annual on Farm Sale Friday 15th January 2021

• Approx. 2000 Romney Crypt Lambs • Approx. 2000 Black Face Mix Sex Lambs • 700 CFA Crossbred Ewes All lambs offered for sale are undrafted & will be weaned morning of sale and drafted into sale lines on size & breed. The Romney lambs are based on Moto-nui Bloodlines. Majority are run on hill and are recommended as both short term and winter lambs.

NZ’s Virtual Saleyard

Livestock advertising?

Total yarding - 13,145 Comprising: • 3,450 2th Ewes • 1,850 4th Ewes • 4,665 MA Ewes • 3,180 5yr Ewes PGG Wrightson on behalf of Clients will offer 8,200 including the following special entries: Atua Station | Elsthorpe Capital Stock – Farm sold • 800 Romney 2th Ewes • 500 Romney 4yr Ewes Sired by Hildreth genetics for 15 years. Flock scan 180%. Top quality breeding ewes. Merlindale Farm | Kereru • 400 4th Romney Ewes • 400 MA Romney Ewes Awanui Stn | Paki Paki • 380 2th Romney Ewes

Key: Dairy

Helping grow the country

Sheep

MCMILLAN SHEDDING SHEEP

MATAWHERO SALEYARD, GISBORNE

850 Wiltshire Ram lambs Wednesday 20th January, 2021 Te Kuiti Saleyards - 1pm

UPCOMING SALES:

This will be the last opportunity to buy rams from McMillan Shedding Sheep. They will be sold in lines to suit all purchasers.

PRELIMINARY NOTICES: McMillan Shedding Sheep - Total Flock Dispersal Thursday 18th February Te Kuiti Saleyards - 12pm

Other

MATAWHERO SHEEP SALE Friday, 18th December, 10am MATAWHERO EWE FAIR Wednesday, 6th January 2021, 10am MATAWHERO SHEEP SALE Friday, 8th January 2021, 10am MATAWHERO CATTLE SALE Tuesday, 12th January 2021, 11am Enquiries to: Jamie Hayward 027 434 7586 Chris Hurlstone 027 598 6542

3000 Wiltshire Sheep comprising: • 950 Ewe lambs • 600 2th Ewes • 1450 MA Ewes

TE KUITI 15MNTH HEIFER SALE

King Country Wiltshire sale Friday 19th February Te Kuiti Saleyards - 12pm

Monday 11th January 2021, 12pm start

• 2500 Wiltshire Sheep from multiple vendors Enquiries: Marty Cashin 027 497 6414

Ram Sales

Breeding Better Business

A/c G & J Fowlie - Farm sold • 54 Ylg Angus heifers (ex Keith Abbott) • 22 Ylg Angus heifers (ex Shea Bros) • 20 Ylg Angus heifers (ex G & A Carmichael) All heifers are by top Angus bulls.

Campden Farm | Waiware • 900 MA Romney Ewes Enquiries: Neil Common 027 444 8745

Cattle

For upcoming sales visit us online

Enquiries: Len Sheeran 0274 735 859

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

Helping grow the country

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.

Mel Croad

Suz Bremner

Reece Brick

Nicola Dennis

Sarah Friel

Caitlin Pemberton

Deer

Sheep

Cattle BEEF

SHEEP MEAT

VENISON

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.20

5.35

6.20

NI lamb (17kg)

6.90

7.00

8.75

NI Stag (60kg)

5.50

6.20

8.60

NI Bull (300kg)

5.15

5.30

6.35

NI mutton (20kg)

5.00

5.10

6.20

SI Stag (60kg)

5.65

5.75

8.60

NI Cow (200kg)

3.80

3.90

4.80

SI lamb (17kg)

6.80

6.90

8.80

SI Steer (300kg)

4.80

4.90

6.00

SI mutton (20kg)

4.90

5.10

6.20

SI Bull (300kg)

4.80

4.90

6.10

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

3.55

4.75

UK CKT lamb leg

9.03

9.01

11.57

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Export markets (NZ$/kg) 7.11

7.22

9.06

US domestic 90CL cow

7.11

6.33

8.15

North Island steer slaughter price 6.50

8.0

South Island steer slaughter price

$/kg CW

5.50

10.0

South Island lamb slaughter price

Dairy

Jun

Aug 2020-21

Oct

2.06

2.07

2.79

37 micron ewe

1.75

30 micron lamb

Jun

Aug 2020-21

3150

3000

SMP

2835

2830

2825

AMF

4140

4100

4050

Butter

3500

3460

3430

Prior week

Last year

Urea

607

616

Super

300

314

DAP

799

787

Top 10 by Market Cap Close

YTD High

YTD Low

31.79

37.89

21.1

415

Meridian Energy Limited (NS)

6.89

7.1

3.61

410

Auckland International Airport Limited

8.2

9.21

4.26

405

The a2 Milk Company Limited

21.74

13.68

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

6.75

6.98

3.595

Spark New Zealand Limited

4.535

5.09

3.445

Ryman Healthcare Limited

14.9

17.18

6.61

390

Mainfreight Limited

62.2

62.5

385

Contact Energy Limited

8.02

8.26

4.54

Infratil Limited

7.18

7.35

400 395

Jan-20

Mar-20

May-20

Jul-20

Sep-20

Nov-20

1.66

395

Delegat Group Limited

15.75

15.82

6.39

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

4.34

4.72

3.41

Foley Wines Limited

1.89

2.13

1.35

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

0.78

0.9

0.68

390

Jan-20

Mar-20

May-20

Jul-20

Sep-20

Nov-20

Marlborough Wine Estates Group Limited

0.285

0.17

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

1.65

2.3

1.29

PGG Wrightson Limited

3.12

3.35

1.55

Sanford Limited (NS)

5.21

8.2

4.81

Scales Corporation Limited

4.79

5.35

3.3

Seeka Limited

4.38

4.74

3.4

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

5.49

9.1

4.36

T&G Global Limited

350 $/tonne

3000 2900

13.68

4.97

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index

3100

YTD Low

21.74

3.24

400

3200

YTD High

Comvita Limited

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

3300

400

Nov-19

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

5pm, close of market, Thursday

The a2 Milk Company Limited

380

* price as at close of business on Thursday

Listed Agri Shares Company

385

6.80

NZ average (NZ$/t)

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

Nov-19

$/tonne

3190

6.95

Apr 2019-20

Company

380

vs 4 weeks ago

WMP

7.09

Feb

Last week

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY Prior week

Dec

FERTILISER

Coarse xbred ind.

$/tonne Sept. 2021

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Last price*

Oct

Fertiliser

Aug 2020-21

Last year

D …

Sept. 2020

O …

…

J…

…

F…

6.00 D …

Jun

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

6.50

2800

Apr 2019-20

Prior week

7.00

Milk Price

Feb

Last week

7.50

Nearby contract

Dec 5-yr ave

Grain

Data provided by

MILK PRICE FUTURES

5.50

7.0

5-yr ave

(NZ$/kg)

2019-20

8.0

5.0

WOOL

Apr

9.0

6.0

4.50 Feb

South Island stag slaughter price

11.0

5.00

5-yr ave

$/kg MS

5.0

7.0

5.0

Dec

7.0

6.0

6.00

Oct

8.0 6.0

$/kg CW

4.50

6.50

9.0

7.0

9.0

Last year

North Island stag slaughter price

11.0

8.0

5.00

$/kg CW

5.50

Last week Prior week

10.0

5.0

4.00

US$/t

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

6.0

6.00

4.00

Last year

North Island lamb slaughter price

9.0 $/kg CW

US imported 95CL bull

Last week Prior week

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

William Hickson

Ingrid Usherwood

2.84

2.93

2.35

15595

16959

12699

S&P/NZX 50 Index

12860

12889

8499

S&P/NZX 10 Index

13154

13235

9100

300 250

Dec

Jan Feb Latest price

Mar

Apr 4 weeks ago

May

200

Nov-19

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

Jan-20

Mar-20

May-20

Jul-20

Sep-20

Nov-20

15595

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

12860

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

13154

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

Pulse

WEATHER Soil Moisture

Overview We have a calm week on the way this week, with a giant belt of high pressure crossing New Zealand. For many farmers and growers you’ll be pleased to know most, if not all of you, should have a three-day window to get those important outdoor jobs done before the Christmas period arrives. As this high slowly departs later this week, it will encourage a warmer subtropical flow. There is a chance a tropical cyclone will reach NZ around Christmas Eve.

Do the math before delaying cattle kills

10/12/2020

Nicola Dennis nicola.dennis@globalhq.co.nz

Source: NIWA Data

Highlights

Wind

Light winds this week with any remaining southerlies fading. Later in the week, a northerly quarter wind develops from out of the sub-tropics.

Highlights/ Extremes

Temperature This week kicks off about average, with some inland and to the east enjoying warmer than average afternoons. As the week and weekend progress, warmer than average weather will spread across both islands, especially inland and to the south (sub-tropical northerlies).

14-day outlook

High pressure is the main theme for this week bringing a dry, calm, window to every region for a minimum of three days, others may have it around for nearly a week. The setup weakens on Friday as a rainmaker moves back into Fiordland, and brings slightly windier and cloudier weather to Southland and Otago. The humid nor’east flow will spread down over the country and this will feed more rain into Fiordland, South Westland and potentially into Southland and Otago, too. Next week, all eyes are on the Tasman Sea and Tropics as a likely cyclone comes down our way. It’s not yet locked in for NZ, but does seem to pose some threat to us.

High pressure expands over NZ this week, and a tropical cyclone is likely to form north of NZ and intensify – it may impact NZ around December 24.

7-day rainfall forecast

100

200

400

It’s drier than average this week across NZ due to high pressure. However, next week there is the chance of flooding if we get this tropical cyclone. The cyclone is not yet locked in, but well worth monitoring.

Weather brought to you in partnership with weatherwatch.co.nz

IGHT now there is a rush to clear the decks and improve cashflow for the holiday season, which has led to the annual December cattle processing backlogs. Kill space is likely to be tighter in the South Island this December due to the extra trading cattle that have accumulated through herd rebuilding and diminished buying from the North Island. At this stage, the pre-Christmas cattle flow appears to be more muted in the North Island in comparison, which may open up the channels for more South Island cattle to travel to the North Island for processing. The threat of further backlogs in the new year, and subsequent price deductions that would accompany them, would warrant a cautious approach to delaying slaughter for killable cattle – even if they could stand to gain a few kilograms. Whatever gains that could be made in carcase weights are likely to be lost in deductions to beef schedules. For example, an extra 30kg of liveweight would be worth $75-80/hd at current slaughter values, but if schedules drop by 25c/kg while that liveweight is gained, then no extra value is realised. Therefore, it is worth grabbing the calculator to back up any gut decisions about target slaughter weights, particularly when replacement store stock is good buying relative to current slaughter values. Prime cattle supply has been curiously strong during winter and spring, with weekly slaughter rates consistently pushing 2-3000hd above last year’s levels. The average steer carcase weights during August and September were 323kg and 318kg respectively. This is higher than the usual 315kg range for this time of year, suggesting that these higher kill rates are the result of heavy cattle that have been held on farms for longer. Because prime cattle require extra chilling space and boning time compared to manufacturing bull and cow carcases, prime slaughter throughputs have borne the brunt of the processing slowdowns and storage issues that have punctuated this year. This would have caused some prime cattle to accumulate in the system, pushing

Merry Christmas from the team at GlobalHQ. Wishing you and your families a wonderful summer break. May the new year bring happiness, joy and new adventures.

globalhq.co.nz - you’ve come to the right place

slaughter back into the off-season. When we also add in the widespread drought that prevented some cattle from reaching slaughter weight before the winter, and also some trader optimism that delaying slaughter until the spring time would result in better returns, we have a pretty good recipe for carrying over some extra cattle into the start of this season. Unfortunately, this season’s cattle have also faced challenges; the slow start to the spring pasture did not help the lighter drought-challenged cattle catch up on weights. Even now, with most regions in a comfortable position for feed, cold weather has taken the shine off cattle growth rates. This has some farmers cancelling bookings to give cattle more time to reach target slaughter weight. Particularly bull farmers in Hawke’s Bay, where extreme weather earlier on has impacted bull yields. For cattle that are up to weight now, there is also the temptation to hold off slaughter to control excess pasture. This all points to a delay in the peak cattle slaughter season, which is a concern for slaughter space into the new year. Nobody wants a repeat of last season’s gruelling six-month cattle slaughter backlog. A delay in the prime cattle and bull kill through November and December last year was an important contributor to this situation as it meant that bookings clashed with a drought offload in January and then the peak dairy cow cull in March. Supply chain issues and New Zealand lockdowns were also key contributors, and these are not entirely out of the question for this season either.

CAUTIOUS APPROACH: It is worth grabbing the calculator to back up any gut decisions about target slaughter weights, particularly when replacement store stock is good buying relative to current slaughter values, AgriHQ analyst Nicola Dennis says.

SALE YARD WRAP

Busy end to the year Most sale yards around the country are getting busy heading into the Christmas break. Lamb weaning is underway and at some yards prime ewes have been coming forward in higher than usual numbers as farmers target an early offload of older ewes. At Feilding, volume for the last three weeks reached 18,500, which was up 5400 on the five-year average. South Island yards have also reported high volumes of store lambs – Canterbury Park tallies jumped to 5200 last Tuesday and at Coalgate the total sheep tally rose to 8400. The first ewe fair for the season will be held at Stortford Lodge on Friday and tallies are significantly higher this year as farm sales mean capital stock ewes are offered up, as well as offloads of five-year ewes which would typically come to market at the January ewe fairs. NORTHLAND Wellsford store cattle • Two-year Charolais-cross steers, 487-573kg, managed $2.60$2.75/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 352-370kg, realised $2.83$2.89/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, 291-331kg, fetched $2.54$2.63/kg A larger yarding of 926 store cattle was penned at WELLSFORD last Monday and the flow-on effect of reduced schedules meant most traded at softer levels. Two-year beef-dairy steers, 394-495kg, eased to $2.65-$2.77/kg. Angus-cross and Hereford-Friesian heifers, 398-485kg, came back to $2.47/kg to $2.61/kg. Yearling Hereford and better beef-dairy steers, 394-439kg, managed $2.67-$2.77/ kg. Hereford heifers, 321-351kg, softened to $2.55-$2.65/kg while Hereford-Friesian, 333-390kg, managed $2.49-$2.53/ kg. Most traditional bulls, 260-343kg, returned $2.41-$2.50/ kg. Weaner numbers increased and steers, 93kg-131kg, traded at $440-$535. Beef-dairy heifers, 106-130kg, eased to $405-$455. Read more in your LivestockEye.

AUCKLAND Pukekohe cattle • Light weaner steers earned $440-$550 • Medium weaner heifers fetched $380-$470 • Good boner cows made $2.00/kg to $2.13/kg Prime steers eased at PUKEKOHE with medium types at $2.58-$2.63/kg and prime heifers earned $2.48/kg to $2.60/ kg. Medium yearling whiteface heifers traded at $2.50/kg to $2.61/kg and light off-bred yearling steers sold at $2.36/kg to $2.59/kg.

COUNTIES Tuakau sales • Charolais steers, 250kg, made $805. • Hereford-Friesian heifers, 469kg, earned $2.58/kg • Prime ewes reached $185 Around 600 store cattle were presented at TUAKAU last Thursday and the market firmed, PGG Wrightson agent Craig Reiche reported. Hereford-Friesian steers, 438kg, earned $2.84/kg, and 329kg Angus-Friesian, $935. HerefordFriesian heifers, 375kg, made $975 and 307kg Angus-cross, returned $810. Ex-service beef bulls, 600-710kg, managed $2.40/kg to $2.76/kg. Heavy prime steers traded at $2.56$2.64/kg on Wednesday, and medium, $2.45-$2.56/kg. Heifers sold at similar rates, with heavy types making $2.54$2.63/kg and medium, $2.44-$2.54/kg. Well-conditioned Friesian cows fetched $1.60-$1.77/kg, medium boners returned $1.35/kg to $1.60/kg and light, $1.20/kg to $1.35/ kg. Monday’s sheep sale drew 3500 head, heavy prime lambs managed $146-$170 and medium, $120-$146. Heavy prime ewes realised $150-$185, medium $100-$150 and light $60-$100.

WAIKATO Frankton cattle 8.12 • Autumn-born yearling Charolais-cross steers, 445-472kg, returned $2.66-$2.70/kg • Autumn-born yearling Charolais-cross heifers, 424-438kg, managed $2.56-$2.58/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 360-409kg, held at $2.75-$2.83/ kg A reduced store cattle yarding of just over 500 head were presented by PGG Wrightson at FRANKTON last Tuesday. They sold to a good local buying bench, but prices eased. Most 2-year beef-dairy steers, 442-617kg, eased to $2.52-$2.61/kg. Heifers were mainly $2.34-$2.49/ kg though 12 Hereford-Friesian, 416-461kg, improved to $2.56-$2.60/kg. Yearling beef-dairy steers averaged 325kg but were discounted 20c/kg to $2.73/kg and their heifer counterparts, 305kg, softened 16c/kg to $2.45/kg. Most

prime Hereford-dairy steers, 555-638kg, eased to $2.52$2.58/kg. Hereford bulls, 621-741kg, managed $2.50/kg to $2.70/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Frankton cattle 9.12 • Most 2-year Hereford-dairy steers, 396-530kg, softened to $2.51$2.59/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 257-349kg, eased to $2.71$2.78/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, 233-290kg, came back to $2.55-$2.62/kg New Zealand Farmers Livestock penned just over 300 store cattle at FRANKTON last Wednesday and all traded at softer levels. Two-year Angus-cross heifers, 415-427kg, eased slightly to $2.49-$2.51/kg. A handful of Hereford bulls, 540-628kg, varied from $2.52/kg to $2.72/kg. Yearling beef-dairy steers averaged 315kg and were discounted 6c/ kg to $2.74/kg while beef-dairy heifers averaged 290kg and dropped 15c/kg to $2.44/kg. A small prime offering sold in line with current schedules and Hereford-Friesian steers, 547-610kg, earned $2.53-$2.55/kg. Beef-cross and better Hereford-Friesian heifers, 421-499kg, equaled them at $2.53-$2.54/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Frankton dairy-beef weaner fair • The top end of the dairy-beef heifers earned up to $495 • Heavy dairy-beef bulls above 140kg made $600-$635 Buyers were selective at the FRANKTON dairy-beef weaner fair last Thursday and the market softened. Heavier Friesian bulls were more resilient with the top end up to $590, though lighter types around 100-110kg typically made $280-$340. Murray Grey and Charolais-Friesian steers, 156168kg, traded at $600. Read more in your LivestockEye.

KING COUNTRY Te Kuiti sheep and cattle • Capital stock two-tooth ewes traded at $183 • Heavy prime ewes made $130-$144 with medium $110-$128 and light $70-$108 • Mixed-sex store lambs fetched $96-$103 Around 270 prime new season lambs were yarded at TE KUITI last Wednesday and heavy types sold at $125-$132 with medium $115-$124 and light $100-$114. On Friday there was 7000 store lambs penned and top shorn male lambs traded at $95-$108 with medium $75-$80 and light $54-$64. There was around 500 head at the store cattle sale and 2-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 540-590kg, realised $2.65-$2.70/kg. Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 325416kg, made $2.80-$3.20/kg.

BAY OF PLENTY Rangiuru cattle and sheep • Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 413kg, made $2.74/kg • Two-year dairy-beef steers and heifers earned $2.41-$2.51/kg • Yearling Angus and Angus-cross steers, 280-355kg, fetched $2.70-$2.83/kg Yearling cattle continued to flow freely into RANGIURU last Tuesday. Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 282-385kg, made $2.73-$2.84/kg with heifers, 265-280kg, sold in two cuts: $2.86/kg to $3.02/kg and $2.44/kg to $2.61/kg. Not many prime cattle were entered with the heaviest 666kg Hereford bulls that earned $2.81/kg. A line of South Devon cows, 618kg, made $1.78/kg while the only heifers were 515kg Hereford-Friesian that fetched $2.47/kg. The biggest sheep section in some time included 1200 new season lambs that earned up to $139. Read more in your LivestockEye. Rangiuru dairy-beef weaner fair Hereford-Friesian dominated at RANGIURU last Wednesday with the top well-marked bulls often $490-$560. A level of $350-$440 was typical for the second cuts of steers and most of the heifers. Friesian bulls ranged from $350$440 and heavy pens, $470-$480. The only straight beef pen

was Hereford bulls that made $540 while Angus-cross and Limousin-cross heifers both earned $395. Read more in your LivestockEye.

POVERTY BAY Matawhero sheep • Heavy prime lambs made $120-$130 with lighter types at $105$109 • Heavy prime male sheep earned $161 with lighter types at $74$80 • Prime ewes sold at $130-$161 • Top whiteface male store lambs fetched $77-$87 with the balance at $40-$60 There was another decent line of Wiltshire store lambs at MATAWHERO last Friday where males sold at $46-$77 and mixed-age ewes fetched $86. Mixed-sex store lambs sold in a range of $60-$86, with ewe lambs at $40-$44. Read more in your LivestockEye.

TARANAKI Taranaki cattle • Yearling Speckle Park-cross steers, 262-340kg, sold well at $2.98$3.00/kg • Two-year heifers mostly fetched $2.46-$2.53/kg • Better yearling heifers achieved $2.55-$2.65/kg • Autumn-born weaner Charolais-Friesian heifers, 222kg, traded at $600 It was another wet sale at TARANAKI cattle fair last Wednesday. Schedule reductions put pressure on the heavy steer prices with prime steers above 700kg at $2.65-$2.69/ kg. The top-end of 2-year steers held at around $2.77-$2.82/ kg. The balance softened a little, though most achieved at least $2.70/kg. In the yearling steer pens, very nice Simmental and Charolais-cross, and better HerefordFriesian, sold at $2.80-$2.89/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

HAWKE’S BAY Stortford lodge prime cattle and sheep • Most heavy ewes eased to $140-$146 • Top heavy ewes held at $133.50- $137.50 • Heavy mixed-sex lambs softened to $130-$156 • Angus steers, 673kg, fetched $2.76/kg Ewe throughput lowered to just over 1550 at STORTFORD LODGE last Monday and most traded at softer levels. A small top end of very heavy ewes held at $157.50-$171.50 and medium to good ewes earned $100-$115.50. Better light-medium held at $91-$95 with the balance discounted to $66-$82.50. Prime lamb numbers increased to 287 and buyers were thin on the ground. Good lambs were mainly $110-$124. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 541kg, softened to $2.30/kg and cows of the same breeding, 578kg, also eased to $1.65/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Stortford Lodge store cattle and sheep • Young traditional cows with calves-at-foot sold for $1800-$1840 per unit • Two-year Angus steers, 455-622kg, came back to $2.66-$2.72/kg • Yearling traditional steers averaged 305kg and held at $3.49/kg • Good mixed-sex lambs eased to $105-$116 • Light ewe lambs sold for $45-$74 Older cattle met limited demand at STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday, driven by tight processor space. Good 2-year Angus steers, 472-485kg, managed $2.86-$2.91/kg to be the best-selling. Friesian bulls, 513-533kg, held at $2.69$2.70/kg. Yearling steers held and Angus-exotic, 270-319kg, varied from $3.16/kg up to $3.53/kg. Angus heifers, 360-324kg, eased to $2.84-$2.89/kg. A small lamb section sold to limited interest. Light to medium cryptorchid made $71$88 and good ram lambs, $96-$105. Read more in your LivestockEye.

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020

The sheep section at TEMUKA last Monday featured plenty of forward store lambs from a variety of breeds. The top pens earned $108-$126 with $89-$100 common for the majority. The best prime lambs managed $150-$178 and the lion’s share $120-$149. Very heavy ewes fetched $200-$244 and heavy types $110-$149. The yarding was bottom heavy with light-medium ewes that made $110-$149. Prices eased in the cattle pens for the most part. Dairy-beef steers, 565785kg made $2.45-$2.55/kg and lighter 445-555kg were $2.35-$2.45/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Temuka store cattle • Yearling Belgian Blue-cross steers, 272kg, fetched $2.61/kg • Yearling Belgian Blue-cross heifers, 247kg, returned $2.45/kg The TEMUKA store sale moved last Wednesday to make way for the calf sale. The 2-year pens were dominated by Hereford-Friesian heifers, 297-490kg, that ranged from $2.01/kg to $2.32/kg. Steers of similar weight and breeding also sold within this range. Heifers occupied the yearling pens in big numbers. It was mostly an even split between Angus-Friesian and Hereford-Friesian with the top cut of both breeds $2.26-$2.31/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST: Coalgate has only one more sheep sale before the Christmas break and vendors made the most of the chance to offload at the second to last sale for the year. A total of 8400 sheep were offered.

WAIRARAPA Dannevirke and Pahiatua dairy-beef weaner fair and sheep sale • Most beef-cross weaner bulls held at $520-$640 • Top store lambs made $100-$108 The last dairy-beef weaner fair for 2020 featured 600 calves at DANNEVIRKE last Tuesday, and sold to local, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa buyers. Friesian bulls made up the lion’s share though some lines were passed in and for those that sold $420-$485 covered the majority. Second cut lines of beef-cross bulls made $460-$520. Top heifers of the same breed returned $500-$640 and the balance, $410$450. Approximately 1900 lambs were offered last Thursday and varied from Romney cryptorchid, Perendale wethers to blackface mixed-sex. Medium lambs made $76-$94 and small, $61-$80.

MANAWATU Feilding prime cattle and sheep • Top ewes reached $156-$160 and good, $138-$154 • Angus cows, 600kg, reached $1.58/kg The sale yards were busy with over 6500 ewes at FEILDING last Monday. A high proportion were medium or light-medium types that traded at $101-$130. Heavy lambs sold up to $144-$150 with middle-weight pens $101-$142. A few beef-cross bulls, 540-595kg, sold for $2.50-$2.52/kg while a handful of heifers, 527-540kg, were $2.40/kg. Cows provided most of the tally and 555-650kg Friesian made $1.60/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Feilding store sale • Two-year traditional steers, 410-470kg, were $2.80-$2.90/kg • Traditional yearling steers, 330-425kg, eased to $2.95-$3.10/kg • Big lines of 325-385kg yearling Friesian bulls were $2.55-$2.65/kg • Store lambs averaged $90 • Heavy store lambs made $100-$108 The 1400 head cattle sale at FEILDING mainly eased. A mixed offering of 2-year cattle saw good Hereford-Friesian steers, 530-590kg, make $2.70-$2.75/kg, while most dairy-beef heifers were $2.55-$2.65/kg at 450-515kg. Good Hereford-Friesian yearling steers, 310-390kg, were $2.80$2.90/kg, and some 305-310kg traditional steers did well at $3.10-$3.30/kg. A big line up of 250-350kg yearling Angus heifers made $2.70-$2.90/kg. Five thousand store lambs sold to a steady market on average, where a weaker top-end was cancelled out by a mild lift in the lighter lambs. Good-

to-heavy lambs were $100-$108, with mid-range lambs again $85-$95, and the rest mostly $75-$85. Tail-enders were circled $70. A line of medium five-year ewes made $117 too. Read more in your LivestockEye.

CANTERBURY Canterbury Park prime cattle and all sheep • Heavy traditional and Murray Grey steers, 530-700kg, earned $2.50/kg to $2.64/kg • Dairy-beef steers, 485-680kg, were $2.40-$2.50/kg • Murray Grey bulls, 548-690kg, fetched $2.60-$2.65/kg • Angus bulls, 555-595kg, returned $2.60-$2.64/kg Attendees were treated to 5200 store lambs at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday that ranged from $50 to $94 for the most part. A small top end of prime lambs sold for $151-$156, but the bulk traded at $101-$145. Heavy ewes earned $170-$193 and the biggest share was lighter types that fetched $80-$146. One high yielding Speckle Park steer, 510kg, topped the entire sale at $2.67/kg while heifers of all breeds were $2.41-$2.51/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Coalgate cattle and sheep • Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 408-410kg, earned $2.23$2.33/kg • Yearling Angus steers, 285kg, fetched $2.81/kg • Prime Hereford-Friesian steers, 540-705kg, made $2.40-$2.46/kg • Two big pens of ewes with lambs-at-foot made $102-$110 all counted The yards were full at COALGATE last Thursday with big numbers of both store and prime sheep. Store lambs had a good following and over a third sold in the top bracket of $80-$90 and the remainder mostly $45-$56. Ewe prices eased and were mostly lighter types that made $90-$158 while heavy pens were $170-$220. The top end of the prime lambs earned $150-$171 and most of the remainder, $100$148. Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 309-351kg, returned $2.45-$2.49/kg while Angus, 214-262kg, were $2.29-$2.34/ kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

SOUTH-CANTERBURY Temuka prime cattle and all sheep • Hereford bulls, 615-675kg, achieved $2.67-$2.68/kg • Friesian bulls, 495-615kg, made $2.49-$2.60/kg • Angus steers, 598-634kg, managed $2.62-$2.63/kg • Angus cows, 560-675kg, were $2.08-$2.16/kg

Temuka all breeds calf sale • Speckle Park-Friesian steers, 96-129kg, earned $360-$465 • Charolais-Friesian heifers, 108-152kg, sold for $400-$560 A large yarding of 2200 calves made for a long day at TEMUKA last Thursday. Over 1000 Friesian bulls were present with lighter pens $260-$370 and $375-$440 for heavier types. Hereford-Friesian bulls were more varied and ranged from $335 to $490. Heifers were mainly HerefordFriesian that traded for $280-$400. Charolais-Friesian provided the highlight of these pens though as 108-152kg sold for $400-$560. Read more in your LivestockEye.

OTAGO Balclutha sale • Heavy prime ewes eased to $130-$150, with medium $100-$120 and light $70-$90 • Prime rams made $80 • Store lambs earned $60-$80 • Yearling Angus steers, 250kg, fetched $2.80/kg to $3.00/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 350kg, traded at $2.40/kg There was a full yarding of prime sheep at BALALCUTHA last Wednesday. Heavy prime lambs held at $140-$160 while medium types softened to $100-$120. Demand was soft for store cattle with 2-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 400-450kg, at $2.30/kg, and same breed 2-year heifers, $2.00/kg.

SOUTHLAND Lorneville sale • Boner cows, 520kg, softened to $1.62/kg • Yearling beef-cross steers, 280-330kg, earned $2.20-$2.30/kg • Yearling Friesian bulls, 314kg, traded at $2.28/kg • Heavy prime ewes sold at $174-$194, with medium $120-$155 and light $96-$116 • Top store lambs fetched $90-$96, with medium $82-$88 and light $70-$78 Prime steers held value at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday and returned $2.30/kg to $2.45/kg with heifers at $2.30-$2.40/ kg. There was a large yarding of store cattle and 2-year Friesian steers, 450-485kg, made $2.44/kg. Heavy prime lambs fetched $141-$161, with medium $120-$130 and light $109-$119 while good-quality two-tooths returned $120. Charlton sheep • Heavy prime ewes made $150-$160, with medium $120-$130 and light $100. • Local trade rams returned $60 Prime lambs at CHARLTON last Thursday made $105$122 and two-tooth’s traded at $100. In the store lamb pens, the top end earned $90 with light to medium types at $65-$70.

Where livestock market insights begin LivestockEye • • • •

LivestockEye reports provide full sale results and informed commentary and is emailed directly after the sale. The most comprehensive and independent sale report you can get your hands on. Only AgriHQ sample-weighs store lambs to give you $/kg LW benchmark pricing. Choose from 10 sale yards across the country or check out our other popular reports.

Be ahead. Be informed. Be a subscriber Head to agrihq.co.nz email info@agrihq.co.nz or call 0800 85 25 80

Markets

40 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 14, 2020 NI STEER

SI BULL

NI LAMB

($/KG)

5.20

4.80

6.90

2-YEAR TRADITIONAL STEERS, 500KG AVERAGE, AT STORTFORD LODGE ($/KG LW)

2.74

high $138-$160 prime ewes at lights Good Feilding

$370-$420 Weaner HerefordFriesian bulls, 100-115kg, at Temuka calf sale

ACROSS THE RAILS SUZ BREMNER

Stand tall and proud

QUALITY: Buyers were treated to a very good line of quality livestock at SJ Cullen’s annual on-farm sale at Five Rivers.

Lambs popular with Southland buyers

Suz Bremner suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

AMBS that were sold at onfarm sales in South Otago and Southland had a much shorter journey than others offered in the past few weeks, as Southland buyers secured the majority. The first on-farm sale for the week was Dunmore Farm Ltd at Clinton, and Rural Livestock agent Mark Sheppard says the vendor was pleased with the results. “The sale was held in a howling nor’wester, but by the end of the day the vendor and purchasers were happy,” Sheppard said. “Buyers were from South Otago

and Southland, and lambs were sold undrafted for this second annual sale.” PGG Wrightson (PGW) and Peter Walsh and Associates auctioned at SJ Cullen’s annual on-farm sale at Five Rivers on Wednesday, and PGW agent Mike Gill reported good results. “Buyers were treated to a very good line of quality livestock, which sold

Buyers were from South Otago and Southland, and lambs were sold undrafted for this second annual sale. Mark Sheppard Livestock agent

in line with current export pricing, climatic conditions and the general environment,” Gill said. “Lambs were for the most part undrafted, though the vendor did retain Coopdale ewe lamb replacements.” Results: Dunmore Farms Ltd, Clinton, South Otago: 3070 Suffolk mixed-sex and Romney cryptorchid lambs. 350 Romney AD ewes. Top Suffolkcross mixed-sex $127, medium $95-$116. Top Romney cryptorchid $119, medium $93. Balance of Suffolk-cross mixed-sex and Romney cryptorchid $74-$88. Romney AD ewes $163. SJ Cullen, Five Rivers, Southland: 2200 Southdown mixed-sex $73-$125, 2000 Coopdale cryptorchid $70-$119, 750 Coopdale ewe lambs $66-$86. 260 AD ewes $141, 327 ewes $131.

WELL, what a year. As we all cruised into 2020 way back in January, no one had any inkling how this year would go down in history. In our industry phrases like “the perfect storm” and “unprecedented times” quickly became popular. And for a time, we all felt like a possum stuck in the headlights on one of New Zealand’s many rural gravel roads. The sale yards shut down this year. Never in NZ’s history has any other event been able to do that. But, what that established was while there is a virtual world of selling livestock, of which some platforms have found success, there will always be a place for sale yards. They are needed to create the benchmarks that paddock sales and online sales rely on to ensure that buyers and sellers are getting a fair deal. They have never been more important than this year, and we really felt the effect when they weren’t there. What hit harder than anything when the sale yards shut down was that several regions were facing very dry and drought conditions, and their closure just added yet another blow. The ease of offloading when sale yards are operating was taken away and that added its own challenges on top of dealing with the drought itself. Prices haven’t even come close to last year’s levels and it seems almost a cruel twist of fate that we were at such extreme highs just over 12 months ago, only to plummet – or so it felt – to the levels that we see today. But given everything that has been thrown at the farming sector this year, it could have been worse. Price levels are not in unchartered territory and considering the odds the markets have held up surprisingly well. Drought had a big impact on the markets earlier in the year, but it was great to see the confidence come back in as a late spring was plentiful in growth and meant many could start to restock. And each day that I wake up on a farm in NZ where I can move and breath freely, is a good day. Yes, we’ve faced some challenges, but they only make us stronger and NZ farmers have more guts and determination than many others. Stand tall and proud NZ farmers, say cheers to 2020 and collectively look forward to 2021, because if we stand together, we can make it what it is – just look at what we did with 2020. suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

Find out more about AgriHQ at agrihq.co.nz

STEP UP A

CLAAS TRACTOR SPECIAL FROM

ARION 430CIS

ARION 620C

ARION 610CIS

f 125 HP, 4 cylinder 4.5 L common rail engine f REVERSHIFT clutchless transmission f 98 L/min hydraulics f QUADRISHIFT transmission f 4 speed PTO with Economy speeds

f 140 hp, 6 cylinder 6.8 L common rail engine f REVERSHIFT clutchless transmissione f Long wheel base f 4 speed PTO with Economy speed

f 145 HP, 6 cylinder 6.8 L common rail engine f Full 4-point cab suspension f REVERSHIFT clutchless transmission f 4 speed PTO with Economy speeds f HEXASHIFT transmission

FINANCE*

For your local dealer go to: *Standard CLAAS Financial Services lending criteria, terms, conditions and fees apply. 0% p.a. on CLAAS tractors requires minimum 30% deposit followed by monthly repayments in arrears over 12 months. Offer applies to in stock and on-order new CLAAS ARION and AXION tractors only. Offer valid until 31/12/2020 or while stocks last.

claasharvestcentre.com 0800 4 CLAAS

Changes to TB testing programme From February 2021, OSPRI is managing TB eradication through an updated testing programme, placing greater focus on higher risk areas while maintaining nationwide disease surveillance. What is changing? The frequency of on-farm testing will change for some farmers based on different levels of risk. It means increasing testing where the risk is higher and testing less often where the risk is low, in areas with no possum related risk.

How does it work? TB surveillance is undertaken through on-farm testing, carcase inspection, and at meat processing plants. The TBfree programme tests animals according to the potential risk of infection. Risk factors include: • Herd infection history • Proximity to possum infection risk • Sources of livestock movements into herds. OSPRI uses this information to determine what animals should be tested, where and when. It also enables us to track the movement of animals with different risk levels. This approach to testing makes more efficient use of the wider industry’s investment of farmer levies in the TB programme.

Why is this happening now? OSPRI has piloted this approach to TB testing for deer herds since 2018. It is a natural progression as our TB eradication programme successfully reduces the number of infected herds. So a broad testing programme is no longer the most efficient method of detecting TB infection. It makes more

sense to focus resources in the area where the risk is higher. Improved animal traceability, through farmers engaging more with NAIT, means we can better track animals with a higher disease risk, and test less often in low risk areas.

If there is less testing, isn’t there a risk of TB reoccurring in wildlife and herds? The risk of TB reoccurring in your region is managed in a number of ways, including possum control, tracking and testing stock moving from high risk

When do the changes come in?

herds into other herds to identify any infections

Changes to the testing frequency will be rolled out in areas of lowest risk (herds currently tested every three years in Vector Free Areas) from 9 February 2021.

early, to limit the disease spread.

What does it mean for beef or dairy farmers?

(previously infected) after 9 February 2021,

How are high risk movements tracked? If you purchase an animal from C1 status herds it may result in additional testing for your herd.

For farmers in low-risk surveillance areas, the changes will result in less frequent testing for herds. Your TB tester will contact you in advance of your next TB test. Additional on-farm testing may be required if animals entering your herd originated from a C1 (previously infected) status herd.

These movements will be recorded in NAIT and will require a permit.

Are there any new Movement Control Areas (MCAs)? A new Movement Control Area (MCA) has been created at Hari Hari on the West Coast. This follows a number of local herds and wildlife being found to

What about deer farmers? Deer herds in lower risk areas, currently tested every three years, will no longer be tested on-farm but will be monitored through meat processing plants.

be infected.

What else is OSPRI doing to keep farmers and testers informed? OSPRI has notified TB testing agency AsureQuality (AQ) about the changes starting from February 2021. It is not expected to have any immediate impacts on farmers or daily activities at the farmgate.

Support disease management These five steps protect your livelihood

1. Tag and register your animals

2. Test your animals as required

TBfree is an OSPRI programme

3. Update ASD forms

4. Record and confirm animal movements

ospri.co.nz

5. Purchase wisely

0800 482 463

Notice of Movement Controls for Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) Pursuant to section 131(2) of the Biosecurity Act 1993, TBfree New Zealand declares those parts of New Zealand shown as Movement Control Areas in the maps published with this notice to be Controlled Areas for the purpose of limiting the spread of bovine tuberculosis. Pursuant to section 131(3)(a) of the Biosecurity Act 1993, TBfree New Zealand gives notice that the movement of cattle and deer within the Controlled Areas is restricted and regulated to the extent of and subject to the conditions specified below.

Notice 1. Definitions In this notice, unless the context otherwise requires: Herd means: a. One or more cattle, or deer, or cattle and deer, managed as one unit; or b. One or more cattle, or deer, or cattle and deer, kept within the same enclosure or behind the same fence. Herd of origin means the herd with which a cattle beast or a deer is, for the time being, grazing. Order means the Biosecurity (National Bovine Tuberculosis Pest Management Plan) Order 1998. Controlled Area means any area shown as a Movement Control Area in the maps published with this notice.

2. Testing Prior to Movement From or Within Controlled Areas 2.1. No cattle beast or deer aged 90 days or more may be moved: a. from any Controlled Area to a place outside that Controlled Area; or b. within any Controlled Area from its herd of origin, or the place or establishment at which the animal is being kept, to a place other than a place occupied by the owner or person in charge of the cattle beast or deer unless it has undergone, within 60 days prior to the date of movement, a negative test for bovine tuberculosis in accordance with the Order. 2.2 The restriction on movement in 2.1 does not apply where an animal is being moved directly to a place of slaughter. 2.3. Notwithstanding 2.1, an animal may be exempted from the requirement for a test in accordance with the TBfree New Zealand Operational Plan. 2.4. Where a herd is managed or kept on a property, or group of properties, divided by the boundary of a Controlled Area, then the requirements to test cattle or deer described in 2.1 above apply to the whole herd. This declaration takes effect from 9 February 2021. Dated at Wellington this 10th day of November 2020. STEPHEN STUART, Chief Executive, OSPRI New Zealand Limited Detailed maps and information on the location of properties within Controlled Areas are available from TBfree New Zealand, freephone 0800 482 4636 or visit www.tbfree.org.nz/dcamap.

General Information Any animal moved in contravention of this notice may be seized by an inspector or authorised person and destroyed, treated or otherwise dealt with, if it is reasonable in the circumstances to do so. TBfree New Zealand Limited may also recover the cost of testing for bovine tuberculosis pursuant to the Biosecurity Act 1993 and the Biosecurity (Deer and Other Testing Costs) Regulations 1998. Failure to comply with the requirements of this notice may result in prosecution under the Biosecurity Act 1993. If convicted, an individual will be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months, or a fine not exceeding $50,000.00, or both. A corporation convicted of an offence is liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000.00.

Revocation This declaration of Controlled Areas for bovine tuberculosis hereby revokes any previous published declaration of Controlled Areas, with effect from 9 February March 2021.

Summary of Changes This declaration has the effect of extending movement controls for bovine tuberculosis in the Hari Hari region of the West Coast, marked as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Movement Control Area Expansionâ&#x20AC;? in the maps published with this notice.

TBfree is an OSPRI programme proudly funded by:

Disease Control Areas from 9 February 2021 TB Disease Control Areas

Testing frequency can change subject to localised infection in herds and possums.

Further information To view our interactive map that shows whether you are in a movement control area, special testing area or surveillance area, simply enter any New Zealand address into the search bar. ospri.co.nz/dcamap

New OSPRI leader driven by farming background OSPRI’s Disease Control Planning and Integration Manager Simon Andrew is passionate about the primary sector and ensuring New Zealand remains a world leader in agriculture.

“I’ve always had farming-related jobs, I worked in the freezing works at Hawera. I also drove tractors on my OE in the UK,” says Mr Andrew. Returning to New Zealand, Simon chose to pursue a career in disease management and joined the former Animal Health Board (AHB). He started off as a contact centre operator, here he learned directly about farmers dealing with TB infected animals, before becoming regional partner in Hamilton.

Wairarapa born and raised, Mr Andrew, has been involved in farming from his schooldays as a farmhand.

“Looking back, I was fortunate to work with Dr Paul Livingstone who was leading the scientific strategy for controlling bovine TB. His groundbreaking research identified possums as the main wildlife spreaders of TB and that has since shaped the development of our national programme.”

Back then, he worked on dairy farms while also spending time with his father, who was a Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) tester.

When OSPRI was conceived out of the merger of the AHB and the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme in 2013, Simon seized the opportunity to expand his knowledge of animal disease management with the backing of Dr Livingstone.

In the early 90s, TB infections were spread nationwide with coastal Wairarapa overrun with possums transmitting TB among livestock.

He relocated to Christchurch as an advisor engaging with farmers, stakeholders and landowners on OSPRI’s pest control operations.

“I remember my dad carrying out post-mortems to identify TB granulomas and that’s when I first encountered this disease and the impact on farmers and livestock.

“These experiences were invaluable given the diversity of the role. One day, I was planning vector operations, next, collecting pigs’ heads and surveying them for TB. “

Back in Wellington, Mr Andrew became OSPRI research co-ordinator and this enabled him to study and complete an MBA in Business Administration at Victoria University. In 2015, he joined Federated Farmers, and later Agrecovery as General Manager where he spent the past four years before returning to OSPRI. Always open to new challenges, Mr Andrew saw opportunities at OSPRI to make a difference. “Biosecurity is the number one risk to our primary sector, and I believe OSPRI can make a significant contribution to support our farmers and industry. Working alongside Beef + Lamb NZ, Deer Industry New Zealand and DairyNZ we can really make a difference. “Farmers have invested heavily in the TBfree programme, and now we need to ‘finish the job’ and eradicate this disease for the benefit of our future generations. There are biodiversity benefits too, pest control protects our native fauna and wildlife. “It’s a privilege to return to OSPRI and to work for farmers. The industry is essential to New Zealand and our rural communities. The COVID-19 situation this year has highlighted the value of our primary sector, where our food producers alongside service industries and health professionals were key to getting us through the crisis.”

“Less frequent TB testing is a reward for making animal traceability a priority” John Patterson, dairy farmer, Southland.

Keep your NAIT account up-to-date – support disease management. Failure to record and confirm livestock movements in the NAIT system may result in a $400 fine per animal or prosecution.

NAIT is an OSPRI programme

ospri.co.nz

0800 482 463

NZâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S #1 RURAL REAL ESTATE BRAND ISSUE 2 - 2020

YOUR GO -TO GUIDE FOR REGULAR, INFORMATIVE COMMENTARY ON KEY MATTERS AFFECTING THOSE LIVING AND WORKING IN RURAL NEW ZEALAND.

CALMING THE FARM AFTER A MOMENTOUS YEAR Welcome to Bayleys’ Rural Insight as this unparalleled year winds down.

Along with changes in the way rural assets are acquired, there also appears to be a more level-headed attitude from the general population towards the rural sector.

2020 has dished out some real lessons for all of us and, in the rural sector around the country, I detect a sense of relief that the year is almost over.

Tangible improvements to clean water regimes and a new appreciation for the part that agriculture plays in New Zealand’s economy have helped in this regard.

We’ve been through the eye of the COVID-19 storm and it’s fair to say that New Zealand has pulled through better than economic commentators and experts first predicted.

The benefits of a strong agricultural economy rose to the surface during the peak of the pandemic in this country, when tourism dollars dried up and other industry categories took a direct hit. It will be interesting to see how the Government prioritises the rural sector as it advances its mandates and moves to strengthen our international trade links.

Yes, there could be some consequences yet to come from temporary Government interventions to prop up parts of the economy, and financially there are definitely some people still hurting – but in general, New Zealanders have worked out how to navigate life and business in the face of unparalleled unknowns.

In the lifestyle market, low interest rates, returning expats, a desire for more space and pressures across the broader residential sector are all underpinning robust transaction volumes and values.

Now, with a vaccine on the horizon, some global stability and optimism will hopefully follow.

Commentary-wise in this edition of Rural Insight, we look at regenerative agriculture which is gaining traction around the country, explore how equity partnerships can pave the way to rural property ownership and check in on the lifestyle market which is burgeoning in the post-COVID world.

From a revenue perspective, all sectors of the agri-economy have performed well this year despite the headwinds and wild cards that have been dealt. Consistent and sustained returns across sectors reflect renewed confidence in dairy, the stellar performance of horticultural sectors like kiwifruit and avocados, a continued good run for sheep and beef and a late uptick in forestry.

We also profile over 20 farm, rural and lifestyle properties for sale – all with inherent opportunity for new owners. The Bayleys’ Country team has faced the challenges of 2020 head on – delivering sound guidance and resilient outcomes for our clients.

From an investment standpoint, the rural market has also held up impressively – even with banking sector handbrakes.

As we put this year firmly into the “been there” basket, let’s all look to 2021 with new eyes and if there’s change brewing in your rural property world, we’d love to be of assistance.

There’s still a lot of money looking for a home and, with yield compression evident in the commercial/industrial sectors, returns from agricultural property look good, with renewed interest being shown in scaled opportunities. With this comes some creative thinking around how to structure the acquisition of a farming opportunity and in particular, how to utilise and combine equity to get into the market. These equity partnerships are searching for stable returns and sustainable systems and when they find this, they’re geared and ready to buy.

Cheers, Duncan Ross Bayleys National Director Rural

P.S. REGISTER TODAY AT BAYLEYS.CO.NZ/RURAL-INSIGHT FOR REGULAR UPDATES ACROSS THE DAIRY, SHEEP AND BEEF, FORESTRY, VITICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND LIFESTYLE PROPERTY SECTORS – DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX.

104

1,357

$1,558,247,242 *For the period 1st April 2019 - 31st March 2020

Rural Insight

SOLD

140 Beatson Road, Whakapirau, Kaipara District

SOLD

114 St Leger Road, Te Awamutu, Waikato

SOLD

1572 State Highway 2, Pahoia, Bay of Plenty

SOLD

Papatu Road, Manutuke, Gisborne

SOLD

78 Engles Road, Shannon, Horowhenua

SOLD

164 Lanark Lane, Renwick, Marlborough

SOLD

124 Rogers Road, Puni, Auckland

871 Hauraki Road, Turua

SOLD

3061 Tahuna-Ohinewai Road, Morrinsville Matamata-Piako

Tim Road, Whakamarama, Bay of Plenty

SOLD

270 Galatos Road, Atiamuri, Rotorua

83 Clearview Road, Lepperton, New Plymouth

SOLD

Glen Aros Station, 2185 Raukawa Road, Raukawa Hawkes Bay

Mangaheia Station, Tolaga Bay, Gisborne

SOLD

169F Kaitoke Road, Kaitoke, Whanganui

292 Moutere Highway, Appleby, Tasman

SOLD

1075 Leslie Hills Road, Waiau, North Canterbury

CONTENTS

23 Awarima Road, Fairlie, South Canterbury

Cover property: 400 Partridge Road, Northland | bayleys.co.nz/1020540

Equity partnerships offer farm options...........................................................................................4,5

Horticulture market update ................................................................................................................................ 14,15

Pastoral market update ......................................................................................................................................................6-9

Viticulture market update ........................................................................................................................................16,17

Dairy market update .............................................................................................................................................................10,11

Lifestyle blocks link town and country ..................................................................................... 18,19

New Zealand trial to crunch regen numbers ................................................................12,13

Lifestyle market update........................................................................................................................................... 20,23

Rural Insight

Equity partnerships offer farm options

———

THE RELATIVELY EASY PATHWAY OVER THE PAST DECADE TO SECURE BANK FINANCING FOR FARM PURCHASES AND EXPANSION HAS GOT CONSIDERABLY ROCKIER RECENTLY. THIS HAS PROMPTED SOME RE-THINKING ABOUT FARM RETIREMENT OPTIONS FOR AGING FARMERS, AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT FOR YOUNGER ONES. ———

This conundrum is one Bayleys has been working hard to try and resolve, bringing those keen to exit, into conversations with the next generation keen to get into their own farm business. “For retiring farmers it comes down to their ability to exit with capital to live out the rest of their years, and we have committed considerable resources to putting them and younger farmers together to discuss equity partnership possibilities,” says Bayleys’ national director rural Duncan Ross. He says for the past generation bank funding has been a key platform to enable farm transactions, growth and exit. Now equity partnerships that involve the new

Rural Insight

owner and other passive investors seeking a reasonable cash return are looking attractive. “In the past, equity partnerships have had something of a chequered history as an ownership structure,” says Duncan. He points to the massive conversion move made from dry stock to dairying throughout Canterbury and Southland from the early nineties. “Often capital came by way of several parties stumping in a portion of capital, with the bank putting up as much as 60-70 percent required for the conversion project. “Generally, it was a race to get the land’s main returns as capital gain from the

conversion. The bank debt played a big part in limiting the properties’ cash flow returns in these investments. Too little was left to commit to developing the project and re-investing back into it.” Today the tighter bank lending conditions make such structures far lower in debt levels, with investors tending to be more focused upon annual cash returns and taking a longer- term view of the farm business, to the benefit of its operations. Through its extensive national network of agents who are in regular contact with farmers and investors, Bayleys has identified a groundswell of interest in equity partnerships.

Bayleys Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa recently organised a seminar on equity partnerships. The response to the event ended up being so strong they were compelled to delay it until after Level 2 restrictions end, on account of the numbers for the Havelock North event far exceeding the 100 maximum meeting limit. Simon Bousfield, Bayleys Gisborne director and rural salesperson and his colleagues oversaw the successful sale of two larger East Coast stations that underscore the appetite for farm investment, and a younger generation’s interest in having a stake in their own land. Panikau and Mangaheia stations had several potential investors come forward keen to invest alongside skilled farmers who may have also wanted to invest but lacked the equity for outright purchase. “Mangaheia ultimately sold as an equity partnership deal with two families coming together to form a farm business entity keeping the existing manager on and establishing a board to oversee the running of the business.”

He says in a low interest rate environment, equity partnerships may not only offer an appealing rate of return to investors, but also somewhere for retiring farmers to leave a portion of their funds. “It could be they leave some of their money in the property getting a better return than in the bank, while getting enough out to move off the farm and pursue retirement.” Bank attitudes to these lower geared equity partnership models are also positive. ANZ commercial & agri regional manager Marcus Bousfield says with capital gains being a lower portion of farm returns today, the investors attracted to equity partnerships are taking a longer-term investment view. “Today’s value proposition for equity partnerships involves a number of factors that weren’t historically considered. Nonfinancial returns around environmental stewardship and farming as ‘a way of life’ need to be balanced with expected financial returns. “The goals of investors will need to consider all of these dimensions and who will ultimately be the person with the skills to deliver the optimal balance. This is where a large opportunity lies ahead for younger farmers with an ability to demonstrate their ability to perform ahead of their sector peers. “They require the farm to offer sustainable earnings, which comes down to having a good operator involved to deliver those returns.” He says this demands the skills of the top quartile of operators. He advises any younger farmer considering an equity partnership to honestly assess their own benchmarked ability before seeking investment with others. He urges younger farmers to take an open mind about equity partnerships early in their farming career, and have a clear objective in mind when they embark on one. “Be realistic with your time frames and surround yourself early with good people and good advice. A good team becomes your earliest asset when starting out.” It is important to bring an acceptance that not all decision making is under your control, and acceptance of others’ views and values you are in business with is also critical. Alan Maxwell of BM Accounting and Advisors in Hawke’s Bay says the interest in equity partnerships has deepened in recent years as succession issues have arisen for retiring farmers, and the ability for the next generation to be able to buy these farms. “It’s less about interest rates now and more about access to capital, when it comes to farm investment.”

———

“SURROUND YOURSELF EARLY WITH GOOD PEOPLE AND GOOD ADVICE. A GOOD TEAM BECOMES YOUR EARLIEST ASSET WHEN STARTING OUT.” ———

MA RCU S B O U SFIELD – A N Z CO MMERCIA L & AGRI REGIO N A L MA N AGER

He says equity partnerships can offer a solution to capital sourcing and succession. However, some important factors to consider are having partners who all share common goals, having a good team of advisors, and a clear structure around the business. “Banks are showing an interest in these types of structures, not least because they encourage an improved level of governance and financial awareness,” Alan adds. For farmers wanting to exit farming, an equity partnership can provide a way to do so, while also being able to keep the land in the family, albeit with other investors on board. “And that can be a good thing, bringing in new people with new ideas, it is just a case of everyone being open about what they want from the opportunity.” Duncan Ross says leasing and lease to own arrangements are also options for easing one party in and one out of properties, and one looking increasingly appealing in a near-zero interest rate environment. “The rate of return for a leased farm property of about four percent is looking very appealing in this setting, while also enabling new energetic blood to run the property. “From a land-owners’ perspective they could, with the right structure, end up in better shape with good cashflow, less stress and maybe even the ability to continue living on the farm,” says Duncan. As a growing number of aging farmers explore opportunities to exit in a tight lending market the prospects for more lease deals are expected to grow rather than diminish. The rates of return offer the same appeal as the rates low debt equity partnerships can generate. “Bayleys have a very strong network of agents with clients interested in investing within the farming sector – we have the resources and contacts to help get interested parties together to consider their equity partnership options,” says Duncan.

Rural Insight

25 33

PASTORAL MARKET UPDATE Despite global consumer demand and trading channels being impacted by the pandemic, New Zealand red meat and forestry returns remain healthy and this has underpinned sales activity and values of pastoral property around the country. Per hectare values in the pastoral sector have continued to rise, after prices achieved throughout 2018 and 2019 were considered at the top end of the market. We’re seeing strong interest in pastoral land – of all scales and categories – spread across a diverse buyer pool. Along with the traditional farming base, more investors, syndication groups and equity partnerships are entering the market to better access the growing values that the pastoral sector is realising in light of declining yields in other more traditional investment channels. Investment in plantation forestry is driving some hill country land sales on the back of growing carbon values. A number of recent large station sales to pastoral farmers illustrates the value of, and demand for, such land for grazing and finishing in the pastoral sector.

Map of Bayleys Pastoral Sales 1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020

SELECTION OF BAYLEYS RECENT PASTORAL SALES Waikato 368 Clarke and Denize Road, Pukekawa

Land area

240ha (more or less)

Sale price

$3,980,000

$/ha

$16,583

*no house

Gisborne 545 Mangaheia Road, Tolaga Bay

SIMON BOUSFIELD Bayleys Gisborne Director and Country Salesperson

Land area

2722.56ha (more or less)

Sale price

$22,900,000

$/ha

$8,411

Hawke's Bay Glen Aros Station, 2185 Raukawa Road

$417,523,261 Bayleys Pastoral Total Sales Value

193

Bayleys Pastoral Total Number of Sale Bayleys Pastoral Sales (1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020)

Rural Insight

Land area

603.15ha (more or less)

Sale price

$8,325,000

$/ha

$13,803

Canterbury 283 McRaes Road, Waikari Land area

737.78ha (more or less)

Sale price

$4,200,000

$/ha

$5,693

Farming central 1085 Taniwha Road, Waerenga, Waikato

Coastal grazing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; cut and carry 2585 South Road, Manaia, Taranaki

Boundary lines are indicative only

With a strong rural community and excellent transport links to the rest of the Waikato, Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula this is a rare opportunity to secure a well established 59.21ha (more or less) grazing block in the reputable farming district of Te Kauwhata. The block has excellent fertiliser history and lends itself to a multitude of uses ideal for equine lovers, cropping and grazing. The modern two-bedroom home, built in 2017 offers a safe and warm home to come off the farm. Auction (unless sold prior) 11am, Thursday 17th December 2020 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton, New Zealand Karl Davis 0508 83 83 83 karl.davis@bayleys.co.nz

Farming the 125.4 hectares of predominantly flat land is simple and a pleasure. A re-grassing programme has been in place that has not only seen a modern rye grass species sown but a good amount of red clover applied. The free draining soils are fertile with the majority being Egmont black loam. The property provides a fantastic lifestyle with a large seafront for surf casting and paua gathering on the beach. A well planted duck pond is another feature. The property is well raced and comes with a tidy three-bedroom home, take your pick, the whole property or part of. Price by Negotiation

Peter Kelly +64 27 432 4278

John Blundell +64 27 240 2827 john.blundell@bayleys.co.nz

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

SUCCESS REALTY TARANAKI LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2311878

bayleys.co.nz/2600674

Kiwitahi Station

'Mossvale'

1274 Poihipi Road, Oruanui, Waikato

914 Mount Nessing Road, Albury, Canterbury

Boundary lines are indicative only

Kiwitahi will not disappoint even the most discerning buyer and sits on top of the Central North Island overlooking Taupo, the mountains and lake, sitting on 795 hectares (more or less). Carved out of the native rainforest in the early '60s this property boasts a very high standard of improvements and unrivalled stock performance. The property is very well subdivided, has two water systems, three dwellings including a renovated four-bedroom home with views, a sleepout, office and garage. The magnificent stands of native bush, home to fellow deer and native birds also offers shelter to the stock run on the property. Price by Negotiation Stan Sickler +64 21 275 7826 stan.sickler@bayleys.co.nz WESTERMAN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2651832

Country Lifestyle Collection

'Mossvale' represents an outstanding opportunity to purchase a 1,182.1273 hectare (more or less) well-balanced breeding and finishing property, privately located in the rural district of Albury. Recently wintering approximately 1,800 CorriedaleRomney cross ewes, 475 hoggets, 180 mixed-aged Hereford cows, 150 R2s and 250 R1s. Deadline Sale (unless sold prior) 2pm, Tuesday 15th December 2020 Unit 7/50 Theodosia Street, Timaru, New Zealand Hamish Lane +64 27 685 6204 hamish.lane@bayleys.co.nz Georgie Robson +64 27 562 4100 georgie.robson@bayleys.co.nz WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/5513738 Rural Insight

1,000 hectares available on a 20-year lease 236 Glenroy Road, Whangara, Gisborne

Very rarely does an opportunity to lease a property of this calibre and scale, become available. Lane Brothers offers circa 1,006 hectares to be leased on a 20-year term. The family will entrust the custodianship of this property, and the chance to create a new home for the first time in generations to someone outside the family. Located in Whangara, one of Gisborne's prime farming communities, and only 30 kilometres from Gisborne City, the property offers a mix of contour and is complemented by 90 hectares of flats. Reticulation throughout the property is via a comprehensive system powered by a large generator, on the edge of the farm's own substantial lake. The central lane, with all-weather access, creates efficiencies and simplifies stock moves, while multiple sets of stock yards provide accessible handling facilities.

For Lease Stephen Thomson +64 27 450 6531 stephen.thomson@bayleys.co.nz BOUSFIELD MACPHERSON LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Simon Bousfield +64 27 665 8778 simon.bousfield@bayleys.co.nz BOUSFIELD MACPHERSON LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2752007

Available with the lease is the sale of the renowned Whangara Angus Stud. In recent years the stud has been at the forefront of bull breeding, and challenging the status quo of Angus genetics within New Zealand. There are two four-bedroom houses located on the property, multiple sheds and sale complex. Plant and machinery will be offered for sale creating the ultimate opportunity for a motivated party to walk into this going concern and generate cashflow immediately. Inspections will be undertaken prior to Wednesday, 23rd December and Tenders will close on Wednesday, 27th January 2021.

Rural Insight

Country Lifestyle Collection

1,000 hectares available on a 20-year lease 236 Glenroy Road, Whangara, Gisborne

For Lease Stephen Thomson +64 27 450 6531 stephen.thomson@bayleys.co.nz BOUSFIELD MACPHERSON LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Simon Bousfield +64 27 665 8778 simon.bousfield@bayleys.co.nz BOUSFIELD MACPHERSON LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2752007

Insight Country LifestyleRural Collection

DAIRY MARKET UPDATE The spring dairy market showed signs of strong and positive activity with enquiry levels on dairy farms and dairy grazing properties higher than for the past two seasons. Some contraction in pricing in recent years, coupled with consistent revenue returns for the sector and low interest rates, mean operating yields look good in comparison with commercial property yields and returns from other investments. The continued solid commodity outlook bodes well for the dairy sector and this is reflected in the strong enquiry weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re seeing on dairy land and units coming to the market nationwide and certainly, in the Waikato region. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plenty of activity from neighbours with strategic interests, from new investors diversifying into rural property and robust interest is being shown in investment-grade operations nationwide from equity partnerships that recognise the value returns the sector can deliver. Interest and activity in the goat and sheep milk markets has also been encouraging with diversification and conversions evident as the broader dairying sector continues to evolve.

MARK DAWE Bayleys General Manager Waikato and Country Manager

$143,136,668 Bayleys Dairy Total Sales Value

Bayleys Dairy Total Number of Sales Bayleys Dairy Sales (1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020)

Rural Insight

Map of Bayleys Dairy Sales 1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020

SELECTION OF BAYLEYS RECENT DAIRY SALES Northland 354 Access Road, Ruawai Land area

88.32ha (more or less)

Sale price

$2,000,000

$/ha

$22,645

Waikato 123 Cox Road, Cambridge Land area

79.46ha (more or less)

Sale price

$4,300,000

$/ha

$54,115

Waikato 373 Tower Road, Matamata Land area

134ha (more or less)

Sale price

$10,500,000

$/ha

$78,358

Canterbury 450 Main Waitohi Road, Temuka Land area

161.42ha (more or less)

Sale price

$7,425,000

$/ha

$45,998

Profitable opportunity 2611 Pouto Road, Te Kopuru, Northland

193.4472 hectares (more or less) in eight titles, currently budgeted to produce 68,000kgMS with additional income from 360 calves reared. This is a quality property with great infrastructure and features a four-bedroom, two-bathroom main dwelling, plus additional two-bedroom cottage. The purchase price is plus GST (if any). Price Indication NZ$2,800,000 + GST (if any) Todd Skudder +64 27 439 1235 todd.skudder@bayleys.co.nz MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/1020549

Outstanding dairy farm, Kapuni 641 and 581 Manaia Road, Hawera, Taranaki

This 95ha (235 acres) of quality farmland has production capacity of up to 120,000kgMS. It has a 36-bail rotary cowshed with cup removers, new calf rearing/hay barn, big implement shed, as well as other support buildings and sheds and an excellent race system on the Waimate water scheme. The main dwelling is a three-bedroom brick with office, open plan with internal double garaging. The second dwelling is a tidy three-bedroom, fully insulated home. Seldom do family farms of this calibre come on the market, which has been in the current family for over 80 years. Price by Negotiation Brendan Crowley +64 27 241 2817 brendan.crowley@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY TARANAKI LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2600468

Quality dairy unit 86 Hill Road, Cambridge, Waikato

136ha (more or less) dairy farm located just 20km from Cambridge. Offering a tidy 22 ASHB dairy with a modern Waikato milking plant (2018), in-shed feeding system and automatic teat sprayer with a good array of support buildings. Production of 99,000kgMS was achieved from 270 cows in the 2019/20 season, an increased platform area of over 100ha with 310 cows now being milked. An on-farm sand quarry also provides excellent race material and a good mix of flat to rolling contour means the farm lends itself towards future development. Two homes complete the picture. Price by Negotiation Dave Kilbride +64 27 436 7082 dave.kilbride@bayleys.co.nz Scott Macdonald +64 27 753 3854 scott.macdonald@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2311694

Modern dairying at its best 607 Harewood Road, Oxford, Canterbury

Invest in your future with this high-performing dairy operation currently producing great returns. Converted six years ago, this modern farm has been exceptionally well managed and offers a fantastic opportunity for the new owner. The 153.21ha property has a modern, automated 60-bail rotary shed with a carbon-fibre platform and 600 cow yard. Currently milking 500 cows peak-milk to produce around 250,000kgMS. Well laid out with short walks, good soils, strong pasture growth, pivot irrigation and new infrastructure. A great opportunity. Price by Negotiation Ben Turner +64 27 530 1400 ben.turner@bayleys.co.nz Peter Foley +64 21 754 737 WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/5513774 Insight Country LifestyleRural Collection

New Zealand trial to crunch regen numbers. ———

REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE HAS BECOME SOMETHING OF A BUZZWORD IN FARMING AND FOOD CIRCLES OVER THE PAST YEAR, AND THE SUBJECT OF WELL POPULATED FIELD DAYS, CHAT GROUPS AND MEDIA COVERAGE. ———

As a practice, “regenerative” agriculture covers a broad sweep of land use practices, with a focus on regenerating topsoil while also improving water quality, building plant biodiversity on-farm and reducing the level of cultivation and tillage. For its part, New Zealand is beginning to play catch up on acquiring data on its own regenerative experience. In Canterbury, the Align Group of farms with four dairy units over 1,500ha

Rural Insight

has committed to a regenerative trial, effectively splitting the operation into conventional and regenerative across two dairy farms. The transitioning dairy farms will be run half conventionally and half regeneratively for comparison, with data collated on environment, animal health, finances, the social impact on staff and community, and human health impacts in terms of the food quality of milk collected.

However, the company’s chief executive Rhys Roberts says the group is not approaching regenerative conversion with romantic delusions. Regardless of the trial outcomes, its management believes the trial data will be invaluable in putting some numbers around regenerative practices, which up until now has had only anecdotal support. “We need to remember, the farms are operating on fertile, well-watered

Canterbury soil worth about $50,000 a hectare, and a reasonable rate of return for that has to continue to be made,” he said. At an international level a group of big multi-national food giants including Nestle, Walmart and Unilever have also signed a memorandum agreeing to up size regenerative agriculture, while General Mills said it would apply the practice to 400,000ha by 2030. Regenerative farming has also drawn the attention of the New Zealand government in the past few months. Covid-19 has prompted greater government recognition of the role food production plays in this country’s economic survival. Regen’ agriculture is presented as an appealing option to combine that with the need to manage the pressures that production has placed upon greenhouse gases and water quality. The government has recently put $1.87 million from MPI’s productive and sustainable land use and extension fund to support farmers’ knowledge about regenerative farming. Landcare Research is now engaged in a study of regenerative agriculture led by Dr Gwen Grelet, a soil ecologist. The “whole of sector” study includes speaking with a diverse range of farmers, industry and scientific groups. The research is timely, and work done overseas only highlights how much needs to be done in New Zealand to ensure farmers are making informed decisions on land use change. An Australian research project, the Holmes Sackett Report, released earlier this year contained 10 years of analysed data from 2007 to 2016, examining average returns from regen’ farms compared to conventional ones. The report found that regenerative farms generated a return on assets of about 1.7

———

“COVID-19 HAS PROMPTED GREATER GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION OF THE ROLE FOOD PRODUCTION PLAYS IN THIS COUNTRY’S ECONOMIC SURVIVAL. REGEN’ AGRICULTURE IS PRESENTED AS AN APPEALING OPTION TO COMBINE THAT WITH THE NEED TO MANAGE THE PRESSURES THAT PRODUCTION HAS PLACED UPON GREENHOUSE GASES AND WATER QUALITY.” ———

percent a year, while conventional farming returned 4.2 percent a year. Duncan Ross, Bayleys national director rural said interest in regenerative practices may ultimately start to feed through to buyer’s enquiry for farm businesses, but it is not something yet seen. “It may only be a matter of time, but it is important we see some transparent, relevant data so the market has some sound evidence of the value the practices bring with them.” For anyone investing in pastoral or cropping farm businesses, regenerative systems will ultimately need to deliver a value-add element for final product in years to come. “However the challenge for farmers may be whether that demand translates to a willingness by consumers to pay a higher price for regeneratively produced products, or its practices simply become an expected part of farm practice,” said Ross.

———

“REGARDLESS OF THE TRIAL OUTCOMES, ITS MANAGEMENT BELIEVES THE TRIAL DATA WILL BE INVALUABLE IN PUTTING SOME NUMBERS AROUND REGENERATIVE PRACTICES, WHICH UP UNTIL NOW HAS HAD ONLY ANECDOTAL SUPPORT.” ———

Rural Insight

HORTICULTURE MARKET UPDATE Horticulture exports have remained resilient in the face of disruptions to container supply, regular shipping and established markets this year and the strong returns seen in the sector are bolstering the value of horticultural land and productive units across New Zealand. Kiwifruit continues to lead the way in the sector, and this is translating into strong demand for kiwifruit orchards. As per tray returns for green and gold varietals continue to rise, average per hectare returns have reached record highs. Average net returns north of 12 percent being achieved for kiwifruit, coupled with historically-low interest rates has resulted in buoyant interest from local growers, syndicates, iwi groups and investors looking for strong cash returns. Suitable land to produce kiwifruit, avocados and apples continues to sell well and emerging high value crops like hops are also helping to underpin land sales in the horticultural sector. Like other sectors, strong returns and low borrowing rates are attracting investment from a broad range of sources.

MATT CLUTTERBUCK Bayleys Bay of Plenty Lifestyle and Country Sales Manager

Map of Bayleys Horticulture Sales 1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020

SELECTION OF BAYLEYS RECENT HORTICULTURE SALES

Northland Avocado 168 Heath Road, Awanui Land area

12ha (more or less)

Sale price

$2,510,000

$/ha

$209,167

Bay of Plenty Kiwifruit (green and gold) 66 Colebrook Road, Edgecumbe Land area

21.6ha (more or less)

Sale price

$14,500,000

$/ha

$671,296

Hawke's Bay Cropping 636 Speedy Road, Takapau

$103,414,601 Bayleys Horticulture Total Sales Value

Bayleys Horticulture Total Number of Sales Bayleys Horticulture Sales (1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020)

Rural Insight

Land area

175.76ha (more or less)

Sale price

$5,568,000

$/ha

$31,680

Canterbury Cropping 3716 Old West Coast Road, Sheffield Land area

129.02ha (more or less)

Sale price

$4,400,000

$/ha

$34,103

Strategic horticultural opportunity Great South Road, Ramarama, Auckland

Scale, quality and investment 173C Belk Road South, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty

Boundary lines are indicative only

This significant 55.9468-hectare (more or less) landholding in three titles is located in one of Auckland's fastest-growing residential and business areas. The property features a family home, ample shedding and plenty of water with two irrigation bores. It is currently leased, returning an income of $231,521pa + GST. Situated just minutes from the Drury South Project and with extensive road frontage to Great South Road and the motorway, this property has huge upside and potential. Price by Negotiation Rebecca McEntee +64 21 722 436 rebecca.mcentee@bayleys.co.nz BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, COUNTIES, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Seldom do properties of this class become available. Settled privately at the end of a quiet lane is your own peaceful haven that offers comfort and income. 21.6 hectares (more or less) featuring over 17 canopy hectares of Hayward kiwifruit currently returning a minimum of eight percent that can continue to be fully managed for you. Relax in the executive home with all the comforts you would expect. Close to excellent schooling and Tauranga CBD a short 20-minute drive away. Call today to view. Asking Price NZ$9,995,000 + GST (if any) Mark Spitz +64 27 442 1295 mark.spitz@bayleys.co.nz

bayleys.co.nz/1951104

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

JR's Orchard

Award-winning olives

78 Gregs Lane, RD 1, Greytown, Wairarapa

At 127.9442 hectares, JR's Orchard is the largest commercial apple orchard and only exporter in the Greater Wellington region. Growing and exporting 260,000 cartons all around the world through their established brands ECCO and Capital. A fully vertically integrated business with staff accommodation, full packhouse, grader, Smartfresh technology and coolstore. A proven business with opportunity for growth in New Zealand's world renowned apple industry. Price by Negotiation Andrew Smith +64 27 760 8208 a.smith@bayleys.co.nz Lindsay Watts +64 27 246 2542 lindsay.watts@bayleys.co.nz EASTERN REALTY (WAIRARAPA) LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/3150867 4

Country Lifestyle Collection

bayleys.co.nz/2501568

22 Lethbridge Road, Otaki, Kapiti Coast

Kapiti Olives is a consistent medalist featuring on awards lists and it all starts on a farm bordering the Otaki River just off State Highway 1. Located in the Kapiti Coast District, the property was handpicked to create and build a successful brand with eight hectares, five varieties of olives and approximately 2,300 trees. Grown from the ground up, the business is well established and focuses on the premium market supplying outlets including restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and online sales. From growing, to blending, to sales, the business is available as a going concern and has a reputation for consistently producing quality olive oils. Mark Monckton +64 21 724 833 mark.monckton@bayleys.co.nz MID WEST REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/3100362

Rural Insight

VITICULTURE MARKET UPDATE With Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc continuing to find favour on the global stage, the region remains the most active performer in the country’s viticultural property market recording an increase in sale prices achieved and a lack of supply to satisfy buyers. In the past six months, there’s been an uptick in demand for viticulture properties of all scales in the Marlborough region driven by some clear market dynamics. A sharp increase in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc consumption internationally, low interest rates, investor appetites for larger returns, recognition of the reliable climatic conditions and wine companies looking to obtain future supply to meet the increasing demand from consumers. Sauvignon Blanc is a high-yielding, relatively low-cost varietal so the values and volumes being seen in sales of Marlborough land are different to other parts of the country where production outputs and costs vary, with a much more subdivided market in Central Otago, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne.

Map of Bayleys Viticulture Sales 1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020

16 SELECTION OF BAYLEYS RECENT VITICULTURE SALES Gisborne 210 Opou Road, Manutuke Land area

15.39ha (more or less)

Sale price

$2,650,000

$/ha

$172,190

*has a water right, sold to kiwifruit developer

KURT LINDSAY Bayleys Marlborough Rural, Viticulture and Lifestyle Salesperson

Hawke's Bay 18 Mere Road, Fernhill Land area

4.05ha (more or less)

Sale price

$850,000.00

$/ha

$209,877

Nelson 292 Moutere Highway, Appleby

$69,932,500 Bayleys Viticulture Total Sales Value

Bayleys Viticulture Total Number of Sales Bayleys Viticulture Sales (1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020)

Rural Insight

Land area

22.14ha (more or less)

Sale price

$2,525,000

$/ha

$114,047

Marlborough 217 Caseys Road, Blind River Land area

50.04ha (more or less)

Sale price

$4,200,000

$/ha

$83,933

Prized Gimblett soils opportunity Gimblett Road, Hastings, Hawke's Bay

Well established Nelson vineyard 83 Old House Road, Upper Moutere, Nelson

Boundary lines are indicative only

Developed with quality in mind, this 18.39 hectare (15.33 hectares planted) vineyard sits in the heart of the prized Gimblett Gravels soils of Hawke's Bay. Consistently producing circa 95 tonnes of predominantly Syrah, this vineyard has been priced to sell. An attractive opportunity not to be missed. Asking Price NZ$1,750,000 Duncan Ross +64 21 663 567 duncan.ross@bayleys.co.nz BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, AUCKLAND CENTRAL, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Tim Wynne-Lewis +64 27 488 9719 tim.wynne-lewis@bayleys.co.nz EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

A well developed 20.2342ha vineyard situated on the southern side of Old House Road in the Moutere Valley. This locality is in the centre of the Upper Moutere wine-growing district with a number of other vineyards within a fivekilometre radius. The neighbouring property to the south is the world-famous Neudorf vineyard. In recent years a number of national and international trophies have been awarded to the wines from this property. These accolades are a clear indication that the grapes produced on the property have the capacity to produce award-winning wines. Asking Price NZ$3,100,000 + GST (if any) Fritz Horlemann +64 274 338 208 fritz.horlemann@bayleysnelsontasman.co.nz VINING REALTY GROUP LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/1691518

bayleys.co.nz/4020441

Striking design, productive vines

Motivated vendor is ready to sell

1370 Kaituna-Tuamarina Road, Marlborough

This 9.34ha property (with 7.95ha under canopy) is predominantly planted in Sauvignon Blanc with a small parcel of Pinot Noir. It provides extremely heavy and consistent yields, taking full advantage of the highly productive soils and the attractive supply agreement currently in place. The striking dual-level home is positioned to capture panoramic views across the valley with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and exceptional indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces. Price by Negotiation Kurt Lindsay +64 27 469 9685 kurt.lindsay@bayleys.co.nz Tarin Mason +64 27 788 5748 tarin.mason@bayleys.co.nz BE MARLBOROUGH LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Brookby Road, Hawkesbury, Marlborough

The Outpost Vineyard has been meticulously developed with high-density plantings of 5,200 vines per hectare to allow low yields per vine, while achieving good sustainable yields per hectare. The total property area is 8.6 hectares with a planted vineyard area of 6.59 hectares, consisting of 5.21 hectares of Pinot Noir, 0.89 hectares of Chardonnay, 0.29 hectares of Syrah and 0.20 hectares of Pinot Gris. Secure a slice of one of the finest Marlborough vineyards. For Sale offers invited over NZ$1,500,000 Mike Poff +64 27 6655 477 mike.poff@bayleys.co.nz BE MARLBOROUGH LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/4133767

bayleys.co.nz/4134122 Insight Country LifestyleRural Collection

Lifestyle blocks link town and country ———

DESPITE THE LEVEL OF UNCERTAINTY COVID-19 HAS INJECTED INTO EVERYDAY LIFE GLOBALLY, THE NEW ZEALAND PROPERTY MARKET CONTINUES TO REMAIN STRONG AND NO MORE SO THAN FOR RURAL LIFESTYLE BLOCKS. ———

Real estate data indicates just how strong this market has been for the past few tumultuous months. For the three months ended October they were up a massive 71% more sales than for the same period last year, and overall 8071 properties were sold in the year to September, up 11.5% on last year. Duncan Ross, Bayleys national director rural said the jump in sales has been significant and the increase in quantity

Rural Insight

area sold has also been matched by an increase in property value. The properties sold for the three months to October averaged $775,000, $80,000 higher than compared to the same period last year. Mark Pringle, Bayleys Rangiora lifestyle block specialist said in his 30 years of experience he has rarely witnessed a market like the one being experienced at present in Canterbury. “We are finding there is an intense

level of interest in lifestyle blocks around Christchurch. We had quite a surge in the market after the earthquake when many people left the city for districts like Waimakariri. “This time though we are getting interest from further afield including several enquiries from ex-pats living in Melbourne who are very keen to come back to New Zealand after enduring lockdown over there.”

1680 Kimbolton Road, Cheltenham, Manawatu bayleys.co.nz/3100351

———

“NEW ZEALAND’S GROWING REPUTATION AS A COUNTRY THAT HAS PROVEN ITSELF CAPABLE OF MANAGING COVID-19 AND ENABLING DAILY LIFE TO GENERALLY CONTINUE IS ADDING TO THE APPEAL OF HAVING A PIECE OF PERSONAL SPACE THAT MAY EXTEND ACROSS SEVERAL HECTARES WITH A LIFESTYLE BLOCK.” ———

369/10 Flume Road, Cambridge bayleys.co.nz/2311935

———

“FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER THERE WERE A MASSIVE 71% MORE SALES THAN FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, AND OVERALL 8071 PROPERTIES WERE SOLD IN THE YEAR TO SEPTEMBER, UP 11.5% ON LAST YEAR.” ———

New Zealand’s growing reputation as a country that has proven itself capable of managing Covid-19 and enabling daily life to generally continue is adding to the appeal of having a piece of personal space that may extend across several hectares with a lifestyle block. Mark says that the value for money element with a lifestyle property also looks appealing when compared to higher value city dwellings. “It is not unreasonable to expect to get a good quality four or five-bedroom home on three to four hectares for between $800,000 to $1.2 million. That is a price that compares very favourably with what you may get in a city.” Significant spend on roading infrastructure in regions including Waikato, Canterbury and north of Auckland have also added to the appeal of properties that enable their owners to comfortably work in the city, while enjoying living in the country.

“Here in Canterbury we have a new motorway right through from North Canterbury to Cranford Street to be completed and the second part of the southern motorway is also due to be opened before Christmas, so access in and out of the city is vastly improved on where it was even before the earthquake.” Based on his experience selling lifestyle blocks, Mark points to several aspects potential buyers should keep in mind when casting around for a slice of rural life. Moving to a rural location can bring a clash between lifestyle owners’ expectations and the realities of living near commercial farming businesses. “It pays to make sure you have done all your checks, including LIM reports, so you are aware of the property’s surroundings, what else is going on around the property.” Checking building reports for all structures is important also, to ensure they are compliant and legal with council codes and permissions. Checking on water supply sources can also be important if the property is further out than city supplied water goes, particularly if rainwater storage is the main supply source. Duncan Ross says that national interest in lifestyle blocks has grown since level four lockdown ended. “As more Kiwis have been required to work from home and learnt to manage it comfortably, they are looking harder at their options, and questioning whether they do want to be in a city, or somewhere that may be quieter, with room for family to run around and even run some animals.” He said there is also an emotional link for many people considering lifestyle blocks. “The connection to rural New Zealand is still strong for many people, and lifestyle blocks are a way for them to re-connect with a life they may have had growing up themselves as kids.”

Rural Insight

146

514

LIFESTYLE MARKET UPDATE On the back of unprecedented residential median price changes across New Zealand, the lifestyle property market around the country has never been stronger. We are seeing increased international enquiry and incredible domestic enquiry levels in the wake of the global pandemic as people make – or investigate – wholesale changes to the way, and where, they live. Those in metropolitan centres are taking advantage of their increased equity and releasing that capital to secure a larger property away from the bright lights. With Kiwis spending more time at home due to international travel restrictions, we’re seeing lifestyle blocks and properties that offer recreation, space and privacy having real appeal. There have also been significant capital gains achieved from the sale of lifestyle property on the city fringes and this has fuelled further demand from land bankers and investors – particularly in light of the low interest rate environment. Canterbury, Northland and Auckland feature prominently in sales data, however, enquiry and activity is up all around the country.

Bayleys Regional General Manager South and East Auckland

1,334

Bayleys Lifestyle Total Number of Sales Bayleys Lifestyle Sales (1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020)

Rural Insight

1 November 2019 to 31 October 2020

SELECTION OF BAYLEYS RECENT LIFESTYLE SALES

256

Auckland 1495 Clevedon-Kawakawa Road, Kawakawa Bay Land area

50.24ha (more or less)

Sale price

$5,150,000

$/ha

$102,508

Coromandel 49 Kaimarama Road, Whitianga 6

$1,264,176,610 Bayleys Lifestyle Total Sales Value

Map of Bayleys Lifestyle Sales

RAYMOND MOUNTFORT

108

Land area

6ha (more or less)

Sale price

$1,565,000

$/ha

$260,833

Hawke's Bay 1844 Te Ore Ore Bideford Road Land area

83ha (more or less)

Sale price

$3,200,000

$/ha

$38,554

Canterbury 234 Charteris Bay Road, Lyttelton Land area

43.88ha (more or less)

Sale price

$1,905,000

$/ha

$43,414

Develop your lifestyle dream here 83 Caprine Road, Kerikeri, Northland

Riverside Farm 291 North Road, Clevedon, Auckland

Boundary lines are indicative only

Less than 15km from Kerikeri is this beautiful 34-hectare (more or less) property offering many opportunities. Build your dream home and run some stock to supplement your lifestyle. Subdivided into approximately 30 paddocks and with two dams giving you ample water source. There's also one of the best rural outlooks with distant sea views and a peek over Lake Manuwai. This special property is most attractive to those who are looking for a quiet and peaceful country setting and not too far from local amenities. Auction (unless sold prior) 1pm, Wednesday 16th December 2020 62 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri, New Zealand Sheree Robinson +64 21 101 5713 sheree.robinson@bayleys.co.nz Catherine Stewart +64 27 356 5031 catherine.stewart@bayleys.co.nz

This distinctive 15.3ha estate is a true rural icon in Clevedon. The main residence offers 550sqm of traditional luxury and is superbly complemented by a well-appointed two-bedroom cottage. Leisure time is assured with the in-ground pool, summer house and tennis court. An important signature of Riverside Farm is the substantial 676sqm stable complex providing an impressive multi-purpose facility. Located just minutes from the village, markets, cafes and amenities. Price by Negotiation Denise Jenner +64 27 255 5011 Courtney Jenner +64 21 043 3345 BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, COUNTIES, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/1951705

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

bayleys.co.nz/1020560

Prime location - spectacular views 425M Boat Harbour Road, Coromandel, Waikato

Looking for the next step up? 144 Pipiroa Road, Ngatea, Waikato

Boundary lines are indicative only

This exclusive lifestyle block positioned in a prime location is ready for its new owners. 21.5 hectares (more or less) of contoured land, native forest features and surrounds. The block oozes lifestyle appeal with multiple potential building sites and a northerly aspect. Location is the key here being so close to the bustling Coromandel beaches of Hahei, Hot Water Beach and ever-popular tourist destinations such as Cathedral Cove. Trade the bright lights of the city for breathtaking sunsets and sunrises. Auction (unless sold prior) 11am, Thursday 17th December 2020 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton, New Zealand Glenn Tanner +64 27 486 2399 glenn.tanner@bayleys.co.nz Maddy Aislabie +64 27 780 4389 maddy.aislabie@bayleys.co.nz MH REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2180424 6

Country Lifestyle Collection

Renovated in 2019 and completed to a high standard throughout with open plan living areas, three bedrooms and two bathrooms, this practical home will make life a breeze. On a total of 1.53ha (subject to survey) this block gives you space to run a few stock plus leaves you with space to build a big shed for the toys or boat. Lifestyle blocks are selling like hotcakes in the market today, don't let this wonderful opportunity in the heart of the Hauraki Plains slip away. Auction (unless sold prior) 11am, Tuesday 22nd December 2020 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton Karl Davis +64 27 496 4633 karl.davis@bayleys.co.nz Lee Carter +64 27 696 5781 SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2311901 Rural Insight

Old English grandeur 78A Horrell Road, Morrinsville, Waikato

Oak Lane Lodge provides a rare opportunity to purchase one of Morrinsvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landmark properties. This turn-of-the-century home is set in park-like grounds with 100-year-old oaks spanning the length of the sealed driveway. The homestead features four bedrooms, study, formal lounge, stateroom, dining areas, library, sunroom and spacious modern kitchen. A large and private entertainment area overlooks the lovely inground pool. The homestead portrays quality and elegance throughout with classical fittings and chattels. Auction (unless sold prior) 11am, Thursday 17th December 2020 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton, New Zealand Mike Fraser-Jones +64 27 475 9680 mike.fraserjones@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2311909

Build new in an idyllic setting 403 Perth Road, Okato, Taranaki

Equestrian paradise 183 Paparoa Road, Ohope, Bay of Plenty

Built in 2011 from kiln-fired Hinuera Stone and surrounded by beautifully landscaped and established grounds, this stunning home provides almost 300sqm of luxury living. The property is fully fenced and has 10 paddocks, a full-sized horse arena, stables, farm shed with storage container attached, and portable stockyards. The stables include a non-slip rubber floor, three loose boxes and a mare and foal box, a washdown area and vermin-proof tack room. Auction (unless sold prior) 1pm, Wednesday 16th December 2020 247 Cameron Road, Tauranga, New Zealand Rhys Mischefski +64 27 457 8718 rhys.mischefski@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2571879

Large lifestyle - 25.99ha 52 Longacre Road, Okoia, Whanganui

Go for quiet walks, fish, gather paua, swim or surf all so close to and available from your brand new beach home. If this sounds like you, then be quick to make a visit to one of these outstanding lots. Bring your builder or architect and plan how to take full advantage of expansive mountain to sea views from the building platforms. Only a five-minute drive to Okato Village and 10 minutes to Oakura for a coffee at one of the cafes or head down south on SH45 to your choice of Taranaki's best waves. Just 20-odd minutes to the vibrant city of New Plymouth. Lot 1 is 8,052sqm and Lot 2 is 5,675sqm.

Situated 10 minutes' drive from Whanganui, at the lower end of Longacre Road, this 25ha property (more or less, subject to survey) has a road frontage of approximately 1.7km with potentially two building sites. The block is predominantly north facing and divided into two paddocks with a very tidy set of cattle yards at the city end. A leading track runs almost the entire length of the property. A geo-tech report has been completed, which assessed the viability of two building platforms, one on Longacre Road and one on Thompson Road. This report is available for qualified buyers.

Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 3pm, Thursday 21st January 2021 15 Courtenay Street, New Plymouth, New Zealand

For Sale by Deadline Private Treaty (will not be sold prior) 2pm, Thursday 17th December 2020 158 Wicksteed Street, Whanganui, New Zealand

John Blundell +64 27 240 2827 john.blundell@bayleys.co.nz

Knud Bukholt +64 27 222 6161 knud.bukholt@bayleys.co.nz

SUCCESS REALTY TARANAKI LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

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

bayleys.co.nz/2600719

bayleys.co.nz/3001373

Rural Insight

Country Lifestyle Collection

Build on top of Hawkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bay Pirau Road, Fernhill, Hawke's Bay

With views to die for, this 38-hectare title, subject to survey (includes a portion of Lake Oingo) has several components which provide the purchaser with options galore. Build your dream home and live the good life yourself or with several other house sites the options to further subdivide are plentiful. Owning part of Lake Oingo you have prime duck shooting for life, and with a seven-hectare cropping flat there are horticultural options. This unique property is topped off with a three-bay lockable workshop and self-contained unit. To get all this only 15 minutes from the Napier Airport and 14 kilometres from Hastings CBD, it's a must view. Asking Price NZ$1,700,000 + GST (if any) Tony Rasmussen +64 27 429 2253 tony.rasmussen@bayleys.co.nz EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Lifestyle plus on Malthouse Road 30 Malthouse Road, Riverlands, Marlborough

30 Malthouse Road offers you an outstanding location five minutes from town with a private five-bedroom modern home offering rural living with lifestyle. The property with over half a hectare of land area is full of fruit trees, vegetables gardens and loads of sheds that offer a total package for both him and her. The main shed is 325 square meters suitable for all your toys or it could be used to run your business from home and, in addition to this, there is a three-bay implement shed. If you are looking for lots of space close to town then this is the ideal property for you. Price by Negotiation Mike Poff +64 27 6655 477 mike.poff@bayleys.co.nz

bayleys.co.nz/2852337

BE MARLBOROUGH LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

A new lifestyle for the new year

Central Otago wine country dream

492 Downs Road, Eyrewell, Canterbury

Boundary lines are indicative only

Here is a great opportunity to secure a sizable home in the lifestyle market, on 4.27 hectares in a private location. Three bedrooms, kitchen and dining plus large living area on the north side. The master and second bedrooms catch morning and afternoon sun. A large deck with a covered space provides wonderful outdoor living. Deadline Sale (unless sold prior) 1pm, Thursday 17th December 2020 251-253 High Street, Rangiora, New Zealand Dean Pugh +64 27 335 6303 dean.pugh@bayleys.co.nz Brook Yates +64 27 807 8093 brook.yates@bayleys.co.nz WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/5513835 8

Country Lifestyle Collection

bayleys.co.nz/4134180

1401 Luggate-Cromwell Road, Cromwell, Otago

Boundary lines are indicative only

Every now and then a truly magical property presents itself to the market. This 28-hectare estate in Charcoal Gully is exactly that - simply majestic. Surrounded by natural beauty the architecturally designed house sits on a coveted terrace above the vineyard and below Mt Pisa, offering spectacular views. Eight hectares of mature vines are arguably the most special aspect of the property, producing trophy and gold medal-winning pinot noir, plus gewurztraminer wines. An additional eight hectares of flat land is ready to be planted with an additional three hectares of land also plantable. Price by Negotiation Gary Kirk +64 27 221 4018 Renee Anderson +64 22 409 2400 QUEENSTOWN & SOUTHERN NZ REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/4520844 Rural Insight

IT’S OFFICIAL. BAYLEYS IS NEW ZEALAND’S #1 RURAL REAL ESTATE BRAND. BAYLEYS IS HONOURED TO HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE FOLLOWING AWARDS BY THE REAL ESTATE INSTITUTE OF NEW ZEALAND:

2020

Awards for Excellence in Real Estate

WINNER

MEDIUM RURAL OFFICE OF THE YEAR

LARGE RURAL OFFICE OF THE YEAR

RURAL SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR

Bayleys Country Waikato

Bayleys Country Tauranga

Ben Turner, Bayleys Country Canterbury

Make sure you get the best result for your property by working with the best in the business.

0800 BAYLEYS I bayleys.co.nz/rural BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Resi d en t i al / Co m m erc i al / R ural / P ro p ert y S erv ices

Farmers Weekly NZ December 14 2020

Articles inside

Top RWNZ

Driving force behind water

In it for the long haul