Farmers Weekly NZ December 16 2019

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Best trade/specialist publication and website – Voyager Media Awards 2019

Vol 18 No 49, December 16, 2019

Cheese war: Europeans go too far

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NEWS

WEATHER OVERVIEW Finally, rain is in the forecast for very dry parts of the North Island as sub-tropical winds combine with a low over New Zealand. While some areas might get only drizzly falls because of the mountains blocking it, the low and sub-tropical airflow should see some good soaking rains in many parts of the upper half of the North Island spilling over into eastern and southern areas too. The best chance for rain is tonight and tomorrow.

Later this week another low might send a surge of rain up the South Island. As we head towards Christmas a combination of rain and sun should be a better set-up than in recent weeks.

12 Love of land and bush passed on A dairy farming couple’s love of the bush has helped inspire the same passion in a younger generation, preserved some valuable bird species and also promoted a more sustainable way to farm.

Cheese war .......................................................................4

NZX PASTURE GROWTH INDEX – Next 15 days

Pasture Growth Index Above normal Near normal Below normal

7-DAY TRENDS

Wind

Rain A number of regions lean average to wetter than average, mostly thanks to the rain around NZ tomorrow.

Another burst of rain comes in from the south around Friday and Saturday.

Sub-tropical winds to begin with this week then its back to the usual westerly quarter flow though there might be more of a southerly angle to it at times with the Southern Ocean still quite active.

Dream vision for agriculture ...........................................5 Floods hit the south ..................................................... 6-7

Highlights/ Extremes

Forests must be in land rules ........................................11

Temperature

ON FARM STORY

Warmer than average to kick off this week then some cooler air as the humidity eases for a time. Overall, an average to above-average week temperature-wise but Southland and the West Coast might lean cooler than normal at times.

Heavy rain tomorrow for parts of NZ. Cooler than normal for parts of Southland and maybe Otago and the West Coast at times this week too.

14-DAY OUTLOOK

With a combination of rain, sub-tropical winds, high pressure and sunny days the pasture forecast right across NZ is perhaps looking the best in many weeks. Rain is forecast into many dry parts of the country and while not everyone will get the relief they need many places should get enough of a top-up to get a positive boost in pasture growth heading into Christmas – along with some hot dry days too.

SOIL MOISTURE INDEX – 12/12/2019

24 Small footprint but many jobs Maungatapere Berries packs a lot of punch in a small area. The Malley family has a philosophy of getting as much production as possible from a small area using the right techniques while providing many full-time jobs for local people.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

EDITORIAL At last, farmers know where they’re going

T

HE year is ending with plenty for farmers to think about. Last week the Government-appointed Primary Industry Council announced its plan for the primary sector. It is grounded in producing quality food in a way that takes care of the environment and the people doing the work. It’s a giant step toward putting into practice something the industry has been talking about for a long time – adding value and moving up the value chain. Now there is Government backing for the things that have been happening haphazardly in farming in recent years.

For several decades farming’s been focused on eking out as much product from each hectare of land as is possible. Margins are tight so producing more has been the way to improve returns. This new way relies on a premium for our food. The evidence suggests there are enough people around the globe willing to pay it. But to earn it we’ll need to show the world what we’re made of. That means proving our environmental worth, leading the way on policies and practices that reflect the values of our nation. It won’t be easy – change never is.

But there are plenty of first-moving farmers here already to step in behind.

This has been a year of change and upheaval across the world. Global trade is the shakiest it’s been in some time. Children are marching in the streets demanding action on climate change. Farmers, here and overseas, have seen their social capital wash away down the river. Now, though, we can focus. We’ve chosen our consumers and will make the food they want to eat and feel satisfied with.

New Zealand’s primary sector is the envy of the world, one filled with inspiring champions of the land who can solve any problem and innovate to stay ahead of the pack. It’s this know-how we need now.

Lastly, thanks for reading the Farmers Weekly this year. It’s been a privilege to report on this industry we all love so much.

Have a safe and happy Christmas.

Bryan Gibson

3

MPI: Shock move just bad timing boss says Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz A LARGE number of cattle removed from a Temuka cattle sale are not deemed a risk to other cattle penned there the same day, Mycoplasma bovis programme director Geoff Gwyn says.

The 500 yearling cattle, advertised as being in the sale two weeks in advance, made up a significant chunk of the yarding.

But there was an air of consternation on the morning of the sale when they were marched from their pens just an hour before the sale and trucked home.

No one was more shocked than vendor, Fairlie farmer Regan O’Leary.

“It sure came as a bit of a shock.

“I was on the way up to see them sold when I got the call from the Ministry of Primary Industries.

“It was 8.45am. They told me they were putting me under Notice of Direction.

“You can imagine how I felt.

I didn’t want to even face up at the sale. My credibility had gone right out the back door.”

O’Leary called his livestock agent and the trucking company to arrange for the cattle to be returned to his farm.

“The transport company and the agents, everybody, were really good. I just wanted to stay away. It’s like I had done something really wrong.

“The transport company even pulled trucks in from Oamaru to cart them out.”

The timing was more than just unfortunate, made worse

COINCIDENCE: Restrictions were not put on a herd of cattle because it was about to be sold, Mycoplasma bovis programme director Geoff Gwyn says.

by the fact when O’Leary did his own homework on the identified trace he found the herd he’s supposedly traced to was culled in September.

“That’s got to go back three to four months. They’ve just caught up with me now – in December.”

O’Leary is now faced with selling his lambs in the store market before Christmas so he can feed the 500 cattle while he awaits the results of testing.

“We all know the price of lambs so I’m going to lose on that and I’ll be break-feeding wheat crop to the cattle so that won’t make harvest.

“It surely changes the whole farming operation just like that, there’s no time to plan.”

O’Leary said his biggest issue is the follow-up tracing.

It’s way too long to be

effective in the eradication plan.

Gwyn said there’s no suggestion anyone has done anything wrong or that anything has gone wrong.

Any Notice of Direction is going to be served at a point in time.

“In this instance, unfortunately, that point in time was when the cattle were at the sale yards.

“The NoD was not issued because of where the animals were or because they were about to be sold but because we became aware of a risk event related to this farm – the timing is coincidental,” Gwyn said.

“The farmer took the entirely appropriate and commendable step of withdrawing them from sale

and returning the cattle to his property. These animals are not known infected animals – 90% of management groups placed under a NoD are found to not be infected.”

Gwyn said from a disease control point of view the cattle have not mixed with the other cattle at the yards.

“The exposure that occurs at a yards is not direct or prolonged and is of exceptionally low risk if these cattle are found to be infected.

“If it eventuated that they are infected we would consider the risk of possible exposure to the other cattle at the sale that day and would trace them through the Nait records, which, as required, should show what cattle were at the yards and where they have moved on to,” Gwyn said.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

Trade deal blocks Kiwi cheeses Stephen Bell stephen.bell@globalhq.co.nz MORE than $5 billion of New Zealand dairy exports to China have been put at risk in a trade deal between the European Union and China, Dairy Companies Association executive director Kimberly Crewther says.

She accused the EU of abusing the rules for its own self-interest and economic gain rather than for legitimate intellectual property protection.

The deal stops countries like NZ exporting cheeses using names like feta because the EU considers them covered by geographic indication protection, meaning they are names that can be used only by producers in particular locations or who have a claim to the name through long association.

But the ongoing expansion of the EU’s geographic indication agenda will now prevent New Zealand dairy producers from exporting commonly produced cheeses to the high-value Chinese market, Crewther said.

NZ’s dairy exports to China were valued at more than $5bn in 2018 with cheese exports valued at over $340m.

“The EU-China Agreement is

NOTHING’S SACRED: If the European Union gets its way no cheese names used round the world will be safe from its geographic protection system, Dairy Companies Association executive director Kimberly Crewther says.

part of a rapidly growing number of trade agreements the EU has negotiated with third countries such as Japan, Mexico, Vietnam, and Singapore.

“Through these agreements the EU is seeking to monopolise a wide range of cheese terms that are in common use globally and produced in significant quantities outside of the EU. “Opportunities for cheeses that NZ has produced for decades and never called any other name, like parmesan, feta and gruyere,

are gradually being eroded.”

The association is concerned about where the efforts to protect generic cheese names will end.

In 2017 the EU registered danbo as a protected term despite previous acknowledgement by the Danish dairy industry it is a generic cheese name and there is significant global production outside of Europe, including in NZ. More recently the EU registered havarti as a protected term for sole use by Denmark in the EU

despite most global production being outside Denmark and the EU’s own implicit recognition of the term as generic through its standard-setting process and in trade rules under the World Trade Organisation.

“The registration of danbo and havarti as protected GIs raises serious questions about the integrity of the EU’s geographic indication registration process and framework,” Crewther said.

The association has no objection to the EU’s protection for cheese names genuinely unique to a particular geography. But past recognition of generic names in international agreements and a significant history of production in other places as a result of shared cultural heritage should be respected as disqualifying criteria.

“The approach of protecting internationally recognised and commonly used terms demonstrates that the flawed EU geographic indication system is too often used for the EU’s own self-interest and economic gain and not for legitimate intellectual property protection,” Crewther said.

“If havarti meets the definition of a geographic indication then there are no cheese names that wouldn’t.

“There is no certainty around where this attempt to claw back common trade cheese names will end.”

The deal with China comes amid ongoing EU-NZ free trade agreement negotiations in which the EU is seeking changes to NZ’s regulatory settings to protect 2200 terms with provision for more terms to be protected in the future.

The flawed EU geographic indication system is too often used for the EU’s own selfinterest and economic gain.

Kimberly Crewther Dairy Coys Assn But the association continues to register its concern the extensive list proposed by the EU could stifle local investment and innovation in cheesemaking, limit consumer choice and significantly undermine NZ’s opportunity for added-value cheese exports, she said.

There’s an elephant in the room!

For me the trigger has been a recent very well written and fascinating feature article in the Waikato Times, “Getting to Carbon Zero”, and an excellent piece by Dr Bert Quin entitled “Lime and Calcium in New Zealand Agriculture”.

The Waikato Times article discusses the fact that the Nitrate content of pasture is passed out in the animal’s urine and that a significant portion of this is converted to Nitrous oxide by microbial activity in the soil. It goes on to place hope on scientific work being done to develop a Rye grass with a higher Carbohydrate content, (sugar), for the same Protein content, (Nitrogen). This work is being carried out because it’s been identified that it’s the high Nitrogen content combined with low sugar levels in farm pasture that is at the

centre of our environmental problems.

This is just one of many discussions where animal urine has been blamed for our woes and calls made for reduced stocking levels to a point where farmers can’t see how they could ever be viable.

Dr Quin discusses the fact that New Zealand’s farm inputs of Calcium have been steadily declining as farmers move away from Super to Phosphate materials such as DAP, (that have no Calcium content), while decreasing their Lime applications.

Now here’s the elephant in the room, why is the pasture high in Nitrate and low in carbohydrates?

He calls for more research into lime, pointing out that it’s been decades since any work has been done in this direction in New Zealand. I echo his call and encourage all farmers and Lime producers to do the same.

I don’t hold a doctorate however in my opinion it’s pretty simple, it’s our accepted fertiliser practises. When Nitrogen is applied and pasture plants take it up as Nitrate this certainly increases pasture quantity however the Nitrate content is toxic to animals and they have no option other than to excrete it in their urine otherwise it would destroy the haemoglobin in their blood and they would die from Nitrate poisoning. When it comes to grasses, Rye grass is at the bottom of the list when it comes to carbohydrate and animal nutrient content, so pastoral monocultures of Rye grasses makes little sense to me. Pasture diversity and clovers are so important in solving the problem.

When a farm’s fertiliser focus moves from a Phosphate and Nitrogen driven system to a Calcium driven system, the carbohydrate levels of pasture increase and the Nitrate content decrease. At the same time fertiliser costs reduce while farm productivity and profitability increase.

For the sake of your farms profitability and its environmental sustainability, it really is “Time to Lime”. Give us a call today for details of how we can help and to request our information pack. © Andrew de Lautour 2019

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I’m going to break my long standing, self-imposed rule of not commenting on articles written by others on a subject dear to my heart and that relate to the cause of Nitrate leaching into our waterways along with Nitrous oxide farm emissions being blamed on stock urine.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

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Farmers called on to work with nature Tim Fulton timfulton050@gmail.com A DREAM-CATCHING vision for the primary sector requires farmers to do more to farm in balance with nature.

Farming leaders packed a lecture theatre at Lincoln University for the launch of the Primary Sector Council’s guide for best practice, Fit for a Better World.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, who created the council said he is delighted major farmer and grower organisations support its recommendations.

“I established the Primary Sector Council to provide fresh thinking and develop a vision to help the sector navigate the environmental and sustainability challenges it faces,” he said.

O’Connor chided the panindustry group for taking so long to deliver its first report but hopes the recommendations can be turned into a realistic and workable plan by a new pan-industry group, Food and Fibres Aotearoa New Zealand.

But it is unclear exactly what the industry can expect from the proposed partnership of the Government, industry and Maori.

Speaking to Farmers Weekly council chairman Lain Jager was circumspect about what the report signposts for farming practice and regulation.

The former kiwifruit industry boss accepts some farmers might be sceptical about the report’s stated desire for more regenerative farming practices and a call for farmers to embrace the Maori concept of taiwo – a sense of connectedness with nature.

Concepts like regenerative agriculture, a circular bioeconomy and restorative agriculture speak to specific ways of farming, Jager said.

Taiao is about farming in balance with nature in a way that reflects a deep respect and reciprocity with nature.

It might mean using water as though it’s precious and nurturing biodiversity and soil quality.

“Now that is quite different from a circular bio-economy, which is about using waste products

and feeding them back into the farming system in order to have as little net waste as possible. Both of those things are important, they’re both related, but they’re not the same thing.”

Jager accepts some farmers will be wary of adopting practices that appear set to punish them for failing to meet tougher environmental standards.

“Firstly, let me recognise that we can talk at a high level about the circular economy or regenerative or restorative agriculture but, actually, the rubber hits the road at farm level or catchment level.

So, when we’re talking about this in a policy framework, what we’re talking about this is the objective – and the policy framework which we can use to support our farmers and our catchment communities to farm in a way that is in balance with nature.”

Jager said that implies a certain way of farming, added cost, a high level of capability and the application of technology.

“And in the end, it only happens on-farm.”

Jager admitted farmers feel

FRONTING UP: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor faced the media with Primary Sector Council chairman Lain Jager, left.

beaten up by people telling them they need to do better on environmental sustainability and who fail to give credit for work already done.

“However, what I would say is that in the context of a global population this challenge is not just about New Zealand, it’s a global challenge.”

NZ is a relatively small global producer, far from its major markets but has relatively highrainfall, a temperate climate and low population.

“Those advantages in natural capital can actually be amplified by really good farming practice.

So, that’s the conversation that we’re having.

“It’s no good having a strategy that you can’t implement because it’s not practical.”

Food and Fibres Aotearoa NZ will be chaired by Jager, supported by fellow governors, Primary Industries director-general Ray Smith and MBIE chief executive Carolyn Tremain.

The industry representatives will be Beef + Lamb chairman Andrew Morrison, DairyNZ chairman Jim van der Poel, Barry O’Neill from horticulture, Miriana Stephens, an existing council member and director of Nelsonbased Wakatu Incorporation, and Tracey Houpapa, chairwoman of the Federation of Maori Authorities.

Fortuna buys Zeestraten farms from Southern Centre FOUR farms at the centre of the Southland Mycoplasma bovis outbreak have been sold.

Southern Centre Dairies, owned

by Alfons and Gea Zeestraten, has been bought by Southland dairy farming firm, Fortuna Group.

Zeestraten said he is uncertain what he will do next, before politely declining to comment further.

A Primary Industries Ministry

spokesman said Zeestraten and Southern Centre Dairies still face five Biosecurity Act charges each but they do not relate to the introduction of M bovis to New Zealand.

The case will be heard in Invercargill District Court at a date yet to be set.

The charges against Southern Centre Dairies relate to the importation of farm equipment in January 2018, specifically the process of accepting and unpacking those goods, including

an effluent pump, without the required authorisation or following the correct procedures.

There are additional charges relating to the acquisition and disposal of unauthorised goods.

Zeestraten has been reported saying he denies all charges.

In February 2018 MPI identified Zeestraten farm as the source of M bovis infection in Southland with all infected properties in the province having links to them.

Fortuna chief executive Matthew Richards said the herds

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on the Zeestraten farms were culled in 2017 and the farms were subsequently cleaned and restocked.

MPI has removed all restrictions and they are operating as normal.

Richards says future risk will be managed as Fortuna does with all its farms, using best industry best practice.

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quickly as possible,” Richards said.

Fortuna already owns or partly owns about 19 Southland dairy farms running more than 12,000 cows on 4345ha with 1350ha of support land.

The company was formed in 2012 and is majority owned by the Dodunski family with minority shareholdings by private investors including a stake managed

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

Flood danger could last months Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz A WEEK after South Canterbury’s flood authorities have warned the risk will remain for months.

Restoring flood protection damaged by the Rangitata River could take months. Meantime, the river remains in a sensitive state so farmers must take extreme care, Civil Defence said.

Authorities report the flooding as an extreme event with 860mm of rain falling in the Rangitata River headwaters causing major flooding that cut off bridges, closed major roading networks and inundated large chunks of farmland.

One of the worst affected areas was Rangitata Island, much of which still remains under water.

Federated Farmers South Canterbury president and dairy farmer Jason Grant said water marooned 1500 cows on a family farm on the island.

While it was fortunate the cows made it to high land with one of the two milking sheds on the island the area is small with feeding and milking proving a desperate challenge.

“We are getting feed and people in to milk the cows via helicopter but five days on we will have to get them out soon as 1500 cows in a small space is not going to work much longer.

“The tankers can’t get in so the milk has to be dumped.

“The farm has two milking sheds but the second shed is surrounded by floodwaters and we can’t get cows to that shed.

“Luckily, we have been able to get these (1000) cows out and onto neighbouring farms.

“This whole event is causing a fair bit of stress,” Grant said.

Irrigation infrastructure has been mangled, stockwater lines damaged, fencing wiped out and pastures ruined.

“We really can’t even begin to

assess the greater damage until the water fully recedes.

“Meantime, it’s about safety of people and animal welfare.

“The positive is no people have been harmed – stress levels are high and the welfare of the people involved is a real concern.

“The other positive is there’s been no reported stock losses.”

Grant praised the co-ordination of emergency services and Civil Defence.

“They have all been really good making things happen. The response has gone above and beyond, breaking down barriers and allowing things to happen – it’s been amazing.”

The water flow into the normally dry south branch of the Rangitata River was responsible for the severe flooding downstream of State Highway 1. The last time any water went down the south branch was in 1999 but that was minor.

Authorities warn, given the pounding taken by the river’s protection, the river system is in a very sensitive state and, even with lower flows, changes in flow patterns are possible and could result in overland flow paths changing.

“It is important to note that the works being carried out initially are to relieve ongoing flood outflows.

“While improvements will slowly occur, works to restore flood protection will take much longer – weeks even months – and the river remains vulnerable to any future weather events.

“We continue to urge landowners in the area to use extreme caution,” Timaru Civil Defence spokesman Stephen Doran said.

Feds South Canterbury dairy chairman Ads Hendricks said community and welfare support through the Rural Support Trust and community groups has kicked into action and is being coordinated very effectively.

WATER DAMAGED: This was just one of several irrigators knocked over on Rangitata Dairies.

Stress levels are high and the welfare of the people involved is a real concern.

Jason Grant Federated Farmers “The co-ordination of help and support has worked very well, everybody has just got on with it and it’s happened.”

Hendricks said the biggest challenges now are feeding stock, repairing pastures, irrigation systems and farm infrastructure and rebuilding fencing and lanes that have been washed away.

“There’s been support offered from groups and businesses both from within the industry and outside.

“Hopefully, we can co-ordinate that quickly once we can get back on the flooded farmland and assess the need.”

Feed reserves are gone and pastures severely damaged with

a call out to anyone able to help with feed to donate through the Feds online feed line.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be donated, farmers are prepared to purchase, but preferably it needs to be good quality feed because predominately it’s for milking cows.”

Some farmers will be forced to dry off cows as a result of the flood event, Hendricks said.

The Government has released $50,000 to support farming communities significantly affected by the flooding.

Th money is tagged to speed recovery by way of pastoral support and specialist technical advice. It’s can’t be used for buying feed or doing farm repairs.

At the flood’s peak with bridge and road closures cutting access to Fonterra’s Clandeboye dairy plant Mid and South Canterbury milk had to be trucked out of the region.

Fonterra’s Clandeboye and Studholme plants general manager Steve McKnight said milk was going to the Darfield plant with trucks also crossing Cook Strait to lower North Island

Photo: Stu Jackson

plants including Pahiatua and Whareroa.

“We were taking it wherever we could get it in.”

On-farm storage helped as tanker collection and delivery times were reorganised but that varied from farm to farm as did access to farms for collection.

Clandeboye can process 14 million litres of milk a day while Darfield is half that capacity.

Despite coming off peak milk production Canterbury is producing 17m litres a day.

“Clandeboye shut down at one point as with no milk coming in we had to balance the site with what milk was coming in but we had Darfield going flat out.”

McKnight said Fonterra was forced to dump milk from 69 farms over three days.

“That was simply because we didn’t have enough destinations for it and we were trying not to impact on any one farm, instead managing that across a number of farms.”

Collections and processing were pretty much back on track by the end of the week.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

shown by so many of our farmers as we managed through day by day.”

He also had praise for the emergency response.

“We all worked together as a team. It’s vital for co-ordination and the importance dairy has to the region was recognised by Civil Defence and the Timaru District Council.”

Despite toppled pylons and fallen power lines at the peak of the power outage Alpine Energy reported only about 130 customers were left without power.

Where outages did occur the challenge was gaining access to the land.

Nine Transpower pylons were damaged, including one swept away and two crumpled to the ground with the remaining six while standing, damaged to varying degrees.

Transpower doesn’t anticipate ongoing issues with electricity supply.

The storm hit at the critical spring mating period for dairy herds but agritech and herd improvement co-operative LIC took to the air to help farmers.

Using small planes and helicopters, semen straws were still delivered to farmers on time.

7

TOO MUCH WATER: The Rangitata North and South irrigation ponds, top centre and right, either side of the Rangitata River are almost indistinguishable from the flooded river that was almost up to road level at the Arundel Bridge.

Photo: Stu Jackson

Flood damage claims pour in Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz INSURER FMG has already received more than 130 claims for damage caused by the Rangitata River flood.

The bulk of claims so far are for irrigation systems, crop damage and business interruption with numerous claims for building and contents damage, national claims manager Emma Town said.

Claims are pouring in by the day as farmers assess damage.

“While we have some clients whose properties were particularly hard hit we don’t

expect the full impact to be too widespread at this stage,” Town said.

“The message we’d urge for anyone who suffered damage is to let your insurer know as early as you can.

“Even if you don’t have a full picture of the damage just yet, the quicker we know the quicker we can begin working on your claim.”

While it’s okay to do emergency repairs Town urged people to take photos of any damage being fixed.

“Where you can take photos of any damage to support your claim. The more photos the better.”

MAKE WEIGH: Despite flooding cutting off some roads tanker drivers did their best to collect as much milk as possible.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

No quick fix for trade problem Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz DON’T expect a quick resolution to New Zealand’s appeal to the World Trade Organisation on plans to split its sheep meat quota between the European Union and an independent Britain, the meat industry’s Brexit representative in London, Jeff Grant, says.

His primary role is helping NZ secure free-trade agreements with post-Brexit Europe and Britain and he believes tangible progress will be made with the European Union in the coming year.

“We’re close to 90% done but the outstanding issues involve sensitive areas.”

But he is still battling a proposal

by European leaders to split the 228,000 tonnes a year sheep meat quota in evenly between Britain and Europe.

NZ argues the initial agreement gave it uninhibited freedom to allocate the quota anywhere in Britain and Europe and has appealed against the plan to the World Trade Organisation.

But progress is stalled.

The United States has refused to appoint new judges to the WTO until it is reformed, resulting in insufficient judges.

DO IT: Farmers must address environmental issues to satisfy overseas customers, the meat industry’s man in London, Jeff Grant, says.

Other WTO quota disputes involving the US, Russia, Australia and Thailand are similarly delayed in getting a hearing but Grant says despite that the WTO has been a crucial ally for small traders such as NZ. “People don’t understand how significant the 184-country agreement to establish the WTO mechanism is to us.

“To agree to accept a ruling by an independent panel on world trade is huge.”

NZ is lining up with Japan, the US and Australia to secure free-trade agreements with the EU and Britain but it can’t start negotiating with Britain till it formally exits the union.

Grant says free-trade deals with mature markets such as

Europe and Britain have become holistic, meaning agreements are increasingly dependent on countries having aligned values.

Europe requires trade agreements to be of a high standard with countries that have a sustainable environmental footprint and are not a threat to EU production.

Recent trade discussions focused on food miles but that has now shifted to environmental impact and Grant says NZ stacks up well.

“It’s a reputational thing and we are highly regarded.”

Grant recently spoke to 700 landowners who were impressed 11 NZ primary sector organisations negotiated a partnership with the Government to reduce agricultural greenhouse emissions through a farm-level approach.

The agreement enables farmers and growers to, by 2025, calculate their emissions and offsets at the farm gate, assess options to reduce or mitigate their emissions and develop ongoing emission reduction technology.

The farming sector and NZ must address the environmental challenges to satisfy trading

partners but the solutions must be science-based, he said.

“If we pollute then we have to fix it.

“If we are seen to have cattle up to their bellies in mud it is not going to work. We will have to make changes.”

We’re close to 90% done but the outstanding issues involve sensitive areas.

Jeff Grant Meat industry ambassador The reality is the growth of meat consumption in Europe and Britain is slowing but the benefit for NZ is that consumers want grass-fed and sustainably produced products.

“Consumers will be much more selective and NZ is on the better side of that argument.

“The thing NZ does well is we do what we say,” Grant said.

Canadian knocks off world record Riley Kennedy riley.kennedy@globalhq.co.nz CANADIAN shearer Pauline Bolay has become the first woman from the northern hemisphere to attempt a world shearing record.

The 33-year-old battled 20C-plus heat to attempt the world record in the same woolshed at Whitford Farms in the Waikaretu Valley that Emily Welch broke the nine-hour record of 648 lambs in 2007.

With less than three minutes to go Bolay passed the existing eightyear-old women’s solo eight-hours strong wool record of 507 lambs set by Kerri-Jo Te Huia.

She finished the attempt with

510 Coopworth lambs.

Bolay started at 7am on Saturday and finished at 5pm, with the four two-hour runs separated by 30-minute breaks for morning and afternoon tea and an hour for lunch.

She had to average less than 56.7 seconds a lamb or at least 63.5 lambs an hour, caught, shorn and dispatched.

Bolay wasn’t daunted by the target being 25% more than she’d ever done before.

“It was a big number to get to, for sure but it was do-able,” she said.

“It was one sheep at a time, all day.”

She arrived in the country just

six weeks ago for the New Zealand summer but her preparation for the record attempt started six months ago.

“Everything I’ve done for the last six months has been to break this record,” she said.

She started her career 12 years ago on her family farm in Canada and sheared all over the world.

Bolay has also had success in competitions this year winning the ladies final at the world championships in Britain representing Canada and also became the first woman to win the Calgary Stampede’s North American championship in Canada.

Two other world record bids are expected in NZ this summer with Stacey Te Huia to attempt a Merino wethers record near Ranfurly in Central Otago on January 4 and four women will attempt a rare women’s multistand record bid at Waihi-Pukawa, near Turangi in the central North Island on January 23.

Bolay now intends to improve her daily tallies at work before she returns to Canada at the end of January but is most likely to return for the Golden Shears in Masterton on March 4-7.

Bolay had huge support, in particular from employers and record-bid managers Emily and Sam Welch, both also record-

THANKS: Canadian shearer Pauline Bolay, left, after setting her record with employer, bid manager and fellow world record holder Emily Welch.

holders. Just days after arriving in NZ Bolay watched Emily Welch set the nine-hour record.

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10 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

Alliance beefs up its share of quota Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz THE latest United States beef and veal quota allocations show Alliance is on its way to being a genuine beef player, chairman Murray Taggart says.

The farmer-owned co-operative has added about 1500 tonnes of quota for the 2020 calendar year on top of the 834/t lift between 2018 and 2019.

For several years Alliance has been easily the biggest sheep meat exporter but has been more of a bit player in beef with just a third of the business held by Silver Fern Farms and half that of the other two big-four processors, Affco and Anzco.

In recent years it has also trailed Waikato-based Greenlea Premier Meats but has moved ahead again in the 2020 allocations.

“We’ve been concerned for some time that we haven’t been a good performer and it’s no secret that this has been a real focus,” Taggart said.

“It’s a good rise.”

In the latest annual report he and chief executive David Surveyor said the group recognised it had to lift performance to become a serious participant in beef. The recent launch of the Pure Southbrand Hand-picked premium range was a step-change for the business.

Still in its early days the shareholder-only programme is based on strict traceability and quality compliance rules and will ramp up further in the next year or two as more farmers become familiar with it.

Other marketing initiatives are planned.

As part of its improvements Alliance’s beef plants at Mataura in Southland, Pukeuri in north Otago and Levin in Horowhenua set throughput records in the latest year.

And all can increase their tallies further, especially Mataura, which

BIGGER: Alliance has been concerned it hasn’t been a good performer and needed to expand its share of the beef market, chairman Murray Taggart says.

You’re trying to maintain your share of a smaller bucket and that’s got implications for any player.

Murray Taggart Alliance can make a significant lift.

Levin is popping its rivets in the main kill season but can lift production in the off-season, Taggart said.

Silver Fern Farms continues as the biggest beef exporter, second biggest sheep meat exporter and the biggest meat producer overall.

Its US beef quota is up about 1000/t in 2020 to 65,363/t giving it 30.63% market share, with Affco at 39,920/t (18.71%), Anzco at 37,968/t (17.79%), Alliance at 20,774/t (9.73%) and Greenlea 19,245/t (9.02%). Anzco’s share has dropped over the last seven years.

The two quota schemes are still the official measure of meat company market share, even though the allocations are a long

way from being filled these days as China has emerged as the biggest individual market for both beef, drawing product away from the US, and lamb and mutton drawing product away from Britain and Europe.

The quotas are based on a rolling three-year production period.

For calendar year 2020 Alliance has 28.19% of the European Union sheep meat quota, ahead of Silver Fern on 19.06%. Its tonnage is marginally higher than the 2019 figures while Silver Fern’s is marginally lower. Affco is third biggest with a 15.54% share, ahead of Anzco on 10.07%. On tonnage, Affco is slightly down and Anzco slightly up on 2019 figures.

The big four players have a combined 72.86% of the quota.

Hawke’s Bay businessman Craig Hickson has major interests in three companies, notably Ovation NZ and also Te Kuiti Meats and Lean Meats, which between them have a 10.56% share of the 2020 quota, pushing the top five grouping to just above 85% of the total.

Taggart said market share is not the big story for the sheep industry because declining sheep numbers is the dominant issue.

“You’re trying to maintain your share of a smaller bucket and that’s got implications for any player.”

Government policies providing incentives for alternative land use such as extensive tree planting mean the hefty investment in fixed assets makes all companies vulnerable.

“We don’t sit there wondering if we’re in front of or behind anyone else. We’re always looking to see what our capacity is and have we got the right number of animals for that.”

Silver Fern’s leading share of the US beef quota has been relatively consistent since the 31.66% share in 2006 though it dipped to just over 26% around 2010 before recovering well by 2013.

Alliance leads in sheepmeat EU sheepmeat quota (tonnes)

Affco

2020

2019

2018

2013

35,431

35,904

36,323

27,508

Alliance

64,284

64,125

63,083

67,001

ANZCO

22,959

22,582

21,915

20,205

2495

1713

722

0

Binxi NZ Blue Sky

6270

5902

5999

6870

Crusader

5027

5124

544

4922

Davmet

4146

3864

3568

2606

Integrated

2290

2361

2308

1991

Lean Meats

2841

2843

3124

5452

15,776

15,594

16,024

14,671

2226

2243

2203

2405

Silver Fern

43,477

44,355

45,220

53,176

Ovation Prime Range Taylor Preston

10,829

11,338

12,083

12,123

Te Kuiti Meats

5457

4528

4552

3675

Wilson Hellaby

5457

5569

5340

5135

ANZCO was listed as CMP (a subsidiary company) up to and including 2019.

Total quota is 228,049 tonnes. The total in 2013 to 2018 was 227,914 tonnes.

Individual tallies are rounded, so may not match those numbers exactly.

SFF tops beef exports United States beef quota (tonnes) 2020

2019

2018

2013

Affco

39,920

40,299

41,177

36,709

Alliance

20,774

19,271

18,437

18,596

ANZCO

37,968

40,083

40,909

41,897

Binxi Foods

709

654

343

0

Blue Sky

219

429

628

343

Crusader

187

208

215

0

Farmers Meat

381

332

299

303

19,245

19,376

19,442

16,339

0

69

177

1023

1289

94

899

756

65,363

64, 307

63,653

64,765

3959

3681

3742

5860

Greenlea Lean Meats Prime Range Silver Fern Taylor Preston UBP Wilson Hellaby

9968

10,325

10,536

10,560

13,135

13,294

14,906

16,243

Total quota is 213,397 tonnes. Individual tallies are rounded, so table may not exactly match that figure.

In the 2020 quota allocations, ANZCO replaces its subsidiaries, CMP/5-Star and Riverlands, listed in the 2013 to 2019 allocations.

Water rules mean meat plants are likely to close THE viability of some meat processing plants is being jeopardised by the Government’s freshwater proposals, Meat Industry Association chief executive Tim Ritchie says.

“While we generally support the ambition of the proposals for cleaner freshwater the planned river quality limits are excessively tight and exceed current limits already consented by regional councils.

“These limits are likely to result in substantial economic costs to the meat processing sector without resulting in substantially improving environmental outcomes.

“The meat processing

industry is the country’s largest manufacturing sector and employs approximately 25,000 people, the vast majority in regional New Zealand, so these proposals will have a significant impact on rural communities,” he said.

Many processing plants’ wastewater treatment systems have also been significantly upgraded in recent years, often at considerable expense.

The sector wants the Government to reassess the proposed dissolved inorganic nitrogen and dissolved reactive phosphorous national bottom lines.

“We generally support setting instream limits for DIN and DRP

– clear bottom lines will provide business with greater certainty.

“However, these should be science-based, recognise the diversity of unique ecosystems and natural variation and reflect the local conditions of that waterway.

“The proposed DRP limit is unlikely to achieve better environmental outcomes while imposing significant economic costs.

“We do not believe that most processors will be able to meet the proposed DRP limit.

“The national limits need to be reassessed to ensure they are based on a scientific understanding of

the environmental impact on waterways and lead to appropriate water quality without inflicting unnecessary damage on NZ’s regional economy.”

In a number of cases the water quality upstream of processing plants already exceeds or is very close to the proposed limits.

“We are concerned our sector will be paying more than our fair share to fix water quality issues caused by others.”

The association opposes the moratorium on farm land use change.

“This discriminates against farms which are already operating within environmental limits.

“Our processors and exporters

have an interest in both ensuring supply of livestock is maintained as well as that livestock is produced in an environmentally sustainable way to meet increasing customer demands for sustainable food.

“One of the cornerstones of NZ’s productive, world-class farming systems has been flexible land use as farmers innovate and rapidly shift production according to market signals and regulatory requirements.

“This will prevent farmers from maximising their production within environmental limits.

Farms that meet environmental limits should be able to farm flexibly.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

11

Forests must be in land rules energy, conservation, ecosystem recovery, biosecurity, Maori interests and tourism.

A complete and objective analysis of the merits of alternative uses of each category of land should be done, including accounting for previously ignored externalities such as economic, social and environmental ecosystem services for which forest owners are not rewarded.

Glenys Christian

There are great opportunities in climate change.

Garth Cumberland Farmer, forest consultant

DON’T ISOLATE IT: Farmer and forest consultant Garth Cumberland say integrating forest policy into land use and the economy is the key.

now exported, technologically advanced, engineered structural products marketed overseas as concrete and steel become more expensive because of climate change, along with wood suitable for a multitude of other uses.

The report proposes the Government and the forest sector set up simple procedures and a pricing regime for the perpetual sequestration of carbon applied equally to all types of forests.

Those that conserve, protect and regenerate biodiversity and ecosystems should be sustained and expanded.

Forestry’s benefits in mitigating erosion and flooding risks have

already been adopted in principle as part of the Billion Trees programme.

But that relies on landowners applying for grants, meaning land at high risk can be ignored, so a sound allocation of government funds isn’t ensured.

That should be replaced by directly-implemented plans for risk management, based on a comprehensive assessment of future risk on all pastoral land.

It could establish priorities and specify reforestation systems that can be compulsorily implemented based on fairly negotiated landowner arrangements where the risk is high.

The report says blanket reforestation of marginal pastoral land will have no significant impact on overall farming profits since the land is costly to manage with fertiliser and fencing inputs and has low pasture productivity.

Reforestation will improve the landowners’ carbon emissions profiles during the lengthy period of growth in forest biomass.

The Government should adopt an enduring set of forest sector policies to achieve the best outcomes for the country through actions of both the private sector and its agencies, including economic development, regional development, climate change,

Ecosystem services are subtle and diverse so are often taken for granted and not recognised but their value is many billions of dollars annually. And forestry’s role will be even more important in the major adaptations and transformations NZ will need to put in place in response to global warming and climate change.

“There are great opportunities in climate change,” Cumberland said.

Some farmers want to continue with the same land use seen on their properties for the last 100 years.

“They’re fixated on the assets they’ve got and aren’t looking to benefits from the increase in workers that forestry’s going to bring.”

But with ecosystem services now being evaluated and quantified it is easier to see how forestry is worth more than just the logs produced.

“That will all help innovative farmers keen to learn and justify forestry planting. Getting trees in the ground has got to be the priority.”

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FORESTRY should be more closely integrated into land use policy to dispel some of the negativity surrounding increased planting on pastoral land, former hill country farmer and forestry consultant Garth Cumberland says.

“More and more of the farming community are realising the good sense and profitability of forestry.

“Its improved prospects on marginal land could potentially compete with the returns from dairying.”

Cumberland was named the Forestry Institute’s Forester of the Year in 2017 for his work on a forestry policy, a summary of which he’s recently sent to the Forestry Minister Shane Jones, Forestry New Zealand officials and institute members.

Innovative Policies for NZ’s Future Forest Sector came out of the 2015 to 2019 deliberations of the forestry sector’s forest policy project team, which Cumberland convened. More than 100 people from the forest sector contributed with business consultant Dr Wayne Cartwright also giving his advice.

Cumberland said the government has not had a cohesive forest policy for decades.

His is intended as a living document to be continually updated and refreshed.

It says the future NZ forest sector encompasses a wide scope including commercial and native forests and wood processing providing direct economic benefits. The sector’s social licence needs strengthening to address the issues of clear-felling of large tracts of land, the instability of harvest slash on steep land and public concern about the need to share roads with logging trucks.

But the commercial forest sector is in a commodity trap yielding relatively low returns. A solution could be processing logs

12 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

Land Champions

Love of land and bush passed on Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz A DAIRY farming couple’s love of the bush has helped inspire the same passion in a younger generation, preserved some valuable bird species and also promoted a more sustainable way to farm.

Maggy and Karl Buhler of Pongakawa in Bay of Plenty are quietly humble about their efforts over the past 40 years to plant more of the country in native bush.

But the view from their homestead high above their 100ha dairy farm nicely frames the work that has accounted for about half that period.

A hundred metres below, a small, clear lake is framed by native trees and flaxes while a well-established riparian strip protecting 2km of stream through the farm’s valley is a thick green python of vegetation.

The fit, Swiss-born national trained as a veterinarian and that has been a profession he has used to see-saw with farming over the past few decades.

When pressed he admits he is probably a farmer first, vet second but has found the profession invaluable to balancing the ups and downs of milksolids payouts.

But it has also been his and Maggy’s decision to keep their dairying enterprises small that has helped him achieve that and both remain staunch advocates for smaller-scale dairying and the benefits it can bring.

“I remember standing up at a farmers’ conference in the late 80s as an open advocate for small dairy farms. At that time we were farming 35ha and I had calculated that for the hours worked it was paying about $50 an hour, good

money back then and still good today.”

Moving to where they are today they run 250 cows on the farm’s 85 effective hectares and after paying it off almost 12 years ago resisted the temptation to go bigger.

Their focus has been on getting more per cow rather than more cows with a 400kg milksolids per cow target within their reach.

Their gentle approach to the land extends to the livestock and Karl’s desire to find an alternative to bobby calves has the couple using Wagyu semen to give unwanted calves a better outcome.

“And, of course, an important factor in the sustainability of our farming operation is the role of excellent staff over the years.”

The property also reflects their mutual love of the bush with its many plantings.

The riparian strip protecting the farm’s stream went in almost 20 years ago, well ahead of any regulatory demands in place today.

“We also fenced and planted a wetland on the farm that was little more than a damp, bare patch when we arrived.”

But today their restoration work extends beyond their picturesque property to two other ongoing projects they have been instrumental in creating.

One is a wetland at nearby Pongakawa School where their now grown daughters attended and where Maggy worked for 17 years.

In 2013 a piece of council land next to the school presented itself for restoration, with Maggy and Karl taking the lead.

“It is quite an incentive. When you put a fence around a site you are really compelled to do

STICKING AT IT: Maggy and Karl Buhler have spent 40 years planting native bush.

something within that fence. What struck us was once we decided to go ahead how much support there was in the community for it to succeed.”

I think if your farm looks like a park, you are happier, your cows are happier too.

Karl Buhler Farmer Within days the project got help from an earthworks company to remove rubbish from an old dump uncovered, with materials and supplies coming from both the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Plenty of native plants and careful excavation mean the school now sports a living wetland system that students step

out of the classroom to study, doing projects on pond life and vegetation.

It has created something of a signature experience for the school’s pupils with lessons sticking with students well after they leave.

“I had a teenage girl here helping us and she pointed out a native plant naming it very confidently and told me how she remembered it from her Pongakawa days.”

Meantime, to the southwest, the couple are also involved with the Rotoehu Ecological Trust, aiming to bring back the music of the kokako’s call across a 750ha area in the Rotoehu Forest conservation area.

The trust manages the land in partnership with the Conservation Department. It is one of five category one sites in NZ. It is home to 150 North Island kokako.

Only 14 remnant populations of the bird remain in the North Island.

Other native birds in the reserve include whiteheads, fantails,

cuckoos, riflemen, shining cuckoos and kaka.

As one of nine children coming to NZ from Switzerland with his parents in 1956 Karl recounts how his parents thought they had come to a heaven where cows did not have to hang on the sides of mountains to graze.

“We left Switzerland at a time when farmers were very much facing tough times.

“Dad was 50, right at the upper end of settlement age here, but he managed to buy a small town supply farm in Taranaki and farmed it into his 70s. It was a very low-cost, sustainable farm and it’s interesting how the wheel is turning back to that now.”

Taking a gentle approach to dairying and combining it with a love of the bush Karl admits he is happiest planting out rough sidlings and gullies with natives.

“When I am doing it, it does not seem like work. It’s really a therapeutic exercise doing it.

“I think if your farm looks like a park, you are happier, your cows are happier too.”

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Land Champions

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

13

Many strings in the Jones’ bow From humble beginnings 19 years ago Matt and Tracey Jones now do business worldwide to help Canterbury farmers staff their farms and have launched a world class learning environment in rural Mid Canterbury to provide elite education to strengthen New Zealand primary industries. Annette Scott caught up with the agribusiness entrepreneurs.

MID Canterbury couple Matt and Tracey Jones’ agricultural staffing businesses is going world-wide recruiting and training people to work across all sectors of New Zealand’s primary industries.

Starting out as Mid Canterbury Casual Employment Services in 2001 their recruitment and training business has evolved and expanded to meet agriculture’s increasing needs.

The initial business split to become AgStaff, an Ashburtonbased firm now also established in Pukekohe and recruiting across all the primary industry sectors and CanStaff, recruiting predominantly construction, engineering and manufacturing staff. CanStaff operates out of six offices in NZ, one in Australia, one in the Philippines and one in London.

NZ Dairy Careers, another arm to the Jones’ stable of recruitment and training programmes, will bring 60 dairy industry workers from Ireland to Canterbury early next year with two-thirds of the intake already with jobs secured on Canterbury dairy farms.

“Every agricultural college in Ireland now puts its students through this NZ Dairy Careers programme,” Matt said.

“It’s about pastoral care and support with the students here any time from 16 weeks to permanent.”

Students also come from Canada, England and South Africa.

“In 2020 we will have more than 200 coming into the NZ dairy industry with the majority coming to Canterbury.

“We work with them from scratch, pick them up from the airport, help them get bank accounts, get a car, get insurance, teach them to cook, give them

lessons on groceries – it’s all about setting them up to be successful.”

Most people coming from overseas don’t have a preference where in NZ they go, they just want to come to NZ. “Our finger is on the scale of where they live and where they will live for the rest of their life.

“When you bring someone from the other side of the world to Wakanui in the Ashburton District, that’s where they’ll tend to stay.

“People don’t move a lot. Once they get here they stay, at least in the region,” Matt said.

Getting young people into jobs, into new training and upskilling them gives the couple much satisfaction.

“We do it because we love people, we love helping people and if we didn’t have people we wouldn’t have a business.

“We have had the opportunity for a lot of travel and we’ve made a lot of friends.”

Now the couple is launching a new venture, Agri Training, at an open day on December 13. It will train staff for various farming jobs.

Agri Training will provide elite education to strengthen the primary industries.

“NZ has a world-class agriculture industry and a reputation to match and Agri Training will develop innovative thinkers who have the practical skills to be part of the solutions being carved out across the agricultural industry.

“Our fundamental purpose is to lead primary industries qualification standards to an all-time high while preserving respected farming traditions.

“The learning and teaching belief structure at Agri Training is driven by a desire to create a stronger agriculture sector in NZ.

TOUGHEN UP: Matt and Tracey Jones take a break from their agricultural recruitment and training business to check on their new sheep milking venture focused on breeding a hardier sheep-milking flock suitable for the harsher South Island climate.

Photo: Annette Scott

“There’s a gap in the market for a better and higher level of training on a vocational basis and at Agri Training we aim to fill that gap.”

Training has been structured to fit with students in full-time work with studies covering diplomas in agriculture and business management.

The training centre has been a long time in the planning and key to it getting up and running was finding a suitable location.

AgResearch sold the Ashburton site earlier in the year, ending more than 70 years of NZ agriculture history.

Agri Training leases the buildings from the new property owner, a local farmer.

“So, after beginning its life as a leading agricultural research centre the research station is coming back to life again in the world of agricultural education.”

With 20-years involvement in agribusiness recruitment Matt

and Tracey believe they know what the industry needs and what employers want.

“Having dealt with thousands of clients and potential candidates I can see from both sides the skills that are desperately needed by employers and in demand by candidates.”

This has been taken into account as the Agri Training programme has been developed covering specialist streams across dairy production, arable, sheep and beef and deer, with the first intake of students in February.

Sheep milking is another string to the Jones’ bow, they will focus on breeding sheep that are hardy to suit the harsher southern climate.

“We started breeding eight years ago when we could see potential but for pastoral sheep milking to gain traction in Canterbury we needed a hardier breed of milking sheep.

“We brought in embryos

from around the world, crossed the traditional milking breeds East Friesian and Lacaune with Coopworth, Border Leicester and Poll Dorset stud stock, the plan being to get a sheep hardy enough to handle the climate in the South Island.”

Milking began in September so the plan looks to be on track.

“We want to get production up now and we’re very happy with the result so far.

“The next plan is to establish a processing facility to process our own milk and that of others here in Canterbury where sheep milking is really taking off.”

In a sideline venture the Jones are also breeding Wagyu cattle, predominately for their meat to the local restaurant market.

“Who knows, if they can produce meat we’re keen to see what potential they may have in the milk market.”

That could well be the next project.

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Land Champions

14 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

Ag passion fires teacher’s mission Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz

LEARNING: Kerry Allen is heartened at the strong interest in agribusiness from students who continue with it to the tertiary sector.

KERRY Allen’s efforts to put agriculture and the primary sector back on the radar for secondary school pupils is starting to pay dividends, providing the sector with a growing pool of young talent that risked drying up several years ago.

Allen has been agribusiness curriculum director at St Paul’s Collegiate School in Hamilton for the past three years.

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It is thanks to her efforts the college pioneered New Zealand’s first secondary school agribusiness course.

It has in part been funded by some larger corporate names that have recognised the value in having keen students entering tertiary agribusiness education and leaving with employable skills.

It also means she has been able to develop a curriculum that can now be replicated around the country for years 12 and 13 students keen on a primary sector career.

For Allen a lifetime teaching agriculture and developing curriculum comes from a solid family background in both.

Allen’s mum is a teacher and she grew up on her parents’ sheep and beef farm near Rotorua while an inspirational biology teacher at high school pointed her in the direction of agri sector teaching.

The lure of setting up an agribusiness curriculum from scratch drew Allen to St Paul’s from teaching agriculture at nearby Hillcrest High.

The school’s agribusiness teaching hub includes a sponsorship wall listing some gold-plated sponsors for the course, including the hub building itself funded by agri-tech firm Gallagher.

Scattered among the likes of DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb and corporate names are a number of high profile Waikato farming families with ties to the school who were keen to support efforts to keep agriculture on the to-do list for their following generations.

“Agriculture and horticulture, as subjects, have long been staples in school curricula. But what we wanted to do with the agribusiness course was take it beyond the farm gate, building their knowledge in a way that encourages them to go to the next stage, tertiary study in the sector.”

Her efforts have been timely in a sector crying out for processing, marketing and technology skills, arguably more than for farmer workers.

Whether it is horticultural, forestry or pastoral, every sector is expecting an ever-tightening skills supply that goes well beyond the seasonal staffing shortages already being experienced on orchards, forests and farms.

The kiwifruit sector alone has an extra 700ha of SunGold coming on stream every year and another orchard manager is required for every 50ha. They need to hit the ground with tertiary level training and knowledge to oversee orchard establishment and management.

The needs come in the context of increasing technical specialisation and technology demands that tightly integrated harvest and supply chains need to run smoothly, through to marketing skills for competitive, sophisticated overseas customers.

“This course was the first time industry has gone to the education sector and said ‘you have not been meeting our needs so we have rewritten the syllabus so it does’.”

The agribusiness course brought a culture and curriculum change alongside the traditional ag and hort courses that were typically viewed as more within the farm gate type training.

“We needed the course to be a lot more multidisciplinary, something schools do not always do very well.

“Agribusiness does not fit well into a school system, being that step beyond the farm gate into finance and marketing.”

Hands-on work in her curriculum includes value-add projects like creating a food product, branding it, developing a marketing plan and providing products for St Paul’s significant 350 boarding students.

She has developed a course that is replicable around the country regardless of the school area’s main primary sector income base.

Allen’s original 10 lead schools that ran with the agribusiness course and now totals 80.

She is confident the course will achieve her target of 120 now she has help campaigning on it nationally.

Land Champions

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

15

Bee scientist is still buzzing Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz

TOO LATE: If authorities hadn’t dithered but taken action when the varroa bee mite was found it could have been eradicated, Dr Mark Goodwin says.

They used the sun to orientate themselves for that dance, which raised the question what do they do on a cloudy day?

Dr Mark Goodwin Bee scientist inclined to seek out and read written management guidelines.

“I see it as something of a compromise – ultimately you would prefer to be able to give live demonstrations at field days to groups of beekeepers but this will go some way to achieve that, maybe through a subscription model.”

Ever adaptive, Goodwin is also leveraging off more flexible publishing options new technology has bought to traditional how-to books.

“It means we can tailor our

Will Jackson Phone 07 825 4480 william@piquethillfarms.co.nz 0

print run – you no longer have to publish a pallet-load of books in a single run.

“Now you can design your own book, lay it all up and then publish very limited amounts that match the market’s size.”

It’s useful for a man who has niche publishing experience that includes a book on the history of Port Charles on the Coromandel Peninsula and one on NZ’s history of toxic honey encounters.

His passion for bees was ignited over 30 years ago when he was looking for a doctorate subject.

He chanced on work examining bees’ ability to find food and communicate that to their hive mates via a special bee dance.

“But they used the sun to orientate themselves for that dance, which raised the question what do they do on a cloudy day?”

He found they recalled the sun’s position at a certain time of day from the day before but that required a biological clock.

Goodwin’s work has also included better understanding how bees pollinate kiwifruit in

orchards, critical given the sector has only a 10-day pollination window.

It included something as simple as learning that bees collect water as well as pollen and the water source needs to be out in the open, away from the reflective vines for bees to find it and drink from it.

Goodwin has appreciated the opportunities to work on industry problems, something scientists often don’t get to be part of until a problem has become a crisis.

He worked closely with the team dealing with American foulbrood, initially a successful approach that became the template for dealing with Tb in the early nineties.

However, the failure of foul brood infestation to fall much further in the past decade has in part been causesd by a need for greater education of and behaviour change by beekeepers.

“Hopefully, my books and the videos will go some way to improving on this.”

His one regret is the approach

taken in the late nineties when varroa was discovered and authorities dithered before acting.

“If things had been done differently, acted on sooner, it could have been eradicated.”

One of his greatest worries now is the slow but distinct level of resistance to treatment developing among varroa mites.

And thanks to the disease coming into NZ the dependence between humans and bees has become greater.

“Now bees need human intervention to control varroa in order to survive.”

Goodwin views the beekeeping industry as something of a public good in a country so dependent on pollination for its income.

He likens its risks to exploitive fishing before quotas were introduced.

“There is nothing to stop you expanding and the relatively low cost of capital to do so means many have. I can’t think of any industry that has expanded as rapidly as beekeeping in recent memory.”

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THERE is a trace of the Lorax in bee scientist Dr Mark Goodwin.

Just as that character in the 1971 Dr Suess book spoke for the trees Goodwin has spent the past 30 years doing the same for bees.

While health issues prompted Goodwin to step down earlier this year from his role as bee scientist with Plant and Food Research at Ruakura, his passion for the insect is no less dim.

From his Waikato home he continues his campaign to increase New Zealanders’ knowledge of and respect for nature’s most industrious worker while overseeing research for the next generation of bee scientists.

Goodwin’s 30-plus years of experience remain invaluable in a sector that has experienced an explosion of commercial and amateur beekeeping enterprises in the past decade.

The sector now boasts more than a million hives, up from 270,000 only 10 years ago and even more than Australia.

The surge in interest has been driven by promising returns from manuka honey but coming at a time when knowledge and extension services have been wound back.

“Back in the eighties we used to have advisory services and a lot of industries recreated those services, such as DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb. But beekeeping did not.”

Having dropped the full-time research commitment Goodwin has spent this year focusing on writing two books to help fill that knowledge gap. One is for amateur backyard beekeepers, the other for commercial operators.

The books are an exercise in concise simplicity, field guides on what operators should, could and should not do when managing all aspects of their hives.

The amateur guide book assumes nothing, with comprehensive explanations around such industry blights as American foulbrood disease.

He has also partnered with a corporate sponsor to ultimately produce 90 three-minute videos on all those management aspects, keeping the messages tight and to the point for a generation less

16 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

Land Champions

Wool fashions farming’s future Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz NEW Zealand Merino chief executive John Brakenridge has seen the future of the primary sector and pioneered many of its elements well in advance of most farmers, their processors and exporters.

Few people in NZ can claim the transformation of a primary industry through their life’s work and fewer still have taken the principles uncovered beyond their home industry for the betterment of the sector.

All that has been done by Brakenridge’s ideas, enthusiasm, business relationships and persistence.

The forging of long-term supply contracts between wool growers and apparel brands like Icebreaker, Smartwool and John Smedley was only the beginning of his influence in the late 1990s.

The revolution in the fine wool industry has been achieved with 25 years of innovation using principles he believes are applicable in all other supply chains.

Volume to value was one of the first, long before Fonterra appropriated it.

Making premium payments for specification and specialisation is another principle, which addresses a structural problem inherent in farmer co-operatives, Brakenridge believes.

The New Zealand story of environmental care, quality and sustainability is now spreading well beyond NZ Merino’s ZQ integrity brand, launched way back in 2006, when it was among the first of its kind.

ZQ incorporates carbon footprint, farm environment plans, water quality, animal welfare and five animal freedoms, full product traceability and transport and handling protocols, all independently audited.

Innovation with wool fibres has produced Allbirds shoes and Firewire surfboards and is now being further extended through the just-launched ZQ Studio product development and accelerator centre in Christchurch.

Earlier this decade Brakenridge also began the Te Hono movement of leadership, trust and collaboration among NZ

agribusiness executives, through which more than 250 people have attended Stanford Graduate School of Business courses and remain connected alumni.

He has been consistently generous with his ideas and his time, having served on the Wool Industry Task Force, the board of Landcorp, the steering group for the W3 Wool Unleashed primary growth partnership, the Alpine Origin Merino lamb joint venture with Alliance and the Primary Sector Council.

NZ Merino recently won the supreme award at 2019 NZ International Business Awards as well as the excellence in design category.

Wool is not trying to be fast fashion; it is slow fashion.

John Brakenridge NZ Merino It began with what was thought a divisive idea – to use the compulsory 6% levies and substantial reserves paid by fine wool growers to the old NZ Wool Board for the branding and staffing of Merino NZ. Farm leaders such as the late Robert Jopp of Moutere and Bendigo Station’s John Perriam negotiated the withdrawal, formed a new marketing company and Brakenridge came on board in 1995.

Auckland-born, he has horticulture diploma from Lincoln University and an Master of Business Administration from Canterbury University and previously worked here and overseas for Cedenco Foods and the Horticulture Export Authority.

His lack of familiarity with the multi-stage wool value chain enabled him to come up with another way and to convince growers to change their allegiances from the traditional wool brokers.

Large users of NZ fine wool in manufacturing like John Smedley in Britain, Loro Piana in Italy and the NZ start-up Icebreaker were willing to fix their forward-buying prices for increased certainty over their costs.

The challenge was to find mutually agreeable contracts that growers wouldn’t disown when the volatile auction prices rose and for them to see value in long-term relationships with buyers.

“Linking growers with endbrands for everyone’s benefit seemed to me to be so logical and intuitive, something that my brother Brian had demonstrated with Pohuenui Station and Icebreaker.

“But the wool industry was entrenched and conservative and profits were made from price volatility and blocking knowledge at stages along the supply chain.

“Our model was almost the opposite and was going to cause ructions.”

On the demise of the Wool Board many fine wool growers established the NZ Merino Company and voluntarily paid it to market on their behalf.

It remains a private company chaired by Ruth Richardson with an extensive farmer registry and Brackenridge is the largest single shareholder with 6.5%.

It negotiates term contracts between suppliers of certain micron ranges and wool descriptions and willing buyers with mills and garment manufacturing.

NZM charges brokerage to employ more than 50 staff including researchers and designers.

It also fosters sheep production science in genetics, best-practice management, improved animal health and forage systems.

Over two decades NZ fine wool prices have risen from less than $10/kg clean to more than $20 today, to the envy of Australian producers.

The industry has 500 growers, annual revenue of $160-$170 million, and 70% of the clip is sold on contract, the rest at auction in Melbourne.

NZ Merino buys fine wool in Australia and South Africa to supplement the local supplies and has extended its contracts to mid-micron and some strong wools.

“Non-apparel wools and interior textiles largely still have the old trading model and need to tell new stories or at least tell their own stories in new ways.

“We think there are significant

HIGH END: The New Zealand story of environmental care, quality and sustainability is now spreading well beyond NZ.

ACHIEVEMENT: John Brakenridge has transformed the finer end of the wool industry.

opportunities in the building materials like floor coverings and insulation.

“The sheep industry needs a champion and there is no other organisation with the track record and resources we have.”

Synergies across the wool industry could also provide NZ Merino with greater scale to extend its presence in international markets.

“The average child in the United States spends more time inside than a prisoner and the average wearing of a synthetic garment is seven times.

“Wool is not trying to be fast fashion; it’s slow fashion.”

About 20% of high country land has been set aside as a result of tenure review so those farmers understand the shift from volume to value now faced by much of NZ farming, Brakenridge said.

Other primary industries will follow the same path, largely forced on them by consumer preferences but better prices will

not fall into their laps without better stories and customer relationships.

Te Hono brings together the lessons already learned and the stories told to take advantages of synergies and reputational commons, he said.

Hono tangata, hono whenua, hono kit e ao, strengthening relationships by linking to the land and connecting to the world.

“So many in our sector have been able to step outside their industries and see what is coming at them – Impossible Foods, the circular economy, the conscious consumer.

“How companies and our government embrace that is up to them but as much as we can we have encouraged the sector to get together.”

Brakenridge believes NZ can be an exemplar of environmentally responsible primary production – a Garden of Eden.

“The Maori component within Te Hono has been a revelation.”

Land Champions

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

17

Farm message goes by word and mouth Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz THERE is something tranquil about having a yarn over a barbecued sausage.

A group of Southland farmers is finding it the perfect forum to discuss the urban perception of farmers, one barbecue and one sausage at a time.

After nine or so such events from Invercargill to Whangarei they have concluded the ofttouted urban-rural divide is a myth.

Our city neighbours appreciate the sector’s contribution more than farmers realise.

AgProud was launched by four Southland farmers in August in response to environmentalists publicising poor winter grazing practices.

One of the group’s founders Jon Pemberton says a group of farmers met for a barbecue and realised they were not alone in battling what had been a wet and cold end to a winter chronicled by farming critics.

“The barbecue made us realise we were all going through the same issues.”

Mainstream media was covering the issue and Pemberton felt it also provided a chance for farmers.

“I thought that was not a bad level of interest and the media gave an opportunity to jump in.”

A text was circulated around a few mates suggesting they meet to discuss capitalising on the interest, which resulted in 40 attending a meeting in Winton.

But views were split.

Some were offended by the tactics used by the environmentalists and wanted a more confrontational response but others sought to engage with their urban neighbours.

Pemberton says emotions were high as the south had just endured the worst storm of the winter, which was portrayed by critics as typical of conditions in which stock are wintering in Otago and Southland.

The more moderate approach won and AgProud was born.

It seeks to engage and educate non-farming people on what happens on farms and why.

It is a simple recipe: arrange a barbecue, get some meat, bread and sauce, go to a large urban area, mix with the locals and let them ask questions about farming.

Pemberton says they deliver a simple message that farmers are human with families, they get stressed and are concerned having stock in inclement weather but will work long hours to try to make it less onerous on animals.

“We are trying to put a face back on farming.

“My position is whatever we have been doing hasn’t been working to end up this way so we need to re-engage with urban people.”

There are several core values and rules at AgProud’s core: be polite, inclusive, nonconfrontational and alcohol-free while hosting the events.

After nine or so barbecues from Invercargill to Whangarei Pemberton believes farmers have

BITE BY BITE: Spreading farming’s message one barbecue at a time are from left, Five Rivers farmer Laurie Selbie with AgProud founders Jon Pemberton and John Douglas.

more urban support than many think.

Visitors often leave thanking farmers for what they do. No one has sought confrontation.

Pemberton says it is not an excuse to stop telling farming’s story because critics can fill any void left by the primary sector.

“If an urban person understands what we do, when we get minorities making noise and accusations, those urban people who appreciate what we do will also tell our story.”

Their inaugural outing was to Invercargill and Pemberton says they were taken aback at the support they got from rural support businesses willing to offer food and staff to help, a formula that has continued throughout the country.

He also found the events don’t need a lot of structure.

“We just had a yarn. We never knew who was going to turn up.”

The other surprise was the degree of concern from visitors about the mental wellness of farmers caused by stress.

The reaction of Invercargill visitors was repeated around the country and even at the Christchurch event that coincided with a climate change youth march on a route next to the AgProud barbecue.

Fellow founder John Douglas was at the event and approached a teenage girl asking what her concerns were.

She replied the burning of fossil fuels and excessive use of plastic. When told he was a dairy farmer she had no qualms saying she had worked on dairy farms.

“Here was a young girl concerned about climate change but not blaming it on dairy cows.

“Reality differs from perception.”

That message has been repeated.

“We found they do appreciate what we do but the media pick up any negative sentiment and run with it.”

Douglas was also heartened when offering a preschool child a carton of milk.

Kyle and Monique Smith Monique and Kyle Smith are turkey and duck farmers who do things a bit differently to others in their industry, controlling all aspects of the supply chain from when the egg hits the ground to the packaging and selling of their product.

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Asked if she knew where milk came from the child said a cow.

“At that young age she was able to draw the connection between milk and a cow that lives in the country.”

AgProud has been driven by Pemberton, Douglas, Jason Herrik and Jason Checketts but Douglas says all are busy farmers who have self-funded their flights and accommodation to attend events around the country.

Part of the reason for doing that is to maintain a high level of integrity.

AgProud has branched out and helped organise mental health wellness events for farmers with motivational speaker and former police crisis negotiator Lance Burdett in Invercargill, Gore and Balclutha.

As the group looks to the future and the possibility of partnering with other farmer groups Douglas says they want to ensure the group’s foundation integrity is maintained and its core principles adhered to.

Land Champions

18 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

BE YOURSELF: Southern Girls Finishing School founder Laura Douglas with heading dog Sol.

Helping girls gain confidence Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz LAURA Douglas has successfully slayed her demons and is now using everyday farming skills to help teenage girls confront theirs.

Depression four years ago thrust the 32-year-old Southlander into some dark places, places unimaginable today given her boundless energy, endless positivity and zest for life and people.

Douglas addressed her depression by taking small steps, getting out and doing things such as volunteering at a horse

refuge and celebrating small achievements.

She is now using those tactics backed by skills and knowledge gained from an upbringing on a Mossburn farm to help other young women suffering from low selfesteem and confidence.

She set up Real Country in northern Southland near Kingston at the southern tip of Lake Wakatipu, a business offering farm-experiences for tourists but which is also home to the Southern Girls Finishing School courses to equip young women struggling to deal with challenges.

The courses use everyday farm skills

such as changing a tyre, shifting sheep, jump-starting a tractor with a flat battery, hammering in fencing staples, shooting firearms, cracking a stock whip and fencing to build confidence and self-esteem in girls aged 11 to 16.

The simple process of firing a rifle or changing a tyre takes them outside their comfort zone but the achievement builds confidence.

More importantly, it also helps equip them for greater challenges such as applying for jobs, trying something new or helping them value who they are as a

woman rather than chasing who they think they should be.

“The farming tasks are a way to show them skills and to also show them that just because you haven’t done something before, you can do it and that can translate into life.”

Douglas knows what it is like to not fit in.

The country girl who enjoys hunting, fishing and working on her family’s farm attended Invercargill’s Verdon College where she was bullied because few of her classmates liked hunting, fishing or came from a farm.

Letterof theWeek EDITOR Bryan Gibson 06 323 1519 bryan.gibson@globalhq.co.nz EDITORIAL Stephen Bell 06 323 0769 editorial@globalhq.co.nz Neal Wallace 03 474 9240 neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz Colin Williscroft 06 323 1561 colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz Annette Scott 03 308 4001 annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz Hugh Stringleman 09 432 8594 hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz Alan Williams 03 359 3511 alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz Richard Rennie 07 552 6176 richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz Nigel Stirling 021 136 5570 nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com Riley Kennedy 027 518 2508 Cadet journalist riley.kennedy@globalhq.co.nz

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Land Champions

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

19

ALL SORTS: The animal menagerie at Laura Douglas’s Real Country business in Northern Southland, a personal development and tourist business near Kingston.

On leaving school Douglas attended Otago University to become a physiotherapist.

She continued her love of hunting by heading to the bush at weekends with male friends who left their girlfriends behind questioning how they could become involved.

So, she taught them the basics of hunting, which, unbeknown to her, was the acorn of her latest venture.

Physiotherapy wasn’t for her and after a stint running bars and restaurants Douglas studied for a business administration degree and joined the financial corporate world, travelling the globe.

But it was not for her.

“It was all about me saying yes to new opportunities, thinking those new opportunities will satisfy me and make me happy and it never happened.

“Deep down I knew this typical Southland farm chick wearing stiletto shoes, going to inner-city parties and movie launches wasn’t me.”

She knew she was not the only young woman feeling the pressure to conform, pressure that can be accentuated by social media depicting what is regarded as normal.

Aged 29 and having addressed her depression Douglas headed home to Southland wanting to help others face the challenges she had.

It was the lead-up to duck shooting and she and a friend Tara Lawrence decided to run a duck shooting workshop for women in which they were taught gun safety, how to shoot ducks then pluck, gut and cook them.

Demand was such they ran nine workshops throughout Southland but it also gave her confidence to launch the finishing school.

The northern Southland community has got in behind her.

Tim Tayler, who owns Kingston Station, liked her idea and gave her access to land and built a shed for the school. Others have helped her with fencing and infrastructure.

“Everybody helps out. I couldn’t have done this in too many communities.”

Being on the main road between

Deep down I knew this typical Southland farm chick wearing stiletto shoes, going to inner-city parties and movie launches wasn’t me.

WHERE: Real Country in northern Southland is a personal development and tourist business near Kingston.

Laura Douglas Southern Girls Finishing School Queenstown and Milford she has contracts with several tour bus companies to give overseas visitors a taste of Kiwi farm life but that is only part of focus.

From one post on Facebook the 10 places in her first finishing school in 2016 were taken within a week.

She has held six others since and growing demand is reflected in four being scheduled for this December and January.

Most girls are from the rural South Island and they are instantly put outside their comfort zone with no cell phones allowed, no parents and required to mix with people they don’t know.

Often, they won’t want to do something like fire an air rifle but after encouragement to try it Douglas says their demeanour changes.

At the end of the day there is laughter, newfound self-esteem and confidence that comes with achievement but also resilience that can support them when faced with future challenges.

“If you are confident about who you are as a person you deal with challenges better because you are more resilient.”

Douglas says she is driven by knowing she is helping a next generation of leaders, that she could inspire a future prime minister but also from a duty to give back to the community from which she has benefited.

But she is also passing on her own experienc that achievement comes in many guises and that lives cans be transformed from successfully challenging yourself.

SHOW TIME: Laura Douglas shows tourists her horse-riding skills at her Real Country business in northern Southland.

20 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

Land Champions

It’s hard to find time to retire Federated Farmers high country champion Bob Douglas has contributed to the smooth running of South Island high country farming businesses for 25 years but next year his visits to the back of beyond will be as a tourist. He talked to Annette Scott about his high country office.

WIND DOWN: Bob Douglas will retire from his job with Federated Farmers in January in a case of gone but never forgotten. Photo: Annette Scott

ENDLESS dedication to Federated Farmers high country business will come to an end for Bob Douglas in the next few weeks.

By the end of January the South Canterbury Feds stalwart will be waking each morning to a new life.

“And it will be one that will now mean when I go to the high country it will be as a tourist,” Bob said.

Phasing out of the job he has lived and breathed for the past two and half decades hasn’t been easy.

“I have been paid for three days a week for the last five years but doing five days’ work.

“It wasn’t until Angela (Johnston) started two years ago that it started to happen. One of her jobs is to make sure I don’t work Thursday and Friday.”

Johnston has been involved on the high country committee for two years as Bob’s understudy in readiness for his pending retirement.

“I’m not so sure I did that much that it needed to take two years to groom for but I do know I am leaving the job in very good hands,” Bob said.

“He doesn’t actually realise the huge amount of work he just got on and did for the high country and the workload he took on,” Johnston said.

That was reiterated by high country chairman Rob Stokes.

“Bob has unlimited knowledge of the many high country policies that are pretty daunting for most of

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Land Champions

us. Without this we would have lost a lot of battles.

“We wish him well and hope he keeps up with his after dinner steins,” Stokes said.

Bob was awarded the Federated Farmers provincial service award last year for his services as South Canterbury’s provincial secretary and treasurer.

The award recognises the unsung heroes of the provinces who year after year, decade after decade have contributed to the smooth running of the province and provided outstanding service.

Bob is known for schooling countless emerging local Federated Farmers leaders in meeting protocol, teaching them debating skills and the rights of the chair.

He started his career with Feds on January 23 1995.

“I remember the date very well because it’s now the date on which the decision will be made for my final wind-down come January 2020.”

There’s very good reason, according to Bob, why that date hasn’t yet been set.

“There’s always things that you’re working on and half way through that I need to finish or at least leave in a state for someone to pick up.”

His career with Feds came more by default than good planning.

“I was working with the South Canterbury Power Board in auditing and communications for 15 years and it was in the middle of the restructure of the electricity industry.

“Things were happening and I thought perhaps it’s time I looked for something else as despite being offered a job I didn’t see a future for me in that industry.

“So I left and put my seven years’ experience on a mixed cropping farm, with all of 10 cows, in Yorkshire into freelancing for the High Country Herald and the South Canterbury Farm Review papers.

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

“I have seen some of the best places in New Zealand and scenery that others have never seen.

“I will miss the high country and if I want to see it now I will have to go as a tourist.”

So what now?

“I do have a collection of golf clubs. I may join the local club.”

He also has a small property in the Otipua village near Timaru.

In his typical dry humour he said “I live on High Street, the only High Street in the country that is not tarsealed and goes nowhere.

“I do have three woolly lawnmowers, produce walnuts, hazel nuts and roasting chestnuts.”

He’s sometimes found delivering buckets of nuts to his neighbours and that could be a more frequent sometimes in the future.

“They’ll be saying here he comes with another bucket of nuts.”

He shares a love for travel with his wife Marilyn and their first trip in official retirement is already booked to Frankfurt in June.

KNOWLEDGE: Bob Douglas has unlimited knowledge of the many high country policies, Federated Farmers high country chairman Rob Stokes says.

Tagging your animals is only half the job ...

Being the bridge between a theoretical solution and practical solution does give you a bit of a buzz.

Bob Douglas “Then the Feds job came up and in those days I was employed by South Canterbury Feds.”

But that changed in the late 90s and nationwide expertise was combined with provincial staff.

“I then became employed by the national board after actually starting as secretary-treasurer for South Canterbury.

“The Resource Management Act had just come in, there were changes to the Biosecurity Act and the Crown Pastoral Land Act came in.

“The job morphed very quickly from secretarytreasurer. I was working in policy and strategy and it just grew and grew and South Canterbury looked after high country farmers.

“I got involved by default and sitting in Timaru I was involved in regional policy work with the Waimate, Timaru and Mackenzie District Councils and also at times with the district councils within the high country including Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago.

“You could say I was the odd job man – where there was a gap I filled in until an expert came along.”

Bob has no regrets as he winds down into a wellearned retirement.

“I’ve always had an affinity to the rural sector and farming. In this job with Feds one does feel one is helping.

“There’s a lot being thrown at farmers at the moment and there’s a degree of misunderstanding but being able to meet with ministers and senior officials and being able to talk on the practicalities gives a great deal of satisfaction.

“Being the bridge between a theoretical solution and practical solution does give you a bit of a buzz.”

Humbled by the accolades bestowed by high country farmers of his organisational skills, people, negotiating and writing skills Bob likes to make sure things run smoothly.

“While there are all sorts of things I would miss – one of the best jobs in Fed Farmers is working with high country farmers.

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22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

Land Champions

Well placed to meet demand At the end of the year Mike Petersen is stepping down as New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy. He spoke to Colin Williscroft about his time in the job and what the future might hold for farmers and growers.

COMMITTED: Mike Petersen spent six and a half years as New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy.

THERE’S no doubt New Zealand farmers are among the most efficient food producers in the world but retiring special agricultural trade envoy Mike Petersen says there’s more work to be done to keep up with demands from changing world markets.

He has seen plenty of changes on NZ’s agricultural trade landscape since he was appointed six and a half years ago and before that the more than 10 years he spent as Beef + Lamb chairman.

As special envoy he represents the agricultural sector rather than the Government despite being appointed by the ministers of agriculture and trade after his name was put forward by the industry.

He works on behalf of five key export sectors, the sheep, beef, dairy, horticulture and wine industries, with a focus on trade and market access along with agricultural policy.

When Petersen began as envoy many countries were trying to sign bilateral trade agreements to remove or reduce market barriers.

And as a nation that exports 90% of what it produces, it’s critical NZ has wide-ranging market access.

A few years earlier NZ had signed a free-trade agreement with China and two-way trade between the two countries has increased

from $7 billion in 2008 to $30b today.

Trade with China will continue to be important for NZ’s primary producers and Petersen believes it is possible for NZ to continue to tread a fine line between maintaining a healthy trading relationship with China and a strong security relationship with other countries.

“People say we have to choose but I don’t think that’s the case.”

While China has become a very important market for NZ primary produce it’s important not to have too many eggs in one basket.

“If you have more than 30% of your product going into one particular market you need to diversify.”

NZ’s agricultural exporters do not get enough credit for what they do, Petersen says.

That includes dealing with increasing consumer requirements, keeping on top of competition, developing new products and new markets and increasing the efficiency of processing and supply chains.

“When export prices are good the reason given is the market but when they are not it’s the sector is not doing enough.”

Petersen was in Europe recently when farmers were protesting about low beef prices but at the

FE S T I VA L P A R T NE R :

Land Champions

same time NZ beef farmers have been enjoying record high prices.

Farming in NZ has reached an environmental ceiling so the focus must be on increasing the value of what’s produced here.

The industry is already on the right track.

In 2012 primary industry products were worth $32b and that’s now $46b. That’s a 44% increase in seven years, largely thanks to increases in value rather than volume.

One of the next big challenges for NZ agricultural exporters is developing verifiable attributes to encapsulate the impact farming has on fresh water and greenhouse gas emissions along with best practice nutrient management.

It’s something the sector has to get right because there’s a growing number of high-paying customers internationally who will demand that information.

Despite some pessimism among farmers about how that might be achieved Petersen is confident it can be done.

“There’s a lot of gnashing of teeth, people saying ‘this is impossible’ but I have huge faith in the innovative ability of farmers.”

He is also excited about the abilities of emerging farming leaders and is confident they have the talent, skill and attitude to make tough calls for the good of the industry.

He gives the example of the primary sector climate change commitment signed by 11 industry groups.

On his last trip to Europe Petersen spoke to farming groups there who were amazed at the ability of organisations across the NZ agricultural sector to work together, find common ground then come up with a unified climate change commitment that was accepted by the government.

Though there are some clouds on the international trade horizon NZ primary exporters are in a

good position to deal with any problems, he says.

Not only are NZ farmers and growers renowned for the quality and integrity of their produce, that’s backed by trusted food safety systems.

“People love doing business with us.”

That does not mean farmers can rest on their laurels.

There’s a lot of gnashing of teeth, people saying ‘this is impossible’ but I have huge faith in the innovative ability of farmers.

Mike Petersen Trade envoy Though NZ likes to promote itself as one of the best sustainable food producers in the world other countries, such as Norway, which earlier this year launched a sustainable food action plan, and Ireland are promoting themselves along similar lines.

Future demand for food will be closely tied to the way it is produced and the values of the people producing it and if NZ food producers cannot prove they are ethical environmental stewards then other countries will step up.

He does not think the recent decision by Waitrose in Britain to move away from selling NZ lamb and stock only British produce is anything to worry about for NZ farmers.

“It won’t be noticed here.”

There’s such a strong demand for NZ lamb around the world that there will be other markets for it.

The disappointing aspect of the Waitrose decision is it will mean the end of a longstanding partnership between the retailer

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019 and its NZ supplier that allowed the retailer to sell the best in-season lamb year-round, capitalising on complementary counter-seasonal supply.

Instead, Waitrose will not be able to sell fresh lamb year-round because British producers won’t be able to supply it.

“The sad part about that is that it will lead to a decline in lamb consumption. People won’t be able to buy fresh year-round so will choose other proteins.”

Incoming trade envoy Mel Poulton accompanied Petersen on his trip to Europe, his last as special envoy.

It provided a chance for her to see what the role entails and meet some of the people she is likely to form relationships with.

Poulton’s focus will not be the same as his because every person who has held the envoy role has shaped it according to the expertise they bring, he said.

For Petersen that was NZ’s trade agenda but Poulton, with her strong connections to catchment groups in Tararua, is likely to work more on farmer-to-farmer engagement, with an emphasis on the environment and climate change.

The special envoy role has traditionally involved about three or four international trips a year but Petersen spent more time overseas than that, partly because he was closely involved in the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership, attending all the ministerial negotiation rounds.

That meant he was travelled eight to 10 times a year though over the full term of his appointment he averaged about six to eight trips a year, each lasting about 10 days.

He estimates he spent about 140 days a year doing work directly related to the role, with other tasks including speaking engagements and keeping up to date with trade developments.

There was a lot of reading of

23

rather than strengthened it. subjects involving agriculture He would also have preferred to policies so he was up to speed have seen negotiations for a freenot only with what’s going on in trade deal with the EU through to the farming sector worldwide the end. but also aspects of international It was initially thought those trade and their implications for negotiations might have been NZ agriculture, including Brexit, completed by the end of this year the European Union’s Common but Petersen suspects they could Agricultural Policy, the EUtake another 12 months.

Mercosur trade deal and trade On the upside he’s seen the between Europe and the United increasing importance of the States as well as trade in Asia, China deal to NZ agriculture, a including the Japan/Korea trade large increase in NZ/ASEAN trade, dispute, trade between Japan and the signing of the Korea deal and China and the recent Japan/US the CPTPP. trade deal.

“That’s a massive part of NZ’s He’s been fortunate his 82-yeartrade profile.” old father Snow has been able He’s confident NZ’s agricultural to keep the family farm near exporters have a bright future with Waipukurau running smoothly talented and tech-savvy young while he’s been away, he says. people looking at challenges such Petersen did not want to as climate change with a different employ a farm manager, instead lens to the older generation. preferring to maintain a hands-on “We’re also incredibly well role as much as possible. served with the people we have With that in mind the farm has working in trade and agriculture been set up to keep its operation on and offshore. relatively simple and while “They never get any headlines Petersen is away his father shifts but they’re there working away, stock while also keeping an eye on trying to make things better for water supply and electric fences.

NZ, often making significant He also has a son and two sacrifices. daughters who have all, at various “They go under the radar and times, stepped up to take on a they should be celebrated more. variety of tasks around the farm “I’ve loved interacting with while the wider family has also them. pitched in when needed.

“People need to think about It’s been a rewarding time as some of the gains that have been special envoy but Petersen says made and the hardworking people there are a couple of areas where on the ground who have helped progress hasn’t gone quite as he them happen.” would have liked.

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DIVERSIFY: While China has become a very important market for NZ primary produce, Mike Petersen says it’s important not to have too many eggs in one basket.

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24 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

On Farm Story

Small footprint but many jobs Maungatapere Berries packs a lot of punch in a small area. The Malley family has a philosophy of getting as much production as possible from a small area using the right techniques, while providing many full-time jobs for local people. Hugh Stringleman reports on how they do it.

P

IONEERING pathways in hydroponic growing of soft berries in Northland have taken the Malley family’s horticultural business a long way from where it started only eight years ago.

In 2011 orchardist, industry representative and company director Dermott Malley, his wife Linzi and their son Patrick and his wife Rebecca landed at Maungatapere, near Whangarei.

Dermott and Linzi were former Hawke’s Bay growers of apples, pears and summerfruit.

Patrick was a young entrepreneur in Auckland and Rebecca a veterinarian.

They were looking for a new horticultural venture that could employ both generations and those to come.

What they found was a substantial kiwifruit and avocado orchard blessed with good soils, good shelter, excellent climate and community water supplies.

Since then the kiwifruit has been converted to 7.5ha of uncovered and 3.3ha of covered SunGold for the increased Psa-V resistance along with a legacy 3.5ha of Hayward Green.

The trial covering of SunGold was aimed at protecting the plants further from Psa-V but ended up also delivering high taste and high production with early-season fruit.

The older avocado trees were felled in 2015, replaced by tunnel houses sheltering hydroponic raspberries, solberries, blackberries and blueberries.

Recent expansion of the land to 37ha has led to a near doubling of the berries from 5ha to 9ha, plus an excavated nine million litre water reservoir.

The orchard also contains a purpose-built berry packhouse for local and international sales and amenities for a large workforce.

Hydroponic growing offers sustainable horticulture with protection against storms, extreme temperatures, increases yields and reduces inputs of water and fertiliser, Patrick Malley said.

Now in its fifth season the business, called Maungatapere Berries, grows, packs and supplies raspberries, blackberries and solberries nationwide over a ninemonth season and blueberries for export.

The orchard workloads for berries and kiwifruit are somewhat complementary, enabling the Malleys to employ 57 full-time staff year-round, supplemented with 90 to 110 casuals at the height of summer.

Patrick believes the season for hydroponic berries can be extended to almost 12 months so the need for full-time staff will exceed that of casuals.

“We are really passionate about employing locals.

“When we moved here there was a high unemployment rate in Whangarei so we wanted to do

something to employ locals and get them into work.

“That is also part of the reason why we have put crops together in a diversified operation to give consistency and security of work.

“The majority of our seasonal or casual labour force is local students, topped up with a small number of backpackers for our real peak periods and to give a little bit of a flair to our workforce.

“Different cultures bouncing off each other make this a really exciting place to work.”

Recruiting labour hasn’t been a problem so far, partly, Patrick believes, because people know there is security of work, not being sent home because of rain or lack of fruit readiness.

“We work really hard to try and make sure that everyone has a feeling of being valued, being wanted and having all the work that they need and deserve.”

Patrick contrasts that with the usual kiwifruit harvesting requirements for on-call pickers seven days a week for six weeks but with no guaranteed hours because of fruit maturities.

It is something he knows well, having run an orchard labour hiring business in Whangarei before establishing the hydroponic berries.

Having diversified crops spreads the labour requirements and avoids to some extent the demand for large, skilled labour forces for comparatively short periods.

“Other workforce solutions like the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme are also part of the picture – there is no one answer but a multitude of answers.”

Maungatapere Berries wants improved social outcomes for staff and their families and is proposing extra rewards and fringe benefits for wellperforming, full-time staff.

The business was a finalist in the inaugural Primary Industries Good Employer Awards in 2018.

The vertically integrated berry business carries requirements for Patrick and senior staff to promote in supermarket demonstrations and at food shows.

“It gives me the opportunity to talk to consumers and figure out what we’re doing right and where there’s room for improvement.”

Warming to his theme, Patrick said the social licence to operate in the primary sector needs more work from farmers and orchardists.

“We must open our orchards to the public more, to show

FAMILY VENTURE: Dermott and Linzi Malley, their son Patrick and his wife Rebecca, with young Eloise.

them what we do, what are the differences between conventional and spray-free, for instance.

“A lot of people out there are misinformed, having heard one buzzword and taken it to mean everything.”

Growers can’t rely on their produce to do the talking for them – social media now plays a big part in public requirements and acceptance.

About a dozen school trips visit Maungatapere Berries each year with 50 to 60 students at a time.

“We do that for a variety of reasons but some of the teachers and careers advisers have a narrow view of horticulture.

“They think it is just picking fruit.

“But there is so much science and logistics and thought goes into an orchard business like this, let alone the rest of the value chain.”

Patrick says many questions are about chemical use, sustainability and packaging, like a recent 20-minute conversation in a supermarket about recyclable PET and bio-plastics.

“If they just looked at our punnet and saw that it was recycled plastic they would have known none of the backstory.

“That’s great and it resulted in a purchase although I am not sure I can have a 20-minute conversation with every consumer.”

While the Malleys are still

RIO: Dermott, Linzi and Patrick Malley in the hydroponic berry tunnel houses.

passionate Zespri co-operative kiwifruit suppliers they now see the differences between being a grower-supplier and a direct relationship grower.

“That relationship comes at a cost of man hours and a bit of running around.

“So it doesn’t come free, that connection, but it is very valuable.”

Patrick was the 2014 Young Horticulturalist of the Year after being named Young Grower of the Year and the Malley family was the 2019 Ballance Farm Environment Supreme Award winner in Northland.

They also won the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award, Bayleys People in

On Farm Story

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

25

SKILLED: Maungatapere Berries principal Patrick Malley principal with berryfruit manager Aroha Heta.

Primary Sector Award, Massey University Innovation Award, Hill Laboratories Agri-Science Award and WaterForce Integrated Management Award.

In August Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said Maungatapere Berries will get a $2.37 million loan from the Provincial Growth Fund to develop a skills education and employment centre for hydroponic growing.

The commercial loan and partnership agreement stipulate open house and sharing of all developments in protected cropping with other growers.

“We have a lot of milestones

in employment, training and reporting that we have to meet,” Patrick said.

“Ongoing research into new fruit crops along with greenhouse innovation has the potential to develop a large, environmentally sustainable horticultural industry that supports real growth in living wage employment and social equality for Northland.”

He believes Maori farming will move from pastoral agriculture to horticulture because the Malley model shares many of the same values as iwi have for their people.

Traditional fruit tree horticulture requires perhaps

CHECKING: Patrick Malley inspects raspberry vines for pests and diseases.

one labour unit a hectare while hydroponic berries require six to 12 people.

When aged 15 Patrick moved to the Hawke’s Bay apple and pear orchard with his parents then attended Massey University for a business degree.

“After doing about five years in Auckland in various jobs I realised the ability to be outdoors was part of my passion and so I jumped at the chance to join mum and dad up here.

“This operation gives me a balance of time inside on a computer on planning work and then outside with plants, people and good, fresh produce.

“I am proud of what we do and what we grow and the fact that it is healthy and people should be eating more of it.”

Patrick and Rebecca have two children, Austin, 5, and Eloise, 2.

While the property is almost entirely dedicated to commercial growing the family has focused on biological diversity with some species planted to control pests and diseases or otherwise encourage beneficial activities.

Apple mint and chamomile encourage large populations of orius to form, being a natural predator of thrips and mites.

Comfrey planting is being expanded each year in the weedstrip zones that would normally be sprayed out with glyphosate.

The zones also get 20 tonnes a hectare of compost to help build organic matter in the kiwifruit root profile.

Comfrey dies back and composts during winter and its long tap roots aid in bringing up nitrogen and minerals. It also provides bees with a nectar food source and directional guidance back to their hives, especially in covered kiwifruit blocks.

Lavender, hebe, rosemary, borage and forget-me-nots are also planted at the ends of kiwifruit canopies as nectar sources.

The orchard blocks are sheltered with casuarina and cryptomeria because they don’t harbour pests and diseases.

The Malleys share title in a 3.5ha lake next to the orchard, around which flax and other native species have been planted for bird habitats.

Kiwifruit blocks get both solid and liquid fertiliser through a fertigation system feeding

We work really hard to try and make sure that everyone has a feeling of being valued, being wanted and having all the work that they need and deserve.

Patrick Malley Grower drippers and micro-sprinklers that greatly reduce the risk of nutrient run-off.

In the new hydroponic blocks the rainfall on the tunnel houses is collected and directed to the new holding dam, which provides irrigation water as a back-up to the Maungatapere Water Scheme.

All hydroponic berries are grown in bags of coir substrate, watered and fed with nutrients controlled electronically with inputs from a variety of factors, such as sunshine hours, temperature, humidity and time between applications.

Each irrigation zone runs for 3-5 minutes between six and 16 times in 24 hours.

Seaweed and other biological products are also applied along with the regular nutrient mix.

The orchard has a weather station that records temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind direction and speed and monitors soil moisture, temperature, leaf moisture and humidity. >> Video link: bit.ly/OFSmalley

Spotlight on wool

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Part 2

Wool‘s attributes are ready to face the heat

O

ne New Zealand company working hard to ensure that they are addressing this concern is Wools of New Zealand by promoting the low environmental impact wools offers and leveraging their company’s commitment to sustainability and traceability. In a recent discussion with Wools of New Zealand Executive Director Mark Shadbolt, he explained that the key to ensuring a successful resurgence of wool as a global fibre of choice was to tell it’s story, and to tell it well.

“Our wool is produced with a low environmental impact, a natural result of our growers’ dedication to animal welfare and care for the land. There is an opportunity for us, as New Zealand wool growers and supply chain partners, to share our influence and knowledge to impact the value chain with this message. In looking at the New Zealand climate, our selected sheep breeds and our scientific fact based and respectful approach to farming means we can grow wool far more efficiently than traditional farms in other parts of the world. Our wool has a 28% lower greenhouse gas footprint than UK wool, even after including transport.”

These points were highlighted in a recently released 12-part ‘wool attributes’ marketing programme by Wools of New Zealand with an aim to reintroduce the sustainable and renewable nature of wool to the world.

The programme resonated extremely well with local and international customers alike. The messages were simple, premised on the fundamentals of style, people and planet, backed by research, to give front line retailers and others throughout the supply chain the confidence in promoting crossbred wool as a truly sustainable, naturally occurring fibre.

The creativity of this approach was recognised earlier this year when Wools of New Zealand won a flooring

innovation award for marketing in the National Flooring Awards at Harrogate in the UK. Mr Shadbolt said recognition in a key market like the UK was a great start.

“British consumers are the highest per capita consumers of wool carpets in the world so it is important that we reiterate to the retail sector that this is a key focus for Wools of New Zealand.

In addition, recognition of this nature helps to strengthen our relationships with our growers and our in-market partnerships on a widening range of products such as soft flooring, interior textiles, bedding, footwear and apparel all now seeking strong wool alternatives attached to innovations and solution solving. Attached to these product spaces, is a significant increase in demand for certified wool and fully traceable products from brands looking for a trust mark for consumers so Wools of New Zealand wool ticks those boxes,” he said.

“Our wool is produced

with a low environmental impact, a natural result of our growers’ dedication to animal welfare and care for the land.

”

Additionally Oritain as a New Zealand developed and based scientific technology company provides additional strength to the traceababilty of wool through Isotope testing of wool at any stage through the supply chain identifying wool from any origin on a country wide level.

Combined with the company’s own integrity programme and industry certifications such as Global Organic Textile (GOTS), Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Cradle to Cradle and EU Ecolabel, Wools of New Zealand has become the brand of choice for a number of international retailers.

Examples of the campaign.

These include UK retail group John Lewis, a significant retail partner for leading carpet manufacturer Ulster carpets, wool upholstery fabric manufacturer Camira, luxury British bed producer Hypnos and Dutch based natural fibre provider Enkev to name but a few.

Andrew Gicquel, Retail Sales Manager at Ulster Carpets, said that they had worked in partnership with Wools of New Zealand for a number of years, notably to develop the popular Open Spaces Auckland, Queenstown and Wellington Stripe ranges.

“It can be overwhelming for retailers to communicate the extensive range of benefits offered by wool but this marketing programme has made the process much easier and more effective.

Combined with our own initiatives, this can only help create a better understanding of the many attributes and benefits of wool, providing retail staff and, ultimately, consumers with more confidence around selecting and buying wool-rich carpets.”

We applaud Wools of New Zealand for highlighting the attributes of wool and look forward to seeing other companies join the crusade ahead.

Next month:

Watch out for Spotlight on Wool part 3 in January 13 issue.

Mark Shadbolt receiving the marketing award in the 2019 Natural Flooring Innovation Awards.

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5

This pristine 327.1267 hectare (more or less) dairy farm will impress the most discerning buyers with its premium soil types, close to the beach, quality homes and great infrastructure. The excellent 40 ASHB cowshed is centrally located with a concrete covered feed pad in close proximity, boasting a self-washing system and holding capacity of 330 cows. Currently an Autumn calving operation milking 530 cows producing 238,222kgMS for the 2018 season. Complimenting the farm is the array of shedding including a six-bay calf rearing shed, fourbay storage shed, two haybarns, three-bay shed with stables and a wash bay, two concrete feed bunkers with sliding roof and two sets of cattle yards. Water clarity is exceptional and is sourced via two bores, pumped to header tanks and gravity fed to troughs with the option of a third bore. The farm contour is flat to gentle rolling.

Set Sale Date (unless sold prior) 2pm, Wed 5 Feb 2020 112 Victoria Street, Dargaville View by appointment Catherine Stewart 027 356 5031 catherine.stewart@bayleys.co.nz Tracy Dalzell 027 535 9162 tracy.dalzell@bayleys.co.nz

bayleys.co.nz/1020400

2

2

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

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 Kaitaia to Invercargill - Over 700 staff across 64 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 *Farmlands will continue to administer its property management portfolio and its West Coast real estate sites, pending Commerce Commission clearance.

Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008

2

Proud to be together

27

28

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 16, 2019

Do you want your farm SOLD? With over 20 years collective experience in dairy farm sales in New Zealand and Australia, Les could have the solution for the sale of your dairy farm!

• What is my farm worth?

• How should I sell it?

• Are there any buyers out there?

Sallan Realty

• What about my herd and stock?

• What has been sold lately?

• What will it cost me?

Google ‘Sallan Realty’ Your Farm Sales Specialist

THE DESTINATION FOR RURAL REAL ESTATE

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

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

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ARE YOU LOOKING FOR ANSWERS?

LES CAIN 0274 420 582

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

PR E N LIM O IN TI A CE RY

TE ONE A MARA - IF SIZE AND CONTOUR MATTER, LOOK NO FURTHER. 465 State Highway 49, Tangiwai

PR E N LIM O IN TI A CE RY

Seldom does the opportunity arise for the astute investor to secure such a diverse property with scale, favorable contour, a stunning scenic environment with grand views out towards Mt Ruapehu and surrounding countryside, plus the luxury of having the additional leased land on your boundary. Currently a productive 345,000kg/MS, 800 cow herd (5yr average) standalone dairy unit that consistently defies the critics year on year. Comprising of 512 ha total (448 ha effective) plus the 278 ha of lease support land. The free draining volcanic soil profile opens up for diversification from other farming practices, or to run in conjunction with the existing model with the likes of market gardening from either root crop vegetables, Brassicas, legumes, cereal crops or a beef, sheep and deer breeding and fattening unit. Quality improvements include a 60-bail rotary shed with concrete yard constructed in 2007, wide well maintained race access, reticulated water supply throughout the property with the required resource consents in place and 3 dwellings with the main 4 bedroom home built in 2007. Located only 5 km west of Waiouru or 20 minutes from either Ohakune or Taihape, and in close proximity to the numerous outdoor activities that this Central Plateau region has to offer.

Te One A Mara will be available for inspection from the 12th January 2020 by appointment.

END OF AN ERA 212 Quarry Road, Tiriraukawa, Taihape For the first time in 125 years is the opportunity to secure a very attractive 4000 su property. This is your chance to acquire a high calibre farm with a reputation for producing quality, healthy livestock with a long history of fertiliser applications. A great mix of cultivatable, undulating contour ideal for winter and summer cropping, to support the balance of medium hills.

Held in five titles with 31 paddocks, all fenced by conventional or electric, good reliable stock water by a gravity feed to troughs or dams. Located 23km´s to Taihape must make this a worthy option to increase your existing operation.

352 hectares Tender

nzr.nz/RX2090375 Tender Closes 11am, Thu 12 March 2020 NZR, 1 Goldfinch St, Ohakune.

Jamie Proude AREINZ 027 448 5162 | 06 385 4466 jamie@nzr.nz NZR Central Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

512 hectares Tender

nzr.nz/RX2076585 Tender Closes 11am, Thu 27 Feb 2020, NZR, 1 Goldfinch St, Ohakune.

Jamie Proude AREINZ 027 448 5162 | 06 385 4466 jamie@nzr.nz NZR Central Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 16, 2019

HILL-COUNTRY FARM

1000+ HECTARES MANUKA & GRAZING

Dannevirke 442 hectare (1093 acres) sheep and beef unit in Oporae, 30 minutes (40km) from Dannevirke. Excellent water supply from natural spring. Good balance of soil types and contours (easy to medium-steep). Back of farm summer-safe, front of farm winter-warm.

Capable of up to 3500 stock units. 3 stand woolshed with 500 night pen. 4 bedroom home in attractive setting.

Akitio, Dannevirke 1169 hectares (2888 acres) of manuka and bareland grazing situated on River Road, Akitio.

Jerome Pitt M: 027 242 2199 O: 06 374 4107 E: @jeromep@forfarms.co.nz

Currently harvesting manuka honey and leased for grazing, this is an opportunity to add to your existing manuka portfolio or get into this highly profitable market.

For Sale by Negotiation

Property ID FF1299

$3,300,000 + GST

www.forfarms.co.nz - FF2944 www.forfarms.co.nz

Property ID FF1299

06 323 3363 Farm & Lifestyle Sales Meeting the Market

461 Kiritaki Road, Dannevirke

$6,952,000 + GST

Looking for the complete package?

193.12 hectares

▪ The centrally located 54 bail rotary dairy is as neat as a pin with the furthermost paddock only 1.2km. Concrete platform, in-shed feeding, ‘Wetit” teat management ▪ Feedpad alongside the dairy plus two 250 tonne silage bunkers ▪ Three year average of 230,000kg milksolids under a system 3 to 4 ▪ Regular pasture renewal program and excellent soil fertility ▪ Impressive 400m² four bedroom home with office, two en suites, double glazing and 3 heat pumps. Two other 4 bedroom homes. Superb 6-bay workshop

We’ve got you covered with digital and print options.

The vendors have taken great care in developing this attractive farm and at $30/kgMS is priced to sell

M 027 543 1610 E richarda@ruralandlifestylesales.com

Web ID RAL720

Robert Dabb

M 027 255 3992 E robertd@ruralandlifestylesales.com

www.ruralandlifestylesales.com

Contact Shirley Howard phone 06 323 0760, email shirley.howard@globalhq.co.nz 2480REHP

Richard Anderson

Jerome Pitt M: 027 242 2199 O: 06 374 4107 E: @jeromep@forfarms.co.nz

This is a genuine sheep and beef breeding farm close to the rural service town of Dannevirke.

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www.forfarms.co.nz

LK0100687©

www.forfarms.co.nz - FF2919

Call me today for more information and to book your appointment to view.

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farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

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30

Agri Job Board

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 16, 2019

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

We got noticed!

Shepherd - 1153ha

“ Advertising with the Farmers Weekly gave us – Hawke’s Bay

Apatu Farms operate a multi-dimensional Agribusiness throughout Hawke’s Bay. Our Livestock division consists 700ha of breeding and finishing country which is supported by 900ha winter lamb finishing platform working in conjunction with strategic cropping programs. The business demands a high level of integration between systems.

You will be working alongside the Farm Manager and the Shepherd General with the role being based around 80% stock work and 20% general duties. This is a great opportunity for those with a few years’ experience and looking to take the next step.

The operation comprises of the cropping platform on the Heretaunga plains and pastoral properties all within close proximity of Hastings, providing an added attraction to live in Hawke’s Bay.

You will have: • The ability to work efficiently on your own and as part of the team • Good pasture and stock management skills • A strong work ethic to “get the job done” • Excellent communication skills and an attention to detail • A team of dogs under good command We offer excellent remuneration for the right skills, good quality housing and a location close to town and schooling.

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For more information phone Manager, Rod Walker on 07 895 7008 or send CV and covering letter directly to:

We are looking for a motivated and experienced Stock Manager to be part of a small team to help run this dynamic and efficient livestock business through quality livestock and resource management.

The following experience, responsibilities and skills required are: • Day-to-day grazing management • Minimum of 5 years drystock experience • Excellence in animal husbandry, stock handling and feed budgeting • Self-motivated with a strong work ethic • Farm repairs and maintenance skills • Forward planning and high level communication skills • Accuracy and attention to detail with tallies and stock movements • Ability to assess pasture covers and stocking rates • Ability to work autonomously and achieve required deadlines • 4-6 dogs capable of yard work and mustering This is a permanent position and remuneration will be dependent on skills and experience.

Application close 10 January 2020

WE ARE THE SOLUTION

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Please email a cover letter and C.V to sonia@apatugroup.com or phone Tim Agnew for a confidential chat on 021 320 598.

ANIMAL HANDLING

DOGS FOR SALE

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

ONE 12-MONTH-OLD Heading dog, going, plenty of potential. TWO YOUNG Huntaways, great noise, plenty of energy. Phone 06 388 0212 or 027 243 8541.

ANIMAL HEALTH

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

BUYING OVER HOLIDAYS. No one buys or pays more! Mike Hughes. 07 315 5553.

GRAZING OR DAIRY. Looking for a suitable farm in the lower North Island. Any size up to approximately 500 acres.

Experienced in leasing.

Phone 027 223 6156.

FORESTRY/ SCRUB CUTTING

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

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

ATTENTION FARMERS

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

BIRDS/POULTRY PULLETS HY-LINE brown, great layers.

07 824 1762. Website: eurekapoultryfarm.weebly. com – Have fresh eggs each day!!!

Livestock Manager Finishing Operation - Hawke’s Bay

CONTRACTORS

Glenmore Pastoral is a high performing 565ha drystock farming

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

operation situated in the Mangatahi district, 35 minutes from Hastings. This progressive business requires a competent Livestock Manager to manage the day-to-day farm activities across this mixed enterprise.

The business is built on a trading platform that is strategically split

GET IN TOUCH

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

across cattle, sheep and a deer farming operation. The systems within are driven by forward contracting and supply commitment with a focus of time/specification finishing. The infrastructure is outstanding throughout and the property is set to deliver and

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

As Livestock Manager you will be an integral part of the inclusive

JOBS BOARD

management team. The appointee will be responsible for the dayto-day operational management of the property and stock with the autonomy to implement the agreed policies. This platform will understanding the principals of pasture management and the

Farm Manager

recording of information into Farmax.

General Manager

On offer is an excellent remuneration package and modern three

Livestock Manager

bedroom home. With a fantastic reputation for its supportive team

NZ-Ireland Exchange

opportunities to further your farming career. If you are a forward

Programme

planner with a passion for turning out stock to specification and

Operations Manager or

someone who is driven by measured results then this is an excellent opportunity.

Contract Milker

For more information, or to apply, please visit www.ruraldirections.

Shepherd Stock Manager

06 871 0450 (Reference #2507).

Applications close 5pm Monday, 6th January 2020.

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

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co.nz or phone the Rural Directions team in confidence on

*conditions apply

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RECRUITMENT & HR Register to receive job alerts on www.ruraldirections.co.nz

GOATS WANTED

DEERLAND TRADING LTD

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.

BORDER COLLIE BITCH 3yo, imported bloodlines, has papers. Under full command, easy to work.

Phone 0274 888 227.

END OF YEAR clearance sale continues during holidays. Trial. www.youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos 07 315 5553.

environment this business will present you with key development

INTEGRATED VEHICLE wood chipper for local chipping of trimmed/ cut branches. NZ Patent 713280.

Easily driven to work site, operates independent of tractor or large truck/trailer combination solutions.

Retains material on-site for natural recycling without the carbon footprint of transporting the slash/ scrub cuttings. Minimizes volume of material from piles of cuttings. Contact: Silver Crags Engineering at richard.w.finney@gmail. com

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.

DOGS FOR SALE

allow you to demonstrate your capability in monitoring, measuring,

Contract Milker

DOGS WANTED

GORSE SPRAYING SCRUB CUTTING. 30 years experience.

Blowers, gun and hose.

No job too big. Camp out teams.

Travel anywhere if job big enough. Phone Dave 06 375 8032.

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.

reward for skilled stock management.

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

Noticeboard

DAGS .25c PER KG. Replacement woolpacks.

PV Weber Wools.

Kawakawa Road, Feilding. Phone 06 323 9550.

A 3 bedroom house located in close proximity could be available, if required.

Applications close: Monday 23 December 2019

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Stock Manager

With a mixed stocking policy including both sheep and beef with a focus on both quality breeding and finishing, this is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the running of a diverse farming operation.

confidence that we had covered as many bases as possible, cast the net as widely as we could.

Sara, Mt Cass Station (Advertised for a Block Manager)

“

Te Uranga B2 Incorporation operates a 1153ha sheep and beef enterprise 10 minutes north east of Taumarunui carrying 12,000 stock units and is a past finalist in the Ahuwhenua Trophy Maori Farmer of the Year.

Rod Walker 611 Ngakonui Ongarue Road RD 4, Taumarunui 3994 Or e-mail Upoko@teurangab2.co.nz

31

PARAPARA/MAKIRIKIRI DOG SALE 25th January 2020 at 996 Ruatangata Road, Whangaehu.

Sale starts at 12 noon.

All dogs to be entered for sale with Secretary Brenda O’Leary by 18th January 2020.

Email brenda.dog@inspire.net. nz or ph 06 342 7508.

Hydatid cards and Parvo certs for pups must be presented. Enquiries to Duncan Atkinson Phone 06 342 6807 or Roy Pullen Phone 06 342 4010.

GOATS. 40 YEARS experience mustering feral cattle and feral goats anywhere in NZ. 50% owner (no costs).

50% musterer (all costs).

Phone Kerry Coulter 027 494 4194.

NAKI GOATS. Trucking goats to the works every week throughout the NI. Phone Michael and Clarice.

027 643 0403.

HORTICULTURE NZ KELP. FRESH, wild ocean harvested giant kelp.

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

LEASE LAND WANTED

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

POLL DORSET RAMS, muscle scanned, SIL recorded.

Brucellosis accredited. All sires. Foot rot and eczema tested.

Phone 09 292 2504 or 021 0731 620.

MACHINERY FOR SALE FARMALL CUB. $4,500 going. Phone John 021 063 9041. Bay of Plenty.

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

RAMS FOR SALE WILTSHIRE & SHIRE® Meat rams. Low input. www.wiltshire-rams.co.nz 03 225 5283.

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

TRACTOR PARTS JOHN DEERE 6410, 6600, 6610, 6800, 6900, dismantling Andquiparts.

Phone 027 524 3356.

NOTICEBOARD ADVERTISING Have something to sell?

Advertise in Farmers Weekly Phone Debbie Brown 0800 85 25 80 or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

Noticeboard

2 YEAR WARRANTY. NZ ASSEMBLED. ELECTRIC START & QUALITY YOU CAN RELY ON TOWABLE TOPPING MOWER

TOWABLE FLAIL MOWER GST $4400 INCLUSIVE

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

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

0800 436 566

STEEL TANK SPECIALISTS

ZON BIRDSCARER

electro-tek@xtra.co.nz

Prices include delivery to your door!

GST $4200 INCLUSIVE

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

STOP BIRDS NOW!

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

HOMES FARM SHEDS SUBDIVISIONS PUMPS

50 TON WOOD SPLITTER

DOLOMITE

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

We could save you hundreds of $$

12Hp Diesel. Electric Start

11.5HP Briggs & Stratton Motor.

Industrial. Electric start.

GST $4200 INCLUSIVE

POWER CABLE

LK0100238©

13.5HP. Briggs & Stratton Motor. Electric start.

1.2m cut

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 16, 2019

For friendly & professional advice CALL 0800 843 0987 Fax: 07 843 0992 Email: power@thecableshop.co.nz THE CABLE SHOP WAIKATO www.thecableshop.co.nz

DE HORNER

Phone: +64 6 357 2454 HOOF TRIMMER

EARMARKERS

“Your Fuel Storage Solutions”

NEW BLOOD

0800 383 5266

WANTED JANUARY 14TH

2020

www.petrotec.co.nz/ products

DARGAVILLE TOWNHALL Mon 6th Jan – 1pm-6pm MANGAWHAI Tues 7th Jan – 12pm-5pm

Ask us about our range of stainless steel tanks.

WARKWORTH Wed 8th Jan – 10am-3pm

CHILLERS & FREEZERS [For farmers and hunters]

6223 Western Access Rd, Turangi

Enquiries: 021 486 712 Register: office@kellswool.co.nz

www.kellswool.co.nz

www.nzblood.co.nz

udly NZ Madew Pro Since 1975

021 441 180 (JC) frigidair@xtra.co.nz

T HI NK P R E B U I L T

LK0100527©

WHAREROA STATION

0800 GIVE BLOOD 0800 448 325

LK0100684©

Please bring your photo ID

EVENT FROM 2pm till 4pm

Fuelcon Farm and Trailer Tanks by:

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

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32

For information see TradeMe#2251190054

CRAIGCO

powered by

SHEEP JETTERS SHEEP JETTERS SINCE 1992

CRAIGCO SENSOR JET

When only the best will do!

NEW HOMES

SOLID – PRACTICAL WELL INSULATED – AFFORDABLE

FO SALR E

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

NOTICEBOARD ADVERTISING

Nature’s Gift For Baby

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

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

LK009-531©

The perfect gift : Merino blankets

Do you have something to sell?

Call Debbie

0800 85 25 80

classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

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

06 8356863 . 021 061 1800

• 100% Merino • Simplicity of design • Classical styling • Attention to detail • Totally natural

Just $98 incl GST Phone: +64 21 682 590 Email: naturesgiftforbaby@gmail.com

The first issue of Farmers Weekly for 2020 will be out on January 13.

Booking deadline is Wednesday January 8, 12 noon.

Our office will reopen on Monday January 6.

I wish all readers of Farmers Weekly a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you all for your advertising support which has made the Noticeboard pages so successful.

For advertising enquiries, please contact Debbie on 0800 85 25 80 or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

2419FW

LK0100573©

www.craigcojetters.com

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 16, 2019

Livestock Noticeboard

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

33

t

SILVERDALE SOUTHDOWN STUD

Breeding the difference

37TH ANNUAL ELITE SIRE STAG SALE

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2-Tooth Rams For Sale l early maturing l easy lambing l growth survival and muscling

Saturday 11th January 2020 @ 1pm Exceptional Breeding stags plus Commercial/Trophy stags on offer.

l some for hogget mating

Contact Janet or Diane Gray Phone 06 324 8845 or 021 936 377

Rathbone Beltex & Dutch Texels

Offering to include 2, 3, & 4yr old sons of:

CANE, MUNRO, FITZROY, ORLANDO, APEX, KALLIS, RIGBY, ALEXANDER, AMADEUS, GREGOR, MCCAW SCAN FOR CATALOGUE

Catalogues will be posted out in December

ALL ENQUIRIES: Barry Gard 021 222 8964, a/h 03 431 2803 bgard@foverandeerpark.co.nz www.foverandeerpark.co.nz

Raincliff Station

• Improve carcass quality and conformation of finished fat lambs with double muscled genetics

ANTLER & VENISON GENETICS

NEW ZEALAND

• Frozen semen and pedigree/purebred ewes available for embryo flushing

• Established 20 years and based in the Yorkshire Dales UK

Deliver your stud stock messaging to every farm letterbox nationwide with a weekly publication that farmers choose first for news, opinion, market updates and even their own advertising.

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• Able to advise on any import requirements

If you require further information please contact Mike or Becki Phone +447972680541 rathbonebeltexandtexel@hotmail.co.uk or visit rathbone Panbeck beltex

Elk Wapiti Stud Sale 23rd January 2020

TE KUITI LIVESTOCK CENTRE

TE KUITI SELLING CENTRE

UPCOMING AUCTION DATES FOR JANUARY 2020 Monday January 6th Te Kuiti Bullock Fair 800 x 2 ½ Yr Steers Tuesday January 7th Te Kuiti 15mth Exotic Steer Fair 1000 Head Wednesday January 8th Te Kuiti 15mth Traditional Steer Fair 1000 Head Thursday January 9th Te Kuiti 15mth Hfd/Frsn X Steers 1300 Head Friday January 10th Te Kuiti 15mth Heifer & Bull Fair 850 Head

Thursday January 16th Te Kuiti 2th Ewe Fair 10,000 Head Friday January 17th Te Kuiti M/A Ewe Fair 10,000 Head Further details to follow

Tuesday January 7th TE KUITI 15mth Exotic Steer Fair 12 noon SPECIAL ENTRY A/C R & J Harre Family Trust 200 x 15mth Exotic Steers Annual Draft of Top quality South Devon, Charolais & Simmental x Steers.

Quiet Hill Country Cattle.

Further enquiries Brett Wallbank 027 488 1299

LK0100662©

2525 STUD STOCK

farmersweekly.co.nz

• Raincliff Terminal Sire Animals produce top carcass traits for commercial breeding & finishing deer farmers • Highest eye muscle scan results in New Zealand for 2018/19 season • Stud Elk Bull 197kg @ 11 months plus semen packages available 2020 • In-calf Yearling Hinds to high BV Elk Bulls & Red Stags in June 2020 For more information contact Raincliff Station on +64 3 614 7183 or email David (david.raincliff@farmside.co.nz) or Brad (btravers@hotmail.co.nz)

Tuesday January 14th Ongarue M/A Ewe Fair

For further information contact our Noticeboard sales team on 0800 85 25 80 or email livestock@globalhq.co.nz

14th Annual Sale

34

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

Livestock Noticeboard

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 16, 2019

Check out Poll Dorset NZ on Facebook

TARANAKI DAIRY BEEF WEANER FAIR

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

Thursday 9th January 2020 Noon start

Further details: Grant Hobbs 027 477 7406

LK0100691©

1500 weaner dairy beef, including special entry of 400 annual draft top Friesian weaner bulls, 140kgs -200kgs

Are you looking in the right direction?

Weekly Auctions

Gore A&P Association’s

Wednesday night – North Island Thursday night – South Island Talk to one of our 180 accredited assessors from 7 livestock agencies about listing your stock on bidr.

Call HANNAH 0800 85 25 80

livestock@globalhq.co.nz

Go to bidr.co.nz and click on the link “Find a bidr Assessor” or contact the bidr® team on 0800 TO BIDR.

NZ’s Virtual Saleyard

SOUTH ISLAND PREMIER STUD RAM & FLOCK RAM AUCTION Tuesday 21 January 2020 • 11am - Perendale, • 1pm - Border Leicester & Romney with sale of flock rams to follow

Wednesday 22 January 2020

14th January 2020 12 Noon On A/c: Waitewhenua Farms Ltd Approx. 4900 Capital Stock Ewes Comprising: 1300 2th Romney Ewes 3000 M/A 4th Romney Ewes 450 x 5 Yr Romney Ewes 200 x 5 Yr Romney Ewes

Catalogues available from: www.goreapshowgrounds.co.nz 03 208 6441 or 027 374 3314 E: goreapsecretary@gmail.com

Auctioneers Note

ANNUAL RAM SALE

These Capital Stock Romney ewes from

8 JANUARY 2020

the Ohura Hill Country are hightly fertile and eczema tolerant. Scanning of 172% across

86 sires - 12.4 to 15.4 micron

flock 2019-twin & singles counted etc. 10 years of

Over 30 years selective breeding

Brookbank Romney eczema tolerant rams.

Comprehensive BVs recorded since 1979

Purchasers can be confident these ewes will

Commercially run

shift where ever they are farmed in NZ.

Foot-rot free since 1984

For Further Information please contact:

TO REQUEST A CATALOGUE PLEASE CONTACT:

Vendors: Ross and Marie Perry

Russell Emmerson - 03 445 2833 David Emmerson - 03 445 2804

07 893 8751 or 027 205 1441 Brent Bougen 027 210 4698 Alan Hiscox 027 442 8434

www.forestrange.co.nz

LK0100664©

NZ Farmers Livestock Agent:

Masterton Ewe Fair 15th January 2020 A/c Puketiritiri Ltd (Wai-iti Rams) 200 Capital stock recorded Romney 2-tooth ewes 80 Romney 5yr Ewes A/c Bagshot Ltd 200 Romney 5yr Ewes (Motunui Bred) For more information contact Ed Wallace 027 272 2843 or Chris McBride 027 565 1145

LK0100500©

ONGARUE EWE FAIR

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• 11am - Southern Texel Ram Sale • 1pm - Other breeds: Texel, Dorset Down, Southdown, South Suffolk, Poll Dorset, Suffolk, Hampshire & Charollais with sale of flock rams to follow

TUAKAU HEIFER SALE

Henshaw 11.10kg SA2 5yrs

Harlem 5yrs

Lot 2 8.97kg SA2

33rd Annual

Elite Red Deer Sale

15th January 2020 1.30pm

Bronx 17.28kg SA2 4 yrs

Master Sire Wardlaw

28x 3yr old Sire Stags - top weight 11.28kg SA 70x 2yr old Velvet Stags 40 x 13 month old recorded hinds Catalogue available at www.netherdale.co.nz

David Stevens 03 201 6330 | 0274 331 383 | netherdale@xtra.co.nz

www.netherdale.co.nz

Ben Beadle 0277 281 052 or your local PGG Wrightsons agent

TUAKAU BEEF 15mth STEER FAIR Tuesday 14th January 2020 @12 noon Comprising of 1480 Beef Bred Steers 850 Angus, 320 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 16th January 2020 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 09 236 9882

LK0100612©

Lot 1 10.12kg SA2

Thursday 9th Jan 2020 @ 12 noon A/c OJ & M Cathcart 17th Annual Heifer Sale 900 x 15mth Hfrs Comprising of approx 180 Angus, 320 Charolais, 350 BWF, 50 Exotic X Heifers sourced from Sales & Private purchases from the North of the North Island.

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Livestock Noticeboard

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

funny contributions to

6th Waterton Ram Sale

our Sale Talk joke from

Charollais, % Charollais, Suffolk and South Suffolk Rams

you avid readers, and

Tuesday 17th December 2019

SALE TALK

STOCK FOR SALE

FRSN BULL CALVES 110kg+ 1YR FRSN BULLS 300-460kg 18MTH FRSN HERE STEERS 420kg

A man walked into his local Tesco’s supermarket in London and asked to buy half a head of lettuce.

The boy, working in the produce department, said they only sold complete heads of lettuce.

The man insisted so the boy went and said to his manager, “some old bugger wants to buy half a head of lettuce.”

As he finished his sentence, he turned around to find the customer standing behind him, so he quickly added, “and this gentleman kindly offered to buy the other half.”

The manager approved the deal.

Later, he called the boy back into the office. “I was impressed with the way you got yourself out of a tricky situation earlier.” he said. “We like people who can think on their feet. Where are you from son?”

“New Zealand, sir” the boy replied, “Why did you leave New Zealand?” the manager asked.

“Sir, there is nothing but loose women and rugby players there.”

“Is that right?”, replied the manager a little frostily. “My wife is from Otaki New Zealand!”

“Really?” replied the boy, “What position does she play?”

Supplied by Rob Irvine

TOP EXOTIC 1YR SIM HEIFERS 400kg

STOCK REQUIRED YOUNG TO MIXED AGE BREEDING EWES

SMALLER MALE STORE LAMBS

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

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

Preliminary Notice - For Sale

TE WHANGAI ROMNEYS

35

Here at Farmers Weekly we get some pretty

we’re keen to hear

Viewing from 2.30pm Helmsman Sale 4.00pm Belmont Station 50 Kerr Road, Cave South Canterbury

more!

If you’ve got a joke you want to share with the

Hill bred Commercially farmed SIL recorded Eye Muscle Scanned Brucellosis Accredited Over 50 years breeding

Farming community (it must be something

18 Pure Charollais – 40 Suffolk – 16 South Suffolk – 16 Charollais Suffolk – 19 Percentage Charollais

you’d share with your grandmother...) then email us at: saletalk@globalhq.co.nz with Sale Talk in the

For more information or a catalogue, contact:

subject line and we’ll print it and credit it to you.

Conditions apply

Chris Hampton PWA PWA PGGW 03 614 3330 Wayne Andrews Snow Buckley Greg Uren 027 202 5679 027 484 8232 027 561 4652 027 431 4051 cahampton@xtra.co.nz Linsday Holland Simon Eddington 027 266 0648 027 590 8612 Also on www.peterwalsh.co.nz

CRAIGNEUK

600 2th ewes

18th Annual on Farm Sale Friday 17th January 2020

Oamaru

On offer 260 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

Private Sale

1000 ewe lambs Expressions of interest are welcomed.

These highly sought after genetics are scanning up to 130% as hgts.

GAP 4 accredited.

ACC/The Dasher Station Maheno, North Otago 880 5yr Romney Ewes Hill sheep, high productivity.

Top bloodlines, chisel mouths.

Will shift anywhere.

Delivery 1st week of January 2020 Phone: John Cheesman 0274 946 604

Also 60 Halfbred Maternal Rams Merino Ram/Romney Ewe MILK • WOOL • MEAT Bred to fit the Smartwool Contract 20-25 micron Grown in the harsh Maniototo climate LK0100659©

LK0100538©

Contact: Hamish deLautour 027 447 2815 Harry deLautour 027 446 6996

LK0100253©

To be presented at Stortford Lodge Friday 17th January 2020

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

Profitability Surprise The Coopworth ewe is the ‘engine’ room of your farm.

A sound productive sheep with comprehensive SIL validation.

Consistently ranking ahead of the rest in NZ Sheep Genetics.

For the modern forward thinking farmer

Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming listings

Dates for you diary: Te Kuiti Bullock Monday 6th Jan 2020 - 12pm start

Te Kuiti 15mth Traditional Steer & Bull Wednesday 8th January 2020 - 12pm start Te Kuiti 15mth Hereford Friesian Steer & Bull Thursday 9th January 2020 - 12pm start

LK0099155©

Te Kuiti 15mth Heifer Friday 10th January 2020 - 12pm start

Visit the website for your local Ram Breeder’s contact details www.coopworthgenetics.co.nz

Key: Dairy

TE KUITI JANUARY CATTLE AND EWE FAIRS

Te Kuiti 15mth Exotic Steer Tuesday 7th January 2020 - 12pm start

Superior Maternal Worth: Reproduction | Survival | Meat | Growth | Wool | FE | FEC

CoopworthGenetics

LK0100505©

FARMERS WEEKLY – December 16, 2019

Ongarue Ewe Fair Tuesday 14th January 2020 12pm start Total yarding approx 10,000 annual draft 5 & 6yr ewes Marty Cashin 0274 976 414

Te Kuiti 2th Ewe Fair Thursday 16th January 2020 - 12pm start A/C McDavitt Farm 550 2th Romdale Ewes. Capital stock.

Farm sold. Have been using Raupuha Stud rams for past 5yrs.

Farmed on steep coastal country.

Kevin Mortensen 0274 735 858 Te Kuiti Ewe Fair Friday 17th January 2020 - 12pm start A/C McDavitt Farms 330 4th Romdale Ewes 330 6th Romdale Ewes 330 4yr Romdale Ewes 330 5yr Romdale Ewes Capital stock. Farm sold. Have been using Raupuha Stud rams for the last 5yrs.

Farmed on steep coastal hill country.

Kevin Mortensen 0274 735 858

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

Cattle

Sheep

Other

MATAWHERO EWE FAIR Preliminary Notice Wednesday 8th January, 10am start Enquiries: Jamie Hayward 0274 347 586

Better stud stock for better business.

pggwrightson.co.nz/ramsales

Helping grow the country

MARKET SNAPSHOT

36

Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.

Suz Bremner

Mel Croad

Nicola Dennis

Cattle

Reece Brick

Graham Johnson

Caitlin Pemberton

Sheep

BEEF

William Hickson

Deer

SHEEP MEAT

VENISON

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

6.20

6.25

5.45

NI lamb (17kg)

8.75

8.90

7.75

NI Stag (60kg)

8.60

8.80

10.60

NI Bull (300kg)

6.35

6.45

4.90

NI mutton (20kg)

6.20

6.20

4.90

SI Stag (60kg)

8.60

8.80

10.60

NI Cow (200kg)

4.80

4.90

3.80

SI lamb (17kg)

8.80

9.00

7.55

SI Steer (300kg)

6.00

6.10

5.25

SI mutton (20kg)

6.20

6.45

4.90

SI Bull (300kg)

6.10

6.25

4.85

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

4.75

4.75

3.75

UK CKT lamb leg

11.53

11.50

8.54

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Export markets (NZ$/kg) 9.08

9.55

6.62

US domestic 90CL cow

8.16

8.21

6.25

North Island steer slaughter price

$/kg CW

Oct

$/kg CW

5.0

(NZ$/kg)

Apr

Jun

2018-19

Dairy

Aug 2019-20

-

-

2.84

37 micron ewe

-

-

30 micron lamb

-

-

$/tonne

6.75 6.25 Jul-19

Sep-19 Sept. 2020

Jun

Aug 2019-20

Prior week

Last year

Urea

616

616

650

2.80

Super

314

314

315

-

DAP

787

787

813

3340

SMP

3070

3080

2950

AMF

4750

4750

5080

Butter

4000

4050

4100

Milk Price

7.40

7.44

7.40

YTD High

4.98

5.54

3.38

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

22.11

22.21

12.3

The a2 Milk Company Limited

15.3

18.04

10.42

Auckland International Airport Limited

8.93

9.9

7.065

Spark New Zealand Limited

4.34

4.705

3.54

400

Ryman Healthcare Limited

15.45

16.14

10.4

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

4.9

5.62

3.51

360

Contact Energy Limited

7.2

9.05

5.82

Jan-19

Mar-19

Company

May-19

Jul-19

Sep-19

$/tonne

3350 3300 3250 May

7.01

4.9

5.55

4.28

Listed Agri Shares Company

5pm, close of market, Thursday YTD High

YTD Low

15.3

18.04

10.42

420

Comvita Limited

2.8

5.42

2.5

Delegat Group Limited

11.4

12.5

9.4

400

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

4.06

4.85

3.15

Foley Wines Limited

1.88

2

1.47

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

0.8

1.08

0.75

380 360

Marlborough Wine Estates Group Limited

0.199

0.24

0.192

340

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

2.16

2.98

1.76

PGG Wrightson Limited

2.37

2.52

0.47

Sanford Limited (NS)

7.81

7.83

6.35

Scales Corporation Limited

4.92

5.45

4.34

SeaDragon Limited

0.002

0.003

0.001

Seeka Limited

4.66

5.35

4.2

9

11.35

8.45

Jan-19

Mar-19

May-19

Jul-19

Sep-19

Nov-19

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

320

T&G Global Limited

300

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index

280

S&P/NZX 50 Index

11308

11317

8732

S&P/NZX 10 Index

11222

11228

8280

2.93

2.93

2.43

16638

17434

15063

260 240 220

Apr 4 weeks ago

6.92 5.25

Nov-19

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

3400

Port of Tauranga Limited Fletcher Building Limited

Close

Nov-18

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

320

* price as at close of business on Thursday

NZ average (NZ$/t)

Top 10 by Market Cap

440

$/tonne

3285

Mar

Apr 2018-19

Close

Nov-18

vs 4 weeks ago

3285

Jan Feb Latest price

Feb

Last week

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY

WMP

Dec

Dec 5-yr ave

Meridian Energy Limited (NS)

320

Nov-19

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Prior week

Oct

FERTILISER

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

Mar-19 May-19 Sept. 2019

8.5

Fertiliser

Aug 2019-20

Coarse xbred ind.

440

3200

Jun

Last year

7.25

Last price*

Apr 2018-19

Prior week

480

Nearby contract

Feb

Last week

7.75

Jan-19

Dec 5-yr ave

Grain

Data provided by

MILK PRICE FUTURES

5.75

9.5

6.5

WOOL

Feb

South Island stag slaughter price

7.5

5.5

Dec

8.5

7.0

6.0

5-yr ave

US$/t

South Island lamb slaughter price

8.0

5.0

Oct

9.5

6.0

South Island steer slaughter price

4.5

10.5

10.5

9.0

6.5

North Island stag slaughter price

11.5

11.5

10.0

4.5

$/kg MS

7.0

5.0

5.0

Last year

6.5

8.0

6.0

5.5

Last week Prior week

7.5

9.0

6.0

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

$/kg CW

$/kg CW

6.5

Last year

North Island lamb slaughter price

10.0 $/kg CW

US imported 95CL bull

Last week Prior week

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Ingrid Usherwood

200

Nov-18

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

Jan-19

Mar-19

May-19

Jul-19

Sep-19

Nov-19

16638

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

11308

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

11222

37

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019 NI SLAUGHTER LAMB ( $/KG)

8.75

NI SLAUGHTER VENISON ( $/KG)

8.60

SI SLAUGHTER MUTTON ( $/KG)

6.20

WEANER FRIESIAN BULLS, 115KG AVERAGE, AT FEILDING ( $/HD LW)

440

Farming’s a busy business NORTH ISLAND

A

CONSULTANT in Northland says they’re keen for rain in Kaipara. Pasture is okay but sandy coastal soils dry out quickly without a good dose of moisture. Farmers are still seeing record prices for lambs and have just come off a record export cattle schedule.

Prices are expected to ease because of space problems at the works going into the new year.

Around Pukekohe the week had a showery start followed by fine weather.

Crops still need more moisture though and irrigation continues. Insect pests are causing headaches for growers with the white butterfly increasing in numbers.

Their caterpillars feast on brassica crops.

In Waikato it’s been dry and hot and pasture growth rates have slowed down a wee bit and, with grass going to seed, pasture quality has gone off. A consultant suspects milk production has slowed down too. Lambs are reaching good weights for this time of year and fetching great prices at $8.50 to $9 a kilo. The consultant says his firm’s been busy recruiting for 50:50 sharemilking positions and for sheep farm managers.

While there aren’t huge numbers of applicants the quality of those applying, all New Zealanders, is very high, which is a change from the last couple of years.

People wanting to get involved in farming shows there’s confidence in the sector.

In Bay of Plenty orchards the soils are getting really dry and heading towards the stress point for kiwifruit vines.

Growers are regularly irrigating now and are looking forward to some rain. There’s some excitement among orchardists about the new red kiwifruit variety, Zespri Red, which has moved from trial stage to limited release.

Thunder, lightning and very heavy rain in some parts of Taranaki last weekend caused a few power cuts and interfered a bit with milking. Generators were revved up and apart from a missed morning milking on Sunday, the rain was most welcome. More rain is forecast for this week. Milk production is holding steady, some silage and hay is still to be made and some artificial insemination is still going on. Mating finishes around Christmas and early January.

A contact on the East Coast says farmers were starting to panic a bit with hot, dry winds sucking paddocks dry but one Wairoa farmer told us it’s back to paradise after two or three days of lovely rain. The paddocks have greened up and the feed situation is looking better. Most farmers are doing the main shear and are in calf-marking mode. The beef farmer says while there are rumours prices are easing he’s confident global demand for protein will keep them buoyant.

Hawke’s Bay is becoming dry and the hills are starting to turn brown. It’s crusty on top but there is some moisture below.

Some farmers are a bit concerned about what lies around the corner. A lot of stock’s going to the works and there’s not a dog’s show of booking any space until the new year. We’re told she’s chocka.

Lamb weights are back a bit. Store prices have eased. Hawke’s Bay apricots and

Flush of feed leaves spring dairy livestock market buoyant Favourable spring weather throughout the country left most districts with plenty of feed, boding well for trade in dairy livestock.

PGG Wrightson National Dairy Livestock Manager Jamie Cunninghame says North Island farmers were particularly keen to capitalise on the surplus.

“North Island spring sales of in-milk cows were buoyant with most districts awash with feed. Although the quality of livestock going through the sales was variable, vendors are happy with the market response. South Island dairy livestock markets have also been enthusiastic, albeit slightly more muted than those in the north,” he said.

Meanwhile, export of dairy heifers to China may have an impact on the supply of heifers for next season.

BIG SELLERS: Peel Forest Estate had a record sale of Forrester stags on December 6. There was a full clearance of 55 stags with an average price of $10,118, a 36% increase on last year.

A good number of the stags were bought by North Island clients seeking new genetics. Peel Forest Estate has another sale on January 12 of stags bred for superior velvet genetics.

nectarines are on the market. Conditions have been great for ripening so the flavour’s good. Generally, summerfruit is running a little later than usual because it was cold when the trees blossomed and the season hasn’t caught up.

Around Feilding in Manawatu there were 30mm to 60mm of much-needed rain on Sunday and farmers would love a similar amount again because it’s a bit dry for the time of year. On the flip side the weather’s been great for weaning and shearing and a lot of silage has been made. The sheep guys are flat out and on dairy farms mating has wound up. There was some concern for feed crops earlier but they’re now set up well with the recent rain.

It is the same in Wairarapa where perfectly timed rain was a real boost for the crops in the ground. Brassica and chicory crops are set to explode with all the lovely moisture and that means better ability to hold and finish stock. Rain’s needed frequently at this time of year.

There were cooler nights and not too much wind last week. A sheep and beef farmer told us he’s finished shearing and he’s now busy with dagging, dipping and spraying for weeds.

SOUTH ISLAND In kiwifruit orchards in the Nelson region flowering’s finished for the green Hayward variety while the Gold is coming into the easy-to-mark stage so blocks are being closed off for a month to avoid human damage to fruit. In apple orchards everyone’s flat out hand thinning. Chemical thinners have done a good job but there’s still plenty of work to do. There have been reports of light damage in orchards after a hailstorm a week ago but apart from that the weather this summer’s been kind to growers and some reasonable rainfall has been welcomed.

A bit of rain earlier last week in Marlborough was welcomed by all bar the cherry growers who are in the midst of picking. Rain splits cherries but our contact says they weren’t too badly affected. The trees are carrying a good

crop this year too. Higher rainfall in the Rye Valley is making it muddy underfoot on dairy farms. Vineyards are looking a picture as pruners move in to do the trimming. On sheep farms lambs are going to the works at good weights and there’s a bit of shearing going on.

A West Coast dairy farmer in the Grey Valley says they’ve had four days of fine weather on the trot, a huge relief after all the rain, and most importantly it’s allowed farmers to get tractors into paddocks to make silage and put in winter crops. Once that’s done, and weather permitting, the next job is getting winter’s crop paddocks sown back into grass. In the milking shed cows are plugging along okay while AI continues.

Westport has had 215mm of rain in the past month.

There was flooding to all the main alpine-fed rivers in Canterbury a week ago. The floods have damaged the intakes of several irrigation schemes meaning irrigation water is either not yet available or is in very limited supply. That is causing headaches for farmers because they were already struggling to keep the soil moisture up. The extreme wind that hit last week has also left its mark with many recently sown crops damaged to the point that they will have to be replanted. Feed is tight in the region now with most dairy farmers already feeding out.

The sun’s been out in south Otago so contractors are flat out doing tractor work. A farmer near Balclutha says stock are perking up. He’s been drafting lambs and next week the ewes are due to be shorn.

Western Southland’s very wet. The ground’s been sodden for ages because of regular rain. A farmer in the Blackmont Valley says he’s months behind getting his grass and crops sown. Drive a tractor into a paddock and it won’t come out he says. But 30cm down it’s firm, it’s the topsoil that’s the problem. Because of low sunshine hours many dairy farms in the region are 5% to 10% down on milk production. On hill farms lambs being drenched are scheduled to go to the works in early to mid January.

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

“Exports have been growing. In the year to February 2020 between 40,000 and 50,000 dairy heifers will have left for China. That creates a cashflow opportunity for those selling. However, it will also reduce the supply, potentially creating difficulties for those farmers seeking to buy heifers in May or June next year,” said Jamie.

Continued record high prices for manufacturing beef are flowing through to the dairy sector with dairy beef sales showing healthy profits particularly in the North Island, and well sought-after service bulls set to roll back through the system during December and January.

Looking towards the new year and the start of the dairy herd campaign, Jamie Cunninghame says much will depend on what proportion of the significant quantity of dairy farms currently offered for sale find new owners.

“From late January through to April forward contracts of herds for May and June delivery will dominate the dairy livestock market.

While the farm gate milk price and interest rates are good, which would normally result in plenty of livestock purchases, farmers purchasing farms will predominantly be the ones looking for new herds. Plenty of good farms are for sale. However, bank finance is proving challenging and not easy to come by, which is holding back the rural property market. Whether that changes after the new year is something to watch with interest as it will drive herd sales,” he said.

Helping grow the country

38

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

Prices higher but not meeting expectations Ewe fair season has already rolled around as Stortford Lodge kicked it off with just under 8000 head on Friday.

All eyes were on the pens as this fair provides the first real indication of where the market lies and while prices were up on last year’s early results the overall feel was the sale sold below expectations, given strong schedules and optimistic outlooks.

Ewe quality was very high with each pen a good representation of the breed.

Chris Minehan’s Romney-Highlander two-tooths sold under the red starter flags and he was very pleased with the final bid of $272, having chosen to sell the ewes at this fair rather than earlier in the year to the processors.

The following pen was a line of 200 well-bred Romney two-tooths from Atua Station, which sold just shy of $300 at $297.

NORTHLAND Wellsford store cattle • Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 382-489kg, sold well at $3.09$3.14/kg • Two-year Hereford-Friesian heifers, 342kg, returned $3.01/kg • Yearling Hereford-dairy steers, 230-295kg, held at $2.88-$2.95/kg • Yearling Angus heifers, 298kg, fetched $3.12/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, 264-317kg, improved to $3.14$3.31/kg Throughput more than halved at WELLSFORD last Monday, as well-timed rain relieved pressure.

Two-year traditional and exotic steers, 407-424kg, returned $3.02-$3.07/kg. Angus-Friesian heifers, 365-377kg, varied from $2.27/kg to $2.86/kg.

Yearling Angus steers, 314kg, eased to $3.03/kg, while Hereford-dairy heifers, 282-318kg, managed an improved but varied $2.84/kg to $3.02/kg.

Most weaner beef-dairy heifers, 107-201kg, traded at $360-$570.

Six Shorthorn cows with calves-at-foot fetched $1500 per unit.

Kaikohe cattle • Two-year beef-dairy and beef-cross steers traded at $2.85-$3.00/ kg • Two-year Angus-cross and Hereford-cross bulls eased to $2.80$2.85/kg • Top yearling traditional and exotic-cross steers managed $3.00$3.20/kg • Better yearling beef-cross heifers held at $2.90-$3.00/kg Warm dry days are making buyers wary of taking on lesser long-term options, meaning that results were mixed throughout the 550 head yarding, PGG Wrightson agent Vaughan Vujcich reported.

Though quality types held for most. Better yearling bulls made $3.00/kg, with lesser earning $2.70-$2.80/kg. Dairybeef-cross heifers managed a similar $2.60-$2.80/kg.

Weaner ¾ Angus-Friesian bulls fetched $550-$560, with heifers of the same earning $530.

COUNTIES Tuakau sales • Heavy store steers, 450-500kg, held at $3.08-$3.24/kg • Hereford-Friesian steers, 391kg, reached $3.55/kg • Medium boners made $1.76-$2.05/kg • Heavy prime ewes earned $190- $225 About 900 store cattle were yarded at TUAKAU last Thursday with the market steady, Carrfield Livestock’s Karl Chitham reported.

Most 350-400kg steers traded at $3.10-$3.20/kg, though top Hereford-Friesian made $3.36-$3.55/kg. HerefordFriesian weaner steers, 187kg, earned $810. Heifers, 300400kg, returned $2.90-$3.00/kg.

Wednesday’s prime market eased slightly, with heavy steers trading at $3.07-$3.14/kg and medium, $2.98-$3.06/ kg. Good-medium beef heifers returned $2.91/kg to $3.08/ kg.

Monday’s sheep market also softened. Better prime lambs fetched $187-$223, with medium making $158-$174 and light, $139-$155. Store lambs earned $101-$134, and medium ewes, 140-$173.

WAIKATO Frankton dairy-beef weaner fair • Most dairy-beef weaner heifers earned $400-$530

• Angus-Friesian bulls, 102-147kg, softened to $510-$580 • Hereford-Friesian bulls, 93-99kg, held at $540-$595 • Friesian bulls, 100-120kg, held at $400-$505 There was a deluge of weaners at FRANKTON last Tuesday, with approximately 2250 penned. Heifers were sold outside, and weights were not available for these.

Hereford-Friesian bulls, 105-136kg, held at $600-$680, though 23 at 107kg lifted to $630. Red Hereford-Friesian, 101-123kg, eased to $430-$498.

Hereford-dairy, 148-184kg, held at $450-$570, while 99112kg softened to $310-$455.

Friesian, 122-153kg, held at $515-$570, though 89-94kg softened to $300-$362.

Frankton cattle • Two-year beef-dairy steers, 450-519kg, held at $3.11-$3.16/kg • Two-year Hereford-Friesian heifers, 436-476kg, were steady at $3.03-$3.07/kg • Most yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 276-399kg, improved to $3.25-$3.36/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian, 292-358kg, improved to $3.17-$3.21/ kg • Yearling Friesian bulls, 392-396kg, traded at $2.93-$3.06/kg A reduced store cattle yarding of 672 head had strong buyer interest at FRANKTON last Wednesday.

Two-year Hereford-dairy and Angus-Friesian heifers, 362455kg, held at $2.97-$3.06/kg.

Yearling Hereford-dairy steers, 290-385kg, were steady at $3.10-$3.18/kg, while Angus-Friesian heifers, 325-368kg, improved to $3.07-$3.17/kg.

All prime steers, 586-674kg, held at $3.07-$3.18/kg.

Eleven Charolais-cross heifers, 523kg, fetched $3.11/kg, and beef-dairy, 480-587kg, returned $3.03-$3.08/kg. All bulls, 566-608kg, realised $3.14-$3.22/kg.

Frankton bull fair • Two-year Hereford bulls, 561-733kg, traded at $3.18-$3.31/kg • Two-year Friesian bulls, 573-583kg, returned $3.19-$3.26/kg • Yearling Friesian bulls, 265-474kg, all eased to $2.98-$3.07/kg • Yearling Hereford bulls, 310-420kg, improved to $4.01-$4.19/kg The second bull-only sale at FRANKTON offered 277 head last Thursday, and 2-year bulls made up 106 of the offering.

A good spread of buyers was present, and overall vendors were very happy with returns.

Two-year Jersey bulls sold in two main bands with 447463kg at $2.98-$3.09/kg, and 507-561kg, $3.10-$3.17/kg.

Jersey bulls could not quite reach the high $/kg seen at last sale, though still sold at very good levels.

Lighter 286-315kg earned $3.35-$3.48/kg, with 335-346kg at $3.05-$3.12/kg, while 352kg pushed to $3.24/kg.

Frankton bull fair • Two-year Hereford bulls, 561-733kg, traded at $3.18-$3.31/kg • Two-year Friesian bulls, 573-583kg, returned $3.19-$3.26/kg • Yearling Friesian bulls, 265-474kg, all eased to $2.98-$3.07/kg • Yearling Hereford bulls, 310-420kg, improved to $4.01-$4.19/kg The second bull-only sale at FRANKTON offered 277 head last Thursday, and 2-year bulls made up 106 of the offering.

A good spread of buyers was present, and overall vendors were very happy with returns.

Two-year Jersey bulls sold in two main bands with 447463kg at $2.98-$3.09/kg, and 507-561kg, $3.10-$3.17/kg.

Yearling Jersey bulls could not quite reach the high $/kg seen at last sale, though still sold at very good levels. Lighter 286-315kg earned $3.35-$3.48/kg, with 335-346kg at $3.05$3.12/kg, while 352kg pushed to $3.24/kg.

BAY OF PLENTY Rangiuru cattle and sheep • Three-year Hereford bulls, 726-767kg, sold for $3.56-$3.60/kg • Two-year Angus and Angus-Hereford steers, 318kg, earned $3.40/kg • Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 373kg, made $3.24/kg With just one more sale at RANGIURU until the Christmas break, the yards featured small lines of all kinds last Tuesday. Two-year steers varied as most traded for $2.77/kg to $3.20/kg. In the yearling steers good dairy-beef lines made $3.39/kg to $3.73/kg, with Angus & AngusHereford steers, 212kg, outperforming the rest at $4.01/kg.

Hereford-Friesian heifers, 268-348kg were mixed and varied from $2.95/kg to $3.20/kg.

The sheep section was boosted to over 2000, with most from a single vendor. 300 prime lambs made $96-$178 and 1600 store lambs averaged $64, with $116 the top price paid.

POVERTY BAY Matawhero sheep sale • The top store lambs made $117-$130 • Prime lambs sold for $120-$190 • Prime ewes were $140-$199 Store lambs contributed 2000 of the overall total of 2200 sheep present at MATAWHERO last Friday. This tally was on par with the previous sale, but prices were lower with the lion’s share mid range types sold in big consignments that made $90-$113, while the lighter end made $65-$86.

Coopworth ewes with lambs-at-foot sold for $100.

HAWKE’S BAY Stortford Lodge prime cattle and sheep • Most very-heavy ewes eased to $170-$186 • Medium-good and good ewes held at $141.50-$151.50 • Light-medium and medium ewes improved to $112.50-$125.50 • Better medium-good to heavy mixed-sex lambs held at $130$195 • Prime Angus and Angus-Hereford cows, 626-659kg, held at $2.73-$2.76/kg Ewe volume lifted with just over 3350 yarded at STORTFORD LODGE last Monday, and heavy types eased to $157.50-$158.50, as did very-good to $152-$157.

Just on 129 cattle went under the hammer. HerefordFriesian heifers, 543kg, held at $2.91/kg, while Angus, 492546kg, traded at $3.00-$3.15/kg. Angus cows, 514-653kg, eased to $2.56-$2.70/kg, though boner Friesian cows, 570581kg, held at $2.46-$2.49/kg.

Masterton lamb sale • Top blackface mixed-sex reached $118 • Medium Romney cryptorchid lambs eased to $95-$105 Volume grew to 5000 lambs at MASTERTON last Wednesday, and Manawatu and local buyers supported the sale. Prices eased in line with recent sales, and a consignment of 1200 blackface mixed-sex sold for a slight premium at $110-$118, over similar Romney cryptorchid at $107-$115.

Most of the lambs were medium types, while good demand for long term lambs meant returns were solid at $75-$90.

Stortford Lodge store cattle and sheep • Two-year Angus steers, 510-580kg, eased to $3.24/kg • Two-year Friesian bulls, 465-550kg, also eased to $3.24/kg • Yearling South Devon steers, 435-474kg, sold well at $1560-$1645 • Good Romney cryptorchid and ram lambs firmed to $121-$130 • Light blackface mixed-sex also firmed to $91-$101 Yearling heifers bucked an easing trend at STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday. Angus and Angus- Hereford, 290325kg, firmed to $3.42/kg, and Hereford-Friesian, 333389kg, $3.00-$3.07/kg. Yearling Angus steers, 343-440kg, came back to $3.34-$3.45/kg and Friesian bulls, 346-371kg, $2.95-$3.03/kg.

4000 lambs were typical volume for the time of year, as the need to offload outweighed the reduction in prices the week prior. The market regained around $10 on average, with lighter lines up by $15. Light to medium ram lambs made $81-$110, while two pens of light ewe lambs sold well at $99-$101.

Stortford Lodge early ewe fair • Top line of 2-tooth Romney ewes made $297 • Most 4-tooth and 4-year Romney ewes made $215-$246 • 5-year ewes proved harder work and sold for $147-$190 for most Ewe fair action kicked off at STORTFORD LODGE last Friday, with nearly 8000 ewes penned. Quality was high, and 2-tooth through to mixed-age ewes sold well, as most sold at a $5-$15 premium in 2018. A pen of RomneyHighlander 2-tooths reached $272, while most other 2-tooths sold for $225-$278. The top mixed-age ewes made $202-$252 and second cuts, $178-$191.

SALE YARD WRAP

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019

39

SOUTH-CANTERBURY Temuka prime and boner cattle; all sheep • Hereford-Friesian steers, 600-660kg, made $3.03-$3.05/kg • Hereford-Friesian steers, 498-575kg, eased 4c/kg to $2.81-$3.00/ kg • Simmental heifers, 585kg, earned $2.95/kg Despite the deluge of heavy rain to the west of TEMUKA, which caused downstream flooding, most advertised lines made it to the sale yards last Monday. Cattle prices eased to be in line with reduced schedules and high yielding heifers made $2.81-$2.93/kg, while dairy-beef, 475-515kg, fell 15c/ kg to $2.72/kg.

Most store lambs were long term types that made $110$130. The market was softer at the top end of the prime lamb market with 50 percent at $160-$202, and the balance $140-$159. The top ewes made $230-$254, with largemedium types at $170-$228.

HAPPY MEN: Carrfields agent Robbie Stuart, right, congratulates client Chris Minehan of Majella Farm on the sale of his two-tooth Romney-Highlander ewes, which made $272 at Stortford Lodge on Friday.

MANAWATU Feilding prime cattle and sheep • Hereford-Friesian cows, 530-650kg, made $2.42 to $2.79/kg • Belgian Blue bulls, 845kg, earned $3.62/kg • 5500 prime ewes attended with very-heavy $181-$207 Useful rain was the perfect set up for another strong prime sale at FEILDING last Monday. The lamb market was on par with the previous week as very-heavy lines made $185-$198 and heavy, $156-$179. The lighter end of the ewes ranged from $123 to $156, and the balance $157-$179.

The gallery was larger than usual in the cattle section.

Traditional cows provided the bulk of the sale, with half the tally 570-635kg and priced at $2.48-$2.57/kg.

Feilding store sale • Traditional 2-year steers, 530-575kg, made $3.31-$3.37/kg • Traditional yearling steers, 410-480kg, were $3.24-$3.38/kg • Yearling Friesian bulls, 295-400kg, were anywhere between $2.91-$3.18/kg • Good five-year Romney ewes made $185 • Average store lamb price lifts to $114.50 A little under 1500 cattle had a relatively soft sale allround. Quality on 2-year steers was quite mixed, with good types up around $3.30-$3.35/kg and the rest $3.10-$3.20/ kg. Some 545kg Hereford bulls were $1880, $3.44/kg. Large numbers of heavy yearling steers were mainly $3.20-$3.35/ kg. Yearling bulls were quite varied - $2.90-$3.20/kg of proper Friesian lines, while various crossbred lines were around $2.75/kg. Well market Hereford-Frieisian yearling heifers were mainly $3.00-$3.10/kg.

There was a bit of a rebound on the 7000 store lambs yarded. For terminal-cross mixed sex and whiteface males, a few heavy pens were up at $138-$158.50, but the more standard good lines made $115.50-$128, while mediums dipped down to $100.50-$115.50. Light lambs were mainly $85-$95. The ewe market before the lambs was a bit hard to get moving. A few decent or better lines made $161-$185, but anything else could only manage $134 or less. Two small lines of ewes with lambs-at-foot made $105-$106 all counted.

Rongotea cattle • Two-year Friesian bulls, 485kg, earned $2.80/kg • Two-year Hereford-Friesian heifers, 455kg, returned $2.75/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 170-215kg, traded at $3.44/kg to $3.71/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, 194-216kg, sold well at $3.28/ kg to $3.87/kg • Weaner Friesian bulls, 79-167kg, sold over a range of $240 to $560 Better cattle enjoyed solid results at RONGOTEA last Wednesday, though lesser types were not as popular, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported.

Yearling dairy-beef, beef and exotic bulls, 298-435kg, traded from $2.62/kg to $2.99/kg. Weaner Angus-cross heifers, 120-122kg, eased to $445-$450.

CANTERBURY Canterbury Park cattle and sheep • Traditional steers, 594-647kg, made $3.00-$3.10/kg • Charolais steers, 620-685kg, earned $3.21-$3.25/kg • Charolais bulls, 519kg, made $3.08/kg • A quarter of the ewes made $200-$301 Conditions are very dry around CANTERBURY PARK, but prices were fairly resilient last Tuesday. $3.00/kg was off the table for most steers, with most dairy-beef sold for $2.89-$2.99/kg. Traditional heifers, 495610kg, eased 17c/kg and dairy-beef heifers, 495-650kg, lost 7c/kg to $2.88/kg.

Sheep farmers pushed the offload button and 9600 were put forward. Store lamb prices fell with most $73-$110 and heavier pens up to $142. The prime lamb market remained firm, with the heavy end $165-$214 and the balance $110$163.

Most other ewes varied from $80 to $199.

Coalgate weaned calf sale • Hereford-Friesian bulls, 111kg, were best of the bulls at $510 • Hereford-Friesian steers, 104-121kg, sold for $420-$510 • Murray Grey-cross heifers, 118kg, sold for $350-$420 Usually Friesian bull calves are the main feature of the COALGATE weaned calf sale, but with M Bovis concerns affecting the desirability of raising these their participation was well down at last Tuesday’s sale.

Most Friesian bulls weighed 100-118kg and sold in a tight range of $395-$425. Higher weights did not make a premium with 123-152kg pens $420-$430. Most HerefordFriesian, 105-120kg, sold in two cuts; the top end was $460-$475, with $350-$435 typical of lighter lines. Heifers were predominantly Hereford-Friesian and 100-125kg. The better selling earned $415-$450 with the majority 100-109kg that made $285-$400.

Coalgate cattle and sheep • Yearling Hereford steers, 359kg, earned $3.34/kg, • Yearling Hereford steers, 396-419kg, made $3.13-$3.19/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, 220-310kg, edged down 12c/ kg to $2.39/kg • Top cuts of prime lambs made $190-$212, with half the yarding $150-$189 The heavy rain that caused flooding in the South Island missed COALGATE, and the ground is drying out fast. This had some vendors off-loading stock earlier rather than later at the sale last Thursday.

Hereford-Friesian steers eased, and 250-390kg sold in the range of $2.41/kg to $2.99/kg. High yielding traditional heifers, 305-340kg, dropped to $3.01/kg.

The dry conditions encouraged store lamb participation, but buyers were understandably cautious and prices eased.

Heavy mixed-sex managed $130, with a quarter of the yarding $100-$126 and medium types $80-$99. The heavy end of the ewes made $200-$270, and most middle-weight lines traded at $160-$199.

Temuka store cattle • Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 481kg, earned $2.91/kg • Yearling red Hereford-Friesian steers, 265-285kg, increased 6c/kg to $2.83/kg • Yearling Angus heifers, 327kg, fetched $3.21/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, 260-310kg, improved 21c/kg to $2.77/kg With plenty of sales at TEMUKA the fortnightly store cattle sale moved to Wednesday. This affected buying power with the smallest gathering of buyers seen in some time.

Prices were mainly steady to rising for better lines, but lesser lines were hard to shift.

Two-year Angus-cross were the most popular in the heifer pens and 402-413kg earned $2.48-$2.56/kg, though one 360kg pen stretched to $2.89/kg. Yearling bulls mostly traded in the $2.25/kg to $2.81/kg range regardless of breed.

Temuka beef-cross calf sale • Belgian Blue, 114kg, topped the bull section at $570 • Murray Grey bulls, 106kg-129kg, earned $445-$495 • Charolais steers, 138kg, earned $530 • Hereford-Friesian steers, 100-131kg, generally returned $450$480.

A smaller than expected yarding of calves was penned at TEMUKA last Thursday. The dry conditions and closeness to Christmas limited buyer interest with a small gallery attending. Results were varied and Hereford-Friesian bulls eased $10-$20 per head, with $460-$490 paid for the largest weight range of 100-110kg, while no premium was found for heavier 111-118kg pens which made similar values at $440-$505.

Ninety percent of the big yarding of heifers were Hereford-Friesian and 98-107kg made $310-$440, with a big collection of 108-111kg sold for $395-$400.

OTAGO Balclutha sheep • Heavy prime lambs fetched $140-$160 • Medium to heavy prime hoggets eased to $130-$180 • Heavy prime ewes eased to $160-$200 • Heavy store lambs softened to $120-$130 Prime lambs were strongly contested at BALCLUTHA last Wednesday, with light to medium types earning $100-$130, PGG Wrightson agent Russell Moloney reported. Prime ewes softened $10 on average, with light to medium types back to $100-$150. Medium store lambs were well sought at $100-$110.

SOUTHLAND Lorneville sheep and cattle • Heavy lambs earned $170-$194 • Heavy ewes eased to $200-$240 • Top store lambs improved to $120-$130 • Prime bulls, 600kg+, improved to $3.20-$3.30/kg • Yearling beef-cross steers, 409kg, held at $3.03/kg More new season lambs were on offer at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday, and light to medium primes traded at $135$165. Medium store lambs held at $113-$118, with light improving to $100-$110.

Light ewes held at $140-$168, while medium types eased to $170-$195.

Good cows, 500kg+, returned $2.00/kg to $2.50/kg, and top store steers held at $2.80/kg to $3.10/kg.

Weaner bulls 100-130kg, earned $380-$570, with heifers, 90-125kg, at $420-$500.

Charlton sheep • Medium to heavy prime lambs traded at $145-$170 • Heavy prime ewes eased to $243 • Medium to heavy rams improved to $130-$140 • Medium to heavy store lambs eased $10-$15, to $120-$130 Lambs sold to good demand at CHARLTON last Thursday, though prime ewes eased with medium types softening $20-$40, to $165-$170, and light types traded at $75-$90.

Markets

40 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – December 16, 2019 NI SLAUGHTER BULL

SI SLAUGHTER LAMB

SI SLAUGHTER STEER

($/KG)

($/KG)

YEARLING BEEF-DAIRY STEERS, 330KG AVERAGE, AT TARANAKI

($/KG)

($/KG LW)

6.35

8.80

6.00

high $272 Romneylights Two-tooth Highlander ewes at the

2-year Hereford bulls, 610-635kg, at Frankton Stortford Lodge Ewe Fair Bull Only Sale

3.35

Prices under pressure

P

Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

RICES were under pressure at dairy weaner calf sales in the South Island last week.

Dry weather, large numbers and caution about Mycoplasma bovis appeared to be the three main triggers affecting sales at Coalgate and Temuka.

While all 1120 calves offered were sold prices were back at Coalgate, Hazlett Rural livestock agent Jim Hazlett said.

“You could say prices were not in vendors’ favour.

“It was a triple whammy of climate, numbers and bovis,” Hazlett said.

Hereford-Friesian steer calves topped the sale ranging from $400-$510 while bull calves sold from $350 to $500 and heifers $250 to $400. Friesian bull calves ranged from $300-$430 with poorer crossbred types selling from $100-$220.

In Temuka on Thursday more than 2000 dairy-beef calves were offered with the market aligning with the Coalgate sale.

PGG Wrightson livestock manager Joe Higgins said again the weather and numbers played a part at Temuka.

“It’s getting pretty bloody dry in Canterbury and that’s pushed a lot more into the market.

“People are still wary about M bovis and on top of all that there’s limited buying power and fewer private sales, particularly from the North Island,” Higgins said.

“Good calves sold themselves while off-type crossbreds and poorer-reared calves suffered.

“Vendors were realistic and accepted the market. We didn’t send a lot home,” Higgins said.

The best of the 140kg steer and bull calves sold from $480-$570 while medium made $400-$470, light $350$400 and poorer types $250-$300.

Heifer calves weren’t in favour with the tops fetching up to $460, medium $300$360 and light $170-$300.

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SELLING: Though prices are under pressure at South Island calf sales the stock are still being sold, PGG Wrightson livestock manager Joe Higgins says.

Vendors were realistic and accepted the market. We didn’t send a lot home.

Joe Higgins PGG Wrightson rearing systems from the Poukawa calf rearing project it would cost $175 to $180 a head for milk and meal to rear the calf with labour costs additional.

“So there’s is a fair bit of variability in the breakeven cost but I would say rearing costs are around $270 a head for a Friesian bull and $390 for a Hereford Friesian bull and $320 for a Hereford Friesian heifer.”

Dennis said a dwindling supply of quality dairy-bred cattle, particularly for the large volume of bull beef finishers, could see an increase coming in the premium that Friesian command over the Jersey-based stock.

While about 46% of the 1.5 million heifers, steers and bulls slaughtered last season would have started life on a dairy farm, when it comes to dairy stock for

$2010-$2070

the beef industry, Friesian bulls and beef Friesian crossbred cattle are the most desirable stock.

Looking at the DairyNZ statistics for the 2018-2019 season, fewer Friesian cows are around to produce the premium dairy-beef cattle, Dennis said.

With Jersey and Jersey-cross bulls dominating the top positions on the dairy breeding worth index, the number of Friesian cattle in NZ dairy herds is in decline.

Friesian cows make up 33.1% of the national dairy herd (1.6 million), this is 5% or 460,000 fewer Friesian cows than five years ago.

“This means that we are likely to see a greater proportion of less desirable partJersey cattle hitting the market over the coming years.”

In the traditional Hereford-dairy cross which dominates the dairy industry, the cattle with Jersey in the mix are generally differentiated by their red or brindle coat colour. These tend to trade at a 20-25c/kg discount to their black coated counterparts.

Crosses that can mask the Jersey colouring, such as Angus and Murray Grey tend to also trade at this discounted price.

ACROSS THE RAILS SUZ BREMNER

Kiwi farmers pat yourselves on the back THIS year can only be described as a roller coaster – it has had amazing highs in most sectors of the farming industry at some point but, equally as concerning, lows, all of which make up 12 months that will be talked about for years to come. Mother Nature has been as kind as we can hope for with a mild winter and summer that provided good pasture covers though she has proved to be a little less friendly in the last few weeks drying out some of the east coast but bringing torrential rain to the west, which caused big issues along the West Coast and flooding in eastern areas of the South Island. But we all know we are at the mercy of the weather and if we didn’t accept that challenge we would not be farming.

Prices for our products have never been better – meat schedules reached all-time highs, which has rolled down to the sale yards, with records broken for cattle and sheep along the way. We thought the last couple of years have posted the best prices we would see but when yearling steers can reach $1500 and cull ewes regularly fly $300 there is no comparison. While we have started to see some tapering off in the last few weeks because of supply and weather, looking back over historical data it is hard to believe how far we have come in a relatively short time.

We should be celebrating the success of our industry and the fact our overseas customers can see the quality and value in our products. But, instead, we have faced a Government that doesn’t seem to understand how vital farming is to New Zealand and I don’t need to go into depth what shape that has taken – it is fresh in all our minds.

But pat yourselves on the back farmers and have a beer with your neighbours – you deserve it. Merry Christmas and I wish you all a safe and happy New Year. suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

Find out more about AgriHQ at agrihq.co.nz

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NZ’S #1 RURAL REAL ESTATE BRAND ISSUE 2 - 2019

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

1

THE TIMES A-CHANGING… Welcome to Rural Insight where we bring you industry commentary that goes beyond the gate and delves into elements of the rural sector that are topical today.

We now find ourselves in the most sustained period of high economic return within the agri sector which means there are good investment avenues to be pursued, new land use options to explore and opportunity at every corner.

Trading conditions are favourable, demand for our agricultural and horticultural products is high, interest rates are at historically-low levels and with yields in other property sectors somewhat compressed, the time is ripe to see more investment across the rural sector.

This compilation of Rural Insight has three broad themes: positivity within the rural sector with a look at drystock farm profitability and new uses for wool; the compliance and environmental playing field – particularly around water, greenhouse gas emissions and biosecurity; and alternative land uses for best and highest returns with a focus on glamping operations and quinoa growing.

The Bayleys’ country team comes to the rural sector with robust credentials. We sell more farmland, specialty rural property and lifestyle property than any other agency in the country and we’re fiercely proud to be New Zealand’s number one rural real estate brand.

Our Rural Insight material builds on what we are observing and hearing around the country and is a vehicle for keeping industry conversations going.

While there are plenty of positives, there are two handbrakes worth mentioning for balance: some unknowns around future environmental compliance and the lending policies of the trading banks on the back of Reserve Bank of New Zealand concerns about farm debt levels.

Sign up today at bayleys.co.nz/rural-insight for regular and perceptive updates across the dairy, sheep and beef, forestry, viticulture, horticulture and lifestyle property sectors – direct to your inbox for you to read at your leisure.

In response, what we’re observing on the ground around the country is innovative thinking in the face of these headwinds – changes in farming dynamics, new ways of investing in the sector, alternative equity arrangements and a greater urban-rural understanding, rather than any so-called divide.

As 2019 draws to a close, we can look back on another successful, productive and enterprising year in the rural real estate arena.

With a new decade dawning soon, Bayleys looks forward to navigating country property roads with you.

In some parts of New Zealand, town and country are creeping geographically closer to each other due to zoning and planning changes, and as outside investment options widen, more New Zealanders can have a piece of the agricultural pie – hence, closing the urban-rural gap.

No longer must we own a farm, or have shares in big industry players to benefit from the successful agri-sector. Today we’re seeing rural operations with innovative ownership and funding structures. Good returns coupled with our niche in global food production make the sector appealing.

Duncan Ross Bayleys National Director Rural

TO STAY UP TO DATE AND IN-THE-KNOW, REGISTER AT BAYLEYS.CO.NZ/RURAL-INSIGHT TO RECEIVE BAYLEYS RURAL INSIGHT DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX.

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120 Bint Road, Maungakaramea, Northland

268 & 278 Alfriston-Ardmore Road, Ardmore, Auckland

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1285 Kaipaki Road, Cambridge, Waikato

386 State Highway 26, Newstead, Hamilton

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245 Athenree Road, Athenree, Tauranga

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296 North Road, Mangatarata, Waikato

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936 Pongakawa Bush Road, Pongakawa, Tauranga

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643 Paradise Valley Road, Bay of Plenty

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267 Mohakatino Road, Mokau, Taranaki

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130 Riverina Road, Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay

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97 Seafield Road, Westmere, Whanganui

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302 Ngatarawa Road, Hastings, Hawke's Bay

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121 Huia Road, Pongaroa, Wairarapa

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332 Aniseed Valley Road, Hope, Tasman

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74 Riverview Road, Domett, Canterbury

1723 Mainwarings Road, Rakaia, Mid Canterbury

700 Cumming Road, Barnhill, Southland

CONTENTS Pastoral sector poised to cope with gas limits........................................4,5

Labour issues in booming sector .................................................................. 14,15

Lessons from Europe in NZ’s food-farm opportunities..................6,7

Camping with a twist is a lifestyle winner ............................................. 16,17

Farm biosecurity helps lock out disease risk...........................................8,9

Water plans bring tight deadlines................................................................. 18,19

Wool options open up with research .......................................................... 10,11

Farm to plate innovation adds value........................................................... 20,21

Dry stock farm profit drives demand ......................................................... 12,13

Botanicals offer scent of success .................................................................. 22,23 Rural Insight

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PASTORAL SECTOR POISED TO COPE WITH GAS LIMITS

As the government’s rules on managing greenhouse gases becomes clearer, New Zealand’s pastoral sector is well positioned to handle the changes that the rules will bring to it.

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nnounced in early May, the Zero Carbon Bill aims to differentiate between carbon dioxide release and methane losses from livestock, and has set separate targets for each.

Farmers are required to reduce methane losses from livestock by 10% by 2030 and 24-47% by 2050, while the economy’s entire carbon dioxide emissions have to drop to zero by 2050.

Splitting methane from carbon dioxide aims to distinguish the fact methane may be more potent in terms of global warming than carbon dioxide, but only lasts 12 years in the atmosphere, compared to many years for carbon dioxide.

are possible using existing practices, and make the initial 10% drop less daunting than many farmers may have realised.

A dozen demonstration dairy farms operating across New Zealand through DairyNZ’s Partnership Farm Project are highlighting the successes farmers can enjoy in not only lowering gas emissions, but also achieving gains in productivity and profitability along the way.

The first farm to open its gate on how well it has done over the past two-year trial period was Owl Farm, owned by St Peters School near Cambridge.

Gas losses from livestock form 45% of New Zealand’s total gas losses, almost rivalling losses from the transport sector, and pressure has been on farming to develop ways to mitigate those losses.

At the farm’s open day, farmers learnt how management working alongside DairyNZ staff had managed to slice almost 13% off the farm’s gas emissions while also increasing farm operating profit per hectare by 14%.

Labelled by some as a “mini Paris Accord” for how closely it mirrors that Accord’s expectations, the bill comes as research into ways and means of reducing the primary sector’s gas losses are well underway.

The reductions were achieved through a number of relatively straightforward moves that included cutting stocking rates back by 5%, dropping nitrogen fertiliser use by 13kg per hectare and slicing bought-in feed from 20% of total feed down to 11%.

Meanwhile the latest trial work across a range of New Zealand dairy farms is showing that reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

In addition to reducing gas losses, the farm also managed to lower its nutrient losses into waterways, slicing 14% off nitrogen losses.

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dioxide also required from the rest of the economy. Many farmers are asking what is required from the rest of New Zealand to reduce emissions?”

DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said New Zealand is already one of the lowest emissions producers of dairy products in the world per kg of milk solids, and wanted to build on that advantage.

“The 2030 reduction target is the first step, which we know will be very challenging. But there is action farmers can take, and are already taking to reduce on farm emissions through farm systems changes and new technologies.”

The development of that new technology is being headed up by the Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre, tasked with developing technologies and practices to enable New Zealand farmers to better manage gas losses in coming years.

The development of new technologies to enable New Zealand farmers to better manage gas losses in coming years is being headed up by the Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre.

Overall the farm managed to achieve a reduction of 1t of gas per hectare.

Now in its 10th year after being opened by Prime Minister John Key, the centre has proven invaluable in giving New Zealand farmers a head start in the race to develop technologies that will help mitigate methane losses from livestock in a sustainable, profitable fashion.

Its profile as a relatively typical “average” Waikato farm provides a positive example of what could be achieved by many other farms running similar grass-based systems.

Centre head Dr Harry Clark has told farmers there are likely to be a combination of relatively small changes that will help them reduce gas losses in coming years, while prospects are positive in the medium term for methane inhibitors, and longer term for vaccines.

Bayleys' National Director Rural Duncan Ross said the farm results were highly encouraging for the pastoral sector, and highlighted just how far it had come in developing a constructive response to the climate change challenge in a short time.

Duncan Ross said he believed the ongoing work would do much to assure anyone already invested in the sector, or considering investment that sound science could help it address the gas loss challenge.

The resulting reduction of 1t of gas per hectare is encouraging for the pastoral sector, and highlights just how far it has come in developing a constructive response to the climate change challenge in a short time.

“This was in a way that puts New Zealand front and centre as the rest of the world wakes up to needing to address its own livestock gas issues, as consumer demand for sustainable food supplies grows.”

“However there is also the issue there about what, if anything, will be asked of the rest of the economy when it comes to gas reductions – it would appear as farmers reduce methane emissions this is being used to subsidise the reductions in carbon Rural Insight

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Lessons FROM EUROPE IN NZ’S FOOD-FARM OPPORTUNITIES

Countries like Italy and France are renowned for the way they have interwoven their history, farming and food into an attractive, romantic cultural heritage that millions of people from around the world come to savour and enjoy.

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ew Zealand’s rapidly maturing tourism market offers some exciting opportunities for farmers and food producers here to take inspiration from their European counterparts, becoming a similar tourism and cultural destination for the Southern Hemisphere with farmers woven into the mix.

At the latest Trenz tourism conference in Rotorua, the industry revealed plans to make it a $50 billion industry in the next six years.

This is up from today’s $40 billion a year sector, itself almost the goal of $41 billion it aimed to achieve by 2025.

The latest priority areas released by the industry provide some inspiration for how farmers tasked with running the wide open spaces so coveted by tourists, and the food producers who process their hard work, could work more closely.

Tourism NZ chief executive Chris Roberts outlined priority areas

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that include embedding greater sustainability into the sector, managing destinations and engaging with communities in a bid for the sector to improve the quality rather than just the quantity of visitors to New Zealand.

The sector’s goals match closely to findings from ANZ and Ministry for Primary Industries released last year.

The report highlighted opportunities lying relatively untapped for the farming sector to link up with a tourism market keen to not only sample local cuisine, but understand the story behind its creation.

In turn the 3.9 million visitors expected this year have been identified as potential brand ambassadors, capable of broadcasting New Zealand farmers’ and food producers’ stories to their friends and relatives back home.

The ANZ and Ministry for Primary Industries report highlighted opportunities lying relatively untapped for the farming sector to link up with a tourism market keen to not only sample local cuisine, but understand the story behind its creation.

The report highlighted the gap between tourists’ expectations about having food experiences in New Zealand, and what was on offer.

New Zealand ranked low in the report as a food and beverage destination, with only 30% regarding it positively, and 60% with a “neutral” view of this country’s food offering.

This compared to 80-90% having a “positive” view of Italy or France when it came to food.

John Bennett, ANZ commercial and agri manager said there was plenty of potential for New Zealand to change this, and that New Zealand was not doing anything particularly badly.

Instead he argued the perception of being a food destination is simply not as great as it could be, and offered a good opportunity for the sector.

Other industry luminaries including NZ Tourism Council chief executive Judy Chen and renowned food writer Lauraine Jacobs agree there is plenty of room for greater collaboration between the farming and tourism sector, with food the glue that brought the two together.

Jacobs pointed to high country sheep stations now offering farm stay tours, matched with cuisine often sourced locally or in the case of red meat, from the station itself.

This was a market she believes has considerably more potential, and one that could emulate the Agriturismo network in Italy.

This comprises lodges and homesteads that maintain traditions and quality artisan food production techniques, often giving guests the opportunity to participate in farming life and cooking.

The network exists under a national law that includes authenticity standards to ensure a realistic experience that reflects that country’s strong regionality.

In a New Zealand sense Jacobs has pointed to the potential that sits within iwi ownership and the growing appreciation for Maori cuisine and native food sources.

This in turn sits closely with Tourism New Zealand’s aim to embrace Tikanga Maori more closely and to match that with visitors who meet New Zealand’s cultural expectations.

Duncan Ross, Bayleys' National Director Rural said there were a variety of food-farming related businesses that occasionally come onto Bayleys' books ranging from roadside farm-based cafes to cheese-making businesses with a shop on the site.

These offered operators the opportunity to expand beyond the farm gate and benefit from the boom being experienced in tourism throughout the provinces.

A variety of food-farming related businesses ranging from roadside farm-based cafes to cheese-making businesses with a shop on the site, offer operators the opportunity to expand beyond the farm gate.

“In the past six months we have had a number of wealthy offshore parties show interest in investing in the agri-food sector. Their focus has been on high-end destination farm resorts.

“They are aiming at visitors interested in the paddock/orchard to plate story, where the entire food experience while visiting is sourced from the property they are staying on.”

Rural Insight

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Farm

BIOSECURITY helps lock out disease risk The outbreak of M. bovis largely in South Island dairy farms has bought the issue of farm biosecurity into the spotlight, challenging how farmers deal with stock movements on and off their farms, and even the movement of people coming on and off the farm property.

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ut even with the stark realities of M.bovis meaning sometimes entire herds are culled, the job of getting farmers to enforce biosecurity within the farm gate can be a tough ask, and one that often only comes into place when the property has been subject to a biosecurity scare.

This year kiwifruit grower Simon Cook spent time travelling around the world studying how other countries respond and manage their various biosecurity issues.

His work took him to Florida where citrus growers have been crippled by a US$4 billion outbreak of citrus greening disease but had not combated it in a unified, constructive way.

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In South America farmers in Chile were completely disengaged from a brown marmorated stink bug outbreak in nearby Santiago.

He came back recognising New Zealand has one of the best border security systems in the world but also aware our farm level biosecurity, despite a wave of incursions in the past decade, remains questionable.

Close to home for him, he had seen biosecurity boosted then fade on orchards in his Bay of Plenty home region after the Psa outbreak. “Post Psa there was a lot of attention paid to spraying and cleaning equipment, but once the disease had spread that has dropped away.

Really there are procedures we should be sticking to, not so much

to cope with Psa, but to help prevent whatever disease it is that follows Psa.” He also saw something similar in the pastoral sector where in the wake of the M. bovis outbreak, the fading risk of disease spread risked bringing a return of farmer complacency about on farm biosecurity measures.

And as farming and tourism become more closely linked in New Zealand the risk of disease spread grows.

Unfortunately it is the nature of farming and farmers themselves that makes lifting farm biosecurity a tough job.

Work by Worksafe has shown that because farmers want to make their own decisions about their business, and because they prefer to work alone it is difficult to communicate the importance of procedures like biosecurity practice.

“So as soon as you require changes to things like biosecurity, they are unlikely to pick up on it voluntarily, and only through regulation will those requirements be adopted.”

As soon as you require changes to things like biosecurity, farmers are unlikely to pick up on it voluntarily, and only through regulation will those requirements be adopted.

This unwillingness to adopt has prompted the likes of AgResearch to take on social scientists to better understand what it is that will motivate farmers to change.

And as farming and tourism become more closely linked in New Zealand the risk of disease spread grows.

Scientists from AgResearch have also studied dirt on international visitors’ footwear through Auckland and Christchurch airports and found over half the samples had seeds within the dirt, two thirds had nematodes and almost all had fungi and bacteria present.

Perhaps surprisingly over a third also had the body parts of insects within them.

The researchers concluded that given the high occurrence the cost of disinfecting soiled shoes could probably be justified.

Scientists who followed the invasion of the clover flea weevil in the 1990s highlighted the importance of farm biosecurity.

It moved from the North Island to the South Island, and in Canterbury that came directly from livestock transported south.

Hotspots of the pest were found in paddocks in the Culverden district, and north of the Waimakariri.

Bayleys' Canterbury rural agent Ben Turner said farm biosecurity was on the radar of farm buyers and sellers much more than it has been, thanks in part to the M. bovis outbreak.

Bayleys has taken steps to protect both parties in pastoral farm transactions from risk to a disease outbreak in the lead up to a final sale conclusion.

“Contracts recognise the risk around M. bovis in particular so that if it does arise, both parties can sit down and it protects both parties by recognising it has happened. We have taken considerable legal advice in putting this in, and it is peace of mind for all parties involved.”

Rural Insight

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OPTIONS OPEN UP WITH RESEARCH

“Living off the sheep’s back” used to be a common refrain for anyone who had done well on the land after a generation of New Zealand farmers built their wealth on fantastic returns fuelled by events like the Korean War, and pre-synthetic carpet demand.

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ut it is a phrase that today could only be repeated to a select few sheep farmers who are providing high value Merino wool for a variety of fashion uses.

Meanwhile, their coarse wool farming cousins will ruefully admit for them wool has often become more of a bothersome by-product of red meat farming, rather than a valued component of farm income.

While Merino wool has become the “go-to” fibre for fashion designers and clothing manufacturers, coarse wool has proven a more challenging fibre to process and market effectively.

However, this is starting to change thanks to some quiet behind the scenes research that is delving deep into wool’s composition and coming up with some innovative, sustainable and flexible options for future use.

Thanks to work by the likes of AgResearch and innovative corporates the applications for coarse wool in the future look likely

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to extend well beyond simply employing it as a fibre for clothing, carpet or coverings.

AgResearch scientists have been looking well outside the square when it comes to identifying options for wool use. Work done by scientists at Lincoln has identified wool sourced proteins that can have some health benefits for pets, and possibly humans.

Researchers have found that wool’s 95% protein composition means it could prove to be a good food source in a world seeing increasing demand for protein options to feed a growing population.

Scientists have come up with a process that can extract 85-95% of wool’s proteins which also contain valuable fibres that encourage gut microbe growth.

So far their work has found the protein-fibre source works well for cats and dogs, with international food companies keen to incorporate

It is the same particle technology the company developed for its face masks popular in pollution dense Asian cities.

The company has received the thumbs up from NASA to trial the Helix for use in the next generation Orion space capsules.

While this particular filter’s wool is sourced from a special breed of sheep with a specially developed fibre length, the company is also making other filters from coarse wool fibres.

In a world seeming to be choking in tonnes of plastic waste, wool’s positive environmental benefits are also starting to be better understood by researchers. Researchers have found thousands of plastic microfibers are released into waterways from washing synthetic garments.

Of the 12.5 million tonnes of plastic flushed into oceans every year, 3.2 million tonnes are less than 5mm wide and are becoming part of the marine, and ultimately human, food chain.

With its high carbon content, wool is proving to be ideally suited for replacing plastics in many applications, while also capable of breaking down as a compost component, with no environmental damage resulting.

Wool is proving to be ideally suited for replacing plastics in many applications, while also capable of breaking down as a compost component, with no environmental damage resulting.

Scientists have come up with a process that can extract 8595% of wool’s proteins which also contain valuable fibres that encourage gut microbe growth. them as ingredients in pet food. For human use scientists are exploring the options as a dietary additive, while other compounds are also being found that may have human health benefits.

Meanwhile Landcorp farmhouses around the SOE’s South Island farms are due to be wrapped in wool as part of a home insulation upgrade.

Landcorp is working with Christchurch company Terra Lana sourcing acoustic panels containing Pāmu supplied wool.

Chief executive Steve Carden said wool’s benefits as an insulating material are significant, and a “no brainer” for a company that farms a lot of wool.

“All future insulation undertaken by Pāmu will be done with recycled wool,” he said.

Meanwhile, thousands of kilometres up in space nothing would seem more earthbound than sheep, but opportunities for wool appear unbound by gravity.

Auckland firm Lanaco is now at the leading edge of filtration technology where New Zealand sheep’s wool forms the final saviour for astronauts dealing with their worst nightmare- a fire in their space capsule.

The company’s wool-based Helix filter is designed to filter out hot melted particles that may clog up astronaut’s life support systems after surviving a fire.

Rural Insight

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DRYstock farm profit drives demand

A recent report analysing drystock farm production and profitability has provided some insights for farmers and consultants alike on what makes the top farms tick, and what will help average farms become better in an environment of positive returns this season.

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t also highlights the promising levels of profitability that can underscore well run drystock farms, in an environment where red meat returns are looking particularly positive.

The ANZ Agri-Insight Red Meat benchmarking report gives a snapshot of performance in the sheep and beef sector, and dives into farm profitability, linking farms’ physical production aspects to final financial outcomes.

The report has also put to bed some of the often held beliefs over physical farm aspects, such as the ratio of sheep to cattle, or the intensity of stocking rate on properties are direct drivers of farm profit.

But the higher production does not necessarily go hand in hand with higher profitability.

The report authors found a significant number of farms sitting above that average production of 200kg of meat and fibre per hectare were still well below par for profitability. There was also no correlation to farms with higher sheep to cattle ratios having higher profitability levels in the survey.

Importantly, it appears for drystock farms to be productive, there is a real quality versus quantity case to argue over farm grass supplies. On lower profit farms there was a wide range of feed supply, suggesting those farmers were less able to manage the balance between having enough grass and the right number of mouths to eat it.

The ability of the top performing farmers to track their feed supply regularly, using modelling or physical methods like plate metering, means they can “manage what they know” compared to poorer farmers who don’t know what growth rates, pasture cover or daily demand are per hectare.

The report has also put to bed some of the often held beliefs over physical farm aspects, such as the ratio of sheep to cattle, or the intensity of stocking rates on properties as direct drivers of farm profit.

Understanding feed levels, stocking rates and feed uptake all reflected in costs of production across profitable and poor returning farms. Those farmers who understood those three KPIs were producing meat and fibre 35% cheaper than those who did not.

Not unexpectedly the top performing drystock farms are those that, most simply, produce more meat and fibre per hectare. The top 25% of farms averaged 240kg of meat and fibre per hectare, with the bottom ones sitting at almost half that at 127kg per hectare.

On a per hectare basis farm working expenses are varying by 15%, with the good operators spending slightly more per hectare, but capable of generating significantly more when coupling that higher spend to their very capable management.

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That ability turned the 15% extra per hectare spend into 70% extra per hectare income compared to the bottom performers.

Given farms generally receive the same price for their fibre and meat output, a lower cost of production KPI was one of the factors within farmers’ control that most effectively impacts their profit margin.

Given farms generally receive the same price for their fibre and meat output, a lower cost of production KPI was one of the factors within farmers’ control that most effectively impacts their profit margin.

And the upside for those efficient low-cost operators was the surging demand for red meat that looks set to continue, and underpin greater certainty and margin in potential farm profits.

Meat Industry Association statistics show China accounted for over half New Zealand’s sheep meat exports for the year to June, and beef exports have grown by 79% in volume. China now accounts for 41% of beef trade, pushing back New Zealand’s long time main market, the United States, to second place at 35%.

Continuing growth in the Chinese middle class, expected to account for about 500 million people by 2020 is helping keep the momentum

up on red meat demand, as higher incomes and greater awareness of red meat’s health value also grows.

The returns of the farms played through to their value, but only weakly. The authors found that suggested farm profitability has some relationship with land values, but other factors like drainage, infrastructure, potential for other uses and elevation were also factored into the value equation.

Duncan Ross, Bayleys' National Director Rural said the report underscores what his company’s agents are witnessing around New Zealand.

“Dry stock properties that have a proven track record showing sustainable environmental and economic returns, that have been well run, remain attractive propositions.

“The opportunities they also present for participating in forestry and possibly carbon credits make them even more appealing. Pastoral drystock land is fast becoming a limited resource as demand continues to grow for quality red meat protein globally that is grown in a sustainable fashion.”

Rural Insight

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LABOUR ISSUES IN

BOOMING sector For the past five years the surge in production and value from almost every aspect of the primary sector has been welcomed by rural New Zealand, and politicians alike. However that growth which has total primary sector exports totalling a massive $45 billion for 2018, or two thirds of this country’s total material exports has also resulted in some serious labour shortages starting to threaten the sector’s ability to continue its productivity march.

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Whether it is planting pine trees or packing export kiwifruit, there is a demand for committed workers keen to make a career in the primary sector.

Whether it is planting pine trees or packing export kiwifruit, there is a demand for committed workers keen to make a career in the primary sector.

In the kiwifruit sector alone this season the shortage of staff was estimated to be about 2,500, prompting New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated to embark on a concerted effort to recruit more locals to help over the busy packing season.

Estimates are the sector will need another 7,000 seasonal employees by 2027. With the ambition to get another 700ha of SunGold fruit in the ground every year for the next four years, the sector will also require a larger number of skilled staff, with estimates every 50ha demands one new manager.

One of the challenges for the horticultural sector has been housing seasonal staff. Often demand for staff is in areas where housing prices are already high, such as the Bay of Plenty, making the task of filling those positions even tougher.

Often those workers are on the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme from the Pacific Islands and without family support to accommodate them while here.

Orchardists in Hawke’s Bay may soon find it easier to accommodate staff for their booming apple picking demand, just as it is predicted the current 4,000 RSE workers employed now may double by 2022.

Changes to Hasting’s district plan will soon make it easier to accommodate these staff. At present the plan only allows for small production zone-based worker employment. The plan’s variation will allow larger accommodation facilities to be built in light industrial zones where fruit processing often happens.

Meanwhile even the more traditional sheep and beef sector is experiencing a pinch for skilled staff as the sector enjoys one of the most consistent high returning periods it has seen since World War Two.

With average farm incomes pushing over $100,000 for the second consecutive season, the greatest challenge for some farmers is finding staff capable of managing larger farm operations to capitalise on the good times.

AgFirst’s 2019 financial survey of sheep and beef farms revealed farm profit before tax for 2018-19 was up 16% on 2017-18, bringing increased tax liabilities and increased expenditure on capital items alongside debt reduction.

Rob Macnab, director of farm advisory company Total Ag said more of his clients have worked to try and reduce the “churn” rate of their staff in recent years, appreciating that they are increasingly hard to replace. To do this they have allocated greater portions of farm expenses to labour, a cost factor that has also increased on average by 17% in the past year in part due to greater use of casual labour and the lift in the minimum wage rates.

“Many have got the terms and conditions of contracts with their staff tuned up, in terms of not only pay, but time off and responsibilities.

The next stage for some is to improve the quality of their accommodation, there are still farms out there where the standard is really not where it needs to be to attract good staff,” said Rob. More remote farms in particular are struggling to attract good staff, and amenity value and internet connectivity rate as “must haves” for most staff. Larger farm sizes are demanding a greater level of skill across not only farm management but also in managing a team of staff. Rob said he knows of one position that was more akin to a CEO role overseeing an exceptionally large farming business.

“And the owner did not hesitate to pay the right person $200,000 a year for that position.”

Indications around the country are that more school students are becoming aware of the opportunities that lie in the primary sector.

Agricultural and horticultural teachers in schools are reporting healthy numbers in year 12-13, and very strong interest in career days when students get to meet people working in the primary sector.

Duncan Ross, Bayleys' National Director Rural said interest in farms for investment will often be guided by the quality of the staff already employed in that operation, and the ability to keep them there once the property is sold as a going concern.

“Having quality, engaged people already on the farm who know how it operates, its particular quirks and features is a real bonus for hitting the ground running when you take it over. Good systems and contracts in place to encourage those people to continue running the business will pay for themselves within a season if done properly.”

With average farm incomes pushing over $100,000 for the second consecutive season, the greatest challenge for some farmers is finding staff capable of managing larger farm operations to capitalise on the good times.

Rural Insight

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Camping with a twist is a lifestyle winner

Rural property owners are realising the benefits of opening up their land to guests through innovative glamping opportunities.

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"For years, rural landowners have focused on milking cows, fattening stock, raising deer, growing crops, tending vines, or pruning the orchards," he said.

This has opened up avenues for rural and lifestyle property owners to share their lifestyles and land with paying guests through glamorous camping – glamping – amenities, and the concept has really taken off around New Zealand.

"Now it's about making the most of a land asset in its various forms and we've seen the proliferation in tourist-related activities, leveraged off the county's global 'clean, green' reputation."

Forget the sleeping bags, deflating airbeds and trudges to the shower block that traditional camping escapades are renowned for.

Glamping takes camping to an entirely new level – complete with high thread count bed linen, quality amenities and many subtle luxuries – all on land that may otherwise be out-of-bounds for Kiwis and overseas travellers.

Dawe said glamping is the next evolution in rural accommodation, with the concept drawing on the success of the earlier bed and breakfast model that saw farmers and lifestyle property owners hosting guests in their own homes or in other accommodation facilities on their land.

Bayleys’ Waikato regional general manager, Mark Dawe, said the glamping trend is evidence of a rural sector becoming smarter with its assets.

A glamping business could provide a robust secondary or tertiary income stream – along with the opportunity to connect with people who value the rural landscape.

s the world becomes more frenetic and daily life busier, people are seeking out holidays and short breaks where they can disconnect for a while and get back to nature.

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There’s a broad range of accommodation options on offer – some under canvas, and others in purpose-built accommodation with a twist – and it’s opening up privately-held land to a new audience.

“The market for glamping is stronger than ever with plenty of international and domestic support, occupancy across our collection growing year on year, and significant repeat business,” said Henderson.

“Places in popular destinations with incredible lake or ocean views tend to generate the most occupancy year-round with some of our operators enjoying 80-90 percent occupancy.

“Cantabrians have really embraced glamping and scenic sites within 1-2 hours of Christchurch are proving very popular.

“However, unique, creative accommodation concepts in out-of-theway locations are also sought-after and we can’t wait to get our first real 'treehouse' – we're sure that would be a winner!”

Minnaar suggested that as long as the quality of the experience offered remains high and the magic and charm are there, the glamping industry will go from strength to strength.

“People are now – more than ever – slaves to modern technology and an ever-increasing pace of life,” she said.

“We're not designed to live this way and the desire to unplug and detox from digital devices, reconnect with the special people in our lives and escape into nature is only going to grow.

A glamping business could provide a robust secondary or tertiary income stream – along with the opportunity to connect with people who value the rural landscape.

“We see this glamping trend as a long term opportunity for landowners and guests.” canopycamping.co.nz

WHAT MAKES A GREAT GLAMPING SPOT? > Sheltered from prevailing winds > Attractive – with no ugly distractions like big power pylons > Peaceful – no road noise

"Although glamping operations are unlikely to produce standalone revenue for a rural property, with the right marketing and service standards, five-figure incomes can be grown as the business matures.”

When Liz Henderson and Sonia Minnaar launched their glamping business Canopy Camping back in 2012, they sensed that the demand for unique, off-the-beaten-track accommodation options would resonate with both tourists to New Zealand and domestic travellers.

The pair now represents more than 50 glamping operators around the country and works in partnership with property owners to promote their offerings and handle enquiry and bookings.

> Water nearby – coastal, river, stream or pond > Easily accessible – preferably with drive-up access > A sense of being removed from civilisation – even if there is a flat white available nearby > Farm, olive grove, vineyard, lifestyle block > Bathroom and kitchen facilities – often converted from existing farm buildings e.g. shearers’ quarters, barn > Landowners who genuinely enjoy meeting and hosting people

Rural Insight

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Water

plans bring tight deadlines

Farmers and industry leaders were left scrambling to try and get submissions in on the government’s water quality package, and there are more tight timelines underscoring the proposals.

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ade public in mid-September, the time to submit on the package was exceptionally short, with those submissions closing on October 31. This only came about after considerable opposition was raised to the original October 17 date.

Expectations are there will be over 3,000 submissions received, making it one of the most heavily submitted pieces of policy seen over this government’s term.

While appreciating the proposals put the environment first, many have criticised the timing that comes as many of the most affected farmers have been deep in their busiest time of year, dealing with calving and lambing.

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The equally short timelines within which its standards would come into play also echoes the submission period’s short timeframe.

The freshwater package’s proposals largely require standards and limitations to be in place by 2025, making the time to evaluate farm nutrient losses, manage them and in some cases reduce them a big ask on farmers.

Bayleys' Canterbury rural agent Ben Turner said the full implications of the water package are only now starting to be fully understood, and are likely to have some significant impacts on both lowland and hill country farm businesses.

Hill country sheep and beef properties will be required to have some extensive fencing systems put in place.

“Yet in a lot of cases we have seen biodiversity on these operations is already healthy, thanks in part to the type of farm system they are running – they are already very conscious of the environment they are farming within.”

Meantime on low land properties more intensive farming operations are already working to the region’s Land and Water plan.

“We have already seen a lot of farms reduce their nitrogen levels and are well on track to meet their 2022 targets where required.”

We have already seen a lot of farms reduce their nitrogen levels and are well on track to meet their 2022 targets where required.

He has been struck by how much farmers have already invested in water protection through riparian planting and fencing, while also investing in smarter irrigation technology to reduce run off and nutrient losses.

“It is important that any new proposals take greater account of the fact farmers are working within a biological system. Like any biological system things cannot be turned around quickly. They certainly have improved things already, and will continue to do so over time, it’s an evolution of improvement, not an overnight fix that farmers can deliver.”

Concern has been raised over the required “set back” for riparian plantings under the proposals. The 5m proposed comes after many farms, including almost all Fonterra dairy farms, have fenced off waterways, often to a 2m setback.

This may require considerable re-fencing and reworking of protection already put in place in good faith by farmers with riparian areas.

Meanwhile, farmers on steeper country that is reasonably heavily stocked also face the prospect, and cost of fencing areas from waterways.

A survey conducted by Federated Farmers in Waikato to determine the impact of that region’s Healthy Rivers plan estimated that the average hill country farm could be faced with a bill of $245,000 to fence off waterways to comply with the plan over the coming five years.

Ministry for the Environment officials have urged farmers concerned about the set-back requirement to express their concerns by way of submission.

“Like any plan, we can only hope to see some practical and workable solutions to some of these issues come through,” said Ben. DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ have invested significant resources to help make it easier for farmers to compile a submission and ensure their voice is heard in the process.

There is also concern about a less understood area of the package, one requiring waterways to contain less than 1ppm of dissolved inorganic nitrogen.

This level has sparked concern in some catchments about the ability to achieve it and what that may mean for their ability to continue farming in those catchments.

For some catchments where drystock farming is more common sediment, not nitrogen, may be a focus for the community.

As the proposals stand at present, it is dairy farmers in catchments around Canterbury who are most likely to be affected, particularly with respect to the nitrogen levels in waterways.

As the proposals stand at present, it is dairy farmers in catchments around Canterbury who are most likely to be affected by the proposals, particularly with respect to the nitrogen levels in waterways.

The package is also requiring farmers to complete a farm environment plan, laying out the property’s risk areas, and mitigation steps to manage the required nutrient losses.

Farm advisors have identified that the greatest challenge in the near future will be finding staff skilled enough with farm systems to help farmers complete them.

Bayleys' National Director Rural Duncan Ross, said while the standards aim to set New Zealand farm systems up to be regarded as the most sustainable, environmentally sensitive food producers in the world, he hopes the standards will be workable, realistic and economically viable.

“But of course we also need to have standards that don’t leave farmers trying to hit targets without any support behind them – the entire country benefits, and has benefitted, from farming’s success. We owe it to farmers to support this major transition that benefits us all.”

Rural Insight

19

Farm TO PLATE INNOVATION ADDS

VALUE

Throughout provincial New Zealand there is a food revolution taking place boosting employment opportunities, adding value to raw products and growing this country’s reputation as a South Pacific food bowl.

G

rowth in the food market is coming from consumers seeking time-saving options but without sacrificing their meal’s quality, nutritive value or sustainability alongside the “ready to eat” convenience.

Food marketing consultant Belinda Bonnor of Zest Marketing has several food-based clients in the lower North Island that typify how small operators can punch well above their weight when it comes to producing a world class food product from raw produce.

One of those companies is Kiwi Quinoa, produced by Dan and Jacqui Cottrell from their property backing onto the Kaweka ranges east of Taihape.

They are a couple blazing a pioneering trail in growing the ancient

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Rural Insight

grain in New Zealand, taking it from paddock to plate with some innovative marketing methods.

The traditional grain-like food became a hit initially with the hipster food set, but is increasingly being recognised widely for its excellent nutritional profile and ability to be used across a wide range of meal applications.

The couple recently received national recognition for their unique crop winning the New Zealand Food Safety Primary Sector product award in this year’s national Food Awards.

As more consumers opt for a more “flexitarian” type diet that may include vegetarian meals, quinoa can provide a high protein, high fibre, gluten free meal component and is one of only a few plant foods that is a complete protein offering.

The traditional grain-like food became a hit initially with the hipster food set, but is increasingly being recognised widely for its excellent nutritional profile and ability to be used across a wide range of meal applications.

Jacqui and Dan were inspired to try growing quinoa on the family farm after they saw it in Peru while backpacking, growing in country Dan considered very similar to the farm back in New Zealand.

“Dan spent a good year researching all the types of quinoa, eventually coming up with four varieties to trial, of which one stood out. Our variety does not have a bitter saponin coating which means our quinoa requires less processing than other commercial types so it can be classed as ‘wholegrain’,” said Jacqui. Quinoa is also a crop that can be grown in the right conditions without any need for pesticides or fungicides.

The couple have not stopped at growing the crop, taking a “paddock to plate” approach creating their brand Kiwi Quinoa and marketing it through gourmet food shops and more recently supermarkets.

They work hard promoting Kiwi Quinoa in-store and locally and are in the midst of rolling out their new branding and packaging.

On farm Jacqui says the crop has proven ideally suited to the property’s higher, drier altitude and climate, delivering excellent protein levels and good yields.

They continue to experiment with cultivation and establishment, aiming to grow a crop that minimises soil damage and has no need for pesticides and fungicides.

“It is still quite early days because quinoa is such a new crop for New Zealand, but we are really excited at how it has performed for us so far. It has integrated well with our farming system, and we have been getting a lot of interest from the neighbours in what we are doing.”

Meanwhile, further south an established salad company is taking humble vegetables and turning them into innovative, value added and convenient food options.

Marton based company Speirs Foods has moved to add to the bulk salads it provides to supermarkets with a range of convenience products branded The Whole Mix. Their vegetable noodles, the first in New Zealand earnt them the Supreme Award at the NZ Food Awards last year.

Since then they have launched a new range of bagged coleslaw and stir-fry kits with the latest, Mexican coleslaw just hitting the supermarket shelves to spice up the market. The Whole Mix range also provides Grab & Go Salads and Snack pot salads for healthy living on the go.

“Traditionally we’ve sourced vegetables for our bulk and convenience salads from suppliers but now we’re growing more and more of our own produce just down the road from our factory and creating delicious salads right here in Marton to make people’s lives healthier and easier,” said Belinda Bonnor.

Today the business is producing 70 product lines including salads and cut vegetables, employing 80 staff.

Bayleys' National Director Rural, Duncan Ross said the talented and innovative approach taken by farmers to move their crop or protein product along the distribution chain to consumers fits well in a market where consumers are increasingly wanting to know where their food is from.

“The ability to go and do this highlights there is more than just the conventional “price taker” model for farmers today – it may be riskier in some respects, but it gives farmers a direct link to their market, and constant feedback on how their product is performing.”

Today the business is producing 70 product lines including salads and cut vegetables, employing 80 staff.

Rural Insight

21

Botanicals offer scent of success

The climate that has made some parts of New Zealand so good for growing grass also brings opportunities to develop some niche, high-value crops that are helping to establish new industries alongside traditional pastoral sectors.

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aranaki is an area where a comprehensive economic strategy has identified the region’s climate, including reliable rainfall and rich soils which mean it is capable of growing a wider variety of crops than it does – with honey and botanical plants identified as new opportunities.

Botanicals are the herbs, roots, flowers, leaves and seeds added to drinks, cosmetics and foods for scent and/or flavour.

Gin fans would be familiar with the aromatics like juniper, liquorice and angelica often added to quality gins to give them their distinct aroma and taste.

The climate that makes Taranaki so well known for rhododendrons as a tourist attraction is the same one that makes it ideal for growing a range of botanicals.

Until now anyone producing gin has been forced to source their

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Rural Insight

botanicals from overseas, undoing the provenance story about a completely locally made, locally grown product.

A Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment project has identified alcoholic spirits production as a value-added sector with potential to exhibit export-focused growth. As a sector it has been enjoying 10% year-on-year growth, albeit off a small base.

New Zealand now has 20 gin manufacturers wanting to make their product “100% New Zealand”, but forced to import their angelica, liquorice root and coriander seeds.

Today gin makers are not alone as a wide variety of distillers are experimenting with different spirits as varied as whiskey to absinthe, utilising New Zealand-sourced aromatics if possible – botanicals like orris root in Hawke’s Bay, coriander in Wairarapa.

Angelica is well suited to Taranaki’s climate, and juniper grows from Kaitaia to Bluff.

Eve Kawana-Brown, Massey University’s head of Taranaki business development manager says so far only 24 samples were received from around the country.

“But the next step is for Massey researchers to identify the genetics of those samples and see what, if anything, makes them distinct from each other and from juniper around the world. The opportunity is there to identify and protect the most suitable specimens that are already in New Zealand varieties, especially those that may perform best as ingredients.”

So far Taranaki gin company BeGin Distilling, manufacturers of Juno Gin have led the charge on identifying and utilising locally grown aromatics.

The award-winning company, along with Reefton Distilling, has worked on the project supported by funding from AGMARDT, Massey University and through Venture Taranaki’s Tapuae Roa project.

Venture Taranaki is working to identify new food and fibre opportunities in the dairy-fossil fuel focused region’s economy.

Taranaki is an area where a comprehensive economic strategy has identified the region’s climate, including reliable rainfall and rich soils which mean it is capable of growing a wider variety of crops than it does – with honey and botanical plants identified as new opportunities.

This work has grown in importance since the government announced plans to phase out hydrocarbon exploration in the region by 2030.

“What we have learnt about properties so far is that New Zealand juniper has a different volatile oils profile to overseas juniper, in terms of its scents and tastes – this could mean it may be possible to use fresh juniper, as opposed to the dry juniper many distillers use now,” says Eve. Gin has to legally contain 50% juniper as its main botanical flavouring.

Distillers have already enjoyed the support of a Taranaki nursery and Massey University to propagate the variety of juniper identified, and farmers have shown an interest in growing it as a crop also used as a shelter belt.

Juniper is at the heart of a good gin, and the recent Great NZ Juniper Hunt has had garden club members, land owners, amateur botanists and enthusiasts all hunting through gardens and parks looking for juniper samples.

Expectations are Taranaki growers and land owners are on the cusp of identifying a range of exciting, innovative opportunities to help the region adjust to the move away from oil exploration, and to adapt to growing environmental demands on farming.

They were then sent to Massey University as part of the project to identify what it is that makes New Zealand juniper unique, and its value in helping beverage makers keep their Kiwi brew 100% NZ.

“We can see the opportunities, but it will be important to manage how we encourage them, and avoid a ‘boom-bust’ type scenario, says Eve. Rural Insight

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ALTOGETHER IN THE FIELD

In the rural property environment, Bayleys stands out.

We understand what's involved in selling a rural property, one that's likely to have been in the family for generations. That's why we make the process as easy as possible for you. With a presence in all major cities, provincial towns and regions throughout New Zealand, Bayleys has salespeople on the ground from the far north to the deep south who can assist you in selling or acquiring rural real estate. This when combined with our market knowledge and targeted marketing, ensures Bayleys' reach is second to none.

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