Farmers Weekly NZ April 18 2022 by AgriHQ

3 Funding for farm advisers Vol 20 No 14, April 18, 2022

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Carriers feeling the heat Colin Williscroft

colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz

IVESTOCK carriers are coming under increasing financial pressure and some in the industry say unless changes are made to help alleviate that, more transport companies will be forced to follow the example of Wairarapa-based Pinfolds, which recently announced it was shutting its doors after 102 years of business. Mangatainoka-based Beale Transport director Regan Beale said there are a range of different burdens that livestock carriers are having to deal with. One of those is because of space restrictions at meatworks, processing companies are filling trucks with small loads from multiple farmers, so truck drivers are having to drive greater distances to fill their trucks, rather than just stopping off at one farm. “They (processors) want to keep farmers happy but it comes at our cost,” Beale said. “Instead of (carriers) being able to go to one farm to get a load of sheep out, they’ll (processors)

split the load between say five (farmers), which means we’ve got to do a lot more kilometres to get a load but we’re paid the same money (per animal carried).” “That means we’re losing money out the bottom every single time.” He does not blame farmers for wanting to move whatever stock away they can. “I know that a lot of farmers have got our backs but from what some of them have said to me, things are tight and even if it’s a pain in the bum for them, if someone’s going to turn up and take 50 lambs off their hands, they’d rather see 50 go than none at all,” he said. “From their point of view, they have to take what they can get. “I understand that, but we still get paid the same per lamb that’s going to the works and instead of that lamb going from point A to point B, we’re going around four or five farmers to make that load up.” He says as well as the fuel cost, there’s also a time cost. “It’s not sustainable and they (processors) know that,” he said. Beale said out of all those

ALL-IN-ONE: Leaft Foods promoters Maury Leyland Penno, Ross Milne and John Penno say bringing an all-in-one protein to the market will create a pathway for NZ farmers to diversify into a system with a lower environmental footprint.

Plant protein project gets funds boost Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz CANTERBURY-BASED food innovator Leaft Foods is creating an opportunity for New Zealand agriculture to lead the global plant protein market, with potential to reach $US36 billion by 2024. The food-for-climate solutions company has successfully achieved a NZ$22 million capital raise, accelerating its mission to create NZ’s first plant protein system in Canterbury. Silicon Valley-based Khosla Ventures led the Series A investment round, with participation from Ngāi Tahu Holdings via their New Economy Mandate, ACC’s Climate Change Impact Fund and NBA

Basketballer and impact investor Steven Adams. Co-founding director John Penno says Leaft Foods attracted the attention of international and local investors, with its innovation that enables the extraction of plant protein from sustainably farmed green leaves for use in a range of foods. Through this system, Leaft Foods has ambitions to transform the agriculture industry for the better. “We think there’s a food revolution because there’s all this talk about alternative protein – we think it’s more an alternative food production system,” Penno said. With the latest round of funding the Christchurchbased company will grow its

farm system, its technical and product development teams, expand research and development and enhance manufacturing capacity ahead of market launch. Leaft Foods’ technology extracts Rubisco, the most abundant protein on the planet found in all green leaves. Rubisco has a complete amino acid profile, similar to beef. Unlike other proteins, Leaft’s protein does not require blending to manipulate the protein content or functionality. In addition to its high digestibility, Leaft’s protein has a neutral taste and colour. Its hypoallergenic status could be a game-changer for people sensitive to whey, soy or egg protein.

Continued page 3

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24 Giving back to the community

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REGULARS Newsmaker �� 18 New Thinking �� 19

7 Extra hands welcomed by sector

Editorial �� 20

Primary sector groups are welcoming an extra 1580 international workers being allowed into the country by the Government.

Pulpit �� 21 Opinion �� 22 On Farm Story �� 24-25 Real Estate �� 26-32 Employment �� 33 Classifieds �� 33-34 Livestock �� 34-35 Weather �� 37

10 Govt backs cannabis project

19 Oats part of mums’ milk mix

A $32.2 million investment in organic medicinal cannabis could see the emerging sector become as successful as our wine industry.

Mother’s milk is the base for a baby’s best start in life, but often does not flow as freely as it needs to for hungry infants. Auckland architect Wendy Poon has come up with a nutritional solution that can help young mums struggling to keep up.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Govt to fund farm adviser training Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz THE Government is investing $25 million in recruiting and training farm advisers to help farmers meet growing compliance requirements, but to also grow primary sector exports.

Priority will be given to initiatives that support Māori landowners and agribusinesses, and farmers and growers not currently undertaking farm planning. Damien O’Connor Agriculture Minister The initiative announced provides an annual grant of up to $22,500 per person for the employment or further training of advisers along with funding Continued from page 1 involved in the supply chain – farmers, stock agents, carriers and processors – it’s the carriers who wear most of the cost and risk. “But when we ask for a 10% increase to cover costs all hell breaks loose because of the idea that we’re trying to rip people off,” he said. “That’s not the case at all.” He said until farmers realise some of the pressures that stock carriers are under, and he does not want to say that it’s farmers’ fault, in the future they will find that a 10% increase in the carrying price wasn’t too bad after all. “Because they won’t be able to get anyone to move their stock or cart their grain or fert,” he said.

for a pilot internship for up to 40 people, especially students, who have experience in the advisery sector. NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM) chief executive Jo Finer said Government-commissioned research last year that calculated more than 100 farm advisers will be needed could be too light. “NZIPIM believes the number is greater than this, given the amount of change on the horizon,” Finer said. She said the organisation supports the initiative and is pleased NZIPIM and the wider sector was involved in its development, which will ensure new advisers are appropriately trained. “Primary industry advisers play a critical role in supporting farmers with pending regulatory changes such as freshwater farm plans, so we’re very pleased to see this recognised by government,” she said. Finer welcomes funding targeting people new to the industry. “There are some exciting

career opportunities linked to international markets and a strong economic outlook for primary production,” she said. Her organisation will work closely with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare promotional videos and material to attract school-leavers, graduates and those seeking a career change. Announcing the funding, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says it will help grow primary sector exports, but also support the introduction of farm plans. Investment will be across industry, regional councils, whenua Māori entities, communities and catchment groups to broaden and accelerate the adoption of integrated farm plans and advice. “Priority will be given to initiatives that support Māori landowners and agribusinesses, and farmers and growers not currently undertaking farm planning,” O’Connor said. It will also build on work already under way by MPI. “That includes supporting

He also takes issue with meat processor Alliance’s 90-day payment policy, saying accounts need to be settled more quickly than that. Unless there are changes to help meet some of the challenges carriers are facing, he said other stock transporters will be forced to close. Alliance Group chief financial officer Kristian Saksida said as a red meat processor and exporter, it is acutely aware of the rising costs and pressures of operating a business. “That’s why earlier this year we introduced a FAF (fuel adjustment factor) to lessen the impact of volatility in the fuel market on operators,” Saksida said. “The FAF acknowledges the cost

impact of fuel price changes, as well as the challenges of seasonal variations in volume. “We believe the increase strikes a balance between recognising the increased fuel costs and allowing us to maintain a sustainable and profitable cooperative for our farmers.” He said Alliance’s payment terms policy for suppliers of goods and services is aligned with its own cash cycle. “We have to pay for stock, incur the costs of processing, but don’t receive revenue from our customers for a number of months,” he said. “We are always careful to ensure suppliers are aware of this payment terms policy from the outset.”

WELCOMED: Chief executive Jo Finer says NZIPIM supports the initiative and is pleased the wider sector was involved in its development, which will ensure new advisers are appropriately trained.

at least 170 catchment groups and collating data from more than 2000 farmers and growers to provide a national snapshot

of farm performance, as well as partnering with Māori to increase the productivity and profitability of their whenua,” he said.

A livestock transport industry insider, who did not want to be named, said farmers could help carriers by taking more responsibility for stock effluent, as the cost of dealing with it is a significant issue that could be addressed if farmers stood stock for longer to empty out before being transported. He said setting up a truck wash costs more than $500,000 and his company spends $10,000 to $15,000 a month just to wash trucks out. “It’s $300 to $400 each time you have to wash out,” he said. “And if you have to do that after every load, you’re going backwards.” He said stock needs to be stood off feed for at least six hours and

for early delivery, same day kills, it needs to be the night before. “Farmers think the longer they leave stock out on feed they are going to get extra grams, which might make them a couple of extra dollars but basically it’s just pinching from us, because it costs us,” he said. He said rates paid by meat companies to carriers to transport stock need to be increased and although are not the only pressure point for trucking companies, for some they will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. “There’s going to be more livestock (carrying) companies going under within the next 12 months,” he said. “I guarantee it.”

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

NZ talks trade with Gulf States Nigel Stirling nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com THE stalled free trade agreement (FTA) which led to the Saudi sheep farm scandal is back on the Government’s agenda. New Zealand and the six oil-rich states of the Gulf States Cooperation Council (GCC) have agreed to resume negotiations following Trade Minister Damien O’Connor’s visit to the region last month. A deal to scrap $60m paid annually in tariffs on NZ’s exports to the Middle Eastern states was largely agreed in 2009, but never completed because key member Saudi Arabia refused to back the agreement. The previous National-led government controversially paid $6m towards a “demonstration farm” owned by Saudi businessman Hamood Al Ali Khalaf, whose connections to the Saudi royal family were understood to be pivotal to the kingdom’s blocking of the GCC’s signing off on the final agreement. Khalaf owned a butchery chain in Saudi Arabia and invested millions of dollars in farms in the Hawke’s Bay in the 2000s on the understanding that the Government of then Prime Minister Helen Clark would allow the resumption of large-scale live sheep exports to the kingdom.

VISIT: Trade Minister Damien O’Connor’s visit to Saudi Arabia last month was the first by a NZ minister since former Prime Minister John Key’s unsuccessful attempt to revive the FTA in 2015.

The National-led government found itself embroiled in controversy when having paid over the money and partially relaxed the ban on live shipments to allow animals to be shipped to Khalaf’s farm for breeding purposes, it still couldn’t get Saudi Arabia to support a final deal. Then Foreign Minister Murray McCully claimed legal advice showed the Government was potentially liable for losses suffered by Khalif and convinced Cabinet colleagues to make payments to the Saudi

businessman to fend off a lawsuit and get the trade deal back on track. A 2016 report by the AuditorGeneral found shortcomings in the decisions leading up to the payments and MFAT later conceded no legal advice existed. Since then a rift between Qatar and its GCC neighbours provided a further hurdle to completion of NZ’s FTA. But a meeting between O’Connor and GCC secretarygeneral Nayef Al-Hajraf last month resulted in agreement

by both sides to “re-engage” in negotiations. “These discussions will be based on text agreed in 2009, with a focus on goods markets access and labour and environment outcomes,” a statement on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (MFAT) website said. O’Connor’s visit to Saudi Arabia on the way back from Brussels and London last month was the first by a NZ minister since former Prime Minister John Key’s unsuccessful attempt to revive the FTA in 2015. “Discussion will be held to explore what adjustment may be required to update and modernise the agreement in line with NZ’s Trade for All Agenda,” a spokesperson for O’Connor said. The absence of large domestic farming industries meant tariffs of 5% on meat and dairy exports to the GCC are low compared to many Western countries. It is understood the 2009 agreement would have largely scrapped these. Meat Industry Association trade policy manager Esther GuyMeakin said trade agreements had moved on since then. As well as targeting tariffs, exporting countries like NZ increasingly sought to reduce non-tariff barriers to trade in their agreements. Guy-Meakin said NZ meat companies for example

encountered problems with recognition of halal slaughter methods. It was hoped having their practises recognised as equivalent to those used in GCC countries could be achieved in an updated FTA.

These discussions will be based on text agreed in 2009, with a focus on goods markets access and labour and environment outcomes. MFAT

A diplomatic source said the Labour-led government’s Trade for All Agenda included other new demands not included in the negotiations the first time around. “There will need to be chapters on some subjects that some in the GCC will not have had much experience in delivering,” they said. “For example on gender and indigenous peoples.” “All up there will be plenty of work left to bring this to the line.”

Nokomai lambs sell well, despite dry Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz DESPITE being a little down in condition, Nokomai Station lambs were well sought-after at the annual on-farm autumn lamb sale. Described as “comparable given the season”, by co-station owner James Hore, the

12,000 lambs sold fetched a sale average of $4 a kilogram. “For where the schedule is at and considering we are on the edge of a drought, we managed comparable values, so got to be happy enough with that,” Hore said. The majority of the lambs headed north

to central Canterbury, with a few going on past to North Canterbury and the rest staying in Southland, including ewe lambs headed to Eastern Southland for breeding. Many of the quarter-bred lambs fetched a premium for their wool ability that generally averages out at 21-micron as hogget wool.

Over the years the Nokomai lambs have earned a good reputation for growing out to good weights. Half-bred wethers ranged in price from $144 tops down to $104 for bottoms, while half-bred ewe lambs ranged from $138 for tops down to $90 for bottoms, with Texel X $148 to $120.

PREMIUM: Many of the quarter-bred lambs fetched a premium for their wool ability that generally averages out at 21-micron as hogget wool.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Stags rule at weaner deer sales Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz DESPITE some serious headwinds over the past 12 months, High Peak Station presented a quality line up for one of the country’s largest on-farm weaner deer sales. Nestled in the beyond of the Rakaia Gorge, High Peak was hit hard with rain, floods and wind causing significant infrastructure damage across a large part of the station.

We have had to deal with some serious headwinds to get these here today. Hamish Guild High Peak Station “We lost all the low fences in the flood and the higher fences in the wind,” Hamish Guild said. “We have had to deal with some serious headwinds to get these (weaner deer) here today, but I am happy with the stock we have presented here and thanks must go to our staff who have played a big part in that.” The sale though was in some respects disappointing. “It was a bit mixed; the bigger male-types were better than expected, but the females were a bit soft and under what we had hoped for,” he said. “I hope that is not a reflection

on the industry and the no breed premium for females is not an indication the industry is static or falling. “Compared to pre-covid we are a long way short, that is the impact of covid on venison,” he said. “Hopefully we are coming out of that, certainly the venison schedule is going up on the normal for this time of the year with spring money less than the autumn money. “We can be hopeful of some confidence in that,” he said. PGG Wrightson specialist deer agent Ron Schroeder said High Peak followed the season’s trend for females. “It was a disappointing result for females, with the males fully firm as expected,” Schroeder said. Arrowsmith Station in the Ashburton Gorge had a similar result. “There’s just been no premium paid for breeding hinds; from a finishers point of view the difference between the male and female is far too great,” he said. High Peak’s English-cross weaner stags were strongly contested for their velvet genetics, fetching up to $5.88/kg, as were the European-cross weaner stags. selling from $4.25-$5.30/kg, with heavier hybrid weaner stags tipping the sale at $5.30$5.60/kg. The weaner hinds sold across the board from $2.52-$3.87/kg. Meanwhile, schedule increases follow positive signals out of key export markets during what is

ON THE JOB: PGW auctioneer Glen Peddie, Hamish Guild and PGW deer agent Ron Schroeder at High Peak Station’s onfarm weaner sale.

normally a weaker part of the trading season. Published schedules hit the $8 mark in March, the highest since covid first made its presence felt in early 2020, boding well for a more positive global outlook. The upward trending pricing from $7.95-$8.05 a kilogram is up $2.70/kg on this time last year and tracking in line with the five-year average for autumn of $8.04/kg. This recovery is forecast to continue during 2022, with the annual spring peak pricing expected to reach close to precovid levels. The recovery has been driven by a good 2021 game season in Europe, which saw good sales and some optimism for the year ahead, the recovery of the foodservice sector in the US and successful market development activities in China, the US and elsewhere. The velvet season closed on a strong note in terms of farm gate returns that continued to firm as the season progressed, with prices for Chinese grades especially finishing on a high.

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MIXED: PGG Wrightson specialist deer agent Ron Schroeder said High Peak followed the season’s trend, with disappointing results for females and males fully firm as expected.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Extra hands welcomed by sector Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz PRIMARY sector groups are welcoming an extra 1580 international workers being allowed into the country by the Government. Federated Farmers employment spokesperson Chris Lewis said the extra workers are a shot in the arm for employers struggling to recruit enough staff locally. The new settings include an increase in the current border exception for assistant dairy farm managers, 2ICs, dairy herd managers and dairy farm assistants by 500 to a total of 800 for those earning at least the median wage plus $1 per hour (currently equates to $28 per hour). “The Federation’s message to farmers is to take up these places,” Lewis said. “We know that with fuel and fertiliser price rises, concerns in some districts about supplementary feed and other factors, there may be a temptation to try and struggle through with workforce gaps. “But just remember the stress that puts on you and the rest of the team, the health and safety factors, and the difficulties of rostering to give people decent time off when your staff complement is deficient.” The meat worker border class exception cap will be extended by a further 500 workers on top of the previous agreed figure of 150 workers. “There are very real meat supply chain constraints and while some districts are in drought, in other parts of the country farmers have possibly been holding back stock. More of them will send animals to the works to get down to wintering numbers and it will be very positive to close up workforce gaps so that plants can again operate at full capacity,” he said.

PLAN AHEAD: Federated Farmers employment spokesperson Chris Lewis says farmers contemplating struggling through with workforce gaps should think about the stress that it will bring, especially the toll it will take on the existing staff.

Border class exceptions have also been approved for up to 300 silviculture forestry workers and up to 280 wood processors and manufacturers to enter New Zealand. DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said while the extra workers are welcome, it still fell short of the 4000 needed for the coming season. “The Government’s decision to increase the number of international workers by 500 is a step in the right direction to reduce the pressure on farm teams. We will continue to advocate for more to be allowed into New Zealand, to help address the significant staff shortage,” Mackle said.

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Employers must apply to DairyNZ for nomination and have a class exception visa granted by Immigration NZ. Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said the 500 extra meat processing workers will help ease the sector’s chronic labour shortages. She said the sector was 2000 people short, with the situation exacerbated by a number of people isolating or having to stay at home to look after family members with covid-19. “Right now, there simply aren’t enough people to process every part of the carcase to maximise its value, so these additional workers will certainly help alleviate pressure in the

industry,” Karapeeva said. The meat processing sector predominantly employs New Zealanders, with migrants accounting for less than 5% of the total workforce, she said. “However, these migrants play a critical role. By way of example, 10 migrant workers enable one night shift to run at a plant employing 70 New Zealanders,” she said. “New Zealand currently has very low unemployment, particularly in our regions and getting people to relocate is not easy. “This is despite the sector offering on-job training, strong career paths and very competitive salaries, in many cases above the median wage.”

Right now, there simply aren’t enough people to process every part of the carcase to maximise its value so these additional workers will certainly help alleviate pressure in the industry. Sirma Karapeeva Meat Industry Association

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Push for a 50year rotation BusinessDesk A 50-YEAR rotation for exotic forestry can make a material difference to New Zealand reaching its net-zero target by 2050. Shifting to a 50-year carbon accounting period for exotic forestry rotation rather than 40 would be better for climate change outcomes, rural communities and land-use choices, Drylandcarbon says. The Government invited submissions on its proposals to change forestry settings in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and Drylandcarbon – a farm forestry partnership – pushed for three changes. The submission period closed on April 22 and the Government expects to make final decisions in mid-2022.

The last thing we want or need is officials travelling the country making subjective assessments as to forestry profitability on different land types. Drylandcarbon Drylandcarbon general manager Colin Jacobs emphasised that the Government consultation “is a really good piece of work”. However, he said, “we think it could actually go a bit further”. NZ’s ETS puts a price on greenhouse gases to provide an incentive to reduce emissions.

People or organisations can earn credits for business activities that absorb carbon dioxide, like planting trees. They can then trade the credits, hold them or surrender them to offset their own activities that emit greenhouse gases. The result has been hot demand for high-quality land that can be easily planted and growing fears that enormous tracts of productive land could be snapped up for forestry. Groups like Beef + Lamb NZ have been clamouring for urgent national policy to ensure meeting NZ’s climate change obligations doesn’t come at the expense of rural communities as people look to cash in. According to Drylandcarbon, “the single most important change that can be made is the adoption of a 50-year rotation period under the ETS averaging accounting rules for exotic forestry, including the ability to claim carbon credits for a period of 26 years”. Currently, participants with Pinus radiata forests can claim carbon credits for 16 years and a traditional rotation length is 28 years. According to Drylandcarbon, this creates “perverse unintended consequences”, including the targeting and planting of productive farmland which supports fast, initial tree growth and the concentration of exotic forestry into regions that generate fast initial growth”. It means “truly marginal land that is best suited to rotational forestry is left unplanted”, it said. The consultation document proposes a 40-year rotation and the ability to claim credits for 21 years. Drylandcarbon says shifting the dial by another 10 years

BETTER: Drylandcarbon says shifting the dial by another 10 years will substantially improve the outcomes.

will substantially improve the outcomes. Critically, it will “encourage marginal land use across the country”, Jacobs said. A longer rotation is necessary for more marginal land “because it takes longer for those trees to grow essentially. It takes longer to get carbon and it takes longer to get good timber outcomes”, he said. A forest in Southland may capture carbon relatively slowly in the early years but catches up materially over a longer rotation, he said. Importantly, with land prices for forestry places like the Wairarapa or Gisborne more than double prices for equivalent land in Southland, allowing for a longer rotation period “significantly changes the investment proposition”, DrylandCarbon said. A 50-year rotation would also provide supplementary timber benefits. “Higher-quality, more valuable, dense timber will be produced,” it said. Not only that but a 50-year rotation for exotic forestry will

halve the volume of land needed to be planted for the same carbon outcome. This directly addresses a primary community concern around the rapidly expanding scale of carbon forestry, it said. Also, a 50-year rotation for exotic forestry could make a material difference to NZ reaching its net-zero target by 2050. According to Drylandcarbon, extending the average age to 26 years, under a 50-year rotation could contribute 9 million additional NZUs (New Zealand Units) in 2050. That’s nearly 400% more carbon captured in the trees contributing towards the Net Zero 2050 target. It did note, however, that a 50year rotation shouldn’t be at the discretion of government officials but should be fully available. “The last thing we want or need is officials travelling the country making subjective assessments as to forestry profitability on different land types,” it said. Drylandcarbon also supports the proposal that new exotic forestry should be removed from the Permanent Post-1989

category with no exceptions. “Exotic forests should be established and maintained for harvesting,” it said. Finally, it recommends that only native forestry should be planted on a permanent basis. It also supports a range of possible policy measures to incentivise indigenous planning, particularly in relation to private landowners. Among other things, financial support for native forestry is particularly important in the early stages of the establishment to support expensive planting and pest control. The company has approximately 10,500 hectares of land either in or destined for exotic rotation forestry. Its forests are geographically spread throughout and approximately a third is regenerating native bush. The partnership is made up of four NZ companies: Air NZ, Contact Energy, Genesis and Z Energy. They seek carbon credits from the forestry operations to meet their compliance surrender obligations under the ETS.

Juniper project looks into local berries’ potential AS GIN producers continue to proliferate throughout New Zealand, the challenge to source locally-grown juniper berries for their distillate is coming a step closer. Border closures and shipping issues have pushed up the price of imported juniper berries in the past two years, while Massey University researchers have been investigating the potential for sourcing the berries from within NZ. The researchers’ work coincided with the Great NZ Juniper Hunt, which was seeking juniper samples from across NZ in order to study their genetic makeup. Since commencing in 2019, the project has received 98 samples from 146 potential junipers, with 47 trees confirmed as common junipers last winter. The finds extended from near Whangarei to Te Anau, and the

STILL WORKING: Massey University business development manager Eve Kawana-Brown says there is significantly more ground to cover to grow the understanding of local juniper berries’ contribution to the food and beverage sector, but they are making good progress.

campaign included support from garden clubs and horticultural groups around the country. A gin distilling project in conjunction with Taranaki based

Juno Gin has also been under way, with support from AGMARDT and Venture Taranaki. A key focus of the juniper project has been to determine if

NZ-grown berries have different flavours and scents that are linked to their particular terroir and could be incorporated into NZ made gin. Early stages of research indicated NZ’s stockholding of juniper is fairly genetically diverse and ongoing work to identify genetic markers will help study diversity here in comparison to global species. Massey researchers have also continued to propagate juniper seedlings, with 480 in their juvenile stages of growth. The early research has determined there are a mere handful of fruiting trees in NZ, with only two sources providing sufficient quantities to researchers for any analysis to be done on their volatile compounds that give flavour and scent. The research team is working with four owners of berry bearing trees to further

analyse them this year. Massey University business development manager Eve Kawana-Brown said there was significantly more ground to cover to grow the understanding of local juniper berries contribution to the food and beverage sector. “However, we are making good progress,” Kawana-Brown said. What comparisons have been done on a limited number of berries has determined differences do exist in the oil composition of the NZ samples compared to internationally-sourced berries, but further analysis on larger sample sizes are needed. Dave James of Juno Gin says any terroir effects from local berries could enhance their value and therefore NZ-made product in the international market. At present almost all juniper berries are imported from the Mediterranean.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

More options for tech funding Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz A MATURING agritech market in New Zealand is resulting in greater funding opportunities and broader interest, with distance to funders far less a determinant than it once was. Craig Piggott, chief executive of disruptive startup company Halter, said he has found the capital market for agritech more liquid and receptive than when he first sought funding for his remotely managed dairy cow collar tech back in 2017. “How much that has to do with greater interest in agritech and how much to do with the ebb and flow of capital I am not sure,” Piggott said.

For capital, you do still need to be in the top 10% of companies seeking it, and that’s okay. Craig Piggott Halter

“But more broadly, across every industry there is a lot of capital to be allocated, but I think you can’t count on that, and have to be aware of its cyclic nature.” Today there is a vast array of institutional funds, interest from the Australian Stock Exchange, and many more venture capital funds based in the United States. Piggott’s first funding bid was to Silicon Valley investors, pitching his collar prototypes by activating the collars on his parents’ dairy herd thousands of kilometres away via laptop, in the boardroom of a Silicon Valley venture capital company. “US venture capital companies are spending more time here now. The pandemic has removed barriers to some extent. When I was first in the US raising funds, you would frequently hear ‘we do not invest in anyone outside of the valley,” he said. “Now you will have venture capital companies almost saying the opposite.” Last year Halter raised an additional $32 million in a series B funding round led by Australian venture capital firm Blackbird Ventures. But the top challenges for any agritech startup in NZ remain capital and talent.

GROWTH: Craig Piggott says the options and opportunities for seeking agritech funding have opened up considerably in the past six years. “For capital, you do still need to be in the top 10% of companies seeking it, and that’s okay,” he said. The difficulty in sourcing talent tends to lie in the mid-upper tiers of management, for example, having a head of software

engineering who has grown a team from one to 500 in x years, is tough talent to find locally. “So, you just have to try and adapt them from another sector to the startup.” In the meantime, he sees a lot of highly talented, committed

graduates becoming available for entry level work with startups. Covid has limited the ability of people to enter NZ, while there has also been a trickle of NZ talent deciding to depart these shores regardless of covid to take their chances in overseas workplaces.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Joint venture boost Staff reporter A $32.2 MILLION investment in organic medicinal cannabis could see the emerging sector become as successful as our wine industry. The Government has partnered with Marlboroughbased company Puro Ltd to accelerate the growth of the industry. “Now is the perfect time to grow this high-value industry, as international demand for medicinal cannabis takes off while New Zealand is amid an export boom,” Agriculture

Minister Damien O’Connor said. “The $32.2 million joint project will further support the country’s economic recovery from covid-19, providing jobs and growth in our regional economies.” The five-year project will see the Government contribute $13 million through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund. “Matatihi Economic Research has calculated that the project’s potential economic benefit to New

HARVEST: A Puro cultivation manager inspects flowering plants at the newly-operational Puro Research and Breeding facility.

Zealand could be up to $236 million by 2032,” he said. Founded in 2018, Puro harvested its first crop of medical cannabis last year. The company is NZ’s largest medical cannabis grower, with the only organic certification in Australasia. It will develop unique cultivars and seed stock, as well as a production handbook that will be available to the wider industry. “This will fast-track the industry’s establishment in New Zealand and create a comprehensive blueprint that other Kiwi companies can use to follow in Puro’s footsteps,” he said. O’Connor said the project will create job opportunities in rural communities and boost the local economies in Marlborough and Kāikoura. There will be professional jobs in research and development, cultivation, business development, construction and facilities management, which could attract more people to the regions. The global medical cannabis market is valued at $28 billion and is growing at 27% annually.

Carr selected for global climate change group Staff reporter THE United Nations secretary general António Guterres has asked New Zealand’s Dr Rod Carr to join an elite world group to look into climate change issues. Guterres launched the expert world group to develop stronger and clearer standards for net-zero emissions pledges, including businesses, investors, cities and regions and to speed up their implementation. The invitations to the group of 16 are in their personal capacities rather than as Government representatives. Carr is chair of the Climate Change ELITE: Climate Change Commission chair Commission, former chair of the Dr Rod Carr has been invited to join an elite board and once acting governor of the Reserve Bank of NZ, a director of 16-member UN group. the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber accounting of progress towards of Commerce for 10 years and former net-zero commitments and reported vice-chancellor of the University of decarbonisation plans; Canterbury. • A roadmap to translate standards The expert group’s and criteria into international and recommendations for higher national level regulations. ambition and environmental The group will be chaired by integrity will address four areas: • Current standards and definitions Canada’s former minister of environment and climate change. for setting net-zero targets; Members include academics, • Credibility criteria used to assess business people, regulators and the the objectives, measurement and former Governor of the People’s Bank reporting of net-zero pledges; of China. • Processes for verification and

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Meatworks automation gathers pace Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz HIGH meat prices and lack of skilled labour have boosted demand for automation and robotics provider Scott Technology, the listed company based in Dunedin. It has reported increases in revenue and earnings for the first half of the 2022 financial year, ended February 28. Revenue was up 13% to $118.4 million and normalised earnings before interest and tax grew by 19% to $11.7m, delivering a net profit of $4.7m. The company said forward work remains robust with system design and build contracts in Europe,

United States, China, Australia and New Zealand. “Completion of large meat automation systems for Alliance Group and a leading meat processor in Australia has seen growth in profitability for our projects business,” the company said. “Our primary focus remains on selling lamb systems within the ANZ region, as well as poultry trussing systems in the US. “Demand is strong for BladeStop globally, slaughter equipment, standalone cutting equipment and carcase grading systems. “Scott is leveraging experience and key customer partnerships to expand our systems offerings into beef and anticipate this will

provide the next step change in growth for our meat business.” The large lamb primal automation project at the Alliance Lorneville plant, the largest lamb processing site in the world, has received final sign-off and is now in production. The system lifts processing yields, improves safety and allows Alliance to refocus an already short labour supply on other areas of production. Scott’s share price has risen by one-third during the past year without setting any records. In recent times it has averaged its present level of $3.25 and directors declared an interim unimputed dividend of 4c, payable on May 11.

BENEFITS: The automated system at Alliance’s Lorneville plant lifts processing yields, improves safety and allows Alliance to refocus an already short labour supply on other areas of production.

Synlait’s faster than expected progress pleases analysts Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz EQUITIES analysts were pleased with the recovery progress of Synlait Milk after the publication of its interim results in early April. They said Synlait had made faster than expected progress on its two-year turnaround plan, showing strong cashflow and debt reduction. Forsyth Barr analyst Matt

Montgomerie said the early signs on the road to recovery were positive. “But there remains a number of factors outside of Synlait’s control, requiring ongoing execution against a challenging backdrop, with the latter unlikely to abate over the medium-term,” Montgomerie said. He thought the share price at $3.35 was modestly below its five-year average and appropriate

given the ongoing uncertainties, elevated gearing and the changing mix of business. Jarden senior analyst Adrian Allbon was pleased with the sell-down of excess inventories generating strong cashflows and debt reduction. Improved ingredients performance had been partly offset by ongoing issues in the diversification streams of consumer foods and beverages.

Tāmata Hauhā partners with you the farmer, to establish permanent or production forestry projects on your land that align with your needs and your aspirations for your farm. You provide the land, Tāmata Hauhā provides the funding and forestry expertise and carries all the financial risk. As landowner, you will receive 50% of the carbon profits created from the forest for 16-20 years and then 100% after that. Such an arrangement provides you with great returns without having to dip into your own pocket. As a team of ex-farmers, we understand the sector and the need to keep our farms producing. We established ourselves to create tailor-made and adaptable solutions for all landowners, especially in a time of ongoing legislative changes. Examples of some of the types of programs we can provide and manage are: • Permanent forestry - under this arrangement an 85/15% mix of exotics to natives, or an exotic baseline can be applied if you are looking for greater returns or cashflow to offset other opportunities. • Permanent transitional forestry - this is where an exotic baseline is managed to transition towards 100% native forestry over a longer-term. This considers both the returns as well as biodiversity outcomes long-term. • Production forestry - in this scenario you may wish to establish a single rotation of exotics and once harvested use the proceeds to establish secondary rotations of production or native forestry. In addition to Tāmata providing the investment, we undertake the necessary land remediation, clearing/excavation, spraying, planting, thinning/pruning, and pest control. We maintain a clear, transparent, and auditable process to ensure we act as true and effective partners in any arrangement.

We would be more than happy to visit your farm and have a discussion on our offerings and how they may be of benefit to you.

Contact Blair Jamieson for further information: blair@tamata.co.nz / tamata.co.nz / 021908476

The key risks included a2 Milk Company demand recovery, commodity price volatility and execution of diversification and debt reduction. Craigs Investment Partners thought an improvement of 3% in the target price to $4.18 was warranted after the interim numbers were published and future price/earnings ratios calculated.

But there remains a number of factors outside Synlait’s control, requiring ongoing execution against a challenging backdrop. Matt Montgomerie Forsyth Barr

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Water data dated but relevant Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz THE Government acknowledges there are limitations to an almost 16-year-old study on water-borne illness that is a key argument in support of its Three Waters Reform. The claim that 34,000 people get sick each year from waterborne disease, is at the higher end of November 2006 study, which found between 18,000 and 34,000 people fall ill with endemic waterborne gastro-intestinal disease. The study for the Ministry of Health: Estimation of the Burden of Water-Borne Disease covered the period from 19822006 and found people who fell ill from drinking untreated or inadequately treated water, mainly came from smaller water schemes.

The status quo proposal allowing representation from each council, along with equal numbers from iwi/ Māori is an unwieldy structure and needs to be depoliticised and condensed into manageable numbers. Bryan Cadogan Clutha District Council

The Government has regularly quoted sickness rates of up to 34,000 people a year to justify reforming the country’s drinking, flood and waste systems into four entities. “At least 34,000 New Zealanders

EVIDENCE: A Department of Internal Affairs spokesperson says the Government acknowledges further work is needed to give assurances to rural councils and communities that the reforms will work for them.

become ill from drinking tap water every year and many communities around the country cannot drink their water without first boiling it,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in Havelock North last year. “We acknowledge there are limitations to this data and these are well-documented as caveats in the data itself,” a Ministry of Health spokesperson said last month. Meanwhile, rural councils are warning their ability to continue ongoing drinking, waste and stormwater work programmes is being compromised by rising costs and staff leaving. At the March meeting of the Government-convened Rural Water Supplies Technical Working Group, members warned rising costs and staff departing due to uncertainty about their future due to the reforms is stretching their ability to undertake work programmes.

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A spokesperson for the Department of Internal Affairs says under the current scenario many rural and provincial New Zealanders face higher costs, frequent or even permanent boil water notices and increasing water restrictions. The Government claims the reforms will substantially reduce the cost of continuing to deliver these services, especially those in rural and provincial local authorities. “Without reform, the average cost of receiving council services is projected to increase by up to 13 times by 2051 for rural ratepayers,” the spokesperson said. “For those served by provincial councils, costs are projected to be up to eight times as high and for those in our cities and towns, costs could be up to seven times as much.” The spokesperson says the

Government acknowledges further work is needed to give assurances to rural councils and communities that the reforms will work for them. The technical working group has met three times to develop principles, work on the management of the impacts on rural drinking water suppliers and rural communities and make recommendations to Ministers. In his most recent report to the committee, chair Bryan Cadogan (Clutha District Council) described changes recommended in a Government-commission governance review as “a workable compromise”. “The status quo proposal allowing representation from each council, along with equal numbers from iwi/ Māori is an unwieldy structure and needs to be depoliticised and condensed into manageable numbers,” Cadogan said.

“The suggestions made of subregional groupings goes some way to alleviating concerns. “Likewise, the recommendation to establish shareholdings based on all councils having at least one non-tradeable share is once again a pragmatic solution to address ownership concerns.” In minutes of previous meetings, the group agreed a priority is to categorise the various drinking water supply arrangements to understand what issues need to be addressed. That includes the range of ownership, governance and council support arrangements. Questions were also raised about the practicality of the policy’s definition of water sources. The example was given of a rural water race, which also supplied drinking water, but by law the drinking water source is further back at the river.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Plastic waste scheme shaping up Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz AN OUTLINE proposal for a national recycling scheme covering all major farm plastics waste has been put out for industry discussion, after farm plastics were declared as one of six ‘priority products’ of the waste stream by the Government in 2020 The waste minimisation goal has created a requirement for a product stewardship scheme to be designed and accredited. It has also opened the door to mandate participation, to help level the playing field and ensure all parties involved in plastics design, production, sale and use help divert materials from waste and pollution to create new businesses and jobs. Agrecovery, a not-for-profit charitable trust that meets the Government’s guidelines for product stewardship schemes for priority products, was entrusted by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) to consult with the rural sector and co-design a regulated farm plastics scheme with stakeholders. Funding was supported by a grant from the Waste Minimisation Fund. The resulting Green Farm Product Stewardship Scheme design is now nearing completion. Agrecovery commercial manager Richard Carroll said two

key requirements of the scheme are that it must be free for farmers to use and be run by a not-forprofit entity. Agrecovery presently collects and processes agrichemicals and their containers, drums, bulk containers, seed, feed and fertiliser bags for the rural sector, with funding from more than 100 brands from the agri-chemical industry. “Responsibility will be squarely placed on the manufacturers bringing products into the market, so our focus has been on engaging with farmers to find the easiest and most cost-effective solution to help them recycle the plastic at the end of the product’s useful life,” Carroll said He said while individual countries, including Canada, Australia, Brazil and Ireland, all have examples of good management of individual aspects of farm plastic waste, the New Zealand scheme will be the first to cover all four main farm plastic waste streams. These are bale-silage wrap, small seed/fertiliser bags, large bags and agri-chemical containers. Agrecovery’s farm plastics discussion document estimates silage-baleage wrap alone accounts for about 10,000 tonnes of waste a year. At present, another recycling company, Plasback, is collecting

EXPECTATION: Richard Carroll of Agrecovery says manufacturers will be required to take responsibility for providing recyclable farm plastic products. farm baleage and silage wrapping, along with some other plastic waste products. He said it was still to be determined how other recycling companies would work under the legislated scheme, though it is expected the existing infrastructure will continue to offer a service The new co-designed scheme plan includes aiming to have collection points within 25km of all farms and close cooperation with territorial authorities with waste transfer stations. The discussion document outlines proposed levy costs for different plastic containers. At entry to market, small seed/ fertiliser bags may face a 20c a bag fee, bale and silage wrap $430 a tonne and large sacks $3.40 a sack. Containers face a sliding

scale from 10 cents to 13c a litre, depending on the nature of the chemicals. The scheme is due to commence from July 1, 2024, and the wider legislation covers six main national waste streams, including e-waste and old tyres. Carroll said for agricultural plastic waste there was a significant legacy issue for a new generation of farmers buying properties where past plastic has simply been burned and/or buried. He points to processing companies incentivising farmers’ sustainability plans as a key motivator for getting farmers on board with the scheme. “Incentives from companies like Fonterra to farmers who can prove their sustainability is likely to play a big part in them being on board

with this,” he said. He said the final proposal from the co-design project is likely to go to MfE officials in coming weeks. The next steps will be confirming governance details and applying to the Minister for the Environment for scheme accreditation. Government consultation on proposed regulations to support effective scheme operation would follow. Plasback commercial manager Neal Shaw said the scheme is a positive step to deal with farm waste management, but the practical issues of handling the waste stream would require more work. “It is incumbent upon the industry to work together for the greater good of the sector to manage the process properly,” Shaw said.

Sky’s the limit for NZ wool Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

OPPORTUNITY: Chief executive Greg Smith says Bremworth products in high-profile installations such as this Brooklyn Tower provide a unique marketing opportunity to grow exports of NZ wool in a lucrative market.

THOUSANDS of metres of New Zealand wool carpet are destined for one of New York’s tallest skyscrapers. Kiwi company Bremworth has secured the United States contract to supply more than 3000 square metres of wool carpet for the $1.1 billion Brooklyn Tower set to be home to hundreds of New York’s elites when it opens later this year. Bremworth chief executive Greg Smith said the company’s NZ-made product commands a price premium in the US market with the export deal a significant endorsement for the NZ wool industry. Leveraging high profile installations such as the new Brooklyn skyscraper are necessary to help the company mitigate the impact of import tariffs that reduce their competitiveness in the US, he said. “We know that consumers have had the last couple of years to review their interiors as they have spent more time living and working at home,” Smith said. “As a result, we are seeing a conscious shift towards making their surroundings a more natural environment as part of an

enhancement to their overall health and wellbeing.” The US market has traditionally been dominated by synthetic carpets and as a natural fibre manufacturer from a country that is renowned for its environment and high standard of farming practices, this is creating a significant opportunity, he said.

The selection of our wool carpet for this project is a testament to the quality of NZ wool and set to open other export opportunities. Greg Smith Bremworth The new contract is one of Bremworth’s largest installations of its natural fibre product in the US. The 93-storey tower will have 550 residential apartments with multi-million-dollar entry points and standing at 327 metres, will be one of the world’s tallest residential buildings. “The selection of our wool carpet

for this project is a testament to the quality of both NZ wool, as well as Bremworth’s manufacturing capability and is set to help open other export opportunities in this market,” he said. “Our wool carpet retails at a premium in North America, when compared to plastic-based synthetic carpets, which make up around 95% of carpet sold in that country. “The use of Bremworth products in high-profile installations such as the Brooklyn Tower provide us with a unique marketing opportunity to grow our presence and exports of NZ wool in this lucrative market.” A global player in premium wool flooring solutions, Bremworth has manufacturing facilities in Auckland, Napier and Whanganui. Guided by the purpose of finding a more sustainable way, the company is on a transformational journey focused on helping consumers to bring more natural products into their homes and daily lives. The North American deal is the highest profile commercial contract for Bremworth since its wool carpets were used in the refurbishment of dozens of US retail outlets owned by Cartier, the luxury French jewellery maker.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Farming in a consumer-led market Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz CONSCIOUS consumerism is driving change in New Zealand’s food supply chain, forcing food producers to reinvent their ways, Silver Fern Farms (SFF) chief executive Simon Limmer says. Limmer was one of three keynote speakers addressing B.linc Innovation’s Regenerating the Meat Industry forum, tackling what regenerative really means and the importance of collective understanding to benefit the food supply chain right from pasture to plate. “We know we need to reinvent ourselves as we look to the way of the world these days and bring the producer, consumer and stakeholders close together in understanding and creating value for each other,” Limmer said. He said shifts in NZ consumer red meat consumption have gone from red meat anxiety in 2010, when consumers didn’t understand their meat, to developing appreciation and real food goodness, to the rise of the conscious consumer thinking much deeper about what they consume and spending their dollar more selectively in 2022. “Consumers are telling us what they care about; they are thinking about water, the environment, and their health,” he said. “We have been guilty over the years of throwing big volumes of meat over our shoulder not really understanding the market. “The conscious consumer is understanding their food much more deeply and we need to understand and deliver to that as they are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products. “There is a whole raft of market segments we need to be

thinking about and delivering to.” New respect for food security and gradual understanding of farming is part of the solution in better telling our story, he said. AgResearch senior scientist in farm system and environmental research David Stevens said the future lies in melding old science with new science. “That comes down to concentrating on the first principles of grazing, soil fertility, meat quality and pasture production and re-examining current practice through a new lens. “It’s about making sure we are investigating the right issues,” Stevens said.

We have been guilty over the years of throwing big volumes of meat over our shoulder not really understanding the market. Simon Limmer Silver Fern Farms “From a science perspective, it’s where we are trying to go in NZ pastoral systems.” NZ is a unique environment, with a long history of grazing management and deep knowledge of functional plant communities for grazing and significant understanding of soil chemistry that work. “It is important to understand the bits that work in our environment and to work with that,” he said. “There is an incomplete

ecosystem, so we need to have that understanding as we want to make that better.” Stevens said regenerative agriculture practices hit at the heart of some of NZ’s biggest environmental challenges: restoring the quality of waterways; increasing carbon sequestration in soil; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; improving food quality and safety; allowing healthy ecosystems to flourish; and improving profitability. But he said beyond the broad definition, the term regenerative is largely shrouded in confusion. “It’s a difficult space when you are trying to generate an apparition that you can’t describe,” he said. Regenerative agriculture currently has no single definition, but most definitions include references to rehabilitating or improving soil, water and biotic resources. “There are many add-ons, some red herrings thrown in, commercial opportunities which are not helpful, and climate change – heaps of confusion and we need to sort that out.” Innovative technologies, including new plant and animal genetics, rumen microbiome discoveries and modifications to management practices to improve resilience, are key to adding value to both food producers and consumers. “I don’t like to say it because we can’t use it in NZ yet, but it’s GM (genetic modification) if we want to make real change in the future to value how we produce food,” he said. “If we want to save the planet there are opportunities to connect with now using new plants with tannins with lower methane emissions.

NEW APPROACH: Hamish and Amy Bielski’s switch to regenerative farming has turned their property into one big solar panel, with livestock the energy harvesters turning energy from photosynthesis to high-quality nutrient-dense food, while building the soil carbon sponge on their South Otago farm.

“There’s a lot more playing in the sandpit to be done to help us do better than we were before. “It’s important we are getting the right technology in front of our farmers to help them improve their practices.” South Otago livestock farmer Hamish Bielski has changed his farming systems, dropped cropping and went solely to livestock, collaborating and using innovative regenerative farming practices to optimise land-use and improve biodiversity as well as lifting actual value of the product he produces. He believes the way his farm is operating is meeting changing consumer demands.

“We are making natural, real food, that’s what people want, they just don’t know it,” Bielski said. “How a pasture grows has not changed, we are implementing old science and just doing it better. “We are a flexible, simple operation in a sustainable and scalable food system that works for us, the environment and the consumer. “Well-managed livestock are the absolute solution to what I call plant pollution and we are not complicated when it comes to marketing. “We are producing real food in a biological system and the consumer will come to that.”

Natural blend to lower environmental impact Staff reporter A GROUP of farmers have come up with a natural fibre that they say could help lessen the environmental impact of fast fashion. The self-styled fashion outsiders have launched Hemprino, a blend of hemp fibre and Merino wool that is kind on the environment. The initial concept was explored by two farmers, Siobhan O’Malley, a West Coast farmer, and Paul Ensor, who is a Merino grower from Mid Canterbury. They completed the bulk of the R&D in 2019-20 and Harriet Bell joined the team in 2021, with sales and marketing experience. The team was motivated to find a new yarn that combines the attributes of both hemp and Merino in a single blend, while being biodegradable at the end of life. Merino and hemp fibre both are known for being warm, soft and breathable, moisture wicking properties. Hemp and Merino filter UV light which protects your skin, being

breathable, durable and getting even softer with time. The limited first run of the Hemprino pioneer crew launched this month, with further products and colourways to be released in the near future. It is designed for all genders and is 100% made in New Zealand. Initial sales and interest have been strong, with the launch sparking interest and a mention in NZ’s Fashion Quarterly. Initial research was done with offshore spinners in China and Italy, before returning all production to New Zealand. Locally grown hemp fibre at the right quality is not yet available, so Hemprino is working closely with New Zealand manufacturers and farmers to build the demand for a hemp fibre industry in New Zealand. They plan to make wardrobe fundamentals that are luxurious in feel, and get even softer and cosier the more they are worn.

Check it out for yourself at www.hemprino.co.nz

LAUNCH: The limited first run of the Hemprino pioneer crew launched this month, with further products and colourways to be released in the near future.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Forced move likely for Easter Show demonstrated that,” Mckechnie said. The association’s offices remain under the grandstand, along with all its records, trophies and historical photographs, until a new venue is found. “We will start again on what may be a different event, but it is hard to motivate people and to find younger ones to take over,” she said.

Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz THE cancellation of the Easter Show in Auckland for the third year in a row is a threat to the survival of one of New Zealand’s oldest organisations, the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral (A&P) Association. It was founded under a similar name in 1843 by Auckland farmers and businessmen, including the city’s greatest philanthropist Sir John Logan Campbell. Denied its main annual revenue-raising activity with membership involvement, the A&P may also lose its home since 1911, the Auckland Showgrounds in Greenlane West. The owner of the land and buildings, Cornwall Park Trust Board, is reportedly going to lease the site to a film studio, having jacked up the rent considerably. The former long-term lease holder, the Auckland Agricultural, Pastoral and Industrial Shows Board, went into liquidation last year owing creditors $4.6 million, after cancellation of major events like the Easter Show and the Home Show. It had been advised the annual rent would rise from $750,000 to $2.3m and was in mediation. The A&P show would have to relocate, as well as many commercial and industrial exhibitions that have used the main halls, ring, stands, vehicle parks and accessways. The A&P Association is in good financial heart, according to one of its councillors, but does not yet have an alternative home. Its equestrian events relocated

We will start again on what may be a different event, but it is hard to motivate people and to find younger ones to take over. Karen Mckechnie Auckland A&P RELOCATION: Farming leaders and exhibition organisers are up in arms about the Cornwall Park Trust Board move to deny use of the premises for the traditional events. Photo: Wikimedia Commons to Clevedon some years ago and popular art and wine awards in the Greenlane halls were part of the activities suspended because of covid-19. Farming leaders and exhibition organisers are up in arms about the Cornwall Park Trust Board move to deny use of the premises for the traditional events. “At present, the A&P is planning its 180-year anniversary Easter Show in 2023 but we don’t know where,” past president Carl Harding said. He thought nearby Ellerslie Racecourse could provide an alternative venue, being central for the huge urban population for

which the show is a once-a-year connection with the country. Cornwall Park Trust, a notoriously autocratic body, claims that no decision to lease out the showgrounds as a film studio has been made, but it has gone through a tender process to that end. The trust also disputes that Sir John Logan Campbell wanted the A&P and its show to remain on the grounds in perpetuity, although that appeared to be his dying wish in 1911. The trust’s moral position seems to be that nearby Cornwall Park was Campbell’s gift to the nation, still maintained with free access

to the public and that everywhere else under its control must pay market lease rents. Some exhibitions have been held recently and a few more are scheduled before June, when a one-year lease to former showgrounds chief executive Mark Frankham expires. A&P Association vice-president Karen Mckechnie, an equestrian representative, said she hoped the trust board could accommodate next year’s 180-year event, including horse events. “If you can’t stage show jumping, which most people come to watch, it is much harder to run agricultural shows and covid has

The “Royal” status had been lost to one of the biggest exhibition organisers, who paid the liquidator for the naming rights. Stud stock specialist Bruce Orr, past president of both Royal Agricultural Society and of Auckland A&P Association, said finding young and enthusiastic people was a big challenge. “I think the covid lay-off has broken an increasingly strained connection between show associations and urban authorities like the Cornwall Park Trust,” Orr said. Disclosure of interest: Hugh Stringleman was paid to write the book Agricultural Heritage, the history of the Auckland Agricultural & Pastoral Association, 1843-2010.

Royal Agricultural Society facing big challenges Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz THE recovery of agricultural shows to put rural activities before urban audiences will be a mammoth task shared around more than 90 districts, Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) president Karen Walker says. In the 2021-22 show season more than 80 district shows were not held, most of them for the second year running, some for the third time. “Very few held a full show and the majority held were equestrian only,” Walker said. “Associations with assets like grounds, buildings and staff members have been hit harder than smaller, voluntary groups without those fixed costs.” Hawke’s Bay A&P, for example, is looking to sell its Tomoana Showgrounds to the Hastings District Council, with agreement to safeguard the annual show and Horse of the Year, and the weekly Farmers Market. RAS executives had been in touch with all show members to hear about the impacts and effects of covid cancellations on people and communities. “The majority appreciated the

contact but said they didn’t need anything more from us,” she said. The RAS doesn’t direct or require show associations to run events, but it can provide coordination, advice and encouragement.

Associations with assets like grounds, buildings and staff members have been hit harder than smaller, voluntary groups without those fixed costs. Rachel Walker RAS It is seeking meetings with relevant government ministers to see what help can be given to show members. The RAS is also in the middle of a strategic review to make it contemporary and sustainable, she said. Called the Bramley review, it began before covid and therefore

had to be adapted for the changed circumstances. Walker said covid has often been called an accelerator, both destructively and constructively, and the innovations of members that could not hold shows were an example. The RAS was approaching its centenary and one of few organisations in New Zealand to have a royal warrant. “We have a climate in which people spend their entertainment dollars differently and don’t understand the farming cycle,” she said. Show societies no longer existed to parade breeding livestock for commercial reasons; other means exist for that purpose. Meanwhile, the NZ Agricultural Show in Christchurch will take place from November 9 to 11 after two years of cancellations, the Canterbury A&P has announced. The Government’s big events insurance has helped give the show organisers some certainty, general manager Tracy Ahern said. Trade and sponsorship bookings will open at the beginning of May, with tickets going on sale from June 1 and livestock and equestrian entries opening July 1.

COORDINATION: Newly elected Royal Agricultural Society president Rachel Walker says her organisation is facing a future of challenges.

AginED ED

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

Volume 101 I April 18th, 2022 I email: agined@globalHQ.co.nz I www.farmersweekly.co.nz/agined Are you a parent or teacher and want to receive AginED every week directly to your email inbox? Send us an email to sign up at agined@globalhq.co.nz

Easter Edition!

For most people Easter brings images of eggs and bunnies (can anyone tell me how rabbits and not chickens came to be associated with easter?)

Anyway, with the fact that rabbits play a big role in easter proceedings we thought that we would take a look at the history of rabbits in NZ and the issues surrounding them. It is thought that the first rabbits were probably brought to the South coast of the South Island in New Zealand by whalers. They were an article of trade at shore stations, so were shipped from Sydney during the two decades of the 1820’s-1830’s along with other supplies. Rabbits were brought to New Zealand to provide game for sportsmen to hunt, for food, and to remind British settlers of home. It wasn’t long before they started causing problems through burrowing and pasture damage and by the mid-1870’s there was a serious reduction in sheep numbers, wool clip and lambing percentages associated with malnutrition of breeding ewes. 1

How could rabbits be responsible for reducing lambing percentages?

In a three month period in 1876 a leading Southland runholder killed 26,000 rabbits on his own 11,750 acres (4,755 ha) alone, by the efforts of men with spades, dogs and one gun. 1

How many rabbits a day would they have been killing? Soon the idea of introducing predators to control rabbit populations became a hot topic. Though there were a number of people who were not in favour of predator introduction including several ornithologists. 1

Runholders set fire to their properties in order to stimulate growth of tender new plants. The burning destroyed the tussocks but with it was the decimation of the plants that grew in their shelter, these lower grasses had provided the main fodder for sheep and anchored the soil. So even before the introduction of rabbits the tussock country was showing signs of weariness and by 1865 many of the runs needed 3.2 hectares to feed just one sheep. 1

What is a runholder?

2 What is the current average per hectare stocking rate for sheep? 3 How many sheep would now be produced on 3.2 hectares? 4 Why did landholders burn off the tussock and all other cover on their land? The owners of some stations began paying their men for rabbit tokens. Some managers paid for pairs of ears, and the men thought nothing of reaching into burrows, snipping off the ears and then putting the rabbits back—still alive, of course. For a while the sight of earless rabbits in traps or on poison lines was quite common. Some managers paid for tails. If a tail-collecting station was next door to an earcollecting station, the men used to meet in secret at the boundaries, swapping ears for tails, so that each rabbit provided two tokens, and two sets of pocket money. 1

Modern rabbit control methods More recently biological control has been introduced in the form of a virus commonly known as rabbit calicivirus 1

What is the full name of RHDV (calicivirus)?

2 How do rabbits catch RHDV? 3 Does it affect other animals? 4 How does the virus kill rabbits? 5 Is there more than one variant in NZ? 6 Who is responsible for rabbit control in NZ?

When did full time rabbiters arrive in greater numbers in NZ?

2 What was introduced in the 1880’s that allowed an export trade in rabbits to grow? (think about transportation over long distances)

What predators were introduced?

2 What is an ornithologist? 3 What concerns did they have about the introduction of predators to control rabbit populations. (Hint: think about the other things these predators may affect). Ferrets became the predator of choice for many landholders and private imports had been going on since the late 1860’s. However, ferrets were found to be bad travellers particularly on long sailing journeys and with carers who did not have knowledge of how to look after them. Losses were costly “600 ferrets were imported by George Bullen of Kaikoura, but every one of that consignment died. He started again with 700 and got two ferrets out of the 1,300”. Ferret breeding and poaching became lucrative. Rabbits spread through the North Island later. Mr C. R. Carter is said to have brought rabbits with him when he arrived in New Zealand in 1857. He liberated seven pairs at Carter's Hill, near Carterton, and within twelve years their progeny had covered a nineteen kilometre square area; twelve years later they had taken over an area of twenty thousand hectares. This incredible rate of reproduction led to what farmers called 'rabbit arithmetic'—that two times three equals nine million (the progeny of two rabbits in three years). Back in the South Island central Otago became desert-like. However, this was not due to rabbits alone.

Rabbiting became better regulated and rabbiters were persuaded to use poison which gave them only the profits from the skin alone. Jam was often used as bait and through informal experiments they found that quince and apple and raspberry jams were favoured while the rabbits were not at all interested in apricot jam.

Head to https://www.doc.govt.nz/ globalassets/documents/parks-andrecreation/places-to-visit/nelsonmarlborough/lake-tennyson-interpinfo.pdf and read about the impact of rabbits on Molesworth Station, New Zealand’s largest high country station which covers 182,000 hectares or 500,000 acres. 1

When were rabbits introduced to the Marlborough district?

2 The impact of rabbits caused the station to be returned to the Crown in what year? In 1893 over 17 million skins were exported, and this figure was maintained by the activities of rabbiters, until in 1919 over 20 million were sent overseas. In 1900 exports of frozen carcasses, in skin, had reached sixand-a-half million. 1

Using the number of frozen carcasses exported in 1900, can you work out how many rabbits were killed each month, week and day?

Early methods of controlling rabbits included hunting with dogs, digging out warrens, trapping and shooting. The rabbit boards favoured gas for killing rabbits in warrens. Rabbit proof fences were erected.

DO SOME RESEARCH. 1 How many rabbit proof fences were erected? 2 Where were the fences? 3 How effective were they?

3 What is Rabbit Calicivirus Disease and why was it introduced illegally? 4 How long was the Waiau rabbit fence and what materials was it constructed from? 5 Was the rabbit fence successful?

How many words can you make from the word RABBITER? There are 2 seven letter words that can be made and 16 six letter words? Can you make any of these?

Newsmaker

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Levelling the playing field Brent Kleiss has long had a yearning for a leadership role, with his appointment to the helm of New Zealand Pork bringing new young blood to the industry body. He talked with Annette Scott.

T JUST 35 years of age, the appointment as the new chief executive of NZPork fulfils a career goal for incoming chief executive Brent Kleiss. Kleiss, who joined NZPork as policy manager in July 2021, brings widespread experience in the primary sector as he steps up to head the statutory industry body working to support NZ’s commercial pig farmers. “I have always had a leaning to leadership roles where responsibility for what you do can influence others,” Kleiss said. He steps up as a next generation leader keen to keep the industry on track, as he aims to attract the next generation of pork producers into the sector.

We have good farmers who can tell the industry story and if we are on a level playing field, we are hopeful the pig industry can continue to be a thriving industry in NZ for years to come. Brent Kleiss NZPork “When the role came up, I knew there was a good team in place and I thought that’s my team, that’s the opportunity I want,” he said. With less than 100 commercial farmers nationally, the pork industry’s critical mass to operate becomes a factor. “We don’t know quite where that threshold is but it’s a concern,” he said. “We are a livestock sector with

GOOD STUFF: NZ pig farming has a small environmental footprint relative to other parts of the primary production sector, producing 0.2% of agricultural emissions, Brent Kleiss says.

unique pressures and challenges that other livestock sectors don’t have. “But we are a tight knit industry and that is good in a lot of ways, but being a much smaller sector, we have less resources, flexibility and adaptability. “I’ve already met a lot of our farmers and it’s clear to me how much they care about their animals, their products and their communities. “We have good farmers who can tell the industry story and if we are on a level playing field, we are hopeful the pig industry can continue to be a thriving industry in NZ for years to come. “I’m also proud of the opportunity to lead the great team at NZPork.” Kleiss is keen to ensure that level playing field can prevail for the industry. One of the key challenges derives from imports with more than 60% of pork consumed in NZ being imported product coming from Germany, Poland, Australia, Canada, Spain, the US and Finland. “The big challenge here is imports consistently provide a product that compares to NZproduced (in nature and in label), but using practices illegal in NZ, at a much lesser cost and often misleading presented as NZ made,” he said. “NZ is beholding to some of the highest animal welfare standards and environmental regulations in the world and that makes our product a whole lot more expensive than imports coming from much lesser standards.” That is the uneven playing field NZPork is gunning to address in the current government review of the pig code of welfare. “We want to be sure we are competing with equality of standards, that is the same standards apply to imports as to those for our NZ farmers and supply chain, so as not to force

EDUCATION: Incoming NZPork chief executive Brent Kleiss says those responsible for the pig code of welfare review need to get a deeper understanding of the NZ pig industry that is based on actual animal welfare science.

consumers to choose imported products,” he said. “By allowing imports of lesser standards to play on the same field with lesser rules, the consumers are encouraged to procure these lesser cost products over NZ-produced pork products. “We are well aware of the need for free trade, however, we argue consumers are changing globally and demanding greater regulation around animal welfare and the environment. “The time is fast approaching where NZ can look to be the leader, back ourselves and stamp our place in the market with what we have here in NZ. “If others want to compete in our domestic market, they should be doing so under the same high standards as NZ.” Industry is eagerly anticipating what will come out of the review. “If what we are hearing is true, the scale of what comes out could be quite shocking,” he said.

Kleiss said some of what is proposed is far removed from where the science lies. “We encourage the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) to get a deeper understanding of the NZ pig industry that is based on animal welfare science to get a realistic outcome,” he said. “The pendulum has swung a bit too far, with perception pushing the boundaries of science. “We will be going hard in the consultation phase.” Industry is buoyed with the movement in country-of-origin labelling. “There is still room to move to do better; in the meantime, the bedding in period now is about ensuring 100% NZ-produced pork gets its showing and is unclouded for consumers,” he said. NZ pig farmers are committed to playing their part to reduce emissions, however, current proposals for pricing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock are not equitable for the sector, he said. “NZ pig farming has a small environmental footprint relative to other parts of the primary production sector, producing 0.2% of agricultural emissions,” he said. “Although NZPork supports in principle a farm-level pricing scheme as a preferred pricing mechanism, we have significant concerns about the current proposals. “Emissions from pig farming differ significantly to emissions from pastoral farming because pigs are monogastric, so they naturally produce much lower methane emissions than ruminant animals like cattle or sheep.

“Pig farming systems are also very different to pastoral farming systems and as such, the proposed options are incompatible with pig farming and we believe more work is needed to assess whether a price on emissions is a suitable policy approach for our sector.” With emissions from pigs set to be priced from 2025, he said the inclusion of pig farming in any pricing system must be contingent on it being fit for purpose, practical and resulting in equitable outcomes for pig farmers. Prior to NZPork, Kleiss was 13 years with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), most recently as principal advisor stakeholder and industry engagement for public affairs, and roles covering border clearance and biosecurity assurance. Already a familiar face for many people in the pork industry and the wider primary sector, he has impressed the industry with his skills and strategic insight in a range of areas. “We look forward to him making a valuable contribution to NZPork, especially as we face significant regulatory reform associated with farrowing crates and mating stalls and the environment,” NZPork chair Eric Roy said. In his spare time, Kleiss enjoys time with his young family and playing football with Christchurch-based Parklands United. “We had a good win first up last weekend, so that’s pretty cool heading into the season,”Kleiss said. He officially takes on the chief executive role on May 2.

New thinking

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Oats a base to boost lactation Mother’s milk is the base for a baby’s best start in life, but often does not flow as freely as it needs to for hungry infants. Auckland architect Wendy Poon has come up with a nutritional solution that can help young mums struggling to keep up. She spoke to Richard Rennie.

HEN Wendy Poon found herself as a young mum with her first child five years ago, she faced the reality of the demands a newborn can bring not only on routines, but also on the physical ability to ensure she was feeding her young son enough milk. At the time she was fortunate enough to draw on the experience of her Malaysian-born mum and grandmother, with a heritage and understanding of lactating superfoods to help her make more milk. In her case it was a long-standing Malaysian recipe that included near-green papaya and fish soup. “And if you look at cultures there are many different dishes that aim to do the same thing,” Poon said. “Indian mums may be encouraged to eat dhal, United States mums oat cookies and South Korean mums are given seaweed soup after birth.” Mothers in parts of Africa will eat moringa leaves, a type of kale often cooked in an omelette. The foods are all known as galactagogues, a term not usually the topic of young mums’ groups, but foods that play a big role indirectly in helping their young charges grow and stay healthy. They are foods that can help increase breast milk supply, usually by lifting prolactin hormone levels, the hormone responsible for helping mothers make milk during pregnancy and after birth. She started considering the potential for a food product during lockdown and two years later Mammas Milk Bar has grown by 500%, been approved in 13 countries and includes 17 products.

Our products include New Zealand oats blended with yeast, maca, moringa leaf, organic coconut cream, all used in cultures around the world to support breastfeeding.

FOUNDER: Wendy Poon, creator of Mammas Milk Bar products, with her daughter Amelia.

Wendy Poon Mammas Milk Bar Order volumes sit at 115 a day, up from three a day last year through her online site. With products ranging from a vanilla toffee lactation blend to salted caramel or hot chocolate, Poon has hit on a combination of flavours and formulations that appeal as much for their taste as their purpose. “Our products include New Zealand oats blended with yeast, maca, moringa leaf, organic coconut cream, all used in cultures around the world to support breastfeeding,” she said. As is often the case with NZsourced ingredients, the quality of the Otago-sourced oats is higher than the lower priced Lithuanian equivalent also available here. The high iron content in oats, along with a concentration of compounds including saponins, known to also have a positive effect on breast milk hormones, and the plant estragon oats also stimulate milk glands. Despite the move to a nutrition product formulator and marketer from her role as an architect with Fletchers Construction, she has had her keeping her fulltime professional role but as the business grows she is assessing how that will change in the future.

She said the exercise from developing a formulation in the kitchen at home, to final marketing and sales has been an interesting challenge, with processing done under contract here in NZ. After coming up with a good blend in the kitchen, she trialled it on young mums in Auckland Hospital and awareness grew from there through midwives and young mums’ chat groups. The powdered product is easily blended as a smoothie, sprinkled on cereal or added to recipes. The market for the range

represents possibly the most health aware of any market segment, with new mums now well aware that what they are putting into their bodies will ultimately be passed onto their young infant while breastfeeding. But relying upon breastfeeding also often comes with its share of guilt and self-doubt on what sort of job is being done. International research has also shown about three-quarters of mothers reported that while breastfeeding they felt as though they were not making enough milk to meet the needs of their

child. Just over half also reported they were not making up for that by supplementing with formula. “When you have a child, you want to feel you are doing the best job possible. In NZ and in the West in general, there is quite a bit of pressure for you to do it ‘naturally’, using breastfeeding over formula,” she said. With one eye on the next generation, Poon has also ensured the milk bar containers are designed to appeal as useful, attractive containers that offer sensory stimulation to the young beneficiaries of their contents.

Bringing Native Bush Back to New Zealand Farmland Adam Thompson wants to make it easy for farmers to grow native trees on land not suited for livestock, which led him to start Restore Native Plant Nursery. Watch the video now at youtube.com/OnFarmStory This episode was made possible with support from Rabobank On Farm Story

On Farm Story

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

EDITORIAL

Riding the waves of market change

HE state or the market? Depending on what political stripes you wear, the answer to most problems in society can be solved by one or the other, but not both. At the moment many in farming feel the state is trying to solve all the problems at once – and may even be finding some problems that don’t exist to solve. But the market is at work too and it could just be that it is undergoing a change in ideology. The companies that sell our food and fibre are outwardly telling their suppliers that they must undergo a reinvention to meet the demand of conscious consumers. People with means are reacting to the covid-19 pandemic by thinking harder about the food they eat. They’re looking for healthy food that’s made with care for the environment. And they’re increasingly willing to pay for it. Our big exporters know this and are moving to meet that need. That’s why we now have Fonterra suppliers earning a premium for hitting sustainability targets and sheep and beef farmers signing up for regenerative programmes. And on a smaller-scale, farmers are banding together to market and sell niche, high-value and sustainable products themselves. It appears that the market is catching up with the state – and fast. Business is often a soulless affair, with decisions made based on ledgers and equations, but capturing the values of a consumer cohort is the key to success. And if the production costs, supply chains and value returned all add up, then there’s only one decision to make. The market speaks and New Zealand food producers have done a fantastic job in answering that call for 40 years. But we need to keep on listening. Early economist Adam Smith once said the invisible hand of the market was all that was needed to guide us. That hand is pushing us now and we’re beginning to respond.

Bryan Gibson

LETTERS

An expensive lesson to learn RICHARD Rennie’s article on the Waimea Dam illustrates the lack of common sense of the irrigators, their chair, Tasman District Council staff, councillors and the mayor to understand the building process of the dam. What they failed to anticipate was what if the geology proved too tough and they put a P95 on the potential for major cost blowouts? But what they did instead was to put a P95 on the cost, being $75 million and then sold this to irrigators and ratepayers. The cost is now $185m and is likely to touch $210m. What is generally not known is that the dam is only an augmentation facility. It will not irrigate any more dry land. While irrigators have subscribed for shares for

3000ha, the additional 500 shares were taken out in the hope they would be sold for a profit. The shares are now unsaleable. The Waimea Plains have been irrigated from the aquifers since the 1960s and it was only when consents were reduced and irrigators were told by the council their water would be cut off, irrigators were forced to buy shares. At around a running cost of well over $1000/ha, plus the cost of borrowing for shares at $5650/ ha share, the rapidly rising council rates, the dam debt to

the irrigators, only the most profitable horticultural venture will survive. The scheme is now the most expensive in the country and the world, yet it serves so few hectares. The only beneficiaries are the consultants, the dam builders and the money lenders. It is an expensive lesson to learn and

sounds a warning to proposed other storage projects. Ironically, if the dam was operating in the last two seasons, it would not have been needed with the water just running down the Waimea River to the sea. Finally, the chair of the irrigators, Murray King, states that “you could not justify milking cows on these costs”, yet King is a dairy farmer on 65ha of irrigated land in the centre of the Waimea Plains. Brian Halstead Farm Consultant/Accountant Nelson

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Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Slapping, bullies, war and suicide Andrew Luddington

The

Pulpit

LOSS: Sophie Luddington took her own life in 2015. She was a victim of bullying.

I sat in the corner mulling over what was my first real life experience – a damn good slap in the face.

He had spent a fair amount of time in jail. When word got out about him, a person about 5km from my farm rang me and gave me this line. “I don’t know a lot about Andrew, but I do know your daughter killed herself recently. If she were still alive today, how would you feel with her living next door to him?” And you wonder who is worse: a disturbed individual who has done their time or someone prepared to use emotional blackmail to get what they want? More recently still, a group involved with outdoor adventure stuff once a month that I was a part of, fell apart. The reason being that a few individuals within the group did not like a venerable person. They banded together and under the cloak of anonymity they threw her out. In desperation she called me for help and that is precisely what I gave her. I reinstated her to that group and that got this line: ‘“Oh Lucie’s (name changed) really furious with you for reinstating Sharon (name changed).” “Oh is she?,” I said, “I don’t think she could even spell the word fury.” What we have here is a situation where a few bullies will risk someone’s life to ease a few hours of their own. Now the reinstated Sharon, the venerable person in question could then leave the group under her own terms and she did so brilliantly – “I leave you morally bankrupt”. Never was a truer word spoken. And now we have another bully to deal with, the world’s biggest bully, Vladimir Putin. Absolute power has absolutely corrupted this man to be utterly oblivious to the suffering of millions and millions. It is all about him, his ego, his power, his wealth and his security. The situation arose because people did not have the strength to stand up to him.

More recently when they did, they found themselves jailed or dead. It was too late. We hear reports of young Russian soldiers shooting themselves in the legs with Ukrainian bullets to get themselves out of a war they do not want to be part of. We hear of dead Russian soldiers abandoned where they fell so that the war pig Putin does not have to account for them as a statistic. We hear of millions of refugees and entire cities destroyed. And so, on my farm I now fly the Ukrainian flag. For David that is currently standing up to Goliath and to slap the face of bully Putin as hard as I bloody well can.

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

Who am I? Andrew Luddington is a farmer who lost his daughter to suicide.

Your View Got a view on some aspect of farming you would like to get across? The Pulpit offers readers the chance to have their say. farmers.weekly@globalhq.co.nz Phone 06 323 1519

Agrievents AWDT Next Level 2022 Food & fibre women – are you ready to lead change for the people and places you care about? To step-up and make change happen, join our friends @AgriWomensDevelopmentTrust on Next Level - a six-month leadership and governance programme for developing the confidence, skills and connections to inspire others. Connect with your cohort of aspiring food & fibre leaders, grow through individual executive coaching, build a leader mindset and set your action plan to make change happen. Learn more and register at www.awdt.org.nz/ next-level/ Next Level will run in: Wairarapa 17, 18, 19 May and 27, 28, 29 September Online 11, 12 May and 28, 29 July and 19, 20 October Christchurch 7, 8, 9 June and 1, 2, 3 November DigitalAg DigitalAG 2022 brings together technology leaders, agritech developers, early adopters and the next generation of primary industry operators. This event showcases the digital technologies transforming the agricultural and horticultural sectors. Formally MobileTECH Ag, this is a must-attend event for NZ’s agritech community. Venue: Distinction Hotel & Conference Centre, Fenton Street, Rotorua To register: agritechnz.org.nz/event/digitalag/ Should your event be listed here? Phone 0800 85 25 80 or email adcopy@globalhq.co.nz

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INTEND to stick my head above the parapet with regard to the recent Hollywood slapping episode and say that a good public slapping about the face is not necessarily always a bad thing. When I was a 13-year-old schoolboy I was a shit. I was a bully. Not to my friends or smaller kids or the ugly, different, unpopular or down, but I was to a teacher. I remember him quite well. He was called Mr Clarke. He was quiet, nice, a little weak but kind. However, he hated sport and he had a hair lip with a mild speech impairment and for that my class and I made life difficult for him, especially on the sports field. One day he was taking a cricket match. He was the umpire and I was bowling and I was mobbing him up. Effectively bullying him. I went beyond his point of self-control and I received a short, sharp open handed slap across the face. It hurt, but the humiliation hurt more. Soon after a friend asked if we should organise a Clarke hating campaign. To that I said no. I deserved that slap. After this incident I became quiet and insular. Reflecting on the moment, I never had the strength or decency to approach Mr Clarke and to tell him that moment was well-deserved, but at least I did not martial the processes (significant these days but still available then) against him. And if I met him today I would shake his hand and thank him. Time moved on a year and I found myself in a Latin class with another teacher who was getting even more stick. This time I did not join in. In fact, I became very uncomfortable about it. I sat in the corner mulling over what was my first real life experience – a damn good slap in the face. I saw the hurt in that teacher’s eyes as his class day in and day out turned on him. As I write today (April 2), it marks the seventh anniversary of my daughter’s death. She was called Sophie and she was bullied. She took her own life in my neighbours garden. Two years after this I found myself at a reunion in Melbourne with three of my old school friends. One of them asked me, “Do you remember that Latin teacher? We gave him so much stick he used to cry”. I said nothing to that but the look on my face shut him up with immediate effect and I would imagine he now regrets his actions back in the day. Now more recently I have come across quite a few bullying situations. Those that hide behind computers. Vile nameless trolls. I don’t like the protest group Groundswell and wrote on their website why. And for this I got a lot of ‘go back to the UK or whoever will have you’ and other racist taunts. I had a very undesirable tenant on my farm for a while. He was vacant, mentally impaired and was something of a threat to those around him.

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Global tensions raise the stakes Alternative View

Alan Emerson

IT WAS good to read Nigel Stirling’s article on international diplomacy and trade in last week’s Farmers Weekly. I appreciated being able to see a sane, factual and informative article that outlined some of the decisions we’re going to have to make. Life isn’t boring on the international stage, with the Ukrainian conflict and China’s treaty with the Solomons keeping us entertained. Offering an alternative view, I strongly believe that New Zealand’s approach to international diplomacy is currently more resembling a circus than a well thought out, long-term strategy. Our reaction to the Ukrainian crisis is a case in point. We are bombarded about the atrocities committed by Russians against Ukrainian civilians and they are atrocities. The problem I have is that we’re going back to the rhetoric of the Cold War that Russia is always bad and the United States is always good. I accept that Russia has behaved appallingly in Ukraine, but I would have absolutely no doubt that the US would have committed atrocities in Iraq and Afghanistan. We can read how Australian special forces killed civilians in Afghanistan and they certainly had significant issues in Timor. NZ didn’t come out of Afghanistan blameless either, but there is no balance and there needs to be. As the saying goes, the first casualty of war is truth. Coming closer to home, we have the current contretemps with the Solomon Islands and

RISKY BUSINESS: Alan Emerson believes that New Zealand’s approach to international diplomacy is currently more resembling a circus than a well thought out, long-term strategy.

its relationship with our biggest trading partner, China. The Solomons are a sovereign country. They can choose who they do business with and, again simply stated, it is no other country’s business. Australia and the US claim China is wanting to put a military base on the Solomons. China emphatically denies the accusation.

We have major decisions to make as a country that requires sane, knowledgeable and unemotive decision-making.

The bodice ripping by Australia, US and, to a lesser extent, NZ has been frenetic and reeks of the old British Gunboat diplomacy of an earlier era. Colonialism is the politics of the past. I can remember back to the 1970s when our then Prime

Minister Norman Kirk invited the Chinese to establish an embassy in Wellington. Then leader of the opposition Rob Muldoon told the country that it was the beginning of the end. We’d soon have Chinese troops on Lambton Quay. That obviously didn’t occur in the last 50 years and is unlikely to in the next 50. Also, I don’t see a whole lot of difference from China having a base in the Solomons to the US having one there. Going forward, my issues are: Yes, Russia has invaded Ukraine and committed atrocities. I would have no doubt that China would have known that Russia was going to invade. The US and Europe are greatly annoyed that China hasn’t condemned the invasion, but it was never going to. We now have NZ concerned about China in the Solomons and critical of China over its lack of criticism concerning Ukraine. Surely we have illusions of grandeur. China is currently our largest market and, yes, we must diversify more but that won’t happen overnight.

On a more practical basis, China’s Belt and Road initiative involves a lot more sovereign countries than just the Solomons. The US is now threatening a trade war with China, which will be interesting as it will hurt them more than it will China. The most fascinating development in my view is the SWIFT money system and what’s likely to happen as regards world trade. For the uninitiated, SWIFT is an international money and security transfer system with 11,000 member institutions and an average of 42 million messages a day. It uses US dollars and the vast majority of world trade comes under the SWIFT banner. Banning a country from SWIFT means a country’s ability to conduct international financial transactions has been disrupted. It’s been political in the past. In 2012 it shut out Iran and in February this year it shut out Russia. While the sanctions were devastating to Iran they need not be for Russia, as it has an alternative. Russia has its own platform known as SPFS.

It has now combined with the Chinese system and expanded to include Turkey, Iran and Switzerland, among others. According to the South China Morning Post, both Russia and China want the deals in their own currencies as against US dollars. I hadn’t been aware of the magnitude of the transactions or the close economic ties and massive trade and tourism ventures between China and Russia. If a chunk of world trade comes under the Russian-Chinese financial system it will involve us making some hard choices. It will also put considerable downward pressure on the US dollar. We have major decisions to make as a country that requires sane, knowledgeable and unemotive decision-making. Sadly, all we are getting from the Government and the opposition is shrill bodice ripping and pointless sabre rattling.

Your View Alan Emerson is a semi-retired Wairarapa farmer and businessman: dath.emerson@gmail.com

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Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Best asset is a clear conscience From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

“WAR is so unjust and ugly, that all who wage it must try to stifle the voice of conscience within themselves.” That is a quote from Leo Tolstoy and given current affairs, as apt now as when it was written in 1853. Tolstoy was a Russian writer regarded as one of the greatest novelists of all time and who wrote such classics as War and Peace and Anna Karenina. I read War and Peace as a young man and was pleased with myself at the time, but remember little so I would like to give it another go when I have time. I’ve been thinking about conscience lately, although what weighs heavy on mine is but a minor matter. I’m no saint and have regrets from the past, but no great sins of real consequence. But recently I did something I regret which hasn’t affected anyone but myself and yet it has pricked my conscience and

made me think more on what a conscience is and how it affects us humans. I cheated at Wordle. I assume many of you know what Wordle is and like myself and lots of others are playing it on a daily basis. But for those who don’t have any idea of what I’m talking about, here’s the story. Everyone on the planet who plays gets to try and work out the same five letter word each day. You can only do the one word daily and it usually takes only a few minutes, so it’s not an addictive waste of time. It’s hard enough to be a challenge but easy enough it makes you feel cleverer than you actually are. Jane and I usually do it on our own phones first thing in the morning, while not giving any hints to the other. You have six tries to get the word and start by googling up Wordle on your phone and go to the site that hosts this daily quiz. The site also keeps a track of your successes and failures with a statistics page. At the time of writing, my statistics tells me that I’ve played 64 straight days since I was introduced to the game by a niece. A little like a pyramid game, I’ve introduced and hooked about a dozen others to the concept since. What’s pleasing is that my

win percentage is 98 and I’m on a current streak of 53 straight games. Except that I know that about 20 days ago, I got to my sixth try and realised there were at least half a dozen possible words. I couldn’t let my streak break so easily, so went to my PC and logged in as a new identity. I used all six goes and still didn’t get the word, but it told me what the word was, so I entered it into my cellphone identity and my winning streak continued. But to paraphrase President Kennedy, the fruits of my victory were like ashes in my mouth. I regretted my dishonesty straight away and fessed up to Jane. She was disappointed in me, but I have since noticed, not above getting hints from her sister on their phone calls when stuck herself. It’s not like you are playing everyone else in the world. The only person I’ve cheated is myself. I’ve since become cavalier with my guessing, hoping to end my fake winning streak and start again with a streak that has more integrity. But the cavalier attitude has improved my game if anything and the streak continues. I thought cheats didn’t prosper. However, the matter has given me the opportunity to think upon

WIN-LOSE: After successfully ‘cheating the system’, Steve Wyn-Harris realised that his win was not as rewarding as he’d thought it would be.

I regretted my dishonesty straight away and fessed up to Jane. She was disappointed in me, but I have since noticed, not above getting hints from her sister on their phone calls when stuck herself. conscience and how it shapes our actions. I certainly won’t cheat at Wordle again given the unease I now feel. It makes me think of that other Russian, Putin and whether he has trouble sleeping at night with a troubled conscience. It would seem not. Last week he even called his invasion of Ukraine a noble cause, when it is anything but.

His ambitions have cost tens of thousands of lives, caused unimaginable suffering and distress and seen a country, where many of the people speak the same language as him, being destroyed. It defies belief that anyone could commit this sort of carnage upon other human beings, but history is full of people who have done exactly that. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Mussolini, Pol Pot, Amin and Assad, to name only a few recent tyrants. And now Putin has willingly joined their ranks and must surely now be the most despised living person on earth. Conscience seemingly keeps most of us on the straight and narrow, but unfortunately not everyone.

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

NZ’s balancing on a knife’s edge Barbara Kuriger AT A time when farmers should be celebrating higher red meat and dairy prices, they, like other New Zealanders, are feeling the pinch. Already facing seasonal challenges, with either too much or no rain, the cost of doing business grows daily under Labour’s watch. Results from the latest Federated Farmers survey show farmer confidence is the lowest it’s been since the twice-yearly surveys began in 2009. More than half of the 1000 surveyed in January – before the Omicron surge and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – expected economic conditions to worsen in the next 12 months. They also believed their spending would increase because of it and their profitability decline. So far, they’re not wrong. Even with stronger returns, revenue is quickly going back out the door to cover rocketing fuel costs, up 44%; fertiliser, up 28%; stock feed and grazing, up more than 6%; and seeds, up 6%, as well as labour costs due to the nationwide overseas worker shortage. The last one, a problem which could have been relieved by

RISE: Barbara Kuriger predicts that the average Kiwi household’s expenses will increase by $150 a week.

relaxing immigration rules, two years ago. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s 30year high inflation rate of 5.9% is set to keep climbing. Our current cost of living crisis will mean a $150 a week per household increase this year and that is having a colossal impact on both rural and urban families. Life is hard for many people making tough decisions about where and how far every dollar they earn will go. And as the Government’s coffers

swell with the ill-gotten gains of inflation, Labour is failing to provide any tax relief. Agriculture is NZ’s biggest income earner. If it is under strain, the ripple effects will be felt by all New Zealanders. The massive rise in fuel costs, especially diesel, is just one example. All supplier costs, deliveries and services coming on to farms have risen rapidly. As has the cost of transportation

from rural regions. From export goods to end food products in retail outlets, the cost of fuel is reflected in their price. In recent weeks I’ve already said the Government’s ignorance is making everything so expensive and difficult. In the four and half years they have been in power they have learnt nothing about the country they run. That shows in Labour’s Clean Car package, the Ute Tax, which has just become operative.

Buying a new Toyota Hilux will now cost an extra $5175. Once again Kiwis, especially big users like farmers, growers, tradies, construction and forestry, will be paying for an ideological policy that ‘robs Peter to pay Paul’ in an attempt to have us all in electric vehicles. Yet electric utes in numbers to meet this country’s demands do not exist and won’t for some years. As one farmer puts it: “We’re on a knife edge really. While we have increased returns, there is huge apprehension at what will be coming at us next, in the way of increased costs and compliance.” As a member of the Opposition, I can relate.

Once again Kiwis, especially big users like farmers, growers, tradies, construction and forestry, will be paying for an ideological policy that ‘robs Peter to pay Paul’ in an attempt to have us all in electric vehicles.

On Farm Story

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Giving back to the community The saying goes that if you want action, ask a busy person. OIivia Weatherburn is a busy person. She tells Neal Wallace that she loves promoting agriculture and is about to broaden her activities with a new podcast initiative publicising career opportunities in the industry.

LIVIA Weatherburn had the nickname Farmish when she was a student at Otago Girls’ High

School. The moniker reflected the reality that she was about the only student at the Dunedin high school with an agricultural background. “I remember giving a speech in the fifth form on the seasons of farming and remember people laughing a lot when I talked about drenching and crutching,” Olivia said. “A lot of that reaction was due to the fact that they did not know what they did not know.” Similarly, she would take city friends out to the farm her parents were managing on the Maungatua Hills, which overlook the Taieri Plains. For virtually all of them, it was their first time on a farm. “That was an eye opener, I learnt a lot,” she said. It was an experience that still resonates with her. “You don’t know what you don’t know and you have to put yourself in other people’s shoes to understand them,” she said. Her passion for the primary industry is rooted in an upbringing spent on farms in Otago and Southland, a lifestyle she considers a privilege and one she feels worthy of sharing “I had such a cool childhood,” she said. Olivia lives with husband Willy, who manages Braxton View, a 500ha sheep and beef farm near Mossburn in Northern Southland. An earlier back injury, while working as a shepherd, forced her to change plans to be a farm

worker or farm owner to a career in rural servicing. The change allowed her to unleash her boundless energy, passion and enthusiasm for the primary sector, along with strength as an organiser and motivator to encourage people into the industry and run programmes to upskill farmers. Her orderly office reflects a busy person, but being organised and having practical attributes assists her to relate and interact with farmers.

I was living the dream. I had a team of dogs and a young horse that I was barrel racing. Olivia Weatherburns Farmer Olivia was born and bred in Western Southland, where her parents managed farms. Initially she boarded at Southland Girls’ High School in Invercargill before moving to Otago Girls’ High School when her parents moved to a property near Dunedin. After leaving high school she went to Lincoln University where she initially studied a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, but her strength in things practical rather than science came back to haunt her. “Chemistry and I did not get on at high school and we did not get on at university,” she said. After a year she switched to a Diploma in Farm Management,

A BUSY LIFE: The post-it note wall in Olivia Weatherburns’ office.

which she says still opened the same doors but with skills learnt in a different way. She took a year out between courses and worked as a shepherd on Linnburn Station in the Maniototo and then a property near Middlemarch. It was perfect for her, with low-lying paddocks rising up to tussock hill country. “I was living the dream. I had a team of dogs and a young horse that I was barrel racing,” she said. It was while working there that she was taken out by an angry cow, hurting her back for which she, regrettably, did not immediately seek treatment. “Ten years later I had three surgeries on my back and that angry cow was the cause,” she said. Returning to Lincoln she completed her diploma, then headed to Australia with just $300 cash in her pocket. She had work arranged on Ross and Katrina Ford’s Forrest Home cattle station in Queensland that provided an outlet for her passion of riding horses while working with stock. It also led to a job in the couple’s sideline retail business, selling western wear at shows and camp drafts. “I got the job because I could back a Ford 5250 and a gooseneck trailer,” she said. It all added to her knowledge, skill and experience. On returning to New Zealand, she worked for five years for Outgro Bio Agriculture, a North Island fertiliser company that sold customised soil nutrient, fine particle and slurry mixes. It was her job to expand the business into Southland. “The model was healthy soil,

WORK IN PROGRESS: Olivia Weatherburn is training Patch, a new heading dog.

healthy pasture and healthy stock,” she said. “It meant meeting farmers, taking soil and herbage tests, looking at the whole picture.” During that time she bought a house and 2ha at Balfour for her horses and some sheep, but it became apparent that farm ownership would not only be financially difficult, but physically impossible due to her back injury. She met and later married Willy, who was working and managing farms in the Southland. Over winter he worked as an ice maker for the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground on the Pisa Range near Wanaka. International car makers and tyre manufacturers use the ground during the Southern Hemisphere winter for testing and his job was to work at night, to ensure they had the right quality ice and snow for the testers. While at university, Olivia won a Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) scholarship and after five years working for Outgro Bio, in 2015 she joined the producer body as the southern South Island extension manager. It also provided an outlet and a vehicle for her enthusiasm for the sector and a chance to make a difference for sheep and beef farmers. In May last year she moved to a new role as national extension programme manager within

B+LNZ, a position to assist the management of the organisation’s extension programmes. That includes working with extension officers, reviewing the extension programmes delivered by B+LNZ, while also leading projects such as the B+LNZ Action Groups, which was previously the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP). The list of further initiatives she has been, and is still involved in, is extensive and varied. One area of particular interest is exposing young people to the primary sector using some innovative techniques. At the 2020 Southern Field Days in Southland, she launched an amazing race-type event with local schools, called a Food and Fibre Discovery Challenge. Three hundred students were split into teams and given challenges to complete that were associated with agriculture. Later that year a further 300 students competed in a similar event at Ag Fest in Greymouth. The event required students to visit 40 prearranged sites at the field days, on which they had to answer questions or undertake challenges but were also exposed to potential careers. “It was like a game and if you put some fun into it, it helps them relate and then you are winning,” she said. Many companies involved in

On Farm Story

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

RIPARIAN PLANTING: The Hamilton Burn, which flows through the farm where the Weatherburn’s live, is alive with fish and eels.

It’s not money in the bank account which gives me wealth, it is the doors that have opened and the people I have met, the knowledge I have acquired and the places I have been. Olivia Weatherburn Farmer

the challenge said they would be happy for students to spend a day on the job with them to learn more about career opportunities. “At the end of the day, the more you can influence someone at a young age, the more successful you will be,” she said. The exercise also gave students a purpose for the day and teachers resources for subsequent school lessons, further exposing students to the primary sector. Covid has meant a halt to the initiative, but she hopes to resurrect it when field days return. A key to improve the understanding of the primary sector is to educate young people where food comes from. “It is easier before the myths and influence of social media takes over,” she said. Part of that is education and she sees solutions in her own schooling experience. Not a fan of algebra, she said it would have been more relatable for her if it had been taught in the context of genetics. “I would have had a whole new perspective,” she said. Being involved in initiatives like Teachers’ Day, run by Grow NZ, in which teachers of subjects as diverse as the sciences, economics and food technology, spend time on farms to learn about the sector and associated educational opportunities. Many of these initiatives grew from a Kellogg Rural Leadership programme she completed in 2017, in which she studied the public perception of the red meat sector. That project involved 70 interviews with people as diverse as trade envoys, teachers, fertiliser reps and farmers. It also included interviews with recent school-leavers and Year 12 and 13 students. “It was about people’s understanding of the red meat sector and their perception of job opportunities,” she said. Her primary finding is that agriculture jobs are perceived as being for dummies. That lack of understanding extends to the ignorance of the mainstream media who she says do not portray the sector accurately or the many career opportunities.

Olivia recalls talking with a graphic artist student who had no idea of the opportunities in the primary sector designing packaging, signage, promotional and marketing material for ruralbased companies. B+LNZ’s Growing NZ is another primary sector initiative targeted at young people. Year 10 and 11 science and business students are presented with challenges facing the primary sector and encouraged to think freely of possible solutions. “It’s not about finding a solution that works, but helping students realise that business and science brains are relevant to the sector and can be involved,” she said. Other B+LNZ projects being led by Olivia are about technology transfer to farmers, but also creating the right structure and environment to enable the exchange of knowledge such as teaching facilitators how to conduct meetings and field days. The programme she is most proud of is the B+LNZ Generation, which involves three workshops over six months. The programme is designed to assist farmers understand the financial basics and management of their business, develop better decision-making skills, understand technology and genetics within the industry, understand the importance of managing mental health and personal wellbeing, along with industry goals and aims. She is now branching out further her love and passion for agriculture. Together with GlobalHQ, publishers of the Farmers Weekly, she is about to launch a podcast series, The Road to Rural, in which she talks to those working in the sector about their jobs. The idea is to promote the breadth of employment opportunities and careers that support the food and fibre industries: “everything from the lab to the land,” she said. “Someone listening to an interview in the podcast could think ‘I want to do that’.” She hosts her own podcast on The Equine Life and tells how one listener was so inspired she went and volunteered at her local Riding for the Disabled.

Olivia thinks that if you have a good idea, there is little point in not acting on it, then one day wishing that you had. “I live and breathe this sector which I absolutely love, so I have no qualms about giving back,” she said. “It’s not money in the bank account which gives me wealth, it is the doors that have opened and the people I have met, the knowledge I have acquired and the places I have been.” She has a vision that one day the primary sector will not be searching for workers, rather people will be drawn to it. That one day every school will promote agriculture equally with other careers and urban people will have a greater appreciation and understanding of the sector. Similarly, she would love every school to run a Teen Ag or Agrikids class, which exposes them to the rural sector, while also helping develop life skills such as communication and working with others. “If every person in NZ understands the process of what went into producing that piece of lamb, cut of steak, milk, cheese, chocolate, lettuce, apple or woollen jersey, then we would see such a change in attitude between urban and rural sectors,” she said. She believes every farmer has a responsibility to try and break down that divide and they can do that by participating in the annual Open Farms programme, but also inviting urban school classes onto their farms. “Every year Open Farms struggles to get enough farmers to open their gates and everyone has connections to schools, so invite them to come out and have a look,” she said. Her enthusiasm and leadership attributes were recognised by being one of four finalists in the 2022 Zanda McDonald Awards, for which she says she was honoured. “It’s not what you know but whom you know that gets you places,” she said. “Knowing that the home fires are able to keep going while I am away enables me to give 100% to my passions.” But achieving her goals would not be possible without the people

she has met and supported along the way. “As much as my husband may roll his eyes at yet another one of my ideas, his support needs to be acknowledged,” she said. She also hunts, fishes, is a former national barrel race champion, volunteer firefighter, Lions member and life member of Otago-Southland Young Farmers. There is a large board attached to her office wall covered in postit notes and a separate piece of

paper with a multitude of projects linked by lines and numbers prioritising tasks. Olivia somewhat dismissively scoffs that this is how she plans her life. Another interpretation is that this is a war room in the battle to sell the attributes of and to improve the primary industry.

>> Video link: bit.ly/ OFSWeatherburn

TOP TEAM: Olivia Weatherburn with Goo, one of the horses she uses to compete in cowboy challenge events.

Rural market update Outlook for NZ dairy continues to be positive. Confidence in the dairy industry continues, even with all the current global uncertainty. Typically, high international dairy commodity prices are a precursor for increased international milk supply; however, the significant forward pricing for grain and associated inputs appear to be dampening most global milk supply forecasts. Our low cost, low carbon footprint associated with NZ dairy exports positions us well to navigate the international uncertainty. Many NZ dairy farmers would be coughing on the notion of ‘low cost’ as they look to absorb this month’s 20th invoices. Nothing about these challenging times in Ukraine looks short-term, and the impact of Covid disrupted supply chains continues to worry many. Given the knock-on effects of global inflation and rising interest rates, our $9-$10 milk payout undoubtedly remains our best forward hedge.

Our dairy real estate market continues to strengthen year on year up 26% The national dairy rolling 12-month median price to February 2022 is sitting at $40,300/ha, the strongest result in a decade, with the value of total sales tracking towards $1.5b, which again, is not far off an all-time high. Our view for autumn and spring 2022 is to see a continued strengthening of the dairy real estate market, even with Bank rural credit criteria, maintained on a very conservative forecast pay-out.

Underlying profitability will see a record level of dairy debt retired in 2022, and regional towns and service providers are likely to welcome the additional local spend. We still hold the view that investing in dairy assets offers very strong value upside even at current levels, noting; staff shortages, the ETS and environmental compliance remain significant considerations but so too does weather and everything else it takes to run a profitable farming business. Outside of the big four dairy regions of the; Waikato, Taranaki, Canterbury, and Southland, we are regularly seeing productive dairy farms de-converted back to beef on margins well below dairy returns. At some point, the highest and best use of land wins out, particularly on the current dairy outlook, even if beef producers can pay dairy prices for land. The 2022/2023 forecast is for yet another solid dairy season, whilst absorbing some of the most significant international market shocks of the 21st century. Our purpose remains steadfast in making a difference for rural New Zealand. We have a great offering with our current Autumn Outlook, literally from the far North to the deep South; we sincerely thank our vendors for their support and look forward to achieving their sale objectives off the back of this campaign. It’s often said sales make sales, and we’ve seen clear evidence of that this season, so if you want to back a national team with momentum, give Property Brokers a call 0800 367 5263 or visit pb.co.nz/rural Conrad Wilkshire, GM Rural for Property Brokers Ltd conrad@pb.co.nz

NZ Dairy Sales 20ha+ 12-months rolling to February 2002 to 2022* No of Sales

Total Sales Volume

2008 - $1,862,447,242

800 700

$2,000,000,000 $1,800,000,000

2014 - $1,574,889,809 2022 - $1,449,083,670

600

$1,600,000,000 $1,400,000,000

500

$1,200,000,000

400

$1,000,000,000 $800,000,000

300

$600,000,000 200 $400,000,000 100

$200,000,000

20 02 20 03 20 04 20 05 20 06 20 07 20 08 20 09 20 10 20 11 20 12 20 13 20 14 20 15 20 16 20 17 20 18 20 19 20 20 20 21 20 22

PB059262 Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | 0800 367 5263 | pb.co.nz

* Data sourced from REINZ

Pirongia 471 Sainsbury Road Deadline Sale

That's quite a view! Here is the fantastic, well maintained grazing property you've been waiting for. Set on the side of Mount Pirongia, just 7 km from the village, the house is positioned perfectly to take advantage of the panoramic views. You'll be hard pressed to find anything comparable. A manageable stand-alone farm or run-off opportunity. • Three bedroom family home, nicely modernized • 129 ha mixed contour land, 40 ha approx. mowable • Excellent shedding and support buildings; good yards with load-out facilities for both sheep and cattle • Reliable water supply; well maintained fencing and races • Very handy location - 19 km to Te Awamutu; aesthetically attractive Our motivated vendors have loved this farm for five years and are now ready to move on.

Deadline Sale closes Thursday 28th April, 2022 at 4.00pm, (unless sold prior), Property Brokers, 138 Arawata Street, Te Awamutu View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/TWR100513 Jo Dennis M 027 657 3310

E jo.dennis@pb.co.nz

John Sisley M 027 475 9808

E john.sisley@pb.co.nz

Ohura 9 Prentice Road Open Day

Picnic Point Picnic Point provides an outstanding opportunity to purchase a quality sheep and beef property in the well-respected farming district of Matiere, Taumarunui. Available as one farm of 827.99 ha, or as three different properties. • Mt Mable - 198.99 ha • Picnic Point - 324.20 ha • Waikaka - 304.80 ha This property has been well managed by its owners and on further inspection you will appreciate the work that has gone into making this farm perform at the level it does. The infrastructure is evenly balanced over the three blocks, with woolsheds, yards, and houses on each. Water and fencing have been a major focus with significant improvements to give the farm flexibility for stock classes and income streams including dairy grazers. The contour is balanced with a total of 102 ha of flat productive river flats and further easy rolling hills. Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | pb.co.nz

Tender closes 4.00pm, Thu 19th May, 2022, 27 Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui View Thu 21 Apr 11.00 - 3.00pm Thu 28 Apr 11.00 - 3.00pm Web pb.co.nz/TUR101097

Katie Walker M 027 757 7477

E katiew@pb.co.nz Proud to be here

FINAL NOTICE

Wellsford 109 Vipond Road

Prime location, in a league of its own

Located less than 10km from Wellsford is this stunning 281.24 hectare (more or less) dry stock farm. Historically farmed as a dairy farm, with a milking platform of 165 hectares and maize grown over 25 hectares, this unit was not only profitable but productive. Currently the farm is being utilised for grazing and fattening 250 head of 18 months steers. There is 165 hectares of predominately flat to undulating contour, subdivided into 60 paddocks and linked by an extensive limestone race with 36 hectares medium to easy hill country. Infrastructure includes 39 ASHB disused cowshed with feed pad, large maize bunkers, supported by a good array of half round sheds, implement sheds and remodeled set of good solid cattle yards together with calf rearing facilities. Purchase price is plus GST (if any).

Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 2pm, Fri 29 Apr 2022 84 Walton Street, Whangarei View by appointment Catherine Stewart 027 356 5031 catherine.stewart@bayleys.co.nz

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

bayleys.co.nz/1020730

Hawke’s Bay 3627 Puketitiri Road, Patoka

'Raumati' organic Patoka dairy

458.614ha

A dairy of 458 hectares with excellent summer rainfall. Located 41 kilometres northwest of Napier city, a very well set up farm with a 2008 built 60 bail rotary, 600 cow feed pad and large calf rearing shed. A large colonial fourbedroom villa beautifully set in established gardens, two three-bedroom cottages and implement sheds complete this top quality property.

Price by Negotiation View by appointment Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253 tony.rasmussen@bayleys.co.nz

Historical production of 300,000 kilograms of milk solids has been achieved. Excellent fertiliser history, coupled with the easy contour and free-draining ash soils fenced into 108 paddocks. Since June 2019, under new ownership the farm has undergone an organic conversion programme. In that time it has been used as a runoff and calf rearing operation, for stock trading and finishing, with some milk supply to Fonterra.

bayleys.co.nz/2852928

bayleys.co.nz

EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 18, 2022

ELSTOW FREE RANGE POULTRY

Te Aroha, Waikato

SIGNIFICANT FREE RANGE POULTRY OPPORTUNITY

+ Consistent monthly and inflation-

linked cashflows + Long-term grower contract with right of renewal + 8 free range, fully convertible, broiler sheds covering 16,460m²*

+ Freehold land: 22.56ha* of flat, free

draining, versatile land + Golden Triangle location, proximity to Inghams supply chain, competing poultry processors and large population centres

Deadline Offers:

Friday 20 May 2022 at 4pm (NZST)**

Chan Singh +64 27 767 7113 Wyatt Johnston +64 27 815 1303 Jeremy Keating +64 21 461 210

*Approximately **Unless sold prior

Arotahi Agribusiness Limited, Licensed Real Estate Agent REA Act

BLOOMFIELD STATION

Bloomfield Station

Masterton 2858 Masterton-Castlepoint Road Beauley Beauley is situated on the Masterton-Castlepoint Road, approximately 30 kilometres from Masterton. Consisting of some 750 hectares of which 41 hectares are in QE11 Trust. Contour is varied with silt flats in the front of the property with the balance medium hill which features sheltered basins and spectacular taipos. The farm is well laned and subdivided into some 85 paddocks for easy management. Fences are of a good standard with traditional wire and baton complemented by electric. With excellent facilities including the character homestead and a consistent history of inputs and proven stock performance in a handy location with good access to Masterton and the beautiful Wairarapa coastline including Castlepoint and Riversdale.

bayleys.co.nz/3151097

750ha Tender (will not be sold prior) Closing 4pm, Thu 19 May 2022 186 Chapel Street, Masterton View by appointment Lindsay Watts 027 246 2542 lindsay.watts@bayleys.co.nz Andrew Smith 027 760 8208 Simon Clinton-Baker 021 953 909 EASTERN REALTY (WAIRARAPA) LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Faithfully farmed by the same family for 135 years, now it is your turn to take over the mantle of Bloomfield Station, a 593 hectare (1,466 acre) sheep and beef farm located in the heart of the Tararua. Mainly effective, with 223ha (approx) easy to rolling-medium contour, Bloomfield Station is located 43km from Dannevirke and enjoys excellent infrastructure, a good fertiliser history and a solid production history. The stunning 4 bedroom + office homestead complemented by the inground pool, tennis court and sleepout are an added bonus. For sale by tender on the 20th May 2022, this is a property you do not want to miss out on. Contact me today for more information and to book your appointment to view.

www.forfarms.co.nz - ID FF3373

593 HECTARES

We welcome your inspection by appointment with Vendor’s agent.

FOR SALE BY TENDER

Tender closing 12.30pm, 20th May 2022

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

LK0111171©

FOR SALE

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

AUCTION

Prestige Property - Prime Location

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 18, 2022

OPEN DAYS

Open Days:

Tuesday, 19 April & Friday, 22 April - 10.30am - 12.30pm

A lovely quality dairy farm, situated in the Ohaupo district within easy reach of Te Awamutu, Cambridge & Hamilton, is now being offered for sale for the first time in 50 years.

• • • • • • •

427 Ryburn Road, R D 3, Ohaupo for sale for the first time in 50 years • numerous buildings; 16 a/s farm dairy with 23 sets of cups, 2 x large herd homes, extensive concrete area with feed pad; multiple feed bunkers; v.g. effluent system 67.72 hectares - extensive road frontage; multiple titles • two dwellings including:access from Ryburn Road, Sing Road & Lake Rd; stream on the southern boundary (i) 5 yr homestead, 3 brms, ensuite, open plan living, dble gge, additional shedding flat contour, sandy loam and silt loam soils (ii) 3 brm home with usual amenities including heating, insulation and garaging v. attractive with a scattering of mature specimen trees, v.g. races & subdivision calving approx. 240 cows on a high input system, split calving basis, 50/50 autumn/spring • excellent central Waikato location enhanced by superb views to the spectacular bush-clad mountains of Pirongia and Maungatautari average production approx. 140,000 kgs milk solids • a great district with multiple options for schooling

Ph Brian Peacocke 021 373 113

PRL Enterprises Ltd t/a PRL Rural Licensed REAA2008

MREINZ

TradeMe search # R1410

021 373 113

Sale by Auction: Thursday, 28 April 2022

bjp@prl308.co.nz

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

NEW LISTING

TAUMARUNUI, WAIKATO 808 Roto Road, Ohura

TENDER

Waipapa - 756.7621 hectares (more or less) Waipapa is predominantly a strong hill country one person farm with approximately 65 hectares of easy contour. Approximately 575 hectares of effective pasture.

(Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 11.00am, Friday 20 May PGGWRE, 57 Rora Street, Te Kuit

VIEW 10.00-12.00pm, Thursday 28 April

The paddocks mostly lead down into extensive lane ways back to yards. On average running between 4600-5000 SU. Attention to tracking, fencing, fertiliser and livestock genetics have been the primary drivers making Waipapa an exciting prospect. Six bedroom homestead. Five stand woolshed and covered yards and multiple satellite yards, Te Pari covered cattle yards, two implement sheds and airstrip. Either as a standalone or as an extensive breeding farm with excellent livestock handling facilities, Waipapa is well worth a visit. Please bring your own bike to Open Days.

Peter Wylie M 027 473 5855 E pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/TEK35965

TENDER

TURAKINA, WHANGANUI Quality Soils Situated 25km from Whanganui and 16km from Marton, is this 92.33 hectares approximately bare land property in two titles (subject to survey). Featuring quality soil types consisting of Te Arakura silt loam and Halcombe silt loam hill.

TENDER

Plus GST (if any) Closes 11.00am, Friday 29 April

VIEW By Appointment Only

Good water from two bores.

Wayne Brooks M 027 431 6306 E wayne.brooks@pggwrightson.co.nz

An opportunity to suit all farming operations, finishing, cropping, in a great location. Call now for further information.

Michael Campion M 027 454 5829 E michael.campion@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/FDG35184

Substantial Tasman Pipfruit Landholding 97.132 hectares in eight titles. This prime coastal property is situated just off the coastal highway near Mapua. With easy north-facing contours and sweeping sea views, it offers a major development opportunity with the land being zoned Rural Three. The property is run as an intensive pip fruit orchard and is a fully integrated business with onsite packing and cool store facilities. Only minutes to Mapua the property has access points off Nile and Apple Valley Roads and has a large coastal highway footprint. The property has two homes, two cottages plus staff amenities.

TENDER

Plus GST (if any) Closes 2.00pm, Thursday 12 May

VIEW By Appointment Only Doug Smith M 027 543 2280 E douglasjcsmith@pggwrightson.co.nz Joe Blakiston M 027 434 4069 E jblakiston@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/NEL35944

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

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

MAHANA, TASMAN 3 Nile Road

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under the REAA 2008

Helping grow the country

NZ’s leading rural real estate company

Helping grow the country

FARM LEASE OPPORTUNITY Rangedale Station – 1335 Puketoi Rd, Pahiatua BakerAg Land & Leasing Ltd seek expressions of interest for the lease of Rangedale Station. The property comprises a total of circa 1576 ha of medium to steep hill country situated on Puketoi and Pori Rd, some 40km south east of Pahiatua The property has a large character homestead, second dwelling, additional cottage plus two woolsheds, and a full range of farm buildings and other facilities. The property has been run as a breeding operation with an assessed winter carrying capacity of around 11,500su. The property is offered for lease for an initial three year term with one three year right of renewal commencing 1 July 2022. Farm open days for inspection will be held in April 2022 with dates advised to prospective lessees. The deadline for expressions of interest is 4pm on Friday 13th May 2022. For further information regarding the lease opportunity including property description, draft lease and details of inspection days please contact Fergus Rutherford at BakerAg Land & Leasing Ltd 0274 836 293 or fergus@bakerag.co.nz

FARM LEASE OPPORTUNITY Wairio Station – 1309 Kahutara Rd, South Wairarapa BakerAg Land & Leasing Ltd seek expressions of interest for the lease of Wairio Station. The property comprises a total of circa 1397 ha of alluvial flat to undulating land situated on Kahutara Rd, some 20km south west of Martinborough The property has a homestead, five other dwellings, woolshed, and a full range of farm buildings and other facilities. The property has been run as a finishing and cropping operation with cattle and lambs finished each season. The property is offered for lease for an initial three year term commencing 1 July 2022 with one three year right of renewal. Farm open days for inspection will be held in April 2022 with dates advised to prospective lessees.

For further information regarding the lease opportunity including property description, draft lease and details of inspection days please contact Fergus Rutherford at BakerAg Land & Leasing Ltd 0274 836 293 or fergus@bakerag.co.nz

LK0111372©

The deadline for expressions of interest is 4pm on Friday 13th May 2022.

Primary Pathways – Jobs, Education & Training

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 18, 2022

JOBS BOARD

classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

FARM MANAGER CHALLENGE and REWARD New Zealand’s largest ram breeding business is looking for an energetic and enthusiastic farm manager. Wairere is 1070 effective hectares of north Wairarapa hill country, wintering around 9000 sheep and 4500 cattle, but also the central location for a further 17,000 sheep involved in the ram breeding program. The manager will supervise a team of six to seven people, while liaising closely with the owner and business manager. Once dubbed the “University of Wairere”, there is a long tradition of training young people in all aspects of hill country farming, plus the added bonus of learning about sheep genetics.

• Area Manager • Farm Manager • General Hand and Station Cook

TE HAPE STATION – TWO ROLES Te Hape Station is a 3040ha effective property situated in Benneydale, 35 minutes from Te Kuiti and part of the Tiroa Te Hape group of farms covering 7300ha. The station winters 32,000 stock units made up of a high performing breeding ewe flock and breeding cow herd. Due to staff departure and a role change, we have two fantastic opportunities available.

Head Shepherd

The challenge for the manager is achieving high sheep productivity at a high stocking rate with nil drenching of adult stock, all ewe hoggets mated, and growing out rams on medium to steep hill country. The reward for high level management is being on the leading edge of breeding resilient genetics for the future of world sheep farming. Wairere genetics are already proving successful in Australia, the UK, and Europe.

• General Manager • Livestock Co-Ordination Manager • Regional Business Manager

The Head Shepherd role requires the right person who is willing to become part of the leadership team to run this well performing farm. The successful applicant would require 4-5 good working dogs and have had experience handling large numbers of stock. You will need to have excellent stockmanship, clear written and oral communication, and be able to work both independently and in a team environment including the

It’s a team effort to breed and coordinate the sale of rams to four hundred clients throughout New Zealand. And to continue to innovate the sheep of the future, making farmers more money with less work. Wairere is a testing ground for genetic innovation, this year with Bare Hair genetics from the UK.

• Stock Manager • Sub-Editor • Supply Chain Coordinator • Te Hape Station - Two

ability to manage staff. The position comes with a three-bedroom home.

Fencer General / Tractor Driver This role will be based around 80% fencing and tractor work and 20% general work including stock/yard work and other farm maintenance.

Wairere is 35 minutes from Masterton via three routes. Alfredton primary school is 15 minutes by school bus. Palmerston North is just over an hour distant, Wellington two hours. The management of Wairere requires a top stock person, and someone who enjoys working with people, including staff, ram clients, and visitors. The role relies on good organisation to manage the farm and staff with on and off-farm ram breeding requirements.

• Tractor/Truck/Machinery Operator *FREE upload to Primary Pathways Aotearoa: www.facebook.com

Accommodation is the large four-bedroom homestead with a selfcontained flat and office underneath. The grounds include a tar seal tennis court and recreational lake. Internet, landline, meat, and firewood are provided.

*conditions apply

LK0109661©

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

For enquiries or to apply, please email CV to: admin@wairererams.co.nz

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

The successful applicant will have a good level of fitness and the required skills to get on with the job either working alone or alongside the rest of the team. To be a good fit you will be an excellent communicator and a strong team player with a sound awareness of H&S requirements for your role but above all else we are seeking someone energetic and keen. The position comes with quality machinery for you to operate, competitive remuneration, a great work environment and a three-bedroom home. LK0111378©

roles

All applicants must have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa and will be required to have a clear pre-employment drug test. Please contact Ian Valler 07 878 4748 or email your CV to: camilla@tiroatehape.maori.nz Applications close: 5pm Friday 29th April 2022

LK0111313©

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

Noticeboard

Farmers Weekly advertising deadlines have changed All deadlines are now 24 hours earlier For advertising deadlines please go to farmersweekly.co.nz/s/advertising

LK0111360©

Or contact 0800 85 25 80 for further information

Livestock Noticeboard

Noticeboard DOGS WANTED

GRAZING AVAILABLE

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

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

DAIRY SUPPORT OR OTHER. Good Facilities and experienced grazier. Long or short term options. Waikato area. Call Mike for further details 027 487 8633.

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

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

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

DOGS FOR SALE BUYING AND SELLING Heading Dogs, Huntaways. Delivering NZ wide. Trial, guaranteed! www. youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos – 07 315 5553.

FORESTRY WANTED

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

GIBB-GRO GROWTH PROMOTANT

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

PROMOTES QUICK PASTURE growth. Only $6.50+gst per hectare delivered. 0508-GIBBGRO [0508 442 247] www. gibbgro.co.nz. “The Proven One.”

GOATS WANTED GOATS WANTED. All weights. All breeds. Prompt service. Payment on pick up. My on farm prices will not be beaten. Phone David Hutchings 07 895 8845 or 0274 519 249. Feral goats mustered on a 50/50 share basis.

WORKING FARM WANTED. Lease or lease to buy, with all facilities. Auckland to Taupō. Suitable for regrassing. Will maintain to a high standard. Phone 027 396 9134.

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE ANGORA GOATS. 28 young wethers. $55+gst each. Phone 07 552 4835. Tauranga.

LOG BUYER

SERVICING SOUTH WAIKATO, King Country, Ruapehu, Taihape areas. Ten years experience, NZ & UK. Fully Pneumatic, 3 Way drafting, EID available. No mob too big or small. Wet/dry to Triplet and foetal ageing. Phone for prices and availability 027 479 4918.

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

HOUSES FOR REMOVAL. North Island. Phone 021 455 787. SECOND HAND ELECTRIC wool press for a small farm. Phone 027 473 1591. WHAT’S SITTING IN your barn? Don’t leave it to rust away! We pay cash for tractors, excavators, small crawler tractors and surplus farm machinery. Ford – Ferguson – Hitachi – Komatsu – John Deere and more. Tell us what you have no matter where it is in NZ. You never know.. what’s resting in your barn could be fattening up your wallet! Email admin@ loaderparts.co.nz or phone Colin on 0274 426 936 (No texts please)

WINTER GRAZING WANTED

FOR 46 IN CALF R2’s Mid/ North Canterbury. Contact Wayne 021 185 6691.

SITUATIONS VACANT

76 80 +GS

JW110646©

SUPPLYING FARMERS SINCE 1962

LATE FARM SALE

RELIEF MILKER. 5-mins from Rangiora. 200 cows 24 ASHB – 2 person shed. Drive in position. from midJuly.Phone/text 021 185 6691.

Industries Ltd

A/c CRUSE LIVESTOCK LIMITED Thursday 28th April 2022 Cambridge Saleyards – 46 Hickey Rd, Leamington, Cambridge at 11:30am will be available for online bidding

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

Mark Copeland LLB, CMInstD Rural Disputes Expert LK0109558©

Available to assist with resolving rural disputes, or for appointment as a Sharemilking Conciliator, Rural Arbitrator or Farm Debt Mediator

Heavy duty long lasting Ph 021 047 9299

• DH2536 – Pick 70 from 77 High Production Friesian Cows. M/A genuine cows Call Paul 027 304 8994 (BOP)

Travel further with Farmers Weekly Promote or find your next adventure in our Travel & Tourism section published monthly. Next issue – May 9 Booking deadline: Tuesday May 3– 12 noon To advertise your travel products and services contact: Debbie 06 323 0765 or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

AUCTIONEERS NOTE: Auction is due to a late farm sale. Farmed on rolling to steep country, that has been summer dry. A great herd to top up for those extra cows you need. PAYMENT/DELIVERY TERMS: Payment 14 days from the sale date. Delivery immediate. Please note: This auction date is scheduled subject to any changes due to Covid-19 regulations CARRFIELDS LIVESTOCK AGENT: Mike McKenzie 027 674 1149 mike.mckenzie@carrfields.co.nz VENDORS: Jarrod Cruse 021 041 3968 VIEW OUR CATALOGUE AT

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Need to mooooove stock?

To view our listings and for more information on our upcoming Dairy Herd Auctions, visit: www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

• DH2518 – 210 x OAD Xbred herd BW71 PW110 DTC 5/7 Hard farm low inputs $1450 Call Michael: 027 439 4023 (Northland)

COMPRISING/DETAILS: 155 mainly Xbred in-milk, in-calf cows with a portion of Jrsy & Frsn content. • BW129 PW167 R/a 84% • Calving 15/7/22 – 2.5wks AB – Angus bulls removed 27/12/21 • System 2 feeding, TB Status C10 • Herd is scanned to date • Final pregnancy test will be within 10 days of the Auction

0800 436 566

Ph: 07 345 9050 | e-mail: copeland@copelandlawyers.com

NATIONWIDE DAIRY SPECIALISTS

Herd Dispersal In-Milk, In-Calf Auction

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

Focus time, feed and resources on breeding young stock of verified merit

WANTED TO BUY

HAULER CREW available for harvesting. Wairarapa area. Phone 027 489 7036.

RAMS FOR SALE

CONTROL FLYSTRIKE & LICE Includes • Jetter unit • Pump & hose kit • Delivery to nearest main centre

HORTICULTURE

SHEEP SCANNING AVAILABLE

THIS WEEKS DAIRY AUCTIONS: Tuesday 19th April • BUSHVIEW HOLSTEIN P/SHIP: 94 In-Milk Cows, 11 In-Milk MT’s, 20 I/C Hfrs, 20 R1 Hfrs, 3 Maiden 3yr Hfrs, 126 AB Straws, Stratford Call: Colin Dent 027 646 8908 or Luke Gilbert 027 849 2112 Wednesday 20th April • 7OFUS LTD (Gaskell Family) 300 Xbred Cows, 80 R1 Hfrs, Matamata Call: Pat Sheely 027 496 0153 Thursday 21st April • PENOAK FARMS: 200 Frsn/FrsnX Cows, 70 I/C Hfrs Matamata S/Yrd Call: John Price 027 594 2544 Friday 22nd April • LAWWAL HOLSTEINS THE LEGACY In Honour of Aman: Fundraiser & Open Day Sale, 53 lots, Gordonton Call: Matt Hancock 027 601 3787 COMING SOON: Thursday 28th April • CRUSE LIVESTOCK: 155 In-Milk Xbred cows Cambridge S/Yrd Call: Mike McKenzie 027 674 1149 Wednesday 4th May • RICHVIEW/RALPH & OTHER VENDORS: 100 Frsn/FrsnX Cows + surplus lines, Cambridge Saleyards Call: Matt Hancock 027 601 3787 or Kelly Higgins 027 600 2374 Friday 6th May • AUTUMN IN-MILK AUCTION: B & G FARRELL: 500 high producing In-Milk Autumn Cows & Machinery, Whangarei Call: Reuben Wright 027 284 6384

Advertise your stock in Farmers Weekly.

WANTED Due to high demand, we are seeking listings for all classes of dairy stock.

Contact Javier: 06 323 0761 / 027 602 4925 livestock@globalhq.co.nz farmersweekly.co.nz

Contact your local Agent or call: Paul Kane: 027 286 9279 (National Dairy & Live Export Coordinator)

LK0110882©

ANIMAL HANDLING

LK0111370©

Livestock Noticeboard

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 18, 2022

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

SALE TALK

NZ’s Virtual Saleyard

Little Susie, a six-year-old, complained, “Mum, I’ve got a tummy ache.”

11.00am

Mangatara Limousin Dannevirke Invite interested parties to view Limousin cattle for sale.

12.00pm

Full Jersey Herd Dispersal - A/C Dick & Fay Post

11.30am

Penoak Farms Final In-Milk & In-Calf Auction

FRIDAY 22 APRIL

12.00pm

30 Purebred R2 Limousin bulls Rebate payable to all purchasing agents.

Lawwal Holsteins ‘The Legacy’ Sale In honour of Aman Singh

CALF/WEANER SALES WEDNESDAY 20 APRIL 10.00am Canterbury Park Calf Sale 10.30am Charlton 2nd Calf Sale 11.30am Feilding: Sue Brothers Weaner Fair 12.00pm Kaikohe Supplementary Weaner Fair

THURSDAY 21 APRIL 1.00pm Coalgate Calf Sale FRIDAY 22 APRIL 10.00am Balcultha Calf Sale

Regular Livestream coverage of five North Island Saleyards Head to bidr.co.nz to find out more. LK0111179©

Further enquiries, phone Erik & Lyn Van Der Velden 06 374 1575 or NZFL agents Clint Worthington 021 209 2236 John Watson 027 494 1975

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

7 of Us Gaskell Family Herd Clearing Sale

THURSDAY 21 APRIL

For sale by Private Treaty on the day (or by later arrangement):

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

11.00am

WEDNESDAY 20 - FRIDAY 22 APRIL

Food and drink refreshments provided

Susie perked up, “That’s because it’s empty,” she said. “You’d feel better if you had something in it.”

7.00pm

Bushview Holstein Partnership Complete Herd Dispersal Lodore Genetics Sale

WEDNESDAY 20 APRIL

OPEN DAY: MONDAY, MAY 9TH from 10am to 2pm At their yards, 111 Rakaiatai Road, Norsewood, Dannevirke

That afternoon, her father came complaining that he had a severe headache all day.

UPCOMING AUCTIONS

TUESDAY 19 APRIL

NZ Farmers Livestock in conjunction with

“That’s because your stomach is empty,” the mother replied. “You would feel better if you had something in it.”

Livestock Advertising? Call Javier: 0800 85 25 80

Conditions apply

FOR SALE

170 R3YR Hereford HEIFERS VIC 10/03 200 R4-8YR

COWS VIC 25

Nov

STOCK REQUIRED

MALE ENTIRE LAMBS 32-38kgs

MA or 2TOOTH EWES RWR Mar/Apr 60 1YR FRSN/HERE HEIFERS >300kgs

JERSEY HERD COMPLETE DISPERSAL SALE HYBRID BIDR AUCTION Outstanding – Long Established – High Production

R2YR BULLS 400-460kgs

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381 A Financing Solution For Your Farm E info@rdlfinance.co.nz

Tuesday 26th April, 10.30am A/C L & A Wilson On Farm: 26 Taihoa South Road, RD3, Matamata Comprising 264 head: • 173 Jersey Cows •

44 Jersey In Calf Heifers

UPPER CLUTHA ON FARM CALF - WANAKA

•

47 Jersey R1yr Heifers

Tuesday 26th April, 10.30am

The very best Jersey genetics available from around the world have always been used culminating in an outstanding conformation herd that consistently produces in the 450-500 kgs ms per cow range with low inputs.

Vendors to include :

Mt Aspiring Station Limited, Matukituki Station, West Wanaka Station, Alpha Burn Station, JIT Hillend Limited and The Larches. The sale starts at Mt Aspiring Station and progresses on farm to the various properties concluding at JIT Hillend where the remaining vendors will offer their calves. Approx: • 180 Hereford Bull Calves • 850 Angus & Angus X Steer Calves • 150 Hereford Steer Calves • 200 Angus & Angus X Heifer Calves Craig Knight (PGW) 027 590 1331 John Duffy (PGW) 027 240 3841

Rural Livestock will offer of behalf of Highlandburn and Run 505 Ltd (at JIT Hillend yards)

TB Status C10, Lepto vaccinated and BVD tested. This herd was first established in the 1950s.

Production per hectare of 1000-1100 kgs ms is achieved with all replacements run on the home farm. Cell counts rarely exceed 100,000. DNA profiling has been done more than 20 years to verify parentage of replacement females. Calving is due to start from early July. All cattle are fully recorded and transferable. Delivery by arrangement as soon as possible after sale day. Our vendors are engaging a 50/50 sharemilker from 1st June 2022. Catalogues giving all details are available from the auctioneers, PGG Wrightson, Brian Robinson Livestock Ltd, online at www.bidr.co.nz & www.jersey.org.nz Andrew Reyland (PGW) 027 223 7092 Brian Robinson (BRLL) 027 241 0051

Approx: • 90 Angus & Angus X Steer Calves • 50 Angus & Angus X Heifer Calves Paul Mavor (RLL) 027 473 0100

Watch and Bid from anywhere. For more info visit www.bidr.co.nz Hybrid Livestreamed Auctions

Helping grow the country

Key: Dairy

Cattle

Sheep

Other

FEILDING WEANER FAIR - SUE BROTHERS

COMPLETE FRIESIAN/ FRIESIAN X HERD SALE

Wednesday 20th April, 11.30am

Wednesday 27th April 11.00am

Feilding Saleyards Complex A/C Sue Brothers, Ohakune Comprising approximately:

Morrinsville Saleyards A/C Mucche Ltd

• 450 H/AX Wnr Strs TBD • 400 H/AX Wnr Hfrs TBD Enquiries to: Gareth Williams 0275 264 613

• 170 Frsn/Frsn x & Jsy x In-milk, In-calf Cows BW 160, PW 193, RA 96% BW’s up to 323, PW’s up to 562 A genuine herd of cows that have not been offered for sale before. Owned by the current owners for 16 years & with a strong history of 30+ years AB breeding. Previously part of the LIC Sire Proving Scheme for 12 years. Approx 85% G3 DNA verified. Calving from 15th July 2022 for 5 weeks to AB Friesian & Crossbred. Tailed with Angus bulls, bulls removed 15th Dec 2021. On track for 430kg MS/cow from feed system 3. Current SCC 130,000 TB C10, BVD free, M-Bovis undetected. This is a great opportunity to buy genuine cows that will shift. Payment 1st June. Immediate delivery or at the end of May by prior arrangements. This sale will be available for online bidding on sale day with Bidr. Catalogue’s available on www.agonline.co.nz

NOTICE OF MAY 2022 MATAWHERO CATTLE SALES Tuesday, 3rd May 2022, 11am (note: earlier than calendared) Tuesday, 31st May 2022, 11am Contact: Jamie Hayward 027 434 7586

FOR SALE - CAPITAL STOCK • 70 Rissington Composite R2 Heifers (Capital Stock) PTIC low birthweight to Rissington Bull 1/12/21 onwards. These heifers are very well bred using top indexed bulls and run on harder Southern Lakes High Country. Craig Knight 027 590 1331

Comprising:

Hamish Wills 027 232 4813 Watch and Bid from anywhere. For more info visit www.bidr.co.nz

KAIKOHE SUPPLEMENTARY WEANER FAIR Wednesday 20th April, 1pm Start Approx. 1400 head • 250 Aut Born Ang, Ang Here, Sim & Char Strs • 550 Spring Born Ang, Sim & Char X Strs • 500 Spring Born Ang, Sim & Char X Hfrs • 100 Spring Born Beef & Frsn Bulls For further information please contact: Vaughan Vujcich (PGW) 0274 968 706 Reubin Wright (Carrfields) 0272 846 384 Associated Auctioneers Watch and Bid from anywhere. For more info visit www.bidr.co.nz

YOUR CLEARING SALE SPECIALISTS View sales online today! www.pggwrightson.co.nz/dairy-herd-sales

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

Helping grow the country

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.

Mel Croad

Suz Bremner

Reece Brick

Fiona Quarrie

Hayley O’Driscoll

Caitlin Pemberton

Deer

Sheep

Cattle BEEF

SHEEP MEAT

VENISON

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.95

5.10

NI lamb (17kg)

8.30

6.70

NI Stag (60kg)

7.95

5.35

NI Bull (300kg)

5.90

5.05

NI mutton (20kg)

5.75

5.10

SI Stag (60kg)

8.00

5.35

NI Cow (200kg)

3.90

3.50

SI lamb (17kg)

8.10

6.50

SI Steer (300kg)

5.80

4.65

SI mutton (20kg)

5.50

5.10

SI Bull (300kg)

5.65

5.70

4.55

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

3.65

3.70

3.20

UK CKT lamb leg

13.45

13.43

11.17

US imported 95CL bull

9.89

9.78

8.16

10.0

US domestic 90CL cow

9.19

8.96

7.39

9.0

6.0

8.0

5.0

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

North Island steer slaughter price

7.0

$/kg CW

6.0

5.0

$/kg CW

4.5 4.0 South Island steer slaughter price

7.0

$/kg CW

5.5

Apr

Jun

2020-21

Dairy

Aug 2021-22

Oct

Dec

Feb

5-yr ave

Oct

Dec 5-yr ave

Feb

Apr 2020-21

Jun

Apr

FERTILISER Two weeks ago Prior week

Last year

1205

672

37 micron ewe

Super

373

319

30 micron lamb

DAP

1420

990

Top 10 by Market Cap

$/tonne

500 450 400

Dec-21 Feb-22 Sept. 2022

Prior week

Urea

550

8.00

Last week

2.37

9.00 8.50

NZ average (NZ$/t)

2.47

7.50 Apr-22

350

Mar-21

May-21

Jul-21

Sep-21

Nov-21

Jan-22

Mar-22

Company

YTD High

YTD Low

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

24.64

33.4

23.48

Meridian Energy Limited (NS)

5.08

5.36

4.33

Auckland International Airport Limited

7.7

7.935

6.88

Spark New Zealand Limited

4.695

4.795

4.3

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

6.12

6.36

5.45

Mainfreight Limited

81.5

94.4

75.11

Ebos Group Limited

41.29

43.13

36.11 7.55

Contact Energy Limited

7.88

8.42

Infratil Limited

8.18

8.34

7.5

Fletcher Building Limited

6.25

7.44

6.13

Listed Agri Shares Company

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T)

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY

Last price*

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

WMP

4310

4475

5095

SMP

4610

4670

4835

AMF

6750

6915

7190

Butter

6930

6840

7135

Milk Price

9.50

9.60

9.75

600

$/tonne

550 500 450 400 350

* price as at close of business on Thursday

Mar-21

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

May-21

Jul-21

Sep-21

Nov-21

Jan-22

Mar-22

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

5pm, close of market, Thursday Close

YTD High

YTD Low

ArborGen Holdings Limited

0.22

0.27

0.215

The a2 Milk Company Limited

5.49

6.39

5.31

Comvita Limited

3.36

3.78

3.22

Delegat Group Limited

13.02

14.45

12.5

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

3.43

3.78

3.29

Foley Wines Limited

1.5

1.57

1.42 0.151

Greenfern Industries Limited

0.155

0.25

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

1.66

1.73

1.3

Marlborough Wine Estates Group Limited

0.235

0.26

0.21

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

0.92

1.38

0.9

PGG Wrightson Limited

4.43

5.76

4.37

Rua Bioscience Limited

0.4

0.53

0.39

Sanford Limited (NS)

4.78

5.07

4.38

Scales Corporation Limited

5.02

5.59

4.75

Seeka Limited

5.05

5.36

4.99

5000

550

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

3.44

3.54

3.12

4800

T&G Global Limited

2.9

3.01

2.77

500

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index

13476

14293

13195

S&P/NZX 50 Index

12079

13150

11733

S&P/NZX 10 Index

11606

12725

11311

4600

$/tonne

US$/t

Aug 2021-22

2.47

9.50

Nearby contract

Jun

2020-21

Fertiliser

Aug 2021-22

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

Aug-21 Oct-21 Sept. 2021

7.0

600

Jun-21

8.0

5.0

10.00

Apr-21

South Island stag slaughter price

9.0

8.0

Grain

Data provided by

MILK PRICE FUTURES

7.00

7.0

6.0

Coarse xbred ind. Feb

8.0

9.0

(NZ$/kg)

4.5

$/kg MS

South Island lamb slaughter price

WOOL

5.0

Dec

9.0

10.0

6.0

5-yr ave

North Island stag slaughter price

11.0

5.0

Oct

Last year

6.0

6.5

4.0

Last week Prior week

10.0

North Island lamb slaughter price

10.0

5.0

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

7.0

6.5

5.5

Last year

$/kg CW

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

Last week Prior week

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Sara Hilhorst

Ingrid Usherwood

4400 4200 4000

450 400 350

Apr

May Jun Latest price

Jul

Aug 4 weeks ago

Sep

300

Mar-21

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

May-21

Jul-21

Sep-21

Nov-21

Jan-22

Mar-22

13476

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

12079

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

11606

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

Analyst intel

WEATHER

Overview Another mainly settled start to this week thanks to a ridge of high pressure, but we may have showers at either end of the country. Midweek a cold front pushes northwards over the South Island bringing rain in the west and a few showers in the east, the North Island is mainly settled, but a few showers may linger in the north. High pressure pushes in on Thursday, with any showers in the morning clearing away. However, a cold front is looming to the southwest and this moves northwards during Friday and Saturday, bringing rain or showers. Sunday looks like the airflow could potentially turn quite direct from the south, bringing in some cold air.

14-day outlook

Data illustrates Omicron’s impact

Monday and Tuesday we have a ride of high pressure, the airflow moving around it could bring showers or perhaps some rain to either end of the country. Wednesday a cold front pushes northwards over the South Island, but this weakens and high pressure moves in behind meaning Thursday is settled. Friday and Saturday a more vigorous cold front moves northwards, then the airflow may tend more directly to the south on Sunday, bringing in some quite cold air. Next week starts off cold with southerlies, a high ridges deeply into the Southern Ocean to the west. Mid next week we calm down with high pressure, late next week northwesterlies change southwest.

Reece Brick reece.brick@globalhq.co.nz

Highlights

12/04/2022

Wind

Breezy easterlies for Northland today and tomorrow. A cold front on Wednesday sees winds freshen up for the South Island. Friday and Saturday have some windier weather, but nothing overly strong. Sunday sees fresh to strong southerly quarter winds for most of NZ. Source: NIWA Data

7-day rainfall forecast

Temperature

Showers for Northland and Fiordland today. Similarly tomorrow, although East Cape could see showers too, showers turn to rain for Fiordland. Rain for the West Coast on Wednesday and a few showers in the east, north of Auckland may continue to see a few showers. Showers for Fiordland on Thursday. Friday and Saturday a cold front moves northwards, bringing rain in the west, showers in the east. Showers for many on Sunday. 0

Mild for most today and tomorrow, Southland may be cool. Warm on Wednesday then a cold front is due in the south. From Friday it cools down for the South Island as another cold front moves in, becoming even colder on Sunday.

Highlights/ Extremes

100

200

400

Rainfall accumulation over seven days starting from April 16 to April 23. Forecast generated at 12 am on April 13.

A front Friday/Saturday may bring some unsettled weather to both Islands, then on Sunday a direct southerly airflow may develop with a high in the Tasman Sea ridging to the south, this setup can bring quite cold air over New Zealand.

In the four weeks to March 19, the national lamb kill was 35%, or 878,000 head, less than the same weeks a year ago.

For cattle it’s a bit less extreme beyond the next six weeks or so. Forecasts of lower throughput on some stock classes leave the theoretical remaining cattle kill only 5%, or 71,000 head, more than last year. Though admittedly last year was a record high. The main red flag is on cows, where the hole is the largest, especially when dairy farmers expect these to be gone by winter. In all likelihood this is unattainable and will push more cows into winter production, but there is some relief in the form of grazers picking up some of these numbers, rather than being stuck on-farm.

New Zealand lamb slaughter (thous. head) 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 Oct

Dec 5-yr ave

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

Feb 2021-22

Apr

Jun 2020-21

Aug

Oct

Source: NZ Meat Board

Discover a library worth listening to. Scan the QR code and visit Farmers Weekly’s library of curated rural podcasts available for you online, anytime. Ideas that grow Rural Leaders

Bryan Gibson talks to Richard Fowler about alternative proteins and the challenges and

FARMERS WEEKLY

PODCAST CORNER

LH008

Soil Moisture

FOUR weeks of “peak Omicron” slaughter data are out and give a good look at how much the kill slowed because of the outbreak. In the four weeks to March 19, the national lamb kill was 35%, or 878,000 head, less than the same weeks a year ago, while total cattle numbers dropped 35% as well, a deficit of 43,500 head. Extrapolate these figures over the four weeks that aren’t yet available and it’s clear there’s a lot of stock yet to be worked through. Lamb is particularly interesting as the kill was slow even before Omicron made an appearance, mainly in the North Island. That means as of March 19, the seasonal lamb kill for both islands was the lowest recorded since at least the mid-’90s. Comparing season-to-date figures to Beef + Lamb NZ’s mid-season forecasts, this would leave 9.02 million lambs yet to be processed before October. Since 2010 this is only a bit above average, but late-season production has fallen away in more recent years and would mean 1.58 million, or 21%, extra lambs to kill compared to the same period last year. Under peak season that hole would be roughly three full kill weeks’ worth of

lambs. But that’s not factoring the yet-tobe-published data, three short kill weeks in April, cull ewes which are yet to be processed, staffing problems which are unlikely to be fully resolved – you get the picture. And while processors are playing catch-up, schedules are unlikely to move upwards to the same extent as normal.

SALE YARD WRAP

Prime sheep entries varied Entries of prime lambs and ewes at North Island yards have been lower than average, yet South Island yard supply has been more typical of the time of year. In response the North Island markets showed some firming, while supply met demand in the south and markets held last week. At Feilding and Stortford Lodge most ewes sold for $123-$159 and lambs, $148-$195. Canterbury Park and Temuka posted results of $100-$190 for ewes and $120-$19 for lambs. NORTHLAND Wellsford grown female fair • R2 Angus heifers, 345kg, reached $3.04/kg A grown female fair was held at WELLSFORD last Tuesday, in conjunction with the weaner fair. Good demand meant better R2 traditional heifers, 352-397kg, realised $1005-$1095, $2.66/kg to $2.86/kg. Top dairy-beef, 395427kg, earned $1095-$1230, $2.70/kg to $2.92/kg though the bulk were 306-371kg and fetched $850-$1020, $2.46/ kg to $2.96/kg. Vetted-in-calf and run-with-bull cows were well-received. Hereford, 501kg, stood out from the rest and pushed to $1420, $2.83/kg. Charolais and Charolais-cross that had been run with a bull had better weight at 511545kg and reached $1030-$1100, $2.02/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

AUCKLAND Pukekohe cattle • Prime steers earned $2.83-$2.89/kg, $1580-$1740 • Prime heifers achieved $2.84-$2.92/kg, $1350-$1620 • Medium R2 steers made $2.67/kg to $2.96/kg, $1190-$1410 • R2 crossbred heifers fetched $2.50/kg to $2.70/kg, $750-$900 • Boner cows sold at $1.75/kg Quality cattle were well-supported at PUKEKOHE on Saturday 9th April. Better weaner steers including Angus made $3.30/kg to $3.84/kg, $552-$840 and whiteface steers $4.36/kg to $4.52/kg, $480-$510. Medium weaner beef heifers traded at $3.20/kg to $3.45/kg, $600-$645.

COUNTIES Tuakau sales • Four-day Hereford-Friesian bull calves sold well at $240 to $320 • Boner Friesian cows, 587kg, made $1.70/kg • Prime lambs reached $174 Last Wednesday’s prime cattle yarding at TUAKAU consisted mostly of boner cows and the market lifted 5-10c/kg, Carrfields Livestock agent Karl Chitham reported. Demand for paddock cows was strong with 500-550kg making $1.51-$1.64/kg and 400-460kg, $1.31/kg to $1.52/ kg. Prime steers and heifers were in short supply. A 480kg Angus-cross steer made $2.81/kg and Hereford-Friesian heifers, 560kg, $2.84/kg. Four-day Hereford-Friesian heifer calves returned $90 to $225, and Friesian bulls sold from $40 to $155. Heavy prime lambs managed $155-$174 last Monday with medium primes making $136-$147 and store lambs, $63 to $117. Heavy prime ewes realised $153-$179 and light-medium, $77 to $133.

WAIKATO Frankton PGG Wrightson feeder calves • Medium to good Friesian bulls earned $80- $170 A sizeable yarding of 741 calves were penned at FRANKTON last Tuesday and met with a moderate but determined bench of buyers. Charolais-Friesian bulls were hot property and top calves reached $280-$330 with small to medium at $180-$220. Medium to good HerefordFriesian fetched $240-$320 with smaller options at $195$220. In the heifer pens medium to good Hereford-Friesian realised $125-$175. Charolais-Friesian were well-contested and medium to good options reached $190-$230. The balance of medium exotic-cross traded at $80-$145. Read more in your LivestockEye. PGW Frankton cattle • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 363-380kg, firmed to $3.07-$3.08/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 420-436kg, sold for $2.77-$2.80/kg • Weaner traditional heifers, 160-189kg, reached $590-$605 • Prime Hereford-Friesian heifers, 471-480kg, lifted to $2.92-$2.93/ kg Just over 550 store cattle were penned at FRANKTON for PGG Wrightson last Tuesday with weaners providing 370 of the tallies. R2 Angus-Friesian heifers, 430kg, earned $2.67/ kg. Friesian, 340-377kg, managed $1.91-$1.96/kg and 255291kg, $1.15-$1.27/kg. Most weaner steers, 155-183kg, held at $615-$750. The bulk of the dairy-beef heifers, 102-188kg, traded at steady

to softer levels of $245-$470. Better Friesian, 250-275kg, earned $1.30-$1.47/kg with the balance, 185-290kg, at $1.12-$1.17/kg. Mid to heavy weight Friesian bulls, 154217kg, softened to $300-$550. Prime steers, 555-637kg, firmed slightly to $2.72-$2.82/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. NZFL Frankton cattle • Boner cows, 430-505kg, made $1.32-$1.45/kg A small sale finished off the week for New Zealand Farmers Livestock at FRANKTON last Wednesday. Better boner cows at 560-580kg returned $1.51-$1.58/kg. Belgium Blue-cross featured in the R2 steer and heifer pens and the steers sold for $915-$1030, $3.09-$3.23/kg and heifers, $780-$875, $2.84/kg. Other dairy-beef steers returned $2.90-$3.10/kg. Weaners accounted for nearly 100-head though two pens of Friesian bulls were the only lines with double figures and at 120-190kg sold for $475-$565. Read more in your LivestockEye.

KING COUNTRY Te Kuiti sheep • Heavy prime ewes made $200, medium $138-$149 and light $80-$90 • Top store male lambs traded at $130-$140 • Top store ewe lambs earned $125-$127, medium $116-$120 and light $96-$105 There was a small yarding of prime lambs at TE KUITI last Wednesday which sold on a stronger market. Heavy prime Wiltshire lambs made $184-$201 and the balance $142-$176. Four-tooth, run-with-ram, Romney ewes earned $172 and 2-tooth $149.

BAY OF PLENTY Rangiuru cattle and sheep • R2 Angus heifers, 380kg, fetched $2.67/kg • Hereford cows, 666kg, collected $1.91/kg In a smaller yarding at RANGIURU last Tuesday, R2 Hereford-Friesian and Hereford-Jersey steers, 385-396kg, realised $2.73-$2.75/kg while lighter beef-cross types made 20-40c/kg less. R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 408kg, traded at $2.67/kg while next best Hereford-Jersey, 372kg, earned $2.50/kg. Weaner Hereford-Friesian steers, 265kg, collected $710 as heifers of the same breed, 238kg, returned $560. Prime Hereford-Friesian steers, 506kg, realised $2.78/kg and Wagyu-Friesian heifers of the same weight made $2.55/kg. Boner cows sold on a similar market to the previous sale as top pens traded at $1.51-$1.54/kg and $1.33/kg or less was common. Prime lambs went for $144 and ewes, $120. Store ram lambs collected $124 and their sisters, $103. Read more in your LivestockEye.

HAWKE’S BAY Stortford Lodge prime sheep • Stortford Lodge prime sheep • Top mixed-age ewes fetched $182 • Very good mixed-age ewes held at $142-$149.50 • Heavy male and ram lambs traded at $169-$176 A stunning autumn day greeted salegoers at STORTFORD LODGE last Monday and a slightly larger ewe yarding of 927 head was presented. There was plenty of quality throughout the pens and most sold at steady levels. Heavy to very heavy mixed-age ewes held at $151-$164. Good types softened a few dollars to $135-$139.50. Medium to medium-good held at $114.50$133 as did light-medium at $96-$107. Lambs numbered 169 head and heavy mixed-sex and ewe lambs traded at $151-$164. Read more in your LivestockEye. Stortford Lodge store sheep • Good ram lambs came back to $130-$147 A small yarding of 2200 lambs sold on varied market at STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday. The better male lambs came back, but ewe lambs firmed to match them at $130-$152 and medium, $120-$123. Heavy males sold for $158-$167. Read more in your LivestockEye.

MANAWATŪ Feilding store cattle and sheep 8.4 • R2 Charolais-cross steers, 635kg, made $2120, $3.33/kg • Autumn-born yearling Charolais-Friesian bulls, 335-365kg, were $3.50-$3.55/kg • R2 Charolais-cross heifers, 430-480kg, sold for $2.80-$2.90/kg • Store male lambs averaged $139 • Store ewe lambs averaged $126 Almost 1600 store cattle came through FEILDING on Friday, April 8. R3 Angus steers, 540-595kg, returned $3.00$3.05/kg while 450-490kg R2 Angus were mostly $3.05$3.15/kg. Well-presented R2 dairy-beef steers made $2.85$3.05/kg for all weights. Well-marked R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers sold close to $2.75/kg at all weights, but other dairybeef lines were usually $2.45-$2.65/kg. R2 Friesian bulls, 410-445kg, made $2.95/kg with 135-200kg weaner Friesian mostly $3.15-$3.35/kg. Nearly 17,000 lambs were yarded and mostly sold on a steady market. Heavy males traded at $155-$165, followed by good lines at $140-$155, medium $125-$140 and light, $115-$125. For ewe lambs, heavy types were $145-$150, good $130-$140, medium $120-$130 and light, $95-$115. Read more in your LivestockEye. Feilding prime cattle and sheep • Friesian cows with better condition weighed 571kg and collected $1.45/kg • Top lambs fetched $205 A small yarding of cattle, mainly dairy breeds, sold on a steady market at FEILDING last Monday. Friesian heifers, 330kg, made $1.79/kg while Jersey, 310-410kg, earned $1.31/kg and $1.50/kg. Most Friesian cows traded at $1.30-$1.36/kg while bulls of the same breed, 585kg, fetched $2.88/kg. Angus bulls were typically very large and the lightest, 830kg, managed $2.00/kg. Lambs were generally heavier types and met a slightly stronger market. Good types made $150-$171 while heavier lambs traded above $180. The ewe market also firmed, and the four significant pens traded from $134 to $156. Read more in your LivestockEye. Rongotea cattle • Three-year Angus, Hereford and Charolais-cross bulls, 623760kg, earned $2.84/kg to $2.99/kg • R2 Friesian bulls, 555kg, achieved $2.70/kg • Boner Friesian cows, 445-765kg, held at $1.03/kg to $1.44/kg • Better feeder bull calves fetched $195-$230 and heifers $205-$240 There was a good line-up of heavier cattle at RONGOTEA last Tuesday, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported. R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 365-607kg, held at $2.49/kg to $2.79/kg and 290-520kg Angus-cross, $2.62-$2.73/kg. Good R2 heifers strengthened to $2.76/ kg-$2.89/kg. Better weaner bulls traded at $460-$505 and heifers to $570.

CANTERBURY Coalgate cattle and sheep 7.4 • R2 Angus and Angus-Hereford steers traded at $3.13-$3.14/kg • Top woolly Romney wether lambs from Rakaia fetched $135 • Shorn Romney-cross wether lambs from Lees Valley earned $110 R2 traditional heifers from Seddon were the highlight of the day at COALGATE on Thursday, April 7 as Angus, 359-415kg, earned $2.77-$2.82/kg over the Angus-Hereford at $2.60-$2.64/kg. In steers, Charolais-Hereford and wellmarked dairy-beef earned $2.83-$2.99/kg. Prime Angus steers, 555-651kg, made $2.88-$2.89/kg while those at 480-518kg fetched $3.02/kg. Top beef heifers, 463-498kg, realised $2.70-$2.80/kg. Advertised store lambs drew a crowd and these sold well. Heavier Romney-cross ewe lambs from Lees Valley made $102 as a second cut realised $95. The heaviest prime lambs earned $203 and ewes, $204. Read more in your LivestockEye. Canterbury Park cattle and sheep • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 332-376kg, made $2.56/kg • Angus steers, 608-610kg, fetched $2.87-$2.96/kg • Angus-Hereford heifers, 630kg, reached $2.73/kg • 255 shorn mixed-sex lambs earned $126 The sale of a Murchison property supplied a selection

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022

South Island calf sales

ON OFFER: One of the more unique selling centres in New Zealand is the Whataroa sale yards on the bush line of the West Coast. Buyers come from as far afield as Canterbury to buy top quality annual draft calves.

of R2 dairy-beef cattle at Canterbury Park last Tuesday. Hereford-Friesian steers, including reds, traded at $2.40$2.44/kg while better Angus-Friesian heifers, 371kg, realised $2.48/kg. Prime traditional steers, 495-588kg, made $2.71-$2.81/kg as Charolais and Charolais-cross, 430-585kg, earned $2.90-$2.99/kg. Hereford-Friesian collected $2.55$2.66/kg. Heifers over 450kg typically traded upwards of $2.50/ kg. A small store lamb section sold on a steady market to a local buying bench and $120-$126 covered good types. Prime lambs held while ewes firmed. Read more in your LivestockEye.

SOUTH-CANTERBURY Temuka prime and boner cattle, all sheep • Perendale ewe lambs were purchased for breeding at $148 • Top prime lambs made $188 • A small yarding of prime steers mostly made $2.75/kg to $2.92/kg • Prime heifers typically traded at $2.60-$2.70/kg The boner cow market was steady at TEMUKA last Monday despite a large yarding. The lion’s share of the Friesian and Kiwi-cross lines fetched $1.07-$1.19/kg, though good Friesian above 530kg reached $1.20-$1.29/kg. Prime traditional cows typically realised $1.57-$1.65/kg and

Hereford-Friesian $1.31-$1.41/kg. Increased competition lifted the store lamb market of which a large portion of the 3300 head yarding came from the Chatham Islands. Forward store traded upwards of $140, and mediums realised $110-$125. Prime lambs met a mostly steady market, as did ewes. Read more in your LivestockEye.

SOUTHLAND Lorneville cattle and sheep • Heavy prime 2-tooth ewes strengthened to $120-$140 and medium $100-$120 • Local trade rams earned $70 • Top store lambs firmed to $110-$125, medium $95-$105 and light $80-$85 • Boner cows made $0.80/kg to $1.10/kg There was a large yarding of prime sheep at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday. Heavy prime lambs made $155-$175, medium $135-$155 and light $120-$135. Heavy prime ewes lifted to $150-$170, medium $120-$150 and light $100-$120. Prime steers, 505kg, achieved $2.65/kg and 360-400kg dairy heifers $1.50/g to $1.70/kg. In the store pens R2 Herefordcross steers, 388kg, made $2.11/kg and 405kg Shorthorn steers $1.80/kg. Weaner Hereford-cross steers, 130-182kg, traded at $350-$460 and 146kg Friesian bulls $290.

Another top line-up of calves was offered under the hills at WHATAROA on Thursday 7th April. Five main vendors contributed to the 450-head yarding of annual draft calves which sold to Canterbury and local buyers. Charolais-cross kicked off both sections and top steers made $1220-$1350 and the balance sold for $700-$1080. The same vendor topped the heifer sale with the Charolais-cross sisters at $780$1030 and the balance of this breed made $720-$800. Angus and Angus-Hereford steers returned $650-$880, and Hereford, $785-$970. Angus and Angus-Hereford heifers traded at $640-$750 to round out a strong calf sale. The MacKenzie section calf sale had good results at TEMUKA on Friday 8th April as the 2005 traditional station-bred calves went under the hammer. While buyers did come from North Otago, throughout Canterbury and even North Island, the bulk of the yarding was sold to Mid-Canterbury. Heavier steers over 250kg traded from $960 to $1160 and per kilogram returns mostly maintained a level of $3.80-$3.95/kg. Returns of $700-$850 covered those which weighed 170-220kg. The heifer market firmed on the previous, Eastern and Southern sale, and those that weighed 190-230kg realised $500-$700. Just over 500 calves were penned at CULVERDEN on Friday 8th April and the yarding featured more heifers than steers. Steer weights were mixed, and most Angus weighed 205260kg and made $800-$970, $3.76-$3.86/kg while Angus-Hereford were 130-165kg and $475-$630 for similar per kilogram levels. Angus heifers, 160-240kg, sold for $500-$750, $3.13-$3.25/kg. Angus-Hereford, 135-190kg, returned $450-$630, $3.30-$3.39/kg. It was a mostly traditional line-up at TEMUKA for the Western Section calf sale last Wednesday as 1124-head were offered. Two pens of heavy Angus and AngusHereford steers, 311-313kg, fetched $1200-$1225 which broke tradition as they made some of the higher per kilogram returns of $3.83/kg and $3.94/kg. Those in the 250-292kg range generally collected $950-$1050. A large pen of 50 Angus-Hereford weighed 230kg and reached $930, which was the highest return at $4.03/ kg. Heifers, 230-280kg, traded from $700 to $880 as most returns sat 20c/kg below $3.00/kg. A handful traded above and included capital stock Angus, 254kg, which made $820, $3.23/kg. The first COALGATE calf sale got off to a good start last Wednesday with heavy, mostly over 250kg, Angus steers which traded upwards of $910 and as far as $1315 for a pen of nine at 369kg. Per kilogram returns ranged from $3.56/kg to $3.80/ kg. This pattern continued over the rest of the section which were mostly traditional types, though a few off-types returned sub-$3.50/kg results. Charolaiscross fell into this category as 235kg collected $760 and heifers consistently traded at a $1/kg discount to the steers. There was less variation however as $2.70$2.95/kg covered most breeds and weights. Later-born Charolais, 161kg, realised $3.60/kg followed by Angus, 223kg, which went to the first online purchaser at these yards for $2.74/kg.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A change in printing deadlines means Farmers Weekly is unable to publish sale reports for late Thursday and Friday sales. Instead we will report on the previous week’s sale. AgriHQ, however, creates a suite of LivestockEye reports that you can subscribe to that provide detailed results at selected sale yards and are delivered to your email inbox hours after the sale. For enquiries please visit agrihq.co.nz

REPORTS SO ACCURATE, EVEN THE LIVESTOCK TAKE NOTICE.

The most comprehensive and independent sale results you can get your hands on

0800 85 25 80 info@agrihq.co.nz www.agrihq.co.nz

Only AgriHQ sample-weighs store lambs to give you $/kg LW benchmark pricing Informed commentary to support the trends Emailed directly after the sale

Choose from 10 sale yards across the country

Markets

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 18, 2022 NI BULL

NI COW

NI LAMB

($/KG)

4.35

7.00

BONER FRIESIAN COWS, 510KG AVERAGE, AT TEMUKA ($/HD)

5.75

1.19

$2.80-$2.98 high $4.13 Angus steers, 270kg, R2 Hereford-Friesian lights 120 at Matawhero weaner fair heifers, 330-360kg, at Wellsford

6600 calves in three days Suz Bremner suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

EANER fairs were a big focus in the short week leading up to Easter. It was catch-up for Wairoa and Matawhero yards, as the significant rain in March postponed these events to last week and they were fortunate to get these fairs out of the way before the next deluge. That meant congestion in the form of 6600 calves sold at those two yards, plus neighbouring yards Stortford Lodge and Feilding, in just three days. Wellsford and Taupō also held another round of weaner fairs, and in the South Island sales stretched from Coalgate to Lorneville. Wairoa farmers finally got the chance to present calves to buyers last Monday and 1100-head were penned. Eighty-six percent were steers and strong demand from the usual regions of Manawatū, Hawke’s Bay, Waikato and locals ensured a successful sale. Annual draft lines of traditional cattle featured and though no weights are recorded, prices were up on last year. Top steers reached $930-$1030 and the balance sold above $700. Heifers mainly sold for $560-$750. Close to 2800 calves were offered at Matawhero last Tuesday, which sold on a stronger market than the previous year, with steers and heifers up $115$135. Traditional steers made up the bulk of the yarding, which had a strong following, and heavy types above 260kg achieved $995-$1075 and medium types, $805-$890. The top end of the exotic steers traded to $810-$950. Traditional heifers above 200kg

ANGUS APLENTY: Close to 2800 calves were penned at Matawhero and Angus and Angus-Hereford were by far the dominant breeds.

A long, dry summer, coupled with an equally lacklustre autumn, has left the far north in need of some good rain to ease concerns of a long winter ahead.

made $705-$1085 and lighter lines $490-$670. The top pen of bulls consisted of 275kg Angus, which reached $1005, and the next cut of Angus and exotic $905$930. A long, dry summer, coupled with an equally lacklustre autumn, has left the far north in need of some good rain to ease concerns of a long winter ahead. Despite this, the supplementary weaner fairs were well-supported by vendors and buyers alike.

Results were firm on 2021 for both fairs at Wellsford last Monday and Tuesday and PGG Wrightson agent Grant Pallister reported a positive week. “It was nice to see good quality, well-presented cattle offered despite a dry season. Vendors and purchasers were happy with results,” Pallister said. Traditional steers, 173-216kg, realised $645-$865, though some larger Hereford, 236360kg, pushed to $800-$1130. Top Hereford-Friesian, 211241kg, returned $805-$820 and dairy-beef, 149-177kg, were mainly $585-$775. Quiet, quality traditional lines of heifers proved popular and top Angus, 231kg, realised $830, while the balance, 183-213kg, realised $590-$680. Hereford, 184-270kg, returned $660-$760. Hereford-Friesian traded in two main bands as 178-254kg fetched $600-$710 and 122-174kg, $500-$575. Just over 1000 weaner calves

FANCY GIRLS: A lovely line-up of exotic heifers were presented to buyers at Stortford Lodge.

were yarded at Feilding last Tuesday. Most of the yarding were traditional steers where targeted bidding split the market. The more sought-after consignments were $1020-$1210, $4-$4.20/kg for 240-305kg and $800-$950, $4.15$4.30/kg for 200-230kg. Other lines were usually around $3.90/ kg for the heavier bracket and $4.00/kg for all weights below. Weaner Hereford bulls, 175-260kg, returned $630-$940, $3.60-$3.70/ kg. Half the traditional weaner heifers, 200-260kg, earned $650$865, $3.10-$3.25/kg whereas everything else was between $2.70/kg and $3.00/kg. The forecast rain cleared away for the start of the 1400-head weaner fair at Stortford Lodge last Wednesday, but returned in force partway through. Though this sale was the last of the North Island run, it held its own and prices continued to reflect the better market that 2022 has provided sellers.

For traditional steers at 215kg and better $3.90-$4.10/kg was common though one line of 40 Angus pushed to $1025, $4.20/kg. Seven big lines sold for $1000$1140. Per head budgets up to $900 allowed for lighter lines to climb to $4.30-$4.40/kg and most made $750-$890 for 140-210kg. Charolais steers, 235-305kg, sold for $990-$1215 to vary from $3.97/kg to $4.21/kg. Bulls entered the rostrum next and Angus, 220-265kg, sold for $755-$850 and exotic, 260-320kg, $1000-$1280. Charolais heifers were the pick of the bunch and at 230-300kg sold for $790$1040, $3.23-$3.49/kg. Lighter weights meant slightly higher per kilogram levels for the traditional pens and 235-260kg made $750$860 and 160-220kg, $560-$720.

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