Farmers Weekly NZ April 19 2021 by AgriHQ

CATALOGUE INSIDE! Vol 19 No 15, April 19, 2021

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Farmer privacy in question Neal Wallace

neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz

ARM environment plans (FEPs) held by regional councils could be subject to public release, prompting farming leaders to seek assurance privacy and safety will be protected. Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard fears the information could be misused by activists or criminals, and is meeting with the Privacy Commissioner and Ombudsman to determine details will be protected. Spokespersons for the Chief Ombudsman, Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and Local Government NZ have all confirmed FEPs lodged with central or local government can be released after requests under the Official Information Act (OIA) or Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA). “The OIA and LGOIMA provide the right to request information, but there are also provisions to protect that information from release if there is a good reason for withholding it,” a spokesperson for the Chief Ombudsman said. Those grounds include maintenance of law or individual safety. A guide on the Ombudsman’s website states those conditions also include who generated the information requested, what it reveals, the context in which the information was generated and the timing of the information in relation to a particular process. The spokesperson says it is standard practice for government

agencies to redact information that personally identifies individuals in responding to information requests. Hoggard fears the release of information could expose commercial information and details which could be used by activists and criminals, potentially risking the health and safety of farming families. “Farms are our homes and it would be very concerning to have activists turn up at our homes,” Hoggard said. He cites the radical animal welfare group Aussie Farms, now called Farm Transparency Project, who used information to publish maps with names and addresses of farms which were targeted by activists. State governments responded by introducing fines and new trespass laws, and the group was stripped of its charity status. Hoggard says excessive public scrutiny could also make plans overly prescriptive. “Farm plans should be an aspirational guide of the broad direction you want to take your farm in,” he said. “They should help people and industry do better, not be used as a weapon against them.” For example, weather conditions could be such that a proposed action stated in a plan may not be possible, but public scrutiny could identify a farmer is not acting according to their plan. Environment Canterbury (ECan) general counsel Catherine Schache says almost all information it holds is subject to LGOIMA. “The LGOIMA creates a presumption in favour of information being made available, but it contains some grounds

Farm plans are an alternative to resource consent and clearly certain things need to be included and there has to be accountability, but it does not require chapter and verse to be made public. Dave Harrison B+LNZ

SOME PROTECTION: Environment Canterbury general counsel Catherine Schache says the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act creates a presumption in favour of information being made available, but it contains some grounds for withholding information.

for withholding information,” Schache said. “Relevant considerations in deciding whether to release farm environment plans are whether the plan contains personal information or whether disclosing certain information would prejudice a person’s commercial position. “Those considerations are weighed against the public interest in the information being disclosed.” ECan has had five LGOIMA

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requests for FEPs since 2017, the reasons for the requests are unknown. A MfE spokesperson says plans are subject to release because they are a requirement to the Resource Management Act (RMA) and are held by regional councils. The Government is still to determine what will be included in plans, but the MfE spokesperson says public disclosure of relevant and appropriate information could help build public confidence

in their implementation and effectiveness. Beef + Lamb NZ manager of policy and advocacy Dave Harrison says individual privacy must be protected. “Farm plans are an alternative to resource consent and clearly certain things need to be included and there has to be accountability, but it does not require chapter and verse to be made public,” Harrison said. Farm management needs flexibility and freedom, which he says may not be possible if farmers were under constant scrutiny. Fonterra manager for farm excellence Mat Cullen says Fonterra FEPs are tailored to the needs of individual farms and at the most basic level address minimum conditions of supply, basic regulatory compliance, identification of environmental risks and good farming practices assessment. Plans are held within Fonterra’s secure central database where it is protected in accordance with the Privacy Act and company policies.

NEWS

18 Milling wheat ‘at great risk’ Significant adjustments to the trading dynamics in the milling wheat industry have farmers and the sector nervous as they await the detail of the change.

REGULARS Newsmaker �� 20 New Thinking �� 21

20 Saving the awa

Editorial �� 22

Shannon Te Huia’s quest to restore the water quality of a river has grown an organisation that is now looking to tackle the catchment, improving more than just the waterways.

Pulpit �� 23 Opinion �� 24 Real Estate �� 26-39 Tech & Toys �� 40 Employment �� 41 Classifieds �� 41 Livestock �� 41-43 Weather �� 45

8 Beef should chase high-quality 11 Digging deep for methane Producing higher-quality beef and getting premium payments were the key topics of What’s the Beef? seminars throughout the country during March and April.

solutions

The prospects of a vaccine or a simple dose of methane inhibitor are attractive but still tantalisingly distant solutions to dairy’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Markets �� 44-48 GlobalHQ is a farming family owned business that donates 1% of all advertising revenue in Farmers Weekly and Dairy Farmer to farmer health and well-being initiatives. Thank you for your prompt payment.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Industry slams exports ban Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz THE demise of the livestock export trade has industry stakeholders outraged over the lack of consultation and in-depth investigation for the industry’s review. New Zealand-based livestock export consultant Brent Wallace has been involved with the industry for 18 years, having sailed 40 trips as operations manager on the livestock carriers. More recently he has been working as a consultant both in NZ and with importing countries to ensure the appropriate set up of farms and feedlots for the arrival and ongoing care of the exported livestock. Following a review of the industry, the Government announced last week that the

export of livestock by sea will cease in 2023. At the heart of the decision is upholding NZ’s reputation for high standards of animal welfare. Wallace slammed such thinking, suggesting the NZ government and animal rights activists have no clue on how well the animals are cared for both on board and once off the ship. He questions why experienced people well versed in the livestock export trade were not called on for advice as part of the Government’s review. “There’s at least 10 of us here in NZ and not one of us was consulted,” Wallace said. When Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor initiated the review in June 2019, Wallace challenged those tasked with making the decisions to sail a voyage on one of the livestock

carriers and spend time on farms at the importing countries. But like consulting with the industry experts, that never happened either. O’Connor confirmed with Farmers Weekly on Thursday that no Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) officials had travelled the journey with a shipment of livestock, or been on farms in China, as part of the review process. When questioned how the evidence to determine the outcome was gathered, O’Connor says information was received via reports. What was in those reports has not been divulged. “We saw enough reports to make the decision … at Cabinet,” O’Connor said. “I accept the disappointment, it was a hard call and not an

easy one to make.” Wallace, like other industry stakeholders, fear the ban could have dire flow on with NZ’s dairy and meat trade. He says disrespect for importing countries’ animal welfare regulations needs to be pulled into line. NZ is a big player in China’s cattle export trade, supplying 50% of all live cattle imports. “You can’t be disrespectful to China of all countries and not expect repercussions, look what happened to Australia after covid,” Wallace said. A dairy industry source based in China says there is a huge shortage of cows in China creating delays in project developments incorporating 20,000-30,000 cows a time. While China, along with other trading nations, were advised on

March 31 of the decision, to date there has been no response. “There has not been any feedback from China, I expect there will be, and we will deal with it when we get it,” O’Connor said. Beef + Lamb NZ chair Andrew Morrison expressed disappointment in the review process. “As an industry, there has been no ongoing consultation, so subsequently the decision’s been very disappointing to us,” Morrison said. While expressing concern for any potential trade risk, Morrison says so long as the Government is communicating with the Chinese and making it clear the ban is not just on China, and giving them good reasoning for it, then he is quietly hopeful it will not create major implications for NZ’s food trade business with China.

Farmers will need a Plan B after ban CANTERBURY dairy farmer John Totty has grown his dairy operation to 1000 Jersey cows and planned to avoid bobby calves, this year selling his surplus heifer calves and R2 heifers through the live export trade. Now, because of the Government’s stop to livestock exports, he is rethinking the future of his business. “I saw this (live export) as a tool in lowering my number of bobby calves, now I will have to make significant changes to where I can take the business when I planned to avoid bobby calves,” Totty said. Being a Jersey herd, while Totty has a good market for his bulls, there isn’t a meat market to turn to.

He says forcing farmers to produce more bobby calves is going from one practice the naysayers don’t like to another. He is disappointed with the lack of consultation with farmers, which he sees as a common theme of the current government. “As farmers we all want the best animal welfare, and we want to do the best for the environment, but we want to be part of the process,” he said. Bay of Plenty dairy farmer Matt Pepper has just sold export heifers for $1900 each at only nine months old. “I have been to China and seen where these animals go, which is to modern well-run farms that are far better than

many I have seen in Europe,” Pepper said. “Now I will have to go back to culling them as a bobby at four days old – where is the logic? “What was the cruel part in the exporting of livestock, other than the ill-informed perception from a small, emotive and noisy sector of our community. “This seems to be a buckling of the knees decision when the Government has been asking for the primary sector to produce and sell high value products for the benefit of all NZ. “This decision has just destroyed a $100 million niche industry bringing money directly into NZ.”

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WHAT NOW? John Totty is one of the many farmers who will have to rethink their business following the Government’s announcement to ban livestock exports. Photo: Annette Scott

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Trade talks get dirty Nigel Stirling nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com TRADE officials are on high alert for dirty tricks in trade talks with the United Kingdom after a succession of stories appeared in one of Britain’s most widely-read newspapers claiming a free trade agreement with New Zealand is imminent. The Sun newspaper recently published a story headlined: Kiwi Go! Britain close to securing huge free trade deal with NZ – bringing cheaper wine and meat. It claimed rapid progress in the talks and said negotiators had agreed the text of an outline agreement to slash tariffs on NZ produce entering the UK, including Marlborough wine, lamb and beef.

The Australian trade minister is due in London in 13 days’ time and they are wanting to put pressure on him.

The article follows a similar one in January predicting the talks would all be wrapped up by Easter. But the tabloid’s most recent report was so wide off the mark that NZ officials are said to have immediately smelled a rat. A highly-placed source says the UK’s most recent offer on access for NZ agricultural exports ahead of the start of the fourth round of negotiations on Monday had once again fallen well short of what NZ officials could accept – something British negotiators would be well aware of. The source says the suspicion in Wellington was the story was planted by the British to pressure the Australians to accept the offer currently on the table in

their own trade negotiations with the UK. “They are playing games with Australia and NZ … that we will somehow be pressured into dropping our fundamental positions and accepting their rubbish deals for the sake of a deal ahead of the other,” they said. The source says the timing of the latest article had added to those suspicions. “The Australian trade minister is due in London in 13 days’ time and they are wanting to put pressure on him,” they claimed. Who is first to clinch a UK FTA is more than a matter of Trans-Tasman pride and could have serious consequences for exporters in both countries. The importance of being first to the finish line in trade negotiations was amply displayed when Australia pipped NZ at the post for a free trade agreement with South Korea in 2014. Australian beef exporters gained a significant immediate tariff advantage over NZ rivals who have been catching up ever since despite clinching a trade deal just a year later. By virtue of their 12-month head start, Australian beef retains a 2.7% tariff advantage over its NZ competition till 2030 when the gap closes and tariffs are scrapped entirely under the South KoreaNZ FTA. While NZ has lost market share in the South Korean beef market, the scenario is different in the UK where Antipodean dairy and beef exports have for decades been largely shut out of its consumer market by high tariffs designed in Brussels. Australian and NZ exporters will be eager for the first-mover advantage in establishing themselves in the rich UK market now that it is out of the European Union. In the meantime, NZ trade

negotiators are holding the line. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson confirmed the ministry was aware of UK press reports of an imminent deal with NZ. “NZ and the UK have a shared ambition to swiftly conclude a world-leading free trade agreement,” they said. “But the desire to move at pace doesn’t outweigh our joint commitment to negotiate a comprehensive agreement that removes all tariffs. “There is still work to do to fully reflect that commitment.”

SUSPICIOUS: A highly-placed source says the suspicion in Wellington was the tabloid story was planted by the British to pressure the Australians to accept the offer currently on the table in their own trade negotiations with the UK.

FIRST UP: Beef processing at Lorneville began with cows and light bulls.

Lorneville starts beef production AFTER 18 months of development, Alliance Group this week began processing beef at its Lorneville plant in Southland. The project also involved upgrading its venison plant on the site near Invercargill, which chief executive David Surveyor

says will free up space at its specialist beef-processing plant at Mataura. Cows and light bulls were processed through the Lorneville plant last week, but Surveyor says the investment will also benefit deer farmers. “We have seen a steady

increase in supply volumes year on year and our farmers have been seeking more beef capacity in peak season. “This investment meets this need, but also benefits our deer farmers because we have increased the plant’s venison processing capacity.”

NEW

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Call to protect productive land Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz THE threat of urban sprawl onto New Zealand’s highly productive land has been brought into focus in a new report. Our Land 2021, the latest in a series of reports produced by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and Stats NZ, focuses on land-use change and intensification. The report says that only 15% of NZ’s total land area is particularly good for food production, whether that be farming animals or growing crops, and that between 2002 and 2019 the area of highly productive land that became unavailable for agriculture because it had a house on it increased by 54%. Horticulture NZ chief executive Mike Chapman says that trend has to change, with urgent action needed to protect remaining areas of productive land. “This situation simply isn’t good enough, considering that the primary production sector is the backbone of the New Zealand economy and only 15% of land is suitable for food production,” Chapman said. “The Government must act now to retain remaining highly productive land. Once houses have been built on it, that soil is lost forever.” Chapman says the Government launched its draft National Policy Statement on Highly Productive Land in August 2019, but no final decisions have been made on it since then. “There has been no progress when clearly – as this Government report shows – there is an issue, which has the potential to compromise New Zealand’s ability to feed itself, fresh healthy food,” he said. He says the new report is bold when it states that once land has been built on or is surrounded by houses it can be almost

CONCERN: Horticulture NZ chief executive Mike Chapman says New Zealand’s productive land is under threat by the surge in urban growth.

impossible to use for farming in the future. “But you only have to drive south out of Auckland to see that this very thing is happening to the highly productive, unique soils around Pukekohe, just as it is happening across the country,” he said. The report says the area of urban land in NZ increased by 15% from 1996 to 2018. More than 80% (25,248 hectares) of the increase came from the conversion of exotic grassland to urban use, while 9% (2602 hectares) was converted from cropping or horticultural land. The report says if current urbanisation trends continue, which include a doubling of residential land outside city boundaries from 2002-19, a large

proportion of highly versatile land (land-use classes 1 and 2) could be developed into urban zones during the next 50–100 years. It says to address the growing demand for housing there is a choice between building in existing residential areas (creating denser urban areas) or building outwards onto productive land. Lincoln University professor Amanda Black says NZ is at a crossroads of a business as usual approach to land management or a more informed and intergenerational approach. “Fragmentation (subdivision of land into smaller pieces) and unimpeded urban sprawl that covers our best productive soils threatens to undermine our ability to feed ourselves and pay our bills,” Black said.

The Government must act now to retain remaining highly productive land. Once houses have been built on it, that soil is lost forever. Mike Chapman HortNZ “Once land is in housing, it is gone for good. The loss of good productive soil is bad enough but the additional spillover impacts of creating urban areas means that we would be limited in how we manage weeds and pests, potentially creating weed and

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disease havens. We need to protect our best land and to do that we need strong policy.” Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research research priority leader Dr Anne-Gaelle Ausseil says urban and rural residential expansion around cities like Auckland, Hamilton or Christchurch has disproportionately affected highly productive land and the ongoing and uncoordinated expansion on NZ’s best land might restrict future opportunities for the agricultural and horticultural sector, which also face a growing need to not only limit impacts on the environment but also to adapt to climate change. In 2019, NZ’s land-based primary industries generated $44 billion in export revenue and the report noted that exports and domestic food production currently rely on a small amount of highly productive land. “Using land that is not highly productive for food growing, especially horticulture, results in lower yields unless more intensive land management approaches are used,” the report said. It says intensive land management is about getting the most from each hectare of land but it risks degrading the quality and health of the soil, particularly when using areas of land identified as less productive. Food production is most efficient on highly productive land because its soil needs the least amount of fertiliser and cultivation (tilling or ploughing) to grow crops and livestock. Highly productive land is also less prone to leaching fertiliser and contaminants into the environment than land with shallower or stony soil. The report found that although no declining or improving trend in soil quality was observed between 1994 and 2018, at least 80% of monitoring sites nationwide failed to meet targets for at least one soil quality indicator.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Natives require sound funding Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz

COSTLY: Forest Owners Association president Phil Taylor says long-life exotic trees may provide a compromise to the native-exotic mix for carbon sequestration.

will be a need for some level of incentive to prompt landowners to plant natives post-1BT. “The CCC is saying 380,000ha of exotics should be planted. At a carbon price of $30-$40 a unit they can pay for themselves, earning a decent return per hectare in credits by year seven, often better than what could be earnt farming that land,” he said. Exotics cost about $2000 a hectare to establish, and the repayment period is relatively short at about seven years. Banks are also now taking a more favourable view of lending based on returns and the relatively small cost compared to the capital value of the farm.

“But you can be looking at up to six times that cost to plant and establish natives. We are even hearing costs of up to $20,000 a hectare to get natives established,” Janett said. He says significant declines in rural populations are only going to exacerbate the challenges of establishing such labour-intensive forests. The working age population of northern Hawke’s Bay for example is predicted to decline by 40% over the next 20 years. “That is something that everyone seems to be ignoring across all sectors when it comes to labour needs,” he said. Forest Owners Association

Canterbury tops 1BT fund Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz THE completion of the $176 million One Billion Trees (1BT) funding has Canterbury farmers in a sweet spot for grants to plant more trees. Latest Te Uru Rakau data to late March reveals a total of $80.3m in direct grants were given to landowners to January this year for planting 2640ha in trees under the 1BT scheme. A further $96.5m was allocated to 1BT partnership projects. The direct grants are being used by Canterbury farmers to ultimately plant 9065ha, of which three-quarters were exotic and the rest new native plantings. So far, 1270ha has been planted. Additional plantings nationwide include 22,000ha under Crown forestry projects. Canterbury-based Forest Management Limited director David Janett says the plantings have proven to be something of an outlier, not expected by most in the sector. “But forest plantings (on farms) is something we have been pushing for years, and farmers picked it up very well,” Jannett said. He says after the Kaikoura earthquake farmers in North Canterbury have used the 1BT fund to integrate forestry into their businesses, spread

across long-lived exotics like Douglas fir, conventional pine, eucalypts and native plantings. Plantings have been often done by some wellestablished Canterbury farming families who have recognised the potential rising carbon values can bring to their farming operations. Janett says the latest Beef + Lamb NZ figures on expected farm profit averaging about $100,000 is a sobering figure prompting more farmers to look at other income options, something his firm is increasingly being called for help with. With carbon prices tipping over $35 a unit, the economics mean exotic forests are now capable of generating an economic return based upon carbon credits alone, and these are annualised, with no charge to pay them back when the forest is felled. By year seven, an exotic forest can earn $1255 a hectare in carbon credits, which peak at about $1500 a hectare in year 11, through to year 16. Otago was the second most popular South Island area for 1BT grants, with 2602ha planted. In the North Island Hawke’s Bay farmers took up 4266ha of grant funding for planting, 70% in natives. Manawatū-Whanganui was next with 2322ha, 90% in natives.

Where the trees have gone 1BT planting area- March 2021 Region

grow for many years. Douglas fir top out at 500 years, for example,” he said. Steeper hill country being retired would be suited to such trees, and they would provide an earlier return on sequestered carbon. “I suspect the CCC may come out in favour of long-lived exotics for this reason, and the 300,000ha of natives will instead be a combination of long-lived exotics and natives. You have to have the economics in place to stimulate plantings by landowners,” he said. Despite being over, Taylor says he regards the 1BT programme as worthy of some praise for putting forestry back on the table as a land-use option. “From a commercial forestry view it did not have much impact. Also, what people forget is that half the one billion trees were already being planted each year as replacements,” he said. In a written statement, Te Uru Rakau said despite the end of the 1BT funding it remained committed to investing in tree planting and funding options, including the Matariki Tu Rakau programme, hill country erosion funding and sustainable food and fibre funding.

Agrievents Tuesday 11/05/2021 – Wednesday 12/05/2021 The Boma NZ Agri Summit

Exotic Hectares

Native Hectares

Total Hectares

Auckland

288

295

Bay of Plenty

460

521

Gisborne

302

803

1105

Hawke's Bay

1222

3044

4266

Manawatu-Whanganui

186

2136

2322

86 Kilmore St, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

Northland

349

828

1177

More: ChristchurchNZ.com

Taranaki

200

929

1129

Waikato

145

368

513

Wednesday 16/06/2021 – Saturday 19/06/2021

Wellington

584

365

949

National Agricultural Fieldays 2021

North Island Total

3055

9220

12275

Canterbury

6587

2478

9065

Marlborough

885

801

1686

Nelson

Otago

1687

915

2602

Southland

659

331

990

Tasman

747

230

976

AWDT Next Level 2021

West Coast

Your community and sector needs change-makers

South Island Total

10578

4787

15365

Grand Total

13633

14007

27640

Source: Te Uru Rakau

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RETURN: With carbon prices tipping over $35 a unit, the economics mean exotic forests are now capable of generating an economic return based upon carbon credits alone.

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Jamie McFadden of Hurunui Natives, North Canterbury, says he had not noticed an exceptional increase in interest for native plantings in his district. “It would not have been a surge in demand, but it can

be hard to know where all the 1BT funds were directed – I understand some went into “Jobs for Nature” scheme. We have largely had only small planting projects occur, but there have been a few of those,” McFadden said.

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THE end of the One Billion Trees (1BT) project initiated by the last coalition government has left a funding hole for the Government to fill if it is to meet the Climate Change Commission’s (CCC) recommendations. The CCC has recommended the area planted in new native forest be almost doubled from next year to 20,000ha a year for the next 15 years, covering 300,000ha of land. This puts the proportion of new exotic to new native planting every year up to almost 50:50, with 25,000ha of exotics also recommended to be planted, totalling 380,000ha by 2035. In December 1BT funding agency Te Uru Rakau announced no further 1BT funding would be accepted after the body had granted $80.3 million in direct planting grants and $96.5m in partnership grants. However, the high cost of native planting, slow establishment times and slow carbon sequestration has some in the industry questioning how native afforestation will ever succeed without targeted future funding. Forest Management Group director David Janett says there

president Phil Taylor says native trees’ ability to sequester carbon does not peak until years 30-40, and while providing a viable longterm means of sequestration, they fall short in the tighter timeframes required for an earlier response to dealing with carbon emissions. “And the recommendations include planting natives in areas like the East Coast of both islands. A significant issue against that is that these areas are proving drought-prone, and there are huge difficulties in planting natives, along with issues of labour and seed supply,” Taylor said. He says the funding gap post1BT is one that will have to be addressed as the Government responds to the CCC’s recommendations and adjusts policies. “Some options to incentivise natives could be to have an NZ native differential price on carbon units from such plantings,” he said. He was concerned the CCC had taken a binary “natives:exotics” view of plantings. “But there can be a huge continuum in between. What they are seeking from natives is that long-lived carbon sequestration. But there are plenty of exotics, like redwoods and Douglas fir that also

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Beef should chase high-quality Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz PRODUCING higher-quality beef and getting premium payments were the key topics of What’s the Beef? seminars throughout the country during March and April. AngusPure and a handful of commercial partners as cosponsors drew beef farmers’ attention to opportunities for increasing income without a whole lot more work, organiser Guy Sargent says “Farmers have told us they would need 40c to 50c/kg premium to get them to finish steers instead of dairy-beef bulls,” Sargent said. “This seminar series before the annual bull sales is a way of putting the hard word on processors to pay more for higherquality beef.” He says AngusPure qualified and tagged cattle are killed by Wilson Hellaby in Auckland and currently attract 30c/kg over schedule. At the Whangarei event for Northland farmers, who have about 20% of the national beef cow herd, speaker and Zoetis beef genetics area manager Dr Amy Hoogenboom sparked debate about why the beef cattle industry had not increased productivity to the same extent as the sheep industry. “We have half the numbers of ewes but produce a similar weight of lamb meat we did 40 years ago,” Hoogenboom said. Beef + Lamb NZ figures showed that carcase weights for beef cattle had increased 4-5% over that period, while other countries had boosted average CWs considerably. Answers came back from farmers about the length of time to cattle maturity, variable weather and pasture growth, lack of financial incentives, the dairy-beef influence and the clean-up jobs cows are asked to do. Hoogenboom suggested that farmers spend more time working with their sheep, yarding, weighing and dosing them, and are thereby incentivised to improve.

SIZZLING: Barbeque chef and pit master Ken van Mackelbergh, from Kerikeri, cooked and served superb cube roll and brisket for the What’s the Beef? seminar in Whangarei.

Farmers questioned if extra expense on genetics and supplementary feeding would be rewarded in a beef commodity market. “We don’t want to be stuck in a commodity market, as a small supplying country exposed to many risks,” she replied. “We want to be aimed at premium markets where we are not dependent on what China wants to pay.” Alliance Group livestock general manager Murray Behrent says the Handpicked Beef supply programme was paying 80c/ kg premium for specified beef, mainly for the US market, and $1/ kg for a higher intramuscular fat marbling, aimed at the domestic foodservice market. Now 17 foodservice distributors were stocking the six Handpicked primal cuts for their consistency and provenance and Alliance was working on markets for the secondary cuts. The specifications include

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Alliance shareholding, Farm Assured certification, 270 to 370kg CW, pH less than 5.7, fat colour up to 4, marbling plus-2 for the lower level and plus-4 for the higher, hormone growth promotant and antibiotic free, and P1, P2, T1, or T2 grades. “Some of our farmers are getting 60% or more of their cattle into the Handpicked channels,” Behrent said. Sargent says AngusPure had tested the Alliance system to ensure the premium was genuine by sending in a unit-load of prime cattle for slaughter and comparing the kill sheet returns with the schedule that week. “Over 40 cattle that premium was worth $10,000, so it is well worth the effort,” Sargent said. Silver Fern Farms has an EQ (eating quality) Reserve system in which about one-third of steer and heifer carcases are graded and 20-plus cuts are marketed after a minimum of 21 days aging. EQ master graders select

We don’t want to be stuck in a commodity beef market. Amy Hoogenboom Zoetis on ultimate pH, marbling, ossification of cartilage to bone, rib fat cover to govern chilling rate, meat and fat colour. For EQ cattle farmers get 25c/ kg premium and a comprehensive feedback on carcase performance to allow for farm management adjustments. Communications and farmer marketing advisor Ben Thomas says the EQ beef is sold into all major markets, overseas and domestically, in both foodservice and retail. Silver Fern also has programmes for 100% Angus and 100% Prime, for which premiums are paid.

Macfarlane Rural Business director Jamie Gordon says two main drivers of meat quality are pH and marbling and they influence eating quality, in terms of tenderness, flavour and succulence, and visual appearance in fat and meat colour. The pH must come down below 5.8 within 24 hours as glycogen stored in muscles is converted to lactic acid. Positive influences include a good plane of nutrition at least two weeks before slaughter and reduced stress, especially during transport. Formerly of ANZCO and Five Star Beef, Gordon says intramuscular fat is genetically heritable and is encouraged by good nutrition, which is why feedlots feed grain to cattle, and quiet temperament. “Breed well, feed well, handle well and harvest when ready,” Gordon advised. “Look for higher EBVs for IMF and generally you will find that better marbling is not costing more to produce.” Mount Linton Station manager Ceri Lewis says he is now getting 90% of Angus steers to grade Handpicked or EQ Reserve after placing emphasis on docile cattle temperament and quiet handling. The big Southland business has both Angus stud cattle and commercial cows totalling 2400 head. Although cows have a primary job of grooming pastures, Lewis has chased higher marbling and beef premiums for several years. “Once we have the right genetics, we target growth rates of 0.75kg to 1kg liveweight a day throughout their lives,” Lewis said. “We target 300kg CW before the second birthday because they don’t fully express that marbling until reaching that weight.” Mount Linton also ultrasounds its replacement heifers to identify those with the right eye muscle areas and rib fat covers. A recent line of cattle went through the Alliance Handpicked programme and averaged just under 5 marbling score.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Dairy futures are off to Singapore Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz FUTURES market growth and more opportunities for farmers to sell milk price futures should result from a partnership between the New Zealand and Singapore stock exchanges on dairy derivatives. NZX and SGX have signed an agreement to take effect in the second half of this year, subject to regulatory approvals. NZX would delist its eight dairy derivatives and they would be relisted in Singapore. The changeover would scale up market distribution and liquidity in the global dairy derivatives markets, according to an announcement by the two exchanges. A trading participant on both exchanges, New Zealander Jason Bray, who is head of dairy in Asia for StoneX Financial, says the essence of the futures contracts as a risk management tool would not be changing, just how they are administered. “At StoneX, we believe that every investor must have access to the widest array of markets, asset classes and liquidity,” Bray said. “Subject to different trading hours and a pricing structure to reflect the contract’s new home, we expect this partnership will enable connectivity for more trading participants and deepen market liquidity, benefiting the market as a whole.” The Singapore exchange had an excellent reputation as an Asian financial hub, nestled in a stable political environment and economy. “Essentially this change would be the contracts moving to where they are most suited for future growth,” he said.

We see huge opportunity through this partnership to unlock potential and propel the future growth of our dairy derivatives suite. Mark Peterson NZX “To put this into a slightly different context, New Zealand processors exported nearly 1.6 million tonnes of whole milk powder in the previous 12 months, with 58% destined for South-East Asia and China. “This highlights the importance of the greater Asia area on physical trade growth, hence it makes sense to have a South-East Asian entity play an essential part in the growth of the derivatives market also. “The NZX has done an amazing job in establishing successful dairy derivative contracts over the past decade, especially given not all futures market launches reach the liquidity thresholds they need to be considered a success by industry. “Market growth from here on needs to be supported by more trading participants and these could be found already affiliated with SGX.” NZX would continue to provide dairy product development expertise, market research and product support, chief executive Mark Peterson says. “We see huge opportunity through this partnership to unlock potential and propel the future growth of our dairy derivatives suite,” Peterson said. “By working together, we can leverage SGX’s global market connectivity, strong Asian presence and international distribution, to scale growth and liquidity in the trading of dairy derivatives.” SGX chief executive Loh Boon Chye says Asia had the world’s largest bloc of dairy consumers and producers.

CHANGES: StoneX Financial futures trader Jason Bray believes the relocation will enable more participation and deepen liquidity.

“This partnership brings a world-class suite of dairy derivatives benchmarks and risk management tools to dairy participants and investors in Asia and beyond,” Loh said. NZX currently has futures markets in whole milk powder, skim milk powder, butter, anhydrous milk fat and milk prices, and it has options markets in the two milk powders and milk prices.

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News

10 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Dairy not sold on CCC advice Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz THE Climate Change Commission is being overly optimistic by claiming dairy farmers can produce the same volume of milk from less cows and in the process generate less methane, says DairyNZ. The commission suggests a 15% reduction in farmed livestock numbers below 2018 levels is possible without compromising production due to improved animal performance, enabling biogenic methane targets to be met without new technology. It claims farmers can run fewer cows on less land yet achieve the same or more milksolids per cow, generating less methane per kilogram of milksolids. DairyNZ disagrees. Chief executive Tim Mackle says there is a linear connection between feed consumed and methane, and to maintain production off fewer animals requires increasing feed and therefore emissions. Mackle says pursuing this farm system will make 34% of farms financially worse off, milk production will fall between 7% and 13%, and GDP will take a hit of between 0.98% and 1.4%. This equates to an annual loss of between $1665 and $2393 per household. “We believe the commission’s path for agriculture is not just pushing towards but is beyond the limit of what we, as sectoral experts, are confident can be delivered,” DairyNZ’s submission said. “This is because the assumptions made to underpin this assessment are overstated or cannot be verified.” It also claims the commission is overstating the impact of genetic gain, the scalability of mitigation

and warns that historic milk flow production may not be the same in the future. The commission’s methane target equates to a 13.2% reduction in biogenic methane emissions below 2017 levels by 2030, a 32% increase on the Zero Carbon Act’s 2030 target of a 10% reduction below 2018 levels. Mackle says new technology is needed to achieve substantial methane reductions. “Absent of new technologies or research that breaks this linear relationship, in order to reduce enteric methane, means we would need to find ways to reduce the total quantum of feed eaten by ruminant livestock,” Mackle said. He says changes such as fewer cows run per hectare tend to interact with other systems and are not scalable across the country. “Most changes are not linear and have a ‘ceiling’ or threshold point to their effectiveness,” he said. “As you are working with a complex biological system where many of the key drivers are interrelated, the majority of these changes are not stackable.” Similarly, DairyNZ’s submission disputes the commission’s claim that production per cow can be increased, saying annual milksolid growth in the past decade of about 1.4% has come from farm conversions and greater use of supplementary feed. That is unlikely to be repeated as the National Policy Statement for Freshwater effectively ends further intensification and dairy conversions. In theory, lower stocking rates can result in greater individual cow intake and therefore greater cow production, but DairyNZ quotes studies that dispute the assumption total dairy production will be maintained. A Waikato study found that reducing stocking rates (from 3.2 cows/ha to 2.6 cows/ha) resulted in an 18.5% increase in milksolids per cow, but a 3.7% decrease in total MS/ha and 13.4% decline in profit. The drop in total feed eaten/

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NOT VIABLE: DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says pursuing the Climate Change Commission’s advice to reduce stock will make 34% of farms financially worse off.

We believe the commission’s path for agriculture is not just pushing towards but is beyond the limit of what we, as sectoral experts, are confident can be delivered. DairyNZ ha, a key driver of methane, was 7%, and the decline of modelled greenhouse gas emissions was 16%/kg carbon dioxide equivalent/ha. “This result showed that even in a well-controlled research environment, with cows of greater genetic merit, maintaining production and profit at previous

levels was not achieved,” he said. DairyNZ’s submission says methane production is directly linked to dry matter intake and in the absence of new technology, reduced methane production requires a reduction in total dry matter intake. “This will be achieved by removing the least profitable feed in the system (supplementary feed),” DairyNZ said. “For this, milksolids per cow will actually reduce, even with a reduction in stocking rate.” DairyNZ claims the benefits of genetic gain are also overstated. Research shows that in pastoral systems there is minimal difference in actual feed intake between low and high genetic merit animals. At normal rates of genetic gain, feed demand per cow increases by 0.4% per year.

“In theory, more energy is partitioned to milk production, rather than maintenance, but an emphasis on per cow production leads to bigger cows and thus greater maintenance requirements,” he said. NZ has the lowest milk carbon footprint in the world and DairyNZ is focused on producing the most sustainable milk. “Each farm has bespoke options to reduce emissions. Not every mitigation practice available today can be implemented on every farm at once,” DairyNZ said. DairyNZ is holding Step Change seminars to assist dairy farmers reduce their methane and nitrogen footprint while remaining profitable. Mackle says farmers need to know their greenhouse gas emissions and from there can determine how to reduce those emissions within financial limits.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Digging deep for methane solutions Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz THE prospects of a vaccine or a simple dose of methane inhibitor are attractive but still tantalisingly distant solutions to dairy’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Fonterra’s chief science officer Dr Jeremy Hill says he is optimistic about some of the solutions on offer for helping dairy lower its carbon footprint, but there is still considerable work to do. The dairy co-operative recently announced it was partnering up with global nutrient company DSM to work on how that company’s methane-reducing feed additive Bovaer would integrate into New Zealand pastoral dairy systems.

It has to be good for the planet, but also good for the farmer in that it is cost effective and practical. It also has to be good for the cow in terms of her performance and health. Dr Jeremy Hill Fonterra DSM’s Bovaer has proven to reduce ruminant methane emissions by about 30% in non-pastoral, total ration dairy systems. The compound was recognised in 2019 by the World Resources Institute as one of 10 global breakthrough technologies

that could help feed the world sustainably. A quarter teaspoon of the product every day can be delivered via feed rations to achieve the significantly lower results. “But we are also looking at all other viable technology, not just Bovaer. This includes working with the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Centre since its inception. Areas include vaccines, some early work on seaweed and our Kowbucha fermentation work,” Hill said. The Kowbucha project is leveraging Fonterra’s library of 50 years’ worth of dairy cultures used for making cheeses and yoghurt products. The unique culture collection is being researched for use back on the cows from where those products come from and is one of the largest catalogues in the world. Scientists are studying to see if some of the cultures could be used to modify rumen bacteria to reduce methane emissions. A number of patents have already been sought. There is also a novel and secret research approach being worked on that Hill says has “rocket science” potential. He says products like Bovaer have to meet four criteria before they can get the tick of approval for use in NZ herds. “It has to be good for the planet, but also good for the farmer in that it is cost effective and practical. “It also has to be good for the cow in terms of her performance and health, and finally it has to be good for the milk in terms of composition and residues,” he said.

ON THE WAY: Fonterra’s chief science officer Dr Jeremy Hill is optimistic about some of the research being done to lower dairy’s carbon emissions.

A decade ago the nitrification inhibitor DCD had to be banned due to the residue issues it created in milk. “You can’t just have it achieving three of your objectives, and failing on another, it has to be all four,” he said. At present, Bovaer is several months into trials around NZ, and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is working on getting approval for the product under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act. He is hoping that within 12 months after a full dairy season has been analysed, they will have more confidence on Bovaer’s application and success. But Hill cautions something

increasingly echoed by other researchers. “There are no silver bullets here. We are dealing with a complex system that has an animal, and within the animal you have a rumen, and in the rumen you have a complex ecosystem, so it is not surprising we will require multiple solutions,” he said. There is no immediate prospect of a “methane vaccine”. “But we do now know an awful lot about developing a vaccine for methane reduction, thanks to some of the best minds in the world,” he said. “It is a really difficult challenge when you are targeting methanogens in the rumen, but are vaccinating through the bloodstream. But it is a very

More with less attractive solution, and one that would be globally deployable, anywhere cows are being milked.” The next closest match to that level of deployment is the work Hill has witnessed in breeding for lower methane ruminants. “The sheep breeding programme has shown some great progress. Obviously, breeding is not the fastest process to implement change, but it is relatively easy to achieve with respect to management,” he said.

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News

12 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Milk, wine drive organic surge Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz ORGANIC dairy products and wine have surged ahead in latest organic sales data, proving to be the star performers in the sector’s export markets, with double-digit jumps in sales since 2017. Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) has published its 2020 market report, measuring the sector’s performance both home and abroad. Overall, the signals are positive for organic producers with the entire organic food and beverage market experiencing an increase of $123 million in sales since the $600m reported in 2017. The sector’s average annual 6.4% growth rate has been driven by a 23% increase in domestic sales and an 18% export earnings increase. Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) chair Chris Morrison says the impact of covid-19 has largely been positive on the organics market, with consumers putting greater focus upon foods from a pure source that will boost immunity and health. The big market mover in the $420m-a-year organic export sector is China, now comprising 20% of total export earnings, first

equal with the United States. As with all markets, the demand in China has been driven largely by a surge in demand for organic dairy products, which as a category have increased at a rate of 16% a year, compared to 11% per annum growth in conventional dairy products. “Dairy and wine are the big winners in the organic sector right now,” Morrison said. “In China organic products are seen as particularly safe foods, with middle class parents looking for products like baby food and infant formula for the gold-plated security organics offer.” NZ’s organic dairy horsepower has been significantly boosted by Fonterra’s re-entry into the market, helping make it the largest organic food and beverage category. The sector’s premium above conventional supply peaked last year when Fonterra paid $10.19/ kg milksolids, against the $7.19/kg conventional payment. Fonterra now has 95 farms certified organic, with 25 under the three-year conversion process, and the vast majority are in the North Island. Pamu is one of the largest suppliers, with eight farms organic and six in the conversion phase.

PREFERENCE: Organics Aotearoa New Zealand chair Chris Morrison says the impact of covid-19 has largely been positive on the organics market, with consumers putting greater focus on their health.

The report notes the greatest constraint to organic dairying is difficulties in sourcing organic supplements, a lack of veterinarians capable of specialising in organic treatments, and lack of run-off land for youngstock. Wine sales, particularly to the United States, totalled $65m in 2020, experiencing an annual increase of 12%, over double that

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experienced by conventional wine. “Sauvignon Blanc in particular is proving very popular in the US and Canada,” he said. Ten percent of NZ’s wineries are now certified organic, with most production coming out of the South Island and Central Otago is proving to be an artisanal hub for organic wine production. Estimates are the market will continue to grow at a rate of 10%

a year from now until 2027, with strong sales anticipated relatively evenly from all overseas markets. In the horticultural sector, land committed to organic horticulture has fallen slightly to 19,000ha, but fruit and vegetables sales have lifted 7% from 2017. Morrison says this sector is facing greater consolidation, with big players like Zespri and Bostock dominating sector sales at an international level, while smaller producers are filling niches in the local farmer market-domestic distribution level. In the meantime, organic red meat production remains challenged by the logistics of regular supplies to certified plants in economic volumes, and livestock numbers have dropped by 10,000 head to 55,000 since 2017. “There are challenges there, and the industry is looking at ways to consolidate – processing has a level of complexity,” he said. Morrison says as pressure goes on farmers to produce higher returns with a lighter footprint, organics is proving it can deliver. Farms like Pamu’s Taupo dairy units are returning a third lower gas emissions per hectare compared to conventional farms, and 50% higher earnings.

Register now to vote on the beef and lamb referendum If you own sheep, beef or dairy cows you have the right to vote in a referendum on the Beef + Lamb New Zealand ‘industry good’ levy later this year. You pay this levy on cattle and sheep you send to the works and it funds B+LNZ work in the interests of all sheep and beef producers, including dairy beef.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Call for regional slope regulations FARMING leaders are seeking changes to a second aspect of the Government’s Essential Freshwater policies, saying rules around stock exclusion are too blunt. Beef + Lamb NZ is asking the Government to replace its low-slope stock exclusion map and stocking regulations with region rules. The map and associated stock exclusion rules for cattle and deer were introduced last August as part of the Essential Freshwater regulations, but have been deemed unworkable by farmers and farming groups. Encouraged by the Government’s recognition that the intensive winter grazing rules needed modifying, B+LNZ is seeking replacement of the low-slope map, saying it is inaccurate and unworkable, and that stocking restrictions be set regionally. Environment policy manager Corina Jordan says as the regulations rely on inaccurate national maps which do not reflect stocking intensity or allow for management discretion but instead operate on “thou shall” basis. The Government has conceded the slope maps, which are published online, are inaccurate and will be replaced. Jordan says several regional councils, including Hawke’s Bay and Waikato, operate stock exclusion provisions which are triggered by stocking rates and slope steepness. “Management is at paddock scale, determined by animal species and the terrain,” Jordan said. The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) is consulting on aspects of the policy such as the map, but Jordan says feedback is that ministers are not keen on wholesale changes to the regulations. “Our concern is still the reliance on maps which can only go so far, but are not to scale and still do not relate to the impact of farming systems or the animals on waterways.” Chief executive Sam McIvor says B+LNZ’s position has been consistent. “We want the inaccurate low-slope map to be deleted and replaced with a general rule that regional councils would be empowered to give effect to,” McIvor said. “This could be through either a slope-trigger rule based at the paddock scale or by undertaking their own regional mapping. McIvor says the intent of the rule is good, but the regulations are too blunt. “By having strict rules there is no ability to consider whether there are animals in the paddock, how many or what type of animal, and it makes it harder for farmers to manage environmental risks,” he said. McIvor says a regionally-based approach to stock exclusion considers how intensively paddocks are farmed but also provide farmers with alternative management options. Meanwhile, paddocks set aside for winter grazing in Southland will be subjected to an aerial inspection to identify those that may pose a risk to water quality. Staff from Environment Southland, DairyNZ and B+LNZ will undertake the inspection, focusing on cropping paddocks adjacent to water bodies which will be grazed this winter. They will ensure critical source areas have been left uncultivated, buffer zones are in place alongside waterways, how feed crops are being used to keep vegetation between waterways and animals, and if there is a risk of overland flow. “The land sustainability team will then follow

Have your say on this issue: farmersweekly.co.nz

REWORK: B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor says they are calling on the Govt to replace the new rules with a general rule that regional councils would be empowered to give effect to.

up directly with those farmers identified with higher risk paddocks to ensure there is a strategic grazing plan in place, and to offer advice on managing the higher risks from these paddocks,” Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips said. With the Government agreeing to defer the new intensive grazing rules by a year, Phillips says the Government expects to see measurable improvement in grazing this winter.

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News

16 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Red meat must back claims Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz

CYCLE: KPMG agri-food analyst Jack Keeys says alternative proteins had gone through a hype cycle and were now approaching the tip of that cycle.

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FARMERS should not fear plants and the emergence of plantbased alternatives. Instead these foods should be seen as a competitor to red meat in the same way chicken or pork are, a panel of experts told farmers at the FarmSmart Conference organised by Beef + Lamb New Zealand. Greenlea Premier Meats business development manager Julie McDade believed the future was bright for red meat. Past talk of alternative proteins supplanting red meat and claims that it was the end of red meat has not come to pass. “While I don’t believe plant proteins will go away, there is certainly a place in the diet for meat,” McDade said. There was global concern from consumers with disposable income about diets in developed countries and most understood that lean red meat was the best form of protein and iron. At the same time, people are moving towards more natural foods and away from overly processed food. “They are concerned about sustainability. That’s not something that’s a marketing pitch anymore, it’s not a nice to have, that’s essential,” she said. KPMG agri-food analyst Jack Keeys says alternative proteins had gone through a hype cycle and was now approaching the tip of that cycle and was coming back down. He says about US$3 billion was invested in alternative proteins in 2020, about four times the amount as 2019 and it would be naive to think this market will only affect commodities. “At the same time, these alternative proteins, we should look at them as a competitor, just like poultry is, just like seafood is, just like pork is,” Keeys said. While big dollars were being spent on alternative proteins, at the moment it makes up about 2% of global protein. By 2035, about 11% of the global diet could be made up of alternative proteins. “If all the stars align and technology looks excellent and everything looks perfect for them in regulation, it could hit one fifth – 20-22% - it’s not going to suddenly take over tomorrow,” he said. Alternative proteins also had a different value proposition to NZ red meat and he agreed with McDade around the demand for quality and nutrition. McDade says meat will also be more expensive and people will accept that because they can see the work gone into its production. “Food has been made cheaper and cheaper by factory farming and I think consumers are going to reject that,” she said. This was good news for NZ because it farmed the way people wanted. People made

purchasing choices based on their understanding of issues and farmers needed to be authentic in what they told people. “If you’re going to make claims, they must be verifiable and you can’t be wishy-washy,” she said. Consumers can quickly check via the internet or social media if they have doubts around any claims. “If we make a claim, we have to be sure that we stand behind it,” she said. Among those claims that will face increasing scrutiny are those around animal health and welfare. Beef + Lamb NZ’s Dan Brier says high-value customers want to know that their food is not only good for them, but is sourced from an animal that was well cared for and had a happy life.

If you’re going to make claims, they must be verifiable and you can’t be wishywashy. Julie McDade Greenlea Premier Meats

Consumers are increasingly concerned about animals leading pain-free lives, which runs into conflict with practices such as tagging, docking and separating calves from their mother. “Those sorts of things in 20-30 years, or perhaps even in five years, could be things that customers ask ‘why are you doing that?’ and ‘is there another way you could do that?’” Brier said. When questioned on the premise that the animal has to die so it can be consumed, Brier says the customer had made that choice. “That’s an ethical decision that those people have to make,” he said. He says the meat industry had to ensure every day that the animal lived up until the day it was killed was the best it could possibly have. Cellphone technology has enabled farmers to be able to access consumers at the touch of a button, Federated Farmers dairy chair Wayne Langford says. Right now, there was the emergence of the video-sharing social media platform TikTok. Langford believed this platform, used mostly by teenage girls, would be the next Facebook. “What are we doing in our industry to market to those 13 to 18-year-old girls who will influence their mothers and they will control their households and will eventually become our consumers in 2035?” Langford asked. “We have a really good opportunity to ingrain our story into what they are doing.”

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News

18 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Milling wheat ‘at great risk’ Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

CONCERN: United Wheatgrowers chair Brian Leadley says growers are struggling to get clarity on the new procurement policy.

SIGNIFICANT adjustments to the trading dynamics in the milling wheat industry have farmers and the sector nervous as they await the detail of the change. Mauri, formerly the Weston Mill, has advised farmers that from 2022 it will be procuring all its South Island wheat requirements from Wilmar Trading. In doing so, it recommends growers contact Wilmar Trading directly if they are interested in growing milling wheat. Wilmar Trading is a large scale Australian-based, integrated commodity merchandising and supply management company. Mauri is a leading supplier of bakery ingredient solutions across Australia and New Zealand. As this decision will significantly change the trading dynamics in the milling wheat industry, urgent clarification is being sought on the new procurement policy, Federated Farmers arable chair Colin Hurst says.

We are in discussion, seeking a please explain, to understand the reasoning behind what they are doing, why they are changing and what this will mean for growers and our associated industry.

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“We are in discussion, seeking a please explain, to understand the reasoning behind what they are doing, why they are changing and what this will mean for growers and our associated industry,” Hurst said. “At this stage we don’t have detail, but we do have concern, we have asked the questions and we are waiting on answers.” Historically farmers have good relationships with their grain and seed companies who breed the seed, sell to growers and market the grain. “Farmers need these seed companies in their integrated systems for crops other than milling wheat and for a lot of arable farmers, they also work with the same companies in the livestock side of their business,” he said. This flies in the face of the industry’s strategy to grow more milling wheat by 2025. Over the past two years there has been significant increases in the volumes of milling grain grown, with the South Island

currently producing 110,000 tonnes of milling wheat. “We want that growth to be maintained and we will be seeking support for that, it is very important for the South Island,” he said. United Wheatgrowers chair Brian Leadley says growers are struggling to get clarity. “As I understand it, Mauri will no longer release contracts through a brokerage firm, so in effect, no longer purchasing direct from farmers,” Leadley said. “While the Mauri mill still needs wheat, this has potential to add cost. “We do have our concerns, it appears about 80% of milling wheat will be one buyer, effectively losing the competitive edge in the market. “As we move into this new phase our growers need to be aware.” The 2022 contracts due out anytime will be through Wilmar Trading. “We hope we see these very soon, as farmers are planning both areas and varieties now and need to know,” he said. NZ Grain and Seed Trade Association (NZGSTA) general manager Thomas Chin says industry 100% backs NZ-grown grain. “If new trading dynamics detract from homegrown, that will not be a good outcome for our growers, our industry, nor from a food security perspective.” Chin said. NZGSTA grains and pulses chair Ed Luisetti says while feed wheat varieties may transfer readily from the Northern hemisphere, milling wheats do not. “It is NZ seed companies that undertake the breeding of new milling wheat varieties and seed companies have been contracting milling wheat between the flour mills and farmers for as long as the two have existed in NZ. Luisetti says this contracting process helps pay for the breeding programmes which deliver the new varieties of milling wheat that are constantly being introduced to the market, all of which offer incremental improvements in areas such as yield, disease resistance and baking quality. “If seed companies are discontinued in the contracting of milling wheat between farmer and mill, the entire NZ milling wheat breeding effort is at great risk and the financial implications may cause these breeding programmes to be shut down entirely,” he said. “This would be a huge loss not only to the industry but the country as a whole, as it would inevitably lead to much less milling wheat being grown here and much more milling wheat being imported into NZ.” Mauri is at this stage committed to NZ-milled grain. “We will continue to procure domestic grain,” Wilmar Trading NZ agent Brad Davies said.

AginED Ag ED

Volume 52 I April 19, 2021 I email: agined@globalHQ.co.nz I w w w.farmersweekly.co.nz

NZ X DA I RY This graph from the NZX Dairy analysis team shows NZ milk production for the last three seasons.

STRETCH YOURSELF:

Have a go:

2 How do you think a high milk price would influence milk production?

1 When does NZ milk production typically peak? 2 What months is NZ milk production typically the lowest? 3 When do cows typically start calving? 4 Looking at the graph, in what year was milk production the highest during spring?

WHY WE USE NANOBUBLES IN HORTICUTURE?

4 If farmers are short on grass, what are some management tools to keep milk production going? 5 What is meant when cows are ‘dried off’?

Nanobubbles technology at the Innovative apple orchard, Massey University Nanobubbles technology produces oxygen nanobubbles to super oxygenate water → improve the quality of irrigation water. Massey Horticultural Science Masters student Dipenkumar Hadiya is conducting a study to find out how nanobubble technology can help the NZ apple industry deal with water scarcity and quality in irrigation. He is using a variety of plant growth indicators like photosynthetic rate, yield, and fruit dry matter, to measure the effect of nanobubble technology on the plants. DID YOU KNOW? New Zealand ranked #1 apple-exporter in International Competitiveness for 2017 and 2018

NEW ZEALAND APPLE SECTOR AND WATER SAVINGS New Zealand is the only place in the world where apples are grown in a truly oceanic island environment. Water availability and quality is a key concern for apple growers and will become more so as the climate continues to change. It takes 70l of water to produce one apple.

STRETCH YOURSELF: 1 2 3 4 5 WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SCIENCE BEHIND SUSTAINABLE FRUIT PRODUCTION AND WATER USE IN NEW ZEALAND? Check out the Bachelor of Horticultural Science (https://www.massey.ac.nz/bhort)

Have a go: 1

3 What kind of influence do you think the weather has on milk production?

MASSEY HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE: NANOBUBBLES IN HORTICULTURE WHAT IS A NANOBUBBLE? Nanobubbles are extremely small gas bubbles that have unique physical properties that make them very different from normal bubbles. These properties make nanobubbles a superior aeration method for a number of applications in agriculture and horticulture. Nanobubbles are the smallest bubble size known, 500 times smaller than a microbubble, or about the size of a virus. At this scale, far more nanobubbles can fit in the same volume of water compared with other bubbles.

Plant molecular geneticist Dr Sue Gardiner

1 Why do you think milk production was so much higher in February 2021 than it has been for the same month in previous years?

What else can nanobubbles systems be used for? How many nanobubbles can fit in 1 microbubble? What is a water footprint? How much water is used to produce a glass of milk or a bag of chips? Where in New Zealand has water shortages during summer? Or if you are in year 11-13, come along to the Pasture to Plate Experience day at Massey University on Wednesday 21st April, scan the QR code for details

Go to https://farmersweekly. co.nz/section/horticulture/ view/honours-reward-forhort-research

2 Read the article “Honours reward for hort research” 3 What fellowships was Dr Sue Gardiner recently awarded? 4 What were her accolades for?

STRETCH YOURSELF: 1

What did Dr Sue study at University?

2 She got her first job at DSIR, what is this? What types of work did she do there? 3 One of Dr Sues most significant achievements is the development of MAS, what is this? What does this platform do? 4 What are the benefits of this work to horticulturists? What does it enable growers and producers to do with their fruits? 5 Why was working with kiwifruit so much harder than apples? 6 What other fields is this type of research and work being done in? 7 Do you think that similar genetic work has been or is being carried out in our sheep, beef, pork and poultry industries? What would the benefits or possible drawbacks be of using these technologies in these industries?

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

Newsmaker

20 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

EFFORTS REWARDED: Shannon Te Huia’s efforts to restore the Pūniu River saw him named the 2021 Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year.

Work to save awa rewarded Shannon Te Huia’s quest to restore the water quality of a river has grown an organisation that is now looking to tackle the catchment, improving more than just the waterways. Gerald Piddock reports.

IX years ago, Shannon Te Huia created Pūniu River Care (PRC) aimed at restoring the water quality of the river after years of degradation. Earlier this month, his work around the iwi-led project was nationally recognised when he was named the 2021 Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year at the New Zealander of the Year awards. Not only did it leave him speechless, it thrusted PRC into the national spotlight. “We always had a good profile locally, but this has increased our profile in Aotearoa, which may have its challenges because our views and the way we perceive the world is quite local with our views and relationships,” Te Huia said. For Te Huia, establishing PRC was about spending time on a project that had a lot of meaning for him and working on something he cared deeply about. A trained civil engineer, Te Huia grew up in the district and says he had some of the best moments of his life while out in nature. “We formed PRC because it was something practical that you could do. It was something that when you look at as a community, what can you do to make things better,” he said. “We wanted to restore the river and planting trees is a big part of that.” He says Māori believe that the

river is a living entity. “We are one with the river so there’s a relationship between the health of the river and the health of us as people, and having that connection with the river, where you can just be with the river, brings us back to who we really are”, he said. “For us, it’s important that we do what we can to take care of her and that’s where Kaitiakitanga comes in.” As long as Te Huia remembered, the river was in a poor state, which had turned the water into a colour resembling Coca-Cola. A study undertaken several years ago estimated that around 10,000 tonnes of sediment were falling into the Pūniu River. “You smell like the river when you come out of it,” he said. It took him about a year of planning and held meetings with the four marae which fell within the river’s catchment and presented the plan to them. His idea was simple: to grow and plant native trees around the Pūniu River catchment to restore its ecosystem, as well as providing a source of employment for his people. It won their collective backing and he then presented the plan to the Collaborative Stakeholders Group, which had formed at the time to help create the Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change 1. He also worked with his friend,

sheep and beef farmer James Bailey, who sat on the group as its sheep and beef farmer representative. He developed a draft five-year strategy that was presented to the marae, which was supported, giving him the mandate to go ahead.

We wanted to restore the river and planting trees is a big part of that. Shannon Te Huia Pūniu River Care That strategy involves engaging with landowners, fences off waterways, planting and maintaining trees, engaging with planning and employing people to undertake the work. Since its creation in 2015, PRC has grown to employ 50 people and has planted about one million trees along the banks of the 64km river, which winds through South Waikato, running east of Te Awamutu before connecting to the Waipa River. He has also established a nursery on a lease block adjacent to Mangatoatoa Marae, south of Te Awamutu to grow the plants used

for planting projects and wetland development on the riverbank. So far, Te Huia estimates they have planted at least a million trees along about 36km of riverbank within the catchment. “We have the infrastructure set to build that. We have a very large nursery that can grow 1.5 million trees a year,” he said. “We’re constantly trying to improve the quality of the trees we grow, improve our succession rate and being more specific around identifying these critical source areas on farms as opposed to just planting.” PRC was established as an incorporated society and charity and receives funding from local and central government and the Waikato River Authority. Local farmers were supportive of PRC’s aims, and he credits this with it being such a small local community where everybody knew each other. “A lot of our farmers are generational; we went to primary school together, college together and we played in a footy team. That’s the beauty of communityled stuff,” he said. “Everyone has a genuine desire to improve their farming systems and they value the waterways, the birdlife and the beautiful things about nature.” The river no longer smells, which he put down to changing farming practices where effluent

and nutrients no longer directly enter waterways. The plantings along the river had provided shade and prevented erosion and there are no longer gouges where the bank has fallen into the water. This winter and spring, the nursery has 500,000 trees ready to be planted for various projects within the catchment. Despite the progress, Te Huia says they have only scratched the surface for planting out the catchment and the work will have to be multigenerational to succeed. “We’re not going to see the end of this in our lifetime. This is a programme that needs to be built into the way we use our land – using, harvesting, farming, whatever – this needs to be a programme that’s built into that,” he said. Looking ahead, he wants PRC to expand to tackle some of the wider social issues affecting the Te Awamutu community, particularly around housing availability. He says he hopes the 50 people he employs to have home ownership and for families to be settled. Te Huia says he hopes to start making progress on that in the next three to five years. “We’re keen to take a bite out of that, but having our kaupapa and vision for the Pūniu and ultimately being the thing that keeps everything together,” he said.

New thinking

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Forest diversity lowers risk Diversity, whether in a diet, finance, farming or income, can be an ideal means to mitigate risk. Scion researcher Thales West’s work has found the same principle applies to forestry and can help lower risks in an industry constantly juggling with the uncertainty of harvest values many years in the future. He spoke to Richard Rennie.

ATA from field work and research in Ashley Forest, Canterbury, has provided researchers with some invaluable inputs to try and determine whether the expense of pruning, or not, is worth considering as foresters respond to climate change’s impact on forest production. Scion researchers Thales West and Serajis Salekin combined forest growth data from Ashley

Forest with a global timber price model to analyse production outcomes under climate change for forests growing from 2050 to 2090. Their work has implications for how future forest rotations may be planted and managed, particularly as New Zealand looks beyond the immediate benefits exotic plantings bring for carbon reduction, to longer-term species both exotic and native. The researchers inputted

REBOUND: Pruning will become profitable again as the premium for pruned logs opens up.

several different growing scenarios and market conditions, including such combinations as low forest production under high market return conditions, and vice versa. “We ended up with nine different scenarios, with a risk factor for each and those scenarios were tested across four climate change scenarios, based on what the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has presented,” West said. These included most pessimistic, most optimistic and “most likely” outcomes. West acknowledges that answering climate change impacts upon NZ’s overall forest estate is tough. “It really depends upon where you are in NZ,” he said. “The climate change impacts come from global models, which are then downscaled for NZ, it adds a layer of uncertainty to it.” But prospects under climate change for NZ are not always completely negative – in some areas snow precipitation is replaced by rainfall, in other areas sub-zero temperatures become less common, making tree planting possible. “But often this does usually mean average temperatures will be higher and warmer periods of the year will be hotter. Changes in temperature may also encourage more diseases not seen before that could impact forest productivity,” he said. On balance, West says climate change is more likely than not to have a negative effect upon forest production. A key practical recommendation to fall from the work is for foresters to reconsider pruning regimes. After years of the premium between pruned and unpruned logs closing and foresters stopping pruning. But the work found there was a trend for the price gap to open up, making pruning more profitable again. The researchers had originally

OUTLOOK: Thales West says predicting market outcomes and climate change in combination for the long-term business of forestry is a tough venture.

I suspect if we had the data it would tell us diversification is the way to go, but the question will be how much – is it 80% pine and 20% natives? We do not know yet. Thales West Scion wanted to compare pine with other species for performance over time under the climate and market scenarios. “But the biggest challenge was we were not able to find data for all species to compare them, leaving only pine for our focus,” he said. However, they are confident they now have a framework that can be adopted to other species. “I suspect if we had the data it would tell us diversification is the way to go, but the question will be how much – is it 80% pine and

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20% natives? We do not know yet,” he said. This work will be particularly relevant in coming years as foresters and climate change policymakers debate the need to include natives into longer-term sequestration capacity, while still generating an acceptable level of carbon credits in the shorterterm. The Climate Change Commission (CCC) is pushing for 20,000ha a year of new native plantings alongside 25,000ha a year of exotics, but foresters are urging policymakers to consider the spectrum of forest diversity. This would include not only longer sequestering natives, but long-lived exotics like Douglas Fir or cedars that also manage to sequester carbon earlier than their native counterparts. The Scion researchers are constructing a database accepting data from as many different species as possible from growers. “We are very keen to talk with forest owners who are happy to provide data and participate in putting together a database that will provide some reliable and precise results,” he said.

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Opinion

22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

EDITORIAL

Reform Bill will come at a significant cost

HERE is much more at stake in the debate over the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill than its innocuous name suggests. At the core is the future of 170 pastoral lessees and management of 5% of NZ’s total land area, but of more significance is the politics surrounding the Bill which has farmers justifiably nervous. The Bill ends tenure review and subjects pastoral lessees to additional scrutiny by Land Information NZ, along with tough new controls about what they can do to their leases. Its architect is former Forest and Bird field officer, tenure review critic, Green Party MP and former lands minister Eugenie Sage. Given her background, it should not surprise anyone that Sage’s Bill tilts the playing field in favour of conservation. In doing so, lessees claim the new rules are so far reaching it makes it impossible to farm the properties as originally intended, threatens their viability and effectively invalidates their agreement with the Crown. Lessees are understandably angry at the cavalier dismissal of their stewardship of the land, especially given the weed-infested state of much conservation land. We should all be concerned at the threat to the heritage and majesty of a landscape that has been used to promote NZ and NZ agricultural production. This small group of farmers have garnered some powerful allies, including Victoria University legal academics, who have warned the Bill threatens the viability of lessees by lumping them with the cost of conservation. There are legitimate questions about the legislative process. The Bill is being heard by Parliament’s Environment Select Committee, even though it has far reaching consequences for farming families, and it is chaired by Sage who lost her ministerial position at the last election. There are no farmers on the committee, although wine grower Stuart Smith has a farming background. The Bill as it stands is so far reaching, leases will either have to be renegotiated or parties will head to court Sage may think she is achieving a long held conservation wish, but it will come at a significant social and financial cost.

Neal Wallace

LETTERS

$3.5 million won’t save wool I WAS intrigued by chief executive Andy Caughey’s statement in the March 29 issue of Farmers Weekly that “with a budget of $3.5 million … and strong government support … funding is not a hurdle” for SWAG in their effort to rescue the wool industry. The state of the wool industry is dire. The benefits of wool as a natural renewable, non-polluting and biodegradable resource are immense. The environmental damage done by plastic substitutes is horrific. Natural fibres should replace oil-based synthetics. Three-point-five million dollars and strong government support – whatever that means – is a pittance compared to what could and should be put into resuscitating the wool industry Our government has spent $50m on the Pike River coal

mine, $30m returning dead soldiers from South-East Asia, $75m on the thoroughbred industry to bolster NZ First’s chances in last year’s election, $136m on the America’s Cup, including almost $1m for Rod Stewart to sing to us from London, and a billion each to Auckland and Wellington for new roads to carry bigger and better traffic jams. Plus budgeted a billion or more in subsidies for the film industry over the next decade. You can argue till the cows come home over whether or not all that expenditure is desirable or necessary, but what it does tells us is that $3.5m is nothing when it comes to trying to rescue one of our main export industries, an industry that effectively built and sustained the New Zealand economy from the 1880s until the 1970s. Action speaks louder than words and budgets.

The Government has declared a climate emergency; in an emergency people act. Changing from plastic and synthetics to hemp cotton, mohair and wool is surely part of a rapid response to that emergency. The current level of funding is an acknowledgement that our political influence is zero and indicates that the Government’s climate emergency declaration is hollow. I support SWAG and their efforts, but I remain sceptical of their chances if they think a few million dollars will save us, and the “strong government support” is only represented by a tiny fraction of the encouragement dished out to aging rocker Rod, the America’s Cup and an eternity of remakes of Avatar and Lord of the Rings. Tim Gilbertson Hawke’s Bay

Time to stand up YOUR editorial of March 29 bemoans the farming industry’s lack of political influence. Lobbying for change is all very well as far as it goes, but most farmers will say it doesn’t go far enough. Confrontation, when all else has failed, conveys a very important political message, which is that “we” in opposing “your” policies/ actions have the ability to organise concerted resistance. Otherwise the politicians practice the strategy of divide and rule. It is the demonstrated ability to organise that politicians fear and respect. A good place for farmers in Canterbury to start might be to refuse to pay the fee of $230 that ECan proposes to levy consent holders for receiving and storing water-use data. Bill Wrigley Dunsandel

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Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Talk it or walk it? Mike Butterick

WOULD like to add to Alan Emerson’s article on wool. Regarding our rhetoric around protecting our environment, perhaps it’s time to stop the finger pointing and start a bit of navel gazing. We have a looming environmental disaster knocking very loudly on our door in regard to the ever-increasing microfibres that are now found throughout the food chain. They’re in our food, in our oceans, even in Antarctica, in our clothes and furnishings and in the very air we breathe – some 13,000-68,000 plastic micro fibres every person per year. There’s an average of 40 plastic particles in every cubic metre of sea water, as deep as 1000 metres. A quarter of the fish in the Hauraki Gulf have microplastics – pieces of plastic less than 5mm long – in their guts, they’re even in their flesh. The equivalent of eight billion kilos enters our oceans worldwide every year. Since the mass production of synthetic microfibres like polyester and nylon began in the 1950s, scientists predict at least 5.6 million metric tons of synthetic microfibres have been released from clothes washing. According to Textile World, polyester demand was only 5.2m tonnes globally in 1980 and by 2014, demand reached 46.1m tonnes. Fourteen percent of all plastic is used to make synthetic fibres. We have a fascination with synthetic fibres, globally, a staggering equivalent of 44m plastic grocery bags or more may be entering our oceans each year just through our washing machines. A single synthetic garment could release up to 1900 microfibres when washed in a washing machine. Worse still, researchers at the University of

The

Pulpit

Plymouth found that a 6kg wash load could release more than 700,000 microfibres. Take your pick but the reality is that there’s nothing good about any of it Synthetic fibres are fibres made by humans through chemical synthesis, the compounds used to make these materials, come from petroleum chemicals or petrochemicals (oil) as opposed to natural fibres that are directly derived from living organisms. Two litres of oil, yes oil, goes into every square metre of synthetic carpet. Some 70 million barrels are used each and every year to create polyester alone. Common synthetic materials are nylon, acrylic, polyester, carbon fibre, rayon and spandex. Guess what, we already have a natural and renewable product that we can replace synthetics with, it’s called wool. Wool is a product that’s been designed, perfected and worn by nature over millions of years. It’s renewable, biodegradable, stores carbon (50%), breathes, absorbs toxins, absorbs sound, improves air quality and is naturally fire

WOOL ADVOCATE: Mike Butterick is calling on consumers to make better and environmentally-friendly choices, like wool-based products, instead of purchasing items made from synthetics.

A single synthetic garment could release up to 1900 microfibres when washed in a washing machine.

resistant. We could not dream up better attributes for any product. Recent experiments in Japan measured the efficiencies of using wool carpet versus a synthetic option in two identical houses. The wool option resulted in electricity savings of between 8% to 13%, with additional savings of up to 12% for cooling under

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the same conditions. Yet in the last decade, wool carpets have lost ground to synthetic floor coverings with national sales dropping from 80% of the market to only 15% now. If we actually want to make a difference, we need to start choosing environmentallyfriendly products to wear, insulate and furnish our homes. The natural products may be more expensive but they last longer and besides, what price do we put on leaving our environment in a better state for subsequent generations? The choice is ours to make for it’s the individual choices that we make that can and will make a

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difference. If we don’t make the right choices, nothing will change Do we simply talk the talk, or do we choose to walk it?

Who am I? Wairarapa Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Mike Butterick is a sheep and beef farmer who contested the Wairarapa seat for National in the 2020 election.

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

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Opinion

24 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Actions speak louder than words Alternative View

Alan Emerson

I WROTE an article early last year about a top secret group that was holding meetings in Wellington to decide the future of the rural sector. It was called the Primary Industries Strategy Coordination Group (PISCG), including the heads of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Ministry for the Environment (MfE), Trade and Enterprise and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Also, there were the Federation of Māori Authorities, the forestry, seafood and wine industries, the chairs of Beef + Lamb NZ, DairyNZ and Horticulture NZ and Mike Petersen. My point was that talk-fests held behind closed doors have no place deciding our future. My article received an interesting reaction, mainly one of denial. Two people told me I’d got my facts wrong, which irritated me. As a result, I put in a series of Official Information Act (OIA) requests to MPI and what a circus that was. I’ve been using the OIA since it became law 39 years ago and I expect government departments and ministries

to obfuscate. MPI turned obfuscation into an art form. My initial request was filed on June 5, 2020. By law MPI was required to respond to me in 20 working days, which would have been July 3. The response I received was much later on July 30, and I didn’t receive a full response until September 8. The minutes of the meetings were, in a word, underwhelming. As background, the Primary Sector Council was established amongst great fanfare in April 2018. That morphed early last year into the Primary Industries Strategy Coordination Group. Its aim was to build on the “success” of the Primary Sector Council “to support New Zealand’s economic recovery both at home and overseas”. A worthy aim but actions speak louder than words. I was told the PISCG "included a cross section of sector groups and leaders." It doesn’t. There was an "Establishment Group" meeting on February 24 last year. It decided on issues such as terms of reference for the group, four key priorities and an update of Taiao principles. There are worthy issues discussed but nothing new or earth shattering. I was interested to see regenerative agriculture touted as a means of reducing carbon emissions. The next meeting was to be held on May 1, where MPI was to provide a “strategic document”. If that happened they didn’t give me the minutes as they are required by law to do.

TALK-FESTS: Alan Emerson shares his views on strategy groups deciding the future of the sector, without some of its key players having a seat at the table.

Such is the urgency of the group that there was a meeting on July 1. The minutes of that meeting were not finalised by July 30, 29 days later. I found that amazing as the meeting discussed, amongst other things, the release of the Fit for a Better World document, which was a culmination of efforts from 2018. The PISCG has further morphed into the Food and Fibre Partnership Group. The people involved are the same. In Farmers Weekly’s March 22 issue, the Food and Fibre Partnership chair Mike Petersen told us that “no one is interested in a talkfest; my role is to ensure we are connected to complement sector work to get action, get work done and see results”. That’s all very worthy.

I find the whole deal unconvincing. For a start, they are talking about fibre, which is mainly wool in New Zealand. I’m unaware of any fibre expertise within the group. They’ve talked about involvement across the sector, yet they’ve ignored Federated Farmers, which I find bizarre. It’s fine having the chairs of DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb there, but those organisations look after the product, Feds look after the farmer. Further, it is Feds that do all the donkey work with local and regional government plans, the documents that dictate how a farmer can farm. The levy organisations don’t. In addition, if you’re considering our products and markets, I fail to see how you can be effective

without the Dairy Companies Association or the Meat Industry Association. Both organisations are intimately involved with getting our products to market. To have an organisation deciding NZ’s future and not including Feds, the MIA or DCANZ is arrogant. They also need meaningful academic input. And why all the secrecy? We talk about open government but we’ve had these organisations operating below the radar since 2018. Even when they’re presented with OIA requests they go into denial. Further, the minutes of the meetings I was provided with are extremely general, bordering on the irrelevant. It is all just a mighty talkfest. There is no challenging of results, serious scrutiny, meaningful consultation or accountability. What we have is a hand-picked group operating behind closed doors. It’s Essential Freshwater all over again, leading to the inevitable train wreck. If the group wants me to take them remotely seriously, they will include all components of the sector and consult. In summary, more openness, fewer meetings, meaningful consultation and action ahead of talk.

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

Rendezvous with the Duke of Edinburgh From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

THE death of Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh reminded me of a terrific family story concerning him, but first let’s set the scene. My English paternal grandfather was called Percy and even in the early 1900s he wasn’t enamoured of the name. Ironically, he wanted me to be called Percy, but my Christchurch-born mother put her foot down. Fortunately. So, he came to be called Pwyn, making use of his Welsh second name. After a degree at Cambridge, he joined the Colonial Service and spent his career working in Africa. He was a keen mountaineer and in 1929, along with his university climbing mate Eric Shipton, made the first ascent of Nelion, the second summit of Mount Kenya. Then for good measure, they climbed Batian on the other side of this old volcano, which is 100 metres higher at 5200m. This climbing partnership continued to Everest, when

in 1933 they were both on the fourth British expedition to the mountain. Percy climbed to 28,120 feet, just 900 feet below the summit, before turning back. He and Wager carried no oxygen, which cost them the summit that day, and no one climbed above this height until the Swiss in 1952, and Hillary and Tenzing in 1953 – and no one else without oxygen until the Italian Messner in 1978. On his descent, Gramps picked up an ice axe he had surprisingly spotted on the way up and took it back to England as at that height, it could only have been Mallory or Irvine’s who had disappeared in 1924. He always claimed it could be either mans as his own porter inscribed some marks on it to identify it from all the others, but the establishment named it Irvine’s, preferring to believe Mallory was heroically dead near the summit. He carefully described the slab rocks from where he found the axe and in 1999, an expedition found Mallory’s body on the fall line directly below. Irvine’s body is still being searched for as he carried the camera which may show whether they got to the top or not. It was likely these tales of heroics in the death zone of Everest and other adventures attracted Philip to Percy when Philip visited Gambia in 1957,

where Percy was now the Governor. I still have his Governor Generals hat and sword, and fully prepared and clothed should I ever be asked to be GG of this country. Philip was a great conservationist later but all during my growing up, we had a dried crocodile head on our back doorstep with “Shot by Prince Philip” on it. One of my sisters has it and it sits in the centre of the dinner table at her parties. Well, it should. And so, we come to the story. My grandparents were guests for the night on the Britannia, which was moored up the River Gambia. I imagine they all had a good party but when it was time to return to shore the next morning, the boats were tied to the riverbank and no staff could be hailed to bring one over for my grandparents to disembark. Now my grandmother, Mary Moata, or Mo, loved to swim and before anyone noticed, she stripped off down to her bra and knickers, dived off the royal yacht and swam across the crocodile and hippo infested river, grabbed a boat, and rowed back to fetch her husband. She was a large woman when I remembered her but pictures from that era show she would

PASSING: Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died on April 9, aged 99.

have had more of a swimmer’s physique and not too hard on the eye of the young duke. Naturally, Philip was highly amused but not Percy. He was furious that she did this in front of the Prince and husband to the Queen. Within days she found herself on a plane back to England where she was banished for a few months to serve out her punishment for this gross embarrassment to him. The Africans thought it hilarious. However, Philip didn’t hold it

against Gramps and some years later commissioned him to travel the world and set up the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which he did successfully, including here. Our three sons along with many thousands of others completed the award, and it was a great experience and fantastic for them. The awards are an excellent legacy of the late Prince.

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

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Teamwork achieves better outcomes Meaty Matters

Allan Barber

WHEN I started in the meat industry nearly 30 years ago, there was no such thing as collaboration, unless one counts the futile attempt by meat companies to restrain livestock prices to an affordable level. It didn’t take long for the Commerce Commission to rumble about illegal forms of collaboration, and soon after that the inevitable failure of Weddel confirmed the only solution to overpaying was a reduction of excess capacity. In the 1990s, the Meat Industry Association’s focus was far less strategic and very much controlled by the large processors, while the Meat Board represented farmers entirely behind the farm gate, managed the EU and American quotas, ran the Economic Service and forked out farmer levies mainly for UK and EU lamb promotion, with no thanks from the exporters. In hindsight the meat industry was largely dysfunctional, emerging slowly from the era of subsidies – processors and exporters disclosed as little as possible, either to each other or to farmers, most meat plants were old and inefficient with notable exceptions, product prices were inadequate and unpredictable, farmers saw little value in loyalty for which they were generally not rewarded and their representative

bodies were unable to achieve much positive influence. The 90s and early 2000s saw substantial improvements in plant efficiencies and major gains in product presentation, such as chilled lamb and beef, while farmers began to recover from the drastic fall in stock numbers after subsidies were removed and some better seasons made it possible to buy new equipment, including laptops and hand-held data entry devices, which enabled more efficient farming practices. By the start of the last decade another major change was underway: the old leaders were taking retirement to be replaced by a new generation that had not grown up in the antagonistic environment, which had for so long dominated a major part of the industry. Shareholding and ownership changes played their part and new concepts such as collaboration in noncompetitive areas, cooperation between farmer and exporter representative bodies, mutual commitment to funding research and development, and more consistent profitability became the norm. Most recently issues such as climate change, freshwater quality and conservation, and health and safety mean the pace of regulatory change has quickened, which has forced the industry to realise working collaboratively is the only feasible way to engage with the Government of the day, whether national or local. No individual processor or farmer organisation can hope to mount a compelling argument which the Government or regional council will accept, unless it is supported by research, consultation and facts.

Farmer and former MP Mark Patterson says it is essential for the rural sector to work as a team when talking to the Government because in the event of a gap, the Government will inevitably take the easiest option presented to it. He believes farmers may have a perception that their representatives are not pushing particular issues as hard as they should, but they may not realise the amount of work going on behind the scenes to achieve the best solution. Chris Allen, Federated Farmers’ board member responsible for water quality, biodiversity and local government, considers it essential to tread the fine line between arguing forcefully and explaining what will or will not work from a practical perspective, while acknowledging at the same time what the Government wants to achieve. This collaborative approach recently proved successful in negotiations with government ministers and the Southland Regional Council about winter grazing rules. One of the farmer representatives Tony Cleland said they had to show the group was genuine about achieving a common goal, with young farmers in the region speaking eloquently about their desire to achieve improved environmental outcomes, as well as maintaining the viability of their own businesses. It was the collaboration between DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ that succeeded in getting ministers David Parker and Damien O’Connor to come to Southland and kick the wider process off. The ministers later expressed their pleasure at being able to talk

VITAL: Farmer and former MP Mark Patterson says it is essential for the rural sector to work as a team when talking to the Government.

to concerned farmers, instead of being talked at. B+LNZ chair Andrew Morrison is clear about the need to pitch workable policies to the Government without falling into the trap of telling ministers what they should do, as Labour has such a large majority it can effectively do what it wants. He cites the climate change agreement He Waka Eke Noa as another prime example of all parties joining together and having a mature and ultimately successful conversation with the Government. On the other hand, if the Government had worked with the agricultural sector more collaboratively and earlier on essential freshwater, a positive outcome on winter grazing could have been achieved six months sooner. B+LNZ is continuing to work with the Government to fix the low-slope map for stock exclusion, which also has huge implications for sheep and beef farmers. Illustrating how far the red meat sector has come in collaborating for the common good are the joint meetings that MIA and B+LNZ have been having with ministers, MPs and officials

over the last couple of years to present a united farmer and processing company position. This has been particularly on issues like trade, climate change, carbon farming and essential freshwater. Silver Fern Farms communications manager Justin Courtney highlights the important contribution individual meat companies can make by collaborating with B+LNZ and MIA to simplify documentation for farmers, while continuing to search for value-added market developments. The amount of hard work in these areas provides clear evidence of the sector’s commitment to constructive communication and collaboration to make progress on behalf of its farmers, employees and New Zealand as a whole. This indicates today’s use of softer means of negotiation and communication is more likely to gain the desired outcome than yesterday’s more combative methods.

Your View Allan Barber is a meat industry commentator: allan@barberstrategic. co.nz, http://allanbarber.wordpress. com

Spotlight on dwindling labour market Straight Talking

Cameron Bagrie

WHERE are the workers? It is constraining growth. Border restrictions are having an obvious impact, but the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) assesses the economy as being close to maximum sustainable employment (MSE). MSE is not everyone in a job. MSE, or full employment, is the lowest level of unemployment an economy can deal with before it starts causing overheating problems, with labour shortages curbing growth and wage growth pushing inflation too high and necessitating higher interest rates. We have the 11th lowest unemployment rate (4.9%) in the OECD and the fifth highest

employment rate, the ratio of employed to the working age population. Firms are reporting difficulty hiring both skilled and unskilled workers. Labour gaps are being filled temporarily by existing staff working more hours than usual. Farming jobs available on Seek are 40% higher than they were in 2019. Yet, we still have an array of statistics pointing to an available pool of labour. The number of people on the jobseeker benefit is falling but there are still more than 200,000 on it – 6.5% of the working age population, or one person in 15. As at the end of March, there were 370,000 on all the main benefits – jobseeker, supported living payment and sole parent support, for example – that’s 11.5% of the working age population, or one person in nine. Youth, aged 15-19, unemployment is 20.5%; Māori unemployment is 9%, and Pasifika 9.6%. Unemployment is 4.9%, but

lots of people are underemployed and want to work more hours. The underutilisation rate – a broader measure of untapped capacity in the labour market – is 11.9%. Some territorial authorities such as the Queenstown-Lake district, Central Otago and the Mackenzie district have benefit numbers at about 2% of the population. Others – Far North, Gisborne, Horowhenua, Kawerau, Ōpōtiki, Rotorua, South Waikato, Waipa, Whakatāne, Whanganui – are double-digit. Sixty-five percent of main benefit recipients have been receiving it for more than a year, which is a bit lower than what it has been since 2015 (about 70%), largely because a lot of people lost jobs in the past year. Almost 20% of those on jobseeker are not work-ready due to psychological or psychiatric conditions. Those statistics signal major structural challenges that monetary policy – the RBNZ – can’t address. RBNZ is starting to pour some sunlight on key labour market

issues now, but also thinking about the future. They have the research grunt to do it. Their dual mandate (inflation and full employment) gives them scope to do the work. The February Monetary Policy Statement drew attention to labour market conditions for Māori, including higher unemployment, lower labour force participation and lowincome levels. It is not just about challenges today. The RBNZ noted: “Māori people will make up an increasing share of the future workforce as the large number of Māori currently aged under 15 begin to join the labour force in coming years.” Do businesses realise the extent of those pending labour market changes? As the population ages, worker shortages will intensify. Farming is facing the same challenges as other industries. Improving structural impediments and a stronger focus on labour market policy is needed

to help the economy grow faster by lifting the growth rate of MSE. Think of it as improving access to a pool of labour – both quantity and quality. That will not happen by tinkering. Border restrictions have exposed serious underinvestment in skills and training in New Zealand. The right policies will support a higher level of overall employment without generating inflationary pressure. That means sustained lower interest rates and helps take pressure off the New Zealand dollar – of key interest to the rural sector. I am looking forward to the RBNZ releasing more work on the labour market as part of their mandate. *** While Bagrie Economics uses all reasonable endeavours in producing reports to ensure the information is as accurate as practicable, Bagrie Economics shall not be liable for any loss or damage sustained by any person relying on such work whatever the cause of such loss or damage. The content does not constitute advice.

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pb.co.nz/TeamSouthland Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008

Southland Popotunoa 428 Wairuna Settlement Road

Kaiwera 1009 Diamond Peak Road

New Listing

400 cow dairy unit - South Otago 169.40 ha . This 400 cow dairy unit produced 161,000 kgMS in the 2019/20 season. Not overcapitalised, there is a good 30 ASHB shed with a 400 cow yard, calf rearing facilities for up to 200 calves, good implement sheds and three tidy homes that support this farming operation. An attractive farm made up of gentle rolling contour that has strong Waikoikoi soils, generally good summer/ autumn rainfall supporting strong autumn production. Very active rugby club and a fantastic local community makes the district attractive for families. Clutha Valley primary school bus at the gate.

Grazing Unit For Sale By Negotiation View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/GOR86038

Mark Wilson M 027 491 7078

Thornbury 176 Endowment Road

3 Options 1) 81.1382 ha offers over $1,850,000 + GST (if any) 2) House and 2 ha STS offers over $650,000 incl. GST 3) Bare land 79.1382ha STS offers over $1,200,000 + GST (if any)

127.1953 ha (STS). This property is a combination of two farms run as one deer breeding and fattening unit wintering stock on a combination of crop and self feed silage. There are three titles offering flexibility to purchasers. 71.5763 ha with the buildings plus two bare land titles being 24.7170 ha and 30.9 ha subject to survey. A well formed internal lane system together with Blakie Road offers easy management and there is a water system to all paddocks. Fully set up deer facilities, implement sheds and haybarns.

Ohai 511 Wilanda Downs Road

Mabel Bush 917 Rakahouka-Hedgehope Road

Private and productive

A unit producing good return

For Sale $1,575,000 + GST (if any) 72.1850 ha. An attractive farm with good standard of buildings and improvements. The large family home is cosy and has plenty of scope whilst the View By appointment farm infrastructure and good management layout suits many kinds of livestock Web pb.co.nz/IR85754 farming. Its elevated position lends itself to panoramic Western Southland views and its location is one of privacy and yet its only 30 minutes drive to Winton. Dallas Lucas M 027 432 5774 Michelle Lucas M 027 564 0737

173.4718 ha. Tidy well located property with balance of land running from heavy flats to steeper ridges. Milking 460 cows with an estimated production of 210,000 kgMS. 40 ASHB cowshed with circular yard and Hecton feed system. Water and effluent consents expire 4 February 2026. Good support buildings including well set up calf sheds, three bedroom family home and employees quarters. An established and well balanced unit making good profit.

Mabel Bush 150 Tramway Road

Grove Bush 43 Tussock Creek Grove Bush Road

Handy cattle grazing unit

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

Mark Wilson M 027 491 7078

Grazing unit close to Invercargill For Sale $4,250,000 + GST (if any) View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/IR85929

Dallas Lucas M 027 432 5774 Michelle Lucas M 027 564 0737

26.2009 ha. Bare land block with cattle yards, rectangular in shape and of easy to medium rolling. Power reticulated fences, water supply sourced from a pond and pumped via a petrol pump to 30,000 litre tank and gravity to troughs in all paddocks. All of the grazeable area in pasture, of which three paddocks have been regrassed in the past four years, and soils are a mix of silt and clay loam being Pebbly Hills and Waianiwa, Woodlands and Waikiwi. Currently utilised with 40 adult trading cattle wintered on grass only. 65 x 18 month cattle in spring. 250 lambs fattened from Christmas.

For Sale By Negotiation View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/GOR86293

Ryal Bush 150 and 190 Breeze Road

Prime Thornbury property 123.0848 ha. Versatile freehold land free from open drains and noted for production of outstanding livestock over many years. Currently utilised for a mix of grazing and fattening, market gardening and provision of supplement. Equipped with an older tidy four bedroom home, various farm buildings including a large covered yard facility and excellent fully enclosed bulk shed.

81.1382 ha. Gentle to easy rolling contour, set up for beef, grazing, wintering (has dairy wintering history). Local district water scheme, troughs in all paddocks. Cattle and sheep yards. Large renovated five bedroom home.

For Sale By Negotiation View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/IR85819

Dallas Lucas M 027 432 5774 Michelle Lucas M 027 564 0737

For Sale $6,250,000 + GST (if any) View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/IR86355

Dallas Lucas M 027 432 5774 Michelle Lucas M 027 564 0737

Rural lifestyle - Local addition For Sale $799,000 + GST (if any) View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/IR85882

Dallas Lucas M 027 432 5774 Michelle Lucas M 027 564 0737

25.32 ha. The location is good, 22 km from Invercargill and 27 km from Winton with dual road frontage. This is some of the better land in the district being an elevated ridge with established shelter and good access. Well subdivided into eight main paddocks with good quality post and wire fencing. Although there is a water system sourced from a well on adjoining land from which there is an easement in favour of the subject property, the piping and troughs are in place but there is no pump included in the sale. The dwelling is a three bedroom McRaeway home built in 2004.

For Sale Deadline Sale closes 3.00pm Friday 30th April 2021 View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/IR85827 Dallas Lucas M 027 432 5774 Michelle Lucas M 027 564 0737

Proud to be here

Whakamaru 944 Baker Road and Tihoi Road Deadline Sale

Deer or dairy Here is your chance to purchase a profitable, well established deer farm, with deferred settlement, allowing ample time to establish your own farming program, be it staying with the deer or switching to dairy support. The property has been faithfully farmed by the same owner since last century, who has sown seasonal crops followed by new grass for many years. Soils are volcanic pumice and ash. After 70 or so years there is a respectable buildup of top soil. Contour is approximately 70% tractor, 30% hill with some steep sidings. Buildings: A four bedroom + office home with internal access garage for two cars, two living areas, built by GJ Gardner. An older four bedroom house, circa 1960, with garages. Farm buildings comprise a conventional deer shed, in which 1,300 plus stags give their Velvet each year. One high stud three bay tractor shed, fully equipped workshop and ancillary smaller sheds housing the water bore and pump, plus farm supplies. The stags produce over seven tonnes of velvet annually, showing that not only dairy is profitable. The deadline sale is sought to allow the sell down of other assets in the company to be finalised.

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

Deadline Sale closes Tuesday 11th May, 2021 at 4.00pm, (unless sold prior) View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/TOR86086

Paul O'Sullivan M 027 496 4417 P 07 280 8502 E paulo@pb.co.nz Doug Wakelin M 027 321 1343 E dougw@pb.co.nz Proud to be here

Matawai 313 Te Wera Road

Homebrook - strong investment, strong cashflow • 325 ha Matawai dairy farm • Opotiki 68 km - Gisborne 80 km • 300 ha milking platform • Target production of over 260,000 kgMS • 700 cows • Five year old 60 bail automated rotary shed • Modern four bedroom architecturally designed main house • Two additional staff houses Located in the renowned farming district of Matawai, which is well known for its favourable growing conditions in the summer. Opportunities to purchase a farm of this calibre do not come up often in the region so act now.

For Sale By Negotiation View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/GIR84474

Tom Lane M 021 058 7018

E toml@pb.co.nz

Pahiatua 300 and 212 Hinemoa Valley Road Tender

Glenbervie - 102 ha Located in the Hinemoa Valley which is under 10 minutes drive from Pahiatua, Glenbervie is a 102 ha dairy farm that will satisfy the most discerning of buyers. Regularly producing 125,000 kgMS, the property boasts superior soils, modern pasture species, quality farm infrastructure and two dwellings. Improvements include a 26 ASHB shed complete with cup removers and Protrak drafting, 150 cow feed pad plus concrete feed storage and a good range of shedding. Dwellings include a large four bedroom homestead and a three bedroom home on a separate title. This unit will attract interest from across a range of agricultural sectors, don't miss this opportunity to acquire a wellestablished mid-scale dairy unit in a sought after location. Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | pb.co.nz

Tender closes Friday 30th April, 2021 at 2.00pm, to be submitted to Property Brokers, 129 Main Street, Pahiatua View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/PR85636

Jared Brock M 027 449 5496

E jared@pb.co.nz

John Arends M 027 444 7380

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

Oamaru 266 Eastern Road, Otekaieke

Oamaru Special School Road, Campbell Park Dairy Farm Auction

Motivated Vendor - AUCTION Large scale dairy farm, location, soils, reliable water, modern infrastructure, all provide for a very efficient low input dairy unit. Return on investment at current milk prices and this value will impress • 423 ha located at Otekaieke, Waitaki Valley North Otago. • Five-year production average of 602,000 kgMS or 1,474 milk solids per effective ha • 406 ha platform, strong pastures with good fertility. • Modern automated 70 bail rotary dairy shed milking 1,600 cows • Price + GST (if any).

Deadline Sale

Productive potential Auction 2.00pm, Fri 23rd Apr, 2021, (unless sold prior) View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/OMR75319

Ross Robertson M 021 023 27220

Herbert 286 Tulliemet Road

Property Brokers proudly present to the market Campbell Park dairy farm. A medium scale dairy in an excellent location in the Waitaki Valley region of North Otago. This property has quality soils, well sourced irrigation water with modern infrastructure. Priced to sell and an opportunity not to be missed. • 167 ha total • Modern 44 ASHB dairy • Three year average with lease land 192,000 kgMS • Irrigation water consents via KDICL and Community Scheme • Spray irrigation • Modern effluent system and underpass • "This property will be sold"

Deadline Sale closes Friday 30th April, 2021 at 4.00pm, (unless sold prior) View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/OMR77830

Ross Robertson M 021 023 27220 Andy Kelleher M 027 666 6811

Harington Point 45 Pakihau Road Tender

Tullymett Farm

Iconic Otago Peninsula business and farm

For Sale $5,250,000 + GST (if any) It is a privilege to have the opportunity to market this well presented 702 ha sheep and beef breeding and finishing property. View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/OMR85844 Located in one of North Otago's more favourable rainfall areas with reliable stock and domestic water sourced from a spring fed dam. Quality accommodation with a five bedroom, two storey home in a lovely elevated position with triple garaging and a two bedroom cottage with double garage. Farm improvements include three stand RB woolshed with 700 NP's, 16 x 12m open shed, large barn, cattle yards and spray dip. In seven freehold titles with 480 ha effective with the contour a good balance of sunny and dark faces Merv Dalziel and the remaining 220 ha native bush. M 027 439 5823

This is a unique opportunity to purchase a 214 ha (528 ac) freehold property on the idyllic Otago Peninsula. This property strikes a wonderful balance between farming, conservation and tourism. Three stand woolshed, sheep yards, modern three bay implement shed, horse arena and round pen. The views and access to private beaches set this property well apart from the rest. Tidy three bedroom home, seven bedroom lodge. The Penguin Place Conservation Reserve has hosted up to 30,000 visitors per year. Option 1: Total Property - 214 ha Option 2: 141 ha – Bareland (subject to survey) Option 3: 73 ha - Improvements and Penguin Place Conservation Reserve and Business (subject to survey)

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

Tender closes Wednesday 28th April, 2021 at 2.00pm View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/DNR84606

Russell Cotton M 027 465 7442 Alan Eason M 027 489 8760

Proud to be here

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 19, 2021

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Becks Drybread Road Tender

Productive property in the heart of Central Otago Motivated vendors have given clear instruction to get this property sold on the tender date. This is the opportunity to own 454 ha (1,121 acres) subject to survey in the heart of Central Otago. Located 8 km from Omakau, 35 km to the larger service town of Alexandra and approximately one and half hours drive to Queenstown and Wanaka. This property has been extensively developed over recent years with the installation of two pivot irrigators, lane ways, fencing, new cattle yards, new pastures, capital fertiliser and is now ready for the new owners to utilize the work done or further develop the irrigation and build your dream home. This productive property is being used to finish beef cattle and graze dairy cattle, but would suit a number of land uses. Don't delay - vendors have made the decision to sell. For further information on this fine property please give us a call.

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

TENDER

Tender closes Monday 19th April, 2021 at 2.00pm, 21 Macandrew Road, South Dunedin View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/DNR78156 Russell Cotton M 027 465 7442 Alan Eason M 027 489 8760 Wes Flannery M 027 210 6536

E russell.cotton@pb.co.nz E alan.eason@pb.co.nz E wes.flannery@pb.co.nz

CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY 652 Te Awa Road, Oueroa 4

329.1 ha

Hyfield - 330 ha (more or less) Here is an opportunity to purchase a genuine sheep and beef farm in the Oureoa district of Central Hawke’s Bay. Hyfield is well subdivided with around 30 paddocks, some lane way systems and good vehicle access via tracks around the farm. Parts of the farm have gone through a crop rotation with a mix of fodder crops and permanent pasture. Supplementary feed has always been made on the property. Infrastructure is well catered for with a three-stand woolshed, a main sheep yard at the front of the property. A further two sets of satellite yards located across the property. There is a large workshop four bay shed, two bay open shed with a number of sundry buildings useful for storage. Stock water is by way of dams and creeks with some reticulation around woolshed and the houses. The four-bedroom family home is set in a well-cared for garden and close to the main sheds and facilities. Here is an opportunity not to be missed. TENDER: Closes 2:00 p.m. Thursday May 13 2021 (will not be sold prior) plus GST, NZSIR Havelock North Office. VIEW: nzsothebysrealty.com/HBHN11414 Please phone for an appointment to view MIKE HEARD: M +64 27 641 9007 D +64 6 877 8199 mike.heard@nzsir.com Each office is independently owned and operated. SHB Limited (licensed under the REAA 2008) MREINZ.

nzsothebysrealty.com

Central Hawke's Bay 790 Makaretu Road and 269 Pleasant Valley Road, Ashley Clinton

1,270ha location, rainfall and scale Nestled in the foothills of the Ruahine Ranges, Pukenui Station is in the renowned summer safe district of Ashley Clinton only 32 kilometres from Waipukurau. The sale of Pukenui Station comprising 1,113 hectares and supporting Makaretu block of 157 hectares, provides an opportunity to secure sheep and beef scale rarely available in central Hawke's Bay. With a good mix of medium to steep breeding country and over 350 hectares of cultivatable finishing land for the continuation of the pasture renewal programme, these two properties have a sound fertiliser history and a reputation for producing quality livestock circa 11,000 stock units wintered. Features a five-bedroom homestead, three other dwellings, well maintained station buildings including a hunting hut, three woolsheds, deer yards, cattle and sheep yards with very good fencing, and an all-weather airstrip.

bayleys.co.nz/2852523

bayleys.co.nz

Tender (will not be sold prior) Closing 4pm, Fri 14 May 2021 17 Napier Road, Havelock North View by appointment Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253 tony.rasmussen@bayleys.co.nz Andy Hunter 027 449 5827 andy.hunter@bayleys.co.nz EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

NEW LISTING

Hawke’s Bay Taramoa Station, 71 Pakaututu Road, Puketitiri

Ecological paradise with Kaweka x-factor Located in the reliable Puketitiri district, 56km north west of Napier, Taramoa Station is a well balanced 564ha breeding/finishing property. Winning four Ballance farm environmental awards, Taramoa is also GAP accredited with fenced off waterways and over 23,000 native plants for long term sustainability. Boasting large portions of easy finishing land, a spring fed reticulated water system, and pasture renewal programme, fully fed livestock receive excellent market premiums. Farm improvements include a five bedroom homestead, three bedroom cottage, four stand woolshed, stock yards, very good access tracks and laneways. X-factor is world class Sika trophy hunting, a habitat for rare bird species, and over 300 beehives collect high UMF manuka honey. Passive income from the on farm quarry, on farm duck shooting and trout fishing nearby, top off this rare opportunity.

Tender (will not be sold prior) Closing 4pm, Wed 5 May 2021 17 Napier Road, Havelock North View 1-2pm Wed 21 Apr or by appointment Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253 tony.rasmussen@bayleys.co.nz EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2852552

bayleys.co.nz

Boundary lines are indicative only

Central Hawke’s Bay 466 Pourerere Road, Waipawa

Tukuwaru Farm - opportunity plus Rarely does 230 hectares (STT) of bare land suitable for finishing and cropping situated in this location become available for purchase. Located only minutes from Waipawa in Central Hawke's Bay, the land is predominantly flat to easy rolling with significant road frontage, and borders the Tuki Tuki river. The easy contour allows for vehicle access across the entire property. The opportunity exists to increase production with further pasture development, water reticulation and subdivision. Contact Kris or Tim to discuss further the opportunity and potential.

bayleys.co.nz/2852545

Tender (will not be sold prior) Closing 4pm, Tue 11 May 2021 17 Napier Road, Havelock North View by appointment Kris August 027 248 9266 kris.august@bayleys.co.nz Tim Wynne-Lewis 027 488 9719 tim.wynne-lewis@bayleys.co.nz EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Tikitere 31 Flemington Place Absolutely Fam-ulous! An absolute pearler for multi-generational living, the whopping 549sqm residence is full of luxurious places. Lodge-style living doesn't get much more inviting than this, with the multi-purpose home catering brilliantly for big families, work, entertainment and guests. Step through the grand entrance to discover the beautifully crafted super-sized living domain, chef's kitchen and games lounge. The stunning lake views instantly draw the eye. With seven ensuite bedrooms, a guest powder room, sauna and large laundry, the home leaves nothing to chance. The interior is finely detailed and reflects singularly good taste throughout. Offered fully furnished and with a competent manager happy to stay on, the possibilities and lifestyle opportunities are enormous.

bayleys.co.nz/2450676

bayleys.co.nz

Kakahi 163 Waitea Branch Road 7

Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 4pm, Wed 5 May 2021 1092 Fenton Street, Rotorua Phone for viewing times Beth Millard 027 255 5587 beth.millard@bayleys.co.nz Jacquie Bishop 027 220 4777 jacquie.bishop@bayleys.co.nz Rebecca McMaster 027 326 2887 rebecca.mcmaster@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

A growing investment and lifestyle

This is a unique opportunity to acquire a thriving, essential service, hydroponic home and income business. Awawhiti Cress is one of only a few commercial suppliers and distributors of watercress and has a large customer base throughout the central North Island. Having gone through recent expansion, the timing is right to acquire this growing business!

Asking Price $2,300,000 + GST (if any) View by appointment Wayne Frewen 021 141 1723 wayne.frewen@bayleys.co.nz

Complementing watercress growth and distribution is an eager demand for other microgreens and puha, both grown on a smaller scale. Awawhiti Cress is also the only accredited grower and supplier of watercress seeds in New Zealand which guarantees a source of supply and is a future income stream from supplying seeds to other growers.

bayleys.co.nz/2900346

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

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 19, 2021

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

FINAL NOTICE

Boundary lines are indicative only

Canterbury 340 Dixon Road, Oxford

Canterbury 215 Dunsandel Road, Hororata

A tremendous opportunity

Scale, production and location

This 95.27ha entry-level dairy farm is under pivot irrigation with pods and sprinklers in the corners, with water via the WIL Scheme. 595 shares are included in the sale. The property is sub-divided into 20 well-sheltered paddocks with a central lane. Cows are milked through a 50-bail rotary dairy with in-shed meal feeding and a 700-800 cow yard. A three-bay calf shed completes the property. There is no house, giving you the opportunity to add value. Stock are available for purchase separately. Located close to Oxford and less than an hour's drive from Christchurch. We are under firm instructions to transact a sale and all offers will be considered.

For Sale by Deadline Private Treaty (unless sold prior)

12pm, Thu 6 May 2021 3 Deans Avenue, Chch View by appointment Ben Turner 027 530 1400 ben.turner@bayleys.co.nz Peter Foley 021 754 737 peter.foley@bayleys.co.nz WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/5514822

The Hororata Dunsandel area is renowned for consistent high production, and this impressive large-scale landholding could be described as a true once in a lifetime opportunity. Consisting of approximately 530 hectares, of which 490 hectares is irrigated, the farm is milking 1,500 cows and supplying Synlait. The property has an exceptional track record, with over 60% of the cows producing A2 milk and supplying a premium contract, averaging 684,500kg/MS over the previous two seasons. The modern dairy operation consists of two rotary platforms, the first is 60-bail, approx. 15 years old, with a new platform installed in 2011 plus a 54 bail shed, built-in 2016, seven high-quality dwellings and exceptional infrastructure. Excellent schooling nearby.

Deadline Sale (unless sold prior) 12pm, Tue 27 Apr 2021 3 Deans Avenue, Chch View by appointment Ben Turner 027 530 1400 ben.turner@bayleys.co.nz Craig Blackburn 027 489 7225 craig.blackburn@bayleys.co.nz Kurt Snook 027 256 0449 WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008 OTAGO REALTY GROUP LTD, BAYLEYSMETRO, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/5514843

Accelerating success.

Productive Stock Finishing Unit

LARGE SCALE FARM FIT FOR A KING

Conrad Headland 027 272 1017 0800 CONRAD

For Sale by Tender Thursday 29 April 2021, 4pm (unless sold prior) 437 Herbert Road, Rotongaro, Waikato

Approximately 781 hectares

Five separate dwellings

Profitable finishing unit

Superior livestock infrastructure

Cropping potential

Beef/sheep farm

The Deroles family have owned this substantial 781Ha productive finishing block for over half a century and this is its first time offered to market. Made up of 7 titles all adjoining, the property boasts five separate dwellings including an eclectic main Castle architecturally commissioned and built by the owners in the early 80’s. A 16.3 ha native clad island on lake Whangape is part of the property.The farms contour is flat to easy rolling. Good rainfall maintains a mostly summer safe status. Currently utilised to finish 950-1250 rising 3-year-old bulls. With 3 sets of yards import and export of livestock is made easy. Races are wide alley and the electric fencing is of superior quality. Extensive works have been done on fencing and planting of wetland areas and lake boundaries. This is a legacy property that is profitable creating good returns call me today on 0800CONRAD for more information.

colliers.co.nz/p-NZL67012796

Colliers NZ Limited Licensed REAA 2008

colliers.co.nz

LIS TI N G N EW

PRESTIGIOUS ONGAHA - MULTI ENTERPRISE BUSINESS WITH PURCHASE OPTIONS Te Maire Road, Kahutara, Featherston With a proud history, tracing from the early Wairarapa farming pioneers, historic Ongaha is located just a 10 minute drive west of Martinborough. This prestigious 583ha property (182ha irrigated via 162 litre/second consent with no low flow restrictions) is multi-faceted and includes an irrigated dairy unit, a partly irrigated finishing block and the home grazing block that includes the magnificent Ongaha Homestead. With around 430ha of flats to easy rolling hills and other land in easy/ medium hill country, Ongaha has superb balance supporting, sheep and cattle breeding & finishing, dairying and feed crop production. Built in 1914, the Homestead features 5 bedrooms, formal and informal living rooms and stunning grounds with pool and tennis court. On farm infrastructure is significant with 4 other houses, quality fencing and access, a strong balance of soil types and fertility levels and 5 pivot irrigators. Purchase options include (STFS); The 583ha whole property; the Homestead Block 205ha, the Finishing Block 217ha and the Dairy Unit 161ha. This is a rare opportunity - Ongaha has been innovatively farmed for generations and is waiting for a new owner(s) to add to its undoubted potential. Inspection strictly by appointment only. Detailed Property Report available upon request. Tender Closes 4pm, Tue 18 May 2021. NZR, Level 1, 16 Perry Street, Masterton 5810. See separate Listing for Lifestyle Options nzr.nz/RX2806491

583.10 hectares Video on website

nzr.nz/RX2806397 Blair Stevens AREINZ 027 527 7007 | blair@nzr.nz Dave Hutchison 027 286 9034 | dave@nzr.nz NZR Real Estate Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 19, 2021

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Open Day

653 Manawaru Road

99.7 ha approx

Manawaru End of An Era The cows have been sold and now the farm is offered for sale. Comprising of 99.7 ha approx consisting of 3 freehold titles. Each title has a dwelling of varying ages. Waihou & Ohinemuri rich sandy loam soils. 24 ASHB shed, generous sized implement shedding and large sized workshop. Having 55 paddocks and is well raced. The property provides many options. As an existing dairy unit, dairy support unit, the potential for sand extraction and the milling of the small stand of Pines. Team up with your neighbours and buy it together and have a title each. Motivated vendors!

ljhooker.co.nz/E42GEW

FINAL NOTICE

Attention First Farm Buyers 36 Goodwin Rd, Matamata

For Sale Auction Wed, 12th May at 3:00pm (Unless sold prior) ___________________________________ View Thurs 22nd & 29th April 11am-12.30pm ___________________________________ Agent Dave Young 0274 579 060

72 ha of rolling contour approx. 15 mins from Matamata and 20 mins from Te Aroha. Currently running as a small, well set dairy unit, subdivided into 50 paddocks. A tidy 20 AS/HB shed with an in-shed feed system makes for an easy one man operation. The up to date effluent system covers 22 ha via a travelling irrigator and gun and is well supported by a 500,000 litre, above ground, covered storage tank. (Fully consented) Water supply comes from two gravity fed springs via a large header tank to all troughs and dairy shed. The property has variation 6 consent to milk 240 cows. A tidy, well kept, four bedroom home. This property is well set up and ready to go.

LJ Hooker Morrinsville (07) 889 8015

Our vendors are looking for a 1st June 2021 takeover.

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

matamata.ljhooker.co.nz/HNGHR1

Deadline Sale Closes Thurs 29th April, 1pm (unless sold prior) ___________________________________ View Thurs 22nd April 11 - 12 ___________________________________ Agent Jack Van Lierop 027 445 5099 Glen Murray 027 488 6138 LJ Hooker Matamata 07 888 5677 Link Realty Ltd. Licensed Agent REAA 2008

Kevin Deane Real Estate

STRONG BREEDING ON WATER SCHEME 381 Mokai Road & 250 Makino Road, Taoroa, Taihape Situated 22km east of Taihape, on papa country renown for quality store stock. Well set up with trough water via the Omatane Scheme, good track access, 4 sets of satellite yards and a tidy 5 stand woolshed with 1,800 ewe night-pen. Well documented fertiliser history with Ngaputahi bred livestock available. Served by a four bedroom main home, a tidy three bedroom cottage only 4km from primary school and high school bus. Purchase options as two blocks (270ha & 294ha). Tender Closes 11am, Wed 12 May 2021.

564.6 hectares Video on website

nzr.nz/RX2768020 Jamie Proude AREINZ 027 488 5162 | jamie@nzr.nz Peter Barnett AREINZ 027 482 6835 | peter@nzr.nz NZR Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

Tamahere 199 Woodside Road A Healthy Investment If you’re considering where to invest your money and the low bank returns don’t excite you, the share market scares you and the recent changes of legislation regarding to residential investments leave you cold ….. why not invest in land and asparagus? Firstly, the land being some 67ha of which 55ha is growing asparagus and with its excellent sandy loam soils lends itself to a multitude of uses. Secondly the property is situated in super popular Matangi- surely all of the above makes for a compelling “must see” when considering where to invest your hard-earned money. Call us today to view and for more information.

Tender closes Friday 7th May 2021 (unless sold prior) View By Appointment www.harcourts.co.nz/ML4521

Kevin Deane M 021 970 902 Gary Stokes M 021 351 112

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

Farm ‘Dress Circle’ - 412.6354 hectares (1019.62 acres)

Open Farm 242 & 245 Lagoon Road, Rangiwahia

Auction Auction: 2.00pm Wednesday 26th May 2021 At Rural and Lifestyle Sales Ltd 56 Stafford Street, Feilding

• 4 bedroom home • 5 Stand woolshed (1600 NP) • Well tracked with central laneway • Excellent fertilizer history • A great opportunity to own a strong hill country farm with a good balance of contour in the renowed Rangiwahia farming district

Property ID RAL840

Open Farm: Thursday 22nd, 29th April, 6th May 10.00am - 12.00pm. Bring Motor Bike & Helmet Richard Anderson 027 543 1610 richard@rals.co.nz Robert Dabb 027 255 3992 robert@rals.co.nz

‘Fox’s Block’ - 279.63 hectares (690 acres)

Open Farm 1338 Ruahine Road, Rangiwahia

Auction Auction: 2.00pm Wednesday 26th May 2021 At Rural and Lifestyle Sales Ltd 56 Stafford Street, Feilding

• 3 bedroom home • 4 Stand woolshed (800 NP) • 63 hectares of productive flats • Excellent fertilizer history • A great opportunity to own good clean hill country with a good balance of finishing country in the renowed Rangiwahia farming district

Property ID RAL841 ruralandlifestylesales.com

Open Farm: Thursday 22nd, 29th April, 6th May 1.30 - 3.30pm. Bring Motor Bike & Helmet Richard Anderson 027 543 1610 richard@rals.co.nz Robert Dabb 027 255 3992 robert@rals.co.nz Rural and Lifestyle Sales.com Ltd Licensed REAA 2008

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 19, 2021

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

eves.co.nz

Tauranga Central 702/6 Durham Street

Thinking of a Sea Change?

Asking Price $2,195,000

With a housing shortage, apartments are rising in popularity. This apartment is a fine example of a new era of contemporary living. Enjoy panoramic views of the inner harbour, from the Papamoa Hills through to the Kaimais. The expansive interior has been warmly decorated throughout, with enough room to entertain friends and family. Large decks lead off the breakfast area to the formal living area. The main bedroom is created with your own personal space in mind, with a large bath overlooking the city lights, a large walk in robe and room for a sofa to catch the evening sun. There are many options, extended family? Airbnb? Working from home? Hobby room? Endless possibilities. Situated in the CBD near bars and restaurants. Could this be your sea change? You have been working hard, why not enjoy it! The apartment is vacant and ready now! Call Sara for details.

View 11-11.30am Sun 25 Apr & Sun 2 May or by appointment

Sara Browne 027 561 4179 sara.browne@eves.co.nz Grant McFlinn 021 989 951 grant.mcflinn@eves.co.nz

eves.co.nz/ech06057 EVES Realty Ltd, Licensed under the REAA 2008

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

eves.co.nz Open Home

NEW LISTING

Boundary lines are indicative only

EDENDALE, SOUTHLAND 94ha on the Golden Mile Situated on the southern boundary of Edendale this premier property has been faithfully farmed by the Hillis family for over 80 years. Currently growing tulips and roses these fertile soils have also been utilised for growing out hoggets for the Lorneville two-tooth fair in February and finishing cattle. A three bedroom villa situated amid an established sheltered garden setting along with a second home currently tenanted, full range of farm buildings, water scheme to paddocks and central lane providing excellent access around the property.

TENDER

Plus GST (if any) Closes 12.00pm, Wednesday 19 May

443 Hot Water Beach Road

Horticulture, Landbank or Farm

Tender Closes 4pm, Thurs 13 May Cnr Jocelyn Street and Main Road, Katikati (unless sold prior)

VIEW By Appointment Only

Andrew Patterson M 027 434 7636 B 03 211 3144 E apatterson@pggwrightson.co.nz

134ha farm in two titles (second title pending) with two homes in the heart of Hahei! A fantastic opportunity, ready for astute investors, land bankers and horticulturist developers alike. Landbank, continue to run as a dairy farm, plant in horticulture, graze, or subdivide into lifestyle blocks with multiple potential sites with stunning views of Hot Water Beach and Hahei.

View 10.30am-12pm Sat 24 Apr & Sat 1 May or by appointment Durrelle Green 027 949 3725 durrelle.green@eves.co.nz

This location is everything! (+GST if any).

pggwre.co.nz/INV34096 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Hahei

eves.co.nz/ektc07938 Helping grow the country HMH Ltd, EVES Katikati & Waihi, Licensed under the REAA 2008

farmersweekly.co.nz/advertising 0800 85 25 80

Tech & Toys

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 19, 2021

SHEEP JETTER Sheep dipping… made easier! Innovative Agriculture Equipment

• Fantastic penetration • Get one now before price increase

7685

+ GST

Serving NZ Farmers since 1962

LK0106552©

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

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

Ingeniously simple design. Labour savings. Automatic built-in wash system. Intelligent speed tracking. 4 High quality stainless steel spray nozzles. Manufactured in New Zealand. SEND US AN EMAIL OR CALL US TODAY

0800 888 212

www.onfarmsolutions.com

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info@onfarmsolutions.com

Noticeboard

NZ’s #1 Under Woolshed/Covered Yards Cleaning Specialist For Over A Decade www.underthewoolshed.kiwi

Ph: Scott Newman 027 26 26 272 0800 27 26 88

scottnewman101@gmail.com

We also clean out and remetal cattle yards – Call us!

LK0106715©

WORKING TAUMARUNUI AREA Book your shed now

DELIVERING SOLD DOGS NZ Wide 22/4/21 www.youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos email: mikehughesworkingdogs@ farmside.co.nz 07 315 5553

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

12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195. BUYING DOGS NZ WIDE. No One Buys or Pays More! www.youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos email: mikehughesworkingdogs@ farmside.co.nz 07 315 5553 WORD ONLY ADVERTISING. Phone Marie on 0800 85 25 80.

ATTENTION FARMERS DAGS .25c PER KG. Replacement woolpacks. PV Weber Wools. Kawakawa Road, Feilding. Phone 06 323 9550. AIRLESS PAINTING. Any building or roof on any paddock. No power required. Give your old shed or building that fresh new look. Your choice of colour. Over 30 years experience. Contact PaveMark Sprayers. South Island only. 0800 54 36 48 or email: sales@pavemarkltd.co.nz

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

CONTRACTORS GORSE AND THISTLE SPRAY. We also scrub cut. Four men with all gear in your area. Phone Dave 06 375 8032. LK0105452©

DOGS FOR SALE

Heavy duty long lasting Ph 021 047 9299

HEADING BITCH, black and white. Born 1st August 2020, excellent nature, working well at hand. Genuine sale. Phone 06 322 9855.

DOGS WANTED

FARM MAPPING IMPROVE AND SIMPLIFY day-to-day farm management with maps showing names and paddock sizes. Visit farmmapping.co.nz for a free quote.

GIBB-GRO GROWTH PROMOTANT PROMOTES QUICK PASTURE growth. Only $6+gst per hectare delivered. 0508-GIBBGRO [0508 442 247] www. gibbgro.co.nz. “The Proven One.”

GOATS WANTED

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

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.

GRAZING AVAILABLE MAY TO MAY. Grazing for up to 140 R2 heifers, Proven previous performance, Low stocking rates, Managed by Owner Operator Dairy Farmer. Manawatu. Please call to discuss rates and options. 027 420 8604.

HAY FOR SALE HAY ROUNDS $75+gst; Squares $60+gst. BALEAGE $75+gst. Unit loads available. Top quality. Phone 021 455 787.

HORTICULTURE NZ KELP. FRESH, wild ocean harvested giant kelp. The world’s richest source of natural iodine. Dried and milled for use in agriculture and horticulture. Growth promotant / stock health food. As seen on Country Calendar. Orders to: 03 322 6115 or info@nzkelp.co.nz

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE WILTSHIRES-ARVIDSON. Self shearing sheep. No1 for Facial Eczema. David 027 2771 556. RED DEVON BULLS. Waimouri stud, Feilding. Phone 027 224 3838.

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

PERSONAL

A Country Romance For Lonely Men & Women in town or on the land, seeking companionship and love. Call CCN your Personal Matchmakers today. All ages & areas welcome. Please call

0800 446 332

STOCK FEED

BOOK AN AD. For only $2.10 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Marie on 0800 85 25 80 to book in or email wordads@globalhq. co.nz

WANTED TO BUY SAWN SHED TIMBER including Black Maire. Matai, Totara and Rimu etc. Also buying salvaged native logs. Phone Richard Uren. NZ Native Timber Supplies. Phone 027 688 2954.

WORK WANTED CRUTCHING WORK wanted. Waikato / King Country. Shed only with farmer’s plant. $1+gst per animal. Brian 027 236 5409.

LK0106503©

BARLEY & WHEAT STRAW RYE GRASS STRAW MEADOW HAY LUCERNE & MEADOW BALEAGE

ZON BIRDSCARER

JOBS BOARD

Agronomy Arable and Vegetable Spray Operator Farm Manager Farm Staff Recruitment General Manager Hoki Season 2021

DE HORNER

HOOF TRIMMER

EARMARKERS

WOOL

THIN K PRE BU IL T

NEW HOMES

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

Roma Jerseys Complete Dispersal

Consent to Mine Limestone Shellrock Location: 263 Waiinu Beach Road, Waitotara – South Taranaki

April 20th, 21st, 27th & 28th starting at

For more information regarding the Deed of access call 027 232 7763 LK0105296©

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

NEW ZEALAND’S HIGHEST PRODUCING JERSEY HERD WITH 682KGMS/COW IN 2019/20 WILL SELL!

Expressions of Interest – purchase of mining right, resource consent, access agreement and associated quarry plant and machinery.

Herd BW 196 PW 221 Rec Anc 100% 12.30pm on Bidr.co.nz 208 Jersey cows

Quarry has provided quality shellrock to dairy farmers, sheep and beef farmers, local contractors, forestry, all roading requirements, river erosion work in the Waverley, Waitotara and South Taranaki region since 2004.

Live Auction . Online Auction

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

Contact Debbie Brown 06 323 0765

36.2 hectare Survey Quarry Located 7km oﬀ State Highway 3, Waitotara, the property has consent to excavate shellrock from 36.2 hectare with right to extend mining permit and land.

SOLID – PRACTICAL WELL INSULATED – AFFORDABLE

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

*conditions apply

Waiinu Beach Quarry

QUALITY Feeds You Can TRUST

Est. 1983

Adding value from shed to sale!

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

Phone Mark 0800 478 729 or Tracey 027 554 1841

Independent wool brokers

Dedicated to delivering farmers the best service and best returns

Labourer Livestock Agent Livestock Representatives Station Cook & General Hand Training Opportunities

Available in Squares & Rounds

Phone: +64 6 357 2454 LK106667©

electro-tek@xtra.co.nz

Livestock

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

LK0105354©

STOP BIRDS NOW!

Turley Farms is situated in the heart of the Canterbury Plains where more than 80% of New Zealand’s grain and seed crops are grown. The Pendarves hub (Mid Canterbury) is situated right in the thick of the Canterbury Plains. Turley Farms grow a wide range of crops including potatoes, onions, wheat, grass seed, white clover, specialised hybrid seed including carrots, rapeseed oil, red beet, spinach, radish crops. In addition to the above crops, sunflowers and ryecorn. Turley Farms also finish lambs and beef cattle in the winter and early spring. We pride ourselves with a fleet of modern and up-to-date machinery. We provide a positive environment for our employees where high performance is the normal and it is recognised and rewarded. A position has become available for a full-time arable, vegetable farmer and spray operator to join our team at Pendarves. The successful candidate will be responsible for the spraying of the crops – using a SAM 5000 Vison Sprayer with a 36m auto steer / auto control, along with assisting with the cultivation, planting, irrigation, harvesting of our crops. Competencies required to be successful in the role include: • Experience operating large modern farm machinery • Machinery maintenance skills • Attention to detail with the ability to take direction & willingness to learn. • Ability to understand and read chemical recommendations produced by our Agronomists and keeping of record inventory. • Reliable and honest • Full clean licence, HT licence – would be a bonus • Good positive attitude • Growsafe or Certified Handlers Certificate (training can be provided to achieve) • Commitment to Health & Safety • Irrigation experience – helpful • Training will be given to the suitable applicant There is a three bedroom home available. Hourly rate will be relevant to your experience. NZ Resident or current NZ work visa essential. Immediate start. Applications including CV and two industry references to: hr@turleyfarms.co.nz Or post to: 380 Guild Road, RD 26, Temuka, New Zealand 7986 Phone Murray: +64 0274 342553 Applications close: Monday 26th April 2021

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

w w w. e l e c t r o t e k . c o . n z P.O. Box 30, Palmerston North 4440, NZ

Arable & Vegetable Farmer, Spray operator

LK0106615©

SCOTTY’S CONTRACTORS

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

GOATS WANTED

View by appointment only.

Justine Alexander 027 232 7763

100 In-calf Jersey heifers 85 Rising 1yr Jersey heifers Featuring the cow family behind their Super Sire “Roma Murmur Kinpin S3J” and many more elite dairy cattle.

Linking buyers and sellers Agents: Nigel Riddell ph 0274 343 153 Ross Riddell ph 027 211 1112 www.linklivestock.co.nz Vendors: Bob and Margaret Morris Farm address: 931 Kereone Road Morrinsville

LK0106686©

0800 436 566

DOGS FOR SALE

LK0106718©

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

ANIMAL HANDLING

LK0106733©

DOLOMITE

Employment

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

Livestock Noticeboard

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 19, 2021

SALE TALK

A guy goes in for a job interview and sits down with the boss.

F12 & Better Cows or Heifers for breeding. To be mated to Black Wagyu

WANTED:

Go to: www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz Register your requirements and be informed when new listings arrive

Over 3 Generations of breeding has gone into this line of 70 cows.

Grazing for Frsn/Wagyu Steers & Heifers To be paid on weight gain contract from 100kg to 430kg

closed herd. 80% 2-4yr. Calving 24.7.21. $1390. LK0106741©

Top young Jersey genetics. Contact: Michael Conwell 027 226 1611

ESTABLISHED HIGH INDEXED AND HIGH PRODUCTION DAIRY HERD AND REPLACEMENT AUCTION

PROGRESSIVE LIVESTOCK LTD

• DH2225 – 350 x Jersey OAD herd BW144 PW150 R/A 90%, DTC 18/7 to CRV, 1050ms/ha $1650 Call: Bunter 027 444 1169 • DH2218 – 350 x JerseyX herd BW172 PW186 R/A 90%, DTC 20/7 to LIC, Rotary, shift well System 1, young OAD cows $1575 Call: John 027 594 2544

Elite High Genetic Value Holstein Friesian Herd and Replacement Complete Dispersal Sale

Owned and bred for 40yrs

Contact your local agent or call: Trevor Hancock 027 283 8389 or Paul Kane: 027 286 9279

A/c R M Rosacker On Wednesday 5th May 2021 at 378 Jens Anderson Road Norsewood, Dannevirke Start Time: 11:00am D/C 47360

AUTUMN HARVEST SALE

COMPRISING: • 300 Xbred/Jersey/JerseyX herd BW130 PW151 R/A 82% • 35 JerseyX I/C heifers BW124 PW141 DTC 28/7 to Jersey Bulls

• •

LK0106672©

FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT 10:30am 2007 John Deere 6420 SE with FEL – 2013 Hustler SL 350 bale feeder – Pearsons soft hands – Burkhart 3T trailer – 2013 SM320P Fella disc mower – Cambridge roller – 2x6m PKE trailers – 3m PKE trailer – Honda water pump – diesel/petrol tank – Kea bike trailer & crate – back blade – 3000L milk vat – 6m x 475cm culvert pipe – calf rearing equipment – numerous other items. AUCTIONEERS NOTE: Farm has been sold. This herd has been farmed by owners for 40 + yrs. A wellmanaged and consistently reliable herd with high fertility and strong production results on a rolling to flat farm. Many cow families have been contract mated over the years. Here is an opportunity to purchase replacements from a very respected herd bred specifically for performance and dairy type. DEFERRED PAYMENT DATE: Due 15th October 2021 for Livestock. Machinery payments on day of sale. Eftpos will be available. ENQUIRIES TO: Carrfields Agent: Brent Espin 027 551 3660 or brent.espin@carrfields.co.nz or your local Carrfields Agent VENDORS: M/s Leo & Patria Quintus 027 905 3533 View catalogue on

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

0800 TO BIDR

• • • • • •

View Catalogue on

17 x Holstein Friesian yearling heifers 133 head,TB C10, BVD & Lepto Vaccinated

Venue: Cambridge Raceway 1 Taylor Street, Cambridge 3434 SELLING 60-head from the industry’s absolute best pedigrees across all breeds • 12 AYRSHIRES 1 Embryo Package | 2 Cows | 9 Heifers • 4 BROWN SWISS 1 Embryo Package | 2 First-Choice Females | 1 Heifer • 28 HOLSTEIN 5 Embryo Packages | 2 Cows 1 First Choice Female | 20 Heifers • 14 JERSEYS 2 Embryo Packages | 1 Cow | 11 Heifers • 1 MILKING SHORTHORN - 1 Heifer • 6 SEMEN PACKAGES - Windbrook | Hired Gun | Goldwyn | Blackstone | Pepperoni | Trident TERMS ARE AVAILABLE: 50% down (April 22) and remaining 50% in 6 months (October 22) – conditions may apply On-line platforms: ELITE LIVESTOCK AUCTIONS elitelivestockauctions.com.au

PAYMENT TERMS:

ENQUIRIES TO: Carrfields Agents: Sam Arends 027 343 3529 or Phil Robson 027 442 4059 or contact your local Carrfields Agent.

19 x Holstein Frsn VIC spring calving hfrs

PRE-SALE VIEWING OF LOTS AND PRE-SALE DRINKS FROM 5.00PM

MYLIVESTOCK mylivestock.co.nz

Payment due 31st May 2021. Deliveries immediate or delayed deliveries for sharemilkers. Delayed payment could be considered for sharemilkers, must be arranged prior to auction.

Sale manager: Dean Malcolm - Bluechip Marketing Ltd dean.bluechip@gmail.com – 0276 414 102

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

• These are the Elite animals from a 200 cow herd, balance of which have been sold as one • This quality offering is among the highest Genetic Value lines to be offered this season • Cows have BWs up to 178, PWs up to 403 • In calf heifers BWs up to 201 and Yearling heifers BWs up to 210 • 31 contract bred calves for CRV and LIC are to be born spring 2021 • 29 females have contracts of interest for spring 2021 matings with CRV and LIC • Over the last 2 seasons CRV and LIC have taken 11 contract bull calves under the “Royson” prefix • Several older “Royson” sires are in use at CRV and LIC • Sires represented include, Fire Up, Revitup, Hothouse, Expresso, Gauntlet, Beamer, Supersire, Topnotch, Lamont, Bigshot, Geronimo, Mint Edition, Timeline, Grandeur, Maxima, Triumphant, Golddigger, Mandate, Apex, Arrow and Jaxon • Herd averages up to 500kgs ms and consistently 400-430kgs ms on grass alone last 4 seasons • In-calf heifers synchronised and mated to AB • Herd was established in the 1960’s and has 3 letter herd code CWM • Herd strengths are high components, capacity, udder conformation, temperament, fat/protein BVs and low birth liveweight

Be sure to receive your sales catalogue showing all details from the auctioneers, Progressive Livestock Ltd, Ph Luke Hanan on 027 697 8625 or Brian Robinson Livestock Ltd Ph Brian Robinson on 027 241 0051 or view on line at

Auctioneer: Selwyn Donald – 0274 378 375 Sales force: Isaac Kelsen – 0274 297 704, Duncan Pipe – 0272 649 527 Vince Steiner – 0274 822 879 Brian Robinson – 0272 410 051 Harvey Verwaayen – 0273 676 916 Dean Geddes – 0274 925 500 Ryan Lett – 0277 299 550

Extremely well bred offering comprising of the following 10 x Holstein Frsn empty in milk cows

Hand-picked for you ALL BREEDS MULTI-VENDOR SALE April 22, 2021 @ 6.30pm

AUCTIONEERS NOTE: Honest hard-working herd, with long walks to shed. Long AB history, these are cows that will not let you down & have huge potential. High stocking rates & only Homebred bulls used to natural mate cows. Impressive dairy type & excellent uddered herd, you will be impressed. For sale due to farm sale.

On A/C of Royson Farms Ltd Eddie and Kath Lambert 133 Lambert Road, Kawerau RD 2, Whakatane Wednesday 21st April at 11am

87x Holstein Frsn VIC spring calving cows

LK0106736©

•

DETAILS: Owned 40yrs & always bred to LIC, rotary shed. Current MT rate 6%, 300kg/ms/cows, 200,000 SCC. TB C10, lepto vacc, BVD free, approx. 40% A2A2 identified cows. System 1 feeding, hilly farm, dried off 6/4, all dried cows treated. Original herd 900 cows – 2x computer splits sold – no picking. Only 15 cows over whole season treated for mastitis. All dates verified, a well-managed herd, all cows DNA. All calving dates verified, herd tested, cows in good working order. All cattle have been salmonella vaccinated.

LK0106681©

DETAILS: • Sold in-milk – 505 ms/cows – System 3 feeding • 100% LIC mating – 5wks Frsn – tailed Speckle Park & short gestation Frsn • DTC 17/7 – all dates confirmed – last calv 30/9 • Rotary – TB C9 – Lepto vacc – herd tested – MT rate 13%

LK0105990©

• DH2132 – 250 x XBred herd BW74 PW59 – DTC 20/7, 50% Frsn, hard farm, system 2, $1500 Call: Paul 027 394 8994

GREAT SHIFTING LIC DAIRY AUCTION

COMPRISING: • 160 x Frsn & FrsnX Complete Dairy Herd • BW159 PW218 R/A 100% • 42 x Frsn & FrsnX I/C Heifers (2 x contract Heifers) • BW223 PW249 – DTC 17/7 to Jsy bull

.co.nz

The man replies, “I don’t care about what you think!”

• DR2193 – 45 x Top Jersey I/C hfrs BW219, PW220, DTC 25/7, LIC, $1650 Call: Jason 021 170 5354

BW’s up to 303 – PW’s up to 622 A/c LM & PC Quintus On Friday 23rd April 2021 At 885 Carrington Road New Plymouth – Taranaki Start time: Machinery 10:30am & Livestock 11:30am Supply Number: 42810

(0800 86 2437)

The boss says, “That’s not a bad thing, I think being honest is a good quality.”

Selection of listings:

84% in calf AI with expected calf BW 260.

The boss asks him, “What do you think is your worst quality?” The man says “I’m probably too honest.”

• DR2230 – 38 x FsnX I/C hfrs BW199 PW216, DTC 15/7 Capital line, $1400 Call: Hamish 027 432 0298

From a completely 100% recorded LK0106561©

Contact: Richard Andrews 027 536 8693 or richard.andrews@carrfields.co.nz

NATIONWIDE DAIRY SPECIALISTS

A LIFETIME OF JERSEY GENETICS

LK0106602©

WANTED:

www.nzholsteing.org.nz www.progressivelivestock.co.nz

bidr® is Growing, with LOTS more to come

Livestock Noticeboard

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 19, 2021

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

RANUI BULL SALE

BullsEye Sale 4th AUTUMN ON FARM SERVICE BULL SALE UNDERCOVER MONDAY 10TH MAY 2021 SALE COMMENCES – 11:30am On Account David & Fiona MacKenzie 300 McDonald Mine Road Huntly Sale is signposted from Huntly Bridge. Streamed Live with Online Bidding via MyLiveStock.co.nz

JOIN JOIN US FOR OUR

41ST SALE 40TH SALE

ON THURSDAY THURSDAY 10TH JUNE* ON 4TH JUNE*

ANNUAL FEMALE PRODUCTION SALE

• sale Confirmed on-farm bull sale On farm at Karamu Wanganui at 3.00pm

• Lines of quality, in-calf, Hereford R3year heifers and cows

•

• Farmed on Hunterville hill-country as part of the Ardo Hereford stud

Comprising of 230 - 2yr & 3yr Quality Hereford and Angus service bulls. All bulls come forward in great condition with excellent temperament. Sold in lots of 1 - 5 to suit all buyers. Delivery to suit. Full details in main ads to come. For further information: Bill Sweeney - 027 451 5310

Bull viewing available for the month of May - by appointment only. Contact Lindsay or Maria Johnstone today 027 445 3211 or 027 610 5348

• All mated to Ardo stud Hereford bulls from November 1

William Morrison – 027 640 1166 Maurice Stewart, PGGW – 027 246 9255

ranuiangus.co.nz LK0106583©

• Closed herd, C10, vaccinated annually for BVD, 7-in-1 and Rotovirus

STOCK FOR SALE

www.morrisonfarming.co.nz

NZ’s Virtual Saleyard

Proudly Based in Hawke’s Bay

Lines R2YR FRSN BULLS 320-460kg

Livestock Advertising?

Lines R2YR STEERS 340-440kg

UPCOMING AUCTIONS

STORE LAMBS 30-38kg

Tuesday, 20 April 2021 12.30pm Roma Jersey Stud Complete Dispersal - 1st Run, in-milk cows

STOCK REQUIRED

Call Ella: 0800 85 25 80

Top ANGUS STEER CALVES 240kg+ R1YR FRSN BULL CALVES 180-230kg R2YR BEEF BULLS 370-420kg R3YR ANG OR ANG X STEERS 500-600kg

Wednesday, 21 April 2021 12.30pm Roma Jersey Stud Complete Dispersal - 2nd Run, in-milk cows Friday, 23 April 2021 12.00pm Te Kuiti Saleyard - Cattle Fair

BYLLIVESTOCK.CO.NZ

Tuesday, 27 April 2021 12.30pm Roma Jersey Stud Complete Dispersal - 3rd Run, R2 & R1 heifers

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

"Maximising your return through personal livestock management"

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381

DAIRY HERD FOR SALE

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

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

1013 In-Calf Frs/Frs X Cows BW78, PW104. 64% Anc. DTC 29/07. 6 weeks AB, tailed with Hereford.

Key: Dairy

A tidy herd with very nice udders, great type. Long walks, undulating hilly farm. A very tidy article. Will computer split numbers to suit .

Give Ella a bell: 0800 85 25 80

Ph Jason Roberts 027 707 1271 Email jason@byl.co.nz

BW 99

byllivestock

BW 202

•

$1,550+GST

PW 209

•

PGG Wrightson Dairy representatives are specialists at marketing and selling dairy herds.

Kent Stove 027 224 0999 Agonline ref: 0258

Benefit from the nationwide team that is dedicated to matching herds with the right buyers and achieving an optimal outcome for your business.

27 Kiwi X Incalf Hfrs

400 Frsn/Jsy X & Jsy/Frsn X Incalf Cows

Regan Craig 027 502 8585 Agonline ref: 0299

PW 141

$1,750+GST

•

200 Jsy Incalf Cows BW 154 • Production Sale 2021 INAUGURAL SALE • Bulls , Heifers , Embryos • 19•TH Production Sale MAY 1PM 803 Clement Road Kaiwera . • Bulls, Heifers, Pregnant Recip Cows

• 19TH May, 1pm - 803 Clement Road, Kaiwera

Phone Mark Tiller - 027 202 3730 Email - missdaisy@yrless.nz Callum McDonald 027 433 6443

$1,550+GST

31 Jsy/Jsy x Incalf Hfrs

RA 81% DTC 10/7 I/C LIC Kiwi x 5 weeks. 448 M/Solids. Chris Ryan 027 243 1078 Agonline ref: 0292

Dave Walker 027 218 9526

PW 149

RA 98% DTC 10/7 I/C Beef Bull. 600 M/Solids (spring calving content). Dean Evans 027 243 1092 Agonline ref: 9838

DAIRY HERDS & IN-CALF HEIFERS FOR SALE

BW 106

Stock Agents:

Other

DTC 31/7 to Jsy.

_______________________________ 07 823 4559

Sheep

80 Frsn/Frsn X Cows

Stock sale coming up?

$1350 +GST.

Cattle

Ben McKerchar 027 366 7766

PW 175

$1,750+GST

•

RA 89% DTC 20/7 I/C WWS Jersey 3 weeks. 400 M/Solids 50yrs breeding. Dean Cook 027 243 1429 Agonline ref: 0246

BW 143

$1,350+GST

PW 160

•

RA 100% DTC 18/7 to Jsy.

395 Jersey OAD Herd BW 153

$1,600+GST

PW 158

•

RA 90% Over 90% Jerseys, herd milked once a day last 5 years. 16 years breeding good framed cows, nice udders, very good temperament, just a few JsyFrsn X cows. Only 10 wks calving span - 75% calved in 4 weeks. Will sell by a computer split. Cows close to South Island for trucking South. Calving start 18 Jul 2021. Rex Playle 027 594 6512 Agonline ref: 9949

SUE BROTHERS WEANER FAIR Wednesday 21 April, 11.30am Feilding Saleyards Complex.

Comprising appox 800 AA/HX Steers & Heifers. TBD. Enquiries: Gareth Williams 027 526 4613

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

Helping grow the country

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.

Mel Croad

Suz Bremner

Reece Brick

Nicola Dennis

Sarah Friel

Caitlin Pemberton

Deer

Sheep

Cattle BEEF

SHEEP MEAT

VENISON

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.20

5.10

4.85

NI lamb (17kg)

6.85

6.70

NI Stag (60kg)

5.20

7.00

NI Bull (300kg)

5.15

5.05

4.85

NI mutton (20kg)

5.20

5.10

4.55

SI Stag (60kg)

5.35

7.00

NI Cow (200kg)

3.50

3.30

SI lamb (17kg)

6.50

6.45

SI Steer (300kg)

4.65

4.40

SI mutton (20kg)

5.20

5.10

4.05

SI Bull (300kg)

4.60

4.55

4.40

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

3.20

3.05

UK CKT lamb leg

11.19

10.78

10.38

US imported 95CL bull

8.18

8.14

7.92

US domestic 90CL cow

8.18

7.38

8.78

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

5.50

5.0

5.00

9.0

4.50

8.0

South Island steer slaughter price

6.50

Jun

2019-20

$/kg CW

Dairy

9.0 8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0

7.0

Oct

Aug 2020-21

Oct

Dec 5-yr ave

Feb

Apr 2019-20

Jun

MILK PRICE FUTURES

Feb

Apr

Jun

Aug

2019-20

2020-21

Fertiliser

Aug 2020-21

FERTILISER Last week

Prior week

Last year

Coarse xbred ind.

2.38

2.37

2.49

37 micron ewe

2.08

2.10

30 micron lamb

2.33

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Urea

672

567

Super

319

314

DAP

990

787

Grain

Data provided by

Dec 5-yr ave

(NZ$/kg)

5-yr ave

NZ average (NZ$/t)

Top 10 by Market Cap

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

Company

YTD High

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

32.69

36.21

YTD Low 27.1

9.94

5.04

8.00

405

Meridian Energy Limited (NS)

7.50

400

Auckland International Airport Limited

7.5

7.99

6.65

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

6.7

7.6

5.79

7.00

395

$/tonne

$/kg MS

South Island lamb slaughter price

WOOL

Apr

South Island stag slaughter price

10.0

4.50 Feb

7.0

11.0

5.00

Dec

8.0

5.0

Oct

9.0

6.0

5.50

4.00

Last year

10.0

6.0

6.00

Last week Prior week

North Island stag slaughter price

11.0

7.0 6.0

4.00

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

8.0

6.00

$/kg CW

6.50

Last year

North Island lamb slaughter price

9.0 $/kg CW

North Island steer slaughter price

Last week Prior week

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

William Hickson

Ingrid Usherwood

6.50 6.00

Spark New Zealand Limited

390 385

5.50

Apr-20

Jun-20

Aug-20 Oct-20 Sept. 2021

Dec-20 Feb-21 Sept. 2022

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Nearby contract

380

Apr-21

Apr-20

Jun-20

Aug-20

Oct-20

Dec-20

Feb-21

Apr-21

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY

4.4

4.97

4.37

Ryman Healthcare Limited

14.65

15.99

14.5

Mainfreight Limited

69.75

64.85

The a2 Milk Company Limited

8.91

12.5

8.28

Contact Energy Limited

7.5

11.16

6.6

Fletcher Building Limited

7.04

7.31

5.67

Listed Agri Shares Company

5pm, close of market, Thursday Close

YTD High

YTD Low

ArborGen Holdings Limited

0.17

0.195

0.161

The a2 Milk Company Limited

8.91

12.5

8.28

Comvita Limited

3.28

3.48

3.06

Delegat Group Limited

15.06

15.4

13.75

Last price*

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

WMP

4140

4050

4130

400

SMP

2835

2830

2825

395

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

4.59

5.15

4.34

Foley Wines Limited

1.78

2.07

1.68

390

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

1.02

0.81

Marlborough Wine Estates Group Limited

0.35

0.65

0.3

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

1.6

1.72

1.43

4140

4100

4050

Butter

3500

3460

3430

Milk Price

7.64

$/tonne

AMF

405

385

7.70

380

Apr-20

* price as at close of business on Thursday

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

Oct-20

Dec-20

Feb-21

Apr-21

400

4200

350

4000

$/tonne

US$/t

Aug-20

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

4400

3800 3600 3400

Jun-20

300

PGG Wrightson Limited

3.44

3.65

3.11

Rua Bioscience Limited

0.385

0.61

0.38

Sanford Limited (NS)

4.68

5.23

4.3

Scales Corporation Limited

4.53

5.09

4.22

Seeka Limited

5.01

5.15

4.66

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

3.55

5.24

3.34

T&G Global Limited

2.98

2.88

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index

14140

15491

13933

S&P/NZX 50 Index

12637

13558

12085

S&P/NZX 10 Index

12543

13978

11776

250 Apr

May Jun Latest price

Jul

Aug 4 weeks ago

Sep

200

Apr-20

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

Jun-20

Aug-20

Oct-20

Dec-20

Feb-21

Apr-21

14140

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

12637

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

12543

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

Pulse

WEATHER Soil Moisture

Overview Facial eczema (FE) numbers are going up instead of down due to warmer than average airflows across northern New Zealand, and an uptick in wetter weather too. Downpours in the upper North Island along with humid northerlies have combined to see spore counts jump up, and may continue to remain high for another week or two. Elsewhere, we’re basically in the early phase of autumn where it still feels like summer some days, and other days feels like winter is coming. A few more colder mixes are in the forecast over the next couple weeks but, generally speaking, many places are still leaning a bit warmer and drier than usual for mid to late April.

US beef market upping the ante

15/04/2021

T Source: NIWA Data

Highlights

Wind

Not overly windy this week considering we’re in mid-autumn, but a storm in the Southern Ocean this weekend will graze the lower South Island with a surge of westerlies, potentially gale nor’westers by Sunday.

Highlights/ Extremes

Temperature While some colder air is getting into the country now – along with the longer, darker, nights making for cooler mornings – we are still receiving a lot of westerly and northerly airflows keeping temperatures up a little above normal for most of this week.

14-day outlook

High pressure slides off NZ to the east this week, allowing a fairly large Tasman Sea low to move in. The low isn’t overly deep air pressure-wise, but will be dragging down mild, humid sub-tropical air, bringing some wet weather into both islands – mostly the north and west. After this, the westerlies return, surging off and on late week and into the weekend due to storms in the Southern Ocean. There is also potential for a storm next week over NZ – one to watch.

Drier than average weather continues in the east but, in saying that, we do expect a little wet weather. Expect windy weather this weekend with a chance of gales south of Cook Strait on Sunday/next Monday and a possible nationwide storm next Monday/Tuesday.

7-day rainfall forecast

100

200

400

We do have more showers and areas of rain for parts of NZ over the next week or two, but we’re still seeing a generally drier than average pattern in the east of both main islands for this week. To be fair, the first half of autumn often sees a lot of westerlies, which pile up rain clouds on the West Coast but leave many eastern areas, especially places like Hawke’s Bay, quite dry. A big low/storm in a week or so may bring better rain.

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

Mel Croad mel.croad@globalhq.co.nz

HE US imported beef market has made strong gains since levelling off in February. Weekly price rises have pushed the market to levels only seen a handful of times in the past 10 years. AgriHQ pegs the US imported 95CL bull at US$2.62/lb, about 45c/lb above this time last year. It’s difficult to draw many conclusions from this – covid-19 lockdowns last year were impacting global trade and depressing prices. However, compared to long-term trends, current prices are close to 40c/lb above normal. Interestingly, farm gate bull prices are at similar to year-ago levels, causing frustration for those with bulls to slaughter. Heated market conditions in the US market are only part of the equation – the NZD is also sitting US11c higher than this time last year, almost completely negating any advantage of the stronger US market. Previous spikes in the US imported beef scene have been limited. Last year prices peaked in May at US$2.65/lb, following a 40% drop in US beef production as covid-19 swept through processing plants. In late 2019, African swine fever and the subsequent rally in Chinese demand pushed US imported beef prices well over US$3.00/lb. Both spikes were short-lived. To find a comparable season, when US imported beef prices experienced sustained upside, we must return to 2015. Back then the market was driven by herd rebuilding in the US post-drought. At that time, NZ capitalised on tighter supplies within the US. Then US imported prices hit mid US$2.60 in April, dipped as our own cull cow supply came on, and then soared as NZ and Australian supplies fell again through that spring. This year, the US imported beef market has a very familiar feel to it. An optimist would comment that market dynamics are even stronger than six years ago. The US is heading into their busiest demand months, coinciding with the lifting of covid-19 restrictions and the return of the foodservice sector.

While US supplies are sufficient this time around, their demand picture is significantly stronger, absorbing any extra production with ease. On the imported side of the ledger, the shortfalls in supply are well recognised. Australia is basically out of the running as their herd rebuild is under way. They simply don’t have the ability to service this market. There is little incentive for South American markets to up their volumes to the US either. This leaves NZ in the box seat, but even so, we are not yet in a strong position to capitalise on this growing demand.

Australia is basically out of the running as their herd rebuild is under way. They simply don’t have the ability to service this market.

The impending NZ autumn cow kill is dragging its heels, but at some point before June cow slaughter rates will increase. While it’s unlikely to pressure capacity like it did last year when covid-19 processing restrictions were in place, processors are still concerned. Any surge could create backlogs, more so when weather conditions in some regions are forcing extra stock into processing plants. It is becoming all too common that external factors are influencing market conditions, rather than simply supply and demand dynamics. Global shipping issues, that have been discussed at length in recent months, are still being cited as a major restriction to exporting. Based on data from the last two months, these issues have yet to impede on export volumes. However, if they intensify, that could impact our ability to capitalise on this strong US market. It is hoped exporters can work through these short-term issues. Market fundamentals over the mediumterm are shaping up for a strong recovery as covid-19 becomes a less dominant driver in our overseas markets. The key, however, is for this to translate back to improved farm gate prices.

South Island autumn livestock markets reflect prevailing confidence Negotiating the uncertainty of a dry autumn and export markets that remain wary of Covid, South Island farmers are demonstrating quiet confidence, which is reflected in their recent demand for livestock.

that the bulk of calf transactions is once again undertaken through auction, vendors and purchasers can be confident that the market is arriving at true, open and transparent values for their stock,” he says.

PGG Wrightson South Island Livestock Manager Shane Gerken says this season’s South Island calf sales began positively.

Meanwhile, with Canterbury cropping farmers purchasing store lambs to finish through the winter, Shane Gerken says that market is also steady.

“Traditional steers are selling at auction between $3.10 and $3.20 per kilogram, with heifers selling between $2.50 and $2.60. “These values are in line with vendor expectations. After last year, when the selling season was seriously affected by the lockdown, we had little option other than to sell privately. With freedom from lockdowns this year, being able to revert to the status quo is therefore a relief for all concerned. Now

“Onfarm lamb sales are generating good demand. Market signals for sheep meat are positive, providing farmers with the confidence to buy lambs. “With anxiety about the lack of moisture starting to intensify in most South Island districts however, that positive mindset may be fragile and may not last without some decent rain in the next few weeks,” he says.

SALE YARD WRAP

Mixed demand for prime lambs Sales returned to normal after two short weeks and as processors did the same, demand for short-term lambs and ewes rebounded in the North Island, though tighter space in the south kept markets more status quo. At Feilding, prime lamb prices lifted to $141-$187 for heavy to very heavy types. Prime lamb volume at yards in the South Island was lower as more make a one-way trip to the processors and the yards handle the overflow. Most sold for $110-$159, which reflected the type of lambs coming forward. NORTHLAND Kaikohe cattle sale • Weaner steers earned $2.75-$2.82/kg • Better weaner heifers traded around $2.30-$2.40/kg • Better beef cows with calves-at-foot realised $900 per unit A lack of enthusiasm in the market is keeping downward pressure on values at KAIKOHE, despite rain which improved pasture growth, PGG Wrightson agent Vaughan Vujcich reported. R2 beef-cross steers made $2.40-$2.50/ kg. The best of the R2 heifers earned $2.30-$2.40/kg, though lesser types sold down to $2.00/kg. Weaner bulls proved to be hard work and made $2.00-$2.10/kg. Vetted-in-calf beefcross and heavier boner Friesian cows sold to $1.80-$1.90/ kg with better empty beef-cross cows $1.65/kg. Wellsford grown steer and bull fair 12.4, grown female fair 13.4 • R2 Angus-cross steers, 352-414kg, were well-contested at $2.57$2.63/kg • R2 Shorthorn steers, 428kg, fetched $2.77/kg • Hereford cows, run-with-bull and 528-578kg, fetched $1070$1100 • Angus cows, vetted-in-calf to Angus bull and 452-520kg, returned $850-$930 • Most R2 Angus heifers, 374-414kg, earned $2.41-$2.45/kg R2 steers made up 93% of the 571 head penned at WELLSFORD last Monday for the steer and bull fair. Better R2 Angus steers, 279kg, returned $2.56/kg with second cuts at $2.25/kg. Limousin, 399kg, returned $2.78/kg and 362kg, $2.68/kg. R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 367-463kg, realised $2.51/kg to $2.73/kg. Few bulls were offered. A smaller offering of 290 were presented for the grown female fair on Tuesday. Cows were well-contested and Hereford, vetted-in-calf and 466-482kg, fetched $770-$965. Friesian, run-with-bull and 372-437kg, managed $620-$680. Better Hereford-Friesian heifers, 381-467kg, fetched $2.45-$2.56/ kg with most of the balance 310-373kg and $2.31-$2.41/kg. Murray Grey-Friesian, 294-334kg, were consistent at $2.28$2.31/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

AUCKLAND Pukekohe cattle • Medium weaner crossbred steers traded at $420 • Medium weaner heifers earned $350-$430 • Boner cows fetched $1.44/kg Buyers remained hesitant for lesser cattle at PUKEKOHE. Prime steers made $2.55-$2.63/kg with heifers at $2.52$2.55/kg. Medium store steers sold in a range of $1.20/kg to $2.55/kg and better heifers were secured for $2.54/kg.

COUNTIES Tuakau sales • Angus heifers, 389kg, made $2.51/kg • Prime Limousin steers, 710kg, reached $2.90/kg • Top prime ewes fetched $200 Around 850 store cattle were yarded at TUAKAU last Thursday, Carrfields agent Karl Chitham reported. Most steers, 420-500kg, made $2.52/kg to $2.73/kg, while 280kg Hereford-Friesian managed $790 and 133kg weaner steers, $615. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 426kg, returned $2.46/ kg and 300-360kg fetched $2.31-$2.45/kg. Weaner heifers, 120kg, made $380. Wednesday’s prime market was strong. Hereford-Friesian steers, 580-670kg, traded at $2.62-$2.76/ kg and 480-570kg beef heifers, $2.58-$2.69/kg. Angus beef cows, 550kg, managed $1.74/kg and Friesian, 520kg, $1.58/ kg. Lighter boners, 420-480kg, earned $1.34/kg to $1.52/ kg. Heavy prime lambs realised $135-$155 on Monday and medium $130-$138. Top ewes fetched $200 with good types at $145-$186 and lighter ewes managed $75-$90.

WAIKATO Frankton cattle sale13.4 • R2 Charolais-Friesian steers, 426-468kg, improved to $2.63-$2.69/ kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 343-373kg, strengthened to $2.59$2.65/kg

• Weaner Hereford-Friesian steers, 124-152kg, fetched $415-$515 Throughput swelled to 907 head in the PGG Wrightson store pens at FRANKTON last Tuesday. Quality cattle sold well though lesser types had to meet the market. R3 dairy-beef steers, 447-522kg, returned $2.47-$2.58/kg. R2 Hereford-Friesian steers sold in two bands with 320-371kg at $2.50-$2.52/kg and 291-300kg, $2.63-$2.67/kg. Weaner Hereford-Friesian heifers, 152-183kg, held at $380-$470. Friesian bulls, 151-212kg, eased to $390-$455. Boner cows, 512-605kg, sold on a steady to firm market at $1.46/kg to $1.73/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Frankton cattle sale14.4 • R3 Hereford-Friesian steers, 483-514kg, earned $2.51/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 329-363kg, returned $2.29-$2.37/kg • Weaner Friesian bulls, 199kg, firmed to $560 while 165-189kg held at $440-$510 New Zealand Farmers Livestock presented a larger yarding of 782 store cattle at FRANKTON last Wednesday and the larger number meant vendors had to meet the market. Most R2 steers, 322-370kg, softened to $2.25-$2.37/ kg. Angus-cross heifers, 311-342kg, managed $2.09-$2.16/ kg while Murray Grey-cross, 285-325kg, returned $2.18/kg. Weaner dairy-beef steers, 172-303kg, sold at a softer $425$650. Speckle Park-cross heifers, 167kg, eased to $410. Hereford-Friesian bulls, 123kg, improved to $450. Prime heifers, 421-513kg, mostly held at $2.41-$2.54/kg. Boner Friesian cows, 436-463kg, fetched $1.51-$1.56/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

KING COUNTRY Te Kuiti sale • Store ewe lambs sold to $108-$122, medium $93.50-$105 and light $62-$99 • Mixed-sex blackface store lambs made $75-$124 • 2.5 year heifers earned $2.35/kg to $2.49/kg • Better R2 steer fetched $2.77-$2.89/kg • Empty beef cows, 440-570kg, realised $1.68/kg to $1.79/kg Approximately 1500 sheep were penned at TE KUITI on Wednesday. Top prime rams earned $125-$129, medium $118-$124 and light $105. Top male store lambs sold to $116-$130 with medium $104-$117 and light $77-$103. Around 750 cattle were presented on Friday. Please note the sale was not completed at time of writing so there is only a small selection of data. In the steer pens, 2.5-year traditional and Simmental-cross, 454-533kg, mostly sold at $2.60/kg to $2.75/kg.

BAY OF PLENTY Rangiuru cattle and sheep • Prime Angus bulls, 750kg, traded at $2.89/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 406-488kg, fetched $2.52-$2.60/kg • R2 traditional heifers, 313-396kg, made $2.42-$2.52/kg • Autumn-born Hereford heifers, 294kg, sold well at $910 Prime steers and heifers at RANGIURU last Tuesday were practically all over 560kg and priced at $2.56-$2.66/kg regardless of breed. Medium-good Friesian cows, 498-512kg, managed $1.57/ kg to $1.70/kg. R2 heifers were of good quality but steers were more varied and dairy-beef breeds, 293-402kg, mostly managed $2.41/kg to $2.56/kg. A modest yarding of sheep sold to steady demand with prime lambs making $94$136.50. Prime ewes sold across a range of $70-$157.50. Read more in your LivestockEye.

POVERTY BAY Matawhero sheep • Heavy prime ewes made $166-$171 with the balance $140-$159 • Better Romney breeding ewes earned $149 • Top male store lambs fetched $119-$125, medium $95.50-$107 and light $68-$90 • Mixed-sex store lambs traded at $75 Prime lambs firmed at MATAWHERO last Friday with the top end $182, medium $140-$157 and light $101. Top ewe lamb firmed to $107-$115.50, medium $80-$110 and light $66-$77. Read more in your LivestockEye.

TARANAKI Taranaki cattle • R3 Hereford-Friesian steers, 702kg, made $2.72/kg • R2 Angus-Friesian heifers, 457kg, sold to $2.53/kg • Weaner Hereford-Friesian steers, 228-233kg, earned $640-$645 • Weaner heifers above 200kg fetched $540-$550 The tally grew to over 1200 head at TARANAKI last Wednesday. It was a solid sale and better-quality cattle strengthened. The top end of the R2 dairy-beef steers lifted to $2.65-$2.74/kg, and the bulk made $2.52-$2.62/kg. R2 heifers mostly traded at $2.30/kg to $2.50/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

HAWKE’S BAY Stortford prime cattle and sheep • Heavy to very heavy ewes held at $167.50-$185.50 • Good ewes returned $135.50-$147.50 • Good mixed-sex lambs firmed to $125-$127 • A small ewe lamb offering improved to $143 An increased prime sheep yarding of just over 2000 was penned at STORTFORD LODGE last Monday. Very good ewes held at $152-$162. Medium ewes managed steady to improved results at $123-$132.50 with lighter types at $85$110. Lambs numbered 250 and sold to good interest. Very heavy ram lambs lifted to $148, as did heavy types at $130.50-$145. Very heavy mixed-sex firmed to $152.50$158.50 with heavy at $140. Cattle were back on the menu and Angus cows, 540-646kg, returned $1.80-$1.82/kg, and same breed run-with-bull, 503-606kg, realised $1.77-$1.83/ kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Stortford Lodge store sheep • Heavy cryptorchid lambs lifted to $128-$129.50 • Wether lambs sold well at $120-$123 for the top pens The store lamb market rebounded at STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday. A quality yarding helped that improvement and overall prices firmed $3 on average. Good cryptorchid held at $115-$125 though similar weighted ewe lambs eased to $105-$116. The balance of the ewe lambs sold for $95-$112. Read more in your LivestockEye.

MANAWATŪ Feilding prime cattle and sheep, feeder calves • Angus and Angus-Hereford cows, 628kg, made $1.78/kg • Simmental-Hereford cows, 558kg, earned $1.79/kg Cull cow volume leaped to 70 head at FEILDING last Monday. Nearly all were Friesian and purchased for $1.35$1.46/kg. The quality at the top end of the lambs was impressive and very heavy pens fetched $170-$187. Most of the offering was heavy lines at $141-$169 while mediumgood made $111-$136. Good ewes were the highest priced at $135-$155. Medium-good ewes managed $117-$122.50 while light and medium pens ranged from $70 to $96. In the autumn-calf section Friesian bulls started strong at $170-$200 but fell away to $100-$120. Good Hereford-Friesian bulls made $200-$260 while heifers earned $170-$205. Read more in your LivestockEye. Feilding weaner fairs • Simmental steers, 240kg, made $895, $3.75/kg • Traditional steers averaged 220kg and $770 • Traditional heifers averaged 230kg and $625 The 1500 weaner steers at FEILDING last Wednesday sold on a marginally weaker market than the previous fair. Heavy traditional steers were variable at times, but the mid-range was $3.30-$3.45/kg for 250-325kg. The market was more even for 180-240kg cuts though at $3.40-$3.60/kg. Exotic breeds went well as 215-315kg lines sold for $3.30$3.60/kg and a few straight-bred lines were firmer. The 600 heifers on day two were mostly steady. 245-325kg exotic heifers made $2.60-$2.75/kg while $590-$645 covered all the 200-240kg lines at varied per kilogram rates. Usually 240kg-plus capital stock traditional heifers were $2.75$2.85/kg with the more standard types $2.50-$2.70/kg at all weights. Read more in your LivestockEye.

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021

boner cattle since 2017 last Monday. The vast majority were Friesian or Kiwicross from 450kg to 600kg that sold from $1.10/kg to $1.26/kg. Heifers, 395-474kg, were mostly $1.25$1.33/kg. Traditional and dairy-beef steers over 525kg generally fetched $2.39/kg to $2.52/kg but pens lighter than this were harder to move. Traditional heifers, 510-555kg, fetched $2.16/kg to $2.38/kg. Heavy pens of store lambs managed $99-$119 while medium lines were often $65-$95. Read more in your LivestockEye. Temuka calf sale, western section • Angus steers, 302-350kg, fetched $960-$1030 • Hereford bulls, 289kg, sold for $900 It was the turn of the Western section of the TEMUKA calf sale last Wednesday. Angus and Angus-Hereford calves made up close to 90% of the line-up. Many Angus steers over 250kg earned $800-$925 while 200-240kg traded at $600-$755. Angus-Hereford, 233-272kg, managed $725-$800 while all breeds under 200kg ranged from $480 to $610. Demand for heifers was more pedestrian and most of the top cuts returned $475-$640 though some Angus-Hereford, 302kg, managed $690. Read more in your LivestockEye.

VARIETY APLENTY: Feilding sale yards were once again a hive of activity as its third weaner fair was held over two days. In total, just over 2000 calves were presented.

Temuka calf sale, Fairlie basin section Close to 1500 head of cattle were yarded in the Fairlie Basin section of the TEMUKA calf sales last Friday. Half of the tally came from one big station and two large lines of Angus steers from this property were particularly popular as 120 head of 180kg managed $670, while 119 calves at 209kg fetched $700. Compared to previous sale, most Angus and AngusHereford heavy steers firmed slightly to $700-$900, while light pens under 180kg softened a touch to $400-$650. Angus and Angus-Hereford heifers were stronger and most over 150kg settled into a range of $420-$650. Feilding store sale • R3 traditional steers, 520-605kg, were mainly $2.80/kg • R2 beef-Friesian steers, 330-440kg, mostly made $2.50-$2.55/kg • Weaner Friesian bulls, 145-165kg, sold for $2.85-$3.00/kg • Store male lambs averaged $130 • Store ewe lambs averaged $116.50 A little over 1100 store cattle were sold at FEILDING. R3 Hereford-Friesian steers, 490-575kg, made $2.45-$2.55/kg while R2 traditional steers, 430-480kg, were $2.75-$2.85/kg. R2 heifers, 340-460kg, traded at $2.40-$2.50/kg if they were relatively tidy. Two big lines of 150-160kg Angus-Friesian steers made $450-$515, while some 195kg weaner HerefordFriesian heifers were bought for $520. At little over 16,000 store lambs were yarded. Heavy male lambs traded around $140-$145, with good lines mainly $130-$140, mediums $120-$130 and the lights $105-$115. Top ewe lambs were making $130-$140, good types $120-$125, mediums $110$120, and $90-$105 for the lighter-end. Read more in your LivestockEye. Rongotea cattle • R3 Hereford-Friesian steers, 620kg, made $2.29/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 280-461kg, sold in a wide range of $1.94/kg to $2.38/kg • R2 Friesian bulls, 350-485kg, fetched $2.06/kg to $2.32/kg • Better weaner bulls traded at $440-$480 • Boner cows earned $1.40-$1.41/kg There was a large yarding of cattle at RONGOTEA last Tuesday, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported. R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 302-516kg, firmed to $2.31/kg to $2.44/kg. Weaner Angus steers. 260kg, made $675, and 158-175kg Hereford-Friesian earned $375$410. Better weaner heifers fetched $400-$505, with the balance down to $300.

CANTERBURY Coalgate calf and sheep sale • Most store mixed-sex lambs earned $80-$114

• Shorn store cryptorchid lambs fetched $87-$91 • Medium weaner traditional steers sold to $570-$660 • Weaner Charolais steers, 257kg, traded at $730 Prime lamb throughput lifted at COALGATE last Thursday. The top end firmed to $174-$204 with the next cut $150-$172 and third cut, $100-$145. Better prime mixed age ewes made $180-$238, medium $132-$177 and light mostly $87-$120. A yarding of 573 calves was presented at the first calf sale. Nice traditional steers sold at a similar level to other sales, though heifers were more resistant. Good lines of traditional steers, 290-350kg, traded to $930$980. Angus heifers, 313-331kg, realised $650-$710. Read more in your LivestockEye. Culverden third calf sale • Top Angus steers, 230-240kg, sold for $750-$780 • 25 Hereford bulls, 263kg, sold well at $880, $3.35/kg CULVERDEN calf sales passed the halfway mark last Friday and offered up just over 770 calves. It was very much a traditional affair and largely black and white, though a few lines of Hereford broke up the colouring. Heavier steers sold at similar values to the previous week, though the lighter end came back around 25c/kg. Angus-Hereford steers, 220-260kg, were the pick and sold for $730-$830, $3.18-$3.33/kg. Most lines 210kg and below fell short of $3.00/kg, except for Angus, 190kg, at $575-$585, $3.04$3.06/kg. Hereford, 165-195kg, sold for $460-$540, $2.77$2.78/kg. The heifer market was harder work and very few lines exceeded $500 and the majority made $320-$470.

SOUTH-CANTERBURY Temuka prime cattle and all sheep • Murray Grey-cross, 677kg, and Devon-Hereford steers, 610kg, fetched $2.54/kg • Charolais-cross heifers, 496-650kg, earned $2.24-$2.34/kg • Prime lambs made a consistent $96-$159 • The top ewes made $206-$226 with the balance $63-$188 TEMUKA offered up its biggest yarding of prime and

OTAGO Balclutha sheep • Heavy prime ewes strengthened to $160-$180, medium $130$140 and light $80-$100 • Heavy store lambs fetched $90-$105 Prime lambs had good demand at BALCLUTHA last Wednesday and heavy lambs firmed to $140-$160, medium $120-$130 and light $100-$110. Store lambs sold with stronger demand and medium returned $75-$90 and light $60-$70. Oamaru calf sale • Top exotic heifers, 312kg, made $760 • A top line of Angus heifers, 289kg, realized $730 Around 1100 calves were presented at OAMARU last Thursday. Well-bred, heavy calves were on offer and met strong competition. Angus steers, 313-322kg, from three different vendors were able to reach $1025-$1105 with top Charolais-cross steers, 325kg, $970.

SOUTHLAND Lorneville sale • Prime steers, 500-600kg, sold to $2.00/kg to $2.25/kg • Better prime heifers above 450kg made $2.00-$2.10/kg • Boner cows earned $1.00-$1.02/kg • Top store lambs fetched $100-$110, medium $85-$95 and light $75-$80 • Local trade rams sold to $50-$80 There was a large yarding of store cattle at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday. R2 beef-cross steers, 400-435kg, made $760$935 with 450kg beef-cross heifers at $2.02/kg. Weaner Hereford-Friesian steers, 160-180kg, traded at $400-$440 and better beef-cross bulls, 160kg, made $320. Heavy prime lambs sold to $126-$138, with medium at $111-$123 and light $96-$110. Heavy prime ewes achieved $152-$186, with medium at $122-$144 and light $90-$117.

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Markets

48 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 19, 2021 NI STEER

NI LAMB

SI MUTTON

($/KG)

5.20

6.85

5.20

WEANER TRADITIONAL STEERS, 225KG AVERAGE, AT STORTFORD LODGE ($/KG)

3.19

$2.60-$2.70 high $116 R2 Hereford-Friesian halfbred wether lights Top lambs at Nokomai Station steers, 370-400kg, at autumn lamb muster

Wellsford

ACROSS THE RAILS SUZ BREMNER

DRAFTING UP: A consignment of 230 Angus calves from St George by the Sea are drafted in preparation for the Taupō weaner fair last Monday.

Sale yards wrap up Suz Bremner suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

FTER a busy few months some sale yards such as Stortford Lodge have come to the end of the 2021 weaner-selling season. It has not been the best year for calf sales and weaner fairs given the current climate and market outlooks, but the industry is fortunate that they have simply been able to be held this year, without any interruptions like the 2020 covid-19 lockdown. It was interesting to note that some seller-buyer relationships built during that lockdown continued and the western section calf sale at Temuka had fewer calves come to auction due to sales occurring prior. Taupō weaner fair There were just under 1500 weaners at the Taupō weaner fair last Monday. Heavy Angus steers, 290-309kg, made $900-$955, with the balance mostly $770-$840. Top traditional heifers made $740-$852. Good Charolais-cross heifers sold to $730, and the top end of the

dairy-beef, $590. Friesian bulls eased to an average of $480, with the heaviest more resilient at $570. A large portion of beef bulls were 265kg Speckle Park-cross which fetched $800.

It was interesting to note that some seller-buyer relationships built during lockdown continued. Stortford Lodge weaner fairs Two sale days for the Stortford Lodge weaner fair accumulated in 1600 mainly steers and heifers sold. Prices softened on a month ago and traditional steers averaged 225kg and $725, $3.19/kg. Most Angus steers traded at $540-$875, though top lines reached $900-$960. Charolaiscross and Simmental-cross steers also eased to an average of 255kg and $800, $3.11/kg. Angus bulls sold for a consistent $620$810, $2.92-$3.07/kg. Traditional heifers eased at 200kg and $570, $2.85/kg and exotic heifers – mainly Charolais-cross and Simmental-cross – came back to a 240kg average and $635, $2.66/kg.

Canterbury Park calf sale A very similar line-up to the previous week greeted bidders at Wednesday’s Canterbury Park calf sale. A sizable number of Angus steers, 223-306kg, traded at $770-$890, while the next cut was 200-220kg and $610-$680. AngusHereford over 200kg sold from $635 to $930. The gallery thinned as the heifer section got under way. Simmental-cross, 271-302kg, made $615-$650, while the better pens of 225-275kg Angus returned $525-$625. Angus and Angus-Hereford largely made $515-$680. Omakau calf sale A good line up of 900 well-presented calves were on offer at Omakau last Wednesday. Buyers remain limited due to low feed levels and backlogs at processors is also impacting the ability to purchase replacement stock. Despite this, the market was solid and top Angus steers traded at $935, with the next cut $740-$850. Angus-cross heifers sold to $650-$655 and were destined for breeding.

More calf sale and weaner fair reports can be found in the Sale Yard section.

Autumn lamb muster a success HIDDEN in a valley in the hills of Northern Southland halfbred and Texel-cross lambs were mustered in by helicopter and horseback on Nokomai Station, in preparation for the fifth annual autumn lamb muster held last Monday. The station is steeped in history and generational farmers James and Liv Hore continue many traditions to this day. Sevenhundred Hereford cows, 10,000 Merino wethers and 20,000 halfbred ewes run on the hills of the 42,000-hectare property, but the focus this week was on the 8500 lambs offered up on-farm to willing buyers. Nestled almost halfway between Queenstown and Invercargill, the property is a hike in, but regular buyers from mid and north Canterbury make the journey most years, though last year’s sale was held on bidr due to lockdown. Dry conditions in buying regions have put a damper on an otherwise positive lamb market, but James was satisfied with the results from the sale. “I’m happy considering how dry some areas are. It appears that buyers are tipping out crossbred lambs and buying halfbred due to the higher wool value, which helped our market,” James said. Autumn is targeted as the time to sell by the Hore family, as they have then taken the lambs as far as they can before they shut up shop for winter. “It is a bit of a novelty as we can take the lambs through to this time of year to the best of our ability and move them at a time when they are at their optimum level return-wise for us,” he said. Around 8500 lambs were offered, and line sizes were generally over 1000 head. Top halfbred wethers made $116, medium $106 and third cuts, $85-$95. The Texel-cross mixedsex had more weight to them than the halfbred and sold up to $117, with medium $110 and lighter, $95. Both sections were estimated to trade at $3.30/kg liveweight. Halfbred ewe lambs made top dollar at $100, medium $86 and lighter, $80. suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

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Farmers Weekly NZ April 19 2021

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