Farmers Weekly NZ March 23 2020 by AgriHQ

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Vol 19 No 11, March 23, 2020

Fonterra result gives economic comfort

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URAL people are urged to band together in keeping safe as they ride the tough times of the coronavirus

pandemic. Social resilience is key and if everyone works together “we will get through this,” the Mental Health Foundation says. Agriculture is still in business and likely to lead the bounce back, ASB rural economist Nathan Penny says. “Farming is likely to be the quickest to rebound from the fallout from coronavirus. “When crisis hits, food demand remains and that will be no different this time,” Penny said. China is getting back to business and sectors that deal with China will rebound quicker. While farmers might not get paid as much there will be demand for food, with the exception of luxury foods such as prime steak, seafood and wine. Coronavirus is also affecting key competitors and Penny predicts it could reduce overseas farmers’ ability to produce.

New Zealand farming production is unlikely to change and can hold up better than others. Looking at the next three to six months everything is fluid, Penny said. Beef + Lamb chief executive Sam McIvor said the health of farmers is top priority and the industry has a responsibility to NZ’s economy to take steps to mitigate its risk of infection.

“We are one of the industries that has so far been able to continue and it is vital for our farmers and all New Zealanders that we take all measures to protect our second largest export sector and largest manufacturing employer. “We are conscious, for example, that if a farmer gets infected

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they have few options for getting assistance on their farm,” McIvor said. Federated Farmers has published a coronavirus information sheet and the implications for employers. First and foremost employers should heed their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act and those as employers, including individual employment agreements. They should develop a plan with employees for likely workplace scenarios and if an employee is sick ensure they do not pose a threat to other employees. If an employee cannot work or is required to self-isolate bosses should work with them on matters such as working from home, sick leave and special leave in line with individual agreements. They should consider the type of work an employee is doing, including whether staff can isolate themselves or work on their own safely. The Mental Health Foundation is aware covid outbreak is causing significant anxiety and stress. So it has developed a new online resource – Looking after mental health and wellbeing during covid-19. Its website has tips on wellbeing

HEROES: People in agriculture will lead the nation’s rebound from coronavirus, ASB rural economist Nathan Penny says.

and frequently asked questions. The foundation is updating the website with resources, activities, tools and information as they become available. “The number one message we want people to hear is – we will get through this if we work together.” Connecting with people who make you feel safe and loved is the most important thing you can do to look after your mental health and the mental health of people around you. “Self-isolation or staying at home means connecting will happen in different ways.

“We also know that things are really tough right now for some people who live with mental illness. “Stress, anxiety and uncertainty don’t help.” The wellbeing tips are small, practical actions everyone can do.

Details on employer obligations, specific guidance, the support package and coronavirus updates are at fedfarm.org.nz. Tips on mental health at mentalhealth.org.nz or free call or text 1737

NEWS

15 Shearer takes out rural sports title

World champion blade shearer Allan Oldfield is the Rural Sportsman of the Year.

REGULARS Newsmaker �� 18 New Thinking �� 19 Editorial �� 20

5 Canterbury has tonnes of feed

Pulpit �� 21

Ongoing North Island drought has created a serious feed shortage with many farmers looking further afield for supplies.

Opinion �� 22 World �� 24 Real Estate �� 25-31 Employment �� 32 Classifieds �� 32-33 Livestock �� 33-35 Weather �� 37 Markets �� 36-40

8 Council ticks new Healthy Rivers 18 Boost yields and lower inputs Federated Farmers is bracing for a legal battle after the revised version of Waikato Regional Council’s Healthy Rivers plan change 1 was approved by councillors.

Experience has shown regenerative farming practices can restore the soil carbon sponge and improve genuine farmer profitability.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

SALES: Fonterra’s products are moving to markets and have not been delayed, chairman John Monaghan says.

Well-placed to weather storm Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz

FONTERRA’S interim results and forecasts should give a lot of certainty to dairy farmers and economic comfort to New Zealand, chairman John Monaghan believes. He cited the combination of balanced world demand and supply factors, the advanced milk production season here and Fonterra’s new strategy and improved results in relation to the threat of covid-19. The giant dairy cooperative is on track to deliver $11 billion to its farmers this season, nearly half of which will be spent in local communities. “Given the co-op’s improved performance we are well-placed to weather this storm. “We have options of where to process farmers’ milk and choices of where to place the products around the world. “At times like this that

combination is a real strength.” The interim results will give farmers confidence Fonterra will deliver a $7-plus milk price and respectable earnings. Milk collection is on track to deliver 1515m kilos of milksolids for the season, down 0.5% from the previous season. “In the dry districts it is certainly getting critical where farmers are running out of feed they saved last spring.” Monaghan dismissed rumours store space for finished products is becoming a problem and that shipments have been delayed. “Products are moving to the markets, which is a sign of scale and long-standing relationships.” Fonterra is committed to reducing large gatherings of its staff and shareholders and trying to keep everyone as safe as possible.

“Our My Connect conference has been cancelled and yesterday’s board meeting was held with two directors and three managers in the room, the rest of the directors on the line. “Area managers will make good use of telephones and video-conferencing.” Two inquiries are under way into improvements in the way farmers are paid for their milk and into the best capital structure for the new strategy. He thinks a different advance rate should give farmers more money earlier and there would be room for incentive payments linked to the Co-operative Difference programme. The new scheme should be in place before next season. Before Monaghan’s retirement in November a new chairman-elect will be named by August to give transparency of leadership and a suitable hand-over period.

Fonterra climbs back to better results Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz FONTERRA’S interim results for 2020 contain considerable improvements to its costs, earnings, profits and debt before the unknown impacts of covid-19 hit dairy demand. The company reported normalised earnings before interest and tax of $584 million compared with $312m in the first half of the 2019-20 year. Reported net profit after tax was $501m, up from $72m. Most heartening for dairy farmers were the restatement of a milk price forecast between $7 and $7.60/kg milksolids and the earnings per share guidance of 15c to 25c. However, because of the covid-19 uncertainties the directors decided not to pay an interim dividend. “Our aim is to be in a financial position to pay a full-year dividend,” the interim report said. Chief executive Miles Hurrell said the key goals for 2020 are to achieve the earnings guidance, push gross margin over $3 billion, reduce debt to no more than 3.75 times earnings and keep capital expenditure below $500m. The improved interim results were achieved after total revenue increased 7% to $10.4b and gross margin increased 12% to $1.67b. In the six months to January 31 Fonterra cut group operating expenses by 11% to $1.09b, including the reduction of 200 jobs in New Zealand. Net debt on January 31 was $5.8b, down from $7.4b after bringing in $624m from the sale of DFE Pharma and Foodspring, both in Europe. China Farms and Fonterra’s half share in DPA Brazil are now in sales processes and further valuation writedowns totalling $134m were recorded. Fonterra’s shareholding in Beingmate has been sold to below 15% on the Shanghai stock exchange, chief financial officer Marc Rivers said. The Australian consumer and food

STEADY AS SHE GOES: Fonterra will have to navigate very carefully through the challenges it faces in the rest of this season, chief executive Miles Hurrell says. service businesses are performing well but there remains more work to do on ingredients, where throughput was down 23% and gross margin was a slim $21m. By comparison NZ ingredients production was more than 10 times the size of Australia’s and returned a gross margin of $736m. Global consumer and food service revenue was 29% of total revenue, slightly smaller than in 2019. Hurrell said the previous turningthe-wheel drive to increase consumer and food service sales is now confined to geographies where greater profits can be made, not just to increase the overall proportion of value-add products. During the second half Fonterra faces risks outside its control including covid-19 disruption, political uncertainties in Chile and Hong Kong and ongoing dry weather in NZ. “As I said a few weeks ago we have already contracted a high percentage of this year’s milk supply. “But our teams know we have to keep our foot on the pedal and navigate very carefully through the challenges we’ll face in the second half,” Hurrell said.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Lockdown hurts kiwifruit harvest Richard Rennie & Gerald Piddock THE kiwifruit sector has been left hundreds of workers short after New Zealand’s unprecedented border shutdowns locked out seasonal workers for good this season. Kiwifruit Growers chief executive Nikki Johnson confirmed 1300 Recognised Seasonal Employer workers from the Pacific Islands were unable to get here. That represents more than half the region’s allocation for RSE staff. The sector is seeking special dispensation to fly the workers in despite the border closure. Overall, the industry requires about 20,000 staff through the busy harvest season. Before the border announcement the industry was looking

tight but confident about prospects for meeting yet another record harvest, expected to be up 5% on last year’s 150 million trays. “NZKGI is receiving expressions of interest from many people including those from industries negatively affected by covid-19, including forestry, hospitality and tourism,” she said. Master Contractors chairman Richard Bibby said he has already received some calls from kiwifruit operators wanting to know if there are spare staff in Hawke’s Bay to send into Bay of Plenty. “A lot of people come over to pick apples and then are used for pruning. There may be some issues in Marlborough for grape pruning this winter, however. “We have about 100 RSE workers due here for pruning in June. We will also be looking if we

can extend the visas of those who are here.” All horticulture sectors were having a meeting late on Friday to discuss options for pooling what labour is available, including using displaced workers from forestry gangs and tourism companies. “We have advertised 200 vacancies in Hawke’s Bay to a collective of forestry contractors but have had no uptake yet.” Pastoral farmers also face labour issues. Immigration law and recruitment company The Regions’ managing director Ben De’Ath said it has 40 people with approved visas waiting to enter NZ. The firm has 360 requests from farmers to fill vacancies, 200 of them in the South Island, between now and August.

CUT OFF: Kiwifruit Growers chief executive Nikki Johnson confirmed 1300 Recognised Seasonal Employer workers from the Pacific Islands were unable to get here.

There are also 30 existing farm work visa holders unable to reenter NZ. The potential gap for staff on dairy units could be more than 400, a gap De’Ath describes as astronomical. “We’re going to have a lot of overworked and stressed existing staff, owners and managers who are picking up the shortfall.” “Hopefully, this will see people

willing to move to rural NZ and take up some of these farm jobs as the hospitality industry goes through tough times.” Queenstown workers released from hospitality jobs are lining up jobs on nearby farms. “There’s a small pool of relief milkers that can step in but it will be an absolute massive gap for as long as the globe is in a situation where people can’t safely travel internationally.”

Drought starting to bite farms hard Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz DROUGHT shouts organised by North Island rural support trusts have been put on hold by restrictions on gatherings. Rural Support Trust chairman Neil Bateup says the social events bringing farmers together to deal with the drought and take their minds off some of its problems are no longer an option as the focus goes on keeping farmers and trust staff safe from covid-19. “We’re absolutely determined to continue with the one-on-one support and advice to farmers. That will

not be interrupted but we’re putting some protocols in place to keep everyone safe.” Farmers need to keep talking to one another, stay in touch with neighbours and get together in smaller groups while new ways to get messages out to farmers are

considered by service groups. In Northland the dry is becoming a big issue and Coromandel is not far behind. The concern is feed usually earmarked for winter will be used by then. Bateup says it’s important that farmers keep planning ahead, keep looking at their feed supplies and to use all the tools they can to manage what’s happening on their own farms. Rural Support Trust Hawke’s Bay co-ordinator Lon Anderson says the medium to long-term weather forecast is not looking great for farmers already under pressure. While many farmers in

traditionally summer dry parts of the region are used to farming in dry conditions those under the ranges west of State Highway 50, who are usually exempt, are running out of water and cutting into their supply of winter feed. “For some, particularly around Central Hawke’s Bay, there’s no water and very few options.” Rural Support Trust Tararua co-ordinator Jane Tylee would usually receive about five calls a week from farmers needing some advice. Now it’s about five or six a day. Calls are about access to feed, stock water and financial help.

STANDING FIRM: Rural Support Trust chairman Neil Bateup says drought shouts might be off but the trust is still there for farmers.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Chinese demand provides cushion Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz REVIVING demand in China is providing primary sector exporters with some cushioning from covid-19 fallout as other countries start slipping into recession. Having earlier this year weathered the virtual shutdown of China as it battled to contain covid-19, meat companies are seeing improved demand as life there slowly returns to normal. Government restrictions confined people at home, preventing them working, shopping or eating at restaurants but they are slowly being lifted. Citing data for January and February from China’s National Statistics Bureau a Rabobank analysis says online sales rose 9% in China compared to a year earlier but year-on-year food retail sales fell 6% and food service 43%. Demand from China for dairy rose 43% at the latest Global Dairy Trade auction compared to recent sales but given the ongoing effects of covid-19 a build-up of global milk powder stocks and a lift in Chinese production, Rabobank is forecasting Chinese imports to fall 19% this year. The bank expects pressure on dairy prices from rising global surpluses but countering that is an 8% fall in the value of the New Zealand dollar since January and an expected 1% drop in NZ milk production. Dairy Companies Association

As an industry we have got to change the way we manage export sales so we don’t get these boom and bust cycles. Prue Younger Forestry Contractors’ Assn

GOOD DEAL: Silver Fern Farms partnership allowed it to divert products from China and get access to shipping space and refrigerated containers, chief executive Simon Limmer says.

chief executive Kimberly Crewther says dairy processing and exports have not experienced significant disruption from the covid-19 response, evident by preliminary Statistics NZ data for February showing exports to China were up $100 million. “A Chinese Government focus on maintaining the food basket and the shelf-stable nature of most NZ dairy exports were contributors to lack of disruption experienced by dairy to date.” Crewther says that as governments respond to the crisis

they minimise disruption to food supply chains. “The experience from the global financial crisis was that trade in core food items, such as dairy, generally continued with lower levels of disruption than that experienced by some other sectors,” she says. In a notice to suppliers Silver Fern Farms chief executive Simon Limmer says it has been working to capacity since October and is now refocusing trade with China as that market recovers. Limmer says SFF’s partnership with Kotahi Logistics allowed it to divert product to other markets when China closed down by giving access to shipping space and refrigerated shipping containers. With the killing peak now past, pressure for killing space has eased. Meat for the Easter trade is already being shipped. A similar briefing from Alliance

chief executive David Surveyor says plants are operating as normal and it does not have issues with inventory levels or freezer space. He described global and domestic markets as volatile and challenging and likely to remain so for some time, which will put pressure on prices. Meat Industry Association chief executive Tim Ritchie says the industry has shown resilience in dealing with fallout form covid-19 as well as the North Island drought but he warns against complacency. “These are very extraordinary times and it would not be sensible to be complacent.” The impact of China’s shutdown has been quantified in provisional data from Statistics NZ, which compared primary sector exports to China for the month to February 23 with the corresponding period in 2019. Sales were worth $1.1 billion, $100m less than a year earlier but $300m less than projected with meat exports worth $170m, down from $280m a year earlier because volumes halved from 40,000 tonnes to 20,000 tonnes. Forestry logging has virtually come to a standstill with exports worth $180m over that period, down from almost $250m a year earlier, forcing a third of logging crews to be stood down and 1000 workers laid off. Forestry Contractors Association chief executive Prue Younger says

there are tentative signs of life in the log trade but the last thing the sector needs is for harvesting to rapidly ramp up. “As an industry we have got to change the way we manage export sales so we don’t get these boom and bust cycles.” The sector’s biggest concern is the loss of skilled staff when the market recovers. Zespri’s chief global supply officer Blair Hamill says all ports in key markets in Japan, Korea and Europe are functioning. “We’re seeing positive signs in China in terms of the improving consumer metrics and we expect our charter reefer vessels to run as planned.” Exports can be adjusted according to changes in demand or disruption. Apples and Pears chief executive Alan Pollard says with 40% of the apple crop picked and about 20% of the expected export crop shipped, prices so far are similar to last year. He says governments are prioritising access to healthy food as they combat covid-19. “At the moment there does not seem to be too much interruption for us getting to markets.” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has ruled out for now a Federated Farmers request for a moratorium on legislation that will change the Emissions Trading Scheme and implementation of the Zero Carbon Bill and freshwater legislation.

Canterbury has tonnes of feed Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz ONGOING North Island drought has created a serious feed shortage with many farmers looking further afield for supplies. Arable Solutions director Simon Nitschke, of Marton, said despite the good harvest in the region there’s nothing left to buy on the spot market. “What is around is under contract, sold. There’s nothing available. “A lot of barley this season has gone malting and barley harvested for feed is taken up with no reserves looking likely coming into the maize harvest either with a lot chopped for silage due to poor grain quality.” Arable Solutions normally stores 3000-4000 tonnes of grain at a time. “But we trade a whole lot more than that. “We started with 4000t in storage this season. We’re down to the last 200t now. “We’re looking at 6000t of maize coming in and the majority of that is spoken for. “I’ve got clients lining up. I’m on the hunt for grain.” Nitschke said it’s not just the dairy industry looking for feed. “Taihape has taken up a lot of the hold-over maize and in a first ever we’ve supplied to some big sheep stations desperate for feed

to condition ewes before lambing. “That’s sucked up a lot of the storage. They have been doing this for a month or so now and there’s no end in sight. “It’s trying times and at the end of the day people have got to take what they can get. It’s a supply and demand situation now. Palm kernel at $400 a tonne, comparable to maize barley and wheat, is no longer an economic option. “The option is South Island grain,” Nitschke said. “The difference of $100 a tonne (delivered) is the difference of whether you can feed your stock or not. “If it gets to $500/t that’s probably okay but South Island pricing could reach a point where people just won’t or can’t pay for it.” Federated Farmers arable grains chairman Brian Leadley said with a good average harvest recording some better than average yields this season there’s grain out there.

“There’s feed available. It’s certainly been a good harvest yield-wise. “We want to be able to support the North Island as need may arise but as is the ongoing case, transportation comes at a cost. “Cropping farmers have had a couple of tough seasons leading into now. We can’t afford to be Father Christmas.” Leadley said the feeds available include wheat, barley, straw, grass and likely some balage. “The markets need to communicate what feeds are required, the prices being offered and the market will set itself,” Leadley said. With the arable industry in a good position to support droughtstricken areas Leadley urged farmers to act sooner rather than later. “If you think you are going to need feed you should get it now. “There is feed available but it’s not a massive stockpile and it will only get more expensive.” Quigley Feeds in Ashburton is not yet experiencing unprecedented demand. It has a loyal North Island client-base, mostly in Waikato, with several Northland clients also on the books, that it continues to supply with balage, hay and straw. The business also exports feed to Korea, Japan and Dubai, mainly for cattle feedlots. “We have our regular business

HELPING OUT: Andrew Quigley says his business endeavours to look after local customers first bit with an export market waiting he needs to know now. Photo: Annette Scott

with a good core base both here in New Zealand and overseas and we do have to look after them. “We have feed available and we can help genuine buyers and we have the ways and means to deliver,” Quigley Feeds North Island feed sales and logistics manager Kent Hancock said. The business has trucks on the road and has a unique shipping option from Lyttleton to Tauranga, from where on-delivery via road transport is an option. Quigley Feeds, established in February last year, invested in a hay press to enable more efficient packing for transport. The press compresses a sevenfoot bale into half the length, effectively allowing an 11-13 tonne container to take up to 27 tonnes. Managing director Andrew

Quigley is sympathetic to the drought-stricken regions in need of feed but said the reality is a high percentage its product will end up going overseas. “However, we will always endeavour to look after our NZ customers first. “If we get a shit winter in NZ we will be short of feed but I can’t sit and wait when I have an export market so we need to know early if product is required locally. “There is an absolute tonne of feed still in Canterbury, other contractors have significant volumes available too but freight is the big issue.” Quigley said people wanting feed should order ahead of need. “Pick up the phone a month before you need it, logistics is the biggest barrier and it could take a month to get it up there.”

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Fieldays delayed NEW Zealand’s National Fieldays – billed as the largest agricultural event in the southern hemisphere – won’t be going ahead in June because of the covid-19 outbreak. “As this is an unprecedented environment we request the time between now and March 31 to present our loyal and longstanding exhibitors and stakeholders with potential options for preserving this event,” Fieldays chief executive Peter Nation said in an email to stakeholders. “We have undertaken to provide some detail around our contingency planning prior to March 31 as there is still guidance for mass gatherings to be formally announced we wished to take time to ensure our planning for postponement meets these guidelines and is practical for all stakeholders,” he told Farmers Weekly in a written statement. The decision to postpone the event scheduled for June 10-13 came after Prime Minister Jacinda

Ardern said all gatherings of more than 500 people should not be held. Fieldays is an event of global significance that has contributed more than $18.5 billion to the economy in its 51 years, Nation said. Exhibitors’ site deposits are still secured for the postponed event. For exhibitors such as Agco the news was disappointing. Agco NZ manager Peter Scott said the company looked forward to the customer engagement at Fieldays and the chance to showcase the latest models and technology to farmers. They are the main reasons Agco exhibits at Fieldays. “Those plans are made well in advance so we’re disappointed that we won’t be doing that this year.” But the safety of people during the pandemic is extremely important. “We take that very seriously and the health of our customers and

Those plans are made well in advance so we’re disappointed that we won’t be doing that this year. Peter Scott Agco our staff is paramount.” He doesn’t think postponing Fieldays will have a significant impact on sales. He has not heard yet from Fieldays about options for an alternative event. If an event is held later in the year the firm might consider going. Last year’s event had 128,747 visitors over four days generating $549 million in sales revenue with $183m going into the Waikato region alone so each person though the gate contributed about

PONDERING: Fieldays organisers will take till the end of the month to present potential options for the postponed event, chief executive Peter Nation says.

$4200 to the economy. The event also brought in $247m of additional GDP for the national economy with $80m added to Waikato’s GDP.

For information on postponed or cancelled events check out the Farmers Weekly daily digest at farmersweekly.co.nz

Dairy holds up well in virus storm Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz DAIRY prices are holding up better than other commodities and the New Zealand dairy industry is well-placed to weather the covid-19 storm, leaders and analysts say. The Global Dairy Trade index fell by 3.9% last week and has now fallen 12% since covid-19 hit China in mid-January. Whole milk powder fell to US$2797/tonne, having lost about $500 since its recent peak in December. Skim milk powder has lost a similar amount but butter has held firm above $4000, where it has been for the past six months.

Early signs are that dairy products will be remarkably resilient. Leon Clement Synlait ASB senior rural economist Nathan Penny said the fall in GDT prices prompted him to trim 10c from his milk price forecast, now $7.30, though that should not be a worry for farmers. “We anticipate that our dairy and food exports are going to hold up relatively well,” he said. “We anticipate that global food

demand is likely to remain firm as food consumption is prioritised in household budgets.” The dollar has fallen from US67c at the start of the year to 58c last week. When that is fully reflected, the farmgate dairy price will benefit by about $1/kg. However, Fonterra’s hedging programme means the lower NZD will not kick in until next season. People still need food and they are moving quickly to quality and trusted sources, Synlait chief executive Leon Clement said. In the latest GDT event milk powders were down about 4% and fat products were quite stable. “Early signs are that dairy products will be remarkably resilient.”

Westpac strategy head Imre Speizer said dairy’s weighted average price fall of 13% since January compares very favourably with sugar down 31%, wheat down 17%, lumber down 30% and Brent crude oil down 59%. Rabobank dairy analyst Emma Higgins said China’s demand recovered somewhat in the latest GDT auction though it was not back to historical levels and she expects a 19% fall in dairy import volume for 2020. “Rabobank expects pressure on dairy prices to persist over the coming months with rising dairy surpluses in export regions also helping to keep a lid on global markets through the coming months.”

GOOD PRICE: Rabobank dairy analyst Emma Higgins expects pressure on dairy prices to continue and though she has cut 25c from her milk prices it is now at a healthy $7.35.

Rabobank’s farmgate milk price forecast was trimmed 25c to sit at $7.35.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Council ticks new Healthy Rivers Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz FEDERATED Farmers is bracing for a legal battle after the revised version of Waikato Regional Council’s Healthy Rivers plan change 1 was approved by councillors. The council voted 11-1 to notify the new version of the plan change, accepting the recommendations of the five commissioners who sat through hearings and read more than 1100 submissions. Federated Farmers Waikato president Andrew McGiven said while he is generally pleased with the changes he believes further changes will result if aspects of the plan are appealed. “Our expectation is that one group will put some sort of appeal into the Environmental Court. “While there are some good things the commissioners have come out with, the detail behind it can destroy the intent behind it,” he said. And he hasn’t ruled out the federation appealing once the implications are fully understood. “By and large, Federated Farmers is reasonably happy with it. It seems like they have listened to us.” Gone are the requirements for all farmers to establish a nitrogen reference point to operate under. Instead, a farm’s nitrogen leaching rate will trigger an activity status, determining how it operates. Statuses range from a permitted activity for small and low intensity farming to a controlled activity for moderate leaching and a discretionary

By and large Federated Farmers is reasonably happy with it. It seems like they have listened to us. Andrew McGiven Federated Farmers

NOT OVER: Though pleased with changes made to Waikato Regional Council’s plan change 1, Federated Farmers Waikato president Andrew McGiven expects at least one appeal to the Environment Court.

activity for farmers with high leaching. Status is also determined by a farm’s location with the region to be divided into four freshwater management units: the lower, middle, and upper Waikato River and the Waipa River. That replaces the priority catchment plan. In each unit are low, moderate and high leaching brackets, which will guide how each farm is categorised. Council senior adviser Mark Brockelsby said farms in the high leaching category will need a resource consent to operate.

To manage the workload, the plan change has divided the region into more than 70 sub-catchments with each sub-catchment allocated a roll-out date over five years for when farmers have to have their consents lodged. “Within one year of the plan becoming operative farmers within that sub-catchment need to apply for whatever consent it is that they need,” he said. The stock exclusion rules have been changed, with farmers having to exclude stock only on land bordering a waterway that has a slope less than 15 degrees or

above 125 degrees and that land carries more than 18 stock units a hectare. Farm environment plans will be the key tool used to push for better on-farm environmental practices. As well as detailing the farm’s description it will outline plans to improve its environmental practices to eventually change its status from a discretionary or controlled activity to a permitted activity. Permitted activity farm plans are likely to be straightforward documents while those from highpolluting farms will be tailored more specifically to the issues

affecting a farm, he said. “In the case of the tailored farm plans under a consent the purpose of that consent process is to look at that farm plan and say ‘is the farmer doing enough here to reduce their nitrogen losses that’s reasonable under the circumstances’,” Brockelsby said. McGiven said the activity status classifications for farmers will have trigger points and he believes it will be like any other consent process. If farmers do not meet their consent conditions the council will act accordingly. “The incentive for farmers will be to stay as a permitted activity or to try and reduce it to get to a better consent condition.” He remains concerned the council and farm consultancy industry does not have the resources and staff to administer this system and produce credible farm environment plans “There’s not enough people in New Zealand let alone Waikato to do that in the time frame they are talking about.” The plan change will be notified by early April. Submitters will have 30 working days to lodge appeals with the Environment Court.

Zespri warns of coronavirus risk to growers KIWIFRUIT marketer Zespri has signalled the risk of low returns for growers this season as it tries to assess the potential for disrupted deliveries in global markets and picker shortages here.

The firm, which has sent its first cargo of SunGold fruit to Japan this season, said demand for fresh fruit is good and that might help it weather the coronavirus disruptions it expects. But its best-case scenario

assumes at least some disruption across the distribution network. Covid-19 is also affecting labour supply here but chairman Bruce Cameron said it is too soon to say how big an impact that will have on the industry’s

ability to pick and pack the crop. Last month Zespri forecast final orchard gate returns for the 2019 selling season at $6.46 a tray for green fruit and $11.71 for gold. Zespri is planning to ship 155m

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News

10 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Synlait builds up for bigger future Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz

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ROBUST: Synlait’s performance underlines its core strength, chief executive Leon Clement says.

SYNLAIT has finished a major capital expenditure phase that has doubled its depreciation and interest costs and therefore trimmed net profit. By the financial year end its debt will be close to $600 million, some five times bigger than it was two years ago, but the company is confident of remaining within its banking covenants.

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At the release of its interim results for 2020 Synlait declared a revenue increase of 19% to $559m, helped by a 22% increase in consumerpackaged infant formula sales. Synlait is New Zealand’s largest infant nutrition maker. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation were $67.6m, almost unchanged compared with the previous corresponding period. However, net profit after tax was down 30% to $26.2m. Market guidance for the full year profit remains unchanged at $70m to $85m, compared with $82m in FY2019. The milk price forecast for its 250 supply farms was also unchanged at $7.25/kg milksolids. Net debt at January 31 was $447m compared with only $115m 24 months previously, following the building of its second dairy plant at Pokeno ($156m) and several additions to the Dunsandel site. In the second half of FY2020 Synlait will borrow $112m to buy the Dairyworks company on April 1 and $25.7m for two dairy farms totalling 582ha next to Dunsandel. It will have spent $470m in growth projects over two years, boosting net operating assets from $634m in FY2019 to more than $1.1 billion at the end of FY2020. “We will have gone through our fourth expansion phase and be refocused on delivering the production targets and earnings benefits,” chief executive Leon Clement said. Synlait’s core business is performing well and continues to support the growth plans. Focus on operating efficiencies will restore the margins expected from its renewed five-year infant formula supply contract with A2 Milk Company. Talks with A2 about its wish to invest in more packing facilities are being done from a strong position of expertise, performance and regulatory approvals, Clement said. Among the setbacks disclosed were some disruption of infant base powder sales because of China’s market re-regulation, leading to 9% increase in inventory, and overhead costs increasing by 27%. Base powder users are regrouping and Synlait’s new China office will help the company recover sales volumes in the second half. Clement said supply farms in Canterbury and Waikato have challenges from dry weather and milk flows have suffered. However, the company’s intake had risen 8.5% in the first six months of the season, mainly from new suppliers to Pokeno. “Although our farmers are wrestling with regulatory uncertainties, even before the covid-19 issue, my observation is that the dairy industry is holding up well. “Global Dairy Trade prices and wider signals from the marketplace show that the dairy industry is faring better than other sectors.” Sales figures from January and February showed a small increase in infant formula demand from China, perhaps caused by coronavirus. Synlait is confident its milk processing is reasonably resilient to virus disruption of staff members, Clement said. It has overcome some initial shortages of raw materials, asked staff to work from home where practical and cut all but essential travel. Drystore 4, which cost $32m, is due for completion in September and the planned Dunsandel rail siding will run alongside it. Synlait’s share price has more than halved over the past 12 months, down from a peak of $10.80 to $4.50 now. While he would not comment on reasons for the fall Clement hopes investors know and understand the growth story in core business. “That is giving us the opportunity to invest in the future and that is not the case for many NZ companies right now.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Virus could be good for wood Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz THE forestry sector has felt the early and sharp jab from coronavirus, thanks largely to the slide in log sales to China. However, there are some simple solutions to keeping the industry viable and thriving when harvesting New Zealand’s billiontrees crop in coming years, Red Stag Timber chief executive Marty Verry says. Whatever aid the Government gives the forestry sector will simply be a band aid for the next six to 12 months. But specific policy changes could deliver more sustainable, local industry and processing longer term value to the sector, he but it has to be led by the said. Government,” Verry said. “There are steps to take that will Adding value in NZ can be tough reduce our reliance on log sales to because most customer countries China and avoid us getting to this including China subsidise their point again,” he said. processing sectors. The forestry sector has ground However, Verry’s focus is on to near idle with a third of logging potential in the domestic market crews stood down and estimates and relates to so far unfulfilled 1500 jobs could be gone by year’s election promises made in 2017 to end. better support the industry with Expectations are that even in Government-endorsed timber a best case scenario the massive procurement. stockpile of logs on Chinese “If you look at France their wharves won’t be cleared for at government has required least five months. FARMERS WEEKLY HALF PAGE 265W X 200H MM buildings to be made of at least “The answer lies in supporting

THINGS MUST CHANGE: Some simple policy changes will deliver big positives for local timber processing in the wake of coronavirus, Red Stag chief executive Marty Verry says.

50% timber and bio-materials. Our analysis through Victoria and Canterbury Universities is if you can get to two-thirds timber then buildings are carbon neutral. “The advantages are double whammies – you have planted more trees to absorb carbon but you also have construction being carbon neutral and reduced emissions from not using steel and cement.” That leads to the next policy of harvest wood products being eligible for carbon credits, just as forests are, because when a tree is harvested the carbon remains

in a timber product and a credit should be given. He hopes discussions between industry and the Government will see that eventuate in the near future. Meantime, steel and concrete manufacturers in China and Indonesia continue to be able to emit when producing their products, escaping any emissions obligations when selling products here. Emissions from the construction industry, largely through steel and concrete production, account for 20% of NZ’s total carbon dioxide gas production or 10% of total emissions. “The playing field needs to be levelled with a type of broad carbon-linked tax.” The final policy Verry wants is greater support from the Provincial Growth Fund for processing new wood products not made in NZ. “Practically every other country provides this type of support for wood processors that NZ processors have to compete with. We need a level playing field here also.” He is confident the easy-win policies could add 1800 jobs and cut reliance on selling logs to China.

Verry’s policies have the support of the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association. Chief executive Dr Jon Tanner said the industry faces the ultimate irony of having logs exported to China, processed in government-subsidised plants there and shipped back here as building products to compete against locally processed products. “So, through our own log trade we are essentially competing with ourselves. “This is despite a decade of disruption and trying to rectify the impact of foreign manufacturing subsidies, which are actually illegal under world trade rules.” He is heartened by prospects of a Government-sponsored industry transformation plan due out soon. “There is opportunity in a crisis for the sector here. We have got ourselves locked into one basket for sales of timber. However, we need ministers to act within months after over a decade of this situation,” Tanner said. He is heartened by Finance Minister Grant Robertson’s recent comments that coronavirus will prompt a reset in the industry, requiring large forest owners to work more closely with local mills and processors.

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12 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Cannabis firm buys plant breeder Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz AS MEDICINAL cannabis sales become legal from April 1 a local cannabis processor has moved to secure a seed source for future production. Taupo based Setek, a medicinal cannabis company, has bought Whanganui hemp breeding company Southern Hemisphere Botanicals (SHB) to give it a vertically integrated plant-toproduct operation. The medicinal cannabis industry is gearing up for April 1 when the Misuse of Drugs (medicinal cannabis) Regulations Act comes into law. It permits the sale of therapeutic products containing cannabis. “We spent a lot of time looking at the opportunity to bring different cultivars to the medicinal cannabis business,” Setek chief executive David Pearce said. “Legally we can transfer 50 seeds or 20 plants on any one licence. It enables us to bring all the genetics into the company.” SHB owner Brad Hutchinson said New Zealand has a good stock of quality marijuana genetics that goes back to the seventies, developed for illegal sale for its high THC drug content and plant yield.

GROWING: Setek chief executive David Pearce welcomes the chance to buy into a company with cannabis genetics.

“However, these genetics have never been tested scientifically. “It is likely there are some quality genetics out there in plants with trace cannabinoids that can be bred up.” Initially the ESR was to be sole provider of cannabinoid testing labs but other private companies are also starting to gear up. As the industry develops some companies have been gearing towards outdoor cropping while

others including Auckland firm Helius are based in big, highsecurity, indoor growing facilities. Hutchinson said growing indoors or outdoors will in part be determined by Government guidance and the security standards set for crops. “Canada has had cropping become more outdoor than indoor for the first time last year. The capex cost of contained glasshouses made indoor growing costs high and we believe over the next two to three years we will see more outside cropping,” Pearce said. Hikurangi Cannabis Company on the East Coast has received approval to grow medicinally approved cannabis outdoors. “There will be a place for indoor growing, particularly for seed production, but it all comes down to cost.” Risks for outdoor growing exist, however. They include possible crosscontamination with hemp crops and, most obviously, security risks and theft. Expectations are security standards outdoors here will demand 3m high fences, patrols and alarms. “In Oregon they also have the problem of seeds dropping along roadsides and ditch weed growing.” Pearce believes there will be

a flood of overseas products entering NZ from April 1 but over time NZ companies will build their resources and a strong provenance story to grow the market. He expects initial products will focus on areas like pain relief, particularly arthritis, while skin creams are another area.

The cost and compliance for research is high and this will weed a lot of companies out. David Pearce Setek

However, the stumbling block for growth in prescription drugs will be a dearth of clinical research to back up anecdotal evidence of cannabinoid based drugs’ effectiveness. “The cost and compliance for research is high and this will weed a lot of companies out.” Setek has aligned itself through a memorandum of understanding with AFT Pharmaceuticals, a company with specialist skills in

innovating and trying drugs. Despite the obvious buzz around the NZ market opening up to a whole raft of completely new products Setek is in no rush to have first-mover status. “As the regulatory framework is put in place we want to be able to adjust to those changes.” Both men see NZ’s greatest advantage in a world dominated by some big players as being this country’s high level of growing and agri-tech talent and the ability to pursue an organic certified status for crops if desired. “The success in NZ is much like it is for any other product we can grow well here.” Hutchinson said NZ’s growing environment is also well suited to cannabis, with an ultraviolet spectrum that encourages strong growth behaviour. “There is also anecdotal evidence that thanks to this NZ also grows high cannabinoid content cannabis compared to the rest of the world. When you look at our native plants, they have high levels of medicinal metabolites in them so this may be the case,” Hutchinson said. He is looking forward to the potential for NZ farmers and horticulturalists to participate in the returns from a new, high-value crop coming hard on the heels of hemp production picking up pace.

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14 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Plant protein a big opportunity Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz DIVERSIFICATION into more plant-based foods needs to happen faster in New Zealand but that shouldn’t be seen as an attack on the animal protein sector, a report by FoodHQ says. It did an innovation scan with Netherlands collaborator Food Valley to examine the rapidly evolving landscape of the alternative protein sectors in both countries, FoodHQ chief executive Abby Thompson said.

There will always be strong demand for our animal protein products. Abby Thompson FoodHQ It found NZ needs to have a constructive national discussion about how the alternative protein sector can be developed. Increasing numbers of people around the world have decided they want to eat less meat and dairy and more plant proteins. “This isn’t necessarily about them becoming vegan. It’s about a protein transition, a change in the balance of where some of their protein is coming from. It’s a significant new market opportunity for NZ food producers,” Thompson says. Diversification into more plant-

based foods needs to happen but shouldn’t be seen as an attack on animal protein producers. “There will always be strong demand for our animal protein products. Our pasture-based farming systems underpin the NZ primary sector and they are the envy of other meat and dairy producing nations.” The report identifies some of the entrepreneurs, farmers and large food companies in both countries focused on rolling out new products and ingredients using alternative plant proteins, insect sources and new biotechnology. Its says the bulk of new plant protein product development in NZ is being taken on by small to medium private enterprises, which often don’t have ready access to technology and science. Report author and FoodHQ business development manager Amos Palfreyman spent three months at Food Valley studying the alternative protein sector. He says the Innovation Scan should inspire the NZ food and agricultural sector and show that there is plenty of scope for new entrants to develop products. “International collaboration between scientists, food companies, entrepreneurs and producers will be crucial to speeding up our response to growing consumer demand for plant-based proteins. “The challenge we put to companies in both countries is to just pause and consider how much further, faster and better their businesses could go with a bit more collaboration.”

Palfreyman says the discussion about alternative proteins needs to move away from either/or and focus on and. With diets like flexitarian gaining increasing numbers of followers Palfreyman has become a taste-it-arian and plans to eat whatever tastes good and makes him feel better. Thompson says the Protein Transition Innovation Scan is the first of a series that will cover a range of topics, with the next one potentially looking at sustainable food packaging.

COLLABORATION: The food and agricultural sectors need to work together to meet the growing consumer demand for plant-based proteins, FoodHQ business development manager Amos Palfreyman says.

Sector ripe for growth NEW Zealand’s food and beverage industry had a combined revenue of $71.7 billion last financial year. The Investor’s Guide to the NZ Food abd Beverage Industry shows it is ripe for growth with companies increasingly focused on valueadded products, Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford said at its launch in Palmerston North. Investors are confident the industry’s future is in sophisticated, innovative products that cater to increasingly discerning global consumers. “I am proud that the global capital market is backing NZ food producers as these investments will help our sector grow and respond to changing global pressures,

needs and demands. “It’s important to acknowledge this report was prepared before the threat of coronavirus reached our shores and our Government is working closely with industry and workers to ensure our robust and resilient economy and our people bounce back. “Our wider economic plan envisions a more productive, sustainable and inclusive economy and strong investment in the food and beverage value chain will help us realise this vision. “Our food and beverage industry currently accounts for 46% of all goods and services exports and I am confident that as we continue to add value and diversify the range of great NZ products these numbers will continue to rise.”

The guide, compiled by food industry consultant Coriolis Research, says while NZ is a major global food and beverage exporter there is significant untapped capacity to export more. NZ is still discovering its comparative advantages and new industries continue to emerge. In the past 20 years NZ wine, honey, aquaculture and avocados have all emerged from almost nothing into world-leading sectors. NZ has attracted investment in food and beverage manufacturing from around the world. Global leaders have already endorsed NZ by investing in manufacturing in the country and about 25% of the food and beverage manufacturing sector is foreign owned.

New crops to grow in Kaipara get a boost THE hunt for new crops, livestock types and aquaculture options in Northland has been boosted with the opening of a new Kaipara Kai Hub in Ruawai. A year after a $980,000 Provincial Growth Fund grant was announced Kaipara District Council has commissioned and staffed a resource centre for local landowners. The project was headed by Mayor Jason Smith, a passionate promoter of primary industries in the region, and the centre manager is Matt Punter, a horticultural researcher who was brought up in the Ruawai area. Landowners can access knowledge and resources and speak to rural professionals while outsiders can base themselves at the hub for consultations. Along with the council the provincial economic agency Northland Inc and local iwi Te Uri o Hau, Ngati Whatua and Te

Roroa have contributed to the project. Niwa, Plant and Food Research and Landcare Research have begun soil and climate research relevant to Kaipara.

We must not go forward burdened by the same severe water problems in our towns and on our farms every summer. Shane Jones Economic Development Minister A further $740,000 was allocated last January for demonstration sites for farm water storage options for horticultural developments.

When Economic Development Minister Shane Jones opened the Ruawai centre he also announced a $6 million PGF injection into yellowtail kingfish farming at the Niwa Bream Bay aquaculture research centre. The total cost of the fish farming project is $19.8m, split into thirds from the PGF, Niwa and Northland Regional Council. The waters of the nearby Kaipara Harbour are ideally suited to aquaculture, Jones told tangata whenua at the Ruawai opening. The kai hub is also part of a bigger $21m Kaipara Kickstart programme of infrastructure development, roads, bridges, wharves and ferries, water storage and primary industry diversification. Smith and Jones both referred to the shrinking South Auckland vegetable-growing resources and the opportunities before Kaipara

landowners within an hour or two of Auckland. “As Pukekohe loses its foodproducing capabilities people are going to look north for their supplies,” Jones said. Water storage and irrigation schemes must be part of the future. “We must not go forward burdened by the same severe water problems in our towns and on our farms every summer.” New higher-value crops such as hemp, soybeans and peanuts have been suggested on flat land now being used for dairying or kumara growing. Detailed analysis will soon be available on crops best suited to specific sites in Kaipara. Agrifood researchers like Coriolus Research are reviewing market, economic, production and workforce planning opportunities. At the Ruawai function Labour

list MP Willow-Jean Prime said more than $20m has been committed through the PGF into investigating the potential in Northland. Northland Inc chairwoman Sarah Petersen said Kaipara Kai is the first of its kind in the country aimed at diversifying crops and raising productivity. “We will help unlock the potential of more than 50,000 hectares of land that has in the past and could be used again for food production.” But while authorities can make plans and provide resources it will be the landowners who will take the financial risks and do the hard work. Smith said kai is at the core of the district’s identity and climate change raises opportunities for new crops on the district’s best soils. “We are planting seeds here today for future generations.”

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Shearer takes out rural sports title WORLD champion blade shearer Allan Oldfield is the Rural Sportsman of the Year. In 2018 Oldfeild became only the second person to win blade shearing titles at the big four royal shows in Britain, the Royal Highland, Royal Bath and West, Royal Ulster and Royal Welsh. This year he won the blade section at the 60th Golden Shears. Rural Sportswoman of the Year is Waipara dog trailist Steph Tweed who was the first woman to win a New Zealand dog trial championship. She was introduced to dog trials by her father when she was at school, entering her first national competition in 2013 at 21. After competing in dog trial competitions against her father, she became the first woman in 130 years of the sport to be win the title. Harness racer Sarah O’Reilly was named Young Rural Sportsperson of the Year. O’Reilly was the 2019 Junior Driver Champion and won the 2019 Australasian Young Driver Championship, becoming one of the top 10 drivers in Australasia.

Napier journalist Doug Laing was rewarded for his contribution to rural sport. Laing first reported on the Golden Shears while at school in the 1960s and went on to co-found New Zealand Shearing Magazine.

We had a fantastic line-up of finalists for each category. Our 2020 winners have proven themselves on the field of their rural sport or in the committee room organising rural sporting events around New Zealand.

Gathering all the results from 50 years of the world’s premier event Laing also started the Golden Shears History, which was published in 2010. After successfully documenting the

history of shearing, he helped revive shearing at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Show and is media officer for Shearing Sports New Zealand. The Lifetime Legacy Award went to Rakaia harness racer Ricky May. May is a two time winner of the harness racing title and has won seven New Zealand Cups. He has collected $32 million in stakes and is the third driver to reach 2000 race wins in New Zealand. The Sir Brian Lochore Memorial Award for an Outstanding Sportsperson from a Rural Background went to Silver Fern Casey Kopua. Judging panel convener Nathan Twaddle said the awards, held in Palmerston North, celebrate traditional sports and the people who keep events running year-in and year-out in the towns and settlements across New Zealand. “We had a fantastic line-up of finalists for each category. Our 2020 winners have proven themselves on the field of their rural sport or in the committee room organising rural sporting events around New Zealand.”

ARE YOU MAKING A SPLASH?

GOING HARD: Tony Bouskill competing in the speed fencing at the Rural Games.

Gumboots and cow pats are in the air TOWN met country for the annual Rural Games in Palmerston North on March 14 and 15. Rural Games founder Steve Hollander said more than 30,000 people watched competitors go head to head in rural sports such as fencing, shearing and milking. Spectators were able to have a shot at similar tests to the competitors, including hay stacking, speed milking, gumboot and cowpat throwing. Dunedin’s Kieran Fowler took out the men’s gumboot throwing title with a 48.29m throw then won the Bill Tapley Memorial Cow Pat Throw with a 37.54m effort. Taihape’s Kristin Churchward retained her top spot at the women’s gumboot throw with 32.93m.

The inaugural Southern Hemisphere Highlander Champion is Adam Miller of Palmerston North who beat competitors from New Zealand, Australia and Canada. The 2019 Rural Sportsman of the Year Tony Bouskill won the speed fencing. Team NZ won the axe championship for the sixth year in a row and Jack Jordan from Taranaki won both individual saw and axe competitions. Team Whanganui took out the inaugural Sam Strahan Memorial Sheep Dog Trial Challenge The speed shearing final was between two of Te Kuiti’s favourite sons. Jack Fagan pipped Digger Balme.

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News

16 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Electronic forms more efficient Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz LIVESTOCK movements will become more accurate and efficient with the introduction of electronic animal status declaration (eASD) forms. The forms have been tested and farmers moving stock are now being encouraged to go electronic to record their animal movements. Use of the forms is voluntarily now. The Red Meat Profit Partnership and the Ministry for Primary Industries have partnered with Ospri to develop the forms. Silver Fern Farms ran the original eASD pilot on behalf of the industry at its Finegand plant to test the ease of the system from a farmers’ perspective and to demonstrate how the industry can use eASD in a commercial setting. SFF agribusiness technical support manager Melissa Sowden said it was keen to drive the trial because of the high number of non-compliant paper forms received and to improve efficiency in recording animal movements. “Certainly, incomplete forms are totally an issue driving this. “It’s unbelievable the number of incorrect forms we receive – not signed, no tally, wrong tally and it goes on.” Managing the incomplete forms has become time-consuming. “On average every incomplete form is six minutes of time. It’s not many before half a day every day is consumed with someone sorting this. “Incomplete ASD means animals are not eligible for market access.” But eASDs are a lot more seamless. “If the farmer gets it wrong it can be easily corrected right there and then.” The success of the trial now has eASD being implemented across the industry. “Farmers have found it

ON THE MOVE: Electronic animal status declarations are limited to stock movements to processors but farm to farm and farm to sale yards movements will be included.

We see this as a fundamental component to disease traceability that will speed up response and is a lot more accurate and efficient. Kevin Forward Ospri particularly easy and fast to do from the yards or from the kitchen table and it has cut out rework in the paper trail. “It’s also saving a lot of paper and a heck of a lot of paper storage.” SFF now has its whole plant network and more than 900 suppliers using the eASD system across the country when sending sheep, cattle and deer to its plants.

The electronic forms automatically show each farm’s information. They replace the paper forms and can be filled out on a smart phone, tablet or computer. “Farmers can look back at these records without having to go back through their old paper ASD dockets. “It is currently a voluntary system but we believe it is a great initiative for the whole industry because it makes compliance easy and it saves time on farm and at plant. “It’s part of the future for better efficiency and traceability for our industry,” Sowden said. All data is kept secure and only the farmer, SFF and the nominated transport operator can see the form. It is still a legal and formal declaration and must be completed accurately and in accordance with the Animal Products Act.

The explanatory notes relating on the back of the paper form will remain viewable on the electronic form. While processors are leading the implementation Ospri is developing the programme because the eASDs align closely with Nait. Nait head Kevin Forward said in terms of improving animal tracing it’s an exciting programme. “It’s seamless for farmers and links ASD and Nait together. “It links disease management systems including information around TB status as well. “The information can be pre-populated into ASD, making it very quick and easy for the farmer.” Forward said the programme has 1964 mostly sheep farmers using eASDs. “We do expect better compliance with eASD and that in turn will greatly improve traceability with the inclusion of

a link to animal movements at a mob level. “For Ospri and for NZ’s animal livestock traceability we see this as a fundamental component to disease traceability that will speed up response and is a lot more accurate and efficient.” The biggest barriers are how to get everybody signing up and making it functional for all. It is limited to farm to meat processor animal movements but it’s planned to include farm to farm and farm to sale yards movements. Forward said there’s no projected date for the roll-out of the fully functional programme. “At the moment that’s in the hands of the tech departments.”

For more information and participation in the programme farmers can call the Ospri contact centre on 0800 482 463.

Get the full story at farmersweekly.co.nz

KEEP AN EYE OUT

Our OnFarmStory this month features Waikato operations manager and Dairy Women’s Network regional leader Chelsea Smith talking about her two big roles. Health and safety We look at keeping the team safe on the farm to ensure everyone is accounted for and gets home safe each night. White gold – from grass to glass The modern dairy industry is expanding to include animals like sheep, goats, deer, buffalo and even camels.

April 2020

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

New fund pushes regenerative ag Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz DAIRY farmers are the initial target for a new environmental fund, Calm the Farm, promoting regenerative agriculture. Co-founder Mike Taitoko said the fund has already raised money and worked with farmers keen to make changes to their production systems. It has also teamed up with farm advisers and researchers who recommend regenerative agriculture and will organise seminars and field days. Calm the Farm will be a way of sharing funding options, information and data, he said. As data analyst Taitoko’s own interest was sparked two years ago when working on a government project that highlighted how farmers are under stress and what the pressure points are. He met a farm adviser who promoted regenerative agriculture and quickly saw how farmers can address the stresses with the right advice and redevelopment. “We looked overseas and read the research and landed on a methodology we think is revolutionary for the short time and low cost of transition.” Regenerative agriculture is the elimination of chemical fertilisers, the establishment of mixed pastures and adoption of long rotations, he says.

We looked overseas and read the research and landed on a methodology we think is revolutionary for the short time and low cost of transition.

IN THE FIELD: Calm the Farm co-founder Mike Taitoko and his dogs.

workshops and field days for members and source advisers and scientists where iwi are keen to participate. “Maori farmers have been quick to understand the principles of regenerative agriculture and many are keen to learn more,” Taitoko said. The other founders of Toha are Nathalie Whitaker, who launched the Give-a-Little platform, and Professor Shaun Hendy, a physicist and coauthor of Get off the Grass.

Sending unsafe to tag animals to the works?

Mike Taitoko Calm the Farm While it does take time, the new pastures can be established at reasonably low cost through overseeding. The claims include improved ability of soil to store carbon, reduced erosion, restored biodiversity, replenished nutrients, increased water retention and minimised nutrient leaching, He describes the parent company, Toha Foundry, as a data and payments network for financing environmental action, conditional on verification. “The fund is for co-ordinated, effective and informed environmental action,” he said. Investors are increasingly interested in ways of making environmental improvements on larger scales. Landowners can access willing investors and farm advisers, have grant and/or loan agreements drawn up, take advantage of coaching and networking and effectively pledge themselves to regenerative agriculture. Interest rates and terms for loans have not been finalised and Toha is still working on regulatory approvals, he said. Only after agreements and loans are approved would Toha take a transaction fee. The Calm the Farm platform will track and verify results for improvements in soil health and productivity to show the longer-term impacts on climate and waterways. It has new tools and technology for monitoring, for example, dissolved nitrogen levels in waterways in real time. Toha has a partnership agreement with the Federation of Maori Authorities to organise

AND

Before sending

Mark the animal

Declare the animal is unsafe to tag (UTT) in your NAIT account

Ensure the unsafe to tag animal has a marking so it can be identified at the works

Need help Call the OSPRI Contact Centre 0800 482 463 Note: unsafe to tag animals moved to a meat processor will be subject to a $13 UTT levy (excl. GST) per head. Failure to comply with the conditions of the UTT exemption may result in a $400 fine per animal or prosecution.

NAIT is an OSPRI programme

ospri.co.nz

Listen: farmersweekly.co.nz/podcasts J1376 NAIT Unsafe to tag exemption FA4.indd 1

17/02/2020 10:54:09 AM

Newsmaker

18 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Boost yields and lower inputs Experience has shown regenerative farming practices can restore the soil carbon sponge and improve genuine farmer profitability. South Otago sheep and beef farmer Hamish Bielski is testament to this. Annette Scott reports.

IVERESE pasture of mixed forage for grazing livestock is one of the key principles used in regenerative agriculture. With an increasing sense of urgency to act on climate and freshwater issues, regenerative farming is increasingly being shown to be better for the environment and the climate. It improves the ability of the soil to store carbon and biodiversity, reduce erosion, replenish nutrients, increase water retention and minimise leaching. Supporting practical farming and scientific evidence is mounting rapidly in New Zealand and overseas where the application of ecological principles to farming is reversing erosion, flood damage, chemical contamination and global warming. While agricultural practices of the past 80 years have exacerbated these serious problems it is also one of the fastest, most powerful ways to reverse it by restoring healthy function to soils and the hydrological cycle. Regenerative farming practices do that by adopting a whole ecosystem approach, mimicking natural processes rather then trying to control or suppress them. Hamish and Amy Bielski are equity partners farming a 300-hectare gentle rolling to steeper gully farm in south Otago. They ran an integrated sheep, beef and arable operation till Hamish discovered regenerative farming after listening to Australian ecologist Christine Jones. Now they are running 2300

breeding ewes and 200 trading cattle and there’s no cropping. “I realised I needed to do something to address the future of the land, its ecological systems and our bank balance. “I spent the best part of a winter travelling the world on YouTube learning how I could improve the ecosystems, our people and our profit with very little input, “As farmers we replace nutrients that have gone off our farm with fertiliser and where is that coming from, is it sustainable? “I had to move from growing winter crops that are the most damaging on the environment but then I needed to know how to grow more feed.” Instead of growing a single winter crop of pastures Bielski planted a variety of seed in the one paddock to produce diverse forage. The greater variety of crops produced more root mass, which increased nutrient-holding and water-holding capacity. The biggest problem then was producing too much feed so Bielski increased stocking rates. “Our land is one big solar panel and our livestock are energy harvesters that turn energy from photosynthesis to high-quality, nutrient-dense food while fertilising and building the soil carbon sponge at the same time. “I see myself as a landscape manager – foodscaper and energy farmer.” In six years the Bielskis have gone from using 50,000 litres of diesel to 5000 litres and dropping. In year one they applied 125 tonnes of fertiliser. It’s down to 2.25t this year. “And our soil and herbage tests

CHANGE: Hamish and Amy Bielski switched to regenerative agriculture when they realised they needed to do something to address the future of the land, its ecological systems and their bank balance.

We are transforming the farm with simple techniques, simple changes and grazing techniques. It is mindblowing, so exciting pumping fertility back into our system for nothing. Hamish Bielski Farmer are either level or improving. “We have lifted carrying capacity from 2600 stock units to now 3500 with seven tonnes

CONVERTERS: The farm is one big solar panel and the livestock are harvesters turning energy from photosynthesis to highquality, nutrient-dense food while building the soil carbon sponge on Hamish and Amy Bielski’s south Otago farm

of drymatter grown in year one to more than 11 tonnes six years later. “Are we sustainable – I cannot answer, ask me in five years’ time,” Bielski said. “Resources are not the problem, the way we manage them is. “When you have bare soil you are in trouble, you are going to damage the ecosystem no matter what you do. “Plant base versus animal base – just stop it. It’s the management systems of what we are doing,” Bielski said. Regenerative grazing is about maximum animal performance, it’s about vegetative growth, it’s taller and it’s fully recovered. “The clover is mind-blowing, in a 30-day rotation, no fert, come back and it’s way beyond my expectation.” The plan when the Bielskis started their regenerative agricultural drive was to develop 80% of the farm in the first five years. “We’ve done that and into the sixth year we’re aiming for 90% diverse pasture crops. “The next part of the journey is how do we grow more crops without having to keep resowing?” Converting to regenerative agriculture is a long journey that requires perseverance. “We are transforming the farm with simple techniques, simple changes and grazing techniques.” All the stock now run in two mobs on the farm, strategically grazed to use optimum plant growth to get optimum animal performance. Lamb growth is targeted at 320g a day until weaning and 250g post weaning with 80% of the lambs gone by the end of February with one drench and at an average carcase weight of 17.8kg. Bielski said the key to holistic

planned grazing and high animal performance is the pasture being fully recovered before seed-head emergence. “A holistic grazing plan is crucial to adjust for growing conditions, that is a range from a 20-day round in spring to a 50-day round in summer or a 100-day round in winter. The total time in the paddock should be sufficiently short for a grass grazed once not to be grazed again. “This requires non-selective grazing and can only be achieved through high-density stocking. “If half the pasture plants are grazed twice and the other half not at all then we are only utilising half our farm area. “The absolute key to this operation is density of animals in the mob – the number of livestock per hectare per day. “Shifting twice a day, sometimes four times a day, it does get exhausting sometimes. “You have to get your head around it but once you get into it it’s plain sailing. “It is mind-blowing, so exciting pumping fertility back into our system for nothing. “It’s building capacity to grow more, laying down plant litter and spreading dung and urine evenly over the whole farm. “The improvements are based on process, management and system changes.” It has come at a cost. To turn 300ha of old browntop into new mixed species pasture cost $250,000 in the first five years. “We did do it quite quickly and I can do it way cheaper now with what I know.” The next focus is a shift to fine wool. “Sheep tick all the boxes for a lot of our plant problems so keep buying wool and let us keep growing wool. Fine wool is our focus now.”

New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Bay company only Kiwi in the Top 50 Kiwi firm Robotics Plus has made it onto Thrive’s top 50 international agritech companies. Richard Rennie reports.

BAY of Plenty robotics company is now ranked in the top 50 leading global agritech companies. Robotics Plus, the only Kiwi company on the list, has made the cut in an annual ranking of companies judged by global agritech innovation company Thrive, based in Silicon Valley. The Thrive platform is responsible for investing and accelerating start-up agri-tech companies globally. The Top 50 ranks firms with a product in market but ready to scale up operations. Founded in 2013 by Steve Saunders and Dr Alistair Scarfe, the Robotics Plus operation began by developing an autonomous platform for kiwifruit orchards. It has since commercialised the Aporo apple packer and an automatic log scaler for use on logging trucks. Chief executive Matt Glenn said the selection by Thrive comes at a highly opportune time as the firm seeks further investment partners to advance its production operations for existing and intended technology. “It’s a huge deal for us for attracting the attention of large investors and we have already had some big fish approach us,” he said. Two years ago the company attracted a $10 million investment from Yamaha as that company turns its attention to robotics in the agri-sector. Outside of mergers and acquisitions it was the biggest single investment Yamaha ever made in another company. “The need for funding is a big one but at the same time

we also want to attract partners who have a culture focused on innovation, development and commercialising that technology, which Yamaha clearly does.” A big portion of the 65 staff are masters or doctoral students, many completing their university work in the areas of mechatronics and robotics. Almost a quarter are drawn from Waikato University’s burgeoning robotics department.

It’s a huge deal for us for attracting the attention of large investors and we have already had some big fish approach us. Matt Glenn Robotics Plus The company initially focused on developing a robotic kiwifruit picker that morphed into an autonomous platform for picking, spraying and pollinating. “As a concept machine it was good but a concept is one thing and developing it into a commercial proposition is a whole different ball game.” The company has maintained work on the unmanned vehicle technology, which now forms one limb of a three-limbed business. The other two are robotic fruit packing and forestry logistics equipment. The company launched its robotic Aporo apple packers in 2018, with the machine capable of identifying and placing 120 apples

a minute in display trays. It has been marketed by Global Pac Technologies and is claimed as the world’s first automated packing machine capable of colour packing apples for export. “We now have 50 in place around the world including United States and Europe.” The company’s robotic log scaling machine scans and calculates logs for accurate volume measurements when loading onto logging trucks and operates in place with log marshalling company ISO in Mount Maunganui. The company has since installed seven of the units around the North Island and now measures a quarter of New Zealand’s export logs. Other companies in Thrive’s Top 50 include irrigation, data and environmental management tool and software companies. Glenn said AI, which has had such a high profile in recent years, is a key part of the company’s technology but remains distant from what many may think AI is capable of achieving. “We are miles away from a Terminator type technology. The tasks being performed and for computers to learn at present are quite specific, like choosing an apple of a certain colour or fruit of a certain size. We are only seeing AI in its infancy at this stage.” The company aims to grow into a global business capable of transforming a number of industries. “We are rapidly growing our world class development team to prototype new ideas and validate new components and integrate these into our robotic systems. Importantly we are

MAKING THE CUT: Robotics Plus chief executive Matt Glenn says making the Thrive top 50 brings major kudos for the company in investors’ eyes.

The Robotics Plus technology will be showcased later this month at the Thrive Innovation Summit in Silicon Valley.

also well supported by local and international partners who are helping us scale quickly to meet market demand.”

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production is not jeopardised. “We need food Neal Wallace so other sectors need to do better. neal.wallace@globalhq .co.nz “This is a breath of someone to finally fresh air for HE red meat industry say Rankin says while that.” hopes to ramp up its reports have been previous Taste Pure Nature scathing of farming, this one brand campaign is less so. on “I felt like this the back of the report has helped latest international climate us turn a corner, that change report. affected by climate farmers are change but we The Intergovernmental also really need them.” Panel on Climate Change The report found (IPCC) report global food is being welcomed systems account by New for a quarter of Zealand farming greenhouse gas leaders as an emissions and endorsement of agricultural emissions our low impact of nitrous systems and the oxide and methane importance of are increasing. maintaining food But land also has a role production. as a The IPCC says carbon sink, absorbing land on which 30% of the we rely for food, planet’s greenhou water, se gas emissions health and wellbeing energy, between 2008 and 2017. is already under pressure Crop productio and climate n is being change will exacerbat affected by higher temperatures, through desertifica e that changing rain patterns tion degradation potentiall and land frequency of extreme and greater y affecting events. food security. The report warns consump tion The report’s advocacy patterns, land management and balanced diet including of a population growth will determine animal protein sourced the planet’s future from resilient, in a changing sustainable, low climate. greenhou systems is an endorsem se gas “Pathways with higher demand ent for NZ, for Beef + Lamb chief food, feed, and insight officer water, more ON-FARM training Jeremy Baker says. resource-intensive courses have an consumption important role to “This is the NZ She said there should and productio play n and more limited red always future, Feilding High in agriculture’s be an opportunity production system. meat technological improvem Reesby said the to role that form Meaghan Reesby School student ents training because do practical of training plays “It is definitely in agriculture yields, says. trained staff have in increasing the not saying that The year 13 pupil result in a better understand skills of people in we all need to higher risks from ing of how their agriculture should become vegetarian agri-commerce at plans study water scarcity workplaces, such not be overlooked Massey University or vegan.” in drylands, land as farms, function, and any future next year but said degradation and which is good for changes in how not everyone employers and It is an opportun food insecurity training course are interested in agriculture employees. .” ity to ramp delivered needs wants to go up promotion to remember that. Report contribut to university. of the Taste Pure Feilding High School The daughter of or Associate Himatangi dairy Nature brand, Professor Anita Some people prefer can build their practicalpupils farmers, Meaghan’s to tell Wreford, of farming brother global meat eaters 40 million on approach, whether a more handsLincoln University works experience while on the family farm, about NZ’s low’s Agribusiness that is through at school by complementing a cadetship or beginning carbon footprint, and Economic taking courses offered what he learns at he says. Research Unit, work with building their knowledge a job and Gateway, a programme through DairyNZ climate says it shows the practical courses, through change importance of for young while her sister courses offered people in their last ambassador Trish also is also full time not implemen by workplace year of school ting contradictory Rankin is training providers that allows them fitting her Massey on the farm, heartened the policies. such as Primary to report says some course work ITO. training made up complete around that. sectors need to “The report is of theory and reduce their highly practical unit standards. emissions faster for NZ as we grapple relevant to ensure food MORE: trade-offs involved with the greenhouse gas P3 emissions, with reducing adapting to the change, managing impacts of climate the we value and maintainiareas supporting our communities and ng and societies in this process.

Keeping eve ryone hap py Small com pany doing big things Governme nt ag industry isn’t fooling

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Opinion

20 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

EDITORIAL

Time to remember what’s important

N TIMES of crisis it’s always good to know that some of the fundamentals of life and work remain sound. Fonterra’s interim results last week painted a picture of a co-operative that appears to have turned the ship around. It’s back making profits and shareholders will get a good price for their milk this season. The change in strategy that has seen a renewed focus on New Zealand milk appears to be working. With covid-19 and the drought making life difficult on the farm it’s reassuring to know the world still needs food and that, on the whole, prices appear to be holding up. And news that China’s supply chains are waking up again and our exports are moving is also great to see. It’s early days in this pandemic, though, and things are changing constantly. Limits on gatherings and worries about the spread of the virus are making everyone uneasy. It’s both reassuring and concerning that the first thing people look to do in times like this is to make sure they have enough to eat. Images of empty supermarket shelves are a reminder that it’s important to think of others in the community as well as our own nearest and dearest. We’re lucky enough to produce a lot of our own food and that will continue. As things develop remember to continue to do the things a wellfunctioning community should. Look after each other. Share information and resources if you have them. Check in to make sure your mates are coping. While we might be limiting physical contact with others we don’t have to limit emotional contact too. Now is not the time to create more silos. It’s not the time to criticise other sectors. It’s not the time to lay blame. It is the time to put in the work to get through. It is the time to be kind. Rural communities have weathered storms before and together we’ll weather this one as well.

Bryan Gibson

LETTERS

A dead horse and some myths ALAN Emerson, February 24, commented that in Hawke’s Bay “You probably won’t see many opponents of the condemned Ruataniwha Dam today”. I think he is wrong because there are more of us now who realise it would have been an environmental crime to destroy the Makaroro River. The extra intensive agriculture would have put all the rivers in even worse shape and the economics didn’t stack up – the only way to get farmers to sign up was to offer them water at heavily ratepayer subsidised prices. You don’t see us because we know it’s a dead horse. In the same issue Steve WynHarris programmed some of the myths Hawke’s Bay Regional Council created. He said there wouldn’t be irrigation bans. Our 2019

rainfall up here in the foothills of the Ruahines was about two-thirds of average. There’s every chance the industrial reservoir wouldn’t have had water in it at Christmas so there would still be bans. He said bores for farm and house water wouldn’t be drying up. At its most optimistic the council reckoned the reservoir would irrigate about 25,000ha. I think Central Hawke’s Bay is about 330,000ha so there would still be a whole lot of CHB where bores would have dried up regardless. He said town water supplies wouldn’t be under extreme pressure. As I understand it, Waipawa and Waipukurau can take about a third of the water they are allowed to take because of infrastructure constraints. Those water supplies are under pressure for different reasons.

He said the Tukituki River wouldn’t be 29C. If there was any spare water in the proposed canal where it passed over the Tukituki it wouldn’t have dropped the water temperature that much. The so-called rushing flows down the Makaroro would probably have dissipated by the time it reached the Waipawa so, once again, not much help. And they were going to happen only a few times over the whole summer. He said the aquifer would be able to be recharged. As I understand it this was not on the agenda. The scheme was going to make money. Remember, you don’t make money with flushing flows and by recharging aquifers. If, however, the council had pursued my suggestion to buy a farm that was for sale a couple of years ago at Springhill it could have built

a big shortage pond then yes, it could have recharged the aquifer. And there might even have been water to fight a nearby fire as well. Dams across rivers are 19th century barbarism, weirs are more acceptable in the 21st but on-farm water storage should be the first port of call for irrigators. Gerard Patel Hinerua

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Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Specific answers hard to come by Gord Stewart

T’S amazing how difficult it is to get a straight answer. Or any answer at all. It started with a comment piece by Liam Dann. The headline read Get out there and head for the mall – it’s your economic duty. The column noted that after cutting interest rates to an all-time low Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr was calling for consumers to spend more and businesses to invest more. So Dann urged us on. “Get out there this weekend and have some fun, buy those new shoes. You’ll be doing your bit for the economy,” he exhorted Dann worried over our gross domestic product (GDP) four times in his column. It made me wonder if he believes in endless growth on a finite planet. What about flourishing rather than growth? It’s an approach favoured by noted economist Kate Raworth and other sustainability advocates. I decided I should check in with the Reserve Bank directly. I asked if spending more means getting out there and shopping, as Dann so enthusiastically urged. I asked if the bank still advocates GDP as a suitable indicator of progress. I wondered if anyone there was reading Raworth’s Doughnut Economics: How to think like a 21st Century economist and, if so, have they taken it to heart? Within a week I had a reply from a senior communications adviser at the bank. To my question about shopping there was some economic-speak but no definitive answer. The reply noted “GDP is still a useful metric of economic progress though its deficiencies as a measure of overall well-being are understood.” Nothing about flourishing v growth or Doughnut Economics though. I wrote back seeking clarifications and, out of curiosity, sent it to Finance Minister Grant Robertson as well. No reply from the Reserve Bank, but, to my delight, I heard back from Robertson. “We are measuring progress

The

Pulpit

FRUITLESS: Sustainability consultant Gord Stewart asked some questions but found answers elusive, even when he got a response. against a broad range of indicators, not just GDP … We know that economic growth alone does not guarantee improvements to living standards.” And he said the likes of Raworth’s Doughnut Economics is considered by public sector agencies when formulating advice for the Government, noting the Treasury specifically. Buoyed by this and while I was on a roll, questions-wise, I thought I’d check in with the farming sector. After all, the climate is in crisis, agriculture is our biggest contributor to the problem and the Zero Carbon Bill has recently passed into law. Now comes the hard work but, politics as it is, farming is still not being held to account. As most readers no doubt know, farming will remain outside the Emissions Trading Scheme for now, will bear no costs until 2025 and will initially be charged for only a small portion of total agricultural emissions. Given this, I wrote to three industry leaders – Federated Farmers’ Terry Copeland, DairyNZ’s Dr Tim Mackle and Sam McIvor at Beef + Lamb. I asked them who they propose should cover the rest of agriculture’s share of the costs and is it fair they should have to do that? No reply from any of them in three weeks, so I followed up. Silence again. I wrote to National’s agriculture spokesman Todd Muller. I

Success will not come in a world that worships GDP growth, lauds Black Friday and cheers on everhigher Christmas retail sales.

noted a recent United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report indicated it will not be possible to keep global temperatures at safe levels without a transformation in the way the world produces food and manages land. The report’s proposals include a significant shift toward vegetarian and vegan diets. Then I asked him how he thinks our farmers should respond to this

situation. Will the National Party show leadership for the needed changes? If so, what specific policies and programmes will it implement? Muller didn’t answer any of my questions but he did trot out National’s standard take on climate change. Subsequently, he said he could give me “a less specific answer”, whatever that means. The Government appears committed to doing the right and smart things for the economy, for the environment and for the future but cannot do it alone. Attitudes need to change. Success will not come in a world that worships GDP growth, lauds Black Friday and cheers on ever-higher Christmas retail sales. And industry, including farming, leaders and politicians of all stripes need to think beyond the simple interests of their own

constituents. It’s time they showed real leadership in the face of a truly global crisis. Australia’s bush fires, dust storms and flash floods are a stark reminder of the world we are creating. Transformative change is needed if we are to have any hope of staving off the worst of it. Changing how and what we farm will allow us to be part of the solution.

Who am I? Gord Stewart is a sustainability consultant based in Matamata. He has a background in environmental management and economics.

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

Ten Basic Fertiliser Facts You Must Know and Adopt to Meet 2025 Water Quality Limits: Dr Bert Quin

Fact 1. The overuse of soluble P fertiliser is by far the largest cause of P run-off and leaching, and therefore of the decline in the quality of Kiwi waterways. Fact 2. Once you have Olsen P levels that are more than a third of the P retention (ASC), application of additional soluble P is very prone to loss to the environment. Fact 3. If you want to build up your soil P in an environmentally-protective way, simply apply RPR. It does not get leached or lost directly in run-off, but releases P in a sustained fashion for plants. Fact 4. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain. RPR-based fertilisers are even cheaper than super-based products as well! Added sulphur bentonite (sulphur 90) is far more efficient than the excess sulphate in super. Fact 5. Following 1-4 above will greatly reduce P run-off and leaching. This should be done before anything else, and the situation reassessed before spending huge amounts of money! Fact 6. It is nonsensical to give in to pressure to install expensive mitigations riparian strips, excessively large wetlands and ‘phosphorus walls’ when you have no idea of their long-term effectiveness and maintenance costs, and before you have established whether changing to sustained-release RPR is all you need to do! Fact 7. in any case simple fenced-off 3-metre wide grass riparian strips are essentially as effective and vastly cheaper than more complex strips. Both reduce bacterial and sediment losses. Neither will have any significant long-term beneficial effect (on a whole -farm basis) on soluble P and nitrate-N loss. But grass strips can be harvested in summer to be fed out, to improve P and N cycling. Fact 8. In a nutshell, for maintenance of P levels any genuine RPR (not an RPR/Boucraa mix please!) can be used. Just check the Cd content. For low fertility situations or low rainfall, use a blend of RPR and high-analysis soluble P. Fact 9. For N, rather than granular urea, use prilled urea, sprayed immediately prior to, or during, the spreading with urease inhibitor. Use of N can be literally cut in half with big savings. Fact 10. Potash is more efficient, and must less likely to cause metabolic problems, if applied in small doses 4 times a year, adding up to 50-60% of the total annual amount you are using now. Easy to mix with your prilled urea. Leaching of anions like nitrate will be minimised as well. For more info, email Bert Quin on bert.quin@quinfert.co.nz, or phone 021 427 572, or visit www.quinfert.co.nz

Opinion

22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Doing the right thing by farmers Alternative View

Alan Emerson

ON NEW Year’s Eve no one could have suspected coronavirus or the chaos it would cause. I wrote a column a month ago saying our agricultural exporters were largely on top of it. It is to their credit they still are though life has been anything but easy. Over the last fortnight the issue has gone from pedestrian to overdrive and the problems for New Zealand Inc from minor to massive. I was pleased with the initial Government response and was reassured by last week’s reaction that involved effectively closing our borders. It was the right call. The response has been interesting. The cruise ship union cried foul over the Government’s banning cruise ship visits. I had little sympathy. Their pollution factor and carbon footprint is excessive in my view. Add to that the threat of

coronavirus and banning them is a complete no-brainer. There has been considerable hand wringing over the problems of the tourism industry. While my sympathy goes to anyone suffering because of factors beyond their control it should be a salutary lesson about the fragility of tourism. It survives on discretionary dollars, it is a low-wage industry with a massive carbon footprint and pollutes seemingly at will. The tourism industry will need help and I accept that. The crisis has a message for everyone in NZ. Those who have been effusive in the media claiming food production is an overnight, massively polluting, totally irresponsible industry, a sunset industry in fact, all need to take a deep breath. They should be grateful for what farmers can do to help them out of the crisis. We’re all NZ has. Our strength is producing food. We produce lots of different types of food. There’s meat, dairy products including milk, cheese and infant formula to mention but a few. Despite what the fundamentalist vegans might think, we also produce lots of fruit, vegetables, grains and legumes.

We produce them naturally, environmentally responsibly and with commitment to leaving the land in a better state than when we took it over. So, when everything turns to custard, as it has, what can we do? Simply, the world has to eat and we produce food sustainably. Our processing industry has excelled itself in keeping our food going to the markets that want it and are prepared to pay. They deserve a medal.

The Government’s finance package was inspirational, done as it was in days not months.

Our farmers do too. They’ve produced quality food in harsh drought conditions. It’s helping keep NZ Inc afloat. I totally agree with Feds president Katie Milne the Government should be deferring a wide range of policy and regulatory impositions on farmers. If the Government wants farmers to step up and help get the country back on its feet it can’t do it with the Sword of Damocles

of draconian government regulation hanging over them. That also applies to local government. Farmers need surety. It would also be great to see farmers more involved in government advisory groups instead of many of the anti-farmer types there now. They also need support going and, as the drought has shown, water storage is pivotal. I have friends who want to put a large dam on their property. It will benefit the district. The process and expense they’ve been put through for no rational reasons has been nothing more than an expensive circus that’s been playing for years. That needs to change. I’d also like to see a legislative requirement for people in central, regional and local government to actually get out onto farms and see what life is really like in the engine room of the economy. In addition, I have a real concern over farmers’ wellbeing. Field days, farm discussion groups, briefings and stock sales aren’t going to happen. That exacerbates the isolation farmers already feel. It is an issue that will need to be addressed and quickly. Isolation takes a toll on farmers now. It’s going to get worse. Putting everything in

perspective, MPI’s export figures for the March quarter have agriculture down just $800 million. That’s an amazing achievement. Adding to that, on March 12 Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford congratulated the food and beverage industries for topping a massive $71.7 billion in the last financial year. That is one light in an otherwise bleak economic outlook. The Government’s response to the crisis has been decisive. The initial Government announcements that restricted entry to NZ and required a 14-day self-isolation was the right call to make. I also believe the Government’s finance package was inspirational, done as it was in days not months. On top of the earlier infrastructure package it’s the best shot at seeing us through. Finally, a lot of what the Government and bureaucracy have done over the last two years has annoyed me. What both have achieved over the coronavirus crisis has been exemplary.

Your View Alan Emerson is a semi-retired Wairarapa farmer and businessman: dath-emerson@wizbiz.net.nz

Diary of a panicking survivalist

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JUNE 2020. Dear diary. How are you? That’s silly, you are an inanimate object. I’ve just got into the habit of asking everyone how they are before going anywhere near them. Not that I’ve seen anyone for weeks. But I have decided to jot down a few thoughts should anyone read this in the future. It might be helpful. I can’t believe I now think of myself as a survivalist.

Heavy duty long lasting Ph 021 047 9299

Survivalists had mockingly been called Preppers, given they were preparing for a time when they would have to hunker down. I’d always been amused at these folks with their bunkers and their secluded cabins and their guns out in the woods ready to ride out the anarchy of an anticipated breakdown of society. One can hear their cries of “I told you so” all the way from Tennessee. Now here I am. I suppose I should recap. Back in early March we were all interested in this covid-19 thing but not overly concerned. I was intrigued by the share market’s reaction to the drama unfolding. Then United States President Donald Trump cancelled the upcoming presidential elections and Putin awarded himself an unlimited term. Two weeks later Trump suspiciously died of the coronavirus and Pence looked like the cat who’d got the cream. He died of it soon after and last I heard Nancy Pelosi, the 80-yearold Speaker of the House, was doing a decent job. I’d given Jane grief when she came home with a dozen rolls of toilet paper instead of the usual half a dozen. It was only several days later I was encouraging her to do a little hoarding. But we were too late. I later experimented with different varieties of trees and now have half a year’s supply of frozen catalpa leaves secreted away in

the dog tucker deep freeze, which should get us to next summer’s crop. It was only in early April when there were ram raids on supermarkets and the thieves were running past the ciggies and booze to get toilet paper, hand sanitiser and cotton buds. But I did have the gumption to zip up to Wattie’s to grab a pallet of dented baked bean tins for a good price, which we have hidden out on the farm in an old hay shed.

The surprise has been the hedgehogs wrapped in clay and slow roasted over a fire. I went around to our young neighbour Tom’s place to get my shotgun and .22 that I had lent him as I hadn’t used them in years. He claimed I’d given them to him and it cost me two dozen tins of beans to get my own guns back. I’ve let the other neighbours know I’m re-armed as I’m fairly sure they know about the beans. I’m finally getting quite good at shooting rabbits and we can’t believe back in the old days we used to buy roasted chickens when we could have been eating rabbits all the time. They are delicious. The hares are a bit tough but we boil them for a few hours with dandelion and chickweed and they are okay.

The surprise has been the hedgehogs wrapped in clay and slow roasted over a fire. Better still, I don’t have to use any ammunition but just take Ditch out for the occasional night forage. The common pigeon is nothing to write home about but makes a bit of a change. I remember as a kid going to a Maori mate’s birthday party and reporting back home that we had been fed boiled eel. Now I lie awake at night thinking which dam to put my hinaki in next. We’ve been eating masses of water cress and looking forward to puha in the spring. I’ve experimented with the pith of the cabbage trees, which we dried and steamed then made into a type of porridge but, honestly, it’s more work than it’s worth. However, I’ve been digging up the roots and brewing them into a half decent intoxicating drink. Other than the beans the only other thing we managed to hoard were a few cases of cheap wine but with the stress in those early weeks we neglected to ration ourselves and now just have the one bottle for Christmas. I had to use the internet to remind myself how to butcher and dress a sheep because for 30 years its been a lot easier and cheaper to buy lamb when the supermarkets loss-led on legs. I’m petty adept now and have several years sheep supply ahead of us even though I did forget to put the rams out this year what with all the drama of the unfolding crisis.

From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

We had about 20 kilos of potatoes going into this calamity and I’d seen that movie with Matt Damon stranded on Mars and rushed into a planting frenzy. Fairly disappointed in myself when I realised in May that the frost had got them and that I’d misjudged the seasons. Did learn from this episode though that I have a tendency to panic and to be honest I quite like a good panic but must curb this flaw in my character. I’m no Matt Damon. Garth, who had been a school teacher before all the schools closed and who is a terrific gardener, bikes out from town each week and deposits potatoes and sometimes cabbages in our secret swapping place in exchange for legs of mutton, beans and sometimes hedgehogs when Ditch catches too many. I’ll leave it there and hopefully my next diary entry has some positive developments.

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 – March 23, 2020

Meat industry in position to cope Meaty Matters

Allan Barber

WHEN I started to trawl through possible topics to write about this week I had the bright idea it might be worth asking meat processors what contingency plans they have in place in case an employee, more particularly one on the processing floor, tests positive for the covid-19 coronavirus. So far my research suggests it’s not yet an issue that has received a great deal of consideration by many companies though it’s certainly on their radar. In an update to farmers Silver Fern Farms states its position as “The reality is that an outbreak or the understandable precautionary response of our people is likely to see an impact on our processing capacity in coming weeks. “It is realistic to expect that with a workforce of 7000 we will at least have precautionary isolation within our workforce. “We have processes in place to ensure that should this occur it can be managed. We are working on the various contingent options and will keep you updated should there be any disruption to processing.” Greenlea managing director Tony Egan told me it is a fast-

evolving situation his company could mitigate with its two separate plants as well as asking administrative staff to work from home. Wilson Hellaby’s Fred Hellaby has ensured Ministry of Health guidelines have been distributed to staff with special emphasis on anyone with cold or flu symptoms staying away from work. He also said the processing floor is an environment where workers are well protected with whites and face masks but the breaks will be the most challenging times to ensure separation. In the event of a case at a plant or, indeed, in any work environment, alternatives seem to range from individuals selfisolating while the rest of the facility continues working to the other extreme where a whole production unit might have to close down and staff go into a 14day quarantine. Clearly production cannot happen remotely so productivity and profitability would be totally compromised. Whether workers receive payment other than sick leave would depend on their employment contract while the ultimate viability of the business might be threatened. The potential impact of the shock on cashflow, revenue and expenses from a downturn in customer buying patterns or business interruption will be a lot less serious for the meat industry than would have been the case 10 or 15 years ago.

Meat company balance sheets were stressed and there was significant industry overcapacity, which meant several processors were heavily indebted to their bank syndicates. Recapitalisation and balance sheet strengthening as a result of external investment and improved profitability have made the sector much more robust. New Zealand’s internal problems pale in comparison with the potentially disastrous effects of a global recession with lock-downs in much of Europe, North America and Australia. NZ has so far had a mere handful of covid-19 cases, all individual travellers being identified and isolated, but the speed of transmission uptake in other countries suggests that could change at any time. Our Government, on the back of strong medical advice, is focusing on delaying the spread of covid-19 before it takes hold. This approach is seen as providing the best means of ensuring the health system isn’t swamped as well as avoiding a state of panic. The Government has taken the bold step of requiring all international arrivals until end April, except from the Pacific Islands, to self-isolate for 14 days to protect public health while the $12.1 billion package announced on Tuesday targets support for businesses, employees and beneficiaries. This is a clear, decisive first step to minimise what has been called a bigger crisis than the global financial crisis.

OFF RADAR: What happens when a meat worker on the processing floor gets covid-19 is not an issue that has had a great deal of attention.

Unlike the GFC in 2008, which was purely a financial problem resulting in banking instability, covid-19 has multiple impacts across the world without any clear end in sight. Economists are quite correct when they say the world economy will recover though nobody knows how soon but it’s likely the world order will never be the same when it does. Many businesses will fail in the meantime. People will have got used to new ways of living – shopping, working, holidaying, entertaining themselves, sport – and probably won’t fully revert to their old habits. Some might find their asset base or disposable income permanently impaired while others will, out of necessity, have discovered a new way of earning a living and building their wealth. It’s also certain the level of economic activity will suffer a one-off fall that won’t be replaced when the virus has passed because spending and activities foregone can only be postponed, not repeated. A deferred fridge, car or overseas holiday is a one-off blow to economic activity and GDP. Airlines, cruise companies,

hotels and tourist businesses will sustain a massive hit. The sports bodies that depend so heavily on broadcasting rights and sponsorship are unlikely to have it so good ever again. The coronavirus might not turn out to be a very serious health problem in the long run but it will have a long-lasting effect on world economic activity and the intricately interwoven supply chains that have replaced traditional methods of production in the past 20 or 30 years. Many industries will have to develop a whole new way of interacting with their customer base to survive. Hopefully, global trade patterns on which NZ depends will be more robust because essential commodities will still be required. It is difficult to assess the impact on agriculture but NZ’s healthy, natural and sustainably produced food products will surely still be in demand when the world returns to a new normal.

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

Farmers will get us through difficult time Dean Williamson dean.williamson@globalhq.co.nz TRUMPETS and drums please. New Zealand, I give you The Agripreneur. Who is this person? Let’s start with their age: 138. They came into their own in 1882 when our country was nearly broke but they innovated, collaborated, invented and adopted new technology. That’s when the Dunedin sailed out of Dunedin with frozen lamb that fed people they’d never met on the other side of the world. The result was export revenue on a scale never seen before. That revenue gave us regional employment, new community and social infrastructure, a better standard of living, an even spread of wealth throughout the country, grassroots leadership, new vision, belief, hope and assurance. And even after 138 years that revenue is the gift that just keeps on giving. Next, their job. Crikey, where do I start? In fact,

I’m not going to for fear of leaving one out. Essentially, agripreneurs do everything, in every sector, in every part of regional NZ. Some at the source of it all have to be a bit more multi-skilled than others but they’re humble and they know the value of working together so we won’t put them on a pedestal. They know who they are and we thank them every day for our food, our schools, our hospitals, our roads, in fact, our way of life because agriculture is our culture. What drives them? A belief in what they do and the satisfaction that comes from doing meaningful, essential and productive work that is good for the community and the country. It’s fair to say their motivation has taken a bit of a hit lately but those who have weathered a few seasons know this is just another bump in the road. It’s certainly not about the money because a regular income isn’t in the contract. Are they just farmers? No, because there is no such thing as just a farmer and for

farm enterprises to be successful it takes a village of equally valuable consultants, stock agents, bankers, agronomists, contractors, accountants, vets and more. They’re all Agripreneurs too. So stand up Agripreneurs, we salute you. Right now we salute you more than we ever have. As the world goes into crisis mode and shuts down NZ’s Agripreneurs will shine brighter than ever. The Agripreneur community will continue to work hard, innovate, collaborate and export that most essential product, food, to another 50 million people all over the world and they will continue to pay us for being the best in the world at doing it. Life goes on. In fact, in true Agripreneur fashion, they’ll probably look at all the obstacles in front of them, innovate some more and create new opportunities. They’re wired that way. Being enterprising is all in a day’s work for your average Agripreneur. Footnote: GlobalHQ might not

This bump, too, will soon pass. be 138 years old but every day we celebrate the industry that is. My dad is now 92 and he farmed through multiple bumps in the road, enjoying the good times and never letting go when it got tough. We’ll weather together could have been his mantra and for many others like him. Let’s pay tribute to all those who’ve held the line no matter what NZ business they own and run. They’ve never sold, given Sam Whitelock up or chased the Farmstrong next best thing. Ambassador Together, they are the backbone of NZ. Their lesson to us all: If we work For tips and ideas, together, we’ll visit farmstrong.co.nz weather together.

Under the pump?

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

World

24 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Adviser says no need for farms INDUSTRY leaders have hit back after a British government adviser suggested the United Kingdom doesn’t need farmers and could import all its food instead. In emails leaked to the press Treasury adviser Dr Tim Leunig said the food sector isn’t critically important to the UK and farming and fishing certainly isn’t. Rather than producing its own food Britain could follow the example of countries such as Singapore and import everything it needs, he suggested. Singapore is rich without having its own agricultural sector. Leunig, now an adviser to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, has previously advised Michael Gove including when Gove was Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary. He made the remarks in a submission to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ National Food Strategy, which is reviewing the UK’s food and farming system. The reported comments brought a swift response from farm leaders. National Farmers Union president Minette Batters rejected the comparison with Singapore. “Singapore has five million people and doesn’t have any farmed landscape so it actually has to import all its food,” Batters said. “Here, 75% of Britain is a farmed

I’m afraid there has always been a strain of this thinking in the Treasury. Hilary Benn Labour MP landscape, we have a fantastic maritime climate in which to produce our food and we have more than 60 million people here to feed. “There’s a sort of moral imperative, if you like, for us to be able to produce food in this country.” Country Land and Business Association spokesman Jonathan Roberts said Leunig’s comments had been made in a leaked email with little context. “It’s not the view of any MP, peer, minister, official or adviser I’ve ever met,” he said. “We must never rest on our laurels. We should always champion and defend British farming but we shouldn’t worry too much about headlines like this either.” Former Defra secretary Hilary Benn, a Labour MP, said Leunig is profoundly mistaken. “I’m afraid there has always been a strain of this thinking in the Treasury. “It is profoundly mistaken.

Scots want subsidies for climate change FARMERS in Scotland are willing to adapt to climate change – provided they are given an extra £100 million a year in subsidies. National Farmers Union Scotland has launched its policy proposals for the next decade, with the period up to 2024 chiming closely with the Scottish government’s wellaired Stability and Simplicity programme. But they want an extra £100m a year to encourage climate change mitigation measures. NFUS president Andrew McCornick said he regards the £40m Agricultural Transformation Fund, announced at the NFUS annual conference in February, as being enough only to pump prime pilot projects beginning in 2020. His request is for that to be followed by £100m every year and for it to be incorporated in the 2021 Scottish government budget. “There are big step changes coming for our industry and we will need to work our way through them. “Scotland’s agricultural policy goals have been recalibrated to suit public expectations as regards climate change mitigation.” NFUS policy director Jonny Hall said “We need to see better uptake of soil analysis and carbon audits and other measures supported substantially by an Agricultural Transformation Programme separate from existing funding streams.” In terms of what could be termed traditional farming support, NFUS said it sees the period from 2021 to 2024 being similar to the existing Common Agricultural Policy, which sets the subsidies paid by the European Union. UK Farmers Guardian

NOT HERE: An adviser to British Chancellor Rishi Sunak says Britain doesn’t need agriculture.

Agriculture is a strategic industry.” Rare Breeds Survival Trust chief executive Christopher Price said Leunig seemed to know the price of everything and the value of nothing. “He may be right in saying that agriculture is not economically important when it comes to UK

GDP but it is vitally important environmentally, socially, culturally and for food security. “That is why it is essential that the government maintains its commitment to support and protect it.” It was later reported the remarks were made in personal emails and

Leunig was not speaking in his Treasury role. The government distanced itself from his comments. “We have made clear the comments are not in line with government policy,” a Treasury spokesman said. UK Farmers Weekly

Economic backlash hits US farmers UNITED States farm bankruptcies increased by 20% last year as under-fire farmers felt the economic backlash of the nation’s aggressive trade policy. Figures from US courts show an eight-year high in farm bankruptcies, fuelling further concerns in the US agricultural economy. Family farms filed 595 bankruptcy cases in 2019 compared to 498 the previous year. The bankruptcy filing system was introduced during the 1980s farm crisis and is designed as a procedure to allow family farmers to keep operating while working out a plan to repay debt. The court filings are known as family farmer bankruptcies, specifically designed to help farmers and fishermen. Officially known as chapter 12 bankruptcy proceedings, the filings form part of the US federal bankruptcy code. They have continued to increase on annually for the past five years. The filings do not include farmers who have sold their farms and left with some financial security. The US Department of Agriculture says almost a third of projected farm income came from Government aid and taxpayer subsidised

BROKE: Family farms in the United States filed 595 bankruptcy cases in 2019 compared to 498 the previous year.

commodity insurance payments. The US Government has paid out billions of dollars in agricultural assistance over the past two years but has failed to stem the financial haemorrhaging. The Trump administration has waged a two-year retaliatory trade war with China, resulting in US export reduction. US farmers have been severely challenged by the trade-wars, mounting levels of debt and prolonged low commodity prices. More than 6000 dairy farmers left the industry in

2019 because of low farmgate milk prices and increasing costs. The US and China last month signed phase one of an international trade-agreement worth £156 billion overall. China is now expected to buy £39b worth of US agricultural products a year. The agreement is expected to help ease some of the financial pain endured by US farmers over the past two years. However, there was good news for the British economy, possibly buoyed by the recent US-China impasse, according

to figures from the United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics. British exports to China increased to £26.4b, a 40.9% rise, making China the UK’s third largest market. The US remains the largest individual export market at £58.6b, an increase of 13.6%, followed by Germany at £36.7b, an increase of 2.3%. Trade with non-European Union countries increased by 3.6% to £201.5b. Annual trade with the EU 27 in the lead-up to Brexit reduced by almost 1% to £170.6b. UK Farmers Guardian

NEW LISTING

Tolaga Bay 545 Mangaheia Road

World class Mangaheia Station is on the market Mangaheia Station is on the market for the first time in decades. The 2,720ha property offers a significant level of scale with a combination of excellent management and a favorable balance of contour and climate resulting in a prime breeding and fattening unit with equally strong wintering options. A focus on annual cropping and resowing of hundreds of hectares of cultivated land has meant substantial areas of new pasture have been replanted annually as high yielding perennials for finishing, enhanced by various crops sown for cattle, and chicory for lambs. The station comprises of circa 22,600SU including capital stock of 800 Angus cows and a ewe flock reporting 174% lambing on ewes wintered. Years of careful management has delivered a high level of investment with farm infrastructure features including a 11 stand woolshed and concreted sheep/cattle yards.

Tender (will not be sold prior) Closing 4pm, Thu 14 May 2020 10 Reads Quay, Gisborne Simon Bousfield 027 665 8778 simon.bousfield@bayleys.co.nz Stephen Thomson 027 450 6531 stephen.thomson@bayleys.co.nz

bayleys.co.nz/2751675

MACPHERSON MORICE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz

NEW LISTING

Wairoa Coastal Opoho Station 2225 State Highway 2

Unprecedented contour ripe for diversification A farm steeped in history flowing to the Pacific Ocean, with enviable contour and climate. Held in the same family for four generations, cared for and nurtured throughout, Opoho Station provides extraordinary contour. The 128ha of fertile, tile drained flats, and an additional 110ha of arable, sand country and valley flats opens multiple opportunities for diversification. Currently farming a total of 759ha, the residual land consists of easy, medium and steep hill country, and approximately 69ha of neighbouring lease. Recent decades have seen Opoho undertake successful diversification in the form of horticulture, sheep/beef, breeding - finishing, mixed cropping, dairy and honey production. Three homes, including a grand four bedroom traditional homestead and a raft of well equipped farm infrastructure, along with all weather roads make this station a compelling offering.

bayleys.co.nz/2751653

Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 4pm, Wed 6 May 2020 10 Reads Quay, Gisborne View by appointment Simon Bousfield 027 665 8778 simon.bousfield@bayleys.co.nz Stephen Thomson 027 450 6531 stephen.thomson@bayleys.co.nz MACPHERSON MORICE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Boundary lines are indicative only

Cambridge 123 Cox Road

Turakina 791 Wanganui Road

79 hectare dairy unit

Nga Kowhai Farm - beef and dairy grazing (81.0037ha)

This well located 79.46ha (more or less) dairy unit is an attractive proposition. Production averaging 64,317kg/MS is achieved through a 12 ASHB dairy shed with 24 cups and modern plant. A good array of support buildings are nearby with a central race feeding out from the dairy to all paddocks. Effluent is pumped from a clay pond to hydrants covering 12ha of pasture. Bore water supply is supplemented by the Pukerimu water scheme. The property is also complemented with two homes for accommodation. Flat to gentle rolling contour lends itself to a wide range of opportunities. Only a short commute to either Cambridge or Te Awamutu with Roto-o-Rangi Primary School nearby.

bayleys.co.nz/2311156

bayleys.co.nz

Auction (unless sold prior) 11am, Thu 9 Apr 2020 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton View 12-1pm Wed 25 Mar or by appointment Dave Kilbride 027 436 7082 dave.kilbride@bayleys.co.nz Scott Macdonald 027 753 3854 scott.macdonald@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Nga Kowhai Farm is located approximately eight kilometres west of Marton on the productive Bonny Glen plains. With approximately 81.0037ha of easy and flat contours this property is ideally set up for beef farming, dairy grazing or cropping. Divided into 18 paddocks with a central laneway extending to most areas. Water supply is reticulated with all troughs pressure fed from an on-farm dam. There are two well tendered pine plantations planted in 1997. Soil types are the Marton and Halcombe series. For all the information and your chance to view call today.

bayleys.co.nz/3001059

For Sale by Deadline Private Treaty (will not be sold prior)

2pm, Wed 22 Apr 2020 158 Wicksteed Street, Whanganui View by appointment Knud Bukholt 027 222 6161 knud.bukholt@bayleys.co.nz Andrew Bonnor 027 941 7630 andrew.bonnor@bayleys.co.nz BARTLEY REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008 MID WEST REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – March 23, 2020

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

RURAL 132 Palmerston Street Westport Office 03 789 8777

Property Brokers Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Buller dairying at its best

Ashburton 730 Hepburns Road English character Two storey homestead set in a mature garden with 41.4194 hectares (more or less) fully irrigated. The ground floor of this home has a practical but glamorous kitchen area with a large walk in pantry. An open plan living/dining area and separate lounge and great indoor/outdoor flow to the paved courtyard. It has an entrance foyer, office, separate laundry, access to the attached double garage and a double bedroom with an ensuite. On the first floor there is the master bedroom and two other double bedrooms all sharing a large family bathroom. A detached two bay garage, a three bay hay shed, a four bay implement shed, established shelter belts, all fencing, lane way system and cattle yards of a very high standard and complete this property.

Deadline Sale (unless sold prior) 2pm, Thu 23 Apr 2020 201 West St, Ashburton View by appointment Jon McAuliffe 027 432 7769 jon.mcauliffe@bayleys.co.nz WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/5511840

WEB ID WER74676 CAPE FOULWIND 641 Cape Foulwind Road View By Appointment Well established 230 ha (160 effective) dairy farm located at Carters Beach, only six km from Westport.

$3,450,000 + GST (IF ANY)

Milking 330 cows with five year average production of 125,000 kgMS through a tidy 30 ASHB dairy shed, plus a full range of farm outbuildings. Accommodation includes a substantial five bedroom homestead complimented by a modern three bedroom Lockwood home. Available as a going concern.

Gareth Cox

Mobile 021 250 9714 Office 03 975 4506 gareth@pb.co.nz

Willie McLaughlin

Mobile 021 0267 4385 Office 03 789 8777 williem@pb.co.nz

pb.co.nz FARM GOING TO AUCTION

Sallan Realty

• The vendors are genuine sellers and wish to sell under the hammer on the day. • Auction 16th April 2020, 1pm on site.

Looking for the complete package?

2480RE90X265

We’ve got you covered with digital and print options.

Contact Shirley Howard phone 06 323 0760, email shirley.howard@globalhq.co.nz

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

Google ‘Sallan Realty’ Your Farm Sales Specialist

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• Situated south of Whanganui at 123 Ratana Road is this 83 hectares consented for intensive agriculture. • This farm has great soil fertility and extensive drainage has been put in place including nova flow. • There is a very good bore that supplies quality water to stock troughs and dairy. • Includes 350 cow feed pad, very good stock handling facilities, eight bay machinery shed and 20 aside dairy. • Comfortable three bedroom home on separate title. • Good layout with numerous paddocks. Internal fences are mainly two wire electric along with a good internal central laneway system and good rural fencing. • Offers diverse income stream from beef, cropping, dairy.

LES CAIN 0274 420 582

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

High quality gold investment

WEB ID TXR02672

PAENGAROA 2A Allport Road 9.66 canopy hectares G3 Sungold Kiwifruit showing excellent returns. Early start premiums achieved on approximately 6 ha with crop forecast for the upcoming 2020 harvest of 16,000 trays per ha. Plenty of potential as this young orchard is only in year six of production since grafting from Greenfield. Water supply from two bores with storage of 90,000 litres providing for orchard irrigation with consent in place until 2034.

The quality brick homestead of 245 m2 is well sited in a very attractive setting with views to Motiti Island. A modern cottage with attached garage provides good accommodation options.

BY NEGOTIATION

VIEW By Appointment

The orchard also comprises 19 ha of grazing running 63 rising 2-year cattle and 14 ha 21 year Radiata Pines providing separation, seclusion and balance.

2 Brett Ashworth

Mobile 021 0261 7488 bretta@pb.co.nz

Waiau River Estate - Opportunity awaits

WEB ID RR74794

HANMER SPRINGS 2254 Mouse Point Road A unique opportunity awaits a discerning purchaser or purchasers. Waiau River Estate is a very aesthetically pleasing venue, from the views up and down the river, to the carefully thought out placement and construction of the buildings. There is an established restaurant and cellar door trade, catering for functions, weddings, wine tasting with casual dining. This property has scope, appeal and future growth. The restaurant consists of three main rooms including separate function room,

pb.co.nz

servery and full commercial kitchen. Extensive use of the VIEW By Appointment riverstone and exposed beams blends the restaurant into the stunning landscape. The property is 21.9145 hectares of which 5.2 hectares is in grapes. The home is a superior, contemporary designed four bedroom property with large windows taking advantage of the outstanding views this property offers. There are two modern bathrooms, two lounges, a dining room and a study. There is a two car garage and 5-bay implement shed.

$3,075,000 + GST (IF ANY)

Hamish Anderson

Mobile 027 678 8888 Office 03 310 6471 hamisha@pb.co.nz

Maurice Newell

Mobile 027 240 1718 Office 03 310 6471 mauricen@pb.co.nz

4 2 2

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – March 23, 2020

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Accelerating success.

Reach more people - better results faster.

colliers.co.nz

06 323 3363 Farm & Lifestyle Sales 420 Junction Rd North, Kimbolton

$1,310,000 +GST

BARELAND

Boundary Indication Only

Web ID RAL724

Strong Hill Country with Supporting Flats ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Approximately 145ha effective grazing with 30ha flat-easy rolling Very well subdivided to 30 paddocks with excellent tracks Reticulated water supply to 16ha of flats, balance supplied by 6 dams (2 new) & creeks There are no livestock yards, woolshed or mains power on the property Non-grazing land includes 18ha of pines, planted in 1996 with some pruning done There is 9ha QEII Trust open space covenant and 22ha of native bush The property has been run in conjunction with an adjoining farm with carrying capacity assessed at 9 - 10 stock units/ha on the hills and 14 su/ha to the flats ▪ We estimate 15 - 1600 stock units can be run here

Richard Anderson

027 543 1610 richarda@ruralandlifestylesales.com

Robert Dabb

027 255 3992 robertd@ruralandlifestylesales.com

www.ruralandlifestylesales.com

Deadline Sale 29 Wyatt Road, Te Awamutu A lifestyle and income potential from a highly producing green Hayward kiwifruit orchard with two homes, extra shedding, established gardens and located only 15 mins drive from Te Awamutu. Situated on 7.2ha, the canopy comprises 3.84ha planted in Hayward green kiwifruit plus approx 0.37ha of new Hayward green plantings. Reliable bore water supply.

rwteawamutu.co.nz/TEA23540 Rosetown Realty Ltd Licensed (REAA 2008)

Deadline Sale Closes 31 March 2020 at 1.00pm - offers to Ray White Te Awamutu office, 223 Alexandra Street (unless sold prior) Price will be + GST (if any) View Wed 18, Fri 20, Tue 24, Fri 27, Mon 30 March 11.00am - 1.00pm

Neville Kemp 027 271 9801

Noldy Rust 027 255 3047

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – March 23, 2020

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

OPEN DAY

Thinking about selling your property in North Canterbury? We are fully experienced in all rural sales.

WHAKAMARAMA Te Kohanga Road, BOP Lifestyle Extravaganza • • • • • • • •

151ha bare land and bush Choice of three titles - 4ha, 6ha,140ha Mix of grazing and pristine covented native bush Good standard of fencing Expansive views to the ocean and coastal islands Choice of impressive house sites Abundance of bird life and wild life Phone or email to receive the full Information Memorandum

TENDER

Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 4.00pm, Wednesday 15 April

VIEW 3.00-4.00pm Sunday 29 March

Peter Crean

Rural and Lifestyle Sales Consultant

David McLaren M 027 223 3366 E dmclaren@pggwrightson.co.nz Karen McLaren M 027 555 0421 E karen.mclaren@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/TEP32137 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Give us a call for a confidential chat if you are considering a change.

M 027 434 4002 E pcrean@pggwrightson.co.nz

Mark Clyne

Rural and Lifestyle Sales Consultant

M 027 531 2964 E mark.clyne@pggwrightson.co.nz www.pggwre.co.nz

Helping grow the country

Your destination For Rural real Estate

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Helping grow the country

Market your property to an audience that counts Add another touchpoint to your campaign on the website built for farmers. Align your property with content farmers read: • • • •

Geo and agri sector targeting options available Post campaign analysis of your adverts performance Advertise on our Real Estate page alongside relevant editorial content Enrich your print ad - Click through to your property videos or websites from the virtual edition.

Get in touch with your agent today

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

Agri Job Board

FARM MANAGER

We are looking for someone with initiative, keen to learn and able to commence by the end of March.

ZON BIRDSCARER

electro-tek@xtra.co.nz DE HORNER

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Single accommodation is available.

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Please provide CV with two references to: maradeefarm@gmail.com or if you require further information please call Mike on 027 292 5900

T H IN K PRE B U I L T

(Tiroa Station)

Tiroa Station is a 3200ha effective property situated in Benneydale, 35 minutes from Te Kuiti and part of the Tiroa Te Hape group of farms covering 7,300ha. The station winters 32,000 stock units made up of a high performing breeding ewe flock and breeding cow herd. A senior position has come available in our team with options to structure this role to best benefit both parties. The successful applicant would require 4-5 good working dogs, have had experience with handling large numbers of stock and proven ability to manage a small team of staff. You will need to have excellent stockmanship, clear written and oral communication, and be able to work both independently and in a team environment.

Prefer Waikato/South Auckland/ Northland areas

Position: Lamb weigh crate operator Location: Canterbury Park Sale Yards When: Every Tuesday morning, before the sale Hours: Casual basis for a minimum two hours Activity: Working with the AgriHQ team to: • Weigh store lambs on a portable weigh crate and record the data • Assist with other AgriHQ stock data recording activities.

SOLID – PRACTICAL WELL INSULATED – AFFORDABLE Our homes are built using the same materials & quality as an onsite build. Easily transported to almost anywhere in the North Island. Plans range from one bedroom to four bedroom

You will need: • An adequate level of fitness • Excellent stock behaviour awareness and handling skills • Teamwork and an obvious empathy for the work of agents and farmers • An ability to work a weigh crate • An attention to detail and accurate data recording literacy • An ability to work under pressure. Full health and safety, and work training will be provided. For more information please email: suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

Various South Island cycle destinations available now.

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• Alps2Ocean Cycle • Nelson, Golden Bay & Farewell Spit Cycle • West Coast Wilderness Trail Cycle

2IC

Discounts available for group bookings of up to 14 people. Talk to us about your needs or special itineraries. Get in early to book the dates you want for.

Dairy Assistant and Calf Rearer Jobs Fencer

Heavy duty construction for serious wood splitting. Towable.

Home Based Telephone Interviewers

Operations Manager Pre-Press Production Designer

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

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

GST Special Price $4200 INCLUSIVE Very limited stock

To find out more visit

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Shepherd

Farmers, missing Farmers, areare you you missing out? back a piece the pie! ClaimClaim back a piece of theof pie!

out

You can Claim back up to 2 years usage. Act Now!

Act Now!

We need some help...

Our business is growing and we’re looking for to join our team and in Southland Oursomeone business is growing we’re looking and Otago. someone to join our team in Southland and Otago

Large Scale Farm Management Opportunities

Weight Crate Operator

GET YOUR PETROL GET YOUR PETROL TAX BACK TAX BACK

Average first rebate is $3,000

12HP, Diesel, Electric Start

General Hand

Farm Refunds Limited

You can Claim back up to 2 years usage.

50 TON WOOD SPLITTER

Farm Manager

AGRICULTURAL ASSET MANAGEMENT

Get -road, refunded Get 83 83 cents centsper perlitre, litre,used usedoﬀoff-road, refunded. Average ﬁrst rebate is $3,000

Ph: 03 314 7220 Mob: 0274 351 955 Email info@southislandtoursnz.com www.southislandtoursnz.com

Bull Farmer

Nick 0274 763 658 or nick.aam@xtra.co.nz

Farm Refunds Limited

CYCLE TOUR HOLIDAYS • Molesworth Station Cycle Tour

JOBS BOARD

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

• 5000-12,000su • Sheep and beef, breeding and /or fattening • Great stockmanship, machinery and development experience • North Island preferred • Good references available

Noticeboard

Choose from:

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

SEEKING OPPORTUNITY Progressive smart tidy operator seeks opportunity to improve your farming asset. Development lease, standard lease, lease to buy. Equity manager, sharefarming or other options.

First Home – Farm House Investment – Beach Bach

Bookings open NOW for group holidays.

Applications close 5pm Friday 27th March 2020

Scott & Isabel Mabey themabeys@farmside.co.nz Phone: 09 429 0132 Mobile: 021 411 644

NEW HOMES

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

Are retired farmer or keen ﬁll into fill in Are you youa a retired farmer or to keen some time? You remain your own boss, some time? You remain your own boss, with hour with hours that suit you. You’ll be talking thattalk suitwith you.farmers You’ll while be talking the talk the at the same time with farmersthem while attheir thehands sameon thousands time helping the helping get of may on not thousands be aware they’re getdollars theirthey hands of dollars they entitled to. may not be aware they’re entitled to.

find out email more email To findToout more support@farmrefunds.co.nz support@farmrefunds.co.nz or phone Gary on 021-636969 or phone Gary on 021 636 969

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Please contact Wayne Fraser 07 878 4815, or email your CV to sharon@tiroatehape.maori.nz

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Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

EARMARKERS

Farming family looking for property suitable for beef breeding/finishing

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– TIROA E TRUST

HOOF TRIMMER

Farm Lease/Lease to buy 4000 to 8000 stock units

Apply with CV to jvmeallen@xtra.co.nz

is hiring HEAD SHEPHERD/ STOCK MANAGER

Phone: +64 6 357 2454

WANTED

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Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

STOP BIRDS NOW!

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

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A full time position is available on a 150ha dairy farm that runs 400su. The role includes all aspects of the day-to-day running of the farming operation.

Mahuta farm consists of 400ha of mixed contour and is situated at Glen Murray in the northern Waikato. It is home to a large Hereford Stud and a small Angus Stud with supporting sheep. We are seeking to employ a manager to run the farm with support from the owner and one additional labour unit. The successful applicant will have the following attributes: - Honesty, integrity and reliability - A strong worth ethic - Enjoy working with cattle - Some experience of pasture management and general farm work This is an opportunity for a motivated person to gain experience in performance-focussed cattle breeding and intensive grazing systems. A good 4 bedroom home is available and buses to local schools pass close by. A competitive remuneration package will be negotiated according to experience.

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(Clevedon, Auckland)

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

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GENERAL HAND

Noticeboard

FARMERS WEEKLY – March 23, 2020

ANIMAL HANDLING

ATTENTION FARMERS

DOGS FOR SALE

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

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

FAST GRASS www.gibb-gro.co.nz GROWTH PROMOTANT Only $6.00 per hectare + GST delivered Brian Mace 0274 389 822 brianmace@xtra.co.nz

SELLING AND BUYING dogs NZ wide since 2012. Deliver, trial, guaranteed. www.youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos 07-315-5553

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

0800 436 566

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

GRANT TO PLANT completed One Billion Trees applications $250 + travel (+ GST). Ph/ txt Jacqui 021 120 5724. Auckland/Waikato.

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

DAGS .25c PER KG. Replacement woolpacks. PV Weber Wools. Kawakawa Road, Feilding. Phone 06 323 9550.

2 YEAR WARRANTY. NZ ASSEMBLED. ELECTRIC START & QUALITY YOU CAN RELY ON 13.5HP. Briggs & Stratton Motor. Electric start. 1.2m cut

TOWABLE TOPPING MOWER

12Hp Diesel. Electric Start

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

FORESTRY WANTED

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

GOATS WANTED

GST $4400 INCLUSIVE

11.5HP Briggs & Stratton Motor. Industrial. Electric start. GST $4200 INCLUSIVE

50 TON WOOD SPLITTER

GST $4200 INCLUSIVE

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

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

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TOWABLE FLAIL MOWER

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.

NOTICEBOARD

GOATS WANTED. All weights. All breeds. Prompt service. Payment on pick up. My on farm prices will not be beaten. Phone David Hutchings 07 895 8845 or 0274 519 249. Feral goats mustered on a 50/50 share basis. NAKI GOATS. Trucking goats to the works every week throughout the NI. Phone Michael and Clarice. 027 643 0403.

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

$2.10 + GST per word - Please print clearly Phone:

Address: Email:

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE WILTSHIRES-ARVIDSON. Self shearing sheep. No1 for Facial Eczema. David 027 2771 556. RED DEVON BULLS; Also in-calf cows + heifers, BVD vaccinated + weaners. Hill country stud. TB-C10 - 06 376 3966 RAMS. TERMINAL SIRES Southdowns and Suffolk/ Southdown X for heavy fast growing lambs. Suitable for Hogget mating. $250$550. Phone 06 357 7727 or 021 133 7533. RAMS. HILL COUNTRY Perendales. Easy care with good size and quality wool. $250-$550. Phone 06 376 4751 or 021 133 7533. TOP MATERNAL TEXEL 2TH rams for sale. Phone 027 484 2822 www.texel. co.nz

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

STOCK FEED MOISTURE METERS Hay, Silage dry matter, grain. www.moisturemeters.co.nz 0800 213 343. BOOK AN AD. For only $2.10 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Debbie Brown on 0800 85 25 80 to book in or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

RAMS FOR SALE WILTSHIRE & SHIRE® Meat rams. Low input. www.wiltshire-rams.co.nz 03 225 5283.

TARPAULINS NZ MADE. Heavy duty covers for hay, silage, tractors, bulldozers, trucks etc. All sizes. For more info Westlorne Ohakune 06 385 8487 or email: westlorne@xtra. co.nz - Visit our website: www. westlorne.co.nz

WANTED TO RENT OLD FARMHOUSE OR cottage in North Island. Phone or text 027 672 6435. Michael.

Livestock Noticeboard

LEASE LAND WANTED WANTED TO LEASE up to 300 cows for the 20-21 season within the North Island. Contact Dave 027 294 6497.

REACH EVERY FARMER IN NZ FROM MONDAY

Advertise in the Farmers Weekly Name:

GOATS WANTED

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

CLEARING SALE

HIGH INDEXED CROSSBRED GENETICS On Account of: JUST ONCE MORE LIMITED Shaun & Kelly Bicknell 169 Horomanga Road, RD 1, Murupara. DN 22290 Tuesday 7th April 2020 - 12 Noon After 40 years of LIC Breeding the Bicknell Family are selling their entire herd and young stock. Consisting of 240 Cows BW 150 PW 210 RA 100% (BW’s up to 268, PW’s up to 550) 57 x R2 Yr Heifers BW 194 PW 207 70 x R1 Yr Heifers BW 209 PW 225 Cows 1, 2, 110, 210 are carrying contract matings. 210 & 1 being Dam & Daughter R2 Yr Heifers 18-221, 298 are carrying contract matings R1 Yr Heifer 19-104 (BW 290 PW 314) to be contract mated. PRODUCTION: The Herd consistently produces 400kg ms/cow being milked OAD all season on a system 2 - 3.

Heading:

MATING: DTC 12/7/20 for 3 ½ weeks to LIC Frs, Crossbred & Jsy. Tailed with Hfd Bull. 65% Incalf to AI. Expected calf BW 217. R2 Yr Heifers DTC 12/7/20 with 60% incalf to AI Jsy. Expected calf BW 243. Tailed with Crossbred Recorded Bulls.

Advert to read:

ANIMAL HEALTH: TB C10, Lepto Vaccinated, M. Bovis undetected

PAYMENT & DELIVERY: The buyer has the option to take immediate delivery or the vendors will retain possession until 29/5/20. The herd will be dry cowed at drying off. Payment – unless prior arrangements – 14 days from sale date.

Return this form either by fax to 06 323 7101 attention Debbie Brown Post to Farmers Weekly Classifieds, PO Box 529, Feilding 4740 - by 12pm Wednesday or Freephone 0800 85 25 80

Further enquiries: Agent: Michael Conwell 027 226 1611 Vendor: Shaun Bicknell 027 221 1977

Livestock Noticeboard

Trade livestock like never before from home or on the go

bidr.co.nz

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AUCTIONEERS NOTE: NZ Farmers Livestock are privileged to offer this very well bred G3 Profiled Herd and young stock for auction. The Bicknell family have provided a number of bulls to the LIC Premier Sires team over the years and currently have “Just Once Cooper” as the top ranked Crossbred bull for gestation length. The Herd will come forward in good condition and offers buyers a good selection of crossbred genetics.

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

SALE TALK

Beltex x Suffolk and Purebred Suffolk Ram Hoggets for sale Small number available.

or Phone Anna 021 08438170

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EMA scanned, out of stud Suffolks. Check out Bishampton Suffolks on Facebook

Benchmarked production and Johne’s disease info on your deer

If you’ve got a joke you want to share with the Farming community (it must be something you’d share with your grandmother...) then email us at:

60 55 50 16/17

17/18

18/19

19/20

Season

saletalk@globalhq.co.nz

0800 456 453 or info@deerpro.org.nz

DP0320

Carcass weight (young deer)

45 15/16

The leader of the vegetarian society just couldn’t control himself anymore. He just needed to try some pork. So, he told his members he was going on a vacation. He packed out of town, and headed to the nearest restaurant. After sitting down, he ordered a roasted pig. After just a few minutes, he heard someone call his name and he saw one of his fellow members walking towards him. Just at that same moment, the waiter walked over, with a huge platter, holding a full roasted pig with an apple in it’s mouth. “Isn’t that something,” says the leader after only a moments pause, “all I do is order an apple, and look what it comes with!”

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

Base your deer management decisions on the numbers. Contact DeerPRO for your report.

Livestock Noticeboard

with Sale Talk in the subject line and we’ll print it and credit it to you. Conditions apply

FARMERS WEEKLY – March 23, 2020

Check out Poll Dorset Breeding quality for 60 years NZ on Facebook

STOCK FOR SALE 230 HEREFORD BULLS 420kg Owner/Station Bred

STORE LAMBS 27-35kg

R2YR FRSN BULLS 380-500kg R2YR ANG & ANGX STEERS 400-470kg 90 R2YR VIC ANG HEIFERS Due Oct 59 M/A ANGX COWS 4th Nov - 5th Dev

DISPERSAL SALE

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381

6 7 8

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

e 23 s r 6 D u TOP GENETICS E ONcOFFER o 8 6 RISING 3yr OLD HEIFER AND N MIXEDe AGE COW DISPERSAL SALE 0 O Tuesday 7 April 2020, 11am at COVENTRY STATION, MURIWAI GISBORNE u e i ONLINE dCATALOGUE AA INSPECTED TP SALE s S n u 2020 or BY APPOINTMENT VIEWING BETWEEN 1pm - 4pm MONDAY i S6 APRIL O e P at nd d a s w e rle N ha C e n& 2 yr OLD HEIFER DISPERSAL SALE MONDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 11am YEARLING o Ph between 1pm and 4pm or by appointment

HERD FOR SALE Excellent Herd / Excellent Presentation 450 Kiwi X / Jersey Cows Nothing compares to this closed herd on the market for value. Available for May delivery (or earlier to suit), this is a well-bred and well-conditioned spring herd. Top management practices with breeding emphasis on PW, strong fertility, and good efficiency, with a top temperament to work with. Calving from 1 August, 3 Weeks AI to Kiwi X Bull, tailed up with Hereford and Angus Bulls Ave PW 126.Ave BW 115. Production 330kg+ Call NZFL agent Noel Baker for the herd-walk video which includes full description. Phone 027 455 5828 or see website listing #NOR79673.

ABOVE VETTED IN CALF MANY TO

TANGIHAU TOP GUN N436 NEW ZEALAND’S HIGHEST PRICE

TWO YEAR OLD BULL 2019

TANGIHAU TOP GUN

at COVENTRY STATION, MURIWAI GISBORNE VIEWING SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER

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Please contact us if you would like to view the cattle or receive a sale catalogue.

Charles & Susie Dowding

Alastair MacPherson

P: 06 862 3876 M: 027 4752 798 E: cdowding@xtra.co.nz

www.rangatiraangus.co.nz

P: 06 862 8077

FEATURE AUCTION

NZ Milking Shorthorn AGM Sale Thursday, 26 March 2020 at 8.00 pm WEEKLY AUCTIONS

MONTHLY REGULAR SALE

Wednesday night North Island

Dedicated AngusPure Cattle Sale Tuesday, 7 April 2020 at 7.30pm

Thursday night South Island

NZ’s Virtual Saleyard

Refer to website for full terms and conditions.

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

Facilitated by LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

Are you looking in the right direction? Call HANNAH 0800 85 25 80

livestock@globalhq.co.nz

188 Fsn/FsnX Herd BW75 BW90 RA93%

MACHINERY

2nd ANNUAL CALF SALE

DTC 14/7, 400ms, owned 16yrs, LIC bred

SALE

GLEN ISLAY STN, C/- Roy Family 741 Waimea Valley Rd, Gore Thursday 26th March ON FARM at 2PM

rolling to steep farm, HB shed $1760 Chris Jackson 027 433 9080 Ref: DH1659 147 Top Fsn Cows BW64 PW84 RA99%

27 MARCH

260 Ang & AngX Strs 150 Ang & AngX Hfrs 53 Hfd Strs 54 Hfd Hfrs 35 HfdX/SimX Strs 25 HfdX/Sim Hfrs

460ms, DTC 19/7 to CRV, last calv mid Sept All XBreds sold from 400 cow herd $1750 Mike McKenzie 027 674 1149 Ref: DH1431 70 Long Estb Herd Capacity Xbreds DTC 25/7, 400ms, unrecorded, $1500 Stewart Cruickshank 027 270 5288 Ref: DR1657

These Calves also from Deloraine Stn, Clinton TB C10 Tussock born and bred.

140 Closed Fsn Herd BW67 PW78 RA92% DTC 20/7, LIC 30yrs, low SCC, $1650

VIEWING FROM 10.30AM AUCTION STARTS AT 12.30PM TINWALD SALEYARDS, ASHBURTON

To view all listed items visit carrfields.co.nz

70 Aut Calv Xbred Cows BW100 BW163 LK0101435©

DTC 15/3 to LIC hfd, 3-6yrs, milked on steep

All enquiries to Carrfields Agent: Callum Dunnett 027 587 0131

Visit our Website for the best selection available

PGGW Agent: Greg Clearwater 027 591 8045

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Manager: Rory McCall 027 333 9323

LK0101615©

Calves sired by top breeding bulls, Herefords Limehills, Monymusk, Orari Gorge, Okawa. Angus Bulls - Meadowslea

Steve Quinnell 027 278 3837 Ref: DR1362

Val Ditchfield 027 573 7480 Ref: DH9

QUALITY

FARM

DAIRIES FOR SALE

farm $1600

POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

CONTACT CLAAS HARVEST CENTRE CANTERBURY

03 307 9400

CONTACT DRUMMOND & ETHERIDGE

0800 432 633

*terms and conditons apply.

Livestock Noticeboard

FARMERS WEEKLY – March 23, 2020

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

Key: Dairy

NORTH ISLAND HERDS & IN-CALF HEIFERS FOR SALE

DAIRY HERDS & IN-CALF HEIFERS FOR SALE PGG Wrightson Dairy representatives are specialists at marketing and selling dairy herds. Benefit from the nationwide team that is dedicated to matching herds with the right buyers and achieving an optimal outcome for your business.

NATIONAL TEAM. LOCAL KNOWLEDGE.

Pick up to 80 from 104 Frsn/Jsy X G3, DNA’d Cap Stk Weaner Heifers BW 206

PW 225

$850+GST

•

RA 100% Outstanding line of G3, DNA’d Capital Stock Wnr Heifers from high index, once a day herd. Pick up to 80 from 104 offered. Tim Pickering - 027 446 9963 Agonline ref: 6321

273 Capital Stock Friesian & Friesian X Herd BW 74

PW 88

$1,800

+GST

•

RA 98% Long established, hardworking herd farmed in a difficult climate. Vendor exiting industry and farm is sold. Very low cell count. Herd tested and milked on System 2. Tim Pickering - 027 446 9963 Agonline ref: 6157

MATAWHERO WNR STR & BULL SALE Tuesday, 31st March 2020, 11am Approx 2380 Cattle comprising: • 1400 Ang Wnr Strs • 130 Ang Hfd X Wnr Strs • 150 Ang X Wnr Strs

WAIROA WEANER CATTLE SALE Thursday, 2nd April 2020, 11am Approx 1490 Cattle comprising: • 565 Ang Wnr Strs • 165 Ang/AngX Wnr Strs • 370 Ang & Ang/HfdX Wnr Strs • 230 Ang HfdX Wnr Strs

Cattle

Sheep

Other

UPCOMING SOUTH ISLAND WEANER CALF SALES 24 MARCH - 3 APRIL Nelson/Blenheim

Blenheim 1st Calf Sale, Awatere/East Coast Brightwater Calf, Outer Region Tapawera Calf, Brightwater Blenheim 2nd Calf Sale, Wairau, Waihopai Valley & Marlborough Sounds Brightwater Calf, Inner Region

11.00am 25 March 12.00pm 26 March 12.00 pm 31 March 11.00am

1 April

12.00pm

2 April

10.30am 10.30am 10.00am 11.00am 10.30am

26 March 27 March 1 April 2 April 3 April

12.00pm 10.00am

25 March 1 April

11.00am 10.00am 12.00pm 10.00am 10.00am 10.00am 10.00am

24 March 27 March 30 March 31 March 1 April 2 April 3 April

10.30am 10.30am

1 April 3 April

Canterbury

Cheviot North Cheviot South Canterbury Park 1st Ross Calf Culverden 2nd Mid/South Canterbury

Glenlyon Calf Temuka Eastern Southern Section Otago

Mt Benger Palmerston 1st Calf Sale Haast Calf Hakataramea Calf Omakau 1st Calf Omarama Calf Balclutha 1st Calf Southland

• 10 Sth Devon Wnr Strs

• 150 Hfd Wnr Strs

Gore Castlerock

• 25 Wnr Bulls

• 50 Hfd X Wnr Strs

For more information contact your local PGG Wrightson Livestock Representative

• 50 Ang Wnr Hfrs

• 60 Ang Wnr Bulls

• 65 Ang/AngX Wnr Hfrs

• 150 Hfd Wnr Bulls

• 10 Sth Devon Wnr Hfrs

• 70 Exotic Wnr Bulls

Entries Include:

Jamie Hayward

• Kouhouroa Stn: 280 Ang & Ang/HfdX

• 220 Exotic Wnr Strs

0274 347 586

Wnr Strs • Whataroa Stn: 190 Ang/HfdX Wnr Strs,

MATAWHERO WNR HFR & OLDER CATTLE Wednesday, 1st April 2020, 11am Approx 950 Cattle comprising: • •

415 Ang Wnr Hfrs 80 Ang Hfd X Wnr Hfrs

40 Ang/HfdX Wnr Hfrs • Tauwharetoi Stn: 180 Ang/HfdX Wnr Strs • Anewa Stn: 120 Ang Wnr Strs • Papuni Stn: 90 Ang & Ang/HfdX Wnr Strs Enquiries: Ian Rissetto 0274 449347 or 06 8388604

•

150 Hfd Wnr Hfd (cap stock)

•

120 Hfd X Wnr Hfrs

Mason Birrell

•

185 Exotic Wnr Hfrs

0274 937253 or 06 8387091

Jamie Hayward 0274 347 586

Hamish Forrester 027 601 2351

NOKOMAI STATION AUTUMN LAMB SALE Nokomai Road, Athol, Nthrn Southland (Signposted SH6 Athol / Five Rivers Hwy) Monday 6th April, 1.30pm Offering comprising approx: • 7500 Half Bred Wether Lambs • 2500 Half Bred Ewe Lambs • 800 Mixed Sex Texel x Lambs Animal Health: Lambs crutched, dipped, B12, 5 in 1, Matrix drench prior to Sale. Auctioneers note: If you intend to purchase please have transport organised, as there is limited holding facilities. Barry McAlister (PGW) 027 441 6432 James Hore (Nokomai Station) 021 301 797

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

Trade Livestock like never before

bidr.co.nz

Helping grow the country

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING Advertise your stock sales in Farmers Weekly Call Hannah Gudsell 0800 85 25 80 livestock@globalhq.co.nz

farmersweekly.co.nz

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.

Suz Bremner

Mel Croad

Nicola Dennis

Cattle

Reece Brick

Graham Johnson

Caitlin Pemberton

Sheep

BEEF

William Hickson

Deer

SHEEP MEAT

VENISON

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

4.95

4.80

5.30

NI lamb (17kg)

7.00

6.90

7.00

NI Stag (60kg)

7.40

7.60

9.25

NI Bull (300kg)

4.95

4.85

4.90

NI mutton (20kg)

4.60

5.00

SI Stag (60kg)

7.40

7.60

9.25

NI Cow (200kg)

3.40

3.35

3.70

SI lamb (17kg)

6.80

6.70

SI Steer (300kg)

4.60

5.05

SI mutton (20kg)

4.10

4.80

SI Bull (300kg)

4.65

4.70

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

3.20

3.60

UK CKT lamb leg

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Last week Prior week

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

10.90

8.86

North Island lamb slaughter price

9.5

7.29

7.16

10.0

8.55

7.92

6.99

9.0

7.5

8.0

6.5

$/kg CW

7.70

US domestic 90CL cow

North Island steer slaughter price

$/kg CW

7.5

8.0

6.5

7.0

Dec 5-yr ave

Feb

Apr 2018-19

Jun

Aug 2019-20

Last week

Prior week

Last year

2.95

37 micron ewe

2.40

30 micron lamb

3.35

Coarse xbred ind. Apr

5-yr ave

Jun

2018-19

Dairy

Dec

Feb

Apr

Aug 2019-20

Last year

Urea

567

625

2.80

Super

314

321

5.50

DAP

787

833

$/tonne

6.75 6.25

NZ average (NZ$/t)

Top 10 by Market Cap

440

7.25

Fertiliser Prior week

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

7.75

400 360

Company

YTD High

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

27.45

28.17

21.1

The a2 Milk Company Limited

15.49

17.54

13.8

Meridian Energy Limited (NS)

4.09

5.8

3.82

Spark New Zealand Limited

3.91

4.93

3.91

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

4.16

5.62

3.595

Auckland International Airport Limited

4.59

9.21

4.465

Ryman Healthcare Limited

9.02

17.18

9.02

Contact Energy Limited

5.35

7.74

5.35

Port of Tauranga Limited

Apr-19

Jun-19 Aug-19 Sept. 2019

Oct-19

Dec-19 Sept. 2020

Feb-19

Apr-19

Jun-19

Aug-19

Oct-19

Dec-19

Feb-20

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

WMP

2600

2770

2970

SMP

3060

3070

2970

AMF

4750

5175

Butter

4000

4150

Milk Price

7.22

7.18

7.21

420

380 360 340 Feb-19

* price as at close of business on Thursday

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

Apr-19

Jun-19

Aug-19

Oct-19

Dec-19

Feb-20

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

YTD Low

5.5

8.08

4.9

20.59

25.23

18.42

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Company

YTD High

The a2 Milk Company Limited

15.49

17.54

13.8

1.8

3.25

1.75

Comvita Limited

400

320

Ebos Group Limited

Listed Agri Shares

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY

$/tonne

Last price*

320

Feb-20

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Nearby contract

Aug 2019-20

Last week

Grain

Data provided by

MILK PRICE FUTURES

5.75

Jun

2018-19

FERTILISER

(NZ$/kg)

5.0

$/kg MS

Oct

WOOL

Feb

Oct

5-yr ave

5.0

5.5

Dec

8.5

6.0

South Island steer slaughter price

Oct

9.5

9.0

6.0

4.5

$/kg CW

South Island lamb slaughter price

10.0

6.5

YTD Low

Delegat Group Limited

7.6

12.1

7.5

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

3.94

4.06

3.62

Foley Wines Limited

1.48

1.91

1.48

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

0.75

0.82

0.75

Marlborough Wine Estates Group Limited

0.192

0.197

0.192 1.65

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

1.67

2.3

PGG Wrightson Limited

1.9

2.47

1.7

Sanford Limited (NS)

5.88

8.2

5.85

Scales Corporation Limited

3.65

5.17

3.3

SeaDragon Limited

0.105

0.001

Seeka Limited

3.73

4.74

3.52

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

4.4

9.1

4.36

3200

300

3000

280

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index

2800

S&P/NZX 50 Index

9115

12073

9115

260

S&P/NZX 10 Index

9472

12096

9472

$/tonne

US$/t

10.5

5.5

4.5

South Island stag slaughter price

11.5

5.0

8.5

7.0 6.0

6.0

Last year

10.5

US imported 95CL bull

6.5

Last week Prior week

North Island stag slaughter price

11.5 10.59

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

Last year

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Ingrid Usherwood

2600 2400 2200

T&G Global Limited

May Jun Latest price

Jul

Aug 4 weeks ago

Sep

2.93

2.6

16941

13034

240 220

Apr

2.73 13034

200

Feb-19

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

Apr-19

Jun-19

Aug-19

Oct-19

Dec-19

Feb-20

13034

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

9115

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

9472

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020 NI SLAUGHTER MUTTON ( $/KG)

NI SLAUGHTER LAMB ( $/KG)

SI SLAUGHTER BULL ( $/KG)

4.60

7.00

4.65

PULSE NICOLA DENNIS

M bovis spread rate still rising

YCOPLASMA bovis remains a concern for cattle trading though it has no trade or human health implications and does not tend to affect otherwise healthy cattle. The absence of clinical symptoms and a lack of robust testing methods for infected animals has set New Zealand on the path of culling large volumes of healthy cattle to eradicate the disease. Data from the Primary Industries Ministry stakeholder update to March 11 shows 146,710 cattle have been slaughtered to date. That has resulted in $138.6 million in compensation, on top of operating costs. There are 31 active properties awaiting mandatory culling and the two-month stand-down from farming cattle. A further 184 farms remain under Notice of Direction, which restricts the movement of cattle and high-risk

goods off-farm. That is a concern because of the widespread drought conditions affecting feed supplies. There are also 327 farms under active surveillance awaiting further testing. And it is not over yet. Throughout the programme there has been the occasional fortnight where no new M bovis cases have been identified. The most recent statistics show one of these lulls. But there is nothing in the available data to suggest the rate of M bovis infecting properties has slowed down. In fact, the average infection rate appears to be increasing. On average, two properties are added to the cull list each week. Meanwhile, the rate at which exposed properties are returned to normal farming practise has slowed down in recent months. With the number of culled cattle set to exceed programme estimates it might be time to adjust the whole-herd eradication approach.

WEATHER

Overview

Soil Moisture

Showers are back in the forecast now as winds turn more west to southwest in the days ahead. It’s good news for drought zones with more showers following wet weather overnight Sunday and this morning. Granted, showers are hit and miss but we are now seeing weekly showers in our drought zones, which was not occurring in January or February. This week high pressure slowly develops and should linger through the weekend. After it has passed we might see more low pressure in the sub-tropics fuelling showers, some potentially heavy, into Northland but they are not yet locked in. Temperatures are also up and down in true autumn style, especially from the lower North Island southwards.

19/03/2020

Source: NIWA Data

Highlights

Highlights/ Extremes

Temperature

Wind

West to southwest winds seem to dominate in the days ahead then later this week high pressure brings lighter winds to the South Island with perhaps more of an easterly flow over the upper North Island.

Autumn changes now, which mean lots of ups and downs. This week kicks off cooler over Monday and Tuesday but should warm up a little later in the week.

The next seven days still see most regions leaning drier than average, even with the showers in dry regions.

14-day outlook

7-day rainfall 7-DAY RAINforecast MAP

Short term we have a few showers and west to southwest winds in the forecast but longer range later this week and weekend sees another big high rolling through. Once it has gone we will see easterlies moving around northern New Zealand. Long term there is some optimism that as we leave March and go into the first few days of April we might have another rainmaker in the NZ area. It’s not yet locked in though.

Morning rain or showers clears the upper North Island on Monday. Hopefully, it will be soaking rain for the ground this time then we have days of showers moving in from the west. High pressure expands later this week drying out again so many places might still lean drier than normal. Easterlies might develop later this week or weekend and could produce showers for the top of the country. To see updated rain accumulation maps visit www.farmersweekly. co.nz/weather

Mycoplasma bovis progress 700 600 Farms

500 400 300 200

Und er movement control

Feb

Jan

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

100

Active Surveillance

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

For more maps and insights go to farmersweekly.co.nz/weather

GET THE EDGE... Discover how we can help you keep up to date with market conditions. Head to agrihq.co.nz or call 0800 85 25 80

Livestock Outlook

For those who want to see and understand forecasting, this monthly report projects farmer operating prices six months ahead and supports these prices with analysis of supply/demand, procurement factors, key export markets and exchange rate effects.

Livestock Insight

Every week, we explain the context of the current market situation, drivers which are impacting the livestock markets and what to expect in the coming week.

LivestockEye

We create transparency for the industry with these independent, objective reports providing full sale results and informed commentary covering 10 sale yards across NZ that are emailed directly after the sale. 2476AGHQ

If you love the information you get from these pages, you will love AgriHQ’s livestock reports.

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

Season has dust market rather than a grass one Rather than a grass market helping push prices along a dust market is pushing them down, especially for weaner heifers and ewe lambs. In the space of just a week the store lamb market has changed dramatically from looking like it was on an upwards trajectory to one now seriously hit by drought. Many farmers had pinned their hopes on what looked like a forecast that would provide much-needed rain but as that fizzled out offloading was the only option left. Nationwide store lamb tallies at sale yards have ballooned but with few buyers on the rails the market has dropped by an average of $15-$25. Weaner fairs are continuing in the North Island and starting in the South and they are not immune to the dry conditions. The heifer market, in particular, is under pressure, with traditional and exotic lines at Feilding averaging just $530-$535 at $2.33-$2.40/kg. Steers fared better at averages of $660-$695 at $2.92-$3.11/kg. NORTHLAND Wellsford store cattle • Most R2 steers, 364-401kg, earned $2.58/kg to $2.69/kg, regardless of breed • R2 Friesian bulls, 306-339kg, managed $700-$710, for a varied $2.06/kg to $2.36/kg • Seven R2 Charolais heifers, 294kg, returned $2.57/kg • Weaner Angus-Friesian steers, 139-161kg, improved to $460-$565 • Fourteen weaner Charolais heifers, 183kg, eased to $505 Just under 280 cattle were penned last Monday at WELLSFORD, with weaners making up 174 of that tally. Weaner Hereford-Friesian steers had varied results, as three at 240kg softened to $670, while 124-135kg lines improved to $530-$540. Heavier weaner heifers, 217-260kg, earned $600-$640 regardless of breed, while the balance at 141-168kg returned $350-$565. Dairy-beef bulls, 188253kg, traded at $615-$650. A consignment of Angus cows, vetted-in-calf to Waitangi bulls, were keenly contested and finished at $1120-$1150.

Kaikohe weaner bull fair • Weaner beef-cross bulls, 160-200kg, traded at $500-$580 • Traditional and exotic bulls were mostly $700-$800, $2.85/kg to $3.00/kg There were around 450 head at the KAIKOHE weaner bull fair last Wednesday, PGG Wrightson agent Vaughan Vujcich reported. Around half of the yarding was Friesian bulls, and the heavier end fetched $600-$670, $2.60-$2.70/ kg, with 140-160kg at $440-$500. Weaner Hereford bulls sold well at $3.40-$3.50/kg. There was also a small number of store cattle on offer and R3 beef-cross steers traded at around $2.57/kg, while R2 heifers sold in a range of $2.50$2.70/kg.

AUCKLAND Pukekohe cattle sale • R1 heifers sold in a range of $705-$740, $2.55-$3.13/kg • Medium weaner steers earned $550-$675 • Boner cows made $1.37/kg Numbers lifted at PUKEKOHE on Saturday 7th March, and good quality store cattle helped improve competition. Quality R2 heifers strengthened to $2.64-$2.78/kg, with medium R2 steers earning, $2.50-$2.60/kg. Prime throughput remained low, with medium heifers at $2.50/kg.

COUNTIES Tuakau sales • Prime Hereford-Friesian heifers, 550kg, earned $2.67/kg • Boner cows lifted to $1.20-$1.42/kg • Weaner Hereford-Friesian heifers, 150kg, were good buying at $440 • Light ewes made $75-$85 The 280-head offering sold on a firm market at TUAKAU last week, Chris Elliott of PGG Wrightson reported. Good weaner Charolais steers, 249-288kg, made $920$1055, and same breed heifers, 224-257kg, earned $700$800. R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 400-480kg, earned $2.75-$2.84/kg and 337kg Hereford-Friesian, $2.90/kg, with Hereford-Friesian heifers, 360kg, at $2.76/kg. Prime steer prices lifted by 10c/kg on Wednesday, with a mostly Hereford-Friesian line-up making $2.59-$2.62/kg, and boner cows averaged $1.34/kg. Monday’s sheep sale was small. Prime lambs traded at $120-$150 and store lambs, $75-$100.

WAIKATO

PICK ME: Some of the stock on offer at the Feilding weaner fair last week.

Frankton cattle • R3 Hereford-Friesian steers, 433kg, earned $2.58/kg, and Friesian, 466kg, $2.32/kg • R2 beef-dairy steers, 382-412kg, traded from $2.56/kg to $2.68/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 272kg, were well sought after at $3.09/kg • All weaner beef-dairy and exotic-dairy steers, 142-163kg, held at $525-$595 • Three prime South Devon steers, 531kg, topped their section at $2.75/kg Store cattle throughput more than doubled last Wednesday at FRANKTON with close to 500 penned. Weaner beef-dairy and beef-exotic heifers, 138-168kg, softened to $395-$485, though Hereford-Friesian, 206kg, improved to $555. Hereford-Friesian bulls, 135-158kg, held at $470-$485, while Friesian, 124-164kg, eased to $355-$405.

Cows dominated the prime pens and four Friesian, 662kg, topped their section at $1.51/kg, with the balance, 425-478kg, at $1.25-$1.32/kg. A range of $2.42/kg to $2.53/ kg covered the remainder of prime heifers and bulls, 438592kg.

BAY OF PLENTY Rangiuru cattle and sheep • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 455kg, earned $2.64/kg • R2 Angus heifers, 353kg, made $2.38/kg • Prime Hereford cows, 670kg and run-with-bull, were $1.73/kg • Prime lambs earned $106-$143 R2 Angus steers dominated the store section at RANGIURU last Tuesday, and 420-455kg lines firmed to $2.62-$2.71/kg, while Murray Grey and a few beef-cross, 426-440kg, made $2.48-$2.51/kg. Prices firmed for the mainly Friesian cow line-up of the prime section. These sold in two cuts; those 465-515kg improved 11c/kg to average $1.38/kg, while lighter 370-455kg pens increased 7c/kg to average $1.28/kg. Rangiuru beef weaner fair • Charolais bulls, 493-504kg, made the top money at $1800 • The best two pens of Hereford bulls earned $1120 and $1200 • A pen of Charolais, 330kg, was the best of the heifers at $880 • Nearly 200 Charolais and Charolais-cross heifers, 210-278kg, traded at $590-$735 The first beef weaner fair at RANGIURU for 2020 was a month later than usual due to the dry conditions, and volume was almost double last year’s March fair. Hereford provided most of the bull section, with heavy lines $880$970 and third cuts $500-$795. The heaviest steers were exotic types that earned $760-$980, while lighter traditional and Hereford-Friesian varied from $490 to $710. Heifers over 200kg earned $560-$760 regardless of breed.

POVERTY BAY Matawhero sheep sale Heavy store cryptorchid lambs made $116 Heavy store ram lambs fetched $102-$106 Mixed-age prime ewes earned $123 While the market softened from the previous sale at MATAWHERO last Friday, it performed better than expected with support from the local buying bench. There was just under 1800 store lambs on offer and a large portion were male lambs that traded at $101.50-$106. The bottom end of the ewe lambs were bought for $70-$75, with shorter term types at $85-$94.50. Prime lambs were limited and most fetched $158.

TARANAKI Taranaki cattle sale • R2 Red Devon heifers, run with purebred Red Devon bull, sold for $2.08-$2.10/kg • Weaner Hereford-Friesian steers, 127kg, firmed to $510 • Weaner dairy-beef bulls, 135-160kg, earned $500-$517 • Friesian boner cows, 432-583kg, traded at $1.37-$1.46/kg There was a small yarding of 134 mixed-quality cattle at TARANAKI last Wednesday. R2 Hereford-Friesian steers above 450kg held at $2.48-$2.53/kg, while broken-faced or reds were discounted to $2.26-$2.33/kg. R2 dairy-beef heifers were mostly 365-385kg and made $2.26-$2.33/kg, while dairy heifers typically traded at $1.94-$2.02/kg. Taranaki 1st run beef weaner fair • Weaner Charolais-cross steers under 260kg fetched $615-$735 • Weaner Shorthorn-cross steers, 356kg, realised $1020 • Weaner Angus heifers, 210-262kg, sold for $540-$700 • Weaner Charolais-cross heifers, 238-271kg, were good shopping at $600-$655 Vendors were required to meet the market at the 1st Run Beef Weaner Fair at TARANAKI, despite some quality lines on offer. In the steer pens, the average traditional was 220kg and sold for $675, and anything over 240kg achieved $730$780. A large portion of the steers were Charolais-cross, 275301kg, which traded at $815-$865, down from last year by around $110. There was solid interest for the limited number of bulls on offer and Angus, 265kg, made $870, while Charolais and Hereford, 232-295kg, made good returns at $1000-$1060.

HAWKE’S BAY Stortford Lodge prime cattle and sheep • Eleven Angus and Angus-Hereford cows, 678kg, topped their section at $1176, $1.74/kg • Angus cows, 533-550kg, improved to $1.64-$1.68/kg • Good to heavy ram lambs returned $133.50-$142.50 • Heavy mixed-sex lambs firmed to $145 • Good ewes eased to $94-$98 Cows dominated the prime cattle yarded at STORTFORD

SALE YARD WRAP

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020

weight ranges with heavy lambs $85-$118 and mid-range $75-$95. Prime ewe quality was mixed with half at $94$151 and the balance $39-$91. R2 Hereford-Friesian steers sold in two cuts; heavier types earned $2.29-$2.34/kg, while lighter lines were $2.09/kg to $2.20/kg. Top lines of Hereford-Friesian heifers made $2.17-$2.23/kg, and red Hereford-Friesian sat at $1.92-$2.01/kg. Prime cattle dropped 10c/kg with the section mostly steers priced at $2.10/kg to $2.31/kg regardless of breed.

SOUTH-CANTERBURY Temuka prime cattle and all sheep • Hereford-Friesian steers, 480-617kg, dropped 8c/kg to $2.27$2.30/kg • Simmental heifers, 579kg, earned a small premium at $2.24/kg • Prime lambs were mainly $110-$139, with a few $140-$180 • Prime ewes mostly made $90-$119, with heavy types $120-$175 A much larger number of store lambs was entered at TEMUKA last Monday. The yarding had less weight behind it due to the far smaller proportion of Chatham Island’s lambs, and anything heavy saw a small lift and traded at $94-$116. Prices also firmed for mid-sized types that usually made $80-$100. Volume doubled in the prime cattle but remained well short of the 5-year average. Dairy cows accounted for half of the offering with dairy heifers a fair chunk of the rest. At least 10-20c/kg came out of this market and the best-performing Friesian cows, 544-640kg, earned $1.28-$1.34/kg.

PLEASE RAIN: Buyers at Feilding on Friday saw 20,000 store lambs on offer and hoped for a bit of rain to help them out.

LODGE last Monday, making up close to 70% of the 91 offered, and traditional cows, 524-629kg, earned $1.70/kg. All prime heifers, 483-613kg, traded at $2.43-$2.51/kg, while traditional steers, 546-676kg, earned $2.60/kg. 721 sheep were yarded. Very heavy ram lambs improved to $162-$190, and top ewe lambs returned $148-$160. Good mixed-sex and ewe lambs strengthened to $115-$124. Top mixed-age ewes held at $124, while heavy types improved to $115, and very-good ewes returned $103.50$110.50. Two-tooth ewes fetched $105.50-$122.50. Stortford Lodge store cattle and sheep • R2 Angus steers, 333-437kg, made $2.67-$2.76/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 390-427kg, eased to $2.14-$2.21/kg • Heavy male lambs averaged $92-$106 • Good male lambs came back to $75-$94.50 • Good ewe lambs lost ground to average $70-$80 Forecast rain fizzled out and farmers bailed out of lambs into STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday, growing volume to 9500. It was almost an even split of male and ewe lamb lines, with small entries of mixed-sex. The market lost $14$17 for males and $18-$25 for ewe lambs, with longer-term lines the most affected. Medium males sold for $55-$78, and ewe lambs of similar weight, $35-$67. Despite the conditions on-farm, cattle quality was very good, led by three consignments of R2 Angus steers. The top priced line made $2.94/kg for 381kg, while Angus heifers, 327-366kg, varied from $2.02/kg to $2.30/kg.

MANAWATU Feilding prime cattle and sheep; feeder calves • The bulk of the prime lambs traded at $133.50-$164 • Good condition ewes fetched $135-$145 • Medium-good ewes returned $109-$127 with medium $60-$104 Lamb numbers doubled to over 3000 at FEILDING last Monday, and there was also a notable jump in ewe volume to nearly 1300. The usual buyers turned out in the cattle rostrum, where a big group of Hereford cows, 514-647kg, made $1.65-$1.69/kg. The balance was mostly Friesian cows whose prices dropped 4c/kg to an average of $1.25/kg. The feeder calf section had attendance from as far afield as Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki and several 3-4-week-old Friesian bulls made $200-$290, while younger HerefordFriesian bulls made $150-$250, and heifers $60-$160. Feilding store sale • R2 traditional steers, 360-470kg, fell to $2.30-$2.50/kg • R2 Friesian bulls, 430-470kg, were $2.25/kg • R2 straight-beef heifers, 360-455kg, made $2.35-$2.45/kg • Male lambs averaged $87

• Ewe lambs averaged $80 Almost 800 store cattle found it tougher going, but each class was hit to a different degree. Big lines of traditional R2 steers were especially weak with 360-470kg types all $2.30-$2.50/kg, with similar Hereford-Friesian steers at the lower-end of this range. A big line of 525kg R3 HerefordFriesian steers made $2.30/kg. Some 430-470kg R2 Friesian bulls were back to $2.25/kg. R2 heifers went well enough at $2.35-$2.45/kg for 360-455kg straight-beef types, while a large consignment of tidy 295-440kg Angus-Friesian heifers made $2.20-$2.40/kg. Weaner Friesian bulls, 125-170kg, were often passed in, only bid to $2.20-$2.40/kg. VIC beef cows, 550-580kg, were $780-$835 or $1.40-$1.45/kg. A big yarding of store lambs moved a lot better than they could have. Around 20,000 store lambs began on a weaker note, but didn’t deteriorate much as the sale progressed, if anything firming relative to the weight and sexes available. Top male lambs were $105-$108, down to $90-$100 on the good cuts, $75-$85 for mediums and $60-$70 on the rest. Top ewe lambs were $90-$95, at $75-$85 on the other goodmedium lines, with medium-to-light types $60-$75. The opening pens of ewes were passed in, but medium 5-6 year types that followed all made $120-$126. Rongotea cattle sale • R3 Hereford bulls, 735kg, made $1947, $2.65/kg • R3 beef-cross heifers, 485kg, sold at $1.98/kg, and Friesian, 318kg, earned $1.79/kg • Weaner Hereford-Friesian heifers, 100-185kg, traded at $340$470, and beef-cross, 170kg, $390 • Autumn-born Hereford-Friesian and Angus-cross heifer calves, fetched $80-$115 Boner cow numbers lifted at RONGOTEA last Wednesday, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported. Where Friesian, 509-592kg, made $1.25/kg to $1.39/kg with crossbred, 365-555kg, at $1.15/kg to $1.35/ kg. Weaner Hereford-Friesian bulls, 95-155kg, sold at $310$400, and same breed steers, 164kg, earned $640. In the autumn-born calf pens, big Friesian bulls made $115-$180, Hereford-Friesian, $250-$315, and Angus-cross, $110-$185.

CANTERBURY Canterbury Park prime cattle and sheep • R2 Angus steers, 361kg, made top dollar at $2.77/kg • R2 Angus steers, 410-455kg, earned $2.60-$2.70/kg • Prime lambs continued their consistent run with the majority $110-$170 Nearly 7500 head of store lambs were yarded at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday - 2000 head more than any previous March sale. Prices eased $5-$7 across most

Temuka store cattle • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 383-409kg, made $2.30-$2.37/kg • R2 Friesian bulls, 403-430kg, sold for $1.91-$1.95/kg • Weaner Friesian bulls, 104-208kg, earned $220-$425 • Weaner Hereford-Friesian bulls, 182-222kg, fetched $410-$450 • Weaner Hereford heifers, 155-209kg, traded at $400-$520, $2.49$2.58/kg Gelbvieh-cross steers and heifers featured in big numbers at TEMUKA last Thursday. They were crossed with Angus or Hereford and were in demand due to their ability to be taken to heavy weights quickly. The steers weighed 323466kg and traded from $2.74/kg to $2.99/kg, while heifers were 351-418kg and mostly earned $2.62/kg to $2.77/kg.

OTAGO Owaka calf sale • Top Angus steers, 268-277kg, sold for $880-$940, $3.28-$3.39/kg • Charolais-cross steers, 290-398kg, returned $920-$1200, $3.01/kg to $3.15/kg • Top Charolais-cross heifers, 322-356kg, returned $890-$950, $2.67-$2.77/kg • Charolais heifers, 249-269kg, were off the pace at $620-$690, $2.49-$2.57/kg • Murray Grey bulls, 261-289kg, sold for breeding at $1100 Just over 950 calves were offered at the Owaka Calf Sale at BALCLUTHA last Thursday. This was the first time these calves had been sold over scales and drew interest from a large crowd. Weights did not disappoint, with the top exotic lines of both sexes over 300kg. Exotic and exotic-cross cattle were the big feature and steers averaged 280kg and $825, $2.97/kg, while the heifers averaged 260kg and $655, $2.53/ kg. The top line of 291kg Simmental steers sold for $980, $3.37/kg, while lighter end Charolais-cross, 229-251kg, traded at $640-$720. Charolais-cross heifers, 200-260kg, sold over a tight range of $490-$640, and varied from $2.35/ kg to $2.65/kg.

SOUTHLAND Lorneville cattle and sheep sale • Prime beef-cross heifers, above 480kg, made $1.80-$1.85/kg • Good prime bulls, 550kg, fetched $2.10/kg • R2 Angus-cross, 393-401kg, and Hereford-cross, 420kg, steers traded at around $2.00/kg • Heavy prime ewes firmed to $104-$126, and medium $80-$92 • Medium 2-tooth ewes made $72 There was a medium yarding of prime cattle at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday. Dairy heifers, 370-420kg, sold in a range of $1.35/kg to $1.50/kg, and anything above 420kg earned $1.50-$1.55/kg. Boner cows varied with the top end trading at $1.25-$1.35/kg. Heavy prime lambs made $125$140, medium $119-$124 and light $106-$115. Store lambs were steady, with the top end at $100-$110 and medium, $85-$100. Charlton sheep sale • Heavy prime lambs made $134 • Local trade rams sold in a range of $40-$66 Prime lambs were steady at CHARLTON last Thursday and mediums made $120-$126, with the bottom end at $110. Ewes also sold on a firm market, with heavy types at $130, medium $100-$110, and light $70-$80. Store lambs sold with strong demand and the top end fetched $110, with the balance at $95-$105.

Markets

40 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – March 23, 2020 NI SLAUGHTER STEER

SI SLAUGHTER LAMB

SI SLAUGHTER COW

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GOOD MALE LAMBS AT STORTFORD LODGE

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6.80

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high $790-$860 lights Top Angus steers, 250-

275kg, at Feilding

China provides some hope Mel Croad mel.croad@globalhq.co.nz

AST month the impact of covid-19 on export demand and prices for our red meat products was expected to be short. Six weeks down the track and the implications are far-reaching. As covid-19 claws its way across the world concerns about global demand for lamb and beef now stretch well into the second half of the year. Markets New Zealand lamb and beef trade in are softer because, while product is still moving, when the largest customer dials back its requirements, other markets are no longer required to compete to the extent seen through 2019. NZ exporters turned to traditional markets last month to ease the disruption but they are now grappling with the spread of covid-19. As the cogs start to turn again in China there is optimism it might provide some stability to export demand and prices in the months ahead. However, one market might not be enough to dispel the uncertainty and disruption. Much like the drought many are facing, the industry will weather this but it’s going to take time and a revision of market prices before we are out the other side. The impact of covid-19 has been partially priced into farmgate prices since early February. But for many the downside has been overshadowed by the intensifying drought, which has also pushed farmgate prices lower. There is an element of business as usual, markets are still buying and orders are still being completed. But as increasing restrictions on travel and social contact and border closures become the norm we must tread with caution because demand from key markets could very well remain subdued for longer than expected. The people have to eat story has continued to gather momentum in the hope it provides some insulation to the unsettled environment. There is truth in that saying, however, as the global economic implications of

DOWN-MARKET: There is some truth in the people have to eat story but they are looking for cheaper meat, AgriHQ analyst Mel Croad says.

covid-19 grow, what consumers turn to isn’t going to be the expensive cuts of meat. Evidence of consumers fast-tracking back to mince and cheaper cuts of fresh meat are already showing up in Australia and the United States, which is an economic reaction to the turmoil. Retail meat sales are benefiting from a burst of panic buying but the food service sector, which large volumes of NZ meat exports rely on, is under significant pressure. Food service options of drive-through, delivery or pick up will last only until consumers start working and living from home, then it will be retail that bounces again. As consumers switch back to or change buying habits to cheaper food choices, inmarket prices will fall further.

Listen: farmersweekly.co.nz/podcasts Fortunately, as the global appetite for risk quickly disappears the NZ dollar has firmly cemented its position in supporting export returns. Farmgate lamb and beef prices are finding major support from a significantly lower dollar, which has offset any further downside. Until there is a clear directive for covid-19 any upside in farmgate prices will be limited to the level of China’s return and falling slaughter rates.

$725-$815 Charolais-cross steers, 235-270kg, at Rangiuru Beef Weaner Fair

ACROSS THE RAILS SUZ BREMNER

No cause for concern around sale yards shutting WHAT a whirlwind of a week, led by the Government’s response to covid-19 and the flow-on effects. If there is one point it brings into clarity it is that we are a busy little nation, with so many events for all walks of life. But the reality is that to control the spread of coronavirus these measures are more than necessary. We are too small to be playing Russian roulette with covid-19. The sale yards are a vital selling channel for our industry and never more so than this year when much of the country is either in or facing drought. At the beginning of the week the directive to limit gatherings of 500 people did not have an impact on the sale yards but did get the ball rolling around the nation on contingency plans and promoting personal hygiene and compliance. Over the past week sales have continued as usual but attendees will have noted an increase in signs and hand sanitiser. All stock agent companies spoken to echoed each other – emphasising they are doing what they can to continue business as normal for their clients and buyers alike but monitoring the situation closely and daily. The most recent announcement of no gatherings for 100 or more people inside should not affect the yards either as they are workplaces but stock agent companies are asking people attend sales only if it is deemed necessary and to practise safe hygiene at all times to protect themselves and others. Anyone who is unwell should stay away. The situation has raised awareness of other selling options available to farmers and PGG Wrightson livestock general manager Peter Moore said there has been a noted lift in inquiries for online trading platform bidr, both for commercial and stud stock, so farmers are thinking ahead. suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

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