Farmers Weekly NZ June 24 2019 by AgriHQ

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Vol 18 No 24, June 24, 2019

Demand drives Wagyu expansion

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Farm credits on table As long as it is science-based and there is good evidence of carbon sequestering then it should be recognised.

Neal Wallace

neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz

HE Government is considering letting farmers use riparian planting and shelter belts to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. To qualify now, vegetation must meet area, height and canopy cover criteria which primary sector leaders claim favours plantation forestry and ignores the carbon sequestering function of most farmland. Livestock and horticulture sector representatives have been lobbying the Government to broaden the definition, saying New Zealand needs every available tool to meet the goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. Climate Change Minister James Shaw says the Government is looking at the eligibility of vegetation to offset emissions and recognise on-farm sequestration. “The Ministry for the Environment is looking into the possibility of non-forestry emissions offsetting, which could possibly include riparian planting, shelter belts and various other planting options,” Shaw says. “And the Minister for Agriculture (Damien O’Connor) has also said that consideration could be given to a system whereby cumulative credits could be given to farmers for overall sequestration across their farm.” This could see a range of planting options on a farm cumulatively earning credits to offset that property’s overall emissions.

Jeremy Baker B+LNZ

ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL: Mid Canterbury farmer Kerry Harmer welcomes possible changes to carbon sequestering rules that limit her offsetting options.

A spokesman said they are part of a range of sequestration and offsetting options being considered by the Government. The potential change has been welcomed by Federated Farmers vice-president Andrew Hoggard and Mid Canterbury farmer Kerry Harmer who described it as awesome. “My opinion has always been that as farmers it is like nutrient budgeting,” Harmer said. “These are all things we count as absorbing carbon and all the things we send as carbon out the gate and there should be an equation at the end of the day and

you are above or below the line.” Harmer, who farms Castle Ridge Station in the Ashburton Gorge with husband Paul, says district plan landscape rules and the harsh high-country environment make it difficult to grow trees that meet carbon sequestration rules. Planning rules restrict the tree species they can plant while natives are slow growing and therefore slow to absorb carbon. “We need to try and get people in Wellington who come up with these ideas (to understand) that one size does not fill all.” Hoggard says it is fair to recognise carbon sinks but rules

and compliance must be simple. A Beef + Lamb survey found 25% of NZ’s native bush is on private farmland and Hoggard says farmers should get credit for its role absorbing carbon along with other woody vegetation. “The Government is pushing a tax on farmers so we want to have a full account of carbon sinks on farms, not just emission points.” B+LNZ chief insight officer Jeremy Baker calculates with shelter belts, riparian planting and native bush, sheep and beef farms could be sequestering two-thirds of their carbon emissions, most of which is not recognised.

The rules favour forest plantation, do not incentivise farmers and will make it difficult to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The definition of a complying tree or woodlot is Government policy, which can be changed, he says. “As long as it is science-based and there is good evidence of carbon sequestering then it should be recognised.” Baker said the science on carbon sequestering in soil is inconclusive. DairyNZ climate change head Kara Lok says feedback following discussions with the Government is that the changes are possible. “The Government hasn’t said absolutely that it is going to happen but they have said it is possible.” Carbon neutrality is more difficult for dairy farmers because they generally have less marginal land to plant in trees but farmers should get credit for any sequestration on their farm. “If science proves a viable mitigation option for farmers then they should benefit absolutely,” Lok said.

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NEWS

WEATHER OVERVIEW High pressure is moving in very slowly and it’s going to dominate New Zealand’s weather for the next couple of weeks. This week we have the southerly flow moving in around the outer edges of the high. The high itself is parked near Tasmania and eastern Australia. This cooler flow is with us all week and winds might be quite light at times. Frosts are expected. By mid to late this week the high will move closer so winds might be even lighter and should warm up a little as the airflow shifts from coming out of the Southern Ocean to be more Australian. The high looks likely to cross NZ this weekend but lingers into next week too.

31 Young Farmer finalists profiled

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Pasture Growth Index Above normal Near normal Below normal

7-DAY TRENDS

Rain Drier than average is the general theme rainfall-wise over the next several days. There might be a few coastal showers, mostly in the south and west, otherwise dry for this week, this weekend and into next week too.

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ON FARM STORY

NZX PASTURE GROWTH INDEX – Next 15 days

Temperature Colder nights this week because of the southerly flow and lighter winds. Frosts are possible in both islands, particularly over the next couple of mornings. Later in the week it should start to warm up a little more.

Wind Southerly quarter winds dominate this week or it will be calm. Towards the end of the week the wind flow should get more of a westerly lean to it but it will also be fading as the centre of the high moves closer.

Highlights/ Extremes An enormous block of high pressure is moving in and will bring a cooler start to the week but perhaps more noticeable is the lack of rain. Most regions look much drier than average for the next several days.

14-DAY OUTLOOK

Colder air moving in means pasture growth rates are about to seriously slow down or even stop for some. Frosty weather this week and more cold air nationwide won’t help. The colder air plus drier-than-normal conditions are not favourable for pasture growth either. On top of that we’ve just passed the shortest day of the year so there’s not a lot of sunlight. Western and northern NZ have best chances for positive pasture growth next seven days.

SOIL MOISTURE INDEX – 20-06-2019

28 Pioneers overcoming challenges

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REGULARS Real Estate ��39-41 Employment ��42 Classifieds ��42 Livestock ��43 Markets ��44-48 GlobalHQ is a farming family owned business that donates 1% of advertising revenue to the Rural Support Trust. Thanks to our Farmers Weekly and Dairy Farmer advertisers this week: $712. Need help now? You can talk to someone who understands the pressures of farming by phoning your local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.

Source: WeatherWatch.co.nz

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Strong plea to Westland farmers hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz

DON’T DO IT: Johno O’Connor, with wife Kate, is against the Yili deal.

WESTLAND dairy farmers have been urged to very carefully consider the costs as well as the benefits of selling the cooperative. Shareholders will vote on July 4 on a proposal to sell to the Chinese Government-owned Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group for $588 million. A group of shareholders extremely disappointed at the lack of any viable alternative to Yili’s purchase read a powerful statement to six pre-vote meetings of Westland farmers. The meetings followed distribution to all shareholders of the notice of meeting, scheme booklet and an independent evaluation by Grant Samuel. Westland chairman Pete Morrison said the documents will not be made public. “This is necessary so that shareholders can be fully and frankly informed before they make their decision.” Dairy farmer Johno O’Connor, of Westport, said the disappointed group of 20 met again on Monday with a growing awareness of what the Yili sale will mean in the long term. That meeting drafted the statement to be read to pre-

Big co-op shareholder to abstain WESTLAND Milk’s largest shareholder, the Southern Pastures corporate farmer, will abstain from voting on the sale of the cooperative to Yili dairy company of China. As a recently joined, Canterbury-based dairy farming business with nine farms Southern Pastures is in the fortunate

position of having options for milk supply, unlike most of the West Coast farmers. “So, we believe we have a moral obligation to leave the critical decision on whether the offer should be accepted or not to those Westland shareholders on the West Coast who have and will have no other supply options.”

Executive chairman Prem Maan said Yili has made a fair offer and Southern Pastures will consider working with Yili if it is successful. “We will, however, be sad to see the demise of the co-operative if that were to happen.” Southern Pastures joined Westland a year ago, partly because it is a co-operative.

vote meetings called by the company. It acknowledged the financial pressures that many of the 400 farmers are under. But it reminded farmers the co-operative has produced good results in the past, when it was well directed. “So, to find ourselves voting on a single option, with no other options on the table has been a shock.

The current board has stunningly failed to present them to us. Westland shareholders “It is unfair placing shareholders against each other based on our individual circumstances. “The way our company has been run over these last few years has put shareholders into this unpalatable position. “If we take the ($3.41 Yili) share payment it will give us some short-term respite and we all acknowledge the relief that could come with that but at what further cost? “The cost will be our independence and control of our significant and hardworked-for assets. “The cost will be loss of future earnings and the realisation of our high-value, niche products.” The company and its directors presented the Yili sale as the only option but in business there are always options, it said. “The current board has stunningly failed to present them to us.” Yili is not a benevolent company and is owned by the

Chinese Communist Party that has an appalling human rights record. Chinese consumers do not trust their locally produced food and Westland has an iconic heritage of family farming, trustworthiness, beautiful mountains, grass-fed cows, pure water and safe manufacturing methods. “Yili want us, our story and our region to help sell their products. “If we sell our co-operative, our hard-earned story will become their story. “They will reap the rewards in place of us and our next generations.” Westland still has a future but it will need courage and loyalty from shareholders, understanding from financial institutions, expert management and directors who want to succeed under farmer control and ownership. O’Connor said the required effort to recognise the company’s position earlier and find alternatives had not been put in. No extension of the time between the scheme booklet distribution to farmers and the vote has been granted by the company. The independent valuation does not put enough weight on the potential of Westland’s products. “Our location is a marketer’s dream as evidenced by how well our Westgold butter is selling.” Personally, he will not be voting for the Yili sale and he said there are many resigned farmers who do not like how the situation has developed and the lack of any viable alternative to the proposal. To succeed half of all shareholders and 75% those who vote must approve the sale.

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News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Government to lend farmers a helping hand Luke Chivers luke.chivers@globalhq.co.nz A NEW debt mediation scheme to help farmers in financial distress deal with their lenders has been launched by the Government. The Farm Debt Mediation Bill, approved by Cabinet, will require creditors to offer farmers who default on payments mediation before they take any enforcement action, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said at the post-Cabinet press conference. “Total farm debt in New Zealand is $62.8 billion, up 270% on 20 years ago. “Farmers are especially vulnerable to business downturns as a result of conditions that are often outside their control, like weather, market-price volatility, pests and diseases like Mycoplasma bovis. “Farmers who operate a family business often don’t have the resources to negotiate their own protections when dealing with lenders. That’s where this piece of legislation fits in.” The Bill is pragmatic, O’Connor said.

The guts of it is early intervention – where either the farmer or the bank has an ability to go and seek mediation, which is a far better option than forced foreclosure. Damien O’Connor Agriculture Minister “The guts of it is early intervention – where either the farmer or the bank has an ability to go and seek mediation, which is a far better option than forced foreclosure. “This is an issue that’s been floating around for quite some time, way back to when we were in Government last. “The Bill was initially a private members bill in the name of NZ First MP and agriculture spokesman Mark Patterson.” Patterson said when a farmer is in financial distress a system

of mediation might help find solutions and avoid property foreclosure. “It offers a fairer system and is in the best interest of all parties.” The Bill is supported by Federated Farmers and the Bankers Association and will be introduced to the House soon. Federated Farmers’ six-monthly banking surveys have shown while most farmers are satisfied with their banks, satisfaction has been slipping and the number feeling under pressure has been rising. Federation vice-president and commerce spokesperson Andrew Hoggard said there is no substitute for good communication. “We urge farmers and their banks to keep in close touch and build positive relationships in good times and bad, with or without farm debt mediation. “Although we hope this legislated farm debt mediation won’t have to be used very often it will have done its job if it helps banks and farmers find enduring and sustainable solutions before it is too late.” Meantime, O’Connor

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GREAT: Federated Farmers vice-president Andrew Hoggard welcomes the debt mediation scheme but hopes it won’t have to be used often.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

OIO review brought forward a year Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz THE Government has brought forward by a year a review into the screening of foreign forestry investors in response to concerns from rural leaders that largescale tree planting is destroying communities. The review was to be started by October next year but Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has confirmed it has already started and will look at the impact of Government changes to the Overseas Investment Act to identify any areas of concern. The changes streamlined the vetting by the Overseas Investment Office of foreign forestry companies to reflect the fact about 75% of forest companies operating in New Zealand are owned by offshore entities. O’Connor and Forestry Minister Shane Jones confirmed their support for the $240 million Billion Trees programme and dismissed concerns from rural communities that subsidies are encouraging the purchase of farms to convert them from livestock to forestry. Community leaders fear that will cost jobs, services and infrastructure but O’Connor says his advice is that is not the case. “That is a long way from the truth,” he said. “There wouldn’t be a farmer in the country who could not or should not have more trees planted on their property without incurring any negative impact.” They said deforestation in the last decade reduced the forested area by about 7000ha a year. The Billion Trees programme is primarily targeted at increasing the area of native forest and is estimated to add between 230,000ha and 430,000ha of new planting while the area of exotic forest to offset carbon is expected to double the 1.7m hectares in plantations.

DOING IT: A review of overseas investment rules around forestry, not due till late next year, has already started, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says.

That is a long way from the truth. Damien O’Connor Agriculture Minister The Ministry for Primary Industries says 54 Billion Trees grants worth $4.4m have been approved. Most applications were for small amounts but MPI expects applications to increase in the next two years as awareness of the fund grows. The loss of population and jobs from incentivised planting through the programme is just one of the concerns for the community leaders. They also fear companies

buying livestock farms to convert to forestry to offset their greenhouse gas emissions and point to more than 30,000ha of drystock farms bought for planting in the last year. Similarly, investors are converting farmland for carbon farming, earning carbon credits from trees sequestering carbon, which are then sold to businesses to offset their emissions. Community leaders fear those trees might not be managed and left to degrade. MPI data shows that since October eight sales to foreign forestry investors have been approved by the OIO. Five are for existing forests and three for conversions covering 3500ha, of which 2300ha will be planted. A further 13 applications are under consideration. Four are for

land to be converted to forestry and nine for existing forests. O’Connor does not share the community leaders’ concerns that carbon farmers will not manage forests but abandon them after one rotation, saying owners usually have a mandate to get a return from timber and logs along with carbon. “The OIO reports that to date the majority of applications under the new screening test have been from existing forestry companies.” Carbon farmers will not compete for the same class of land as rotation forestry investors and to ignore management will devalue the asset and any future sale price, he says. “The changes to the Overseas Investment Act provide a simplified screening pathway for purchasing existing forests or land for afforestation, provided that the

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land is used for forestry activities. “Forestry activities are defined as the establishment, maintenance or harvest of a crop of trees. “This means that the current position is that an overseas investor in permanent carbon forestry would need to meet criteria for investment approval.” O’Connor says a significant increase in the price of carbon could change decisions about whether to harvest forests and at what age. However, Climate Change Minister James Shaw has previously said it might manage the carbon price, now about $25 a tonne, through a cost containment reserve, a mechanism that could be triggered if the auction price rises to a certain point, allowing the release of more units to the market.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Doubts over early forecasts Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz EARLY forecasts of a $7/kg farmgate milk price began to look shaky when Global Dairy Trade prices fell another 3.8%, being a total decline of 8% in the market since early May. The NZX milk price forecast fell 7c to $7.01 after the latest GDT auction and the futures market reaction in the following 24 hours. Whole milk powder prices fell 4.3% to US$3006/tonne and have now fallen 10% over seven successive fortnightly auctions since mid-March. Participants in the futures market believe WMP prices will stay below $3000 for most of the season, NZX dairy analyst Robert Gibson said.

To illustrate the effect of the fall in GDT prices, especially WMP prices, the NZX spot price fell 68c to $6.98.

WMP prices are consolidating as the market awaits the normal spring lift in NZ milk production. Chris Tennent-Brown ASB The spot price is what farmers would be paid if the June 18 GDT prices applied to the entire dairy season at latest exchange rates.

ASB senior economist Chris Tennent-Brown said despite the latest GDT price falls there is enough fat in the forecast to stick with $7/kg. “With NZ production growth past its cyclical peak and soft production growth for other major dairy exporters we anticipate that dairy prices can push towards cyclical highs later in the season.” Butter and cheese prices were down 5.7% and 4.3% respectively, reversing gains made for those products earlier in the year. “WMP prices are consolidating as the market awaits the normal spring lift in NZ milk production. “This was the largest auction since mid February so that may have contributed to the sogginess of this auction. “Powder volumes were up on earlier events, front-loaded

into the early contracts.” Westpac economist Satish Ranchhod said the latest GDT results create downside risk to the bank’s prediction of a $7.20 milk price. The GDT index has fallen back to its end-of -January level. “Looking to the remainder of the season the outlook for auction prices is mixed,” Ranchhod said. The United States Department of Agriculture recently reported cuts in its forecasts for production in both 2019 and 2020 citing reductions in cow numbers, falling production per animal and rising costs. However, slowing economic conditions in some key trading partner economies, including China and some European countries, signal headwinds for prices.

DOWN: NZX dairy analyst Robert Gibson has cut his farmgate milk price prediction by seven cents to $7.01.

Dairy gets $25m genetics boost Luke Chivers luke.chivers@globalhq.co.nz

NON-STOP: Testing of bulk milk supplies for Mycoplasma bovis will happen once a month for at least a year, Primary Industries Ministry M bovis programme director Geoff Gwyn says.

Bulk milk tests start in July Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz ONGOING national screening for Mycoplasma bovis through bulk tank milk testing will kick into gear at the start of July. Only the Elisa testing method will be used for the bulk milk testing. The Ministry for Primary Industries says it’s proven to be a much better screening tool than the PCR test. MPI expects ongoing screening of bulk milk samples nationally will identify infected herds faster than tracing animal movements because movements can be traced only once the source property is found. It might also identify infected herds otherwise undetected because of incomplete and inaccurate movement records. MPI’s M bovis programme director Geoff Gwyn said the spring surveillance programme proved extremely valuable because it provided

assurance that infection is not widespread outside already identified farms. It also identified a small additional number of infected farms not found through animal movement tracing as well as highlighting the ability of the Elisa test to produce a very low rate of false positive results. There will be some modifications to the test regime that will improve its ability to identify infected farms. The national screening will be done monthly from July 1. It will continue indefinitely, Gwyn said. “Unfortunately there isn’t a single yes or no bulk tank milk test for M bovis so it’s important that we continue regular screening for at least the next 12 months. “The true M bovis infection status can only be determined by on-farm testing of the herd,” Gwyn said. The programme has not used the bulk Elisa testing to screen autumn-calving

herds in early lactation. “Testing this milk is a valuable opportunity to possibly identify additional infected herds prior to the 2019-20 milking season. “Bulk tank milk samples have been stored fortnightly since April 15 and testing of these stored samples is now under way.” Farmers will be notified of all positive test results within two weeks. Their farms will be put under a Notice of Direction (NOD) restricting cattle movements while the herd is tested to determine its disease status. Negative test results will be regularly reported to farmers. The programme is working with the industry to explore automated ways to report negative results. But the bulk tests do not prove absence or presence of infection. “It is an indication only and further testing needs to be carried out,” he said.

MORE than $25 million will go towards lifting the performance and wellbeing of the national dairy herd. The seven-year, $25.68m programme, dubbed Resilient Dairy, was launched at National Fieldays by Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. The programme is being led by LIC with investment and support from the Ministry for Primary Industries and DairyNZ. LIC is investing $11.2m, MPI is investing $10.3m and DairyNZ is investing $4.2m. The money will be spent on new disease management technologies and advances in genomic science to improve cow productivity and produce better cows with improved health, wellbeing and environmental resilience, its backers said. MPI’s investment programmes director Steve Penno said it wants the programme to deliver long-term economic, environmental and animal health benefits. “For NZ to maintain its reputation as a world-leading producer of premium products we need to further increase the value of our products in a way that improves sustainability.” LIC chief scientist Dr Richard Spelman said it will be looking to develop innovative breeding tools and tests that support more sustainable milk production. “We’re committed to providing farmers with the tools they need to improve their prosperity and productivity in a sustainable way with animal health, wellbeing and the environment at the forefront.” The programme’s length provides data that gives scientists some surety, allowing them to develop programmes that are long-term, Spelman said. “Looking ahead was the catalyst for us. “Our consumers are demanding

LOOKING AHEAD: LIC chief scientist Richard Spelman says the Resilient Dairy programme provides future surety for customers and farmers. more about animal health – they want know how well-treated animals are but they want facts. “At the moment we tend to do it based on our NZ brand or whoever the milk processor may be but that’s probably not enough. “So, it’s about how can we provide that (information) to consumers while at the same time give our farmers information which helps them manage their animals and potentially breed their animals better. “Our consumers are expecting more and more and that expectation continues to move. “This programme will strengthen our existing research and development work to keep our farmers and NZ leading the global pastoral dairy system,” Spelman said. Investment from DairyNZ will go into rebuilding its national evaluation system for dairy cattle to incorporate genomic information to facilitate faster rates of genetic gain. “We’re aiming to get better diagnostic tools, better genetics and a system that gives farmers confidence in how they operate their farms, gives customers confidence in how our farms are run but also confidence in the genetics they’re buying from us.”

News

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Demand drives need for finishers Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz A 30% increase in demand for First Light Wagyu beef has led the Hawke’s Bay company to look for more farmers to finish its cattle. It will have 25,000 Wagyu-cross weaners available for farmers to buy this spring, an increase of 5000, so it’s looking for 20 to 30 extra farmers. General manager Wagyu Matt Crowther said those farmers will benefit from a short, transparent supply chain and income stability.

We know many farmers are fed up with the status quo of commodity beef. Matt Crowther First Light “Payments are known upfront, based on a set per-kilogram price, modelled off established market returns. We set pricing 12 months ahead. “This year, on average, our shareholders get more than $7/kg. It’s about 20% over commodity on average so that’s breaking into a new bracket, which has been our aim for the last five years. “We know many farmers are fed up with the status quo of commodity beef. “They want to be rewarded for individual quality and performance, not to be averaged and reliant on a volatile commodity market so, on that basis, we pay on quality measured by marbling so we reward effort to produce a top-quality animal. “Ideally, we’re getting them up to weight and then giving them another three months of conditioning,” he said. “We are incentivising carcase weight and finish – 20c/kg premiums for steers and heifers over

certain weights – so we’ve seen the average carcase weight climb about 12kg so far this year alone.” Calves will be available from October to January and the company’s supply base is spread from Northland to Southland, with strong growth being shown in the South Island, Crowther said. Cattle are raised on a 100% grass diet with no grain or animal by-products and chief executive Gerard Hickey said First Light wants farmers used to feeding cattle well. The grass-fed movement is growing in the United States and First Light is well placed to tap into that, given it has picked up a number of accolades in the past 12 months, including Forbes magazine describing its beef as the best in the world. First Light also won gold in the World Steak Challenge in London last year and its beef is the key ingredient in Los Angeles burger restaurant HiHo Cheeseburger’s premium burger, which has won best burger in LA Magazine’s Burger Bracket two years running. First Light’s biggest challenge now is keeping up with the demand that success is creating, Hickey said. To capitalise on its growing profile the company last month launched its Wagyu beef products into a number of stores in Texas. Marton First Light shareholder and Wagyu finisher Vern McDonald was in Texas to help promote the beef and was pleasantly surprised at how well it was received. “I thought it would be a hard ask trying to sell meat to Texans but once people tasted it they were hooked. “It just sells itself.” McDonald has been with First Light almost six years. He and son Hamish buy in about 200 weaners a year, which they keep for about two years. They like being involved with a premium product that demands a premium price at the other end, along with the certainty of price they are guaranteed 12 months out.

CONVINCED: Hamish, left, and Vern McDonald finish Wagyu cattle on their farm near Marton for First Light.

Big effort for big event ONCE every two years a group of volunteers including dairy, cropping, sheep and beef farmers, consultants and contractors gathers to put together the largest field days event in the South Island. Because the event is run by an incorporated society all profits are either put back into improving the infrastructure or donated to local charities. The 24 volunteers involved see it as a great opportunity

to get stuck in and achieve something worthwhile in the local community. Wiggy talks to Rodney Hadfield and Allister Robinson about what it takes to run an event like the South Island Agricultural Field Days. >> WATCH: farmersweekly. co.nz/farmers-voice

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10 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Two going to egg champs Charlie Williamson charlie.williamson@globalhq.co.nz

CRACK TEAM: The New Zealand egg-throwing team for the world contest is Lachie Davidson, left, and Ben Mccolgan.

IT NEVER occurred to two Massey University students their decision to go to the Hilux Rural Games earlier this year would land them an allexpenses paid trip to Britain for a tilt at the world egg-throwing title. After hearing about the competition from some mates who competed the previous year, Massey Young Farmers committee members Ben Mccolgan and Lachie Davidson decided to try their luck. With an impressive throw and catch of 50 metres they came second behind national baseball players Chris Richards and Riki Paewei.

“We never really thought we’d end up getting a place so for us to get this far in the comp is pretty awesome,” Mccolgan said. They got to represent New Zealand because Paewei and Richards can’t go. The pair are now training three times a week and seeing significant improvement. “We got our personal best the other day, which was 60m, so if we can repeat that then we’d be giving the world title a good crack,” Mccolgan says. “The world record is around the 80-90 metre mark but 55-60 metres is where it’s usually won.” They have also been in touch with former Black Cap Jacob Oram who gave them some advice and drilled in some valuable skills. The event is on June 30.

Hort stars go on study tour “I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY WE ERADICATE TB FROM OUR HERDS CHRIS IRONS, WAIKATO IN NEW ZEALAND”

OSPRI’s TBfree programme has made significant progress with reducing TB infected herds throughout the country. At its peak in the 1990s there were over 1700 infected herds. Today there are fewer than 30. It’s the investment and hard work of New Zealand farmers like Chris that keeps us on track to eradicate TB from cattle and deer by 2026.

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A GROUP of New Zealand’s best and brightest young talent is this week embarking on the first International Horticultural Immersion Programme. It is an industry-led and funded $250,000 pilot initiative aimed at creating a pipeline for attracting the top, most dynamic and innovative talent into horticulture. Getting ready to leave recipients Meg Becker and Leander Archer say it is an incredible opportunity they never dreamed possible so early in their careers. Archer, who at 24 is one of the youngest horticultural consultants in the booming apple industry at AgFirst in Hastings, said her passion for the environment and what the future looks like are her top priorities. “We’re going to the Netherlands, a country known for being at the forefront of international environmental practices, and I want to see what ideas we can bring back. “Spending a full day dedicated to pipfruit in South Korea I’ll see for the first time apples growing in a country with a very different climate and get to understand the different challenges this brings.” Becker, 22, a leading hand for T and G Global in Hawke’s Bay, said it will be an awesome, eyeopening experience, showing her the world’s leading horticultural innovation and how it has been incorporated into organisations globally. “We’ll gain experiences we will be able to use and refer to throughout our careers” Becker says. The two are joining 11 Massey and Lincoln University students who along with industry and education leaders will visit Belgium, the Netherlands and South Korea. They will go to Wageningen University and Research, embassies in Brussels and Seoul, businesses at the cutting edge of innovation along the horticultural value chain from production to the consumer. They will also gain in-depth exposure to T and G Global and Zespri’s operations in Europe and Korea. NZ Apples and Pears capability and development manager Erin Simpson said the international market and value chain immersion will give the programme members unique opportunities to engage with horticultural businesses, leaders and peers. Simpson said NZ horticulture’s rapid growth over the past decade has outstripped its talent pool. “There is a growing urgency within the sector for securing talent across all levels of the horticultural industry.”

More information?

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Editor: Bryan Gibson Twitter: farmersweeklynz Email: farmers.weekly@globalhq.co.nz Free phone: 0800 85 25 80 DDI: 06 323 1519

News

farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

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KEEPING FIT: Pressure is a good thing but only the right amount, Farmstrong ambassador Sam Whitelock, who is also Crusaders captain and an All Black, says.

If you are healthy, your farm will be too Luke Chivers luke.chivers@globalhq.co.nz NO ONE can be under pressure all the time, Farmstrong ambassador Sam Whitelock told farmers at Fieldays. “Pressure is a good thing but only the right amount. “That right amount will change depending on what’s happening – whether you’re tired, you’re eating well or you’re sick.” Whitelock, who grew up on a Manawatu farm, said locking in small improvements in lifestyle helps manage the ups and downs of farming. “Rural wellness is a big deal right now. It’s growing in importance as demands and challenges increase on the rural community. “Farmers have got to remember, if you’re healthy then your farm will be healthy. It’s as simple as that.” Whitelock manages the pressures of his own career by regularly scheduling downtime off the field to stay fresh, relax and unwind with his wife, Hannah Lawton. He also urged farmers to stay hydrated, keep fit and eat healthy food. “Personally, there are things I do at home and on the rugby field that help me and I know these also cross over into farming.” Whitelock has fronted the Farmstrong initiative, Lock it In. In short videos he shares his personal strategies and puts out the challenge for others to find out what works for them and to Lock it In. Another campaign, Turn on Your Core, features Whitelock in several videos with simple day-to-day activities farmers and growers can do to strengthen their core muscles.

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Farmstrong project manager Gerard Vaughan said many farmers look after their equipment and stock but can neglect their own wellbeing. “When we get busy, our minds get cluttered with all kinds of things. In farming there is always a list as long as your arm of things to do and worry about and sometimes it can be overwhelming. “Life can regularly throw curve balls our way – from drought and floods to fluctuations in commodity prices and changing government legislation and new technology.” Then there are the demands of running a business – financial and production planning, managing cashflow, hiring and managing staff and succession planning, Vaughan said. “These pressures aren’t going to disappear so it’s vital that farmers develop the skills and resilience to cope. “As an industry, we can’t afford to let these pressures reach the point where they damage productivity and affect the lives of families.” Earlier this year a Farmstrong survey found 64% of younger farming men and 77% of women reported at least one wellbeing issue had a big impact on their lives. Workload, fatigue, relationships, sleep and time off farm are some of the main wellbeing challenges facing farmers under 35 today. Women also report higher levels of

issues that have greater impact on their wellbeing compared to men and the effect is more pronounced for female sharemilkers and contract milkers. However, the research confirmed there is plenty about farming life that young farmers enjoy despite its ups and downs. For many, farming brings a genuine sense of accomplishment, reward and recognition. And the survey showed 84% of women and 74% of men want to invest in ways to improve their wellbeing. Whitelock, who plans to return to farming when his rugby days are over, was pleased with the high response. “It’s great to see younger farmers putting weight behind looking after themselves. “Investing in your wellbeing is key to managing pressure, whether it’s in professional sport or on the farm.” Whitelock joined Farmstrong as its ambassador in 2016. His involvement was driven by own experiences. “I’ve had some challenges in my own life through family and friends who have been put under too much pressure, which has turned into stress among other things. “If I can have a positive influence on helping people to see themselves as the most important asset on the farm then I want to be part of that.”

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12 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

GOING STRONG: Maori farming assets are still dominated by grassland with sheep the main stock class, such as those at Ngati Kahungunu’s iwi farm Tautane Station at Herbertville.

Iwi land makes strong income Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz MAORI business investment through iwi ownership is playing an increasing role in the primary sector. Statistics New Zealand said Maori authority businesses generated a record surplus before tax of $720 million in 2017. Iwi assets have grown on average 7% a year between 2012 and 2017 to total $20 billion. Maori agricultural assets comprise 13% or $2.6 billion with the bulk held as land. Iwi agricultural assets generated income of $337m in 2017 with a surplus before tax of $56m, up from $42m in 2012. In 2017 Maori agricultural operations paid salaries and wages of $40m, up from $36m in 2012. The report provides an insight to the increasing role Maori agribusiness investment is playing in the economy as growing numbers of Maori authorities gather economic steam, helped by Treaty settlement input and strong business leadership. Iwi account for almost 3% of the country’s grassland, similar for horticulture and 5% of forestry plantations. The land use experiencing the most significant shift is horticulture, increasing 28% in a single year from 2016-17. That was helped by significant increases in iwi ownership of kiwifruit orchards in particular in Bay of Plenty and East Coast. Other horticultural uses now include onions, accounting for about 400ha. Total iwi ownership of horticultural land is now 3900ha. Iwi horticultural operations are likely to receive an even greater shot in the arm in coming years with the Provincial Growth Fund putting $370,000 into a kiwifruit project on the East Coast run through the Te Kaha Landowners group, an iwi consortium consisting of six ahu whenua trusts that own kiwifruit orchards across the East Cape. The initial funding is to be followed with as much as $13m of investment to boost iwi jobs in the remote area through horticultural projects aiming to create year-round employment for almost 200 people. Other recent Bay of Plenty Maori investments in the sector include 100% iwi-owned Te Awanui Huka Pak taking a 17% stake in Seeka and a $30m investment programme to build 10 kiwifruit orchards in Bay of Plenty and Gisborne. Iwi interests also secured a 98 canopy hectare kiwifruit orchard producing 2.6m trays of Green and SunGold fruit last year near Te Puke. But grassland continues to dominate iwi farm portfolios, accounting for 51% of the total iwi land under management, at 207,000ha. The livestock populating that area are dominated by sheep, accounting for 844,000 with dairy cows and heifers accounting for 66,500 stock. The dominance of iwi in large-scale farming operations is reflected in the average stock numbers per farm, typically running twice the national average for both dairy and dry stock operations. The Statistics data also highlights the extremely low level of debt that characterises Maori land ownership. In 2017 the $2.6b of iwi agricultural assets were backed by 80% equity and the average debt per hectare of pastoral and horticultural land was only $1000. In contrast, estimates for the national debt level across the entire pastoral and horticultural sector is $7800 a hectare, based on 7.63 million hectares of horticultural and pastoral land.

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ACVM No’s A3977, A11311, A0934, A1011. Schering-Plough Animal Health Ltd. Phone: 0800 800 543. www.msd-animalhealth.co.nz Ref 1: Baron Audit Data. March 2019. NZ/NLX/0518/0003e(1) © 2019 Intervet International B.V. All Rights Reserved.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Technology helps nature work Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

MSD_Nilvax_FW_02b

NEW, multi-purpose cropping innovations are set to improve the efficiencies and economics of commercial hemp farming. HempNZ, Carrfields and New Zealand Yarn are paving the way for greater, more efficient use of the whole hemp plant with improved harvesting technology. The result should be higher returns for growers. Under a partnership established late last year, HempNZ, NZ Yarn and Carrfields are making pioneering changes to hemp harvesting technology that will allow the stalks and seed to be separated at harvest. The ground-breaking innovations, the first to be developed and used in NZ, involve engineering adaptations to combine harvester front attachments. The adaptations allow the seed and grain to be removed at harvest with the stalks left on the ground separately for baling. The result is two harvests in one or dual cropping, Carrfields Group managing director and chairman of NZ Yarn’s parent group Carrfields Primary Wool, Craig Carr said. “Dual cropping is a huge breakthrough for NZ’s fledgling commercial hemp industry. “Until now the only part of the hemp crop that has been harvested is the seed, however, there are multiple parts of the hemp plant that can be used with the stalk being of particular interest as a source of fibre,” Carr said. Dual cropping allows farmers to maximise the return from their crops by making more of the plant available for use and minimising crop wastage. “We’re still fine-tuning our dual cropping equipment and processes but we’ve seen very

READY: Carrfields managing director Craig Carr is excited that commercial hemp harvesting and processing will begin at scale next summer.

pleasing results from our trials this year. “It’s very exciting to think that next summer and autumn we’ll be geared up for commercial hemp harvesting and production to begin on a significant scale,” Carr said. Following HempNZ’s acquisition of a 15% interest in NZ Yarn in late 2018, Hemp NZ is installing a state-of-the-art hemp fibre processing facility at the NZ Yarn factory in Christchurch. It will transform the NZ Yarn building from a wool carpet yarn spinning plant into a fullyfledged, modern fibre factory with equipment purpose-built and engineered for hemp rather than using modified flax mills as seen in other countries. The HempNZ, Carrfields and NZ Yarn partnership is placing NZ at the forefront of hemp innovation globally, Carr said. “There is some commercial hemp production being developed in Europe but we’ve now caught up to where they are in terms of technology, infrastructure and innovation.”

BETTER: New multi-purpose cropping innovations such as this dual-cropping hemp harvester will let farmers maximise return from their crops by making more of the plant available for use.

HempNZ chief executive Dave Jordan said the new facility, the first of its kind in NZ, will produce a very high-quality fibre using efficient processing techniques that will open the door to the development of market-leading innovations in hemp fibre processing. “There are many potential consumer and industrial uses for hemp fibre. “We’re extremely excited about working with NZ Yarn to explore and develop some of these possibilities,” Jordan said. Once the machinery for the new processing line is fully commissioned and ready to operate later this year NZ Yarn and Hemp NZ will begin what is thought to be the first commercial processing of hemp stalks into fibre in Australasia.

Processing is expected to begin towards the end of this year at the new facility, using hemp stalks from the 2019 harvest. By the 2020 harvest between 1500 and 2000 hectares of hemp crop is expected to be harvested and processed through the facility. Jordan said hemp fibre has very exciting potential as an environmentally-friendly option across a huge range of industries globally. “Hemp is a highly versatile natural product that we believe can form part of the solution to the looming global environmental catastrophe.” Hemp fibre has a long history of human use dating back thousands of years and is now undergoing a strong resurgence as part of the increasing global awareness of the

environmental damage caused by synthetic fibres. “The resurgence in popularity of hemp is based on its excellent environmental characteristics. “It is pest-resistant, easy to grow organically and produces a very good yield of fibre per hectare compared with many other crops.” The commercially-grown hemp plant is distinct from its illegal cousin as it does not contain THC. “Hemp has been stigmatised and under-appreciated for decades but we’re working to change people’s perceptions of this highly valuable commercial crop that can provide a very good return for both farmers and processors,” Jordan said.

MORE: ON FARM

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Ask your animal health advisor for Nilvax.

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“Every single one of us needs to take responsibility and move from talking about safety to farming safely every day.” ANDREW MORRISON Southland sheep and beef farmer, Chairman of Beef + Lamb New Zealand

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News

farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Decisions made. Made mobile.

RECESSION LOOMS: BNZ head of research Stephen Toplis says the big issue facing New Zealand is an economy that’s going backwards so prepare for a recession. Photo: Annette Scott

Banker says we are on the brink of a recession NEW Zealand is on the brink of a recession, BNZ research head Stephen Toplis says. And the big issue is the lack of ability to grow the slowing economy. While input costs keep rising and prices can’t rise, something has to give, he told the Grain and Seed Forum at Lincoln. Global trends and the outlook have put NZ in a unique situation. “What is really causing the damage is supply constraint. “There is simply not enough employment to grow and with the available pool of labour we do have left it’s unlikely we can grow (GDP) 2.5%. “Input costs are rising violently and we’re operating in an environment where competition is so high we can’t increase prices. “The standard economic response when input costs go up is to put prices up. When that can’t happen something has to give. It’s a very unusual situation,” Toplis said. “What scares us all is the leading indicators we look at tell us our forecast (2.5%) is too optimistic. “In economic growth what business tells us is that growth will fall in some indicators to 0.5% – so close to zero it’s recession.” Key factors of the slowdown

include a declining population and capacity constraints in labour and infrastructure. “In productivity growth if we lose population we lose growth and that’s the single biggest driver in falling GDP.” Political uncertainty both on and offshore pose a serious problem in delivering certainty to invest.

At the end of the day it’s not the end of the world but a time when you have to be really cautious about what’s going on. Stephen Toplis BNZ Toplis cited “Trump, Trump, Trump” as a key global issue alongside the United StatesChina trade war, China weakening, Brexit, a lack of recovery in Europe and Australia conceivably the biggest concern. Any incentives to turn land into dairying have gone – environmental costs are set to soar, water costs will rise and insurance is a huge risk. “We have large areas of NZ becoming completely uninsurable so there’s no opportunity for growth.

“Anything you plan to do, find out if you can insure it first,” he cautioned farmers. “Dairy is our single biggest export and we have become accustomed to a 4% volume growth year-on-year but that’s now forecast to be 0%.” Tourism at number two is also trending a slow-down. “Global growth is actually in a cave. The risks are rising dramatically and that’s scaring everybody.” But Toplis said while the shape of the financial sector is set to change significantly the banks won’t kill the golden goose. “You can look for more stimulus from Government than you might be expecting. “The Government has plenty of money to spend. It won’t meet its targets. It will fall to deficit but it won’t care – there will still be spending. “My biggest fear is if we keeping cutting interest rates when we do hit the recession mark we won’t have interest rates to cut. Toplis said dairy has the most pessimistic outlook. “We are more positive about all other ag sectors that are looking pretty good – at least for the next 12 months. “At the end of the day it’s not the end of the world but a time when you have to be really cautious about what’s going on. We will always have a patch of dirt to grow something.”

Order nutrients and spreading from your mobile or computer. HawkEye’s ordering tool works where you are, in the office or out on-farm. HawkEye’s map-based software makes your farm data more visible. See more. Go to hawkeye.farm or call 0800 73 73 73

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Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

iPhone or Android

TIPS FOR WINTER GRAZING CROPS Soil is our greatest asset. Holding on to more of it makes good economic sense. Furthermore, too much soil and nutrients in waterways impact on water ecology and can kill freshwater species.

TIP

Exclude stock from waterways, wet areas and wetlands Create an ungrazed buffer zone between the livestock and the waterway. About 3-5 metres is a good starting point*, but this should increase with slope and instability of soil.

ea ) Ar azing e c gr ur So and

TIP

Leave an ungrazed and uncropped buffer zone* around Critical Source Areas

al ng itic pi Cr crop

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Graze paddocks strategically On a sloping paddock, fence across the slope and start grazing at the top of the slope. That way, the wettest and riskiest areas are grazed last, minimising soil damage and leaving the ungrazed buffer to reduce soil losses. Or, if there is a waterway in the paddock, start grazing at the far end of the paddock. Make sure to regularly back fence and use portable water troughs when necessary.

Critical Source Areas (CSAs) are parts of the paddock that can channel overland flow directly to waterways (e.g. gullies, swales, very wet areas, spring heads, waterway crossings, stock camps and vehicle access routes). *check your local rules

WANT MORE TIPS? Visit: www.beeflambnz.com/wintergrazing Minimum Size use is 30mm wide.

News

farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Decisions made. Made safe.

Ag visa can cut labour deficit Luke Chivers luke.chivers@globalhq.co.nz

Location marker

MORE CERTAINTY: A new primary sector visa would act as an avenue helping skilled and experienced migrants get residence in New Zealand, National Party leader Simon Bridges says.

extended working holiday visas the document said we have a number of working holiday visa schemes including many with South American countries. “These schemes are an opportunity to broaden the primary sector workforce base and for these countries to benefit from students returning with greater agricultural skills and knowledge. “There has been a significant reduction in the number of workers on working holiday visas. There is an opportunity to increase the caps and extend to Central and Eastern Europe.” The document also talked of areas such as biosecurity offences, mobile rural health clinics, water storage, biotechnology and food safety. National proposed increasing fines from $400 to $1000 for those found to have risk materials and giving Ministry for Primary Industries officials the power to immediately deport anyone found knowingly concealing a concerning item. “National also wants to ensure importers are held accountable for signing off import health standards on goods that aren’t free of biosecurity risk items. These measures will go a long way to better protecting our border,” Bridges said. The party also noted the health pressures facing NZ’s rural communities. “It’s unrealistic to expect a whole lot more hospitals in sparsely populated places. “We’re proposing a mobile rural health clinic to administer warrant of fitness style health check-ups in remote areas to ensure those in rural

communities have easy access to quality healthcare.” About 600,000 New Zealanders live in rural communities and while it’s accepted not everyone in rural places can live next to a hospital it’s important they have access to modern healthcare, Bridges said. “National wants to pilot some mobile health clinics serviced by health practitioners, which will travel to remote rural communities on a regular basis, where they can administer general health check-ups for busy locals.” Federated Farmers dairy chairman and immigration spokesman Chris Lewis said National has picked up on serious and persistent sector concerns with its request for feedback on how to make Immigration NZ more responsive and accessible to employers facing labour shortages. “For example, complaints about the delays in processing visas for migrant workers desperately needed in our primary industries aren’t being addressed with sufficient vigour. It also seems clear that the student education, hospitality, retail and rest home care sectors are feeling similarly frustrated.” Lewis said Federated Farmers’ biggest issue is that almost all dairy farm worker visas are now for only 12 months. “We see longer visas of two or three years as far less bureaucratic and costly at a time of worker shortages. If we moved to this, it would be a reduced workload for Immigration NZ, which would help with their backlog.”

Capture farm features and identify potential hazards. Print a hazard map to safeguard yourself, your team and on-farm visitors. HawkEye’s map-based software makes your farm data more visible. See more. Go to hawkeye.farm or call 0800 73 73 73

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THE National Party is proposing a primary sector visa to allow the primary industries to more easily bring in migrant workers. Additionally, National wants to extend the existing Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme and extend the term of working holiday visas. The proposals, which don’t give great detail or outline numbers of migrants, are outlined in the Primary Sector Discussion Document, leader Simon Bridges launched at Fieldays. “Farmers and growers are crying out for skilled labour but there aren’t enough workers to meet demand. “Many are experiencing serious implications of food rotting because of a lack of labour stifling growth and will have to downsize.” The discussion document said with a fast-growing primary sector meeting world food demands it’s imperative to have the workforce to manage, develop and maintain New Zealand’s agricultural and horticultural businesses. “Migrant populations have shown an ability to excel in our primary sector,” Bridges said. “NZ benefits from their contribution. They benefit from their opportunity to grow their skills and support their families. “There could be an opportunity to create a new visa for the industry. The primary sector visa could be an avenue for skilled and experienced migrants to help get residence and build their futures here. “A visa would provide the workers with more certainty.” Separately, the document also mentioned an agricultural visa, but gave no more detail than that. It said the RSE scheme benefits NZ and the Pacific countries with extra income. “Workers and their families benefit from getting ahead. “We gain with additional jobs, for instance, in the wine industry for every 2.5 RSE workers, one full-time job is created in NZ. “We recognise the increased demand for places under the scheme. We will expand the scheme subject to maximising Kiwi jobs and employers maintaining high standards.” The document also seeks views on whether the RSE scheme should be expanded to allow African and American people to apply and also whether the scheme should be extended to a nine-month placement, such as specific dairy farming placements. And on the subject of

News

20 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Lessees welcome land changes Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz HIGH country pastoral lessees are welcoming some changes to the way Land Information manages their leases but are reserving judgment on others. The farms of the country’s 170 remaining pastoral lessees will now be inspected at least every two years by their landlord, Land Information, a move High Country Accord spokesman Philip Todhunter in Mid Canterbury says should enhance their relationship. Inspections are now done by third-party contractors at least every five years, depending on factors such as risk or active discretionary consents but $3.1 million Budget funding will let Land Information train staff and employ experts to fill that role. “Many farmers remember the days of the Lands and Survey pastoral land officers,” he said. “They had a real empathy for the land and a strong understanding of the seasonal patterns and farmers enjoyed the relationship. “If that is the path Land Information is taking then that’s good.” Land Information Minister

WEBSITE

The employment of specialist staff to replace contractors is designed to enhance the relationships with leaseholders. Eugenie Sage Land Information Minister

ACT: The Crown needs to step up in terms of pastoral leases and leaseholders generally rather than rely on third party providers, Eugenie Sage says.

Eugenie Sage says the employment of specialist staff to replace contractors is designed to enhance the relationships with leaseholders. “The Crown needs to step up in terms of pastoral leases and

www.crmcphail.co.nz

leaseholders generally rather than rely on third party providers.” Lessees will continue to have 33-year lease terms with a perpetual right of renewal and the right to quiet enjoyment of life, Sage said.

enquiries@crmcphail.co.nz

Todhunter says farmers are yet to see how other changes proposed will affect the handling of discretionary consents for burning and cultivation and daily farm management. Sage said they will face closer scrutiny of discretionary consents for grazing, burning and cultivation to take greater account of the impact on inherent significant values. The Conservation Department will also play a greater role considering the applications, a function Sage says is not a conflict of interest but uses the department’s skill with biodiversity and ecological values. “Through working more closely with leaseholders, Ngai Tahu and

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(06) 357 1644

stakeholders, Land Information will be in a better position to deliver on the Government’s outcomes for Crown pastoral land.” Land Information will also use technology such as satellite data. Earlier this year the Government announced an end to tenure review but the Budget provided $96m to complete the 34 properties still at various stages of the process. Four are entering the final or substantive proposal phase. Sage says the priority of others will be assessed. “They may not all proceed through the whole process.” Tenure review allows lessees to negotiate the freehold purchase of part of their lease in return for surrendering areas of significant inherent value to the Crown. Sage said the Government will remain the landlord of the remaining 1.2m ha of South Island pastoral leases. Land Information said an analysis of submissions on its proposals for Crown land show broad support. Of the 3216 submissions received from individuals, 2739 were form submissions promoted by Forest and Bird and Greenpeace.

Decisions Vet spends lots of made. time talking safety Made easy. News

farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

This profile is part of a seven-part series from WorkSafe sharing the health and safety approaches taken by the grand finalists of the 2019 FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition. We are sharing a profile and short video about each of the finalists and how they incorporate health and safety into their work, from a dairy farm manager to a veterinarian. HAVING grown up on a farm, living on a farm now and with most of her work as a vet done on dairy farms Young Farmer of the Year grand finalist Emma Dangen gets to have a lot of safety conversations. Dangen, the Waikato/Bay of Plenty regional winner, works for a veterinary practice in Te Awamutu, where 95% of her calls are to dairy cattle. She completed her studies at Massey University last year and says there was a strong focus on safety during university placements.

You need to identify and record the risks on your farm but you don’t have to whip out a checklist and follow it.

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HawkEye’s map-based software enables you to make smarter decisions, to optimise value from the land and reduce environmental impacts.

Emma Dangen

HawkEye’s map-based software makes your farm data more visible. See more. Go to hawkeye.farm or call 0800 73 73 73 NO DRAMA: Good health and safety is simply good business practice, Young Farmer of the Year finalist Emma Dangen says.

“My father has always been very safety conscious,” she says. “He had worked in sawmills and the forestry industry in the past and had a few close calls so he was very aware around risks. “We didn’t have staff and we didn’t have stuff written down back then but he made sure we were trained and competent before we were allowed to do any jobs or use any equipment. “There was always a conversation about safety first too. It wasn’t formal, just casual everyday conversation about the

risks. Things like ‘watch out for that’ or ‘hey, let’s do it this way instead’. “Just making those kinds of ongoing safety conversations as business as usual is what makes farms safer. Good health and safety isn’t about lots of paperwork although there will be plenty of paperwork to deal with if someone does have an accident. Good health and safety is simply good business practice.” >> Video link: bit.ly/YFOTYemma

RAV-HE24JUN-FW03

“There were formal processes in place around health and safety and the clear message from our tutors was ‘If it isn’t safe, don’t do it’,” she says. “I grew up on a farm and I live on a farm but you have a different perspective when you are on a farm as a visitor contracted to do a job. “As a vet I find farmers will usually let me know when I arrive if an animal is a bit lively or agitated. “Sometimes, however, I may deal with a farm worker who may not necessarily know that information, which illustrates the importance of ongoing safety conversations and passing on information. “Generally, I’ll turn up and assess the situation and have a conversation with the farmer to decide on the safest approach. “It might be that I need to use a halter or a head bale or the animal needs to be sedated. “You need to identify and record the risks on your farm but you don’t have to whip out a checklist and follow it. “For me, the most important thing is about communication, the kind of conversations I have with farmers on a daily basis and which I had with my father while growing up.” Dangen grew up helping on her family farm, which rears about 700 calves a year. She now lives on a dairy farm managed by her fiance.

Newsmaker

22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Arable family ploughs long row Willingness to experiment and diversify is a key focus for cropping farmers Syd and Earl Worsfold with the father and son duo taking out the top honours in New Zealand’s premier grain growing awards. They talked to Annette Scott.

RODUCING the best wheat crop in the country was not what Syd and Earl Worsfold set out to achieve when they planted their crops last season. The fifth and sixth generation Canterbury cropping farmers just wanted to grow the best they could for their own bottom line. “We were trying a new variety and with the weather on our side most of the time it came up pretty well,” Earl said. With Syd’s 30-year involvement in United Wheatgrowers it seems appropriate to support the organisation’s annual awards. The contest, sponsored by Canterbury farmer co-operative Ruralco, is a highlight on the arable farming calendar, providing a chance for the industry’s best operators to pitch their best cropping efforts against their peers. The family partnership won the feed wheat section of the competition and went on to claim the champion of champions award. The self-confessed boy around the farm these days, Syd said while it was a thrill to win it was as much about highlighting excellence in the arable sector. “And feed wheat is something that Earl introduced. While I’ve gown a bit of feed wheat over the years, milling has been more my thing.” Feed or milling it’s a champion partnership and a welcome award for the family that has not only been growing crops in the Greendale area for six generations but for Syd personally who has for most of his farming career been involved at an industry level striving to better arable farming for everyone. “This year things seemed to line up well for us in what was quite a difficult start,” Earl said. “The crop got away well but we lost a lot of sunlight over December, which set things back a bit. “We picked it up going into January and surprisingly took off the winning crop.” Ironically, the winning crop was new to the Worsfold soils and despite irrigation on half of the farm it was on the dryland. Coming off at 13 tonnes to the hectare the Graham hybrid feed wheat variety more than proved its worth. “We just looked at the Foundation for Arable Research trial results when selecting and this was one that definitely stood out. “It’s been pretty exceptional for us in this first year,” Earl said.

CHAMPION PARTNERSHIP: 2019 wheat grower of the year and Countdown poster-boys, father and son farming partners Syd and Earl Worsfold are reaping the seeds of generational success. Photo: Annette Scott

Recognised for his leadership and contribution in the sector last year as the 2018 arable farmer of the year, Syd said it’s times like this he feels the benefits of his and many others’ commitment to bettering the industry for everyone is all worthwhile. His industry leadership started in Federated Farmers and progressed into FAR, of which he was a member of the organisation’s establishment committee.

We have the new header but no matter how I try to set it up it argues with me. Syd Worsfold Farmer He has represented farmers on the Arable Food Industry Council (AFIC) helping to set industry research agendas and he was a key driver of the arable industry marketing initiative. Through it all he has remained involved with United Wheatgrowers as a director, taken his turn as chairman and 30 years down the track still has his hand in as vice-chairman. “It is a thrill and an honour as a family to win this competition but

it’s also equally thrilling to see the progress and excellence that these industry organisations have made to enable us as farmers to get the best out of what we do – growing food.” Much has changed with technology and irrigation development playing a big part in the yields achieved today. “Back in the day I used to put a paddock in, shut the gate and walk away. We’d get five tonnes to the hectare and we’d be happy. “Now you need to be getting eight tonnes a hectare to make money.” The milling industry has become more sophisticated with a range of quality specifications for different types of wheat depending on the end-user requirements. The trend to grow wheat for stock feed is another big change with two-thirds of the wheat grown in NZ now higher-quality, stock-feed varieties. “How well you do is a lot about being willing to adapt to satisfy end-user demand – the need to experiment and willingness to diversify.” While feed varieties are a bit simpler to grow Syd still likes his milling varieties. “Earl is more into the feed wheat. I still like the milling even though it’s a lot harder to grow in big tonnage and meet the grades. “It’s a passion I’ve always had and I have dealt with the

two Christchurch flour mills, Champion and Mauri (formerly Weston), all my farming life and I still supply them both.” Syd said the mills do like locally grown grain and that’s been proven now with the likes of Countdown’s commitment to NZ grown grain. In turn NZ growers have committed to milling wheat selfsufficiency by 2025. Not outwardly seeking any accolade, Syd says he’s, out of desperation, the poster-boy for Countdown supermarkets’ commitment to use 10,000 tonnes a year of Canterbury grain for all in-store baked bread and rolls. “I just happened to be the one around when they came looking for a photo. “It was harvest time, you know what a dusty time that can be on the header. With camera in hand she looked at me and suggested I might like to clean my face up a bit. I said ‘you’ve got the real farmer here’.” And it is exactly the form of stakeholder supply chain commitment Syd has striven to achieve. “It is pretty damn exciting and we have a challenge to meet now. “When I first started it was five shots each way at each other. I quickly realised that was not the way anything was going to work. We needed to sit down as an industry and work together. “It was no point in sitting on

the tractor and saying we want paid more – we had to be in this together and now we have three strategic partnerships done with millers over the past three decades.” Finding a cost-effective way to freight South Island grain across Cook Strait is another challenge. “We’ll conquer this one day. We have a lot more reason to now.” While wheat is a speciality in the Worsfolds’ farming partnership they also grow a variety of other crops including barley, grass seed, clover, peas, canola and radish on their 400ha operation. They finish up to 3000 lambs over winter and also take in dairy grazers. While the farm has been 50% irrigated, with more water coming from Central Plains Water Earl expects he will be able to consider growing more valuable seed crops. They also continue to run the family’s harvest contracting business started by Syd’s grandfather with a threshing mill and traction engine in the 1920s. Meanwhile, Syd is taking a back seat in the business, admitting he struggles with the technology these days. “We have the new header but no matter how I try to set it up it argues with me. I’ll keep driving the old header and be the tractor driver and I guess when we get the driverless tractor it’ll be time for me to properly retire.”

New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Tech takes hot knife to food purity Modern technology hooking a heated surgical knife to a mass spectrometer gives cancer surgeons a real time indication of what to cut and what to leave, based on the smoke’s molecular content. Now the same technology is giving AgResearch scientists deep insights into food’s make-up, provenance and purity. After seeing it displayed at Mystery Creek Richard Rennie spoke to scientist Dr Alastair Ross.

HE painstaking, time-consuming task of reducing a food sample to its molecular parts has become a lot quicker in recent months as AgResearch scientists use technology designed to reduce the trauma of cancer surgery. As overseas markets and consumers increasingly demand proof of food provenance, particularly after high-profile scares like the horse meat scandal in Europe, AgResearch scientists have turned to the mass spectrometry technology to help unravel the mysteries of food origins. The Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectrometer (REIMS) has intense smarts behind it. What it tells researchers about food can be delivered almost quicker than the machine’s full name can be spoken. “Essentially, what the machine does is the same as it has done for the cancer surgeons. “The smoke generated by the surgical knife cutting through the sample is analysed by the mass spectrometer. What we get is a unique molecular fingerprint scientifically proving the food’s provenance,” Ross says. The data feedback is quick and a huge contrast to the conventional methods requiring

freeze drying a sample, grinding it, applying extractive solutions then separating molecules before detecting them using massspectrometry. “The detail you get back through the standard process is amazing but it is very time consuming, almost two months by the time you get the data back. “If there is a company that wants to deal with a food origin crisis, that’s just too slow in today’s markets.” Ross said the information REIMS gives is not as granular as the traditional methods but is detailed enough to give a wide breadth of information quickly. “And the detail really is amazing. “From a four-second measurement we can tell what an animal largely ate, what sort of grass varieties it may have been fed, some genotype details, even what region that animal was from.” Ross and his colleagues have been able to isolate distinct differences between Welsh, British and New Zealand lamb samples with a measurement that takes only a few seconds. “Those differences came through as a combination of genetic, environmental and dietary information. We gain a multiplicity of parameters through this single test.” A key difference between NZ

CUTTING: Dr Alastair Ross with the world-leading REIMS technology at Mystery Creek.

and Welsh lamb is differences in fatty acids, something researchers suspect might be linked to dietary differences. “Essentially, anything you can put an electric current through and draw vapour off can be applied to this technology.” As grass-fed becomes more of a global selling point among protein producers, having equipment capable of justifying that claim quickly could have valuable defensive use for retailers and processors. However, just as that grassfed claim becomes more predominant, more processors

THE BEST: The Crown Research Institute site, which included AgResearch, was judged the best at National Fieldays.

also want to unbundle any unique nutritional benefits their products, from a particular country or region, might contain. Work done by Nuffield Scholar Andy Elliot last year found greater consumer focus on health and nutrition is driving food technologists to search for healthgiving compounds in products, with the products’ grass-fed/ organic/free-range status more a baseline demand than the main purchase motivation. “It leaves us thinking perhaps we should be doing a survey of beef from Northland to Southland to see if there are different nutritional aspects or benefits coming out of different regions.” Researchers are also excited about being able to quickly match consumer preferences for some meat samples over others to different feed regimes. “It means we can identify some of the compounds in meat that relate to the tastes that appeal more and less to consumers.” Ross is excited by being able to create a feedback loop from consumers to farmers with the data, more closely matching a biologically produced protein to what the market wants. NZ is closely scrutinising traditional ryegrass-clover pastures and looking for alternatives that will help reduce nitrogen losses. The REIMS technology can also provide an insight to what a change from, for example, ryegrass to plantain might mean in terms of taste and palatability.

“We have been very focused on such pastoral changes but little thought has been given to what this change in diet may mean for the stock eating it and the products coming from them.”

And the detail really is amazing. From a four-second measurement we can tell what an animal largely ate, what sort of grass varieties it may have been fed, some genotype details, even what region that animal was from. Dr Alastair Ross AgResearch Ross is also excited by the integral role the technology can play linking the disparate areas of food production in NZ, whether providing information for geneticists, food technologists, plant breeders or growers themselves. “While largely for use in the research space at this point we can see the potential to torpedo false or dubious claims about products. It ensures complete transparency for products where provenance proof is often difficult and time consuming.”

Opinion

24 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

EDITORIAL Let’s produce what people want to eat

INTER is here and farmers have given movie director turned farmer James Cameron a frosty response after his call for New Zealand to turn its back on animal protein. The Hollywood director says we should terminate livestock farming and embrace plant-based alternatives, something alien to our rural history. He’s right on a few things – there is a trend towards eating less meat but for those who can afford it the focus is on quality. Our farmers have this market in their sights. There’s also a move towards diversification for many farmers. Hemp, cereal crops, bees and trees are becoming more and more a part of some farms. Alternative proteins, the avatars of meat, are making progress in the market and will become part of the mix. Production of these products is ramping up and they are already making the move from boutique eateries to fast food restaurants with Burger King first off the mark. Some nations and some in industry are fighting this new player by challenging the labels they use and attacking the provenance and ingredients. That’s fine but it sure sounds like the second phase of grief – anger. Next will come bargaining, depression and acceptance. Why don’t we accept the world is changing now and just focus on how we can thrive in it rather than trying to hold a piece of ground that is in the rear view mirror? We need to move forward with a clear idea of how our animal proteins fit into the diets of the next generation. There’s great opportunity there and some of that might involve diversifying into plant proteins and lessening our dependence on livestock. But there is a place for it in NZ farming. Much of our land is unsuitable for crops and last year’s storm on the East Coast proved some of it’s not right for forestry either. Saying hasta la vista to livestock entirely isn’t the answer for a world craving highquality protein.

Bryan Gibson

LETTERS

Voluntary way is not working I NOTE Federated Farmers environmental spokesman Chris Allen said the Government should promote farm environmental plans before reverting to enforcement. (Water network to help farmers, June 10). Allen said if Environment Minister David Parker promotes good management practices we will see a reduction in nutrient use. However, farm plans have been around since the 1940s. Since the early 1990s farm plans have expanded to address a range of farm improvements including water quality, waste, biodiversity, animal welfare and riparian zones. It has become clear voluntary approaches are not working. Farm management plans have failed as intensive agriculture has been allowed to destroy water quality across

New Zealand because regional councils have failed to do their legal job of protecting the environment. An independent report two weeks ago – that regional councils tried to bury – showed those councils have been found wanting in their ability to monitor and comply with Resource Management Act enforcement. Kiwis expect to be able to swim, fish and gather food from their rivers, lakes and streams. A recent nationwide poll for Fish and Game by Colmar Brunton shows over 80% of Kiwis are concerned about water quality. That’s why it is so vital the Government’s plan to halt the decline in water quality and improve rivers, lakes and streams will be announced later this year when the Government will release a new freshwater national policy statement and new national

environmental standards for consultation. Last week Southland Federated Farmers senior policy adviser Darryl Sycamore admitted water quality is degraded and there is a need to start improving it now. The admission was made at Environment Court hearings into Environment Southland’s proposed water and land plan in Invercargill. It’s time for Federated Farmers to accept there needs to be regulation and enforcement to ensure we stop further degradation of our water. Martin Taylor Chief executive Fish and Game NZ

No culls I would like to clarify a few points. Importantly, herds that

have brought in cattle from Confirmed Properties (ie, brought in forward trace animals) will not be culled unless testing shows the herd has become infected. This is unclear in the article and I was explicit in how I explained this. The forward trace animals from Confirmed Properties will be culled, as testing has shown the herd they came from had M bovis and, because of this, they present a very high risk. Any herd they’ve moved into is tested to determine its disease status and only if it is found to be infected would it need to be culled. It is important that the facts on this are clear so farmers are not unduly concerned about the future of their herds. Dr John Roche Primary Industries Ministry

Letterof theWeek EDITOR Bryan Gibson 06 323 1519 bryan.gibson@globalhq.co.nz EDITORIAL Stephen Bell 06 323 0769 editorial@globalhq.co.nz Neal Wallace 03 474 9240 neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz Colin Williscroft 06 323 1561 colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz Annette Scott 03 308 4001 annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz Hugh Stringleman 09 432 8594 hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz Alan Williams 03 359 3511 alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz Richard Rennie 07 552 6176 richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz Nigel Stirling 021 136 5570 nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com PUBLISHER Dean Williamson 027 323 9407 dean.williamson@globalhq.co.nz

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Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

It’s a great chance to do better Professor Ray Geor

The

Pulpit

animal welfare and advice, particularly for Western consumers, to reduce, not eliminate, red meat consumption for better health. People are worried too about animal-to-human transmissible diseases. There is no question we can’t go on as we have been. We need to do things differently and better.

There is no question we can’t go on as we have been. We need to do things differently and better.

An enduring strength of NZ’s agrifood sector is the ability to adapt and adjust to changing demands. We must embrace the opportunity to be seen as the world’s most responsible food producer, living up to our clean and green image. This will require step changes in the way we produce and process food. We need to reduce or stop further damage to the

PACKAGE: Food is not just about what’s in it and what it does to us. It’s also about responsible production, Professor Ray Geor says.

It’s about social responsibility. It’s about genuine progress rather than gross domestic product. It’s about looking after our planet and all that’s in it including our soils, ecosystems, animals and the people. We can do better and we can build our reputation as a nation that cares about the health of the planet and all who live on it.

Who am I? Professor Ray Geor is pro vicechancellor in the science college at Massey University.

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

July 2019

Spring Calving Incl $8.95 GST

KEEP AN EYE OUT The latest Dairy Farmer will hit letterboxes on July 1

Our On Farm Story this month features Golden Bay farmer Wayne Langford known as the man behind the You Only Live Once (YOLO) Farmer blog. Spring Calving It is not long until spring calving is under way. We take a look into calf rearing and general calf health.

Thinking outsi the square de Greenhouse ga reduction will ses cost Diary Business the Year winnersof

A ray of light Golden Bay far mer no

longer in a fog of depression

Get the full story at farmersweekly.co.nz

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T’S been called The Great Food Transformation – people eating less meat and dairy and more plant-based foods. It might sound like doom and gloom for New Zealand agriculture but it’s not. It provides an excellent opportunity to focus on the production of premium foods that not only deliver quality nutrition but also embody the key attributes consumers now expect – environmental sustainability, impeccable animal welfare, human health and social wellbeing. The Wellbeing Budget attracted attention from around the world because NZ was being seen to make a difference in our approach. Of course, wellbeing is about much more than the Budget. For the agrifood sector it means taking the opportunity to lead changes for a healthy planet, healthy people and better caredfor animals. Big shifts in patterns of food consumption are evidence of the disruption under way in the food industry. While people in the developing world are eating more protein those in NZ’s traditional markets are eating less meat and dairy and this trend is growing rapidly. The Protein Alternatives Market – Growth Trends and Forecasts (2019-2024) says the global protein alternative market valued at US$8.8 billion in 2018 is expected to register a compound annual growth rate of 7.4% up to 2024. A key driver of the shift to alternative sources of protein is social responsibility about the impact of intensive animal production on the environment – soil, water, biodiversity and ecosystem health and air (think greenhouse gas accumulation). There are also concerns for

environment and reverse some of the damage we’ve already done, to ensure we provide a healthy planet for future generations. A multi-pronged and cohesive approach is needed with producers, industry groups, government and the researcheducation sector truly working together. We must get our young people involved in leading this effort, harnessing their concern for the health of the planet and a drive to make a difference. Surprising as it might seem, around the world NZ is considered a sustainable food producer with our pasture-based dairy, sheep and beef systems viewed favourably when compared to the intensive livestock systems prevalent in other countries. That said, there can be no doubt about the negative impact of farming practices on water quality and methane emissions remain the big elephant in the room as NZ strives towards Carbon Zero 2050. Our scientists are making advances to protect waterways, improve water quality and the health of river ecosystems. They are also working to decrease greenhouse gas emissions but greater investment by government and industry is needed to achieve Carbon Zero as we sustain our food production. Parts of the food industry have been considering consumer health and wellbeing in their product development for some time but it’s not enough. The food we eat contributes to poor human health. High-sugar, high-calorie diets drive obesity in the developed world. In the developing world production of food from nutrientdepleted soils makes for food insecurity and drives macro and micro-nutrient deficiencies. But it’s about more than what is in our food and what it does to us. Consumers want to know foods are responsibly produced.

Opinion

26 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

It’s all the Government’s fault Alternative View

Alan Emerson

I FOUND Keith Woodford’s column on trees and carbon in last week’s Farmers Weekly definitive. It should be made compulsory reading for all politicians and Wellington bureaucrats. I’m not going to repeat what he said. You need to read it for yourself but he makes three recommendations. They are to remove the Overseas Investment Act exemptions allowing foreigners to buy farms for forestry, to limit the price of carbon credits and to pause and take a deep breath. I’ll drink to all three. There were other articles on trees in the same Farmers Weekly. In a Pulpit column forestry guru Denis Hocking supported forestry but said he is not a fan of permanent boundary to boundary carbon sink forests. I certainly agree with him on that. There was also an article by Colin Williscroft outlining how farm sales for forestry are concerning the store stock market with predictions of dire consequences if the practice continues. Finally, on the subject you can read how the growth of trees is of major concern for the meat processing industry. It makes the point big farmers cannot offset their emissions by planting gullies but big carbon dioxide emitters like Air New Zealand can buy farms to plant in trees. It adds it will have a real impact

on the so-called wellbeing of regional NZ. So what all that tells me is we have a major problem that needs to be fixed and now. In military terms it’s a SNAFU. My simple view is the treeplanting of entire farms, as is happening, is not going to help any part of provincial NZ but will be a massive millstone around its neck. It is also of major concern for those of us in the provinces. Federated Farmers vicepresident Andrew Hoggard said one of the key issues for members at Fieldays is the wholesale sale of productive farmland into forestry. So farmers are concerned en masse, store stock farmers are worried as is our meat processing industry. So what’s the Government’s answer? Amazingly, in my view the Government is washing its hands of the entire problem. Lands Minister Eugenie Sage told us forestry encroachment into higher-value farmland is an issue for councils to manage. How, she didn’t say but added the national environmental standard for plantation forestry doesn’t set out to encourage forestry on good farmland. She said forestry should be in steeper and more erosion-prone areas. It actually gets better with Sage telling the Primary Production Select Committee the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) is trying to get a good handle on what is happening. That tells me they haven’t a clue but Sage did acknowledge the OIO does not consider potential for job losses or rural depopulation. One could respectfully ask why not? So far eight farms have been approved for sale to foreign buyers to blanket plant in forestry with

YOU FIX IT: The Government has created a problem with foreigners buying farms to plant in trees and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage says it is up to councils to fix it.

another 19 waiting approval. Add the local buyers and you have a crisis and the minister’s reaction is to leave it to the councils. What are the councils meant to do? I’ve read the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry. It has two objectives: to maintain or improve the environmental outcomes associated with plantation forestry activities nationally and to increase certainty and efficiency in the management of plantation forestry activities. The only time councils are mentioned is about freshwater management, which is a joke. Then on May 1 last year Forestry Minister Shane Jones released some new standards covering

eight activities –afforestation, pruning, thinning to waste, earthworks, river crossings, forest quarrying, harvesting, mechanical land preparation and replanting. Nowhere do you read about the effect on rural communities, the provinces in general or NZ’s economic benefit. Yet Sage tells us that it is a problem for councils to fix. It isn’t. It is fair and square a problem for central government. The Government created the problem from nothing. It is the Government that needs to fix it. The Government can quickly stop the gravy train for foreigners to buy farms for trees and limit the subsidy for tree planting. I would have thought that was a quick and easy fix. Sage has also admitted the OIO

doesn’t consider the potential for job losses or rural depopulation when considering purchases of farms for forestry. Why not? The Government is entirely capable of fixing the Overseas Investment Act in short order. It is ridiculous when all the OIO office has to consider is the planting of trees and not the raping of the provinces. So, the issue is that we have a crisis in provincial NZ, it is purely and simply a Government problem and the Government needs to fix it and now.

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

Bank behaviour inquiry needed From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

OPEN UP: Former Prime Minister John Key and his ANZ board are required to be more transparent after the sudden departure of disgraced chief executive David Hisco, pictured.

HYPOCRISY: The practice of claiming to have higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case. Jane will occasionally cruelly label me a hypocrite. I’ll concede that at times she might have a point. I doubt there are few reading this who haven’t dabbled in a little hypocrisy

themselves at the odd stage through their lives. It is the one true thing that both those on the left of the political spectrum have in common with those on the right. And don’t we all love it when a high-profile miscreant is unmasked for all to see? Even though there is some hypocrisy in enjoying someone exposed for a sin most of us have committed. Last week’s case in point was David Hisco, the recently departed chief executive of the ANZ bank. His hypocrisy is on an epic scale most of us could only aspire too. A few years ago ANZ bank tellers took strike action over a low wage offer and their boss, Hisco questioned why he should

give a pay rise to those workers just for waking up early in the morning. Then they and the rest of us heard he had stepped down by mutual agreement (corporate speak for being sacked) over claiming $25,000 for the last nine years to store his wine and ride around in chauffeur-driven limos. That’s a relatively small amount and at the announcement I doubted it was the only reason he was off. I would have expected the sum to be paid back and it quietly swept under the carpet. His chairman John Key said his crime was that he coded private expenses as business ones. Naturally the ANZ staff were

Continued next page

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Two reports for two audiences Meaty Matters

Allan Barber

ANZ Bank’s Red Meat Benchmarking report and KPMG’s 2019 Agribusiness Agenda were both released during Fieldays week and both addressed the challenges facing the agricultural sector and farmers but that’s just about where the similarities end. The ANZ report focuses specifically on the red meat sector with the objective of providing a stable and consistent basis for assessing and providing options for improving farm performance. In contrast the KPMG Agenda is a much more ambitious document which, in its 10th iteration, seeks to educate the whole sector on the accelerating speed of change and how participants need to adapt to remain relevant. Each report has value, especially to those prepared to take the time and effort to understand the implications and recommendations in them. But, I suspect, farmers and their advisers will find far more useful advice in the ANZ report, which can be put into practice with the specific intention of improving their farm performance and profitability. KPMG launched its Agenda at the Agribusiness Leaders Breakfast at National Fieldays. As this suggests, the audience was not the average farmer, but political and sector leaders who might be influenced by exposure to KPMG’s

angry at the hypocrisy of the man to lecture them for nine years on probity and pay them as little as possible when his face was deep into the corporate trough.

Perhaps a decent punishment for Hisco might be to send him to work for me on the farm for a few weeks.

He wasn’t required to return the money whereas they would have been as they left the building. The man was on a $2.8 million salary and his sense of entitlement is appalling. There will be plenty of cockies

Agri- ess busin da Agen 2019

A key message is physical measurement enables better onfarm decisions, leading directly to better financial performance, which sounds incredibly simple, but the large variation between top and bottom performers suggests this principle isn’t wholeheartedly embraced by all farmers. The report’s main finding is the most important aspect of sheep and beef farming remains, as it has always been, the ability to turn energy into meat and fibre as efficiently as possible through informed farm management. The report concludes

maximising production alone does not lead to increased profitability, unless cost and quality management are taken into account. Nor is the quality of the farmland a determining characteristic. The most profitable farms aren’t necessarily on the most productive land while good returns can be achieved on lower-value land. The methodology is simple – use the available data to analyse productivity factors (stock units, feed supply and feed conversion efficiency), financial performance and land characteristics then review the links between the factors to assess how successfully key performance indicators (KPI) are achieved. The KPI framework, adapted from the Red Meat Profit Partnership’s core set, divides KPIs into two categories – driverfocused (price, productivity and cost of production) and resultfocused (return on assets, land values and labour productivity) – optimal performance leading to better profitability. The research shows substantial variation between top and bottom quartile farms, not because of higher product prices or lower labour rates but as a result of better management of stocking rates, feed supply, feed conversion efficiency and labour productivity. The revenue per hectare over expenses margin of bottom quartile farms was calculated at 23% compared with 83% for the top quartile. The lowest farms typically have lower stocking rates and less efficient

feed conversion while the best performing farms carry the highest stocking rates with a similar feed conversion efficiency to the middle ranking farms. The KPMG Agenda has much larger fish to fry than merely showing farmers how to improve profitability through better onfarm performance though, at 100 pages, it is four times as long and therefore proportionately less likely to be read in depth. The first section reviews the societal, demographic, economic and environmental changes that have taken place since the Agenda first appeared 10 years ago. Next it canvasses agricultural happenings during the past year as well as annual priorities established during a series of round table discussions with industry leaders. From these conversations five main themes and several subsidiary themes emerge. The final section concludes survival in the future requires organisations to be prepared for continuous change and lists nine organisational capabilities it sees as essential prerequisites for success, notably long-term focus, don’t expect anybody else to solve your problems, hire the right people, seek good advice, ensure financial resilience,

who have fallen foul of the ANZ and been dragged over the coals during Hisco’s tenure just as angry as the employees about this man. Then we find out that his nonmonetary benefits (perks) last year alone amounted to nearly half a million dollars and over the years he’s expensed something like $3.5m. We know the wine storage and cars were $25,000 but Key is staying mum on what on earth the rest is. Key and his board have some explaining to do to shareholders, staff and customers about why they have allowed this man to run rampant with the cheque book for so long. The regulators are now focusing on conduct and culture in the financial sector and Key’s board is

required to be more transparent than in the past. This sad episode is a good example of why there should be an inquiry into banking practices as there was across the Tasman to shine some sunlight into places that should be lit up. I’ll tell you a story. In the 2000s I spent six very interesting years on the board of Landcorp. I’d been trained that company culture is set from the top by the board and senior executives. I wanted to show that my dealings working for the largest NZ farming business and spending other people’s money (citizens and taxpayers) were exactly the same as in my own business where it was my money at stake.

I never claimed a single dollar for anything and seldom claimed travelling expenses when using my own vehicle. My colleagues, though amused, found me a pain in the arse when I’d recommend a pie instead of a flash lunch and I’d insist we drank the cheaper wines when out for dinner. My last meeting was a full day and straight into an evening function with our shareholding ministers. Over dinner chief executive Chris Kelly wanted to know why I hadn’t shaved that day. I explained that I had but it had been at 3.30am and my testosterone was still at a level where the stubble grew with wild abandon. He was curious to know why I had been up so early.

thought leadership on the global scene, having contributed their own thoughts and ideas on the burning topics facing the sector. This year’s ANZ AgriInsight Red Meat Benchmarking report analyses the performance of the sheep and beef sector, taking a broader look than previous reports at the different factors driving profitability, moving from a simple focus on financial analysis to assessing the key physical farming attributes that contribute to better farm performance. The report’s approach is to analyse financial, land and production data from a representative national sample of sheep and beef farms, thus identifying the performance characteristics better-performing properties typically exhibit.

Farmers from 2000 years ago would still be able to recognise many of the activities on today’s farms.

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report on the right metrics (not just profit and loss) and be open to innovation from any source. From the farming perspective the Agenda makes the valid point farmers from 2000 years ago would still be able to recognise many of the activities on today’s farms but the pace of change will see new technology and operating methods introduced in the next decade that will see the similarities disappearing. One section heading states “As the world’s population grows in size and wealth, producers will be required to continuously re-imagine the products that they grow, catch or harvest. What we eat in 2019 is significantly different from the food that was eaten just a generation ago and will be different to what we eat in 20 years’ time.” These two reports provide contrasting opinions on how businesses must adapt to ensure future success and for those with an open mind there are plenty of useful tips on how to achieve it.

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

I explained that for six years I had been getting up at that time, driving nearly four hours to Wellington rather than flying and then driving home after the meeting into the evening. And usually not claiming the travel. I’d chosen not to drive down the evening before and stay in a hotel to save the company money. It seemed no one had even noticed my frugality. Perhaps a decent punishment for Hisco might be to send him to work for me on the farm for a few weeks. I might be able to teach him a few things.

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

On Farm Story

28 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Pioneers overcoming challenges Getting in on the ground floor of a new industry can have its challenges but as hemp growers Jenni and John Ridd told Colin Williscroft, that’s all part of the learning process.

T’S early days for New Zealand’s hemp industry but Jenni and John Ridd believe it has a big future, offering farmers a summer rotation crop that is easy to grow, requires very few inputs and has an everexpanding range of potential uses. Sure, there are a few problems to be ironed out, particularly around harvesting, but once they’ve been solved they expect plenty more farmers will want to explore what hemp can offer their own farming businesses. Jenni and John have grown hemp as a summer rotation for the last two years after being approached by Tauranga company The Hemp Farm. This year they grew 50ha on their Manawatu farm and planted and harvested another 80ha for The Hemp Farm on land the company leased nearby. The Ridds have always been open to new ideas to get the best out of their farm and how emerging markets can help them achieve that. That attitude is one of the reasons they were approached by The Hemp Farm, another being that they own all their own harvesting equipment. Before being approached by The Hemp Farm Jenni and John hadn’t given too much thought how hemp might fit into their mixed cropping farm though they were aware of the crop’s potential, having read about it on the internet. “We didn’t know much about it but we loved being offered the opportunity to get in there and try something new,” Jenni says. “It really fitted in with our ethos for farming. It’s a really good, sustainable crop. “It’s good for the environment and hopefully will end up being good financially as well.” Though they fatten beef and lambs – numbers of which depend on the market – and winter dairy cows for a neighbouring farm, the glue that holds the Ridds’ farming operation together is cropping. “We love cropping and everything works around that,” Jenni says. “We grow wheat, barley, oats,

maize, grass seed, peas and now hemp.” It’s a very versatile crop with uses for every part of the plant though it is still illegal to use the leaf in NZ. In Europe the leaf is cut into silage and used as a cattle feed but that is not allowed here because of concerns it could taint milk and meat and have a negative effect on exports. About a dozen cultivars are approved for use in NZ and the Ridds have been trying different varieties over the past couple of years to see what works best on their property and soils. This past season they tried dual crop varieties, suitable for both seeds and fibre. The seeds are used for pressing into oil and for seed stock. Hemp oil, which is available either in capsules or a bottle, contains the same omega fatty acids found in fish and so is valued for its health benefits. What’s left over from seeds turned into oil is used to produce protein powder and flakes while another food product is hemp seed hearts, a nut-like plant protein. It was only in November that hemp seed products gained legal approval to be used in food products other than oil, which has been legal since 2003. Jenni says that approval is an important step in the industry’s development here. The seeds can also be used to create a range of skincare products and wood and leather polishes There are a variety of uses for hemp fibre, which is sourced from the outer layer of hemp stalk, and hemp hurd, which comes from the inner layer. Hurd is traditionally used as a construction material because of its strength, fire resistance and insulation qualities while one of the more exciting prospects for fibre in NZ is blending it into carpets. Late last year Hemp NZ acquired a 15% interest in NZ Yarn, which produces wool yarns for the global carpet market. The plan is to install a hemp fibre processing facility in the NZ Yarn factory in Christchurch. The new partnership is seen

TALL: John’s father Bill Ridd provides some perspective on how high the hemp grew on the farm last season.

as a catalyst for marketleading innovations in hemp fibre processing as well as the development of new consumer products made from hemp yarn, wool and hemp yarn blends and non-woven wool and hemp products. Growing hemp is highly regulated. Growers need a licence, which costs just over $500, from the Ministry of Health.

HELPER: Jenni and John’s daughter Sophie enjoys getting out on the farm and lending a hand.

Obtaining a licence involves a fair bit of paperwork along with a police check and police must also be told every time a crop is sown. Some of the boxes to be ticked include not growing the crop where it can be seen from the road and at least 5km from residential areas. Licences are for one year and regulations require registers be kept that record the weight of

seeds supplied or procured, who is involved in those transactions and when they occurred. Registers must also record the amount and variety of seeds sown, the date of sowing and the location. Similar information – amount, date, location – of plants harvested has to be recorded. Other requirements include keeping details of any seeds not sown or destroyed, plants destroyed and the date and location while samples of hemp crops must be tested. That might sound a rigorous process but it has Jenni’s full support because it proves everything is being done by the book. The Ridds get all the seeds they use from The Hemp Farm and all their harvest goes back to the same company. When they started growing hemp Jenni and John kept it pretty quiet because they were aware a lack of understanding could lead some people to treat them and their crop with suspicion. “Obviously there’s connotations,” Jenni says, adding that though suspicion around growing hemp has lessened over the years, there will always be people who are misinformed. “Some people think hemp equals marijuana but they’re completely different. You’re not comparing apples with apples.” While hemp and marijuana might look similar, hemp’s THC content is tiny compared to marijuana. Industrial hemp varieties have a THC content of 0.35% while marijuana’s THC levels are generally between 5% and 20%. Hemp is very easy to grow and is environmentally sustainable, Jenni says. “It’s pretty much plant and let it grow. You don’t need the same chemicals and fertilisers that you need with some other plants so that’s good for the soil.” Because it is such a fast growing

On Farm Story

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

PROCESS: Jenni Ridd adjusts the controls of the drying plant to remove moisture from harvested hemp seeds.

plant it crowds out weeds, reducing the need for chemicals though other methods of weed eradication are being looked at. Despite being easy to grow there are problems to be worked through, especially around harvest time. For seed production, the Ridds’ biggest nemesis is birds. “If you don’t harvest in time the birds come down and strip the plant really quickly. They think it’s a party and just go mad eating the seed.” There’s a very short window from when the seed is ready to harvest and when the birds will strip it so a lot of thought is going into finding a way to lengthen that window. In some places with few birds growers can leave seeds on the plants for longer so when they are harvested the seeds are drier than is the case here. To beat the birds the Ridds harvest their seeds with moisture levels of 24% to 40% but that needs to be dried down to 8% or 9% before they can be stored. To achieve that they had to install their own drying plant, adding another cost to production. The fibre harvest has a whole different set of problems. Hemp fibre is known for its strength and the taller the plant the better because of the long stalks produced.

TOUGH: The strength of hemp fibre makes it hard on the machinery used to harvest it.

The type the Ridds have been growing is more than 4m high by the time it’s harvested. Though that’s great for quality the drawback is the fibre’s strength makes it hard on harvest machines. The long lengths end up wrapping around internal engine parts. “It’s almost like when they make candy floss and it just spins around – you get a whole lot all of a sudden. “We managed to get a lot of it off but we had to go back regularly and cut it off. We started using knives and in the end we used a grinder. That tells you how strong it is.” This winter John will be in the farm workshop designing a new harvester that can deal with the problem. The Ridd farm is very much family-oriented and Jenni says one of the things she loves about farming is seeing their three school-aged children go out to work with John. Farming is in John’s blood with generations of farming behind him while Jenni grew up on a lifestyle block. John is the managing director of the farm so he calls the shots and makes most of the decisions though the couple do sit down together and work things through. “He’ll have a go at anything, particularly cropping or machinery related. He’s got a great number eight wire background. If he can’t find a tool to do what he wants then he’ll make it. He loves working things out and finding solutions. “I’m a little bit more risk averse, so while he’s go, go, go I’m like ‘Yeah, just hang on ... let’s just work it out and make sure it’s viable’. “As a team we work really well. We balance each other.” Overcoming challenges is part of day-to-day farming, which Jenni says is very rewarding. “There’s challenges in every aspect of farming. You’re against the milk price, you’re against the dollar, you’re against the weather, you’re against the machinery.

We grow wheat, barley, oats, maize, grass seed, peas and now hemp. Jenni Ridd Farmer

STRONG: The strength of hemp fibre makes it hard on the machinery used to harvest it.

GOOD FOR YOU: Hemp seed products include hemp seed hearts, a nut-like protein source, and hemp oil, both of which are valued for their health benefits.

“You have to develop a sense of resilience and in our family we’re very solutions based. If we’ve got a problem, we don’t like to dwell on it. It’s like, ‘Right, so what are we going to try?’ And if that doesn’t work it’s ‘Right, what are we going to try next?’ “It’s nice having that challenge and it’s a nice sense of accomplishment when you manage to ride over those bumps.” However, there’s always something else on the horizon too. “Every day is a new day and every day is a challenge.”

Despite the problems they’ve faced adapting to growing hemp, Jenni and John are committed to the crop. “We’re going to stick with it. We love the sustainable environmental aspect of it. We think it’s got great potential in the future. “People are really clicking on to how great it is. We like things to be as clean and green as possible. That’s got to be better for you. So we’re in it for the long haul.” >> Video link: bit.ly/OFSridd

EAT IT: A law change in November last year allowed hemp seeds to be used in food products.

World

30 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Stock don’t cause global warming A NEW study from the PastureFed Livestock Association has found grass-fed cattle and sheep can mitigate not exacerbate the problems of climate change. The group made the claims in a new paper, which said animals that are never fed any grains help to build soil fertility and capture carbon, encourage wildlife, create high animal welfare and produce healthier meat for consumers to eat. They also convert grass and other plants humans cannot eat and that make up two-thirds of farmed land in the United Kingdom, into meat and milk. Association general manager Russ Carrington said “We know ecologically this makes sense for animals, humans and the planet but we do recognise livestock contribute to climate change. “So we looked into this in detail and published a few answers to common environmental questions raised, based on the latest science and research.”

GOING DOWN: Methane from livestock is actually decreasing.

And methane produced by burping cows and other livestock is not responsible for increasing global temperatures, air quality expert Professsor Frank Mitloehner at UC Davis in California says. Mitloehner, an animal

scientist, warned claims livestock production is causing global warming ignore the true impact of methane on the environment. While livestock is not blameless in the world’s environmental challenges the impact of the methane they produce has been

massively overstated. “For those who say cows contribute the most greenhouse gas emissions, that is simply not true,” he said. Controversial data calculations in major reports, including by the United Nations, have deflected focus from the real culprit – the use of fossil fuels, particularly linked to transport, he said. The biggest issue is the lack of understanding about the methane livestock emit and how it acts in the environment. While methane is 28 times more heat-trapping than carbon dioxide its lifespan is just 10 years, a fraction of the 1000-year lifespan of carbon dioxide. After a decade methane is broken down into carbon dioxide, entering a carbon cycle that sees the gas absorbed by plants, converted into cellulose and eaten by livestock. To put that into context Mitloehner said 558 million tonnes of methane is produced

globally every year with 188m tonnes coming from agriculture. Almost all of it, 548m tonnes, is absorbed by plants and soils as part of the sink effect. “This means there is a cycle and provided we do not add any additional livestock to the earth, we are not adding methane, which means we are not causing additional warming,” Mitloehner said. Given that livestock numbers are actually declining – in the United States the beef herd has shrunk by a third since 1975 and dairy cow numbers have declined from 25m to 9m – methane from livestock is actually decreasing. “This discussion is the cornerstone of debunking all of this hype around why we should eat less animal-based protein,” he said. “The people who are selling plant-based alternatives are using hype, particularly around methane, and they need to stop.” UK Farmers Guardian

Let them eat meat

agrievents Tuesday 30/07/2019 Women’s Enviro Evening – Connecting, Inspiring and Empowering Speakers: Penny Clark-Hall, Kate Scott, Sinead Leahy and Janet Gregory Time: 6.30-9.30pm Venue: Clinton Town Hall, Clinton Free event – Supper – Raffles – Cash bar RSVP: By Friday 26 July to Libby, Clutha Development - libby@ cluthanz.com AWDT Understanding Your Farming Business 3 full-day workshops and an evening graduation ceremony run over four months. Equips and supports women involved in sheep and beef farming to lift business performance. Registrations for 2019 programmes are now open, visit the website for more information and to register. Locations and dates (3 modules & graduation): Takaka: 21 Aug, 18 Sep, 16 Oct & 13 Nov Kaikoura: 28 Aug, 25 Sep, 23 Oct & 20 Nov Pukehou, Hawke’s Bay: 4 Sep, 2 Oct, 30 Oct & 27 Nov Masterton: 5 Sep, 3 Oct, 31 Oct & 28 Nov Clinton: 11 Sep, 9 Oct, 6 Nov & 4 Dec Lawrence: 12 Sep, 10 Oct, 7 Nov & 5 Dec Website: To register visit www.awdt.org.nz/uyfb/ Contact: keri@awdt.org.nz or 06 375 8180 for more information

Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) – facilitation training workshops For rural professionals looking to facilitate an RMPP Action Network Action Group. Lead Facilitator 2019 workshop dates: Havelock North 24-25 June Christchurch 9-10 July Rotorua 3-4 July Alexandra 13-14 August Palmerston North 4-5 September Action Network Fundamentals and Extension Design 2019 workshop dates: Gore 10-11 July Havelock North 24-25 July Christchurch 20-21 August For more information or to register go to www.rmpp.co.nz or email training@rmpp.co.nz

Should your important event be listed here? Phone 0800 85 25 80 or email adcopy@globalhq.co.nz

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Thursday 8/8/2019 & Friday 9/8/2019 It’s all about YOU A two-day personal development programme for women involved in the primary sector or rural communities. Discover your true value, refocus on what is important, explore possibilities and create new networks. Visit the website for more information and to register for Blenheim Website: To register visit www.awdt.org.nz/its-all-about-you/ Contact: contact@awdt.org.nz or 06 375 8180 for more information

NORWAY’S new health minister says people should be allowed to eat as much red meat as they want. Sylvi Listhaug, who was appointed as the country’s health minister on May 3, said she wants her government to allow people to make choices for themselves. “My starting point for the job is very simple. “I don’t plan to be a moral police and will not tell people how to live their lives,” she told the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). “Instead, I intend to help people get information that forms the basis for making choices.” Listhaug, deputy leader of the centre-right Progress Party, said the government’s role is to provide information to allow people to make informed choices. “The authorities may like to inform but people already know pretty well what is healthy and what isn’t, I believe.” In recent months, agriculture’s carbon footprint, in particular the production of red meat, has come under intense criticism from environmental groups who say a plant-based diet is better for the environment. A major report in Britain by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) – the independent adviser to the government on climate change – has

recommended eating less red meat and planting more trees to help save the environment. And an 1800-page United Nations report on May 6 concluded that agricultural activities are one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and, as such, food production is one of the biggest threats to the Earth’s ecosystems. But the National Sheep Association (NSA) says red meat is being wrongly blamed for climate change with unbalanced and inadequate reporting. NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said “It is really frustrating to yet again see our extensive livestock sectors caught up within criticisms of agriculture and their impact on climate change and biodiversity and little mention of other damaging activities, which may be less popular to criticise. “It is seemingly okay to offset emissions from flying around the world through carbon sequestering actions such as tree-planting and peatland management but not okay for a farm to do its own internal offsetting.” The role of grazed grassland, rotational and permanent leys in building soil organic matter, soil biology and storing carbon is being ignored, he said. UK Farmers Weekly

TOUGH GOING: Drought conditions have affected sheep production in Australia.

Sheep meat supplies still tight THE latest forecast from Australia has confirmed global sheep meat markets are expected to be tight throughout 2019. Despite an uplift in the lamb kill in quarter one and production increasing, the lamb kill is expected to be down 7% overall this year, with production down 8%. Meat and Livestock Australia said strong prices aside, 2019 has continued to be extremely challenging for sheep producers with drought conditions across all key sheep production regions. The dry conditions have led to slaughter remaining elevated but a slowdown is expected in the second half of the year as producers look to maintain their core breeding flocks. A reduced breeding flock and poor lambing rates combined with a poor weather outlook for winter are expected to disrupt supply. Strong demand globally has supported Australian lamb and mutton prices, with exports growing year on year. New Zealand also recorded a strong start to the year on exports. However, MLA said exports simply cannot keep pace with global demand as supplies from NZ and Australia dry up over winter.

In the European Union the sheep meat market has been tighter in the first quarter of 2019, according to Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board in Britain. Last year, declines in United Kingdom production were offset by other countries, with a third of that coming from Spain. But during quarter one Spanish production was back almost 5000 tonnes on the year, limiting exports. AHDB analyst Rebecca Obourne said “Production could pick up later in the year but I do not think this is likely. “There was a decline in the number of ewes put to the ram on the latest December census.” Total EU production was back by more than 15,000 tonnes though Easter did fall later this year. EU imports of sheep meat from outside the bloc were back almost 14,000 tonnes. Obourne said a tighter market is not completely surprising. “I expected imports from outside the EU to remain subdued throughout 2019. “I also think production is likely to be down, driven by declines in the number of sheep in the EU.” UK Farmers Guardian

Grand final makes history A

SHEPHERD and a newly-trained vet will make history in this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Hawke’s Bay. It will be the first time in the iconic contest’s 51-year history the line-up of seven finalists has included two women. Emma Dangen, 24, is a Te Awamutu vet and bride-to-be who will represent the Waikato/Bay of Plenty. “A lot of women have put in a lot of hard work over the years to get more women involved in agriculture. “Their efforts are paying off,” she said. North Canterbury shepherd Georgie Lindsay, 24, is the first woman to represent the sprawling Tasman region. “I entered the contest to learn and grow my skills so it’s been an exciting few months. Whatever else happens will be a bonus,” she said. The pair will go head-to-head in July against hometown finalist Joseph Watts, as well as James Robertson, Alex Field, Alan Harvey and Matt McRae. “It’s a surreal experience,” Field said. “I’m excited, nervous and humbled all at the same time. Making it to the grand final is in itself a massive achievement.” The FMG Young Farmer of the Year is renowned for testing the knowledge, skills and stamina of the country’s food and fibre producers.

Georgie Lindsay, left, and Emma Dangen are making history in the first grant final to feature two women.

I can’t wait to compete on home turf. Joseph Watts Finalist “Competing at grand final is something I have aspired to do since watching the contest on television as a young fella,” Harvey said. The prestigious contest kicks

off on July 4 with an opening ceremony and parade at the Napier Sound Shell at 3pm. It will be followed by a gruelling practical day at the Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds, which will be a showcase of technology, food and innovation. “I can’t wait to compete on home turf,” Watts said. “I’d like to think I will have a bit of an advantage because it will be easier to rally local support.” The event will take place alongside grand finals for the AgriKidsNZ and FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year competitions,

which will involve almost 100 students from across the country. James Robertson, who’s now an Auckland business graduate at Fonterra, jointly won the TeenAg Grand Final in 2013. “I can guarantee I probably wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for my involvement with NZ Young Farmers early on,” he said. The contest will reach its final adrenaline-fuelled climax on July 6 when a 600-strong crowd packs the Rodney Green Centennial Events Centre for an evening show and fast-paced agri-knowledge

quiz hosted by Te Radar. “It’s my last shot at the title. I turn 31 in August so there won’t be any second chances. I will be going there to win. It really helps to sharpen my focus,” McRae said. The FMG Young Farmer of the Year is an iconic contest that began in 1969 and showcases the country’s agri-food sector. It is supported by FMG, Ravensdown, Honda, WorkSafe, Zero Harm Farm, Stihl, Lincoln University, Massey University, Southfuels, Northfuels, Betacraft and New Holland.

They’re raising the bar! Let ‘em know we’ve got their back. Now’s the time to raise up the rural leaders of the future with Ravensdown. Head to the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final to show your support. Ravensdown will be there with goodies to warm you up. 4 - 6 July Hawke’s Bay For information on dates and times go to: fmgyoungfarmercontest.co.nz

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Ambitious sheep plan North Otago farmer Alan Harvey has dreamed of competing in the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final since he was a child. He’ll finally get the chance in Hawke’s Bay this July.

ORTH Otago farmer Alan Harvey has ambitious plans to double the size of his sheep flock. The 28-year-old’s family farm in North Otago has 500 BorderRomney ewes, 150-200 trading cattle and arable crops. He’s in the process of farm succession and is set to take over in July. “My plan is to double ewe numbers to 1000. They’re an unusual cross, which you don’t often see,” he said. “I’m going to have to grow the flock naturally by breeding my own replacements as opposed to buying them in.” Harvey’s family has farmed the crossbred sheep on the rolling dryland 190-hectare property since the late 1800s. “They suit our country. “They’re hardy, produce well and the ewes handle our early lambing date,” he said. Lambing starts at the beginning of July, which ensures lambs are

at target weight and sold before Christmas when it starts getting dry. The early start isn’t ideal this winter. Harvey will be in Hawke’s Bay representing Aorangi at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final. “I expect to have new born lambs on the ground before I head to the grand final. “I haven’t quite worked out who will be looking after the flock while I’m away competing. I might have to grovel to a neighbour,” he said. Harvey also runs trading cattle, which will drop in number to make room for the expanding sheep flock. It’s been a hectic few months for the Five Forks Young Farmers member since he won the Aorangi Young Farmer of the Year title. In March Harvey started a new job as operations manager at Borst Holdings in North Otago. The privately-owned company operates four large-scale dairy

farms and a runoff. The dairy farms cover a combined area of 992 hectares and milk 3500 cows. “It’s been a really exciting change for me,” he said. “It’s my first time working in the dairy sector since I spent two summers on dairy farms while I was studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University.” Harvey is responsible for adding technology to the business, compliance, nutrient management, staff and helping to improve all aspects of the operation. “I haven’t had much experience managing staff in the past so that’s another thing which has been new for me,” he said. “The dairy farms are all irrigated with either centre pivots, K-Lines, or Roto Rainers.” The job has given Harvey a much-needed refresher on the dairy sector in the lead-up to fiercely-contested grand final. His win at February’s regional

Alan Harvey final was his fourth attempt at clinching a spot in the coveted grand final. In the past two years he lost to Nigel Woodhead and Logan Wallace, who both went on to win their respective grand finals. “It’s awesome that I finally get to have a crack at the grand final. This is something I have aspired to do since watching the contest on television as a young fella,” he said.

Region: Aorangi Occupation: Sheep and beef farmer and dairy operations manager Age: 28

Before moving into the dairy sector Harvey worked for Oamaru firm Agri Planz and was also an agronomist for Agriseeds covering the Otago and Southland regions.

LEFT TO RIGHT: MATT McRAE OTAGO/SOUTHLAND, ALAN HARVEY AORANGI, GEORGIE LINDSAY TASMAN, ALEX FIELD TARANAKI/MANAWATU, JOSEPH WATTS EAST COAST, EMMA DANGEN WAIKATO/BAY OF PLENTY, JAMES ROBERTSON NORTHERN.

WHO’S YOUR CHOICE FOR YOUNG FARMER OF THE YEAR? Vote for the FMG Young Farmer of the Year People’s Choice Award and you’ll go in the draw to win a Fitbit watch.* Plus you could win $1,000 for your region’s Young Farmers. So vote now at fmg.co.nz/peopleschoice *Terms and Conditions apply. See website for details.

A multi-tasking bride

Emma Dangen Region: Waikato/Bay of Plenty Occupation: Vet Age: 24

Waikato vet Emma Dangen is preparing to compete in this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Hawke’s Bay. It’s the first time in the contest’s history two of the finalists are women.

MMA Dangen is a newlytrained Waikato vet and bride-to-be who takes multi-tasking to the next

level. The 24-year-old lives on a 750cow, split-calving dairy farm at Pirongia and is in her first year working for Vetora. Dangen’s days start at 5.30am when she pulls on overalls to help fiance Chris Poole feed calves before work. “I feed the newborn calves. It can be quite time-consuming teaching them how to drink off a feeder. “Chris calved about 350 cows in the autumn. He’s been buying in calves and plans to rear about 1000 this year, which is a lot. “Chris looks after all of the older calves so he probably feeds 10 times as many as I do,” she said. Poole contract milks on the property, which is owned by his parents. Dangen enjoys helping with the pre-dawn feeding. “It’s actually a nice way to

spend a bit of time together, otherwise we wouldn’t see each other until dinner.” After a quick shower and breakfast Dangen heads to Vetora’s clinic in Te Awamutu, where she’s a cattle vet. “I get such a kick out of working with cattle. I was quite quick to close the door on treating cats and dogs,” she said. “I’ve had to treat a few cows with unusual eye problems, which is something I didn’t learn much about at university. “These are the sort of cases I thought I’d probably never see in my career, let alone in my first couple of months as a vet,” she said. Dangen got a veterinary science degree at Massey University where 75% of her class were women. She started working for Vetora in January and describes it as a fantastic place to start out as a vet. “It’s taught me to be really honest with farmers,” she said.

“If I get a strange case, which I need to consult more experienced vets about, then I’ll tell them. Communication is vital.” Dangen relishes working as part of a team where she can build on the knowledge she learned studying in Palmerston North. “First-year vets don’t know how to scan a cow to confirm if she’s pregnant, that’s something we get taught on the job,” she said. “By our second year we need to be fast enough to quickly and accurately scan a herd of cows during milking.” Her skill and ability to work efficiently helped her take out the Waikato/Bay of Plenty FMG Young Farmer of Year title in March. Her win means for the first time in the contest’s 51-year history, two of the grand finalists will be women. “It’s huge for the contest and it’s awesome to be one of those women,” she said. “A lot of women have put in a lot of hard work over the years

to get more women involved in agriculture. “Their efforts are paying off. You just have to look at all the young girls dominating the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year competition,” she said. Dangen is now a role model for many of those TeenAg students and she urges them to have confidence in their abilities. “The biggest hurdle I faced when applying for vet school was people saying I wouldn’t get in,” she said. “I was told you had to be smart to be a vet. It made me doubt my ability. My advice to others is to

back yourself and just do it.” In between feeding calves, treating sick animals, playing sport and preparing for grand final, Dangen’s also busy planning her wedding. The couple have been together about three and a half years and in January he popped the question. “I went home in April to try on wedding dresses with mum and used the opportunity to talk grand final tactics with dad and my brother Tim,” she said. Dangen’s parents Robyn and Lyall live at Muriwai Beach, west of Auckland. Together with Tim they rear and finish about 700 dairy beef calves. “Not many people enjoy calf rearing but my entire family and Chris get a real kick out of seeing calves get to 100kg,” she said. With spring just around the corner Dangen will have plenty more opportunities to hone her calf rearing skills. “It’s been the most fast-paced year of my life but I actually think I’m better when I’m busy,” she said.

FMG0957FWHP

Strategy man aims high

James Robertson Region: Northern Occupation: Business graduate at Fonterra Age: 22

Fonterra business graduate James Robertson is preparing to represent the Northern region in this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Hawke’s Bay. At just 22, he’ll be the youngest competitor.

AMES Robertson is proof you don’t have to milk cows to have a career in New Zealand’s multi-billion dollar dairy sector. The 22-year-old is an Auckland-based business graduate at Fonterra, a co-operative owned by 10,000 farming families. Robertson joined the dairy giant in February 2018 after getting an agri-commerce degree at Massey University. “The graduate programme is split into four six-month rotations, which is giving me a broad exposure to Fonterra’s operations,” he said. “I spent my first six months in Hamilton working with the co-op’s sustainable dairying team. That was an awesome experience.” “I moved to Auckland to be part of an innovation project and in February this year I joined Fonterra’s trade strategy team,” he said. Fonterra is the world’s largest dairy exporter, selling products to more than 140 countries. It employs 22,000 people in over 45 countries.

The constantly-changing nature of the challenging role has been a steep but welcome learning curve for Robertson. “The trade strategy team supports and advises the business on approaches to changing geopolitical activity and tariff opportunities,” he said. “It’s a crazy world of technical terms and acronyms and the policy side involves a lot of reading.” “I was lucky enough to study international agribusiness while I was at university so it’s made the transition a lot easier,” he said. Robertson grew up on a 200\cow dairy farm in Waikato. He describes moving to Auckland, which is teeming with people and cars, as a massive lifestyle change. Being a member of Auckland Young Farmers helped Robertson adjust to his new home and remain connected to his rural roots. “It’s nice to be able to go along to club meetings and have a chat about how rain in February is a good thing,” he said.

“The club’s a hub for young people who work in the agri-food sector and find themselves living in the big smoke.” Auckland Young Farmers members dominated the Northern FMG Young Farmer of the Year Regional Final in March. Its members James Robertson, Tim Dangen and Cameron Massie took out the top three spots. The event in Warkworth, north of Auckland, was Robertson’s first attempt at clinching the title. “My initial reaction at winning was quite a bit of disbelief. I wasn’t expecting to make it through to the grand final,” he said. “That was followed by the realisation of the work ahead to ensure I can give the final in Hawke’s Bay my best shot.” It’s not the first time Robertson has competed in the grand final of a contest organised by NZ Young Farmers. In 2013 he and his Hamilton Boys’ High School team-mate Daniel Reymer won the TeenAg Grand Final. “I can guarantee I probably

wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for my involvement with NZ Young Farmers early on,” he said. “I was the founding chairman of the TeenAg club at Hamilton Boys’ High School. It provided an awesome opportunity to start building my leadership skills. “The club really exposed me to the opportunities that were out there, including studying at university,” he said. He enrolled in Massey University in Palmerston North in 2015. “Massey has the largest NZ Young Farmers club in the country and that was a huge drawcard for me,” he said. Robertson went on to chair the

club, which helped to build his governance and strategic thinking skills. Halfway through his time at university Robertson’s parents sold their dairy farm and semiretired. “That was a hard moment for me personally. It forced me to realign some of my future career goals straight after university,” he said. Returning to the land will always be on the cards for Robertson who is keen to grow his technical knowledge of the wider agricultural supply chain. “I grew up watching the grand final and it’s something I have always been really keen to be involved in,” he said. “I’m a bit nervous about what this year’s contest might involve after the recent overhaul. “But it’s fantastic that the changes give us more of an opportunity to help people connect with where their food comes from and to showcase what 21st century farming is all about,” he said.

“Take a few minutes before you start to think about the best tools or vehicle for the job and conditions. If you encounter an unexpected hazard, stop and consider the best way forward.” LOGAN WALLACE Young Farmer of the Year 2018

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Squash pro ready for contest Joseph Watts is hoping for a hometown advantage when he competes in this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Hawke’s Bay. It’s the Waipukurau technical field representative’s first shot at the prestigious title.

OSEPH Watts is a selfconfessed former city boy who didn’t learn the difference between a ewe and a ram until he was 23. He’s come a long way in the last five years and in April was named the East Coast FMG Young Farmer of the Year. “I’m pretty stoked. I did a lot of preparation in the lead-up to the regional final so it was a relief to get over the line,” he said. The 28-year-old is the eldest of eight children. He grew up in Palmerston North and didn’t know much about agriculture. “I was a full-on townie,” Watts, who got a sport and exercise science degree at Massey University, said. He played squash competitively and represented New Zealand between 2008 and 2013, achieving a world ranking of 169. A turning point in his life came in 2013 when his then girlfriend and now wife Lucy Dowsett, a vet, got her first job. The couple moved to Raetihi, near Ohakune.

“If it wasn’t for Lucy I wouldn’t be in the position I am today. I got to Raetihi and fell in love with the primary industries,” he said. Watts decided to give up playing professional squash and forge a new career in the agri-food sector. He got a science and technology certificate and a graduate diploma in rural studies at Massey University. While he was studying Watts spent two years working as a shearer around Taihape and Raetihi. “I loved shearing. It was hard on my back but that’s because I was a bit soft,” he said. “I would have liked to have kept doing it for a few more years but I didn’t want to be 30 and starting another new career.” The couple headed to Waipukurau in Central Hawke’s Bay in 2016. They now live on a 12-hectare block of land and Watts works as a technical field representative for PGG Wrightson. His job is to help farmers with their cropping and pasture needs.

“The majority of my job, I’d say 95% of it, is walking through crops and helping to look after them,” he said. A growing number of sheep and beef farmers are turning to crops as they try to push the limits on per-hectare production. “Farmers who might have previously run mainly pasturebased systems now seem to be more open to growing winter and summer feed crops,” he said. Brassicas are the crop of choice on the East Coast. “Pallaton Raphno, a cross between kale and a radish, has gone exceptionally well in Central Hawke’s Bay,” he said. “It’s a drought-tolerant, multigraze brassica that really seems to suit the East Coast conditions quite well.” The crop was released commercially last spring. It can persist for four to five grazings over a year. Trials found it had a 14% yield advantage over Goliath forage rape in a multi-graze system. “It’s a crop that I think will kick

Joseph Watts Region: East Coast Occupation: Technical field representative Age: 28

on quite well on the East Coast over the next few years,” he said. Central Hawke’s Bay’s hot and dry climate means Watts’ work is full of variety. A number of sheep and beef farmers have taken advantage of higher grain prices by planting cash crops of barley. Watts predicts there will be a surge in demand for Ecotain if its benefits are recognised by nutrient modelling software Overseer. Ecotain is a drought-tolerant forage crop, proven to reduce nitrogen leaching from a urine patch. “There’s already a lot of Ecotain in the ground because the data is there to back up its benefits,” he said.

Watts is a member of Tikokino Young Farmers and credits the club with helping him make new connections. Watts is excited about being the hometown finalist when the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final is held in Hawke’s Bay. “I’d like to think I will have a bit of an advantage because it will be easier to rally local support,” he said. Expect him to draw on his background as a professional sportsman. “I think being in the right mental head space is the most important thing. When you’re competing at a high level in sport, being mentally in the game is a huge part of it,” he said.

Agriculture is our future Make it yours Congratulations to the Grand Finalists in the FMG Young Farmer of the Year

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A driving force Southland sheep and beef farmer Matt McRae is preparing to compete in this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Hawke’s Bay. It will be his last shot at taking out the prestigious title.

ATT McRae is one of the driving forces behind a familyowned agribusiness in Southland, which is in expansion mode. The addition of a 320-hectare lease block in April has enabled significant growth in sheep and cattle numbers. “It’s been a busy couple of months,” McRae, who was named the Otago/Southland FMG Young Farmer of the Year in February, said. The fourth-generation farmer lives on a 405-hectare property at Mokoreta with his wife Natalie and their young son Jacob. The land is farmed by McRae and his younger brother Joe in conjunction with another 250-hectare property nearby. Their two siblings own shares in the business. “Acquiring the lease block will enable us to increase ewe numbers by 2300 to a total of 6500,” he said. Hogget numbers will climb to

1900, dairy grazers will jump to 300 and beef steer numbers will grow to 120. The chance to expand arose at a time when buoyant demand has seen ewe prices nudge $300 each. “It’s probably not ideal timing in terms of what we’re having to pay for capital stock but it’s great the industry is looking positive,” McRae said. “To help build numbers we’ve retained an extra 700 hoggets or ewe replacements, which we’d usually sell.” The McRaes farm RomneyTexel ewes. McRae describes them as solid, low-maintenance sheep good at foraging. “You have to like what you look at every day,” he said. The ewes’ lambing percentage over the last three seasons has been 150%, which is above the national average. It’s 85-90% for the hoggets. Lambing starts in mid September and the McRaes target lambs with carcase weights

greater than 18.5kg. “We try to have 15% of the lambs ready for processing by mid December with our average kill date usually in mid February,” he said. Before returning to the family farm seven years ago McRae got an ag commerce degree from Lincoln University and spent three years working as a rural banker. “That was a pretty invaluable experience. I got to see the financial figures for a lot of different businesses,” he said. “It taught me pretty quickly that while a business might look good from the outside they weren’t always profitable.” McRae spent his first two years back home working under a manager who had run the farm since his father Neil died in 2004. “One of the reasons we have kept our business in the family is to use each other’s expertise and the benefits of scale,” he said. “When I worked in banking I saw some great examples of

Matt McRae families working together to grow their equity. It helps that we are a close-knit family.” The property where McRae lives has been in his family for 110 years. He hopes his young son Jacob might want to farm it one day. His immediate focus is on winning the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in July. “It’s my last shot at the title. I turn 31 in August so there won’t be any second chances. I will be going there to win. It really helps

Region: Otago/Southland Occupation: Sheep and beef farmer Age: 30

to sharpen my focus,” he said. The grand final will be McRae’s first time in Hawke’s Bay. He’s trying to broaden his knowledge of horticulture and viticulture before the high-pressure event. “I’m just trying to fill my brain with as much information as possible,” he said.

Dog trials helps preparation North Canterbury shepherd Georgie Lindsay will make history in July when she becomes the first woman to represent the Tasman region at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final.

USTERING sheep off rugged hills is all in a day’s work for North Canterbury shepherd Georgie Lindsay and her dogs. The 24-year-old has five working dogs. She whistles commands and they scamper up a steep hill towards a mob of ewes and lambs. “A good team of working dogs is essential here. It would be difficult in this terrain to muster sheep without them,” she said. In March Lindsay made history when she became the first woman to win the Tasman regional final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year. At the time, she was working at Marble Point Station, a picturesque 2400-hectare property between Hanmer Springs and Culverden. “The past 12 months have been a big learning curve for me. I hadn’t worked much with dogs prior to taking the job,” she said. “I’m really fortunate to have been given three good dogs and I’m in the process of training two pups.”

The Amuri Basin Young Farmers member has taken up dog trialling and competed in her first event at Waiau. “It was terrifying but loads of fun at the same time. “I took Penny, a huntaway, who was given to me by my old boss Matt. “They let three sheep out in front of you and you have to use your dog to move them up the hill between a series of markers. “It was quite nerve-wracking because literally every man and their dog is standing behind you watching to see how you go,” she said. Dog trials offer a supportive environment, perfect for young shepherds looking to grow their skills and make connections. “Shepherds with a good team of dogs earn a huge amount of respect from their peers and their reputation often precedes them,” she said. “They’re admired in the same way as people with tidy farms.” Lindsay had plenty of opportunities to hone her

technique with the help of her former employers Matt and Sarah Black. Marble Point Station runs 3600 Corriedale ewes and 380 Angus breeding cows plus replacement stock. It’s a 10.5km walk for the sheep from the back paddock to the yards and woolshed on the flats at the front of the property. Ewes are given access to grain and better-quality pastures during tupping, which starts in late April. “The next time they’re brought into the yards is for shearing and scanning in the winter,” Lindsay said. “We don’t have the ability to keep a close eye on every animal when they’re grazing up in the hills so it’s vital we’re observant and have the right policies in place to identify light animals at the times we do handle them.” The ewes are set-stocked in sheltered blocks before lambing starts in mid-September. “Corriedale’s really suit this country. They are a duel-purpose breed with a higher value fleece

Georgie Lindsay Region: Tasman Occupation: Shepherd Age: 24

than crossbred sheep,” she said. Tailing to prevent fly strike is, where necessary, done in the paddock using temporary yards. Lambs are weaned in mid-January. “The first draft of prime lambs is sent to the meat processor straight away. Some store lambs are sold then too. We finish the rest,” she said. Lindsay grew up on a sheep, beef and deer farm at Dipton. She has an agricultural science honours degree from Lincoln University. She got her job at Marble Point Station by picking up the phone in March last year. “I heard through the grapevine Matt was looking for a shepherd so I gave him a call,” she said. “I don’t like applying for jobs and Matt didn’t really want to

interview people so it worked out pretty well,” she said. The property is run as an equity partnership between Matt and Sarah and West Melton brothers Robin and Gavin Wilson. “The Wilsons are Corriedale stud breeders who bought Marble Point Station and a dairy farm in Hinds and brought young farmers into both businesses as equity partners,” she said. “There’s a real sense of selflessness in their actions.” Looking ahead, Lindsay is doing casual shepherding while she prepares for the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Hawke’s Bay in July.

An early lamber

Alex Field Region: Taranaki/Manawatu Occupation: Stock manager Age: 25

Turakina stock manager Alex Field is preparing to represent the Taranaki/Manawatu region at this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Hawke’s Bay.

ANAGING one of the country’s earliestlambing sheep farms is a challenge Alex Field thrives on. The 25-year-old is a stock manager at Tunnel Hill, a 1000-hectare coastal sheep and beef farm at Turakina, south of Whanganui. The farm is owned by Richard and Suze Redmayne, who founded Coastal Spring Lamb in 2010. The property’s warm, sandy soils, which dry out in the summer heat, provide the ideal environment for winter lambing. “We start lambing in June. That’s more than three months earlier than farms in cooler parts of the South Island,” Field said. Every lamb born at Tunnel Hill is important and Field’s main focus is on getting as many through to weaning as he can. “We shepherd intensively during lambing and foster lambs to any ewes that lose their offspring,” he said. “Cast ewes are another

challenge on the flat, warm sand. Our daily rounds help to minimise any losses. “Young ewes are currently worth $300 each, without factoring in the value of their lambs. Each one we can save makes a difference to the bottom line,” he said. The coastal property is exposed to prevailing westerly winds, which naturally season the farm’s pastures with sea salt. Tunnel Hill has a sustainable forestry operation, with roughly 10 hectares of pines planted annually for the last 28 years. The pine trees are planted on the sand dunes, providing shelter and shade for livestock. “We now have a lot of shelter and it’s good because a pine grows quite well on a sand dune but grass doesn’t,” Field said. He is the sole-charge stock manager and is responsible for 3200 Romney ewes and 310 Angus breeding cows. “I look after all the livestock by myself, but I use casual labour when a job requires a second

person, such as drafting ewes,” he said. “I write a weekly plan. I find it’s a helpful way to ensure I get everything done.” It’s a big change from his previous job at Piquet Hill in the Waikato, where he worked with large teams of people. “Going from chasing staff to having to do it yourself has been a refreshing change,” he said. Being a member of Marton Young Farmers has been an important way for Field to stay connected, make new friends and get off the farm. Tunnel Hill lambs early to take advantage of premiums for getting fresh lamb onto supermarket shelves in October. Lambs are fattened on lush ryegrass and clover and beef cows are used to ensure pasture quality is kept at a premium. The cows are sourced from the Te Mania Angus Stud and are known for pulling their weight. “This year’s steers weighed an average of 300kg at weaning, which broke the farm record,” he

said. “The same family has been buying the farm’s steers for almost 30 years and we have a regular buyer for the heifers as well.” For the sheep, tupping starts in January and Field has to get creative to get ewes to cycle out of season. “We’re working against their natural body clocks. Ewes don’t usually start cycling until we get less daylight hours in the autumn,” he said. To help solve the problem Poll Dorset ewes are mixed with the Romney flock. Poll Dorsets can cycle at any time and help bring the Romneys on.

“Male teasers are introduced just after Christmas, which helps to get the ewes cycling by mid January when the rams are introduced,” he said. The farm also grows about 150 hectares of maize, which is harvested for grain. Despite this year’s challenging weather conditions, the crop produced well. “The paddocks we have harvested so far are yielding around 17t/ha of maize grain, which is at the top end of commercial maize yields in New Zealand,” he said. Field took out the Taranaki/ Manawatu FMG Young Farmer of the Year regional final in Whanganui in April. He’ll get to realise a childhood dream of competing in the grand final in Hawke’s Bay in July. “It’s a surreal experience. I’m excited, nervous and humbled all at the same time,” he said. “It’ll be a long time before I get a feeling like I got when I spoke to mum and dad for the first time after winning the regional final.”

We’re driven by the desire to help New Zealand’s outsiders – the farmers, the hunters, the workers and the adventurers. And of course, this year’s grand finalists who are committed to a life outdoors. Best of luck for the final girls and guys.

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FINAL NOTICE

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Hawke's Bay 302 Ngatarawa Road, Hastings 62ha of certified organic soils A very rare opportunity has arisen to buy a well located, quality parcel of certified organic horticultural land, nurtured by the owners for over 25 years, and/or the 'True Earthâ&#x201E;˘' certified organics business. The land (in four titles) has very good water and top soils, offering a fantastic growing environment where one could grow almost anything. Presently, there are 5.8 hectares of blueberries, with 4.0 hectares under cover, along with a range of annual crops grown. A feature of the property is the beautifully positioned spacious three-bedroom homestead which has been tastefully refurbished. Additional improvements include the 1,140 square metre packhouse, twin coolstores, plentiful shedding and Portacom offices. Contact us for an appointment to view.

bayleys.co.nz/2851681

Tender (will not be sold prior) Closing 4pm, Thu 25 Jul 2019 17 Napier Road, Havelock North View by appointment Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253 tony.rasmussen@bayleys.co.nz Tim Wynne-Lewis 027 488 9719 tim.wynne-lewis@bayleys.co.nz EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

WEB ID TMR68679 ALBURY 171 Monavale Road View By Appointment This farm offers you diversity, currently run as a sheep DEADLINE SALE closes Thursday 11th July, 2019 at and beef property with dairy support but suits all types 4.00pm, (unless sold prior) of farming including cereal, deer and 50 - 100 ha of forestry. The farm is 299.0638 ha, has a newly painted home situated for the sun and mountain views, a large set of covered yards combining deer and sheep, a 3 stand shearing shed, plenty of other buildings plus a Michael Richardson 2nd older home. The vendor will look at selling the Mobile 027 228 7027 entire property or a lease to buy, purchase a title and Office 03 687 7145 Home 027 228 7027 lease the other, or lease the entire property.

DEADLINE SALE

michael@pb.co.nz

pb.co.nz

3+ 1

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – June 24, 2019

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

NEW LISTING

FOR SALE TAKAPU VALLEY FOREST Wellington

Queen Sells 300 Acres 123.5 hectares of pine trees and wilderness. Carbon credits, forestry, hunting, off grid getaway, motorbike or horse riding heaven. Around 30ha of 25 year old Radiata (mostly unmanaged) on flat to easy contour (pre 1990 was pasture land). Balance is regenerating manuka scrub and natives. Remnants of fences and tracks mostly blocked by windfalls. To access 4WD is essential to get through four stream fords. Bring your boots. One and a half hours drive from Opotiki. Great neighbourhood. Be a pioneer and live your dreams - must be sold!

TENDER

(Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 4.00pm, Tuesday 30 July

VIEW

11.00am-1.00pm, Sunday 14 July

Andrew Fowler M 027 275 2244 E afowler@pggwrightson.co.nz Amanda Edwards M 027 463 3502 E amanda.edwards@pggwrightson.co.nz

NEAR MATURE FOREST MIXED AGE CLASS CBRE Agribusiness is delighted to present the Takapu Valley Forest to the marketplace. Located near Wellington in the Southern North Island (SNI) region of New Zealand, the outright sale (land and trees) of this medium scale forest presents an attractive opportunity for purchasers. Cost-effective cart distances to domestic and export markets, a mixture of mature and near mature crop and freehold land, this opportunity will ideally suit purchasers looking to secure immediate and forward volume while adding a strategically located medium sized forest to their existing estate.

+ Total land area of 235.6 hectares*

Call today to receive the Information Memorandum.

WYATT JOHNSTON 027 8151 303

pggwre.co.nz/TAR30593 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

+ Net Stocked area 174.7 hectares* (P.Rad) + Mixed age class established between 1984 and 1996 + Ongoing carbon earning potential + 15.6 kilometres from Wellington CentrePort + Inventory and online dataroom available FOR SALE BY TENDER Tuesday 9 July 2019 at 4pm NZST JEREMY KEATING 021 461 210

*Approximate areas only Helping grow the country

www.cbre.co.nz/219020Q29 CBRE (Agency) Limited, Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008)

By Negotiation

47ha

Magic Smaller Dairy Farm • • • • •

47 hectares 16 aside herringbone shed 165 cows calved Main home 4 bedroom brick Second home 3 bedroom weatherboard • 53,900 M/S 5-year average For Sale by Negotiation

Terry Court 021 754 233 AREINZ LJ Hooker Morrinsville 07 889 8015 Central Waikato Realty Limited. Licensed REAA 2008.. All information contained herein is gathered from sources we consider to be reliable. However, we cannot guarantee or give any warranty about the information provided. Interested parties must solely rely on their own enquiries.

THE DESTINATION FOR RURAL REAL ESTATE

Land is the biggest asset to any farming business so it pays to stay up to date with the market. Connect with the right audience at

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

LK0098079©

OPOTIKI, BOP 1677 Takaputahi Road

Agri Job Board

Noticeboard

GET IN TOUCH

For all your employment ads Debbie 06 323 0765 classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

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

ATTENTION FARMERS

Contact Peter James Driver For Hire Ltd Phone: 027 430 9500 Email: driverforhire@mail.com

You will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Contracting business, the organising of staff, liaising with clients, planning of jobs, liaising with administration staff and reporting to the Directors as needed.

LK0098266©

Positions are based in Ohaupo, Waikato.

We are an Agricultural Contracting business based on the outskirts of Winton, Southland and have an exciting opportunity for a highly organised and driven individual to join our team as our Operations & Logistics Manager.

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

JOBS BOARD

This is a wide and varied position and would suit a highly motivated and self driven person. You must be honest, reliable, hard working, and take pride in a job “well done”. It is essential that you have agriculture experience, and in a similar role would be an advantage.

Chief Executive Officer Farm Manager

The services we offer are: • Cultivation • Drilling • Harvesting – baling and silage services • Fodder beet harvesting • Feed supplies • Excavation and earthworks

GOATS WANTED

ANIMAL HEALTH

This is a seasonal job from July to October and will be 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. From July 20th – September 20th. Starting rate will be $23 per hour gross inclusive of holiday pay. Could possibly be more depending on the applicant.

Operations & Logistics Manager

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

Operations and Logistics Manager

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 THERE’S PLENTY OF mental health talk in our communities and we’d all like a solution to keep our people alive. A Massey University study of dairy farmers’ social ability and connectedness needs your input to understand potential risks and improve wellbeing. You can contribute by completing the survey at https://forms.gle/ EsoDRPLz5QSZMx6g9. DAGS .25c PER KG. Replacement woolpacks. PV Weber Wools. Kawakawa Road, Feilding. Phone 06 323 9550.

Other

This will be a permanent, full time position with an excellent renumeration package and accommodation for the right person.

Shepherd Shepherd General

CONTRACTORS

We operate late model machinery that is regularly maintained, and we have a mechanic on site. We are a Health & Safety conscious company and we expect you to have a proactive approach to this.

Stock Manager

GORSE SPRAYING SCRUB CUTTING. 30 years experience. Blowers, gun and hose. No job too big. Camp out teams. Travel anywhere if job big enough. Phone Dave 06 375 8032.

Tractor/Truck/Machinery Operator

A job description is available on request.

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

Applications close 5 July 2019 at 5pm. Please apply in writing enclosing a CV to: jusnewsome@gmail.com

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

EIDNZ (Excellence in Dairying) is a Waikato based agribusiness that adds value to customers under two channels – one provides an independent design and project management service for dairy effluent systems, the other markets and distributes dairy cattle teat spraying solutions. The business has expanded into international markets and is now investing in additional people capability and capacity to resource the business for the growth strategy. We are looking for a dynamic CEO to take our growth oriented company to the next level. • 10+ years senior leadership experience (including Dairy industry) • Strategic and operational role • Ability to drive sales, marketing and customer focus (including across new and existing NZ/international markets) • Proven business, commercial and financial acumen • Diverse stakeholder engagement experience • People and relationship management focus • Growth mindset and leader of change and innovation

You will lead from the front and work collaboratively to strategically build required structures, process and systems, that sets the organisation apart. Must also have sound ability to lead risk and opportunity management and drive a performance culture - based on customer value creation, innovation, financial performance delivery, health & safety and continuous improvement. If you believe you have what it takes to be successful in this role please apply online at www.no8hr.co.nz - Ref# 8HR1219 or contact Toni for a confidential discussion on 07 870 4901.

www.no8hr.co.nz | ph: 07-870-4901

LK0098218©

We are looking for someone from a diverse background who has proven experience engaging people to execute strategy; and driving performance (with experience delivering across international markets).

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

AG JOBS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

GROUND CULTIVATION • ROUND BALING • SILAGE BEET HARVESTING • FARM DRAINAGE & DEVELOPMENT

LK0096815©

LK0098270©

*conditions apply

DOGS FOR SALE 15-MONTH HEADING dog, suit dry stock farm. $1300. 2½-YEAR-OLD Handy Huntaway. Phone 022 698 8195. HEADING DOG, bt&w, 15 months. Has run, stop, wayleggo and sit on him. $1400. Phone 07 543 3422. Tauranga. KELPIES. RARE BLUES. One dog and three bitches. Vacc and wormed. 8 weeks old. $550 each. Phone 09 439 6720. VIEW SIXTY DOGS. Deliver NZ wide, trial, guaranteed. www. youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos 07 315 5553. HUNTAWAY PUPS. Linebred B Jensen’s ‘Forste’. Phone 027 450 6095.

DOGS WANTED 12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195. QUICK EASY SALE! No one buys or pays more! 07 315 5553. Mike Hughes.

GOATS FOR SALE MIXED-AGED dairy goats for sale.Have been running with Buck. Phone 03 693 9929 or 021 0764 534. FOR ONLY $2.10 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in Farmers Weekly Classifieds. Ph Debbie on 0800 85 25 80 to book .

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

0800 436 566

Mobile welding & light fabrication Servicing Bay of Plenty and Waikato NEW WORK and REPAIRS to anything on the farm or workplace

LK0098178©

Drivers with class 2 who can drive truck. They will have someone with them, and between the two of them need to captive bolt the calf and bleed out. From there the calves need to be loaded on truck and brought back to the processing plant. No gun license required for this role.

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.

The smart feeder that outsmarts pests – possums, rats & mice, stoats and more. www.ecoland.co.nz – 021 326 563 –

WANTED

We come to you anytime

Visit www.customweld.co.nz

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.

Facebook: Tauranga CustomWelding

EARMARKERS

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

BIRDSCARER DE HORNER HOOF TRIMMER

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

PROPERTY WANTED HOUSE FOR REMOVAL wanted. North Island. Phone 021 0274 5654.

STOCK FEED HAY 12 EQUIVALENT squares $70. 15 equivalent rounds $75. STRAW 12 equivalent squares $55. BALEAGE at $80. Unit loads available. Phone 021 455 787.

TARPAULINS PVC TARPS

LIVESTOCK TRANSPORTING OPPORTUNITY Horses, cattle, sheep and all other farm animals. Transporting for Lifestyle block owners. Low loader, no loading race required. Can be operated in any region. Owner retiring after 30 years. American-type Gooseneck trailer. Full accommodation complete with Mitsi tractor unit $60,000 as a going concern, includes registered company name. Please phone 0274 967 388

TARPAULINS - PVC TARPS. All sizes. Top quality Ripstop PVC.NZ Made. Phone for quote Westlorne Ohakune 06 385 8487. www. westlorne.co.nz or email: westlorne@xtra.co.nz - FREE delivery North Island.

LK0098272©

You’re reading the Farmers Weekly and so are the people you want to employ.

Drivers with class 2 and gun licenses to go on farm and shoot stock. Full and seasonal jobs available.Starting rate $25 per hour gross, incl holiday pay.

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

EnviroMate100™

WANTED TO RENT

Seeking Equity Manager’s Position

OLD FARMHOUSE/ cottage/self-contained sleep-out with garage in quiet area North Island. Text or call Michael 027 672 6435.

Sheep & Beef, mixed or other Progressive smart tidy operator seeks equity manager, performance based manager, share-farming, lease or lease to buy position. Experienced in sheep, beef, deer, dairy, breeding and fattening, cropping, horticulture. Great stockmanship, vast machinery and farm development experience. North Island preferred.

WORK WANTED GERMAN BACKPACKER currently working on-farm in the North Island. Heading to SI and interested in working on a small farm where I can continue to learn. Would need to live in. Please contact me by email: nickroemi@web.de

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

TO SAV $3 E U 50 P +G ST

Free Freight Nationwide on Mowers until end of June 13.5HP. Briggs & Stratton Motor. Electric start. 1.2m cut

TOWABLE TOPPING MOWER

TOWABLE FLAIL MOWER GST $4400 INCLUSIVE

LK0098271©

WE ARE THE SOLUTION

FORESTRY

12Hp Diesel. Electric Start

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

50 TON WOOD SPLITTER

GST $3990 INCLUSIVE

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

MOA MASTER

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

LK0098274©

DRIVERS REQUIRED

ANIMAL HANDLING

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – June 24, 2019

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

STOCK FOR SALE 260 ROM 2TH SIL SUFTEX 05.03 171% MORRINSVILLE DAIRY SALE

BROADWOOD SALEYARDS

THURSDAY 27th JUNE 12 Noon On A/c Client # 14 x R3 Kiwi Cross Incalf Cows Calving 10 July. 5 weeks AB Tailed with Jsy/Hfd Bull BW 85 PW 93 These cows were leased out last season in a 650 cow herd. Visit: mylivestock.co.nz WAI72009 # 16 Very well grown Incalf Xbred Heifers Calving 5 July, Jersey Bull out 1st December BW 126 PW 148 Visit: mylivestock.co.nz WAI71998 # 21 Very well grown, ½ recorded Xbred Heifers Calving 10 July, Jsy bull out 20th December Unless Sold Prior

2nd July 2019 at 12.30pm Top Quality Capital stock clearing sale

Are you looking in the right direction?

a/c M Hammond 710 head 50 years of top quality Hereford breeding in Northland farmed on steep West Coast farm hill country.

LK0098275©

Contact: Glen Tasker 027 477 7345

400 SIL ROM FE TOL 2 TOOTH TEXEL RAM 06.03 (Singles)

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

Vetted in-calf to Matapouri Hereford and Waitangi Angus bulls 50 x R2 Hereford heifers – Waitangi bull 1/8-25/9 32 x R2 Angus/Hereford heifers – Waitangi bull 1/8-25/9 68 x R3yr cows – VIC Angus & Hereford 60 x R4yr – Hereford cows – VIC Hereford 1/8-5/10 50 x MA Hereford Cows – VIC Hereford 1/8-5/10 180 x MA Hereford Cows – VIC Hereford & Angus 1/8-5/10 30 x MA Angus Cows – VIC Hereford & Angus -1/8-5/10 100 x Hereford Top R1 heifers 60 x Angus /Hereford R1 heifers

STOCK REQUIRED

R2YR Traditional STEERS 400-520kg R1YR STEERS or HEIFERS 220-250kg R2YR Friesian BULLS 400-430kg Male LAMBS < 32kg or 36-44kg

Call Nigel

0800 85 25 80 livestock@globalhq.co.nz

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

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

a/c Vendor 50 x TQ Frsn Hereford heifers VIC Angus 1/8-20/9

a/c Vendor Contact Reuben Wright 027 284 6384 Or Dan Sweetapple 021 046 0755

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

LK0098273©

30 x Frsn Hereford/ Frsn Angus R2 VIC heifers 10/8 – 8 weeks Sale held on farm, under cover - light lunch provided - 12pm

SALE TALK

_______________________________

An elderly gentleman in the rear shouts out, “An elephant?” Debbie thinks a minute and says, “Close enough.”

byllivestock.co.nz

07 823 4559

byllivestock

Supplied by Lindsey Thompson, another Farmers Weekly avid reader

Here at Farmers Weekly we get some pretty funny contributions to our Sale Talk joke from you avid readers, and we’ve keen to hear more! If you’ve got a joke you want to share with the Farming community (it must be something you’d share with your grandmother...) then email us at: saletalk@globalhq.co.nz with Sale Talk in the subject line and we’ll print it and credit it to you. Conditions apply

Email: contact@glenrossie.co.nz

Ph: Fred/Tracy - 09 4340 987 Will - 09 4340 718

Farmers Weekly will be sending the autumn bull sale results e-newsletter from May 2019.

BULL SALE RESULTS 2019

Contact Nigel on 06 323 0761, 027 602 4925 or livestock@globalhq.co.nz to sign up or include your sale results and receive weekly updates.

DON’T MISS OUT. FROM HERE...

Mike Laing (PGG rep) A/H 09 436 0309

farmersweekly.co.nz

THIS SEASON’S CROP FIRST LIGHT WAGYU IS QUIETLY GROWING IN LINE WITH DEMAND FROM OUR DISCERNING NEW ZEALAND AND INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE A LIMITED RELEASE OF HEALTHY, WAGYU DAIRY CALVES AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE.

• • • • •

90kg+ calves to purchase Proven sustainable premium returns Guaranteed buy-back of finished cattle Producer group of NZ’s elite cattle farmers Bred and reared under strict bio-security protocols

ANTIBIOTICS OR ADDED HORMONES EVER

Talk to us - 0800 4 Wagyu (0800 492 498) livestock@firstlight.farm www.firstlight.farm

...TO HERE

LK0098145©

Down at the retirement center, 80-year old Debbie bursts into the rec room She holds her clenched fist in the air and announces, “Anyone who can guess what’s in my hand can have sex with me tonight!!”

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.

Suz Bremner

Mel Croad

Nicola Dennis

Cattle

Reece Brick

Caitlin Pemberton

Sheep

BEEF

William Hickson

Deer

SHEEP MEAT

VENISON

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.60

5.55

5.40

NI lamb (17kg)

7.80

7.75

NI Stag (60kg)

9.00

11.10

NI Bull (300kg)

5.30

NI mutton (20kg)

5.30

5.10

SI Stag (60kg)

8.95

11.10

NI Cow (200kg)

4.20

4.35

SI lamb (17kg)

7.55

7.45

7.60

SI Steer (300kg)

5.25

5.15

5.25

SI mutton (20kg)

5.25

5.20

5.15

SI Bull (300kg)

5.00

4.95

5.05

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

3.60

3.55

3.80

UK CKT lamb leg

9.84

9.83

9.01

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Export markets (NZ$/kg) 8.14

7.83

6.58

US domestic 90CL cow

7.57

7.51

7.03

North Island steer slaughter price 6.0

Last year

North Island lamb slaughter price

8.5 $/kg CW

US imported 95CL bull

Last week Prior week

$/kg CW Feb

Apr

Jun

2017-18

Aug 2018-19

$/kg CW

$/kg CW $/kg CW

Oct

Dec 5-yr ave

Feb

Apr 2017-18

Jun

Aug 2018-19

Prior week

Last year

Coarse xbred ind.

3.26

37 micron ewe

625

483

3.35

Super

321

302

4.75

DAP

833

750

$/tonne

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Nearby contract

Last price*

May-18

Company

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago 3245

420

SMP

2425

2455

2530

400

AMF

5620

5830

5900

Butter

4750

4955

5100

Milk Price

6.40

6.48

$/tonne

3070

Jan-19

Mar-19

May-19

$/tonne

3200 3000 2800 Aug Sep Latest price

Oct

Nov 4 weeks ago

Dec

4.85

YTD Low 3.38

Auckland International Airport Limited

9.2

7.065 10.42

The a2 Milk Company Limited

14.3

16.98

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

15.39

16.69

12.3

Spark New Zealand Limited

3.99

4.18

3.54

Ryman Healthcare Limited

11.55

12.5

10.4

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

4.11

4.2

3.51

Contact Energy Limited

7.48

7.7

5.82

Fletcher Building Limited

5.4

5.55

4.57

Port of Tauranga Limited (NS)

6.18

6.22

4.9

Listed Agri Shares

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Company

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

14.300

16.980

10.420

Comvita Limited

3.420

5.420

2.920

Delegat Group Limited

11.500

11.510

9.400

3.910

4.850

3.890

1.940

2.000

1.470

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

0.900

1.050

0.750

360

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

2.170

2.980

2.100

340

PGG Wrightson Limited

0.520

0.580

0.470

Sanford Limited (NS)

6.850

7.060

6.350

Scales Corporation Limited

4.780

5.130

4.340

SeaDragon Limited

0.002

0.003

0.001

Seeka Limited

4.800

5.350

4.200

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

9.700

11.350

8.450

380

Jul-18

Sep-18

Nov-18

Jan-19

Mar-19

May-19

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

3400

YTD High

4.72

Foley Wines Limited

May-18

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

Meridian Energy Limited (NS)

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

320

* price as at close of business on Thursday

US$/t

Nov-18

440

2930

Jul

Sep-18

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY

WMP

2600

Jul-18

NZ average (NZ$/t)

Top 10 by Market Cap

400

320

Fertiliser 625

360 Mar-19 May-19 Sept. 2020

Aug 2018-19

Urea

440

Jan-19

Jun

Last year

480

6.25

Apr 2017-18

Prior week

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

6.75

Feb

Last week

Grain

Data provided by

Sep-18 Nov-18 Sept. 2019

Dec

FERTILISER Last week

7.25

Jul-18

Oct

5-yr ave

30 micron lamb

MILK PRICE FUTURES

5.75

8.5

6.5

(NZ$/kg)

Dec

9.5

7.5

WOOL

5.0

Dairy

$/kg MS

10.5

7.5

4.5

5-yr ave

South Island stag slaughter price

5.5

South Island steer slaughter price

Oct

8.5

11.5

5.5

4.5

9.5

6.5

8.5

6.0

10.5

6.5

South Island lamb slaughter price

4.5

Last year

7.5

4.5

5.0

Last week Prior week

North Island stag slaughter price

11.5

7.5

5.5 5.5

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Ingrid Usherwood

350

T&G Global Limited

2.750

2.810

2.600

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity

16113

17434

15063

S&P/NZX 50 Index

10291

10305

8732

300

S&P/NZX 10 Index

9964

10066

8280

250 200

May-18

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

Jul-18

Sep-18

Nov-18

Jan-19

Mar-19

May-19

16113

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

10291

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

9964

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

7.80

SI SLAUGHTER BULL ( $/KG)

5.00

SI SLAUGHTER COW ( $/KG)

3.60

FRIESIAN BONER COW, 465-530KG, AT TEMUKA PRIME CATTLE ( $/KG)

1.70

Conditions cold but good NORTH ISLAND

ORTHLAND is still generally struggling for pasture. The higher rainfall farms are looking good but the rest are short. A lot of the dams, springs and streams are still dry and old timers can’t remember it being like this. As we’ve commented before, there was a lack of kikuyu in autumn that’s now paying dividends because ryegrass is popping up nicely. Beef cattle farmers are carrying fewer animals, which helps with pasture covers too. It was fine and sunny in South Auckland until Friday when light rain and fog moved in. During the fine spell early morning temperatures dropped to near freezing but in general, a constant breeze kept frosts at bay. Conditions were perfect for outdoor growers to plant or sow crops but heating systems will have been working hard for crops grown indoors. Kiwifruit pruning gangs had a good few days too with no need for raincoats but instead had the early morning discomfort of very cold hands. Waikato has a good supply of grass and cows are in okay condition now. On the money front farmers are cautious about starting the new financial year and they’re happy not to be digging into their pockets for supplementary feed. There’s still a scramble by some dairy farmers to find labour. Our Bay of Plenty contact took a while to answer his phone on Friday morning because he had a raincoat and other warms layers on while he was out with his stock. He says farms are looking better than a month ago because of the moisture but pasture covers are still tight and there’s still some way to go for the water table to pick up. Ewe scanning results are surprisingly good given the mating season when weight was falling off the ewes by the day. Our farmer says he was expecting to see a 30% drop in possible lamb numbers compared with last year but it was only 5% and that seems to be the case with other sheep guys as well. King Country’s had reasonable rain and farms are greening up but there’s not a lot of grass around. The last of the bulls sales are now over and prices remained high for the selling season. This was a surprise because farmers had got rid of more cows than usual earlier in the season and the feeling was the bull demand might have suffered. Early ewe scanning tallies are coming back a bit lower than past years at about 150% but it’s early days. It was a wonderful sunny, cool and calm day on Friday in Taranaki. There’s been enough rain for now. April was very wet and while May and June have been drier, even 5mm makes things spongy on top again. Winter has now arrived in Gisborne and most received good rain, about 90mm. Thank goodness because while it was nice having warm, fine days, farms needed moisture. Sheep farmers with triplets in the mix are getting scanning results around 180% to 190%. It is a very diverse region with very early lambs on the ground but in other parts scanning isn’t even on the horizon. Next week the

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LivestockEye COLD SNAP: Despite the frosts Manawatu farmers have enjoyed twice the normal grass growth in June.

East Coast bull sales are on there are 11 Angus studs and two Hereford studs with probably close to 500 bulls on offer. Buyers come from all over the country. Our consultant says you weigh yourself on Monday and again on Thursday and you discover it was a social week. Last year the top price was $95,000 for a bull from Kaharau Stud. Hawke’s Bay had rain late last week that was really needed to freshen things up. Growth won’t be instant but the colour has changed already. Farmers are much happier about the rest of winter now. Apple orchardists who got trees in before the rain are sitting pretty. The rest have to wait now until the ground dries out. Pruning is well under way. Returns for export apples are continuing to be strong. There’s little reject fruit so the processing plants are doing a bit of a starve. Wairarapa’s grass growth has been okay with frosts this week. Scanning is starting to ramp up on sheep farms while the dairy farmers are enjoying some peace. The Taihape district’s had a couple of really good frosts, signalling winter has well and truly arrived. Feed covers are a little low but stock condition is very good. Sheep and deer are being pregnancy tested. A few flocks have been knocked a bit by facial eczema. Temperatures dropped with cracking frosts in Manawatu as well. However, there’s been twice the normal grass growth in June so farmers are comfortable looking in to winter. Horowhenua’s had a cold week with a couple of big frosts and it’s been wet. Pastoral farms have grown more grass in the past month than they have in the previous three. Cows are looking good. SOUTH ISLAND In Nelson and Motueka apple and grape pruning is going full steam ahead while hop growers at Tapawera are in winter maintenance mode. Staff are tidying up the hooks and tailing the remains of the last year’s growth that was left attached to the hop plant. Fertiliser is also being applied. Shortly, nursery plants will be getting their top growth trimmed off before being moved to the cool store.

They stay in there for two months before being planted in fields in early spring. A sheep farmer in the Marlborough Sounds says he’s also in maintenance mode with scrub cutting, fence repairs and tidying up farm tracks with a bulldozer. Pregnancy scanning ewes is booked for early July. Mussels in the Sounds are quietly growing and some lines should to be ready for harvest later in spring. West Coast dairy farmers are also in winter mode. At Karamea temperatures got down to zero midweek, cold for this part of the country but after 200mm of rain the dry, cold weather was well received. People are feeding out silage and break feeding. Calving’s due to start in four weeks’ time for heifers. A cold, frosty, dry week in Canterbury means the mud has disappeared and anyone wintering stock is enjoying the conditions. Once fences are shifted and feeding out is completed farmers are getting on with winter maintenance jobs. Our contact at Hororata is also delivering feed barley to a local dairy farm, which will be fed to cows at calving in spring. Winter’s arrived in south Otago. There have been frosts and some rain that’s making it muddy under hoof for stock on crops. Our contact near Balclutha says his cows are on fodder beet. It’s grown well this year. Permanent staff on dairy farms are using their holidays before the new season starts while new workers are going through the farm induction process. A farmer at Wallacetown in Southland says it’s been one of the wettest Junes he’s seen for a while but with no frosts the grass is still growing. He’s getting sheep onto crops and sending tail-end lambs away. Crutching’s been held up by the weather. He says most farmers are happy with the on-farm work but Environment Southland’s proposed regulation changes and what they mean for farmers are giving people sleepless nights. There’s concern the changes could affect land values, the meat schedule and farmers’ relationships with banks. The sheep farmer we spoke to saw a T-shirt recently with a slogan on the front that says:“Have you eaten today? and on the back: Thank a Farmer. He wants you to think about that.

Courtesy of Radio New Zealand Country Life You can listen to Country Life on RNZ at 9pm every Friday and 7am on Saturday or on podcast at rnz.co.nz/countrylife

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

Instant response following the rain Store markets are largely in a positive space considering it is almost a month into winter. This is especially applicable to store lambs that have jumped another level following some much-needed rain through the eastern North Island in early June. In-lamb ewes are selling decently but increased supplies this year are still putting a cap on them.

NORTHLAND Wellsford cattle • R3 Hereford-Friesian steers, 425kg, improved to $2.74/kg • R3 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 425-468kg, matched the boys at $2.74-$2.75/kg • R2 traditional steers, 218-270kg, sold well at $2.96-$3.04/kg • R2 Red Devon heifers, 242kg, topped their section at $3.04/kg • R2 Friesian bulls, 370-426kg, improved to $2.65-$2.75/kg A smaller mixed quality yarding was offered at WELLSFORD last Monday and met with an increased buying bench which made for a steady to lifting market for most. Six R3 Limousin-cross, 430kg, were a highlight earning $2.92/kg, while the balance of this section, 426476kg, traded at $2.67-$2.77/kg. Buyers worked to per head budgets for R2 Angus-Friesian steers, 242-276kg, earning $705-$710, for varied $/kg. Ten Red-Devon steers, 238kg, were well received at $3.40/kg. Hereford heifers, 359kg, strengthened to $2.90/kg as did beef-dairy, 275-372kg, up to $2.70-$2.82/kg. R1 cattle sold well with Hereford-Friesian steers, 138-150kg, lifting to $535-$605, $3.88-$4.03/kg. Angus heifers, 273kg, returned $790, while beef-dairy, 153167kg, earned $500-$595. Four mixed-age Murray Greycross cows, 380kg, earned $1000, $2.63/kg. Kaikohe cattle • Top 2-year beef-cross steers made $2.80-$2.85/kg • Two-year Friesian and Friesian-cross steers sold for $2.40-$2.45/ kg • R1 Hereford-cross and Angus-cross steers made $2.85-$3.10/kg • Run-with-bull cows made $1.70/kg A total of around 520 head was on offer last week at KAIKOHE, PGG Wrightson agent Vaughan Vujcich reported, with the market generally steady. Demand for 2-year heifers lifted with the top cut earning $2.60/kg and the tail end at $2.30/kg, while steers were mostly steady for the betterquality beef-cross. R1 steers sold well, while R1 bulls and heifers made similar money at $2.40-$2.50/kg and $2.40$2.60/kg respectively.

AUCKLAND Pukekohe sale • Best prime steers lifted to $2.78-$2.92/kg • Lesser quality prime steers sold for $2.69-$2.80/kg • Boner cows strengthened to $1.72-$2.18/kg Recent grass growth in the area boosted confidence at PUKEKOHE last week which significantly lifted prices across the board. Supply of prime cattle eased and the combined result was increased competition. Prime heifers made $2.68-$2.80/kg at the top end, with lesser types at $2.59-$2.70/kg. Boner cows also lifted, while bulls earned $2.70-$2.91/kg. Store cattle performed well. Medium R2 steers earned $2.80-$2.86/kg, and heifers $2.60-$2.75/kg. Weaner steers softened a little to $500-$550, although good weaner heifers sold well at $630.

COUNTIES Tuakau sales • Charolais steers, 464kg, made $2.90/kg • Heavy Friesian cows, 695kg, earned $1630, $2.34/kg • Top prime lambs sold to $201 • Store lambs fetched $80-$130 About 800 store cattle were yarded at TUAKAU last Thursday and the market was firm, Chris Elliott of PGG Wrightson reported. Heavy steers, 420-520kg, traded at $2.82-$2.94/kg, with 300-400kg making $2.70-$3.00/kg. Weaner steers, 170240kg, earned $670-$815 and Friesian bulls, 277kg, $692. The heifer section featured good Charolais and Angus, 440470kg, which fetched $2.85$2.90/kg, with 300-400kg heifers returning $2.50-$3.00/

kg and 180-240kg, $650-$700. Prime steer and heifer prices lifted by 5c/kg on Wednesday. Heavy beef steers traded at $2.90-$3.06/kg, with medium making $2.80-$2.90/kg and light, $2.60-$2.70/kg. Beef heifers sold at $2.70-$2.95/ kg. Boner prices lifted by at least 15c/kg, with most wellconditioned cows earning $2.00-$2.16/kg and medium, $1.75-$2.00/kg. Monday’s sheep market was strong. Good prime lambs made $140-$200 and medium, $120-$140. Heavy ewes sold at $130-$180 and medium, $100-$130. Lighter ewes fetched $30-$80.

WAIKATO Frankton cattle • 0R3 beef-dairy steers, 501-523kg, solid at $2.75-$2.83/kg • R2 Angus and Angus-cross, 416-417kg, improved to $2.95-$3.02/ kg • R2 traditional heifers, 347-362kg, strengthened to $2.78-$2.88/kg • R1 Hereford-Dairy, 136-210kg, held at $430-$580 • R1 Hereford bulls, 193-200kg, topped their section at $800-$830 A good bench of buyers brought strength to the market at FRANKTON last week. R2 beef-dairy steers, 377-473kg, improved to $2.83-$2.91/kg, and Hereford-Friesian heifers, 381-431kg, were up at $2.81-$2.89/kg. R1 traditional cattle improved. Angus steers, 183-207kg, lifted to $650-$710, and their sisters, 133-177kg, sold at $400-$550. Hereford heifers, 137-241kg, were strong at $515-$715. R1 Hereford bulls proved popular with 136-175kg returning $520-$650, versus Angus, 140-176kg, at $460-$560. Friesian bulls also improved with 220-251kg, up to $655-$745. All beef-dairy steers, 525-755kg, held at $2.76-$2.83/kg, though lighter, 491kg, Shorthorn-cross pushed to $2.93/kg. Beef-dairy heifers 435-531kg, held at $2.68-$2.85/kg. Prime Angus cows, 375-471kg, softened to $1.61-$1.86/kg. Boner Friesian and Friesian cross, 522-571kg, managed $1.83-$1.96/kg, with lesser types at $1.52-$1.69/kg.

BAY OF PLENTY Rangiuru • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers were sold at $2.85-$2.92/kg • R1 Simmental-cross heifers, 180-240kg, made $540-$650 • Heavy prime lambs $165-$168 Throughput of store cattle at RANGIURU was consistent with the previous week at 260 head. Prices varied with older, better-quality cattle and beef breeds selling well, while longer-term lines were harder to get across the line. Better R3 cattle steers and heifers made $2.81-$2.89/kg while buying of R2 lines was very selective, with top lines at $2.85-$2.92/kg. In the prime pens, prices were firm for the bigger classes of steers and boner cows. Steers, 725-778kg, topped $3.00/kg to hit $3.02-$3.10/kg. All other lines 584642kg, were $2.77-$2.90/kg regardless of breed. The boner cow market was strong and Friesian, 534-554kg, sold at $2.04 -$2.08/kg.

POVERTY BAY Matawhero cattle • R3 Angus steers made $2.94/kg • R2 Simmental-cross steers, 440kg, sold for $2.19/kg • R1 Angus steers, 215kg, sold well at $770 • Mixed age Angus vetted-in-calf cows, 490-530kg, mostly sold for $1.98-$2.03/kg Last week’s MATAWHERO cattle sale had 684 cattle on offer. Prices varied with quality cattle selling well, while longer-term animals were more of a struggle. Traditional steers, 390-430kg, were in demand and made $3.11-$3.18/ kg, while 265-375kg mostly earned $2.86-$3.01/kg. Most traditional R2 heifers, 355-365kg, sold for $2.60-$2.65/kg, and Angus and Simmental-cross, 390-395kg, made $2.46$2.53/kg. Younger cattle were a harder sell with R1 steers and heifers mostly earning $405-$510.

Matawhero sheep • Very heavy male store lambs sold for $159 • Very heavy ewe store lambs made $156 • Prime lambs lifted to $131-$169 • Prime ewes mostly earned $136 Tallies were down to just under 2000 store lambs at last week’s MATAWHERO sale. The sale went well despite lower numbers. The top end lifted and all sold above $100 with the majority earning $119-$137. Prime lambs were limited although sold on a strengthening market. A number of Romney scanned-in-lamb five-year ewes were on offer and these were split with the top end earning $194 and the balance at $140-$160.

TARANAKI Taranaki cattle • R2 Hereford-Friesian and Ayrshire-cross steers, 350-420kg, made $3.02-$3.09/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian and Ayrshire cross heifers, 400-413kg, were steady at $2.53-$2.62/kg • R1 Hereford-Friesian steers, 248kg, sold well at $800 • R2 vetted-in-calf Red Devon heifers all made $1210-$1310 Last week’s cattle sale at TARANAKI performed well, with lifting schedules helping increase demand for store cattle. R3 steers all made similar money regardless of breed at $2.73-$2.76/kg, while heifers were split with beef types at $2.82/kg and dairy, $2.65/kg. R2 steers sold well considering there was more crossbred types, with most earning $2.91$2.92/kg. Quality R1 cattle were sought after, steers were mostly 187-211kg, which earned $600-$725, while AngusFriesian heifers, 213-230kg, lifted to $625-$655.

HAWKE’S BAY Stortford Lodge prime cattle and sheep • Very heavy male and ram lambs lifted to $196-$203 • Heavy and very heavy mixed sex lambs held at $143-$197 • Medium ewe lambs lifted to $116-$131 • Very good and heavy ewes held at $140-$159 • Prime Angus steers, 607-665kg, improved to $3.03-$3.08/kg Lamb throughput dropped to just 200 last week at STORTFORD LODGE, compared to 1800 the week prior. Lower numbers and increased competition improved the market for most. Heavy ram lambs improved to $140-$176, while medium mixed sex lines held at $120, as did most heavy ewe lambs at $142-$144. Close to 1200 ewes were yarded. Very heavy ewes came back to $178-$194, and lightmedium and medium ewes also softened to $108-$127 with the tail end steady at $70-$105. Two-tooth ewes traded on a steady market with all earning $119-$150. In the rostrum a small number of cows went under the hammer and all, 466550kg, returned $2.04-$2.13/kg. Stortford Lodge store sale • 5-year Romney ewes, scanned-in-lamb twins, sold well at $211 • Heavy ewe lambs lifted to $140-$144 • Heavy cryptorchid lambs strengthened to $157.50-$160 • R2 traditional steers, 435kg, lifted to $2.89/kg • Mixed age traditional, vetted-in-calf cows, 545-615kg, made $1400-$1405 Three to four inches of rain the week prior lifted confidence at last week’s STORTFORD LODGE store sale. Breeding ewes were a feature, with 2722 scanned-in-lamb ewes on offer. The majority of these made $167-$183.50, with the lighter ewes at $131-$160. A smaller offering of store lambs had good competition, and ewe lambs in particular strengthened. A mixed offering of store cattle was absorbed by local buyers. Quality steers lifted, while R2 dairy-beef heifers, 345-400kg, sold in a tight range of $2.55$2.63/kg. R1 cattle of good weights sold well, with 264kg traditional steers making $875, while lighter types were good shopping.

MANAWATU Rongotea • Three-year crossbred steers, 815kg, sold at $2.74/kg • Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 363-520kg, strengthened to $2.74-$2.86/kg • Two-year Charolais-cross bulls, 484kg, sold at $2.45/kg • Two-year Hereford-Friesian heifers, 310-518kg, made $2.53-$2.83/ kg • Yearling Angus bulls, 357kg, made $930 There was a great selection of good quality dairy beef steers and heifers on offer at RONGOTEA last week, with an enthusiastic buying bench and a lift in prices NZ Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported. Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers strengthened, while crossbred, 595kg, earned $2.37/kg. Two-year bulls varied, Friesian, Hereford-Friesian and Angus-cross all earned $2.05-$2.33/ kg with exotics above this. Friesian boner cows, 390-585kg, were steady at $1.44-$1.68/kg. Feilding prime

SALE YARD WRAP

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019

GOOD BOY: OKAWA Rommel 7003 attracted the top price of $60,000 at Nick and Penny France’s Okawa Poll Herefords recent 50th annual bull sale at Mt Somers. The average price at the sale, which saw 50 of 53 bulls sold, was just over $10,100. A wrap of bull sales around the country will appear in next week’s Farmers Weekly. • Very heavy male lambs firmed to $188-$194 • Boner Friesian cows, 515-575kg, rose to $2.02/kg • Boner Friesian cows, 470-510kg, rose to at $1.94/kg The prime cattle yarding at FEILDING last Monday housed 295 head with stock attending from as far as Waipukurau. Heavier prime beef-cross heifers 500-590kg sold at $2.75-$2.88/kg. Top end lines of boner heifers made $2.66-$2.75/kg, with most at $2.20-2.26/kg. Top ewe lambs made $183, with middle examples at $152-$155. A thousand male lambs presented, half at $188 or better. Mixed sex had top pens at $165-$177, with longer-term pens at $135-138. Prime lamb numbers were down 300 on the previous week with the market rising as buyers competed. The yarding of ewes was higher and prices rose slightly; very good prime ewes made $172-$176, with most very good condition types at $145-$162. Feilding store • Straight beef R3 steers, 525-590kg, made $3.03-$3.15/kg • Traditional R2 steers, 415-465kg, were $3.14-$3.27/kg • Beef-Friesian R2 heifers, 365-420kg, made $2.73-$2.85/kg • Good store lambs lifted around $10/hd • Good five-year Romney ewes, SIL twins, were $212 A little under 1200 cattle mainly sold to expectations. Good quality R2 and R3 steer featured early on, both rarely making less than $3.00/kg. The R2 heifers were mostly partdairy and sold quite well, with $2.75/kg usually the base level on all but the sub-350kg types. Some R2 420-430kg Angus bulls did well at $2.79-$2.89/kg, $1200-$1210. Light R1 beef heifers were common, with 165-210kg usually $590$690 and 150-155kg at $485-$500. The better 180-260kg traditional R1 steers were $3.95-$4.15/kg. Bids were flying thick and fast on the store lambs, where the average price lifted to $136. Male lambs offered early in the sale were largely $147.50-$160.50, occasionally higher. The better half of the ewe lambs were $132.50-$153.50, with the rest mostly $105-$129. Another 2400 in-lamb ewes were within the same ballpark as past weeks. Good mixed age ewes, SIL 173-204%, were $180-$190, while medium quality and lower scanning ewes were mainly $144-$169.

CANTERBURY Canterbury Park • Prime Charolais steers, 530kg, made $2.89/kg • Prime Charolais-cross heifers, 555kg, fetched $2.98/kg • Boner heifers, 600-605kg, lifted to $2.64-$2.66/kg

• Heavy mixed-sex store lambs strengthened to $118-$124 • Heavy ram lambs made $136 There was a small yarding of prime cattle at last week’s CANTERBURY PARK sale, although lifting schedules and good quality meant prices lifted. Heavier traditional and exotic prime steers earned $2.79-$2.89/kg, while beef-cross were just below this at $2.71-$2.80/kg. Prime heifers mostly lifted to $2.60-$2.72/kg. Store lambs also lifted, and the average price rose to $116. Mixed sex lambs strengthened at the heavier end, while lighter lambs were steady. Prime lambs had good competition, and better lambs typically made $207-$216 while the bottom end were $115-$149. Prime ewes also had pleasing returns, with heavy mixed age at $211-$221. Coalgate prime and store cattle; all sheep • Prime ewe prices eased to $138 • Store lamb prices back to $121 • Ten prime Limousin bulls 625kg bulls, $3.08/kg The number of prime and store lambs at last week’s COALGATE sale were almost equal, with store lambs again contributing a higher than normal tally for a total sheep yarding of almost 3000 head. Prime lambs sold for $204$218 and medium-good fetched $180-$195. The bulk of the tally was for mid-range lambs at $150-$179, while light lambs made $120-$150. Most store lambs sold at $120-$128, easing from $130-$139 the previous week. The next cut down earned $105-$117 and longer-term lines also eased slightly to $95-$105. Just 26 store cattle were put up for sale and these sold steady. In the prime pens, prices rose slightly on last week. Larger steers 532-595kg traded at $2.75-$2.84/ kg, with lighter types mostly at $2.67-$2.74/kg.

SOUTH-CANTERBURY Temuka prime and boner cattle; all sheep • Top prime lambs $200-$211 • Good to heavy ewe lambs rose to $120-$130 • Prime cow prices were up 22c to $1.96/k A halving in store lamb entries had TEMUKA featuring 5197 sheep last week. There was strong demand for both prime and store lambs, with a lift of 55c/kg in the average store lamb price to $4.06/kg. Medium-good mixed sex store lambs, 30-31kg, rose to $4.14/kg with 28-29kg rising to $4.12/kg. Prime lamb entries were 1300 and these sold on a good market. Top pens sold at $200-$211. Prime ewe prices were up

slightly. Very heavy lines sold at $233-$280 with the majority of the tally at $150-$213. A drop in boner cow numbers had the cattle entry reduced to 313. Beef or beef-cross heifers 485-660kg sold at $2.69-$2.73/kg while 490kg Friesians sold for $2.33/kg. Boner cows were in very good condition; 465-530kg rose 26c to $1.70/kg, while 580-620kg lines were up 14c to $1.62/ kg.

OTAGO Balclutha • Heavy prime lambs, made $160-$190 • Medium prime lambs sold for $130-$150 • Top store lambs held at $115-$120 There was a small yarding of prime lambs and ewes at BALCLUTHA last week, although these were in demand and prices lifted, with even light prime lambs making $120. Heavy prime ewes strengthened to $160-$180 and lights were $100-$120. Store lambs were also sought after, and the small yarding held for most with mediums at $105-$110 and the tail end at $90-$100.

SOUTHLAND Lorneville • Heavy prime lambs earned $153-$169 • Medium two-tooths made $116 • Heavy local trade rams fetched $60-$80 • Top store lambs sold for $115-$130 At LORNEVILLE last week prime lambs sold well and even light lambs made $128-$136. Heavy prime ewes sold for $160-$200 with mediums at $136-$151 and lights $80$118. Heavy store lambs made good money where light and mediums earned $80-$110. Charlton sheep sale • Heavy prime lambs made $166 • Heavy prime ewes strengthened to $180 • Heavy local trade rams made $90 • Top store lambs lifted to $135 Heavy prime lambs and ewes were largely steady last week at CHARLTON. Medium and light prime lambs made $130-$145, while medium and light prime ewes softened slightly to $100-$135. There was a good number of quality store lambs which helped this market lift at the top end, while mediums sold for $115-$120.

Markets

48 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 24, 2019 NI SLAUGHTER STEER

SI SLAUGHTER STEER

SI SLAUGHTER LAMB

($/KG)

GOOD MIXED SEX LAMBS AT CANTERBURY PARK

($/KG)

($/HD)

5.60

5.25

7.55

122 - 123

$3.13/kg high $211 R2 Angus Hereford, Five-year Romney ewes, lights SIL Twins to Romney ram, 390kg, at Matawhero

White wools selling well Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

OOD quality crossbred wools are showing positive signs the market is on the up, PGG Wrightson wool general manager Grant Edwards says. “There is some good demand coming through for good coloured, good styled crossbred wool that gives us some positive indication that these types have finally bottomed out to usher in a recovery – albeit a slow one. “Prices are solid,” Edwards said. “Through the coming months the new season’s wool should continue to be well received by buyers.” But coloured wools are proving an issue with a significant quantity of discoloured wool continuing to come forward for sale. Edwards said they are either new wools subject to humid colouring conditions or old stocks that have been held back from sale for some time. “Wools held in storage for a degree of time will tend to decline in colour readings, resulting in more discolouring. “The poorer the colour at shearing time the greater the tendency for increased colouring when held in the bales.” Prices for those wools have declined and they, especially the worst coloured ones, are proving extremely challenging to meet any degree of demand, Edwards said. New Zealand Wool Testing Authority chief executive Duane Knowles said humidity has been elevated over the past two seasons with increased degradation consistent for both North and South Island wools. “Because wool is a biological product it will degrade with humidity, turning it white to yellow and making is less desirable for dying.” This dis-colouring occurs both before and after shearing. In the dying process whiter wool

PRICES SOLID: PGG Wrighston wool general manager Grant Edwards says strong wool prices are solid and fine wool growers should find their clip well sought after this season. Photo: Annette Scott

Through the coming months the new season’s wool should continue to be well received by buyers. Grant Edwards PGG Wrighston is better able to take pastel shades, therefore commanding a higher price. Yellow or creamy wool with higher colour measurements can take only dark colour dyes which limits use among spinners, dyers and manufacturers. As NZ produces the world’s whitest, brightest coarse wool, in normal circumstances it attracts a premium. “However, when colour is high it can be substituted with wool from elsewhere, reducing demand and lowering market prices,” Knowles said.

He acknowledged that optimising colour is difficult. “Although growers have little control over humidity they can control decisions around shearing times and patterns. “The longer the wool is left on the sheep, the yellower it becomes and the longer it is stored for sale the more it degrades. “Shearing on a six or eight-month cycle is preferable to a 12-month shearing pattern and minimal storage will also ensure optimum colour,” Knowles said. Meanwhile, in the fine wool sector, prices for Australian wool that saw some recovery through May from a large degree of previous price declines have softened again, Edwards said. NZ fine wool is off season now but based on excellent growing conditions the quality of NZ’s wool clip this year is expected to again be outstanding. “When we do go back to market from July, fine wool growers of both Merino and halfbred should find their clip well sought after,” Edwards said.

at Stortford Lodge Store Sale

ACROSS THE RAILS MEL CROAD

Promising outlook for sheep and beef farmers FARMGATE sheep and beef prices are on the rise as documented in the latest AgriHQ Livestock Outlook report. For lamb this is nothing new with prices lifting higher week-on-week since bottoming out in late March. The supply of lambs into processing plants dropped well below normal in the last six weeks, catching many by surprise. Overseas market demand has underpinned price rises at the farmgate with procurement merely a spectator. Farmgate prices look set to follow trends witnessed through winter last year, thereby peaking in late September before starting their descent to Christmas. Farmgate prices now tend to ease into November as the first of the new-season lambs are drafted. This is purely because of the tapering off in export demand for chilled lamb. Those who have scanned their breeding ewes already will be tallying up their potential lamb crop for this spring and eying up potential returns. However, rest assured, as the market adjusts to capture greater demand for frozen lamb farmgate prices will remain well above historical levels. Average farmgate lamb prices last November were $1.30-$1.40/kg above five-year average levels. With the Chinese New Year being celebrated nearly 10 days earlier next year it should ensure demand for frozen lamb remains strong this side of Christmas. While lamb continues to shine, beef prices have been dragging the chain and are only now starting to see some upside. This was expected to be a big production year for beef globally. While the higher supplies are evident the impact China has had on global beef demand has been underestimated. China has absorbed a whopping 50% more beef in the first four months of this year than for the corresponding period in 2018. This continues to generate further demand for beef, providing options for New Zealand beef exports including directing beef away from the United States. Farmgate prices here, however, have been mediocre on the back of a hangover of higher production through autumn and non-existent procurement competition. AgriHQ anticipates further upside in beef prices to spring, at levels close to last season, on the back of tighter supplies and the ongoing strength of key markets. mel.croad@globalhq.co.nz

Find out more about AgriHQ at agrihq.co.nz

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