Farmers Weekly NZ January 25 2021 by AgriHQ

4 New era in weather Vol 19 No 3, January 25, 2021

farmersweekly.co.nz

$3.95

Incl GST

Rain secures feed surplus Gerald Piddock

gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz

ARM temperatures and frequent summer rain have led to a bumper season for summer feed crops and pasture covers for livestock farmers in most regions up and down the country. It’s been a remarkable turnaround compared to 12 months ago, where severe drought had written off feed crops and farmers around the North Island were burning through their feed reserves to keep their stock healthy. DairyNZ general manager of farm performance Sharon Morrell says while it has been a good year for many, regions such as Northland was getting dry and areas of the Hauraki Plains also had declining pasture growth rates. Others such as Bay of Plenty are operating on a par compared to last season from a production perspective. In Waikato, Paeroa dairy farmer Bart van der Ven says he would typically struggle to grow a 21-tonne maize crop on the 171ha farm he sharemilks, but this year he believes it will yield at least 22t. “For us, that’s phenomenal. It got the rain at the right time as well, and we’ve just grown a bumper crop,” Van der Ven said. He delayed his planting this season by three weeks, from early to late October, after experiencing establishment issues in the past. This year the crop was out of the ground five days after sowing in

GOOD GROWTH: Paeroa dairy farmer Bart van der Ven says this has been his best year ever for growing maize.

late October and the combination of warmth and good rain saw it take off. He recently checked the cobs on some of the crop, which were 40 kibbles long by 16 kibbles around. “Everything just fell into place,” he said. Once harvested in early March, some of the maize will be fed out straight away while the rest will be stored until required. The extra feed will mean a longer milking season and he

predicts he will be easily milking into May. “I’m growing the most maize I’ve ever had. Last year I grew 4.5ha, this year 7.5ha. Last year I had to buy an extra 3ha of maize in and I still couldn’t milk into May,” he said. He says pastures are still growing strong with the feed quality holding up well. “Looking at the grass situation at the moment, we could have six weeks of a drought and still

milk into May. I’ve never been so stoked in the summer, the mental health’s doing really well,” he said. His herd is halfway through its second grazing on his 19ha chicory crop, which was also looking superb, getting 2.5kg of drymatter per cow off it. At Te Poi, south of Matamata, sharemilker Matthew Zonderop says the farm had so much grass for his 400 cows that it was posing a dilemma with his 12.5t/ha turnip crop close to being ready.

Everything just fell into place. Bart van der Ven Farmer The crop had to be eaten, while at the same time trying to maintain the pasture quality as

Continued page 3

NEWS

ON FARM STORY

24 A different way of life A North Canterbury family has embraced permaculture to feed themselves and teach others how to do the same. Angela Clifford and Nick Gill talked to Tony Benny.

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

16 Australian farmers bounce back A year after devastating bushfires roared through rural Australia, the worst hit regions are reporting a complete turnaround in fortunes.

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

10 Exchange rate a pain point for meat export

5 Luxton ready for new role The new chair of the Primary Production select committee says she hopes to restore the trust farmers have in the Government.

A wildly fluctuating exchange rate is causing headaches for meat exporters. Silver Fern Farms (SFF) says between October and November the NZ-US exchange rate rose from $US0.65 to $US0.71, wiping $140 a head off beef and up to $11 off a lamb.

Weather �� 37 Markets �� 36-40 GlobalHQ is a farming family owned business that donates 1% of all advertising revenue in Farmers Weekly and Dairy Farmer to farmer health and well-being initiatives. Thank you for your prompt payment.

AFFCO.co.nz For more than 100 years, AFFCO has been taking the finest New Zealand meat to the world and achieving the highest returns for our farmers. But don’t confuse our age with our attitude. We’re a modern and progressive business, equipped with the latest technology and working at the leading edge of the industry. We’re proud to introduce our new website to the world. It’s simpler, it’s faster, it’s here.

WWW.AFFCO.CO.NZ

WAVE25893

say hello to

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

Call to support orchardists Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz THE hail storm that hit parts of the Tasman region just after Christmas will wipe out some orchardists’ incomes for the next 12 to 18 months and they will need government support, New Zealand Apple & Pears chief executive Alan Pollard says. Pollard recently spent two days in the area meeting growers, offering technical support and listening to their concerns. He says the storm, which was centred between Motueka and Moutere, was much more destructive than usual and some growers will lose 100% of their crop. “It was extraordinary. There was a massive wall of hail over a significant area rather than the corridors you usually get,” Pollard said. “I was standing in an area of 600 metres by 600 metres, and not one piece of fruit was saved.” One of his biggest concerns is the mental health and wellbeing of growers and their staff, with the storm damage coming on top of a tough year that included the covid lockdown and a labour shortage. However, he says those in the industry are generally resilient and immediately switched into recovery mode. “I was blown away by how concerned they were about their teams,” he said. “After an event like this it’s understandable that people start to

Continued from page 1 best he could. He also has 10.5ha of maize in the ground, which typically yields around 25t/ha. He believes it will be well above that when it is harvested in six to eight weeks’ time. “I’ve never seen our maize as big as it is right now. Even if it dries out now the maize will still be through the roof,” Zonderop said.

question the viability of businesses and the security of jobs.” However, Pollard says while it may seem logical to assume that the demand for labour, both permanent and seasonal, will be less as a result of the storm, the opposite is true.

The full extent of that damage is still being assessed, but a number of orchard crops in Motueka have been written off, with the impact expected to extend into next season as well. Nikki Johnson NZ Kiwifruit Growers “The storm creates its own complexities, with a huge amount of work now needed to remove the damaged fruit from the trees, protect the damaged trees from disease risk, and do whatever is possible to salvage the orchards and ensure a crop for next season,” he said. “To do this, our existing workforce, whether on the orchard or in support roles, is critical. “The best option for workers whose employers have been affected by the hail is for them to stay where they are and contribute to ensuring that those

Further south in hill country Manawatu, sheep and beef farmer Conor Hopkins says the region has had an excellent summer so far. The family farm he works on has plenty of grass available and summer feed crops of lucerne, chicory, raphno and pasja, were looking good. The farm also had 380 bales that are a mix of hay, grass silage and oats.

businesses can recover. The whole community depends on this.” NZ Apples & Pears is developing a platform to match workers who have some availability with growers who need additional help. Pollard, along with other horticulture leaders, has approached the Government to explore options for support. “We’re committed to doing all we can to ensure that the workforce remains intact and engaged, and to ensure that businesses are best-placed to recover from this event and continue to contribute to their local communities,” he said. “In other adverse events, the Government has offered financial support so we are keen to work with them to see what sort of relief package we can put together.” NZ Kiwifruit Growers Inc chief executive Nikki Johnson also visited Motueka in the wake of the storm. She says a number of orchards in the area suffered significant impact. “The full extent of that damage is still being assessed, but a number of orchard crops in Motueka have been written off, with the impact expected to extend into next season as well,” Johnson said. “About 2.2 million trays of Zespri SunGold kiwifruit and 300,000 trays of Zespri Green kiwifruit were lost in Motueka.” Growers needing help and advice can contact the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254. Farmstrong also has resources for dealing with stress.

“Everything is growing really well,” Hopkins said. He says it had been a remarkable turnaround from last year which had been fraught with issues around drought and tight space at the meat processor. The rain also relieved concerns in North Otago, where dry weather pre-Christmas had threatened to derail the farming season. Federated Farmers North Otago president Jared Ross says it had

CRITICAL: New Zealand Apple & Pears chief executive Alan Pollard says despite significant hail damage to orchards in the Motueka area on Boxing Day, orchard workers are still needed.

been a remarkable turnaround after the region received 150200mm of rain at Christmas. “The dry concerns (are) long gone,” he said. At the bottom of the country in Southland, Nick Templer says it has been a great season so far for farmers in his part of the country. “We’ve got grass everywhere and silage shut off, it’s been really good so far,” Templar said. It was looking dry on the farm

he sharemilks near Balfour in December before timely rain over Christmas and early January set him up. “Everyone’s pretty happy at the moment,” he said. “But the feed reserves are quite good. People have got a bank of feed, which bodes well and pastures are still growing by and large. Hopefully summer production will hold for longer than it did last year.”

Ruralco is a values-led farming co-operative since 1963. We make your farming life easier with the convenience of one card to use online or in store with one statement for consolidated spend & improved cash�ow. Through our supplier network we o�er competitive pricing with real value to meet the needs of your farming business.

We are experts in agriculture, providing a complete solution with personalised advice and the latest innovations, on farm, instore or online.

CARD

O�ering real value on everyday items for your farm with more than 3,000 businesses you can use your Ruralco Card at & receive a discount.

ENERGY

Providing independent energy advice, and after 50 years in the business, we know exactly what you need to get the best deal for your farm.

Join Ruralco

and enjoy convenience, competitive pricing and expert advice for your farming business

FUEL

Covering all your lubricants, storage options and on-farm supplies delivered direct to your door at the best possible price.

GIFT & HOMEWARE

An extensive range of quality brands that are sure to be treasured for a lifetime.

FARM SUPPLIES

An extensive range of over 10,000 products, available in three stores and online.

FERTILISER

Ruralco’s relationship with Ballance Agri-Nutrients allows you to charge your fertiliser through your Ruralco account.

SEED

O�ering a wide range of seed and treatments, including proprietary and endophytic options, custom mixes and our own Ruralco pasture mixes.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Committed to helping you get the best expert advice you need, and this includes health and safety. To help you keep your farm and workers safe, we have a number of courses to keep you up to speed, and we can help you with the certi�cations you need.

0800 787 256

ruralco.co.nz

OBSESSED WITH AGRICULTURE

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

New era in weather forecasting

We are looking at delivering weather data that is sourced from the most suitable and accurate places, delivered to rural New Zealand in a way that is relevant to them and their particular business. Phil Duncan RuralWeather Farmers Weekly editor Bryan Gibson says the prospects for what he describes as a “meeting of rural-focused minds” are exciting for both companies and for NZ’s primary sector. “Phil Duncan, as founder of WeatherWatch, has long been committed to helping our primary sector better understand the weather. He appreciates how much rides on the information he provides, and the critical decisions

farmers and growers make with that information,” Gibson said. Gibson says GlobalHQ has always focused on delivering readers the most accurate and insightful information possible, both in paper and digital format, with news, market analysis and weather being the three most popular content subjects farmers seek out. “So, it makes sense to combine our talents with Phil’s for accurate weather forecasting delivered in the most personalised, timely way possible to our audience,” he said. WeatherWatch founder Phil Duncan also adds more horsepower to GlobalHQ’s already strong analysis team in AgriHQ, recognising the role the weather has on livestock markets and bringing extra insight to subscriber reports. Launched with its own website www.ruralweather.co.nz this month, the partnership is aiming to provide districtspecific weather information that incorporates data genuinely generated from stations within those districts, rather than simply delivering approximate forecasting based on more distant weather stations. WeatherWatch has access to IBM’s super-computer, regarded as among the most powerful in the world for capturing, generating and presenting accurate weather data. Plans include incorporating farm-based weather stations that feed even more localised data back into the system, effectively crowd-sourcing data for even more accurate information. Duncan says partnering with GlobalHQ opens the door to

Calciprill ®

INSIGHT: GlobalHQ has partnered with WeatherWatch’s Phil Duncan to create RuralWeather, a platform to provide district-specific weather information, rather than simply delivering approximate forecasting based on more distant weather stations.

an audience hungry for quality weather advice that is relevant to their locality, and delivered in a way that is understandable and accessible. “We want RuralWeather to reflect the needs of farmers in regions – what is important to a farmer or grower in Otago will differ significantly from what is important to one in Waikato,” Duncan said. “We also want to present the weather in a way that helps our audience better understand what is ‘normal’ and what is not, so their decisions are based on facts,

not memory or gut feelings alone.” Duncan says he is also excited about the prospects for the RuralWeather app, due out later this year with capacity to tailor weather alerts and personalise reports for farmers. “You will get to set the parameters for different weather factors, with specific alerts – having fewer weather surprises hit farmers and growers is worth a lot of money to them,” he said. Meantime, viewers and listeners on Sarah’s Country, GlobalHQ’s live and on-demand media platform, will have the

opportunity to get a summary of the weather ahead every Monday from Duncan. Duncan says thanks to MetService it is also highly likely its rain radar information will soon also be accessible to RuralWeather users. March 23, World Meteorological day is set as the date for the app launch. “We are looking at delivering weather data that is sourced from the most suitable and accurate places, delivered to rural NZ in a way that is relevant to them and their particular business,” he said.

leaves all other limes for dust! Application rate guide (kg/ha)* Soil type

Topdressed 0.5 pH increase

Direct drilled or air seeded

Sand/loamy sand

300

Sandy/silt loam

500

125

Clay/loamy clay

625

150

10-15% organic matter

750

175

+25% organic matter

1000

200

*Omya recommends you soil test recularly and seek advice from independent agricultural professionals

Look for Calciprill on www.omya.com/nz-en

A 2-6mm lime granule made in Waikato from finely ground high purity limestone. • Cost effective • Low in dust, easy to spread • Breaks down rapidly in moisture • Can be applied using your own equipment • 95% < 75 microns

Ian Campbell 021 271 5963 ian.campbell@omya.com

LK0105695©

A PARTNERSHIP between New Zealand’s leading rural publisher and a respected privately-owned weather company promises to deliver concise, timely and accurate weather information to NZ farmers and growers. GlobalHQ, publishers of awardwinning Farmers Weekly and monthly dairying magazine Dairy Farmer, has formed a partnership with WeatherWatch to create RuralWeather, a union of two wholly NZ-owned and focused companies.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

Luxton ready for committee role Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz THE new chair of the Primary Production select committee says she hopes to restore the trust farmers have in the Government. Labour MP for Rangitata Jo Luxton, who spent part of the last parliamentary term as the committee’s deputy chair, says some of that trust has been lost and she wants to help build it back up again. Luxton says she made a conscious effort during her first three years in parliament to build a relationship with the sector in Mid-Canterbury, including visiting local farmers and attending Federated Farmers meetings when possible. Having shifted to the Ashburton area from Bay of Plenty in 1996 when working in the dairy industry, she is more familiar with the dairy sector than she is with sheep and beef and cropping, but is planning to change that. Joining Luxton on the committee are fellow Labour MPs Steph Lewis (Whanganui) and Anna Lorck (Tukituki), National’s David Bennett (list) and Ian

HAPPY: Jo Luxton is pleased to be back on the Primary Production select committee.

McKelvie (Rangitikei) and Act’s Mark Cameron (list). At this stage, the committee members have not sat down to look at what business from the previous committee they want to continue with. She says they will probably wait until Agriculture Minister Damien

O’Connor settles on his agenda first. Luxton is pleased to be back on the Primary Production select committee. After being its deputy chair for the first nine months of last term she was moved to the same role on the Economic Development,

Science and Innovation select committee for about a year and then took on the same role on the Regulations Review select committee for a similar amount of time. She says when she was last on the committee there was a real camaraderie among its members, more so than some other committees. “I missed it (Primary Production). It was one I really enjoyed,” Luxton said. She was very happy when rung by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after the last election and offered the committee’s chair, as it is a good fit for her not only personally because of her previous experience but also because of where she lives in the Rangitata electorate, which contains significant rural areas. If her own polling at the last election is anything to go by, Luxton may be in a good place to bridge any gap between the Government and rural communities. From being more than 6000 votes behind National’s Andrew Falloon at the 2017 election, Luxton was more than 4000 ahead of National candidate Megan

Hands at last year’s election, the first time a Labour candidate had won the seat. She says her first term, as a list MP, was invaluable in terms of fact finding, learning the routines of parliament and the parliamentary cycle.

Nothing can prepare you for being an MP. It can be exciting, challenging and scary. Jo Luxton “Nothing can prepare you for being an MP. It can be exciting, challenging and scary,” she said. “It’s also a privilege. “I’m far more confident now than what I was. “This term is a good opportunity to cement some of the relationships I’ve made.” Luxton is also a member of the Education and Workforce select committee, both areas of interest for the primary sector.

FE spore counts hit 1.2m in Matamata Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz FARMERS are being warned to make sure they have an adequate facial eczema (FE) management plan in place after the first spore counts of the year topped nearly 1.2 million from one grass sample in Matamata. The maximum spore counts analysed by Hamilton-based Gribbles Veterinary on January 14 also reached 30,000 in Franklin and Tauranga, 120,000 in Waikato, 35,0000 in Waitomo and 150,000 on the East Coast. In the second week of monitoring, samples collected from farms in Waihi, Franklin, Hauraki, Whitianga, Rotorua,

news maker

Latest news and weather

Whakatane, Tauranga, Hamilton, Morrinsville, Waipa, Waitomo, New Plymouth and Gisborne were all higher than the 30,000 spores/gram threshold at which veterinarians recommend farmers take action against facial eczema. The warm, wet summer has been ideal growing conditions for the fungus Pithomyces chartarum to grow in pastures. The fungus produces toxic spores, which are then eaten by sheep and cattle, causing liver and skin damage, and death if left unprotected. Beef +Lamb NZ’s senior advisor for biosecurity and animal welfare Will Halliday says farmers should be undertaking

OpiniOn maker

weekly monitoring and putting management strategies in place to prevent stock being affected by this production-limiting disease. “While facial eczema spore monitoring has just begun for the 2021 season, nationally they are nearly twice as high as they were in January in the previous three years, indicating that if these climatic conditions continue, this could be shaping up for a bad year for facial eczema.” DairyNZ general manager of farm performance Sharon Morrell says it appeared at this early stage the high spore counts were in isolated patches only, with some regions receiving zero spore count readings. “It is quite pockety. It’s not

themed paneL discussion

ADVICE: Beef + Lamb NZ and DairyNZ say farmers should vigilantly monitor and put management strategies in place to prevent stock being affected by facial eczema.

universal,” she said. “The message is though – regardless of whether spore counts are high or not – people should be given the amount of

change maker

Innovative soLutions

7pm mondaY to wednesdaY LIve and on podcast SARAHSCOUNTRY.COM in alliance with

debris that’s around on some farms and given how warm and damp it’s been, they should be doing their preventative measures already.”

wetlands nitrogen

N leaching regulations

nt erules

riparian

n iro

catchment consent local government law

limits

v en leaching land winter grazing nutrient budgets resowing N-limits sustainability

nutrient leaching

uncertainty streams future

compliance

records farm continuation reducing plan change

share farmer

water rivers

change

actions

mitigation

freshwater

reporting

nutrient

stocking

plan profits costs FEMP

s e n

i u g

oversight

guidance

nutrient

FEP

li e d

go ve rn m

pugging

farm

dairy

GFP

stock exclusions

cap recording

investment

farm environmental plan

fencing N-190 inputs profitability

interventions

resource consent

ownership regional councils license to operate requirements

report

production

Why complicate compliance?

Keep it simple with HawkEye FREE map-based software. • Order nutrients online • Record nutrient data • Track placement • Streamline record keeping

With HawkEye by Ravensdown, your farm’s digital data is ready when you are. Talk to us today about the answer to your farm’s recording needs.

0800 73 73 73 | hawkeye.farm

nitrogen

RAV-25JAN-FW

s e y s a d-u wlan r e t a grazing w exclusions stocking rates

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

Concerns over shearer ‘bidding wars’ Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz REPORTS of unofficial bidding wars among Australian farmers to secure shearers has a New Zealand shearing boss worried it could lure Kiwi shearers across the Tasman to chase the money, leaving the industry short-staffed. The shortage of shearers in Australia due to covid-19 restrictions meant some farmers were paying shearers 20-50% premiums per sheep above the usual rate, the ABC reported. Shearing Contractors Association of Australia secretary Jason Letchford told ABC farmers were offering shearers A$4$5/head to shear sheep. The minimum pay rate to shear a sheep in Australia is A$3.24. Prior to the covid-19 border restrictions, these jobs would have been taken up by NZ shearers. New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association (NZSCA) president Mark Barrowcliffe says he heard stories of shearers being offered big money to work in Australia. If they decide to leave and chase that money, it will impact on the industry. “As a shearer you do chase fine weather, and you chase sheep and money,” he said. “Australia has good weather and if they are going to keep throwing (dollar) notes under the noses of our

shearers, then definitely, they are going to look at going. “It’s nervous times because we are a talented workforce and the more you hear about these stories in Australia – where there’s smoke there’s fire, and we have to be very mindful of it, we’re only just hanging in there ourselves.” He described current staffing levels across the industry as “skinny.” Most of the shearing in the North Island had finished with shearers travelling south for work on cross-bred and Merino farms. “We’re running very light on shed hands, that is a worry, especially with that highend Merino preparation and specialised Merino shearers. They will be the ones chased by Australia,” he said. The next pressure point on that industry would be the middle to the later part of the year for prelamb shearing. The pay increase from two years ago has helped keep them here, and the handful of Northern Hemisphere shearers that were able to come to NZ this season ensured the industry was able to get by with just enough staff, he says. “If you decide to go now, you’re probably not going to come back and that’s a very real fear for NZ that they can lose staff over there because of the continuity of work. There’s money

BIDDING WAR: Australian farmers are offering a 20-50% per sheep premium to shearers, sparking concerns that New Zealand shearers could leave and travel across the Tasman to chase the money on offer.

being waved at them and they’re just wanted.” Barrowcliffe’s farmer contacts in Australia had long-standing relationships with shearers they used. While there was a shortage, he understood they were coping, but the pressure was definitely on.

Changes coming to TB testing OSPRI is making changes to its TB testing programme, placing greater emphasis on areas that are viewed as higher risk. From February 9 the frequency of on-farm testing will change for some farmers based on different levels of risk, which will see testing frequency increasing in higher risk areas and decreasing in those that have lower possum-related risk. The level of risk will be determined by criteria including an area’s herd infection history, its proximity to possum infection risk and sources of livestock movements into herds. That information is based on TB surveillance undertaken through on-farm testing, carcase inspection and at meat processing plants. Ospri general manager for disease management Simon Andrew says it uses the information to determine what animals should be tested, where and when. “It also enables us to track the movement of animals with different risk levels,” he said, adding that the new approach makes more efficient use of the wider industry’s investment of farmer levies in the TB programme. Andrew says the new approach, which has been piloted on deer herds since 2018, is a natural progression as the TB eradication programme has reduced the number of infected herds, so a broad testing programme is no longer the most efficient method of detecting TB infection.

“It makes more sense to focus resources in the area where the risk is higher,” he said. “Improved animal traceability, through farmers engaging more with Nait, means we can better track animals with a higher disease risk, and test less often in low risk areas.” The changes to the testing frequency will be rolled out in areas of lowest risk – herds currently tested every three years in vector-free areas. For beef and dairy farmers in low-risk surveillance areas, the changes will mean less frequent testing for herds. TB testers will contact those farmers before their next TB test. Additional on-farm testing may be required if animals entering their herd originated from a C1 status herd. Deer herds in lower risk areas, currently tested every three years, will no longer be tested on-farm but will be monitored through meat processing plant inspection. Andrew says less testing does not mean a greater risk of TB. He says risk is managed in a number of ways, including possum control in risk areas, tracking and testing stock moving from higher risk to lower risk herds, and identifying any infections early to limit the spread. The changes are not expected to have any immediate effects on farmers or daily activities at the farm gate.

Some of the more remote sheep stations in Australia were probably finding it difficult to secure the services of shearers, which meant they were offering more. What was keeping them here was the quarantine rules and

travel restrictions, which meant shearers would have to pay $3100 upon return for managed isolation costs. There are also plans by the Government to establish a transTasman bubble in the first quarter of this year.

Dairy prices continue rise Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz

DEMAND from China for milk powder and a resurgent appetite for milk fat products in several markets has lifted dairy prices to recent record levels. The Global Dairy Trade (GDT) index rose 4.8% in the second auction of January and has now risen 17% over the past three months. The index is the highest it has been since May 2014, incorporating the highest whole milk powder (WMP) average since December 2016. In the latest auction WMP climbed a steady 2.2% and skim milk powder jumped 7%, up US$200 to $3243/tonne. But they were overshadowed by anhydrous milk fat rocketing up 17.2% to $5398 and sister product butter rose 4.6% to $4735. Westpac senior agrieconomist Nathan Penny says the milkfat products responded to renewed demand from restaurants. “Over the last four months, AMF and butter prices have jumped a whopping 38% and 44%, respectively,” Penny said. “This is a key development as it demonstrates that demand for products consumed in restaurants and other foodservice settings has returned.” He says dairy markets have put covid-19 well and truly in

the rear-vision mirror. “From here, we expect the price momentum has further to run, as global dairy supply takes time to respond to price lifts,” he said. Westpac added 50c to its forecast of this season’s farm gate milk price, now $7.50/kg milksolids. It expects that global dairy product prices will remain firm for the rest of this season and that next season would start with a $7.25 forecast. Penny says the long-run milk price expectation was now $7 rather than $6 and as that became built into business plans, the backlog of dairy farm sales would clear and land prices would increase. “However, I don’t see a return of the 2013-14 clamour for dairy expansion because alternative land uses are attractive – horticulture, sheep and beef, and forestry,” he said. Rabobank dairy analyst Emma Higgins says China this month had lifted its buying of milk powder by one-third compared with January 2020. She noted the jump in milkfat product prices, but did not read too much into the China foodservice recovery story. The important Chinese New Year period was about to kick off and covid-19 outbreaks prompted some local authorities to restrict travel and caution against eating out. NZX dairy analyst Amy

OPTIMISM: Higher dairy prices will hang around, Westpac analyst Nathan Penny says.

Castleton says the forecast model milk price rose 16c to $7.53 after the GDT auction, along with the reaction by the derivatives market. The September 2021 milk price futures contract is now at $7.25 and the 2022 contract price is $7.05. NZX expressed some apprehension that the high dairy product prices would last long enough to deliver a $7.50plus milk price at the end of the season. “Shipping delays may be the reason we have seen strong GDT results recently, which may mean buyers will step away shortly,” she said.

farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

News

Focus on farm management Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

GELHEIM N I R E G N I R H E O WITH B S SHEEP DRENCHE

NEED A PLACE To COOL OFF? We’ve got you covered this autumn with an Everyday Lunch Cooler Bag, Stainless Steel Food Flask and a Re-useable Food wrap. Promo DATE (1 Jan to 28 FEB) • Everyday lunch cooler bag

Promo DATE (1 MAR to 30 APR) • 750ml stainless steel food flask • Certified organic food wrap

Proudly available from your Local Veterinary Clinic. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health New Zealand Limited. Level 3, 2 Osterley Way, Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand | ARREST®, EXODUS®, MATRIX® SWITCH HI-MINERAL, GENESIS®, TRIMOX & POLERIZE® are registered trade marks of the Boehringer Ingelheim Group. TM

Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 | No’s. A006416, A010017, A010132, A009970, A009222, A010734, A011616 ©Copyright 2020 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health New Zealand Limited. All rights reserved. NZ-CAP-0028-2020.

PROMOTIONAL OFFER ENDS 30 APRIL 2021, WHILE STOCKS LAST

FARMERS are looking at their land and businesses differently following a sustainability trial piloted by sheep and beef farmers. The Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) project pilot is aimed at testing continuous improvement practices for making on-farm management decisions that will prepare farmers for the coming regulatory environment. Building on the success of the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme (NZFAP), the piloted NZFAP Plus Standard covered land and water management, greenhouse gases (GHG), biodiversity, biosecurity and people management. The pilot programme was carried out by 33 farmers to determine the achievability, cost, and benefits of the draft standard. The results highlighted support for the initiative and potential gains. Project manager Alan McDermott says the farmers also provided valuable insights that will help with the implementation of the programme. The draft standard gave many of the pilot farmers the confidence to act, including reinforcing and validating they were on the right track, opportunities for improvement and a clear direction and framework to follow for making decisions about resource management. “This is something farmers have been seeking, with farmers saying it is necessary and timely,” McDermott said. “Farmers reported the standard provided a foundation for clear, precise and consistent communication with their farm team, including their bankers, advisors, employees and communities, while supporting proactive and planned decisionmaking.” It also provides a clear means for farmers to underpin the Fit for a Better World and Te Taiao strategy, as well as processors’ marketing strategies. The standard supported the farmers to make farm system changes to protect and enhance their natural resources, which will ensure sustainable production in the future. “It meant they felt much more prepared for the coming regulatory environment,” he said. As a result of the trial, McDermott says most of the pilot farmers are now looking at their land and business differently. “The existing knowledge of farmers must be acknowledged, there are many examples of excellence highlighting that many farmers are well down this path already,” he said. “This includes relatively mundane things such as siting water troughs to avoid negative impacts, but also connecting all the various aspects of natural resource management of land, water, GHG and biodiversity and seeing how addressing those in an integrated manner makes good business and environmental sense.”

TRIAL: The pilot programme was carried out by 33 farmers. Project manager Alan McDermott says the farmers also provided valuable insights that will help with the implementation of the programme.

The areas in which farmers have the most progress to make include biodiversity management, GHG management, nutrient management, and having detailed understanding of their natural resources through comprehensive farm mapping and biosecurity management. The pilot assisted several farmers to identify additional biosecurity risks, especially from plant pests, and new ways of managing those. Biosecurity procedures were rarely documented in the past beyond an animal health plan. Documentation was the main area requiring attention. “This requires digital solutions that farmers can use to simplify planning, record-keeping and monitoring,” he said. “Establishing such solutions needs to be a high priority for the sector.” Farmers made good progress on soil health assessments using the Visual Soil Assessment (VSA) approach and winter management recording, reflecting the value farmers saw in these activities. The cost to farmers in preparing for NZFAP Plus varied widely from several hundred dollars up to $16,000, where farmers needed to bring in professional support to map their farm, complete a nutrient-GHG budget and develop a comprehensive action plan covering land, water, GHG and biodiversity. There will be ongoing costs associated with outcome monitoring, but the greatest cost for farmers will be the continued implementation of their environmental action plans. “There is no doubt that constructing such a comprehensive farm plan is a challenge, will take time, and many farmers will require significant support,” he said. “However, it is the best pathway through which farmers can create a legacy and own their future. “Farmer ownership of farm planning is essential for widespread uptake and success.” The RMPP programme will finish on March 31. NZFAI is further developing and refining the standard into an operational assurance programme.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

Collaboration key to food security Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz FARMERS have an important role to play in developing food security policies, Apec Business Advisory Council (ABAC) chair Rachel Taulelei says. In a speech to a webinar on public-private partnerships and information sharing on food security in the Asia-Pacific late last year, Taulelei, who is chief executive of Maori food and beverage producer Kono, said the public and private sectors need to work together on practical steps that can be taken to improve food security. “Indeed it is the ABAC’s firm belief that we need to look at these complex issues from the ‘whole of system’ perspective,” Taulelei said. “Policymakers make a valuable contribution to solving these issues, of course, but we also need to take into account the views of farmers – big and small – as well as food processors, food distributors, exporters and importers. “The supply side of the food equation is, quite simply, impossible without the private sector,” she said. Taulelei says the challenge of food security has become an increasingly urgent and complex task, with the covid-19 pandemic having significant effects on production, distribution and trade in agriculture and food. “We have experienced huge disruption across different food sectors and throughout the food value chain,” she said. “For example, meat processing plants in many economies have had to contend with worker illness and social distancing requirements, horticulture sectors in many economies have struggled to find labour, ports have been disrupted and foodservice sectors, such as restaurants and school cafeterias, have been shuttered.” But she says even before covid

URGENT: Apec Business Advisory Council (ABAC) chair Rachel Taulelei says the challenge of food security has become an increasingly urgent and complex task due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Policymakers make a valuable contribution to solving these issues, of course, but we also need to take into account the views of farmers, as well as food processors, food distributors, exporters and importers. Rachel Taulelei Kono there were a raft of challenges to ensuring safe, sufficient and affordable food for everyone. They include feeding a growing population, lower crop yields, inadequate infrastructure, food loss and waste through the supply chain, protectionism and market distortions, and the increasingly

disruptive effect of climate change. Taulelei says it is crucial to build strong foundations for the way food moves across borders. “That means getting rid of unjustified export restrictions, reducing or eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers, trying to reduce distortions in production and enhancing transparency in food production, distribution and trade flows,” she said. “At a practical level, enhancing the digital facilitation of trade will help supply chains for the better – for example through the universal acceptance of e-certificates, the use of global data standards, or through the region-wide adoption of digital single windows.” Another practical step would be to implement a mechanism to identify and resolve non-tariff barriers to food trade, which could be based on the cross-cutting principles for non-tariff measures developed by ABAC and taken up by Apec leaders a few years ago.

“Finally, it is also vital for Apec to tackle the root cause of trade distortions by committing to a meaningful cut in trade distorting domestic support in agriculture,” she said. She says this is a core element in ABAC’s World Trade Organisation (WTO) statement last year. Although the covid-19 pandemic has created huge challenges, it did deliver one silver lining – demonstrating the huge potential for food security and digitalisation. “Digital tools for precision agriculture help farmers to become more efficient and supply chains more resilient and lower cost,” she said. Smart farming can also mean that agriculture treads more lightly on the planet, which helps with the challenges of low yields, environmental sustainability and inadequate infrastructure. E-commerce and digital payment systems enable farmers and producers to connect

directly with consumers, which can unlock opportunities for smallholders, small agrifood businesses, women and indigenous communities. She says in ABAC’s view this points to the need to prioritise further investment in digital infrastructure and capacity building. “In time, that will allow us to make greater use of innovative technologies such as The Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, artificial intelligence, cognitive computing and blockchain,” she said. “These tools can unlock even greater productivity gains and value-chain efficiency for all.” ABAC recognises the importance of transparency in production, consumption and trade. “Digital tools are crucial in this, too,” she said. “If we are to utilise real-time data we can track fluctuations in production and trends within and across markets more effectively. “That helps to anticipate future food supply disruptions and needs.” She says sustainable or even regenerative approaches to production – taking into account water, soil, carbon and waste – are crucial. “This is not just about satisfying consumer demand for more sustainable food, although of course we can create value by leveraging particular product attributes and meeting customers’ needs in that way,” she said. “But this goes far beyond merely commercial considerations. “Sustainability is quite simply the right thing to do. “It must be the foundation of food security for the sake not only of this generation, but also the sake of our children and our children’s children. “We must treasure the planet, even as we make use of its natural resources.”

KEEP AN EYE OUT

FEBRUARY 2021 | $8.9 5

Learning new tricks

The latest Dairy Farmer hits letterboxes on February 1.

Waikato da iry farmer divers ifies into sheep milking PLUS:

Our OnFarmStory this month features Waikato dairy farmers Allan and Toni

➜ Half a mil lion insemina tions ➜ Sharing the ups and dow ns ➜ Meeting environme ntal regulation s

Browne who’ve ventured into sheep milking. We also catch up with an AB technician who inseminated more than 500,000 cows, and take a look at milk pricing, autumn calving and effluent.

Get the full story at farmersweekly.co.nz

2460DF-12x7

Helping co ws get in calf

News

10 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

Pressure on honey producers Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz NEW Zealand’s $68 million a year Japanese honey export market is being threatened by glyphosate limits, which one honey producer describes as being almost impossible to meet. After detection of low levels of glyphosate in some NZ honey, Japan has threatened to halt future shipments if sampling detects 5% or more of imports with glyphosate that exceeds the country’s limit. The Japanese limit for glyphosate residue is .01 per kilogram (10 parts per billion), one tenth of NZ’s standard of .1mg per kg (100 parts per billion). The Japanese limit is also five times lower than the European Union’s strict .05mg per kg maximum residue limit (MRL). A Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) survey conducted last year on NZ honey samples found from 270 raw honey samples and 90 retail packaged products of mono and multi-floral honey, 77.7% had no glyphosate residues. None of the retail samples contained glyphosate levels over NZ’s regulatory limits and almost 20% had glyphosate between the lowest lab detection level and regulatory level limits. MPI pointed out that if a fiveyear-old consumed honey right up to the regulated .1mg/kg, they would need to eat almost a quarter of a tonne a day for the rest of their life. The Japanese threat has the industry on high alert, with industry leaders scrambling to confirm the number of samples reported as being over the limit,

and examine how the sector may work more closely with landowners to reduce glyphosate contamination. But Manawatu honey producer Jason Prior of DownUnder Honey says the scare raises a bigger issue about the prevalence of glyphosate in all foods grown, rather than honey alone, and what constitutes an acceptable MRL level in markets. “Japan’s levels are 10 times lower than ours, it almost suggests this could be a non-tariff trade barrier, and not based on science,” Prior said. Increasingly sensitive lab tests mean residues are capable of being detected at lower and lower levels, often far from being toxic to humans. Prior says he would be more concerned about the high level of adulteration occurring in global honey supplies, with estimates up to 60% of honey has sugar additives included in it. Apiculture NZ chief executive Karin Kos confirmed the Japanese limit was significantly lower than NZ’s but regardless, there was pressure on NZ to conform to that limit, even if it was driven by consumer perception rather than a genuine food safety risk. Glyphosate testing was now required by MPI on any NZ honey being exported to Japan, and failure to provide test results meant no export certification would be granted. “After last year’s MPI report we have done a lot of work around education and information campaigns with beekeepers, and worked with Federated Farmers and regional councils, but it is not an easy issue to fix,” Kos said.

TOUGH LIMIT: Jason Prior says honey is unlikely to be the only food with glyphosate residues, given the prolific use of the chemical in crop production.

Kos acknowledged there is reputational risk for NZ when products are being marketed for their purity. “Whether we like it or not, we have to find a way to manage this,” she said. She has had no indication other export markets are likely to be on higher alert to glyphosate residues, and noted it was not only a NZ problem. However, she added Japan’s response has been surprising. UMF Honey association spokesperson John Rawcliffe says there is a risk to Manuka honey’s position in the market, despite that variety being more

bush-based and less exposed to glyphosate transfer to hives from pastoral areas. “Sometimes it is blended, and sometimes it may be from bush near pastureland, but in general, based on the MPI work last year, it is more pasture-based honeys affected,” Rawcliffe said. He says the Japanese threat cannot be treated lightly, and the industry needed to look hard at how the issue would be managed. Prior says there may be a need for greater research by a group like Landcare to determine more exactly the sources of glyphosate contamination.

Glyphosate’s role in food production has become clouded in controversy in 2015 amid claims by International Agency for Research on Cancer, a World Health Organisation agency, that it was a carcinogen. However, a subsequent review determined it was dependent upon type and extent of human exposure. This was later reinforced by the UN determining it was unlikely to pose a risk to humans from exposure through the diet. NZ’s Environmental Protection Agency also determined it was unlikely to be carcinogenic.

Exchange rate a pain point for meat export Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz

Under the pump? I perform at my best when I build rest and recovery into my daily schedule. Sam Whitelock Farmstrong Ambassador

For tips and ideas, visit farmstrong.co.nz

A WILDLY fluctuating exchange rate is causing headaches for meat exporters. Silver Fern Farms (SFF) says between October and November the NZ-US exchange rate rose from $US0.65 to $US0.71, wiping $140 a head off beef and up to $11 off a lamb. As of late last week the exchange rate was $US0.72. In a Christmas update podcast, SFF’s supply chain manager Dan Boulton says in addition to exchange rate fluctuation, the other headwind facing exporters as they enter peak production, is the congested global supply chain. This is causing issues with container availability, shipping schedules and port access. Farm gate prices until February are picked to ease compared to previous weeks, but Boulton told suppliers that demand remained strong, especially for retail and e-retail markets.

conditions may not last and He forecast farm gate the effects of last season’s prime beef prices, excluding North Island drought has premiums, to range from tempered store $4.90-$4.60/kg, buyers. bull $4.80-$4.50 “Some of us and cow $3.60endured a near $3.30. six-month summer Boulton says last year and are demand for prime wary that while beef was strong conditions are but has softened good now, will they for bull. last?” she asked. Demand There is another, for lamb was albeit small, dark somewhat cloud on the uncertain and global horizon prices have Dan Boulton, with reports that softened in the SFF supply chain cases of covid-19 new year, but manager. infection in China mutton remained are increasing, reaching 100 strong driven by China people a day. He forecast lamb prices to News reports are that range from $6.50-$6.10 and officials are moving quickly mutton $4.50-$4.30. to stamp the virus out before Venison remained reliant Chinese New Year on February on food service with prices 12. expected to reach $5.50-$5.00. Demand for meat for the AgriHQ senior analyst Chinese New Year festivities Mel Croad, who is currently and beyond is strong, but finalising pricing forecasts Croad says the resurgence is for the AgriHQ Livestock a reminder that the virus can Outlook report, says lower reappear at any time and could farm gate slaughter prices, concerns current ideal growing potentially be disruptive.

Together, Creating the Best Soil and Feed on Earth

SustaiN+K A clever way to farm SustaiNably

SustaiN+K isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just a great fertiliser for right now, it can also help you to build your sustainable long-term nitrogen source over time. This is because potassium (K) is an essential nutrient for maximising clover growth, and clover fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil through its root systems. Try SustaiN+K today to get a double hit of nitrogen.

ballance.co.nz | 0800 222 090

News

12 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

Growing demand for wool fibre Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz A BIG year is planned for the Campaign for Wool New Zealand Trust as it shifts its focus to drive the demand for wool fibre. New chair Tom O’Sullivan says while the mandate of the trust is to promote the education and awareness of wool, the focus must go further to support the strong wool industry. “I feel it goes further than education and awareness, we must be focused on supporting commercial entities to create and sell wool products to drive the demand for wool fibre in general,” O’Sullivan said. “Under my leadership I can assure this will be our core focus. “I am acutely aware of the dire predicament we find ourselves in for strong wool. “I recognise that our efforts need to address the fundamental issues with the way wool is grown, processed and marketed.” Raised on a family sheep and beef farm in Mid-Canterbury, O’Sullivan left sheep farming on the Canterbury Plains when his family moved to Hawke’s Bay. In 2009, following the family’s purchase of Pukenui Station, and after completing a commerce and marketing degree at Lincoln University, O’Sullivan exited corporate life to take up the challenge of hands-on farming in the hills of southern Hawke’s Bay. “Over three generations of farming sheep, my family has seen the highs and lows of the wool industry,” he said. “Sadly, in the past 10 years overseeing our farming enterprise

in Hawke’s Bay, I have witnessed the dramatic decline in the strong wool price to where in 2019, for the first time ever in my family’s history with wool, the cost to shear our animals exceeded the revenue we received for it by $6500. “Unbelievably, in part due to covid-19, the cost of wool to our farming business has increased in the past 12 months to a staggering $25,000. “This is deadly serious and unless we can collectively move the industry in a new transformational direction, we are seriously facing the possibility of a sunset industry,” he said. “I see my role as chairman for the campaign as critical in doing all we can to unlock a new future for this backbone industry of our country.” In 2021, in line with wider industry strategy, O’Sullivan will drive the campaign towards facilitating ease of access for consumers to find and source commercial entities in a move aimed at growing demand for wool fibre. “We (the campaign) believe that this is the solution to the strong wool industry,” he said. “Up until now we have been a one-trick pony largely focused on floor coverings. “We will shift that focus to a much larger suite of products than just floor carpets in homes.” Research already undertaken by the campaign shows floor coverings capture just 10% of the market. “Potentially this can get to 30%, and as well we are working with companies in furniture and bedding, wool coverings for the likes of curtain fabrics, and

MAN WITH A PLAN: New Campaign for Wool chair Tom O’Sullivan says he recognises the need to address the fundamental issues with the way wool is grown, processed and marketed.

insulation, for a whole range of home and office environments,” he said. “If we get a wider range of wool products it will solve the strong wool issues.” The Campaign for Wool funded a specialist marketing and agribusiness strategist to scope up a document of possible new

transformational strategy for the NZ strong wool industry. This proposal was presented to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and industry stakeholders in August last year. The response was positive but since then the Strong Wool Action Group (SWAG) has been established and kicked into gear.

While the SWAG initiative has effectively put on hold the strategy work, the campaign has started. “We will be watching developments very closely and looking to complement what SWAG is doing, where possible,” he said. The campaign will continue to support existing manufacturers, while also getting alongside companies that are seeing the consumer move away from synthetics to wool. “We will have more focus on supporting those companies to get a wider range of products.” O’Sullivan wants to see more accountability from the global initiative. “In the past, spending has been more on a generic basis, I want to see greater accountability and visibility on that spend,” he said. “Every dollar is critical to benefit the NZ strong wool industry.” In the meantime, the campaign will continue its promotional activities with presence planned at the Auckland Home Show next month, and the Wanaka Show in March. The focus at these events will be on promoting businesses making and selling woollen products. The Wools in Schools project will continue in 2021 with creating a profile for the campaign, and the NZ strong wool industry series will also continue in the North and South Magazine. “We are targeting many different demographics as we profile businesses making innovative wool products as well as several influential personalities who are big advocates for the use of natural, environmentallyfriendly wool fibre,” he said.

Online livestock auction ventures into property Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz A MACKENZIE Country family is aiming to tip the property auction market on its head with the latest iteration of an online platform they developed to sell their stud stock over the covid lockdown. The Giddings family, owners of the Meadowslea Stud in Fairlie, were prompted to launch their Yourbid platform when faced with the prospect of a covid lockdown choking off their valuable annual Angus and Romney ram stud sale auctions. They had looked at existing auction systems, but less than happy with them, embarked on building their own. Incorporating videos of every animal and with bidding spread over several days versus the usual “blink and it’s gone” approach, the model proved highly successful with the majority of sales going online. Today the platform is also used in the United Kingdom, where continued lockdowns have plagued the stud stock selling season.

GOING, GONE: The Giddings family’s Wanaka house sale prompted them to adapt their livestock auction platform.

The family’s recent decision to sell a family-owned house in Wanaka has prompted the Giddings to make a foray into the high stakes property auction market using their Yourbid platform as a digital template. “We found when we wanted to sell the house there were a lot of boxes that needed to be ticked and we wanted to offer an easier, more transparent way to auction the place,” David Giddings said. Adapting the livestock system they have developed means bidders can place a bid over a

wide period of time, compare their bid to others as they come in, and consider whether they wish to continue. “It means they have time to go back to their bank and talk about more finance if they require it to stay in the auction, or whether they want to drop out. It takes a lot of the pressure of a conventional auction off the bidders,” he said. All bids on their first property that is online between now and the close off in later February will be displayed. Giddings says the approach is

something of a hybrid between a deadline tender and a normal auction, but with a clear presentation of where all the offers sit, available to all parties. “And we have it set up so that bidders can also bid with conditions, perhaps that could be subject to selling the property they are in at present. We say ‘put your bid in and let us know your conditions’. We may or may not accept the highest bidder if the conditions are not ideal,” he said. The Yourbid livestock system the Giddings developed is based around the Helmsman auction system, where bidding starts on multiple lots simultaneously, giving buyers the chance to compare prices across different lots of livestock. Giddings says there is no reason a similar approach could not apply to multiple properties offered at once, giving buyers the chance to compare and spread their bidding. “And you can withdraw your bid and pull out. We tried to think of everything that would make the purchase straightforward,” he said.

The proposal at present for future properties offered would be to charge a fee for listing on the site, rather than commission. LIM reports, plans and property descriptions will all be made available. Giddings is optimistic the family will build listings over time as more potential buyers seek properties further afield, or are limited in their ability to always travel to a particular conventional auction on a particular date. Meantime, the family’s livestock platform is continuing to garner support in the UK, with seven sales completed and one presently live. Sales here in New Zealand have included Richard Loe’s Glenloe Stud that sold 20% more stock this year, attributed in part to the online system. The Giddings’ own Meadowslea ram stud broke all records, with half the buyers bidding online. “It opened us up to a lot of new people who registered and purchased online,” he said. Yourbid was one of the winners of this year’s inaugural B.linc Celebrating Success Innovation awards.

THE RURAL INSURER WITH MORE RUBBER ON THE ROAD.

AND ON OUR FEET. At FMG, we like to do business face to face whenever we can. Which is why we’ll often come to the farm to give you the advice and specialised insurance you need. And if we can’t, we’re always here to chat things over on the phone, person to person. It’s the kind of personalised service we’ve been providing for farmers all over New Zealand for over 110 years. And it’s something we’ll continue to do for many years to come. If that sounds like the kind of insurer you’d like to deal with, ask around about us. Or better still, call us now on 0800 366 466.

We’re here for the good of the country. FMG0862FWFP_P

News

14 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

Preserving NZ’s environment Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz

Jardine family ownership of the station being run as a working farm under lease, which will continue. THE QE11 National Trust is The Remarkables transaction to getting close to 5000 approved come fits the trend of much larger and registered covenants over covenants in the Otago region nearly 200,000 hectares at the compared with the rest of the beginning of its fifth decade in country. existence. Otago’s average size is 310ha, The trust also has a new chair, versus the national average of former Federated Farmers 37.6ha, and the region contains president Bruce Wills, and three the largest QE11 covenant in the new directors appointed by then country at 21,909ha. Conservation Minister Eugenie Numerous smaller protected Sage towards the end of an areas means that several regions eventful year. have more covenants than The 2020 annual report to Otago’s 235 – Auckland with 298, June 30 disclosed a total of Canterbury 404, Hawke’s Bay 4761 registered and formalised 263, Manawatu-Whanganui 421, covenants, up 110 during the Northland 767, Southland 389, financial year, with a further 342 Taranaki 481, Waikato 710 and underway. Wellington 365. If not before, the total Auckland has the smallest covenanted area in New Zealand average size of 12.8ha, followed will reach 200,000ha when Dick by Northland at 14.1ha, although and Jillian Jardine’s gift of 900ha Northland is the region with the of the Remarkables Station, largest number of covenants. Queenstown, will be enacted in The records show that QE11 2022. took the first decade (1980s) to Their intention was announced reach 500 covenants, doubled the late last year to protect in rate of growth to 1500 by the year perpetuity the iconic landscape 2000, maintained a steady pace to and significant biodiversity at the 3500 in 2010, and the prospective foot of the Remarkables Range. 5000 just over a decade later. The gift to QE11 Trust will But with greater numbers coincide with the centenary of comes a larger workload and maintenance requirements, and outgoing chair James Guild says there had been only one increase in AWDT Next Level 2021 baseline funding Your community and sector needs change-makers during his nine – women ready to make a positive difference for the years in charge. people and places they love. “During that In 2021, is that you? period the area Run by our friends at @AgriWomensDevelopmentTrust, protected has Next Level is a six-month leadership and governance increased by development programme empowering you to make a positive impact in your world. 42%, the number Registrations are now open – the first step on your of covenants journey to understanding your ‘why’ and building the by 30% and our mindset and skills to make change happen. operating costs, Learn more at https://www.awdt.org.nz/programmes/ such as fencing, next-level/ surveying, monitoring, AWDT Understanding Your Farming Business 2021 legal fees, rents There’s a place for you in your farming business; A place and staff costs, where you feel confident, where your passion inspires continue to rise,” you to learn and your voice matters. Let’s find it! Back by very popular demand, Understanding Guild said. Your Farming Business (UYFB) – from our friends @ In his final AgriWomensDevelopmentTrust – equips women in the financial year sheep, beef and dairy farming sectors with the skills and the trust had confidence to fully participate in their farming business. a surplus of Launching with a new ‘hybrid’ face-to-face and online $912,000 instead programme structure, it’s about learning what drives of a budgeted your farming business, developing the confidence to deficit of $1.2 step-in to decision making and connecting with likemillion, but minded local women. Registrations are now open. Join the 2,200 Kiwi farming that was due women who have graduated from UYFB and sign-up at to one-offs like https://www.awdt.org.nz/programmes/uyfb/ revaluations, bequests and Thursday 04/03/2021 – Saturday 06/03/2021 settlements. The Golden Shears “Much of the The Golden Shears has become an inter-nationally surplus relates, recognised competition for its quality and excellence in unfortunately, the skilful art of shearing and wool handling. The three to intangible days of competitions encompass open shearing, wool balance sheets handling, wool pressing as well as the coveted triathlon award. changes,” chief Where: 2 Dixon Street, Masterton executive Dan Time: 8.00am – 5.00pm Coup said in For more information: www.goldenshears.co.nz his first annual report, having Should your event be listed here? been appointed Phone 0800 85 25 80 in November or email adcopy@globalhq.co.nz 2019.

REMARKABLE: New QE11 Trust chair Bruce Wills says the desire of landowners to protect natural features is growing stronger and funding needs to keep up.

LK0105355©

Agrievents

“Seven weeks of no field work (due to covid-19 lockdowns) coupled with restrictive weather events made for challenging circumstances.” Instead of the planned 2000 covenant monitoring visits, the staff managed only 1427. QE11 Trust has 26 regional representatives plus its head office staff members and spends about $2m annually on salaries and entitlements. Total covenant expenditure during FY2020 was $1.56m, including about 10% on enhancement projects by landowners from the Stephenson Fund, set up in memory of Gordon and Celia Stephenson, the founders of the trust and the first people to register a covenant. The annual government grant of $4.27m has remained unchanged for several years and Coup says the underlying operating result in 2020 was a significant loss. “We do not intend to reduce the amount of work we do with existing covenantors or in establishing new covenants, so the operating loss will need to be addressed by improving revenues,” Coup said. Wills says some new funding was coming from the Jobs for Nature initiative for post-covid

economic recovery, but that would not be applied to business as usual. He hoped it would lead to some new type of legal protection for plantings funded by the taxpayer, from perhaps as early as three to five years after planting.

Our existing covenantors are getting older and we don’t want biodiversity declining because of climatic, health or financial reasons. Bruce Wills QE11 Trust Demand for protection of open spaces, geological and water features and regenerating bush was stronger than ever before, which he put down to the covid-19 impacts on landowners. “They have been confined to home base, reawakened to what is important and for the need to protect in perpetuity,” Wills said. The 5000 QE11 areas required more upkeep and it made sense

to hold to a high standard what the country had already protected before funding new blocks. “In general, too, our existing covenantors are getting older and we don’t want biodiversity declining because of climatic, health or financial reasons,” he said. The increasing workload led the directors to make deficit budgets and draw down on reserves. Wills says the trust’s balance sheet looked strong, but that was partly due to an historical obligation to repair and/or replace fences around pre-1995 covenants, for which a $9m provision was held. “As the fences are mostly maintained by landowners on a day-to-day basis, the trust’s objective is to reduce the provision over time,” the annual report said. Hawke’s Bay-based Wills is also chair of the NZ Poplar and Willow Trust, Apiculture NZ and Primary ITO. The new directors are Neil Cullen of South Otago, also president of the NZ Farm Forestry Association, Alan Livingston of Hamilton, chair of the Waikato Regional Council, and Karen Schumacher of Taranaki, a farmer, covenantor and chartered accountant.

RAV-25JAN-FW2-NI

Buy yourself some time N-Protect®

Cert TM

Adam Williamson – Sharemilker Read Adam’s story on our website.

You can’t count on the weather, but you can control how much you get from your N fertiliser. Research shows the risk of urea N-loss from volatilisation spring to autumn averages 18%, unless 10mm of water falls within 8 hours - and that’s a tough call in dry summer conditions. N-Protect’s urease inhibitor coating limits N-loss from volatilisation by up to 50%. Take control of your N-loss. Time it right with N-Protect.

Enabling smarter farming for a better New Zealand® 0800 100 123 ravensdown.co.nz

News

16 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

Australian farmers bounce back Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz A YEAR after devastating bushfires roared through rural Australia, the worst hit regions are reporting a complete turnaround in fortunes. Last year’s fires seared through 18.6 million hectares over a six-month period with no state untouched, killing 100,000 sheep and 25,000 cattle, and also wiping out 1250 beehives and 3500ha of vineyards. The final tally of losses was lower than initially anticipated, with early estimates by analysts putting stock losses as high as 450,000 head. The other silver lining was the fires marked the end of a protracted drought period and the Australian pastoral sector is surging in response to unexpectedly high rainfall events and cooler than usual temperatures so far this summer. Central Victorian hay cropper Dave Cossar says he is in the fifth year of an exceptional run for his district, which was one untouched by last year’s fires. His hay business surged on the back of the feed shortage resulting from the drought and the fires, but he says this year all regions are benefitting from moisture with exceptional feed levels depressing demand for his hay supplies. Last year he donated significantly to help farmers hit by the devastating fires (see Farmers Weekly February 25, 2020). His region, which only receives about 400mm of rain a year, got 120mm of that last April alone and rainfall continued with generous spring downfalls kicking crops along well into this summer.

And December has been one of the coolest on record for Victoria – even in January we have not had any real heat yet. Dave Cossar Hay cropper

BOUNTY: Central Victoria hay cropper Dave Cossar says Aussie farmers are celebrating a boomer year, thanks to generous and timely rainfall.

“And December has been one of the coolest on record for Victoria – even in January we have not had any real heat yet,” Cossar says. A new baler he purchased this year, partly aided by a generous government covid allowance of $150,000 per farm business, has already worked through 44,000 bales. Australian Fodder Industry Association chief executive Paula Fitzgerald says the biggest issue facing farmers was finding space to store fodder surpluses this year, with demand for hay being low for several months and not expected to increase.

All of southern Australia is reporting some of the highest yielding crops seen in years and for some areas harvesting has been limited due to exceptionally wet weather. Australian farmers are presently in the process of restocking post-drought, and agents are reporting demand for stock is also intensified by the “grass fever” market driven by good crop and grass growth and a capital livestock shortage. Cossar says all livestock classes have experienced surges in values. “For example, 12-month

weaner steers that were selling at $1100 a head last year are $1800 this year, and that is right up the eastern seaboard and in New South Wales,” he says. There were expectations that in-calf cows could be worth up to $4000 each amid stock shortages and even four-day bull calves had sold for $300 a head. Southern Victoria farmer and BlazeAid charity manager Kevin Blake says he had just sold 2500 store lambs for $146 a head in what has proven to be a “fabulous” summer to date. “I think that if you cannot make money this year there is

something wrong with you,” Blake says. He says some buyers with deep pockets are paying up to $400 a head for ewes this year. Cossar says the renewed optimism within rural Victoria after a tough few years for some districts is now feeding into land prices throughout the state, as well as livestock prices. “Good potato country that sold for $7000 an acre four years ago sold last year for $11,000. Broadacre cropping country southwest of Ballarat has sold for $7500 an acre, that does not seem sustainable,” Cossar says. Thomas Elder Markets analyst Matt Dalgleish has highlighted the stock building process happening in Australia. He reports lamb throughput at yards along the east coast being 16% up on average, and as high as 33% up in Victoria. Meanwhile, lamb slaughter rates are well down at 22% below seasonal averages and beef cattle slaughter numbers are a third lower than the five-year average, and 43% behind that seen a year ago.

Aussie volunteers hope for summer break Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz TWELVE thousand volunteers, $15 million of donations and thousands of kilometres of fences later, the rural Aussie charity BlazeAid can claim to have finished the mammoth task last year’s bush fires set for it. Established to help farmers rebuild fences and structures after natural disasters, the charity has had bushfires occupy much of its volunteers’ time and efforts in recent years. Charity founder Kevin Butler who farms near Melbourne says this summer has so far provided a welcome reprieve for him and fellow organisers, with cooler temperatures and an El Nino weather pattern lowering fire risks so far. “We have only had one total fire ban day so far all summer this year. Last year we would have already had 15-20 in Victoria,” Butler says.

The damage inflicted last year commenced over a long season, starting with early fires in September 2019, peaking in the ravaging blazes of early January 2020. “Last year we had 45 base camps across Australia, extending from Kangaroo Island right up into Queensland,” he says. Four base camps remain open and only one significant fire event has been recorded so far, in South Australia. The camps were staffed with volunteers who on average gave up to 10 working days each to work in hot, demanding and often isolated conditions helping restore farm fences and water systems. Butler says their efforts have gone a long way to help fireproof the properties against future devastating events, with largely steel components replacing timber posts and rails. Covid lockdowns slowed work significantly after March,

with volunteers restarting in June, including thousands of backpackers who had stayed in Australia with extended visas. Camp organiser Bill Gerritsen says farmers in his north-eastern Victoria zone of Corryong have got their lives back on track and are having an extremely good year. “I have just seen a crop of canola that is above the fence line, I have not seen one that high for a very long time,” Gerritsen says. His camp peaked at 90 volunteers working in the steep hill country before having to go into lockdown, after which numbers were limited to 20. Both men say they have their fingers firmly crossed this summer will be more forgiving after last year’s stressful impact on rural communities. “The risk is still there for fire this year … there have been a couple of grass fires here and there. “It is ready to go,” he says.

REPRIEVE: Bill Gerritsen says this summer is proving more forgiving so far, with lower temperatures and timely rainfall helping reduce fire risk, so far.

AginED Ag ED

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

Volume 40 I January 25, 2021 I email: agined@globalHQ.co.nz I www.farmersweekly.co.nz

Staying safe on your farm We want you to have a think about what hazards are on your or others farms. Head to our website https://sites.google.com/view/agined/home and download the BE SAFE POSTER. Fill this out and next week we will print a completed copy in AginED for you to compare your answers and see the similarities or differences between the hazards you identified and ours.

DON’T FORGET TO SEND US YOUR PHOTOS!

‘Be Safe, Be Seen’ and the whole Gurt and Pops collection could be yours! - We want to see howyou stay safe on the farm. Send us in a photo of you being safe on the farm these holidays, along with your answers to two of the questions below to get yourself in the draw. Let Ted and Pops teach your children how to use their ‘Think Safe Brains’ to keep the little ones safe this summer! Why do you never drink out of bottles that are in the workshop?

BE O IN T ! WIN

If we walked into this paddock with cattle what could go wrong?

Before riding your motorbike, what should you dress yourself in and why?

Why should you never go somewhere on the farm without talking to an adult first?

Send your entries to: agined@globalhq.co.nz (we will draw the winner on February 8th)

1 Go the AgriHQ market snapshot page 2 What was the South Island mutton price last week? 3 How is this tracking compared to year-ago levels?

2 Find and watch the OnFarmStory of Wiliam Morrison “We determine our future” 3 What do the Morrison’s farm? 4 Who makes up Morrison farming?

STRETCH YOURSELF:

This graph shows the NI AgriHQ average mutton slaughter price in $/kg.

2 How does William believe that we can use social media to improve our lamb and beef farm productivity? 3 Do you think that this is a good way to help people outside of farming understand where their supermarket or restaurant sheep and beef comes from? How does this benefit farmers? 4 What do you believe are the most important things that farmers can do, or need to show to the world that could increase the value and profile of NZ lamb and beef products? Let us know your thoughts at: agined@globalhq.co.nz

Ewe said:

Regenerative farming is a process using Organic farming principles of allowing the soil ecology to thrive. Regenerative Organic farming uses compost, animals, and biodiversity to maintain the health of the soil. It restricts use of any practice that harm the soil ecology and is an arable farming system free of synthetic pesticides and GMO’s. The grazing and tilling are restricted and cover crops are grown to ensure no bare ground. By growing a diverse sward of pasture with animal to graze nutrients are cycled through the animal and returned to the ground to be used by the microbiology of the soil increasing the soil organic matter and building humus. Plant roots grow deeper protecting them from weather extremes. The increased organic matter acts like a sponge which restricts nitrogen run off, conserves soil moisture, and sequesters CO 2 . Regenerative Organic Farmers are finding that they are economically better off due to stable yields and the ability to protect themselves from the adversity of climate change. New Zealand has a grass arable agriculture. It would not be difficult for arable farmer to move to regenerative farming practices. However, the beliefs and education around the dependence on synthetic inputs to maintain productivity is not benefiting farmers as the cost is becoming prohibitive as the soils degrade further. The use of self-sustainable practices would impact heavily on the industrial economy that promote the use of fossil fuel derived chemicals and fertilisers. Many of these industries fund research and newspapers by advertising their products. There will be a strong resistance against moving away to alter the industrial paradigm unless somehow, they can be brought into the system and re jig their products to support Regenerative Organic practices. As Agriculture contributes to nearly half of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions it is extremely important for the government to lead the way internationally by robust research into Regenerative organic methods to reduce the impact of our footprint.

1 Go to www.farmersweekly.co.nz

1 How many generations of farmers have there been in the Morrison family?

Our regenerative piece really peaked people’s interest and we got some very interesting responses, here is Claire Bleakley’s viewpoint:

1 Mutton schedules have held much more resilient than lamb schedules this season. Looking at the graph, how does the latest average value compare to the previous season and the fiveyear average? 2 According to Beef + Lamb NZ, breeding ewe numbers have fallen by over 5 million head in the last 10 years. What are some long term impacts of this? Hint: If there are less ewes in NZ, what might this mean for lamb numbers and therefore export volumes in the future? 3 Head to www.agrihq.co.nz and read the Pulse article “Rebuild confidence now’ for more on this topic.

FILL YA BOOTS: 1 What are the symptoms and causes of facial eczema? What time/s of year is it likely to be prevalent? 2 What are the symptoms and causes of staggers in sheep? For more related content please head to our website at: www.sites.google.com/view/agined/home

18 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

Newsmaker

A NEW APPROACH: New Fish & Game NZ chair Ray Grubb says a new approach is needed to acknowledge that society was concerned about the environment, and that groups such as farmers were also making changes.

New direction for Fish & Game The winds of change may be about to blow away years of antagonism by Fish & Game New Zealand towards farming. Neal Wallace meets the organisation’s new chair Ray Grubb, who is determined to nurture a better relationship with farmers.

IRTY dairying has gone. The term, coined by Fish & Game NZ (FGNZ) to describe the environmental impact of dairy farming, has been widely vilified by farmers and credited with the deteriorating relationship between anglers, hunters and farmers. New FGNZ chair Ray Grubb agrees and promises to dispense with the campaign in what he says will be a less antagonistic approach to farmers under his reign. Grubb promises to be less confrontational with farmers and farming groups, to cooperate and show mutual respect and to agree to disagree on issues. This approach has been endorsed by FGNZ’s national council and will build on the strong community relationships the organisation has at regional level, but which Grubb says is missing at the national level. This new co-operative approach does not mean FGNZ is diverting from its role of advocating for clean, fresh water and the trout fishery, but Grubb says its focus will be on influencing regional council rules and regulations. A new approach is needed to acknowledge that society was concerned about the environment, and that groups such as farmers were also making changes.

“The tide has shifted and more people are doing good things for the environment,” Grubb said. “The farming industry’s focus has also shifted to what can be achieved with conservation rather than what can be used without care.” If a water quality or quantity issue arises, Grubb wants FGNZ to be able to talk constructively with Federated Farmers, DairyNZ or Beef + Lamb NZ. “We’ll differ on some things and agree on others,” he said. One example of this change is the approach to water storage, which Grubb says has a place provided it enhances summer low flows in rivers and streams and allows for flushing. “I don’t think enough attention and enough money has been spent on it (water storage),” he said. “The cheaper option is to take more water out of the rivers.” He described the FGNZ dirty dairying campaign initiated by former chief executive Bryce Johnson, as aggressively worded and adopted by other groups, but FGNZ will not use it again. “It served a purpose and will not be used again,” he said. “The community has moved beyond that. Dairy farmers have moved beyond that.” It had come at a cost with a noticeable increase in landowners curbing access to fishermen

and hunters over their land to waterways. This was an incongruent situation for Grubb who was raised with the view that fishing and hunting was a NZ birthright and access based on 150 years of cooperation with landowners.

The farming industry focus has also shifted to what can be achieved with conservation rather than what can be used without care. Ray Grubb FGNZ Farmers, who are personal friends built during the 35 years he has been fishing and hunting, gave him a blunt assessment of the damage FGNZ and its dirty dairying campaign has done to those relationships. He says they have been able to have frank discussions about issues and agree to disagree on some, while still maintaining their friendship. This should be able to occur at a national level. In addition to the growing community awareness of water

quality and quantity, Grubb says the increasing use of technology and tools such as farm plans will assist farmers reduce their impact on waterways. Grubb spent the initial 17 years of his career working as a public servant for Foreign Affairs and then the NZ Electricity Department. For the subsequent 17 years he and his late wife Marian van der Goes ran the Brunner Lodge, a tourism business on the West Coast. Grubb operated a fishing guide business while his wife ran the lodge. His relationship with farmers was enhanced during this period, with farming families employed by the lodge and local farmers hosting their tourists to provide an insight into agriculture. It was while dealing with tourists that Grubb says he realised just how spectacular NZ’s environment was. “You see it through their eyes and begin to appreciate what we’ve got,” he said. “We’re born to it, so don’t always see the same value. “Environmental credentials come to you.” They sold the business in 2001 and moved to the coastal Otago town of Karitane before spending the next three years driving from Singapore to London.

On returning to NZ Grubb worked as a consultant, held governance and company directorships and served on the Otago Fish & Game council from 2009-15 before taking a three-year break for personal reasons. He was successfully re-elected in 2018 and last year elected as a national councillor. Last November he replaced chair Paul Shortis who stood down for personal reasons. But any honeymoon was shortlived with the organisation’s chief executive for the previous three years, Martin Taylor, resigning just prior Christmas. Grubb says Taylor resigned to pursue different options and FGNZ is on the hunt for a replacement. Also looming is the first government review of the organisation in 35 years, which he expects to be released in late February-early March. Grubb, who now lives in Wanaka, says his tenure will be judged by the quality of rules adopted by regional councils and the subsequent quality and quantity of water flowing in our waterways. But he also wants better relationships between anglers, hunters, landowners and farming groups, and says central to that will be mutual respect and replicating nationally the community links that already exist at FGNZ regional level.

New thinking

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

Chance to change viruses’ rep Twenty-twenty proved to be the year where most of the world learnt more than ever anticipated about viruses. Plant & Food Research lead scientist Dr Robin MacDiarmid views this increase in understanding as a silver lining in the covid cloud. But her research is also finding another silver lining in viruses, learning where they can serve good for more sustainable food production. She spoke to Richard Rennie.

SINGLE slice from any flora or fauna sample analysed in a lab may contain hundreds if not thousands of viruses and bacteria, but the number actually known, categorised and understood by scientists may well pale against the total there. For Dr Robin MacDiarmid, identifying and categorising the viruses represents barely half the job at hand. In recent decades genomic sequencing has made that task simpler, quicker and more affordable for researchers. “But once you have discovered and categorised a virus, you are really only at the ‘so what?’ stage. The big questions come after that, in terms of what is its cell biology, and what is the ecosystem it functions in?” MacDiarmid says. “Typically, and particularly in 2020, people tend to think if something is a virus, then it must be bad, that’s the reputation they have.” She compares this to their microscopic bedmates bacteria, where people are familiar not only with their negative impact, such as causing infection, but equally comfortable with their positive side. This includes creating fermented foods and in the human microbiome that assists us in nutrition and disease control. So, MacDiarmid welcomes the timely discussions around the use of tools like attenuated viral vaccines in the war against covid if it helps increase knowledge and understanding of those potential positives. Attenuated vaccines are created by reducing the strength of a viral pathogen, but keeping it viable or live. This stimulates a strong

immune response from the host that tends to be long-lasting. Attenuated vaccines, such as those being developed at the University of Melbourne, are one of six categories of vaccine being worked on for covid defences The use of a virus as “mild strain cross-protection,” is a type of vaccination used to inoculate plants against viral diseases which can otherwise be hard to deal with. An example is potato viruses which can require treatment of soils with to eradicate them While known for over 100 years, the past decade has seen a rise in interest in inoculants’ use as researchers seek alternative nonsynthetic crop treatments. Such treatments have proven effective in trials on apple and tomato mosaic viruses. Life and crop-saving vaccines aside, the positives viruses’ invisible presence may bring can be difficult for researchers to prove. “We have been carrying on life not thinking about viruses, but have probably been propagating them,” she says. “Many of our crops today are not raised from seed, but propagated through vegetative techniques like grafting, cuttings and tissue culture. This means any viruses from the original mother plant remain, and are passed on through those generations for many decades. What we have not done is ask ‘what are the viruses found in these plants conferring, possibly in a positive way?’” It is a difficult question to answer, requiring researchers to tip the conventional research approaches on its head – that is one usually requiring them to look at unhealthy samples to find out

PERCEPTION: Dr Robin MacDiarmid says scientists have a task ahead convincing growers and consumers that not all viruses are bad viruses.

Typically, and particularly in 2020, people tend to think if something is a virus, then it must be bad, that’s the reputation they have. Dr Robin MacDiarmid Plant & Food Research why they are in malaise. “It’s a steep research path, having to test for what the factors are that cause that virus to be

present in a positive, healthy host, quite a contrast to identifying and treating harmful viruses,” she said. New Zealand presents more challenge and opportunity in this area, given when the country was settled, edible plants were difficult to prepare. “We have this very unique flora and fauna in NZ that has had exotic crops, pathogens and pests introduced to it. But there has been very little research on the impact of exotic viruses on our indigenous plants, or vice versa for that matter,” she says. MacDiarmid sees plenty of opportunity over the next five years to examine viruses that may

play a positive role in replacing synthetic sprays and offer a more socially acceptable means of protection. There is also the potential for viruses to be used to attack the pathogenic bacteria that impact on our crops. Known as phages, work is going on here too, and could hold potential to deal with problematic bacterial diseases in a wide range of horticultural crops. “We are hoping the concept of good viruses is one that becomes acceptable to growers and consumers. This is a great area of research – there is a mix here of science, philosophy, social and economic research,” she says.

Nationwide Numbers

Nationwide Open Farm Day Sunday February 21 st , 2021 In 4 weeks, Kiwi farmers will open their gates, welcoming townies to reconnect with our food, land and farmers.

COME AND JOIN US. Host an Open Farm day yourself or sign-up to visit a farm near you.

OUR LAND AND WATER WA

Toitū te Whenua, Toiora te Wai

Agriculture & Investment Services Ministry for Primary Industries Manatū Ahu Matua

Your weekly update on Open Farms events and visitor numbers.

Farms hosting an open day

Registrations open soon

Head to WWW.OPENFARMS.CO.NZ to learn more and sign-up.

Opinion

20 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

EDITORIAL

Forget, forgive and look to the future

OME encouraging signs emerged last week concerning farming’s place in wider New Zealand society. The new chair of Fish & Game New Zealand told our reporter Neal Wallace that the days of decrying dirty dairying were behind the organisation and it would now work to work with rural communities to improve water quality. And, the new chair of the Primary Production select committee Jo Luxton told reporter Colin Williscroft that she wants to rebuild some of the trust that farmers have lost in the Government. With regard to Fish & Game, many farmers would perhaps say that the damage has already been done. The chasm that’s opened between rural and urban communities over the past decade or so owes much to those two words coined by a previous leadership. It’s meant that having a rational conversation about shared environmental goals has been made that much harder. Still, it appears a line’s been drawn in the sand and it’s now up to the leadership on both sides to forget past grievances and look to the future. Luxton’s words will also have to be followed up with action. Many farmers are struggling to come to terms with the regulation that’s been placed on their farming businesses. They’re unsure how to navigate them while staying profitable. Still, many in rural communities voted for the current government last year and now the Government needs to acknowledge that support. That means ensuring farming business owners feel assured they have a path forward that will reward their commitment. It’s a fine balance – the path to a more environmentally-friendly sector is one that needs to be both economically sustainable and one that satisfies the rest of the electorate and the increased scrutiny of the world that buys our food. Last week’s news that honey exports to Japan may be in jeopardy because of glyphosate traces is another sign that the world is moving very quickly. Our challenge is to quicken our pace as well – without tripping up.

Bryan Gibson

LETTERS

Need to streamline wool auctions AT PRESENT, wool sold by auction without a farmer’s voice often includes messy arrangements in wool sheds, plus the cost of transport to wool store and cost of auction. In order to streamline the system we should cut the auction system and use the latest technology, like a camera loaned to farmers by local shearing agents. This can illustrate processing from table to press to cover visual appearance and length. It also tallies the numbers shorn. Can a core test be done by a different method? Weight isn’t a problem. Then send all this information to HQ, plus the exact wool ID. Utilising this information, the wool buyer establishes a suitable price for manufacture or export. After the price is confirmed,

the wool is sent directly to the agreed destination, meaning considerable cost savings to the farmer. Could this project be developed? Very interested to hear other farmers’ views. David Blackley Bay of Plenty

Dear Mr Editor I AM Sean, I am six years old. What type of cows do you have? Do you have a dirt bike? My dirt bike is a Honda 50. My two brothers have dirt bikes, too. One is an XR70 and one is a CRF. Dad has a 250. We like doing laps around the farm and the bonfire. I am writing to you to try and win the Victorinox Swiss army knife. How many people have

written to you? I hope you like my letter. I chose green paper for grass and blue felt pen for rain. I drew raindrops in the corners of the paper. Rain is important for farming to make the grass grow. Has it rained at your place? How many cows do you have? Do they have heaps of maize to eat? Rain makes maize grow too. Sean, 6 Waikato

Letters to the Editor Letters must be no more than 450 words and submitted on the condition The New Zealand Farmers Weekly has the right to, and license third parties to, reproduce in electronic form and communicate these letters. Letters may also be edited for space and legal reasons. Names, addresses and phone numbers must be included. Letters with pen names will generally not be considered for publication.

Starting ‘em young THOUGHT you might like to see a photo of a young reader, our nine-week-old son Harrison Tylee. Mark and Emma Tylee Owhango

Letterof theWeek EDITOR Bryan Gibson 06 323 1519 bryan.gibson@globalhq.co.nz EDITORIAL Carmelita Mentor-Fredericks 06 323 0769 editorial@globalhq.co.nz Neal Wallace 03 474 9240 neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz Colin Williscroft 027 298 6127 colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz Annette Scott 021 908 400 annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz Hugh Stringleman 09 432 8594 hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz Gerald Piddock 027 486 8346 gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz Richard Rennie 07 552 6176 richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz Nigel Stirling 021 136 5570 nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com

ADVERTISING

PUBLISHER Dean Williamson 027 323 9407 dean.williamson@globalhq.co.nz

Clint Dunstan 027 474 6004 Real Estate & Farm Machinery advertising clint.dunstan@globalhq.co.nz

Andy Whitson 027 626 2269 New Media & Business Development Lead andy.whitson@globalhq.co.nz Steve McLaren 027 205 1456 Auckland/Northland advertising steve.mclaren@globalhq.co.nz Jody Anderson 027 474 6094 Waikato/Bay of Plenty advertising jody.anderson@globalhq.co.nz Donna Hirst 027 474 6095 Lower North Island/international advertising donna.hirst@globalhq.co.nz Ernest Nieuwoudt 027 474 6091 South Island advertising ernest.nieuwoudt@globalhq.co.nz

ISSN 2463-6002 (Print) ISSN 2463-6010 (Online) Ella Holland 06 323 0761 Livestock advertising 027 602 4925 livestock@globalhq.co.nz Debbie Brown 06 323 0765 Classifieds/Employment advertising classifieds@globalhq.co.nz Grant Marshall 027 887 5568 AgriHQ Partnership Manager grant.marshall@globalhq.co.nz Andrea Mansfield 027 446 6002 Salesforce director andrea.mansfield@globalhq.co.nz Steph Holloway 06 323 0142 AgriHQ Commercial Leader steph.holloway@globalhq.co.nz PRODUCTION Lana Kieselbach 027 739 4295 production@globalhq.co.nz Advertising material adcopy@globalhq.co.nz SUBSCRIPTIONS 0800 85 25 80 subs@globalhq.co.nz Printed by Ovato NZ Ltd Delivered by Reach Media Ltd

Best letter each week wins a quality Victorinox Hiker knife

So go on! Stick the knife in WRITE TO The Editor, Farmers Weekly P.O. Box 529, Feilding EMAIL farmers.weekly@globalhq.co.nz • FAX 06 323 7101

LK0105358©

Farmers Weekly is published by GlobalHQ, PO Box 529, Feilding 4740. New Zealand Phone: 0800 85 25 80 Website: www.farmersweekly.co.nz

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

Climate change will need leadership Andrew Hoggard

HERE are all sorts of targets for Federated Farmers’ advocacy efforts on government policy in 2021. Not least, there’s a mountain of work ahead to help bash the freshwater regulations into a framework that’s practical and cost-effective, and lobbying to try and ensure the long-awaited reform of resource management legislation doesn’t see the useful things in the existing RMA thrown out with the bad. But first cab off the rank is the February 1 release of the Climate Change Commission’s draft recommendations on how we could meet our Paris Agreement commitments, along with the country’s first three five-year emissions budgets running to 2035. The Commission’s website says this will include “advice on what potential reductions in biogenic methane might be needed in the future.” What I want to see from Jacinda Ardern’s government is a stronger commitment that they’ll be guided by science on climate change, rather than politics. I want to see our MPs back up all those pretty words said to farmers about how important agriculture is to our economy by a willingness to go to the international community and argue for a more scientificallyrobust greenhouse gas metric that takes account of the different global warming impacts of longlived gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, and short-lived gases such as methane. Victoria University’s NZ Climate Change Research Institute director Professor Dave Frame was unequivocal on the topic at the Primary Industries NZ Summit late last year. “The problem is dominated by CO2, and increasingly dominated by CO2. It’s the main event in climate change,” he said. Make no mistake, the world –

The

Pulpit

and our farmers – need to reduce nitrous oxide and the ‘flow’ gas methane too. But the science is clear: for NZ to ensure its methane emissions have no additional warming impact annual reductions of 0.3% are needed. The Government’s current 10% cut by 2030 and 24-47% by 2050 targets are at least three times more severe than required.

What I want to see from Jacinda Ardern’s government is a stronger commitment that they’ll be guided by science on climate change, rather than politics. As Feds said in its original submission on the Zero Carbon Bill, an annual 1-2% biogenic methane reduction target (based on that 24-47% cut by 2050) would directly cost our livestock sector $300-$600 million a year currently, compounding to an annual cost of $7.2-$14 billion in today’s dollars.

That’s a lot of lost income and jobs for NZ. Thankfully, there is growing international recognition that the GWP100 metric we’ve long used to describe the warming impact of greenhouse gases has shortcomings when it comes to the temperature response of short-lived emissions such as methane. The GWP* – or GWP-we (warming equivalent) – metric proposed by leading climate scientists, such as from the UK’s Oxford University’s Martin School, provides a more accurate measure of the behaviour of methane in the atmosphere. Lost in the Christmas and covid melee mid-December was a joint statement from 16 agricultural organisations from across the UK and NZ backing the GWP*/ CO2-we metric, and warning that continuing to use the inaccurate metric could lead to poor policy decisions. Frame was even more blunt at the PINZ Summit. He pointed out that countries with emission profiles dominated by methane are the poor and developing nations. It just so happens NZ has that same profile because so much of our energy generation is already renewable/non-fossil fuel burning, meaning our agricultural gases dominate the emissions that are left. If the world continues to demand that all gases – short or long-lived – need to get to net zero, we’re in effect telling poor nations they have to undo all their contributions to warming so all the rich countries have extra space for their CO2-dominated contributions to warming. Hardly fair. A twin to the Paris Agreement are the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which include food security/ending world hunger. NZ grows food for around 40 million people beyond our shores, and with a much lower environmental footprint than most.

ACTION: Feds president Andrew Hoggard says he’s keen to see our MPs back up all those pretty words said to farmers about how important agriculture is to our economy with action.

Frame is right when he said we need to link up with other food producing nations such as Uruguay, Argentina and Thailand (the latter because rice growing is also a big generator of methane), to fight for a fairer greenhouse gas measurement metric. UN negotiators have no appetite for individual nation’s special pleading, so we need to frame our arguments in a much more international way. Frame also threw out a challenge to us farmers that we are taking up. He said He Waka Eke Noa, the cross-sector effort currently underway to find ways to accurately measure on-farm emissions and drive them down, is a great platform from which to

propose sound solutions the rest of the world will be interested in emulating. If NZ wants to demonstrate, and not simply talk about, real climate leadership on the global stage, promoting the GWP*/CO2-we metric is a great place to start.

Who am I? Andrew Hoggard is the president Federated Farmers NZ.

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

“It’s alright to talk“

Want to talk? Connect to supports that can help you right now: 1737 Need to Talk? Is a mental health helpline number that provides access to trained counsellors who can offer support to anyone who needs to talk about mental health or addiction issues. It is free to call or text at any time. Youthline www.youthline.co.nz offers support to young people and their families, including online resources about a wide range of issues that affect young people. It can be contacted by calling 0800 376 633, texting 234, email (talk@youthline.co.nz) or online chat. Domestic violence and advice & support, call Women’s Refuge Crisis line 0800 733 843. 0800 787 254 www.ruralsupport.org.nz

Alcohol and drug helpline 0800 787 797.

What’s up www.whatsup.co.nz offers counselling to 5 to 18 year olds by freephone 0800 942 8787 (1pm-10pm Monday - Friday, 3pm-10pm weekends) or online chat. Mental health information and advice for children, teenagers and families is available on its website. The Lowdown www.thelowdown.co.nz is a website and helpline for young people to help them recognise and understand depression or anxiety. It also has a 24/7 helpline that can be contacted by calling freephone 0800 111 757 or texting 5626.

rural people helping rural people

Opinion

22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

Time for Govt to walk the walk Alternative View

Alan Emerson

I SAW a government statement recently that was, in a word, underwhelming. Parliament had declared a “climate emergency” we were told. I could understand declaring a housing emergency but climate? According to my dictionary emergency means “an unforeseen or sudden occurrence, especially of danger demanding immediate action.” I would humbly and respectfully suggest that climate change is neither unforeseen or sudden, and any immediate action is far on the horizon. In fact, such is the worldview of our reaction to climate change that we faced exclusion from a “major event of carbon-cutting nations.” The reason given was because of “our lack of action on climate change.” So instead of actually doing anything constructive, we’ve declared an emergency. Mind you local government have been at the forefront of climate change emergency declarations. According to my research Auckland, Wellington Christchurch and Dunedin have all put their hands up, as have

Nelson, Kapiti Coast, Hutt City, Hawke’s Bay, Porirua, Nelson and Queenstown Lakes. I’m pleased to say Masterton hasn’t, which tells you a lot about the intellectual grunt of provincial NZ. Making declarations is easy and achieves nothing. The hard work is in the doing. The prize for talking but not doing must go to the Christchurch City Council. “The scientific evidence that our planet is in crisis is irrefutable,” Mayor Lianne Dalziel effused. “By declaring a global climate and ecological emergency we are raising awareness about the urgency of the need for everyone to take action to reduce carbon emissions to zero.” It gets better. The Government has put out a National Policy Statement on housing density, encouraging more dwellings in central cities. It makes sense if you want to reduce your carbon footprint as it means that people can walk to work. Not so in Christchurch, where nimbyism is rampant. Mayor Lianne Dalziel and her 16 councillors were united in their disapproval of the Government’s national policy that aims to increase housing density and encourage development in places close to public transport. Dalziel said she felt extreme frustration with the central government imposing Auckland rules on the rest of the country. So, on one hand we have a council waxing eloquently about climate change and declaring a climate and ecological emergency

NEW WORLD: Covid-19 has proven we don’t have to fly, so will Cabinet ministers be attending Zoom conferences rather than flying business class?

Making declarations is easy and achieves nothing. The hard work is in the doing.

and on the other, not wanting to take a logical step to reduce their carbon footprint. Talking the talk is one thing, but walking the walk takes effort. Surely, if you have a climate change emergency you would be encouraging people into the inner city and close to public transport. Auckland has the same problem as Christchurch. Opposition to high rise in inner city suburbs, a clogged roading system and the lack of a credible public transport system. Another news item reinforced that fact. According to a highly reputable international study, climate

researchers take more flights than other academics and we know how academics love to travel. They’re obviously not concerned about climate change as the research showed that climate researchers took 50% more flights than other academics. So climate researchers, those berating us over saving the planet, aren’t doing their bit. Considering the climate change emergency, we are told government departments must decarbonise by 2025, just four years away or purchase carbon credits from their baseline budgets to do that. The police have just purchased 3000 petrol vehicles. When they get hit with purchasing carbon credits what will go? The vetting of firearms licences. If we have a crisis in the Pacific with the need for massive defence resources, will that be declined in the interests of carbon neutrality, or climate emergency? My frustration is at the selective nature of the actions of the

climate change disciples. Covid-19 has proved we don’t have to fly so I look forward to Cabinet ministers practicing Zoom conferences rather than flying business class. Then we could encourage ministers and senior bureaucrats on bikes, a Toyota Prius or public transport to further reduce their footprint. For the record I am not a climate change denier. I accept that the climate is changing and that we need to do something about it. Declaring a state of emergency achieves nothing. If we’re serious about climate change one could respectfully and humbly ask why we’re extending the life of the Tiwai Point smelter with the huge carbon footprint it has. Finally, the Government owns Air New Zealand, a major contributor to our carbon footprint. Will they insist it is carbon zero in four years as they have with other government departments, or hide behind the fact that air travel is excluded from the Paris Accord? If they present the exclusion argument, then to be consistent they need to exclude livestock methane emission as food production is excluded in the accord as well. It will be interesting if nothing else.

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

On-farm safety a matter of life, death From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

THIS week I feel a need to write about farm accidents causing death and injury, particularly motorbikes, but tractors have also recently taken lives, and animals remain problematic as well. Our area has had a bad series of deaths lately and it has shaken all of us, and of course deeply and profoundly affected the families and friends of these poor people. One death is one too many and just locally we have seen several in recent months and three in this new year already. I know there have been other fatalities in other parts of the country over the summer as well. I’m not going to talk about any of the specifics of these tragedies but like suicide, it is something we need to keep discussing and working on ways to prevent it happening again.

A lot of scrutiny will come on these machines, but it comes down to how we are using them, and we continue to show not very well. A big problem currently is how long the grass is after an explosive growth spurt in November. When riding around the farm, you just can’t see the holes, dips, pinecones (they can be problematic on my two-wheeler), sticks and logs. Because of this, I’ve been cautious. But even caution is not enough. Before Christmas I was mustering some lambs on my twowheeler and going very carefully and slowly down a small slope. Next thing I know the front wheel flicks out and I’m thrown off into the Californian thistles and, as I’m going slowly, my right leg is stuck under the bike. And, because I’m downhill of the bike, I must use my other leg to lift the bike up to pull myself out. Fortunately, I’m not hurt but get up, muttering about how I’m too old for this bloody carry on. I look in the grass to see what caused this minor accident and it’s a small, wet and thus slippery stick. Like one you would throw for a dog.

And yes, I recorded the incident in my near miss report. I note it because it’s a small thing and happened under genuine caution and yet could have had more serious outcomes, but I was lucky. And luck does come into it in a big way. I had a friend who 20 years ago was going across a slope on his two-wheeler when it slipped over. He wasn’t going fast but his head hit a stone and he was killed. Like most of us, I’ve known others who have died on their farms. In my 40-year farming career, I’ve had at least four close calls. And each time it could have gone either way, but I was lucky or reacted quickly enough to save my own life. I’ve not rolled a four-wheeler but once while cautiously creeping down a slope, the downhill front wheel slowly drove into a small depression that again was hidden by long grass. The bike was close to rolling and I carefully put it into reverse and backed up the hill. I got off the bike and sat down for a bit as I realised how close it had been. Not long after, I put a roll bar on the back of the bike.

STATS: There are about 20 agricultural fatalities each year and around half of these involve quads and tractors.

We all have stories like this and most of the time luck and skill gets us out of sticky situations. But as we have just seen, and seen in the past too many times, not always. There are about 20 agricultural fatalities each year and around half of these involve quads and tractors. Worksafe is not our nemesis, they are working hard to try and keep us safe. Listen to what they are saying and act on it. Choose the right vehicle for the job and consider the weather and terrain. If you are in a tractor working on

sloping terrain, use the seat belt. Don’t push the motorbikes to the edge of their capabilities. Treat these useful but heavy machines with respect. Wear helmets and get some roll protection devices installed. Don’t drive them when fatigued and for goodness sake, don’t be in a hurry. Make sure everyone is trained in the safe use of all machinery. Take care, stay safe.

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

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

Time for progress around free trade Meaty Matters

Allan Barber

THE Brexit agreement and the start of the new year signal the moment has come to get serious with negotiations on two key issues: retention of the EU sheepmeat and beef quotas determined by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in the 1986-1994 Uruguay round and separately, free trade agreements (FTAs) with the UK and EU. Although the two matters are clearly linked, Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva is adamant they must be dealt with separately, because the quota must be addressed sooner rather than later. Equally, New Zealand does not want to be in a situation where, as part of the FTA negotiations, it is offered some minor compensation for what has already been removed unilaterally. As a small country, NZ’s influence is limited, which means using whatever points of leverage it can as a member of larger groups, as well as on its own account. Trade negotiator Vangelis Vitalis expects the UK to put in a formal request by the end of the first quarter to join the Comprehensive

and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), but to do this the UK must first make serious progress towards concluding bilateral FTAs with Australia and NZ. A key negotiating point will be to provide 100% tariff liberalisation which will test the UK’s resolve to demonstrate its free trade credentials. On the EU front, Vitalis says the new EU Commissioner will be very aware the bloc has very few trade partnership options currently underway and, of these options, NZ offers the best opportunity to show political intent. A further point of leverage is NZ’s membership of the Cairns Group, which can get onto the WTO ministerial meeting agenda its concrete proposal “to cap and reduce by at least half the current sum of global agricultural trade and production distorting support entitlements by 2030.” Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor has been invited to join the miniministerial WTO meeting in the first quarter, which will decide what negotiators should work on before the main meeting at the end of the year. Former trade ambassador Mike Petersen, speaking from personal experience, is not optimistic about making fast progress, because he believes both the UK and EU only see things through their own lens and NZ will have to scrap every inch of the way. The sheepmeat and beef quota issue will be hard to crack, but it is a matter of

principle to keep fighting for what was agreed at the WTO, regardless of whether the sheepmeat quota can be filled. Petersen says NZ took a big cut in the combined volume of product it was entitled to send to the UK and Europe when Great Britain joined the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973, but the agreement provided flexibility to choose between European destinations. This principle has now been unilaterally abandoned following the decision under the Brexit agreement to split the quota between the two markets. The decline of the NZ sheep flock from its peak of more than 70 million to 26m, and the development of profitable alternative markets since the 1970s mean exports to the UK and EU no longer come anywhere close to breaching the quota. The 2019-20 season saw total exports hit just under 80,000 tonnes of sheepmeat, split evenly between the two markets, while exports to China exceeded 130,000MT. It is difficult to see the quota split actually causing NZ exporters any practical difficulty, since sales volumes would almost have to triple before the limit is reached. ANZCO’s general manager of sales and marketing Rick Walker concedes there will be no practical impact on his company’s business, but agrees with the importance of ensuring trading partners stick to agreed rules, rather than letting them get off without following due process.

OPTIONS: Trade negotiator Vangelis Vitalis acknowledges the importance of concluding free trade agreements with large trade blocs, but makes the point that there are other options open to New Zealand.

For New Zealand Inc, progress towards concluding the respective FTAs are the more critical negotiations because of the potential benefits to a much broader range of exports. On the agricultural front, beef and dairy would benefit enormously from a relaxation of current restrictions. The high quality beef quota entitlements into the EU (846MT) and UK (454MT) incur a 20% ad valorem tariff, while NZ may also compete for a total of 116,703MT under the “most favoured nation” quota, also incurring a 20% tariff. A look at the statistics suggest NZ exporters do not supply much product at all under these conditions, most likely because there are more profitable alternative markets available to exporters, including the US, China, Japan and other Asian countries. Dairy has no access to the UK, one of the largest importers of dairy products globally, in stark contrast to the EU which enjoys tariff-free access. While there are dairy quotas into the EU, it is virtually impossible for NZ to access them because of the restrictive conditions that apply. Vitalis acknowledges the

importance of concluding FTAs with these large trade blocs, but he makes the point that there are other options open to NZ. The Chinese FTA upgrade was concluded at the end of 2019, but has not yet been formally signed which is a priority. Also, positively, Canada announced officially in December that it wishes to join the digital economy partnership agreement to which NZ is a signatory. Although an FTA with the US is not on the table, as chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) NZ can demonstrate a willingness to work with them, for instance encouraging them to re-engage with trading partners without the toxicity of (CPTPP) negotiations. As always, there are challenges as well as opportunities for our hard working trade negotiators. They won’t achieve everything they wish, but whatever the outcome NZ exporters are highly likely to benefit from their efforts.

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

Building consents down but not out Cameron Bagrie CONSENTS are a key indicator of the economy. The same can be said for components of building consents, including farm buildings as a part of farm investment. Farm building consents are well down on two years ago, though still at reasonable levels. Building consent data includes residential buildings such as houses, apartments, townhouses and retirement villages. Nonresidential includes hotels, motels, prisons, hospitals, education buildings, commercial and industrial buildings, shops, restaurants, factories and farm buildings. Both residential and nonresidential building consents are very procyclical and large in size. There were almost $17 billion of residential building consents issued in the past year, and another $6.9b of non-residential consents. Farm building consents for $281 million have been issued in the past year, down from $310m a year ago and mirrored the 9% fall we have seen in total non-residential

building consents over the same period. Farm building consents are typically a bit over 5% of nonresidential consents. But they have been as high as 9% and as low as 1.9%. They are 4.1% now, lower than what is typical but well above previous lows. Farm building consents have fallen 22% in the past two years. They peaked at $382m in the 2018 calendar year. One region dominates the fall. Canterbury. Canterbury farm building consents were knocking on the door of $100m in 2018, they are now sub $30m. That is a titanic fall in one region, even accounting for some large projects. Taranaki has seen a fall from $30m to $12m in two to three years. Nelson and Marlborough have seen large declines, too. Waikato continues to provide backbone, accounting for around one-third ($100m) of farm building consents in the past year. Waikato’s share has jumped from 20% to around 30% for the past three years. Hawke’s Bay takes the crown

KNOCK-ON EFFECT: Government policy shifts have scaled back growth opportunities across parts of the rural sector and imposed additional costs, while environmental policy has impacted all areas.

for the largest rise in the past two years, with farm building consents more than doubling, reaching almost $17m. There are numerous reasons for the shifts. Some major projects boosted the figures, particularly in Canterbury over 2018 so the fall is coming off an exaggerated high, though Waikato figures recorded large boosts in May and June 2020 as well. One-offs can be somewhat regular. Covid created uncertainty, which meant pausing some investment. Agriculture sector deposits with banks are up $485m in the past year.

Some sectors have been expanding. Horticulture debt has risen 31% in the past two years. Conversely, dairy sector debt has fallen 6% ($2.5b) over the same period. Bank debt has been more difficult to obtain and a huge focus has been on improving balance sheets. That has meant less spending. Government policy shifts have scaled back growth opportunities across parts of the rural sector and imposed additional costs. Environmental policy is having a huge impact across all areas, but particularly Canterbury. On-farm investment is being spent outside of buildings.

Farm business models are evolving and farm systems are changing as production deintensifies. Forestry is gobbling up land and does not need the same building structures. Some new types of building work also no longer require a building consent. This includes single-storey pole sheds and hay barns in rural zones. Farm building consents might be off their highs, but they are not showing the extent of declines we have seen in previous cycles. It is a sign of ongoing investment, albeit at more moderate rates. Farm building consents are an indicator that deserves a bit more attention than it gets. *** While Bagrie Economics uses all reasonable endeavours in producing reports to ensure the information is as accurate as practicable, Bagrie Economics shall not be liable for any loss or damage sustained by any person relying on such work whatever the cause of such loss or damage. The content does not constitute advice.

24 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

On Farm Story

HERITAGE GRAIN: Angela Clifford in the crop of a traditional Maori white maize called kaanga ma, sourced from Ruatoria.

A different way of life A North Canterbury family has embraced permaculture to feed themselves and teach others how to do the same. Angela Clifford and Nick Gill talked to Tony Benny.

EW Zealander Angela Clifford and her Aussie partner Nick Gill were highfliers in the Australian wine industry when, 17 years ago, Nick was offered a job in New Zealand. They left corporate life behind in favour of getting their hands dirty and creating a different way of life. “I thought the customs guy at the airport was going to give me a hug and high five. He literally said to Angela, ‘You’ve brought one back’,” laughs Nick, remembering the day they arrived in NZ.

It isn’t just about designing a piece of land, it’s also about designing your life and designing communities as well, and that’s really important to me. Angela Clifford Farmer Angela moved to Australia as a student to study wine at the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy Campus, a course not then available at home. She met Nick, the son of a farmer, who was studying dryland farming systems and instead of coming home to work in the NZ

wine industry after graduation, she stayed in South Australia with Nick. “We were just incredibly lucky, we timed our graduations just as the Australian wine industry went through a massive boom,” Angela said. Seeing the hard times farming was going through in Australia, Nick had pulled out of dryland farming and after graduation was swept up in the rapidly expanding wine industry, rising to be in charge of 500ha of vineyards in the Barossa Valley. Angela’s career was also well on-track. “I’d set up the Barossa farmers market and had a really good job with Rockford, a boutique winery, so it definitely was not our plan to come back but it was an opportunity too good to pass up,” she said. Nick was offered a job setting up a new vineyard, Greystone, in Waipara and with Angela’s parents still living in NZ, they took the leap across the Tasman. “I was getting a bit sick of the big corporate with lots of meetings but not really any hands in the dirt time, and I came here and was given a ute and a 130ha farm and they said, ‘Plant a vineyard on that’,” Nick said. “I’d done it a few times before and there weren’t many people round here who had a proven track record of doing that and also getting good grapes quickly.” They bought a 6ha block near

Amberley and started a family – Ruby is 17, Matilda,14, and son Flynn is 12. From the outset, they had big plans for their new land, which they call The Food Farm. “If you look around the world, small farms can be incredibly productive but they have bad wrap here — they’re lifestyle blocks — and we were quite determined that NZ was a good place to be,” Angela said.

“We’d done a permaculture design course in Australia, so that was really our guiding light in terms of what we wanted to do with this property.” Permaculture, or permanent culture, is a way of farming, growing many perennials as well as annuals and using similar techniques to regenerative farmers, but there’s more to it than that, Angela says. “It isn’t just about designing

a piece of land, it’s also about designing your life and designing communities as well, and that’s really important to me,” she said. Sitting under the shade of a large grapevine-covered pergola that creates an outside room for their house, Angela says designed structures like it follow permaculture principles, too. “This vine is an example of passive solar design, so you have something that creates shade in

VARIETY: Sunflowers are among more than 60 varieties of fruit and veges Nick and Angela grow.

On Farm Story

FAMILY EFFORT: Matilda,14, helps her dad Nick pick raspberries.

summer but loses its leaves in winter and allows sunlight back into the house on to concrete floors where it creates a thermal mass,” she said. On The Food Farm they grow more than 60 varieties of fruit and vegetables, raise hens for eggs and meat, as well as pigs, ducks, sheep, milking cows and bees. “When we have a meal, the food is (usually) all off the property – and that happens a lot. It’s something that we value and it takes time and effort,” Nick said. “We recognise we’re very fortunate to be able to do that — we’re living here, we’ve got the space, we’ve got off-farm income that enables us to develop the farm, we’ve got water.” Nick and Angela used to sell surplus food at markets

and through the community supported agriculture scheme (CSA), under which people pay an annual subscription for a weekly box of fruit and veges. They no longer sell food, but run regular courses on the farm teaching people how to grow and preserve food. “An important part of the ethics of permaculture is that you see yourself as part of the community and you need to contribute to your community. This farm has the ability to sustain way more than just us, so we need to find a way to share that with our community and a good way of sharing that is through education,” Angela said. Nick still works for Greystone Wines and Angela is chief executive of Eat New Zealand, a collective of chefs, producers, media, tourism and event operators working to create a national platform to promote NZ food, drink and culinary tourism. “Our mission is to connect people to our land through food and it’s a grassroots movement that sits across the food system,” she said.

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

LIFESTYLE: Nick Gill and Angela Clifford say permaculture is more than just a farming system, it’s a way of life.

“We believe the future for farms in NZ could include the ability to do what we’re doing, which is to create an on-farm experience – whether that’s education or farmstay or a hospitality experience. “When we have people who come through who want to see a NZ food story, particularly when we did have international travellers, The Food Farm is a great place to base that story from. “It also gives me an authentic place to stand when I talk about NZ food, because I’m a food producer so both parts of my life are pretty intimately connected really.” Although they grow a huge range of crops, they’re still exploring others and this year have an experiment running with an ancient variety of white maize called kaanga ma. “It’s a traditional Maori corn from Ruatoria and we’re going to use it to make masa flour for tortillas. It’s a really amazing NZ heritage grain,” Nick said. He also plans to use it as a stock feed to replace the wheat he has to buy in.

LIVESTOCK: Nick Gill feeds mixed-breed ducks. The Food Farm also stocks hens for meat and eggs, sheep, milking cows and pigs.

ALL YEAR ROUND: Permaculture, or permanent culture, involves growing many perennials as well as annuals and using similar techniques to regenerative farmers

They’re growing it using a mixture of traditional South American methods and modern technology. A Kaiapoi seed raising firm that usually propagates seedlings by the tens of thousands agreed to a run of 2000 maize seedlings, raising them in cell packs. “It was probably not economic but they did it just so they could see what happened, I think. It’s really nice to meet people like that with a really big operation saying, ‘We’ll raise your crazy maize plants’,” he said. With the children’s help, the seedlings were planted in a 1ha plot over a weekend, and with a traditional South American twist, pumpkins and beans were companion planted – the pumpkins to suppress the weeds and the climbing beans to “utilise the vertical space.” The crop’s too small to bring in a harvester, so Nick’s planning to do it the old-fashioned way, as can be seen in films from the 1940s on YouTube. “They used to have husking competitions where you’d strip

the husk and twist the cob out. The maize plants’ seed heads get really big and they flop down and they dry in autumn and then you just take them out,” he said. The cobs will be stored in a “crib” – a slatted, rat-proof bin with a roof. “I’d like to get a t-shirt with “Farming like it’s the 1930s” printed on it,” he jokes. What Angela Clifford and Nick Gill have created is nothing like the “life sentence block” or “life on lawnmower” that cynics often dub smallholdings. Their little farm is incredibly productive, sustainable and resilient, and they’re passing their knowledge on to the community and just as importantly, they’ve made a family home. “It was really important to us to create a place to stand, or tūrangawaewae, for us to be from, to go out to the world to do what we wanted to do, and a place to raise our children,” Angela said. >> Video link: bit.ly/OFSclifford-gill

NEW LISTING

Waimana 863 State Highway 2

Well developed grazing property

Situated 20 minutes south of Whakatane is a premium 170 hectare dairy grazing or finishing property with well maintained four bedroom home. The contour is mostly easy with some steeper sidlings at the back, no less than 40 hectares is easily mowable. A reliable spring and low maintenance water system on the property supplies water to most of the 73 paddocks which are well fenced with post and wire and accessed by a good race system that is well metaled. Further farm improvements include a three stand woolshed/calf rearing shed with large leanto, separate implement shed with lockup workshop and covered cattle yards with scales and drenching races.

Auction (unless sold prior) 10.30am, Tue 23 Feb 2021 Tuscany Villas, 57 The Strand East, Whakatane Rhys Mischefski 027 457 8718 rhys.mischefski@bayleys.co.nz

SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Seldom do premium Eastern Bay of Plenty grazing properties like this become available.

bayleys.co.nz/2571993

Patoka Ben Alpin, 3986 Puketitiri Road

Quality farm and herd in a reliable district Are you looking for summer safe farming on fantastic free draining fertile ash soils? Possibly the best dairy return on investment in New Zealand? Then look no further. Ben Alpin, a 351 hectare dairy farm, located in the premium Hawke's Bay farming district of Patoka. Boasting approximately 220 hectares of mainly flat and easy milking platform with 70 hectares of support land and a further 51 hectares of QEII bush for recreation, this well set up dairy unit must tick all the boxes, and with a quality herd, excellent fertility and pastures providing an amazing opportunity. Improvements include two dwellings, 2018 built single men's quarters, a 2009 built 60 bail rotary shed with cup removers and in shed feeding, excellent housed calf rearing facilities for 350 calves, numerous implement sheds, as well as a very convenient on farm quarry and large on farm dam. An ideal self contained unit.

bayleys.co.nz/2851865

bayleys.co.nz

Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 4pm, Thu 4 Mar 2021 17 Napier Road, Havelock North View by appointment Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253 tony.rasmussen@bayleys.co.nz EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

RECEIVERSHIP SALE

Wellsford 4193 Kaipara Coast Highway, Tauhoa

Wellsford 117 Boyd Access Road, Tomarata Unique lifestyle opportunities! Privately positioned with spectacular 270-degree views, a full motocross track with a viewing tower, and a "lodge" over-looking all as far as the eye can see. These are just some of the features this 97 hectare (212 acre) lifestyle grazing farm, in two titles, has on offer. Subdivided into 13 paddocks, the property has all the infrastructure, including a (unconsented) four bedroom board & batten "woolshed". Available in two clear titles 92ha and/or 4.9ha - buy individually or as a whole.

Tender Closing 4pm, Thu 25 Feb 2021 View by appointment John Barnett 021 790 393 john.barnett@bayleys.co.nz MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/1202368

Farm n' fish or slice n' dice! Superbly positioned on the banks of the Kaipara Harbour, lies 53 hectares (130 acres) of great grazing & waterfront lifestyle living. It's predominantly flat to undulating contour has been well fenced and raced to a high standard into 22 paddocks, making it well suited for horses, dairy, beef or cropping. Some of the property's many standout features includes a "stadium-like" open plan barn, a stylish (non-consented) one-bedroom rustic cottage, and a resource consent for three further titles. Close to schools, fishing hot spots and an easy commute to Aucklands CBD. This is truly a unique offering for all; farmer, lifestyler, fisherman or landbanker!

Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 2pm, Tue 23 Feb 2021 41 Queen Street, Warkworth View by appointment John Barnett 021 790 393 john.barnett@bayleys.co.nz MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/1202236

Boundary lines are indicative only

Cambridge 2237 Maungatautari Road Lakeside farm Cambridge With a host of options for land use and set on the banks of Lake Karapiro, this 49.74 ha (more or less) property has panoramic views of the lake. A former dairy farm, currently grazing dry stock, and registered organic. Infrastructure includes implement sheds, a disused cow shed, and two dwellings. A family sized, two storey, brick and cedar home with pool, and a second modern, two bedroom cottage. This beautiful secluded property is just 20km from Cambridge with easy access to nearby SH1, and just minutes to Horahora Domain, boat ramp, and local water ski club. View now.

bayleys.co.nz/2312027

Waverley Stewart Road 4

Auction (unless sold prior) 11am, Tue 16 Feb 2021 Lakewood Block C, Unit 1, 36 Lake Street, Cambridge View 1-2pm Wed 27 Jan & Wed 3 Feb or by appointment Alistair Scown 027 494 1848 alistair.scown@bayleys.co.nz Sam Troughton 027 480 0836 sam.troughton@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Two blocks - dairy, grazing or lifestyle - 85.8047ha Two blocks, with flat and easy contours, located approximately 5km from Waverley, South Taranaki on Stewart Road, with a total area of 85.8047ha. They can be purchased individually or as one unit. The smaller block consists of 21.6633ha and the larger one is 64.1414ha. Both of these blocks could be utilised as dairy run-offs, beef finishing or possibly as cut and carry units. The smaller block could potentially make an ideal larger lifestyle block.

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

12pm, Thu 18 Feb 2021 158 Wicksteed Street, Whanganui View by appointment Knud Bukholt 027 222 6161 knud.bukholt@bayleys.co.nz BARTLEY REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/3001386

bayleys.co.nz

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – January 25, 2021

Warkworth

1089 State Highway One Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 4pm, Wed 24 Feb 2021 41 Queen Street, Warkworth View Sun 11am-12pm John Barnett 021 790 393 john.barnett@bayleys.co.nz MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Views, grazing, waterfalls! Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and secure a real slice of rural paradise; 59 hectares (146 acres), in two titles. Available in two clear titles 54.2955ha and/or 5.0447ha - buy them together as a whole or individually. Spectacular views will be enjoyed from most aspects of your block from morning till dusk, over neighbouring farmland and distant hills. Established native bush and a great selection of swimming holes on offer to cool down on those hot summer days.

bayleys.co.nz/1202357

Wainui

Monowai Road Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 4pm, Wed 24 Feb 2021 41 Queen Street, Warkworth View Sun 9-10am John Barnett 021 790 393 john.barnett@bayleys.co.nz

Ongaonga 180 Ngaruru Road Aviation enthusiasts country retreat

Rarely does a property come to the market with its own plane hangar and private 450m airstrip. The house was built in 1993 by the current vendors who were farmers of repute and have a lifetime experience of flying light aircraft. Nothing is out of place and the practical modifications and attention to detail with maintenance over the whole 5.4086ha mini-estate is apparent. The two storey, four bedroom, three bathroom home offers charm and comfort with an extensive gable ceilinged open plan kitchen/dining room. A secondary four bay concrete floor workshop along with 30m water bore is also on offer.

Tender (will not be sold prior) Closing 4pm, Tue 23 Feb 2021 Railway Station, 11 Bogle Brothers Esplanade, Waipukurau View by appointment Andy Lee 027 354 8608 andy.lee@bayleys.co.nz Andy Hunter 027 449 5827 andy.hunter@bayleys.co.nz

bayleys.co.nz/2870784

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

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

Wainui wonderland! Location meets lifestyle and opportunity on this 28 hectare (70 acre) grazing property. Spectacular panoramic views over neighbouring farmland and to the hills beyond provide the blank canvas (and potential building sites) you'll need to design and build your dream home. The flat to undulating contour has been well subdivided into 12 paddocks with dams providing plenty of water for stock (and/or duck shooting). So bring your horses, quad bikes, sheep or family, there’s plenty of room for all!

bayleys.co.nz/1202361

Waharoa 472 Wardville Road Open Day

Dairy goat farm • 62.2 ha (STS) in Waharoa district, 12 km north of Matamata • Four housing barns with 1,450 goat capacity • Currently milking 650 does and rearing 250 kids • 3-year average production 79,493 kgMS • 78,813 shares in Dairy Goat Co-operative (NZ) Ltd • 48 bail internal rotary dairy & three dwellings • Offered as going concern including livestock, machinery and DGC shares • Consistent production provides a low risk, competitive yielding investment

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

Tender closes Tuesday 23rd February, 2021 at 4.00pm View Thu 28 Jan 11.00 - 12.30pm Web pb.co.nz/TWR03150

Dave Peacocke M 027 473 2382

E davep@pb.co.nz

Malcolm Wallace M 021 357 446 E malcolm.wallace@pb.co.nz

Te Awamutu 105 Chamberlain Road Open Day

Opportunity knocks A mid-season bonus presents itself with the emergence of a cracking little dairy unit, oozing versatility with location to boot, approx 8 km north of Te Awamutu, 18 km to Cambridge • 105 Chamberlain Road, situated on the northern edge of the Hairini and Puahue districts • 58.785 ha - two titles - mainly flat contour; sandy loam, silt loam and ash soils • Currently calving 210 cows plus 65/70 calves reared on whole milk, six year average 68,288 kgMS • Extremely versatile - options include dairy, dairy support, maize growing or an easy conversion to sheep milking • Neat & tidy 16 ASHB dairy; ample support shedding • Good water, v.g. computer controlled effluent system • Four brm homestead, v.g. garaging, attractive backdrop of trees • Excellent location, access to v.g. schooling; first-class road allowing quick travel to the support centre of Te Awamutu

Auction 12.00pm, Thu 11th Feb, 2021, Te Awamutu Sports Club - Albert Park Drive, Te Awamutu View Thu 28 Jan 10.00 - 11.30am Web pb.co.nz/TWR03122

Brian Peacocke M 021 373 113

E brianp@pb.co.nz

Rotoorangi 231 Grice Road Open Day

Excellent location - excellent contour Excellent location and contour with aesthetically pleasing mature trees are some of the features of a quality dairy farm now available in the Roto-o-Rangi district, 10 km from Cambridge. • 231 Grice Road, Roto-o-Rangi, 17 km north of Te Awamutu • 100 ha - two titles; strong silt & sandy loam soils; flat contour provides for a variety of land use options • Well raced & subdivided with a v.g. water reticulation system • Calving 360 cows, 120 calves reared on wholemilk, six year average of 103,072 kgMS • 32 ASHB dairy, normal range of farm buildings plus a good functional effluent system • Two x 3 brm dwellings in good, well maintained condition • Nicely situated on a private no-exit road, 3 km from a v.g. primary school, secondary schooling and sporting facilities within easy reach, in a first-class long established farming district Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | pb.co.nz

Auction 12.00pm, Thu 11th Feb, 2021, Te Awamutu Sports Club - Albert Park Drive, Te Awamutu View Thu 28 Jan 12.30 - 2.00pm Web pb.co.nz/TWR03124

Brian Peacocke M 021 373 113

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

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; January 25, 2021

WHANGAE FOREST

FOR SALE

State Highway 11, Opua Northland Region About Us

COASTAL LANDHOLIDING WITH SUBDIVISION POTENTIAL

Arotahi Agribusiness is a services business, advising owners and occupiers of rural and agribusiness properties throughout Aotearoa. Our areas of expertise cover Transactions, Valuations and Advisory across a wide range of productive land uses. Prior to establishing Arotahi in November 2020, our high performing team has successfully negotiated in excess of $500m of transactions, together with valuing some of the most productive dairy, pastoral, high country and forestry land in the country. For any transaction or advisory work, call our licensed real estate agents:

Jeremy Keating M +64 21 461 210 For buyers looking for a coastal land bank, small scale subdivision or coastal retreat, and forest investment all in one, Whangae Forest provides a range of options in an outstanding location. A small-scale, second rotation forest planted on an attractive landholding of 179.5924 hectares. With the current crop ready for harvest and an existing roading network, Whangae Forest offers an opportunity to secure imminent log supply either through a Cutting Right or freehold land and crop purchase.

Deadline Offers:

Thursday 11 February 2021 at 4pm (NZDT) Wyatt Johnston Chan Singh Jeremy Keating *Approximately

+64 27 815 1303 +64 27 767 7113 +64 21 461 210

+ + + + + +

Wyatt Johnston M +64 27 815 1303

Chan Singh M +64 27 767 7113

Or for any valuation or advisory work, call our valuer:

179.59ha* freehold land Coastal views Subdivision potential 109.4ha* NSA (1989 - 1994) Approx. 96km cart to Marsden Point Current PF Olsen inventory report **Boundary line is indicative only.

Scott Carter M +64 22 122 7057

N EW

LIS TI N G

Arotahi Agribusiness Limited, Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008)

"FOREST HILL" - 447 HA OF ATTRACTIVE BREEDING & FINISHING CLOSE TO FEILDING 262 Te Awa Road, Kiwitea, Manawatu With its combination of excellent location, great balance of country and rare 1,100 acres of scale, Forest Hill represents a most compelling offering. Situated just 25km north of Feilding in the Kiwitea district, a real feature is the properties layout with the approx. 100ha of flats contiguously along the front of the property; beside is approx. 180ha of predominantly medium/easy hill country, a large portion of which has been cultivated in the past, with the balance steeper but not big hills. Soils on the flats include some Kiwitea with significant areas drained over the years. With two road frontages, track access is excellent. Spring fed stock water is reticulated across the flats; this supply is so good it is also used as the domestic drinking water. Hills watered via clean, reliable dams, many spring fed. Facilities include a four stand woolshed with covered yard, two sets of cattle yards and numerous farm sheds. The well presented homestead, set in established grounds, comprises four bedrooms, office, master with ensuite with renovations to the living area some 20 years ago. A large garage/workshop is located adjacent. In six titles, purchase options exist including splitting flats with some hill and buildings from bareland hills. Inspect via private inspection or at open days Wed 27/01 & Wed 03/02 - led group inspection departs woolshed 11am (quad or SBS & helmets required).

447.4 hectares Video on website

nzr.nz/RX26229926 Tender Closes 11am, Wed 3 Mar 2021, NZR, 20 Kimbolton Road, Feilding. Peter Barnett AREINZ 027 482 6835 | peter@nzr.nz NZR Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

FARMERS WEEKLY – January 25, 2021

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

203 H OT WAT E R B E AC H R OA D

1818

W H E N UA K I T E

TAIRUA-WHITIANGA ROAD

Whitianga

2 03 h o twa te r b e a c h .co. n z

1818tairua-whitianga.co.nz SUBSTANTIAL AVOCADO & KIWIFRUIT PRODUCTION BLOCK

Massive kiwifruit property portfolio for sale • 34 hectares total (approx.) • 11.24 ca/ha of Gold kiwifruit • 3.17 ca/ha of Green kiwifruit • 10 hectares grazing • Tidy managers home • Excellent water resources • Huge infrastructure

Auction: Thursday 4 February 2021, from 1pm at 247 Cameron Road (unless sold prior) Sale price Plus GST (if any). HMH Ltd, EVES Katikati & Waihi, Licensed under the REAA 2008

ruralandlifestylesales.com

• 37 hectares total (approx.) • 11.05 ca/ha of • • • •

Gold kiwifruit 3.5 ca/ha of Green kiwifruit 5 hectares of Hass avocados 5 bedroom managers home Loads of support buildings

Auction Thursday 4 February 2021 From 1pm, 247 Cameron Rd Tauranga (unless sold prior) Sale price Plus GST (if any)

HMH Ltd, EVES Katikati & Waihi, Licensed under the REAA 2008

Durrelle Green 027 949 3725 | durrelle.green@eves.co.nz

Rural and Lifestyle Sales.com Ltd Licensed REAA 2008

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – January 25, 2021

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

TENDER

PIKOWAI, WHAKATANE DISTRICT 1994 Manawahe Road Manawahe Grazing - Top Infrastructure Situated in the Manawahe farming district, some 45 kilometres from Whakatane, these 130 hectares more or less have undergone substantial capital investment over the past four years. Contours are favourable with good mowable areas amongst easy to medium rolling country. A new road leads well into the farm to a new calf barn and new steel cattle yards with weigh crate. This semi central area with existing half round barn has a new race system leading out in several directions for stock movements. Furthermore, is a new lockable farm shed near the house. The farm bore feeds two reservoirs, water is pumped to storage tanks on high points for gravity feeding to an all-new water system and cattle troughs. Lines range from 50mm down to 40mm which lead out to 32mm laterals. The three-bedroom dwelling has not missed out on a total refurbishment either, fully painted inside, composite granite bench tops in the designer kitchen, scullery and laundry. New tiled bathroom and en-suite, plus full double glazing throughout. An excellent private outdoor entertaining area is very sheltered. A spring fed duck pond set against native bush with wild deer roaming makes this not only a fantastic farming opportunity, but it also makes for a lifestyle paradise.

TENDER Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 4.00pm, Tuesday 23 February

VIEW 11.00-12.00pm, Wednesday 27 January Graham Beaufill M 027 474 8073 E graham.beaufill@pggwrightson.co.nz Phil Goldsmith M 027 494 1844 E pgoldsmith@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/ROT33449 Helping grow the country

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Your destination for rural real estate Market your property to an audience that counts

Add another touchpoint to your campaign on the website built for farmers. Align your brand with content farmers read: • Geo and agri sector targeting options available • Post campaign analysis of your adverts performance • Advertise on our Real Estate page alongside relevant editorial content • Enrich your print ad - Click through to your property videos or websites from the virtual edition.

Contact your agent to advertise today! 0800 85 25 80 farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

Tech & Toys

FARMERS WEEKLY – January 25, 2021

farmersweekly.co.nz/advertising 0800 85 25 80

Heavy duty means made for heavy work - and quality built BERTI mulchers have the design and construction to power through any task.

HEAVY DUTY BERTI MULCHERS

• Mulches tree prunings • Thick standing gorse and scrub • Heavy duty, swinging hammer or tungsten carbide fixed tooth options • For tractors up to 300hp

MAKE SHORT WORK OF ANYTHING. WHEN IT COMES TO HEAVY PRUNING AND TOUGHER STANDING GORSE AND SCRUB, FORESTRY MULCHERS HAVE THE POWER AND CAPABILITY TO GET THE JOB DONE.

FGD1176

Talk to us now for mulchers up to 6.0m working width and for tractors up to 300hp. To see videos of these mulchers in action visit our website. CALL FARMGARD 24 HOURS

FIND OUT MORE AT

Nationwide Dealer

0800 FARMGARD

farmgard.co.nz

Service Network

35 years, Generations of

Experience

SHEEP JETTER Sheep dipping… made easier!

• Fantastic penetration • Get one now before price increase

7685

Innovative Agriculture Equipment

Serving NZ Farmers since 1962

+ GST

LK104874©

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

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

Agri Job Board

DAIRY FARM MANAGER

Noticeboard

Need staff?

ARE YOU A DAIRY FARM MANAGER INTERESTED IN CHANGING FROM COWS TO KIWIFRUIT?

Advertise your job in Farmers Weekly Phone 0800 85 25 80 or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

TALK TO US TODAY !!

Call Lee Du Preez : 021 114 1827

Full time permanent senior shepherd required on an 870ha sheep and beef property at Alfredton, 45 minutes from Masterton. Working alongside husband and wife team.

NZ Cert in Wool Technology and Classing [Level 4]

DEERLAND TRADING LTD DEERLAND TRADING LTD buying deer velvet this season and paying above the average. Also contractor required to buy deer velvet. Payment on commission basis. Contact 021 269 7608.

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

DOGS FOR SALE

*conditions apply

Contact Debbie Brown 06 323 0765 or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz LK0105354©

LK0105717©

Three bedroom house provided with primary school bus available from the gate. Please email CV to: hallfarms@xtra.co.nz or call 06 375 0588 evenings

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

Labourer

You must also be: • Physically fit, hardworking, honest, reliable, clean and tidy • Able to comply with high level of animal husbandry • Willing and able to follow and respect workplace health and safety • Able to work unsupervised • Drug free

ONE 7-MONTH Huntaway dog, very good noise. THREE Heading pups. Phone 027 243 8541.

WORD ONLY ADVERTISING. Phone Marie on 0800 985 25 80.

Grower Herd Supervisor

To be successful in this role you will have: • Good stockmanship skills • Good team of dogs, maximum of 6 dogs • Good pasture management skills • Good fencing and maintenance skills • Full current drivers license • Good tractor and ATV driving skills

Applications close 12th February 2021.

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

Farm Manager

Successful person required to start mid-March.

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

JONES DAG CRUSHING. Buyers of wet and dry dags, we also buy sheep manure from under woolsheds and covered yards. Pick up service available for loose and baled. Phone Andrew 027 208 5270

JOBS BOARD

Senior Shepherd

DOGS FOR SALE

ATTENTION FARMERS

We will provide in house training and development to support your change of industry.

or alternatively email your CV to lee@schort.co.nz

ANIMAL HANDLING

HEADING BITCH, 9-months. Very keen. Starting to work and taking sides and stop. Vaccinated and registered. Phone 06 388 1425.

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

FARM MAPPING

ACHIEVE YOUR DAILY goals with simple and clear farm maps. Visit farmmapping.co.nz for a free quote. FOR ONLY $2.10 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Marie on 0800 85 25 80 to book in or email wordads@ globalhq.co.nz

GOATS WANTED

FERAL GOATS WANTED. All head counted, payment on pick-up, pick-up within 24 hours. Prices based on works schedule. Experienced musterers available. Phone Bill and Vicky Le Feuvre 07 893 8916. 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.

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

HORTICULTURE

WANTED TO BUY

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

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

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

WANTED TO RENT

BELTEX ROMNEY 2th Rams for sale. Massive muscling high fertility. Phone Doug 021 0250 4996. WILTSHIRE RAM LAMBS. Good sires. Offers. Phone 027 243 8541.

COTTAGE WITH GARAGE. Quiet area needed for artwork. Retired gardener. Waikato area. Phone 027 672 6435.

LIVESTOCK WANTED

WORK WANTED SHEPHERD LOOKING for station job with horse work. North and South Island. 027 800 6769

POLL DORSET CROSS ewes wanted. Phone Robert 06 756 8597.

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

SADDLERY BRIDLES THREE TYPES. Heavy leather. Breastplates two types. Hobbles. Leg straps. Cruppers etc. Phone Otairi Station. 06 322 8433.

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

Got something to sell? List it in Farmers Weekly classifieds 0800 85 25 80 classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

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

Noticeboard

GENUINE $300 REDUCTION

FARMERS WEEKLY – January 25, 2021

DOLOMITE

T H IN K PRE BU IL T

- JANUARY ONLY SPECIAL -

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

TOWABLE TOPPING MOWER

0800 436 566

11.5HP Briggs & Stratton Motor. Industrial. Electric start.

LK0105719©

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

GST $4200 INCLUSIVE

NEW HOMES

$3900

SOLID – PRACTICAL WELL INSULATED – AFFORDABLE

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

Available in Squares & Rounds Phone Mark 0800 478 729 or Tracey 027 554 1841

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

QUALITY Feeds You Can TRUST

Livestock

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

CRAIGCO

FRSN BULL CALVES 140kg+

SHEEP JETTERS SINCE 1992

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

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

Want to sell something here? Guaranteed Performance Save time and Money . Flystrike and Lice cost $$$ Quick to Set up . Easy to use . Job Done

06 8356863 . 021 061 1800

MORRINSVILLE EMPTY COW SALE

Call Debbie

PREMIUMS PAID FOR YOUNG EMPTY COWS

0800 85 25 80

Our Empty Cow and Surplus Dairy Sale recommences at the Morrinsville Dairy Complex Starting Thursday 28th January 2021 and every Thursday thereafter

classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

www.craigcojetters.com

SCOTTY’S CONTRACTORS PE. AIHA NE. T G KIN S. AKU WORTIHI. OHRK AREA W] O E A RA NAL P HED N S O NATI K YOUR O [BO

FROM THIS

Nominate a school on booking and we’ll donate $100 on payment of your account.

Advertise in Farmers Weekly

✁

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

Selling something? ✁ ✁

Email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz or call 0800 85 25 80 today

Empty Cows 12 Noon Approximate tally of 150 - 200 good milky Friesian Crossbred & Jersey Cows

Under Woolshed/Covered Yards Cleaning Specialist www.underthewoolshed.kiwi

TO THAT

Phone Scott Newman Freephone 0800 2SCOTTY (0800 27 26 88) Mobile 027 26 26 27 2 scottnewman101@gmail.com

LK0105697©

™

0800 227 228 www.combiclamp.co.nz

15MTH HEIFERS 250-350kg

Ph 021 047 9299

CRAIGCO SENSOR JET

Robust construction. Auto shut gate. Adjustable V panels Total 20 Jets. Lambs 5 jets. Side jets for Lice. Davey Twin Impeller Pump. 6.5 or 9.0 Hp motors

“I’m very pleased with the Combi Clamp setup. It is great for a variety of jobs and I find the 3way drafting a great addition.” - Les Scott

350-400kg 15MTH FRSN BULLS

1YR AUT BULLS 200-250kg

Heavy duty long lasting

SHEEP JETTERS

“The automatic head bail convinced us Combi Clamp was the way to go. It has transformed our cattle work in the yards.” - David Robinson

A favourite lamb finishing tool. Get yours before the Aussies take them all.

STORE LAMBS 25-35kg LK0105449©

Limited stock available for immediate dispatch. Get in quick!!

STOCK FOR SALE LINES OF ROMNEY 2 TOOTH EWES STOCK REQUIRED

LK0105296©

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

LK0105551©

GST INCLUSIVE

New Zealand’s Number 1 service provider for under woolshed and covered yard cleaning since 2004

Give your local NZFL Agent a call or for more details phone: Darryl Houghton 0274 515 315 Hybrid Auction Sales streamed live via MyLiveStock

Beef up your bull knowledge

Subscribe to our bull sales eNewsletters to receive updates with the latest results from across the country direct to your inbox. farmersweekly.co.nz/enewsletters

Livestock Noticeboard

Nationwide market access

.co.nz 0800 TO BIDR (0800 86 2437)

Nationwide buyer pool

LK0105720©

FARMERS WEEKLY – January 25, 2021

Livestock Noticeboard Check out Poll Dorset NZ on Facebook

FOR SALE ROMNEY STUD FEMALES Chrome Hills O/a Irvine Farms Ltd MR & DK Irvine Brightwater, Nelson COMPRISING OF: 80 Mixed Age Ewes 30 Ewe Lambs

A/c Benner Brothers Wednesday, 27th January 2021 Matamata Saleyards 103 Waharoa Road East Start Time: 12.00 noon (Undercover) Complimentary BBQ lunch

“How about power?”

DETAILS: 1.49 MS/HT, 108 SCC – HB Shed – HTested TB C10, Lepto Vaccinated, System 2 10/7 Calv to LIC Frsn A2A2 Bulls Bull out 28/12 Owned 17yrs – purchased Autumn Calving Cows

Southern Ram Sale

Friday 12th February 3pm

nuclear

Grant Bros. Property 517 Reaby Rd, Croydon, Gore 50 kelso. Terminal rams

“OK,” said Little Johnny. “That could be an interesting topic.But let me ask you a question first.” “A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat grass. The same stuff. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass. Why do you suppose that is?” “Jeez,” said the stranger.

plus an elite selection of:

- Romney - Perendale x - Romdale Texel x Romney - Texel x Romney - kelso. Maternal - kelso. x Romney (hogget maters)

Callum Dunnett 027 587 0131 David Giddings (vendor) 027 229 9760 Callum MacDonald 027 433 6443

“I have no idea.” “Well, then,” said Little Johnny, “How is it that you feel qualified to discuss nuclear power when you don’t know shit?”

NZ’s Virtual Saleyard

Livestock Advertising?

Call Ella: 0800 85 25 80

UPCOMING AUCTIONS Thursday, 28 January 2021 7.00pm National Livestock - PER KG 7.30pm National Livestock - PER HEAD

COMPRISING: 120 Frsn, Xbred in milk cows BW58/41 PW82/56 LW94

SALE TALK A stranger was seated next to Little Johnny on the plane when the stranger turned to the Little Johnny and said, “Let’s talk. I’ve heard that flights will go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” said the stranger.

Phone 06 346 6230 or 027 416 8188

IN MILK – VETTED IN-CALF DAIRY COW AUCTION

MT & SM Day Ltd

Wiltshire Ram & Ewe Sale

Friday, 5 February 2021 1.00pm Courtney Suffolk Ewe and Ewe Lamb Complete Dispersal

10th February, 1pm | 70 Whyle Road, Southland

COMMERCIAL LISTINGS WANTED Contact: North Island - Caitlin Rokela, 027 405 6156 South Island - Thomas Mallon, 027 732 0006

Jw105716©

PAYMENT TERMS: 14 days from Auction CONTACT: Carrfields Livestock Agents: Paul Collins 027 304 8994 or John Price 027 594 2544

Pinnacles Wiltshire 2-Tooth Rams for Sale • No shearing • All born twins

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Little Johnny, who had just opened his book, closed it slowly, and said to the stranger, “What would you like to discuss?”

LK0105622©

Please Contact Carrfields Agent: Callum Dunnett 027 587 0131 Or Vendor: Malcom 027 422 4353

LK0105644©

This is a great opportunity to buy quality females. Flock founded in 1962. Fully recorded on SIL with NZTW up to 3500. These are for private sale.

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

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

KIKITANGEO ROMNEY STUD STUD EWE & STUD SIRE DISPERSAL

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Approx. 15 2-tooth rams, 40 ram lambs, 500 ewe lambs, 150 2-tooth ewes, 300 M/A ewes For enquiries contact: Barry McAlister 027 441 6432 | Callum McDonald 027 433 6443 Freephone 0800 10 22 76 | www.pggwrightson.co.nz

24 February 2021 at Wellsford Saleyards Centennial Park Road, Wellsford

Dorper Sheep The no wool meat breed

Helping grow the country

BYLLIVESTOCK.CO.NZ "Maximising your return through personal livestock management"

Formalities start 10.30 Auction at 11.00

DAIRY FOR SALE 287 In-Calf Frs/Frs X Cows BW43, PW41. 86% Anc. DTC 20/07. Outstanding herd of Friesian cows. $1800 +GST.

To find a registered breeder near you or to learn more about the breed check out:

www.nzsheep.co.nz/dorper

Ph Jason Roberts 027 707 1271

2 In- alf X r Cows BW117, PW164, 4% Anc. DTC 20/07. $1800 +GST

• 332 2th ewes • 128 4yr ewes • 160 4th ewes • 64 5yr ewes • 165 6th ewes • 4 stud sires Tallies approximate

Young stock available. Ph Jason Roberts 027 707 1271

2 7 In- alf Frs/Frs X Cows JW105703©

LK0105704©

• Excellent terminal sire and fat lamb proposition • High meat yielding carcasses • Self-shedding • High libido and fertile rams & ewes • Continuous breeding season • Outstanding for hogget mating producing small robust lambs • Suitable for lifestyle and commercial farms

Catalogues available beginning February online from the Kikitangeo website or by contacting Cam Heggie (PGG Wrightson) 027 501 8182 or Grant Palliser (PGG Wrightson) 027 590 2201. Vendor: Gordon Levet 09 423 7034 www.kikitangeo.co.nz

BW6 , PW7 . 87% Anc. DTC 20/07. Very tidy herd. Medium size, great udders & production. $1700 +GST Ph Jason Roberts 027 707 1271

_______________________________ 07 823 4559

byllivestock

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.

Mel Croad

Suz Bremner

Reece Brick

Nicola Dennis

Sarah Friel

Caitlin Pemberton

Deer

Sheep

Cattle BEEF

SHEEP MEAT

VENISON

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

4.90

5.45

NI lamb (17kg)

6.50

7.55

NI Stag (60kg)

5.50

8.35

NI Bull (300kg)

4.90

5.50

NI mutton (20kg)

4.80

5.35

SI Stag (60kg)

5.60

8.35

NI Cow (200kg)

3.50

4.15

SI lamb (17kg)

6.40

7.55

SI Steer (300kg)

4.50

4.60

5.20

SI mutton (20kg)

4.80

5.20

SI Bull (300kg)

4.60

5.35

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

3.40

4.10

UK CKT lamb leg

9.73

9.48

11.40

US imported 95CL bull

7.16

6.94

7.72

US domestic 90CL cow

7.16

6.55

8.07

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

6.50

$/kg CW

South Island steer slaughter price

6.50 $/kg CW

10.0

South Island lamb slaughter price

Aug 2020-21

Oct

Dec 5-yr ave

Feb

Jun

Last year

2.02

2.71

37 micron ewe

30 micron lamb

$/tonne

6.50 6.00 Sep-20 Nov-20 Sept. 2021

Aug 2020-21

Last year

Urea

619

614

616

2.65

Super

300

314

DAP

799

787

Top 10 by Market Cap Company

6.48

The a2 Milk Company Limited

10.91

12.5

10.75

Ryman Healthcare Limited

15.46

15.75

14.5

Mainfreight Limited

67.3

69.98

64.85

385

Contact Energy Limited

8.83

11.16

8.36

380

Infratil Limited

7.3

7.675

7.12

395 390

SMP

2835

2830

2825

7.10

7.05

$/tonne

400

7.21

Mar-20

May-20

Jul-20

Sep-20

Nov-20

Jan-21

$/tonne

0.181

0.161

The a2 Milk Company Limited

10.91

12.5

10.75 3.1 14.5

395

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

4.45

4.35

Foley Wines Limited

1.93

1.92

390

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

0.81

Marlborough Wine Estates Group Limited

0.5

0.59

0.44

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

1.59

1.72

1.58

PGG Wrightson Limited

3.58

3.65

3.26

Rua Bioscience Limited

0.54

0.61

0.54

Sanford Limited (NS)

4.88

5.23

4.88

5.09

4.88

Mar-20

May-20

Jul-20

Sep-20

Nov-20

Jan-21

Scales Corporation Limited Seeka Limited

4.9

4.7

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

4.7

5.24

4.68

T&G Global Limited

300

2.9

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index

15091

15491

15016

S&P/NZX 50 Index

13112

13558

12838

S&P/NZX 10 Index

13314

13978

12966

250 Jan

Feb Mar Latest price

Apr

May 4 weeks ago

Jun

YTD Low

3.24

350

3200

YTD High

0.167

15.4

400

3300

ArborGen Holdings Limited

3.14

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

3400

Company

15.25

Jan-20

3500

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Delegat Group Limited

380

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

Listed Agri Shares

Comvita Limited

385

* price as at close of business on Thursday

7.16 4.71

3225

Milk Price

31.09

4.96

3320

3430

34.1

4.825

3330

3460

33.26

Spark New Zealand Limited

400

WMP

3500

6.91

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

7.6

405

Butter

YTD Low

7.99

vs 4 weeks ago

4050

9.94

7.5

Prior week

4100

YTD High

7.68

6.97

Last price*

4140

Meridian Energy Limited (NS) Auckland International Airport Limited

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY

AMF

NZ average (NZ$/t)

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

Jan-20

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Nearby contract

Jun

Prior week

405

May-20 Jul-20 Sept. 2020

Apr 2019-20

Last week

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

7.00

Mar-20

Feb

FERTILISER Prior week

410

Jan-20

Dec

Fertiliser

Aug 2020-21

Last week

7.50

3100

Apr 2019-20

Grain

Data provided by

MILK PRICE FUTURES

5.50

Oct

5-yr ave

Coarse xbred ind.

Dairy

7.0 5.0

4.50

2019-20

8.0

7.0

(NZ$/kg) Jun

9.0

6.0

8.0

WOOL

Apr

South Island stag slaughter price

11.0

5.00

5-yr ave

$/kg MS

5.0

5.50

Feb

7.0

5.0

Dec

8.0

6.0

6.00

Oct

9.0

6.0

8.0

9.0

4.00

Last year

North Island stag slaughter price

11.0

$/kg CW

5.00

Last week Prior week

10.0

5.0

5.50

4.50

US$/t

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

6.0

6.00

4.00

Last year

North Island lamb slaughter price

9.0 $/kg CW

North Island steer slaughter price

Last week Prior week

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

William Hickson

Ingrid Usherwood

200

Jan-20

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

Mar-20

May-20

Jul-20

Sep-20

Nov-20

Jan-21

15091

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

13112

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

13314

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

Pulse

WEATHER Soil Moisture

Overview High pressure near the Far North will expand southwards over the North Island this week as more storms continue to churn in the Southern Ocean. These storms will be further south this week, so won’t be very impactful. The set up this week means New Zealand gets a pulse of Australian heat mixed in with sub-tropical airflows and a building nor’wester. Some places will be heating up to the mid-30s. Summer is peaking now, despite the cold change last week. A cooler change on Thursday will come in to the south with some rain. Meanwhile, the tropics are becoming more active; an area to monitor again as we head into February with an increased chance of lows developing there.

Slaughter prices cap margin potential

21/01/2021

Sarah Friel sarah.friel@globalhq.co.nz

Source: NIWA Data

Highlights

Temperature

Wind

Westerly quarter winds continue for many places and turn more nor’west this week, with stronger winds around the South Island for a time midweek. High pressure in the north means there are still plenty of calm days in the mix, too.

The heat is back with warmer than usual weather coming in thanks to a pulse of heat out of Australia and the sub-tropics. Most places will be normal to abovenormal, especially warm in the east. Expect a southern cool down around Thursday.

Highlights/ Extremes Drier than average weather continues for northern and eastern parts of both islands. Extra hot through inland and eastern places this week, with highs in the low to mid-30s.

14-day outlook

7-day rainfall forecast

We’re now entering peak summer. High pressure this week begins to expand from the north then by midweek begins to depart. This departure will allow a hotter, more humid airflow across NZ out of the sub-tropics/north. A cold front looks likely to move up the West Coast on Thursday with a cool down in the south. As we head into February, all eyes go back to the tropics and La Nina, but the Southern Ocean is even more active to keep us looking in both directions.

The next seven days are drier than average around the North Island and the upper and eastern South Island, elsewhere rain is normal. Later this week there is some chance of a sub-tropical rainmaker for northern NZ, as a cold front moves up the country and possibly merges with it. Latest data suggests the high may be stronger and stop the north from getting rain – again. If we miss this event there may be more chances in early February for northern rain.

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

SINCE the start of the 2020-21 season, farm gate prime and bull prices have decreased consistently. Decreasing cattle slaughter prices are not unusual for this time of year when processors have a strong supply of killable cattle. Based on five-year average prices, bull slaughter prices normally reduce by 25c/kg from early November to mid-January, and primes normally reduce by 35c/kg over the same period. However, it’s knowing when the market will recover that’s the issue. Since early November, prime slaughter values have decreased by an average of 50c/ kg. This equates to 300kg carcase weight steer devaluing by $150. In regard to bull prices, it’s a similar situation. These have reduced by around 45c/kg over the same period, translating to a $135 devaluation to a 300kg carcase weight bull. Evidently, the national bull slaughter price has reduced less severely than prime. This is due to greater fluctuation in the US95CL price. The US imported manufacturing beef market initially faltered in October, strengthened in November, devalued in December, and defied expectations last week by increasing to US$2.34/lb, the strongest price of the 2020-21 season thus far. By contrast, the prime export market has been consistently

hindered by a battered international restaurant trade. Until this market recovers, it is difficult to see much upside for prime slaughter prices. However, given the high NZD exchange rate, there are gains to be made if the dollar weakened. Farmers may be able to catch some slight upside in processing prices from February to March, in the lull between two-year-old and 18-month cattle slaughter, but the real growth often happens from May to October when the supply of finished cattle softens. Based on the five-year average, 119,100 bulls meet the processors in the 21 weeks from May to October, compared to the 310,600 in the same period from October onwards. Based on the five-year average, bull prices improve 30c/kg from May to October, and prime prices increase by 50c/ kg. While there is no sign to suggest prices will not pick up in this period, a more stable international situation is required for there to be any real heat at processors. In the face of softening bull and prime slaughter prices, refreshed pastures levels have renewed interest in store cattle, particularly yearling bulls, and steers. North Island yearling bulls and traditional steers are selling for $2.60/kg and $2.80/kg respectively, and in the South Island these cattle are trading for $2.30/kg and $2.80/ kg. Renewed vigour in the store market is an encouraging sign of recovering confidence, but farmers should be mindful where depressed slaughter values will leave their margins, especially as these cattle near the 18-month mark.

FACTOR IN: It pays to consider what changes in slaughter values do to profit margins.

PGG Wrightson GO-STOCK helping farmers manage cashflow An initiative that provides sheep and beef farmers with a livestock trading margin* with no initial cash outlay has been re-launched, with greater capacity. Jamie Molloy, PGG Wrightson National Livestock Supply Chain Manager explains how Go-Stock operates. “PGG Wrightson buys the stock and retains ownership, meaning no initial cash outlay for farmers using Go-Stock. The farmer grazes and grows the stock, before deciding in conjunction with their PGG Wrightson Livestock rep when and where PGG Wrightson sells them. Go-Lamb contracts are for a maximum of 300 days and Go-Beef contracts are for a maximum of 360 days.” PGG Wrightson then pays the resulting trading

margin to the farmer, less fees and selling costs. “Go-Stock is simple to set up and easy to use. Initially established in 2015, Go-Stock meets the practical needs of the farmers involved, offering them a simple solution to ease cashflow when trading cattle or sheep. Because it has been so successful, we have significantly increased Go-Stock’s capacity year on year, making it available to more farmers. PGG Wrightson Go-Stock has purchased 1.2 million lambs and 200,000 head of cattle since inception.” “Those participating in Go-Stock report that it takes the pressure off decision making, frees cashflow to enable expenditure and expansion elsewhere, and adds value to their business,” he says. “Go-Stock offers huge flexibility. Go-Stock tallies vary, from a few to thousands, depending on the size of the farming operation, with many

farmers having multiple contracts throughout the year. How they use Go-Stock and what they can achieve with it will be different in every case. Its purpose is to remove the barriers that farmers traditionally face around cashflow when procuring trading stock. In conjunction with the PGG Wrightson Livestock rep the farmer decides when and where to sell the Go-Stock, the stock can be sold store or prime, this enables them to better use their capital elsewhere, thereby maximising their farming assets and expertise as required to achieve business objectives,” he says. For further information on Go-Stock, contact your local PGG Wrightson Livestock representative, email or go online: GoStock@pggwrightson.co.nz www.pggwrightson.co.nz/go-stock *Subject to contract terms.

SALE YARD WRAP

Grass glut brings summer lull It’s been a quiet week in the yards nationwide – bar the odd ewe fair. There’s enough grass around for no one to need to sell, but not quite enough to draw the buyers out and push prices up to the point where it’d be worth selling for a lot of traders. Not to mention some buyers are already thinking ahead to the next set of beef weaner fairs in only a few weeks’ time. NORTHLAND Kaikohe cattle • Better 2-year steers earned $2.55-$2.65/kg • Yearling beef-cross steers made $2.60-$2.70/kg • Weaner beef-cross heifers fetched $330-$370 • Boner cows earned $1.30/kg There was another small sale at KAIKOHE last Wednesday with around 280 head, PGG Wrightson agent Vaughan Vujcich reported. Nice whiteface 2-year heifers were able to reach $2.45-$2.50/kg, and the balance traded from $2.00/kg to $2.30/kg. Weaner Simmental-cross steers returned $580 with Speckle Park-cross at $520 and Angus-Friesian at $450. Wellsford cattle • Two-year Hereford-Friesian heifers, 380kg, firmed to $2.51/kg • Yearling heifers were mostly steady at $2.43/kg to $2.54/kg • Better weaner steers improved to $460-$555 • Weaner heifers traded at $400-$480 There were around 360 head of good-quality cattle on offer at WELLSFORD last Monday and overall, the market was on par to the previous sale. Better 2-year steers were solid at $2.89-$2.91/kg, though a large portion consisted of 379-420kg Hereford-Friesian which made $2.75-$2.83/ kg. The top end of yearling steers included Murray GreyFriesian, 276kg, which earned $2.90/kg, with the next cut 323-360kg Hereford-Friesian at $2.77-$2.82/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

AUCKLAND Pukekohe cattle • Boner cows varied at $1.24/kg to $1.96/kg • Good crossbred steers traded at $440-$585 • Better weaner heifers made $505-$560 The market lifted slightly for prime cattle at PUKEKOHE last Saturday and steers made $2.47-$2.55/kg with heifers at $2.42-$2.50/kg. Medium yearling steers fetched $2.45$2.50/kg and same aged heifers $2.35-$2.39/kg.

COUNTIES Tuakau sales • Angus-Friesian steers, 526kg, returned $2.55/kg • Friesian bulls, 315kg, made $740 • Heavy prime heifers sold well at $2.51-$2.55/kg • Top prime ewes traded up to $150 Around 460 store cattle were yarded at TUAKAU last Thursday, PGG Wrightson agent Craig Reiche reported. Hereford-Friesian steers, 423kg, made $1210, $2.86/kg, whilst 326kg managed $1005 and 261kg, $890. HerefordFriesian weaner steers and heifers, 118-188kg, returned $460-$555. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 378-387kg, realised $900-$985. Heavy prime steers traded at $2.52-$2.56/kg on Wednesday, with medium at $2.48-$2.52/kg and heifers, $2.40-$2.51/kg. Well-conditioned Friesian cows sold at $1.64-$1.76/kg, while medium boners earned $1.49-$1.64/ kg and light, $1.28/kg to $1.49/kg. Heavy ex-service bulls fetched $2.66-$2.75/kg and medium, $2.57-$2.66/kg. Prime lambs averaged $117 on Monday, selling up to $135. Goodmedium store lambs realised $80-$110 and heavy ewes reached $150.

WAIKATO Frankton cattle 19.01 • All 2-year dairy beef steers, 518-563kg, fetched $2.50-$2.56/kg • Traditional yearling heifers, 265-320kg, were well contested at $2.60-$2.69/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, 323kg, topped their section at $2.72/kg An increased store cattle offering of 329 head was penned by PGG Wrightson at Frankton last Tuesday. Yearlings made up over 60% of the store section and heifers filled most of those pens. Beef-dairy steers above 360kg, returned $2.50$2.56/kg, while ten at 301-318kg managed $2.67-$2.72/ kg. Beef-dairy heifers, 292-430kg, earned $2.51-$2.62/kg. A limited prime yarding worked in vendors’ favour and Hereford-Friesian steers, 587-595kg, lifted to $2.52-$2.55/ kg. Hereford-Friesian and red Hereford-Friesian heifers,

495-555kg, also improved to $2.48/kg. Prime Hereford bulls, 567-600kg, returned $2.57-$2.61/kg and Jersey, 451kg, managed $2.33/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Frankton cattle 20.01 • Yearling and autumn-born R2 dairy-beef heifers, 339-429kg, realised $2.39-$2.48/kg • Yearling Angus heifers topped their section at $2.56/kg • Most prime steers, 548-550kg, fetched $2.53-$2.59/kg Just 156 store cattle were penned by New Zealand Farmers Livestock at FRANKTON last Wednesday. Heifers dominated the offering making up over 80% of the store pens. Just four 2-year Hereford-dairy steers, 412kg, were penned and they held value at $2.57/kg. Friesian heifers, 373kg, outdid Hereford-Friesian, 341kg, at $1.93/kg to their $1.74/kg. Yearling Hereford-Jersey heifers, 349-383kg, traded at $2.27-$2.28/kg, and well-marked Friesian heifers, 351-378kg, managed $1.85-$1.90/kg. Prime steers, 548550kg, fetched $2.53-$2.59/kg, and heifers, 453-472kg, realised $2.42-$2.48/kg. Three 623kg Hereford bulls reached $2.65/kg. Friesian-cross boner cows, 606kg, topped their section at $1.62/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Frankton dairy-beef weaner fair • Weaner Hereford-Friesian bulls, 132-157kg, held at $565-$595 • Weaner Angus-Friesian heifers, 170kg, made $520 • The best of the Suffolk rams realised up to $850 Just under 700 head was offered at the FRANKTON dairybeef weaner fair last Thursday. The Friesian bull average improved to $400 with the top end at $420-$500, though most fetched $350-$420. Ewes and rams were also offered and top end 2-tooth Romney ewes achieved $216 with the next cut at $170-$190 and the bottom end sold down to $157. Top rams mostly made $500-$600, with the balance around $350-$400. Read more in your LivestockEye.

KING COUNTRY Ongarue ewe fair • The top end of 5-year ewes fetched $177 In last week’s report the tally was incorrect. Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused. There were around 5000 head of good-quality ewes the ONGARUE ewe fair last Tuesday and locals were joined by buyers from King Country. The bulk of the yarding was 5-year-olds and most traded around $160-$170. Te Kuiti sales • Mixed-age ewes traded at $128-$200 • Wiltshire ram lambs sold at $350-$950 • Top store ewes earned $135-$155 with medium $110-$128 and light $70-$109 There were around 3000 sheep at TE KUITI last Wednesday and heavy prime lambs firmed to $135-$147, with medium $106-$121 and light $94-$97. In the store lamb pens, the top end strengthened to $106-$117 with medium $85-$93 and bottom end $50-$75. About 12,000 head was yarded at the ewe fair on Friday with local buyers joined by those from Waikato, Taihape and Hawkes Bay. Capital stock 4-tooth Romney earned $228, with 6-tooth Romney not far away at $220. Five-year Romneys fetched $157-$172, while Highland and Romdale made $170$184. Six-year Romney fetched $141-$167 and same-aged Perendale, $136-$140.

BAY OF PLENTY Rangiuru cattle and sheep • Two-year Angus-Friesian and Hereford-Friesian steers, 415448kg, made $2.43-$2.52/kg • Yearling Angus bulls, 486kg, achieved $2.76/kg • Wiltshire prime lambs fetched $250-$310 Just over 400 store cattle were penned at RANGIURU last Tuesday. Most yearling steers were dairy-beef types that fetched $2.54-2.62/kg. Traditional and beef-cross heifers, 288-400kg, earned $2.40-$2.46/kg, and Friesian, 293-340kg, returned $1.88-$1.94/kg. Prime cattle held and bulls made up the lion’s share with 535-594kg Hereford fetching $2.60$2.71/kg, and Jersey, 490-515kg, at $2.52-$2.61/kg. Steers made similar money as Angus and Hereford-Friesian, 864kg

and 581kg respectively, fetched $2.56 and $2.64/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

POVERTY BAY Matawhero sheep • Heavy prime lambs firmed to $108-$120 with the balance at $91$101 • Heavy prime ewes sold at $137.50-$150 with medium $118-$124 and light $97 • Romney store ewes made $90-$131 There were just over 1500 store lambs on offer at MATAWHERO last Friday. Better male store lambs made $81-$93 with the balance at $57-$75.50, while the top end of the ewe lambs firmed to $94-$109.50 with lighter types at $70-$76. Better ram lambs traded at $101-$117 with the next cut at $72-$86. Read more in your LivestockEye.

TARANAKI Taranaki cattle and sheep • Two-year heifers made $2.37-$2.46/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian and Angus-Friesian heifers, 302303kg, sold at $2.51-$2.57/kg. • Three-year ewes earned around $192 • Five-year ewes made $150-$175 There was just a small yarding of store cattle at TARANAKI last Wednesday. The top end of 2-year steers fetched $2.68-$2.78/kg, with the balance around the $2.50-$2.60/kg mark. Yearling steers mostly earned $2.46$2.47/kg. Around 2000 sheep were offered and overall, this market performed above expectations. Capital stock 2-tooth and 3-year ewes both sold strongly to South Island buyers at $214. Rams also had good competition ranging from $225 at the bottom end with the best able to reach $500-$600. Read more in your LivestockEye. Taranaki dairy-beef weaner fair • Better weaner dairy-beef bulls made $550-$610 • Weaner Hereford-Friesian steers, 142-149kg traded at $580-$605 • Better weaner dairy-beef heifers earned $350-$410 The market softened at the TARANAKI dairy-beef weaner fair last Thursday. Friesian bulls eased by an average of $30, and the top end consisted of 150-170kg which traded at $450-$480, with 120-140kg at $320-$430. The dairy-beef steer average eased to $530 though the lion’s share sold over a range of $400-$505.Read more in your LivestockEye.

HAWKE’S BAY Stortford Lodge prime cattle and sheep • Top mixed-age ewes improved to $160-$166 • Good to very good ewes held at $117-$128.50 • Heavy to very-heavy mixed-sex lambs returned $146-$163 • Good mixed-sex lambs earned $125-$125.50 Ewe numbers dropped to just over 1000 at STORTFORD LODGE last Monday. Heavy to very heavy ewes strengthened to $139-$155.50 and the tail end held at $95$106. Lamb throughput was less than half of the week prior and the limited number offered increased competition. Heavy to very heavy mixed-sex earned $146-$163. Good lambs were well rewarded at $125-$125.50. The small number of good ewe lambs returned $90. Just four cattle were penned, including three Hereford-Friesian steers, 633kg, at $2.37/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Stortford Lodge store cattle and sheep • Quality 2-year Angus steers, 537kg, topped their section at $2.65/ kg • Fifteen-month Hereford-Friesian heifers, 303kg, realised $2.67/kg • Good to heavy lambs traded at $91-$118 • Ewe lambs earned $69.50-$75.50 Cattle throughput dropped to just 141 head at STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday as vendors are currently under little pressure to offload. Two-year cattle made up around half of the yarding. A small consignment of lovely-conditioned Hereford-Friesian and Angus-Friesian heifers, 594-655kg, sold at a consistent $2.36/kg. A single pen of Friesian bulls, 496kg, earned $2.54/kg. Yearling 275kg Angus-Friesian heifers managed $2.65/kg. Friesian weaner

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021

sale. A few medium condition ewes were picked up at $135$155, bottoming out at $122 for the rare light ewe. Masterton 2th & MA ewe fair • Top pens of Romney two-tooths made $258-$262 • Capital stock four-tooth Romney were $220-$244 • Capital stock six-tooth Romney were $216-$229 The MASTERTON yards were host to 4600 two-tooth to four-year ewes on day one of their annual ewe fairs. Competition was strong, with prices mainly $20-$30 above expectations. The top-half of the two-tooths were $240 plus, with only a solitary pen selling below $220. The four-tooth and six-tooth lines were almost all capital stock lines, these all making $216-$244.

CANTERBURY Canterbury Park prime cattle and all sheep • Traditional and dairy-beef steers over 500kg sold for $2.41-$2.52/ kg • Angus bulls, 466-488kg, were $2.38-$2.39/kg • Medium to heavy store lambs earned $79 to $119 Store lambs accounted for much of the yarding at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday but in the remaining prime pens heavy to very heavy ewes were $150-$188, while good types ranged from $117-$148. Top prime lambs were picked up from $154-$174, with good to very good lines generally $121-$149. Only prime cattle were penned. Heifers earned $2.39-$2.49/kg with HerefordJersey, 444-605kg, the predominant type. Read more in your LivestockEye.

SOUTH-CANTERBURY

WHO’S BUYING? Carrfields agent Chris McBride sells a pen of capital stock four-tooth Romney ewes for $234 at the Masterton ewe fair.

bulls, 133kg, were picked up for $410. A smaller yarding of 2262 lambs was penned with the absence of a regular buyer noted. The average weight was marginally lighter and most traded at slightly softer levels. Light to medium male lambs traded at $72-$97.50, with equivalent mixed-sex lines $73.50-$89. Just seven ewes were penned. Read more in your LivestockEye.

MANAWATU Feilding Prime cattle and sheep • Hereford bulls, 610-763kg, fetched $2.70-$2.80/kg • Jersey bulls, 558-563kg, earned $2.47-$2.50/kg, and 513-551kg, $2.30-$2.36/kg • Angus cows, 562-614kg, made $1.63-$1.65/kg There was a plenty of variety offered at FEILDING last Monday with several consignments of beef cattle joining stock off dairy farms. Two very heavy lines of prime lambs managed $147 and $152 while heavy types made $134$142, with the balance $117-$127. Heavy to very-heavy prime ewes earned $146-$165, while good types were $125$144. Read more in your LivestockEye. Feilding store sale • Two-year Hereford and Friesian bulls, 560-695kg, were $2.70/kg • Yearling traditional steers, 315-380kg, lifted to $3.10-$3.35/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, run-with-Angus bull, 380430kg, made $980-$1090 • Good male store lambs made $110-$120 • Store lamb average lifted to $107 A little under 600 store cattle met mixed interest. The 150 yearling steers were the strongest section, averaging $3.20/ kg and 355kg. The standard yearling heifers, 300-440kg, moved for $2.65-$2.75/kg through all breeds. One vendor

offered nearly 200 run-with-bull yearling dairy-beef heifers, 380-430kg, which all made $2.35-$2.60/kg or $980-$1110. Good competition met the 6000 head store lamb sale, with the market averaging a $10 lift on the week before. Top price went to a line of shorn cryptorchids at $124, but otherwise good-to-heavy lambs were trading $110-$120. There wasn’t much drop off on the medium lambs at $100-$110, while light lambs were $75-$95. Shorn lambs continued to make a premium of near to $10. No ewes were sold. Read more in your LivestockEye. Feilding ewe fair • Good two-tooth ewes mainly made $228-$242 • Top five-year ewes made $180-$188 • Mid-range five-year ewes were $160-$176 A yarding of 12,000 ewes at FEILDING mainly sold to expectations. Two-tooth’s peaked at $252 for some RomneyPerendale, but most made $215-$240, with only a few more medium types pulling the average down at $170-$195. The majority of the five-year and six-year ewes were in decent condition and sold for $160-$175. A few heavier cuts went has high as $188, while medium ewes were mostly $125$150. Read more in your LivestockEye.

WAIRARAPA Masterton aged ewe fair • Good capital stock four-year ewes made $183-$184 • Top five-year ewes were $181-$194 • Mid-range five-year ewes sold for $165-$176 Just under 5000 mainly five-year ewes were yarded on the second day of the MASTERTON ewe fairs. Quality was consistent throughout, with the better ewes mainly going for $180 plus, while $165-$175 covered the majority of the

Temuka Prime cattle and all sheep • Hereford steers and heifers, 550-583kg, were $2.48-$2.52/kg • Hereford bulls, 524-746kg, made $2.49-$2.56/kg • Murray Grey bulls, 562-604kg, fetched $2.50-$2.54/kg Robust demand from the gallery absorbed a big increase in store lamb volume at TEMUKA last Monday. Strong results were posted including larger lambs that earned $89-$102, while medium were $71-$91. Top prime lambs managed $150-$170 with the bulk of the yarding $120-$149. The best ewes managed $191, with medium to heavy types at $130-$182 and lighter pens were mostly $105-$128. Most steers were dairy-beef breeds that stretched from $2.38/kg to $2.50/kg. Heifer pens had more variance but most over 450kg managed $2.27-$2.38/kg with second-cuts at $2.10/ kg to $2.26/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

OTAGO Balclutha sheep • Prime ewes made $150 • Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 260-390kg, firmed to $2.50$2.60/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, 250kg, sold at $2.20-$2.30/kg Prime lambs sold well at BALCLUTHA last Wednesday and the top end reached $130, medium $120 and light $110. Top store lambs realised $90, with medium $70 and light at $60.

SOUTHLAND Lorneville cattle and sheep • Weaner Hereford-cross and Friesian bulls made $340-$450 • Weaner Hereford-cross heifers, 110-130kg, traded at $340-$400 • Heavy prime lambs made $120-$121, with medium at $110-$120 and light $100-$110 There was a small yarding of prime cattle at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday and 580-620kg bulls made $2.50/kg, with 550kg boner cows at $1.47/kg. In the store cattle pens, yearling Angus bulls, 425kg, made $2.33/kg, with 300kg Friesian at $2.44/kg. In the sheep pens, heavy ewes sold at $130, with medium $100-$120 and lighter types at $75. Top store lambs earned $90-$96, with medium at $77-$88 and light $50-$65.

Where livestock market insights begin LivestockEye • • • •

LivestockEye reports provide full sale results and informed commentary and is emailed directly after the sale. The most comprehensive and independent sale report you can get your hands on. Only AgriHQ sample-weighs store lambs to give you $/kg LW benchmark pricing. Choose from 10 sale yards across the country or check out our other popular reports.

Be ahead. Be informed. Be a subscriber Head to agrihq.co.nz email info@agrihq.co.nz or call 0800 85 25 80

Markets

40 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – January 25, 2021 NI PRIME

SI STEER

NI LAMB

($/KG)

4.50

4.90

6.50

TOP 2-TOOTH ROMNEY EWES AT MASTERTON 2TH AND MA EWE FAIR ($/HD LW)

262

$228-$252 high $2.67-$2.77 Hereford-Friesian Top 2-tooth ewes at lights Yearling Feilding Ewe Fair steers, 343-344kg, at Temuka Store Cattle

Sales still going strong Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

N-FARM lamb sales continue to strengthen by the week in the South Island, with top store values fetching well above current schedule pricing. Rain failed to deter the buyers at the annual Orari Gorge on-farm lamb sale, with strong demand holding prices up for a quality line-up of lambs. Bred from their own Romney stud stock, both the Romney and Romtex lines followed the trend of the South Island’s new year on-farm sales, achieving good premiums on pre-Christmas values. The Orari Gorge Romney stud was started in 1982 with the Peacock family, who took up the station in 1990, continuing to breed stock that can look after themselves through tough winters on the hills and then give high levels of production in terms of lambing. Structure and type are the cornerstone behind selection, with most of the lambs finished on the farm and any sold store usually well sought-after. This year was no exception. PGG Wrightson livestock manager Joe Higgins says the annual on-farm sale has been held for several years and both the vendor and agents believe this year offered the best line-up of lambs to date. “These lambs are well sought-after, and you couldn’t fault the quality and condition which played out in the prices,” Higgins said. “With the rain we are getting, and plenty of feed, these sales in the South Island are getting stronger and stronger, week by week.” The Temuka store lamb sale also reflected the grass season with values lifting each week. “And when the cropping farmers do get their harvest off, which is later than usual given the season, and come to the market, we are expecting them to further strengthen store stock sales,” he said. Heavy lambs at Orari Gorge Station averaged $3.10 per kilogram with lighter lambs well above the current schedule,

DEMAND: Orari Gorge on-farm sales saw strong demand for a quality line-up of lambs. PGW’s Greg Cook, Rod Sands, Cameron Gray and Matt Gibbs oversaw the sales.

These sales in the South Island are getting stronger and stronger, week by week. Joe Higgins PGW averaging out at $3.30-$3.40/kg. In a first for the station, draft ewes were offered rather than waiting for next month’s ewe fair, with these selling from $141-$170. In Otago the Nichol farm at Lee Stream, despite high winds and heavy rain, attracted a good following with heavy crypt Romney lambs selling at $120 and second cut ewe lambs $85-$88. With the late harvest in Canterbury most of these lambs this year found homes in central and south Otago. Also in Otago, the Lo-de Bar Station Perendale and Texel cross lambs met firm demand with surplus grass feeding the sales, PGW agent Craig Dempster said. Prime lambs sold up to $124, with

es Sometim IT TAKES

A PROACTIVE APPROACH PREVENTING FACIAL ECZEMA By the time the symptoms of Facial Eczema are visible, liver damage has already been done. Early treatment with zinc is the best defence against Facial Eczema. We stock and have experience with the products across leading brands to protect your herd and production this season. We have also created a four-part video series to share knowledge and advice on what Facial Eczema is, the signs to watch for, the affects it can have on milk production and how you can prevent it.

SCAN TO WATCH OR GO TO NZFARMSOURCE.CO.NZ/PROACTIVE

store lambs selling from $71-$107. Further south at Cattle Flat Station, 5000 lambs off hard hill country all sold to an eager buyer gallery with prices ranging from $75-$110. “It’s very wet, we are getting a lot of rain and grass is plentiful, so these lambs all stayed in Southland and Otago this year,” PGW agent Dave Morrison said. The Hakataramea Valley sales included Maungatira, where the sale of 4500 Corriedale and black face lambs exceeded expectation. “The buying power was very strong and competitive,” Peter Walsh and Associates director Karen Walsh said. Medium lambs fetched up to $3.20/kg, while better types made $3.40/kg. Glen Tavy Station sold 3100 CorriedaleDorset cross and black face lambs, with the top price of the day $160 for a line of mixed-sex black face lambs, with the overall sale average at $110. Roseneath Station in Waitaki sold 2300 lambs with a line of black face lambs topping the sale at $140 while the overall average was $101. “Farmers were all delighted with their sale results with some very good premiums achieved,” Walsh said.

ACROSS THE RAILS REECE BRICK

Masterton locals compete for ewes as yard upgrade continues NEXT to Australia, New Zealand has looked a bit like the depressed cousin of the sheep world lately. They’ve been eagerly jumping back on track following drought and bushfires, whereas NZ farmers have taken the past year as a cue to further cut back sheep numbers. However, Masterton’s annual ewe fairs have shown that there are pockets of keen sheep farmers for the long haul. A bit of ongoing upgrade work in the back of the yards meant the usual single-day event was split into two, with Day 1 – the two-tooth to four-year sale – an early contender for the ewe fair of the year award. Like a lot of other yards, tallies were well down on what came in last year. As a result, it was always going to be easier to squeeze out bids compared to last year, but even still the market exceeded expectations by $20-plus. Arguably the strongest selling pen was the opening line – almost 400 commercial capital stock Romney two-tooths from Greentops, which were only on the market due the farm being sold back into farming. Bidding started in the low $200s, but several interested parties kept these climbing until the market tapped out at $258. These were only bettered by a smaller line of purebred Romney’s at $262. It was all fireworks through the rest of the sale, too. Of the 4400 two-tooth to six-tooth ewes, 21 of the 23 pens went on to make $216 or more, half making $240 plus. An average of $235 was paid for ewes in this age range. Part of the feel-good factor was the mix of buyers – almost exclusively locals supporting locals. The Wairarapa was knocked around as hard as the rest of the North Island in last year’s drought, and a lot of those who had to cut back ewe or hogget numbers to make it through were out to top numbers back up to where they’d usually be. It was almost that this was the first sale back at the Masterton yards too, having been out of action for upwards of six months. reece.brick@globalhq.co.nz

Find out more about AgriHQ at agrihq.co.nz

Farmers Weekly NZ January 25 2021

Articles inside

Australian farmers bounce back

Luxton ready for new role