Farmers Weekly NZ April 25 2022 by AgriHQ

8 Long tail to processing season Vol 20 No 15, April 25, 2022

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Shrekapo launches Sawdon venture Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

N ELUSIVE Merino wether is feeling a whole lot lighter after being the star of Tekapo’s annual Easter Monday market. The Sawdon Station hermit has been evading capture for four years before being spotted on Mt Edward, near Tekapo, by staff on the station’s annual wether muster. “We were getting the wethers in for belly crutching and he was spotted but again reluctant to come in so staff went back with Ziggy (the dog), rounded him up and finally got him in,” station owner Gavin (Snow) Loxton said. “We named him Shrekapo and decided he could have his time of fame on the shearing board.” Shrekapo was trucked into Tekapo and became the star of the show at the town’s Easter market.

Shorn before a large crowd by Fairlie farmer and world champion blade shearer Tony Dobbs, Shrekapo’s first trim yielded 18.6 kilograms of wool. “We have jokingly been calling him Spaceman since his shearing as he reminds us of an astronaut returning from space, he was a bit wobbly without the weight of his fleece and looking everywhere with no wool over his eyes.” Loxton believes Shrekapo was lost as a lamb when he didn’t follow his mother in the ewe muster. Over the years he has been spotted by rabbit and tahr hunters, but never again. Shrekapo is under a closer watch now having taken up residence in the pet lamb paddock. “He’s out there happily sunning himself now under Sue’s (Loxton) watchful eye.” Shrekapo’s capture was timely for the launch of Sawdon Station’s new sheep-to-shop venture with Devold Wool Direct.

HAIRCUT: Devold Wool Direct NZ general manager Craig Smith and Sawdon Station owner Gavin (Snow) Loxton with Shrekapo launching a new sheep-to-shop venture.

“Devold has been purchasing our wool at auction, on average 60 bales a year, which apparently makes 33,000 garments,” Loxton said. Running a flock of 3000 Merino ewes and 1200 wethers, wool is big chunk of Sawdon’s farming operation. “Devold has increased its influence around the area so for us now, it’s nice to be involved under the contract, something different after 25 years of owning the station,” Loxton said. Devold general manager Craig Smith says as a wool processor the company is always looking for consistency in the quality of the wool it buys. He says a lot of the genetics

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coming into play now in the fine wool sector are looking at numbers – Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) to breed sheep. “You can’t just breed a sheep by numbers, the sheep needs to have good constitution and structure, and quality colour and crimp in the wool. “A lot of the breeding now focused on the dual-purpose Merino is losing the quality and structure of the wool and putting New Zealand’s reputation for quality fine wool under threat,” Smith said. Sawdon Station, in conjunction with several key stud breeders, is keeping on track with good wool bloodlines that are crucial to processors to get a quality

finished garment. “While they are using new technologies, they are still ensuring the constitution is sound and this means looking at the sheep to make sure it can walk and stands up well and is capable of growing a quality fleece. “It’s about bringing in new genetics and technologies to improve what you have got, not to the detriment of it. “We are lucky to have the breeders that still value good constitution in a Merino, as contrary to what people may think the crimp and structure of the fibre is extremely important to the processing ability and endconsumer experience in the final garment,” Smith said.

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NEWS

21 Satellites map sheep behaviour

Work by scientists in New Zealand and abroad is calling on some established technology to lift the lid on sheep behaviour.

REGULARS Newsmaker ��20 New Thinking ��21

9 Rain still needed in the south

Editorial ��22

About 20mm of rain so far this month has given southern South Island farmers some respite from a prolonged dry, but leaders warn the region is running out of time to recover.

Pulpit ��23 Opinion ��24 World ��27 Real Estate ��28-32 Employment ��33 Classifieds ��34 Livestock ��34-35

10 Community crucial for catchment groups

Farmers need to drive catchment groups from the bottom up but it’s those groups’ relationships with their wider communities that will ensure partnerships are inter-generational in improving water quality, while at the same time maintain vibrant rural communities.

Weather ��37

17 Work to eradicate koi carp under way

North Waikato iwi are establishing a commercial fishing venture on Lake Waikare in an attempt to halt the koi carp plague and improve the lake’s water quality.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Rural focus missed in health reform Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz RURAL communities should be a priority health focus alongside women, Māori, Pacific and people with disabilities in the Government’s health reforms, according to a NZ Rural General Practice Network (NZRGPN) submission. The NZRGPN says the proposed legislation ignores the needs of 740,000 rural people and will mean the continuation of poorer health outcomes for those living in rural communities.

This lottery is no better exemplified than the contrast between the health outcomes of those living in areas of urban post codes compared to those living in rural delivery addresses. NZ Rural General Practice Network The Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill, which amalgamates the country’s district health boards into a centralised body, will be reported back to Parliament later this month. Despite the economic importance of rural-based industries, the network claims that unless “rural people” is added to the Bill as an identified priority population, then health inequities

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and the rural health staffing crisis will continue. “Change can only occur if this group are identified, have a targeted health strategy and specific rural health outcome measures are established, monitored, and all parts of the new health system held accountable for ensuring this group achieves the equity it has been promised.” The network has 1800 members across 90% of rural general practices and says Health Minister Andrew Little’s stated desire to end the post code lottery of health outcomes will not happen under these reforms. “This lottery is no better exemplified than the contrast between the health outcomes of those living in areas of urban post codes compared to those living in rural delivery addresses.” Little rejects that claim, saying in a statement that the reforms will address issues faced by rural communities. “The reality is the system at the moment is not geared up to hearing from communities to know what it is that they need.” He says a new initiative announced this week, the locality planning process, will give rural communities a say on what services they need. The minister has established nine locality network pilots, or collectives, to provide advice to Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority on the health service needs identified by their communities. “Iwi and the local community will determine their own geographic area that will become the ‘locality’, so the area it serves makes sense to the people that

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live and work there.” The area for each locality network will be by priority population groups, iwi and local government boundaries. A commissioner will then be appointed to talk to communities and providers in each locality about healthcare priorities. Little says an objective of the reforms is to channel more funding into primary and community care. “Putting more money into primary community care is a better way of making sure that those in rural MORE: Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) president Gill Naylor is pleased the legislation has a communities focus on women’s health but is disappointed it doesn’t specify rural. get the health care they need Rural Women New Zealand for staff and health outcomes for in a more timely sort of way, and rural people poorer than those for (RWNZ) is pleased the legislation it is my expectation that we will has a focus on women’s health but urban. see this,” Little says. is disappointed it doesn’t specify “The reason it is in such a NZRGPN chair Fiona Bolden rural. bad state is that for years policy says locality planning will be “We know from our work to makers and officials have looked toothless without legislation support quality maternity services at the needs of rural through an requiring the measurement of and in raising awareness of urban perspective and it hasn’t outcomes. gynaecological cancers that this worked.” “The issue with the Pae Ora Bill The NZRGPN submission states focus is sorely needed and well is that without any focus on rural, overdue,” national president Gill there is no legislative requirement that primary health care always Naylor says. lags behind funding for large to measure outcomes as they She also fears the reforms will base hospitals and it also needs have to do with Māori, Pacific, not address health inequalities for legislative backing. people with disabilities and rural people. “We would like to see explicit women.” “Addressing inequity based on mention of primary care and She says rural health services where a person lives is vital to funding streams guaranteed to have been in a state of crisis for ensure better health outcomes for support this in a sustainable at least a decade, with 40% of all New Zealanders,” Naylor says. manner,” the network submits. the 194 rural practices looking

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Fonterra disputes report findings

WARNING: Consultants Castalia say Fonterra’s capital and share restructure could lead to a farmers-only share market overwhelmed with dry shares trading at discounted prices.

Co-op restructure pain predicted Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz FONTERRA’S proposed capital and share restructure will tilt competition for raw milk and enable it to gain market share even with reduced access to new capital, consultancy Castalia argues. In a report on the implications of restructuring commissioned by the largest competitor, Open County Dairy, the consultancy warns of higher consumer prices for dairy products. It also predicts a farmers-only share market overwhelmed with dry shares trading at discounted prices. After building more processing capacity in the mid-2010s, Fonterra has at least 5% overcapacity and gaining or at least maintaining market share will be critical to reducing the cost of sales, Castalia said.

“If our co-op’s milk supply declines, we are likely to see fixed costs being spread over fewer milk solids, which would reduce the milk price,” Fonterra has said. The restructure will make it much easier to attract new supplying farms as the cost of entry will be cut by two-thirds. But two out of every three existing shares will be made “dry” and only “wet” shares will have voting power. Castalia predicts this will cause a massive imbalance between buyers and sellers, when the wet/ dry ratio is turned on its head. “There will be almost four times as many sellers which other parties must buy to meet the share standard.” Therefore Castalia forecasts a further 40% fall in share values to under $2 and a total loss to farmers of $4 billion of share capital since the restructuring

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was first announced in May 2021. “In exchange for suffering this short-term balance sheet hit, farmers are providing Fonterra with the ability to attract new farmers more easily and increase milk supply.

By manipulating the milk price away from a fair level, Fonterra harms its rivals. Castalia report “More efficient utilisation of capacity should reduce processing costs and enable Fonterra to pay a higher milk price. “This should feed back into

farmers’ wealth in the form of higher dairy farm prices.” Most controversially, Castalia alleges that Fonterra has had and will continue to have in the future a bias towards high milk prices, which Open Country has repeatedly claimed. “There is a long-standing issue with the milk price monitoring regime, which permits Fonterra to engage and act in ways that tend to result in a nontransparent and inefficient milk price. “By manipulating the milk price away from a fair level, Fonterra harms its rivals. This has negative consequences for sector efficiency, productivity, and innovation.” Fonterra and the Government continue to work on ways the proposed share and capital restructuring can be implemented through the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act.

FONTERRA has dismissed a report by consultancy Castalia into possible effects of the capital restructuring plan currently being considered by the government. The report was commissioned by Fonterra’s largest rival for milk supply, Open Country Dairy. Castalia said flow-on effects could include higher consumer prices for dairy products, harm Fonterra’s competitors and a further 40% fall in the value of Fonterra shares and units. Fonterra said it disagreed with the report and a number of its conclusions including assertions that protections for a fair milk price will be eroded and the restructure will cause the milk price to increase. Fonterra also notes that Castalia estimates its future share price on the basis of possible dividends up to 2030 but appears to assume that Fonterra has zero value at that time. “Fonterra considers this to be a misleading approach to valuing its shares,” director of capital markets Simon Till said. “The report contains no perspectives not previously considered by Fonterra and discussed with shareholders in the lead up to the 2021 vote, when over 85% of shareholders supported the capital structure changes.” Long-time Fonterra analyst Arie Dekker, head of research for Jarden, says the valuation by Castalia of $2 for Fonterra shares is not supported by the figures and declared intentions of the dairy co-op. “Fonterra is currently generating 30c a share earnings supporting a 20c dividend. “It hopes to increase earnings and dividends over the next 10 years with meaningful investment to support that. “Even if dividends don’t grow, discounted dividends currently supported by the earnings results in a share value well above the suggested $2,” Dekker said. Fonterra has also signalled its intention to return $1 billion in capital to shareholders, which would be about 60c a share.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Summit explores future freight options Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz SOUTH Island freight movement is under the microscope with the volume of freight carried projected to more than double in the next 20 years. A special South Island Freight Summit, initiated by the South Island Regional Transport Committee (South Island RTC), explored the future of freight in the South Island with a key focus on moving road to rail while decarbonising freight to reduce the transport sector’s emissions. Chair Stuart Bryant says the South Island RTC was established two years ago but until recently has laid reasonably low. The committee is made up of representatives from all regional and unitary councils right across the South Island. “We have gained more provenance in recent months due to the changing way of transport with covid highlighting the challenges ahead. “As a group we feel we have more clout to get things done, we do believe there’s a bias to North Island projects and we do feel a little aggrieved about that. “That’s why we have ramped up as a group to bring all the parties together and provide a highlevel briefing to develop a shared understanding of South Island

freight issues and opportunities,” Bryant said. Industry stakeholders were represented at the summit including Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Authority, port and shipping companies, KiwiRail, Ministry of Transport, transport and logistics companies and Ngāi Tahu Holdings.

As a group we feel we have more clout to get things done. Stuart Bryant South Island RTC Topics centred on the need to decarbonise freight, freight resilience and freight efficiency after covid exposed vulnerabilities and inefficiencies in supply chains. Improving the efficiency of supply chains includes opportunities to optimise freight routes, equipment and vehicles and to make better use of data and supporting information sharing. Seaports, road, rail and coastal shipping are all in the scope as freight and supply chain efficiency and freight decarbonisation challenges seek out opportunities for a freight mode shift, in particular to rail.

Air freight fell outside the scope. South Island freight is projected to increase substantially with 117 million tonnes forecast to be carried annually in 2042, this compares to 69.3 million tonnes in the draft South Island freight plan (2015). The increase equates to an additional 1.7 million truck trips per year or 4667 truck trips per day across the South Island network. The fastest growing commodities by weight are liquid milk and manufactured dairy, general freight, limestone, cement and fertiliser. “We want to place more focus on rail in areas where rail is possible, particularly in the lower South Island where there are openings with logs and milk to achieve getting as much freight on rail and off the road as possible,” Bryant said. Reducing transport sector emissions is emerging as a major strategic driver of both central and local government investment in the transport network over the next two to three decades. Roading was aired as a concern by regional chairs, especially in relation to the reduction of funding. Bryant says the event put a stake in the ground for further advocacy and collaboration, including into the proposed National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.

SEASIDE: With seaports at Timaru and Lyttleton, pictured, there are opportunities to further explore coastal shipping of domestic bulk and containerised freight. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Mick Stephenson

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GROWING NEED: South Island RTC chair Stuart Bryant says regional councils ramped up as a group to bring all parties together and provide a high-level briefing to develop a shared understanding of South Island freight issues and opportunities.

“Attendees came away with a broad overview of the South Island freight sector – road, rail, coastal shipping and ports. “It all takes a mode shift and time but we now have a better grasp of what is needed both collectively and for each region. “One of the key takeaways from the summit is the need to make greater use of rail and coastal shipping and to work more effectively across transport modes.” A value of rail in NZ 2021 KiwiRail report claims transporting freight by rail generally generates 66% fewer emissions than heavy road freight. KiwiRail reported it is working towards improving its rolling stock with an investment of $403 million for 50 new main-line locomotives destined for the South Island, the first arriving in 2024. The investment is expected to

make a 40% improvement in fuel efficiency. Improving rail utilisation will mean investing in more projects such as the Fairfield freight hub in Ashburton and rail sidings and spurs to link major producers to ports The current freight plan shows Canterbury is forecast to account for about 60% of South Island freight growth to 2042. With seaports at Timaru and Lyttleton there are opportunities to further explore coastal shipping of domestic bulk and containerised freight for Canterbury with the regional ports of Nelson, Dunedin, Picton, Westport and Bluff also on the radar for coastal shipping. “By and large we are all on the same page and prepared to work together going forward and following on from the summit we plan to meet again in May,” Bryant said.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

GDT price falls not yet a concern Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz GLOBAL Dairy Trade prices for all commodities fell and the GDT price index lost 3.6% in the second April fortnightly auction. Falling prices through weakness in demand were not counterbalanced by reduced milk production figures from around the seven main dairy producing regions of the world. Whole milk powder prices lost 4.4%, skim milk powder was down 4.2%, cheddar down 3.9%, butter down 3.7%, lactose down 2.4% and anhydrous milk fat down 1.3%. Analysts’ expectations before the auction were that prices for all commodities offered would fall compared with the first April GDT event.

Those expectations were based on trade restrictions in China because of covid-19 lockdowns, the escalating war in Ukraine and Sri Lanka’s economic crisis. Fonterra moved 2000 tonnes of whole milk powder forward into the GDT offering to avoid inventory build-up. The deteriorating demand factors led NZX dairy analyst Stu Davison to be bearish for the auction. “The covid-19 induced lockdowns in China are having serious knock-on effects in the global dairy market, something that will likely take some time to completely work itself out.” Falls in the GDT price index have now accumulated to 5% in the past three auctions, but that followed two months in which the market rose 20% into

LOCKED OUT: The magnitude and breadth of the latest GDT price falls suggest that Omicron outbreak matters in China outweighed all other concerns, Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny says.

record levels for most products. ASB senior economist Chris Tennent-Brown said there was no need to change the bank’s farm gate milk price forecasts of $9.50/ kg milksolids for this season and $9.20 for next. “Overall, the recent weakness in GDT events takes a little gloss off an outstanding period for prices but is totally understandable. “The declines also won’t stand in the way of a record milk price for this season and there is little information to be gleaned for next season’s prices from this GDT event.” The magnitude and breadth

of the latest GDT price falls suggest that Omicron outbreak matters in China outweighed all other concerns, Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny said. Reportedly up to 400 million Chinese are under some sort of lockdown and it was not surprising that dairy demand and auction prices took a hit. “We expect this price weakness to be temporary as the experience in other countries is that Omicron waves eventually pass.” Therefore, Westpac stuck by its milk price forecasts of $9.60 and $9.25 respectively.

The recent weakness in GDT events takes a little gloss off an outstanding period for prices but is totally understandable. Chris Tennent-Brown ASB

Surveyor appointed to NZ Meat Board Staff reporter

SLIDING DOORS: David Surveyor replaces Greenlea’s Tony Egan as NZMB director.

ALLIANCE chief executive David Surveyor has been appointed as a director of the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB). He replaces Greenlea Premier Meats managing director Tony Egan, whose term has expired. “David is well-known in our sector and also brings valuable experience from his career prior to the meat industry,” NZMB chair Andrew Morrison said. “He is well-known for

his ability to lead in tough, changing environments, something that has proven invaluable in recent times, and is committed to adding value to New Zealand farmers’ produce. We look forward to the ideas and energy he’ll bring to the table. “It’s no small ask adding this role to his existing responsibilities, so I’d particularly like to acknowledge the willingness of our industry representatives to contribute. “I’d also like to thank Tony

for his commitment over the past three years and wish him well for the future. Tony has great mana across the sector, is solutions-focused and his contribution has been absolutely invaluable in linking the whole supply chain.” Surveyor was appointed chief executive of Alliance in 2015. He is a director of The Lamb Company (North America) and a member of the Meat Industry Association Council. “It is impossible to understate

the importance of the red meat sector to New Zealand,” Surveyor said. “The rural sector has always been the backbone of the country, but it is now also underpinning the country’s economic recovery.” The NZMB oversees $2.3 billion of red meat exports to the quota markets of the European Union, United Kingdom and United States, meaning tariff savings of $839 million a year for the sector.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Processing season will have a long tail Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz THE meat processing season could be up to 12 weeks longer than last year, prolonged by multiple and unexpected challenges. The nation’s meat companies have had to deal with disrupted supply chains, a worker shortage, covid infections among staff, drought in Southland and Otago and now the shutdown of the Chinese city of Shanghai to contain a covid outbreak. Silver Fern Farms chief supply chain officer Dan Boulton told suppliers Omicron has reduced its available processing capacity more than expected. “To date the processing impact from Omicron has been felt similarly across both the North Island and South Island networks, however at this point South Island communities are experiencing a longer tail to Omicron.” Seven weeks into the outbreak, beef capacity across individual SFF plants has been between 60% and 81%, sheep 63% to 86% and venison 77% to 100%. Boulton says priority is being given to farmers facing dry conditions with stock being trucked to plants that have spare capacity. But that too is being hampered by limited space on interisland ferries. Fewer carcase cuts are being recovered to maximise plant throughput, more night shifts and Saturdays are being worked, livestock agents are arranging markets for store stock and grazing is being arranged for cull cows to delay processing until later in the season. Boulton says it has extended

JUGGLING ACT: Silver Fern Farms chief supply chain officer Dan Boulton says priority is being given to farmers facing dry conditions with stock being trucked to plants that have spare capacity.

incentives and benefits for staff and the industry has worked with the Government to get access to 500 foreign workers. “While these workers have been warmly welcomed, they won’t be an immediate silver bullet for our current challenges as they only represent a relatively small amount of our total workforce and it is late in the season.” Shipments of NZ beef and veal from January to endMarch were 20% below the same period last year due to lower production due to omicron. Heading into the later half of the season, Beef + Lamb New Zealand figures reveal the beef kill is 9.1% behind last year, lamb 14.8%, mutton 12% but venison is 4% ahead. Alliance’s general manager livestock and shareholder services Danny Hailes says capacity across its plant network is recovering, however it remains a challenge in Southland. “Our Mataura plant is operating both shifts and overtime and continuing to work through the backlog of animals. “A number of our Lorneville plant employees are or have been isolating or having to stay

at home to look after family members. “This is creating resourcing challenges, affecting the plant configuration and reducing effective processing capacity.” Plants are working overtime and farmers are using Alliance’s free store stock facilitation service to move animals between breeders and finishers, particularly from Southland to Canterbury. “Additional cattle processing capacity is scheduled to be added at our Lorneville and Pukeuri plants over the next couple of weeks.” Hailes says Alliance is offering minimum price contracts in which suppliers can choose the day of supply and accept either the contract or schedule price. Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says the industry shortage of 2000 workers has been exacerbated by staff isolating or having to stay at home to look after family members due to covid. Karapeeva says recent Government approval of 500 extra foreign workers will help alleviate pressure and allow processors to capture value it is currently unable to. She hopes officials will quickly process visas.

HIDDEN QUEUE: The Kotahi report points out that despite the improvement in vessel waiting times, at any given time about 12% of the world’s vessel capacity is effectively laid up, waiting to berth.

Kotahi finds bright spot in freight pile up Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz WHILE easing somewhat, global supply chain issues have not disappeared and fuel costs are also adding to the shipping bill for exporters. In its April market outlook New Zealand’s largest supply chain company Kotahi reports it has seen some minor improvements in aspects of freight operations globally, with reliability and waiting times for ships recording some improvements. By February, global industry data had reported a decline in average delays for late vessels,and the number queued outside United States west coast ports, particularly Long Beach. Average delays for late vessel arrivals had fallen from eight days to seven in February, still almost double that of historical averages. Schedule reliability has improved from 30% to 35% globally, again well back on historical averages of 80-85%. The Kotahi report points out that despite the improvement in vessel waiting times, at any given time about 12% of the world’s vessel capacity is effectively laid up, waiting to berth. The report also captures some of the effect the Russia-Ukraine war is having on global fuel prices,

including bunker fuel for shipping. The 33% increase in bunker fuel experienced between January and early March is anticipated to add US$100 per 20-foot container onto costs over the coming quarter. Kotahi’s report also identifies Shanghai’s ongoing lockdown as an emerging global supply chain risk. Carriers are advising operations in Shanghai are slow, and utilisation remains at unsustainable levels because of slow gate movements. As a result a number of carriers have implemented a suspension on reefer and dangerous good bookings into Shanghai port, encouraging product to be sent to alternate destinations until further notice. Kotahi anticipates ongoing capacity restrictions for NZ exporters through the peak export season, with the supply of refrigerated containers remaining tight but consistent. In its latest supplier newsletter Silver Fern Farms also acknowledges Shanghai’s situation could worsen, with the port effectively closed this week for bookings. Kotahi reports the bright spot in the local logistics chain is Port of Tauranga reporting reliability of 53% in February, the highest point for reliability since August 2020, despite increased demand due to issues in Auckland and Sydney.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Rain still needed in the south Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz ABOUT 20mm of rain so far this month has given southern South Island farmers some respite from a prolonged dry, but leaders warn the region is running out of time to recover. Wyndham farmer Dean Rabbidge says 5mm of rain earlier this week following 25mm previously, has provoked some grass growth. “It has taken three or four falls of rain to get it going,” he says. Further north, Otago Federated Farmers president Mark Patterson says the situation in the Clutha district remains serious, with less rain falling this month than in Southland. Patterson, who farms near Lawrence, has had just 10mm of rain in the past week or so, which has done little more than freshen pasture. “We still have a long way to go. “Forecast rain can’t come soon enough but we are running out of runway.” Fortunately, days are still warm which will encourage some pasture growth, but

nights and mornings and cool and frosts could begin in the coming weeks. Both leaders says sheep farmers have been able to quit surplus stock although demand for calves is low and milk flows are falling sharply. Rabbidge, the federation’s Southland meat and fibre chair, also operates a dairy farm and says he is considering a shift to once a day milking.

It has taken three or four falls of rain to get it going. Dean Rabbidge Federated Farmers Sheep farmers are also considering whether to mate hoggets and, if they do, some are telling him they may only have rams out for 10 days or so. Baleage is available and Rabbidge has sourced a unit load from Canterbury for $90/ bale but is paying $65/bale in cartage due to a lack of backloads to spread the cost.

Patterson says farmers have been proactive in reducing stock numbers and reduce feed demand. “Not many people have sleep-walked into this.” Stock has been sold to farmers further north, some are feeding sheep nuts, started on saved winter feed or have found grazing. The biggest concern is delays in getting prime cattle killed as processors juggle space with cull cows. Patterson says a harsh winter will be challenging given the volume of feed on hand. WeatherWatch chief forecaster Phil Duncan says a cold front this weekend could bring 70mm of rain to parts of the south but also cooler temperatures. He says temperatures will be mild, up to 14degC during the day and 7-8degC at night, which should not stymie pasture growth too much. From May to July Duncan says temperatures in the south are forecast to be up to 1degC above average and rainfall slightly below average. North of Dunedin is leaning wetter than average especially at the top of both islands.

TESTING TIMES: Otago Federated Farmers president Mark Patterson says the situation in the Clutha district remains serious, with less rain falling this month than in Southland.

Merger for health and protection associations ONE VOICE: Agcarm president Gavin Kerr says it is the right time to unite the organisations representing animal health and crop protection manufacturers.

THE two associations representing the crop protection and animal health industries will merge this month, with a name change to follow in July. Agcarm and the Animal Remedies and Plant Protectant Association (ARPPA) will join forces to become a single united industry voice named the Animal and Plant Health Association of New Zealand Inc.

The new association represents more than 90% of New Zealand’s animal health and crop protection manufacturers - a one-billiondollar industry, with a value of $20 billion to the New Zealand economy - as well as rural retailer businesses and associate members. “By joining together, we have one united industry voice representing our members to

government, consumers and other stakeholders,” Agcarm president Gavin Kerr says. “It’s an exciting and challenging time for our industry and the right time to unite and strengthen our voice,” Kerr says. ARPPA chairperson Ed Catherwood says that his members “voted unanimously to join with Agcarm”. “We’ve been working

together as our interests have become increasingly aligned in recent years, so joining together as a single organisation is the obvious next step. “This merger is a fitting tribute to the late Colin Harvey, a long time ARPPA chairman and renowned industry veteran, who advocated for this merger,” Catherwood says.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Community crucial for catchment improvement Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz FARMERS need to drive catchment groups from the bottom up but it’s those groups’ relationships with their wider communities that will ensure partnerships are intergenerational in improving water quality, while at the same time maintain vibrant rural communities. That was one of the messages from Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s recent final catchment group e-forum, which featured catchment leaders Emma Crutchley, Lloyd McCall and Roger Dalrymple. Dalrymple, who chairs the Rangitīkei Rivers Catchment Collective (RRCC), says for catchment groups to be successful they need to be led by farmers who understand why such groups are necessary. But he says what’s also needed is a vision for the whole community, with those people closely involved helping to share stories about work being done. Being farmer-led means change will come from the bottom up, which will help educate farmers on what can be done rather than force things on them, the latter more likely to chase them away, while enabling the wider community to tell others of ongoing work will help regain public confidence in what farmers and landowners are doing. Crutchley, who is on the governance committee for the Tiaki Maniototo, Upper Taieri Wai

Catchment Restoration Project in Central Otago, agrees. “For us, it’s all about community,” she says, with her group’s stakeholders not only farmers or others involved in the primary sector. “They might be cribbies (batch owners), or they might be visitors to the area. It’s about allowing space for everyone to take a bit of ownership and for everyone to feel included in working on something collaboratively.” She says for that to work, groups need to welcome a range of ideas from those who want to take part. “If someone has got a cool idea, just get behind them. “When you’ve got that positive vibe you’re building an environment where other people want to be part of that and when you bring people together collectively, they are really effective at solving some of these challenges.” McCall, a founding member of the Pomahaka Water Care Group in south-west Otago, says a range of ideas is important because one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to catchment groups. “If you have plenty of people involved it makes it harder to lose momentum because there’s always someone with the next idea. “You’ll never lose momentum because there is always somebody who has got the next idea if you have plenty of people involved.” The presenters were united in saying that for catchment groups to be successful and involve the whole community, they need to extend beyond their core focus,

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NUMBERS: Founding member of the Pomahaka Water Care Group Lloyd McCall says catchment groups need to have plenty of people involved as it makes it harder to lose momentum because there’s always someone with the next idea.

Be careful what you bite off to chew because it’s a hell of a beast in terms of reporting and that is money that actually takes away from outcomes. Emma Crutchley Tiaki Maniototo, Upper Taieri Wai Catchment Restoration Project although that cannot be forgotten. Dalrymple says RRCC members look at other issues, including organising farm planning and greenhouse gas workshops, weed control, while one sub catchment group is looking at the need for a cell phone tower. “We’re (also) getting a preliminary assessment done on what we can grow and do in our area by planting food.”

Crutchley agrees. “One of the things that’s been (talked about) around here is a recycling station, how do we solve on-farm waste collectively? “Those are types of things that bring people together.” Dalrymple and McCall say there is also a need to focus on the social achievements that catchments can make. The RRCC includes a barbecue and drink catch-up part of all events it organises, while the Pomahaka group has a similar approach. “You’ve got to be prepared to do stuff over a cup of tea. If you’re trying to do hard core planting project-based stuff all the time people get sick of that,” McCall says. All three presenters agreed that although government funding is important to catchment groups, the current funding model needs to change. “We have to learn to survive without the support of the government,” Dalrymple says. “This is a learning curve for government as well, for MPI and MfE.

“I don’t think we’ve got it 100% right the way we’re doing it but some financial support is definitely appreciated, it’s just how it’s being provided at the moment. “We don’t want it to go away tomorrow but if we end up depending on it solely we’re in trouble.” Crutchley, speaking from a perspective of a catchment group that went from having nothing to being a $6m project, says dealing with that funding creates its own issues. “Be careful what you bite off to chew because it’s a hell of a beast in terms of reporting and that is money that actually takes away from outcomes. “That’s a hard pill to swallow.” McCall says sometimes external funding is very helpful but there is a need for a new funding model. “If all the funding was pulled tomorrow we’d all be pretty flat for quite a while. “(But) we need to work out ways to get consistency of funding, rather than just going on a three-year lolly scramble.”

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Wool-based floors grow in popularity Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz SOARING consumer demand has more Kiwi homes being floored in wool as consumers increasingly ask specifically for wool carpet. As a result, Wools of New Zealand (WNZ) is reporting a 50% rise in wool sales through its retailers. WNZ chief executive John McWhirter said wool carpets now account for a growing proportion of WNZ partners’ retail sales. “The rising demand means wool’s share of the carpet market has grown by more than 350,000 kilograms of wool,” McWhirter said. “It’s a clear indication that more New Zealanders are considering sustainable floor options for their homes.” WNZ last year partnered with Flooring Xtra and other independent retailers to launch wool carpets to the market. “Wool-based flooring now accounts for a significant part of our sales revenue and we couldn’t be happier,” he said. “In the last six months we have seen consumers consistently walking into our stores asking specifically for carpets made from wool,” Flooring Xtra chief executive Tony TeAu said.

GROWTH: Wools of New Zealand chief executive John McWhirter says wool carpets now account for a growing proportion of WNZ partners’ retail sales.

Next month WNZ will be welcoming on board additional independent and retail chains to market wool carpets. Wool’s lower carbon footprint is increasingly in step with consumer expectations. “The feedback we are getting from retailers is that consumers are seeking sustainable, renewable and biodegradable

carpet made from wool grown right here in NZ,” McWhirter said. One of the key barriers to increasing sales of wool carpets in the past has been affordability. “WNZ carpet is priced competitively compared with synthetic carpets, meaning New Zealanders have a genuine choice between a synthetic product or a natural product direct from

WNZ’s farmer-growers. “We firmly believe carpets don’t have to cost the earth. “Our goal is to grow the consumption of strong wool in the market by making wool carpet affordable to the majority of Kiwis. “We can achieve this by utilising modern high volume manufacturing operations,

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without impacting on quality, and taking costs out of the supply chain. “Carpet moves significant volumes of wool and for our growers this captures greater returns and increases the demand for wool.” In line with the increase in wool carpet sales, the price of wool has started creeping up, he said.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Lime the flavour of the month Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz LIME is poised to benefit from rising fertiliser prices as farmers reassess their input costs. With farmers facing huge increases in the price of fertilisers the country’s lime industry is pointing to the benefits of their locally-extracted product. New Zealand Limestone Producers Association (NZLPA) chair Shaun Cleverley says farmers are having to reassess what they do with fertiliser costs only one of several factors stretching farm budgets. “To be fair, farmers are always doing that (reassessing) to some degree but do it more so when financial constraints impact. “Every time financial constraints put pressure on the back pocket farmers, like

everyone, look at where they can get the best bang for buck. “We are seeing farmers across the country picking up the (lime) option.” Cleverley manages two Canterbury lime quarries and says while lime has risen in price it has not seen the hike like the doubling of the cost of urea and the 50% lift in fertilisers like magnesium, sulphur and potash. “With all agricultural lime produced locally there is not the freight and transporting costs as with fertilisers. “Across the industry lime has gone up, but the biggest rise would be only 10% with the average more like 3-5% in the past 12 months. “While we are not breaking any records in Canterbury there has certainly been an increase in famers coming for more lime and

GEARING UP: Limestone quarries such as this at Victory Lime in Canterbury are getting busier with farmers increasingly turning to lime as they reassess soaring fertiliser budgets.

in Southland and Hawke’s Bay, where it is dry, they are starting to break records. “It is a good time now to get pH to optimal levels for nutrient availability,” Cleverley said. Southland’s AB Lime general manager Steve Smith says with fertiliser prices very high some farmers are looking to concentrate on fixing their soil pH. “Soil acidity has an effect on the availability to plants of nutrients

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like phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium and lime helps address that,” he said. But Smith says with today’s focus on the environmental impact of agriculture, including fertiliser use, farmers need to choose their fertiliser programme wisely, making sure it works with their farm and farm system goals. “Lime is an important component in the mix and it’s a particularly good option at the

moment while fertiliser prices are so high, but it doesn’t replace fertiliser long-term.” The general manager of Avoca Lime in Whangarei, Keith Squires, says lime is an important way to “sweeten the soil” by boosting pH levels. “It provides great bang for your buck by fostering optimum availability of all other nutrients, so now is an especially good time to use lime,” Squires said.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Milestone sale for genetics programme Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz THERE was special interest in the 240 calves weaned last week at Landcorp’s Kepler Farm in Southland. These were the first calves bred for the Beef + Lamb NZ Genetics Informing NZ Beef (INZB) project, a seven-year programme supported by the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures fund to improve beef genetics and their use by the beef industry. This year was the first weaning of progeny tested calves, but numbers are expected to double next year to include another crop of first calvers. BLNZ beef genetics’ specialist Anna Boyd says the aim is to boost profits within the sector by $460m over the next 25 years. It will include the development of a genetic evaluation system using traits relevant to and determined by NZ beef farmers. It will also create tools so farmers can efficiently collect those traits, manage and analyse the resulting data all underpinned by a new approach to information extension to beef farmers. The 1500ha Kepler Farm near Manapouri in northern Southland is a specialist genetics unit for Landcorp,and farm manager Travis Leslie says staff have the skills and understanding to

WEANING TIME: BLNZ beef genetics’ specialist Anna Boyd and Landcorp Kepler Farm manager Travis Leslie, weaning calves last week, part of beef genetics improvement programme.

monitor and record animal traits and data, along with appropriate stock handling facilities. Landcorp ran Angus cows on the property but bought Herefords when it committed to the trial. Kepler operates an all grass system with the addition of baleage over winter. Boyd says the purpose of the progeny test is to gather information to rank bulls across breeds and to compare performance under the same management and conditions. “This helps us to make

Workshops aim to improve farmers’ financial literacy Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz FINANCIAL skills workshops being run around the country by Rabobank aim to provide farmers with practical knowledge to help them better understand financial statements and banking requirements. The workshops have been organised by Rabobank’s client council network. Woodville farmer Hazel Bourke attended the day-long workshop held in Feilding recently, which was run by Masterton-based specialist farm accountant Lawrence Field. Field took farmers through topics such as what success looks like, what can be done with more profit or equity and why, what and how farmers can improve their financial skills. They also looked at financial statements, profit and loss, and balance sheets, before going through key ratios and calculations such as cash, profit and equity. During the final part of the day Field explained what lenders look for and how borrowers are graded on personal capability, viability and security scales, while also sharing tips on how farmers

Ultimately, the INZB programme will put tools in the hands of farmers that will increase the rate of genetic gain across New Zealand’s beef industry.

can make their relationship with their bankers as beneficial as possible. Bourke says she found the day extremely worthwhile and would recommend it to others. She says the information provided was easily accessible and there were plenty of opportunities throughout the day to ask questions. “There were some really good reminders and I learnt quite a bit about stock reconciliation, which was really useful. “It was good to meet people who were in the same position as me, like-minded people who want to understand their financial background and want to grow their business.” Lower North Island client council chair and Taihape farmer Mark Chrystall also took part in the Feilding workshop. He says the purpose of the workshops is to lift financial literacy on-farm and farmers do not have to be a Rabobank client to take part. “There’s a real need to get into the office and understand what the accounts look like, understand a balance sheet and a profit and loss statement.” He says improved financial literacy among farmers will not only help strengthen individual business but also the industry overall.

Anna Boyd Beef + Lamb New Zealand

comparisons across breeds, and also to estimate the impact of hybrid vigour in the crossbreds and the impact of breed on maternal performance. “This is important if we are to create an evaluation which is across breeds,” she says. Input from farmers will help decide what traits are recorded

and could include docility, hip height, muscle scanning and cow condition score. Prime steers and heifers weaned this week will be killed in a year’s time and their carcases analysed with that data added into the programme. About half the first calvers were artificially inseminated to

Angus and Hereford bulls in 2020 using semen from bulls that had been previously used in progeny tests, with the other half naturally mated by follow up bulls. Boyd says in the coming year stud breeders will be invited to nominate sires which will have to meet minimum estimated breeding values and adhere to Kepler Farm’s breeding objectives. “Ultimately, the INZB programme will put tools in the hands of farmers that will increase the rate of genetic gain across New Zealand’s beef industry.”

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Focus on impact of cell tower sales Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz THE impact on rural connectivity of Vodafone and Spark’s planned cell tower sales will depend heavily upon the long and shortterm goals of the investment companies that purchase them, and the depth of commitment to the sector. Telecommunications Users Association of NZ (TUANZ) chief executive Craig Young says New Zealand has been the global exception in having its cell phone towers owned by the telcos that operate them.

CONNECTED: TUANZ chief executive Craig Young says the planned sale of Spark and Vodafone cell towers could hold some upside for rural users, depending who buys them.

It is possible that the RCG group may even buy some of the towers in some regions to expand further. Craig Young TUANZ “In Australia Telstra have just sold 49% of their tower company,” he says. “This will free up quite a lot of capital for both Vodafone and Spark, but how it plays out will depend upon who buys the towers. “If it’s short term, they will just be wanting to get dollars out of it. It will also depend upon whether the towers get sold to two competing companies or just to one investment company, but the regulator may have something to say on that.” He said the cell tower network being set up under the Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) agreement would not come into the deal. These towers were initiated under a 2017 agreement between government and the three telcos where towers would share equipment owned by all companies to provide 4G broadband connectivity. “It is possible that the RCG group may even buy some of the towers in some regions to expand further.” The figures being bandied

about for the cell tower sales are about $1 billion for Vodafone’s and slightly less for Spark’s. The RCG programme has the goal of erecting 500 towers across NZ by 2023 to expand 4G cellular coverage from 49% to 62% in a globally unique multi-ownership model. By the start of this year just over 300 live sites had been rolled out after what Young described as a slow start. “The downside to this service is that the more people you get on these sites, the lower the speed, but the theory with RCG sites is they are in sparse, low population

areas and will not hit capacity issues.” Further rural rollout has been aided by the $47 million injection to the Crown infrastructure projects fund through the covid response recovery fund. Young said it was encouraging to see smaller localised wireless service providers had been given a seat around the table for that funding, and they too were now capable of rolling fibre into localised areas. He saw this as a key means of dealing to the “stale donut” where the fringes of internet coverage in rural areas initially

served under the RBI 1 initiative struggled to keep up with demand over lockdown. In total 11 organisations received funds through the response initiative. Satellite links are likely to play a key part in hooking up the “last 3%” of rural users unable to access any other connections. NZ is served by low orbit satellites flying south to north, and there was likely to be more launched in coming months. For remote rural users, Young said their main concern was that copper would be withdrawn, given 60% still have a landline. “But under a Chorus deed with

government, copper cannot be withdrawn if an equivalent service cannot be provided instead. Anyone who had copper in 2001 cannot have it withdrawn.” This fear had been fuelled by misleading pitches made by some telcos to rural users, telling them their copper line was due to be removed. If a copper line was removed and a rural customer was moved to voice over internet, the power supply required for that means Spark has committed to providing an uninterruptible power supply unit to provide eight hours of power.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

High-tech fish screen first of its kind in NZ A KEY piece of water infrastructure for the Ashburton District could lead to a flow of similar designs across NZ that will keep fish in the waterways where they belong. The $18 million high-tech screen installed on the side of the Rangitata River just below the Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) irrigation intake is specifically designed to keep young salmon, trout and native fish from being trapped in the main irrigation diversion race. Young fish that are swept into the intake will be diverted by the fish screen back into the river where they can continue their life journey. The first of its kind in NZ, RDR Management Ltd (RDRML) believe it has the potential to lead the way for fish screens on irrigation schemes around the country. Set for launch in mid-May, the fish screen and its associated supporting concrete infrastructure and canal construction recently opened for a public viewing before it all goes under water. RDRML chief executive Tony McCormick says interest exceeded expectation, with close to 1000 visitors turning out to see how it will work. McCormick says while it was made in Australia, with the main onsite assembly and construction undertaken by Ashburton company Grant Hood Contracting, the overall project has resulted from the successful collaboration of local, national and international companies and individuals. Engineering specialists were

engaged in the design process to ensure the fish screen performs as required by the consent conditions and returns fish safely to the river. “The RDR diverts a significant amount of water from the Rangitata River, so it is important that all reasonable efforts are made to ensure this does not impact the fish species that reside in the water. “Very complex computer modelling was undertaken to ensure the water velocities were low through the screens but high enough along the channel to direct fish back to the river,” McCormick said. The total project cost is about $18m, breaking down to $5.5m for the fish screen, $9.5m for construction and $3m for engineering design and management costs. The main fish screen structure, at 105 metres long and five metres high, looks a bit like a bullet train. It is designed to pass up to 33.5

VITAL: RDRML chief executive Tony McCormick says it is important to ensure there is no impact on the fish species that reside in the river.

cumecs of water, with the fish bypass operating within a flow range of three to five cumecs to enable fish to return safely back to the river. The actual screen covers 370 square metres, enough to wrap a one-metre-high barrier around a rugby field. Once the water has entered the canal it passes through the fish screen, which consists of seven fine mesh covered cylindrical T-screens that rotate

BULLET TRAIN: The main fish screen structure at 105 metres long and five metres high looks a bit like a bullet train.

to divert young fish away from the irrigation diversion race and channel then back into the river. Downstream of the T-screens are a series of flat panel screens made of the same 2mm spaced wedge wire, with all screens having control baffles to regulate the flows through the screens and ensure an even flow across the screen area. “The screens are designed such that the flow velocity through is low to ensure small fish do not get sucked onto the screens, while the sweep velocity downstream remains high to enable fish to continue to swim downstream and back to the river via the fish bypass channel.” The screen is also an essential part of the consent to take water, which is vital for the region’s economy as well as the ecosystem of the river. The consent specified key design aspects of the facility, including having it located as close as practical to the Rangitata River. The fish screen has been built in a new section of race excavated in an area of scrubland about 1600m downstream of the main RDR intake. The RDR, referred to as the

Very complex computer modelling was undertaken to ensure the water velocities were low through the screens but high enough along the channel to direct fish back to the river. Tony McCormick RDRML lifeblood of Mid Canterbury, is a 67-kilometre-long canal scheme that has been in operation since 1945, diverting water from the Rangitata River for multiple uses. It delivers water to three community irrigation schemes covering 100,000 hectares of highly productive farmland, two hydroelectric power stations and supplies stock water races. Over time technologies have continuously been improved and environmental aspects investigated with the fish screen, while no easy feat, one of the biggest projects set to meet environmental regulations well into the future.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Work to remove koi carp under way Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz NORTH Waikato iwi are establishing a commercial fishing venture on Lake Waikare in an attempt to halt the koi carp plague and improve the lake’s water quality. The lake, northeast of Huntly, has a well-documented history in recent years of environmental degradation because of koi carp infestation and nutrient loading from farms and treated wastewater from Te Kauwhata. The lake’s shallowness and high sediment levels make restoring the lake difficult, according to the Waikato Regional Council (WRC). In recent years, the lake’s water has turned an ugly shade of orange because of algal growth. The lake sits on the doorstep of Tawera Nikau’s farm and marae. Once, the lake had an abundance of native fish species and wildlife and turning around the lake’s water quality to allow those species to thrive will be intergenerational, he said. “The koi carp [eradication] is one of the things we can do as mana whenua to make sure we are doing something because nothing’s been done.” Nikau chairs Te Rui o Waikato (TROW) a collective of 15 Waikato Tainui marae that aim to deliver economic and social outcomes for its members. This collective is spearheading the venture to restore the lake with the support of the WRC and DOC. It will see the creation of a fishing fleet to catch and convert the carp into fertiliser, petfood, burley or fish bait, with the money generated from these products re-invested back to further expand the fish harvest. To help get it off the ground, it received around $250,000 in funding from the WRC and just under $500,000 from the Waikato River Authority. Its goal is to get koi carp back to a manageable level, Nikau said. “What we want to do is utilise that koi carp fish and re-invest that money back into purchasing more boats, more people out there trying to be upskilled.

GOALS: Reducing koi carp numbers down to a manageable level will not only improve Lake Waikare’s water quality, but provide employment and commercial opportunities for local iwi, Te Rui o Waikato chairman Tawera Nikau says.

We want all of our river and lake maraes to be able to train the young people up to be able to do the environmental work. Tawera Nikau Te Rui o Waikato “We want all of our river and lake maraes to be able to train the young people up to be able to do the environmental work.” TROW have also applied for further funding from the Government to increase the scale of the fishing operation, which in turn will provide greater employment opportunities, he said. This will enable them to employ another nine people and add three

more boats and vehicles to their fleet. He understood the funding had been allocated but had been delayed because of covid-19. These new employees could also be upskilled by getting them to qualify as boat skippers and improve their fishing skills. He estimates it could employ as many as 20 people. The venture was operating over the past 12 months but is now on hold until that funding is received to allow them to ramp it up. “On a daily basis, we were taking about 1.5 tonnes out of the lake – that’s with one boat,” he said. The boats are worked by three people, who cast out nets and then collect the nets the following day. Once caught, the carp are then processed either for fertiliser or fishbait. Once the fillets are removed for bait or burley, the remaining frames and guts are turned into a mince-like slurry that can be spread onto crops.

infestation, particularly around working through compliance issues around getting a commercial licence for farming a pest species. Now that it’s a reality, Nikau said they are focusing on getting it fully up and running and then eventually, expanding the operation to nearby lakes that are also infested with koi carp. “There’s some smaller lakes that we know we could fish out in a matter of months.” But for now, he says, the focus is fully on Lake Waikare. “As mana whenua we can instigate our kaitiakitanga on the lake. Let’s start with this lake and then go to all of the lakes and utilise the experience and knowledge to get down to manage the koi carp species.” He hopes that the efforts will be rewarded over the next 25 years. “This is a start and you have to start from somewhere. Hopefully in my grandkid’s time, they will be able to utilise the lake.”

Nikau trialled the fertiliser on his maize crop last year and said it was the best crop he has ever grown. Using the fertiliser resulted in a 30% reduction in his use of commercial fertiliser. He was also working with the ESR and the University of Waikato to study the impact the fertiliser has on nitrogen leaching levels. Areas around the lake’s boundary have also been planted up in natives to further reduce nutrients entering the lake. A separate study is also being undertaken in partnership with the council to better understand koi carp numbers in the lake. This will help better understand what a sustainable number of carp in the lake looks like, he said. Other farmers in the catchment also back the venture and are committed to doing their part in reducing the nutrient loading entering the lake. He says it’s been a long road for TROW to finally come up with a solution to the lake’s carp

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Zeroing in on conscious foodies Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

FINDINGS: B+LNZ research shows that Chinese consumers will pay a premium for naturally raised, grass-fed, hormone and antibioticfree beef and lamb.

While conscious foodies are aware of NZ, they know very little about our farming practices. Michael Wan B+LNZ families. “Our research shows these consumers will pay a premium for naturally raised, grass-fed, hormone and antibiotic-free beef and lamb. “It also shows that while

conscious foodies are aware of NZ, largely through beautiful scenery they’ve seen from films like Lord of the Rings, they know very little about our farming practices.” TPN is connecting these conscious foodies and their values with NZ’s unique way of producing the world’s finest grassfed beef and lamb. Wan said four themes evolved to better understand the Chinese conscious foodie. They love to express their love through cooking. From getting up early in the morning to prepare breakfast for their kids, to rushing home a little bit earlier to cook dinner – cooking is a way to express love. Digital platforms inspire

conscious foodies to uncover new recipes and restaurants to try, they love to watch online gourmet programmes to seek inspiring and helpful content about cooking with normal ingredients via these programmes. Beef, lamb and pork are the most common red meats that Chinese conscious foodies will purchase for their daily dietary needs. In comparison with pork, beef and lamb are valued more for providing greater energy in terms of high protein and lower fat, and of the two, beef is seen as the priority because of more knowledge about how to cook it. Conscious foodies only consume lamb in winter, which

is a practice from traditional Chinese medicine whereby the meat is recognised as a nourishing tonic in winter. Under the fourth theme, research shows Chinese conscious foodies have a desire for information on cooking, especially for Western meat dishes. Most conscious foodies are satisfied with the meat options that are available in the market now, but there are still some blank spaces to fill, he said. “They expect to acquire more knowledge towards imported meat in terms of guidance as they are eager to try new cooking styles and techniques but don’t have a clear idea on how to cook Western styles,” he said.

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BEEF + Lamb New Zealand’s Taste Pure Nature (TPN) origin brand is homing in on the Chinese conscious foodie. Global manager NZ red meat story Michael Wan said targeting the conscious foodie is about understanding what the consumer wants. Research alarmingly reveals that while China’s conscious foodies are aware of NZ, largely through its beautiful scenery, they know very little about NZ’s farming practices. The B+LNZ market development team worked with consumer insight consulting company, The Silk Initiative, to learn more about the Chinese conscious foodie profile and purchasing habits. This included carrying out a global segmentation of all consumers, zeroing in on the target of conscious foodie consumers when the TPN origin brand was set. Following on, the research took a deeper dive into the interest and purchasing habits of Chinese conscious foodies to better target this segment to ensure the TPN campaign is aligned. The Silk Initiative translated the research findings into both a research report and customer personas, capturing key elements of this target to ensure Taste Pure Nature developed localised messaging and advertising that would engage the conscious foodie. Wan says research results are clear; these consumers desire a premium quality food experience. “They are interested in the provenance of their food and how the animals were raised from an animal welfare and environmental perspective,” Wan said. “They see these as inputs into higher-quality, nutritious foods that’s better for them and their

AginED Ag ED

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

Volume 102 I April 25th, 2022 I email: agined@globalHQ.co.nz I www.farmersweekly.co.nz/agined Are you a parent or teacher and want to receive AginED every week directly to your email inbox? Send us an email to sign up at agined@globalhq.co.nz

ANZAC DAY

25th April

The date marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers – the Anzacs – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915 and commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations and acknowledges the contribution and suffering of all those who have served. Have you ever wondered how all the industries and jobs that men usually did, but were no longer around to do when heading off to war, were sustained? During World War II when the men left to serve their country women were enlisted for “essential work” including working in mills, clothing factories, becoming tram conductors, hospital personnel, herd testers and members of the armed forces”. Women took on many roles during that time and often excelled at them including “Land Girls”. Head to https://www.stuff.co.nz/ southland-times/news/103240807/ land-girls-new-zealands-world-war-iiunsung-heroes to read the article and watch the video of Margaret Sanders, Daphne Attfield, Margaret Reid and Saide Lietze who worked as Land Girls during World War II. Sadie Lietze worked on a high country station in Omarama in her time as a land girl and describes the hard work of rabbiting amongst other the varied other roles she carried out.

When you have watched the video and read the related article see if you can answer the following questions. 1

How did they catch and process the rabbits?

2 When the war ended what happened to the women’s land service? 3 Why were the women who were part of the New Zealand Women’s Land Service never formally acknowledged after the war? 4 Who is the author that brought the courage and determination of the Land Girls to life in a book? What is that book called? 5 How many women replaced the 28,000 men that left the rural sector during World War II? Where were a significant portion of these women from? 6 Margaret Reid spent five years in the Women’s Land Army in England during World War II. What work did she do during these years? 7 Margaret received recognition of her efforts after the war. What did she receive?

CONSCRIPTION vs VOLUNTARY SERVICE In July 1940, there was no longer an option to sign up for war and the introduction of conscription meant that every male between 19 and 45 years old was liable to sign up for service in the war. Farms still needed to be worked and food produced while the men were away fighting, and farming was never declared ‘essential work’ to allow farmers to stay home. With no one left to fill the gap, and extremely controversial at the time, the NZ Women’s Land Service was created.. While the idea of the Women’s Land Corps came about in 1939, opposition from many sources such as the Ministry of Agriculture, newspapers, churches and the farmers union meant it took until 1942 to be formed. There was much discussion over whether they should even be paid for their work!

Head to https://www.glenorchycommunity.nz/ glenorchy/gallery/photo-of-the-month/land-girls/ to read more about the life of a NZ Land Girl. 1

What kind of work did Reta, Betty and Betty do on the farms?

2 How many women were placed on farms during the span of the war? 3 The service was not officially recognised; Land Girls were not allowed to join the RSA and they had no official service number. What year did the NZ Government formally recognise the service of Land Girls? You may be surprised at how long this took!

WAR HORSES

It is estimated that approximately 16 million horses were used for various purposes during World War I. Of the 10,000 horses that left New Zealand for service it is thought only four returned which included Bess. Colonel Charles Guy Powels of the Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment and Bess fought together in Egypt, Sinai, Palestine and France and returned to NZ in 1922. Close to 100 years after her service, in 2020 Bess received a Blue Cross Medal, one of the highest honours an animal can receive for serving in military conflict.

Former Land Girls Head to Radio New Zealand to listen to stories from women recounting their experiences on the farms. https://www.rnz.co.nz/ national/programmes/ summernoelle/audio/2543289/ tales-from-the-back-countryland-girls 1 What hours of work were common for land girls? 2 What was Elsie’s least liked job on the farm? 3 Why did land girls have a uniform?

2 Bess returned with Powles and her grave and memorial can be found at Flock House. Do some research, in what year after WW1 was Flock House established?

4 Due to the unavailability of rubber what was the common footwear worn at the time (both by land girls and many others)? What were these made out of? Why and how was no 8 wire used with them?

3 Why was Flock House established and where is it?

5 How did they control ragwort?

Southland farmer David Johnston and his family created poppies out of hay bales in commemoration during the 2020 lockdown. How are you commemorating ANZAC day this year?

How did horses get overseas?

During WWI, more than 80% of NZ’s meat, dairy and other agricultural products went to the UK. This image shows a British First World War poster advertising New Zealand butter. During World War II in 1942 rationing began taking place as more food headed off shore to British and United States forces. •

In October 1943 each person was allowed 225 grams of butter per week and by March 1944 meat was rationed to just over 1kg of meat per week.

FILL YA BOOTS! In 1942 90% of the world’s rubber supply was in the hands of the opposition. This meant rubber supplies were reserved for priority use and a farmer had to prove they owned at least 12 cows to get a pair of gumboots!

Newsmaker

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Beef pleads its place in the changing marketplace Scottish agriculturalist Ruaraidh Petre runs the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef from his home in Nelson, unable in the past two years to be able to travel beyond New Zealand to conferences or meetings. After farming here as a young man, he was keen to return, Hugh Stringleman found out.

HE incredible diversity of beef cattle farming around the world gives it relevance, strength and endurance, Global Roundtable (GRSB) executive director Ruaraidh Petre says. “Beef farming takes place from the Arctic Circle to the arid centre of Australia or Botswana in southern Africa, where I was working when I first heard about the Roundtable.” GRSB has over 100 member companies and organisations, non-profits and individuals from 24 countries on five continents. Six groups of members, called constituencies, come from producer organisations, processors, retailers, allied services, civil societies and the roundtables of 12 beef-producing countries. The GRSB has an elected 19-member board of directors from all round the world, which includes a representative from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, and that board appoints an executive committee of six. Executive director Petre, who has been a decade in the top role, has a small staff based mainly in Colorado Springs. He works remotely from Nelson, where his wife holds a medical position, and he has worked in that way since 2008. “When my wife’s employment

opportunity came up I was very keen to return to NZ because I worked on farms here after graduation,” he said. The Roundtable sits on a commitment to profitable beef farming in ways that are sustainable by sharing best practices. Without profitable farmers there is no industry. It also holds that all aspects of the global beef value chain can be economically viable, socially responsible and environmentally sound. The New Zealand Roundtable, chaired by Richard Scholefield from Whangara Farms, joined as a GRSB member in 2019 and Beef & Lamb NZ preceded that. AgResearch is also a consulting member. GRSB has just published a Beef Carbon Footprint Guideline to support consistency in emissions reporting around the world. It followed the proclamation last year of an audacious goal to reduce the net global warming impact of beef by 30% by 2030, on a pathway to climate neutrality. That diversity of cattle farming around the world contains countries and industries that know their life cycle assessments and carbon footprints and those that don’t yet, Petre said. Hence the need for consistency

RESIDENT: Ruaraidh Petre has run the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef remotely from New Zealand during the pandemic.

and a guide for governments, researchers, policy makers, producer bodies and all interested parties. “Summarising these many studies is difficult because of differences in system boundaries, allocation methodology and emissions factors,” GRSB climate science committee chair Brenna Grant said. Perhaps real progress cannot be measured because of the noise or inconsistencies. “That poses a danger of confusion and contradiction, which in turn could create a false impression that the industry is failing to actively engage with the issue of climate change,” Grant said. Grant is the executive director of Canfax, the research arm of the Canadian cattle industry, highly experienced in carbon footprints and life cycle assessments. Her science advisory panel collates research work and informs the GRSB membership. The most-recent Beef Carbon Footprint Guideline took the UN Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) guidelines and applied

them more specifically to the beef industry. The international Dairy Industry Platform went through the same LEAP application process in forming its pathway to net zero. Referring to the audacious carbon reduction target, Petre said you can’t manage what you can’t measure, so hence the guidelines in common. “Each of our member countries has a different set of challenges and a way of responding. “We describe the situation in every country and come up with means of addressing that.” The beef industry has been repeatedly called out as a heavy source of greenhouse gas emissions and the need for data on that issue is obvious. After a decade of acting collaboratively and responsibly through the GRSB, is anything changing on the ground? Petre said industry organisations had evolved from defensive positions to proactive responses in focus issues like climate change, biodiversity and animal health and welfare. “In the early days we were met

with suspicion and scepticism from some, and now those same organisations are leading the way, saying they have data and ways of making improvements.” Opponents of the red meat industry argue that alternative, usually plant-based foods, are more sustainable for the planet but ignore the roles cattle have in converting un-cropable land into high quality nutrition. “Crops and cattle interact and strengthen each other – without one you can’t do a good job of the other.” A well-managed grazing system provides for insects, birds and a healthy ungulate population – wild herbivores. “There are huge numbers of species that can co-exist in a wellmanaged and sustainable beef system.” Petre and his team are gearing up to the first in-person GRSB conference in more than two years, to take place in Denver in November. It will incorporate a communications summit for the beef industry to hear the concerns of critics and consumers and address them respectfully and meaningfully.

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New thinking

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Satellites map sheep behaviour Work by scientists in New Zealand and abroad is calling on some established technology to lift the lid on sheep behaviour. Richard Rennie spoke to senior AgResearch scientist Patricia Johnson on the variety of work being undertaken.

CCELEROMETERS and GPS monitors are not entirely new technologies in the New Zealand farming

sector. Accelerometers have long been part of the tech helping dairy farmers determine cows’ behaviour changes when on heat, for example. But work by scientists across several research institutes, and the world, is discovering the value in the technology for better understanding the real time responses of sheep to shifts in conditions and health. AgResearch senior scientist Tricia Johnson is among those using the tech that brings some practical solutions to farming challenges.

We have found there are some real sloths in there that will not venture very far during the day, whilst others will go far and wide. Patricia Johnson AgResearch Accelerometers measure the rate of change in an object’s movement and are found in multiple applications, from navigation equipment to cell phones and fitness devices. GPS tech typically links the device to a satellite station to determine location. But at a research level, Johnson and her colleagues are starting to get in-depth insights to how sheep behave in the field, reducing the reliance upon less than realistic

lab-based trials that inevitably remove the environmental effects of real time activity. “Attaching an accelerometer under the jaw for example enables us to monitor feed intake, right down to rumination patterns, recording the ‘chew-chewburp-pause-chew’ type pattern. Detecting those subtleties can help better understand emissions, and in turn the feed efficiency of animals.” The lab type comparison requires putting animals in a pen and feeding them lucerne-based pellets, quite different from a field environment. Being able to constantly monitor animal movement is also useful in better understanding their response to illness or ill thrift. “Looking at them, you get a split second to determine how they are doing. But this tech means their movement can be tracked. It could be that a sick animal may have been standing in one place for several hours, feeling unwell.” Scientists from NZ, Australia and the United States have recently studied the impact of ryegrass staggers on sheep. The on-animal sensors have detected changes in animal behaviour, exhibited through extraordinary movement, or lack of it. Machine learning analysis of accelerometer data showed the activity of sheep suffering staggers was increased in the morning and midday towards the end of the trial. Previous economic monitoring has suggested the value to the industry of being alerted to early signs of staggers and being able to manage it could be worth over $100 a hectare in additional income,and also eases the welfare impact of the condition. Johnson’s team has also found analysing data that sheep exhibit

SPEEDY: A trial sheep fitted with an accelerometer, in this case for measuring chewing activity.

quite varied differences in how far they will pursue feed. “We have found there are some real sloths in there that will not venture very far during the day, while others will go far and wide.” The study ties in in with her work examining the genetic traits modern sheep require and the team have determined distance travelled is a repeatable trait that has a moderate level of genetic control. The researchers have also used the GPS tech to better understand ewe behaviour around lambing time,and have highlighted unique patterns of behaviour in terms

of where ewes lambed and post lambing movement. “Two days after we deployed the GPS there was a massive storm and we found quite different behaviours exhibited. Some chose to just lamb out in the middle of it, while others did choose the tree line for shelter.” With more data and a larger sample, she believes scientists could get a better fix on how maternal behaviour, lamb survivability and lamb weights may all be linked. Johnson says the compacting of GPS-accelerometer tech,and a lowering of its cost,would do much to take it beyond the realm

of researchers and onto farms. “In the past sheep farming has probably been the poor cousin to dairying which has a very clear cost-benefit equation in using this tech. Also, we would require greater numbers per farm.” But she can also see the potential to have a sample of a flock armed with the tech, offering a sentinel like alert to the presence of risks like staggers, facial eczema, or parasite loadings. “But of course, we are also learning that not every animal responds to these challenges the same and ideally one on every sheep would deliver a better flock health profile for the farmer.”

Promoting career opportunities in NZ’s primary industries Zanda McDonald award finalist Olivia Weatherburn is on a mission to improve the understanding of New Zealand’s primary sector. Watch the video now at youtube.com/OnFarmStory This episode was made possible with support from Rabobank On Farm Story

On Farm Story

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

EDITORIAL

Build trust to build a nation

OST of us would have seen the TV show Neighbours at War and probably decided that battling someone with a different view on things isn’t very productive. The problem usually starts when something’s done without warning and the tension usually builds from there. So it is with the task of improving a catchment. The community that holds a stake in these geographic areas is much bigger than just the farmers who tend the rural reaches. There are villages, people involved in industry, those working on conservation and all the other parts of our diverse communities. So when setting out to start work on making changes, it’s best to make sure those stakeholders are included, understanding of the mission, and heard. It will take more than just farmers to get some of our waterways back to how New Zealanders want them. And it’s not just the sustainability work that needs a group effort. Keeping our farming businesses free from biosecurity risks is also something that requires buy-in. But people don’t worry about things they don’t know about. So it’s our job to make sure everyone knows our farming story and understands the need to keep out the nasty things that could lay waste to the sectors that bring jobs, money and community to in New Zealand. The last decade or so has seen a lot of division within the seemingly different parts of society. But that hasn’t helped us address the issues that threaten our way of life. Just as having the infrastructure in place to thrive is important to everyone, so is having the wealth building capabilities that farming and other export industries possess. It’s in everyone’s interests to work on protecting that. So it’s sensible to give everyone a part to play in that work. Compromise will be crucial, disagreements will be frequent, but with the right attitude and a common goal, milestones will be closer than you might think.

Bryan Gibson

LETTERS

People and planet must face up to bullies I WAS moved to tears by the recent Pulpit piece from Andrew Luddington acknowledging his early bullying and the tragic loss of his beautiful daughter to bullying when she took her life in the neighbour’s garden. It makes me wonder, with our sense of self-worth, capacity for exercising power and our general emphasis on profit over kindness, whether we humans are bullies on the Earth block. And, if we are, how do we recognise and change our behaviour? Is our warming climate our slap in the face? Jo Leyland Nelson

Let’s think long-term ALAN Emerson’s opinion piece on global tensions in last week’s Farmers Weekly was a breath of fresh air and an important reminder of what is at stake for New Zealand. As we have inevitably seen here, the general commentary and reaction to the conflict in Ukraine has been no different to all wars in history. There has been no shortage of politicians and those in the media who have jumped on the bandwagon to support political leaders’ desire to be seen as supporting democracy or fighting dictators. Those that provide an alternative point of view and take time to think of the longterm consequences of New

Zealand’s position are quickly sidelined or criticised. Alan is amongst a very small group of New Zealand journalists that have had the courage to speak up and provide an alternative view, one that we desperately need at the moment. In my opinion New Zealand has obviously been pressured (along with other countries) to go along with the United States and its determination to teach Russia a lesson rather than seek any meaningful peaceful solutions. It is disappointing, but not surprising, to see virtually no political opposition to New Zealand’s decision to so quickly join in this war without considering any long term implications. A war that so many seem

to have been swept up in and a war that so many have suddenly become geopolitical experts in. The first casualty of war is truth they say, Farmers Weekly and Alan Emerson have shown us that is not always the case, for that I thank you. Matthew Saywell Geraldine

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Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Biosecurity is as important as ever Stuart Anderson

ITH covid-19 dominating headlines over the past two years, it’s easy to forget that biosecurity is more than preventing the spread of human pandemics. Biosecurity is also about stopping pests, along with animal and plant diseases, that could affect our natural environment or irreparably harm the primary sectors that provide much of our nation’s wealth. With borders gradually reopening, the risk of unwanted organisms arriving in New Zealand will increase. The changing climate is another factor. As the world heats up, more pests are likely to find New Zealand attractive as a home. At the same time, new trade and travel patterns and an explosion in online purchases are making it harder to keep out biological invaders. Against this backdrop, Biosecurity New Zealand’s role in leading and coordinating the many parts that make up our biosecurity system is as important as ever. Thankfully, New Zealand’s biosecurity system is already in good shape. In fact, it is widely regarded as one of the world’s best. The recent eradication of the pea weevil, Queensland fruit fly, southern saltmarsh mosquito and promising progress on eliminating Mycoplasma bovis are examples of how the biosecurity system is working well to reduce harm to New Zealand. For many Kiwis, biosecurity is limited to what happens when you touch down at the airport. What makes our biosecurity

The

Pulpit

As the world heats up, more pests are likely to find New Zealand attractive as a home. Stuart Anderson Biosecurity New Zealand system so strong is that it’s much more than that and involves many layers of protection. For starters, yes, my team are at the border – at airports, and ports across the country doing a great job of intercepting things we don’t want here. We also work internationally to establish strict biosecurity requirements before goods and craft arrive at the border. Then there are the activities

SHARED INTERESTS: Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson says many of the biosecurity risks they’re watching out for are also a concern for our trading partners and overseas neighbours.

within New Zealand to detect and eradicate pests, or reduce their harm. We are conducting 13 targeted surveillance programmes focused on specific pests, diseases and other biosecurity risks. It’s this action on-the-ground that enabled the detection of a fall

LEADERS: Stuart Anderson says people like Peter Wilkins, winner of the 2021 Minister’s Biosecurity Award, exemplify what makes New Zealand’s biosecurity system strong and resilient.

armyworm egg mass in Tauranga last month. After early detections like this, our readiness and response team steps in. Our people also lead longterm eradication or control programmes. This includes collaborating with councils, other organisations, our Te Tiriti partners and stakeholders to manage the burgeoning wallaby population, wilding pines, and many other unwanted pests that have gained a foothold in New Zealand. Many of the biosecurity risks we’re watching out for are also a concern for our trading partners and overseas neighbours. Our emerging risks team ensures we are up to date with the latest science and international best practice for dealing with biosecurity threats that may come our way. New Zealand has never been so globally connected as we are today. While these connections are essential to our success, we equally need domestic partnerships with industry, our Te Tiriti partners, and other agencies. Through our Government Industry Agreement programme, we partner with industry organisations to respond jointly to developing threats.. Likewise, our National Wilding Conifer Control Programme couldn’t work without our partners at the Department of Conservation, Land Information New Zealand, Environment

Canterbury, Waikato Regional Council, and many others. Our approach to biosecurity must continue to evolve in collaboration with our partners. Of course, the final and perhaps most important part of our team is you. We need you to watch out for possible exotic pests or signs of unwanted plant and animal diseases. Report any findings to our hotline on 0800 80 99 66 or use the online reporting tool. Our team will take it from there. It is reassuring to see such strong passion for protecting Aotearoa from both our own people and those who contribute from outside of Biosecurity New Zealand. The recent Biosecurity Award winners are examples of this commitment. As Biosecurity New Zealand looks towards the future, it’s our partnerships and people that give me confidence. We know what’s at stake, and we know we’re not alone in protecting Aotearoa.

Who am I? Stuart Anderson is deputy directorgeneral Biosecurity New Zealand

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

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Let’s mitigate, not obliterate Alternative View

Alan Emerson

LAST week we heard, yet again, that Climate Change Minister James Shaw wanted to reduce cow numbers in NZ. That’s despite the majority of Kiwis disagreeing with him. Shaw’s comments came as a result of several reports suggesting that New Zealand wasn’t doing enough to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane. We were then quoted the magical statistic that our methane emissions had increased by 3.5% percent since 1990. NZ’s overall emissions had increased 21% over that time. Methane levels haven’t increased in 16 years. Cruising the internet suggests that many in NZ believe agriculture, dairying in particular, is the root cause of climate change and, as Shaw suggested, we needed to reduce cow numbers. Let me tell another side of the story. If we go back to 1990, we had but 2.4 million cows producing $NZ 2 billion in export receipts. Our most recent figure is that

we now have 4.9 million cows producing almost $20 billion in exports. What that means is that by just doubling herd numbers we’ve produced 10 times the amount of money NZ earns from dairy exports. That, in my opinion, is a massive feat. No other sector of the economy can even get close to that. In the past tourism has been important but it will be years, if not decades, before that sector will be a serious player in our economy. That’s if we don’t get another pandemic along the way. In addition, as 95% of our dairy production is exported, we’re doing our bit to feed the world. Another statistic to throw into the ring is that between 1990 and 2020 our dairy sector earned $231 billion for the country. We’d be well and truly stuffed without it. I’ll admit that the sector does have its threats and plant-based milk is one of them, which I have an issue with. According to my dictionary milk comes from a ruminant not a plant so the labelling of plantbased milk is factually incorrect. I was sent a document from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),about biogenic methane and possible reduction strategies. It started by telling me that food production would have to increase

70% by 2050 if we’re going to feed a starving world. That’s fine but we can’t do that without ruminants and they burp. The UNEP’s report got off to a bad start by telling me that while CO2 emissions reduced during the pandemic those from methane didn’t. You didn’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. Sick people don’t drive and the international tourism industry struggled to a virtual halt. Cows kept burping and, thankfully, supplying milk. UNEP then claims that farmers can cut methane emissions by providing animals with more nutritious feed so they are larger, healthier and more productive, effectively producing more with less. Unsurprisingly, NZ farmers are doing that now. Going forward I was pleased to read that our delegates on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were successful in reducing all references in its summary to plant-based diets. James Shaw has sent them a please explain. My humble view is that they should be given medals. I also remain unconvinced that plant-based is going to save the world. As I’ve mentioned in the past, growing oats in Southland then transporting them to Scandinavia to be processed before sending the oat milk back to New Zealand

NOT HERE? If GM grass can reduce methane production in cows we need that grass in New Zealand now, Alan Emerson says.

can’t be good for the environment and it won’t save the planet. Another issue, certainly with some plant-based meat, is that making the product requires genetic modification. Why then can’t farmers be afforded the same courtesy. My simple position is that instead of wringing our hands over methane production we should be looking at ways to mitigate it. The Shaw alternative of reducing cow numbers will well and truly harm our economy and people don’t want that. There’s GM, as I’ve mentioned that Feds President Andrew Hoggard is pushing, and rightfully so. If GM grass can reduce methane production in cows we need that grass in New Zealand now. That’s if we’re serious about saving the planet. In addition the EU has approved the methane reduction product Bovaer, which claims to reduce methane emissions

from cows by 30%. We need that available now. There are many other methane mitigation options being trialed including seaweed. That’s where we need to be. We could reduce methane production now if the government had the will to do it. The suggestion we reduce cow numbers is crazy and totally contrary to the Paris Accord as we would then reduce food production. Is that what Shaw wants? It is a vitally important issue for NZ. Give farmers the tools to reduce methane emissions and that reduces our GHG profile. What is as important is that with a lower GHG profile we will have less need to plant good farmland in carbon off-setting trees.

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

How much money is too much? From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

JUST when you thought there were enough things to trouble you and worry about, an old foe has reemerged from the woodwork. Inflation is back and back quickly. For younger folk, it will be their first time becoming acquainted with this thief in the night. Indeed, even my age group must think hard back to the times when it was a constant and dangerous presence, given it has been absent for so long. New Zealand’s annual inflation rate has tracked between 0-5% since the early 1990s and for the last decade only broke above 2% briefly a couple of times. That’s because world inflation was around these levels and because the government in the late 1980s gave the Reserve Bank

the tools to be able to keep it at these low rates. But those of us longer in the tooth can remember that from the mid 1970s until the early 1990s it spent most of its time in double digits and often between 15-20%. That was when at the start of my farming career the interest rates on my debt were 20% What is inflation then, I hear you millennials ask? Good question. The Reserve Bank tells us that inflation is the term used to describe a rise of average prices through the economy. It means that money is losing its value. The underlying cause is usually that too much money is available to purchase too few goods and services, or that demand in the economy is outpacing supply. In general, this situation occurs when an economy is so buoyant that there are widespread shortages of labour and materials. Sound familiar? People can charge higher prices for the same goods or services. Inflation can also be caused by a rise in the prices of imported commodities, such as oil.

However, this sort of inflation is usually transient,and less crucial than the structural inflation caused by an over-supply of money. Governments all around the world, including our own, have been printing money like crazy or as they prefer to put it, undertaking quantitative easing. They’ve had to do this because their main tool of being able to lower the price of money became ineffective when interest rates got close to 0% so the only other instrument they had to keep economies chugging along was to increase the amount of money available. That has worked admirably during these troubled times. However, we are now awash with the stuff and it’s looking for somewhere to be spent and hence demand has gone through the roof. It looks like our next annual inflation figure is going to be around 7% which will be the highest in 30 years. That rate is similar to the many countries we like to benchmark ourselves against. But spare a thought for Venezuela running at 1200%

making Sudan’s 340%, Lebanon’s 201% and Syria’s 139% not look so bad. Now central banks have two new tools in the toolbox. Stop printing money and raising interest rates to try and hose down the economy.

It looks like our next annual inflation figure is going to be around 7% which will be the highest in thirty years.

We are already seeing the effects of this rapid rise in inflationary pressures. Farm inputs such as fertiliser, fuel and labour will bite into profits despite the decent prices we are seeing for the food we produce. Consumers of the food we serve up are seeing a rapid rise in their grocery bills along with most other daily costs. Spare a thought for the poor who are hit harder by inflation

given they spend a much higher proportion of their income on food, and it will only increase the growing problem we already have with inequality. Russia’s war on Ukraine is not helping this inflationary problem as it is driving up both energy and food prices. Central banks will continue to raise interest rates as they now attempt to stifle demand for goods and services. These increased interest rates in turn will put pressure on business and household budgets and the first signs of a fall in asset values are starting to be seen. No one knows if this will be a short-term problem or be with us for several years. A sudden drop in inflation would also be a bad thing as well as that would be caused by a recession which we certainly do not want. However, we have been in this territory before and got through it as we will this time.

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

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Pine forests part of the solution The Braided Trail

Keith Woodford

RIGHT now, there is a fervent debate under way as to where pine trees fit within our future landscape. On one side stand Forestry Minister Stuart Nash and Climate Change Minister James Shaw. They are proposing that existing legislation should be reversed so that pine trees would only be for production forestry and not socalled permanent forests. Nash has recently come to a position that only native forests should be permanent and he is supported by many who hold strong environmental values. Dame Anne Salmond is one of the leaders in that camp. In contrast, Shaw is concerned that if permanent pine forests are allowed, then too much carbon will be stored in this way and urban people will no longer be forced to modify their carbon emitting behaviours. There are some huge ironies there.

My forester and ecologist friends tell me that outside of natural regeneration, we would be lucky in the past 100 years to have established 5000 hectares of native forest across all of New Zealand.

On the other side stand iwi groups who own large areas of steep erodible land, often far from ports, for which permanent pine forests linked to carbon farming are by far the best income earning opportunities. These forests are also an excellent solution to the erosion problems. Alongside these iwi groups, but perhaps not generally as well organised, are many pakeha sheep and beef farmers who also own areas of steep erodible land. If either economics or minimising soil erosion is the goal, then permanent nonharvested pine forests on this class of land are the obvious answer. Somewhat ironically, their industry organisation Beef+Lamb New Zealand does not seem to support them. This overview might seem to describe a complex situation. Dig a little deeper and everything gets even more complex and confusing. Who is right and who is wrong? As always in this world that we now live in, there is both

information and misinformation. And some of the fervent believers do not understand when they are on shaky ground. Both native and exotic forestry lie right at the limit of my former professional knowledge, which focuses primarily on agrifood systems. So, learning about forest ecology has been a journey of discovery. But having an education in agricultural science has meant that I do have some prior knowledge about the disciplines of soils, botany, chemistry and physics that underpin forestry. Having studied economics through to post-graduate level also helps. As for broader ecology, that too lies at the limits of my knowledge, although I did study some ecology a very long time ago. I also had opportunities a long time ago to learn some more ecology in the field as a board member for several years of Westland National Park. I have also been lucky to spend multiple years wandering and working in mountain areas across the world, observing nature in its many forms. All of this has been helpful in trying to put together the forestry jigsaw. Here I want to focus on some fundamentals of introduced versus native forests,and perhaps dispel some myths as I do so. The starting point lies many millions of years ago when New Zealand broke away from Gondwanaland to go its own way. For a long time, it went close to sinking into the ocean, but did manage to keep afloat as a subtropical outpost with vegetation that aligned to that environment. Then more recently New Zealand became a land uplifted high by tectonic forces, with the vegetation evolving with that change. But plants evolve only slowly. Hence, we have no native pines nor do we have eucalypts. Rather, our dominant forest natives are podocarps and various species of beech (Nothofagus sp.). Accordingly, in contrast to the Northern Hemisphere, our range of forest species is constrained in terms of resilience to diverse conditions. In the northern hemisphere, tree species have been able to march north and south across the land as the climate changed over millions of years. In contrast, New Zealand’s biota is restricted to what could first survive on a low-lying island outpost and then survive and evolve on a land uplifted high. Outside of New Zealand, forests evolved in environments where there were many mammalian pests. In contrast, New Zealand’s native forests have been exposed to mammal pests only within the last 1000 years, and primarily within the last 200 years. To cut to the chase, New Zealand’s native forest trees are not well suited to colonising

LOST: Steeply eroding lands in the Wairoa district, April 2022.

steep eroded lands that lost their original forest cover between 100 and 1000 years ago and are now covered in rundown pasture and sometimes scrub, and which provide a home for introduced rodents and possums. Newly planted native forests need lots of tender loving care if they are to survive, combined with deep pockets of money to make it happen. Even then, they establish and grow very slowly, with lots of failures. My forester and ecologist friends tell me that outside of natural regeneration, we would be lucky in the past 100 years to have established 5000 hectares of native forest across all of New Zealand. Where natural regeneration has occurred, it has been a slow process, defined by surviving seed banks, and often going through scrub phases before genuine forest species take over. Fortunately, there are indeed many hundred thousand hectares of regenerating native forests, in contrast to the paucity of planted hectares. These are largely longabandoned back-country farmlands with legacy native seeds, where nature has been left to do its own thing for much of the last 100 years. But if the criterion is carbon sequestration, or even protection of steep eroding land, then none of those regenerating hectares have been getting there quickly. Even where seed banks are available, sequestration would be less than one quarter of what occurs in introduced forests. And none of those regenerating hectares are anywhere near back to ‘old man’ forest. Currently, in New Zealand we have approximately one million hectares, or perhaps a little more, of pastoral land that is seriously eroding. That makes up about 10% of

the total pastoral land in New Zealand. Putting a focus specifically on North Island sheep and beef land, then it might get closer to 20%. Quite simply, if we want to protect that land and do it without sending the country broke, then pine forests of one type or another are the only way to do it. If we planted out one million hectares of steep eroding land that has low farming value, then it would sequester well over 20 million tonnes of carbon per annum for the next 80 years and would still be growing strong at that time. At current costs, it would cost about $3 billion to plant, but it would then return, once again at current prices, a carbon value of more than $1.5 billion per year. Note also that the price of carbon is expected to rise, with the Climate Change Commission suggesting a price of about $140 is needed by 2030, and then heading on from there to $250 per tonne. So, why would we not do it? The answer coming back from the ‘anti-lobby’ is that pine forests are ‘bad’. But are they really so bad if properly managed? One of the myths is that pines are short-lived species. Well, we have only had them in New Zealand for about 160 years but trees planted at that time are still going strong. The natural life of radiata pines is about 300 years and for redwood it is even longer. Another issue is fire risk. Yes, that is correct, but noncontiguous plantings are one solution and there are other management strategies. Actually, native forests also burn. That is how Māori first started the process of deforesting so much of New Zealand, continued by European settlers. What about windfall?

Yes, that too can be an issue. The correct planting rate is a key part of the solution, and some places like the shallow-soil Canterbury plains are not the right place. However, some windfall is a natural process and part of the way that forests regenerate. There are indeed some horrendous examples of what can happen when storms descend on pine-forest land that has recently been clear-felled, but that is not what happens in permanent forests. What about wildings? Yes, in some areas that too can be an issue. However, radiata often gets the blame when the real culprits are the lodgepole Pinus contorta and Douglas fir. I often say in relation to complex environmental issues, that if people think there are simple solutions, then that is because they don’t understand the problem. However, one thing that is clear to me is that among my network of experienced foresters, who do understand both native and introduced species, there is universal acknowledgement that permanent non-harvested pine forests are indeed a key part of the solution. This is very different than what the key Government Ministers are currently saying. That raises questions as to who they are listening to for their advice.

Your View Keith Woodford was Professor of Farm Management and Agribusiness at Lincoln University for 15 years through to 2015. He is now Principal Consultant at AgriFood Systems Ltd. He can be contacted at kbwoodford@ gmail.com Previous articles can be found at https://keithwoodford. wordpress.com

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Governments don’t have all the answers Meaty Matters

Allan Barber

IT IS increasingly obvious governments around the world are struggling to solve the problems and issues of particular concern to the people that elect or depend on them: climate change, inflation, cost of living, health, education, crime and food supply, to list a few. Governments exist to make decisions and that involves the people having to accept the effect of these decisions, whether they like it or not. New Zealand and other democracies hold elections every three or four years, which provides the opportunity for a change of government if the electorate doesn’t like the incumbent’s policies. Inevitably governments lose elections, rather than oppositions winning them and the usual reason for losing an election is the state of the economy, how well off people feel, which is often a consequence of external factors the government can do little about. It is the opposition’s job to tell the voters how much better they can manage the economy, but realistically it is naïve to expect much improvement in the short term. New Zealand has just emerged from two years of lockdowns and restrictions caused by the pandemic which, with the best of intentions, have damaged many parts of the economy possibly permanently, as well as affecting

the lives of large sections of the population. We have escaped relatively lightly – imagine the impact of the strict lockdowns imposed by the Chinese government on whole cities or the horrendous impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Although the press has always held governments to account, media fragmentation and the growth of social media has exponentially expanded the level of noise to which governments are exposed. Every interest and lobby group now has the technological means to attack every decision they don’t approve of, while giving the impression they represent a much larger proportion of the population than they actually do. At the same time, MMP has enabled a much wider range of views to find expression in Parliament. A feature of modern politics is the number of supposedly independent experts and panels eager to offer advice on how to address all the problems confronting the world or the country. During the covid-19 pandemic the New Zealand government received advice from multiple epidemiologists who, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, effectively dictated the government’s response for two years. A growing percentage of the voting public now appears to be tired of the restrictions imposed as a result of the experts’ advice. Food production is another area bedevilled by experts, often with conflicting opinions, because agriculture is both a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and the world’s food requirements. The 2015 Paris accord specifically noted the need to maintain food supply at

sufficient levels to feed the global population, while at the same time reducing GHGs from dietary changes, food waste, methane emissions and fertiliser use, predominantly in first world countries. Locally some experts would have us believe this can be achieved by changing entirely to a plant-based diet, although the New Zealand topography means there is not enough suitable land to produce what would be needed. At the same time this would destroy the economy’s largest output, reducing the country to beggar status, while the rest of the developed world continues to generate emissions. The present government has reached a logical agreement with the agricultural sector which will allow it to move at a realistic pace towards measurement and reduction of GHG emissions without forcing the majority of farmers out of business. It may not be fast enough for Greenpeace and other climate change activist groups, but it is worth remembering politics is the art of the possible.

The present government has reached a logical agreement with the agricultural sector which will allow it to move at a realistic pace towards measurement and reduction of GHG emissions without forcing the majority of farmers out of business.

ASTUTE: Allan Barber says the New Zealand government is wise to take a cautious approach when setting emissions reduction targets for agriculture, because aiming for more ambitious GHG goals may send the country bankrupt, while contributing to a rise in world food prices.

The government has many obligations, not just to the electorate, but also to international partners, which means it must constantly tread a narrow line between unpalatable and sometimes irreconcilable options. But its most important duty is to ensure the country earns enough from taxes, investments and overseas income to cover all the costs of a functioning economy without incurring unsustainable debt levels. Meeting international obligations can only happen if the economy is performing, which means no government can afford to kill the goose laying the golden egg. An interesting development in the EU has seen the largest political party in the European Parliament, the European People’s Party, urge the European Commission to drop its muchvaunted Farm to Fork strategy, an essential plank of the EU’s Green Deal which aims to make Europe carbon neutral by 2050. The Farmer’s Daughter USA blogs “this plan calls for reducing pesticide use by farmers by as

Keep an eye out The latest issue of Dairy Farmer will hit letterboxes on May 2. Our OnFarmStory this month features the Central Hawke’s Bay couple who have learned from past experience to implement a system that works well for them and their team. We also catch up with a Taranaki farming family whose Aryshire herd has set a new breed record and the Southland farmer who re-evaluated her life after being diagnosed with cancer.

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

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much as 50%, and reducing fertiliser use by 20%. It also calls for farmers to take 10% of existing farmland out of production. And, last but not least, Farm to Fork’s goal is to transition 25% of Europe’s farmland into organic production.” The USDA’s Economic Research Service has analysed the impact of Farm to Fork, concluding European production would fall by up to 12%, if only the EU adopted the plan world food prices would rise by 9% and if adopted globally the increase would be a staggering 89%. Clearly the New Zealand government is wise to take a cautious approach when setting emissions reduction targets for agriculture, because aiming for more ambitious GHG goals may send the country bankrupt, while contributing to a rise in world food prices.

World

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

India trade deal worries UK farmers

The NFU would like to see much greater transparency in the foodservice and hospitality sectors to ensure consumers knew the provenance of the meat they were eating. Gail Soutar National Farmers Union

This drop is lower than the £94m hit expected from the Australia deal, but the NFU has warned of the cumulative impact on the industry of multiple agreements being signed in quick succession. In January this year, the UK launched trade negotiations with India, which is the world’s biggest

milk producer, the second biggest vegetable, fruit and egg producer and the third biggest beef exporter on the globe. The PM’s visit to New Delhi to meet his counterpart, Narendra Modi, included talks on boosting trade between the two countries and working more closely together on food security – two issues raised by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss during her time there last month. But on the Guardian’s Over the Farm Gate podcast, Gail Soutar, the NFU’s chief international trade adviser, and Vicki Hird, head of sustainable farming at Sustain, warned against offering unfettered access to the UK market for Indian poultry or egg products due to standards fears. Soutar was concerned about India having access to the UK’s egg market. “Eggs are still produced in India using conventional cages which were banned here in 2012, so we are concerned the overall effect potentially could be negative.” Hird also sounded the alarm about pesticides, with India one of the world’s highest pesticide users after China. Indian carrots are allowed 500 times more of the fungicide Captan than those produced in the UK and its grapes can contain 200 times more of the insecticide Malathion than that permitted domestically.

WORRIED: NFU chief international trade adviser Gail Soutar is concerned about India having access to the UK’s egg market, saying eggs there are still produced using conventional cages, which were banned in the UK in 2012.

Hird said there needed to be a strong negotiation position on pesticides. Imports of frozen beef from India are also expected to increase as a result of any trade deal, though little competition for chilled beef is anticipated. Soutar said the NFU would like to see much greater transparency in the foodservice and hospitality sectors to ensure consumers knew the provenance of the meat they were eating. Specific discussions on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will take place in the talks, a move which was praised by Hird as India

has the highest levels of AMR in animals in the world. But UK farmers are likely to benefit from reduced tariff rates on dairy products and sheepmeat, with complex Indian sanitary and phytosanitary requirements also expected to be simplified for British exports as part of any deal. A Department for International Trade spokesperson said “India is projected to become the world’s third largest economy by 2050, and a free trade deal will

New farm fund gets a mixed response RURAL communities in England are set to benefit from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), following industry pressure. The UKSPF, which was designed to replace the loss of European Union structural funds after Brexit, will aim to provide additional funds to Defra specifically for rural communities and will also encourage local partnership groups to have rural representation. These groups will include people and businesses with local expertise and will advise on where and how funding should be invested. But the devolved nations have warned the funding is not enough to make up the loss of EU cash. NFU president Minette Batters said “it is fantastic to see this focus on rural communities which will help to level up rural Britain”. “Farming businesses are often the bedrock of rural communities, so having rural representatives advising on local investment will be hugely beneficial to everyone living in rural areas. “The ambition shown by the UKSPF is promising. We now need to see more detail on the suggestion of funding being made available to Defra and

This demonstrates exactly why levelling up means losing out, as Scotland will receive considerably less funding than before Brexit. Ivan McKee Scottish Government Business Minister

GOOD STUFF: NFU president Minette Batters says it is fantastic to see this focus on rural communities which will help to level up rural Britain.

ensure this investment can support rural Britain to deliver its full potential.” Farmers’ Union of Wales president Glyn Roberts told Farmers Guardian if there was some form of focus on rural actions in England, this would need to be reflected in Wales. He also pointed out the UK Government’s replacement for

EU structural funding would fall short of the previous Welsh budget by around £750 million over the period from 2021-22 to 2023-24. “Alongside the restoration of funding to previous levels, we need to get local and national governments working together, regardless of political differences, to administer

the EU replacement funds in efficient and effective ways to support our rural communities,” he said. Scottish Government Business Minister Ivan McKee was scathing in his response to the UKSPF, saying the £32m allocated to Scotland for 202223 was £151m less than would have been received through EU structural funds. He said “Scottish Ministers have not been involved in allocating the fund and the devolution settlement is being undermined”. “This demonstrates exactly why levelling up means losing out, as Scotland will receive considerably less funding than before Brexit.”

open huge opportunities for UK businesses to trade with India’s £2.25 trillion economy”. “Maintaining our high agricultural and food standards is a red line in all our trade negotiations. An FTA with India will not compromise our high standards and will not create any new permissions for imports from India.” UK Farmers Guardian

Agrievents

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FARM groups are pushing for strong safeguards in any future trade deal with India to ensure production standards are protected, as the Prime Minister visited the country last week. The Government’s own impact assessment has projected there will be a fall of around £10 million in domestic agricultural output if an agreement is reached.

Whakamaru 399 Kaahu Road Tender

Dairy, grazing or forestry? This 211 ha dairy farm provides loads of character. Milk off it, convert to grazing or carbon farm some of it? You choose! A good solid 60 bail rotary sits centre of the farm, cup removers and in shed feed system, feed pad off the end of the yard with two 200 tonne bunkers next to this. The new effluent system is complete with a solids separator installed; the pond is oversize for the current cow numbers. Calf milk is piped to the rearing sheds, a converted cowshed where there is a half round barn and further shedding. Water has been consented for 800 cows and a good system has been installed to ensure supply to cows in those summer months with many troughs being upgraded. Other improvements include two homes, one with four bedrooms and the other three bedrooms. Contour is rolling to steep in some places. The farm is currently being subdivided leaving behind a smaller more manageable farm.

Tender closes 3.00pm, Fri 20th May, 2022, Property Brokers Taupo, 81 Spa Road, 3330 View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/TPR14147

Kelly Fraser M 027 305 3900

E kelly.fraser@pb.co.nz

Greg Kellick M 027 619 3051

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Gisborne,Te Karaka 406 Whatatutu Road Auction

Land, sheds, cottage, it's all here • 14.83 ha (36.65 acres) • Gisborne - 39 km • Quality arable land • 14 ha effective approximately • Three bedroom cottage • Large shed • Potential B class water This outstanding piece of growing medium offers so much, from a savvy investment to transforming it into your own horticultural development. It would also turn its hand as a great asset to any traditional hill country operation as a finishing unit. Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | pb.co.nz

Auction 12.00pm, Thu 2nd Jun, 2022, (unless sold prior), 66 Reads Quay, Gisborne View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/GIR13795

Tom Lane M 021 058 7018

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

Ohura 9 Prentice Road Open Day

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

Tender closes 4.00pm, Thu 19th May, 2022, 27 Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui View Thu 28 Apr 11.00 - 3.00pm Thu 5 May 11.00 - 3.00pm Web pb.co.nz/TUR101097

Katie Walker M 027 757 7477

E katiew@pb.co.nz

Glenpark 618 Palmerston-Dunback Road New Listing

Together Stronger

Our combined strengths complement each other, creating more opportunity for our customers and Farmlands shareholders across provincial New Zealand. • A nationwide network from Northland to Southland • Sound, trustworthy advice from market-leading experts • Shareholder benefits and preferential commission rates means more money in your pocket Bigger networks, more buyers, better results For more information call 0800 367 5263 or visit pb.co.nz/together PB053815

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

A country retreat to excite and inspire This is a rare opportunity to own an exceptional property with so many options and possibilities. The land comprises 1.3 ha of sweeping lawns, river frontage, beautiful trees and a park-like setting. Flaxes Retreat has a function venue with a large indoor/outdoor entertaining area with a kitchen facility. There are 8 cabins that can sleep 29 people with several bathrooms and a laundry for guests. Space for camping is available on the expansive lawn. A modernised three-bedroom home is set on an elevated site overlooking the Shag River and surrounding farmland. There’s also a charming, character, one bedroom unit with a bathroom. This is a must view property. For more information please phone.

Deadline Sale closes Wednesday 11th May, 2022 at 2.00pm, (unless sold prior) View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/DNU15037

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

Proud to be here

Real Estate

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 25, 2022

Accelerating success. New Listing

Sheep/Beef

Ngarakau – Strong Hill Country With Scale Tender closing Thursday 19 May 2022 at 2.00pm (unless sold prior) (plus GST if any) 278 Coonoor Road, Makuri, Tararua

Land Area: 539.4898 ha (more or less)

Four bedroom home plus office

20ha developed flats

Great community and location

Viewings by appointment only

colliers.co.nz/p-NZL67018725

Colliers are proud to present Ngarakau to the market for the first time in 114 years. This genuine hill country farm is located in the Makuri district, a 30 minute drive east of Pahiatua.

Jason Waterman 027 376 8313 jason.waterman@colliers.com

Ngarakau is currently wintering approximately 4000 stock units. 19 hectares of QEII bush, plus some areas of quality Manuka are also attractive features on this property, offering income from honey production and potential income from the proposed Puketoi wind farm provide further strings to the bow.

Rob Deal 027 241 4775 rob.deal@colliers.com

Farm infrastructure includes a lovely 4 bedroom plus office home with a quaint studio close by. A 4 stand woolshed and covered yards, plus cattle yards and support buildings.

CRWAI Limited Licensed REAA 2008

colliers.co.nz

FOR SALE

ELSTOW FREE RANGE POULTRY

Te Aroha, Waikato

LARGE-SCALE + STRONG CASHFLOW

+ Consistent monthly and inflation-

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

+ Freehold land: 22.56ha* of flat, free

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

Deadline Offers:

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

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

*Approximately **Unless sold prior

Arotahi Agribusiness Limited, Licensed Real Estate Agent REA Act

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 25, 2022

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

OPEN DAY

TE PUNA, BAY OF PLENTY 48 Loop Road Genuine Lifestyle with Income A beautiful property of 1.79ha with an established business with excellent supportive infrastructure and income. The family home boasts tawa and rimu timber features, study, master bedroom with en suite. The indoor/ outdoor flow is just amazing with views towards the north from a huge timber deck. The business, Forevergreen Seedlings, has been supplying seedlings and plants all over New Zealand for over 20 years. Existing client base, good income, growing demand for its products, established work force, documented processes, significant vendor's assistance to new owners.

TENDER

TURAKINA, WHANGANUI

Quality Soils

TENDER

Situated 25km from Whanganui and 16km from Marton, is this 92.33 hectares approximately bare land property in two titles (subject to survey).

Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 12.00pm, Tuesday 17 May

VIEW 12.00-1.00pm

Featuring quality soil types consisting of Te Arakura silt loam and Halcombe silt loam hill.

Sunday 1, 8 & 15 May

Anton Terblanche M 021 324 702 E anton.terblanche@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/TAR35897

TENDER

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

VIEW By Appointment Only

Good water from two bores.

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

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

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

pggwre.co.nz/FDG35184 Helping grow the country

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

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

LK0111472©

Or contact 0800 85 25 80 for further information

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

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

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

LK0111372©

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

Primary Pathways – Jobs, Education & Training

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 25, 2022

classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

Experienced Production Manager – Dairy A BIT ABOUT TE HOU FARMS LIMITED… Te Hou Farms Limited is a large-scale farming operation, located 15km west of Bulls, in the Rangitikei region. Formerly ‘Flock House Farms’ they are milking 1100 cows at peak. The property is made up of 1224ha which includes a 400ha irrigated dairy unit and the balance is utilised for cropping and drystock.

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

The business is constantly making changes, this year building a new fully automated, 80 bale rotary shed in September, this will be ready for the 2023 season. THE OPPORTUNITY… Te Hou Farms is looking for an Experienced Production Manager who has a proven track record and outstanding ability in management. The Production Manager will report directly to the Operations Manager, who will be present and available to offer support and guidance when needed.

Head Shepherd

The appointee will be responsible for the effective operation of all aspects of the milking process, including plant hygiene, feed management, animal health and ensuring record management and compliance is adhered to through recording and reporting, and also to ensure optimal health is maintained.

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

A BIT ABOUT YOU… This role requires a strong planner with relevant experience and a passion for the industry. The successful appointee will come with the following: • A minimum of 3-4 seasons dairy farming experience with management experience (or 2IC) in large-scale dairy farming preferred. • An understanding of the importance of feeding cows well and demonstrated pasture management skills. • Understanding and confidence in all aspects of animal health – lame cows included. • Staff management – you will be the team leader if/when the Manager is away. • Animal husbandry skills, with a genuine care towards animals. • High level understanding of Health & Safety policies and procedures.

Fencer General / Tractor Driver

The Production Manager role comes with an excellent remuneration package including a modern, newly renovated, four-bedroom home, with a log fire and heat pump. You will be in a great rural community, with the Marton Young Farmers club nearby and ample hunting, and fishing right on your doorstep, as the farm backs on to Rangitikei River. There is a school bus from the gate to local primary and secondary schools.

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For more information or to apply please visit https://bit.ly/3KzBPDI or give the Rural Directions team a call on 06 871 0450 for a confidential chat (Ref# 878139). Applications close Sunday 1st May 2022 Register to receive job alerts on www.ruraldirections.co.nz

All applicants must have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa and will be required to have a clear pre-employment drug test. Please contact Ian Valler 07 878 4748

RECRUITMENT & HR

or email your CV to: camilla@tiroatehape.maori.nz

Applications close: 5pm Friday 29th April 2022

Noticeboard

DOLOMITE 0800 436 566

www.underthewoolshed.kiwi

scottnewman101@gmail.com

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

LK111409©

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

THI N K PRE BU IL T

Phone: +64 6 357 2454 HOOF TRIMMER

EARMARKERS

MOWER MASTER 12HP, diesel, electric start, 50 ton

Selling something?

Heavy duty construction for serious wood splitting. Towable.

Call Debbie

Supplied flatpack or inquire for assembled pricing

0800 85 25 80

NEW HOMES

CONTROL FLYSTRIKE & LICE 76 80 +GS

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

Splitter with hydraulic lifting table $4800

SUPPLYING FARMERS SINCE 1962

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

Call or email us for your free copy of our plans Email: info@ezylinehomes.co.nz Phone: 0800 399 546 (EZYLINE) Web: www.ezylinehomes.co.nz

JW109919©

JW110646©

SOLID – PRACTICAL

WELL INSULATED – AFFORDABLE LK0111197©

LK0109558©

DE HORNER

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

Book your shed now

Industries Ltd

ZON BIRDSCARER

electro-tek@xtra.co.nz

WORKING TAIHAPE AREA

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

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

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

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

Ph 021 047 9299

Mark Copeland LLB, CMInstD Rural Disputes Expert

SCOTTY’S CONTRACTORS

Heavy duty long lasting

w w w. e l e c t r o t e k . c o . n z STOP BIRDS NOW!

Splitter

$4200

To find out more visit

www.moamaster.co.nz Phone 028 461 5112 Email: mowermasterltd@gmail.com

Pests out of control? No job too big, I offer efﬁcient and conﬁdential service. CONTACT: 0275258321

Cost-effective pest control using the latest thermal equipment & technology. I am an experienced hunter and ex farmer, I can get rid of the pests eating down your farm, disturbing your stock, and frustrating you and your neighbors.

JW109881©

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

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

LK0111313©

ON OFFER…

This role will be based around 80% fencing and tractor work and 20% general work including stock/yard work and other farm maintenance. The successful applicant will have a good level of fitness and the required skills to get on with the job either working alone or alongside the rest of the team. To be a good fit you will be an excellent communicator and a strong team player with a sound awareness of H&S requirements for your role but above all else we are seeking someone energetic and keen. The position comes with quality machinery for you to operate, competitive remuneration, a great work environment and a three-bedroom home.

Noticeboard

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

ANIMAL HANDLING FLY OR LICE problem? Electrodip – the magic eye sheepjetter since 1989 with unique self adjusting sides. Incredible chemical and time savings with proven effectiveness. Phone 07 573 8512 w w w. e l e c t r o d i p . c o m CRAIGCO SHEEP JETTERS. Sensor Jet. Deal to fly and Lice now. Guaranteed performance. Unbeatable pricing. Phone 06 835 6863. www.craigcojetters.com

HORTICULTURE

LOG BUYER

LEASE LAND WANTED

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

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

YOUNG FARMER looking for sheep and beef lease or grazing. Gisborne area but would consider anywhere. Remote places welcome. Phone 022 574 1426.

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

WORD ONLY ADVERTISING. Phone Debbie on 0800 85 25 80.

LEASE AVAILABLE

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

SHEEP FARMING LEASE. 210 Hectares, (1-3 Year Lease from 1st July) 2.53k SU. Hawke’s Bay, good facilities, summer safe. Mobile 021 327 637.

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

ATTENTION FARMERS 40c/50c PER KG dags fadges/bales. Replacement woolpacks. PV Weber Wools. Kawakawa Road, Feilding. Phone 06 323 9550.

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

Check them out Lochburn

Raupuha

Mahoenui Bull& Heifer Sale 31st May, 9am 07 877 8977 - Russell

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

WORD ONLY ADVERTISING. Phone Debbie on 0800 85 25 80.

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

TRACTOR PARTS

JOHN DEERE 6620, 6410, 6800, rollover damage,dismantling Andquiparts.Phone 027 524 3356.

WANTED TO BUY HOUSES FOR REMOVAL. North Island. Phone 021 455 787.

Glenrossie

Morton

Katikati Sale 19th May, 1:00pm 021 520 244 - Craig

Waiuku Private Sales 021 031 3091

Browns

Morrinsville Private Sales 07 889 5965 - Hamish

Aubrey

Waitomo Private Sale 07 873 6968 - Ron

Roscliff

Te Awamutu Private Sales 027 211 1112 - Ross

Waitara Private Sales 06 754 6699 - Roger

Mill Valley

Whangamomona Private Sales 06 762 3520 - Aaron

Glenview

Rotorua Private Sales 021 460 957 - Diane

Mangaotuku

Stratford Private Sales 06 765 7269 - Jack

Colvend

Ongarue Sale 31st May, 3.30pm 07 894 6030 - Alan

Te Kohanui

Hiwiroa Sale

Marton Private Sales 06 327 8185 - Alan

Turiwhate

Dunblane

Kumara 26th May, Bidr Sale 027 379 8167 - Chris

Waikari Private Sales 027 233 3678 - Chris

Glenbrook Station

Carriganes Cattle

Omarama Private Sales 021 285 9303 - Simon

Dunsandel Private Sales 022 470 2447 - Sarah

Westwood

Maerewhenua

Tuatapere Private Sales 03 226 6713 - Anita

Glenfern

Tokanui Private Sales 03 246 8498 - Allan

Waipukurau Private Sales 06 858 5369 - Jim 06 855 4737 - Nick

Hinewaka Sale

Sale 8th June, 3.00pm 06 372 7615 - David

Oamaru Private Sales 03 431 2871 - Norm

Glendhu

Heriot Sale 24th May, 11am 027 497 8104 - Fraser

Rough Ridge

Ranfurly Sale 20th May, 11am 03 444 9277 - Malcolm

Using a n bull in Shorthor eeding ss-br your cro l increase wil program ne up to bottom li 20%

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.

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

WANTED TO BUY

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

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.

WINTER GRAZING WANTED

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

HIGH PRODUCING IN-MILK AUTUMN DAIRY HERD & HEIFERS + MACHINERY AUCTION

Bullock Creek

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

SIMPLIFY YOUR farm planning with practical, affordable and accurate maps from www. farmmapping.co.nz – contact us for a free quote.

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

Whangarei Heads Sale 1st July, 1pm 09 434 0987 - David 09 434 0718 -Will

Carnegie

Taupiri Sale 18th May, 3.00pm 027 484 4672 - Kelvin

DOGS WANTED

FARM MAPPING

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

Looking for a Beef Shorthorn?

DOGS FOR SALE BUYING AND SELLING Heading Dogs, Huntaways. Delivering NZ wide. Trial, guaranteed! www. youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos – 07 315 5553. TWO 17-WEEK-OLD Huntaway female pups, b&t, well bred. Fully vaccinated, $400 each. Contact Ross Loomans. 027 275 8891.

RAMS FOR SALE

Livestock Noticeboard

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

FARMERS WEEKLY April 25, 2022

Renowned for great marbling producing top quality meat

A/c BRETT & GAYLE FARRELL Friday 6th May 2022 202 Drinnon Rd, Whangarei D/N 13313 10:00am MACHINERY Tractors & Key Implements sold via bidr 10:30am COWS – UNDERCOVER In-milk Cows & 2yr Heifers 25 x Close to Profit Cows 49 x In-Milk Empty Cows 160 x 2022 born heifer calves (sold in 20’s) online bidding will be available for Key Machinery & Cows COMPRISING: • 383 In-Milk Frsn/FrsnX Aut Calved Cows BW122 PW192 R/a 98% • 80 x In-Milk 2yr Frsn/FrsnX Heifers BW199 PW241 R/a 99% • 49 x In-Milk Empty Cows BW138 PW243 R/a 98% • 160 x Autumn 2022 born heifers 2-7wks old (sold in 20’s) • Machinery & Various sundries DETAILS: • The Autumn content of a split calving herd. A 55/45 Autumn/Spring split since 1998. Closed herd since 1997. BW’s up to 282 & PW’s up to 844 (indices at 19/3) • Calved from 22/3 for 9 weeks, mated to AB only (the last 11 years) • The original herd used 6yrs of sire proving Frsn and used LIC PSS since. For the 2019 and 2020 mating season kiwicross was used. All other times, Friesian. The kiwicross heifers entered the herd in August 2021 • System 5 feeding. Diet consists of Kikuyu (Hills) Tetraploids (Flats) Maize & Grass. Silage made on the farm. Barley straw, PKE, SBH & DDG all fed in herd homes • TB10, Lepto vaccinated • Rotary shed, 493-512 MS/Cow for the last 14yrs • 25%+ replacements introduced each season AUCTIONEERS NOTE: The farm has been sold. This high producing herd has outstanding dairy type and excellent udders. Totally recommended – sold in-milk on auction day. All cows and heifers in great order. This is an outstanding opportunity to purchase from an outstanding herd. All profiles will be updated with calved dates and latest herd test results prior to the auction. Please note: This auction date is scheduled subject to any changes due to Covid-19 regulations PAYMENT/DELIVERY TERMS:

Keep an eye out on our facebook and website for updates

www.shorthorn.co.nz

Herd & Heifers – Payment 14 days from the sale date. Delivery within 7 days after or later by arrangement. Machinery/Sundries – Payment is required on the day unless you are a Carrfields Account holder CARRFIELDS LIVESTOCK AGENT: Reuben Wright 027 284 6384 or reuben.wright@carrfields.co.nz VENDORS: Brett & Gayle Farrell 027 477 0533

Livestock Advertising? Call Javier: 0800 85 25 80

For more information and a list of Machinery & Various sundries visit our website:

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www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Livestock Noticeboard

HEREFORD HEIFER & COW HERD Dispersal Private Sale

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Bloodline ex Mount View Polled Hereford Stud, Oropi Tauranga, Est 1940s. 6x R3 & 5x R4. $1,500 each Calving 20/9/2023 to 31/10/2023. Vet PT dates available. R3s have had calves. BVD free & vac. C10. Contact: Joe (CM) Hodge – 027 280 6747 Benneydale

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

SALE TALK

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

COWS VIC 25th Nov

R2 YR ANGUS AX STEERS 400-450kgs 60 1YR FRSN/HERE HEIFERS >300kgs

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

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

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

TUESDAY 26 APRIL

10.30am

Denson Dale Jersey’s Elite Dispersal Sale

7.00pm

PA Hill Ayrshire Annual Sale

THURSDAY 28 APRIL

7.30pm

Kauri Gold Annual Sale

FRIDAY 29 APRIL

1.00pm

Tahora Holsteins ‘Party at the Pub’ Sale

SUNDAY 1 - TUESDAY 3 MAY

6.30pm

Trilogy Genetics Dispersal Sale

SOUTH ISLAND CALF SALES

Machinery – 10am John Deere 2006 IVT 6920 tidy tractor (6000hrs) good rubber, 1996 MF 390 front end loader (forks & bucket incl) Husqvarna ride on mower, 3x PKE troughs fixed, Milk bar 50 teat, Stallion 50 teat, Bartolini causmag spreader, 2015 Grizzly 550 Yamaha 4x wheeler, Ag 200 2x wheeler, Quick hitch auger for feedin out on feed pad, Hustler bale feeder, 2x Chiller units for vats, Burkhart 4T tip trailer, Farm guard back blade with rams, Tyre harrows for motorbike, Tractor set of harrows, Calf trailer & create, Engineers table/work bench, Diesel generator 40kpa, Inex sprayer 600ltr,), Porta trough, Weed eater, Steel cut off saw, Grinder, Drill press, Compressor, E/F reels & standards, Calf feeders, 5mtr meal feeder on wheels, 60ltr C-Dax bike weed sprayer, Hydraulic top link, Meal feeders, 1100ltr milk tank, Clear lite sheets, Fencing gear, Wire netting, Chainsaw, Weigh bench, Scaffolding, Petrol water pump, 150ltr portable diesel tank, Dog run & kennel, Cambridge Roller, 2 farm fencing trailers, spray unit, 2 transport trays, 2 tonne Sam spreader single axle. Outside entries for machinery welcome. For further enquiries contact Agent Sheldon Keech 027 222 7920

THURSDAY 28 APRIL

1.00pm

Coalgate Calf Sale

FRIDAY 29 APRIL

10.00am

Palmerston & Balclutha Combined Calf Sale

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

OPAWA SIMMENTALS ANNUAL ON FARM BULL & HEIFER SALE 260 Rutherford Road, Albury, South Canterbury. Friday 20th May 2022

Herd Dispersal In-Milk, In-Calf Auction A/c CRUSE LIVESTOCK LIMITED Thursday 28th April 2022 Cambridge Saleyards – 46 Hickey Rd, Leamington, Cambridge at 11:30am will be available for online bidding COMPRISING/DETAILS: 155 mainly Xbred in-milk, in-calf cows with a portion of Jrsy & Frsn content. • BW129 PW167 R/a 84% • Calving 15/7/22 – 2.5wks AB – Angus bulls removed 27/12/21 • System 2 feeding, TB Status C10 • Herd is scanned to date • Final pregnancy test will be within 10 days of the Auction

Commencing 1.30pm

Inspection from 12 noon: • 18 2 Yr Simmental Bulls • 38 2 Yr Simmental/Hereford x Heifers PTIC low birth weight Hereford Bulls 13/11/21 (2 Cycles) TB C10. Signposted from Albury Township. David & Jayne Timperley (Vendors) 03 685 5785 or 0274 375 881 Simon Eddington (PGW) 027 590 8612 Cameron Gray (PGW) 027 494 0572

HIGH BW CARRYOVER COW SALE Tuesday 3rd May, 11.30am Morrinsville Saleyards A/C Tui Glen Farm

FARFIELD ANGUS DISPERSAL SALE Tuesday 3rd May - 1pm start Viewing from 10am On A/C of Franco & Graziani Luporini

Due to late farm sale vendor now needs these top cows sold. Cows in fantastic condition.

>190 Mixed Age Cows >40 18 Month Bulls >80 Heifer Calves

TB C10, EBL Free, BVD clear. Payment 14 days from sale & delivery on sale.

www.bidr.co.nz

COALGATE SALEYARDS >100 R2 Heifers >80 Bull Calves >TB Status C10

This sale brings a great opportunity to purchase stud and commercial cattle.

Payment 14 days from the sale date. Delivery immediate.

Calving 15th July to purebred Hereford & Angus bulls (bulls x Craigmore, Big River & Wards). Bulls out 15th Dec 2021. Vetted in calf 15th March with any late calvers identified.

This stud is performance driven and run under commercial conditions. For a sale catalogue please visit www.hazlett.nz/livestock/sale-catalogues/

Catalogue’s available online, Bidr operating on sale day. Regan Craig 027 502 8585

SALE LIVESTREAMED ON BIDR

Further entries to: Gerard Shea (PGW) 027 442 5379 Don Roney (RLL) 027 435 74341

Further enquiries: Callum Dunnett 027 462 0126 Ed Marfell 027 462 0120

LK0111370©

Please note: This auction date is scheduled subject to any changes due to Covid-19 regulations

Friday 29th April, 10am

All cows were blanket dry cow at drying off. These cows were purchased from top herds in the Waikato last Feb/March as young MTs, milked through, and mated back to spring calving.

• 263 Frsn/Frsn x/Jsy x Incalf Cows BW 164 PW 247

BWs up to 316, PWs up to 1287, young cows majority 3yr to 6yr.

PAYMENT/DELIVERY TERMS:

PALMERSTON 3RD CALF SALE

Calves yarded overnight and sold over scales. Comprising Approx: • 145 Simmental/Hereford X Steer Calves • 30 Simmental X Steer Calves • 200 Angus & Angus X Steer Calves • 30 Hereford X Steer Calves • 18 Hereford Steer Calves • 23 Charolais X Steer Calves • 75 Simmental/Hereford 1st X Heifer Calves • 15 Simmental X Heifer Calves • 75 Angus & Angus X Heifer Calves • 30 Hereford X Heifer Calves • 12 Hereford Heifer Calves • 23 Charolais X Heifer Calves • 30 Angus & Angus/Hereford R2 Steers • 10 Charolias X R2 Steers • 25 Angus & Angus/Hereford X R2 Heifers • 35 Beef X R2 Steers • 30 Beef X R2 Heifers

Helping grow the country

AUCTIONEERS NOTE: Auction is due to a late farm sale. Farmed on rolling to steep country, that has been summer dry. A great herd to top up for those extra cows you need.

VENDORS: Jarrod Cruse 021 041 3968

UPCOMING AUCTIONS

NZ’s Virtual Saleyard

LATE FARM SALE

CARRFIELDS LIVESTOCK AGENT: Mike McKenzie 027 674 1149 mike.mckenzie@carrfields.co.nz

This is a quality herd that has never been offered for purchase, its now come onto the market due to farm being sold. These cows will be inmilk on sale day and will come forward in sound healthy condition. TB Status C10, Lepto vaccinated. Scanned In calf to Frsn & Crossbred 5 weeks AB, tailed off with Hereford bull removed 7th Jan 22. The herd will be rescanned 10 days prior to the sale. DTC from 25/7/22. Catalogues available online talk to your local agent. Delivery available from 2nd May– Payment deferred until 1st June 2022

LK0110883©

Friday 6th May • AUTUMN IN-MILK COWS & MACHINERY AUCTION: B & G FARRELL: 500 high producing In-Milk Autumn Cows, 2022 born Autumn calves, Machinery, Whangarei Call: Reuben Wright 027 284 6384

In-Milk Cows – 11.30am 175 M/A In calf Cows Frsn, F/x 10 x Holdover Cows 20 x Mt Cows 58 x In calf Heifers

R2YR BULLS 420-480kgs

Herds/Cows & In-Calf Heifers

Wednesday 4th May • RICHVIEW/RALPH & OTHER VENDORS: 100 Frsn/FrsnX Cows + surplus lines Cambridge Saleyards Call: Matt Hancock 027 601 3787 or Kelly Higgins 027 600 2374

On A/C Corbett Family Trust Ryan & Katrina Corbett 325 Kirihau Road, RD 4, New Plymouth 29th April 2022

MALE & EWE LAMBS 32-38kgs

The interviewer inquires, “Well, how does a package of five weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical/ dental, company matching Kiwisaver to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every two years, say, a Ford Ranger?”

SELECTION OF LISTINGS: Thursday 28th April • CRUSE LIVESTOCK: 155 In-Milk Xbred cows Cambridge Saleyards Call: Mike McKenzie 027 674 1149

COMPLETE HERD DISPERSAL & MACHINERY

STOCK REQUIRED

The engineer replies, “In the region of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package.”

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

FOR SALE

Reaching the end of a job interview, the HR Manager asks a young engineer fresh out of University, “And what starting salary are you looking for?”

The engineer sits up straight and says, “Wow! Are you kidding?” The interviewer replies, “Yeah, but you started it.

WANTED!!

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

VIEW OUR CATALOGUE AT

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

hazlett.nz

Helping grow the country

LK0111410©

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 25, 2022

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.

Mel Croad

Suz Bremner

Reece Brick

Fiona Quarrie

Hayley O’Driscoll

Caitlin Pemberton

Deer

Sheep

Cattle BEEF

SHEEP MEAT

VENISON

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.95

5.20

NI lamb (17kg)

8.30

6.85

NI Stag (60kg)

7.95

5.35

NI Bull (300kg)

5.90

5.15

NI mutton (20kg)

5.75

5.20

SI Stag (60kg)

8.00

5.35

NI Cow (200kg)

3.90

3.50

SI lamb (17kg)

8.10

6.50

SI Steer (300kg)

5.80

4.65

SI mutton (20kg)

5.50

5.20

SI Bull (300kg)

5.65

4.60

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

3.65

3.15

UK CKT lamb leg

13.50

13.45

11.34

Export markets (NZ$/kg) 9.87

9.87

8.23

10.0

US domestic 90CL cow

9.04

8.96

7.36

9.0

North Island steer slaughter price

7.0

$/kg CW

US imported 95CL bull

6.0

5.0

7.0

$/kg CW

North Island stag slaughter price

11.0 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0

South Island stag slaughter price

11.0 10.0 South Island lamb slaughter price

9.0 8.0 7.0

9.0

6.0

8.0

5.0

7.0

Oct

Dec

Feb

5-yr ave

Apr

5.0

6.0

Oct

Dec 5-yr ave

5.5 5.0

WOOL

4.5

(NZ$/kg) Oct

Dec

Feb

Apr

5-yr ave

Jun

2020-21

Dairy

Feb

2021-22

Apr 2020-21

Jun

Fertiliser

Aug 2021-22

Two weeks ago

Prior week

Last year

2.51

2.47

2.37

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Urea

1205

672

373

319

1420

990

37 micron ewe

2.40

Super

30 micron lamb

DAP

Grain

Data provided by

NZ average (NZ$/t)

Top 10 by Market Cap Company

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

10.00

600

9.50

550

9.00

$/tonne

$/kg MS

Aug 2021-22

FERTILISER

Coarse xbred ind.

Aug

MILK PRICE FUTURES

8.50 8.00 7.50

500 450 400

7.00

Apr-21

Jun-21

Aug-21 Oct-21 Sept. 2021

Dec-21 Feb-22 Sept. 2022

350

Apr-22

Apr-21

Jun-21

Aug-21

Oct-21

Dec-21

Feb-22

Apr-22

YTD High

YTD Low

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

33.4

22.26

Meridian Energy Limited (NS)

4.9

5.36

4.33

Auckland International Airport Limited

7.89

7.935

6.88

Spark New Zealand Limited

4.96

4.3

Mainfreight Limited

82.04

94.4

75.11

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

5.96

6.36

5.45

Ebos Group Limited

41.67

43.13

36.11 7.55

Contact Energy Limited

8.05

8.42

Infratil Limited

8.23

8.395

7.5

Fletcher Building Limited

6.32

7.44

6.13

Listed Agri Shares Company

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Nearby contract

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY

Last price*

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

WMP

4275

4320

4795

SMP

4610

4600

4790

6750

6800

7200

Butter

6930

7000

Milk Price

9.45

9.60

9.70

0.215

6.39

4.97

Comvita Limited

3.36

3.78

3.22

Delegat Group Limited

13.2

14.45

12.5

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

3.32

3.78

3.25

500

Foley Wines Limited

1.52

1.57

1.4

Greenfern Industries Limited

0.12

0.25

0.119

450

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

1.66

1.73

1.3

Marlborough Wine Estates Group Limited

0.23

0.26

0.21

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

0.495

1.38

0.4

PGG Wrightson Limited

4.15

5.76

4.15

Rua Bioscience Limited

0.41

0.53

0.39

Sanford Limited (NS)

4.7

5.07

4.38

Scales Corporation Limited

4.99

5.59

4.75

Seeka Limited

5.2

5.36

4.99

550

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

3.32

3.54

3.12

T&G Global Limited

2.95

3.01

2.77

500

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index

13136

14293

13010

S&P/NZX 50 Index

11966

13150

11733

S&P/NZX 10 Index

11581

12725

11311

Apr-21

Jun-21

Aug-21

Oct-21

Dec-21

Feb-22

Apr-22

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

4800 $/tonne

4600 4400 4200 4000 3800

0.27

5.15

350

5000

450 400 350

Apr

May Jun Latest price

Jul

Aug 4 weeks ago

Sep

YTD Low

0.23

400

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

YTD High

The a2 Milk Company Limited

550

* price as at close of business on Thursday

5pm, close of market, Thursday Close

ArborGen Holdings Limited

600

$/tonne

AMF

US$/t

Jun

2020-21

6.0

6.5

4.0

Last year

5.0

10.0

South Island steer slaughter price

Last week Prior week

6.0

5.5

4.0

$/kg CW

North Island lamb slaughter price

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

7.0 6.0

4.5

Last year

8.0

6.5

5.0

Last week Prior week

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Sara Hilhorst

Ingrid Usherwood

300

Apr-21

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

Jun-21

Aug-21

Oct-21

Dec-21

Feb-22

Apr-22

13136

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

11966

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

11581

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

Analyst intel

WEATHER

Overview The first half of this week has a southwesterly airflow over the country with a few cold fronts pushing through. By Wednesday the airflow tends more to the south then Thursday an anticyclone moves in from the Tasman Sea and conditions start to settle. The high will possibly bring chilly mornings to inland areas starting in the South Island. Friday is mainly settled then at the weekend the high centre starts shifting out to the east. New Zealand remains fairly settled still but showers may appear for northeastern parts of the North Island and along the West Coast, meanwhile it is dry and warmer in the east.

14-day outlook Southerly quarter airflows and a few showers for Monday through to Wednesday, then conditions dry out mostly on Thursday with an anticyclone starting to push in from the Tasman Sea. The West Coast continues to see a few showers on Thursday and Friday as a weak trough slides southwards along the coast. Friday is mainly settled for the rest of New Zealand. The weekend as mentioned above is still fairly settled despite the aforementioned high moving eastwards although showers do appear for some western spots and parts of the upper North Island. Most of next week looks settled beyond a front pushing through mid next week.

Reece Brick reece.brick@globalhq.co.nz

Soil Moisture

Highlights

20/04/2022

Wind Strong winds don’t look to be an issue at the moment, southerly quarter winds may be fresh about some coastal parts for the first half of this week then the second half could see breezy easterlies for the upper North Island.

Source: NIWA Data

Temperature

7-day rainfall forecast

Temperatures in the mid-to-late teens for most today and Tuesday, perhaps early twenties for upper parts of the North Island and Nelson. Wednesday cools down especially in the east, still a little cool on Thursday and Friday then warming up again in the weekend.

Showers for western regions and the far south today. The showers thin out in the west tomorrow and move into eastern areas. Showers ease Wednesday in the east, expect showers about the upper North Island coming in from the east and showers for the northwest corner of the South Island. Thursday and Friday are mainly dry, with a few showers for the West Coast. The weekend is dry in the east, a few showers out west. 0

Covid causes shifts in export markets IT’S been an odd past two years of export trading to say the least for New Zealand’s sheep and beef industry. A number of different elements have worked for and against buying, both locally and overseas, and these continued to pull markets away from their usual paths. This definitely applies to who’s been the key export buyers for our products through Q1 2022. For beef, volumes exported through Q1 were weaker than last year, which was understandable given Omicron ground production to a crawl through lateFebruary onwards. However, export volumes were still within the usual range going back through the past decade. When it comes to manufacturing beef (usually bull and cow meat), our reliance on the US market faded again as they took only 56% of what was shipped through the quarter. Traditionally this was 75-80% prior to 2019. Although China was important here as its market share grew to 23%, a noticeable uptick in orders from Japan saw their share rise for the fourth consecutive year to 7%. In 2018 this was less than a percent. Their increased presence can be explained by the very limited supplies coming out of Australia, where Japan usually sources this type of beef. Sales of other types of beef became further concentrated on Asia too through

Highlights/ Extremes

100

200

400

Rainfall accumulation over 7 days starting from 6:00am Sunday 24 April through to 6:00am Sunday 1 May, forecast generated at 12:00am Thursday 21 April

Market share for NZ lamb exports (12 month rolling)

50%

The week ahead doesn’t have much in the way of features, some run of the mill shower activity then starting to calm down in the second half of the week. There could be frosty conditions about inland areas from Thursday morning though.

Q1, at least partly due to port congestion in the US making it a less appealing market to sell into. The growing importance of China was clear again as they took 59% of combined frozen and chilled volumes, a record high. South Korea was more active too which meant they almost overtook the US for second spot, each just under 9% market share. Other notable markets were Japan (6%) and Taiwan (5%), both around typical levels. Usually a bit over 100,000t of lamb is exported in Q1 but this fell to only 79,000t this year, the lowest reported going back to at least 2006, likely well beyond. A slow early-summer kill and Omicron were both at fault. For lamb, the Chinese market actually played a lesser role compared to last year. Back then they took a little more than half of lamb exports in Q1, a record at the time, but this fell back substantially to 36% this year. The hole here was largely filled by the US and mainland Europe, both of which have been more active than usual compared to last year as well. For the US, their 11% market share hasn’t been higher in Q1 going on data back to 2006. Mainland Europe took 19% of NZ’s lamb but this was more of an improvement on a quiet early-2021 than any major deviation from normal. The other major players were the UK which took 16% of our lamb and the Middle East at 6%, both small improvements on last year.

40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Mar-08

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

Mar-10 Chin a/H.K .

Mar-12

Mar-14 EU (xcl. UK)

Mar-16

Mar-18 Nth America

Mar-20

Mar-22

6th Annual In-Calf Female Production Sale Wednesday 4th May – 1pm

OFFERING: 120 full recorded stud females 60 R2yr stud heifers

20 R3yr stud heifers 20 R4yr stud cows All PTIC to top stud bulls

To be sold on-farm and online through

20 R10yr stud cows

l Videos, Catalogues and online bidding at

David Giddings 027 229 9760 – giddingsfamily@xtra.co.nz l George Giddings 027 656 3323 – george@yourbid.org

LK0111473©

www.meadowslea.co.nz

SALE YARD WRAP

Market holds up despite dry Despite dry conditions livestock sales in Waikato are holding up as the markets are not inundated with supply. Throughput levels at Frankton are similar to previous years and though the condition of the stock is more variable there are buyers on the bench willing to bid, as well as competition provided by online trading platforms MyLivestock and bidr. Other sale yards reported quieter cattle sales as well, which is in line with historical activity following a long weekend.

COUNTIES Tuakau prime cattle • Prime steers reached $2.96/kg • Heavy boner cows returned $1.56-$1.70/kg Heavy prime steers made $2.86-$2.96/kg at TUAKAU last Wednesday, PGG Wrightson agent Craig Reiche reported. Medium steers earned $2.79-$2.86/kg. Heavy prime heifers realised $2.75-$2.80/kg and medium, $2.68-$2.75/kg. Medium boner cows managed $1.43-$1.56/kg and light, $1.04/kg to $1.43/kg. There was no sheep sale last week.

WAIKATO Frankton cattle 19.4 • Well-marked R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 371kg, firmed to $2.91/ kg • Weaner Hereford-Friesian heifers, 166-178kg, strengthened to $520-$600 • Prime Angus-Friesian steers, 528-620kg, held at $2.79-$2.81/kg Just 113 store cattle were offered by PGG Wrightson at FRANKTON last Tuesday. A limited R2 section included Angus-Friesian steers, 383-463kg, which managed a consistent $2.75-$2.81/kg and same breed heifers, 356kg, earned $2.37/kg. Weaners provided the bulk of the store tally and top Hereford-Friesian steers, 191kg, realised $750. Speckle Park-cross heifers, 163kg, firmed to $520. Seven Hereford-Friesian, 151kg, topped the bulls at $570, $3.77/ kg. The prime section was a primarily boner cow event and 483-551kg held at $1.48-$1.60/kg. Mid-weight options, 425434kg, managed $1.27-$1.38/kg while 377-401kg earned $1.06-$1.17/kg. Red Hereford-Friesian heifers, 451kg, fetched $2.79/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Frankton cattle 20.4 • Top R2 Friesian bulls, 432-444kg, earned $2.94-$2.98/kg • Weaner Hereford-Friesian heifers, 226-260kg, fetched $650-$725 • Top boner Friesian and Friesian-cross cows, 527-592kg, held at $1.61-$1.66/kg Store throughput lifted at FRANKTON for New Zealand Farmers Livestock last Wednesday with 259-head presented. R2 Angus heifers, 280-319kg, returned $2.74$2.75/kg and Hereford-Friesian, 407kg, firmed to $2.65/ kg. Bulls provided the bulk of this section and Hereford, 397-422kg, realised $2.84-$2.92/kg. Simmental-cross, 413439kg, earned $2.69-$2.78/kg and top Friesian bulls, 381kg, $2.91/kg. Weaner steers, 231-241kg, earned $650-$690. The balance of Hereford-dairy, 135-183kg, held at $420-$560. Simmental-cross heifers, 245kg, reached $685. Friesian bulls, 199-225kg, eased to $585-$645. Boner cows increased prime tallies and 459-483kg returned $1.41-$1.51/kg with lighter options at $1.22-$1.35/kg. Hereford-dairy steers and bulls, 507-521kg, managed a consistent $2.74-$2.82/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Frankton PGG Wrightson feeder calf sale • Top Hereford-Friesian bulls firmed to $290-$350 A good turnout of buyers met with a quality yarding of just under 600 calves at FRANKTON last Tuesday. Medium to good Friesian bulls realised $100-$170. Medium Hereford-Friesian gained ground at $230-$280. CharolaisFriesian held with medium to good calves at $240-$330. In the heifer pens Hereford-Friesian reached $190-$250 and small to medium, $70-$185. Charolais-Friesian also firmed and medium to good calves reached $145-$240. The average calf price was $156. Reporoa feeder calf sales 14.4, 21.4 Prices remained positive at the REPORORA feeder calf sale on Thursday 14th April. Top Friesian bulls made $165$187 and medium $60. Hereford-Friesian bulls reached $200-$300 while the balance, and those with red factor, returned $130-$170. Heifers of same breeding made $70$185. Volume started to fall last Thursday and 107 were penned. Prices followed suit and Friesian bulls made $80$130. More Hereford-Friesian bulls were penned, and blackcoated calves made $100 to $280 and red, $80 to $250.

Angus-cross sold for $70-$190. Better black HerefordFriesian heifers returned $185-$210, and the balance $30$110.

BAY OF PLENTY Rangiuru cattle and sheep • Eight Friesian cows, 525kg, fetched $1.49/kg • Angus and beef-cross bulls, 690-722kg, fetched $3.04-$3.12/kg A small yarding of cattle was met by good demand at RANGIURU last Tuesday and some markets firmed. Prime Hereford-Friesian steers, 590kg, made $2.93/kg and Friesian cows over 460kg traded at $1.37-$1.41/kg. R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 450kg, made $2.81/kg and heifers from $2.13/kg to $2.24/kg. Weaner Hereford-Friesian steers, 176kg, earned $640. A line of Hereford and Hereford-Friesian cows which had been running with the bull realised $1.58/kg to $1.93/kg depending on condition and breeding. Store lambs sold at $100-$114 and a pen of ewes made $129. Read more in your LivestockEye.

TARANAKI Taranaki cattle • Better R2 dairy-beef heifers earned $2.34-$2.42/kg • Weaner steers mostly traded at $500-$635 • Weaner heifers above 190kg achieved $500-$550 • R3 Friesian and Friesian-cross heifers achieved $1105-$1210 There was a variety of cattle on offer at TARANAKI last Wednesday and good types met solid interest. Quality R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 357-490kg, sold well at $2.89$2.96/kg and the next cut $2.60-$2.70/kg. Weaner HerefordFriesian bulls, 172-186kg traded at $560-$600 and Friesian bulls $430-$510. Better empty and vetted-in-calf dairy cattle typically achieved $800-$950, and the next cut $730-$770. Read more in your LivestockEye.

HAWKE’S BAY Stortford Lodge store cattle and sheep • Capital stock Shorthorn cows, vetted-in-calf to Shorthorn, made $980-$1220 • Capital stock R3 Shorthorn heifers, vetted-in-calf to Shorthorn, sold well at $1100-$1270 • Good ewe lambs eased to $130-$146 • Wether lambs varied from $126 to $149.50 Shorthorn cows and heifers featured at STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday, due to a farm sale. The balance of the cattle sale was predominantly traditional cattle though mixed quality led to a mixed market. R3 steers held at $3.02-$3.06/kg but R2 eased to $2.98-$3.11/kg. Better R2 traditional heifers were able to reach $2.76-$2.82/kg but second cuts finished at $2.55-$2.65/kg. Weaner Angus heifers, 178-232kg, sold for $590-$655. Lamb supply lifted to 10,500-head and the market overall was steady. Good to heavy cryptorchid sold for $144-$165. Read more in your LivestockEye.

MANAWATŪ Feilding store cattle and sheep • A large line of R3 Angus steers, 555kg, made $3.10/kg • All store lambs averaged $139 Just under 150 store cattle traded at FEILDING on Thursday, April 14. R3 Hereford-Friesian steers, 500kg, made $2.85/kg. Mixed-marked R2 dairy-beef steers, 445450kg, were $2.70/kg while similar R2 heifers, 410-455kg, went for $2.50-$2.65/kg. Only 2000 store lambs were yarded. For the males, forward-store reached $167.50, good types $150-$155, medium $135-$145 and light, $90-$120. Good ewe and mixed-sex lambs sold for $140-$145, medium $125-$130 and light, $105-$115. Read more in your LivestockEye. Feilding prime sheep and feeder calf • Heaviest lambs collected $195 A small offering of sheep attracted the usual buyers to

FEILDING last Tuesday after the long weekend. The market held as the heaviest lambs traded upwards of $178 and others realised $151-$172. Ewes were only sold in small pens but were steady as some of the heaviest earned over $180. A good group of buyers entered the feeder calf shed to find only 80-head on offer. These sold very well as good types made $270 or more and up to $305 for Friesian bulls and Charolais-Friesian heifers. Read more in your LivestockEye. Rongotea cattle • Autumn-born yearling Friesian bulls, 247kg, achieved $2.28/kg • Weaner Hereford bulls, 214kg, earned $650 and 145kg Jersey bulls $310 • Boner Friesian cows, 515kg, made $1.26/kg A short week delivered a small sale at RONGOTEA last Tuesday, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported. R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 392kg, made $2.32/kg and 359kg Angus-cross $2.43/kg. Better feeder bull calves fetched $170-$205 and heifers $170-$235.

CANTERBURY Coalgate cattle and sheep • R2 Angus heifers, 360kg, fetched $2.71/kg • Heavy lambs returned $180-$192 A small selection of R2 cattle were offered after the calf sale at COALGATE on Wednesday 13th April. Beef-cross and dairy-beef steers traded from $2.65/kg to $2.82/kg depending on quality and condition. Hereford heifers, 390kg, and dairy-beef options, 348-387kg, made $2.55$2.59/kg. Forward store lambs from Rakaia Gorge started the store section off and made $145-$169 and the heavier pen went for processing. Good Perendale male lambs collected $139 while the top end of woolly Corriedale-cross had a strong sale. Quality improved in the prime lamb pens, but the market eased again as the bulk earned $141-$177. A very small ewe section realised $144-$170. Read more in your LivestockEye. Canterbury Park cattle and sheep • R2 Hereford steers, 349kg, fetched $3.04/kg • R2 Hereford heifers, 350kg, fetched $2.73/kg • Heaviest lambs returned $195 Small galleries gathered for both the prime and store cattle sales at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday. Prime markets eased slightly as traditional steers over 500kg traded at $2.77-$2.84/kg and anything with Charolais in the breeding realised $2.80-$2.94/kg. Beef heifers, 520-600kg, made $2.70-$2.77/kg and lighter types, along with dairybeef, earned $2.41/kg to $2.61/kg. Better quality R2 steers traded upwards of $2.80/kg and most heifers returned $2.55-$2.63/kg. A small and lighter yarding of store lambs sold on a steady market for type and $75-$105 covered most pens and the heaviest collected $121. Corriedale ewe lambs realised $67-$87. Markets held on prime stock and most lambs made $142-$155 and heaviest ewes earned $201. Read more in your LivestockEye.

SOUTH-CANTERBURY Temuka store cattle • R2 Hereford and Angus-Hereford steers from Haast collected $2.74/kg • R2 Hereford heifers from Cromwell, 382kg, fetched $2.78/kg A mixed-quality yarding of cattle resulted in varied returns at TEMUKA on Thursday, April 14. R2 Hereford and Angus-Hereford from the Chatham Islands were not to buyer’s tastes and made $2.23/kg to $2.48/kg. Dairy-beef mostly returned $2.56-$2.76/kg and well-marked HerefordFriesian and Murray Grey-Friesian sat in the top 10 cents. Traditional heifers kept up with the boys as $2.66-$2.72/ kg was made for Cromwell, Haast and Milton vendors. The best Hereford-Friesian and a pen of Simmental-Friesian collected $2.49-$2.59/kg as a middle tier realised $2.30$2.45/kg. Hereford-Friesian bull calves over 200kg made $600-$645

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022

North Island weaner fairs Almost 850 Angus-Hereford steers and heifers sold at the annual Sue Bros weaner fair at FEILDING last Wednesday. Nearly all steers from 140kg to 255kg traded at $4.30-$4.40/kg though two 270-305kg pens were $1110-$1200, $3.95-$4.15/kg. Buyers were very competitive on the 195-240kg heifers at $3.45-$3.80/kg while two 265kg pens made $870, $3.25/kg and the 135180kg cuts were $2.85-$3.00/kg. Around 1300 weaner calves were offered at the KAIKOHE supplementary weaner fair last Wednesday, which was well-supported by local buyers. Autumn-born weaner Angus and Charolais steers made $3.30-$3.40/kg and heifers, $2.75-$2.90/kg. Spring-born steers were mostly Angus with a handful of Simmental, Charolais and Herefordcross and better types regularly achieved $3.20-$3.30/ kg while 120-130kg dairy-beef fetched $550-$600. There was good demand for big lines of Angus heifers, and these ranged from $2.85/kg to $3.20/kg while 120-130kg dairy-beef were mostly $450-$500. Weaner beef-cross bulls sold around the $3.00/kg mark and Friesian bulls, 140-150kg, returned $480-$520. Run-with-bull Angus cows were secured for $1.40/kg, and Angus cows with calves-at-foot achieved $1040 per unit. Read more in your LivestockEye.

South Island calf sales Calves from Marlborough, West Coast and Banks Peninsula sold to a small but active buying gallery at CANTERBURY PARK last Wednesday. Afterwards, trucks headed off in the direction of Ashburton, Ellesmere, North Canterbury and Oxford. Angus steers mostly traded from $3.70/kg to $3.89/kg and lighter pens reached $3.93-$4.14/kg, $700-$880. Angus and AngusHereford types were 10c/kg behind the straight Angus and another 10c/kg was taken off returns for Hereford types. Charolais were preferred over the Simmentalcross options as a pen of 260kg Charolais made $935, $3.60/kg. Heifers mostly returned $2.80/kg to $3.20/ kg but Charolais-cross, 194kg, did fetch $3.56/kg. There were 1448 Fairlie calves offered at TEMUKA last Thursday to an eager buying bench. Results were solid as Angus steers, 255kg and over, collected $3.60-$3.76/ kg and up to $1100 for the heaviest at 296kg. A few of the lighter options traded from $3.80/kg to $4.12/kg. Angus-Hereford, 237-265kg, realised $885-$990 and a pen at 288kg reached $1010. Well-grown CharolaisAngus, 331-356kg, returned an incredible $1330-$1370, $3.85-$4.02/kg. Heifers had a very strong sale as Angus traded from $3.23/kg to $3.77/kg for weights typically under 200kg and those 230-255kg made $2.91-$3.00/ kg. Returns of $2.89/kg to $3.10/kg covered most other traditional types while Charolais-Angus performed well again at $1230, $3.53/kg for 348kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

COWS FEATURE: Cull cows made up the biggest proportion of a quiet sale day at Rangiuru.

though other calves were capped at $500. Read more in your LivestockEye. Temuka prime and boner cattle, all sheep • Heavy prime lambs collected $195 • Top prime ewes made $238 • Top prime steers earned $2.81-$2.88/kg A small yarding of prime heifers firmed at TEMUKA last Tuesday with traditional types $2.77-$2.80/kg and

dairy-beef, $2.70-$2.75/kg. Heavier weights helped lift the boner cow market to an average of $1.11-$1.22/kg, though Friesian and Kiwi-cross above 600kg could reach $1.29$1.35/kg. A heavier line-up of store lambs was offered and most traded from $142 to $160 on a firmer market. Medium cryptorchid from Wanaka fetched $116 while wool breeds had an off-week due to a lack of demand. Read more in your LivestockEye.

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

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Markets

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 25, 2022 NI STEER

SI STEER

NI LAMB

($/KG)

5.95

5.80

AVERAGE STORE LAMB PRICE AT STORTFORD LODGE ($/HD)

8.30

140.50

$620-$715 high $1.20-$1.30 Friesian cows, 505- Angus heifers, 204lights Boner 240kg, at Canterbury 610kg, at Temuka Park calf sale

Lamb surge at Stortford Lodge Suz Bremner suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

OFFLOADED: This top cut of 1000 ewe lambs from Waimaha Station, Tahunga, sold for $136.

Thousands

FTER a quiet start to the year, store lamb supply surged to 10,500 at the last Stortford Lodge sale. Lamb throughput for this time of year usually averages between 5000-6000-head but after a good growth season 2022 has been trailing that as there has been little pressure on farmers to offload. But two significant rain events were the catalyst to unload lambs from northern Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne and they alone provided that average in the recent sale. A good portion of the 5000 lambs from those regions were loaded onto the southbound trucks from the Māori Trustowned Tahora blocks, which are managed by Ra Cotter, who was on hand at the yards to see the lambs sold. PGG Wrightson agent Ian Rissetto oversaw the sale of the lambs and said the call was made to sell after the heavy rain. “It has caused a lot of slips and issues on-farm and with winter coming we decided it was time to offload the lambs. The lack of killing space also added more pressure.” Cotter said they would usually have aimed to finish most of the lambs but the lack of processor space meant there was only room for a limited volume and the rest of the lambs had to go. The tops were drafted off and the balance sent to Stortford Lodge. Big lines were offered, including 1000 ewe lambs from Waimaha Station, Tahunga, as well as significant entries of wether and ewe lambs from Mangatawhiti Station in Ohuka, Kokohu Station, and Kauhouroa Station and

Tauwharetoi Station in Ruatikuri. The increase in volume brought out the local buyers who source bigger volumes and like to buy big tallied lines of a consistent type of lamb. Along with support from Taupō and Manawatū there was enough competition to hold the market. Most of the lambs were in forward-store condition and the sale averaged $140.50 as most males sold for $134-$154 and ewe lambs, $126-$146.

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12.0k

Stortford Lodge store lamb tallies

8.0k

4.0k 0.0k

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Farmers Weekly NZ April 25 2022

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