7 New strong wool boss announced Vol 19 No 37, September 28, 2020
Top trade negotiator’s warning Nigel Stirling
T
nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com
HE environmental and animal welfare record of New Zealand farmers will come under closer scrutiny in trade talks as countries search for new ways to maintain protections for their own food producers. NZ’s top trade negotiator Vangelis Vitalis has warned sheep and beef farmers in an online seminar that the pandemic had accelerated a resurgence in protectionism in agricultural trade and more was to come. Billions of dollars in subsidies had been shovelled into the pockets of farmers in the world’s major economies to protect them from the fallout of trade wars and the hit to demand from the coronavirus. “We are also seeing a somewhat troubling tendency to look to other mechanisms to try to protect farmers in other countries,” he said. “Animal welfare measures, environmental standards – these are all the kinds of challenges we are going to have to think about as we look out into the future in terms of that rising protectionism that we are seeing.”
Beef + Lamb NZ’s senior trade policy manager Stephanie Honey says her organisation did its best to counter negative perceptions about the environmental impact of NZ agriculture. “We have done research in the past on sustainability so that the carbon footprint of lamb, for example, to counter those arguments … about food miles,” she said. “Earlier this year, we made a submission to the Europeans about sustainability … you know we are not in the business of burning down native bush to produce more beef.” Beef’s environmental cost is in the spotlight right now in the EU after it struck a deal with the Mercosur bloc of South American countries last year. European farming groups have gladly backed environmentalists concerned lower tariffs on South American beef will be at the expense of an acceleration in the clearance of the Amazon rainforest to raise more cattle to satisfy demand by EU consumers for cheap beef. Pressure was now coming on the governments of EU member states not to ratify the trade agreement. Vitalis says while it would be tempting to cheer any demise of the Mercosur agreement as a boost for rival exporters to the EU, such as NZ, such a view
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did not take account of all the consequences of the deal being torpedoed. Such an outcome had the potential to embolden European protectionists and that could only be a negative for all countries seeking increased access to the EU’s consumer markets. “Some of the protests that you see in the EU are a reminder how a bad news story on the environment, anywhere, can
quickly become magnified and become a real challenge for us in a negotiating sense,” he said. Vitalis acknowledged that while environmental regulations came at a cost to farmers here, they would have a pay-off in improved access to international markets if they helped quell opposition in those markets to free trade deals with NZ. “We have a good environmental record and we need to be able
to present that effectively internationally,” he said. “The areas where there are questions (where) we are willing to address those and tackle those in a meaningful domestic policy way … those are all helpful to us in the negotiating context,” he said. After more than two years of trade talks, Vitalis says he had yet to receive an acceptable agricultural market access offer from EU negotiators.
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ON FARM STORY
28-29 Passion for farming,
women’s empowerment
Resilience is a liberally used term, but it certainly applies to Laura Douglas.
REGULARS Newsmaker ��������������������������������������������������� 22 New Thinking ����������������������������������������������� 23 Editorial ������������������������������������������������������� 24
20 Farmers back biodiversity benefits The majority of New Zealand sheep and beef farmers recognise the benefits of protecting native biodiversity on their land but more needs to be done to help them preserve it, according to a new survey.
Pulpit ������������������������������������������������������������� 25 Opinion ��������������������������������������������������������� 26 On Farm Story ���������������������������������������� 28-29 World �������������������������������������������������������������� 30 Real Estate ���������������������������������������������� 31-38 Employment ������������������������������������������������� 39 Classifieds ����������������������������������������������������� 40 Livestock ������������������������������������������������� 41-43 Weather ��������������������������������������������������������� 45
12 Where Fonterra’s earnings went
Over $500 million of gains on sale for divested Fonterra businesses were backed out of the 2020 earnings before the new dividend policy was applied, chief financial officer Marc Rivers says.
18 Lucerne leader challenges climate thinking
Changing the farmer mindset about dealing with climate change may be a tougher challenge than developing the technology to adapt to it.
Markets ���������������������������������������������������� 44-48 GlobalHQ is a farming family owned business that donates 1% of all advertising revenue in Farmers Weekly and Dairy Farmer to farmer health and well-being initiatives. Thank you for your prompt payment.
WHY TAXING METHANE IS THEFT It is unscientific: it fails to recognise the natural carbon cycle It is unjust: The GWP method of assessing the impact of ruminant methane is flawed It is unnecessary: It has never been established that current ruminant methane emissions need to reduce
It is unprofessional: official ruminant methane figures are only accurate to plus or minus 55%. Who would rely on that? It is unlawful: the Paris Agreement prohibits measures that threaten food production It is unintelligent and economic madness: why leg-rope the sector leading the recovery?
Join F.A.R.M. and help us fight methane taxes www.facebook.com/Ruminantmethane + www.farmemissions.co.nz
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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
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Fonterra farmers mainly positive Colin Williscroft and Neal Wallace FONTERRA suppliers are generally positive about the cooperative’s latest results. Taranaki farmer Brett Sarten says he has not had an opportunity to read the results closely but from what he has seen, he is very comfortable with what the co-op achieved during the past financial year. As a shareholder he welcomes that $1.1 billion of debt has been paid off, albeit that was partly through asset sales. “I think it’s a good thing, it makes for a stronger balance sheet,” he said. He says the co-op’s new focus and direction gives him confidence as the company looks to the future. “I like the strategy. We’re focusing on what we’ve got rather than trying to be the biggest, which you don’t have to be,” he said. “It’s where we should have been all along, I’m on board with it. “It’s showing up those egos from the past.” Sarten says he is comfortable with the size of the confirmed $7.14/kg milksolids farm gate milk price. “It is what it is. I mean you always want more but there are some things, like the worldwide volatility around milk prices, that are out of (Fonterra’s) control. You just have to accept that,” he said. He’s not too disappointed with the size of the dividend, which was 5c a share despite reported tax after profit being $659 million, $1.3bn higher than last year’s $562m loss. “I would have liked more but we needed a dividend and we got one, so that’s good,” he said. “As an interested long-term shareholder, I’m happy that they’ve invested the money back into the company and strengthened the balance sheet.” He says he understands the
IMPROVEMENT: Taranaki farmer Brett Sarten is confident Fonterra is heading in the right direction after a change of strategy.
issues around the balance sheet needing to be shored up, which will place Fonterra in a stronger position as it looks to the future. From what he has seen of the co-op’s change in strategy there are no particular areas that he thinks need to be addressed immediately. “I’m just so pleased about what’s happening now. It’s about time,” he said. One aspect he says that could change – and one that is outside the board’s performance – is that not enough of Fonterra’s suppliers take an active interest in the coop’s affairs. “It would be better for everyone if more were doing that,” he said. Inglewood farmer Michelle Jonas is another who is pleased with the result. “I’m very happy to hear about the turnaround,” she said. “There’s been a lot of waste and
mismanagement in the past, so to see that changing is very pleasing because having to go through that (in past years) has been tough on farmers. “It was just something on top of everything else we’ve had to go through with more costs that we didn’t need.” Although the dividend is small, Jonas says at least there is one, which is a positive sign. “We did need to see one. It does give some confidence,” she said. She says the co-op’s strategy and direction now has it on the right path. Southland dairy farmer and shareholder Vaughan Templeton says the co-op’s performance is an improvement on the previous year, but is far from stellar. “It’s okay but it is not a good result. When you take off one-off gains and only get a 5c dividend, that is the true indicator of profitability,” he said.
Templeton says he supports the decision to retain earnings, but the fact remained Fonterra still has room for improvement. He doubted suppliers who moved to other companies would be regretting their decision based on this result. Fonterra’s currency hedging was one area that disappointed him, saying they trailed the spot price for a second successive year. Acknowledging hedging was an inexact science, he described this aspect as frustrating. Templeton welcomed the forecast milk price for the coming season but noted its wide range, which was a concern given reports global milk volumes are growing. “There is some uncertainty,” he said. He planned to maximise production over the peak period and then base future decisions on
the price outlook. Mid-Canterbury dairy farmer Andrew Morris says Fonterra’s result was spot on with his budget forecasts, adding that it reflected the co-op’s performance in the last couple of years. “It was a positive result and I believe it shows we are on the right track,” he said. Morris was also pleased with the forecast price for the coming season but noted forecasting prices was like forecasting the weather. Dairying was mostly in a good spot at present. “We are pretty happy within the farm gate,” he said. “Business is going well and I am happy with the direction Fonterra is taking us after a disappointing couple of years.”
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Fonterra result analysis P12
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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
One farm plan to rule them all THE Labour Party is pledging $50 million to help farmers pay for comprehensive farm plans. The initial investment would help fund plans that meet all on-property requirements for farmers and growers, including environmental management, labour, biosecurity and health and safety, replacing the overlapping and wide-ranging reporting, auditing and consents that are currently required. “By partnering with the industry we will create a single planning framework that will reduce costs for every farmer and grower, reduce the burden of compliance and help our agri-sector get greater economic returns for their products,” Labour leader Jacinda Ardern said. Ardern, along with Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, announced the policy at Green Valley Dairies at Mangatawhiri near Pokeno on September 23. Ardern says the funding would simplify the expectations for farmers and in the future may be used as a tool to remove some of the regulatory burden farmers face. That could mean in the future removing some of the consenting processes by having farm plans. “They are already in use and it’s our job to make sure we integrate them with what we are doing at a government and local government level,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to use something that’s already an important tool on-farm and
We do set the bottom lines and that’s what we’ve done.” He also acknowledged there was a shortage in qualified and experienced personnel available to help farmers create these farm plans. O’Connor says the Government was working actively with the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM) to build its capabilities as well as the capabilities of the MPI where required to help reduce that shortage. “We are committed to assist them in those areas where they see a need,” he said. That could mean more spaces or options at university or resources to help people upskill themselves to be able to assist farmers. “There’s been work going on to ensure that those advisors will be in a position to validate both emissions calculations on-farm and some of the water requirements. This is work in progress with the industry body. “Ultimately, we have to encourage more young people to move into universities and take up those agricultural degrees, which we know are a really good base,” he said. He said there are others such as resource planners or scientists who could also assist farmers in this space. O’Connor hoped to have a template framework available to assist regional councils and farmers by the end of the year.
CASH INJECTION: Port Waikato Labour candidate Baljit Kaur, Damien O’Connor and Jacinda Ardern met with Green Valley Dairies staff in Waikato last week.
remove duplication and some of the consenting process that some farmers might already be experiencing.” Farmers with existing plans will not need a new plan. Instead, it will be integrated into their existing plan or the existing plan will be integrated into the new plan to prevent duplication. “For many it will be business as usual but the requirements and bottom lines we have put in place around freshwater will require them to bring those plans out and update them,” O’Connor added. O’Connor says the Government had spent two years working with industry to create the best possible farm plan template.
He says it can cost farmers and growers between $5000 and $10,000 for each property to develop an integrated farm plan and we will create a cost-sharing agreement with industry that will ensure every farmer and grower pays less for their compliance. “Cohesive national farm plans that adopt a whole-farm approach will ensure that we stay ahead of the curve internationally when it comes to good farming practice,” he said. One of the first plan templates to be rolled out will replace the consent process for intensive winter grazing. “Working with the regional
councils and the industry, we will design a template that makes applying for intensive winter grazing consent much easier or, over time, supersedes the need for the consent process.” O’Connor says they will work with farmers and regional councils and other officials to make sure there are practical and implementable proposals and that farmers get assistance in compiling the plans. Working out how the freshwater reforms are to be implemented could not be done from Wellington because every farm plan will be different. “It’s impossible for us to write those farm plans from Wellington.
ACT unveils its agricultural policy Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz LOW morale and the extent of mental health issues among farmers has surprised aspiring ACT New Zealand candidate and the party’s agriculture spokesperson Mark Cameron. “It’s palpable,” the Ruawai, Northland, dairy farmer said.
Releasing the party’s primary industries policy, Cameron describes it as “practical, pragmatic solutions,” needed for an industry under pressure. The wide-ranging policy incorporates elements of climate change, forestry, water, winter grazing, the Resource Management Act, health and safety, regulation, infrastructure,
tax, firearms, tax and mental health. The premise behind the policies is smaller Government and more local and industry control. “The current Government uses a big stick rather than a regional carrot,” he said. The party wants climate change policies based on sound science and Cameron says that means
separating the treatment of short-lived methane from carbon dioxide and ensuring NZ policies are consistent with those of our major trading partners. It will repeal the Zero Carbon Act, which it voted against in the previous Parliamentary term, and replace it with a plan that ties our carbon price with those of our top five trading partners.
“Our current policy risks a virtual appearance of appearing to do the right thing but writing off portions of rural NZ,” Cameron said. Subsidies to the forestry industry and more favourable treatment of foreign forestry investors wanting to buy land
Continued next page
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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
Nats aim to boost farmer confidence Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz A NATIONAL Party-led government will introduce regional rules for managing freshwater and amend climate change policy to fix what it sees as anomalies affecting the primary sector. That is the promise of the party’s agriculture spokesperson David Bennett, who says farmers are being hindered by current government policies. “We want to give farmers confidence a National Party-led government will work with them and listen,” he said. “Any business wants a government that works with them, delivers infrastructure and what we’re doing for farmers is what we’re doing for every other business in NZ.” Announcing its policy in Gisborne on Thursday, party leader Judith Collins says the primary sector has been taken
Continued from previous page introduced by the current Government will end if ACT is in Government. Cameron says the current policy has allowed forestry companies to buy productive farmland driving out small farmers and undermining rural communities. The mandatory three-metre setback from waterways as part of freshwater policies will go if the ACT party is part of the next Government, in favour of customising measures for individual properties. Regional councils and communities will set their own freshwater management limits, as opposed to what Cameron called the current Government’s one-size fits all approach. If the Government locks up any part of a property from productive
for granted but the economic impact of the pandemic shows its importance. Bennett said in an interview that a National-led government will review the freshwater regulations, promote water storage and replace the Resource Management Act (RMA). A rethink of freshwater policies will, where possible, take a regional rather than a one-size fits all approach. His primary concerns are nitrogen limits, which it describes as unscientific and arbitrary, intensive winter grazing rules, cropping restrictions based on slope and stock exclusion requirements. “The whole point of our freshwater approach is to move away from government promoted rules which are arbitrary, and do not take account of practices, regions or areas,” he said. “We want to be able to give farmers room and get to a point where they feel the rules are
achievable and practical.” Bennett says the RMA has hindered the development of water storage, which the party views as crucial to communities and growing horticultural exports. “New Zealand needs to grow its way out of the covid-19 crisis and we need water storage,” he said. The party’s proposed National Infrastructure Bank will be tasked with investing in medium-sized water storage that meet rural, urban and environmental goals. It also plans to address long-held concerns with the Zero Carbon Act, which it voted for in the last Parliament, and the Emissions Trading Scheme. These include ending the favourable Overseas Investment Office treatment of foreign forestry investors and allowing carbon emitters to offset their emissions by planting trees or carbon farming. The 2022 review of progress of the He Waka Eke Noa emissions reduction agreement between
use, such as a wetland, ACT policy is for the landowner to receive full compensation. Newly-introduced winter grazing restrictions, such as resowing dates and pugging limits, will be rolled back and the slope restriction from cropping without requiring resource consent, amended to 20 degrees instead of the current 10 degrees. “There is the potential to reverse a lot of good work that is being done,” Cameron said of freshwater policies. The Health and Safety Act will be amended to ensure a graduated set of compliance rules relevant to the location and scale of activity, while the party will work with the industry to simplify and reduce regulation and compliance. ACT proposes repealing the Arms Legislation Act and the Arms Act and replacing them with new
rules that balance firearms safety, firearms control and freedom. The 30% tax rate will be lowered to 17.5% and GST to 10% for 12 months, while local body rates will be assessed on an estimation of services used. ACT will create a national, standalone Mental Health and Addiction agency, citing the problem issue of mental health in rural communities, low farmer confidence and the high rates of farmer suicide.
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PLANS: Agriculture spokesperson David Bennett says a Nationalled government will review the freshwater regulations, promote water storage and replace the Resource Management Act.
the primary sector and the Government would be abolished. Bennett says the agreement was entered into under good faith and the Government should not have the ability to impose its will before the 2025 deadline. National wants to explore options suggested by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment for pricing and dealing with methane, such as treating it separately from carbon dioxide under the Zero Carbon Act. A review of the Act will include reference to greenhouse gas mitigation not threatening food production and provision to take account of the emission reduction actions of other countries, and the economic impact when setting carbon budgets. A National-led government will seek access to markets in Asia,
a free trade agreement with the USA, conclude trade agreements with the UK and European Union and progress the Pacific Alliance, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and ASEAN Free Trade Agreement upgrade. On the labour front, it will allow skilled and seasonal workers into NZ. It promises better access to health for rural communities and part of that will be seeking requests for the establishment of a graduate entry medical school focused on retaining general practitioners in rural areas. Labour’s agriculture spokesperson Damien O’Connor labelled the policies “old school.” “It’s old school, old hat and really would take us back to the past,” he said.
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Suffering from depression or stress, or know someone who is? Where to get help: Rural Support Trust: 0800 Rural Help Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 Lifeline: 0800 543 354 Need to talk? Call or text 1737 Samaritans: 0800 726 666 Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234
VIEW: Northland dairy farmer and ACT agriculture spokesperson Mark Cameron says the current policy has allowed forestry companies to buy productive farmland driving out small farmers and undermining rural communities.
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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
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SWAG announces its chief executive Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz FORMER international marketing manager for the New Zealand Merino company Andrew Caughey will take the helm of NZ’s strong wool industry. The recently established Strong Wool Action Group (SWAG) has confirmed Caughey’s appointment as the executive officer for the group. Caughey has been involved in the wool sector in NZ and internationally since 1988 and in 2011 he founded Armadillo Merino, a global company specialising in clothing for tactical operators and professionals operating in high risk environments. SWAG chair Rob Hewett says Caughey’s deep understanding of the wool market and business track record is a significant asset for the group. “In Andy (Caughey) we have a leader that spans consumer branding and innovation as well as knowledge of what lies behind the farm gate. “It’s an ideal mix of skills and experience relevant to what we
need,” Hewett said. The group held its first meeting on Friday with interested processors and exporters. “It was a chance to take others through what we see as an opportunity to help galvanize the strong wool sector,” he said. Collaboration and alignment with a wider vision for the food
We have a leader that spans consumer branding and innovation as well as knowledge of what lies behind the farm gate. Rob Hewett Strong Wool Action Group and fibre sector will be central to the group’s success. The group talked through how it plans to align with the Primary Sector Council’s Te Taiao vision for the strong wool sector.
IDEAL: SWAG chair Rob Hewett says Caughey’s deep understanding of the wool market and business track record is a significant asset for the group.
“Getting in front of people who are invested in our sector, to lay out our intentions at this stage is important,” Hewett said. “We want to take as many people as possible along with us so that we can create sustainable value for the strong wool sector, but we also need to move quickly.” SWAG is a collaboration of representatives from across the primary sector who have banded together to carry out the recommendations of the wool industry’s Project Action Group (PAG) report, released in July this year. The group will work on three key areas identified in the PAG report to develop a plan of action for the sector. These areas are bringing in international consumer-focused thinking from outside the sector, identification of commercial opportunities that industry players can invest in that are value creating, and a pathway to reestablishing on-farm data capture and analysis of best practice.
TOP MAN: International wool industry marketer Andy Caughey has been appointed executive officer for the Strong Wool Action Group.
Council withdraws PC1 appeal THE Waikato Regional Council will withdraw its appeal to the Environment Court on Healthy Rivers Plan Change 1 (PC1). Councillors voted unanimously for the decision after it became clear that the issues that prompted the council’s appeal will be addressed by others appealing the plan. Councillors heard that 23 appeals had been lodged with the Environment Court and each have been assessed by staff. The decision-based version of PC1 recommended by an independent panel following 59 days of hearings last year, was notified in April for appeals to the Environment Court.
Council chair Russ Rimmington said withdrawing the appeal was a “no-brainer” when it was clear the matters raised would still be addressed by the court. “The risk that these technical matters would not be addressed is now gone and by appearing in court only as respondent, we will reduce this council’s legal costs at a time when we need to be efficient with our spend,” he said. A council report said there was “a high degree of overlap between the matters raised by council (in its appeal) and those collectively raised by other appellants”. While there were five matters not specifically raised in other
appeals, two were errors or omissions, which the court would irrespective need to rectify. The remaining three issues were not considered critical by staff and would highly likely be considered by the court as part of its broad discretion. The council is party to all appeals lodged with the court and the withdrawal of the appeal would enable a single, coordinated council response to all appellants, councillors were told. In June, the council had voted to appeal PC1 to resolve some minor technical matters that would better enable implementation of the plan.
“It’s alright to talk“
Want to talk? Connect to supports that can help you right now: 1737 Need to Talk? Is a mental health helpline number that provides access to trained counsellors who can offer support to anyone who needs to talk about mental health or addiction issues. It is free to call or text at any time. Youthline www.youthline.co.nz offers support to young people and their families, including online resources about a wide range of issues that affect young people. It can be contacted by calling 0800 376 633, texting 234, email (talk@youthline.co.nz) or online chat. Domestic violence and advice & support, call Women’s Refuge Crisis line 0800 733 843. 0800 787 254 www.ruralsupport.org.nz
Alcohol and drug helpline 0800 787 797.
What’s up www.whatsup.co.nz offers counselling to 5 to 18 year olds by freephone 0800 942 8787 (1pm-10pm Monday - Friday, 3pm-10pm weekends) or online chat. Mental health information and advice for children, teenagers and families is available on its website. The Lowdown www.thelowdown.co.nz is a website and helpline for young people to help them recognise and understand depression or anxiety. It also has a 24/7 helpline that can be contacted by calling freephone 0800 111 757 or texting 5626.
rural people helping rural people
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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
Manufacturing might be needed to rebuild wool Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz SELLING bales of wool to the rest of the planet is not going to improve farm gate returns when the problem in the same supply chain is the lack of New Zealand’s ability to manufacture finished product. Tech‘N’Colour NZ general manager Richard Bloemendal says what will make a difference is the protection of New Zealand’s textile and leather industry and investment in its manufacturing infrastructure. Bloemendal says despite a group being established to fix the wool industry, one organisation cannot take charge of an almost zero manufacturing infrastructure industry relative to raw materials available and hope to turn it around with words of leadership. “Under current infrastructure, all we can do is sell more raw materials offshore for others to make the money,” he said. “I think most, if not all, are missing the manufacturing and infrastructure discussion. “We grow wool and produce ship loads of leather, NZ consumers need to be able to buy quality NZ-manufactured textile and leather products in NZ, and NZ needs to be exporting finished products across the world, not raw materials. “The margins are in the finished product and not in selling bales of wool or leather. “We should be in a position where we have the cookie to sell, not sending raw material away for
others to reap the rewards.” To do that, the manufacturing industry needs protection. “We have gone through decades where governments have said they will remove tariffs off textile imports,” he said. “NZ is too small to compete with no tariff protection for textile and leather. “We are getting our leather back in the seats in the cars we buy here, it needs to change. “NZ consumers are being dragged along to believe the only option is imported product – totally wrong.”
Under current infrastructure, all we can do is sell more raw materials off-shore for others to make the money. Richard Bloemendal Tech‘N’Colour NZ Wool and leather may be deemed a commodity to NZ, but around the world they contribute to significant luxury items. “Rightly or wrongly, the consumers within our largest trade partner, Asia, are not concerned with sustainability, farming emissions or climate change,” he said. “Is it right for NZ to sell into that market?” The leather and hide industry is
having the same problems as the wool industry. “And they are both co-products of NZ’s primary beef and dairy sectors.” Bloemendal says in his many years in the industry he has witnessed the demise of NZ’s value-added textile manufacturing and leather sector to almost zero wool apparel manufactured in NZ, other than in a handful of boutique businesses. “The focus for historical reasons seems to be the lifting of the raw material value of wool over the farm gate,” he said. A converse perspective, Bloemendal says, would be turning that wool into volume, value-added consumer products commanding the consumer dollar where in most, if not all, cases the margins are greater. “The key to changing the sector is manufacturing infrastructure,” he said. “This requires investment in existing textile manufacturing plants and investment in startups, which is where the industry’s problems lie.” The other problem is a serious lack of technical expertise and modern technologies to convert wool and leather into end-user products. “The major hurdle the NZ textile and leather industries have is people and organisations willing to invest in sustainable textile and leather finished product manufacturing, while the Government allows tariff-free importation of synthetic textiles and leather imitations under the
HOME MADE: Tech‘N’Colour NZ general manager Richard Bloemendal says NZ consumers need to be able to buy quality NZ-manufactured textile and leather products in NZ.
ideology of free trade,” he said. “One can’t preach climate change, be signed up to such global accords and be on the side of NZ enterprise whilst wearing an imported polyester tie, putting synthetic carpet down in homes and offices and cycling in lycra.” Reinventing NZ’s wool direction won’t be cheap and won’t be easy. “Until NZ reinvests in wool
conversion infrastructure, it has an extremely long bow to draw that NZ will sell scoured, baled wool across the farm gate for more significant value than it is today,” he said. “All these blokes can say what they like, but the bottom line is the margins are in the finished product, not in selling bales of wool, that’s what is broken and needs to be fixed.” 1
October 2020
Unexpected far mer Sparky on the farm Helping farme environmentalrs meet regulations
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The latest Dairy Farmer hits letterboxes on October 5
An Auckland farm winner of the reg set up to showcase the dairy goa ional Ballance Farm Environme t industry is the nt supreme aw ard
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October 2020
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Our OnFarmStory this month features Auckland farmer Matthew Bolton from Oete Goat Farm at Patumahoe, where they milk 5500 goats. We also talk to the Canterbury/North Otago Share Farmers of the Year Ralph and Fleur Tompsett, and take a look at supplementary feed and effluent.
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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
9
Concern over live exports terms Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz LIVE cattle exports can resume next month under new temporary prohibition regulations mandated by the Government. But, while giving some timeframe certainty, not all industry players are convinced the new regulations give the full greenlight to go. “It’s a result for this next period to hopefully get the cattle in quarantine moving, but it’s not 100% certainty,” Progressive Livestock managing director Andrew Robins said. “Our major concern now is consignments, with import licence issued by China, set to go. “These cattle are tagged onfarm and were due for blood testing on September 14, we’re working towards that now. “But there’s still a level of concern that somewhere along the track it gets derailed,” Robins said. Live export consultant Brent Wallace says industry will be erring with caution as it proceeds with forward plans. “There’s thousands of cattle signed up to go and scheduled for testing,” he said. “These cattle will move into quarantine soon after the others
have left but with no clear cut message for the month of November there’s no certainty they will get on the water.” Wallace fears farmers could become the losers in the bumpy road ahead. “The trump card for exporters will be to not pay and it will be farmers who lose out through not getting paid,” he said. The new regulations, made under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 with the consent of the Executive Council and on the recommendation of Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, gives the industry certainty going forward, managing director of Genetic Development New Zealand (GDNZ) Dave Hayman says. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) imposed the immediate suspension of all live cattle exports following the tragic sinking of the Gulf Livestock 1 off the coast of Japan earlier this month. MPI has since launched an independent review of the Gulf Livestock 1 tragedy to ensure people and animals on livestock export boats are safe. A meeting of Cabinet on September 21 approved to regulate the initial indefinite
PROGRESS: While MPI has launched an independent review into the Gulf Livestock 1 tragedy, after agreeing to a moratorium, the sector can resume live exports on October 24 at the discretion of the Director-General.
suspension, effectively halting all livestock shipments. The new Animal Welfare (temporary prohibition on export of livestock by sea) Regulations 2020, including cattle, deer, goats and sheep, came into force on Tuesday. These regulations provide for a two-stage approach to the prohibition. An absolute prohibition will be in force until October 23. MPI deputy director-general Karen Adair says this provides for the independent review to be
completed, decisions made and for any operational changes to be implemented. A conditional prohibition will be in force between October 24 and November 30. During this period the Director-General of MPI will have discretion to approve the export of livestock by sea, subject to any conditions deemed necessary. The conditional prohibition has been put in place to ensure that the Director-General can make decisions following the independent review.
Adair says during the postelection period, any significant decisions by ministers would be restricted by the caretaker convention, but the convention will not limit the DirectorGeneral’s authority. Cabinet’s formalisation of the MPI imposed suspension follows collaborative industry and farmer negotiations with government officials. Hayman says while exporters, as members of the Animal Genetics Trade Association (AGTA), supported the independent review, certainty was also needed for farmers and all involved in the industry. “Farmers can have confidence that animals contracted for forward consignments will proceed. “This is a great relief, particularly that the cattle in pre-export isolation (PEI) will be able to be shipped and that the ongoing plans for cattle purchases and preparation for export can resume.” In a letter to GDNZ vendors and agents, Hayman says farmers that supplied cattle in late August and are awaiting payment from GDNZ will all see payment arrive this week.
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10 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
Tough season for calf rearers Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz INCREASING on-farm costs along with an indifferent market are squeezing the margins for calf rearers this season. The market for reared Friesian bull calves has come back $40-$50 per head, according to Te Awamutu calf rearer Mark Bocock. This is the result of less competition in the market brought about as North Island farmers continue to recover from the drought. Some farmers are unable to take any calves they would usually take, while others will only take them at the right price.
You have to make sure there’s enough skin in the game for everybody. Mark Bocock Calf rearer At the same time, his on-farm costs for rearing the calves had creeped up by an estimated $10/ head. “The margins are getting skinny all the time,” he said. Meal and wage costs had lifted, while milk powder prices were unchanged. He had dropped the price he was paying for the calves on collection by $35-$40 to try and make up some of that loss. “You have to make sure there’s enough skin in the game for everybody,” he said. It was a balancing act. The farmers he purchased the calves from had to get a fair price, there had to be enough return in it for him to justify rearing the calf and the farmer buying the reared calf had to get a quality product at a fair price. Bocock sources the bulk of the 3600 calves from around 60
farms, picking up calves twice a week from regular buyers, rather than local sale yards. This system allows him to control the stock flow coming on-farm. He and wife Michelle rear mostly Friesian bull calves, around 1000 beef calves, and 1200 autumn-born calves. The calves are reared until 100kg. Most of the calves are pre-ordered and are sent all over the North Island to farms in southern Hawke’s Bay and Northland. While Bocock had forward contracts to fill, giving him certainty this year, there were fewer contracts available, which was why he is rearing 1000 fewer animals this season. Outside the Hawke’s Bay, other regions were faring better. “The outlook is quite good but buyers are being a little bit cautious and a lot of cut their orders back a bit,” he said. Some farmers who would usually take 250 weaners were taking 200 instead. Marketing the calves to the people who usually buy them as weaners has been his biggest challenge so far this season because of the variable demand. Despite the struggles, he is confident they will be in financial black by the end of this season thanks to the economies of scale. He says it was also noticeable that a lot of smaller rearers had pulled out this year. They would have looked at their financials over the past few years and realised they were making nothing. He says this could mean fewer numbers of reared stock available for sale. At the sale yards, he says the lack of interest in the market meant calves that in previous years would have been reared were being sold as bobbies for the petfood industry. “There won’t be as many quality calves coming through as last year for the market, but Hawke’s Bay won’t be able to take as many stock as well at
least for another year or two,” he said. Sale prices at the yards had been “all over the place” for calves. Some days there were plenty of buyers and other days, there were none. Quality calves sold were fair, but anything not marked or smaller got hammered, selling for pet food. He says he recently saw white headed calves sell for $15 that in other years would have been reared. For some farmers, it was more economical to sell Friesian bull calves to bobby calf collectors rather than risk taking the cattle to the yards and being hammered on the price, once cartage and all of the other costs had been factored in. “They need north of $60-$70 on average at the sale and they are not getting it,” he said. On the positive side, the mild winter had made for very pleasing calving conditions. “The weather for calf rearing has been really good and we’ve been ticking along happily enough,” he said. This was on the back of good mating conditions, which saw calves become available early for on-farm collection.
TOUGH SEASON: Reduced demand for reared calves and increased rearing costs are squeezing the margins for Mark and Michelle Bocock.
DEMAND DOWN: Fewer farmers are wanting to buy Friesian bull calves as they pull themselves out of the drought.
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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
11
Govt policy knocks farmer confidence CONCERNS over Government policy and covid-19 has seen confidence fall among New Zealand farmers, according to the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey. The survey – completed in early September – found net farmer confidence across the nation fell to -32%, down from -26% previously. The number of farmers expecting the rural economy to improve in the next 12 months was down to 13% (from 16% last quarter), while the number expecting the rural economy to deteriorate rose to 45% (up from 42%). A total of 40% were expecting similar conditions. The chief contributor to the net fall was markedly lower sheep and beef farmer sentiment, negating higher confidence levels reported among both dairy farmers and horticulturalists. Rabobank New Zealand chief executive Todd Charteris says net confidence among sheep and beef farmers dropped to -51% from a previous -18%. “More than half of all sheep and beef farmers with a pessimistic outlook cited government policy as a key reason for concern, with many likely to be worried about the potential for freshwater regulations announced in late May to negatively impact their operations,” Charteris said. Adding it was not surprising to see covid-19 cited as a concern given its ongoing impact in the food sector and the importance of this sales channel for red meat products.
markets as their major source of apprehension. Farmer expectations for their own farm business performance in the year ahead was marginally higher than the previous survey. While fewer farmers expected their own farm business to perform better (13% from 16% previously), there was a more significant drop in those expecting farm business performance to deteriorate (37% from 42% previously). This resulted in the net reading climbing to -24% from -26% previously.
CONCERNED: Government regulations and the ongoing effects of covid-19 have led to confidence falling among sheep and beef farmers.
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More than half of all sheep and beef farmers with a pessimistic outlook cited government policy as a key reason for concern. Todd Charteris Rabobank NZ chief executive “We’re currently seeing the beginnings of a recovery in the food service sector, however, a return to pre-covid-19 consumption levels is still a long way off, and there is potential for a prolonged recovery to impact export revenues for New Zealand beef and lamb – particularly for highervalue cuts such as lamb racks and prime steaks,” he said. Dairy farmers and horticulturalists were more upbeat about the fortunes of the agricultural economy. Dairy farmer net confidence rose to -29% from -33%, while net confidence among horticulturalists was up to -3% from -20%. Improving demand was the key reason for optimism among both dairy farmers and growers. Charteris says the lift in Fonterra’s milk forecast for the current season had also lifted spirits among the dairy sector. “Growers have also been buoyed by recent positive news with the NZ Institute for Economic Research announcing in July that export revenues for horticultural products rose strongly in the year to June in spite of covid-19 disruption. All signs pointed to another year of robust demand for New Zealand produce, with the value of our horticultural exports into China having doubled since 2010 and further growth anticipated, he says. “While falling outside the latest survey period, growers will also have welcomed this week’s government announcement on immigration changes that will help to address labour shortages within the industry,” he said. There were also farmers in these two sectors adopting a more pessimistic stance over an optimistic one, citing government policy and covid-19 as the reasons He says horticulturalists identified overseas
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12 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
New capital structure needed Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz FONTERRA’S recovery is under way, but its new strategy is still in the formative stages and more details are required to bring confidence, Jarden’s head of research Arie Dekker says. He wants five-year projections on investments required and expectations for core products and markets, plans for the remaining offshore assets in Australia, Sri Lanka and Chile – where research and development are targeted – and the new capital structure. Under the heading Lessons from a Lost Decade, Dekker pointed out that 24c a share normalised earnings were well below Fonterra’s consistent 4050cps performances of a decade ago. The company had reset the balance sheet and made a necessary retrenchment in poorly targeted growth investment. Debt had been returned to the level before Trading Among Farmers (TAF) was introduced in 2012 and a further saving of
$400-$500 million was available from exiting China Farms and Brazil. That should deliver the target debt ratio without any more meaningful loss of earnings.
We think farmers and outside investors would like to clearly understand what earnings are being retained for and what renewed balance sheet capacity might be invested in. Arie Dekker Jarden But while redemption risk had been plugged by TAF, milk supply risk remained a big issue. Fonterra had lost nearly 10% of the New Zealand market share over the past eight years as its supply volume stayed level and that of the other processors,
collectively, had doubled. The principles governing the capital structure review prioritise sustainable milk supply and financial flexibility for farmers. All stakeholders need to know the right size for the co-operative, taking into account investment needs and farmers’ requirements for invested capital. For example, retention had amounted to only $900m over 20 years, including the 38cps just declared. “We think farmers and outside investors would like to clearly understand what earnings are being retained for and what renewed balance sheet capacity might be invested in,” he said. Dekker says the new dividend policy had coincided with a high milk payout to produce the 5c dividend. “In 2021, we expect less adjustments and for Fonterra to be able to pay out in the region of 50% of its earnings, allowing for the dividend to step up to 10c to 17.5cps,” he said. Craigs Investment Partners’ analysts say they thought the debt repayment and dividend policies
were prudent and sensible and will eventually help steer Fonterra’s balance sheet back to sustainable levels of debt. However, they had expected a 2020 dividend of 10-12c and called the eventual 5c non-imputed dividend a “sprinkling” after the company’s major spring clean. The lower payout was a result of unforeseen impairments which now form a component of the dividend policy. Craigs says the unforeseeable nature of impairments had significant implications for dividend forecasts. “The implication is that dividends are likely to be systematically overstated to an extent of unknown asset impairments,” it said. But when looking forward, Craigs discounted the possibility of major impairments again this financial year, and therefore assumed the dividend policy would deliver about half of the 2035c earnings guidance. Commentator Keith Woodford says clouds still hang over Fonterra’s two overseas assets in Australia and Chile, implying that
CAUSE AND EFFECT: Jarden’s head of research Arie Dekker says the new dividend policy had coincided with a high milk payout to produce the 5c dividend.
further major impairments may be required. “I cannot find any mention in the annual report as to whether active consideration was given to the value of Fonterra’s Australian assets,” he said. “My own suspicion is that if these assets were offered for sale they would not sell for the current values in Fonterra’s books.”
Where Fonterra’s earnings went
Fonterra splits are changing
Hugh Stringleman
Hugh Stringleman
hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz
OVER $500 million of gains on sale for divested Fonterra businesses were backed out of the 2020 earnings before the new dividend policy was applied, chief financial officer Marc Rivers says. The gains against book valuation were $427 million for the excipients business DFE Pharma and $66m for the protein products business Foodspring – both in Europe, plus smaller gains for Dennington in Australia and Tip Top in Auckland. When these abnormal items were removed from the 43 cents per share reported earnings, just 11cps was available to the directors on which to apply the new dividend policy. The policy is between 40% and 60% of reported net profit after tax excluding any abnormal gains, and the directors elected to pay out 45%, or 5c. Rivers says gains on divestment went into the $1.1 billion reduction in debt last financial year, to bring that number well ahead of the budgeted three-point-seven-five times earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda). Debt on July 31 was three-point-four times Ebitda, compared with four-point-four a year before. The debt target is now
two-point-five to three times Ebitda to be reached over the next two years. Rivers says the lower target reflected Fonterra’s position as a safe, sustainable co-operative, to maintain its A-band credit rating for future capital needs and to avoid covenants, while having flexibility to deal with major events, like the covid-19 pandemic. He says China Farms and the DPA Brazil joint venture with Nestle were the next planned divestments to go a long way towards the new debt target. The sale of shares in Beingmate was halfway to completion and the rest of the debt reduction would come from “good, old-fashioned underlying performance improvements”. The major revaluations and impairments had been made during the past two years in parts of the business that had no head room. Other substantial assets, such as processing facilities in New Zealand and Australia, did have plenty of head room in their valuations, so were not likely to require impairments. Rivers says the 38cps retained earnings in the stronger balance sheet was another expression of the gains on divestment and much-improved trading results during the past year. In the equity statement, retained earnings went
hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz
IMPROVEMENT: Marc Rivers says the dairy industry isn’t chasing milk growth.
up more than $600m and total equity rose more than $900m to be $6.7bn. With lower debt, he says Fonterra could respond if an attractive investment came up and adequate processing capacity was now in place. Therefore, the capacity adjustment in the milk price schedule was no longer required and Fonterra proposes it will finish at the end of this season. “As an industry we no longer see a future of milk growth and therefore the co-op is no longer faced with the challenge of needing to continually invest in new peak stainless steel,” Farm Source director Richard Allen said in a note to farmers last week. The CA change would not impact the total amount paid for milk and for 87% of farmers the unders and overs movements were less than 2c/kg in the 2020 season.
FONTERRA continued to report on its Ingredients and Foodservice and Consumer businesses for the 2020 financial year and will change to a new operating model for the 2021 reports. It will disclose results in three geographical divisions: Asia and the Pacific, Greater China, and Africa, Middle East, Europe and North Asia and the Americas. Each geographical division will contain different parts of the previous businesses – consumer, foodservice and ingredients – and, therefore, the reports will be more detailed. In 2020, the Ingredients normalised gross profit was $1.6 billion, up 11% on the previous year and all three regions contributed positively at that level – Australia, New Zealand and Prolesur, Chile. Total sales revenue in Ingredients was $17.36bn, up 7% on the year before. Sales volume fell by 3% due mainly to the decline of 12% in the Australian milk collection. The gross margin for ingredients increased from 8.9% to 9.3% because of favourable product mix and pricing in the second half of the year. Total normalised earnings before interest and tax (Ebit) for Ingredients was up $37 million to $827m and the
2019 Ebit contained $44m contribution from DFE Pharma, a business since sold. The NZ normalised Ingredients Ebit was steady at $842m and Prolesur broke even, up $16m on the year before. The Australian Ebit continued to be negative $25m, but Fonterra’s chief executive Miles Hurrell said the company was comfortable with its milk supply and processing assets in Australia. The Consumer and
Our Asia markets remain challenging as many borders remain closed due to covid-19 Foodservice division sold a slightly smaller volume of products and maintained sales revenue at $6.9bn. As the cost of goods sold remained steady, the gross profit was down a small amount to $1.44bn. Normalised Ebit fell by 13% to $357m. Fonterra did report on the Consumer and Foodservice performances split into geographical regions: Greater China, Asia, Oceania and Latin America. Overall Foodservice sales revenue was steady at $2.6bn and normalised Ebit was up 14% to $209m. China’s Ebit was $169m
(up 49%), Asia $23m and Oceania $16m, down 35% and 43% respectively compared with the year before. Sales volumes were down 44% in the second half due to covid-19 lockdowns in NZ and Australia. “Our Asia markets remain challenging as many borders remain closed due to covid-19,” Fonterra said in the annual report. Consumer sales revenue was steady at $4.2bn and the gross profit was $1bn. Total Ebit was down 35% to $149m and the reductions occurred across the geographical regions – Asia down 12%, Oceania down 28%, Latin America down 22% and Greater China made a loss of $21m compared with a similarly sized profit in 2019. Among the reasons given were the civil unrest in Hong Kong, lower sales of Anlene and Anmum in that market, travel restrictions on tourists and the impact of half of the $38m impairment on the Chesdale brand. Because China Farms has been put up for sale, Fonterra reported its performance in the discontinued operations section. With a 14% increase in revenue the division was able to show an 11% normalised Ebit. The average local milk price received was the highest in the past five years.
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farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
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Sector welcomes border exemptions Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz
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A LIMITED number of overseas veterinarians and farm machinery operators are being allowed into New Zealand after the Government granted exemptions for these professions. Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi says the latest exceptions are for up to 30 veterinarians and 210 agricultural and horticultural mobile plant operators, and these exceptions will be time-limited. Also included in the exemptions, are 570 deep sea fishing crew. Faafoi says there are not enough New Zealanders to fill current needs for livestock veterinarians, especially in isolated areas. “Training to be a vet takes years, so these vacancies cannot be filled quickly,” he said. “Vets provide significant benefits to our economy and communities, by ensuring biosecurity and food safety requirements and supporting animal welfare.” Agricultural and horticultural machinery workers operated highly-specialised machinery across regional NZ. “Their skills are required urgently to avoid the loss of crop and animal feed that will soon be ready for harvest,” Faaifoi said. Rural Contractors New Zealand president David Kean welcomed the news, having spent months working with government ministers and officials to secure the approval. He says the industry was told in June to look to employ more New Zealanders, and responded with supporting expos and various training initiatives. “Unlike previous years, we have actually been able to recruit people into our industry,” he said. “Rural contractors have brought on board people as diverse as helicopter pilots, snow groomers and jet boat operators.” While most coming into the industry can learn to drive a tractor, many simply cannot step up safely into the cab of a complex machine like a combine harvester or one that produces sileage. “That’s why RCNZ has kept talking to the Government and officials about the need to be allowed to bring in some skilled imports. We started off thinking we may need 700 and eventually whittled that down to 210,” he said. “Our season is now well under way and some of our members may have given up any hope of this announcement. “However, as an organisation, we kept our chief executive Roger Parton focused on seeing
HELP COMING: The Government will let 210 farm machinery operators into New Zealand after announcing a new border exemption.
what could be achieved and we are delighted with what’s been announced.” RCNZ chief executive Roger Parton said they are working with the MPI to establish when the workers will arrive. “From the minister saying ‘yes’ to the day when the first worker put his foot on the ground, there is a fair amount of work to be done to do that, including arranging air travel which is not necessarily easy.” Two-hundred and ten was the minimum number of foreign workers contractors required this season. Some of those positions may have already been filled by locals. “With that, hopefully we should be able to survive provided we can get them in soon enough.” The news also pleased Federated Farmers. The organisation’s employment spokesperson Chris Lewis says they had been advocating for these exemptions for several months. “We’re very pleased that Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi has now recognised it’s impractical to try and train enough New Zealanders in time to meet the immediate need, though that is the sector’s longer-term goal,” he said. Adding shearers, however, needed to be added to this list. “Farmers are very concerned that the border controls mean there’s a shortfall of up to 150 experienced shearers on our shores, and if that doesn’t change we are heading for some pretty serious animal welfare issues as hotter temperatures arrive,” he said. “By a conservative estimate, that workforce gap equals 180,000 sheep a week unshorn. Just like driving a combine harvester, you cannot pick up a handpiece and handle the workload of an experienced shearer the next day.” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Government was still
working through various issues around providing an exemption for shearers. “We haven’t concluded a way to overcome some of those issues.” “There’s time between now and January and Minister [Megan] Woods is working through prioritization and quarantine. We need to know that if we say yes, there’s a realistic chance they can come back to work,” Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor added. In a separate announcement, changes have also been made to help fill labour shortages in the horticulture and viticulture industries. Faafoi says the sectors performed a critical role in supporting NZ’s covid-19 recovery. “So, it’s important we support them to keep going, while ensuring that, where there are job opportunities, New Zealanders are given a fair chance at filling them,” he said. The Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) visa will be automatically given to around 11,000 working holiday visa holders in NZ with visas expiring between November 1 and March 31, 2021. These visas will allow the visa holders to work in horticulture and viticulture roles, where there are not enough New Zealanders available to do this work. Employers can take on these workers when there are unfilled Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme spaces with an RSE employer, or there are unfilled roles available with an accredited SSE employer. All RSE scheme workers stranded in NZ who have been granted a more flexible limited visa to be able to work parttime and do non-RSE work will also be able to re-enter the RSE scheme and work for an RSE employer with 30 hours per week, average pay guaranteed. This change is for the 2020-21 season only.
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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
15
NZ Charolais bull still setting records Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz AN 11-year-old Silverstream Evolution Charolais bull has starred in two major Australian bull sales this month, setting some dollar records in retirement. Evolution’s sons, or grandsons, made up one-third of the Palgrove Charolais bulls offered on September 11 and one son called Pioneer sold for A$64,000, a stud record. The average for the Evolution progeny was $21,133. Palgrove set a new record breed average across 94 sold of $19,622, having held the previous record of $13,530 in 2006. Silverstream principal Brent Fisher was delighted when Palgrove’s chief executive David Bondfield rang with the news. “Cattle breeders over there have been through droughts and fires, and now covid-19, but they come back with such enthusiasm for herd expansion and top genetics,” he said. On September 21, another big Queensland Charolais stud, Moongool, averaged nearly $18,000 with the six Evolution sons in the 75-lot catalogue. An Australian record price for a Charolais bull of $83,000 was another of Evolution’s sons at Moongool, set three years ago. The Price family of Moongool and the Bondfields of Palgrove jointly own the Australian semen rights to Evolution, sold in 2012 when he was a three-year-old. Now, in a peaceful place at Silverstream on the ChristchurchAkaroa Road at Ataahua, the old bull has close to 600 progeny analysed in Breedplan Charolais and 50 daughters in the Silverstream stud. Fisher says the bull’s popularity and longevity is a testament to his structural soundness that has led to top position in the breed on both sides of the Tasman Sea.
HUGE LEGACY: Silverstream Evolution is the most influential Charolais bull in New Zealand and Australia, pictured with Brent Fisher.
He also has progeny in the United Kingdom and Canada and he is just gaining traction in the United States, where breeders are reluctant to look overseas. “Most studs in Australia and NZ have him in their pedigrees and five of his sons have gone from our sales to Australia,” he said. “When many stud principals are looking to the next big thing, the continued use of Evolution for nine years and the prices paid for his sale bulls is quite extraordinary. “I think his greatest attribute is this ability to continually put
his stamp on progeny through generations over almost a decade – not many bulls remain popular for that long,” he said. “After 11 years, I could take you to the spot on the farm where he was born, because he impressed so much at first sight. “Even as a calf he was really something special and he grew up setting breeding values for growth rates.” Evolution was sired by Silverstream Brumby out of a cow called Glossy when Fisher spotted her sire Ijoufflu in France as a stand-out and bought semen. Brumby was by a Palgrove bull
called Xcept that Brent’s father, Silverstream founder Bruce Fisher, bought many years ago. NZ and Australian Charolais breeding have remained closely connected since the Copland family began importing the breed from the UK and France in the 1960s. Australian quarantine regulations prevented direct importations from Northern Hemisphere sources, so the Coplands and the Fishers provided semen and embryos from NZ. The Fishers first leased then purchased the Copland’s Brookfield females.
I think his greatest attribute is this ability to continually put his stamp on progeny through generations over almost a decade – not many bulls remain popular for that long. Brent Fisher Silverstream Evolution
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farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
News
Beef eats into pork’s lead in China market Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz
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RABOBANK’s latest Chinese protein report highlights the ongoing impact of African Swine Fever on consumption and how it is also prompting some major shifts in distribution and purchasing behaviour to beef options. With a 20% drop in pork supplies reported last year and a further 15-20% drop forecast this year, the world’s largest pork consumers are pivoting to alternative protein sources. This has helped accelerate consumers’ move to red meat, which New Zealand producers are well-positioned to capitalise upon, report author Blake Holgate says. “Despite two years of strong imports the supply drop has been so drastic (that) pork consumption per capita in China has dropped from 40kg in 2018 to 32.6kg in 2019,” Holgate said. Consumers are increasingly starting to combine beef into home consumption when it used to be largely consumed while eating out, opening new opportunities for beef market growth. If the predicted drop in pork consumption continues this year, it will take per capita consumption back to 1997 levels of about 28kg a head. The report authors maintain Chinese consumers appear capable of adapting quickly to changes in market supply, largely on account of animal proteins not traditionally as essential as grains for most consumers. Chicken for example was barely consumed by the Chinese until after 1985, and today is eaten at a rate of 17kg per capita per year. Even with the gradual increase in red meat consumption, beef is still only consumed at 7kg per capita a year, compared to 17kg in NZ. Analysts have found the traditionally strong correlation between pork and poultry substituting each other depending upon supply is weakening under covid-19 retail and consumption conditions. Despite strong pork prices through 2020, poultry prices have remained weak, indicating consumers are finding it difficult to shift to chicken for homecooking with restaurants and food outlets shut. This is despite pork prices being 100% higher than at the same time a year ago. Instead, with pork’s price rise pushing it closer in parity to beef, more consumers have been prompted to use beef in their home-cooking over covid lockdowns. Beef is already well-
BEEFED UP: Blake Holgate says Rabobank expects Chinese consumers to continue to view beef as an increasingly appealing substitute to pork.
established in e-commerce channels, so was well-positioned when lockdown conditions prompted more online purchases. Long-time Beijing resident and Kiwi David Mahon reiterated several aspects of the report’s findings. He says in coming months the chill in relations between Australia and China could play further to NZ’s advantage in the meat trade, although the Australians have a wellestablished position within China to fall from. “If NZ can keep its nonaligned status, then growth should look good next year. It is still quite hard to get definitive figures on pork’s decline, and it may even be greater than that reported,” he said. One problem for beef exports was despite being able to put chilled product into China through the free trade agreement, distributors were wary of holding too much at present. “That is compared to frozen product where you have a longer shelf life,” he said. Mahon says life in China is back to near normal, subject to some health precautions, and along the country’s wealthy east coast average incomes were continuing to track well above the national average of US$9000 a year. “In fact most people in New Zealand would find it is a region that is very sophisticated,
Consumers are increasingly starting to combine beef into home consumption when it used to be largely consumed while eating out, opening new opportunities for beef market growth. Blake Holgate Rabobank
possibly even more so than many Western destinations,” he said. Rabobank expects the “premiumisation” of food products to continue on the back of this continuing wealth. The Chinese market is becoming defined more by niches rather than mass markets, determined by dietary habits, lifestyle choices, purchasing power and social status. This includes pork replaced increasingly more often by beef for home consumption, particularly if disease outbreaks remain a concern. Mahon says NZ’s exceptional job in controlling covid-19 has not gone unnoticed by Chinese consumers. “The level of trust in NZ goes deep,” he said.
News
FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
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Covid effect boosts property market THE rural real estate market has continued its recent upward swing. Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) rural spokesperson Brian Peacocke says there were 386 farms sold from June to August, the best for that three-month period since 2016, when there were 393 sales.
The median price per hectare for all farms sold during that time was 25,657, an increase of just over 1% on the $25,346 for the same period a year earlier.
This year’s increase represented 121 more sales than for the same period last year, a rise of about 45%. Grazing farms accounted for the largest number of sales for the three months with a 31% share of sales, followed by finishing at 30%, horticulture at 14% and dairy at 3% of sales. The median price per hectare for all farms sold during that time was 25,657, an increase of just over 1% on the $25,346 for the same period a year earlier. Property Brokers general manager – rural Conrad Wilkshire says one of the reasons for the high number of sales is a “covid effect”. When the country went into lockdown earlier this year, it put a dam up on the flow of farm sales, but once the market could begin operating again, sales that had been held up came through, along with the usual
DEMAND: Property Brokers spokesperson Conrad Wilkshire says there’s been plenty of work for those working in rural real estate, despite the pandemic. number for the time of year. That’s led to plenty of work for those working in rural real estate. “We had a very busy July (for rural property), probably the best we’ve ever had,” Wilkshire said. Twelve of the 14 regions the REINZ data is divided into showed an increase in farm sales for the three months ending August, the biggest movers being Canterbury
with 24 more and Manawatu/ Whanganui with an increase of 21. At the other end of the spectrum, Bay of Plenty farm sales for the same period fell by three, while Nelson had one less. Nationally, there were 1252 farms sold in the year to August. About 7% fewer than the same period the year before, with about 23% fewer dairy, 14% fewer grazing,15% fewer finishing and 6% more
arable farms sold during the same period. Wilkshire says investment returns on rural land continue to improve. He says looking at the dairy sector as an example, recent payouts have been healthy but the price of land has remained relatively stable, so return on investment has been reliable. “Underlying yields continue to improve. It’s the best value opportunity in agriculture for a long time,” he said.
Small Rural Equities buyback offered Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz
RURAL Equities directors are offering a small share buyback to shareholders who want to exit the farming corporate. The offer is 750,000 shares in total at $4.70 a share, a 40c premium to the market price on the day the offer was announced. It opened on September 11 and will close on October 6. The directors say the offer was part of Rural Equities capital management strategy and to provide liquidity in an Unlisted market where REL shares trade infrequently. The offer will cost the company $3.5 million compared with the net asset value per share on June 30 of $5.60, which values the company at just under
$180m, or the current market capitalisation of $152m. Sir Selwyn Cushing and his son David, who is executive chair of the company, have beneficial interests amounting to about 70% of REL. In late August, REL declared an audited total comprehensive income of $3.08m in the farming year to June 30, 2020, compared with a loss of $7.84m from the previous year due to property revaluations. In the 2020 financial year property revaluation losses and the loss on sale of a property amounted to $5.71m, partly offset by gains in the company’s equity investments of $4.83m. Operating earnings before interest and tax were $4.98m, a small increase on the previous $4.93m.
The market continues to be subdued due to increasing environmental costs, a lack of foreign investors, tighter bank lending criteria and the disruption caused by covid-19. David Cushing Rural Equities “This was a satisfactory operating result and it is pleasing to record a small increase in net asset value in a declining rural property market,” David said.
“The market continues to be subdued due to increasing environmental costs, a lack of foreign investors, tighter bank lending criteria and the disruption caused by covid-19.” REL will pay a full imputed dividend of three cents a share, the same as the previous year. In the 2019 annual report, REL listed 17 farms and a total of 7176ha located in Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Canterbury and Southland engaged in sheep, beef, deer, dairying and arable farming. REL shares last traded at $4.75, after the dividend and share buyback were announced, and dipped to $3.75 for the two months of April and May, during which time almost no shares were traded.
agrievents Tuesday 6/10/2020 – 6pm-8.30pm In aid of World Mental Health Day, presented by PressGo Workplace Wellbeing Networking Event Where: FMG Stadium, Waikato - Splice Construction Room Tickets $55 p/p excl GST - sold on Eventbrite or email admin@pressgo.co.nz to register Bringing together employers, business leaders and managers to hear from industry leaders in the area of wellbeing. Learn the secrets of workplace culture, tips and advice on what you can do and network with a common passion. AWDT Understanding Your Farming Business 3 full-day workshops run over three months. Equips and supports women involved in sheep and beef and dairy farming to lift business performance. Locations and dates (3 modules): • Cheviot: 14th Oct, 4th Nov & 25th Nov • Culverdon: 15th Oct, 5th Nov & 26th Nov Website: To register visit www.awdt.org.nz/programmes Contact: keri@awdt.org.nz for more info AWDT Future Focus Programme designed for farming partnerships to plan their business together. Two full-day workshop delivered over two months. Locations and dates (2 modules): • Oamaru: 13 Oct & 3 Nov • Rangiroa: 14 Oct & 4 Nov • Feilding: 20 Oct & 17 Nov • Dannevirke: 21 Oct & 18 Nov • Te Awamutu: 20 Oct & 24 Nov • Napier: 28 Oct & 23 Nov • Winton: 10 Nov & 1 Dec • Milton: 11 Nov & 2 Dec Website: To register visit www.awdt.org.nz/programmes Contact: keri@awdt.org.nz for more info Wednesday 21/10/2020 – Thursday 22/10/2020 NZGSTA Annual Conference 2020 Where: Crowne Plaza, Queenstown. Registrations and conference programme can be downloaded from our website https://www.nzgsta.co.nz/ nzgsta-conference-2020/
Should your important event be listed here? Phone 0800 85 25 80 or email adcopy@globalhq.co.nz
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farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
News
Changing climate needs a change in mindset Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz CHANGING the farmer mindset about dealing with climate change may be a tougher challenge than developing the technology to adapt to it. Industry motivator and mental health advocate Doug Avery is urging farmers struggling to adapt to more frequent droughts and tough growing conditions to look deeper into their own motivations and responses to deal with an issue that is not going to pass with time. “I moved from talking about my approach to dealing with frequent drought on our own property to working more around mental health,” he said.
It is often a case of accepting you can’t change the landscape you farm in, you need to change the eyes you see it through.
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Doug Avery Resilient Farmer “In New Zealand we have got heaps of people who know a lot about solutions to problems like this. But if the owner of the problem is not looking for solutions, then we can’t do much about it.” He initially did two road shows around NZ talking about his own personal journey from suffering drought-induced depression, to making lucerne a key crop in ensuring his farm’s future drought resilience. Despite sell-out crowds, he felt he was not seeing wholesale change in farming approaches. “I felt if I was going to spend the rest of my life creating nothing but noise, I would be back where I started. I realised I needed to talk about the mental side of things more, similar to John Kirwan,” he said. Avery suspects the incidence of drought-induced depression, not unlike that which prompted him to change, is higher than ever for NZ farmers. He ruefully observes how things are playing out in Hawke’s Bay this spring, with farmers enduring low feed levels and lighter stock conditions that are likely to domino through into yet another tough summer. Digging into farmers’ minds is often the first step to getting farm practice changed. These days Avery encourages farmers to try and find their “why” for getting up in the morning before they try and change anything they do once they are up. “It is often a case of accepting you can’t change the landscape you farm in, you need to change
FIND YOUR WHY: Doug Avery encourages farmers to question why they get up to farm, before taking the next step to adapt their farm to the new climate challenge.
the eyes you see it through,” he said. “When you head out each day, your primary task is to solve problems and vigorously congratulate yourself each time you do. “It’s an inoculation process to realising the world is a tough place and accepting the impact of things going wrong is a good way to get better.” He doesn’t want resilience to be confused with “hardening up”– through resilience comes tools to deal with challenges like climate change. “And I think that maybe if I had those tools a few years ago, then I would still be farming,” he said. For Avery, his “change of eyes” included recognising he was a “farmer of water,” with protein and fibre the outcome of that. This involved learning to collect kilobytes of data about his
farm system. That data improved in value over time as more and more was collected and could be compared and analysed over time, signalling impending droughts and feed shortages. “Put most simply, you can’t manage what you don’t measure. We measure everything here now, we were among the first to take on FarmIQ, before that using Farmax and Xero,” he said. Avery takes something of a tough love approach to getting his peers to change, but is in admiration of many in the next generation of farmers emerging. “They are much better at adapting. Here in Marlborough there is a generation coming through who don’t look at things in terms of how they used to be. Instead they view it as ‘this is what we’ve got, what can we do with it?’,” he said. “They are also better educated.”
News
FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
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Challenge to keep pastures resilient Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz COMMERCIAL plant breeders are united in efforts to help deliver New Zealand farmers better options when it comes to selecting for more resilient pastures in years to come. Head of Barenbrug’s plant breeding team Courtney Inch says the challenge in NZ, being a relatively small market on a global scale, is having enough capital to invest in developing commercially viable pastures for our market. This is complicated by NZ being a relatively complex pastoral system, with climatic conditions in Southland for example quite dissimilar to those in Waikato, often requiring different feed types for a relatively small pastoral zone. “But it is to the industry’s credit we are seeing some really good collaborative work being done now in this area of developing more resilient pastures,” he said.
You will find farmers want a pasture that will grow them good amounts at the right times of the year, but also one that lasts forever and it makes plant breeding here challenging. Courtney Inch Barenbrug plant breeder He pointed to the PG+ programme comprising AgResearch, Barenbrug, Grasslands Innovation, DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, Dairy Australia, MBIE and DEEResearch. The Pastoral Genomics
TOUGH GIG: Courtney Inch says the challenge for plant breeders was to deliver a climatically resilient pasture, without compromising its productivity.
(PG+) research consortium aims to deliver sustainable forages to NZ farms using plant bio-technologies to improve productivity, sustainability and quality of NZ forage feeds. Tolerance to drought and greater persistence are two particularly climate sensitive traits the project has been working on. “We all want the same thing and having the country’s two biggest seed companies there means it is in both our interests to get the full leverage of the industry through this,” he said. Inch says the challenge to breeding more resilient ryegrass in NZ was the inevitable trade off between productivity (yield) and persistence. “You will find farmers want a pasture that will grow them good amounts at the right times of the year, but also one that lasts forever and it makes plant breeding here challenging,” he said. Then there is the inevitable climatic variation along the length of this long skinny country to allow for. “A drought, for example, is really
quite different when it occurs in Otago versus Canterbury versus Waikato. So, we have to look at drought within a cultivar of a species and look at persistence versus productivity and split the cultivars in each species into each of those outcomes,” he said. He points to Barenbrug’s Rohan variety of ryegrass, which has over time undergone trials across multiple sites around NZ, often under tough conditions.
Through traditional breeding and expansion of the population, suitable cultivars have been selected. Like Jim Crush of AgResearch (see Farmers Weekly, September 14), Inch agrees we are likely to witness more regionalising of plant types to cope with climatic change. “But it does come down to logistics and how narrowly you can define a region. Do you split north Waikato from south, for
example, and sheep and beef farms can be even more divided within the farms themselves,” he said. Clover selection for climate resilience is also being boosted using genomic research, helping identify suitable traits without the lengthy breeding process, and similar to what breeding companies do to identify suitable bulls for future breeding. One promising clover type is Trifolium uniflorum with a thick tap root and improved water conserving properties. “We find that we are building a toolbox of technology, including DNA markers to help speed up the identification of new traits,” he said. Inch says clover and ryegrass are likely to remain the staples of a more resilient pasture in coming years, given their ability to provide good protein and dry matter content, albeit with some hybrid modifications. When it came to gene editing, often touted as a rapid solution for creating more suitable cultivars, Inch says the company has to operate within the confines of NZ regulations. This was no different to the European company’s experiences in the EU, where, if anything, controls were even tighter.
2020 Effluent Expo cancelled THE 2020 Effluent Expo has been cancelled despite most of New Zealand returning to covid alert level one. Expo general manager Amanda Hodgson says a lot of work has gone into the event to date, which was set to go ahead on November 10-11 at Mystery Creek, so the decision was not taken lightly. “This event relies heavily
on sponsorship and we have decided to be cautious and cancel the event until November 2021,” she said. “There were a number of reasons why we have taken this course of action including recent farmer feedback indicating discomfort and reluctance to attend events and travel to other regions.” Hodgson says there is also the
There are three ways you can read us: 1. Own a farm. If farming is your main income, you register with NZ Post to have Farmers Weekly delivered free to your mailbox. This is how around 80,000 farmers receive theirs. 2. Read the virtual paper online at farmersweekly.co.nz/topic/virtual-publication. Our online eNewsletters have the paper before it hits mailboxes and you can sign up to recieve them at farmersweekly.co.nz/e-newsletter. 3. Subscribe - a great gift for retired farmers and town dwellers. This is for people in town who want a hard copy of the paper each week. Farmers Weekly is just under $4 per issue ($16/month, $192 incl GST per year) and Dairy Farmer is $8.95 per issue ($98.45 incl GST / year). Pay by credit card or Farmlands card. www.farmersweekly.co.nz/subscribe or freephone 0800 85 25 80
issue surrounding insurance if another outbreak of covid-19 were to occur, which is a huge risk at this uncertain time. “It’s a real shame to see all the work to date not come to anything – but it’s definitely not been a waste of time. It just allows us to have a head start on next year’s event!” she said. Dates for the next event will be confirmed in early 2021.
News
20 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
Farmers warned to check fuel tanks FARMERS are being warned that poorly maintained tripod tanks are a serious health and safety risk to fuel users. The safety alert from the Fuel Distributors Industry Safety Committee and WorkSafe New Zealand follows a recent incident where a fuel tanker driver was seriously injured on a farm where a tripod overhead tank collapsed while he was filling it. The root cause of the collapse was significant rust corrosion on one of the tank legs. Farm implements close to the tank also contributed to the driver’s injuries. “No farmer wants to be responsible for an incident like this happening on their farm,” WorkSafe’s agriculture sector lead Al McCone said. “On the farm, farmers are responsible for keeping themselves, their workers and other people safe and healthy. This includes making sure tanks on the farm are safe and won’t cause an incident involving harm to themselves, workers or others. “Our advice is to check all fuel tanks and support structures for signs of corrosion and metal fatigue, and where these are identified, consider replacement options.” Farmers should also check to make sure tanks are properly secured to a flat foundation and
On the farm, farmers are responsible for keeping themselves, their workers and other people safe and healthy. Al McCone WorkSafe ensure the work area around each tank is safe with a clear path free of obstacles. McCone says farmers should also not repair fuel tanks in poor condition. “Maintenance on existing tripod tanks is limited to painting, replacement of hoses, valves and lost fixings – for example, bolts and pins – work to ensure that the tripod stand is firmly attached to both the tank and the ground, and making ladder rungs safe,” he said. “Maintenance work not allowed includes installations of new fittings which require cutting or welding – for example, vents or handles – welding or patching the tank, or straightening, welding or patching of the supportive structure. McCone says it’s unsafe to
RENEW: WorkSafe’s agriculture sector lead Al McCone says farmers should be considering upgrading to modern tanks in order to meet modern design standards and prevent further incidents causing harm.
install new stands on tripod tanks. “Installing a new stand will invalidate the original design approval – these approvals make sure any new tanks manufactured are safe,” he said. Fuel distributors have responsibilities to make sure they are doing everything they can, so far as reasonably practicable, to keep
themselves and other people safe and healthy. “The Fuel Distributors Industry Safety Committee has issued a notice that they will not be filling tripod fuel tanks,” he said. “The committee has taken this approach due to the number of incidents involving the tripod fuel tanks and the hazards
associated with these aging tanks. “Essentially, it is up to the discretion of the fuel provider as to whether to fill the tanks or not. This is to ensure that they are taking reasonably practicable steps to ensure the safety of their workers. “Most of these tripod tanks have reached the end of their life. Unless it is obvious, or evidence is provided that these tanks are in good condition, it’s best to replace them.” Approval for manufacturing tripod fuel tanks was cancelled in 1996. At the time, agreement was reached that farmers could use existing tripod stand tanks until the tanks reached the end of their working life. “Farmers should be considering upgrading to modern tanks in order to meet modern design standards and prevent further incidents causing harm,” McCone said. “If farmers have any questions or need assistance, they should contact their local fuel supplier team who can help them ensure their operational environment is safe.”
MORE:
For further information, please see WorkSafe New Zealand’s guidelines on above ground fuel storage on farms.
Farmers back the benefits of biodiversity Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz THE majority of New Zealand sheep and beef farmers recognise the benefits of protecting native biodiversity on their land but more needs to be done to help them preserve it, according to a new survey. The study’s lead author Dr Fleur Maseyk says phone interviews with 500 farmers found only 8% of them thought there were no benefits to having native biodiversity on the properties. Maseyk says social advantages were the most commonly recognised benefit, with 47% of responses describing advantages to farmers, their families and staff, and benefits beyond the farm gate such as intergenerational equity and meeting the responsibility of land management. One farmer said it’s about “protecting things for the future, we have a moral obligation. New Zealand’s natural resource – it’s who we are and what we are”. Environmental benefits were also commonly cited (34%), such as erosion control and improved water quality. As well as identifying the values and benefits of biodiversity on-farm, the study highlighted sticking points that act as barriers to enhancing biodiversity in farming landscapes. Economic concerns were the most common, in particular the cost of protecting biodiversity,
SUPPORTED: Fleur Maseyk says most sheep and beef farmers recognise the benefits of encouraging native biodiversity on their properties. Photo: Greg Carlyon
along with the extra time needed to manage native biodiversity, with one farmer saying “it creates a lot of extra work”. From a practical perspective, 12% farmers were concerned about the loss of land or production, and restrictions on movement around the farm. Of those farmers surveyed, 22% said there were no disadvantages to encouraging native biosecurity – nearly three times the number who said there were no advantages.
Maseyk says the survey shows pastoral farming has huge potential for hosting nature-rich landscapes, which could create many benefits for the farmers and farms as businesses. But there are barriers that mean creating these landscapes can’t be left up to goodwill. “We need investment in, and sustained commitment to, a mixed-method policy response that provides the appropriate protections for biodiversity, economic incentives to reduce
financial barriers, and other practical support to encourage pro-biodiversity behaviour,” she says. “We need resources, capability and capacity building, and provision of practical and technical assistance on-farm to help with implementation.” Plant and Food Research beneficial biodiversity team member Dr Melanie Davidson says the study highlights the need to show how native bush on farmland can bring an economic
benefit to farmers, such as providing habitat for beneficial insects (pollinators, predators of insect pests, and decomposers), erosion control, carbon sequestration, excess nutrient uptake and improving water quality of streams and lakes. “The message that came through was that we need to do more to support farmers in protecting our native bush, whether it’s getting out and helping farmers’ plant native plants on their property or providing better access to information and advice on how to manage and protect biodiversity on their farms,” she said. University of Auckland associate professor of biological sciences Bruce Burns says it was refreshing that most farmers did highly value the native biodiversity they lived with, and recognised it improved their quality of life. “The major downside for farmers was how they should cope with the costs of managing such areas in dollars and time. The research suggests that a carrot approach to supporting farmers’ efforts to plant trees and control possums would be more successful than applying a stick, and provides a grounding for effective policy,” he said. This study was published in the NZ Journal of Ecology as part of the Farming & Nature Conservation project, funded by New Zealand’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge.
AginED Ag ED
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FOR E FUTURIA G R R S! U PR EN E
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Volume 26 I September 28, 2020 I email: agined@globalHQ.co.nz I www.farmersweekly.co.nz Not all beef is the same - here are some very brief definitions for the different classes of cattle at the processors. 1
Go the AgriHQ market snapshot page
2 What was the South Island bull price last week? 3 How is this tracking compared to year-ago levels?
STRETCH YOURSELF:
• Prime steers and heifers - This is the better quality beef that is exported overseas and then often used in restaurants. • Local trade - This is often what you will find in your local supermarket. • Manufacturing cow and bull - The majority of this is sold overseas to places like the US and mixed in with fattier meat for products such as burger patties.
did you know? 1
Can you find these words in our Spring F ever puzzle?
3 Where in NZ do the Mahoneys farm? 4 A significant part of their business is rearing lambs, though not for the meat market. What will these lambs be used for in the future?
This graph shows the North Island average bull slaughter price in $/kg. In a farming system, bulls can be a good choice due to being faster growing than steers and heifers. Other classes of cattle must meet certain criteria for carcass weight and degree of finishing. Bulls have a wider window in which they can be processed and not be penalised. This is beneficial for situations such as drought or other reasons a farmer may need to offload cattle earlier than desired. 1
Go to www.farmersweekly.co.nz
2 Find and watch the OnFarm Story of Becs Mahoney “We are supporting the country” and read the accompanying article “Farmer is game for a challenge”.
What may be another benefit of farming bulls? Think about the size/weight of a bull at finishing compared to a steer or heifer.
2 What would be some challenges in farming bulls? Hint: Are they as easy to handle as a steer or heifer?
STRETCH YOURSELF:
3 When did the slaughter price peak last season?
1
Massey University Young Farmers Club Fundraising
Luke Mahoney has an off-farm business, what is this?
2 Bex played top level rugby for a good number of years and now referees games both nationally and internationally. What NZ shield game was she the first woman to referee? 3 Often their workers come without a lot of farming experience. The Mahoney’s do not see this as a problem as long as they have two key attributes, what are these?
Massey YFC members recently spent a day planting native shrubs on Tuapaka, Massey’s hill country farm, near Palmerston North. The shrubs will be used in a large project funded by Beef&LambNZ looking at increasing the sustainability of hill country farming. Over 20 volunteers donated their time to raise money for the club on a fine Sunday morning. Club President William Robertson said that the funds will be used to support a variety of club activities such as running the Massey YFC Rural Student of the Year competition, which is designed to give people experience and confidence to enter regional and national competitions. It also helps with big social events such as the annual ball which this year had ‘a night in the maimai’ theme.
Many of the activities the club usually organises during the first semester were disrupted due to the recent nationwide lock-down, but almost all students are happily back on campus for semester 2. Most Massey YFC club members are studying agricultural science or agribusiness but it’s not restricted to Ag students. Students studying veterinary science or business for example also join club.
Massey YFC is the largest YFC in NZ with 240 members currently. https://www.facebook.com/masseyyoungfarmers/
Want to learn more about agriculture? Check out the Bachelor of Agricultural Science (www.massey.ac.nz/ programme/?id=93425) and the Bachelor of Agribusiness (www.massey.ac.nz/programme/?id=93420)
4 Following Covid-19 Bex believes that farmers will play a big part in NZ’s economic recovery. With the need to protect the knowledge and experience of current farmers paramount, in her opinion. How well as a nation do you think we do this? In what ways could NZ improve our support of primary industries?
For answers to last week’s questions and more content head to our website: www.sites.google.com/view/agined/home
22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
Newsmaker
Wool in a class of its own Sheep farmers Eric Laurenson and Lynsey MacIntosh are walking the wool walk in a farm fleece to home floor initiative that has fibre produced from their own sheep flock in the carpets on the family’s homestead floors. Annette Scott reports.
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AIRLIE sheep farmer Eric Laurenson says it is a great experience having his homegrown wool carpeting the floors in the family homestead. “And an even better story to tell guests that all the wool fibre on the floor was produced on the property,” Laurenson said. Brought up on the family’s 2200-hectare hill country property at Paerau in Central Otago, of which he is now a 50% equity partner, Laurenson has long had a passion for good quality wool. Farming now on his 170ha property at Fairlie in South Canterbury, where he runs 800 Romdale ewes and 170 Romney stud ewes, there has been a focus shift from producing quality fine wool to producing quality strong wool. “My upbringing in fine wool and producing quality wool is something that has been instilled in me from my father,” Laurenson said. “My father sent me off to Lincoln (University) to do a wool classing course and for 40 years now I have been classing my own wool. “I’ve always had an interest in wool and (after) starting my Romney stud in 1983, the fine wool qualities of having good wool crossed over to the Romneys.” But in the current wool climate he says the returns are not there for the quality wool he strives to produce. “Making carpet from my own wool was a necessity really when the 50-year-old carpet in the homestead on the Paerau property needed replacing,” he said. “I thought last year was a bad year and the income from wool wouldn’t be missed. “I knew Colin (McKenzie), he was in my wool classing course, so I went to him and to see what NZ Yarn could do with my wool to make carpet for the homestead.” From there, the farm fleece to farm floor carpet initiative was borne. “We just organised the colour and NZ Yarn has taken care of the rest,” he said. “If I had to go out and buy wool carpet for the homestead it would have cost a lot more money.” Laurenson knows he has only the best fibre in his carpet. “It’s all body fleece, no bellies, no crutchings, all good quality, eight-month second shear fleece wool.” Laurenson says getting the value back in producing quality wool is currently frustrating. “We are just supplying into a market that is chocker block full,” he said. “If I am brutally honest, farmers have a lot to blame themselves for with the current state of the industry.
“They have brought genetics into this country in the Texel, the East Friesian and the Finn for meat, milk and fertility. “It’s sad that while they have white stuff on their back that people call (it) wool. All the (wool) genetics have been dispersed in preference to make more money out of meat than wool.
My upbringing in fine wool and producing quality wool is something that has been instilled in me from my father. Eric Laurenson Sheep farmer “As a nation of strong wool growers, we are producing a lot of inferior quality wool compared to what we produced 30 years ago and that’s a result of the genetics that have been brought in.” But that will not deter Laurenson in his passion to produce quality wool. “It’s instilled in me, I’ve always had an interest in wool and producing good quality wool won’t change,” he said. NZ Yarn, an arm of the Carrfields Primary Wool group, has developed the opportunity for sheep farmers to lay their own bespoke carpet. Group chief executive Colin Mckenzie says now realising the opportunity, interest from sheep farmers wanting to make carpet from their own wool is growing by the week. McKenzie says NZ Yarn is in a unique position to provide the custom service and manufacture yarn and carpet of virtually any colour and any style imaginable from farmers’ own homegrown wool fibre. “We are being contacted weekly by clients taking up the opportunity to make their own carpet,” he said. “We have completed two custom carpet projects for sheep farmer clients and have another three on the books at present.” Farmers supply the greasy shears to specification and NZ Yarn manages the entire process, including shade matching, yarn construction and carpet style. Minimum order quantities mean that a batch of yarn, depending on weight and construction, will make three or four average house lots of carpet. “Some groups of farmers are working together, and others are carpeting their homestead
ALL OUR OWN: South Canterbury sheep farmers Eric Laurenson and Lynsey MacIntosh say their homegrown fleece to floor carpet is a great talking point with guests.
and several cottages on their properties,” McKenzie said. The opportunity to lay your own bespoke carpet is not just being embraced by farmers, but also by commercial operations. NZ Yarn believes its homegrown fleece to home floor business is one of just a handful in the world. “We think we are probably one of only a few companies on the planet able to offer an end to end bespoke custom carpet service for individual farmers to make their own carpet from their own wool,” McKenzie said.
BESPOKE: NZ Yarn chief executive Colin McKenzie says it’s in a unique position to provide the custom service and manufacture yarn and carpet of virtually any colour and any style imaginable from farmers’ own homegrown wool fibre.
New thinking
THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
23
NEW TECH: Lisa Newman says her SWITCH tail trimmer will offer a far more cow and farmer friendly trimming experience.
Tail trimmer is cutting-edge Massey industrial design graduate Lisa Newman has been recognised in the prestigious New Zealand James Dyson Awards for her ergonomically sound bovine tail trimmer, designed with NZ dairy farmers firmly in mind. She talked to Richard Rennie about the inspiration – and challenges – behind the design.
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RIMMING cows’ tails is always on the must-do list at milking time, but equally the would-rather-not-do list for most dairy farmers. The messy, mucky, time-consuming job is a tough one to complete under time-pressure milkings with current trimming tools, but vital to animal welfare and hygiene, thus a job that can’t be ignored. Growing up on a Taranaki dairy farm, Lisa Newman knew full well the tribulations of trimming cows’ tails, and a conversation with her father when she was kicking around for James Dyson ideas drew them towards a viable solution. “He regarded it as a timeconsuming job and the more we
looked at it, we saw the equipment around even today is not that great,” she said. “One machine fitted on an electric drill and did not appear that practical, or user friendly, in fact kind of scary.” In researching the applicability of developing such a machine she found farmers were resorting to all sorts of questionable options when it came to trimming. “Some would be using regular kitchen scissors and having to tape their hands up to avoid blisters from them, others would try using wool hand shears, which were pretty dangerous and prone to cutting both the cow and the farmer,” she said. The need to trim is greater now than ever, given animal
welfare regulations changed in 2018 preventing docking of tails. This leaves the national herd of five million dairy cows as a ready market for a device that is easy to use, efficient and affordable. Her SWITCH tail trimmer has a specially designed semi-circular cutting head that fits easily around the cow’s tail and travels up the complete length of it. That design demand was an obvious requirement, but one not served by current machines that can’t negotiate the tail being thicker at the top. She has eliminated the electrocution risk of using a drill in the dairy by making the machine’s power source based off a rechargeable 12V battery platform, with blades that can be changed in and out easily as they blunted. Developing the prototype required a line of wooden and foam trial handpieces, with the final design utilising a resin-based 3D printed handpiece. This has ergonomics at its centre, shaped to avoid fatigue and enable the
user to move their hand around any part of the handle depending on their height and the length of cutting action. Existing machines and cutters do little to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury, something easily acquired when clipping through an average Kiwi herd of 420 cows. Earlier exposure through the Fieldays Innovation Awards last year has guaranteed Lisa a keen group of farmers eager to get hold of the machine once it is commercialised. That competition also attracted the interest of a firm interested in commercialising her design. Winning a runner-up spot in the NZ division of the Dyson awards also has her placed 81st out of 1700 global contestants. She is now eligible to move on to the international stage where a Top 20 will be selected by a panel of Dyson engineers, from whom an international winner and a sustainability winner will be selected by Sir James Dyson himself.
The International winner receives $55,000 and $9500 for their university, and the sustainability winner gets $55,000. Lisa Newman is not the first Massey graduate to be awarded Dyson recognition. Three years ago, Massey honours graduate Nicole Austin was recognised for her work, also concerning animals’ tails with a redesigned docking tool. “The biggest challenge in coming up with a concept was to have something that would be useful and beneficial to a farmer. Farmers won’t give something a second chance if it doesn’t work. If it does, word soon spreads,” Newman said. While currently working at Turoa ski field, Lisa is hoping to secure a job in the design field, or be able to work with the company interested in commercialising the clipper. “Designing for the agriculture sector has meant a great opportunity to give something back to the community that raised me,” she said.
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Opinion
24 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
EDITORIAL
Ideology the order of the day
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HE election campaign is well and truly under way after a covid-induced false start a few weeks ago. The major political parties are finally beginning to roll out their visions for the primary sector and at this stage appear to adhere to ideology. In 2017, the Labour Party campaigned on tightening regulation and in the past three years have done just that. We now have the Zero Carbon Bill and new laws governing freshwater quality and biodiversity. Industry had a say in some of that legislation but in its totality, it’ll still be a big task to implement. Labour has recently announced $50 million to kickstart the process of getting implemented farm plans nationwide. The National Party tends to try and get out of the way of business and it is vowing to review or repeal parts of the freshwater legislation and tone down greenhouse gas law as well. RMA reform, a party favourite, is also on the cards. The Greens are embracing regenerative agriculture, believing a lighter touch on the land will lead to a better story to tell and perhaps even better margins for exports. ACT believes farmers should be at liberty to govern themselves, preferring a regional carrot to a big stick. Other parties are also courting the rural vote with the New Conservatives, which rejects the emissions trading scheme and would pull NZ out of the Paris Accord, in favour of funding research and development to meet emissions targets. Rural communities are full of can-do types who like to be left alone to make their own decisions for their families and businesses. But the past three years have been anything but normal with the pandemic and its economic fallout looming large over this election. Many urban voters believe the primary sector needs a bit more of a push to get its environmental house in order but imposing compliance and cost on farm businesses right now is arguably a handbrake on the recovery. One thing all voters can agree on, perhaps, is that the drawn out campaign seems interminably long and October 17 can’t come fast enough.
Bryan Gibson
LETTERS
Rural sector supplies life’s essentials TONY Orman (Farmers Weekly, July 13) raises valid questions which politicians are reluctant to answer, or even acknowledge. I would, however, add two further questions of great relevance to all New Zealanders, including the rural sector which still supplies most of life’s essentials. As a sidebar, it is hightime the absurd concept of “sustainable cities” was nailed once and for all.“Sustainable?” What nonsense. Do the cities provide NZ’s food? Do they supply the raw materials for industry? Anyway, as a health activist, particularly in the rural areas from 1991 until I moved to Australia in 2009, I witnessed the decimation of the most cost-efficient segment of the NZ public health system – the
small rural hospitals. During the early 1990s rural Otago functioned on budgets as low as $400,000 a year. I know because I had copies of their budgets leaked to me. Even allowing for inflation they were extraordinary bargains. Many of them provided services ranging from maternity to hospice care, while also providing local employment. With many farmers having the good sense to marry qualified nurses, professional expertise was in good supply. They also enjoyed community support and provided a focal point for what used to be described as “good works” – before the politicians and bureaucrats lost sight of how valuable such things can be. So why did the powers-that-
be destroy so much that was effective – and economical? Nothing but political dogma. The second question I raise is, why oh why do successive governments source loans for public works from the commercial banking sector at huge interest rates when, as was done under the first Labour government, the Reserve Bank could provide the same funding at mere loan management costs instead of usurious interest rates that penalise every New Zealander and further contribute to the obscene profits of the banking barons? Some years ago I exchanged emails with Bill English (finance minister) and Tony Ryall (health minister) beginning with the question, “Why don’t you finance hospitals and DHB loans
through the Reserve Bank?”. Their answer, “It’s not our policy”. Naturally I asked, “Why isn’t it your policy?”. Their response was, “This correspondence is closed”. National MPs couldn’t say why they don’t use the Reserve Bank, thereby saving NZ endless billions of dollars. Neither can Labour. David Tranter Railton, Tasmania
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Opinion
FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
25
Soil carbon influences climate, as well as farm productivity In the first of three articles about soil carbon, Professor Louis Schipper from the University of Waikato explains why soil carbon matters to farmers, what influences it and what we currently know about carbon stocks in New Zealand’s pastoral soils.
The
Pulpit
RESEARCH: Professor Louis Schipper co-leads the Plants and Greenhouse Gases science programme funded and coordinated by the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre.
NZ’s agricultural land is in this comparatively favourable position, it’s much harder to add to our soil carbon stocks than it is in some other parts of the world where intensive farming practices, like continuous cropping, have resulted in large carbon stock declines.
is continuing and I’ll have more on that in my next article. However, until further results are available, we can’t definitively recommend any individual management practices that farmers can use to maintain or increase their soil carbon. Minimising the length of time that soils are bare is the most practical management option available to farmers right now. We can’t rely fully on research from overseas either, because the situation in NZ is different from other parts of the world where some farmers have been able to significantly increase soil carbon stocks.
Farmers and scientists need to consider all the influences I’ve mentioned to gain a clear picture of how New Zealand’s soil carbon stocks measure up, how they’re changing, and what’s contributing to that change. We need robust data from across space and time. There is, however, enough highquality data available now to draw a general picture of soil carbon stocks and stock changes under NZ’s pastoral land. The data tells us our carbon stocks are generally high, averaging about 106 tonnes of carbon per hectare in the top 30cm. That’s higher than the carbon stocks of carbon-depleted
agricultural land in many other countries. In Australia, for example, carbon stocks are about 30t/ha There are several reasons for this, including the age, chemical make-up and physical properties of our soils, our temperate climate and good management by our farmers over many years. And recent sampling suggests that, very broadly, stocks under grazed pastures on flat-rolling land in NZ haven’t changed much in the last two to three decades. Drained peat soils are a notable exception. They continue to lose carbon, and this is the case for many farmed peat soils globally. There’s also some evidence that hill country grassland soils have gained carbon during this time. We’re still investigating how widespread the gains are, and whether they’re continuing. Because NZ’s agricultural land is in this comparatively favourable position, it’s much harder to add to our soil carbon stocks than it is in some other parts of the world
where intensive farming practices, like continuous cropping, have resulted in large carbon stock declines. So, are there any novel practices that NZ farmers might be able to try in the future to maintain or increase their soil carbon stocks? In my next article, I’ll look at some of the ideas that scientists are exploring.
Who am I? Professor Louis Schipper is an environmental biogeochemist at Waikato University. His research interests include long-term changes in soil organic matter, nitrogen cycling, impacts of land-use change, carbon fluxes and nutrient cycling in agricultural and indigenous ecosystems.
Your View Got a view on some aspect of farming you would like to get across? The Pulpit offers readers the chance to have their say. farmers.weekly@globalhq.co.nz Phone 06 323 1519
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OIL carbon is one of the most talked-about subjects in agriculture. That’s not surprising because carbonrich soils support vigorous crop and pasture growth, and may be more resilient to stressors such as drought. Changes in soil carbon stocks over time might also affect the climate. Carbon is constantly cycling between the atmosphere, plants and the soil. Globally, there’s a vast amount of carbon stored in the soil – more, in fact, than in the atmosphere and above-ground plants and trees combined. So, shifting the balance even slightly so that more carbon is drawn from the atmosphere and locked up in the soil could reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and mitigate climate change effects. On the other hand, losing soil carbon back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide would add to greenhouse gas emissions from other sources. If you’re interested in the science of the carbon cycle, there’s an excellent explanation on the Ag Matters website. It’s understandable, then, that many farmers want to learn how to increase their soil carbon stocks, or at least hold on to what they’ve got. There are many ideas in circulation, but what do we know for sure? We know that soil carbon stocks and composition can vary greatly over time and space (even within a single paddock). We know that environmental factors, such as climate, topography and soil type, are significant influences. We know that land-use change, for example converting from forest to pasture or vice-versa, affects soil carbon stocks. And, we know that some practices, such as leaving soils bare for long periods, result in soil carbon losses. But, when land use doesn’t change, are there management practices that farmers can use to maintain or increase their stocks? That’s the critical question. And unfortunately, despite a lot of anecdotal evidence doing the rounds at the moment, the scientific jury for NZ soils is still out. The research needed to determine whether soil carbon stocks are increasing or decreasing, and what’s causing the change, is complex. NZ-specific research, funded by the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre,
Opinion
26 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
Five-point wishlist for next government Alternative View
Alan Emerson
LET me start by saying that I’m over the election. I am totally sick and tired of my intelligence being grossly insulted for the sake of the ubiquitous sound bite. Do politicians and candidates think the public has collective Alzheimer’s with memories that just go back a couple of days? I accept it is the opposition’s job to oppose, but I’d prefer sane dialogue and constructive policy. I want to be able to judge a political party by the strength of its policies and not the volume of its protests. I’m also over the partisan negativity. In the past politicians from both Labour and National have worked together for the common good, I can’t see that happening now. An example of that cooperation was over the establishment of Fonterra. Labour Minister of Agriculture Jim Sutton and National Agriculture spokesperson Shane Ardern worked together to get a robust system established. It was a credit to both. That Shane Ardern didn’t become a Minister of Agriculture was a travesty.
Currently, I wonder why Ian McKelvie isn’t National’s primary industry spokesperson. He is intelligent, approachable, knows agriculture backwards, is a big picture person, energetic and a top bloke. His roles are fisheries and racing, which is a waste. Back to the election, Feds, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ have issued manifestos for the election. Feds want better broadband in the provinces, advocating for free trade and opposing protectionism. They want regulatory and science systems that empower environmental gains rather than stifling enterprise and innovation.
With some of the statements coming out of there, I doubt if the person involved would know a sheep from a tractor. In addition, they want more Kiwis working on farms and recognition of the importance of migrant workers, continual vigilance on biosecurity and pest management and ensuring local government concentrates on key services. They also want the right tree in the right place preventing good productive farmland being planted into forestry. The full manifesto is excellent and a must read for candidates.
DairyNZ supports many of the Feds points with a greater scientific emphasis along with water storage. It is also a well-researched and reasoned document as is the B+LNZ/MIA manifesto. What was interesting was the Local Government NZ manifesto. Simply, it made the point that one size doesn’t fit all and there’s too much emphasis on top down solutions. They also want more of the central government money that’s collected from motorists to go to the provinces. I’d agree. I’d like a lot more resources put into rural roads. So, while the rural sector has been constructive in its approach to the general election, there is a distinct lack of constructive elsewhere. For the record, I believe the Government has handled the covid-19 response well and that Grant Robertson has done a good job over an extremely testing period. Bodice ripping over the debt being at 54% of GDP is ridiculous. In the early 1990s, the figure was 54.8% of GDP and interest rates were 15%. We paid it off. In fact, at the end of Sir Michael Cullen’s time as minister of finance it was just over 5% of GDP. This allowed Sir Bill English some latitude to borrow during the Global Financial Crisis, which he did judiciously as did Grant Robertson pre-covid-19. We’ve had three good Ministers of Finance since the late 1990s in my view.
COUNTDOWN: The 2020 New Zealand general election will be held on October 17. Federated Farmers, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ have issued manifestos for the election.
My issue with the Government is that their freshwater approach was flawed and impractical and the consultation process was a sham. I don’t like top down and one size fits all. With the opposition, I believe the Collins-Goldsmith team is untested when it comes to finance. I was also surprised when Judith Collins told me about our hi-tech future that “could be bigger than dairy”. It reminded me of the late David Lange’s statements in the mid-1980s. Lange went on to call agriculture “a sunset industry”. So, here’s my wish list for the next government: 1. Insist that there is a strong practical rural presence in the Wellington bureaucracy. With some of the statements coming out of there, I doubt if the person involved would know a sheep from a tractor. 2. Have a proper stocktake of what has actually happened environmentally in the provinces.
Would Auckland Bridge fall down? TWO weeks ago, a truck was blown over by a sudden gust of wind while it was crossing Auckland Harbour Bridge. Unfortunately, that truck fell into a major load carrying girder. In that instant, for those on the bridge and for those about to drive onto the bridge, life froze. Let’s leave them there for now awaiting their fate and consider how we came to this. Would Auckland Bridge fall down? It’s a reasonable question. Cities all around the world, including our own, have ageing infrastructure which successive councils have ignored in their bid to get re-elected by promising low rate rises, preferring to leave the problems to future aspiring local body politicians. London’s bridges are literally falling down left, right and centre. Hammersmith Bridge, which I used to walk over to work when I lived there, has just been closed to all traffic and pedestrians as it is in imminent danger of collapsing. Vauxhall Bridge is closed for emergency repairs, London Bridge itself is partially closed and Tower Bridge broke down in mid-lift and it took two days to get it going again. Auckland Bridge was opened
DISRUPTION: Auckland traffic was ground to a halt after a truck was blown over by a gust of wind and the engineers reckon it will be several weeks before it’s properly fixed.
on the day of my own birth (May 30, 1959) and both the bridge and I have had our ups and downs in the succeeding 61 years and threeand-half months. The city planners who built the bridge don’t appear to have planned for any sort of population increase. Not really what you would call particularly good planners.
So, their successors just 10 years later had a cunning plan to hang two extra lanes on either side of the bridge. These were made in Japan, so were coined Nippon Clip-ons. When they put on the clipons, many folk refused to drive anywhere but in the four centre lanes on the bridge proper. After all, clip-on is hardly a term
to inspire any sort of confidence in anyone. And resulting regular news items of cracks in the clip-ons and ongoing maintenance to stop them falling off would tend to back up this prudent scramble for the centre lanes. Within another 10 years, eight lanes were again several lanes too few for Auckland’s burgeoning population, but even the planners didn’t think clipping clip-ons onto the clip-ons would be a very good idea, so everyone up there just puts up with driving very slowly to and from work each day. However, there is now much talk and agitation to hang some little clip-ons to the clip-ons to allow pedestrians and cyclists to meander across the Waitemata in a sustainable and pleasurable manner. Auckland Bridge falling down sounds fanciful but given over the last year we have had an appalling terrorist attack, folk killed and maimed in a volcanic eruption, a major pandemic sweep the world, our economy in tatters and an election postponed, our biggest bridge collapsing and thousands of people being thrown into the Waitemata would hardly be surprising.
Again, I don’t think anyone in Wellington has a clue. 3. As has been already stated, don’t drop pearls to the swine from Wellington. Consult with the provinces and listen. 4. Do what’s recommended in the Feds manifesto and acknowledge the science and water storage recommendations in the DairyNZ document. 5. Free beer for the provinces on Fridays. Finally, my problem with both Labour and National is that there isn’t a lot of difference between the two. Two of the wackiest pieces of legislation to be passed last term, in my opinion, involved Zero Carbon and Arms Control. The National Party voted with the Government on both. The only party that didn’t was ACT.
Your View Alan Emerson is a semi-retired Wairarapa farmer and businessman: dath.emerson@gmail.com
From the Ridge
Steve Wyn-Harris
But as we know the bridge didn’t collapse, so we can allow those people frozen in space and time earlier in this column to continue on their journey with only the unusual sight of a couple of trucks lying on their sides in the middle of the bridge and a bent girder to show why they didn’t continue to be blown into the other lanes. Half the bridge has been closed, Auckland traffic ground to a halt and the engineers reckon it will be several weeks before its properly fixed. It’s a pity the border is closed, and we can’t fly a few Chinese engineers in to sort it out. Possibly the ones who built that hospital in Wuhan in 10 days. Replacing one girder shouldn’t be too tricky.
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 – September 28, 2020
27
Fonterra stabilises finances The Braided Trail
Keith Woodford
FONTERRA has stabilised its finances with more asset sales forthcoming. It now operates a conservative model supported by its farmer members. But the model will not create the national champion that the Labour government has always hoped for. Fonterra’s annual results announced on September 18, for the year ending July 31, indicate that it has made good progress in stabilising its financial position. A key outcome is a reduction in interest-bearing debt by $1.1 billion, now down to $4.7bn. This has been brought about through asset sales and retained profits. At the media conference held immediately after the release of the results, chief financial officer Marc Rivers said further debt reductions were desired. The key measure that Fonterra is now using for debt is the multiple of debt to EBITDA, which now stands at three-point-four. The desired level in the newlyconservative Fonterra is between two-point-five and three. It is the perceived need to pay down debt that has caused the dividend – the first for two-and-ahalf years – to be limited to 5c per share. This will be tax assessable in the hands of farmers and unit holders. The cost to Fonterra is about $80 million. Fonterra has now reduced its stake in Beingmate from 18.8% to 9%. It expects to sell the remaining shares during the coming year. Based on the current market price of ¥7.4 (Chinese Yuan), then this would bring in about $150m. However, the rules of the Shenzhen exchange say that Fonterra can only dribble these on to the market, so its members and unit holders will have to be patient. Beingmate’s shares are now about 35% higher than a year
ago, but still well less than half the price of ¥18 per share that Fonterra paid back in 2015. Fonterra’s China Farms are still on the market and the value was marked down a further $63m earlier in the year. It seems that these farms are now performing better than in recent years, but operational matters remain challenging. Livestock numbers decreased by 10% (6600 animals) during the year, which seems to be part of an untold story. Fonterra has referred on occasions to animal husbandry matters on these farms, but has never been explicit that this is a euphemism for animal health. Nor has it been explicit as to the key health condition, which has affected both animals and staff to whom it transferred. Other Chinese dairy farms have had similar problems, largely kept away from the media. The overall Chinese dairy industry is in expansion mode again, and this is illustrated by the substantial imports of live animals over the last year. In this environment, it might seem surprising that no one has put up their hand to buy the Fonterra farms. Fonterra’s other big business that is on the market is its interest in DPA Brazil. That business appears to have improved somewhat over the last year, so perhaps that is a promising sign for a sale. Fonterra’s two remaining big overseas businesses are in Chile and Australia. Their long-term role in the new Fonterra must surely be a matter of interest and conjecture. Chile has been very hard hit over the last 12 months, first from civil unrest that erupted last October. I was there at the time, and the fires still burning across Santiago as we finally flew out were disturbing. The unrest has been tragic for a country that has made huge progress under 30 years of democracy. Chile, like most of South America, has also been very hard hit by covid-19. It would not be surprising if Fonterra decided this was not a good time to sell, as buyers will be scarce.
PROGRESS: Fonterra released its annual results on September 18, indicating that it has made good progress in stabilising its financial position.
The situation in Australia is similarly intriguing but for other reasons. Australia’s milk production is now on the rebound as Australia itself rebounds from drought. However, Fonterra’s own milk supply is not increasing and appears to even be drifting downwards. Chief executive Miles Hurrell was asked about Australia at the media conference and he replied that they were “very comfortable” with the milk supply situation. That suggests that the current declining market share is planned rather than unplanned. Fonterra has acknowledged that it is no longer purchasing milk from third parties on account of the difficulty of marketing that milk profitably. This situation contrasts with last year, when Fonterra was desperately trying to purchase milk during the drought. I cannot find any mention in the annual report as to whether active consideration was given to the value of Fonterra’s Australian assets. My own suspicion is that if these assets were offered for sale, they would not sell for the current values in Fonterra’s books. Over the past year, when Fonterra’s directors have been asked by farmers about Australian values, they have used the 2017 sale price for Murray Goulburn as justification. However, Australia’s dairy industry is now very different to 2017. Looking forward, my expectation is that Fonterra has ongoing prospects in relation to food service, with this depending very much on what happens in China. Food service is essentially ingredients which is Fonterra’s traditional strength. In contrast, I see nothing very exciting happening in relation to consumer-branded goods. When
history looks back over the past 19 years since its formation, it will record a zig-zag journey for its branded products, with Fonterra getting left behind while others marched forward. The current strategic directions of Fonterra are focused on maximising milk returns to farmers. This is exactly what most farmers want, given farmers’ concerns about the financial stability of their own businesses. Most farmers would like to lower their debts. Accordingly, they don’t want Fonterra heading off into entrepreneurial endeavours. This conservative philosophy is now firmly embedded within the board. The strategic flip from entrepreneurial endeavours to conservatism occurred two years ago as a direct consequence of Fonterra’s dismal record overseas as it tried to move further along the value chain, particularly under the leadership of chief executive Theo Spierings and chair John Wilson. The ‘management-speak’ within Fonterra acknowledges that the Spierings and Wilsonled team over-reached, although some of the danger signs were already looming well before that leadership team took over. In this past year, Fonterra’s new capital spend was only $419m, and a similar spend is planned for the coming year. That may sound a lot when looked at in isolation, but it is puny in relation to Fonterra’s overall size. One of the rules of business is that if you don’t spend enough on new capital projects, then eventually you go backwards. A further indication of Fonterra’s strategic mindset is that it is removing the payment incentives to reduce peak production in the spring relative to total production.
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Fonterra’s argument is that it has enough processing plants in place and the spring peak is no longer forcing it to invest in more plants. The unstated corollary to this is that removing the spring-capacity adjustment removes already small incentives for farmers to produce a flatter seasonal production curve that aligns more with consumer demand. It reinforces the evidence that Fonterra’s focus is towards commodities and ingredients with a long shelf life. To a large extent that means China. Given the total mess that Fonterra made of its attempts to move closer to overseas consumers, it is hard to argue against much of what is now happening. However, the outstanding omission to face the future is the failure to engage meaningfully with the A2 issue. Back in early 2018, Fonterra and the A2 Milk Company (ATM) announced that they would in future work together. It was an exciting announcement. However, the reality is that Fonterra signed a very bad agreement with ATM, which effectively took Fonterra out of the market as ATM’s potentially biggest competitor. Nearly every major international competitor now has an A2 project. Given that New Zealand’s A2 status is superior to almost all other countries, Fonterra could have been and probably still could be the prime source of A2 ingredients. The key A2 patents have long since gone. It is now all about a ‘business to business’ ingredients brand and ability to supply. I sometimes reflect back to a discussion with a Fonterra director back in 2008, where that director, with a smile on his face, told me that Fonterra could “take out” ATM whenever it wished. At the time, ATM had a capital value of less than $50m. It now stands at over $13bn, more than twice the capital value of Fonterra.
Your View Keith Woodford was Professor of farm management and agribusiness at Lincoln University for 15 years to 2015. He is now principal consultant at AgriFood Systems. He can be contacted at kbwoodford@gmail.com
ELITE RAM SALE
On-Farm Open Day — Thursday 15 October, 10am – 4pm
On-site 841 Waimai Valley Road Thursday 5 November, 1pm and also by private treaty
ALASTAIR REEVES
+64 (0) 7 825 4925 waimairomney@gmail.com waimairomney.co.nz
28 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
On Farm Story
Passion for farming, women’s Resilience is a liberally used term, but it certainly applies to Laura Douglas. The Southland woman has overcome her share of adversity but Neal Wallace discovers she refuses to let it deter her passion for agriculture and dream to share that passion with other women.
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T TOOK just five days for covid-19 to wipe out Laura Douglas’ tourist business. The first cancellation phone call from a tour bus operator representing her primary source of income came on the last day of the Wanaka A&P Show in March. Laura says that until that call, she was on a real high. Forward projections for her farm-experience tourist and events business at Kingston in Northern Southland showed three years of hard graft was starting to pay dividends with profits forecast. She was buoyed by interest in her stand at the Wanaka show and discussions were well advanced with a second tour bus company wanting to add the Real Country farm-taster experience to their schedule. But that changed with the call from the Contiki tour bus company telling her the covid-19 virus meant they were cutting operations. “I didn’t see that coming,”she said. “I was having the time of my life at the Wanaka show and not at all pessimistic about the future.” The pins were soon being pulled on corporate bookings at Real Country. “One by one over the next few days, cancellations rolled in,” she said. “It took five days for all six months’ income to be wiped out.”
RESILIENT: Laura Douglas poses with her dogs at Fairlight Station, Southland.
I want to remove every single barrier to women getting into the agricultural industry, including financial.
Douglas says she slipped into a dark hole, engulfed by the misguided view that because her business had failed, she too was a failure. Life had previously thrown her some curve balls and while
BREATHTAKING: The view from the tops of Fairlight Station, Southland.
this latest one was an almost unplayable yorker, Douglas realised the way through was to keep pursuing her passion of farming and animals, and using those skills to teach young women. Raised on a Northern Southland farm, Douglas has overcome depression and being ostracised by some of her peers for her love of hunting and farming, which never really fitted the female stereotype when at school, university or during her career in international finance. “I should never, ever have put on those stilettos when I had a
corporate career, I should have worn gumboots,” she said. Her rural roots have been a constant source of stability and inspiration. In addition to hosting tourists, Douglas ran the Southern Girl Finishing School, using her experiences and farming knowledge to help young women build self-esteem. The short courses are aimed at women from all walks of life and use skills such as changing tyres, shifting sheep, jump starting a tractor with a flat battery, fencing, shooting firearms and cracking a stock whip to build confidence.
“Females and males learn differently,” she said. “Females need to feel comfortable and confident before doing something practical, something outside their comfort zone.” But when covid-19 hit, Douglas’ focus was to find work to save Real Country in the hope the borders would reopen and tourists return. That became a forlorn hope. Support from her father John Douglas and journalist Sarah
HANDS-ON: Laura Douglas shifting a break fence on crop on Fairlight Station, Southland.
On Farm Story
FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
29
empowerment
BOUNTIFUL: Deer graze on crops at Fairlight Station, Southland.
Perriam kept her focused and the issues she was facing in perspective. Their message was that despite being buffeted, her fundamental passion, purpose and focus remain unwavering. Recruited by Great South, part of the Southland Regional Development Agency, she also kept busy talking to schools about dealing with covid-19 and was appointed a trustee of the Lumsden Medical Centre Board, which is fighting to have maternity services reinstated. She was constantly looking for opportunities and realised that her knowledge and background lent itself to a business offering short-term workshops for secondary school students teaching farm skills “I did everything and anything that I could to stay positive, to keep my profile up and to contribute to the wellbeing of others,” she said. Then she received a phone call. It was from Simon Wright, part owner and manager of Fairlight
Station and father of Holly, who worked for Douglas at Real Country before covid-19. “Simon asked what I was doing and I told him I was writing a business plan for one-day farming skill workshops that I hoped would be able to get some NCEA credits wrapped around,” she said. “He said ‘we need to talk.’ That was a turning point.” Wright, his wife Lou and majority farm owners Doug and Mari Harpur, had for some years wanted to establish a farm training facility on Fairlight Station near Garston in Northern Southland. They wanted Douglas to manage the venture. The Harpurs, who have extensive international business interests, also own Forest Creek Station at Peel Forest. Douglas says the couple will establish a foundation to initially fund the training and provide the facilities for the one-year course for three women aged 21 and older.
VIEW FROM THE TOP: Laura Douglas gazes from Fairlight Station towards Kingston.
COUNTRY LIVING: The homestead at Fairlight Station, Southland.
There is no upper age limit, Douglas says, older women have life skills which can prove valuable. In addition to the two NZ farms, the Harpurs have forestry, land development, hospitality and hunting and fishing interests in Canada and the USA. Fairlight is 3800ha of which 500ha is arable, 2000ha is hill country and 1300ha forestry. They carry 3300 hinds, 120 stags, 3000 weaners, 620 beef cattle, 25 bulls, 160 calves, 3600 crossbred ewes, 1000 hoggets, which will lamb this spring and some goats. Douglas says the Harpurs are investing in farm training because of their philanthropic values but also because they want to get more women into farming. The Fairlight Foundation is seeking charity status so additional funding can be sourced to fund future training. The one-year course, which runs from January to December, is aimed at an age group that will not clash with other farming
training institutions, which tend to focus on school leavers. “They have given me an amazing opportunity,” she said. “I want to remove every single barrier to women getting into the agricultural industry, including financial.”
I should never, ever have put on those stilettos when I had a corporate career, I should have worn gumboots. This role is not only an extension of what Douglas has been doing for the last three years, but also fulfils her passion for promoting agriculture and passing on skills and life lessons to other women. As part of the business plan, Douglas conducted a social media survey asking women what they wanted from the rural industry and how they would achieve that. “What came back was nearly 400 respondents and those women were aged from 18 to 60, women who have had agricultural careers spanning 20 years through to 18-year-old school leavers,” she said. Many wrote that they lacked the confidence to pursue the relevant skills while some relayed horrible experiences of bullying and abuse, which prompted them to leave the industry altogether. “All the survey respondents told me having a female-only farm training facility is really important,” she said. The foundation wants to provide more than just skilled farm workers, it wants to produce resilient, confident and strong women who will become role models and leaders. Interns will spend a year living, working and learning on Fairlight Station with their living
costs met and small stipend. In addition, Douglas will arrange short courses others can attend, such as dog handling or fencing, which will be run by specialists. Applications opened last week and Rural Women NZ president Fiona Gower has been recruited to help select the three interns who start their education on January 11. Douglas will keep Real Country, which she hopes to resurrect for corporate and private functions and farm shows once the borders reopen. But covid-19 has changed her perspective. When she started Real Country, she wanted to create opportunities for women to help them grow in confidence, but she also measured success in the size of her bank account and assets. “Now, my definition of success is all about the journey,” she said. Success is also being measured in other ways. “My life at the moment is amazing,” she said. “My young dog is coming on nicely and my two old dogs are doing their job. “I calved a cow last week and mouthed cows for the first time a few weeks ago and I lambed a ewe last week for the first time in 15 years. “I love working on Fairlight Station.” Douglas also wants to ensure other women do not repeat the mistake she made. One reason she went to the University of Otago and pursued an academic career with a Bachelor of Science and MBA, was that she did not see a future for women in agriculture. “Looking back, I cannot understand how a farm girl didn’t see an opportunity in farming,” she said. “That for me is one of the big drivers of why I am trying to get this off the ground.” >> Video link: bit.ly/OFSdouglas
World
30 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
Gene-edited livestock surrogate sires created SCIENTISTS have produced geneedited livestock using a technique which they say could lead to healthier animals and more sustainable meat production. The researchers from universities in the UK and the US used the Crispr-Cas9 gene-editing tool to remove a male fertility gene
in the embryo in pigs, goats, cattle and mice. The male animals were born sterile, but otherwise healthy, and they began producing their own sperm after being injected with stem cells that produce only desired sperm from the donor’s genetic material.
REQUIRED: The BMPA says the UK needs third country status approved now to allow UK exporters to hold on to existing EU customers.
‘Third country’ status delay threatens exports A DELAY in securing “third country” status with the EU is putting the UK’s £175 milliona-month (about NZ$336.5m) meat export market at risk, meat trade representatives have warned. To continue selling meat, live animals and other food products into the EU after December 31, the UK will need a third country listing – as a whole and possibly for individual processing plants. But the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) is concerned that the EU may delay approval of third country listing for the UK, or require individual site inspections. “While a request has been submitted by the UK, there is currently no firm indication as to when the EU will consider and vote on formal country approval, let alone when and if plant inspections will be done,”BMPA chief executive Nick Allen said. The BMPA says the UK needs third country status approved now to allow UK exporters to hold on to existing EU customers – some of whom pre-order three to four months in advance.
The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier says there are still “many uncertainties” about the UK’s food standards regime that could lead to the bloc banning all imports of UK produce from January 1, and “more clarity” is needed. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s apparent willingness to relax import rules and standards in order to secure a trade deal with the US may have prompted the EU to re-assess the third country approval it gave the UK in August last year. “It’s highly unlikely that the EU will refuse us third country status,” Allen said. “The bigger question is when it will be granted and how much damage to our food businesses and supply chains will be done in the process.” New export certification requirements and the uncertainty over Health Marks that have not yet been addressed by the UK government are other areas that could prevent the UK from exporting product to the EU from January 1, the BMPA noted. UK Farmers Weekly
RESILIENCE FOCUS: Scientists say the advance could be used to help farmers rear animals with enhanced traits, such as resistance to diseases or heat tolerance.
The surrogate mice fathered healthy offspring that carried the genes of the donor mice and they were confirmed to have active donor sperm. However, the larger animals have not been bred yet. Scientists say the advance could be used to help farmers rear animals with enhanced traits, such as resistance to diseases or heat tolerance, and improve food production for an increasing global population. The surrogate sires technology – also dubbed super dads – could be used to sire elite offspring such as healthier cows with better quality meat. Researchers say it could also create a new option for genetic conservation of endangered species. “With this technology, we can get better dissemination of desirable traits and improve the efficiency of food production. This can have a major effect on
addressing food insecurity around the world,” lead researcher Jon Oatley, a biologist at Washington State University’s (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine, said. “If we can tackle this genetically, that means less water, less feed and fewer antibiotics we have to put into the animals,” he said. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is the result of six years of collaborative work from researchers at WSU, Utah State University, University of Maryland and the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh, which previously created the world’s first cloned animal, known as Dolly the sheep. Prof Bruce Whitelaw of the Roslin Institute says the study provides a powerful proof-ofconcept tool. “This shows the world that this technology is real. It can be used,” he said.
“We now have to go in and work out how best to use it productively to help feed our growing population.” Scientists have been searching for a way to create surrogate sires for decades to overcome the limitations of selective breeding and artificial insemination – tools that require either animal proximity or strict control of their movement. In many cases, they require both. According to the study, the surrogate sire technology could solve those problems, since the surrogates deliver the donor genetic material the natural way through normal reproduction. This enables farmers to let their animals interact normally in the field. However, current government regulations prevent these geneedited animals from entering the food chain. UK Farmers Weekly
US lifts 24-year ban on UK beef imports SHIPMENTS of beef will be heading to the US for the first time in more than 20 years after three processing sites were this week given the go-head to export. The AHDB says first containers of beef are now being prepared and are due to arrive in the US in the coming weeks. The businesses are based in Northern Ireland and Wales and have now been listed by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service. The US announced plans to lift its 24-year ban on British beef imports in March following a three-week inspection during summer 2019. The UK government has welcomed the move, saying it opens the door to an estimated £66 million (about NZ$126.3m) of export opportunities for farmers over the next five years. British beef had been banned in the US since 1996 following an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). AHDB international market development director Phil Hadley says it was “an historic moment” for UK livestock farmers.
OPPORTUNITIES: AHDB international market development director Phil Hadley described the ban lift as an important milestone that will bring a fantastic boost to the sector.
“We are rightly proud of our industry, which has a reputation for producing high-quality beef to some of the best welfare standards in the world,” he said. “The US represents an important potential market for our red meat exports, and this development is the result of the hard work and persistence of
industry and government to bring about this crucial next step. “This important milestone will bring a fantastic boost to the sector and we look forward to seeing more of our red meat served up on dinner tables across the US in the months and years to come.” UK Farmers Weekly
NEW LISTING
Hastings Glen Aros Station, 2185 Raukawa Road
Strong limestone soils and excellent natural water
4
Located in the tightly held Raukawa district only 30 kilometres south of Hastings, 'Glen Aros Station' is a top quality 603 hectare limestone landholding. With the option to purchase the entire property, the 98 hectare title or the 504 hectare title separately, both have fantastic potential to further improve large areas of easy contour, and with excellent on farm limestone water sources, irrigation options are plentiful. Featuring a well positioned four bedroom homestead with exceptional views over the farm, near new kitchen, Astro tennis court, and heated swimming pool. Each title has a four stand woolshed and with two sets of strategically placed cattle yards (on the 504 hectare title), Glen Aros is set and ready to go. Don't miss the opportunity to invest in a very well maintained station boasting very good conventional fencing, well thought out laneways and excellent soil fertility.
Tender (will not be sold prior) Closing 4pm, Tue 20 Oct 2020 17 Napier Road, Havelock North View by appointment Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253 tony.rasmussen@bayleys.co.nz
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EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
bayleys.co.nz/2852326
NEW LISTING
Okato 575 Upper Pitone Road Luxury lodge and lifestyle Found: An impeccably presented luxury lodge discreetly nestled in the foothills of Mount Taranaki, this property is perfect for those who aspire to own a private and executive luxury lodge surrounded by bush and birdsong. Set out amongst 14.49 ha (more or less), the property includes the spectacular main lodge with owner accommodation, an additional accommodation wing with ten ensuited rooms for guests, and a separate one bedroom apartment for further income opportunity. All just 30 minutes from New Plymouth and a short walk to Pukeiti Gardens.
bayleys.co.nz/2600308
Waiau 1075 Leslie Hills Road 13
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Auction (unless sold prior) 1pm, Fri 4 Dec 2020 15 Courtenay St, New Plymouth View 11.30am-1.30pm Sun 18 Oct & Sun 1 Nov Brendan Crowley 027 241 2817 brendan.crowley@bayleys.co.nz Angela Sefton 027 845 2190 angela.sefton@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY TARANAKI LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
Emu Plains A well-presented and productive 413.9421ha property suitable for finishing both sheep and cattle, or for cropping. A well-balanced farm with predominantly easy-rolling contour and flats, it has fertile soils, a good re-grassing and fertiliser programme and is extremely well set up for ease of management. Farm infrastructure includes a four-stand woolshed, two sets of excellent cattle yards, two sets of sheep yards, large new grain/implement shed and a hayshed. The large family home has been extensively refurbished, is very well sheltered and is set on an elevated site with wonderful north-facing views over the farm. In a fantastic location, this quality farm package provides an excellent opportunity for stock or cropping buyers.
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For Sale by Deadline Private Treaty (unless sold prior)
12pm, Thu 15 Oct 2020 3 Deans Avenue, Christchurch View by appointment Ben Turner 027 530 1400 ben.turner@bayleys.co.nz Peter Foley 021 754 737 WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
bayleys.co.nz/5513063
bayleys.co.nz
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farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80
Real Estate
FARMERS WEEKLY – September 28, 2020
NEW LISTING
Ngapara 89 Brookstead Road
Catlins Surrounds 9 Rewcastle Road
Attractive first farm
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‘Brookhaven’ is a well presented and well planned dairy conversion, approximately 139 hectares, located in the heart of the Waitaki Region. This farm has been developed to a high standard with approximately 130 hectares of the property irrigated by two centre-pivots, fixed grid and K-Lines. Water is supplied by the reliable North Otago Irrigation Company and the Tokarahi Community Scheme. Infrastructure on the farm includes a 40-aside Herringbone dairy shed with Waikato plant and during the 2019/2020 season production was 182,000kg/MS from 450 cows. Two dwellings complete this package.
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Deadline Sale (unless sold prior) 4pm, Thu 1 Oct 2020 Unit 7/50 Theodosia Street, Timaru View by appointment Joel Meikle 027 814 5208 joel.meikle@bayleys.co.nz WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
bayleys.co.nz/5512951
Te Pahu 336 Grove Road A Farm with Options
After 23 years of family ownership, the decision to sell this spring has been made and our retiring vendor is not disillusioned by current market conditions. It will sell! * 139.5756 hectares (more or less) * Milking 350 cows off a 105 hectare dairy platform * Excellent 35 aside herringbone cowshed with in-shed feeding * Modern effluent storage facilities * Large four bedroom home and a three bedroom cottage * Numerous support buildings With two adjoining farms also on the market, this property could also be of interest to those seeking a larger dairy operation in this area. Offering multiple titles and in a sought after location, this is the opportunity that was well worth the wait. Come and see the potential this property offers at our next Open Day or phone Kerry now to find out more.
Lifestyle investment opportunity The Whistling Frog Restaurant and Resort contains a multitude of dining, camping and lodging accommodation options for travelers, at this mid-point Catlin’s destination stopover, providing a complex for the new owners to further enhance unrealised income potential. This property will appeal to an adventure, rural lifestyle purchaser, including returning ex-Pats, families looking to work together and expand this operation over time and to diversify and grow existing tourism operations. With pure air, water, uncrowded beaches, surfing, kayaking and stunning scenery; the Whistling Frog complex is a “must consider” for those looking to purchase a growing business enterprise.
Asking Price $5,750,000 + GST (if any) View by appointment Warwick Kerr 027 473 3130 warwick.kerr@bayleys.co.nz QUEENSTOWN & SOUTHERN NZ REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED REAA 2008
bayleys.co.nz/4480813
For Sale: By Auction
29th October 2020– at 12 noon Pirongia Rugby & Sports Club, 2 Kane Street, Pirongia Unless sold prior
View: Wednesday 7th, 14th
& 21st October 11am www.harcourts.co.nz/OH8752
Kerry Harty
M 027 294 6215 P 07 873 8700 kjharty@harcourts.co.nz Blue Ribbon Realty Licensed Agent REAA 2008
Te Pahu 154 Godfrey Road First Farm Buyers – Take Note!
The wait is finally over for a quality first farm in a popular location. Motivation to sell is genuine, and our retiring vendors aim to meet the market this spring. Handy to Pirongia Village, Te Awamutu and Hamilton, the contour and on-farm dairy infrastructure will impress you. * 84.3543 hectares (more or less) * Milking 250 cows off a 75 hectare dairy platform * Good 22 aside herringbone cowshed with in-shed feeding * Modern effluent storage facilities * Three bedroom weatherboard home * Exceptional building sites located off the Grove Road frontage With the option to purchase the adjoining 53 hectare or 139 hectare blocks either side, the opportunity to expand to a larger farming operation can’t be ignored. Don’t leave your run too late this spring as we are confident this property will sell under the hammer.
For Sale: By Auction
29th October 2020– at 12 noon Pirongia Rugby & Sports Club, 2 Kane Street, Pirongia Unless sold prior
View: Wednesday 7th, 14th
& 21st October 11am www.harcourts.co.nz/OH8752
Kerry Harty
M 027 294 6215 P 07 873 8700 kjharty@harcourts.co.nz Blue Ribbon Realty Licensed Agent REAA 2008
Real Estate
farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80
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FARMERS WEEKLY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; September 28, 2020
KERERU - FINISHING AND "X-FACTOR" 22 Nelson Road, Kereru, Hastings
350 hectares Tender
nzr.nz/RX2494937
"Pukehiwi" is located in the healthy farming district of Kereru, in what is traditionally a reliable rainfall area. The 350ha sheep and beef farm incorporates easy to medium contour which would support a full finishing enterprise. Presenting a high standard of infrastructure and a well-appointed modernized home, combined with X-Factor scenery, Pukehiwi offers opportunity plus multiple recreational options. Situated 50km west of Hastings on sealed roads, the Kereru farming district is well sort after. A key feature is the homestead and setting including a pool. The generous home is tastefully refurbished offering four bedrooms plus rumpus and a northerly facing veranda overlooking the farm. Infrastructure includes; a 4 stand woolshed with covered sheep yards, cattle yards, a laneway with access to a crutching shed with satellite sheep and cattle yards towards the back of the property, plus ample shedding adjacent to the homestead. A reticulated water system services part of the property which could be expanded. Pukehiwi is a very attractive farm with further potential to increase productivity plus has real X-Factor with the Ngaruroro River on its door step, providing a range of recreational activities.
Tender Closes 12pm, Wed 11 Nov 2020, NZR, 5 Ossian Street, Ahuriri, Napier. Duncan McKinnon 021 241 9073 | duncan@nzr.nz Hawkes Bay Real Estate Ltd | Licensed REAA 2008
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TENDER
Golden Opportunity
2.85 ha
Meat Chicken Farm - Eureka
ON FEILDINGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DOORSTEP 258 Sandon Road, Feilding, Manawatu Just 3km from town, with excellent access to facilities and outstanding building site options that afford views over the 42.6ha property and beyond. Improvements incl. a re-roofed 3 stand woolshed, 6 bay shed, former stables (part converted to basic accom), a quality set of cattle & sheep yards, plus a horse arena. Conventionally fenced to a high standard with reticulated scheme stock water, all recently re-grassed. A new transformer and power cable give you a head-start to any building project. Open days 11am, Wed 30/9, Sun 4/10 & Wed 7/10 (bring bike and helmet) or call for a private inspection.
46.2 hectares Video on website
nzr.nz/RX2496683 Tender Closes 11am, Thu 29 Oct 2020, NZR, 20 Kimbolton Road, Feilding. Peter Barnett AREINZ 027 482 6835 | peter@nzr.nz NZR Limited | Licensed REAA 2008
This meat chicken farm is located in the mighty Waikato within an easy commute to Hamilton City. It offers buyers a profitable some-what relaxed lifestyle with the certainty of a consistent return on investment regardless of the weather. The three automated growing sheds are well maintained and fitted with some of the latest technology. The property comprises of 2.8 ha (approx), some of which is fenced off and planted in established olive trees that could in time provide an extra revenue source without compromising the ability to run a handful of beefies or sheep. To top it off the tastefully refurbished family home has a northerly aspect. providing quality living for all of the family.
matamata.ljhooker.co.nz/H3ZHR1
For Sale Tender closes Thurs 22nd Oct, 1pm (unless sold prior) ___________________________________ View By Appointment ___________________________________ Agent Peter Begovich 027 476 5787 Rex Butterworth 021 348 276 LJ Hooker Matamata 07 888 5677 Link Realty Ltd. Licensed Agent REAA 2008
RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND
Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008
Balmoral - 202 ha + 52 ha
A real change in real estate.
TENDER
The Property Brokers and Farmlands partnership means great things for provincial real estate WEB ID PR77543 TIRAUMEA 13151 Route 52 and 50 Puketawa Road Located in the renowned farming district of Tiraumea and centrally located to Pahiatua, Pongaroa and Masterton is Balmoral originally a larger scale breeding and finishing property which has been offered to the market in smaller portions. The two portions of 202 ha and 52 ha subject to survey has a mix of easy to medium hills and over 34 ha of flats in improved pastures, a further 40 ha is suitable for cultivation. An all weather laneway provides excellent access through the 202 ha property and combines well with a set of satellite yards to create ease of day to day operation.
TENDER
Together our combined strengths complement each other to create bigger networks, more buyers and better results.
View By Appointment TENDER closes Thursday 22nd October, 2020 at 2.00pm, to be submitted to Property Brokers, 129 Main Street, Pahiatua
For more information call 0800 367 5263 or visit pb.co.nz/together
Jared Brock
Mobile 027 449 5496 Office 06 376 4823 Home 06 376 6341 jared@pb.co.nz
John Arends
Proud to be together
Mobile 027 444 7380 Office 06 376 4364 johna@pb.co.nz
Irrigated dairy - Whakatane
OPEN DAY WEB ID WTR75036
WHAKATANE 70 Moody Road Rangitaiki Plains. Farm held in four titles, total land area, 155.1956 ha. Combined with two neighbouring leases, 8 ha and 7 ha respectively, to create a 155 ha milking platform. Land 90% flat, 10% rolling. Well fenced, pumice races maintained using on farm quarry. An extensive irrigation system with three pivot irrigators and sprinkler network ensures summer safe production. Three water supplies to the property including artesian bore. Currently operated by a 50/50 sharemilker, with management input from farm consultant on behalf of family trusts. Approx. 440 F/Fx cows produced 206,000
pb.co.nz
kgMS last season. 40 ASHB dairy. Accommodation includes three good homes, self contained cabin and an excellent range of farm buildings. The farm as a whole is very well maintained and offered for sale in excellent order. Keen vendors with realistic expectations. For sale by Tender closing 12.00 p.m. Wednesday 4 November 2020, Property Brokers, 38 Landing Rd Whakatane. No prior sale.
TENDER
VIEW 7 & 14 & 21 Oct 10.30 - 12.00pm TENDER closes Wednesday 4th November, 2020 at 12.00pm
Maurice Butler
Mobile 027 451 4395 Office 07 307 0165 maurice.butler@pb.co.nz
PAHIATUA 129 Main Street Pahiatua pahiatua@pb.co.nz 06 376 8486
Property Brokers Pahiatua Ltd Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008
Kaitawa - 540 ha
TENDER WEB ID PR77898
ALFREDTON 14405 Route 52 This well balanced 5,200 plus s/u sheep and beef breeding and finishing property is located in the renowned Alfredton district and centrally located to Masterton and Pahiatua.
The improvements are of a high standard including a 3 stand woolshed with an excellent covered yard facility (1,500 np), cattle yards with load out and handling facilities, 10 bay calf rearing facility and a central set of satellite sheep yards. A north facing four bedroom home set in mature grounds completes an unequalled opportunity.
TENDER
VIEW By Appointment TENDER closes Wednesday 4th November, 2020 at 2.00pm, to be submitted to Property Brokers 129 Main Street Pahiatua
Kaitawa features 45 ha of flats in improved pastures which are well complemented by north facing easy to medium hill country with some steeper sidlings. An extensive development programme including Kaitawa provides a genuine turnkey property in a sought subdivision, fertiliser and improving pastures has resulted after location. in excellent stock and financial performance.
Jared Brock
Mobile 027 449 5496 Office 06 376 4823 Home 06 376 6341 jared@pb.co.nz
John Arends
Mobile 027 444 7380 Office 06 376 4364 johna@pb.co.nz
Cavelands 478 ha
TENDER WEB ID PR77973
EKETAHUNA 85496 State Highway 2 Cavelands is an intensive cattle finishing property located 10 km south of the rural township of Eketahuna and 25 km North of Masterton. The property has gone through an extensive development programme in recent years including subdivision, reticulated water and regrassing allowing the property to carry up to 1,000 head of cattle. An exceptional balance of contour featuring over 200 ha of cultivatable land well supported by 240 ha of easy to
pb.co.nz
medium hill making up the effective area. Infrastructure includes covered cattle yards, extensive shedding, 30 ASHB cowshed and feedpad with three dwellings completing the package. If you are looking for a larger scale summersafe finishing property Cavelands certainly warrants inspection.
TENDER
VIEW By Appointment TENDER closes Thursday 15th October, 2020 at 2.00pm, to be submitted to Property Brokers 129 Main Street Pahiatua
Jared Brock
Mobile 027 449 5496 Office 06 376 4823 Home 06 376 6341 jared@pb.co.nz
John Arends
Mobile 027 444 7380 Office 06 376 4364 johna@pb.co.nz
RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND
Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008
100.67 ha - Uptop Farm
Leonard Dairy
AUCTION
TENDER
WEB ID AR78085 METHVEN 294 Rakaia River Road View By Appointment AUCTION 3.00pm, Fri 23rd Oct, 2020, (unless sold prior), Ski Long regarded as Canterbury's premier farming destination, a rare opportunity exists to purchase a farm Time, Racecourse Avenue, Methven of this calibre.
AUCTION
In the Holmes family 41 years, each and everyone of those years has seen good management inputs to achieve low cost productivity. The property ticks all the boxes and results are almost assured with the farm resources that matter - soils, climate, rainfall - the key to profit. Excellent range of well maintained farm buildings and very comfortable modernised character home.
4 Paul Cunneen
Mobile 0274 323 382 Office 03 307 9190 Home 03 302 6751 paulc@pb.co.nz
1
WEB ID TMR77715 TEMUKA 283 Milford Clandeboye Road This is a quality dairy farm that is running a low cost system, and showing good returns. With an efficient irrigation scheme, good consents and 2 pivots, along with a centrally located 50 bale dairy shed. This farm has been established with the future in mind, including a 250 cow feed pad for those times in the season when weather conditions are not that favourable. Three comfortable homes and a location that is hard to beat make this property very attractive. Call now for a viewing!
2
Irrigated dairy unit
TENDER View By Appointment TENDER closes Monday 5th October, 2020 at 4.00pm, 83 Sophia Street Timaru 7910
3
2
Dairy support or beef finishing
DEADLINE SALE
DEADLINE SALE
WEB ID WMR77842 WAIMATE 78 Waipari Road, Ikawai View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Thursday 8th October, 2020 at • 239 hectares on SH 82 4.00pm, (unless sold prior), 76 Queen Street, Waimate • Flat, rolling to steeper contour • 101 hectares irrigated • Two homes • 40 bail rotary shed • Excellent buildings, including near-new calf shed Tim Meehan • Potential for forestry approx 134 ha 4 Mobile 027 222 9983 • Very realistic vendors tim.meehan@pb.co.nz
DEADLINE SALE
WEB ID WMR77887 WAIMATE 2808 Hakataramea Highway • Well set up dairy support or beef finishing property • 178 hectares including 61 hectares irrigated • M.G.I water - super reliable and cost effective • Prime location • Set up for rearing and growing cattle • Nestled alongside a productive dairy unit which is also for sale
DEADLINE SALE View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Thursday 8th October, 2020 at 4.00pm, (unless sold prior), 76 Queen Street Waimate
Ian Moore
Mobile 027 539 8152 ian.moore@pb.co.nz
1 Ian Moore
Mobile 027 539 8152 ian.moore@pb.co.nz
pb.co.nz
2
Michael Richardson
Mobile 027 228 7027 Office 03 687 7145 Home 027 228 7027 michael@pb.co.nz
3 1
Tim Meehan
2
Mobile 027 222 9983 tim.meehan@pb.co.nz
2
RURAL rural@pb.co.nz 0800 FOR LAND
Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008
Investment potential plus!
Large scale irrigated pastoral farm
DEADLINE SALE
DEADLINE SALE
WEB ID OMR72668 HILLEND 17 Tongue Road View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Friday 30th October, 2020 at 4.00pm 352 hectare dairy farm, well situated in strong and fertile country in the hinterland of South Otago. The property is a must view for all prudent buyers looking for an early return on their investment, while also seeking a property that has the capacity for further potential productive gains.
DEADLINE SALE
Ross Robertson
• 250 hectare platform, with 30 hectares in Pinus Radiata and approximately 70 hectares of grazable gullies • Five-year production average of 201,000 kgMS • RV $4,630,000 Price + GST (if any)
Mobile 021 023 27220 rossr@pb.co.nz
4 Andy Kelleher
Mobile 027 666 6811 andyk@pb.co.nz
2
Strategic investment opportunity
DEADLINE SALE
WEB ID OMR75319 OAMARU 266 Eastern Road, Otekaieke View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Friday 30th October, 2020 at 4.00pm Large scale dairy farm, location, soils, reliable water, modern infrastructure, all provide for a very efficient low input dairy unit. Return on investment will impress. • 423 hectares located at Otekaieke, Waitaki Valley North Otago. • Five-year production average of 602,000 kgMS or 1,474 milk solids per hectare effective • 406 ha platform, strong pastures with good fertility. • Modern automated 70 bail rotary dairy shed milking 1,600 cows RV $16,510,000 Ross Robertson Price + GST (if any) Mobile 021 023 27220
DEADLINE SALE
pb.co.nz
DEADLINE SALE
Productive potential
DEADLINE SALE
rossr@pb.co.nz
WEB ID OMR77828 HAKATARAMEA 1308 Hakataramea Valley and 1580 McHenrys Road View By Appointment Riverside is a well-developed and large irrigated pastoral DEADLINE SALE closes Friday 30th October, 2020 at 4.00pm farm located in the Hakataramea Valley in South Canterbury. • 830 ha freehold • 590 ha Irrigated • 513 shares Haka Valley Irrigation Ltd • Additional water extraction consents • 15 Centre Pivots with Kline • Well subdivided with central lane system. • 2 Large Homes • RV- $8,780,000 Ross Robertson • Information Memorandum available on application Mobile 021 023 27220 rossr@pb.co.nz Price + GST (if any)
WEB ID OMR77830 OAMARU Special School Road, Campbell Park Dairy Farm View By Appointment DEADLINE SALE closes Friday 30th October, 2020 at 4.00pm Property Brokers proudly present to the market Campbell Park Dairy Farm. A medium scale dairy in an excellent location in the Waitaki Valley region of North Otago. This property has quality soils, well sourced irrigation water with modern infrastructure. • 153 ha total Ross Robertson • Modern 44 ASHB Mobile 021 023 27220 • Three year average production 192,000 kgMS rossr@pb.co.nz • Irrigation water consents via KDICL and Community Scheme • Spray irrigation Andy Kelleher • Modern effluent system and underpass Mobile 027 666 6811 andyk@pb.co.nz RV $5,050,000 - Price + GST (if any)
DEADLINE SALE
38
farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80
Real Estate
FARMERS WEEKLY – September 28, 2020
Accelerating success.
Reach more people - better results faster.
colliers.co.nz RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL
NEW LISTING
SEAWARD DOWNS, SOUTHLAND Time To Buy The Best • • • • •
117.8546ha Mostly Edendale soils 30 Aside HB cow shed 370 stall REL wintering barn (built 2012) Producing over 180,000kg MS from 330 cows last two seasons • Three bedroom home (built 2012) with open plan living and ensuite Flat contour and located just 7km from Edendale factory on fertile Edendale soils. The modern free stall barn stands out on the landscape as a powerful reminder of the future of farming. pggwre.co.nz/INV32593 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008
TENDER
3
2
2
TENDER
Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 12.00pm Thursday 29 October
VIEW By Appointment Only
Andrew Patterson M 027 434 7636 E apatterson@pggwrightson.co.nz
HASTINGS, HAWKE'S BAY `Kautuku' - You Can't Get Better This stunning 420ha property is in five titles, located approx 10 minutes west of Hastings. World class Twyford soils on the flats with irrigation consents. Two renowned water fowl lakes with extensive lifestyle options and easy rolling hills. Fully reticulated water to all paddocks, plus a strong fertiliser history. Good infrastructure, multiple sheds, sheep and cattle yards, four-stand woolshed, threebedroom cottage and sundry sheds, plus a 31ha deer unit. The farm supports a cash cropping/lamb and cattle finishing business, and being on the doorstep of Hastings will have great appeal.
TENDER
Plus GST (if any) Closes 4.00pm, Tuesday 20 October (Will Not be Sold Prior)
VIEW By Appointment Only
Paul Harper H 06 874 3849 M 027 494 4854 E paul.harper@pggwrightson.co.nz Doug Smith H 06 877 6109 M 027 494 1839 E dougsmith@pggwrightson.co.nz
pggwre.co.nz/HAS32730 Helping grow the country
NZ’s #1 Agri Job Board
FARMERS WEEKLY – September 28, 2020
classifieds@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80
TE KUITI LIVESTOCK CENTRE
LIVESTOCK SALEYARD MANAGER – WELLSFORD SALEYARD
2IC/GENERAL HAND WANTED
NEED
STAFF?
We are seeking an experienced, high performing farm manager with a passion for intensive finishing operations.
This position would suit a honest, reliable, self-motivated person who is able to work on their own under direction of the Farm Manager.
The Tongariro Block of Tuatahi Farming Partnership is a 900ha lamb, cattle and deer finishing property located on the outskirts of Turangi town ship in the Central North Island, with good schools and busses available. Many recreational activities available on your back doorstep including hunting, fishing and skiing. The 900ha property has been designed and developed as an intensive finishing operation with central lanes, 4ha paddocks, a re-grassing program and a full reticulated water system.
This is a key role in the Tuatahi business and the employment package offered will be extremely competitive for the right person.
The role is to help build and supplement the current technical and practical skills of the farmer partners as well as provide leadership and the motivation to keep them on the continuous improvement journey. LK0104121©
farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz
63.57x120
JOBS JOBS BOARD BOARD to come 2IC
/ General Hand
Deer Manager Farm Manager Fencer / General Field Ranger
The role is about helping farmer partners be the best they can be and to manage their businesses to deliver great outcomes. To be able to get this right, you will have a strong technical, practical and people background, and be able to share experiences that are relatable and help transfer knowledge and learning.
Livestock Saleyard Manager
We offer excellent remuneration for the right skills, good quality housing and a location close to town and schooling.
Shepherd Tractor/Truck/Machinery Operator
For more information phone Manager, Rod Walker on 07 895 7008 or send CV and covering letter directly to:
Southern Pastures is seeking a professional with the ability to work as part of a team to assist with implementing its strategies whilst supporting and developing its farmer partners.
*conditions apply
Contact Debbie Contact Brown Debbie 027 705 Brown 7181 06 323 0765 or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz
Applications close: Friday 9 October 2020
Connecting rural employers and job seekers. With over 7000 monthly page views, 4500+ Facebook likes, and delivered to every rural mailbox in New Zealand each week, Farmers Weekly Jobs is the #1 place to list your rural vacancy. Email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz or call (06) 323 0765 today.
www.farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz
LK0100828©
*conditions apply
LK0102968©
LK0104038©
*FREE upload *FREE to Farmers upload to Weekly Farmers jobs: Weekly jobs: farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz
Southern Pastures’ mission is to deliver premium health-giving dairy products with due regard to animal welfare and long-term environment and climate sustainability whilst providing a net benefit to local communities and rewarding career paths to its people in ever-changing environments.
Day to day this means being on farm working with the farmer partners to: • Implement best practice health, safety, and human welfare policies • Optimise nutrient management systems • Efficiently use water, feed, and energy resources • Implement high levels of animal care and wellbeing • Ensure sound environmental practices are built into its farming systems • Develop and maintain all assets and infrastructure • Manage biosecurity and stock recording • Manage offsite grazing performance and relationships • Implement effective reporting and monitoring systems
Dairy
You will have: • The ability to work efficiently on your own and as part of the team • Good pasture and stock management skills • A strong work ethic to “get the job done” • Excellent communication skills and an attention to detail • A team of dogs under good command
And why? Because this kind of support and focus on improvement is in everyone’s interests…and it’s what Southern Pastures strives for.
And no-one can argue that the dairy environment isn’t changing. Whilst other businesses might leave their investment in the future to chance, Southern Pastures is committed to the ongoing success of their people and the performance of their overall business and is prepared to invest to make this a reality. Hence this new Farm Supervisor role.
FW Jobs Board
You will be working alongside the Farm Manager and the Shepherd General with the role being based around 80% stock work and 20% general duties. This is a great opportunity for those with a few years’ experience and looking to take the next step.
Phone Peter and Trixie Foote 09 434 6590 pb_tfooties@xtra.co.nz
Southern Pastures has a regional business manager along with an experienced administration and project support team who direct strategy across its ten South Waikato farms. They are now looking to bolster their on-the-ground capability to help mentor and hone the performance of their farmer partners as well as provide assistance in the evolving environmental, regulatory, compliance and best practice space.
0101788
With a mixed stocking policy including both sheep and beef with a focus on both quality breeding and finishing, this is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the running of a diverse farming operation.
classifieds@globalhq.co.nz
This role is about enhancing the partnership between Southern Pastures and its farmer partners (Contract Milkers) whilst supplying on the ground knowhow, leadership, and support.
Applications in writing to David Horner should include a cover letter, CV and a minimum of two work references.
Applications close 16th October 2020
Must have NZ residency. 4-bedroom house available. School bus at gate. Salary negotiable.
DAIRY FARM SUPERVISOR WAIKATO
Key attributes required for this role are: • A passion for and experience in high performing intensive finishing operations • The ability to maintain accurate records and report objectively to management • Business and Financial Planning and accountability • Excellent pasture management and feed budgeting skills • Ability to plan and monitor all aspects of the farming operation and performance • Use of technology in all aspects of the farming operation
dave@tuatahi.co.nz Phone 027 280 4292
Call Debbie
0800 85 25 80
The Tongariro Block has three full time staff living on farm and casual or part time staff as required.
Te Uranga B2 Incorporation operates a 1153ha sheep and beef enterprise 10 minutes north east of Taumarunui carrying 12,000 stock units and is a past finalist in the Ahuwhenua Trophy Maori Farmer of the Year.
You will need previous drystock experience, be competent with farm machinery and tractors on hill country, skilled in farm maintenance and have one or two good working dogs.
LK0104008©
Farm Manager for Intensive Finishing Operation
If you are passionate about farming, have a great work ethic and a desire to advance your farming career this is the position for you.
Shepherd - 1153ha
Rod Walker 611 Ngakonui Ongarue Road RD 4, Taumarunui 3994 Or e-mail Upoko@teurangab2.co.nz
For a 439ha bull beef unit at Purua 27km west of Whangarei.
Sound interesting? If your skills and qualities match what we are looking for then give us a call to talk more about this opportunity, or take a look at www.no8hr.co.nz (Ref# 8HR1312) for more detail and to apply.
www.no8hr.co.nz | ph: 07-870-4901
LK0104119©
LK0104087©
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a new Saleyard Manager to join our Wellsford Saleyard team. You will be responsible for carrying out the management of Saleyard operations and management of repairs and maintenance to the facility. This role requires knowledge and management of the compliance issues relevant to livestock and the saleyards environment. The applicant must have experience handling livestock. This is a salaried position 20 hours/ 3-day work week. Remuneration will reflect the successful applicant’s experience. Position start date October 2020. If this sounds like an opportunity for you, please email your CV and cover letter with any questions to Mischa Hull at mhull@associatedauctioneers.co.nz
39
LAMB DOCKING / TAILING CHUTE
With automatic release and spray system. www.vetmarker.co.nz 0800 DOCKER (362 537)
LK0103152©
VETMARKER
CRAIGCO SHEEP JETTERS. Sensor Jet. Deal to fly and Lice now. Guaranteed performance. Unbeatable pricing. Phone 06 835 6863. www.craigcojetters.com
w w w. e l e c t r o t e k . c o . n z STOP BIRDS NOW!
ZON BIRDSCARER
ANIMAL HEALTH Phone: +64 6 357 2454 HOOF TRIMMER
EARMARKERS
ATTENTION FARMERS
Free range & barn eggs
Quality products made in Europe or by PPP
BRIDLES
LK0103169©
SUPPLIERS OF: • Nest boxes – manual or automated • Feed and drinking trays • Plastic egg trays
DOGS FOR SALE
GOATS WANTED
4-YEAR-OLD Huntaway dog. Excellent yard dog, works mobs well. $4000. Phone 021 557 119. Waikato.
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.
SMITHFIELD PUPS ready to go. Phone 021 060 5440. 2YR HEADING BITCH. Nice style, fast. Needs finishing $1200. Ph 06 839 7950 evenings BREEDING. TRAINING. Selling. Delivering! www. youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos – Email: mikehughes workingdogs@farmside. co.nz – 07 315 5553.
DOGS WANTED
FAST GRASS www.gibb-gro.co.nz GROWTH PROMOTANT Only $6.00 per hectare + GST delivered Brian Mace 0274 389 822 brianmace@xtra.co.nz
Poultry Equipment
GORSE AND THISTLE SPRAY. We also scrub cut. Four men with all gear in your area. Phone Dave 06 375 8032.
STATION TYPES made to order. Lighter models. Pack saddles complete. Breast Plates. Leg Straps. Hobbles. Cruppers etc. Phone Otairi Station. 06 322 8433.
12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195. BUYING DOGS NZ Wide. No One Buys or Pays More! Email: mikehughesworking dogs@farmside.co.nz 07 315 5553.
PROGRESSIVE RED DEVON BULLS 25 YEARLING BULLS for sale. All raised on hill country, good temperament. Good growth rates, easy calving low birth weight sires. BVD tested and vaccinated, TB status C10. For more details please call Rose on 021 026 03230 or Gavin on 021 052 4667.
LK0102834©
Wood-Mizer® sawmills: ✓ Use the latest in thin kerf technology. ✓ Produce more timber from fewer trees. ✓ Are adaptable to all sawing situations. ✓ Are flexible in operation. ✓ Have low operating costs.
Heavy duty long lasting
✁
We also clean out and remetal cattle yards – Call Us!
WANTED TO BUY
FO SALR E
NOTICEBOARD ADVERTISING
Do you have something to sell?
Call Debbie
0800 85 25 80
classifieds@globalhq.co.nz
Tour 2 D’Urville Island and Marlborough High Country Dates Dec 6-10, 2020, March 5-9, March 21-25, April 11-15. Other dates available for groups of 6 or more people on request
Phone 0274 351 955 Email info@southislandtoursnz.com www.southislandtoursnz.com
Notice is given that the rates of sheepmeat and beef levies (exclusive of GST) will not change for the levy year commencing 1 October 2020 and will continue to be 70 cents a head for sheepmeat and $5.20 a head for beef.
50 TON WOOD SPLITTER 12HP, Diesel, Electric Start
Heavy duty construction for serious wood splitting. Towable.
ONCE ONLY OFFER
GST $4200 INCLUSIVE
TO THAT REDUCED
$3900
GST Special Price $4200 INCLUSIVE Very limited stock
GST INCLUSIVE
10 UNITS ONLY Offer valid 28 Sept - 10 Oct 2020 LK104071©
✁
New Zealand’s Number 1 service provider for under woolshed and covered yard cleaning since 2004
Dates 2021 Jan 10-13, Feb 21-24, March 14-17, April 25-28.
11.5HP Briggs & Stratton Motor. Industrial. Electric start.
O
Phone Scott Newman Freephone 0800 2SCOTTY (0800 27 26 88) Mobile 027 26 26 27 2 scottnewman101@gmail.com
4X4 TAGALONG TOURS
LEVY RATES ON SHEEPMEAT AND BEEF
0800 901 902 sales@pppindustries.co.nz www.pppindustries.co.nz
TOWABLE TOPPING MOWER
[BO
Nominate a school on booking and we’ll donate $100 on payment of your account.
Contact: Jason 027 478 7274 E-Mail: jaseh@xtra.co.nz
Tour 1 Molesworth Station, St James, and Rainbow Stations
PRE SEASON SPECIAL
FROM THIS
We are a team of professional cullers with over 20 years experience.
WILTSHIRE & SHIRE® Meat rams. Low input. www.wiltshire-rams.co.nz 03 225 5283.
76 80 +GS T
Industries Ltd
• Conservation projects and farmland control
$
SUPPLYING FARMERS SINCE 1962
SCOTTY’S CONTRACTORS
We provide effective control in forestry and manuka blocks
WWW.BEEFLAMBNZ.COM 0800 233 352
Ph 021 047 9299
Under Woolshed/Covered Yards Cleaning Specialist www.underthewoolshed.kiwi
Feral Goat Control Specialists
Bring your own 4X4 on a guided tour to discover more of the South Island.
CONTROL FLYSTRIKE & LICE Includes • Jetter unit • Pump & hose kit • Delivery to nearest main centre
Looking for expressions of interest to grow lucerne, oats and red clover for hay. South Island wide.
RAMS FOR SALE
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.
Call or email us for your free copy of our plans Email: info@ezylinehomes.co.nz Phone: 07 572 0230 Web: www.ezylinehomes.co.nz
LK0103869©
WILTSHIRES-ARVIDSON. Self shearing sheep. No1 for Facial Eczema. David 027 2771 556.
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
The World’s number 1 sawmill Over 100,000 Machines Sold
RU THIN GNG N EA I I R K K ORORAPAERAAPDANOW] WW AIORUR SHE TAWIH KY
NOVEMBER TO MAY. Adult beef dairy cattle. Located Central Hawke’s Bay. Phone 06 855 5039.
LUCERNE WANTED
Please contact Rory Boleyn 027 436 9133
LIVESTOCK FOR SALE
SOLID – PRACTICAL WELL INSULATED – AFFORDABLE
sales@pppindustries.co.nz www.pppindustries.co.nz
www.woodmizer.com
GRAZING AVAILABLE
NEW HOMES
0800 901 902
Personal to Professional sawmills Recover your own timber or mill for others. Contact: Paul Marshall (B.For.Sc., M.Sc., M.N.Z.I.F.) Director Wood-Mizer NZ Ltd. Mobile: 021 331 838 EMail: P_Marshall@xtra.co.nz
WETHER GOATS WANTED. North Island Contact David Hutchings 027 4519 249. South Island. Contact Dion Burgess 022 199 7069 and for all other South Island goat enquiries call Dion Burgess.
T H IN K PRE BU IL T
A trusted name in the poultry industry for over 50 years
Industries Ltd
NAKI GOATS. Trucking goats to the works every week throughout the NI. Phone Michael and Clarice. 027 643 0403.
LK0104136©
DE HORNER
LK103894©
electro-tek@xtra.co.nz
www.drench.co.nz farmer owned, very competitive prices. Phone 0800 4 DRENCH (437 362).
HORTICULTURE NZ KELP. FRESH, wild ocean harvested giant kelp. The world’s richest source of natural iodine. Dried and milled for use in agriculture and horticulture. Growth promotant / stock health food. As seen on Country Calendar. Orders to: 03 322 6115 or info@nzkelp.co.nz
LK0102936©
0800 436 566
FARM MAPPING SIMPLE AND CLEAR farm maps with paddock sizes will help you achieve your daily goals. Get a free quote from farmmapping. co.nz
LK0104110©
For a delivered price call ....
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
CONTRACTORS
To find out more visit www.moamaster.co.nz
Phone 027 367 6247 • Email: info@moamaster.co.nz
LK0104065©
NZ’s finest BioGro certified Mg fertiliser
FARMERS WEEKLY – September 28, 2020
LK0103920©
ANIMAL HANDLING
DOLOMITE
P.O. Box 30, Palmerston North 4440, NZ
Noticeboard
To find out more visit
LK0103787©
classifieds@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80
LK0103279©
40
www.moamaster.co.nz Phone 027 367 6247 Email: info@moamaster.co.nz
Livestock Noticeboard
STOCK REQUIRED
livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80
PROGRESSIVE LIVESTOCK LTD
ECZEMA TOLERANT ROMNEYS
“Proudly Based in Hawke’s Bay” 1000 ROM
EWE LAMBS 1YR FRSN BULLS 200-280kg 420-520kg 2YR FRSN BULLS 60 1YR ANG HEIFERS 250kg 500-600kg R2 OR R3YR STEERS
RAMGUARD TESTING SINCE 1985
LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING
• • • • • •
Are you looking in the right direction?
livestock@globalhq.co.nz
www.dyerlivestock.co.nz
ROSEGOWAN HEREFORD 1st ANNUAL ON-FARM SERVICE BULL SALE
5 star rating Structurally sound Robust functional sheep that survive Minimum input Selecting for less parasites and dags No ewes worm drenched, dipped or vaccinated
Muggeridge Family Farms C/- Robert & Alison Muggeridge 811 Kina Road, Oaonui Opunake, Taranaki
KEITH ABBOTT, RAGLAN 027 463 9859 | www.waiteikaromneys.co.nz
Call Ella
0800 85 25 80
TUESDAY 6th October 2020 Start Time: 12pm Sale held undercover with BBQ Lunch Provided
@waiteikaromneys
Ross Dyer 0274 333 381 A Financing Solution For Your Farm E info@rdlfinance.co.nz
Glen R Angus
15 - 2yr PB Hereford Bulls 40 - 1yr PB Hereford Bulls 20 - 1yr JSY Bulls (A/C CB & J Lock)
MORRINSVILLE DAIRY PAVILLION
ANIMAL HEALTH
THURSDAY 1ST OCTOBER 12 Noon Start On A/c F&J Bonenkamp
Annual Bull Sale
All Bulls are TB/BVD tested negative BVD & Letpo Vaccinated Herd TB Status C10
55 Top Young Friesian Inmilk Cows BW83 PW94 RA100%, 26 Years LIC Production 551ms/cow last season on System 3. Current Herd Test Production 2.8ms, 35 Ltrs, SCC 55,000 (Normally in Top 5 Suppliers). This is the top 55 Cows from the small herd as he retires from supply & retains the balance for calf rearing. TB C10, EBL Free, Lepto Innoc. BVD Test. Everything is done well.
Payment Terms Payment Due 20th October 2020 PLL Bull Plan Finance Available. Free Transport Taranaki Wide T&C.
Contact: Don Allison 027 451 5318 On A/c Clients
Contact: Glen Tasker 027 477 7345
LK0104089©
Currently producing 2.1ms/cow & 27 Ltrs. 65 Years of LIC Breeding focusing on Dairy type, confirmation & temperament. TB, EBL, Lepto, BVD etc - all up to date
Monday October 5th – 1.30pm
Matt Muggeridge Luke McBride Kent Myers John Davidson
027 237 8661 027 304 0533 027 247 6970 027 452 3882
Vendors: Robert & Alison Muggeridge 027 659 1188 or 06 763 8401 www.progressivelivestock.co.nz
LK0104134©
Open Day to view bulls: Tuesday September 22nd from 2.00pm Sandown 445 Deans Road, SH 72, Darfield
Please Contact
50 Very nice Friesian Inmilk Cows
35 Rugged 2-year-old Bulls
41
LK0103995©
FARMERS WEEKLY – September 28, 2020
Call Peter Heddell on 027 436 1388
Spring Bull Sale
WE’VE ROUNDED UP A GREAT OFFER
Speckle park Bulls available for private sale
TRY A FREE ONE MONTH SUBSCRIPTION ON US!
35 2yr Bulls 60 Yearling Bulls
Industry – leading maternal and fertility traits including a selection especially suitable for heifer and dairy-cow mating
through the
platform
Call: David Giddings 027 229 9760 Email: giddingsfamily@xtra.co.nz
Will Jackson Piquet Hill Farms, Te Akau
Will Jackson Phone 07 825 4480 william@piquethillfarms.co.nz 0
• Yearling and 2 year old • DNA tested • Parentage verified
• BVD tested and vaccinated • Semen tested • M. Bovis tested
A Canterbury based stud recently established from the best genetics available in NZ, Australia and Canada.
LK0104000©
Visit agrihq.co.nz/october or call 0800 85 25 80
Online bidding opens Sunday, October 4th at www.meadowslea.co.nz
www.kotingotingospecklepark.co.nz
Why use Piquet Hill Genetics? - FE testing at 0.7mg per kg live weight - 37 years of FE testing - No drench policy for ewes - 2 year guarantee for structure and soundness - Lifetime guarantee for facial eczema
Romney – Maternal Composite Perendale – Suffolk
LK0104133©
JW103833©
On-farm, Fairlie, Friday, October 9th
livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80
Livestock Noticeboard
FARMERS WEEKLY – September 28, 2020
Check out Poll Dorset NZ on Facebook
TIMPERLEA ANGUS
ESTABLISHED LIC BRED IN-MILK AUCTION
A/c AW & CA Melville ON THURSDAY 8th OCTOBER 2020 at 323 Pokuru Road, Te Awamutu Start time: 11.30am (undercover) Complimentary Lunch - D/C # 74123
Maternal, docile cattle LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING
Focused on fertility
COMPRISING: • 230 Fsn/Xbred/Jsy Herd • BW117 PW147 RA90% + • 88 Xbred weaner replacements – Capital line • BW186 PW206
2nd ANNUAL YEARLING BULL SALE OKAWA HEREFORD STUD
Easy calving
HAVE A SALE COMING UP?
BULL SALE 30 Yearling Angus Bulls 16th October 2020 1710 Carleton Rd, Oxford
C/- Nick and Penny France 518 Upper Downs Road RD8, Mayfield on Monday 12th October 2020 At 1.30pm On Farm 45 R1 Bulls Focused on performance Suitable for heifer & cow mating beef & dairy
Call Ella
CONTACT:
0800 85 25 80
VENDORS:
livestock@globalhq.co.nz
Nick & Penny France
DETAILS: • Original herd established in 1912, 3-digit herd code • h/b shed, herd tested, 1300kg/ms/ha, 360kg/ms/cow • TB C10, Lepto, BVD vaccinated, 120,000 SCC av • Always LIC PSS bred, Fsn/Jsy/Kiwi X Bulls
PGGW AGENTS: John McKone 027 229 9375 Simon Eddington 027 590 8612 CARRFIELDS AGENT: Callum Dunnett 027 587 0131
LK0104108©
03 303 9749 or 027 567 8019
Enquiries to Marie FitzPatrick P: 0273381658 E: mgtimperley@hotmail.com
AUCTIONEERS NOTE: Our Vendor has sold part of farm retaining only unrecorded, 9yr plus, not calved, unsound, high SCC cows from 460 cows, totally genuine. All sold in-milk unmated, calved from 16th July onwards. Viewing available. PAYMENT TERMS: Payment is due 25th October 2020
LK0104049©
42
Contact your local Carrfields Agents for details & photos CARRFIELDS LIVESTOCK AGENT: Ben Deroles 027 702 4196 Catalogues can be downloaded from our website
IN-MILK HERD AND REPLACEMENT DISPERSAL
ANNUAL SALES COMMENCE 1 NOVEMBER: SECURE YOUR PICK TODAY. ROMNEY
The mainstay and back bone of our breeding operation. Over 40 years’ of high selection pressure under commercial conditions has put these rams on the map. Sheep that ‘hold it together’ during tough times and deliver predictable and repeatable performance. FE tolerant Romney sires now available. ROMTEX
Bred out of our replacement stud Romney ewe hoggets (genetic gain) by robust and structurally sound high index Texel rams. Robust and meaty rams run under the same conditions as the Romneys and subject to the same strict culling standards.
A/c GW & MA Billington On Wednesday 7th October 2020 at 3 Te Hoi Road, Taupiri – Near Hamilton Start time: 11.00am (undercover) BBQ Lunch provided
QUALITY YOUNG IN-MILK HERD AUCTION
COMPRISING: • 130 in-milk MA Jersey Cows • 29 R1 Jersey Heifers
A/c McGowan-Weake Ltd
DETAILS: • Original herd established 75 years ago, milked by 3rd Generation • TB C10, Lepto, Blackleg, Catarrh vaccinated • 350-400kg/ms/cow av, low SCC, sold unmated • All A2/A2 cows identified • 1st herd test this season, 1.66kg/ms/day, 177,000 SCC
On FRIDAY 2nd OCTOBER 2020 at 110 Old Road, Orini, Taupiri Start time: 11.30am (undercover) Complimentary lunch – D/C # 72094 COMPRISING: • 160 Fsn, Xbred in-milk cows • BW 122/47 PW144/37 RA91%
AUCTIONEERS NOTE: A very even herd bred for milking ability, udder conformation. Farmed solely on grass and grass silage, h/b shed. Herd ranked 117th on SCC over all Fonterra suppliers last season. All cows and heifers LIC recorded with transfer cards. Prior inspection welcomed. Very consistent, reliable performing herd and strong genetics. This auction is the dispersal of the Gwenwood Jersey Stud.
SUFTEX
PAYMENT TERMS: Payment is due 14 days from auction
A nationally proven and predictable terminal ram. We understand and appreciate the need for culling/selection pressure so have a strong focus on providing structurally sound rams with a focus on longevity.
Contact your local Carrfields Agents for details & photos
www.waiitirams.co.nz
• 100 are 1st calvers • System 2-3 feeding • Herringbone shed, herd tested • TB C10, Lepto vaccinated • MBovis milk test negative, SCC av 100,000 • Unmated • Farm wet and flat AUCTIONEERS NOTE: Our Vendors will present very good young dairy cows and ensure all will be sound and in good mating condition.
CARRFIELDS LIVESTOCK AGENT: Matt Hancock 027 601 3787
PAYMENT TERMS:
BRIAN ROBINSON LIVESTOCK AGENT: Brian Robinson 027 241 0051
Contact your local Carrfields Agents for details
Payment is due on 20th October 2020.
LK0104086©
ZANDY WALLACE H. 06 372 2551 M. 022 658 0680
DETAILS:
farm@waiitirams.co.nz
Catalogues can be downloaded from our website
www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz
& photos CARRFIELDS LIVESTOCK AGENT: Matt Hancock 027 601 3797
Catalogues can be downloaded from our website
www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz
Ram your message home here!
If your rams have genetics farmers should invest in this season contact Ella and discuss options to get your message across. Ella Holland: 06 323 0761 or livestock@globalhq.co.nz | farmersweekly.co.nz
LK0104037©
Are you one tup ahead?
www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz
Livestock Noticeboard
FARMERS WEEKLY – September 28, 2020
livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80
43
Quality Hill Country Angus Bulls
PAKI-ITI ROMNEY
First Annual Yearling Bull Sale 2020 On Farm Sale 2nd October 2pm
LK0104003©
PAKI-ITI ROMNEY & ROMTEX • 160 clients last year purchased or leased Paki-iti rams • Bred on a 870ha hard hill country property rising up to 637m asl (2090f asl) • Breeding for constitution, longevity, structural soundness and then performance • Constitution = moderate frame, deep bodied type of sheep • Performance = Growth, fertility, survival, meat yield, incorporating FE tolerance and parasite resistance • 10 years of breeding Romtex, utilizing a stabilised SIL recorded Romtex flock • Paki-iti maternal Romtex offer faster growth rates and higher meat yields • Romtex rams sold as 22th rams
PAKI-ITI ROMTEX
GOING GOING GONE! Call Ella
0800 85 25 80 livestock@globalhq.co.nz
paki-iti.co.nz to view our breeding programs
LK0103977©
Visit
1912 Pohangina Valley East Road Ashhurst, Manawatu
LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING
Stewart Morton 06 328 5772 • Andrew Morton 06 328 2856 RD 54 Kimbolton, Manawatu • pakiroms@farmside.co.nz
• • • • •
Calving ease Short gestation Temperament Low to moderate birth weights All bulls born and breed off steep hill country under the Ruahine Range • Closed herd with no cattle trading.
Follow us on Facebook @komakoangus
Contact Dave & Nicole Stuart Home: 06 329 4748 Cell: 027 422 7239 Email: komako.farm@gmail.com Agents: Carrfields Livestock: Cam Waugh 0274 800 898
Stephen Harris Livestock: Mark Anderson 0274 691 004
SALE TALK Fred came home from University in tears.
Here at Farmers Weekly we get some pretty funny contributions to our Sale “No of course not”, replied his mother. Why would you think such a thing? Talk joke from you avid readers, and Fred showed her his genealogy DNA test results. No match for any of his we’re keen to hear more!
NZ’s Virtual Saleyard
“Mum, am I adopted?”
relatives, and strong matches for a family who lived the other side of the city.
Perturbed, his mother called her husband. “Honey, Fred has done a DNA test, and... and... I don’t know how to say this... he may not be our son.” “Well, obviously!” he replied. “What do you mean?” “It was your idea in the first place” her husband continued. “You remember, that first night in hospital when the baby did nothing but scream and cry and scream and cry. On and on. And you asked me to change him.”
Monday, 28 September 2020 11.00am – Rangatira Angus Heifer Dispersal
If you’ve got a joke you want to share with the Farming community (it must be something you’d share with your grandmother...) then email us at: saletalk@globalhq.co.nz with Sale Talk in the subject line and we’ll print it and credit it to you.
“I picked a good one I reckon. Ever so proud of Fred.”
Weaner Heifers Wanted
UPCOMING AUCTIONS Tuesday, 29 September 2020 7.30pm – Hiwiroa and Tahuna Shorthorn Wednesday, 30 September 2020 7.30pm – Korako Speckle Park Bull Sale Thursday, 1 October 2020 11.00am – North Taranaki Elite In Milk Sale 7.00pm – National Livestock – PER KG 7.30pm – National Livestock – PER HEAD
Conditions apply
Friday, 2 October Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming2020 listings LIVESTOCK 12.30pm – Kauri Spring Cattle Fair ADVERTISING
OPAWA DOWNS ON FARM CATTLE SALE
CALL ELLA 0800 85 25 80
For more information go to bidr.co.nz or contact the team on 0800 TO BIDR
NATIONWIDE Recorded Sires Key: Dairy
F12 + with Friesian sire 100kg plus J12 + with Jersey sire 80kg plus 260 Rutherford Road, Albury, South Canterbury.
Deposit paid on commitment.
Tuesday 6th October, 2020 Commencing 11am
Contact Nick Dromgool 027 857 7305
• 70 18 Mth Simmental/Friesian x & Hereford/Friesian x Mixed Sex Cattle
nick.dromgool@geneticdevelopment.co.nz LK0104090©
• 30
Grazing or Lease Blocks Wanted
Ylg Simmental/Angus x Steers
• 130 Ylg Simmental/Hereford x Steers • 70
Ylg Hereford Steers & Heifers
• 30
Ylg Simmental/Angus x Heifers
• 30
Ylg Simmental/Hereford x Heifers
• 120 Ylg Simmental x & Hereford Bulls All Simmental x Cattle Sired by Opawa Downs Simmental Bulls
To be sold following above at 1653 Mt Nessing Road, Albury. • 100 Ylg Hereford, Murray Grey & Simmental x Steers • 100 Ylg Hereford, Murray Grey & Simmental x Heifers C10 Status. Morning tea provided Sign posted from Albury.
Region: North Island south of Auckland Time: Mid-October onwards
Enquiries: David & Jayne Timperley (Vendors) 03 685 5785 or 0274 375 881
Payment: Options structured to meet your business Register you Interest Now
Sam Bell (PGGW) 0272 040 499
Contact Nick Dromgool 027 857 7305
A hybrid livestream auction, held on-farm and online via bidr.co.nz
LK0104027©
nick.dromgool@geneticdevelopment.co.nz
Helping grow the country
HERD DISPERSAL OF TOP QUALITY HIGH GENTIC & HIGH PRODUCTION IN MILK COWS A/C Waiau Trust (Jim & Sue Webster) 29 Ohanga Road, Onaero, Waitara (North Taranaki) Thursday 1st October, 11.30am • 65 High Production & Genetic Merit In Milk Cows Herd BW 176/53, Herd PW 214/48 Rel 100%. PGG Wrightson are proud to be favoured by Jim & Sue to sell by Auction on Farm this top quality offering of young Friesian & Friesian X Cows. The Waiau Herd name will be familiar to a lot of farmers as many bulls from this farm have been used by AB Companies over a long period of time. Jim has always had a passion for breeding top quality Dairy cattle hence giving prospective purchasers this rare oportunity to buy cows with a proven ability to produce. Herd is very young & will come forward in top order on sale day. Don’t miss this opportunity to perhaps Breed a top AB Sire of the future!!!! Points of Note: Offering includes 10 contract Cows BWS to 330, PWs to 493. Herd Test & A2 results Available. 1st herd Test 2.38 m/s per Cow. Catalogs with 3GPs available on agonline.co.nz. Delayed Payment to 20th October 2020. Jeff See 027 568 0813 Kim Harrison 027 501 0013 Andrew Reyland 027 223 7092
Cattle
Sheep
Other
2YR JERSEY & HEREFORD HERD BULL SALE 41 Karapiro Road, Cambridge A/C Piquet Hill Farms Ltd Thursday 8th October, 11.30am Comprising: • 70 2YR Jersey Bulls • 70 2YR Hereford Bulls TB tested free, EBL free, BVD tested negative, BVD vaccinated. Outstanding selection of well grown, top condition, excellent temperament, ideal cow bulls. Delivery – free delivery if pick up within 2 days of sale. Lease Option - Bid to buy or lease option 35% of knockdown price of bull. Richard Johnston 0274 443 570
KAURI SPRING CATTLE FAIR Kauri Saleyards, Whangarei Friday 2nd October, 2020 12.30pm start Approx. 1100 head comprising of: • 180 2yr Hrfd Frsn X, Ang Frsn X, Hrfd X Strs • 80 2yr Hrfd Frsn X Hfrs • 450 1yr Hrfd X, Ang & Ang X, Sim X Strs • 400 1yr Hrfd X, Ang & Ang X Hfrs For Further Information please contact: PGG Wrightson Livestock Agents Ian Munro 0275 986 074 Mike Laing 0275 986 736
Freephone 0800 10 22 76 | www.pggwrightson.co.nz
Helping grow the country
MARKET SNAPSHOT
44
Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.
Suz Bremner
Mel Croad
Nicola Dennis
Cattle
Reece Brick
Sarah Friel
Caitlin Pemberton
Sheep
BEEF
William Hickson
Deer
SHEEP MEAT
VENISON
Last week
Prior week
Last year
NI Steer (300kg)
5.80
5.75
6.10
NI lamb (17kg)
7.25
7.20
8.60
NI Stag (60kg)
6.20
6.20
9.40
NI Bull (300kg)
5.65
5.60
5.75
NI mutton (20kg)
4.90
4.90
5.55
SI Stag (60kg)
6.60
6.60
9.40
NI Cow (200kg)
4.25
4.25
4.70
SI lamb (17kg)
7.10
7.05
8.50
SI Steer (300kg)
5.20
5.20
5.90
SI mutton (20kg)
4.70
4.65
5.60
SI Bull (300kg)
5.15
5.15
5.55
Export markets (NZ$/kg)
SI Cow (200kg)
4.05
4.05
4.35
UK CKT lamb leg
US imported 95CL bull
8.00
8.06
8.59
US domestic 90CL cow
7.19
7.11
7.75
Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)
Last week Prior week
9.60
Last year
9.60
10.38
Export markets (NZ$/kg)
$/kg CW
North Island steer slaughter price 6.50
9.0
4.50
8.0
South Island steer slaughter price
6.50
South Island lamb slaughter price
7.0
Oct
Dec 5-yr ave
5.50 5.00
WOOL
4.50
(NZ$/kg)
Feb
Dec
Feb
5-yr ave
Apr
Jun
2018-19
Dairy
Aug 2019-20
Apr 2018-19
Jun
Last week
Prior week
Last year
1.94
1.88
2.75
Jun-20 Sept. 2021
Nearby contract
Last price*
758
750
787
DAP
Top 10 by Market Cap Company
400
380
Sep-19
Nov-19
Jan-20
Mar-20
May-20
Jul-20
vs 4 weeks ago
Close
YTD High
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd
33.1
37.89
21.1
The a2 Milk Company Limited
18.15
21.74
13.8
Auckland International Airport Limited
4.67
5.8
3.61
Meridian Energy Limited
7.04
9.21
4.26
405
YTD Low
3.445
Spark New Zealand Limited
4.63
5.09
Ryman Healthcare Limited
13.82
17.18
6.61
Fletcher Building Limited
4.75
5.62
3.595
Mercury NZ Limited (NS)
7.33
8.14
4.9
Contact Energy Limited
46.8
48.73
24
Air New Zealand Limited (NS)
6.22
7.74
4.54
Listed Agri Shares
CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY Prior week
314
-
Aug-20
DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T)
616
294
1.90
$/tonne Apr-20
578
294
-
390 Dec-19 Feb-20 Sept. 2020
578
30 micron lamb
410
Oct-19
Urea
-
6.00
Aug 2019-20
Last year
1.85
420
6.50
Jun
Prior week
1.95
7.50
Apr 2018-19
Last week
37 micron ewe
CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT
7.00
NZ average (NZ$/t)
Super
8.00
Feb
Fertiliser
Aug 2019-20
Grain
Data provided by
MILK PRICE FUTURES
5.50
Dec
FERTILISER
Coarse xbred ind. Oct
Oct
5-yr ave
5.0
Last year
South Island stag slaughter price
12.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0
6.0
6.00
4.00
$/kg CW
5.00
$/kg CW
$/kg CW
7.0
5.0
5.50
4.00
$/kg CW
8.0
Last week Prior week
North Island stag slaughter price
12.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0
6.0
6.00
$/kg MS
North Island lamb slaughter price
9.0
Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)
$/kg CW
Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)
Ingrid Usherwood
5pm, close of market, Thursday
Company
Close
YTD High
YTD Low
The a2 Milk Company Limited
18.15
21.74
13.8
Comvita Limited
3.22
4.97
1.66
Delegat Group Limited
14.4
15.08
6.39 3.41
0
0
0
400
SMP
2825
2780
2620
395
Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)
3.97
4.08
Foley Wines Limited
1.85
2.13
1.35
AMF
3975
4000
4050
390
Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)
0.75
0.9
0.68
Butter
3690
3690
3650
385
Marlborough Wine Estates Group Limited
0.181
0.21
0.17
New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd
1.67
2.3
1.29
Milk Price
7.14
7.22
7.22
380
PGG Wrightson Limited
2.72
3.01
1.55
Sanford Limited (NS)
5.47
8.2
5.46
Scales Corporation Limited
4.9
5.35
3.3
SeaDragon Limited
4.08
4.74
3.4
6
9.1
4.36
$/tonne
WMP
Sep-19
* price as at close of business on Thursday
WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO
Mar-20
May-20
Jul-20
Seeka Limited Synlait Milk Limited (NS)
400
3000
S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index
350
2950
$/tonne
US$/t
Jan-20
WAIKATO PALM KERNEL
3050
2900 2850 2800
Nov-19
2.74
2.93
2.35
15994
16959
12699
S&P/NZX 50 Index
11690
12094
8499
S&P/NZX 10 Index
12059
12701
9100
300 250
Jul
Aug Sep Latest price
Oct
Nov 4 weeks ago
Dec
200
Sep-19
S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY
Nov-19
Jan-20
Mar-20
May-20
Jul-20
15994
S&P/NZX 50 INDEX
11690
S&P/NZX 10 INDEX
12059
45
FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
Pulse
WEATHER Soil Moisture
An explosive bombogenesis (known as a weather bomb) developed over the weekend and peaks in depth on Monday, well south of New Zealand. The low was between Tasmania and Fiordland on Saturday with central air pressure of around 982hPa. Monday should be near 930hPa, about 1000km south-east of NZ. It is a major storm and will dredge up bitterly cold air from well over Antarctica’s ice shelf. This is the most significant Antarctic blast so far in 2020 – but due to the low being so far away, it means mostly southern NZ will be affected – especially Southland, Otago, the West Coast and Canterbury’s high country Monday/Tuesday when it peaks. Mild westerlies return nationwide by the end of this week with more gales.
Reliable cattle an insurance policy
24/09/2020
Reece Brick reece.brick@globalhq.co.nz
Source: NIWA Data
Highlights
Wind
Colder/windier S to SW winds on Monday and Tuesday – wind warnings are likely. Winds ease for at time mid to late week, but then westerly gales kick in for the first weekend of October.
Highlights/ Extremes
Temperature Temperatures plummet on Monday/Tuesday in Southland, Otago, Fiordland and Westland. Below 0 wind chills in many main centres and down towards -10C at times for wind chill in exposed areas (Southland, Otago mostly).
14-day outlook
Wild spring is here. This week kicks off with the weather bomb rapidly exploding into life over the Southern Ocean. This will significantly alter our weather pattern for this week, bringing a much colder week to Southland, Otago and surrounds. However, in true spring style, conditions balance back out again with warmer westerlies later in the week. This next surge of westerlies going into October will be windy with gales again returning by this weekend.
A big storm in the Southern Ocean around Monday/ Tuesday will bring severe gales to parts of NZ. It will also produce temperatures that are stressful for newborn livestock – with wind chills in Southland approaching -10C at times on Monday/Tuesday.
7-day rainfall forecast
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Spring has the western lean on rainwise. Those in the west and south-west of both islands will have the most rain, while those in the east and north of both islands lean drier than average yet again.
Weather brought to you in partnership with weatherwatch.co.nz
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PRING store cattle markets are beginning to get under way in earnest, making it a good time to observe how the lead up to summer may play out. The yearling steer market has undergone a bit of a correction this past fortnight, but in theory it is close to settling. From matching store values to schedules through the past decade, the expected range for yearling beef steers is $3.35-$3.55/ kg in the North Island and $2.95-$3.15/kg for the South Island, through October and November. Only two years deviated significantly below this range, both held back by El Nino forecasts. Yearling bulls have been more varied in spring, but around $2.95-$3.15/kg in the North Island and $2.55-$2.85/kg for the South Island would fit in with usual levels. This would be a slight increase on what is being paid currently. If this was any other year, then all the talk of La Nina may have seen another 20c/kg paid on top of what is quoted above in the North Island due to expected rains through eastern regions. With plenty of uncertainty about autumn beef schedules and current feed levels quite variable throughout the country, it’s difficult to see anyone wanting to get overenthusiastic buying up cattle. La Nina often keeps rain away from the eastern South Island, and anxiousness around this will only hold back store cattle markets there too. Dabbling in the store cattle markets is a
risky game given what is paid is extremely closely tied to New Zealand’s variable weather systems. If this year has shown us anything, it’s that quality and reputation are a very solid insurance policy against market swings, especially if the sale yards are the chosen sale method. Reliability is the big factor for large-scale buyers with the deepest pockets. It’s been common for two almost identical lines of yearling cattle to sell for a $50 per head plus difference, simply because one vendor’s cattle has a proven track record of performing, whereas the other is more of an unknown. This ties in with genetics too. Straight beef bred yearling steers have consistently sold for 40c/kg more through spring than Hereford-Friesian counterparts over the past three years. On a 300kg animal, this is an extra $120/hd. Some of this is related to Angus premiums received at processing time, but the ability for these cattle to withstand tough climates such as drought is key too. This sort of discount extends quite a lot further for any lines which have any obvious Jersey breeding showing – especially when it comes to bulls. Slower growth rates are the obvious drawback of these cattle, but bull finishers often note issues with aggression on crossbred bulls as well. Considering only a third of the national dairy herd is classified as Friesian, almost half being Friesian-Jersey, it is likely these types of cattle will become more dominant on the NZ landscape. Or less dairy beef calves will be reared, therefore increasing our reliance on beef bred cattle. With little evidence of a growing beef herd, it ultimately means a tightening in store cattle supplies going forward.
1yr steer price vs schedule (Oct -Nov) 70
% of schedule
Overview
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46
SALE YARD WRAP
Island lambs welcomed As old season lamb volume on the main islands dwindles, eyes turn towards the water for the stock boats from the Chatham Islands and Pitt Island. Lambs coming off the boats mean that there are a few more old season lambs left to go through the system, and buyers eagerly await their arrival at this time of year. A good number would have a one-way ticket to the processors, though given the large line sizes they are generally sold in the store sections of the Temuka and Stortford Lodge sales. These lambs cut their teeth later and a recent offload of just over 1500 into the Temuka yards met keen interest with most selling for $130-$178. NORTHLAND Wellsford store cattle • Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 393-457kg, eased to $2.69$2.75/kg • Nine 2-year Charolais steers, 418kg, realised $3.09/kg • Two-year Angus and Angus-Hereford heifers, 296kg, improved to $2.84/kg • Eighteen yearling Angus-Friesian steers, 227kg, lifted to $3.15/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, 230kg, eased to $2.85/kg A smaller mixed quality offering of 390 head was presented at WELLSFORD last Monday, and vendors had to meet the market for most. Two-year Angus-Friesian steers, 433-450kg, softened to $2.61-$2.69/kg. Hereford-dairy, 363396kg, eased to $2.51-$2.59/kg, though 338-356kg held at $2.63-$2.79/kg. Top Hereford-Friesian heifers, 434-473kg, earned $2.74-$2.76/kg with Hereford-dairy, 342-440kg, steady at $2.63-$2.68/kg. The limited offering of yearling steers, 206-261kg, traded at $2.74-$2.85/kg. Angus-cross heifers, 218kg, softened to $2.52/kg. A handful of autumnborn beef-dairy steers, 126-168kg, returned $450-$575 and heifers, 117-135kg, $325-$530. Read more in your LivestockEye.
AUCKLAND Pukekohe cattle • Boner cows softened to $1.09/kg to $2.36/kg • Good weaner steers sold at $370-$540 • Weaner heifers traded at $370-$400 • In-calf Friesian heifers earned $930 Quality stock continued to sell with good demand at PUKEKOHE last Saturday, while lesser types were more difficult to move. Prime steers made $2.90-$2.91/kg, with prime heifers at $2.82-$2.88/kg. Good 18-month steers fetched $2.75/kg, while same-age heifers sold in a wider range of $2.05/kg to $2.48/kg.
COUNTIES Tuakau sales • Weaner Hereford-Friesian steers, 101kg, made $530 • Prime exotic heifers sold to $3.06/kg • Friesian cows, 420-530kg, managed $1.86/kg to $2.07/kg Store cattle numbers dropped at TUAKAU last week and the market strengthened as a result, Carrfields Livestock agent Karl Chitham reported. The 500-head yarding was dominated by two-year steers with heavier types firming by 10c/kg. Most, 450-475kg, traded at $2.96-$3.01/kg, and 325-397kg, $2.78-$2.89/kg. The heifer section included 425kg Hereford-Friesian, which realised $2.91/kg, and 411kg Angus-Friesian, $2.61/kg. Shorthorn weaners, 212kg, earned $480, with 109kg Hereford-Friesian at $430. Prime cattle throughput also reduced. Heavy steers, 630-710kg, sold at $2.92-$2.97/kg and medium, 520-600kg, $2.84$2.89/kg. Belgian Blue heifers, 520kg, made $3.06/kg, while other beef types, 450-510kg, managed $2.71-$2.79/kg. Lighter boner cows returned $1.47/kg to $1.73/kg. Prices at Monday’s sheep sale were similar to the previous week. Heavy prime lambs sold up to $207 and top stores fetched $109.
BAY OF PLENTY Rangiuru cattle and sheep • Prime steers, 600-755kg, earned $3.01-$3.12/kg • Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 444-538kg, made $2.90-$2.91/ kg • Two-year Hereford-dairy and Simmental-cross steers, 413-466kg, fetched $2.94-$2.95/kg • Two-year Hereford-Friesian heifers, 420-492kg, earned $2.79$2.83/kg • Yearling Angus-Friesian steers, 327kg, pushed to $1015, $3.10/kg Prime throughput more than doubled at RANGIURU last Tuesday due to high dairy entries. Top Friesian cows, 526-530kg, earned $2.03-$2.06/kg while the majority were 477-503kg Friesian or Friesian-cross that fetched $1.78/ kg to $1.91/kg. Only a few pens of yearling steers managed to sell above $3/kg, and most dairy-beef types earned
$2.65-$2.76/kg. The biggest entry of yearling heifers was Hereford, 168-178kg, at $2.26-$2.36/kg. Heavy lambs made $139-$147 while three pens of Wiltshire ewes with lambsat-foot earned $50-$73 all counted. Read more in your LivestockEye.
WAIKATO Frankton cattle sale 22.9 • Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 350-410kg, held at $2.86$2.93/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 226-276kg, were well-rewarded at $3.10-$3.19/kg • Boner Friesian cows, 551-624kg, eased to $2.08-$2.12/kg Throughput eased to 419 head last Tuesday at FRANKTON for PGG Wrightson. Two-year Angus steers, 407-487kg, sold well at $2.90-$2.99/kg. Angus-Friesian heifers, 372kg, earned $2.85/kg with lesser 299-338kg at $2.58-$2.68/kg. Yearling numbers dropped to 263 head. Beef-dairy steers, 285-310kg, returned $2.90-$2.97/kg with heifers of the same breed, 210-333kg, mostly $2.60-$2.72/ kg. A consignment of Angus-Friesian bulls, 277-312kg, managed $2.31-$2.45/kg. Autumn-born weaner beefdairy bulls, 114-142kg, were consistent at $402-$490 with Friesian, 157-199kg, $520. Cows made up the lion’s share of the prime section. Boner Friesian cows, 450-502kg, softened to $1.98-$2.02/kg. Prime Hereford steers, 478601kg, realised $2.89-$2.90/kg while dairy-beef, 516-598kg, eased to $2.87-$2.93/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Frankton cattle sale 23 09 • Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 506kg, held at $2.91/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian heifers, 327kg, strengthened to $2.81/ kg • Prime steers, 420-617kg, returned $2.81-$2.95/kg Just 249 store cattle were presented by New Zealand Farmers Livestock at FRANKTON last Wednesday, and competition increased for quality types. Two-year Hereforddairy steers, 291-417kg, returned $2.69-$2.78/kg. Hereford heifers, 373kg, managed $2.69/kg. Better yearling HerefordFriesian steers lifted to $3.04-$3.18/kg while the balance, 209-296kg, held at $2.80/kg to $2.97/kg. Beef-dairy heifers, 213-220kg, earned $2.44-$2.50/kg. Friesian bulls, 253kg, held at $2.49/kg. Autumn-born weaner beef-dairy heifers, 112-133kg, improved to $335-$415. Top Hereford-Friesian bulls, 123-130kg, fetched $500-$510. Cow and heifer throughput lifted in the prime section. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 455-560kg, strengthened to $2.87-$2.89/kg with the balance of heifers, 452-484kg, $2.76-$2.85/kg. Top boner cows, 594kg, held at $2.11/kg though most 442-547kg eased to $1.84/kg to $2.00/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Waikato feeder calf sales Calf supply dropped to 670 head at FRANKTON and TIRAU sales last week. Friesian bull volume was limited, and prices eased with good lines $70 and medium $20-$30. Hereford-Friesian also lost ground as good types returned $135-$190, medium $80-$120 and small $20-$65. Red lines were discounted further to $30-$130. Beef-cross bulls made $55-$180. The heifer market was tough-going and top HerefordFriesian made $70-$120, medium $40-$65 and small $10-$25. Other medium beef-cross returned $20-$50. Read more in your LivestockEye.
KING COUNTRY Te Kuiti sale • Store lambs fetched $100-$104 • Heavy prime ewes made $160-$175 with medium $130-$145 and light $60-$90 • Three-year Friesian and Hereford steers, 525-528kg, earned $2.77/kg • Better two-year Angus and Charolais steers, 470-523kg, made $3.10-$3.18/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 288-324kg, sold at $3.46-$3.47/ kg There was a small yarding of sheep at TE KUITI last Wednesday where heavy prime lambs made $170-$180,
medium $131-$149 and light $124-$130. There were about 450 head of cattle on Friday that sold on a strong market. The top end of the two-year South Devon and HerefordFriesian steers, 450-520kg, traded at $3.23-$3.27/kg with the balance mostly $3.15-$3.18/kg. Two-year Hereford heifers, 476kg, fetched $2.90/kg.
POVERTY BAY Matawhero sheep • Male store lambs traded at $99-$109 • Most mixed-age prime ewes earned $155-$175 • Top prime lambs firmed to $174-$203 with the balance mostly $130-$169 There was another small yarding at MATAWHERO last Friday with just 144 store lambs. A highlight was a pen of ewes with large lambs-at-foot that fetched $110 allcounted. Read more in your LivestockEye.
TARANAKI Taranaki cattle • Top end 2-year steers made $2.83-$2.84/kg • Two-year Speckle Park-cross and Angus-cross heifers, 420-442kg, fetched $2.55-$2.60/kg • Two-year Murray Grey bulls, 675kg, earned $2040 • Prime steers, 610-770kg, sold well at $2.95-$2.99/kg • Boner cows, 576-606kg, were well received at $2.20-$2.26/kg There was a small yarding of 265 mixed-quality cattle at TARANAKI last Wednesday. The market softened, although sold appropriately for what was on offer. Yearlings made up the bulk of the yarding and better-quality Hereford-cross steers traded at $2.99-$3.06/kg, with 305kg Hereford-Friesian heifers at $2.92/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.
HAWKE’S BAY Stortford Lodge prime cattle and sheep • A pen of heavy mixed-sex spring lambs fetched $160 • Heavy male and cryptorchid lines returned $152-$173.50 • Top end ewe lambs earned $160-$177 • Heavy ewes held at $131-$145.50 Prime lamb throughput lifted to 1400 at STORTFORD LODGE last Monday as sellers’ offload before teeth become an issue. The increased number diminished competition and most sold at softer levels. Very heavy male and cryptorchid lambs came back to $180-$196.50. Just 331 ewes were presented. Very heavy types held at $157-$177.50, as did very good at $112-$130. A handful of big wethers realised $180. Just two Angus cows graced the rostrum and at 675kg earned $2.08/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Stortford Lodge store cattle and sheep • Three-year traditional steers, 435-545kg, firmed to $3.32/kg • Two-year Angus steers, 400-508kg, traded at $3.20-$3.28/kg • Top yearling Angus steers, 309-343kg, reached $3.62-$3.72/kg • Yearling Angus heifers, 257-291kg, sold for breeding at $800$905 • Top ewes with lambs-at-foot made $84-$90 all counted Cattle converged on STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday as 1200 were offered. A large portion came from Wairoa hill country and drew a big crowd of local and outside buyers. Yearling traditional steers averaged 305kg and $3.60/kg while exotic-cross, 273-315kg, returned $970-$1150, $3.44/kg to $3.65/kg. A small entry of Friesian bulls included 2-year, 499-548kg, at $3.12-$3.15/kg and yearling, 254-266kg, $3.01-$3.04/kg. Sheep volume was low, and prices eased. Heavy cryptorchid earned $138.50$158.50 and similar ewe lambs $122-$154. Good ewe lambs returned $106-$130. Read more in your LivestockEye.
MANAWATU Feilding prime cattle and sheep; feeder calves • Friesian cows, 535-655kg, largely made $2.20-$2.29/kg • Jersey cows, 360-450kg, returned $1.80-$1.87/kg • Good beef bull calves earned $140-$180
47
FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020
SOUTH-CANTERBURY Temuka prime and boner cattle; all sheep • Traditional steers, 535-735kg, earned $2.75-$2.86/kg • Hereford-Friesian steers, 540-740kg, fetched $2.71-$2.81/kg • Friesian cows, 560-628kg, earned $1.96-$2.04/kg • Friesian cows, 480-540kg, regularly sold for $1.84-$1.93/kg • Top ewes with lambs-at-foot reached $96-$98 all counted Chatham Island’s lambs filled most store pens at TEMUKA last Monday. Very heavy wethers made $137-$167 and ewe lambs $134-$173. Medium stores made $119-$129. Most prime lambs sold for $170-$200 with the balance largely $120-$150. Ewe quality was mixed but the tops still managed $200$220 and heavy types $160-$190. Steers at or around 500kg returned $2.50-$2.60/kg regardless of breed. Traditional heifers, 515-610kg, earned $2.72-$2.77/kg, while a few heavy Friesian bulls reached $2.83/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.
CHOCK-FULL: At Temuka last week Chatham Islands lambs lined the store pens as far as the eye could see in the mist. Prime lambs were in demand at FEILDING last Monday. Big line sizes again featured and 60% were very heavy lambs that sold over the tight range of $173-$188. Heavy types met plenty of interest and made $164-$170 while mediumgood pens earned $151-$158.50. Prime ewe numbers continue to be restricted. Just over 800 ewes were present and made $128-$149 for good types with one pen of heavy at $165. At MANFEILD PARK feeder calf prices came back. A few 5-week old Friesian bulls earned $200, but beef types proved much harder to move than previous weeks. This was particularly obvious in the heifer pens where a significant portion earned $30-$45. Read more in your LivestockEye. Feilding store sale • Traditional 2-year steers, 430-570kg, lifted to $3.25-$3.35/kg • Traditional yearling steers, 225-310kg, were $3.35-$3.60/kg • Yearling Friesian bulls, 270-320kg, made $2.80-$3.00/kg • Ewe with large LAF made $102-$110 all counted • All lambs averaged $132 Almost 500 2-year steers sold well, with good-quality types lifting 10c/kg from a week earlier. For those either side of 400kg interest was flatter, at $3.05/kg for traditional types. Two-year bulls began strong, $3.15/kg for 525kg Friesian, but others were mixed bred and often passed in. Two-year traditional heifers, 355-380kg, were $2.55-$2.60/ kg. Yearling steers were toughing going outside of a few large lines of traditional types. Dairy-beef steers and mix-bred beef types were mostly $2.80-$3.10/kg above 200kg. Quality and breeding was a little mixed in the yearling bulls, but good lines held at $2.80/kg plus. It was a solid but small sheep sale. A few ewes with large lambs-at-foot sold quite well, up at $102$110 all counted, but others with younger lambs held down at $82-$89 all counted. Only 1700 lambs were available. Prime cuts were $155, other good lines $140-$150, mediums $125-$135 while anything else went as low as $110. Read more in your LivestockEye. Rongotea cattle • Three-year Red Poll bulls, 480kg, made $2.83/kg • Yearling Hereford-Friesian steers, 223-288kg, eased to $1.91/kg to $2.25/kg • In-calf Friesian cows traded at $1080-$1360 • Friesian boner cows, 505kg, fetched $1.79/kg • Feeder Friesian bull calves sold in a range of $20-$235 Well-bred cattle sold on a strong market while lesser types struggled at RONGOTEA last Wednesday, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported.
Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 500kg, were steady at $2.84/kg. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 292-349kg, eased to a range of $2.09/kg to $2.27/kg. Yearling Hereford-Friesian bulls, 245kg, earned $2.24/kg.
CANTERBURY Canterbury Park prime cattle and all sheep • Prime Charolais and Charolais-cross steers, 470-680kg, fetched $2.95-$3.03/kgStore lambs mostly sold from $92-$129 • Large store ewe lambs earned $130-$145 • Four prime ewes made $260, with a handful of male sheep $200$211 It was a quiet day in the sheep pens at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday. The prime lamb yarding was small and very heavy lambs sold for $199-$203. Heavy types earned $176-$193 and the remainder mostly made $138-$175. Ewes were largely good types that earned $125-$169. Traditional steers, 535-690kg, generally made $2.90-$3.02/ kg. Dairy-beef types over 500kg were most often priced at $2.65/kg to $2.88/kg. Buyers had strict budgets through the heifer pens and those over 500kg were mostly restricted to a range of $2.64-$2.75/kg regardless of breed. Read more in your LivestockEye. Coalgate cattle and sheep • Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 390-442kg, earned $2.62$2.65/kg • Prime dairy-beef steers, 493-570kg, consistently sold for $2.69$2.77/kg • Prime Hereford-Friesian heifers, 492-541kg, fetched $2.68-$2.77/ kg • Prime Angus-Hereford heifers, 391-415kg, managed $2.60-$2.65/ kg • Ewes with 50-100 lambs-at-foot sold for $109-$119 all counted A larger contingent of store cattle was yarded at COALGATE last Thursday. Two-year Angus-Hereford heifers, 381-386kg, made $2.64-$2.65/kg while Murray Grey sold in two cuts; 367-475kg managed $2.51-$2.53/kg and 331kg, $2.39/kg. One pen of Hereford-Friesian heifers, 238kg, reached $2.65/kg but dairy types struggled to sell, and a number were passed in or sold below $1/kg. Over 10% of the prime lambs earned $190-$201 with the next 80% $150-$189. A handful of very heavy ewes attracted bids of $198-$207 while the balance was generally $125-$180. Over 300 capital stock Romney ewe lambs achieved $185 and the remainder $110-$130. Read more in your LivestockEye.
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Mt Nessing yearling sale • The average steer made $1000, with the top end at $1105 • Heifers averaged $740 There were around 640 head of good quality stationbred Angus and Angus-Hereford steers and heifers at the MT NESSING Yearling Sale last Wednesday. Buyers came from all around Canterbury, with overall weights heavier than the previous year which pushed prices upwards.
OTAGO Balclutha sheep • Ewes with tailed lambs-at-foot traded at $90-$95 all-counted A smaller offering of 300 prime lambs sold at softer levels of $150-$180 at BALCLUTHA last Wednesday. There was good demand for prime ewes and heavy types achieved $150-$180, medium $120-$140 and light $80-$100. Palmerston spring cattle sale • Angus 2-year steers made $3.00-$3.10/kg • Good beef yearling heifers made $2.80-$3.00/kg There were just over 1,000 cattle on offer at the PALMERSTON Spring Cattle Sale on Friday. The bulk of the offering was yearling steers which were well received by a crowd of buyers. Of these, Angus and Angus-Hereford steers weighing 300-330kg were the most sought after selling for $3.60-$3.80/kg. There were some larger, 330355kg, exotic bred steers made $3.20-3.33/kg. Bidding for other stock classes was more subdued on account of the lack of feed in the area. The 2-year cattle were mostly made up of lighter station beef stock and dairy-cross stock. Well grown Hereford-Friesian 2yr steers over 400kg made $3/kg. But most were offtype or poorer condition trading for $2.40-2.70/kg. Smaller yearling heifers were a hard sell with many struggling to achieve $400/hd.
SOUTHLAND Lorneville cattle and sheep • Prime heifers, 402-450kg, lifted to $2.50/kg to $2.65/kg • Better 2-year Friesian steers earned $2.50/kg • Yearling Hereford-cross steers, 260kg, sold at $2.88/kg • Yearling beef-cross bulls, 230kg, made $2.21/kg • Prime ewes softened with heavy types back to $130-$149, medium $100-$124 and light $70-$90 There was a small yarding of prime cattle at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday where 420-440kg steers strengthened to $2.50$2.60/kg. Boner cows sold well with those above 500kg at $1.95/kg to $2.07/kg. Store cattle were of mixed-quality and softened. Hereford-cross steers, 363kg, made $2.59/kg, with beef-cross heifers, 390kg, at $2.17/kg. Better yearling beefcross heifers fetched $2.32-$2.39/kg. Prime lambs lifted and heavy types fetched $151$172 and light to medium at $100-$133. Store lambs strengthened with the top end at $100-$115, medium $90$95 and light $70-$80.
Markets
48 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 28, 2020 NI STEER
NI LAMB
SI BULL
($/KG)
($/KG)
($/KG)
5.80
7.25
YEARLING TRADITIONAL STEERS, 305KG AVERAGE, AT STORTFORD LODGE
5.15
($/KG/LW)
high $1.86-$1.96 $170-$188 prime lambs at lights Boner Friesian cows, Heavy Feilding 520-540kg, at Temuka
3.60
ACROSS THE RAILS SUZ BREMNER
Schedules show some promise for this season’s crop of lambs
TOPS: Megan and Kevin Friel of Mt Mable Angus, Woodville, averaged $5280 for the 29 bulls sold.
Spring sales see good clearances Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz
H
ALFWAY through the Spring Bull Sales, the highest price achieved has been $20,000 by Stokman Angus in Rotorua, followed by $15,000 made by Craigmore Herefords, Ohaupo. Stokman had a full clearance of 97 yearling bulls on September 16 and averaged $4457. Craigmore sold 96 out of 98 yearling bulls offered on September 14 and averaged $3398. The best average so far appears to be $5280 for 29 sold of 30 offered by Mt Mable Angus, Woodville, on September 21, where $9000 was made twice.
Other high prices included $13,000 made by Mahuta Herefords at Glen Murray on September 18, when 56 of 57 sold for an average of $3414. Near Masterton on September 10, the McFadzeans sold 28 out of 33 yearling Meat Maker AngusSimmental bulls with a top price of $11,000 and an average of $3709. A top price of $10,000 was made by Turihaua Angus, Gisborne when they sold 24 or 29 on September 23, averaging a very good $5479. Morrison Ezicalve Hereford yearling bulls sold strongly to a smaller number of attendees along with 20 or more registered on Bidr. The full clearance of 90 yearlings averaged $3550 with a top price of
$6400. At the Ratanui Angus sale in Gisborne on September 22, the average was $4715 for 19 sold with a top of $7500. Whangara Angus on the same day sold 17 to average $3676 with a top of $5500. With similar top prices, but a week earlier, were Waitangi Angus, Pahia, with $7200 and Riverton Hereford, Fordell, with $7000. Waitangi sold 85 at $3750, and Riverton 106 yearlings at $3120 and 45 two-year-olds at $2757. One of the biggest early sales was at Mangaotea, Taranaki, where 169 one and two-year-old Angus, Hereford, Murray Grey and Jersey bulls sold with averages between $2100 and $3275.
OUT on New Zealand’s rolling green hills, lambing is still under way or farmers are tackling the docking scrim in strong winds. Going by historical information we are still a month out from seeing any new season store lamb volume at the yards or in the paddock, but it is as good a time as ever to look back on the past year’s prices and budget for this year’s lamb crop. Stortford Lodge and Feilding are the first sale yards to get under way, given that their regions are earlier lambing, and Stortford Lodge nearly always kicks off with an annual draft consignment of mixed-sex Southdown-cross lambs from Te Aute. Typically, these will appear mid-October while South Island yards get rolling a month later. For the sake of this article, price averages have been taken from the first four weeks of steady new season lamb volume at Stortford Lodge, Feilding, Canterbury Park and Temuka. Since 2015, we have been on an upwards trajectory in store lamb prices at auction, and the price difference between 2015 and 2019 averages out at an increase of $2.00-$2.20/kg LW, or $54-$57 for most yards. Nearly half of that increase occurred between the 2018 and 2019 seasons as the latter showed growth of $20-$30 year-on-year for the North Island yards. The North Island yards averaged over $5.00/kg LW for those early lambs at 26kg LW and South Island yards were relatively strong as well at $3.96-$4.25/kg for 2528kg LW. All the ducks lined up for sellers of those early lambs in 2019, but in 2020 the ducks are certainly not staying in formation. However, within our shores the markets have held up well despite what the world has thrown at it and lamb schedules are showing some promise, so there are reasonably positive sentiments heading into the new season lamb market. Prices this season have been sitting on the top or just above five-year average levels and the most likely scenario this year is that we will see prices in those first four weeks fall somewhere between 2017 and 2018 levels. Lamb schedules are shaping up to be better than 2017, though not as high as 2018, and factoring in feed levels but potentially lower lamb supply, it is likely that a 26kg lamb should trade around the $90-$100 mark, but time will tell. suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz
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P PE ER RE EN ND DA AL LE ES S
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Perendales still top choice for Longview
I
t’s the end of an era for Hawke’s Bay Perendale breeder Graeme Maxwell as he retires from the national Perendale council after 30 years. Not retiring from breeding though, he adds quickly with a smile, although he’s handing over most of the book work to one of his new staff members, Ashleigh Milne, who is showing an interest in stud recording. Graeme and Sue Maxwell’s Longview Perendale stud is based on the property they manage for the Rangiora Trust at the base of the Maungaharuru Range near Tutira, north of Napier. They’ve managed Rangiora Trust and the neighbouring Smith Block since 1983. “The two farms run separately stock-wise but in conjunction with each other staff-wise,” Graeme said. Apart from Ashleigh, the Maxwells also employ Jared Roberts as stock manager and Sandy Fraser and Gordon Long as general hands. The land, which is 2121ha combined, ranges from flat and rolling to medium and steep country and rises from about 230 metres to almost 800m above sea level. Rangiora is 1564ha, including 216ha in native bush and 74ha in pine trees. Rangiora Trust’s flock had previously been registered but there were no records. Knowledge gained from a previous job encouraged him to start the stud again in 1986 with 160 homebred ewes. “When we were first married, we worked on a Coopworth stud in Gisborne. All I had done was work on big stations and I hated it to start with,” Graeme said. “I thought being a stud was a waste of time but gradually I recognised it was teaching me the finer parts of sheep breeding and sheep farming. “All you do on big stations is chase sheep from A to B if you’re a shepherd. “I learnt more in those three years on the
TOP FORM: Longview stud ewes on Rangiora Trust near Tutira.
Coopworth stud than all my time shepherding.” Graeme joined the Perendale council in 1990. It was a bit of a change for the organisation to have a council member who was a manager, not an owner, Graeme recalls. He went on to be president in 2003, and says it’s like an extended family and enjoys visiting other studs around the country. However, it’s been facial eczema (FE) and worm tolerance that has perked his interest in more recent times. One of Graeme’s parting messages to the Council was for South Island breeders to put more of a focus on FE. “Even though they don’t have an issue with FE, if their rams come to the North Island, it’s essential,” he said. “With the way things are going with climate change, breeders have to start thinking that way. “We also do FEC or faecal egg counts, and sooner or later there may come a time when the meat companies are not going to want farmers drenching their sheep all the time. We’re sure there is a connection between FEC and facial
Kamahi Perendales Progressive Perendales Flock 272 SIL Flock 142
eczema in terms of animals being able to tolerate worms and eczema.” Graeme says they’re proactive about improving their flock, particularly with testing and selection for facial eczema tolerance and worm tolerance. “We don’t like to see dags,” he said. “This has been an exceptionally dry year and we didn’t have many dags on our sheep at all. Put it this way, when we see dags, we cull that animal out.” “That’s going back 20 years, go back 30 years and we don’t have the same ewe deaths,” Sue adds. Longview rams are sold to coastal farms, high country, and hard country up the East Coast past Gisborne and toward Matawai, Taihape, Hawera and Central Hawke’s Bay. Graeme says 2020 has been “one hell of a season”. “We came here at the tailend of the ’83 drought,” he said. “This year has been bad because there were other things against us as well. It was hard to kill ewes so we had stock on that we didn’t need to
have on, and it rained so late.” The farm had 58mm of rain in May but fortunately 256mm fell in June. The farm had 140mm for the first five months of this year, compared with 442mm for the same time last year. However, Graeme says they’re still behind. The last of the flock ewes were spread out in mid-August. “We managed to save up enough grass for the cows to be set stocked onto and the ewes are going on the short grass but it’s green and hopefully it will grow with them,” he said. The drought also saw the Maxwells sell more lambs store, instead of finishing them. “That might be a thing of the future for us to do. It gives us more flexibility if the season isn’t going our way… if it looks like it will be dry and/ or the prices are good,” he said. As well as Angus/Hereford cattle and a small Gelbvieh stud, the Maxwells run about 500 stud Perendale ewes depending on the season, 3500 commercial Perendale ewes and 1300 replacement hoggets on the Rangiora Trust block. They sell 180 to 190 rams a year from about 250 ram hoggets. The Maxwells are hard on selection. “If a two-tooth has a single the first year, she can’t have a single again. If she has two singles in a row, that’s it, unless we’ve had a really bad year,” he said. “We’ve got a terminal sire for them to go to, so we’re not wasting a perfectly good sheep. Graeme says Perendales are good mothers with fertility and good survival rates. “That’s important for the commercial breeder. It’s not the percentage he gets at scanning time, it’s the percentage at docking time that he puts on the truck he’s getting paid for,” he said. He says they’re also free moving and active. “Born to perform,” adds Sue. “Attitude… if you think they won’t, think again,” Graeme and Sue say in unison, laughing: “Because they will.”
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Ph: 06 864 4468 M: 021 997 519 Email: sean@brosy.nz Waitangihia Station, 1333 Waikura Rd, Hicks Bay 4054
5
Perendales in the shadow of Te Waka
P
erendales have a long history on Te Waka Station in Hawke’s Bay. Aaron Morton, known to most as Rummy, has lived on the Te Waka farm on the lower reaches of the range, also known as Te Waka, for the past 23 years with his wife Sue Ruddenklau, whose family has lived on the property since 1925. Sue’s grandfather Karl and father Graham had a traditional Romney flock; they decided to put Cheviot rams over in the mid-1960s. “I’m proud this flock has been pure Perendale since the mid-1960s,” he said. “We didn’t begin by putting a Perendale over the Romney ewes and eventually calling them Perendales – we started from a Perendale, as pure as it was. “We’re lucky to have retained the flock exactly as it is. When the place was planted in trees, Graham downsized the flock. “As you can imagine, he kept the best, so we now have the best of that flock as the base of ours.” Rummy and Sue graze 450 effective hectares at the end of Te Waka Road, off Rukumoana Road on SH5/Napier-Taupo road, near Te Pohue. It winters 1400 Perendale ewes and 400 ewe hoggets, plus 135 in-calf cows and 30 replacement heifers. Cow numbers are being lowered after a recent TB scare; all progeny will now be finished on-farm instead of sold as yearlings. The farm is 1100ha but has 600ha leased to forestry until after harvest. “We’ve spent the past two and a half years learning to farm around forestry,” Rummy said. They’ve farmed Te Waka since taking over from Graham in mid-1997.
The main thing that’s changed since then has been the addition of the top block to the grazeable area in 2006. It came complete with a failed Douglas Fir crop, which was duly sprayed and left to revert to pasture. “We moved into a black cow herd from Hereford-Friesian dairy-cross cattle, they weren’t going to suit the top country,” he said. “At 800 to 900 metres (above sea level), that’s run-off country at its best. “The bottom farm is the engine room. But the cows go up top at weaning and they stay up there until calf marking at Christmas. At which point the ewes go up to spend the summer making pigs of themselves. “It grows clover like you won’t believe, hence the good scanning results.” The ewes lamb from September 10 and wean early late-November/early December – when the lambs only weigh about 25kg live weight. “But I’m always anxious to get weaning out of the way so I can get rid of those ewes for the summer,” he said. “In this climate, everything needs to be fed really well through the summer, to be able to get through winter. You have to get them mudfat. If they’re not fat going into winter up here, they’re going to struggle.” The ewes scanned 171% with triplets (ewes to the ram). “That’s about 6% back on last year, from memory, mainly due to the drought,” he said. “Last year, we docked about 155% and that was after removing about 50 triplets. We handreared them just to help the ewes and their other lambs.” It had mixed success so won’t be repeated this season. “I’m going to leave them on,” he explained.
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LAMBING BUSINESS: Te Waka winters 1400 Perendale ewes and 400 ewe hoggets.
“I have a heap of holding paddocks so I’m going to dock the triplets around the holding paddocks with only half a dozen in each paddock. Hopefully, it will stop the mismothering and I can quietly potter through them and keep an eye on it. “I’d like to think we can still do 150% this year. I’d be happy about that.” Up to 80% of the farm’s lambs are killed at 18kg carcass weight with the rest sold as stores. Rummy says they must be off-farm by the end of April. “We have a time constraint,” he said. “We’re only weaning at 25kg, so we’ve got a short window to get them up. It’s the nature of the country we’re on. “We’re doing 150%, that’s got a bigger influence than anything else we’re doing. “We like quantity more than quality. The number of lambs hits the bank account. It’s a numbers game.” The B ewe flock goes to a Suffolk terminal sire. Rummy buys his Perendale rams from Ian Brickell in the Putere area, off SH2 north of Napier. Choosing rams based on fertility traits was one way to improve Rummy’s lambing
percentage. He says under advice, he also started feeding his ewes better. “Once that top country kicked in, I was able to start feeding them better up there. You can’t just go and buy high fertility rams and expect your lambing percentage to jump up. Most of it has to come from this property,” he said. For the past five or six seasons, Rummy has only kept twin replacement ewe lambs (no singles, no triplets) and also sends his ewe hoggets to Pete Swinburn’s at Flemington, in Central Hawke’s Bay, from the start of August to the beginning of November. They return at about 55kg and will hit 60kg by Christmas. “That’s been a big contributor, I think, to the increase in lambing percentage because that good start is now flowing through the flock,” he said. Shearing is loosely based around eight months (three times in two years). Rummy and Sue crutch the hoggets themselves every year, usually in April. “We do them ourselves so we can have a good look at each sheep then and chuck out anything we don’t like the look of,” he said. “Sue’s great… She knows the stock, she has a good eye.”
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SIL Genetic Trend Graphs show Dolomite’s maternal worth with meat index is 1200 cents ahead of the average for all other NZ maternal breed flocks
•
Record 2017 100-day weaning weights average at 38.1kgs. Genetic trend graph weaning weight eBV is 50% higher than average of all other flocks
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Record 2018 200-day autumn lamb liveweights average at 52.9kgs
•
The majority of rams being offered for sale will have a NZ maternal worth index exceeding 2125 – that’s within the top 20% for New Zealand.
Ram buying: for friendly personal attention to your requirements contact Ken Elliott 194 Okains Bay Road, ph 021 221 4185 ken.dolomite@gmail.com www.perendale.co.nz
InquIrIes Welcome: richard & Kerry France 1419 Moa Flat Road RD 2, Tapanui New Zealand Ph/Fax: (03) 204 8339 email: france@yrless.co.nz
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AWAPIKO PERENDALES Romdales and Cheviots available
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7
Minzion Station Perendales fit for purpose Diane Bishop
H
aving sheep that bounce back under extreme conditions is important for Dougal Macdougall. His hill country property Minzion Station, situated on the edge of Millers Flat township in Central Otago, is prone to long, hot dry summers and harsh cold winters. “The Perendales really suit our country, they’re a very hardy breed and have the ability to bounce back,’’ Dougal said. Dougal and his wife Sarah farm 13,500 Perendale ewes, 3500 ewe hogget replacements, 2000 halfbred (Merino-Romney) ewes and a large herd of 1000 Hereford and Hereford-Angus breeding cows on their 6600 hectare property. They have owned the property, which employs six full-time staff, since 2016 after previously farming in partnership with Dougal’s parents Peter and Geraldine. Originally 1800 hectares, Minzion Station has grown significantly over the years with the purchase of neighbouring land and extends as far as Lake Onslow, a popular boating and fishing spot. ‘’The property is challenging to farm – it’s 38km long and split into two blocks,’’ Dougal said. The Macdougall family, who bought Minzion Station in 1976, were farming corriedales before they made the switch to Perendales in the early 1980s. “Dad wanted to lift the lambing percentage and increase the carrying capacity and the Perendales have enabled us to do that, ’’Dougal said. The Macdougalls gradually built up their Perendale flock, buying ewe lambs and rams from the late Bill Walker who established the Hazeldale stud. The Perendale ewes were currently lambing about 145% unshepherded on the hill country.
WAY OF LIFE: Dougal and Sarah Macdougall farm Perendales on Minzion Station at Millers Flat. Photo: Diane Bishop
However, the scanning percentage was back about 10% this year, which Dougal attributed to the dry autumn. “The past 12 months have been challenging,” he said. “We had a wet spring, so we didn’t build up a buffer of summer feed on the hill and then we had a dry autumn.’’ It has also been an unusually mild winter at Minzion Station and by late August there has been no snow on the higher hill country. “Typically, we’d have 10 to 15 good snowfalls on the hill, but we’ve had nothing this winter,’’ Dougal said. The Perendale ewes, which are pre-lamb shorn, are run as two main flocks. The A mob ewes are mated to Perendale rams for one cycle (followed up with Suffolk rams), while the B mob ewes are mated to both Texel and Suffolk rams. Dougal is impressed with the Perendale rams which he buys from the McKelvie’s Kylemore
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stud near Wyndham. “They’re big, robust sheep – they’re pretty grunty,” he said. When it comes to ram selection, Dougal has a strong focus on conformation as well as parentage and longevity. “You’ve got to enjoy the look of the stock you’re farming, but I also want to see that the ram’s dam has produced a lot of twins and that she’s reared those twins and how long the ewes have bred for.” he said. As part of Dougal’s risk management strategy, lambing is staggered with the B mob starting in the second week of September and the A mob in early October, and not finishing until early November. Dougal says the Perendales, which he describes as medium-framed efficient ewes, were well-suited to tackle the extreme weather conditions at Minzion Station. “We have no growth for 120 days over the winter, they have to be fit for purpose,’’ he said.
The Macdougalls aim to finish all their lambs at an average 18.5kg carcass weight, and usually kill 1500 terminal lambs before Christmas. They usually kill up to 40% of their lambs off mum in weaning drafts, which are staggered from early January to early February for the later lambing ewes. The Macdougalls also buy in up to 16,000 crossbred and halfbred store lambs, at about 32kg live-weight, from late December to May. “We’ve really cranked up the store lambs in the past few years,” he said. “The higher paddock country explodes over the summer and it generates a lot of feed that’s not needed for the capital stock.’’ Dougal operates a revolving door policy and as the store lambs are finished, more are purchased. The Macdougall’s were forced to hold on to about 5000 lambs that were ready to be processed at the start of the covid-19 lockdown. “We had to sit on them for about six weeks and they ate up valuable feed, it was a bit frustrating,’’ Dougal said. This season, they have carried about 4000 half-bred lambs through the winter to kill in the spring. Dougal introduced a halfbred (MerinoRomney) flock to Minzion Station a few years ago as they were more suited to the drier, harder country. The hill country is still being developed with about 200 hectares of new grass being sown annually. The Macdougalls aim to lift their halfbred ewe flock to about 5000 ewes over the next five years by buying in hoggets and will retain about 13,000 Perendale ewes. ‘’I’ve worked with a lot of sheep breeds over the years, but I love the way the Perendales handle our country – they are very clever sheep,” he said.’’
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Proven powerful Perendale genetics Born and reared under Perendale conditions on the eastern side of the Puketoi range. To ensure genetic gain in both the Hautere flock and also Ram Clients flocks, only 2th ewes and rams with a “NZ Maternal Worth plus Meat Index” above 2000 on the “SIL NZGE Across Flock Analysis” are retained or offered for sale. Constant genetic improvement results in the bar continually being raised.
John Henricksen Ph 06 374 3888 Korora Road, RD 1 Dannevirke j.henricksen@inspire.net.nz
Also “Highland Cheviots”. The ideal sire for hogget mating
On farm private treaty sales Inspection welcome Contact: DAVE MCKELVIE 027 249 6905 kylemoreperendales@gmail.com
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OPEN DAY Tuesday 3 November, 1pm-3pm at SH3, Mahoenui
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Tuesday 17th November 2020 at 12 Noon Russell and Mavis Proffit: 2033 State Highway 3, RD, Mahoenui 3978 Cellphone: 027 355 2927 Email: raupuhastud@gmail.com • www.raupuhastud.co.nz