Farmers Weekly NZ June 29 2020 by AgriHQ

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Vol 19 No 25, June 29, 2020

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9 New man at Fonterra helm Vol 19 No 25, June 29, 2020

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Lamb prices too high? Neal Wallace

neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz

TORE lamb buyers are being cautioned to temper the prices they pay because winter schedules will be well back on previous years. Sale yard conversations indicate some buyers expect September and October schedules will be similar to previous years at about $8/kg, AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says. Croad says she is not talking the market down but is urging buyers to consider export prices might not reach the heights of previous years. “All we are saying is be careful. “If you step out and pay big money you might not get the margin you think you are going to get given the fundamentals we see in the market right now. “The market might well improve but at the moment in-market prices are softer than we have seen for a long time, which means they need to recover harder and faster than before to get close to supporting a plus $8/kg price. “If lamb supplies for processing

fall short in late winter then any procurement pressure that develops might not reflect market conditions and that will have implications for new season lamb pricing from November,” Good quality store male lambs are making $115-$130 a head and good ewe lambs from $90-$115 a head. Before lockdown comparable male lambs made $85 to $105 at $2.60 to $2.70/kg and ewes $70 to $85 at $2.50-$2.60/kg. Average North Island slaughter prices this week were about $7/ kg, 80c/kg lower than the same week last year, reflecting market uncertainty. “The store lamb market has lifted a lot since March whereas we saw 50c/kg drop out of the slaughter price through April and have only just recovered that in the last week to see farmgate prices back to pre-lockdown levels.” Croad believes pent up demand following the sale yards shut down distorted prices as have farmers in drought hit areas looking to restock after recent rain. Silver Fern Farms supply chain manager Dan Boulton says September and October prime lamb prices could be up to $7.50/

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Decisive action works

PETE and Sam Tod are reaping the benefits of having made early and decisive decisions as their Otane farm dried out over summer and autumn. The Central Hawke’s Bay farmers destocked early to protect their pasture and they sowed a rape crop, all of which has responded to recent rain, enabling them to be early players in the store lamb market.

kg but market volatility makes it too risky to operate above that. “The range I am thinking is up to $7.50. Anything above that will be procurement led and not related to the market.” Product is moving but lamb markets in the Middle East, European Union and United States are all sluggish and expected to remain volatile for some time. And supply chain issues linked to China’s covid-19 outbreak are hampering meat distribution. Anzco Foods supply chain manager Grant Bunting says it is not unusual for a disconnect between store and prime prices

Pete Tod says they have bought about 4500 lambs, half the usual number because of the drought, and he is comfortable they will make a margin when those lambs start to be sold in about a month. “We have been able to buy a bit earlier because we protected our pasture and sowed an area of rape.” Photo: Damon Hyland

and while winter schedule prices could reach the high $7/kg, market volatility makes newseason forecasting difficult. Anzco sales and marketing manager Rick Walker says market forecasting is challenging. “This is one of the few times when I look three months out without any level of comfort about where things will be.” Walker says lamb is selling well in North American retail markets, food service is slowly re-emerging in Europe and the Chinese government has signalled it wants secure food supplies. Japan is one market offering some stability with strong retail

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and food service starting to open up. Alliance sales manager Shane Kingston says exchange rate volatility is adding to market uncertainty. “We anticipate the rate will fluctuate in the low to mid US60 cents, which we are comfortable with. However, we are also mindful the situation can change rapidly.” RaboResearch animal protein analyst Blake Holgate says African swine fever continues to remain a dominant issue. The disease is spreading slower than previously but Chinese government policies are encouraging the herd to rebuild.

NEWS

18 Water rules might reduce gases

A combination of tighter water quality regulations and higher carbon prices could work together to help farmers ease into different land use options in coming years.

REGULARS Newsmaker �� 22 New Thinking �� 23

20 Tough tech can’t stump Rams

Editorial �� 24

A talented trio from Blue Mountain College has won the 2020 AgriKids title.

Pulpit �� 25 Opinion �� 26 Real Estate �� 28-29 Farm Trader �� 30-31 Employment �� 32 Classifieds �� 33 Livestock �� 34-35 Weather �� 37

4 Quota proposal trade deal

8 Record on-farm price for EC

sticking point

Angus

New Zealand negotiators are not backing down in a quota dispute with the United Kingdom as trade talks get under way and those with the European Union continue.

An Angus bull from Turiroa Stud, Wairoa, has made $104,000 at auction, believed to be a New Zealand on-farm sale record.

our pioneering

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

Back in 1860, exporting meat to the other side of the world seemed about as easy as nailing gravy to the ceiling. But a few determined kiwis took the bull by the horns and now our grass-fed beef and lamb is sought-after all around the globe. At AFFCO, we see the same pioneering spirit alive and well in farmers today. We’re playing our part too – exploring every opportunity to take New Zealand’s finest farm-raised products to the world.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Milk cash versus co-op principle Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz FONTERRA has announced a worthy but potentially divisive extra payment based on sustainability objectives under the Co-operative Difference framework. From June 2021 farmersuppliers will be eligible for up to 10c/kg milksolids extra for meeting on-farm sustainability and value targets. The monetary amount and targets will be set annually by the directors. Similar quality incentives are paid by other, private dairy companies but Fonterra needs to reconcile its co-operative first principle of equal treatment for all versus incentivisation for marketing reasons. Chief executive Miles Hurrell said many customers now have on-farm sustainability requirements that must be met and improved on and are subject to regular auditing. That section of sales accounts for $2 billion revenue annually, about 10%, and it is estimated about $300 million is at risk if Fonterra does not meet those expectations. But he also said New Zealand dairy products already lead the world in how customers view the quality of our milk and the way we farm. “We want to deliver the innovation, sustainability and efficiency needed to make the most difference to our strategy and bottom line. “It makes sense to financially reward those farmers who go the extra mile to help the co-op differentiate its milk.” The move will not be without controversy in Fonterra’s ranks. A year ago Fonterra’s Farm Source director Richard Allen said the issue of paying premium prices for milksolids produced on farms that meet or exceed the standards was hotly debated. “We decided not to do so – we want a scheme that unites the co-op, not divides it and is aligned with the values of the co-op and what we are trying to achieve in

However, he is uncomfortable with paying farmers differently, especially taking from one to pay another. “It is like a staff bonus system paid by the staff. “If Fonterra was paying the incentive out of earnings, that is another matter.” McIntyre said Co-operative Difference rewards have been a matter of negotiation between farm owners and sharemilkers. Northland farmer and former Fonterra councillor Terence Brocx of Bay of Islands said large numbers of farmers have spent considerable time and money both environmentally and sustainably. “It is great to see them distinguished and rewarded for their efforts to deliver a product that Fonterra can capture the highest value from. “Through the Co-operative Difference we can get better, together.” The Co-operative Difference emphasises milk quality parameters, including grade-free milk, an average fat evaluation index and somatic cell count of less than 150,000. It also rewards farmers who have a farm environmental plan, an animal health plan, a health and safety plan and a more subjective measure – engagement with the co-operative. Consultation with farmers on the framework over the rest of this year will aim to achieve the right balance, the company said. It will be a simple and low-cost approach but with robust and straightforward verification. Farmers spoken to appear willing to wait for the details of the incentive scheme before deciding on its merits, especially the environmental aspects that differ between regions. Shareholders’ Council chairman James Barron said there has already been a lot of discussion between the company and the councillors and there will be more. “There will be a wide range of views and councillors are very keen to hear those views.”

SELF-FUNDED: Fonterra’s quality incentives pay plan is like a staff bonus scheme that is funded by the staff, Federated Farmers outgoing sharemilkers section chairman Richard McIntryre says

It makes sense to financially reward those farmers who go the extra mile to help the co-op differentiate its milk. Miles Hurrell Fonterra the future,” he said at the time. The premium non-payment approach using recognition and Farm Source rewards has now been overturned. This week Allen said a lot of discussion has taken place and

there have been considerable market changes in the last year. The new Fonterra strategy has sustainability at its heart and that is linked to an exponential demand for proof. “Customers are saying ‘we know you have the best qualities and a premium position but give us the data to prove it’. “Our competitors are also working harder and moving faster in this direction than we are to combat our lower emissions profile. “Fonterra is also encouraged by the engagement of farmers in the Co-operative Difference – over 6000 are involved and 2500 have achieved certification in the first year. “They have said ‘we put in the

cost and effort so we would like to see some material rewards’.” Allen said Fonterra already makes differential milk payments for fat, protein and volume and all farmers will have equal opportunity and treatment for the new incentive. Fonterra’s announcement last week of the introduction said “The total amount available to be paid to farmers does not change but a proportion of the milk price will be available to be redistributed between farmers to better reflect the value of the milk from individual farms.” Former Federated Farmers sharemilkers’ section chairman Richard McIntyre believes in the principle of rewarding exceptional effort.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

NZ won’t back down on quotas Nigel Stirling nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com NEW Zealand negotiators are not backing down in a quota dispute with the United Kingdom as trade talks get under way and those with the European Union continue. Three years ago the UK and the EU hatched a plan to carve up quotas for agricultural imports from third countries including NZ. The proposal would see quotas previously agreed by the EU and third countries split between the UK and the remaining 27 countries of the EU when the UK leaves the bloc on December 31 this year. NZ is one of 20 countries opposed to the proposal, which is the subject of ongoing discussions at the World Trade Organisation. The objecting countries argue splitting the quotas robs them of the flexibility to export up to the quota volume limits to either the UK or the remaining EU countries. At the moment NZ has quota to export up to 228,000 tonnes of sheep meat without tariffs to either the UK or the remaining

countries of the EU, depending on where they can get the best price. Under the proposed splitting of the quota, tariff-free entry for NZ sheep meat would be capped at 114,000 tonnes for both the UK and the remaining EU countries. Exports above those levels would be hit with high tariffs. Smaller dairy and beef quotas would be carved up in a similar fashion. Along with other objecting countries, NZ argues the proposal violates WTO rules which forbid agreements that diminish one country’s access to another’s market. This opens the possibility of a WTO lawsuit but with the global trade body’s appellate body currently out of action – sidelined by United States President Donald Trump’s block on judicial appointments – the EU and the UK could easily deflect the issue by appealing any decision against them by the WTO’s lower court. This has led to speculation that NZ’s best chance of resolving the impasse is through trade deals

with the EU and the UK. NZ has been in talks with the EU for a free trade deal for the past two years. Talks with the UK are due to kick off next month. But the meat industry’s Brexit representative, Southland farmer Jeff Grant, said it was not the NZ Government’s present position that it would tackle the quota dispute in talks for a free trade deal – and the EU had so far not tried to link the two negotiations. “That is not to say that they would not try but they have not tried it yet. “NZ’s stance has always been that it is a separate matter.” Dairy Companies Association chairman Malcolm Bailey urged NZ’s negotiators to stick to their guns. He said the quotas should not be split and the existing quota should instead be the starting point for improving NZ’s access to the consumer markets of the EU and the UK in free trade talks. “What the EU and the UK have done on this matter is completely

NO GO: The meat industry’s Brexit representative, Southland farmer Jeff Grant, says it is not the NZ Government’s present position that it will tackle the quota dispute in talks for a free trade deal.

What the EU and the UK have done on this matter is completely contrary to our agreement (at the WTO). Malcolm Bailey Dairy Companies Association contrary to our agreement (at the WTO). “In both the EU FTA and the

UK FTA we must try and have an outcome that supersedes all of this and we would expect that we don’t go backwards in any way whatsoever.” However it would appear there is plenty of work to do to get to that point given the EU’s most recent market access offer, which was leaked ahead of the latest negotiating round earlier this month. “That offer is miles back from what we already have, which have very onerous tariff levels, which means we are not really using it anyway,” Bailey said. The first round of talks with the UK begin on July 13.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

NZ, a big virtual farmers market Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz THE online marketplace offers New Zealand food producers a valuable chance to maintain and build on their position in a rapidly changing global market while supporting the country’s economic recovery. That was the message delivered by presenters at a recent primary sector webinar. There are still significant challenges ahead as a result of covid-19 but NZ’s reputation as a provider of top quality, safe and healthy food puts primary sector exporters in a good position as an uncertain future unfolds on the back of covid-19. Global market intelligence agency Mintel Food and Drink associate director Jenny Zegler, who is based in Illinois, said lockdowns around the world accelerated a shift towards working from home that was expected to gradually occur over the next five years. Instead, it took less than five months. That’s resulted in new consumer attitudes related to food. Though people will return to eating out some lockdown behaviour is here to stay and people will use the money they save by not going out to trade up

when it comes to what they eat and drink at home. Consumers have developed their cooking and food preparation skills so when food service industries return to some sort of normality many people will want to retain the comfort of cooking and entertaining from home. Connecting with those changing attitudes will be important, Zegler said. NZ Story director Rebecca Smith says NZ is not good at telling its own story and that’s been the case for a long time. In the last few weeks her team has been running international focus groups to get a better perspective of how NZ is viewed overseas. The good news is NZ and its products were viewed in a positive light before the pandemic and it’s even more positive now, based on perceptions of our behaviour, approach to life and values. “There is a door for us to walk through and say ‘here are our stories, here are our brands’.” It’s an opportunity the primary sector cannot afford to waste. The nation cannot afford to be too humble and needs to invest more in marketing and brands to highlight the high-quality, safe food NZ produces. KPMP global agribusiness director Ian Proudfoot gave the

SELL: New Zealand can position itself as a virtual high street for the world, KPMG global agribusiness head Ian Proudfoot says.

There’s a huge opportunity there to use the technology that we’ve all got used to. Jenny Zegler Mintel Food and Drink example of our grass-fed protein production systems. “We’ve been doing it for 30 years but we just never really told anyone.” That meant overseas consumers assumed we were using less natural farming systems often used in other parts of the world. And it’s important to be able to back up our points of difference with solid data. “We have to tell our stories but a story is only a story unless it’s backed by data.” Referring to the growing international interest in regenerative agriculture, he says if NZ farming revolves around keeping everything in balance

then it’s important to understand the metrics involved and use that knowledge. “Then we need to be measuring the metrics so we can differentiate ourselves from others. It’s verification of the story.” Getting that story into living rooms around the world is crucial and that’s where the digital world comes into its own. Proudfoot says the recent transition to online shopping offers plenty of opportunity because NZ can position itself as a virtual high street. “We can become the farmers market to the world and can provide data to back that up.” Proudfoot says the primary sector’s recent focus on production should move towards how the food is being used. “But we need to be clear how the product is going to be consumed.” That means getting chefs to demonstrate food preparation and recipes, including how to create house parties. Zegler warns against underestimating the power of virtual events. “There’s a huge opportunity

there to use the technology that we’ve all got used to.” Proudfoot says there are lessons to be learned from this year’s Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, which could not proceed in its usual format in March. Instead organisers created an event where consumers could order the food and wine they would have sampled had they gone to the usual gathering. “Imagine if the Hokitika Wild Food Festival went online. You could make it a global event and deliver food around the world.” That could then be backed up by chefs and food producers in NZ talking about the produce available and how to use it. “Think about how that could help when borders reopen. Tourism NZ should sponsor it.” Smith says research shows there is a big overlap of people who want to consume NZ food and drink and those who want to visit. Being able to tap into that interest of what the food sector produces will play an important role in keeping the brand alive until the borders reopen and international tourists can return.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Council appeals own plan change Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz WAIKATO Regional Council is appealing against its own plan change. The appeal against the Healthy Rivers plan change 1 was lodged because there is concern about minor aspects that could cause issues when interpreted by landowners and the council. A council report said PC1 is largely implementable but there are some ambiguities, errors, omissions or inconsistencies that can and should be remedied to better enable implementation. There are 31 issues involving altering definitions and adding clarity. Council staff called the list a work in progress to be finalised when councillors meet on June 25. One of the issues is the rule banning cattle older than two years and weighing more than 400kg from grazing from July to September on certain classes of land. Dairy farmer and councillor Stu Husband said it is unenforceable. “It’s one that the community have picked up on and are contentious on.” Cr Pamela Storey said she is pleased the council is appealing against PC1. “You have highlighted that there are issues around inconsistency, you have highlighted there are issues around enforceability and there are unintended consequences. “That is not good policy.” Chief executive Vaughan Payne said PC1 was never going to be perfect and any appeal should not be based on policy issues. “Our only interest throughout this process has been is it practical to implement and that’s the big test we will apply to these appeal points because we don’t want to end up with a plan we can’t enforce. “We don’t want to end up in the situation other councils have found themselves in, needing to do further, costly plan changes. “We have an opportunity now to fix

NEW RULES: About 25% of Waikato dairy farms are classed as being on 6e land under Healthy Rivers plan change 1, meaning restrictions on their activities.

Feds say plan change unworkable IMPROVED: Waikato Regional Council chairman Russ Rimmington says the hearings commissioners changed the Healthy Rivers plan in a very positive way.

some of the technical issues in the plan that will make it otherwise difficult to implement.” Chairman Russ Rimmington said the appeal is not a challenge to PC1’s objective of lifting water quality or the policies. “But we need to make sure our ratepayers, landowners and community can understand, implement and deliver on the outcomes of the plan change. “That’s why this council will be lodging an appeal to the Environment Court on minor, technical matters only and we’ll look to the court to provide the clarity needed to ensure we have an implementable plan.” He said the latest version of PC1 is vastly different from the original version created by the Collaborative Stakeholders Group. “The commissioners – it’s more their plan now because they altered it drastically. My personal opinion is that they altered it in a very positive way.” The appeal could cost the council $180,000 over two years, which will be covered by savings made in 2019-20 financial year.

version of PC1 defined as Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz highly erodible. This ruling covers any form of feed cover. WAIKATO’S Health Rivers “There’s a presumption plan change 1 is confusing, from the hearing panel that poorly worded and the land is highly erodible unworkable farmers at a – it isn’t – there’s a huge meeting near Lake Karapiro amount of 6e land that is said. gentle rolling land.” While the intent of some rules is right the way they are written goes against the intention to improve water We want some quality in the Waikato and actual guidance to Waipa Rivers, Federated Farmers’ regional policy farmers. manager Paul Le Miere told about 30 farmers. The meeting was one Paul Le Miere of several seeking farmer Federated Farmers feedback before the federation lodges its appeal to the Environment Court. It is estimated about 35% “They’re trying to do the of Waikato’s drystock land right thing but the way it’s and 25% of dairy land falls written it doesn’t really into that land class and has work.” created a mismatch between The way it is written is critical because that it how it what hearing panel’s intent is interpreted by the council, and reality on farms, he said. There is also nothing in he said. PC1 to account for new A prime example are the rules around stock exclusion versions of Overseer, which could recalculate a farm’s in winter on 6e classed land, nitrogen leaching rate and which the hearing panel move a farm from a lower to that designed the decisions

a higher intensity. It is also unclear when the rules kick in because of confusion between existing user rights under the Resource Management Act and the new rules in PC1. Le Miere said when he asked for clarification he was told by the Waikato Regional Council it will be assessed case by case. “We want some actual guidance to farmers.” PC1’s schedules outline the various rules around stock exclusion and rates, farm plans and input levels. In many cases there are instances where the rules overlap and are written throughout the document in slightly different ways, creating much confusion, he said. Le Miere said the good part of the latest version of PC1 is the move away from the nitrogen reference point and replacing it with a new nitrogen leaching rate that acts as a trigger for a resource consent. “We fought very hard to do it a different way,” he said.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Record on-farm price for EC Angus Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz AN ANGUS bull from Turiroa Stud, Wairoa, has made $104,000 at auction, believed to be a New Zealand on-farm sale record. Turiroa’s best-ever sales performance also featured a price of $86,000 and an average of $12,560 for a full clearance of 50 bulls. Andrew Powdrell said there was good buying further into the catalogue and there was a bull for everyone. The Powdrell family was humbled by the result and thrilled the bulls are going to good homes. Both the highest-priced bulls were among nine offered that were sired by Turiroa Complete 16M013, which has done a good job for the stud. Another son of the Complete bull went to Delmont and Waimara studs in the South Island. The great grand-sire was Summitcrest Complete (US) which was very sound and meaty and offered a different bloodline, which might have helped add

interest in the two Turiroa bulls. Kaharau Angus and Orere Angus, both Gisborne breeding enterprises, combined to pay the $104,000 for Turiroa 18P224 and Oregon Angus, Masterton, paid the $86,000 for Turiroa Complete 18P250.

These prices are very promising for the future of beef farming. Jane Allan Angus NZ Earlier in the week the Bayly family’s Cricklewood stud, Nuhaka, sold a bull for $92,000 to Kenhardt Angus and Mt Mable Angus. It also realised $35,000 from Ratanui Stud, Tologa Bay. Cricklewood sold only four bulls offered and made an extraordinary average price of $50,333.

Angus New Zealand manager Jane Allan said the demand for good genetics prevailed over the covid-19 disrupted previews and bull sales. As the selling season went on the options for buyers became limited and that showed in the highest prices paid in sales week six, on the East Coast. “These prices are very promising for the future of beef farming and Angus breeding as studs compete for bulls with the very best figures and phenotypes.” Attendances of buyers for 10 sales over three days on the East Coast were good and the weather had co-operated. Selling in conjunction with Cricklewood, Tangihau sold 29 of 35 offered, averaged $8926 and had a top of $21,000 paid by Hingaia. Kaharau’s own sale was a complete clearance of 59 with the very good average of $12,839 and a top of $50,000. The next day on the East Coast Ratanui sold 26 of 27, averaged $7942 and had a top price of $11,500.

HEAVYWEIGHT: Turiroa 18P224, a two-year-old bull that sold for $104,000, the highest price this selling season.

The Lane brothers Whangara, north of Gisborne, sold 27 of 32 and averaged $6983. Nearby Turihaua, owned by the Williams family, sold 63 of 66 bulls offered, made a top price of $15,000 and averaged $10,357. The Dowding’s Rangatira stud had a full clearance of 54 and a top price of $35,000 with an average of $9416. The Crawshaw family’s Kenhardt Angus sold 41 bulls of 41 offered, averaged $8700 and had a top price of $16,000. At the combined sale at Matawhero sale yards, Orere

Angus sold 10 out of 10 for an average $9510 and Alpine Angus sold seven of seven for $7900 average. The previous week Meadowslea Angus in Fairlie, South Canterbury, sold 71 out of 76 offered, averaged $10,080 and a high price of $35,500 paid by Cricklewood. Willie Falloon’s Pinebank Angus, Wairarapa, sold 29 by private treaty and averaged $7125, with $11,000 paid twice. Waitawheta Angus, at Waihi in the north, sold 21 from 24, averaged $6214 and topped at $17,000 to Tarangower.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Vet unconvinced by Ospri change Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz IN AN effort to improve its communication with farmers Ospri is switching to a regional approach but a Hawke’s Bay vet is not convinced it will help get on top of bovine TB and is worried an explosion of the disease is not far away. Ospri chief executive Steve Stuart says the company, a partnership between the Government and primary industries, has listened to feedback from farmers about the need to communicate more with stakeholders and to be more visible on the ground where it works. So it plans to appoint three regional general managers, one for the North Island and two – in Christchurch and Dunedin – in the South Island. There will also be six new regional extension roles based in Invercargill, Christchurch, Greymouth, Napier, Stratford and Whangarei. Often the direct point of call for farmers and landowners, those in the extension roles will support farmers, industry groups and other stakeholders in their traceability and animal disease management obligations. That includes running workshops and events,

CHANGE: Ospri chief executive Steve Stuart says a new approach will help it communicate with farmers better.

building relationships with communities and preparing and communicating planned operations with farmers, stakeholders, councils and community groups. Stuart says Ospri has lost contact with its farming base along with regional and district councils and the changes will help it better connect with those stakeholders as well as being able to provide feedback information and support in a way that could not be done from Wellington.

Wairoa Farm Vets senior vet Helen Taylor is not sure putting people in regional offices is going to have any impact on controlling the spread of bovine TB. The way the disease is spreading in Hawke’s Bay indicates a piece of the jigsaw is missing and finding it should be Ospri’s focus. “Either it’s been here before and not been picked up or something else is helping it spread. “There doesn’t seem to be any thinking outside the box to find out what that is and whether they have more people shuffling in Wellington or Napier it won’t make any difference – the primary problem is TB is out there and continuing to spread.” Taylor, who is English and has worked as a vet in her homeland, says cows interact with a submob within a herd and normally when one gets TB pass it passes the disease on to others in their sub-mob. “If there was a herd of 100 cows then about eight would hang out together and if one of those eight got TB from a possum the others would also get it. “But we’re not seeing groups of eight or 10 cows reacting. It doesn’t make sense.” She is also concerned about how wide the spread of infected cattle is in Hawke’s Bay – from north of Tutira to Patoka, west of the Napier-Taupo highway, down

to Puketapu, southwest of Napier. Unless more work is done to understand how TB is spreading in the region, such as investigating whether it’s possibly being passed on by pig hunters’ dogs, Taylor is worried it will only get worse. “The geographical spread is huge. “I’ve got grave fears it could explode. “We’re not ahead of the game. We just seem to be chasing it.” Taylor says coming on top of the drought and accompanying feed shortage she worries about TB putting undue stress on some farmers. “They’ve just got too much on their plate. I worry for them and they need to know more, which they are not being told.” There are 17 infected herds in Hawke’s Bay with 12 having had one clear whole-herd test. Two clear tests six months apart are needed to achieve clear status. Investigations into two new Hawke’s Bay herds began during the past week. Stuart is confident Ospri is on the right track to eradicate TB from cattle and deer herds by 2026, not just in Hawke’s Bay but nationwide. There are 33 infected herds nationally, 19 of them on their first clear test. Stuart acknowledges some Hawke’s Bay farmers have been

Poison drops AERIAL 1080 drops over central North Island high country implicated in the Hawke’s Bay bovine TB outbreak are under way. Operations are scheduled to continue throughout winter and include the Waitara Valley, the source of the Hawke’s Bay outbreak. A northern Tararua predator control operation, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation’s Project Kaka and covering 70,000ha between Manawatu and Wairarapa, is scheduled for late July. The aerial disease management season will wind up in August and September with operations targeting possums in just under 20,000ha in the Turangi and Timahanga areas.

critical of the speed of the pest control response in the region but says that work had to stop during the covid-19 lockdown because pest controllers were not considered essential workers. He is confident those operations will get back up to speed very quickly.

McBride is taking on Fonterra chairmanship FARMER director Peter McBride has been elected as Fonterra’s next chairman. McBride, a former Zespri chairman will replace John Monaghan when he retires at the November annual meeting. Under Fonterra’s constitution, its chairman is selected by the board from its pool of seven directors. The early announcement of McBride as chairmanelect is part of the board’s

START

FINISH Critical source area (Avoid grazing if possible)

commitment to planned governance succession, Monaghan said. “Making this decision now also gives our farmerowners transparency of leadership prior to this year’s director elections and allows Peter and I a period of handover before I retire,” he said. McBride and his wife run a family farm milking 950 cows in south Waikato. He joined the board in 2018.

He has a horticulture degree from Massey University and a postgraduate commerce diploma from Lincoln University. “I’m looking forward to working alongside John for the next few months before leading our co-op into its next phase and creating value for the benefit of our farmer-owners and unit holders,” he said. Fonterra said McBride’s

corporate agricultural experience has given him exposure in a number of international markets, in particular the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and Latin America. He was Zespri chairman in the wake of the Psa crisis, which threatened to devastate the industry. He chaired Zespri from 2013 to 2019, having been a director since 2002. – BusinessDesk

CONGRATULATIONS: Incoming Fronterra chairman Peter McBride, left, is welcomed to the job by his predecessor John Monaghan.

Tips for winter grazing crops

Minimise the impacts on the environment and animals. Graze paddocks strategically. On a sloping paddock, fence across the slope and start grazing at the top of the slope. That way, the standing crop acts as a filter. Or, if there is a waterway in the paddock, start grazing at the far end of the paddock.

Leave an ungrazed and uncropped buffer zone around Critical Source Areas. Critical Source Areas are parts of the paddock that can channel overland flow directly to waterways (e.g. gullies, swales, very wet areas, spring heads, waterway crossings, stock camps and vehicle access routes).

For more information and useful resources visit: www.beeflambnz.com/wintergrazing

News

10 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Wet drought might linger into spring Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz HOPES for a feed surplus in spring might be in vain unless a shift in weather patterns affecting the North Island remains in play in coming weeks. Reasonable rain in the past two weeks has eased farmers’ stress around the immediate impact of a seasonal drought in Northland, Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. However, soil moisture levels remain precarious in those areas, also now well into their second year of less-than-average rain. Weather Watch meteorologist Philip Duncan said it will not be clear until early spring whether winter has delivered enough rain to turn around what has become almost systemically dry conditions. A lack of substantial winter rain will leave farms vulnerable to any lengthy dry spell in spring or early summer, lacking the soil moisture reserves they would normally have. “With the exception of some

very localised areas I have not had any complaints about how dry things have been for a month. However, we have to remember we are not just talking about this year. Many areas were well behind last year on rainfall and this year has continued to be the same.” He sees little sign the pattern is likely to change significantly before spring. MetService rainfall data shows Tauranga, Napier, Hamilton and Whangarei have had only 45% to 60% of their average year-to-date rain. “So we are going to have to watch what this will do to dams, reservoirs, bores and rivers come summertime.” To correct the deficit and catch up on averages will require about double the average monthly rain for the next three months. The blocking high-pressure systems that dominated in summer and autumn have shifted south, helping some low-pressure systems penetrate the parched upper North Island. “So they have helped chip away

at the dry but we really need a lot more. “If you got 200mm in a month in Waikato right now there is that much capacity in the soil it could be absorbed and many areas could do with that. Even Fiordland is relatively dry with 10 days of no rain.” Duncan refutes claims the rain in dry areas came too late for farmers heading into midwinter. “We are still experiencing temperatures well above average, even 11C in Fielding the other evening.” NZ’s is getting high-pressure systems near the most intense possible, sitting on 1030-1040 hectopascals. Typically, highs of such intensity are experienced only for a couple of weeks in August, bringing cold, frosty, spring mornings. “But we are also not seeing the low low-pressure systems, even down at 980hPa that bring rain and we need some deep ones to really deliver some significant rain events.” Most concerning to Duncan is the belief held by some farmers

WET DROUGHT: Philip Duncan is concerned recent rain is still not enough for some regions to catch up on a big annual deficit.

that seasons balance out. “For several regions this is the second dry year in a row and I just do not see it balancing out.” He said the circuit breaker for wetter conditions will come only if the high-pressure systems move further east, past the Chatham Islands. “That would allow low-pressure systems in the north Tasman to be produced and to move across New Zealand.” He compares the dry period to the last major widespread dry event in 2008. “That had a very clear beginning and a definite end. This is tending to just drag on. It’s taken a year to form and is nowhere near over.”

Niwa’s soil moisture deficit indicator for late June highlights how tenuous soil moisture levels are. Much of Hawke’s Bay and parts of Northland are still in deficit by 10-20mm while Waikato barely scrapes in as even average for moisture for this time of year. “Come mid August we should have a good understanding if we are in major trouble.” He is also concerned Australia is starting to exhibit a recurrence of high-pressure systems early in winter, the time the continent normally gets a significant portion of its rain. “It raises the question that if it doesn’t rain for them now then when will it?”

Getting work-life balance right farmstrong.co.nz

AMBER Carpenter swapped the world of fashion for dairy farming. In 2017 she and her husband Fraser won Auckland Hauraki Share Farmer of the Year. They milk 550 cows at Paparimu, south of Auckland, and manage a team of three. The two met at a 21st while Amber was working for fashion house Karen Walker. It was an unlikely match of Amber, a Buckland’s Beach city girl, and Fraser, a fourth generation dairy farmer. Initially Carpenter continued her fashion role, commuting two hours into the city, but as country life grew on her she decided to switch careers. “When Fraser moved from farm assistant to farm manager we made a decision to go share milking,” she says. The pair are now into their sixth season and married with kids. It was a steep learning curve at first. “I was used to being in a busy office environment that drove personal and professional growth. So being at home in an isolated environment with a newborn baby was a huge change. I missed the interaction with others and the challenge.” She soon discovered study is a great tonic for the way she felt. First, she did a Kellogg research paper on reducing dairy farm greenhouse gas emissions through

SETTLED: Amber and Fraser Carpenter are now sixth-season sharemilkers and married with kids.

farm diversification and now she’s studying for an agribusiness diploma. “I really thrive in that classroom setting, talking about things outside my own bubble. When I got back, Fraser said ‘Oh, there’s the Amber I’ve been missing’.” Since then the pair have made a conscious decision to make work/life balance one of their core business values. “When we first started it was just work, work, work. To be fair, we both get a lot of energy from working and are very goal oriented. But now we work equally hard at balancing work, family and time off to do other things.” They’re mindful of their team’s work/life balance too. “Our weekly rosters include people’s off-farm extra activities. If

someone wants to play soccer one night they just let us know and maybe that person finishes early or we milk earlier.” The pair have scheduled regular recovery time into their busy farming calendar. Carpenter heads off farm to play netball and connect with friends and also sets aside me-time for trips to the city. “Sometimes, as a farming mum, you feel that guilt, that you’re being selfish but I’ve learnt that if I don’t take time for myself then I’m not going to be a great mum or partner. “I need to allow myself time out to do exercise or have coffee with a friend or get my hair cut. I need that space in my life otherwise I get grumpy. As much as I’d love to be a stay-at-home mum I’m just

not that person. I need something for myself to be a better mum, wife and friend.” Both Carpenters are active relaxers but the nearest gym is an hour’s round trip away. So the pair invested in a personal trainer who visits and runs work outs for them on-farm. They also book a decent break away each year, no matter what’s happening with the payout. “I remember in our first year, even when the payout was horrible, we did a trip to Taupo and gave ourselves the challenge of not spending much – like, where’s the cheapest place we could eat and stay? It was fun,” she laughs. Carpenter is clear about the business benefits of investing in wellbeing. “We like working hard but we also want to enjoy what we’re trying to build. “If we don’t have our health, well, we’re not going to be around very long. We think of it as an investment in our future.” Managing financial pressure is something Carpenter was well used to as fashion industry buyer. She says the main thing is to focus on what you can control when you’re feeling under the pump. The recent drought has been a good test of that. “Obviously we can’t change the fact there’s no rain so we thought outside the box and looked at different feed options. We explored bread and biscuit offcuts locally and in the end we harvested some of our green feed

maize earlier. It was looking at everything that we could control to get us through. Staying calm, working it out and writing it down, that’s what relieves stress.” She says the dairy industry is also very supportive. “One thing I’m passionate about is working with organisations such as the Dairy Industry Awards and Dairy Women’s Network. These off-farm involvements have been wonderful. It gives me a break from our farm business and, as we are all dairy farmers and experience similar challenges, we can help each other out. They’ve become a big part of our support network.” Carpenter says achieving the work/life balance will always be a work-in-progress. “It’s about finding what works best for you. The main thing is be kind to yourself. Whether it’s during a drought, a low payout or calving in a cold winter, when there never seems to be an end in sight, work out what you need to get through. It might be exercise, a hobby or a roster that works better for you. “No one gets it right all the time but if the intention’s there it’s much more likely you’re going to have a good day. But you need to put yourself first. That self-awareness is something I’ve developed over a very long period, that it’s okay to make your wellbeing a priority.” is the official media partner of Farmstrong

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Early lambing farmers start late Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz SPARE a thought for the Hawke’s Bay farmers who, on the back of one of the worst droughts in living memory and a nationwide feed shortage, are already lambing. Paul Sorenson, who farms at Maraekakaho, west of Hastings, is just about through lambing, having started on June 1. That’s a couple of weeks later than usual but he kept the ram in for an extra 10 to 14 days because he thought there might have been a bit of strife otherwise. Despite the challenges his lambing has gone pretty well with very few losses. He saw the feed shortage coming early and fed out a lot of grain, maize and balage to ewes for the preceding four or five months. Then, fortunately, just under three inches of rain arrived at the right time a few weeks ago and he managed to keep parts of the farm shut-up so there was a bit of green growth when it was really needed. That meant he didn’t have to feed out over lambing though feed is still bought in where possible with winter in mind.

“We’ve bought huge amounts. The cost doesn’t bear thinking about but it’s what we had to do. “We’re in the sheep business and we didn’t want to lose our breeding ewes, otherwise you lose what you farm for.” He knows of quite a few farmers who, because of the feed shortage, had to quit their ewes because there was no other way out for them. “I really feel for them.” Sorenson says he was fortunate one of his sons owns a farm near Takapau so he could send his twinning ewes there while the lates from that property could be sent to his farm. The 67-year-old has been farming for most of his life and says the drought has been the worst he has had to farm though. “And I’ve seen a few.” He farms for a dry summer but the length of this one coupled with a shortage of feed to buy made it especially hard. But he’s farmed through a few droughts before and is used to it – it’s those without that experience he feels for. “It’s the young fellas I feel sorry for, especially up near the ranges. They haven’t had the rain they might have expected. “It’s been pretty extreme.

ARRIVALS: Early lambs in Hawke’s Bay are small but not underweight.

“We bolused all the ewes and we’ve never done that before. It’s not recommended because of drench resistance but I don’t think we had any choice. “There’s been a lot to think about.”

Peter McKay, who also farms near Maraekakaho, began lambing a week to 10 days ago, which is later than normal. He says the drought and feed shortage resulted in a hard season for his ewes, which has

It’s all rIght to feel a bIt all over the place

For ideas on looking after yourself and others, visit allright.org.nz

Photo: File

had an effect on lamb size. Though not underweight the lambs are not large, which has made it easier for the ewes. Like Sorenson, he had to buy in a lot of feed, including hay, balage, nuts and maize.

News

12 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Anti-GMO sector wins in Northland Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz NORTHLAND Regional Council has agreed to put provisions against genetically modified organisms into its regional plan covering the coastal marine area. It has reversed an earlier, narrowly supported decision to leave such provisions out, which attracted the ire of all GMO opponents. It led to the defeat of former chairman Bill Shepherd in last year’s local government elections

after he used a casting vote in favour of the non-provision status quo. He was ousted by anti-GMO campaigner and Kerikeri organic grower Marty Robinson. Last week the council was told its non-inclusionary position in an Environmental Court appeal process is now untenable because three organisations had withdrawn their support. They were the Life Sciences Network, Biotech New Zealand and Federated Farmers. The appeal was launched

by Whangarei District Council and Far North District Council, both of which have anti-GMO regulations. There was considerable public debate about two local councils using ratepayers’ money to take a third council through an Environment Court appeal but GMO opponents would not let the matter rest. About 10 protesters attended the regional council meeting and one was expelled from the chamber for repeatedly speaking without right.

The council’s strategic policy and planning manager Ben Lee said the earlier decision not to defend its position will likely lead to defeat, criticism by the court and costs awarded against it. Nevertheless, his recommendation was to maintain the position and actively defend it. Staff members couldn’t provide advice on whether the council should change its position because there had been a council decision and they are required to support it.

A motion to change was put by two councillors and passed six to two with Robinson abstaining because of a conflict of interest. He is a spokesman for GE Free Northland. Cr Rick Stolwerk warned that if safe GMOs are found it will cost the council $100,000 and two years of further debate to revise the regional plan. Four councillors have been tasked with drawing up precautionary non-GMO provisions and resolving the appeal.

Tested, tried and trusted. BLESSINGS: Te Rarawa’s Danny Graham, left foreground, who dairy farms at Sweetwater, and Eru Harawira break ground.

Iwi building water storage Maize hybrids for silage and grain.

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FAR North iwi Te Rarawa has begun excavating for a large lake near Awanui to provide irrigation for horticultural development and a back-up water supply for Kaitaia. An 8ha lake will store 350,000 cubic metres of water up to 30m deep. A ground-breaking ceremony was held to bless and name the lake, Te Tupehau, from the windswept sand hills of Te Oneroa a Tohe, Ninety Mile Beach. Water will be drawn from the Awanui River, when the flow allows, for use in drier months. The ceremony was attended by Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little. The $4 million project has been helped by a $3m loan from the Provincial Growth Fund. The lake will be on Te Rarawa’s part of the Sweetwater dairy farming venture managed by Landcorp, which already has the only large rotary irrigation system in Northland. However, the iwi wants to convert dairy and dry land into higher-return horticulture and last year bought the adjacent 212ha Bells Produce market garden business to be run as a growing concern. The Bells business was affected by drought and covid-19 but has weathered the storms. The iwi has looked at 18 different crops from broccoli to lemons to find which is most suitable and in demand from wholesalers. It plans to use up to 400ha eventually but will begin with 100ha to help pay back the loan.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Few winter grazing farm issues found Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz SOUTHLAND farmers are being given a pat on the back for their winter grazing management so far this year, which Environment Southland says is an improvement on last year. An aerial inspection by regional council staff prompted chief executive Rob Phillips to conclude farmers have made positive improvements. “I’m encouraged by what we’ve seen. Farmers appear to have made a real effort, which is exactly what we need.” Phillips said it is early in the season so wet weather will change conditions. The inspection suggests farmers have fenced waterways and created buffer zones with no immediate compliance concerns found. Southland Federated Farmers vice-president Bernadette Hunt says it shows farmers are keen to improve standards and have listened to industry and counicl advice. Last winter environmentalists photographed and put on social media examples of bad wintering practices and Hunt says farmers are nervous this year. “There is a feeling that no matter how good you are, if somebody wants to find a bad photograph, they will. “I hope those detractors behind the negative publicity last year will have some empathy. “We are never perfect all of the time but often there is a lot more going on than what you can see from the roadside. “We had 20mm of rain last night and I am sure some of our paddocks won’t look great but that does not mean we are laggards. But the sun will come out tomorrow and it will look great again.” Last weekend provincial president Geoffrey Young hosted the environmentalists responsible for last year’s publicity and Hunt says it was beneficial and they left with a better understanding. Last year the council warned winter grazing practices must improve significantly and was

MyMilk recruits northern farms

part of a joint approach with DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb, Federated Farmers and the Envireonment and Primary Industries Ministries to address the issues. In autumn the council made several aerial inspections that identified a small number of potential issues and gave advice to those farmers. Phillips says staff are still working through the information and photographs gathered on the latest flight and will arrange follow-up advice for a handful of properties that could face issues in wetter weather. “A lot of effort has gone into ensuring farmers understand what is expected of them and providing the advice and information to help them get there.”

A PASS MARK: Environment Southland is pleased with farmers’ grazing practices so far this winter.

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Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz FONTERRA’S MyMilk share ownership deferment has attracted more than 30 new supply farms in all regions of the North Island to join about 130 in the South Island. Participants can supply milk to Fonterra for up to five seasons on annual renewals without share requirements. They need to be first-time dairy farm owners who meet eligibility criteria, which includes an exemption for previous ownership or equity share of up to 20% of a supply farm. The exemption is an aid to farm succession. They can also be converting into a dairy farm or an existing dairy farm that has previously supplied another processor. MyMilk has been extended into the North Island for the first time and an option added for existing Fonterra farm owners to buy another Fonterra supply farm. MyMilk suppliers have 5c/kg a season deducted from the farmgate milk price and that goes into buying Fonterra Shareholder Fund units, preparatory to becoming shareholders. Business unit manager April Pike said 120 southern farms completed the 2020 season and 12 new farms will join this season. After six years 16 MyMilk farms have graduated into full Fonterra share ownership. Pike said last year’s MyMilk supply was just under 30m kilos of milksolids, a 10% increase on the season before. MyMilk supply is capped at 5% of Fonterra’s total milk supply and represents about 2% now.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Farm sales volume and values slump Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz THE covid-19 lockdown, drought and tougher lending criteria are to blame for a 32% fall in farm sales in May, the Real Estate Institute says. There were 122 fewer farm sales for the three months to May 31 than for the corresponding period last year. Institute rural spokesman Brian Peacocke said was a 41% reduction in sales from the corresponding period in 2018. “It’s a continuation of quite a savage reduction.” The slump goes beyond the general farm sale slowdown that occurs in winter. People might be underestimating the influence the banks are having though the industry would deny that, he said. “It’s a consistent message all around New Zealand. It’s not just isolated instances. It’s a theme that’s quite strong.” It makes getting finance for farm purchases an increasing frustration for the farming sector. The fall in sales coincides with the median price falling. Dairy farm values had fallen 22%, finishing farms 6%, grazing farms 14% and horticulture properties 16%. “You have got a tandem going on here as well – both volume and price,” Peacocke said.

It’s a continuation of quite a savage reduction.

The fall in dairy farm sales has been consistent over the past three years. From March-May in 2017 there were 40 farms sold in March, 30 in April and 19 in May. In 2018, 28 were sold in March, 24 for April and 20 during May. In May this year 13 dairy farms were sold and 10 each for the two months prior, Peacocke said. “What we are seeing is that the volumes are quite well down.” Looking ahead to spring, forward signals for beef, lamb and the volatile dairy payout appear to be reasonably optimistic, he said. The horticulture sector is going well with kiwifruit looking set for record prices. “The exchange rate is solid, the Official Cash Rate is at a record low as are interest rates, albeit that issue is a moot point if the banks are reluctant to lend money, even to supposedly well-qualified clients. “The interest rate reduction is a bit nebulous when people can’t borrow the money.” West Coast and Otago are the only two regions to record an increase in farm sales. Waikato had the most substantial decline in sales with 24 followed by Bay of Plenty at 22. The median price per hectare for all farms sold in the three months to May 31 was $23,221 compared to $22,244 over the corresponding period last year. Grazing farms accounted for the largest number of sales with a 26% share. Finishing farms comprised 25%, dairy 13% and horticulture accounted for 12% of all sales. Those four property types accounted for 76% of all sales during the three months. There was a big uplift in horticultural sales in

MARKET FALL: Real Estate Institute rural spokesman Brian Peacocke says a reluctance by the banking sector to lend money has contributed to a 32% fall in farm sales.

Bay of Plenty, jumping from one sale to eight, with sale of a large kiwifruit orchard at Paengaroa at just under $12 million leading the way. There was also a good level of sales at good prices for dairy, grazing and arable properties in Southland. In Manawatu and Whanganui there was a good range of transactions at solid prices for grazing and finishing units from Ruapehu to central Manawatu and into Tararua, where two dairy farm were sold.

Reduce clostridial loss Clostridial disease is complex, protecting stock doesn’t need to be Farms across NZ lose stock to clostridial disease. Some lose a few, some a few more than they would like.

Brian Peacocke Real Estate Institute

A couple of lambs or calves, an inlamb ewe or two, or maybe even some cattle. Reducing clostridial loss starts with protection.

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Your comment counts Add your voice to this story at farmersweekly.co.nz

1. JS Munday,H Bentall,D Aberdein,M Navarro,FA Uzal &S Brown, Death of a neonatal lamb due to Clostridium perfringens type B in New Zealand, New Zealand Veterinary Journal 2020. 2. West, Dave M., Bruere, A. Neil and Ridley, Anne L. The Sheep, Health, Disease and Production. Auckland: Massey University Press, 4 th ed., 2018. Print.

News

16 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Timber subsidies erode efforts Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz WHILE the Government has rolled out the welcome mat to foreign investors with a new wood processing industry prospectus, an industry head maintains trade issues pose the greatest challenge to the sector’s future expansion. The Invest in New Zealand Wood Processing prospectus is part of the Government’s initiative to boost investment in the forestry and wood processing sector, particularly in regions with fewer job opportunities. Compiled by Trade and Enterprise and championed by Forestry Minister Shane Jones, the prospectus provides a resource for foreign investors outlining key forestry regions, timber volumes, processing capacity and Government help available. Its release coincides with Jones’ log traders registration bill now before a select committee. The bill aims to introduce compulsory registration for forestry advisers and log traders, lifting standards and providing greater certainty for investors in domestic processing plants that log supply will be guaranteed. But Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association head Dr Jon Tanner said it will take more than either the bill or the prospectus to drive greater investment in domestic processing. “The prospectus has everything you would need and is a great resource. However, it doesn’t tackle the elephant in the room for the domestic wood processing sector. That is the expensive log supply in NZ,” he said. The premium paid by export markets, predominately China, means local processors must match it, pushing an additional $20-$30 a tonne into domestic raw material costs. One key reason for the premium is because domestic processing in export markets like

LOGJAM: Despite the prospectus putting a good face to global investors, country subsides undermine our best efforts, Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association head Dr Jon Tanner says.

China, accounting for almost twothirds of logs traded, is subsidised. Tanner commended NZTE for its effort on the prospectus. “But forestry sectors overseas are basically government-owned and NZ has a fundamental problem. We have difficulty competing in that subsidised environment.” And there is a risk of even more subsidies as countries use the covid epidemic as a reason to support local industry and protect jobs. Export Trade Minister David Parker said nearly 80 World Trade Organisation members notified more than 100 new barriers or restrictions in March, a worrying direction of travel. Tanner said there are no specific investment plans for plants he is aware of but if the ventures are profitable investors will invest regardless. “Most of our members will tell you they are only making about

TOUGH: The premium paid by export markets, predominately China, means local processors must match it, pushing an additional $20-$30 a tonne into domestic raw material costs.

The prospectus has everything you would need and is a great resource. However, it doesn’t tackle the elephant in the room for the domestic processing sector. Jon Tanner Wood Processors and Manufacturers Assn

25% of what they should be on the investments they have. “When you have a premium of $20-$30 a tonne for export logs, who would come here? We are caught by things beyond NZ’s control.” Despite that, the industry has

significant potential to reach Jones’s goal to support a transition to a low-carbon economy and grow opportunities in provinces. “We have processors that are already powered 70% by their own fuel and there is plenty of work done on processing opportunities.” NZTE investment general manager Dylan Lawrence said the agency has noticed an uptick in foreign interest in wood processing investment in recent months. “When we have two-thirds of our exports going as whole logs, obviously the availability is there to do more. “This is a tool for our investment managers offshore to go and have a discussion with potential investors.” He appreciates NZ is competing in a subsidised global processing market. “But there will still be some investors who can make it work

and we don’t need everyone coming here. Only a few investors coming here will have a massive impact.” The release of the prospectus coincides with an initiative for investment in wood processing in Gisborne. The area has had rapid growth in forestry plantings but only two significant processing plants and some smaller mills. As the second-largest plantation area in NZ it has the potential to increase its wood supply by 15% over the next 15 years to 3.5m cubic metres. Limited rail access means focus has gone on port expansion to enable twin berthing at Gisborne’s port. The region has also had investment of almost $20m in a regional wood processing centre of excellence.

Read the prospectus at bit.ly/woodprospectus

“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.

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 (1pm10pm 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.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Allied finance move called a logical step Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz ALLIED Farmers is expanding its finance arm. The company’s finance operation provides short-term, seasonal, livestock financing and the expansion will focus on unlocking potential for food producers constrained by traditional finance options, such as banks. Finance chairman Ross Verry says the expansion is a logical step. “This is an exciting opportunity for us to invest in a way that supports cost-effective financing solutions for New Zealand food producers.” Group chairman Mark Benseman says Allied recognises food producers face constant challenges relating to compliance, technology, environment and market expectations and there are many potential innovative solutions that could be investigated and developed. One of those challenges was the recent temporary closure of sale yards as a result of the covid-19 lockdown.

acted for several company boards in the agri tech, property and food and beverage sectors including start-ups, mergers and established companies. For the last six months Perry has been providing advisory services to Allied. He will continue to do that so will not be an independent chairman so Marise James has been appointed lead independent director from July 1. Perry says Benseman’s insight, strategic thinking and drive during his time as chairman have left Allied in a strong position.

STEPPING UP: Richard Perry is the new chairman of Allied Farmers.

THE FIELD DAYS AREN’T ON BUT TE PARI’S TWO MONTHS OF FIELD DAYS DEALS CERTAINLY ARE

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S Y A D D L E I F S

Benseman says in response Allied subsidiary NZ Farmers Livestock showed it could respond quickly, providing farmers with an alternative way of selling livestock in real time on-site and online through its MyLivestock website. It plans to develop the website to encourage more farmers to use it while also investigating ways to connect agri tech providers with farmers, facilities and industry knowledge to test and refine potential solutions and products. The company’s planned investment in innovation includes partnering with others to develop a modest research and development programme. Allied is conscious of the increasing demand from consumers for products that are sustainable and high quality and it is in the early stages of an investment proposal to support the development of technology that will enhance the innovation reputation of NZ dairy farmers, he said. To support the initiatives the group is exploring a variety of capital-raising options ranging from raising equity, potentially through a share purchase plan and a placement, to raising more debt finance through a wholesale bond issue to support the finance operations. The expansion coincides with a change of chairman, with director Richard Perry taking over from Benseman on July 1. Perry, who has been a director since June 2019, previously held senior finance and executive roles at the Reserve Bank, Landcorp and Callaghan Innovation and has been a technical adviser to the International Monetary Fund. He is a member of the External Reporting Advisory Board, an independent Crown entity responsible for NZ accounting, auditing and assurance standards and director of business applications for Rocket Lab. As an experienced company director he has

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18 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Water rules might reduce gases “And if you reduce nitrogen you reduce grass growth and will have to buy feed somewhere else, which has implications.” The modelling assumes there is an even split between native and plantation forestry from 2025 to 2050.

Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz A COMBINATION of tighter water quality regulations and higher carbon prices could work together to help farmers ease into different land use options in coming years. The latest iteration of the Action for Health Waterways plan lays out a path to lower nitrogen losses and ultimately phosphate and sediment in waterways. But it also details the package’s implications for a lower greenhouse gas profile in the farming sector. A low-profile Cabinet appendix in the package models some scenarios for farming if varying degrees of land use change occur in response to the water quality rules. The work models the impact of farmers adopting 25%, 50% and 75% land use change options to meet sediment bottom lines and models the impact of lower nitrogen fertiliser use alone on emission reductions. The proposed standard for sediment identifies about 600 catchments with rivers below bottom line standards. But it also recognises the need to separate natural from farminduced sediment with a system to be devised to recognise the natural levels of sediment in rivers across the country. It is likely regional councils will identify catchments with erosion risks and control land use. The compulsory farm environment plans proposed in the package will also have an impact on how farmers in those catchments manage their land. Environment Ministry modelling allows for a maximum of 600,000ha of land being available for profitable conversion to forestry. It is a figure close to Forestry Minister Shane Jones’ Billion Trees initiative that requires an extra 500,000ha of

And if you reduce nitrogen you reduce grass growth and will have to buy feed somewhere else, which has implications. Dr Harry Clark Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre

GASSED: Dr Harry Clark said the effect of improved water quality rules on greenhouse gases are complex and long term but might be positive.

largely drystock country to be planted in the next 10 years. Under the most conservative scenario of a 25% land use change about 150,000ha would be retired from pasture and about 35 million tonnes of carbon could be cut by 2050. That is about 2% of agriculture’s annual emissions. Should a 75% land use change take place a reduction of 95m tonnes or almost 8% of farming’s annual emissions over the next 30 years would occur. The impact of the package’s nitrogen reduction policies, including a toxicity limit and cap

of 190kg N/ha/year would deliver a cumulative reduction of only 4m tonnes of carbon dioxide over 30 years. But leading emissions scientist Dr Harry Clark said as carbon prices creep over $30 a tonne the relative profitability of forestry versus pastoral land use is likely to also provide land use change incentive. “But how far will that shift go? That is a complex, long-term outcome.” He nots the 600,000ha the Environment Ministry has allowed for is a considerable area. Estimates are the 500,000ha

needed for the Billion Trees project and to meet carbon commitments will result in a reduction of 2.5-3m sheep equivalents. That would come when the drystock sector has already halved the amount of land used to 6.2m hectares today. While the annual decline in modelled gas emissions is not significant it still goes some way to help the sector meet its methane reduction of 10% by 2030. He questioned the significance of the nitrogen cap on gas reductions, given a minority of dairy farmers us 190kg N/ha a year.

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

On-farm mitigation is also likely because of the compulsory use of farm environment plans. They will require management changes that will also play a role in reducing sediment losses. DairyNZ strategy and investment leader Dr David Burger said research from the Biological Emissions Reference Group indicates potential for greenhouse gases to be reduced by 0.5-4% with water quality limits being met. But it remains uncertain what land use change might be needed to achieve future water quality limits. “It depends on each individual community and council to determine, based on the current policy proposed, what actions need to be taken and over what time frames. “We do know for some catchments, based on the current policy proposed, total catchmentwide load reductions of up to 70% of current nitrogen loading will be required to meet these standards over a generation.”

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Truckers say: Give us a break Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz THE 5.3% increase in road user charges is a kick in the guts to the truckers who kept the country moving in the covid-19 lockdown, the industry says. A petition has been launched calling for the proposed July increase to be ditched. Transport operators say the industry runs on low margins at the best of times and most trucking companies operating during lockdown ran at zero or negative margins because of the limited types and volumes of goods that could be moved. Transport operators need time to rebuild businesses without extra taxes. That would also lessen the pressure on clients who will inevitably face the increase cost being passed on to them when added financial pressure is not needed. “This is just another government tax lumbered on our industry,” Rural Contractors Association spokesman Martin Bruce said. “Under the circumstances of covid it would have been a good option to at least defer it.” While a lot of rural contracting machinery is not subject to the charges many contractors also run trucks. “And we all run utes in our businesses and that’s just another cost that is often absorbed by the business.” Bruce’s road user charges annual bill is $250,000 for his seasonal business. “Bigger companies, such as dairy companies, pay millions and millions. It’s a huge cost to the transport industry and the farming sector.” A truck and trailer unit pays 36 cents a kilometre for a four-axle truck and 19.74c for a four-axle trailer, equating to 55.74c/km. “Travelling a million kilometres over its lifetime, and the long-haul boys would do that in three years, that’s $550,000. “You can’t tell me one truck does $550,000 worth of damage to our roads in three years.” Bruce said roading repairs are a huge concern. “The biggest question, is the money we pay going to our roads? “We have a lot of rural roads in need of repair and we don’t see repair work happening. “Perhaps it would be more palatable if we knew the money was actually going into the roads we are travelling on,” Bruce said. Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggett said trucking companies missed out on the Government’s lolly scramble and that means increased costs across the already damaged economy. “Despite working through the various lockdown stages of the Government’s response to covid-19, often at cost to themselves and their companies, the trucking industry has been refused any relief on road user charges,” Leggett said. In March the forum called for the Government to cancel the 5.3% increase because of the economic headwinds of covid-19, “Things are even worse now than we imagined and not only is our economy in serious trouble, many New Zealanders are unemployed and unable to cope with the cost of living. “Increased costs for moving goods mean increased costs all down the line at a time when businesses are struggling for survival. “Everything comes on the back of a truck at some point so that will mean prices going up everywhere, including essentials such as food. “We think New Zealanders can’t face any more increases in the prices of essential goods at this time and businesses also cannot sustain increased costs when they are doing everything to keep people employed,” Leggett said. The charges for many heavy vehicles overrecover the roading costs. “They are taking more but spending less,” Leggett said.

TOO MUCH: Truck firms can’t afford to pay more in road user charges that often recover more than the cost of maintaining roads, Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggett says.

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News

20 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Kids learn hard work pays off A CANTERBURY pair has outshone 13 other teams to take out the title as 2020 FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year. Jack Coakley and Mac Williams from St Bede’s College were crowned the winners after a week of challenges. “It was an incredible result. We put a lot of hard work in this week so to come out with the result we got was an incredible feeling,” Coakley said. The pair entered Friday morning in fifth place and Williams says they tried their hardest throughout the day. “It’s really rewarding to be able to compare your skills to others around the country and prove to yourself what you can do when you put your mind to it and take your passion to the next level,” he says. Guy Von Dadelszen and Tristin Peeti-Webber from Napier Boys’ High School came second, representing the East Coast region. Northern cousins Nick and Zoe Harrison from Okaihau College were third. Nicole Wakefield-Hart and Hannah White from Geraldine High School won the FMG People’s Choice Award with their special video.

Three South Island FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year regional finals and the grand final were all cancelled or moved online when covid restrictions on events began in March.

Working with two contests, 35 teams, 12 sponsors, 14 modules as well as all the other tasks was a huge logistical undertaking. Lynda Coppersmith Young Farmers

Young Farmers chief executive Lynda Coppersmith says the quick decision was made to move everything online and deliver a contest for Teen Ag members alongside the AgriKids contest for primary school children. Organising it created some new challenges. “Working with two contests, 35 teams, 12 sponsors, 14 modules as well as all the other tasks was a huge logistical undertaking. “It took a lot of things to fall in to place, a lot of people to make it work and a really strict time frame,” she says. “The events team has done the most amazing job to pull this off and I AWDT Future Focus cannot thank them Programme designed for red meat farming partnerships to plan their business together. 2 full-day workshop enough, along with delivered over two months. our sponsor family Registrations for 2020 programmes are now open. Visit and volunteers for the website for more information and to register all the hard work Locations and dates (2 modules): they all have put in

agrievents

• Blenheim: 30th Jun & 28th Jul • Masterton: 2nd Jul & 30th Jul • Hunterville: 7th Jul & 4th Aug • Oamaru: 21st Jul & 18th Aug • Gore: 28th Jul & 25th Aug Website: To register visit www.awdt.org.nz/programmes Contact: keri@awdt.org.nz or 06 375 8180 for more info

AWDT It’s all about YOU It’s all about YOU is a two-day personal development programme for women involved in the primary sector or rural communities. You’ll discover your true value, refocus on what is important, explore possibilities and create new networks. Registrations for 2020 programmes are now open. Visit the website for more information and to register Locations and dates: • Cromwell 27th & 28th July • Milton 30th & 31st July • Whangarei 31st Aug & 1st Sept Website: To register visit www.awdt.org.nz/programmes Contact: Tessa@awdt.org.nz or 06 375 8180 for more info Wednesday 21/10/2020 – Thursday 22/10/2020 NZGSTA Annual Conference 2020 Where: Crowne Plaza, Queenstown. This conference is open to members and there are registrations available for non members, as well as daily and/or social registrations. Partners are welcome and encouraged to attend. Delegates rate will apply at the hotel over Labour Weekend so good chance to enjoy a relaxing weekend after the conference. 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

to make both events happen and run seamlessly.” The grand final started on Saturday June 13 when the two teams from each region went head to head creating a tumble composter from a barrel for the farmlet challenge. The lifting of alert levels and restrictions allowed it to go ahead with help from Young Farmers volunteers who hosted and judged the regional challenges. Speech topics were handed out during the week and innovation projects were handed in on Wednesday before the big grand final day on Friday. The 14 teams presented their speeches, sat an exam and competed in a series of modules that included soil science, animal welfare, environment and farm planning, identifying risks with WorkSafe, studying the Future of Farming report and developing biosecurity plans for farms. The speeches were based on carbon emissions and water quality relating to food production in New Zealand and in the innovation project teams had to produce a business plan and a five-minute marketing presentation on how they would develop and diversify a 250ha property in the covid-19 local market. “The farmlet was pretty hard. We got a different set of equipment compared to others but it was all right in the end. We found that very, very tough actually,” Williams says. He enjoyed the innovation project because it involved things teenagers didn’t usually get to do. They broke the 250ha farm down into 40ha of sheep milking, 170ha of lamb finishing and 15ha of market garden.

WINNING COMBO: Mac Williams and Jack Coakley used a combination of hard work and passion to win the Junior Young Farmer of the Year title.

“We came up with an idea of producing and selling our own meat for value-add, an abattoir and our own sheep-milking processes,” he says. “We learnt a lot actually. The biosecurity module made me think a bit more and I managed to use a farm that I work on as a base for it.” The pair thought the hardest part of the week was the preparation and time management. “We put so much work into it to try to make sure we got top marks for everything – that was the hardest part about it, the work we had to put in,” Coakley says. “I thought online was actually a really cool way of doing it. It was super smoothly run so we

didn’t have any difficulties with any technological issues and it was different to how it was run in previous years, which made it really exciting and new.” Coppersmith says nothing can replace the excitement and atmosphere of a physical contest but it was still a very exciting grand final with the Face Off and awards ceremony live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. “We are very thrilled we were able to reformat parts of the contest to be able to deliver some champions for 2020.” After finishing school Williams plans to go to Massey University to study veterinary practice while Coakley wants to go to Lincoln University and is tossing up what agriculture degree to do.

Tough tech can’t stump Rams A TALENTED trio from Blue Mountain College has won the 2020 AgriKids title. The West Otago Rams made up by Charlie Ottrey, 12, Dylan Young, 12, and Riley Hill, 13, were awarded the title at the grand final on Friday June 19. When asked how the trio felt about their win they replied in unison “happy, overwhelmed and a little bit surprised as well”. They said the day was really fun but challenging. “It was a bit hard dealing with all the technology,” Riley says. Dylan and Riley are now following in their brother’s footsteps. He took out the AgriKids title last year, also in a Blue Mountain College team. In second place was the Aorangi team AgriSeeds with Aiden Smollett, Liam Lash and Milli Pottinger from Longbeach School. Carncot Green made up by Gabby Cavan, Phoebe Driscole

VICTORIOUS: The West Otago Rams team from Blue Mountain College was made up of Charlie Ottrey, Dylan Young and Riley Hill.

and Sophia Pinkney from Carncot Independent School came third. The 21 AgriKids grand final teams, the top three from each regional final, went head to head in a series of modules and tasks as well as sitting an exam.

They played a foodproducing memory game, calculated how much feed different animals need, matched different oils and lubricants and were educated about safety hazards around fuel. They also completed a maze

with biosecurity problems, were quizzed about tractors and created a 3D viable farm for the Agritask. The West Otago Rams say their favourite challenge was the memory game with Lincoln University, matching up different photos. The top five teams went into a face off – a famous Young Farmer of the Year styled quiz, streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Young Farmers chief executive Lynda Coppersmith says she was impressed with the calibre of the teams’ general knowledge during the face off. “They were correctly answering questions that I didn’t even know the answers to. “It just goes to show how bright the future of agriculture is looking with so many children starting their interest, involvement and contribution in the sector at such a young age.”

AginED Ag ED

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

Volume 13 I June 29, 2020 I email: agined@globalHQ.co.nz I www.farmersweekly.co.nz

In your paper 1 Tell us what your favourite farm animal is, or even better send us a photo! 2 Write an outline about your favourite animal; as though you were trying to convince someone why that animal is so much better than all the others! Make sure you remember all of its best points.

Photo of the week: FEEDING TIME!

STRETCH YOURSELF: 1 Researchers are growing sea lettuce to produce a low methane feed for livestock. Do you think we need to be producing more of these types of feeds?

Johnny Harris-Malone feeding his Friesian bull mates 1 Go to www.farmersweekly.co.nz 2 Find and watch the OnFarmStory of Mike and Vicky Cottrell “Every season brings its challenges ” and read the accompanying article “Feeding and breeding are vital ”. NZ lamb exports to continental Europe Thousand tonne

Source: B+LNZ

3 Why did the Cottrells relocate to the North Island? 4 What do you think would be the main differences between their old farm in Canterbury and their current Taihape location?

STRETCH YOURSELF: 1 5-yr ave

2018-19

2019-20

1 Go to the AgriHQ Market Snapshot page 2 What is this week’s South Island lamb price? 3 Is this better or worse than last week, do you have any ideas why it may have changed? 4 How does it compare to last year, are prices following a typical seasonal trend?

STRETCH YOURSELF: Traditionally, Europe imports more of our expensive lamb cuts/products compared to other destinations such as China which takes the lower value products. With global lockdowns causing restaurant closures, demand for the higher value products has dropped in the last two months as can be seen by the dark green bars on the graph. Farmgate prices are the prices that the farmer gets for their lambs by the processors. 1 Discuss with your parents or teacher. What do you think may happen to farmgate prices if demand for higher value products stays weak? Do you think farmers will get paid more or less for their lambs from the processors? 2 How would you market NZ lamb to the European market? Tell us why NZ lamb is the best in the world!

Mike has a catch phrase of “feeding and breeding”, what do you think he means by this?

2 They run a satellite flock as well as their own, in what ways would this be beneficial for them? 3 Mike decided to use artificial insemination (AI) in his beef herd instead of buying a stud bull,what do you think the benefits or drawbacks of doing this would be? 4 What have been some of the challenges on farm for them in their current location?

FILL YA BOOTS: 1 Can you explain the ‘rule of supply and demand’? 2 What different lamb products can you buy at the supermarket - can you name three different cuts of lamb? Share your AginEd photos on our Farmers Weekly facebook page Remember to use the hashtag #AginEd Letters to: agined@globalhq.co.nz

For answers to last week’s questions and more content head to our website https://sites.google.com/view/agined/home

2 Do you think that we need to decrease methane emissions in farming and agriculture? Outline why you think this. 3 Do you think methane emissions are only an agricultural issue? What other things produce methane? Send us your responses to agined@globalhq.co.nz

SHOW US YOUR BOOTS! Send us photos of your much loved or repurposed gumboots! Over the next four weeks we are looking for the best photos of your favourite gummies! Perhaps you have made yours into some other footwear, or maybe your dad has a pair that are older than you are! So, send in your photos by 26th July and thanks to Skellerup you could win yourself a brand-new pair of Red Bands if you are chosen as our winner! Make sure you follow these steps to enter: 1 Head to: www.redband.co.nz 2 On their website, find the answer to this question: When was the first pair of Red Band Gumboots manufactured? 3 Include the answer in your email, attach your gumboot photo, and send through to us at: agined@globalhq.co.nz

Newsmaker

22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

New boss wants farmer connection Sue Bidrose’s appointment as AgResearch’s chief executive is something of a back-to-the-future moment. Neal Wallace meets the Dunedin City Council chief executive who is leaving civic administration for agricultural research.

UE Bidrose has promised the finer details of intestinal worms will not be a topic for discussion at home over dinner. As it turns out the new AgResearch chief executive knows quite a bit about internal parasites in livestock. Bidrose worked as a laboratory technician at Wallaceville in the early 1980s, which involved faecal sampling to determine parasite levels. While preparing for her job interview she was excited to learn parasite burdens can now be determined from swabs taken inside an animal’s cheek. Bidrose replaces Tom Richardson who resigned last year after nine years as chief executive. Finance and business performance director Tony Hickmott has been acting chief executive.

If science is not changing farm practice then what is the point?

The Dunedin City Council chief executive was heavily involved in a campaign to save AgResearch’s Invermay campus on the Taieri Plains, which was at risk of being gutted in 2013 by the Crown research institute’s Future Footprint plan. That plan would have also seen staff at Ruakura in Hamilton scaled back with scientists from both campuses relocated to Grasslands at Palmerston North and to Lincoln. Fearing the impact of losing 85 Invermay staff the council, farming bodies, southern sheep breeders, Otago University, private science providers and a 12,450 petition fought AgResearch. In the ensuing six years few scientists have moved north though 40 resigned. AgResearch’s plan was weakened when an AuditorGeneral’s report said it had not made a sufficiently strong business case for its plan. After six years of uncertainty AgResearch last year confirmed Invermay will remain its centre for sheep genetics and genomics research. Staff will not be forced to relocate and the Future Footprint project has effectively ended. Bidrose says since news of her appointment broke Otago University researchers keen to collaborate with AgResearch, something she is keen to pursue, have approached her. Her involvement resisting the downsizing of Invermay will help her credibility with staff, she says.

“The staff there know that I know they matter to me.” Bidrose says the debate also taught her the importance of leaders taking people with them when promoting change. “I’m delighted Invermay is still there and it taught me the importance of spreading scientific experience over four hubs, which is what we argued for at the time.” A love of science while at school in Wainuiomata led to her job as a laboratory technician at Wallaceville. During her spare time Bidrose volunteered at not-for-profit organisations, which provoked a change in career. She did a psychology degree at Victoria University but finished her doctorate at Otago. On graduation Bidrose returned to Wellington where she worked in policy advice and implementation for the Ministry of Social Development before moving into local government, holding research and operational roles at Waitakere City Council from 19982005. Bidrose returned to Dunedin and a senior manager’s job at the city council before promotion to chief executive, a position she has held for the last seven years. Interest in AgResearch remained and when the position of chief executive was advertised she felt the time was right to apply. It has been a career in public service and she sees her role at AgResearch as an extension of that, albeit with different stakeholders. While not a scientist Bidrose is interested in and committed to science and is science literate. “I’m not a scientist, which could be an issue for some, but it’s a manager’s job I have been given not a scientist’s job.” Bidrose says she leaves the council in a better position than when she arrived, citing an increase in repairs and maintenance of city infrastructure and assets, something that does not draw the attention it deserves. She wanted to create a modern, best practice, A-grade public sector and feels she has achieved that. While too early to detail the aspects of AgResearch she wants to change Bidrose says she has belief in the organisation and a commitment to working with others to make it better. There are contentious issues to contend with and she sees the role of science to provide information for people to debate and decide whether to allow or forbid tools such as genetic engineering. “If genetic engineering starts to provide farmers with assistance to deal with climate change adaption that is one thing but if it can give them a tool for climate change or environmental damage mitigation then that is a hard national conversation to have.

CAREER CHANGE: New AgResearch chief executive Sue Bidrose says her opposition to closing Invermay gives her credibility with staff.

“It is the job of AgResearch to do the science, get the information and put it out for the public to decide.” Bidrose wants to ensure farmers are aware of the research generated by scientists and can adopt if it is relevant and useful. “If science is not changing farm practice then what is the point? “You can’t make farmers adopt the technology but you have to show them that it is worthwhile and that it has to be easy.” Key to that will be cementing partnerships and collaboration, a policy she pursued while at the council. She finishes work at the council on July 17 and starts in her new role at AgResearch’s Lincoln campus on July 27 and says it is the right time to work in science. “Now is a great time to be working back in science. The whole country has seen how important good science is for the well-being of New Zealanders and AgResearch is at the forefront of that good science.”

NZ Pork calls for clarity NEW Zealand Pork is seeking clarification from the Government on the requirements for farm environment plans for outdoor pigs. “We are supportive of FEPs as a tool to improve environmental management on-farm but we do not support costly certification and audit requirements for all farms regardless of the nature and scale of activities on site or the environment in which the farm is operating,” chief executive David Baines says. Most outdoor pig farms don’t do many of the activities which the plans address, including irrigation, using synthetic fertilisers or winter grazing “NZ Pork supports an

approach where farms evaluated as lower risk by regional councils by virtue of the scale, nature or location of their operation would develop and implement a simplified version of a full farm environment plan. “This would still address the environmental circumstances on their properties but wouldn’t require sign-off or independent auditing by a third party. This would save costs for both farmers and ratepayers and allow the focus to remain on higher-risk farming activities. “This will ultimately depend on definitions written into the regulations and we will be pressing for clarity to ensure consistent implementation of the rules.”

New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Green sea pest offers greener solutions Sea lettuce is often the nasty dark green side of a Bay of Plenty summer at the beach – tangling around surfboards, getting in swimmers’ hair and fringing Tauranga harbour in stinking, rotting green layers on the high tide line. But work by Waikato University researchers might soon turn that nuisance plant into a valuable stock food additive, waste absorber and gourmet food option. Richard Rennie spoke to lead scientist Dr Marie Magnusson.

MID bubbling tubs of sea lettuce on an industrial site only metres from Tauranga Harbour a team of researchers is starting to understand how this otherwise pesky maritime plant can found a thriving aquaculture industry. “What makes this species worth studying is not only how prolific and fast growing it is but the array of interesting chemicals and soluble fibre it contains,” Waikato University macroalgal biotech programme leader Dr Marie Magnusson says. “We are looking at a biorefinery process with it as feedstock, where it is capable of producing seaweed salt for human use and soluble fibre with bio-active properties for the likes of stock feed additive or nutraceuticals for human health benefits. “At the end of the process cellulose remains, which can be turned into micro-fibrous products for use in medical materials.” The research is funded with $4 million from the Tertiary Education Commission and $9m from Waikato University.

Earlier work by Magnusson at James Cook University in Townsville also found seaweed can be refined and concentrated for its protein content. “You can pretty much double the original protein level to 40%, with the rest of the material being mainly cellulose.” The frilly, green, free-floating lettuce-like weed starts as tiny spores but when cultivated grows to harvest size in a matter of weeks, making it ideally suited to large-scale growth and harvesting operations. While other seaweed species have received much attention lately for their efficacy in reducing enteric methane emissions from cattle, sea lettuce is more likely to have applications in general animal health. Its sulphur content means feeding it straight to livestock is not an option but use as an additive to stock diets is more likely. “There is also the potential there as a general gut health additive. Due to the level of soluble fibre it contains it has positive effects on the gut biome.” “And at a human level, again the gut health aspect shows promise

SUPER SEAWEED: Sea lettuce has potential for a number of animal and human health applications and New Zealand has the space to grow plenty of it, Dr Marie Magnusson says.

There is also the potential there as a general gut health additive. Due to the level of soluble fibre it contains it has positive effects on the gut biome. Dr Marie Magnusson Waikato University from our early animal modelling work.” The benefits of seaweed were well known to early Maori who used it in cooking, with varieties of sea lettuce eaten in salads and stews around the world.

In a less processed form the lettuce has dietary equivalents to Japan’s highly prized aonori and aosa seaweeds, commercially cultivated in specific bays on the Japanese mainland and used in noodle, pancake and dumpling dishes. Magnusson is encouraged by the Government’s aquaculture strategy released last September, which outlines plans to make an $800m a year industry worth $3 billion by 2035. But the lettuce’s value also includes its ability to help mop up what are very land-based wastes, particularly nitrogen and phosphate. Magnusson’s previous work in Australia used seaweed in bio-remediation, where a waste stream of nitrogen-rich water from a prawn farm had a final

purification pass through a seaweed-dense pond. The filtered water contained less nitrogen than the original water used on the farm. These sorts of eco-system services could have application here in helping reduce phosphate and nitrogen levels in catchments, possibly as part of an overall catchment protection plan. Magnusson said New Zealand is blessed with large swathes of sea area already consented for ocean farming and sea lettuce is one option. “Both the Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Plenty have that area and there is no shortage of groups wanting to grow it. “Work still remains in researching market opportunities and outlets for the product itself,” Magnusson said.

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Opinion

24 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

EDITORIAL

Fonterra’s ten cents worth

DDED payment for extra effort or better product qualities is nothing exceptional, unless you are a farmer co-operative. Fonterra has proposed paying up to 10c/ kg milksolids to farmers who achieve standards for on-farm sustainability, environmental improvements, animal welfare, staff relationships and being an engaged co-op member. Co-operative membership, bought with a share standard to reflect decades of work by previous farmershareholders, comes with principles. Chief among them is that every member is treated equally, including payment from the pooled revenue as a common farmgate milk price. The price is tweaked a little to reflect measurable fat and protein content farmers can change with cow breeding policies. However, it is a fundamental operational fact that all milk is effectively pooled for processing, unless it is organic, A2 protein or produced during winter. If milk is largely grassfed, grade-free, cooled and handled correctly, it complies. By law Fonterra is obliged to pick up the milk from farmers who become members and it can, at times, find it very difficult to refuse. Now the company proposes the size of the total milk payment pool will remain the same so every cent extra paid to one farmer will come at the expense of another. A year ago the company argued incentives should be paid outside the milk pool, by way of Farm Source store rewards and recognition. It has changed that position in the name of sustainability, a word no-one heard 10 years ago and remains hard to define nowadays. An increasingly demanding customer base wants high-quality dairy products and a piece of paper to certify them. But does that require change to a co-operative first principle? The monetary incentive plan is far from a done deal. Fonterra has already received strong feedback on both sides of the argument and it is sure to get more.

Hugh Stringleman

LETTERS

Limit inputs to save money OVER the last 30-plus years I have watched and studied the huge gains Britain and the European Union have managed and how quickly they achieved reductions and control of their nitrates etc through the use of plans such as the United Kingdom’s RB209. All this was done using inputs-based systems limiting the amount of nitrogen and, more importantly, the timing of when it could be applied. This limiting has seen more development in efficient use of fertilisers than in any other part of the world with the equipment developed under this regime now the best available anywhere. Here in New Zealand I have been amazed at how farmers and industry leaders have decided they all know better and that they can use a system

that has little scientific base and has never been used anywhere else. But what’s even more astounding is the huge amount of time and the astronomical amount of money that has been poured in to this system’s development and mostly paid for by farmers and their fertiliser co-ops. But then it gets worse. Each farmer has also been required to spend thousands on getting a suitably qualified consultant with the right training to use the latest version of the Overseer software to get a figure that cannot be repeated or relied on to be accurate. When it’s all taken into account this figure must be something like $100 million and for what? It seems the spending is being asked to be increased as the management of Overseer

keeps asking for more as they aren’t there yet. Well, just when do you call time on a dead duck is a question every farmer needs to ask and ask right now. Personally, I think the duck died over $40m ago. The fact some people, especially fertiliser co-op chief executives and boards, think this is the new gravy train and have kept pushing it needs to be remembered at director election time. It’s always easier to spend other people’s money on a whim. The Government has already signalled it doesn’t believe it’s going to work by introducing a very workable 190kg nitrogen cap or 400kg urea on a grassland farm. Regional councils are now also looking at other options because, it seems, they too have lost faith So why is Federated

Farmers insisting on sticking with the system no one trusts? From comments made to date it seems the no-one’sgoing-to-tell-me-how-to-farm brigade has held sway but clearly they haven’t looked at the costs or actual workings of this stance, instead sticking with a dogmatic stance on an old, outdated principle. On a dairy farm it would take all the profit from around 15ha and on a sheep and beef farm about 25ha to cover the costs of the various consultants, plans and resource consents required not to mention the stress and farmers’ time involved. But one of the biggest risks is if the system doesn’t work and we still end up with high nitrates then whats going to happen? Continued next page

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Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

He Waka Eke Noa partners progress

As we set up the tasks for these teams we had input from more than 140 experts, mostly in Zoom online video meetings during the lockdown, to work out what was already under way that we could build on and where there are gaps that need to be filled. The partnership has committed

to farmers and growers having farm plans that include actions to manage climate change and reduce or offset emissions. We have also agreed to collaborate on the design of a farm-level emissions pricing mechanism to help incentivise action. Our first hard deadline is to produce farm planning guidance for farmers and growers. You’ll see this guidance by the end of this year. It will look at climate change in the context of complete farming systems, business planning and integration with protecting freshwater health and biodiversity. We are focused on making sure actions that deliver benefits for both freshwater health and emissions reduction are properly recognised. We are also looking at how we can recognise the actions our farmers, growers and land owners are already taking, for example, through their QEII covenants, riparian planting and soil health practices and encourage further action to manage carbon on farms. Expect to hear more on that later this year. A key step for farmers to take action to reduce their emissions is to first understand the emissions footprint from their farms. This year you can also expect to see progress on an agreed set of methodologies and tools or calculators for determining your emissions number or footprint. Some farmers and growers are already starting to calculate their emissions footprint. One of the most ambitious milestones for the programme is that all NZ farmers know their emissions number by the end of 2022. Our other important priority is developing a short list of policy options for pricing agricultural

Farmers Weekly, May 25, entitled Political inaction will hike taxes, contributed by Cameron Bagrie. Bagrie does not state the obvious that political action under current economic policies will do exactly the same. I doubt Bagrie would want to concede it would be best to follow the advice of many other economists around the world who champion using a country’s own reserve bank at low or no interest to address a crisis such as New Zealand is starting to go through right now. Jacinda Ardern has done a great job protecting us from covid-19. I applaud her for this. Unfortunately, the cost is going to be tremendous for our citizens for the next two or three generations because of the way money to support our country is being financed.

In the 1930s Premier Michael Joseph Savage and John A Lee with their Labour Government used Reserve Bank credit to finance the building of 33,000 state houses. That helped create employment, which significantly hastened the recovery of a severely depressed economy. To have done so now using Reserve Bank credit would have significantly reduced our country’s economic burden. Personally, I look forward to an old philosophy becoming our new economy as soon as possible. The laws to do so are already in place. All farmers and other readers could use a rainy day (before the elections) to peruse the Social Credit website www.socialcredit. nz. They would love to have your party vote, if not your candidate vote and a seat or two in the next Parliament so they can get on with

Michael Ahie

TOOK the job of independent chairman of the He Waka Eke Noa steering group because I believe we have the chance to lead the world in the way we face up to climate change and create a sustainable future for New Zealand food and fibre production. So far we’re on track to design a practical and cost-effective system with farmers and growers rather than imposing it. You might recall He Waka Eke Noa was launched late last year as a partnership between the primary sector, Maori and the Government. Our goal is to equip farmers and growers with the tools to report, manage and reduce agricultural emissions and adapt to a changing climate while continuing to sustainably produce quality food and fibre products for domestic and international markets. Some of you will be familiar with the common whakatauki or proverb, He Waka Eke Noa, which means we are all in this together. While this whakatauki is widely used it is appropriate for this partnership because our role is to bring together the groups and people with a part to play in making this innovative approach work and not just for now but for our future generations as well. Over the past few months, while attention has focused on the covid-19 pandemic, behind the scenes we have been paddling hard to get this waka going in the right direction. The first focus has been to get the right crew. We now have a steering group of experienced people from across the primary sector and from the Primary Industries and Environment Ministries. We also

The

Pulpit

have a number of teams working on important policies and tools with every team bringing together smart people from the primary sector, the public service and those with specific Te Ao Maori expertise.

Our first hard deadline is to produce farm planning guidance for farmers and growers. You’ll see this guidance by the end of this year.

BENEFIT: He Waka Eke Noa independent chairman Michael Ahie says they are focused on making sure actions that deliver benefits for both freshwater health and emissions reduction are properly recognised.

emissions as an alternative to the Emissions Trading Scheme. We commit to making sure you will get the chance to comment on these options in the future. Also on our agenda is increasing farm adviser capacity and capability and ways to recognise early adopters and adapters. Over this year we will be involving farmers and growers through our partners including Beef + Lamb, DairyNZ, Horticulture NZ, Federated Farmers and the Federation of Maori Authorities. We’ll also be working with scientists, providers of emissions management systems, farm advisers, financiers and others. We have a lot to do and we’re getting on with the job.

Who am I? Michael Ahie is He Waka Eke Noa steering group chairman and Massey University chancellor. He is a former Plant and Food Research chairman, a director of FMG and chairman of Spring Sheep Milk Co and the New Zealand Plant Market Access Council. He grew up in a coastal South Taranaki farming community and has previous executive roles with Toyota NZ, the Dairy Board and Wrightson. He is of Taranaki, Ngaruahine Rangi and Ngati Ruanui descent.

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

You can find out more about He Waka Eke Noa through the partners Beef + Lamb, DairyNZ, the Dairy Companies Association, Federated Farmers, the Federation of Maori Authorities, Horticulture NZ, the Meat Industry Association, Apiculture NZ, Deer Industry NZ, the Foundation for Arable Research, Irrigation NZ, the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Ministry for the Environment See what’s available to help you know your emissions number or other practical information relating to climate change at the new Agmatters website www.agmatters.nz Let us know your thoughts, email feedback@hewakaekenoa.nz

LETTERS Continued from previous page Once again the problem falls back on the farmers with what could be dire consequences. I think a change of stance is required right now and that we go with an inputs based system we can all understand. It wouldn’t need the army of expensive consultants and we should also then not have to have all these farm environment plans. We would be following the guidelines set down by national and regional authorities. I am sure the savings made would more than compensate for any perceived loss in production. Jeremy Talbot Temuka

Money mistake I NEED to reply to the article in

promoting the message in the House. If you would like further information you could join the Social Credit political party and get all its newsletters. Ralph Douglas Golden Bay

Too many MPs ACT MP David Seymour said there should be 100 MPs not 120. I think 95 would be enough for New Zealand. Electorate MPs not list MPs, as they do not represent anyone and cost NZ millions of dollars. Prefence system is the one to have – you write one or two in a circle or ring instead of a tick as it is in other systems: STV, MMP, SM supplementary system, FPP. A good boundary for Wairarapa would be Dannevirke, Weber, Ti

Tree Point, Akitio Rd. Boundaries further up east coast wouldn’t change. Up in Auckland there will be a lot of boundary changes to get 95 electorates and there might be a few boundary changes in Christchurch. Dally Shaw Masterton

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Opinion

26 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Farming needs one song sheet Alternative View

Alan Emerson

FARMERS need a single voice in Wellington. The business sector has Business NZ as the one authoritative voice for the sector. Primary and secondary teachers have a single voice as do doctors, manual workers and public servants. Farmers have a plethora of organisations. First, we have the levy groups. DairyNZ does some excellent work with science, extension and economic modelling. They’re not good at politics. In addition, they have little engagement. Despite chairman Jim van der Poel claiming a mandate in the recent levy vote just over one dairy farmer in three voted yes. That one farmer in three has imposed a tax on the rest of the dairy industry of $405 million over the next six years and that’s a lot of money not going into the provincial economy. Beef + Lamb’s extension work is also excellent but I believe

they spend money in areas they shouldn’t. Trade Minister David Parker has kept us informed of the international trade issues including Brexit and the European Union. What B+LNZ can add is beyond me yet they spent a considerable amount keeping Jeff Grant in London. We then have the statements from B+LNZ independent director Melissa Clark-Reynolds who wants people to eat less but way better meat and says food needs to be produced with love so the flavour of love is evident in the food. We produce way better meat now. I don’t want people to eat less meat and as far as the flavour of love being evident, I’ll leave it there.

We need one, single, transparent voice for agriculture.

Further why pay for research into regenerative agriculture when there is so much credible science freely available? Three weeks ago I asked B+LNZ a series of questions about costs. Such is their arrogance I haven’t had a straight answer. Resources are short and shouldn’t be wasted.

In addition to the sector groups there’s the Food and Fibre Leaders Group. The group meets Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern regularly and makes decisions affecting you and I. What those discussions are about we don’t know. Further, what’s the purpose of the group, how much does it cost and what’s it achieved? In addition, we have the Agriculture Strategic Coordination Group, about which I’ve written. So, what needs to happen? We need to reform the Commodity Levies Act to ensure upwards of a 50% vote of support from all eligible farmers, budgets with greater detail and more accountability. I’d also like to see a compulsory satisfaction survey of all levy-paying farmers every second year. Following that we need one, single, transparent voice for agriculture. We have the resources. B+LNZ takes $29.3m from farmers annually and Dairy NZ $67.5m. FAR takes more than $9m and Horticulture NZ $4.6m. That means farmers pay more than $110m annually or $3000 a farmer for industry good. That a single voice for our sector is needed is evident from the recently released Koi Tu report, The Future of Food and the Primary Sector.

PLETHORA: Why do farmers have so many groups representing them when most sectors have just one?

It graphically outlines the challenges for the sector and suggests many initiatives I support. I’ll analyse it in detail next week but the report says we need clear and unequivocal endorsement to the nation of the central role of the primary industries and growers in wealth and jobs creation. I believe achieving that is vital for our future but you can’t get there with a series of adhoc groups pulling in different directions while following their own agendas. An example of pulling in different directions – we have Federated Farmers, B+LNZ and DairyNZ all preparing election manifestos. It is a criminal waste of money and resources. We need that unified approach. It must be transparent, politically

effective and give our primary industry a strong, united voice in the media. It would effectively streamline what we have now, provide a single point of contact, be more resource efficient and reduce costs. As I’ve outlined the sector certainly has the resources. Will it happen? I sincerely hope it does. My concern is patch preservation is more important to the organisations involved than coordination and results despite the fact having a single primary sector organisation is not a luxury but a necessity if we are to survive.

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

Sense in saving for non-rainy days From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

A SMALL victory for common sense came out of Auckland last week. I had asked some Auckland friends some months ago when we were discussing the ongoing drought and deteriorating levels of the lakes the city relies on for its water why they didn’t put in tanks and collect the free rain falling on their roof. I was surprised to hear that along with the cost of the tank was that the council charges resource consent fees to put in a tank. I was pleased sensible provincial councils aren’t that silly or hungry to squeeze ratepayers for a few extra dollars on the pretext this has some sort of impact on the environment. Well, in a city it would have an impact, but it would be positive.

For a start hundreds of thousands of tanks collecting rain at the same time would significantly reduce the amount of runoff going into stormwater systems and taking vast quantities of vehicle emissions, petrochemicals, rubber, solvents and dog shit into their waterways and the ocean. And they would reduce the flooding difficulties the city often experiences. Also, it would take the pressure off the existing water storage and save money treating and distributing a large amount of water. It would also stop many complaining about the chlorine and fluoride put into their water supplies. Though I see the council is not considering folk actually drinking this bounty from the skies but expects they will use it to wash their cars and water the gardens. It’s true our own drinking water off the roof out here in the sticks would probably fail a few tests but it seems our gut is accustomed to the odd bit of bird shit and treats it as a bonus mineral. I used the opportunity of the drought to clean out all our rain tanks and most of the stock water

tanks this summer. I do the rain tanks at least every second year. I find while being in a perfect echo chamber that singing Harry Belafonte’s song Dayo (The Banana Boat Song) makes any voice including my own sound amazing. It also helps keep up spirits though climbing the ladder and pushing the bucket out of the manhole above your head to discard the sludge while it slops over you is the least enjoyable part of the process. The Auckland council is also considering removing consenting requirements to install tanks and making water tanks a requirement for new developments. It’s amazing how a crisis can bring such quick and sensible decision-making. And it is a crisis. We might enjoy poking a stick at Auckland but it is nearly 40% of our economy at $100 billion. Any larger and we would be in danger of being a city state. Its storage dams are at only 44% and Niwa’s forecasts are for the winter and spring to remain drier than average. We watched a water crisis unfold in Cape Town in 2017 and 2018 when the dams got down to

20% and they would have been in serious trouble at 15% but have since had a reasonable recovery when the drought finally broke. If Auckland gets down into this territory the water restrictions and rationing will seriously impact their and, consequently, our economy as if things aren’t bad enough now with the pandemic effects.

It’s amazing how a crisis can bring such quick and sensible decision-making.

For example, no one making concrete, which is water intensive, means the building industry would come to a stop. Their last water crisis in 199394 meant they started pumping water out of the Waikato River, which has grown to a third of their requirements, and we have been watching Mayor Phil Goff plead to the Waikato authorities for large increases in the take, only to be told to get stuffed. Living in the country we are

conditioned from childhood that water is a precious resource to be captured, stored then rationed when scarce. Our bathroom door is badly dented from me pounding on it over the decades telling miscreants their shower has been long enough. What Aucklanders are going to have to get their heads around is that they will need more dams or have to extend the ones they already have. Those who always have a visceral objection to the mere mention of dams will be the very ones calling for more water to be pumped from Waikato or increased dam storage if the alternative is to line up at hydrants with their buckets or see their jobs vanish because of a lack of water. They haven’t been fans of dams like the proposed Ruataniwha but might now start seeing for themselves it is a wise move to capture excess water in times of plenty for when its not a rainy day.

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 – June 29, 2020

Rules risk hindering innovation Meaty Matters

Allan Barber

THE fast pace of regulatory change by the Government poses a challenge for farmers trying to earn their social licence to operate. The Emissions Trading Reform Act and the proposed Essential Freshwater Policy are the two latest examples of regulation to become law before the election and will inevitably impose serious costs or penalties on farmers. Some provisions run counter to good, common sense farming practices and the ETR has the potential to sideswipe the sheep and beef sector because it incentivises the conversion of sheep and beef farms to forestry. Representative organisations, Beef + Lamb, DairyNZ and Federated Farmers are working hard on behalf of their members to mitigate the most heavyhanded aspects of the regulation while giving farmers information and tools to enhance on-farm environmental performance in line with the comprehensive set of commitments made last year. A major focus now is to leverage off the public goodwill towards agriculture following the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic to negotiate pragmatic outcomes on the environment. While many farmers might feel there is a case to argue against doing anything

on the environment, in the long run that will ultimately undermine farming’s social licence when the economy recovers and the focus goes back on those issues. Now is the ideal time to build and consolidate the sector’s social licence to operate after a long period when the influence of urban, apparently non-polluting, liberals drove public opinion against farming. If we say no to everything the alternative is to be hit later by even blunter regulation a Greenleaning government will inevitably impose, even if the moderating impact of New Zealand First survives the election. Federated Farmers’ environment spokesman Chris Allen says farmers need to take responsibility for their individual farming practices, otherwise they will end up with stricter rules being foisted on them. Farmers must innovate and adapt all the time to maintain their social licence because public opinion moves faster than farmers can. It is important to engage with the community and demystify what happens behind the farm gate, telling a credible story, warts and all. In Allen’s opinion the best outcomes happen in regions where the council recognises differences between catchment areas and works with farmers to develop and implement an achievable plan instead of imposing blunt regulations. He cites the resolution of the winter grazing issue in Southland where the regional council asked each farmer to develop a plan specific to their own property, which the council monitors in co-operation with the farmer. Feds’ Tararua co-president

SHOW AND TELL: Farmers must demystify what happens behind the farm gate, telling a credible story, warts and all, Federated Farmers environment spokesman Chris Allen says.

Sally Dryland praised the initiative in her district where the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council (Horizons) has worked alongside 750 hill farmers on the Sustainable Land Use Initiative to prevent soil erosion from the wrong sort of planting on marginal land. Forestry conversion is a massive concern in her area. She also emphasises the willingness of farmers to engage in environmental improvements, supported by having a documented farm plan, but says the rules ideally need to be practical, affordable and consistent. The farm plan, however, should not be static but must be a living, evolving document. Roger Dalrymple, who, with his brother Hew, owns Waitatapia Station in Rangitikei, is committed to the principles of freshwater policy and 90% of their farm is fenced. But, in common with many others, he struggles to grasp the logic around measures designed to minimise carbon in the atmosphere and is confused by the provisions in the ETR that will encourage rather than

discourage fossil fuel emissions because fossil fuel emitters remain able to offset 100% of their emissions by planting trees, which is a cheaper option than investing in technology to reduce their emissions. In his view carbon farming is purely a short-term solution to a long-term problem, driven by the Government’s need to be seen to be meeting its international commitments through a smoke screen of offsets rather than actual emissions reductions. He cannot get his head round why it makes any sense to sell productive sheep and beef land to overseas investors or corporates that will benefit from carbon credits or emission offsets from one-off planting of pine trees with a 20-year horizon but no longerterm benefit. Dalrymple believes the Government must provide clear signals to indicate how it expects farmers to operate in support of the objectives. He sees their only solution as becoming more efficient by finishing livestock sooner while looking after the soil’s biological health and

structure. Farmers also have to be able to get recognition for the sequestration from native trees on their farms. At the same time on the cropping side of the business Waitatapia has invested in direct seed drilling and strip tillage, which let them get rid of the plough two years ago to save fuel and keep the soil in better health. At least the recent Government concessions to the Essential Freshwater Policy provisions covering grand-parenting, land use change, removal of the freshwater module to farm plan requirement and reduced hill-country fencing show a willingness by the Government to listen the farmers and industry organisations and apply common sense to areas of major concern. Hopefully, the Government will listen to the request being made by B+LNZ for limits to be put on the use of forestry offsets by fossil fuel emitters. There is no doubt farmers in general are willing to innovate and take up new ways of farming when the logic is clear and economically viable. But the imposition of new regulations that are not science based, more designed to appeal to a segment of the electorate or international bodies like the International Panel for Climate Change, does not inspire confidence or co-operation. B+LNZ, DairyNZ and Federated Farmers have a challenge to lobby for farmers to be treated considerately while maintaining a clear focus on their social licence to operate.

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

Off the Cuff

Andrew Stewart

ONE of the best things to come out of lockdown was the chance to catch up with some old friends for a belated opening weekend of duck shooting. This is a diverse group from all walks of life who come together once a year to enjoy life and each other’s company. Naturally, conversation drifts between light humour and the issues of the day as we all share our unique perspectives on life. It would be fair to say we don’t always agree on matters but this year conversation drifted to the murky world of consulting and the cancer it is in our economy. It was generally agreed by my group of mates the standard rate for consulting to the Government is about $400 an hour.

That number did not surprise me but I must admit I have done no other research to validate this data. I do not feel I have to. Half of this group live and work in Wellington, have successful careers and rub shoulders with enough people to have a very good understanding on what is going on. In short, I trust them and their information more than that which comes from any other source. It got me thinking about my farming career and what I have seen over the 17 years I have been a small business owner. If I had a dollar for every steering group, advisory panel or action plan associated with agriculture that has been created in that time I would be a very wealthy man. If my financial wealth relied on the progress and real-world results to come out of all these groups, well, I would probably be living on the street, homeless and desolate. The trend I have seen seems to follow a well-trodden path that provides a gravy train for those involved while, in most cases, failing to deliver any tangible benefits to those affected by the problems. Once an area of concern is

highlighted the powers that be will normally decide an acronym is needed to provide a catchy phrase everyone will remember. After the catchy acronym is agreed on it is important to allocate a huge amount of money from multiple sources and couple that with a lengthy timeline to ensure all those involved are well looked after for the duration of the project. Obviously, there needs to be substantial fat in the budget to accommodate the plethora of consultants who will appear to provide their wisdom as needed for $400 an hour. Timelines will be created but can be flexible to change with lack of progress and desires to splinter off in different directions. And along the way it is recommended other projects, steering groups and committees be formed so the single project becomes a neverending, Jabba the Hut-sized money pit all those involved can keep feeding off. The stunning observation among most of these groups is the lack of consultation and involvement by those most affected, the actual farmers. I am sure many of my farming

colleagues would love to offer their knowledge and advice for substantially less than $400 an hour but, sadly, there seems to be consensus those most affected are also those whose wisdom is rarely required. In 2020 there are more visions, action groups and joint action plans than I have ever seen in my farming career. I recognise many are formed with good intentions to address the fact we are facing more challenges than ever before. But have we reached a saturation point when the average person just does not have the stomach for any more of these groups to be formed? Meanwhile, back behind the eight-wire fence, Kiwi farmers wait with fading hope that one day one of these vast and confusing visions will actually manifest itself into something real and tangible that will provide actual benefits to their farming businesses. It might be a long wait.

Your View Andrew Stewart is the RangitikeiManawatu Federated Farmers meat and wool chairman and a sheep and beef farmer in Rangitikei.

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A great opportunity to purchase a fully managed orchard showing excellent returns as a standalone investment. Our Vendor has developed the property over the last 25 years and now with age, it is time to sell. If you’re looking for lifestyle, this is a wonderful opportunity and you are very close to fishing on the East and West Coast. CV $12,335,000

Far North Real Estate (2010) Ltd Far North Real Estate (2010) Ltd Licensed REAA 2008. All information contained herein is gathered from sources we consider to be reliable. However, we cannot guarantee or give any warranty about the information provided. Interested parties must solely rely on their own enquiries.

FARMERS WEEKLY – June 29, 2020

Real Estate

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Finishing in Tomarata/Te Arai Here is one of those rare opportunities to own the ideal size block in a highly sought after location. This gently rolling approximately 139ha property has been meticulously farmed for the last 15 years by the current retiring owner, and boasts the following attributes: • Impressive fencing throughout with 7-wire post and batten and electrical outriggers, along with 2-wire electric for further internal subdivision creating 50 paddocks (GPS mapped) • Very good access via two raceways (limestone/brownstone), leading to a well-maintained set of cattle yards with new cattle crush and scales • A reliable deep water bore with very good water quality reticulated to all troughs • Excellent pastures throughout with regular Organic fertiliser regime • All waterways have been fenced and planted, including a large wildlife/back up water supply dam With only 6km of direct line of site to the East Coast, the potential house sites are impressive and offer views from Great Barrier Island, Hen and Chick's, and north to the Whangarei Heads. This truly is a rare opportunity to own a piece of land on the desirable East Coast.

Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 4.00pm, Thursday 6 August

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KATIKATI VIEW 1 & 5 Jul 12.00 - 1.00pm 240 Rea Road AUCTION 2.00pm, Wed 22nd Jul, 2020, Fairview Golf & For the first time in many years we are proud to be offering this property to the market. This flat to slightly Country Club, 34 Sharp Rd, Katikati rolling 53 ha property (which consists of two titles) one at 20.81 ha, the second of 32.32 ha. This is the ideal Peter Foley 6 Mobile 021 024 19121 elevation for both Kiwifruit or Avocado growing. There peter.foley@pb.co.nz are two dwellings on the property, along with a ten aside cow shed and ample shedding for machinery and 2 feed. There is also a purpose-built calf rearing shed. Vanessa Charman-Moore Presently the farm is divided into approximately 50 Mobile 027 242 7646 paddocks, with good central raceways. 2 vanessacm@pb.co.nz

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Farm Trader

FARMERS WEEKLY – June 29, 2020

“What a great result for my Massey’s. The process was simple, giving them both another 40hp each – a 20% improvement in power and torque. Having the dyno there was great to see exactly what I was getting. Effectively you have given me $80,000 of horsepower for a fraction of the cost” Rhys Pritchard / Pritchard Contracting

FARMERS WEEKLY – June 29, 2020

Farm Trader

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

ANDWEEDER C50 (Developed by Andy Lysaght)

The Andweeder® C50 is redefining large-scale weeding in a way that benefit sectors of the agricultural industry, a mechanical non-chemical inter-plant weeder. Read our reviews below to show how two successful NZ companies are finding the Andweeder® C50: Tom Welch — Cannock Harvest Pumpkin Seeds The Andweeder C50 has been a breakthrough for us in our pumpkins, saving us about $300/ha inweeding costs per year. Easy to use with some initial instruction and help setting up. Well designed and engineered. We opted for a 3 row steerage hoe setup whereby one man drives the tractor and the other sits on the hoe to steer On the way to the job. it. We could easily cover over 1 ha per hour. The drawback to this system, is the dust to the man on the back! A very dusty job. If possible, I would recommend a fixed mid mounted system on a tractor to cut out the need for the second person being covered in dust. Andy’s service is great, and he will be there to help whenever needed. Very satisfied. Hamish Thomas — Cropping Manager, NH Packing and Farming Co Ltd We have been running the C50 in our Squash crops. The C50 has given us the ability to weed our crops at a critical stage which then in turn has limited the amount of manual hand weeding we have had to do. The support and knowledge Andy continues to provide has been much appreciated.

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NH produce running a 3 row Andweeder C50 on side shift tool bar with vision technology guidance & the tractor running on GPS

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For more information see our video on YouTube – Andweeder® C50 Call Andy on 021 672 241 or email: andylysaght@xtra.co.nz

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NZ’s #1 Agri Job Board

FARMERS WEEKLY – June 29, 2020

PIGGERY FARM MANAGER

It’s now more important than ever to connect rural employers with job seekers. We are also working with industry good organisations to make sure relevant information is at your fingertips

Te Awa Rua Farm is a 707ha effective property situated in the Waipa Valley, 35 minutes from Te Kuiti and operates alongside the wider Tiroa E and Te Hape B Trust group of farms covering 7500ha. This recently purchased farm runs a high performing breeding ewe flock and beef finishing system and we now require someone

That’s why the team at Farmers Weekly have launched a dedicated Farmers Weekly Jobs Facebook page

Interested applicants can apply directly to livestock@cabernet.co.nz

to assist with the daily operation of the farm. The successful applicant will have a broad range of skills including fencing and general farm maintenance. You will conduct a variety of

Experienced Shepherd

roles supporting the Farm Manager including stock work and therefore 1-2 dogs will be

Southern Southland

required for the role.

We have a vacancy for an experienced General Shepherd for our 1200ha Sheep and Beef farm. Running 7000 Romney ewes and 500 cattle, on river flats to rolling to steep hills.

You will need to be an excellent communicator and a strong team player but above all else we

For further information or enquiries phone Allan 03 2468 498

are seeking someone energetic and keen to progress themselves in the industry. The

If you have an agri job listing get in touch with Debbie at classifieds@globalhq.co.nz or ph 027 705 7181 to secure your place on Farmers Weekly Jobs Facebook today!

comes

with

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Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa and will be

required to have a clear pre-employment drug test. Please contact Andrew Blackmore 07 222 6094 for further information or e-mail your application / CV to: sharon@tiroatehape.maori.nz Applications close: 5pm Friday 17th July 2020

WE’RE HIRING Two brand new full time positions in our growing company.

Working with farmers, subscribers, agents and supply chain partners nationwide. •

Sales Partnership Manager. Working with advertising clients, especially in the tractors and farm machinery categories, and general farming products.

All you need is a good knowledge of the primary sector, proven sales experience, efficient administration skills, a learning mindset, and all the qualities of a hard working high performer. You will become part of an innovative team working from our head office in Feilding and play an important part in the advertising and subscription sales success working on valuable farm data and information products including the AgriHQ suite of reports and insights, flagship newspaper Farmers Weekly, Dairy Farmer magazine,

leading Salesforce CRM system. You will need a good understanding of the G suite cloud computing tools and usual office computer products. To register your interest and request an application form and job description, please email: hr@globalhq.co.nz Applications close Monday, July 6, 2020.

Te Rangi has been recently purchased and we require a manager with excellent stock management skills along with a very good team of dogs, who will bring a positive attitude to their role. This is a sole charge position and you will be responsible for the day to day management of livestock, farm maintenance and all farm compliance e.g. Animal health records, nait records and farm health and safety. This role will report to the farm supervisor. The wider management team will include Farm Manager, Farm Supervisor and Owner who will work closely together on any major farm decisions.

3 bedroom house is available with school bus stop at the end of the road for Tutira primary school.

TIROA E TRUST Tiroa Station is a 3,200ha effective property situated near Benneydale, 35 minutes from Te Kuiti and part of the Tiroa Te Hape group of farms covering 7,300ha. The station winters 32,000 stock units made up of a high performing breeding ewe flock and breeding cow herd.

Please apply with CV & cover letter before 31 July 2020 and send to: te.rangi.station@gmail.com or contact Rochelle Palmer on 027 929 2288

Due to the changes in the operation of the farm we now have two vacancies available:

63.57x120

0101788

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

JOBS BOARD FW Jobs Board

HEAD SHEPHERD The successful applicant would require 4-5 sound working dogs, have had experience with handling large numbers of stock and proven ability to manage a small team of staff.

Artificial Breeding Supervisor Block Manager

SHEPHERD

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The successful applicant would require 2-3 sound working dogs and have sound stock and pasture management skills.

and our extensive range of video, digital and social assets. You will build client partnerships and smash budgets using the world-

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Stock policy based around breeding quality stock from 2000 ewes, 250 cows with total stock units being around 5000.

(Tiroa Station)

•

A competitive package and vehicle will be provided. You will be required to travel the South regularly.

Te Rangi Station Tutira, Hawkes Bay

competitive

recently upgraded housing.

Like and follow us @FarmersWeeklyJobs for the latest agri jobs or view our listings online at

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

position

remuneration, a great work environment and

2546FW JOBS

Email a current CV and two referees to: glenfern@outlook.co.nz

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The job includes a variety of sheep and beef farming work as well as tractor driving. You will need working dogs under good control, enjoy working in a team or by yourself, to be energetic, hardworking reliable and take pride in everything you do. Good warm farmhouse available. Remuneration will reflect experience. Available to start before August.

South Island We are looking for an AB Supervisor for the South Island, ideally based in Canterbury. You must have extensive experience in artificial insemination of bovine animals, client relationships and leading people well to support our South Island team of AB technicians, clients, and others.

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This is an opportunity to further your career in the pork industry. Ongoing support & guidance will be provided by the exiting piggery manager as the farm operations transition over.

Artificial Breeding (AB) Supervisor

TE AWA RUA FARM – SHEPHERD GENERAL

@farmersweeklyjobs

Live-in Housekeeper

For either of the positions we require you to be an excellent communicator and a strong team player but above all else we are seeking someone energetic and keen to progress themselves in the industry.

Piggery Farm Manager Sales Partnership Managers (2x) Shepherd

All positions come with competitive remuneration, a great work environment and good housing. Applicants for this position must have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa and will be required to have a clear pre-employment drug test. For further information please contact Wayne Fraser (07) 878 4815, or email your CV to sharon@tiroatehape.maori.nz clearly stating which role you are applying for. Applications close: 5pm Friday 17th July 2020

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Paranui Piggery is located 20 minutes from Palmerston North. It has/is 220 Sow breeding and finishing unit 4 FTE 25ha of pastoral land and 25ha of forestry The piggery is rated in the top 5% of New Zealands Pig Care Accredited farms

Jobs

Shepherd General Stud Stock Manager *FREE upload to Farmers Weekly jobs: farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

*conditions apply

Contact Debbie Brown 06 323 0765 or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz LK0100828©

The companies Piggery unit “Paranui Piggery” is seeking suitable applicants to apply for the senior position of Farm Manager due to a planned retirement.

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Everton Land Ltd is the livestock supply arm for the Cabernet Foods Group.

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

ANIMAL AND HUMAN healer, also manipulation on horses and dogs Mid South Canterbury, Otago, Southland, from 29 June - 10 July. For more information phone Ron Wilson 027 435 3089. CRAIGCO SHEEP JETTERS. Sensor Jet. Deal to fly and Lice now. Guaranteed performance. Unbeatable pricing. Phone 06 835 6863. www.craigcojetters.com

DAGS .20c PER KG. Replacement woolpacks. PV Weber Wools. Kawakawa Road, Feilding. Phone 06 323 9550. FOR ONLY $2.10 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in Farmers Weekly Classifieds. Phone Debbie on 0800 85 25 80 to book or email classifieds@ globalhq.co.nz MANUKA SITES REQUIRED. Seeking sites for beehives near Manuka. Fair and competitive payment options. Contact 021 560 665 or email: hardyhivezzz@gmail.com

NOTICEBOARD REACH EVERY FARMER IN NZ FROM MONDAY Advertise in the Farmers Weekly $2.10 + GST per word - Please print clearly Name: Phone: Address:

FOR SALE WOODSPLITTER. 24hp diesel. Tandem axle, lift table, 4m elevator. $12,500+gst. Phone 03 3186 899 evenings. (Canterbury).

CONTRACTORS

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

WANTED

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

DOGS FOR SALE BREEDING. TRAINING. Selling, buying (since 2012). Deliver NI 4/7, SI 22/7. www.youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos – email: mikehughesworkingdogs@ farmside.co.nz 07 315 5553. HEADING BITCH 8 years, fit. Suitable easy country, $500. HUNTAWAY DOG, 9 years, clean working $500. Phone 06 376 3955. HEADING PUPS, well bred. 11 weeks old. Hawke’s Bay 027 688 7535.

GOATS WANTED

FERAL GOATS WANTED. All head counted, payment on pick-up, pick-up within 24 hours. Prices based on works schedule. Experienced musterers available. Phone Bill and Vicky Le Feuvre 07 893 8916. GOATS WANTED. All weights. All breeds. Prompt service. Payment on pick up. My on farm prices will not be beaten. Phone David Hutchings 07 895 8845 or 0274 519 249. Feral goats mustered on a 50/50 share basis.

DOGS WANTED 12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195. QUICK SALE! Buying NZ wide. NI 4/7, SI 24/7. Email: mikehughesworkingdogs@ farmside.co.nz 07 315 5553.

NAKI GOATS. Trucking goats to the works every week throughout the NI. Phone Michael and Clarice. 027 643 0403.

Email:

LUCERNE WANTED

PERSONAL

GRAZING AVAILABLE FOR 50 TO 100 cows for six weeks from 29 June. West Waikato. Phone Wayne 027 369 5179.

HORSES FOR SALE BAY MARE 16 YEARS old. Good for hunts. Hawke’s Bay. 027 688 7535.

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

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE WILTSHIRES-ARVIDSON. Self shearing sheep. No1 for Facial Eczema. David 027 2771 556. BOOK AN AD. For only $2.10 + gst per word you can book a word only ad in Farmers Weekly Classifieds section. Phone Debbie Brown on 0800 85 25 80 to book in or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

Love Is A Blending Of Two! At 5’5 with a slim build, blonde hair and hazel eyes this lady loves the country life and the challenge it throws at her. She enjoys horse riding, beach, swimming, cooking for her family/friends and weekends away. She is looking for a genuine country gentleman. To meet please call

0800 446 332 quote code 44

Please contact Rory Boleyn 027 436 9133

LEASE FARM WANTED Hardworking young family seeking first major step towards ownership. Proactive, farm-proud, and conscientious operators.

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Sheep and beef property preferred or variable of. Would consider management or share farming position or similar.

Any area and options considered.

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Our Canterbury based tree planting crew will work anywhere in the South Island and can source, plant and release spray trees for you. From pines to natives, let us know what you are after and we will get it done.

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

Looking for expressions of interest to grow lucerne, oats and red clover for hay. South Island wide.

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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

BRIDLES STATION TYPES. Heavy NZ leather. Hand sown. Breast plate. Leg straps. Hobbles. Crupper, etc. Phone Otairi Station. 06 322 8433.

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ATTENTION FARMERS

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

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Noticeboard

FARMERS WEEKLY – June 29, 2020

50 TON WOOD SPLITTER 12HP, Diesel, Electric Start

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2 YEAR WARRANTY. NZ ASSEMBLED. ELECTRIC START & QUALITY YOU CAN RELY ON

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Nominate a school on booking and we’ll donate $100 on payment of your account. 11.5HP Briggs & Stratton Motor. Industrial. Electric start. GST $4200 INCLUSIVE

50 TON WOOD SPLITTER

GST $4200 INCLUSIVE

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

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

Phone Scott Newman Freephone 0800 2SCOTTY (0800 27 26 88) Mobile 027 26 26 27 2

TO THAT

A SHED HASN’T BEATEN US YET!

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

LK0102722©

TOWABLE FLAIL MOWER

12Hp Diesel. Electric Start

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

TOWABLE TOPPING MOWER

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13.5HP. Briggs & Stratton Motor. Electric start. 1.2m cut

IN ING PA K R WO IRARA WA

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

Livestock Noticeboard

Wiltshire Ewes

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

Phone Stu 06 862 7534

1000 Friesian Bulls 500 Fleckveigh Steers/Bulls (Simmental X) 500 Hereford X M/S 150 Belgian Blue X M/S 200 Murray Grey/Friesian Steers 200 Murray Grey/Friesian Heifers Contact: Matt Sanson 027 556 9928

LK0102904©

465 SIL

BEEF CROSS WEANER CALVES FORWARD CONTRACTS AVAILABLE FOR NOV/DEC DELIVERY

FARMERS WEEKLY – June 29, 2020

Advertise your stock sales in Farmers Weekly

farmersweekly.co.nz SALE TALK

JM102841©

500 Belgian Blue X Males 500 Belgian Blue X M/S Contact: Harry Stanway 027 556 9948

A well seasoned farmer owned a large farm in the Wairarapa. After years of dedicated hard work on his land, he decided to rent out most of the farm and enjoy his retirement years. Around his home he developed a huge garden that included a nice fishpond that also provided his grandkids with a wonderful swimming hole. He planted blueberries, satsumas, grapes, blackberries, and a large vegetable garden. The pond was fixed up nice too, with a dock, a slide, picnic tables, and some shade trees.

Proudly New Zealand Owned

BEEFGEN is currently purchasing animals for live export: Hereford / Simmental Heifers (Born 2019) Holstein Friesian Heifers (Born 2019)

MAGNIFICENT STRAIGHT FRIESIAN COWS MORRINSVILLE DAIRY CENTRE THURSDAY 9TH JULY 2020 12 NOON START Consisting of: 53 x Friesian Cows, 65 years of LIC breeding. This is a chance to purchase genuine cows from a computer split of a closed herd. Our Vendors have bred bulls for both LIC and CRV, their bull “Home Run” is currently in the Premier Sires Team. BW 90/45 PW 105/61 RA 95%. 400 kgms per Cow. 1300kgms per Ha. SCC 130, Blanket dry cow. Calving 12th July 2020 to LIC Frsn - 6 weeks, tailed with Hfd Bulls. View listing on: mylivestock.co.nz WAI79610

As he neared the pond, the farmer heard voices shouting and laughing with glee. As he came closer, he saw it was a bunch of young women skinny-dipping in his pond. He shouted “hello” to make the women aware of his presence and they immediately headed to the deep end. One of the women shouted to him, “we’re not coming out until you leave!”

Please contact your local agent for more information.

64 x 2 - 8 year big capacious Holstein Friesian Cows Our Vendors offer their complete spring calving content, faithfully farmed for the last 45 years. 35 years CRV, the last 10 LIC A2A2 Frsn. Calving 23rd July 2020 to LIC A2A2 Frsn - 4 weeks, tailed with Hfd Bulls, removed 23rd December 2019. Milked through a rotary shed producing 500 ms per cow. These girls know how to work. Cows are recorded and transferable. View listing on: mylivestock.co.nz WAI90226

Contact: Glen Tasker 027 477 7345

MAUNGAHINA STUD

BEEFGEN Office: Teeshay Harrison Phone: 06 927 7154 Email: export@beefgen.com

LK0102959©

BEEFGEN Livestock Manager: Brian Pearson Mobile: 0210 907 1688 Email: brian@beefgen.com

LK0102923©

18 x Frsn/Frsn X Young Cows BW 94/53 PW 186/59 RA 97%. Calving 17th July 2020 LIC Frsn - 5 weeks, tailed with Hfd Bulls removed 15th December 2019. View listing on: mylivestock.co.nz WAI90276

One summer evening the old farmer decided to go down to the pond, as he had not been there for a few days to look it over. On his way out the door he grabbed a large bucket so he could pick some blackberries while he was out.

Without missing a beat, the crafty farmer shouted, “I didn’t come down here to watch you ladies swim or make you get out of the pond naked.” Holding the bucket up he said, “I’m just here to feed the alligator.”

GOING GOING GONE!

2nd July 2020 – 1pm

35 Polled Hereford bulls • 20 Polled Speckle Park Bulls

Have you got a sale coming up? Advertise in Farmers Weekly

LOT 3

To advertise mark.maungahina@xtra.co.nz • +64 27 415 8696

www.maungahina.co.nz

LK0102906©

LOT 51

Phone HANNAH GUDSELL 0800 85 25 80 or email livestock@globalhq.co.nz

Livestock Noticeboard

FARMERS WEEKLY – June 29, 2020

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

STOCK REQUIRED

SILVERSTREAM

STORE LAMBS – Males & Ewes

CHAROLAIS.HEREFORDS

SIL EWES Due Jul/Aug/Sept

BULL SALE

R1YR ANG & ANGX STEERS 200-250kg

R1YR FRSN BULLS 170-230kg MA SIC COWS Due Aug/Sept

FRIDAY 10TH JULY 2PM On Property Greenpark, Christchurch

All details and other quotes go to www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

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

LOT 67

• MEAT

ORIPAK SIMMENTALS

NZ’s Virtual Saleyard

COMPLETE DISPERSAL SALE

WEEKLY AUCTIONS

Wednesday night - North Island Thursday night - South Island Lot 47

Yearling Bull Sales Contact Caitlin Rokela National Sales Manager 027 405 6156, to find out how bidr® can support your upcoming sale.

7 rising 2 year Bulls 7 autumn born 2019 bulls 7 spring 2019 bulls 11 cows with calves at foot 20 in calf cows - due to calve end of August 6 heifers (In calf TBC) 9 spring born heifers 2 empty heifers

VENUE: KAIKOHE SALEYARDS DATE: 9th July 2020, 12 noon

• WIDTH

LOT 69

Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming listings

Mangakahia Rd, Kaikohe, Northland

LOT 68

• DEPTH

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

Carrfields Agent - Kris Sturge M: 0275 104 385 Ron & Colleen Gifford Ph: 09 401 0090 ● Web: www.freewebs.com/oripak

Key: Dairy

GLENWOOD SUFFOLKS Friday 3rd July 2020 – 1pm Sheffield Saleyards

Glenwood has sold 16 stud Sires in the past decade

E-book available at www.rurallivestock.co.nz

LK0102712©

Brent Macaulay (RLL) 021 220 0850 brent.macaulay@rll.co.nz

Other

MORRINSVILLE INCALF SALE

Tuesday 30th June

Wednesday 1st July

The Livestock Specialists

Contact Michael Howie (Vendor) 03 312 3213 Anthony Cox (RLL) 0272 083 071 anthony.cox@rll.co.nz

Sheep

FRANKTON COMBINED SALE 10.30am Pigs 11.30am Sheep Comprising: • 200 Prime Lambs • 500 Store Lambs • 100 Cull Ewes A/C Client Raglan • 200 Shorn Romney X MS Lambs Chris Leuthart 027 493 6594 11.45am Boners/Bulls 50 Boners 12.00pm Feeder Calves 40 Feeder Calves 12.15pm Store Cattle 500 1yr & 2yr Steers, Heifers, Bulls Please see www.agonline.co.nz for further listing details. Vaughn Larsen 027 801 4599 Tony Blackwood 027 243 1858

Complete Dispersal of Ewes born 2015-2016-2017 & 2019 Ewe Hoggets

Cattle

140 Dairies Comprising: • 20 Frsn/Frsn X In Calf Cows • 20 Jsy/Jsy X In Calf Cows (Recorded) • 60 Frsn/Frsn X In Calf Heifers (Recorded) • 40 Jsy/Jsy X In Calf Heifers (Recorded) Regan Craig 027 502 8585 A/C Babington • 23 Frsn/Frsn X In Calf Heifers BW 137 PW 149 • 14 Frsn/Frsn X In Calf Heifers BW 118 PW 117 • 11 XBred In Calf Heifers BW 115 PW 110 • 8 XBred In Calf Heifers BW 139 PW 135 In calf to Jersey bull due 18th July, bull out 12th Dec. Extremely well grown 450-500kg. BWs up to 192, lepto vacc, EBL Free. Dean Evans 027 243 1092 A/C Client • 20 Jsy In Calf Heifers BW 187 PW 184 In Calf Jersey bull due 19th July, bull out 19th Dec. Well grown, top condition. Chris Leuthart 027 493 6594 Please see www.agonline.co.nz for further listing details.

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

Helping grow the country

LOT 71

• CONSTITUTION

LOT 72

• BONE

LOT 79

• COATS

LOT 81 66 Charolais . 16 Herefords BRENT & ANNA FISHER 03 329 0994 027 251 4791 silverstream@farmside.co.nz www.silverstreamcharolais.co.nz

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.

Suz Bremner

Mel Croad

Nicola Dennis

Cattle

Reece Brick

Graham Johnson

Caitlin Pemberton

Sheep

BEEF

William Hickson

Deer

SHEEP MEAT

VENISON

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.30

5.25

5.65

NI lamb (17kg)

7.05

7.00

7.80

NI Stag (60kg)

6.05

8.95

NI Bull (300kg)

5.35

NI mutton (20kg)

4.85

4.80

5.35

SI Stag (60kg)

6.05

8.95

NI Cow (200kg)

4.00

3.95

4.30

SI lamb (17kg)

6.80

6.75

7.60

SI Steer (300kg)

4.70

4.65

5.30

SI mutton (20kg)

4.50

5.25

SI Bull (300kg)

4.65

4.60

5.05

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

3.30

3.10

3.85

UK CKT lamb leg

9.56

9.63

9.94

US imported 95CL bull

8.38

8.70

7.99

US domestic 90CL cow

8.79

8.76

7.46

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

4.50

8.0

$/kg CW

9.0

South Island steer slaughter price

6.50

South Island lamb slaughter price

5.00

Oct

Dec 5-yr ave

Feb

Apr 2018-19

Jun

5-yr ave

Jun

2018-19

Dairy

Feb

Apr

Jun

2018-19

Aug 2019-20

FERTILISER

(NZ$/kg) Apr

Dec

Fertiliser

Aug 2019-20

WOOL

4.50 Feb

Oct

5-yr ave

5.50

Dec

South Island stag slaughter price

12.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0

7.0

5.0

Oct

Last year

6.0

6.00

Aug 2019-20

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Coarse xbred ind.

1.89

1.90

2.96

37 micron ewe

1.90

1.95

30 micron lamb

2.08

2.10

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Urea

567

625

Super

314

321

DAP

787

833

Grain

Data provided by

MILK PRICE FUTURES

NZ average (NZ$/t)

Top 10 by Market Cap

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

Company

YTD High

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

30.91

32.22

YTD Low 21.1

19.43

21.35

13.8

8.00

430

The a2 Milk Company Limited

7.50

420

Meridian Energy Limited (NS)

4.9

5.8

3.61

Auckland International Airport Limited

6.36

9.21

4.26

7.00

410

Spark New Zealand Limited

4.42

4.93

3.445

Ryman Healthcare Limited

12.96

17.18

6.61

400

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

4.675

5.62

3.595

Port of Tauranga Limited

7.54

8.14

4.9

Contact Energy Limited

6.16

7.74

4.54

Mainfreight Limited

39.9

43.99

$/tonne

$/kg MS

$/kg CW

5.00

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

7.0

5.0

5.50

4.00

$/kg CW

8.0

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

6.0

6.00

4.00

Last year

North Island lamb slaughter price

9.0 $/kg CW

North Island steer slaughter price 6.50

Last week Prior week

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Ingrid Usherwood

6.50 6.00

390

5.50

Jul-19

Sep-19 Nov-19 Sept. 2020

Jan-20

Mar-20 Sept. 2021

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Nearby contract

Last price*

380

May-20

May-19

Jul-19

Sep-19

Nov-19

Jan-20

Mar-20

May-20

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

410

Listed Agri Shares

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Company

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

19.43

21.35

13.8

Comvita Limited

2.66

4.97

1.66

Delegat Group Limited

12.3

6.39 3.41

2825

2790

2650

405

SMP

2620

2515

2500

400

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

3.72

4.06

1.79

1.91

1.35

AMF

4050

4000

395

Foley Wines Limited Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

0.7

0.82

0.68

Butter

3650

Milk Price

7.22

$/tonne

WMP

0.185

0.21

0.18

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

1.84

2.3

1.29

PGG Wrightson Limited

2.7

2.75

1.55

Sanford Limited (NS)

6.4

8.2

5.55 3.3

May-19

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

Jul-19

Sep-19

Nov-19

Jan-20

Mar-20

May-20

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

3000

$/tonne

2700 2600

4.9

5.17

4.21

4.74

3.4

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

7.21

9.1

4.36

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index

350

2800

Scales Corporation Limited Seeka Limited T&G Global Limited

400

2900 US$/t

Marlborough Wine Estates Group Limited

385 380

* price as at close of business on Thursday

2500

390

2.55

2.93

2.35

16203

16941

12699

S&P/NZX 50 Index

11124

12073

8499

S&P/NZX 10 Index

11585

12096

9100

S&P/NZX 10 Index

10905

8280

300 250

Jul

Aug Sep Latest price

Oct

Nov 4 weeks ago

Dec

200

May-19

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

Jul-19

Sep-19

Nov-19

Jan-20

Mar-20

May-20

11124

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

11585

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

10905

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

Pulse

WEATHER Soil Moisture

Overview Rain has fallen and more is coming for the last remaining dry areas. The recent sub-tropical element was a double positive for the north with not only heavier rain but also milder weather allowing midwinter pasture growth across parts of the North Island. However, the South Island has been dramatically different with a good, old-fashioned frosty winter though milder/ cloudier weather then colder but showery weather might put a cap on frosts for a time. The run of single-digit daytime highs continues across a large part of the South Island this week. The North Island, the western half especially, will get more showers this week too and a slight temperature drop.

US beef market lacks positivity

25/06/2020

Source: NIWA Data

Highlights

Wind

With low pressure in charge expect westerlies generally for the North Island, light winds in central areas and southeasters for southerners. Lighter winds for many later in the week. Windy westerlies return on Sunday or Monday.

Highlights/ Extremes

Temperature Fairly cool or cold still for the South Island and the North Island might be a little cooler and less humid without the sub-tropical flow. But eastern areas might be quite mild in the north because of the westerlies.

14-day outlook

More rain is coming for dry parts of both islands. Low pressure dominates NZ until mid to late this week. Next week might be more autumnlike with windy westerlies returning.

7-day rainfall forecast

Mel Croad mel.croad@globalhq.co.nz

N THIS industry we often refer to the previous season as a benchmark. Last year was one out of the box for bull farmers. Strong manufacturing beef demand from China led to a tug of war between it and the United States, enabling export prices to soar. Bull finishers were in the box seat. Export demand peaked as farmers were offloading bulls in the late-spring processing market. It was a win-win for all parties. The first six months of 2020 have shown there is no rule book – prepare for and expect anything. For those who yearn for a little more predictability we usually expect bull slaughter prices to firm through winter, based on historical trends. Lately, the combination of procurement pressure and a hangover of record May export prices is driving the bull job upwards. The big question is whether this momentum can be sustained. AgriHQ’s June Market Outlook tempered expectations for much pricing upside through to spring because of a combination of factors. We have yet to see the return of strong, sustained competition from China for manufacturing beef. Covid-19 is miles away from disappearing, protein stocks are high

in China and beef production in the US and Brazil is on track to climb as they recover from earlier plant shutdowns. Processing disruptions that plagued the US in May are firmly in the past with weekly kill rates back above 650,000 head, only 1% below this time last year. However, cattle are coming through at heavier carcase weights, which is more than making up for the small discrepancy. The number of cattle on US feedlots for longer than 150 days is more than 40% higher than last year, meaning a much higher number of near-finished cattle sitting on feedlots. As a result, increased beef supplies will feature there for some time yet. Unfortunately, US consumers stepped away from buying beef through the heart of the lockdown, opting for cheaper options instead, causing beef products to back up. Ultimately, that affects interest in New Zealand beef, which then flows back to NZ farmers. While the NZ bull slaughter will drop from here through to spring it’s worth keeping an eye on market conditions. At the height of US processing disruptions NZ exporters got US$2.66/lb for 95CL bull meat (NZ$9.50/kg). The market has fallen since as US production recovered but remains at a historical high for this time of year. Given the wave of cattle yet to be slaughtered in the US it’s very difficult to see such positive prices hanging around for much longer. We need to keep those facts front and centre as we move toward spring.

US imported 95CL (US$/lb) 3.2 3.0 Low pressure will dominate NZ until about the end of this week and it’s been a while since that last happened. It will encourage showers, downpours and maybe some low cloud and misty drizzle here and there along with snow in the South Island mountains and ranges. High pressure rolls in on Friday and Saturday for a brief time but by Sunday a westerly, autumn-like cold front moves in with westerlies and more wet weather dominating next week.

100

200

400

Many parts of New Zealand have more showers on the way over the next week as low pressure dominates the area, something we have not had this year, so it’s a positive. Rain this week will be heavy in a few places like the Nelson Ranges and some parts of the South Island. Plenty of showers in the north with eastern parts of the North Island likely to be the driest areas.

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

2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0 1.8

Oct

Dec

Feb

5-yr ave

Apr

2018-19

Jun

Aug

Oct

2019-20

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

Livestock Outlook

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

Livestock Insight

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

LivestockEye

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

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

SALE YARD WRAP

Rain boosts NI sentiment Much-needed rain has been welcomed in the North Island over the past few weeks. The first round was coupled with mild enough temperatures to boost grass levels though the second easterly blast was a bit more of a cold battering. Both events have helped lift water tables and fill dams as well as adding some buoyancy to the store markets. There has been a noted lift in optimism at the yards, especially for short-term and better-bred stock. NORTHLAND Wellsford store cattle • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 467-481kg, lifted to $2.56-$2.61/kg • R2 Angus and Angus-Hereford heifers, 370kg, held at $2.53/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 227-296kg, improved to $2.34-$2.42/ kg • R1 Angus-Friesian steers, 131-164kg, earned $430-$490 • R1 Angus-cross heifers, 131-200kg, held at $345-$530 A mild and sunny winters day brought a few new faces to the rostrum at WELLSORD last Monday. R2 Red Devon-cross steers, 367kg, took top honours at $2.81/kg, though $2.54-$2.62/kg covered the balance, 316-451kg, regardless of breed. Traditional bulls, 312-531kg, managed $2.52-$2.62/kg, while Friesian, 322kg, held at $2.45/kg. R1 Angus-cross steers, 172-268kg, returned $550-$575. Hereford-Friesian sold in two bands with 159-190kg at $630 and 127-147kg, $460-$535. Hereford heifers, 140-165kg, managed $405-$495, with Hereford-Friesian, 138-151kg, at $440-$470. Angus bulls, 248kg, held at $655. Friesian, 145kg, realised $435, with 193-216kg picked up for $490-$525. Read more in your LivestockEye.

AUCKLAND Pukekohe cattle • Prime heifers strengthened to $2.57-$2.67/kg • R2 heifers traded at $2.44-$2.51/kg • Prime bulls lifted to $2.44/kg to $2.84/kg There was a strong market at PUKEKOHE last Saturday with prime cattle having good competition. Prime steers lifted to $2.60-$2.70/kg, with lesser types at $2.51-$2.61/ kg. Boner cows sold over a wide range with medium types at $1.73/kg, while the top end sold managed $2.39/kg. R1 cattle lifted with small steers at $500-$610, and heifers $480-$600. Weaner steers and heifers earned $390-$430.

COUNTIES Tuakau sales • Hereford-Friesian heifers, 380kg, made $2.70/kg, $1025 • Hereford-Friesian weaner steers, 180kg, earned $595 • Heavy prime steers, 717kg, fetched $2.815/kg • Good prime ewes sold to $180 About 400 store cattle were yarded at TUAKAU last Thursday, PGG Wrightson agent Chris Elliott reported. Hereford-Friesian steers, 431kg, made $2.86/kg, with other good steers over 400kg earning $2.66-2.73/kg and lesserbred types sold down to $2.40/kg. Steers in the 300-400kg range were in short supply. Hereford-Friesian, 317kg, made $950 and 316kg Angus, $930. Most 300-380kg heifers fetched $2.64-$2.73/kg, and weaner heifers, 145-250kg, $520-$750. A line of 590kg Angus steers earned $2.86/ kg on Wednesday, with other heavy types making $2.72$2.81/kg. Medium steers fetched $2.60/kg to $2.72/kg and light,$2.49/kg to $2.60/kg. The best of the heifers made $2.60-$2.70/kg and good beef cows, $1.90/kg to $2.20/kg. Well-covered Friesian cows traded at $1.90/kg to $2.13/kg, with medium boners making $1.70/kg to $1.90/kg and light, $1.40/kg to $1.70/kg. Heavy prime lambs sold at $155-$181 on Monday. Medium primes made $135-$155 and stores, $65-$110. Medium ewes averaged $120.

WAIKATO Frankton cattle sales • R2 Angus-cross heifers, 387kg, improved to $2.62/kg • R1 Angus and Angus-cross steers, 256-319kg, sold well at $725$880, $2.76-$2.83/kg • R1 Friesian bulls, 198-249kg, held at $530-$640, $2.57-$2.68/kg • Prime Angus cows, 535-635kg, realised $2.14-$2.18/kg • Friesian bulls featured in the autumn-born weaner pens and 102kg held at $465 A mixed quality yarding met with good enthusiasm at FRANKTON for PGG Wrightson last Tuesday, after good local rain and mild days. Forward R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 516kg, improved to $2.68/kg, and 456kg held at $2.51/kg. R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 350-460kg, strengthened to $2.54-$2.66/kg. R1 Angus and Angus-cross

heifers, 227-251kg, pushed to $590-$650, $2.59-$2.60/kg. Angus and Angus-cross cows, in-calf to a Hereford bull, had a good following and Angus, 516-591kg, fetched $1085$1275, with Angus-cross, 597-647kg, at $1205-$1385. Prime beef-dairy and beef-cross heifers, 463-521kg, held at $2.67$2.70/kg, as did boner Friesian cows, 490-574kg, at $1.81$1.89/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

dairy-beef up 13c/kg to $2.58/kg, while at the top end good quality Hereford-Friesian sold very well at $2.69-$2.73/kg. R1 heifers were of much better quality, which was reflected with average values firming by 15c/kg to $2.52/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

• • • • •

Stortford Lodge prime cattle and sheep • Heavy to very-heavy male lambs lifted to $143-$160.50 • Good to heavy mixed-sex lambs improved to $110-$142.50 • Heavy ewes strengthened to $134-$141.50 • Most medium-good to good ewes firmed to $101-$120 The total cattle offering at STORTFORD LODGE last Monday contained just two Friesian cows, 608kg, which returned $1.60/kg. Sheep throughput lowered and most traded at improved levels. Three colossal mixed-sex lambs topped their section at $180, and the balance of very-heavy types improved to $155.50-$170.50. A smattering of heavy ewe lambs traded at a softer $130.50. In the adult sheep pens four wethers took top honours at $189. Most ewes traded at improved levels with very good types up to $121.50-$129, while lightmedium to medium held at $72-$96. Good two-tooth ewes improved to $117-$120. Read more in your LivestockEye.

R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 479kg, pushed to $2.69/kg R2 Angus heifers, 261-287kg, improved to $2.62-$2.63/kg R1 Angus-Hereford heifers, 312kg, realised $2.47/kg R1 Hereford bulls, 180-212kg, were picked up for $580 Autumn-born weaner Hereford bulls, 127kg, fetched $490 A smaller yarding of around 270 cattle were penned by New Zealand Farmers Livestock last Wednesday, with quality mixed throughout the offering. R2 cattle met good demand and beef-cross steers, 270-338kg, returned $2.59$2.63/kg, with red Hereford-Friesian, 334-417kg, consistent at $2.54/kg. Six Hereford heifers, 355kg, fetched $2.79/kg, whilst Hereford-Friesian, 303-309kg, varied from $2.24/ kg to $2.49/kg. R1 Angus-Friesian heifers, 249kg, returned $635. Hereford-Friesian and Hereford-dairy, 183-200kg, earned $480-$495. Friesian bulls, 278kg, realised $650, $2.34/kg, while 148-232kg traded at $315-$480. Autumnborn beef-bred weaner heifers, 108-113kg, earned $310$320. Boner Friesian and Friesian-cross cows, 400-408kg, returned $1.65-$1.73/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

BAY OF PLENTY Rangiuru cattle and sheep • Three prime Charolais steers, 743kg, achieved $2.93/kg • Prime Hereford-dairy and Hereford-Friesian steers, 527-532kg, firmed to $2.76-$2.81/kg • R2 dairy-beef heifers, 365-390kg, averaged $2.57/kg • The best R1 Angus-cross steers, 283kg, made $870 • Lambs made up the bulk of a good-sized sheep sale, and sold for $83-$129 There was steady demand at RANGIURU last Tuesday after recent rain. R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 452kg and 500kg, earned $2.72/kg and $2.63/kg with most of the section Friesian, 352-381kg, that sold for $2.39-$2.40/ kg. Hereford-Friesian dominated the R1 pens with steers, 152-193kg, at $500-$705, while heifers were mostly dairybeef, 142-180kg, that earned $365-$510. Boner cows made up most of the prime section with Friesian over 500kg the bulk and generally $1.80/kg to $2.01/kg. Heifers were all Hereford-Friesian with the best 567kg that made $2.79/kg, while the best of the prime cows were Hereford, 700kg, that made $2.36/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

POVERTY BAY Matawhero sheep • Prime lambs made $134 • Prime ewes fetched $114-$115 It was another wet day at MATAWHERO last Friday. Store lamb numbers were down to more typical levels for this time of the year and were absorbed by a small bench of local buyers. Male lambs were mostly medium to heavy types which lifted to $116-$126, with lighter lambs at $90$101. Top ewe lambs also firmed with the top end at $105$121.50 and the balance typically at $79-$97. Dry Romney ewes in better condition were bought for $91-$94.50, with lighter types at $76-$86.

HAWKE’S BAY

Stortford Lodge store cattle and sheep • R3 Angus steers, 470-481kg, firmed to $2.82-$2.85/kg • Top pens of R2 Angus-Devon steers, 318-348kg, returned $2.56$2.64/kg • Big entries of very heavy male lambs reached $134-$161 • Good male lambs eased to $103-$120 • Good ewe lambs lifted to match the males at $102-$122 Sheep tallies again exceeded 10,000 at STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday, largely due to 2000 breeding ewes. Top scanned lines made $161-$184, though the balance varied from $68 to $141. Run-with-ram returned $124-$156 for better quality. Ewe lambs lifted though male lambs eased. Medium male lambs returned $97-$110, and similar ewe lambs, $91-$112. Two big lines of mixed-sex sold well at $115.50 and $136. Two consignments made up the bulk of the cattle section, with the balance small lines of mixed quality. R2 Angus-Devon steers sold in four main lines, with the third and fourth cuts 299-313kg and $2.41/kg. Small entries of R1 Angus steers, 252-287kg, fetched $690-$700. Read more in you LivestockEye.

MANAWATU Rongotea cattle • R2 Belted Galloway-cross steers, 396kg, fetched $2.05/kg • R1 Hereford-Friesian bulls, 242kg, earned $2.27/kg • Friesian boner cows, 550kg, softened at $1.64/kg It was the smallest sale of the year so far at RONGOTOEA

TARANAKI Taranaki cattle • R3 steers strengthened to $2.56-$2.59/kg • R1 Hereford-Friesian steers, 142-191kg, fetched $3.38/kg • Prime Angus-Friesian steers, 655kg, made $2.76/kg Recorded in-calf Friesian-cross heifers kicked off proceedings at TARANAKI last Wednesday with most earning $1200-$1550 and headed to local buyers. There were around 250 head of store cattle, and good-quality types strengthened. R3 heifers, 338-412kg, mostly traded at $2.23-$2.28/kg, although Hereford-dairy, 454kg, sold at similar values to prime heifers at $2.41/kg to $2.57/kg. R2 steers were of heavier weights with the average

SPOTTY: These R1 Speckle Park bulls, 96-120kg, made $320-$390 at Temuka last week.

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020

• Beef and dairy-beef steers above 490kg fetched $2.41-$2.51/kg • Prime lambs softened $10 with most $120-$169, and the tops $170-$189 • Half of the prime ewes earned $150-$198, with some impressive lines up to $200-$220 Dairy cows were back on the books at TEMUKA last Monday and made up 60% of the large yarding. Most were Friesian, 520-735kg, that lifted 13c/kg to average $1.75/ kg, while lighter pens at 410-520kg improved 21c/kg to $1.67/kg. A good turnout of buyers was on the sheep rails for another bigger tally. Store prices remained strong and none of the high headcount lines sold under $85. Heavy types typically earned $127-$144, with medium weighted pens generally $85-$116. Fine-wool types had a good sale with a pen of specially advertised lighter Corriedale, numbering 272 head, a highlight at $85. Read more in your LivestockEye.

POT OF GOLD: A rainbow greeted buyers at Stortford Lodge last week.

last Wednesday, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported, with a few days of warm and settled weather keeping cattle in their paddocks. R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 494kg, eased marginally to $2.61/ kg. In the calf pens, Friesian bulls made $175-$240, and Belgian Blue-cross heifers were bought for $245. Feilding prime cattle and sheep • High-yielding steers and heifers, 430-510kg, generally made $2.41-$2.51/kg • Very heavy lambs lifted to $186-$193 A larger than normal crowd gathered at FEILDING last Monday. The cattle yarding was small at less than 50 head and mostly beef or dairy-beef cows over 500kg. These varied from $2.00/kg to $2.28/kg, with no obvious premium for in-calf lines. Heavy lambs earned $150-$178 with medium-good types consistently $130-$140 and the few medium pens $110$129. The smaller ewe yarding kept bidders focused and combined with more weight the top pens pushed higher to $161-$168. Most of the tally were good types at $130-$150, with medium-good lines $91-$129. Read more in your LivestockEye. Feilding store cattle and sheep • Traditional R2 steers, 405-520kg, jumped to $3.00-$3.20/kg • Majority of R2 Friesian bulls, 420-500kg, lifted to $2.90/kg • Male lamb average was almost unchanged at $120 • Ewe lamb average lifted to $107.50 • Good SIL ewes, 165-180%, made $190-$201 Around 1300 store cattle had a very good outing at FEILDING. A huge jump was noted in the R2 and R3 steers, with good straight beef cuts of both mainly $3.00-$3.10/ kg, whereas dairy-beef and lighter beef cuts were more like $2.75-$2.90/kg. R2 bulls lifted again, around $2.90/kg for straight Friesian. Good quality R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 420-465kg, made $2.60-$2.65/kg. Lots of light traditional weaners, 180-215kg, mostly made $3.40-$3.60/kg, while dairy-beef bulls were consistently $2.95/kg. Good weaner heifers made $2.70-$2.90/kg. There was a little more spring in the step of the store lamb market for the 15,500 yarded. Two male pens were well above the rest at $150.50-$154, but otherwise good male lambs went for $130-$145, mediums were around $110-$125 and lighter cuts mostly $95-$105. A single line of ewe lambs topped this section at $139, whereas other good lines fell between $120-$130. Medium ewe lambs were consistently $100-$115 and $80-$95 covered much of the rest.

Photo: Carol Milligan, Redshaw Livestock

CANTERBURY Canterbury Park cattle and sheep • Prime Charolais steers, 565-650kg, earned $2.80-$2.85/kg • R2 Angus-cross steers, 340-396kg, traded at $2.47-$2.50/kg • R2 Angus heifers, 471-598kg, rose 15c/kg to $2.46-$2.56/kg • Very heavy ewes earned $211-$220, with the bulk $100-$148 Store lamb throughput was down at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday and returns softened for lighter types that generally made $71-$100, with forward stores at $109-$120. Heavy prime lambs earned $160-$175, and good to verygood pens $118-$159. Prime steers lifted 5-20c/kg with 575-800kg traditional lines at $2.52-$2.63/kg and dairybeef, 590-630kg, typically $2.46-$2.56/kg. Store throughput reached 700 head and featured a large R1 section. R2 Hereford and Angus-Hereford steers, 388-442kg, traded at $2.44-$2.45/kg, while dairy-beef types, 305-340kg, averaged $2.15/kg. The lift in R1 numbers did not diminish the market as prices lifted. The top pen of Angus steers, 273kg, achieved $825 with 154-221kg priced at $470-$675. Read more in your LivestockEye. Coalgate cattle and sheep • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 370-461kg, fetched $2.32-$2.39/kg • R2 Angus heifers, 384-396kg, all made $2.34/kg • Store male lambs earned $126-$130 • Heavy prime lambs earned $190-$195, with the next majority $130-$189 • Scanned-in-lamb ewes generally traded for $141-$165, with the top pen $183 Store lamb volume dropped back to normal levels at COALGATE last Thursday. Prices eased $3-$8 per head, with most of the yarding mixed-sex that sat in the $100 -$119 range, with lower tiers $80-$97. Prime ewe numbers were up on recent levels and a few earned $252-$263 with the rest generally $120-$189. R1 Angus-Hereford steers, 289kg, made $840, with the lions’ share Hereford-Friesian, 214-275kg, that fetched $490-$570 while heifers, 212-318kg, bid to $460-$570. Prime Hereford and Hereford-Friesian steers, 505-600kg, sold for $2.48-$2.50/kg, pipped to the top spot by a pair of 500kg Friesian at $2.53/kg. Friesian cows generally sold in two cuts, 574-715kg, that averaged $1.86/ kg, while 465-565kg made $1.77/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

SOUTH-CANTERBURY Temuka Prime and boner cattle; all sheep • Traditional and Friesian bulls, 575-765kg, earned $2.62-$2.68/kg • Jersey bulls, 516-581kg, made $2.52-$2.62/kg

Temuka store cattle • R2 Charolais steers, 463kg, earned $2.51/kg • R2 traditional steers made $2.31-$2.36/kg • The top R1 steers were Charolais-cross, 260kg, that fetched $790 June was the busiest on record in the store pens at TEMUKA, helped by the 1100 head yarded last Thursday. Most R2 steers were dairy-beef types, 390-510kg, that improved 13c/kg on the previous sale and were boxed into the very-tight range of $2.22/kg to $2.36/kg. Heifers met similar demand with the majority $2.20-$2.26/kg, an improvement of up to 41c/kg dependant on weight. Most R1 exotic and traditional steers, 210-315kg, made $675$780, while lighter types and Hereford-Friesian traded at $330-$605. Speckle Park contributed close to half of the bull section, but aside from one pen of four, 306kg, that earned $800, most were one consignment of comparatively small calves at 96-130kg and returned $320-$390. Friesian bulls, 172263kg, made $400-$610. Read more in your LivestockEye.

OTAGO Balclutha sale • Heavy prime rams earned $60 • Top store lambs made $105-$115, medium $90-$100, and small $60-$80 • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 410kg, earned $2.30/kg A good yarding of prime lambs was penned at BALCLUTHA last Wednesday, with most trading at steady levels and heavy lambs returned $140-$160 and medium $120-$130. Prime ewes were mixed, although heavy types sold well and strengthened to $150-$170, with medium at $100-$130 and light down to $60. There was a good yarding of quality cattle where R2 Angus steers, 440kg, traded at $2.50/kg.

SOUTHLAND Lorneville cattle and sheep • Boner cows above 500kg strengthened to $1.45/kg • R2 Hereford-cross heifers, 404-445kg, sold well at $2.19-$2.26/kg • R2 Friesian steers, 426-487kg, fetched $1.76-$1.85/kg • Good quality prime 2-tooths lifted to $135-$148 • Top store lambs firmed to $110-$118, with light to medium at $85-$108 A small yarding of prime cattle at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday sold on a steady market. Good steers, 500kg and above earned $2.30-$2.32/kg, while prime heifers, 425445kg, made $2.00/kg. A decent yarding of store cattle included R2 Hereford-cross steers, 338-456kg, which firmed to $2.21-$2.26/kg, and Hereford-Friesian, 391kg, returned $3.34/kg. R1 Hereford-cross bulls and heifers, 182-225kg, traded at $450-$460, while Friesian bulls, 209-239kg, managed $450-$575. Prime lambs softened at the top end to $140$155, while light to medium types held at $110-$139. Heavy prime ewes earned $141-$176, with medium at $124-$140 and light $88-$119.

Where livestock market insights begin LivestockEye • • • •

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Markets

40 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 29, 2020 NI MUTTON

SI SLAUGHTER BULL

SI SLAUGHTER STEER

($/KG)

PRIME ANGUS HEIFERS, 470600KG, AT CANTERBURY PARK

($/KG)

($/KG LW)

4.85

4.65

4.70

2.50

Free feed advice works

FREE feed-planning service is getting stock through winter and saving pasture with supplements. Rhea Dasent has been helping her father on their 190ha Hastings beef bull farm during the drought. In mid autumn the farm had had only 26% of the rainfall expect on average by that time of year. “The paddocks were spent and we had grazed everything – around the woolshed, along the roadsides, up the driveway … suddenly it was mid autumn and there was still no rain. “We had destocked in December last year, used all our hay and were about to open the emergency silage pit. We needed new ideas.” She rang the free feed planning service and Mark Harris picked up the call. “Mark is dad’s generation and that was handy as they were able to have a yarn about the droughts in the 80s compared to this one. Harris passed the family to consultant Lochie MacGillivray, who also co-chairs the Rural Advisory Group, and they went through some models. The grass growth model showed in a graph the energy requirements of their animals against what the feed would provide. Dasent says it was unmistakable. “There was a big gap between the two lines and we could see clearly the feed deficit going into winter. “It confirmed what we’d already suspected. Seeing it in black and white gave us the information to put a plan in place straight away.” It took only a couple of days for the team to decide the plan to buy in extra feed and offload even more stock but it was harder to actually do it. “No one was buying in stock and some of our stock were still too light to send to the works so that took about a week of still using up precious feed. And we all know how low feed availability is at the moment.” Dasent says having the consultant helped them learn about using other feed options.

HAPPIER: Farmers Rhea Dasent and her Dad in greener times.

We could see clearly the feed deficit going into winter. Rhea Dasent Farmer “We got in palm kernel as one of the few available feeds – I’d never even seen it in my life. Lochie helped us learn how to use it as a feed supplement with the best outcomes.” MacGillivray says adjusting the way the farm uses paddock rotation is one of the techniques that will get it through. “At the moment we are going through a lot of supplement as we are letting the pasture covers build. “In some mobs 90% of the diet is coming from supplement and we will continue to feed this level of

supplements for a further two to three weeks” he said. “We are focused on the approach that grass grows grass. By slowing the stock rotation down as much as possible we can let the pasture sward recover. Those who set stock will be compromising the ability of the pasture sward to build.” MacGillivray acknowledges some hill-country farms can’t have the same level of control as the Dasents because supplementing feed on hill country is not always practical. In these situations other options need to be considered, which could include further destocking sooner rather than later. That is why it’s so important to do individual feed budgets for each farm.

For free feed planning support call 0800 BEEFLAMB (0800 23 33 52) or 0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 43 24 79 69)

high $134-$161 lights Heavy store male

lambs at Stortford Lodge

$2.25-$2.36 R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 393-511kg, at Temuka

ACROSS THE RAILS SUZ BREMNER

Lamb tallies rocket past annual averages A HAWKE’S Bay farmer very wisely recently said “We’ll never run out of lambs – if the price is right they will keep coming” and that certainly seems to be ringing true nationwide as June store lamb tallies at yards covered by AgriHQ’s LivestockEye reports clearly show a significant lift in volume, especially when compared to five-year average levels. For those who like the numbers here is how they stack up, courtesy of the AgriHQ database. In June 170,400 store lambs went through Stortford Lodge, Matawhero, Feilding, Coalgate, Temuka and Canterbury Park sale yards. Compared to five-year averages Stortford Lodge, Temuka and Coalgate have the most significant lifts, all up 54%-60%, with Stortford Lodge yarding 46,550 compared to the five-year average of 19,562. Feilding yarded the most lambs at just over 57,000 head though that is only an 11% lift. Canterbury Park was the only yard to fall short with numbers down 19%. Any one factor alone has not influenced that lift in volume. It was caused by a combination. Yards are still playing catch-up after lockdown, even six weeks on. Also, prices at the postlockdown sales significantly changed what was being paid in the paddock, with the competition at the yards providing a clear benchmark. Prices have remained strong and sellers might well be opting to trade in the yards rather than in the paddock to take advantage of the competitive environment. The strong market has also meant some traders are recycling lambs, particularly longer-term types, and the proof of that comes from mixed earmark lines found in some of the pens recently. And, of course, the dry and drought conditions mean many were forced to offload lambs they might well have finished in another year. In a similar vein, farmers might also have decided to cull deeper into replacement ewe lambs. Whatever the reasoning behind the high volume, June 2020 has rocketed past previous years. suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

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