Farmers Weekly NZ August 31 2020 by AgriHQ

4 Farmers urged to study water rules Vol 19 No 33, August 31, 2020

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Wool merger to boost returns Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

TWO key wool grower organisations are planning a merge of operations to deliver better financial results for farmers. Wools of New Zealand (WONZ) and Primary Wool Co-operative (PWC) have committed to work together with formal discussions under way on how to combine operations in a way that will rejuvenate NZ’s languishing strong wool sector. WONZ chair James Parsons said the wool industry must collaborate to get a better financial result for farmers. He said bringing together two like-minded grower organisations will be an important first step in rejuvenating the current dire economic plight of wool. “This gives us the critical mass to deliver on our vision, provides functional benefits, and importantly, the scale to pick up strategic commercial projects that we hope will emanate from the Government’s wool industry vision and action strategy,” Parsons said.

It will mean we can reinvent the supply chain and improve efficiencies, enabled by the increased volume, brands and exporting focus. James Parsons WONZ chair

“Having more than 2000 passionate sheep farmers under one umbrella and building a stronger entity to represent those farmer interests will provide the combined scale required to make a difference for NZ’s sheep industry. “Our goal is to capture more value by building stronger more direct relationships with customers and consumers.” Parsons said WONZ has been doing this, but it has never had the scale to turn the dial. Combining with PWC, representing its 1400 farmer shareholders and its 50% ownership of Carrfields Primary Wool (CP Wool), will achieve the necessary scale. “It will mean we can reinvent the supply chain and improve efficiencies, enabled by the increased volume, brands and exporting focus WONZ brings to the table,” he said. PWC chair Hamish de Lautour said the collaboration will help position wool where it belongs. “If wool is to capitalise on its rightful place as the sustainable fibre of choice for consumers, the stronger entity must focus on marketing and extracting value from products made of wool and not just trading wool as a commodity,” he said. “Both PWC through CP Wool and its subsidiaries and WONZ have been developing similar strategies and doing that jointly makes real sense.” PWC, in its joint venture with Carrfields, has invested significantly in the Just Shorn programme and the NZ Yarn spinning mill. “Our view is WONZ has wide global connections and developed

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loyal direct contract supply to the likes of fabric manufacturer Camira and bedding manufacturer Enkev,” he said. “WONZ and PWC shareholders have all got skin in the game and have invested cash to build their respective businesses. “Working together, we are far better positioned to deliver for our grower shareholders, the sector and the country,” Lautour said. Both entities envisage a lean simple commercial structure that delivers the opportunity for other grower groups and new grower shareholders to join. “Due to the nature of the company structures, combining operations will take time but there is a strong commitment from WONZ and PWC that this is a prize worth pursuing,” Parsons said. Past wool industry reports have called for the formation of a grower cooperative and marketing company and have consistently recommended the industry consolidate, get closer to the consumer, and invest in stronger marketing efforts. “The great news is both these entities already exist so we must seize the initiative and make this happen,” he said. “We are supportive of the goals of the Wool Industry Project Action Group and we’re keen to work with others in the industry to ensure a prosperous future for the sector.” CP Wool chair Craig Carr is buoyed by the prospect of grower unity. “There are lots of natural synergies with WONZ and PWC teaming up. “Carrfields has a longestablished relationship with PWC

PROGRESS: PWC chair Hamish de Lautour says the collaboration will help position wool where it belongs. and look forward to the export and marketing function WONZ will bring as we implement some necessary changes in the sector,” Carr said. Collectively, the shareholders of WONZ and PWC, together with farmers supplying PWC’s joint venture CP Wool, produce more than one-third of NZ’s entire strong wool clip.

PWC was formed in 1974 by a group of Hawke’s Bay farmers to increase the returns for wool growers. Membership has grown to more than 1400 right across NZ. WONZ is a 100% NZ growerowned supply, sales and export marketing company, with 730 grower shareholders representing 14.5 million kilograms of annual strong wool production.

NEWS

8 Farms must display covid-19

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As the country remains under lockdown-enforced restrictions, farmers are reminded they must display the official New Zealand covid-19 tracer code posters.

REGULARS Newsmaker �� 18 New Thinking �� 19

10 Carbon certification opens opportunities

Editorial �� 20

A pilot farm carbon certification programme will help farmers sell their products in high-end markets and get them ahead of the game with regard to future climate change regulations, a North Canterbury farmer says.

Pulpit �� 21 Opinion �� 22 World �� 24 Real Estate �� 25-29 Employment �� 30 Classifieds �� 30-31 Livestock �� 31-35 Weather �� 37

9 Comvita buzzing after bounce

back

Comvita claims it has turned the fortunes of the health products company around with significant changes and strong second-half earnings to reverse the first-half loss.

19 Pandemic inspires new auction platform

The impossibility of selling livestock over lockdown compelled the Giddings family from Fairlie to construct a digital auction platform that has brought the world to their stud’s door.

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.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

Sector keen to streamline rules “In my humble opinion it was a convenient excuse to push the primary sector away and say, ‘we’ve got this and we’re going to do it our way’.” This means the policies were not exposed to farmers’ lens. “The solution is quite simple,” he said. “Take the regulations and put them through a rural proofing lens. Put them in front of farmers who practice this stuff.” Farmers Weekly has in the past week sought interviews on the freshwater policy with Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, Environment Minister David Parker and officials from the MfE. All declined our request.

Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz PRIMARY sector groups shut out of the final development phases of the Government’s freshwater policy are urging politicians to work with them to make the regulations workable. Since late May, sector groups have been excluded from the formation of the policy other than a three-day opportunity to respond to the final draft. “We had limited opportunity as an industry to provide feedback during the final rule writing process,” Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) chair Andrew Morrison said. Until then, industry groups were working effectively with the Government and were getting concessions. Morrison hoped for an industrywide freshwater agreement similar to health and safety regulations and He Waka Eke Noa, the partnership on climate change. The resulting policy has been roundly criticised by farmers as unworkable. Morrison says farmer feedback identifies the main concerns as winter grazing rules on forage crops, low-slope maps and certified farm plans. He hopes industry can work with the Government to amend rules on pugging, resowing dates and to improve the Ministry for the Environment’s (MfE) land slope map, including deleting the 10-degree slope criteria that determines winter crop paddock selection and stock exclusion. “We’re not complaining about the why, we’re complaining about the how,” Morrison said. There is also concern with the requirement to certify farm environment plans, but Morrison says there will be greater farmer buy in if these plans were written by farmers instead of certified contractors. “We will continue to have discussions with the Government,”

Some rules amended WHAT’S THE FUTURE? Federated Farmers freshwater spokesperson Chris Allen says the Government should take the regulations and put them through a rural proofing lens. he said. “Water quality is important to us and we want to do something about it.” DairyNZ’s strategy and investment leader David Burger says the focus now turns to how regional councils will implement and administer the new regulations. “We support the overall intent of the policy and support some detailed elements in the policy, but there are details we are struggling to get our heads around.” Burger says there is a risk of perverse outcomes from farmers trying to meet the new regulations by wintering stock on lighter more vulnerable soils. Ideally, DairyNZ would have preferred a policy that used farm environment plans. “The best way we believe is to have farm environment plans, farm by farm,” he said.

“Farmers understand their issues and understand their local risks and how to manage those risks as opposed to a broad based policy.” DairyNZ made a 200-page submission last October but Burger says the organisation was not part of any working or advisory group although it provided limited feedback. “We did not sit around the table and craft up the rules with the Government,” he said. “We have been like everybody else in getting our points across through the public process.” Federated Farmers freshwater spokesperson Chris Allen believes the Government should withdraw the policy and work with successful environmental initiatives such as the industrywide push to improve winter grazing practices in Southland. That project involved the

primary sector and Environment Southland designing and promoting best-practice. The council attributed this work to the very high rates of farmer compliance this winter. The Otago Regional Council has also reported very high levels of compliance this winter. “Farmers have picked it up and run with it, used exemplar farms and are doing things well,” Allen said. “Look what happened in 12 months in Southland when a whole community and industry got in behind an outcome, we are all striving to achieve.” “It’s about building on the stuff that you know works.” The federation was shut out of the freshwater policy process from May last year when the Government accused it of leaking information, an accusation they dispute.

THE Government has amended some of the contentious new freshwater rules just three weeks after they were implemented and is hinting other changes will follow. “The regulations on pugging depths around fixed water troughs and gateways weren’t practical so we have made some adjustments to make them more realistic,” Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said. “Discrete areas around fixed water troughs and gateways have now been exempted. We’ve also amended the definition for pugging to provide more clarity.” Online maps provided by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) to determine topography which provide a guide for winter grazing and fencing requirements, have been roundly criticised as inaccurate and O’Connor says these are also being looked at. “There will be other regulations that will need to be adjusted as we move forward,” he said.

Lamb survival is the secret Justin and Deanna McCarthy farm northwest of Taihape at Tiriraukawa. They run 2000 Wairere Romney ewes and 100 MA Angus cows.

“Ten years ago we were topping out with 120% lambing and no lambs prime off mum. Today we expect 150 to 155% survival to sale, with a weaning weight in the early thirties and up to 800 POM. This is set up by a very low 12.5% wastage from scanning. We are also mating our hoggets and lambing at 90% from mating with weaning weights similar to the MA ewes. All our ewes and hoggets are completely unshepherded. The ability of our ewes to lose weight during lambing and lactation and then bounce back always surprises me, especially at weaning, when most are back at mating weight.”

“They are such good mothers I had to get pet lambs from the neighbour”.

www.wairererams.co.nz | 0800 924 7373

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

Farmers urged to study new water rules Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz FARM environment plans should make it easier to comply with new freshwater regulations but it will be some years before that happens, dairy farmers have been told. Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) and DairyNZ have this week talked farmers through the detail of the Government’s latest freshwater policies as best they can, despite there being gaps in the detail. They all urge farmers to study the new rules with the National Environmental Standard (NES), which cover stock exclusion, land use change and winter grazing, becoming law on September 3.

Do not assume you will be exempt from them because they have got quite a low bar, so all farmers and all lifestyle block owners should take a good look and understand what they mean for them. Corina Jordan B+LNZ

The logistical scale for regional councils was laid out by Environment Southland’s land and water services manager Fiona Young, who estimated 2000 farmers in the region will have their activities captured by the NES. Farm environment plans will help farmers negotiate the new rules, but a lack of people with expertise to compile those plans will delay their introduction. “They will be there in the future but they are not available now as a number of details are still to be finalised such as certifiers,” DairyNZ senior policy analyst Charlotte Wright said. She told Otago and Southland dairy farmers the changes include a formula to determine the maximum area that can be sown in winter forage, rules on the slope of paddocks for intensive wintering, permitted pugging and the use of synthetic nitrogen. It is estimated 300 Southland dairy farmers exceed the new annual 190kg/ha limit of applied synthetic nitrogen. All dairy farmers will be required to report their use of synthetic nitrogen to regional councils each year. “That is going to be a problem for farmers and councils both in determining the collection and processes,” she said.

IMPORTANT: B+LNZ’s environment manager Corina Jordan acknowledges that there are kinks in the new regulations, but emphasised the importance of farmers understanding what’s expected of them.

There are also new rules on intensification and the construction and effluent collection of stock handling areas, feedlots, wintering, stand-off and loafing pads. B+LNZ’s environment manager Corina Jordan told farmers a contentious issue is the questionable accuracy of an online map created by the Ministry for the Environment(MfE). It is designed to show farmers if their land is greater than 10 degrees and provide guidance if they need to comply with rules excluding stock from waterways and if they need resource consent to sow winter forage crops. The Government says it is looking to improve the map. “They are inaccurate at farm or paddock scale so they capture a whole lot of land that is greater than a 10-degree slope. It is a very blunt instrument,” Jordan said. “It is also hard to determine what is a waterway and whether that meets these regulations. Stock exclusion regulations

apply to waterways one metre or wider but it is unclear whether the one-metre width applies to anywhere on a farm or land parcel or whether regional councils will be able to take a bespoke approach. “I suppose that is where the real conversations will be, how much flexibility regional councils will have to make this workable because at this stage the maps really aren’t,” she said. The maps are written into legislation and will require Parliament to make any changes. Adhering to rules preventing pugging of no more than 20cm or covering 50% of a paddock are a concern, although the Government this week eased regulations for pugging in gateways and around fixed water troughs. “The real issue for farmers is they have to be able to guess if they can meet that standard when they start to graze their animals,” Jordan said. “They are likely to need resource

consent which regional councils will struggle to meet.” While sheep are not required to be excluded from waterways, Jordan says they must comply with winter crop grazing rules and appear to have been inadvertently caught up in rule on stock holding areas. The rules are designed to contain effluent runoff from feedlots and stock holding areas and consent must be sought if it cannot be contained. Jordan says this rule applies to animals older than four months and weighing over 120kg, so appears to include stock handling yards. She urges farmers to try and understand these new rules. “It’s appropriate everybody understands what these new rules are,” she pointed out. “Do not assume you will be exempt from them because they have got quite a low bar, so all farmers and all lifestyle block owners should take a good look and understand what they mean for them.”

“It’s alright to talk“

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Alcohol and drug helpline 0800 787 797.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

La Nina may set up spring bounce Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz A DEVELOPING La Nina event may yet help reduce the risk of an early dry spell this spring and be welcome for farmers in the country’s eastern regions. Much of the North Island entered winter well behind on year-to-date rainfall figures, and the past three months have done little to change this. NIWA data shows south of Waikato, most parts of New Zealand through August have recorded only between 15-50% of their usual August rainfall. While welcomed by farmers for the good calving and lambing conditions that go with a dry August, those conditions came after a particularly dry summerautumn period. Most regions are coming out of winter still two-thirds behind their year-to-date averages. These areas include Hawke’s Bay, Waikato and Central North Island. Northland was also deep in moisture deficit prior to winter, before catastrophic floods reversed that. Tauranga and Hamilton recorded their driest ever JanuaryApril periods, with Waikato-Bay of Plenty still only having received 65% of usual rainfall to date. WeatherWatch director and meteorologist Phil Duncan said the risk of spring turning dry quickly may be alleviated by

prospects of a La Nina weather event developing. Typically, La Nina will deliver warm, wet subtropical moisture flows and nor’easterlies across NZ. “When we look at the indicator put out by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, we see it has moved to alert status for La Nina,” he said. On a scale of one to seven, one being the most extreme, it is now sitting at two, only one level off a full La Nina status. The bureau categorises the chances of La Nina forming as having increased to 70%, three times the normal likelihood. NIWA’s La Nina index is also placing a high likelihood on the event affecting NZ. However, Duncan cautioned the impact of La Nina in bringing welcome spring-summer rain would depend a lot upon its intensity. “It may be quite good news for those regions where rainfall has been low, better than having an El Nino,” he said. He suspected the impact may be delayed as NZ moves into its typical squally spring westerly weather patterns. “By October though, we should know how great La Nina’s intensity will be,” he said. Any promise of additional rainfall will be welcomed by farmers as feed supplement levels are drawn down through winter. This has been exacerbated by demand and donations made to hard hit areas, including Hawke’s Bay and Northland.

Regional council rainfall data collected by AgriHQ analyst Mel Croad highlights how dry central Hawke’s Bay still is for the time of year. Rainfall collection data for her own property near Waipawa is 278mm for the year-to-date compared to 442mm for last year, and 620mm for the same period in 2018. The average year-to-date rainfall figure for late August in Napier is 550mm. “I have to say, the shortfall even caught me by surprise,” she said. Fellow AgriHQ analyst Suz Bremner, who farms west of Napier, said year-to-date they had 606mm, against a farm average of 960mm year-to-date. Almost half that had fallen in two rainfall events over June. She suspected supplement feed supplies will become a big issue, especially if water tables are low and crops cannot be irrigated as they usually would. “By the time everyone replenishes their silage and balage, I doubt there is going to be much surplus around,” she said. “It is a scary scenario, compounded by how wide-spread the dry and lack of supplementary feed issues are.” Baker Agfarm advisor Gary Massicks said older farmers were conscious of what a dream run winter had been, and also cautious about implications from spring onwards. “One long-time farmer said we really need 35mm a week from here on in just to get back to

CHANGE COMING? WeatherWatch director and meteorologist Phil Duncan said the risk of spring turning dry quickly may be alleviated by prospects of a La Nina weather event developing. average rainfall levels. That is a lot of rain, but that is about right,” he said. He suspected with lower lambing percentages this year, more crops may be going in the ground or grass committed to silage, and was confident there would be a need for it. Duncan said La Nina could deliver some ideal growing conditions, with regular moisture accompanied by warm highpressure systems.

“But we have to remember we are dominated by the Roaring 40s, and that is a very powerful force to alter,” he said. The last significant La Nina event was over the 2017-18 summer when water temperatures resulted in a marine heatwave in the eastern Pacific. This was also accompanied by three powerful cyclones that brushed across NZ – Fehi, Gita and Hola.

One in a 179m birth A HAURAKI Plains dairy farmer received a huge surprise when one of his cows had an extremely rare calving of quadruplets, all of which are heifers. How rare are quadruplets? According to DairyNZ, a cow has a one in 700,000 chance to have four calves at once. The odds of all being born alive and being healthy are even lower at one in every 11.2 million.

BEATING THE ODDS: The chance of all four calves being heifers is even rarer than them being born alive.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

Poor compliance frustrates council Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz THE glacial speed it is taking some Waikato farmers to be fully compliant with their effluent storage is continuing to frustrate the Waikato Regional Council. Its latest effluent monitoring data for the 2019-20 season showed that of the 663 farms that received ground inspections, 176 (26%) were fully compliant, 102 were found to have significant non-compliance (15%), and the remaining 385 farms (58%) had moderate or low risk noncompliance. The council also inspected an additional 157 by air only, meaning 820 farms were inspected in total. One hundred and eleven farms also received multiple visits throughout the season, some up to four times. The covid-19 lockdown meant the council visited fewer farms than planned because farm inspections were considered a non-essential activity, unless it was responding to an incident. Of the total farms, 272 are categorised by the council as being high risk of noncompliance.

Of these farms, 61 (22%) are fully-compliant, 55 (20%) are provisionally or have a high-level of compliance, and 59 (22%) are significantly non-compliant. The main reasons for significant non-compliance are sump or pond overflow, ponding at the effluent irrigator and hydrant, feedpad and underpass discharges. Those farms found to be moderately non-compliant had similar issues but were far less severe. It was those 59 farms that needed to change the most, Waikato Regional Council compliance manager Patrick Lynch said.

These figures show there’s a long tail on the environmental effects of dairy farming that we all need to keep working on. Patrick Lynch Compliance manager

“These figures show there’s a long tail on the environmental effects of dairy farming that we all need to keep working on,” he said. During last season, there had been 43 abatement notices, 21 infringements, 153 informal warnings and 17 prosecutions, including six enforcement orders forcing those farmers to change their effluent system. Waikato Regional Council farming services team leader Stuart Stone said in one example, a farm he and his team visited in 2018 was found to have severe infrastructure issues. As a result, the farmer was required to put in additional storage, which they did by purchasing a bladder system. The farmer rolled out the bladder on the area where it was to be installed but a recent council inspection revealed the farmer never bothered to hook it up to the effluent system, giving the appearance of additional storage when monitored from the air. “We saw it yesterday. He doesn’t care,” Stone said. Waikato Federated Farmers dairy chair Ben Moore said the results were disappointing.

IMPROVEMENT NEEDED: Just over one quarter of Waikato dairy farmers were fully-compliant with their effluent management last season.

“Those who are letting us down have to realise that Federated Farmers and the industry don’t condone this and they need to get it sorted out,” he said. “That 22% are letting us all down.” Those who refused to change will face enforcement either from the council or their dairy

company. Recent changes to the DIRA will also help dairy companies not collect milk from farmers who refuse to change, he said. While accidents and mechanical failure did occur, farmers should have measures in place to mitigate the risks of accidents happening.

38% of Horizons consents are non-compliant Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz REGIONAL councils have released data in other areas of the country where dairying is a significant land use. In Manawatu, the Horizons

Regional Council assessed 1112 resource consents, according to council documents. Of these, 38% (429) were non-compliant, including 7.9% (88) that were significantly noncompliant. Its programme focuses on

RULE-BREAKERS: Manawatu farmers exceeding herd numbers was given as a reason for non-compliance by Horizons Regional Council

assessing compliance associated with farm dairy effluent, intensive land use and shed and stock water. Council staff inspected 162 farm dairy effluent consents, lower than the expected 300 inspections due to covid-19. Of those, 97 were fully compliant, 40 were comply at risk, two had low risk noncompliance, 10 had moderate non-compliance and 13 significant non-compliance. The council also completed six follow-up inspections. Low risk non-compliances were due to minor exceedances in herd numbers and failure to submit pond lining verifications, moderate non-compliance gradings were due to herd number exceedances, minor to moderate

pond overflows or effluent ponding and significant noncompliance gradings were given due to significant ponding and run-off, sump or pond overflows and insufficient infrastructure. Horizons staff also inspected intensive land use consents including 14 farm inspections and inspecting 227 nutrient budgets. In Taranaki, its Regional Council compliance manager Bruce Pope said officers visit every farm every year to check compliance. “These are cold calls with no notice given. Unless the noncompliance involves minor issues that can be resolved immediately, farmers found to be non-compliant face appropriate enforcement action,” he said.

Officers undertook 1644 inspections, with 86 found to be non-compliant, of which 26 were significantly non-compliant. There were 157 re-inspections. Non-compliant farms are reinspected at least once to ensure full compliance. In the 2019-20 year, there was a total non-compliance rate of 5.3%. The rate of significant noncompliance was 1.6%. Enforcement action included 61 abatement notices and 25 infringement notices. There were no prosecutions. Compliance data at Environment Canterbury was not available because it is still being processed for its annual report, which should be released in September.

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BELIEF: Based on livestock sales, particularly in the North Island, there is plenty of confidence in the beef sector, REINZ rural spokesman Brian Peacocke says.

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Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz AN INCREASE in farm sales compared to the same period last year is prompting guarded optimism in the rural real estate sector, with one rural manager describing the latest results as outstanding, given the lockdown in early autumn. Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) data shows there were 341 farm sales for the three months ended July compared to 295 for the same period in 2019, an increase of 46 or 15.6%. That’s a significant improvement on figures released by REINZ a month earlier, which showed for the three months ended June there were 261 farm sales compared to 322 for the same period in 2019, a fall of 61 or 18.9%. REINZ rural spokesperson Brian Peacocke says although the latest increase means sales volumes are comfortably ahead of the equivalent period a year ago, they are still well down on the same period in 2018. “Whilst such a surge does not equate to the levels experienced over the last five years, it does nevertheless reflect a sector that is recovering from recent and current issues more rapidly than other sectors in New Zealand, apart from the residential sector,” he said. He says a relatively mild winter to date with reasonable levels of rainfall in many regions has seen the new season get off to a good start, although in some districts the annual rainfall is

well below the levels needed to replenish water tables and underground aquifers. “Water in all its categories of quantity and quality remains one of the major issues facing the country and will likely be a dominant topic for some years to come,” he said. Peacocke says based on livestock sales, particularly in the North Island, there is plenty of confidence in the beef sector, although sales of dairy beef calves are less buoyant than previous years. “Early milk production in the dairy sector has started well, but most dairy farmers remain cautious given the volatility being demonstrated in Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auctions,” he said. Property Brokers general manager rural Conrad Wilkshire says the REINZ data for the three months ended July show positive market indicators that can’t be ignored. He says it’s “outstanding results” as there were real industry reservations in autumn about the impact covid-19 was going to have on farm sales because agents could not physically inspect properties during April and the lockdown only moved back to level two in mid-May. “It clearly demonstrates our market’s capacity to operate through the cycles short or long term,” he said. Across the board, median rural prices stayed static at around $23,000 a hectare. Wilkshire says there is good demand for owner/operator

properties priced up to $5m, although there have also been some larger deals, with Property Brokers recently selling two farms priced at more than $10m. “Buyer decisions at this level tend to be very much investment-driven with discounts applied for regulatory uncertainty and any gaps associated with on-farm compliance programmes,” Wilkshire said. He says the good news is the top tier of the rural market is no different to any other market, once it finds its level the recovery in the volume of sales is likely to be significant. “Underlying cash yields of 5-6% look very attractive, and the rural market will adjust to this type of productive valuation approach,” he said. “The continued strength of our primary sector underpins market confidence both this spring and long term.” However, the rural property market continues to face regulatory headwinds, and a constrained credit environment, and this has had an impact on the volume of sales annually. He says regulatory uncertainty, such as new freshwater rules, will mean buyers and sellers are likely to take a conservative approach, particularly among sheep and beef farmers whose forecast cashflows are not as strong as they have been. But he says there will be buyers with a moderate appetite for some additional risk based on yields and returns, not historic valuations.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

Comvita buzzing after bounce back Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz COMVITA claims it has turned the fortunes of the health products company around with significant changes and strong second-half earnings to reverse the first-half loss. But it reported a net loss after tax of $9.7 million in the year to June 30, 2020 after taking a $9.3m impact of write downs in non-operating matters. The reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) were $4.2m, including a second-half plus $13m that followed a first-half loss of $8.8m. Revenue rose 14.5% to $196m and the restructuring has reduced net debt to $15.5m at year-end, versus $89m on the previous balance date. That was a result of a $50m capital raise in June when existing shareholders took up 20m more shares at $2.50 each, along with good internal management of cash flow. The structure and joint venture review was completed and write downs to zero value made of the Putake queen bee business, Kaimanawa joint venture beekeeping business, the Seadragon fish oil stake and the Medibee Apiaries joint venture in Australia. Among the positive operating highlights were an 11% growth in revenue in China and 66% from the United States, where the second-half earnings came from. By contrast the Australian and New Zealand sales dropped 24% to $52.8m and the company cited a government change in the definition of Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) and the impact of covid-19. During the lockdown retail stores were closed and airport sales to overseas travellers dropped right away, chief executive David Banfield said. The overall effects of covid-19 on the company were estimated to be $20m positive around the rest of the world and $12m negative at home, for a net positive effect of $8m. Inventory at year-end was $122m compared with $132m in 2019, assets now $286m compared with $313m, and equity $211m compared with $173m. The 2019-20 honey harvest was very strong with 700 tonnes brought in, including a 150% increase in honey with 10+ UMF. Reductions in hive sites and the costs of servicing added $2.2m to results. A new harvest model has been introduced for the coming season that reduces risk, Banfield said. All sites had been evaluated on yield, quality of yield and the servicing costs. If the honey harvest was to repeat last season’s volume then gross profitability would improve 40-50%. A 10% drop in volume would produce the same contribution to gross profit as FY2020 and a poor harvest of say 410t would enable the apiary business to break even. “Comvita is now leaner with a simplified and affordable customer-focused structure,” chair Brett Hewlett said. There has been a reduction of 90 jobs in the company and the product lines have been reduced by 30%. Management layers have been removed, the structure simplified and decision-making speeded up. Following the announcements of the results, Comvita’s share price rose 8% to around $3.40. But the price has been volatile this year, including a low of $1.50 in March and a high of $4.50 in May before the big issue took share numbers from 50m up to 70m.

Comvita is now leaner with a simplified and affordable customer-focused structure. Brett Hewlett Comvita chair

THINKING AHEAD: Chief executive David Banfield says a new harvest model has been introduced for the coming season that reduces risk.

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News

farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

Carbon certification opens opportunities INFORMED: Charles Douglas-Clifford says using Toitu’s online platform has helped him understand his carbon footprint and use it as a tool for decision-making.

Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz

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A PILOT farm carbon certification programme will help farmers sell their products in high-end markets and get them ahead of the game with regard to future climate change regulations, a North Canterbury farmer says. Stonyhurst Partnership’s Charles Douglas-Clifford, one of a handful of farmers who piloted Toitu Envirocare’s new farm carbon certification programme, says carbon emissions management and certification will become a standard requirement in the future and the new tools being introduced by Toitu will help farmers utilise information they are already collecting. The programme has taken the government-owned environmental certifications provider’s already tested carbon reduction and certification programmes for commerce and industry and tailored them to develop New Zealand’s first carbon certification programme for pastoral farmers, which will allow farmers to verify claims about carbon emissions. It uses Toitu’s emissions tracking software and utilises greenhouse gas (GHG) and carbon stock analyses from OverseerFM to compile plans tailored to individual farms. Douglas-Clifford says in the future carbon certification will become part and parcel of what farmers do, as it will be expected by consumers. “This is an important tool to justify producing and marketing a premier product,” he said. “This is where we need to be pitching – branching away from commodities and pitching our meat, wool and grain to the top echelon – top-end products that get a top price. “Going forward, whether or not you agree (with future carbon regulations), they’re going to become a requirement for primary producers if they want to sell an elite product and get into those markets,” he said. Douglas-Clifford says using

Toitu’s online platform has helped him better understand his carbon footprint, which helps with on-farm decisionmaking. He can see where he sits during the farming year, so can make informed changes along the way. Signing up to the carbon certification programme is also an opportunity for farmers to at least get themselves in a good position, if not influence the rules, ahead of future Government regulations around carbon emissions and how they can be met, rather than sit back and wait for someone else’s rules to be forced on them. Douglas-Clifford says his involvement in the pilot was because he was already trying to better understand his carbon footprint but he encourages others who have not gone down that path yet to have a look themselves. “We don’t really know exactly where we’re going yet, but I would really encourage people to get a better idea of where their farm positioning is,” he said. Along with Overseer, the programme involves an audit and assurance partner AsureQuality, with support from Beef+Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ). Toitu Envirocare strategy and partnerships general manager Steve Dixon says NZ farmers outperform others around the world and the certification will allow them to quantify and verify their individual carbon emissions performance. “Carbon emission reduction on farms is a new science,” he said. “It is different for every farm, every soil type and every climate.”

Given OverseerFM is already used by thousands of pastoral farmers, Dixon says integrating Toitu’s programme with it was a huge advantage. Overseer chief executive Caroline Read says supporting the new certification programme was an easy choice. “We are constantly looking at ways Overseer can support farmers seeking valueadd opportunities from understanding and improving their farm sustainability,” she said. “Marrying a system that can provide detailed analysis of emissions sources and reduction scenarios with an internationally recognised carbonzero certification programme provides NZ farmers with more opportunities to demonstrate their value on the world stage.” AsureQuality chief executive John McKay says the programme is a natural and important extension of the assurance work it already delivers across the country and its staff have begun talking to farmers about how it works and what its benefits are. “We have walked farmers through the system from endto-end in about 40 minutes, including loading OverseerFM GHG emission analyses,” he said. “Most efficient farmers will have easy access to the information they need to meet certification.” The programme costs $1500 a year for membership, plus $2095 for the first year’s audit and certification. The cost of audit and certification drops in the second and third year as they will be conducted remotely. There is currently an introductory membership price of $1000.

How the Toitu programme works • Farmers who sign on to the carbon certification programme create a carbon reduction plan using Toitu’s farm emanage software tool. • The plan is informed by OverseerFM GHG analysis and the carbon stock tool for sequestration potential. • Guidance on how to make reductions, with links to external information sources, is built into the Toitu tool. • Certification will enable farmers to quantify and verify their performance regarding carbon emissions.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

FMG grows in complexity and clients Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz FMG made a net profit of $6.1 million in the 2020 financial year and added 6000 clients to its books, the total now numbering 94,300. Chair Tony Cleland, who sought re-election as a director this year in a crowded field of candidates, said the growth rate was twice that of other insurers. “While we are not trying to be the biggest, but the best, growth in numbers does lower the unit cost of delivery per client,” he told the mutual group’s online annual meeting. FMG’s goal is to bring the operating cost from 31% to 25% of premiums over the next 10 years. In 2020, total premiums were $366m, up from $324m the previous year. Its reserves have risen to $263m, which it claims places the rural insurer among the best capitalised insurers in New Zealand. Chief executive Chris Black said FMG’s rural market share was 51%, up from 35% a decade ago,

and the aspiration was to increase that to 70% by 2030. Although FMG had few cancellations it could foresee a slower rate of growth ahead. It had 6% of the general insurance market and strong shares of lifestyle, commercial and residential business in provincial NZ. Chief financial officer David Kibblewhite said there were three storm events during the financial year with $7.7m of claims. Total claims paid during the year were just over $200m. Catastrophe reinsurance cover was now close to $1 billion and that cover was called upon after the Christchurch (2011) and Kaikoura (2017) earthquakes, for example. In those financial years FMG did not make a profit. “As a mutual group we add the profits to reserves because we are a profit-making company, not profit maximising,” he said. Black also reported on the greater number of interactions with clients by its call centre, usually for adjustments in policies.

Two re-elected, one new face for board Chair Tony Cleland and well-known primary sector leader Murray Taggart have been re-elected to the board of FMG rural insurance company. Ballance director Sarah von Dadelszen took the third seat as FMG expanded the board by one elected director. The three candidates

He said the product portfolio was becoming more complex. For example, from 2013 onwards coverage was extended from tractor and house fires to irrigators, to quad bike accidents, to rollovers, to health and safety matters, statutory liability, cyber security, management liability and biosecurity events.

We are not trying to be the biggest insurer, but the best. GROWTH: Chief executive Chris Black said FMG’s rural market share was 51%, up from 35% a decade ago, and the aspiration was to increase that to 70% by 2030.

Tony Cleland FMG chair

Otago group gets $3.7m cash AN OTAGO land care group will receive $3.7 million over three years from the Government to plant and fence 50km on a major river system. The Pomahaka Watercare Group will use the funding to plant 200,000 seedlings and fence 50km of riparian areas. The funding comes from the One Billion Trees scheme ($1.4m) and the Primary Growth Fund ($2.3m).

Overall, $7.5m is being invested in four projects, with the other recipients: $1.1m in Aorangi Whanau Trust’s Hiruharama Maori Blocks in Manawatu Whanganui, $1.3m in Uawanui Restoration Project in Tairawhiti and $1.4m in Waipuka Maori Land Blocks in Hawke’s Bay. Forestry Minister Shane Jones says the projects will create about 90 jobs, allow the planting of more

than 900,000 plants across 750ha and fund the construction of 100km of fencing. All projects will start within six months. Lloyd McCall of the Pomahaka Watercare Group described the cash injection as a game changer because of the scale of work it will fund, it builds on the work of farmers and it will change the appearance of the catchment.

prevailed in a big field of 11 and were considerably ahead of all the others. Fourth was AsureQuality chair Allison Watters and fifth an experienced insurance company director Bevan Killick who campaigned to draw attention to what he said was an imprudent level of re-insurance carried by FMG.

GAME CHANGER: The funds will create nearly 100 jobs and see close to a million seedlings planted.

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farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

News

Scales posts a steady result despite covid-19

IMPACT: Recovering from the effects of the pandemic, Scales Corporation managing director Andy Borland said 20% of the crop remains to be sold. Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz

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SCALES Corporation reported first-half results steady on the comparable period in 2019 despite an extraordinary six months when covid-19 impacted its apple picking and packing, plus its main selling season. Underlying net profit after tax to June 30 was $29.2 million versus $30m in 2019, declared as $27.8m after the NZ IFRS adjustments were made. Underlying earnings before interest and tax were $44.4m compared with $47m. The horticulture division (Mr Apple) grew a record-equalling crop of 5.1m tray carton equivalents (TCEs), including a record export volume of 3.9m TCEs with a pack out of 76%. Year-to-date, 20% of the crop remains to be sold, managing director Andy Borland said. Sales into China were impacted by covid-19 because their domestic harvest and sales programme was delayed by two months of lockdown, bringing their crop into conflict with our imports. Borland does not expect a similar downwards effect on prices to repeat in 2021.

Earnings from horticulture were $32.4m compared with $41.3m last year. NZ IAS 41 Agriculture requires unsold agricultural produce to be measured at fair value less costs to sell so, therefore, the first-half reported earnings reflect the anticipated full-year results. The food ingredients division had a very strong first half, achieving $11m Ebitda compared with $5.12m last year and the FY2019 $13.5m. Borland said the Shelby pet food business in the United States was trading very well and expanding its processing resources at one of seven locations, including a head office in Amarillo, Texas. Cash-rich Scales is keen on expanding its businesses in the US but somewhat hampered by the inability to travel internationally and exercising caution around big commitments in uncertain times. Pet care expenditure in that country is over US$70 billion annually. Meateor and Shelby sales jumped 14% during the covid-19 outbreak from forward buying. Meateor is a pet foods joint venture with Alliance Group in New Zealand.

Borland said he was confident that the RSE foreign worker scheme would operate normally over the next summer and autumn because the horticulture sector depended upon it and most workers came from Pacific Islands without covid. “We demonstrated that we kept our people safe during peak-season operations in the level four lockdown,” he said. The new $10m coolstore being built next to the existing Whakatu packhouse will be operational for the next harvest and improve centralisation of Mr Apple’s post-harvest operations. Over 140ha of new plantings with branded apple varieties Dazzle and Posy have been made on two-dimensional structures which Borland said were innovative for the industry. Those orchards should be more efficient to prune, thin and pick at maturity, from 2023 onwards. Scales directors have maintained a dividend guidance of 19c/share but expect underlying full-year net profit to be towards the bottom of the previously advised $30m to $36m.

Agri holds Skellerup profit Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz THE agricultural division of Skellerup produced record earnings of $25.4 million in the 2020 financial year, which was 60% of the company’s total earnings. When considering the impact of covid-19 on the supply chain and markets globally, the performance indicates resilience and robustness, the company said. “It highlights the benefit of providing essential products, especially in the agri division, to international markets,” chief executive David Mair said. “We increased sales of essential rubberware products into the United States, achieved

operational gains despite the impact of covid-19 restrictions at our key Wigram facility and had a strong contribution from Silclear UK, our silicone rubber products business acquired last November.” Skellerup declared an audited net profit after tax of $29.1m in the year ended June 30, almost exactly the same as the previous financial year. Revenue was $251m, up slightly from the $246m previously. Earnings per share were steady at 15c and the dividend will be maintained at 13c, half of which is imputed. The agri division manufactures dairy consumables and rubber footwear, including milking

liners, silicone tubing, teat sprayers and hose nozzles. The industrial division generates two-thirds of revenue from marine decking and industrial seals and gaskets. Demand was adversely affected for some products used in infrastructure and in oil and gas. “Despite this, we are in a secure position for continued growth, with a strategy focused on specialist products across infrastructure, roofing, flow control, healthcare, medical and marine applications,” he said. The company’s share price has recovered above $2.50 after taking a big hit down to $1.50 in March.

AginED

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

Volume 22 I August 31, 2020 I email: agined@globalHQ.co.nz I www.farmersweekly.co.nz 1

Go to www.farmersweekly.co.nz

2 Find and watch the OnFarm Story of John Falconer “It’s not just a business” and read the accompanying article “Frustration leads to success”. 3 Where in NZ is Clachanburn Station? 4 What does John farm? 5 Have they always farmed this particular animal? If not, what did they run previously and why did they change?

STRETCH YOURSELF: 1

A good portion of John's stock are Elk. What differentiates Elk from other types of deer?

2 How big is John's largest Elk bull? How does this compare to a large mature Red stag? 3 John talks about some of the long term projects that don’t give immediate rewards. What are some of these projects and how have they/ will they benefit his farming operations? 4 The Falconers have diversifications for the production of their deer. What are these? 5 John believes that it is their responsibility to leave the land better than when they started working it, for the next generation. Do you think most landowners feel this way? Why or why not?

$/kg

AgriHQ average North Island one-year 260kg store heifer

did you know? 1

Go the AgriHQ market snapshot page

2 What was the North Island lamb price last week? 3 How is this tracking compared to year-ago levels?

STRETCH YOURSELF: This graph shows the AgriHQ average North Island oneyear 260kg store heifer values. After tracking well below year-ago and five-year average levels, values for R1 heifers have strengthened in recent weeks.

One driver of this is demand for traditionally bred (Hereford, Angus etc) heifers for live export to China. Although there are strict welfare standards involved, live export of animals is often scrutinised in the media. Do some research and discuss with your parents or teachers, what is your personal opinion on live export?

2 Why do you think there is a demand for live export of sheep and cattle from NZ and Australia to countries such as China, Sri Lanka and the Middle East?

In New Zealand, cows naturally grazing on pasture is their most common food source, making up

81% of their diet, and 92% of their feed is home grown (which includes pasture, crops and silage).

In your paper A lot of landowners are concerned about the new freshwater regulations that are being brought in. Do some investigation around what these regulations mean for farms, do you think these affect South Island and North Island farms differently? If you don’t agree with the current and proposed regulations, come up with your own and outline why your recommendations are better than current ones. If you think the new regulations are good, tell us why you think they will work well. Send us your proposals to: agined@globalhq.co.nz

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: www.sites.google.com/view/agined/home

News

16 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

‘Magic eye’ to track underground water Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz NIWA researchers are trialling the use of radar on farms to determine its effectiveness in detecting old drains and underground channels. Dr Brandon Goeller and JohnMark Woolley have spent hours on farms walking in grids while towing a large sled equipped with ground-penetrating radar (GPR), that can decipher networks of underground streams and drains. These flow paths provide routes for nutrients and sediment to enter surface water. Their aim is to make it easier for farmers to determine how and where excess nutrients, sediment and faecal microbes enter waterways without having to dig up paddocks. This would help design the right mitigation solutions at the right locations and ultimately improve water quality downstream. GPR works by transmitting radio waves into the ground that bounce off underground features. The returning waves are

measured by a receiving antenna that can determine the depth of those features. Hundreds of these measurements are collected each time the GPR sled is towed across a survey area. The resulting data enables researchers to construct images of what’s underground. Goeller likens the images to “magic eye” puzzles – wavy twodimensional black and white pictures that form into shapes. From there, a software program creates a 3D model to show the underground landscape more clearly. He said it was the same technology used by archaeologists to check for ruins. “We’re taking the same technology and using it to look for underground features that move things on farmers’ paddocks, things like nitrates that are moved into drains,” he said. The pair recently used the GPR on a four-hectare paddock on a Waikato dairy farm, revealing buried soil layer boundaries, farm water and drainage infrastructure, as well as tree roots and other

features that influenced underground water flow. They were able to identify tile drains, buried drainage channels and shallow groundwater springs from the images. “From the 3D images we can effectively remove the soils that sit on top of our layers of interest. This allows us to look at the topography of the underlying layers,” Woolley said. “The exciting part is that farmers can use this technology to target underground features that might transport contaminants without having to undertake costly and disruptive excavations.” One of the next steps is to test how the GPR works in different soil types, since the soil profile greatly influences how buried features are imaged. He said the technology could help farmers better pinpoint their on-farm environmental mitigation policies through more effective fencing or riparian planting and trials are planned to test its use. Further developments of this technique might test how GPR

NEW TECH: Niwa researcher John-Mark Woolley pulls a sled mounted with a radar across a farm in Waikato as part of a trial to test its effectiveness in tracking old drains and underground water channels on farms. works if flown under a drone, which Goeller says would be particularly useful in rough or hilly terrain. “There are several ways farmers could use this type of mapping

to better target their efforts to improve water quality,” he said. Goeller planned to also mount the GPR on the back of a farm ute and test its effectiveness on a larger scale farm in Canterbury.

Covid current runs against King Salmon

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Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz INCREASES in prices obtained for fish in all markets helped NZ King Salmon declare an adjusted net profit of $18 million, up 59%, despite lower sales volumes due to covid-19 disruption. The strong profit increase was also helped by valuations of larger biomass and bigger fish due to longer growing times as the company slowed the harvest. The aquaculture company declared pro forma earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of $25.1m for 2020, in line with FY2019 and just within the guidance. The statutory Ebitda was $36m and revenue was down 10% to $155m when covid-19 hit food service sales and air freight to the United States, the biggest export market. Back home sales revenue dropped 50% during the level four lockdown and with the help of the Government’s wage subsidy all 550 staff members were kept employed. Sales volumes have recovered to

about 80% of pre-covid levels during August. Average sale prices have risen 12% domestically, compared with FY2019, and 5% in export markets. Because of the ongoing uncertainties, larger inventories and ensuring prudent cash availability, the directors decided not to pay a final dividend. Feed conversion ratios across seven farms improved from 1.8 to 1.76 and the mortality was down to 15% of biomass. Inventories increased by $15m to $35m due to the slowdown in sales, the need to harvest fish to ensure optimum health and grow-out, plus compliance with consented feed discharge levels. NZ King Salmon remains confident it will receive consents from the Marlborough District Council to the proposed Blue Endeavour open ocean farm in Cook Strait, capable of 5000 tonnes of fish annually at full development. Last year’s company harvest was 7336t, down 7.5%, and the current farms have a maximum production between 10,000-11,000t. Sales were only 6330t, down 16%.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

Animal supplement wins coveted award Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz AGRISEA has developed a prototype animal health supplement that will provide farmers with another tool to potentially lower livestock emissions and improve their animals’ overall health. The product has recently been renamed Fortress+ after it won the Established Prototype Award at the Fieldays Online Innovation Awards in July under the name BioactiveN. Agrisea business development manager Clare Bradley said it should be in commercial production next year, following a two-and-a-half-year development. At the same time, Lincoln University PhD student Matt Beck is studying its effects. His entire doctorate is based on the development and testing of this product. That study is currently being peer reviewed, she said. “It’s been a long development and a long testing,” Clare said. Clare describes Fortress+ as a liquid formula that is a fermentation of a combination marine and land-based plants. It acts at a microbiotic level in the animal’s rumen with the seaweed ingredient acting as a

food source for good bacteria,” she explained. “It also improves feed efficiency in the animal – it stops cows from milking off their backs, if you like, and keeps that condition score on.” They have tested it on both dairy cows and sheep and believed it had a broad use for farming both from an animal health and environmental perspective. “The key benefits are around not only the health and productivity of the animal but there are also environmental benefits,” Clare said. It helps animals improve their body condition score and be more resistant to diseases due to its antioxidants and reduce urinary nitrogen by 18-20%, she said. “That equates to a 25% reduction in N leaching which is like cutting your cow numbers by 25%, in terms of the effect on the environment.” Agrisea general manager Tane Bradley said they hoped it would become a mainstay for farmers, particularly as tighter regulations come into force around environmental mitigation. “It’s exciting. It’s actually going to support our farmers,” he said. New Zealand is home to around 900 of the 10,000 species of seaweed in the world.

The seaweed used in Fortress+ is Ecklonia radiata – a brown seaweed that is a different species to the native red seaweed (Asparagopsis armata) which the Cawthron Institute is studying to see if it can reduce livestock emissions. It is administered to livestock at around 5ml per animal per day in a variety of ways, being sprayed onto feed for feedpads or through dosing machines into water troughs. Cost-wise, it equated to about 3.5c a day per animal. Ideally, it could be used in the leadup to a period when the cow might be put under stress, such as pre-calving. “Oxidative stress is responsible for almost all metabolic issues so disease prevention is really important,” Clare said. Testing by Beck showed the animals received an optimum health result when given 5ml, but an additional study revealed the environmental mitigation effects when administered at 100ml/cow/ day. The work has captured the interest of some of the country’s main milk companies and Clare has done presentations to these companies on Fortress+ and the research behind it. “We see it as an all year-round

WINNERS: Agrisea managing director Tane Bradley with the trophies his company won at the Fieldays Innovation Awards for Fortress+. multi-health supplement for the animal,” Tane said. Clare said it was always their aim to provide farmers with the right tools needed to farm into the future. “There’s no point in continually

beating farmers over the head for what they were told to do for generations, It’s up to companies like us to come up with tools to help them because there just aren’t many proven on-farm tools for farmers to use.”

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18 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

Wagyu calves pricey, but worth it Wagyu cattle are treated like first-class citizens with the best of everything on Rockburn farm and they are appropriately rewarding their farmers Evan and Clare Chapman for their preferential treatment. Annette Scott reports.

Clare is in charge of the books and general farm administration. And that allows the extra time for the Chapmans to focus on their Wagyu cattle, a new venture under the fourth-generation farmers. Rockburn now runs 2800 composite Longdown breeding ewes, finishes 100 bulls and takes 100 First Light Wagyu calves through to finishing. “We had been breeding cows here for a long time, but it was too hard to take them through the dry summers with calves at foot so we went to trading steers and heifers, but we were at the mercy of the schedule and the store price,” Evan explained. “We didn’t know what the purchase price was going to be and we didn’t know what the sale price was going to be.” He is thankful he stumbled across First Light and Wagyu when he did. “We pay a premium price for the Wagyu calves, which makes you flinch a bit, but it’s worth it at the other end when the price you get for them at 24-months is so much higher again,” he said. The Wagyus, a term referring to all Japanese beef cattle, are quiet, easy to handle and most importantly, provide surety of price. “Wagyu cattle are great to work AWDT Understanding Your Farming Business with,” he said. 3 full-day workshops run over three months. Equips and “They are supports women involved in sheep and beef and dairy slower growing farming to lift business performance. but price-wise you can’t match Locations and dates (3 modules): it and the • Maramarua: 29th Jul, 26th Aug and 16th Sept certainty around Website: To register visit www.awdt.org.nz/programmes the 12-month Contact: keri@awdt.org.nz for more info contract provides

VAN and Clare Chapman of Rockburn Farming in South Canterbury have produced one of the biggest Wagyu steers ever seen in New Zealand. The Chapmans turned to Wagyu cattle just three years ago and have routinely produced 800 kg-plus cattle, but the massive 946kg steer processed this month has put the farm in the First Light record book. In October last year, the Chapmans marked a century of farming on the rolling downs of Rockburn, near Geraldine. It was also the year Rockburn Farming was crowned First Light Wagyu Finisher of the Year, a fitting way to celebrate Evan and Clare taking full ownership of the 540-hectare property after farming in partnership with Evan’s parents, Angus and Liz, since 2003. But Angus is not quite ready to hang up his hat on day-to-day farming. “Dad is still up here every day, he’s a wealth of knowledge and this year he’s doing his 54th consecutive year of lambing,” Evan said.

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real confidence in what we are doing. “We treat them (Wagyu cattle) like first-class citizens, they get the best of everything, irrigated pasture in the summer,

fodder beet and clover balage in the winter. “At night I was fencing off the ring feeders so they had to eat more fodder beet if they were hungry. “You have to be prepared to give them preferential treatment but the benefit of this is a contract with a premium price.” That contract is with First Light, the NZ farming co-operative the Chapmans belong to as suppliers. Evan said the Wagyu animals are quiet and good to handle. “They’re placid, a lot easier than the bulls to handle and easy to work in the paddock and in the yards,” he said. With three daughters, Olivia 15, Ella 13, and Milly 11, that is a bonus. “Last year, the kids were feeding them fodder beet through the fence and there are a few friendly ones you can give a good scratch on the head,” he recalled. He says the inclusive relationship with First Light’s hub meetings keeps farmers well informed of what’s going on in the company and any new initiatives coming through. “They’re always doing more research to lift the marble score and sharing ideas from other farmers in the supply group to improve what we’re doing,” he said. Rockburn Farming picked up the prize for First Light Wagyu Finisher of the Year in 2019. This season First Light has processed the biggest animal the business has seen in recent memory, at a whopping 946kg, and it was produced on Rockburn. Now First Light is auctioning for charity one of the whole, marble score seven plus ribeyes the Chapmans have produced with all proceeds going to KidsCan. The ribeye comes from a sibling to the Wagyu steer that delivered First Light’s World Steak Award gold medal win in 2019. First Light managing director Gerard Hickey said the Chapmans are clearly doing something right. “This isn’t a one-off. In the past month, Rockburn has sent

TASTY: Farmers attract premiums for marbled meat, the higher the marble score, the better the financial return.

We treat them like first-class citizens, they get the best of everything, irrigated pasture in the summer, fodder beet and clover balage in the winter. Evan Chapman Farmer us some of the highest yielding animals we can remember,” he said. “This is the Wagyu beef dreams are made of, beautiful meat, incredible intramuscular marbling, and a generous pay-day for the Chapmans, who have made it happen for us.” First Light’s farming model offers a guaranteed per-kilogram contract on each animal so that farmers can forecast payments 12 months in advance and budget accordingly. On top of the base price, farmers attract premiums for marbled meat, the higher the marble score,

the better the financial return. “What Rockburn Farming has achieved this season is nothing short of extraordinary,” Hickey said. “The meat they’ve produced is outstanding, the sort of grassfed meat that is extremely highly prized in our discerning offshore markets.” One Rockburn ribeye has been held back from its scheduled shipment, sliced into steaks and will be auctioned for KidsCan, a charity supporting NZ children. Hickey estimates the beef, weighing approximately 6.8kg, would have sold to a United States restaurant for a minimum $500. “We call these sorts of steaks unicorns because to get anything above a marble score seven is rare, and very much sought-after,” he said. “We’re keen to see this remarkable meat go to a Wagyu enthusiast here in NZ, and to support a charity doing important work in our schools and early childhood education sector at the same time.” The auction is being hosted online until Friday, September 4. Bids can be placed at: https://www.32auctions.com/ FirstLightRibeye

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STEAK CHAMPIONS: In their three years of growing Wagyu cattle like first-class citizens, Clare and Evan Chapman have twice trumped the beef steaks.

New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

Pandemic inspires a new auction platform The impossibility of selling livestock over lockdown compelled the Giddings family from Fairlie to construct a digital auction platform that has brought the world to their stud’s door. David and George Giddings spoke to Richard Rennie about their innovative auction system.

ITH only a few weeks before the Meadowslea stud’s in-calf Angus female sale was to commence and with lockdown looming, David Giddings knew he needed to come up with an alternative selling method. The stud’s regular female and Angus bull sales, along with its Romney ram stud auctions, are an invaluable part of farm income and needed to be preserved. Covid-19 had resulted in online auction systems becoming more popular for general livestock sales. But the Giddings wanted a system that could incorporate their own needs, including one that retained the personal touch that has made their regular sales so popular with their clients. “We had already trialled online auctioning just before lockdown was announced, using Facebook

live streaming to sell three rams, but we had a month’s lead to prepare for our in-calf female sale on May 1,” George explained. “We looked at existing systems and nothing (appealed to us), so we started building our own.” He admits the prospect of a hefty haircut by forgoing the sale was a good incentive to develop the alternative. Working with their website designer they developed Yourbid. While online auction systems may already exist, Yourbid bought the Helmsman auction style to the platform, which is the family’s preferred method for livestock selling. The Helmsman-approach opens all the lots to bidding from the getgo, rather than working through them sequentially off catalogue order. “Usually bidders will have several different lots of animals they are interested in,” David said.

“However, they have to decide which they bid on and risk missing out on the ones they really want, having to settle for ones that may do the job, but not be quite ideal.” In the past, the family had written the lots and bids out on a whiteboard, with bids refreshed by hand, similar to the old stock exchange chalk blackboard method. The new online system also incorporates a video of the animals in every lot, with a commentary in the background on their particular features and traits. Adding in a chat column allows buyers to make enquiries and comments. “We also opened the bidding over a period of several days, rather than just the minute or so that you get in a conventional auction,” he said. “The animals our buyers are purchasing are important decisions for them, and we believe

FAMILY BUSINESS: The Giddings family of Meadowslea Angus and Sheep Genetics. From left George, Harry, Celia and David.

EDGE: The Helmsman-style auction system displaying multiple lots simultaneously is popular with stud stock buyers. they should have the time to consider before making a bid.” The system allows the bidder to bid off their mobile phone, with a colour-coded bid price indicating if they hold the bid, if a new bid has come into play, or if the lot remains open for bidding. “What we have also found is buyers enjoy the anonymity the system gives them for making a bid. Even those who have physically visited us on the day of our sales have used their phone to place the bid,” he explained. The Giddings have run their in-calf Angus female heifer sale and their bull sale in June through the platform, with their next big sale being the spring bull sale on October 9. “We found the bull sale went extremely well,” he said. “We sold 12 bulls sight unseen, 95% of people were bidding through their phones and we had 200 people bidding on the day. “The system also allowed us to offer food and drink throughout the sale, rather than leaving it until the end.” A ram breeder on Scotland’s north coast is now using the platform for a sale and has reported unprecedented interest in his remote sale offerings. “He has 130 registered buyers already, more than he’s had before. There are people from Ireland, Cornwell, Wales and Orkney all interested, places he would not usually have interest from,” he said. “Under covid-19 lockdown, he would only be able to have five

people on his farm at any one time.” The family can see the potential for the IP they hold on the system, with an option to licence it out to users. They also have come to appreciate the value of the data the selling system generates. “We get analytics on bidding behaviour, with many having at least four lots on the go at any time. We also come to see how they view stock before bidding, the time spent considering them from the video, and the animals they are preferring,” David said. “It helps us to build a stronger relationship, understanding what they are looking for in the animals they are buying, which is important in a stud-client relationship.” B.linc spokesperson Julia Henson said Meadowslea’s online Helmsman-style bidding system for stock sales showed Kiwi ingenuity to overcome a problem facing all in-person sales across a variety of industries during the lockdown. “They have shown commercial nous and deep-rooted innovation leading to their online bidding system being hugely successful not only in New Zealand, but also in Europe,” she said. “The Celebrating Success – Innovation Awards was all about celebrating innovative solutions that showed actionable pathways to improve outcomes for NZ primary industries. George and David Giddings have most certainly done this incredibly well.”

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Opinion

20 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

EDITORIAL Anger over new water rules justified

HE Essential Freshwater policies passed recently by Parliament will change farming in some regions irrecovably. For activities such as intensive winter grazing and the expanded reach of stock exclusion rules, they will require major changes to the way farms are managed. Many of the new provisions far exceed what was expected and obviously have not been subjected to any farm practicality test, evident by pugging depth restrictions and forage crop management. Given the potential impact, the anger and frustration in areas like Southland is understandably palpable while regional councils, who will administer the new policy, are scrambling to understand how the rules will work. Surprisingly, any need to address this reaction or explain the new regulations seems to be either lost or is being ignored by government ministers and their officials. Their failure to front in support of their policies has left an information void adding to frustration and anxiety, especially when next year’s winter crop plans may have to be revisited as they could need resource consent. This media organisation, like many others, has unsuccessfully tried to get interviews and answers to reader’s questions from the Government and their officials. (At the time of writing Environment Minister David Parker was considering an interview with Farmers Weekly.) Quite simply, the failure of ministers and officials to readily front is contemptible. But their inaction raises the question of whether they have confidence in their policies. The best policy is one that takes people with you, and that is never truer than dealing with farmers. Farmers, like everyone, want clean freshwater and are making progress towards that goal, but incredibly by their actions the Government has badly missed an opportunity to harness that momentum.

Neal Wallace

LETTERS

Govt’s water amendments not enough I WAS certainly not shocked this week, when I read the current Labour government is amending the regulations a scant three weeks after they were first implemented. In spite of putting their proposals out for consultation at the busiest point in the farming calendar, the Government were told in no uncertain terms that their proposals were unworkable. Damien O’Connor, as the sole agriculturalist in the leftwing bloc, was sent forth to t ell us we weren’t being ignored, while the rest of the party steadfastly ignored us. Now, despite the country teetering on the verge of economic collapse, the Government has decided to press on. The changes they are now making won’t hurt, but neither will they actually fix the problem.

I agree with Federated Farmers’ Chris Allen when he says that “As (the regulations are) drafted many farmers will end up being unable to comply.” However, I disagree when he says that that wasn’t the Government’s intention. When both the Minister for Primary Industries and the Minister for the Environment have been so wilfully deaf to advice, one can only assume it’s because they are aiming for a different outcome to the one stated publicly. The fact is, farmers have been coming ahead in leaps and bounds with their attempts to protect freshwater quality. This can be seen by water quality in Taranaki improving even though they are one of the most intensive dairying regions in New Zealand. If their aim is to improve freshwater quality, maybe a

better strategy would be to come alongside farmers and encourage more. David Skiffington Cheltenham

TV1 or TV dumb? HOW silly can our tv “news programmes” get? Something I watched on July 25 would have to be a winner. There were three items that particularly stood out to me. The first one was about whether robots were upset by attacks. Pardon? Apparently some folks “assaulted” a robot, and it was caught on camera. Sure, we all know there are idiots out there, but is it news? Second up is trace amounts of Glyphosate in honey. This stood out because a child would have to consume an amount multiple times their

body weight per day for it to have a health implication risk. Yet, if a child were to consume the same amount of pure water over the same period, the outcome would be rather immediate. Where do they get these people from? The answer is that once more Monsanto is the target, so I’m going to assume the Greens put this out. There are people who do not like Monsanto, and it’s Continued page 21

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Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

A light at the end of the tunnel for the embattled wool sector Dr Trevor Stuthridge

HE trials and tribulations of the sheep wool industry have been well-aired over the years. Anyone who has taken an interest in the industry, specifically in crossbred wool, will know farmers are currently facing such low prices that it has been uneconomic in some cases to even shift the wool off their farms. Therefore, right now it may be difficult for those involved in the industry to see light at the end of the tunnel. Yet as researchers with a long history of studying this special fibre, we still see reason to be optimistic about its long-term prospects. The Wool Industry Project Action Group, which one of our Science Impact Leaders Andy Cooper sits on, recently delivered an important report that laid out these challenges and started an important conversation around matters of leadership, coordination, strategy and funding.

The figures are sobering and do undoubtedly contribute to a reluctance to invest into this part of the industry.

The group’s report lays bare the decline the strong wool sector has experienced in recent years, including the lack of profitability and investment, which has seen sheep numbers go down 45% since 1995 (from 49 million to just 27 million in 2018), with wool production falling 51% (from 213 million kg clean equivalent to 105 million kg). The figures are sobering and do undoubtedly contribute to a reluctance to invest into this part of the industry. As outlined in the report, the challenges are bountiful and complex, and we at AgResearch certainly don’t have all the answers. But in our opinion as wool researchers, if we seize the Continued from page 20 probably because they’re not as profitable as them. Ol’ case of jealousy, it would seem. Also, lawsuits that are pretty questionable in the US are not uncommon, so quoting them is no reason to assume they have validity. When used sensibly, Roundup is a most-effective product. While it would be nice if there was no residue, but with some common sense, no lasting harm needs to occur.

The

Pulpit

opportunities, there is light at the end of that tunnel. With the support of industry partners, such as the wool grower-funded Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (WRONZ), we continue to build a strong scientific case for why wool is a superior choice for the world’s consumers, who are rightly concerned about the future their children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren will inherit. New Zealand carpet maker Cavalier recently shared its plan to transform to an all-wool and natural fibres business, citing concerns about the negative impact of synthetic fibres on human health and the planet. It also pointed to a recent upturn in trading, particularly in wool sales, presumably because it helps address these concerns. One example is the pressing global concern on the health of the marine environment. A disturbing prediction in a World Economic Forum (WEF) report is that plastics will outweigh fish in our oceans by 2050. A major contributor to this marine pollution is microplastic fibres shed from synthetic clothing and fabrics in the washing process, which accumulate in the sea and potentially our seafood.

When we look at the number of ways in which humans harm themselves and their progeny, we should be aware that no matter the warning, humans will generally ignore it. Roundup is a great product which I have used for many years with no side effects, and I see, with despair, the silly comments that get made. Lastly, it would seem that some hand sanitiser brands contain Ethanol/Methanol which is dangerous to your health

INSIGHT: AgResearch’s research director Dr Trevor Stuthridge says researchers with a long history of studying this wool, still see reason to be optimistic about its long-term prospects.

Important research by our own scientists – funded by AWI and presented earlier this year to the International Wool Textile Organisation – demonstrates that untreated and machine-washable wool fibres and cellulose-based viscose rayon readily break down in seawater. In comparison, the synthetic fibres tested – polyester, nylon and polypropylene – showed little or no biodegradation in an aquatic environment. Our scientists have also produced some initial evidence that wool clothing is better for skin health than a synthetic alternative (polyester) when worn against the skin. Our research also confirmed wool-rich fabrics are far superior to synthetic fibres when it comes to flammability of clothing. Wool has natural fire-resistant qualities, while synthetic alternatives have a propensity to melt and pose risks to the wearer. The list of wool’s other superior attributes we have investigated includes odour resistance, temperature regulation, moisture management and stain resistance – and continues to grow. These wool qualities go beyond

apparel to provide benefit in other applications, such as floor coverings, insulation, upholstery and the like. This aligns well with a recent grassroots petition calling for NZ’s House of Representatives to ensure all public-funded buildings and KiwiBuild homes are built or refurbished with NZ wool carpet and NZ wool insulation. The petition garnered more than 15,000 signatures and speaks to a sentiment in NZ to support an industry that has fallen on tough times. Whether it is the industry contributing, or there is some form of assistance from the NZ taxpayer or other mechanism, further research and development funding is needed to seize these innovation opportunities for this natural, sustainable product we have come to know so well. There has been debate in these pages about where such funding should be directed, including an argument that no further funding is needed behind the farmgate. Anyone familiar with NZ’s wool sector must recognise that farm practices, such as shearing and wool handling, are perceived to

should you drink it. Wow! It would seem that TV1 is aimed at a pretty dim audience. While I shouldn’t ne nasty, is it Aucklanders perhaps?

of multi-story buildings in New Zealand and in other earthquake prone countries. This sequesters carbon in the long-term and displaces concrete; another source of atmospheric pollution. The waste wood from the forest and from construction should be pyrolysed, producing carbon-neutral cooking gas, gasoline, diesel and airline fuel, thus displacing geologically sequestered carbon. The by-product of wood

Dick Miller Waipukurau

Pyrolyse waste wood IF WE are going to establish tree plantations, the wood should be fabricated into engineered beams and plywood for the construction

have barely changed in decades. At AgResearch, we know our research in this on-farm space has made a significant difference through reductions in flystrike and the cost of shearing and wool handling – so we should keep a focus on innovation opportunities in that space too. If we want to tell a compelling end-to-end story about NZ wool to consumers, then we surely cannot afford to focus solely on the marketing of the finished product. There is a great story to tell here across the production and added value chain, especially if producers can effectively leverage off the inherent qualities of wool with the science to support it.

Who am I? Dr Trevor Stuthridge is AgResearch’s research director.

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

pyrolysis, charcoal, should be incorporated into agricultural soils, improving them and sequestering more carbon in the long-term. Replanting the plantation results in young, fast-growing trees which suck up more carbon at a rapid rate. At present, we aren’t getting the maximum benefit from our tree plantations. William Hughes-Games Waipara, N. Canterbury

Opinion

22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

Wise head prevails on freshwater Alternative View Alan Emerson

HE front page of last week’s Farmers Weekly should be compulsory reading for politicians and civil servants. Basically, you had an unworkable system promulgated from Wellington and farmers down south rebelled. The Regional Council was on the farmers’ side. Environment Minister David Parker, at his school teacher best, was quick to both justify the unjustifiable and threaten action against the Southlanders. He was ably supported by his assistant, the schoolmarm, Eugenie Sage. After that it got interesting. In one corner, we had Southland farmers refusing to play the Government games over winter feeding. In the other corner, you had Ministers Parker and Sage. The basic problem is that a single solution promulgated from Wellington with no local support, consultation or acknowledgement won’t work. In Southland there were three areas of the legislation that the locals are upset with and rightly so. It was about resource consents, pugging, replanting and a magical 10-degree slope restriction. Environment Southland and the local Feds opposed the legislation

saying it was unworkable but Parker, no doubt with support from Sage and advice from a bevy of sycophantic officials with no real farming knowledge, passed it anyway. Simply speaking, a farmer was required to get a resource consent for winter grazing. The Southland Regional Council issued the consent and monitored them. Southland Feds told their members not to play the silly game and, in doing so, have raised the ire of one Eugenie Sage who labelled Southland Feds “irresponsible.” Minister Parker has also claimed farmers are irresponsible, adding the threat that no one was above the law. Feds responded by saying the regulations were “unworkable.” The issue over pugging was over the top. Pugging is simply a hoofprint. The claim that animals are up to their udders in mud over winter was ridiculous. Farmers want healthy animals and that doesn’t happen if they’re swimming in the mire. They’re also meant to get a resource consent if they crop on a slope in excess of 10 degrees. Again, that’s insane micromanagement. A 10-degree slope is almost flat. The locals wanted 20 degrees. The figure in the discussion document was 15. Winter crops must also be resown by November 1. Again, that’s absurd in Southland. Did the Government want farmers to work their tractors in dangerous conditions, to ignore the health and safety protocols and laws?

COMPLY: Environment Minister David Parker told farmers that no one was above the law.

In many areas of Southland the land will be too wet to work until the new year. We then had both Parker and Sage trying to justify the unjustifiable. The Sage statement was to call the farmers’ actions irresponsible when the National Policy Statement was developed after full public consultation and scientific input. I disagree. The Parker water committees were stacked with anti-farmer types. They were appointed to give him the answers he wanted and not to encourage independent scientific input. Further, the consultation document arrived at Feds late on a Friday afternoon. They had to have a full response by 3pm the following Wednesday. You call that consultation? Southland’s Feds vice president Bernadette Hunt has put a video on YouTube outlining the issues and her concerns. It is sciencebased, factual and unemotive. I’d suggest Ministers Parker, Sage and all the various committee

members, along with every civil servant in Wellington view it. They’d learn what life was really like in the South and get some real knowledge of the reality and practicality of farming there. The Parker/Sage regulations were estimated at costing the Southland farmers between six to eight million dollars annually. A criminal waste during a pandemic. Finally, some good sense came in the form of Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. On Wednesday, he made the statement that “it has become apparent that some of the regulations within the Freshwater standards – including the ones around winter grazing – need to be adjusted, so we’ve done that.” The Cabinet agreed to the adjustments. In a non-confrontational media release Minister O’Connor made the additional point: “The intent is clear – to clean up our waterways. We’ve made real progress in the area of winter grazing,” he said. “There are some challenges

ahead of us but I’m confident we’ll get this right. “Where the regulations are impractical or unclear we will continue to make adjustments.” So common sense has prevailed, and I’m sure to the relief of farmers everywhere but especially in Southland. Going forward the Cabinet and government as a whole would be better off listening to the rationality of O’Connor, who is a farmer in his own right, as against the doctrine of both Parker and Sage. He obviously saw what was wrong with the legislation and went out to change it. Impressively, he was able to take the Cabinet with him. I’m reminded of the words of a previous Feds president Dr William Rolleston, “engage not enrage.” I’m pleased that Minister O’Connor has done just that.

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

Strong women are at the helm From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

ONE of the few things lacking in rural New Zealand is the opportunity to obtain decent advice on personal matters. I am writing to you on affairs of the heart and hope you can help me. I have chosen you because you are an older male, you’ve done it and frankly there is no one else. I have only recently become married and there are a number of issues concerning my new wife that have left me perplexed. I love her very much, but we

sometimes seem to be speaking different languages. It seems that there are times when she says things that appear quite plain but beneath the words is a subtext that I completely overlook leading to major misunderstandings. When the lads down at the pub tell you something you know that it is either fact or pure bullshit but there is no hidden meaning. She is a high-flying lawyer working in the city and as a simple shepherd I sometimes feel out of my depth. I haven’t had much experience with ladies and find this change in cultures difficult to learn. I hope you can help me. ‘Bewildered’ of Balclutha. (Name withheld) Dear Bewildered, I am pleased you have written to me as I can likely

save you many years of further bewilderment. I agree that it is a shame that there is no version of a rural Agony Aunt. I think that Fred Dagg filled a much greater role than pure humour. With his leaving, we men of the land lost a useful role model with our dealings with the fairer sex. However, we must make do with what resources left to us. You are right to say that I am experienced in these matters. I have been married to a woman for thirty-five years who is not only a goddess but also a quintessence of all that a person can be. And I don’t say that just because she sometimes reads this column. I didn’t bother reading those self-help books that tell you that men and women come from different planets, as after many years I’d already worked it out for myself.

Groucho Marx once said something along the lines of, “A woman is a woman but a cigar is a smoke”. I’m not sure what it means but it could be profound so I have put it down here for you. With experience and time you will slowly learn her language and work out what she really wants and also learn to say the right things and not just those that pop into your head. The second issue you raise is more complex. I think most Kiwi males now feel the sort of inferiority complex you describe. Cripes we live in a country where the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Sovereign, Governor General, Attorney General and goodness knows what else are or have all been women. Our women’s rugby, netball and cricket teams are the best in the

world, whereas the men’s teams not only often lose but also have lost so much confidence they can’t even do basic things, such as throw the ball into the lineout correctly. I think we men are feeling disenfranchised and overawed by all these strong women that are now in charge. However, fear not. I believe we have a wonderful opportunity. Now, is our chance to let someone else run the country and big business. Let the girls take up the responsibilities and stresses. What we should be doing are a lot more lunches and coffee mornings together. And really get down and talk about our feelings.

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 – August 31, 2020

Fonterra wins from DIRA bill The Braided Trail

Keith Woodford

ONTERRA will be feeling very pleased with the final outcomes from the much drawn-out 2018-20 review of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA). Last minute changes as a consequence of Fonterra’s lobbying have made it very hard for any new start-ups to nibble away at its dominance. These latest DIRA amendments were passed in late July and were supported across the political spectrum. They were inserted at a late stage in the Select Committee process, and were a fait accompli before outsiders realised what was happening. Someone in Fonterra deserves a job promotion for their lobbying skill. The first big change is that Fonterra will no longer be required to take on suppliers who wish to leave one of its competitors. This makes it a highrisk strategy for any Fonterra dairy farmer to move to a competitor. There will be no way back, unless Fonterra so wishes. The second big change is that Fonterra will only be required to supply milk to start-up companies until they have their own supply of 30 million litres in a year. Previously the requirement was for three years at that supply level before the drawbridge was raised. This change required only a few words to be altered, but the impact is considerable. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, in introducing the changes to Parliament, said that “the Government is determined to ensure the industry moves milk up the value chain”. “This change will enable Fonterra to invest in that highervalue end,” he said at the time. In reality, the changes do something different. They reduce the risk of Fonterra being outcompeted by new companies who want to focus on that higher-end. This outcome is important both for Fonterra and the nation, but in different ways. Since the departure in 2018 of then CEO Theo Spierings and Chair John Wilson, Fonterra has been retreating from branded consumer products. It really had no option given that it had made such a mess of its internationallyfocused endeavours. It is now retreating to a New Zealand-based company with a predominant focus on commodities and ingredients. The new management has quietly acknowledged that the previous team over-reached, which is a polite term for multiple stuff-ups. There is a logic to Fonterra now staying in its lane. This lane is the low-cost processing of milk into

ORIGINS: Fonterra is wending its way back to its roots as a low-cost processor of commodities and ingredients, Keith Woodford says. dairy commodities and some specialised ingredients. This is what Fonterra has always done well and it is the low-risk model that a majority of its farmer members want. However, this is far from the notion of Fonterra being a national champion, which is a term widely used over the years in relation to national-level economic aspirations. When Fonterra was created in 2001, this notion of a national champion was what drove the Labour government of the time to support the formation of Fonterra.

There is a logic to Fonterra now staying in its lane. This lane is the low-cost processing of milk into dairy commodities and some specialised ingredients.

In contrast, the National Party of that time contained a cohort of members who argued for a more competitive model in line with the Commerce Act. Fonterra’s formation required legislative exemption from key provisions of that Act. It would not have happened without the belief that Fonterra could be NZ’s national economic champion. Within the current Labour government, echoes of Fonterra being a national champion still live on strongly. The inherent conflict between the low-risk model based on commodities and ingredients, and a more entrepreneurial higher-value but also higher-risk consumerfocused company, has never been recognised.

In contrast, within academic circles we did understand the inherent conflict between those models. They require a different company DNA. To use a classic term in strategic management, it was always likely that Fonterra would get stuck in the middle, neither one thing nor the other. This was something that often came up at seminars and in tearoom discussions. Right now, Fonterra is wending its way back to its roots as a lowcost processor of commodities and ingredients, and it has the company DNA to achieve this. It still has more divestments to make, certainly in China with Beingmate and China Farms, also in Brazil, almost certainly in Chile, and with a likelihood that more pain has to be endured in Australia. The good news is that with inflated asset prices, it’s a reasonable time to divest some assets. The value of Beingmate shares in particular has been rising in recent months, if only Fonterra can find a buyer. The problem for Fonterra is that the regulations require that the Beingmate transaction has to be off-market. Otherwise, Fonterra can only dribble the shares onto the Shenzhen Exchange. To a large extent, we can now forget about export-oriented consumer-focused dairy companies emerging in New Zealand, using NZ capital. It would always have been hard work, but now, with the DIRA changes, the hurdle is too great. However, there is still one opportunity for differentiation. That opportunity is for milk that is free of A1 beta-casein, known as A2 milk. Fonterra fought the concept of A2 milk from the outset nearly 20 years ago. Fonterra saw A2 as a risk rather

than an opportunity.Then, in a remarkable turnaround, Fonterra announced in February 2018 that they were forming a partnership with The A2 Milk Company (A2M), primarily to supply ingredients. At the time, it seemed an exciting move. But alas, Fonterra messed up badly with that agreement. It effectively meant that Fonterra could not sell A2 ingredients to anyone apart from A2M unless A2M agreed. And as I found out when asked to assist an overseas company in obtaining such products, A2M was never going to agree to that. So, what that agreement achieved was to effectively take A2M’s potentially biggest competitor out of the market. Most of the big international dairy companies are now putting together A2 dairy offerings but none can purchase those A2 ingredients from Fonterra. Fonterra could still be the global leader in A2 ingredients, sold through long-term supply contracts. But it cannot happen until the current agreement between Fonterra and A2M runs its course. Ironically, the biggest NZ valueadd dairy company is The a2 Milk Company itself (coded A2M on the ASX and ATM on the NZX). Although the Head Office is in Auckland, all of the key executives are in Australia, China and the USA, with the chair based in the UK. Most of the shares are also held by investors outside NZ. (For those wanting further information on this company and its journey, I have been writing about it for more than 15 years, with many of those articles at my own site (keithwoodford.wordpress.com) A2M continues its journey of exponential growth, with a further increase of over 30% in annual profit recently announced. The

CHANGES: Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said the Government was determined to ensure the dairy industry moves milk up the value chain. company is now valued at around $15 billion, well over twice that of Fonterra. In recent days, A2M has also announced non-binding plans to purchase 75.1% of struggling Mataura Valley Milk (MVM) with the intention to repurpose it for production of a2 Platinum infant formula and other nutritional products. The other partner in this company will be the Chinese government through a stateowned company, with that Chinese company downselling its existing shareholding in MVM to make room for A2M. The bottom line is any future competition for Fonterra will come from either existing players or well-funded overseas entities. It is too hard for local start-ups to get an export-focused foothold.

Your View Keith Woodford was Professor of farm management and agribusiness at Lincoln University for 15 years to 2015. He is now principal consultant at AgriFood Systems. He can be contacted at kbwoodford@gmail.com

World

24 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

Vaccine for M bovis shows promise MYCOPLASMA bovis is the number one cause of pneumonia in calves in the UK as well as causing mastitis and arthritis in older animals. It is difficult to treat and until recently, there was no commercially available vaccine in Europe. Now a Mycoplasma bovis (M bovis) vaccine developed in the US has been granted access for use in the UK under the special import certificate (SIC) scheme. UK Farmers Weekly spoke to a farmer using an imported multistrain vaccine in his herd to find out the benefits. Initial results on the dairy farm, using this vaccine within a wider management plan, have been encouraging. When David Smurthwaite joined the 320-cow herd at Westertown Farm, Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, nine months ago as herd manager, he suspected there was an underlying problem. Having had previous experience of M bovis, Smurthwaite was aware of the clinical signs of the disease and he enlisted Graeme Fowlie from Meadow Vets to investigate. “I used to manage a suckler herd and mycoplasma was rearing its head there. Graeme had been doing some work on the disease

We were convinced we were still getting calves born with M bovis and when we tested, we identified a couple of calves with it under seven days old.

and gained access to a vaccine,” he said. The duo suspect M bovis had been present for some time in the herd. Common symptoms in calves included drooping ears, head tilts, pneumonia and high mortality. Adult animals presented hock damage and swollen knee joints. Cows were vaccinated with the imported vaccine in October, three weeks before calving. Since then, they have switched to vaccinating cows at drying-off to allow more time for immunity to be passed on to calves. “We were convinced we were still getting calves born with M bovis and when we tested, we identified a couple of calves with it under seven days old,” he said. “As a result, we have now changed to vaccinating cows at

OUTCOME: Although the vaccine has been in use for less than a year, UK farmer David Smurthwaite is convinced it is having a positive effect in managing M bovis.

drying-off, giving cows enough time to pass on immunity in the womb and in the colostrum. “Calves are then vaccinated at four to five weeks old.” Although the vaccine has been in use for less than a year, they are convinced it is having a positive effect in managing M bovis. Smurthwaite reckons it has already halved the number of calf mortalities and antibiotics used.

Management changes have also been made to improve calf health. All milk fed to calves within the first 10 days of life is pasteurised, including colostrum. This is because M bovis can be transmitted through infected milk. After this, calves are fed powder milk on a milk machine. “We are also paying particular attention to colostrum quality and are only using colostrum

measuring 20+ using a Brix refractometer. We think this is having a positive effect on calf health too,” he said. Measures have also been implemented to improve the housing environment, with stocking density reduced. Calves are being housed in batches and sheds are disinfected between batches. UK Farmers Weekly

McCain looks to secure supply chain for the future POTATO giant McCain has launched a £25 million (NZ$50m) investment in the industry as it looks to secure its potato supplies while farmers face extreme weather conditions, covid-19 challenges and cash flow issues. The McCain Potato Farmer Pledge is split into three elements: multi-year incentives, grower grant funding and sustainable contracts. Sustainability is the key for director of agriculture at McCain GB and Ireland Daniel Metheringham, who said the firm had supported the UK potato industry for 50 years and this investment would help them support it “hopefully for the next 50.”

“Simply, we do not have a business without potatoes,” he said. “By having close relationships with our farmers we have been able to speak to them about how to handle these challenges.” Recent harvests have thrown up challenges for potato growers, with many facing drought and one of the wettest harvests on record. Metheringham said he was concerned by these climatic extremes which could put their whole supply chain at risk. He added the grant funding would help businesses to invest in areas such as irrigation and harvest capacity. “It is all about trying to de-risk

the supply chain,” he said. And coronavirus had hit the business hard. “Usually 45% of our products are going into retail. This did see a slight increase which has just started to curtail,” he said. “But more than 50% of sales are out of home markets which pretty much stopped overnight.” This meant there were potatoes in stores from last year which had to be managed, as well as next year’s crop which was about to be planted. “The potatoes in stores we have honoured those contracts,” he said, adding they had converted some into finished products and others into fresh trade for

supermarkets while demand was heightened. “We also partnered with a local business to supply food charity FareShare with surplus processing potatoes,” he added. Metheringham said they had been able to have one-to-one conversations with growers to see where they could be flexible and use land for other purposes. The McCain Farmer Pledge had been created from feedback from its growers. He highlighted cashflow issues had been cited by farmers as a big challenge. He added that usually a multi-year contract would pay the lowest in year one and the highest in year five.

But as they had relationships with growers often extending back three and even four generations, they had offered front-loaded options to those who needed the money this year. The pledge for sustainable contracts focused on improving prices on early season varieties and building greater flexibility into the farm-to-production system, to reduce delays. This was in addition to the Indexation Model which measures changes in the costs of production to ensure “fair and sustainable” contract pricing for growers which has been in place since 2007. UK Farmers Guardian

Substitutes more harmful to planet

BETTER: Study shows drinking milk from cows in the UK uses 11 times less soya than consuming drinks made directly from soya.

VEGANS who buy milk substitutes are harming the planet and would be better switching to cow’s milk, according to a new study. The review of evidence, carried out by Mike Wilkinson, Nottingham University and Richard Young, Sustainable Food Trust, found 85 litres of milk is produced in the UK for every kilo of soyabean meal consumed by dairy cows, compared to 7.5 litres of soya drink from a kilo of whole soyabeans. This means drinking milk from cows in the UK uses 11 times less soya – a crop associated with deforestation, high emissions, biodiversity loss and soil degradation – than consuming drinks made directly from soya.

Young also pointed out milk substitutes from almonds were contributing to overuse of water and insecticides, and that the production of rice for milk alternatives emits significant amounts of nitrous oxide, as well as having to be imported from countries where there are rice shortages. “The only other milk substitute people can choose, which is the best from an environmental perspective, is oat milk, because it can be produced in the UK,” he said. “But actually when you look at it, oat milk is nutritionally very poor. For us, there are no good plantbased milk alternatives which we could wholeheartedly recommend.” The study also showed UK livestock farmers could use more

local feed alternatives to soya meal and palm kernel meal, without reducing productivity. Livestock feed manufacturers favour the use of soyabean meal over other high-protein feeds because of widespread availability and quality, despite alternatives such as rapeseed meal, distillers’ grains and pulse grains being on offer. But Young pointed out availability may be a limiting factor in some cases. “One of the ironies is we are promoting rapeseed meal, but because of the neonicotinoid ban, there has been a big fall in oilseed rape production this year and that may well become a permanent feature,” he said. UK Farmers Guardian

Hastings 712 Matapiro Road, Crownthorpe

Summerhill, pristine 100 hectare finishing farm

Summerhill farm, 250 acres of easy contour located only 25 kilometres from Stortford Lodge sale yards, is a magnificent finishing farm boasting large areas of easy contour, a fully reticulated water system and extensive laneways providing excellent workability. Nicely elevated, the 2003 built four bedroom (plus office) home at the end of the sealed driveway provides fantastic rural views over the Heretaunga plains and towards Te Mata Peak. There are also several other potential house sites. Another feature is the eight bay implement shed with five lockable, stable and hay shed included, along with cattle yards and approximately 10 hectares of fully tended mature Pinus radiata topping off this very tidy and well located farm. This property suits all types of purchasers with harvestable woodlots and further subdivision potential a real carrot for the purchaser.

Tender (will not be sold prior) Closing 4pm, Wed 16 Sep 2020 17 Napier Road, Havelock North View by appointment Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253 tony.rasmussen@bayleys.co.nz

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

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Matakohe 276 Poyner Road Genuine first farm with great contour Located only 10.6km from Matakohe this dairy farm containing 93.9727 hectares offers great flat to easy contour with good soil type and holds the potential for increased production gains. Infrastructure includes an 18 ASHB cowshed, wintering barn and implement sheds. The farm is well subdivided into 45 paddocks that are accessed via limestone based laneways. Dwellings include a four bedroom weatherboard home and the second dwelling is two bedroom. Our vendor is existing the dairy industry so this property is seriously for sale.

bayleys.co.nz/1020533

Putaruru 9-13 Rolfe Way 4

Price by Negotiation View by appointment Catherine Stewart 027 356 5031 catherine.stewart@bayleys.co.nz MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

• Tenanted by New Zealand's largest farmer owned rural supplies co-operative, with a rental of $165,000 +GST and outgoings per annum • Located in a prominent position in Putaruru, visible from State Highway 1 • Well maintained building with ample parking With a solid tenant in place on a right of renewal lease that expires in 2065, this commercial investment makes good business sense.

Auction (unless sold prior) 12pm, Thu 17 Sep 2020 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton View by appointment Willem Brown 021 161 4066 willem.brown@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

A landlord has the opportunity to make stable long-term returns on this light commercial building that comes with a reliable tenant and a well structured lease.

bayleys.co.nz/2311569

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Spring IN YOUR STEP

Bayleys’ Country will give your farm or lifestyle property a jump start in the market Spring means it’s time to roll up your sleeves and muck in for rural New Zealand and it’s the same for the Bayleys’ Country team. If it’s time to turn over a new leaf and sell your farm, orchard, forestry block, vineyard or lifestyle property, then let us show you how. Preparations are underway for the multi-channelled spring edition of Country and our well-seasoned rural team have stepped into their gumboots to walk the talk. There’s space in Country for your property and you’ll be ahead of the pack if you put your hand up now. Bayleys is New Zealand’s number one rural brand and sets the pace with an effective, widereaching and market-relevant portfolio to give your property the best run for its money. Step into spring with confidence – talk to your local Bayleys office about Country today.

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END OF AN ERA - THE HAMMER MUST FALL!

AUCTION - FRIDAY 2ND OCTOBER 2020, AT 3PM IN TIMARU FOVERAN STATION, 860 MCHENRYS ROAD, HAKATARAMEA VALLEY, SOUTH CANTERBURY SHEEP/BEEF AND DEER

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Our vendors instructions are clear - no longer part of their core business assets, this farm must go. Your participation in the process is recommended and made easy with full due diligence information, including financials. Call us today to register your interest, the hammer will be going down on auction day. You will not want to miss this incredible opportunity!

2645.8515 hectares

Recent irrigation development

Multiple income sources

Substantial water allocations

colliers.co.nz/p-NZL67011751

Top red deer genetics

Sheep and beef

Richard O’Sullivan 027 292 3921

Ruth Hodges 027 309 0334 Agri Realty Ltd, Licensed Agent REAA 2008

FOR SALE AN ARCHITECTURAL STATEMENT 504 WAIRAKEI ROAD, CHRISTCHURCH ASKING PRICE: $3,600,000 + GST (IF ANY)

GOVERNMENT AND AGRI-TENANTED INVESTMENT A fantastic opportunity to acquire a high spec, post-earthquake investment - fully occupied with blue chip Government and Professional Services tenants. Strong tenant covenant with Education Review Office (ERO) and Brown Glassford & Co. The education-based Government department and highly reputable agri-accountancy firm provides excellent security of cashflow for investors. Call our agents today for further information.

+ + + + + + + +

Quality post earthquake build Fully occupied Outstanding tenant covenant Government + Agri sectors Excellent local amenity Unique secured car parking Net Rental: $252,080 pa Circa 7% return

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Thursday 10 September 2020 at 4.00pm* TIM ROOKES 027 562 3700

CAMERON DARBY 027 450 7902

*Unless sold prior www.cbre.co.nz/20072020 CBRE (Agency) Limited, Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008)

Your rural team for the Waikato, King Country and Hauraki. A team of this size has the experience you need! Thinking of buying or selling a farm this Spring? Talk to the best team in rural real estate.

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WEB ID WMR77603 WAIMATE 250 Ritchies Road View By Appointment Bigger and better than your normal lifestyle block. 51.6012 hectares of silt loam. The opportunity awaits for new owners to build a future here. This small farm has excellent soils, strong fertile Waikakahi Silt Loams Tim Meehan and easy rolling contour. The owners have grown crops Mobile 027 222 9983 of wheat and barley in the past and presently are tim.meehan@pb.co.nz breeding and finishing sheep and wintering over 100 cattle. Situated in the very fertile Douglas Basin of Waihao Downs with 10 permanently fenced paddocks. Ian Moore An easy 20 km drive to Waimate. 1980's, 340 m2, 4 Mobile 027 539 8152 brm house with 3 living areas. ian.moore@pb.co.nz

BUYERS $1,350,000+

4 2

WEB ID FR76983 FEILDING 1191 Camerons Line VIEW Tuesday 1 Sep 10.00 - 11.00am Seldom do we have the privilege to market a property of TENDER closes Tuesday 29th September, 2020 at 11.00am, this quality, in such a sought after location. Situated just Property Brokers Ltd, 54 Kimbolton Road, Feilding a few minutes from Feilding and Palmerston North, is this 62.3714 hectare (more or less) farm. This is Stuart Sutherland undoubtedly a property that will prove to be a prudent Mobile 027 452 1155 4 Home 06 323 7193 investment, not only because of the attributes of the stuarts@pb.co.nz farm, but also the subdivision opportunities it affords with Council consent to subdivide up to 7 titles. The 2 features include a 4-bedroom 2004 Wood Robson built Blair Cottrill homestead set in mature grounds, complementary soil Mobile 027 354 5419 2 types, central lane and stands of native bush. blair@pb.co.nz

TENDER

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NZ’s #1 Agri Job Board

OHINEWAIRUA STATION

DEER MANAGER

About the role We are a 5,000 hectare station in the Central North Island with longstanding family shareholders. We run Sheep, Beef and Deer breeding and finishing and are looking for a Deer Manager to work with our Farm Manager and the team with the goal of optimising our Deer Unit and continuing to build on our long-term sustainability plans. The shareholders and directors are committed to a long-term view of the farm and are progressively working towards more regenerative agricultural practices. You will be involved in all aspects of the Deer Unit. You’ll be an instrumental part of a team that takes great care of the animals so that we can optimise the profitability and sustainability of the Deer Unit. The ideal candidate will have: • Experience within the deer industry in particular with high performance breeding and finishing. • Strong knowledge and understanding of deer hygiene and animal record keeping. • Experience with pasture management and feed budgeting for deer. • A first-class attitude to health and safety and animal welfare. • Enthusiasm for using technology. • A proven track record of working well in a team environment. • Able to work weekends, public holidays and longer hours during seasonal demand. • Hold a clean driver’s licence. • Have excellent communication skills. • Preferably hold the NVSB certification. • Can work independently. • Can operate farm machinery. • May be required to assist with other aspects of the farm from time to time.

HEAD SHEPHERD

OHINEWAIRUA STATION TRACTOR DRIVER /GENERAL HAND

A position has become available on Turihaua Station; a 1000ha coastal property 18km north of Gisborne. The property winters 9000su comprising of 80:20 cattle sheep ratio. 400 stud Angus cows are calved annually with all calves being weighed and tagged at birth. The role of the Head Shepherd will be to meet the day-to-day labour demands of a progressive stud and commercial farming operation, to support and work along side the Stud Manager in the implementation of the jointly agreed stock management plan and responsibility for farming operations when the Stud Manager is away. Applicants with at least 5 years farming experience and the following attributes will be considered: • interest in the seed stock industry • be a good stockman with an eye for detail • have a small team of dogs under good command • proven ability for accurate data collection and record keeping • a clear and open communicator Accommodation (if required) is a 3 bedroom home on the beach on the local High School and Primary School bus routes. For the full job description, check out trade me advert reference #2738547609, our website turihaua.co.nz and facebook page Please contact Paul 021 1894114 for more information

About the role We are a 5,000 hectare station in the Central North Island with longstanding family shareholders. We run sheep, beef and deer breeding and finishing and are looking for a Tractor Driver/General Hand to work as part of our team. The shareholders and directors are committed to a long-term view of the farm and are progressively working towards more regenerative agricultural practices. You will be involved in all aspects of the farm. You’ll be an instrumental part of a team that takes great care of the animals so that we can optimise the profitability and sustainability of the entire property. The ideal candidate will have: • Excellent tractor operation skills and experience. • Experience with spray and drilling equipment – and appreciation of the care required in their use. • Maintenance skills on machinery, including light welding skills. • General farm work fence repairs, firewood, grading roads, spreading metal, feeding out, maintaining and developing water schemes. • A first-class attitude to health and safety and animal welfare. • Able to work weekends, public holidays and longer hours during seasonal demand. • Hold a clean driver’s licence. • Have good communication skills. • Can work independently. • A proven track record of working well in a team environment. • Can operate farm machinery. Benefits and perks: The opportunity to have a fun, challenging and fulfilling career while we work at building a leading large-scale multi-livestock farm. You’ll be part of a great team and will be expected to work positively with other staff. The salary is competitive, and a 3-bedroom house is provided as part of the package. A school bus stops at the farm gate. Applicants will require the legal right to work in New Zealand to be considered for this role. Applicants for this position should have New Zealand residency or a valid New Zealand work visa.

JW103699©

Benefits and perks: The opportunity to have a fun, challenging and fulfilling career while we work at building a leading large-scale multi-livestock farm. You’ll be part of a great team and will be expected to work positively with other staff. The salary is competitive, and a 3-bedroom house is provided as part of the package. A school bus stops at the farm gate. Applicants will require the legal right to work in New Zealand to be considered for this role. Applicants for this position should have New Zealand residency or a valid New Zealand work visa.

FARMERS WEEKLY – August 31, 2020

E ma i l C .V. t o o h i ne@ xt r a .c o . n z E nq ui r i es t o M a r k H a y nes (06)3881503

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

JOBS0101788 BOARD farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

Email C.V. to ohine@xtra.co.nz Enquiries to Mark Haynes (06)3881503

63.57x120

JOBS BOARD Assistant Manager / 2IC 2IC/Livestock Manager FW Jobs Board

LIVESTOCK CADET

Deer Manager to come Farm Operations Manager

AFFCO NZ Limited provides the world with New Zealand’s finest premium meats and associated animal by products. We select our livestock from the best New Zealand farms to enable us to provide both our international and local customers with the premium products that only New Zealand has to offer. We pride ourselves on our working relationship with our livestock suppliers. A Farm Manager is required for two dairy support blocks located in Western Southland. The Primary farm is located at Colac Bay, 10mins from Riverton with a smaller block located 30mins away at Tuatapere. Our Colac Bay farm is a wonderful piece of southland with plenty of adventure at your doorstep. Together the farms total 733ha, since 2003 these have operated as dairy support blocks for three platforms located in Kapuka. On average there are 700 R1yr, 700 R2yr and bulls/beefs grazed annually; a fully self-contained system also wintering dairy cows. Both blocks are a mixture of flat to large hill blocks with some bush blocks at the Tuatapere property. The successful applicant will require excellent animal husbandry and pasture management skills along with good business reporting abilities. We are seeking a self-starter who can manage their own time well, communicate with the Dairy Operations Manager on a regular basis and help us continue to grow an efficient and profitable business.

The successful candidate will ideally have; • Experience on a farm and working with animals • Knowledge and an affinity for the rural sector • Full, clean driver’s license • Willingness to learn • Ability to use Excel, Word and Outlook • Ability to move to areas in New Zealand if required • The applicant will be physically fit as it can be a physically demanding role Please note you must be a NZ resident or legally entitled to work in NZ to be eligible for this role. Please forward your CV to hr@affco.co.nz by the 18 September 2020.

We as an employer strive ourselves on being supportive and encourage ongoing development. This is a long term position. We have a 2IC ready to support the position with four years’ experience on the blocks. A modern three bedroom home is available. Competitive Remuneration. Please send CVs to brad@orakafarms.co.nz

Live-in Couple Livestock Cadet Livestock Manager

We are looking for a new member of our Livestock team, a Livestock Cadet who could be based in either the North or South Island. This role will involve working with established Livestock Buyers to gain the required experience to become an AFFCO livestock buyer.

Sales Manager Shepherd Shepherd General Tractor/Truck/Machinery Operator *FREE upload to Farmers Weekly jobs: farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

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FARM OPERATIONS MANAGER // WESTERN SOUTHLAND

General Hand

*conditions apply

Contact ContactDebbie DebbieBrown Brown027 06 323 7050765 7181 or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

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

SELLING

SOMETHING? 0800 85 25 80

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

We got noticed! “ Advertising with the Farmers Weekly gave us

confidence that we had covered as many bases as possible, cast the net as widely as we could. Sara, Mt Cass Station (Advertised for a Block Manager)

“

GET IN TOUCH

For all your employment ads Debbie 027 705 7181, classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

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Noticeboard

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

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

FARM MAPPING

ATTENTION FARMERS

SIMPLE AND CLEAR farm maps with paddock sizes will help you achieve your daily goals. Get a free quote from farmmapping. co.nz

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

GOATS WANTED

CALF TRAILER MATS SUREFOOT MAT 1.5m x 1m x 24mm $98ea + Frt & GST (6 or more freight free). Phone 0800 686 119.

DOGS FOR SALE CHANGE OF DATE. WHATATUTU dog sale to Saturday 12th September at Otara Station, 319 Whatatutu Rd. Te Karaka, Gisborne. Sale starts 12 noon. Dosing clearance required. Any enquiries to Allen Irwin. Ph 06 862 3618. Email: toromirostation@ gmail.com

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. NAKI GOATS. Trucking goats to the works every week throughout the NI. Phone Michael and Clarice. 027 643 0403. WETHER GOATS WANTED. North Island Contact David Hutchings 027 4519 249. South Island. Contact Dion Burgess 022 199 7069 and for all other South Island goat enquiries call Dion Burgess.

SELLING SOMETHING? Advertise in Farmers Weekly Phone Debbie Brown 0800 85 25 80

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE WILTSHIRES-ARVIDSON. Self shearing sheep. No1 for Facial Eczema. David 027 2771 556. B R O O K L A N D SIMMENTAL, LBW, short gestation, bulls, suitable for beef or dairy, EBV’s available. Phone 06 374 1802.

RAMS FOR SALE

Friendship/ Companionship At CCN we help lonely COUNTRY gentlemen in finding their soul mates & romantic partners. We specialize in introducing couples the old fashioned way, the only way that assures a high rate in success. Call CCN for a FREE compatibility match to start meeting genuine ladies in your area today. Seniors Welcome. Please call

0800 446 332 www.countrycompanionship.co.nz

TWO ROMNEY X Brookbank Romney stud, FE tolerant. Enquiries phone 06 329 6790. WILTSHIRE & SHIRE® Meat rams. Low input. www.wiltshire-rams.co.nz 03 225 5283.

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

0800 436 566

Poultry Equipment

WANTED: Used wire cable

Free range & barn eggs

Our Ashburton River Engineering section needs more used 12–30mm irrigator cable. It could have a future life in erosion control of our region’s rivers! We are happy to pick up or arrange delivery.

SUPPLIERS OF: • Nest boxes – manual or automated • Feed and drinking trays • Plastic egg trays Quality products made in Europe or by PPP A trusted name in the poultry industry for over 50 years

Industries Ltd

STOCK FEED

sales@pppindustries.co.nz www.pppindustries.co.nz

With automatic release and spray system. www.vetmarker.co.nz 0800 DOCKER (362 537)

Industries Ltd

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

50 TON WOOD SPLITTER

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

Heavy duty long lasting

76 80 +GS

LUCERNE WANTED

WOODSPLITTER WANTED. Vertical Type. Phone Chris 027 493 1108.

CONTROL FLYSTRIKE & LICE

SUPPLYING FARMERS SINCE 1962

LAMB DOCKING / TAILING CHUTE

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

If you can help, please contact: Tracey Hobson on 027 809 2037 or Tracey.Hobson@ecan.govt.nz

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

VETMARKER

WANTED TO BUY

FO SALR E

DOLOMITE

0800 901 902

HAY 12 EQUIVALENT SQUARES 100+gst. BALEAGE $110+gst. Unit loads available. Phone 021 455 787.

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ONE 12-MONTH Huntaway, working. ONE 3-month Huntaway pup. Phone 027 243 8541 or 06 388 0212. BREEDING. TRAINING. Selling. Buying. www. youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos – email: mikehughesworkingdogs@ farmside.co.nz

PERSONAL

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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

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

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DOGS FOR SALE

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ANIMAL HANDLING

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

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FARMERS WEEKLY – August 31, 2020

Please contact Rory Boleyn 027 436 9133

12HP, Diesel, Electric Start

Heavy duty construction for serious wood splitting. Towable.

4X4 TAGALONG TOURS

Ph 021 047 9299

Bring your own 4X4 on a guided tour to discover more of the South Island. Tour 1 Molesworth Station, St James, and Rainbow Stations

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Tour 2 D’Urville Island and Marlborough High Country Dates Dec 6-10, 2020, Jan 17-21, March 21-25, April 11-15. Other dates available for groups of 6 or more people on request

GST Special Price $4200 INCLUSIVE Very limited stock

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

Livestock Noticeboard

TOTARANUI A N G U S

89 YEARLING BULLS

(Obtaining the best profits for our customers)

Tuesday 15th September, 12 noon on farm, Pahiatua

Farmers/Woodlot owner Tired of waiting for someone to harvest your trees?

19 R1 bulls for MA cow mating, 70 specialist low birth weight bulls averaging 1.4 for birth weight ebv, against a national average of 4.3. Many of these bulls are in the top 5% of the breed (Australasia wide) for (low) birth weight, making their ease of calving fantastic, meaning more live calves and more live heifers.

We are not committed to one buyer that is how we get our customers the most profit we can. Set up to do the smaller, trickier wood lots. No job too big or too small.

Free quotes Markets for all species Email: BTZforestry@gmail.com

• C10 Status • BVD tested & vaccinated • Carcase scanned Daimien & Tally 06 376 8400, 021 430 710 Mark Crooks, PGW, 027 590 1452

www.totaranuistud.co.nz

Email for a catalogue: bulls@totaranuistud.co.nz

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BTZ Forestry Marketing and Harvesting

To find out more visit

www.moamaster.co.nz

Ph: 03 314 7220 Mob: 0274 351 955 Email info@southislandtoursnz.com www.southislandtoursnz.com livestock@globalhq.co.nz80

LK0102987©

Dates 2021 Jan 10-13, Feb 21-24, March 14-17, April 25-28.

38 BULLS INCLUDING STEAKHOUSE P202

32 livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80 SIRE: KAYJAY BLEDISLOE N11

Lot 2: BLEDISLOE Q351

HALLMARK P203

Livestock Noticeboard

FARMERS WEEKLY – August 31, 2020

Lot 14: BLEDISLOE Q315

STEAKHOUSE P208

HALLMARK P200 Upcoming Northland

Safe, Traceable, Quiet Bulls

Spring Cattle Fairs:

SIRE:

MERCHISTON STEAKHOUSE

Lot 4: BIGMAC Q328

Lot 12: BIGMAC Q311

ANNUAL BULL SALEWELLSFORD GROWN CATTLE FAIR Monday 7th September

TURIHAUA MAGIC M24

Bulls For Heifer Mating

Further enquiries contact: Robert McLean 027 590 4829

YEAR’S Lot 7: MAGIC Q338 FRIDAY 18th OF SEPTEMBER 12.30PM SIRES

SIRE:

250 x 2yr old Steers 150 x 2yr old Heifers

AIMING FOR ZERO BOBBIES AND HIGH VALUE CALVES?

MAUNGAKARAMEA SPRING FAIR

Lot 6: MAGIC Q358

Friday 11th September

24 BULLS ANDMerchiston 14 WELL HEIFERS SteakhouseGROWN 489 Ascot Hallmark H147 READY FOR MATING

THE CHOICE IS

Approx. 1200 Cattle

38 BULLS INCLUDING

200 x Autumn Born Steers 800 x Yearling Steers 200 x Yearling Heifers

BULL SALE WILL BE ON FARM AS WELL AS AN ONLINE AUCTION BULL SALE WILL BE ON FARM AS WELL AS AN ONLINE AUCTION RUN SIMULTANEOUSLY THROUGH HALLMARK P203 Further enquiries contact: STEAKHOUSE P202 B IDR THROUGH RUN SIMULTANEOUSLY B IDR PLEASE GET IN TOUCH FOR MORE INFORMATION Paul Chapman 021 242 7799 PLEASE GET IN TOUCH FOR7533 MORE INFORMATION NEILKJESTRUP KJESTRUP0606372 372 2838 RODKJESTRUP KJESTRUP06 06372 372 NEIL 2838 ROD 7533 06 372 2838 ROD KJESTRUP 06 372 7533 Check us NEIL out onKJESTRUP fb.com/kayjayangus

KAYJAY BLEDISLOE N11

WELLSFORD SPRING YEARLING & WEANER

CHARWELL POLLED HEREFORD STUD STEAKHOUSE P208

SIRE:

MERCHISTON STEAKHOUSE

Lot 4: BIGMAC Q328

300 BULLS AVAILABLE

Tim Williamson 027 511 7778

Lot 2: BLEDISLOE Q351 BLEDISLOE Q315 fb.com/kayjayagnus Check us out Lot on 14:fb.com/kayjayangus

Monday 14th September Approx. 300 head

HALLMARK P200

Further enquiries contact: Robert McLean 027 590 4829

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SIRE:

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Lot 12: BIGMAC Q311

WILL MORRISON - 027 640 1166 SALE Tuesday 22 Sept, 12noon Ardo Herefords, Marton MIKE CRANSTONE - 027 218 0123 SALE Thursday 17 Sept, 12noon Riverton Herefords, Wanganui

www.ezicalve.co.nz

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IDAY THE 29thBULL OF M AY 12 noon ANNUALFRYEARLING STEAKHOUSE P225 THIS TRADEMARK P211 & HEIFER SALE

20TH ANNUAL SPRING SALE STEAKHOUSE P225

TRADEMARK P211

Wednesday 9th SeptemberLotat7: MAGIC 11.30am Lot 6: MAGIC Q358 Q338 at 659 Matahi Road, Manawahe 24 BULLS AND 14 WELL GROWN HEIFERS NearREADY Lake Rotoma, SH 30 FOR MATING

SIRE:

TURIHAUA MAGIC M24

BULL SALE WILL BE ON FARM AS WELL AS AN ONLINE AUCTION Representing 101 years bred genetics BULL SALE WILLof BEpure ON FARM AS WELL AS AN ONLINE AUCTION RUN SIMULTANEOUSLY THROUGH B IDR

Tuesday 8th Septembe r 11:30am

RUN SIMULTANEOUSLY THROUGH B IDR

PLEASE GET IN TOUCH FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE GET IN TOUCH FOR7533 MORE INFORMATION NEILKJESTRUP KJESTRUP0606372 372 2838 RODKJESTRUP KJESTRUP06 06372 372 NEIL 2838 ROD 7533 06 372 2838 ROD KJESTRUP 06 372 7533 Check us NEIL out onKJESTRUP fb.com/kayjayangus

We welcome clients, friends fb.com/kayjayangus and visitors to our sale which comprises:

fb.com/kayjayagnus Check us out on

58 17 30

2-year old bulls 18-month bulls Well grown yearling bulls

200 Yearling Jersey Bulls for Sale in Cambridge, Waikato + My Livestock Live Auction Hybrid Auction

Quality, Well Grown, High BW, Low Risk

All TB & BVD clear & vaccinated

ONE OF THE TOP 10 NZ HERDS - BW 237 - PW 258

Enquiries to Richard and Christine - 027 353 5693

These animals are from a CLOSED herd and have never left the property or been leased out.

craigmore

NZ Farmers Livestock - Ollie Carruthers - 0274 515 312 Link Livestock Ltd - Ross Riddell - 0272 111 112

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For more information Contact Peter or Penny Davies - “Taharoto” 716 Matahi Road, RD 4, Whakatane 3194 Phone 07 322 1080 or email: pstdavies@ruralinzone.net

Catalogue available at jersey.org.nz/link-livestock

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING farmersweekly.co.nz All bulls are ready to perform!

polled herefords

We’ve done the work for you!

All bulls are: • Performance recorded • Genomics tested to improve accuracy of EBVs

• Polled gene tested • Sire verified

YEARLING BULL SALE

On farm bull sale plus online sale at bidr Sign up at www.bidr.co.nz Monday 14th September 2020, at 12.30pm

Craigmore Hereford bulls carry the Hereford Blue tag.

On A/C D.B & S.E Henderson At the stud property: 429 Rukuhia Road, RD 2, Ohaupo 104 Registered Well Grown Bulls

For further information or inspection, please contact: Vendors: David 021 166 1389 or the selling agents: PGG Wrightson: Vaughn Larsen 027 801 4599, Cam Heggie 027 501 8182

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Luncheon available

We have bulls that will suit beef and dairy farmers www.craigmoreherefords.co.nz

Livestock Noticeboard

FARMERS WEEKLY – August 31, 2020

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

GRAZING OR LEASE BLOCKS WANTED

MURRAY GREY BEEF

23RD ANNUAL BULL SALE A/C TETLEY JONES AGRICULTURE LTD Monday 14th September 2020. Starts 11.30am. On farm at 105 Tahaia Bush Road, Otorohanga (signposted from State Highway 3 South of Otorohanga) Comprising:

Region: North Island south of Auckland Time: Mid-October onwards

• 140 2yr Jersey Bulls • 30 2yr Angus Bulls

Payment: Options structured to meet your business Register you Interest Now

Celebrating 50 years in New Zealand

Contact Nick Dromgool 027 857 7305

CATTLE WITH TASTE!

nick.dromgool@geneticdevelopment.co.nz

JW103736©

EARLY MATURITY • HIGH YIELDING CARCASE • PROVEN IMF P: 06 323 4484, E: murraygreys@pbbnz.com, murraygreys.co.nz Like us on facebook: NZ Murray Grey Breeders

One line of very well bred Angus bulls. 70 years of breeding background. TB, EBL, BVD tested clear. These bulls are always in suitable mating condition & are farmed on rolling country, idea for dairy cow & heifer mating. All bulls have had two vaccinations plus one booster for BVD. Free grazing on vendors property until October 20th 2020, or 50kms transport subsidy if purchased bulls taken from sale venue to purchasers property on the day after the sale. Purchasers must have NAIT number on sale day. A great opportunity to purchase genuine, clean one vendor farmed bulls. All enquiries: Wium Mostert 027 473 5856 or 07 871 9188 Vendor Ross Tetley-Jones 027 454 3909 or 07 873 0622

This sale will be hosted by bidr as a HYBRID auction, online bidding and a livestream of the sale available on the day, as well as the normal on-farm format.

THIRD ANNUAL YEARLING SALE

All intending online purchasers must be registered on bidr in advance of the sale date.

Thursday 10 September 2020 at 2pm | 216 Wiltons Road, Carterton Open day will be held Wednesday 26th August 2-4pm All agents and farmers welcome

For help signing up, contact the team on 0800 86 2437, or contact Caitlin Rokela, National Territory Manager on 027 405 6156 for any other queries. Trading online with confidence during COVID-19 www.bidr.co.nz

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

Are you looking in the right direction?

Helping grow the country

Call Ella

0800 85 25 80 livestock@globalhq.co.nz

PROGRAMMED TO PERFORM

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

40 Years of Proven Performance • Top Quality Simmental Angus bulls

Advertise in Farmers Weekly

For more information or a catalogue contact us: John McFadzean 06 372 7045 | Johnie McFadzean 06 379 7401 / 027 429 5777 Andrew Jennings PGG Wrightson 027 594 6820

www.mcfadzeancattlecompany.co.nz 7% rebate for non participating agents

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McFadzean Meatmaker bulls consistently wean over 60% of cow weight

To advertise Phone Ella Holland 0800 85 25 80 or email livestock@globalhq.co.nz

MATAPOURI POLLED HEREFORDS

Clements Farms [Matapouri] Ltd

47th ANNUAL SPRING BULL SALE

Friday 4 September 2020 – 12.30pm – Undercover on Marua Farm [11km east of Hikurangi] • • • •

As well as the usual payment terms, we offer the following 2 options: Bulls may be left on the property until 10 October 2020, with payment within 14 days of the sale OR If bulls uplifted on the day of sale, payment due on 1 November 2020. An overriding commission of 6% is payable to non-participating Companies

Brian Clements Phone: 09 433 7033 • Ian Clements Phone: 0274 974 864 Auctioneers: Carrfields Livestock, Tim Williamson 09 433 7919 or 275 117 778 or PGG Wrightson, Mike Laing 09 436 0309 or 0275 986 736

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Offering approximately 65 R2Yr Hereford Bulls & 85 R1Yr Hereford Bulls Catalogues available from mid-August

All Yearling Bulls in the top 25% in NZ for low birthweight EBV Calving ease is important - come north and share our dream! TB C10 and Brucellosis accredited BVD antigen tested clear & vaccinated twice

Livestock Noticeboard

RIVERLEE HEREFORDS

Angus

Spring Bull Sale 10th September 2020, 11.30am Held under cover on farm 2354 Rangiwahia Rd Rangiwahia, Manawatu

PRELIMINARY NOTICE FRANKTON CATTLE SALE

11TH ANNUAL YEARLING BULL SALE

Annual Sale

98 YEARLING

Special Entry

All home Bred Bulls 25th September 2020 – 12 Noon

ANGUS BULLS

A/c Colin & Carol King Awakino Gorge SHW 3

th ber 2020 Tuesday 15 Septem r Auction

and Bid at 12 noon on farm of Islands y Ba i, ng ita Wa

37 Reg. Hereford Bulls 10 PB Hereford Bulls 21 Angus Yearling Bulls

62 2yr Polled Hereford Bulls

NG SPECIALISTS OUR EASE OF CALVI

BRED FOR CALVING EASE, MODERATE BIRTH WEIGHT AND TEMPERAMENT.

BVD Tested & Vaccinated, TB Tested

Catalogue can be viewed at NZ Herefords.co.nz

Enquiries and Inspection Welcomed: Please contact John & Joss Bayly, Waitangi Angus Ph 09 402 7552, Bay of Islands Email jbayly@xtra.co.nz

Selling Agents: Carrfields Livestock: Dan Warner 027 826 5768 NZ Farmers Livestock: John Watson 027 494 1975

www.herefords.co.nz

www.waitangiangus.co.nz

Enquiries & Visitors Welcome Murray & Fiona Curtis 06 328 2881 or 027 228 2881

Email: mfcurtis@farmside.co.nz PRELIMINARY NOTICE

Contact: Stephen Sutton 027 442 3207 NZFLL Brent Bougen 027 210 4698 NZFLL Grant Ross 021 174 8403 Carrfields Colin & Carol King 06 752 9863

SALE TALK

VALDA ROSE HEREFORD BULL SALE

A man was driving down the road when a policeman stopped him. The officer looked in the back of the man’s truck and said, “Why are these penguins in your truck?”

1ST ANNUAL SALE

60 Hutchinson Road, Walton

Tuesday 15th September 2020

12 x Registered 2Yr Hereford Bulls 18 x Registered 1Yr Hereford Bulls Exceptionally quiet and very good low birth weight Bulls

Contact: Chris Martelletti 0274 973 802 Contact: Brent Bougen 0272 104 698 NZ Farmers Livestock Stud Stock

C10, Viewing from 10am

The man replied, “These are my penguins. They belong to me.”

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

“You need to take them to the zoo,” the policeman said.

with Farmers Weekly PHONE ELLA HOLLAND 0800 85 25 80

HUKAROA

POLLED HEREFORDS

FOR BUTTS, NUTS AND GUTS

ANNUAL ON-FARM BULL SALE

Friday 4 September 2020

The next day, the officer saw the same guy driving down the road. He pulled him over again. He saw the penguins were still in the truck, but they were wearing sunglasses this time. “I thought I told you to take these penguins to the zoo!” the officer said. “I did,” the man replied. “And today I’m taking them to the beach.”

Here at Farmers Weekly we get some pretty funny contributions to our Sale Talk joke from you avid readers, and we’re keen to hear more! Email us at: saletalk@globalhq.co.nz with Sale Talk in the subject line and we’ll print it and credit it to you.

12 NOON - UNDER COVER PAULSEN ROAD, WAERENGA, TE KAUWHATA, NORTH WAIKATO

Bred, reared and raised naturally on strong hill country

Conditions apply

Selling 11 ¾ Speckle Park x Angus yearling service bulls for Spring delivery. BVD tested and vaccinated. Birth weights available. Bill Flowerday – Tauranga bilanwen@farmside.co.nz Phone 027 272 4361

80 quiet, easy-calving Hereford bulls 2 year olds & yearlings

FREE GRAZING UNTIL 1st OCTOBER 2020 BVD tested clear and twice vaccinated Tb C10 and Lepto Vaccinated

Enquiries to: Dean

& Lisa Hansen 07 826 7817 or 0274 40 30 24

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ALL BULLS FERTILITY & SEMEN TESTED

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

Online sale at

CALL ELLA 0800 85 25 80

Waitawheta Angus Bull Sale On Farm Annual 1YR Angus Bull Sale 16th September - 86A Thames Road, Paeroa - 12noon Waitawheta Angus have been selling yearling Angus bulls by auction for over 30 years.

Kokonga Ironside 5005 Boehringer Ingelheim Dairy Sire

30 yearling bulls selected for yearling heifer mating from a top calving ease herd. We are proud to stream this sale live via our live auction hybrid platform on MyLiveStock, providing farmers with a real-time sale-yard experience and access to easy and instant bidding.

Contact: Alistair & Pat Sharpe 07 863 7954 or 021 054 7862 Kevin Fathers 0272 799 800 - Brent Bougen 027 210 4698

30 Angus 1YR Bulls 346 Kokonga East Road (end of road by woolshed) off the Port Waikato - Waikaretu Valley Road, RD5 Tuakau

LK0103444©

Freephone 0800 10 22 76 | www.pggwrightson.co.nz Helping grow the country

BEXLEY HEREFORD

Also online at: www.mylivestock.co.nz

Tuesday 8th September, 12.15pm A/C Drnasin Holdings • 145 Top 1yr Hereford Frsn x Steers Annual draft of owner bred quality steers. Sired by top Craigmore Hereford stud bulls. Est. LW Ave 300kg. To be drafted. Chris Leuthart 027 493 6594

FARMERS WEEKLY – August 31, 2020

LK0103635©

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

LK0103393©

Livestock Noticeboard

FARMERS WEEKLY – August 31, 2020

YEARLING BULL & HEIFER SALE

ANGUS

STOCK REQUIRED

NZ’s Virtual Saleyard

“Proudly Based in Hawke’s Bay”

UPCOMING AUCTIONS

STORE LAMBS 1YR FRSN BULLS 180-260kg 32-42kg

12 noon Tuesday, 8th September, 2020 Karamu, 662 Rangitatau East Rd, Wanganui

Thursday, 3 September 2020

ON OFFER: 26 yearling bulls • 30 yearling heifers

7.00 pm – National Livestock – PER KG 7.30 pm – National Livestock – PER HEAD www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381

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

TO:

 Vet inspected  Quiet temperament

JW103349©

Lindsay Johnstone 027 445 3211

 All cattle BVD & EBL tested Maria Johnstone 027 610 5348  All cattle electric fence trained  TB status C10 or Contact your local agent

400-460kg

12.30 pm – Te Atarangi Angus Yearling Sale

12 noon Tuesday, September 25, 2007

On offer: 25 yearling bulls ENQUIRIES 30 yearling heifers, which will be sold in lots

R2YR BULLS 2YR HEIFERS 370-420kg CELEBRATING 50 YE HEREFORD BULLS FOR TH

Wednesday, 2 September 2020

YEARLING BULL & HEIFER SALE

Karamu, 662 Rangitatau East Rd, Bulls Wanganui have Low Birth

A Financing Solution For Your Farm GroWTH & meAT E info@rdlfinance.co.nz

mIl

TE TAUMATA POLL HEREFORDS PREDICTABLE PROFITABLE PERFORMANCE GENETICS

33rd AnnuAl on fArm Bull SAle

June 7th 2012 at 12pm

Romney and To view our bull sale catalogue & pictures of sale lots go to:

INQUIRIES TO: Lin Johnstone Lindsay Johnstone 06 342 9833 06 342 9795 W & K AGENTS Blair Robinson Don Newland 027 491 9974 027 242 4878

Border Leicester www.tetaumata.co.nz Rams

free DelIVerY

MANAWATU DAIRY SPRING BULL SALES 2020

BVD VACCInA Beef

NZ Farmers Livestock Ltd are proud to bring you the following sales for the upcoming Spring Bull Season:

Alistair & E 15

POLL HEREFORDS Est. 1962

10th September Riverlee Hereford, Rangiwahia (Live Streamed) 62 X 2Yr Hereford bulls. Contact John Watson 0274 941 975

Alistair & Eileen McWilliam Ph 06 372 7861 www.tetaumata.co.nz

Give us a call to discuss your 2020 ram requirements

17th September Riverton Ezicalve Hereford, Fordell (Live Streamed) 180 X 1 Yr & 30 X 2 Yr Hereford bulls. Contact Malcolm Coombe 0274 326 104

Te Taumata Genetics

LK0103585©

RANUI

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

Te Whanga Calving Ease Sires.

21st September Tusons Hereford, Rongotea Saleyards (Live Streamed) 35 X 2 Yr Hereford bulls. Contact Malcolm Coombe 0274 326 104 29th September Ngakouka Herefords, Dannevirke 30 X 1 Yr Hereford bulls. Contact Clint Worthington 0212 092 236 6th October

Lower North Island all dairy bull breeds, Rongotea

BULL PLAN FINANCE AVAILABLE NOW – Buy now, pay later. Contact: Simon Williams 027 491 2173

Stokman Angus Yearling Bull and Heifer Sale 100 Registered Bulls 40 Commercial Yearling Angus Heifers Wednesday 16 September 2020 1708 Te Kopia Road Rotorua - 1.00 p.m.

Your Angus Bull Source NZ Breed Average EBV’s on Stokman Sale Bulls Average Calving Ease

+4.4

+1.6

Birth Weight

+3.15

+4.3

200 Day

+46

400 Day

+83

Self Replacing

+146

+114

Angus Pure

+164

+133

* Fertility and semen tested * HD50K Genomic tested for better EBV accuracy * All Bulls carcass scanned * BVD tested and vaccinated * EBV recorded, C10 TB status * Well grown, suitable for heifers or cows * Quiet dispositions

Call for a catalogue or view on www.angusnz.com PGG Wrightson Cam Heggie 027 501 8182 Sam Wright 027 247 9035 Pete Henderson 027 475 4895 Central Livestock: Shane Scott 027 495 6031

2020 MONDAY 14 SEPT SALE DATE 10.00

JASON COFFEY 691 Te Kopi Rd, RD4, Masterton P. 06 372 77 20 M. 0274 570 526 te_whanga@borthwick.co.nz www.borthwick.co.nz

Hillcroft Est. 1960

Like us on facebook: StokmanAngusFarm

Annual Spring Bull Sale

Hillcroft bulls: born and bred on our closed breeding unit. No bulls have been leased.

78 ANGUS 2 YR OLDS 24 WELL GROWN ANGUS YEARLINGS 38 LOW BIRTH ANGUS YEARLINGSselected for heifer mating

Tag 10-19 Mark & Sherrie Stokman 07 3332446 Mark 027 640 4028 Sherrie 027 499 7692 mtkiwi@farmside.co.nz

44 stud bulls 11 commercial performance recorded bulls

32 HEREFORD 2 YR OLDS 8 HEREFORD YEARLINGS low birth, easy calving

Tag 24-19

On bull farm: 820 Waiterimu Road – east of Huntly • Monday 21st September 11.30am Enquiries welcome – call for a catalogue or view online www.angusnz.com FB hillcroftangus • www.hillcroftangus.co.nz

Malcolm & Fraser Crawford: Matahuru Rd, Ohinewai Malcolm Phone 07 828 5709; Fraser Phone 07 828 5755, 0272 85 95 87

JW103278©

All Live Streamed Sales will have on-line bidding available. Pre-register on MyLivestock.co.nz

LK0103546©

For further information phone Malcolm Coombe or your NZFL agent

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)

5.65

5.60

6.00

NI lamb (17kg)

7.25

8.45

NI Stag (60kg)

6.20

9.05

NI Bull (300kg)

5.55

5.60

NI mutton (20kg)

4.95

5.50

SI Stag (60kg)

6.45

6.25

9.05

NI Cow (200kg)

4.15

4.50

SI lamb (17kg)

6.95

7.00

8.20

SI Steer (300kg)

5.15

5.10

5.85

SI mutton (20kg)

4.65

5.50

SI Bull (300kg)

5.10

5.00

5.40

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

3.95

4.00

4.30

UK CKT lamb leg

9.70

9.73

10.11

US imported 95CL bull

8.16

8.07

8.23

US domestic 90CL cow

7.55

7.53

7.81

Last week Prior week

Last year

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

$/kg CW

North Island steer slaughter price

$/kg CW

6.50

5.50

5.0

$/kg CW

South Island steer slaughter price

6.50 $/kg CW

8.0 7.0

5.0

Oct

5.00

WOOL

4.50

(NZ$/kg)

Oct

Dec

Feb

5-yr ave

Apr

Jun

2018-19

Dairy

Last year

North Island stag slaughter price

South Island stag slaughter price

Oct

Dec

Feb

5-yr ave

Dec 5-yr ave

5.50

4.00

Last week Prior week

Apr

Jun

Aug

2018-19

2019-20

6.0

6.00

Aug 2019-20

Feb

Apr 2018-19

Jun

Fertiliser

Aug 2019-20

FERTILISER Last week

Prior week

Last year

Coarse xbred ind.

1.92

1.88

2.96

37 micron ewe

1.80

1.85

30 micron lamb

1.90

Grain

Data provided by

MILK PRICE FUTURES

NZ average (NZ$/t)

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Urea

578

572

616

Super

294

314

DAP

750

787

Top 10 by Market Cap

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

Company

YTD High

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

36.99

37.37

YTD Low 21.1

21.74

13.8

8.00

430

The a2 Milk Company Limited

20.11

7.50

420

Auckland International Airport Limited

5.175

5.8

3.61

Meridian Energy Limited

6.51

9.21

4.26

7.00

410

Spark New Zealand Limited

4.93

5.09

3.445

Ryman Healthcare Limited

5.31

5.62

3.595

400

Fletcher Building Limited

13.5

17.18

6.61

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

7.57

8.14

4.9

Contact Energy Limited

47.5

47.8

Air New Zealand Limited (NS)

6.25

7.74

4.54

$/tonne

$/kg MS

South Island lamb slaughter price

9.0

4.00

12.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0

7.0 6.0

5.00

12.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0

8.0

6.00

4.50

6.50 6.00

390

5.50

Sep-19

Nov-19 Jan-20 Sept. 2020

Mar-20

May-20 Sept. 2021

Nearby contract

Last price*

380

Jul-20

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T)

Aug-19

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

Dec-19

Feb-20

Apr-20

Jun-20

405

400

SMP

2825

2780

2620

395

AMF

3975

4000

4050

Butter

3690

3650

Milk Price

7.22

7.23

$/tonne

390 385 380

Aug-19

* price as at close of business on Thursday

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

Oct-19

Dec-19

Feb-20

Apr-20

Jun-20

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

3200 3100 $/tonne

3000 2900 2800 2700

Oct-19

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY

WMP

US$/t

North Island lamb slaughter price

9.0

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Ingrid Usherwood

Listed Agri Shares

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Company

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

20.11

21.74

13.8

Comvita Limited

3.27

4.97

1.66

Delegat Group Limited

13.2

13.33

6.39

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

3.93

4.06

3.41

Foley Wines Limited

1.7

1.91

1.35

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

0.75

0.9

0.68

Marlborough Wine Estates Group Limited

0.188

0.21

0.176 1.29

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

1.81

2.3

PGG Wrightson Limited

2.75

3.01

1.55

Sanford Limited (NS)

5.57

8.2

5.55

Scales Corporation Limited

4.91

5.35

3.3

SeaDragon Limited

3.99

4.74

3.4

Seeka Limited

6.49

9.1

4.36

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

2.8

2.93

2.35

16256

16959

12699

400

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index

350

S&P/NZX 50 Index

12053

12073

8499

S&P/NZX 10 Index

12655

9100

300 250

Jul

Au g Sep Latest price

Oct

Nov 4 weeks ago

Dec

200

Aug-19

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

Oct-19

Dec-19

Feb-20

Apr-20

Jun-20

16256

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

12053

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

12655

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

Pulse

WEATHER Soil Moisture

Overview Monday is the last day of winter on the meteorological calendar and it kicks off with a spring-like front in some areas. A surge of mild nor’west winds will turn to showery, cooler, sou’westers as we head into Tuesday. Then high pressure rolls in bringing colder nights but pleasant afternoons temperature-wise. This high is powerful and will linger to the weekend. In fact, by late this week, some parts of New Zealand will receive a sub-tropical flow. However, high pressure looks to be the main driver in early September and looks to dominate northern NZ in particular until the second week, while southern NZ has a better chance of fronts and showers.

Crunch time for lamb prices looms

27/08/2020

Mel Croad mel.croad@globalhq.co.nz

Source: NIWA Data

Highlights

Wind

Westerly quarter winds look to dominate in many places earlier this week and perhaps off and on at times. But with so much high pressure rolling in expect plenty of light winds and variable wind directions. Nothing too significant standing out.

Highlights/ Extremes

Temperature Cooler to start with this week in some areas but later this week sub-tropical winds will help lift temperatures further. Overall, perhaps some cooler nights but fairly mild days coming up with nothing too extreme temperature-wise.

14-day outlook

A lot of high air pressure is rolling in for early September. This may see a drying off of soil moisture in some places – although winds won’t be too strong, so this may well be a positive pasture growth moment for many.

7-day rainfall forecast

High pressure is the new main feature for September following an August full of big lows. This means September will kick off remarkably settled in some regions, especially the further north you are in both main islands. High pressure will see drier than normal weather in many regions for the first week or two of September, with showers most likely around Southland and rain most likely along the West Coast at times.

100

200

E ARE nearing crunch time for lamb prices as export values are heading in the wrong direction and farmgate prices are already around $1/kg below last year. Last month, lamb export prices averaged $9.61/kg. This pales in comparison to the $11.13/kg achieved in July last year, which subsequently lifted August 2019 farmgate prices to $8-$8.35/kg. And it didn’t stop there. Market demand continued to surge, leading to record farmgate prices later in the year. Unsurprisingly, farmers and traders within the industry were hopeful of a repeat this year, and prices paid for store lambs earlier in winter confirms this theory. However, there’s a slow realisation that farmgate prices may struggle to even reach the high $7/kg mark this spring. Export values remain much softer than the last two-and-a-half seasons, and are the key driver preventing any lift in farmgate lamb prices. This is a consequence of covid-19’s ongoing influence on overseas demand. July’s export values are not only lower year-on-year, but they were also lower than the $9.84/kg reported in June. On paper it would appear export values are heading in the wrong direction.

However, it’s not uncommon to see a drop in value between June and July. AgriHQ data shows past drops between June and July haven’t had any negative impact on farmgate lamb prices in August. Surprisingly, even if values fall between June and July, they have always recovered and posted a lift in August. Some of this is related to a lift in chilled lamb as a proportion of total exports through August. Despite the recent headwinds for lamb, chilled export values have held up relatively well, matching feedback from NZ exporters. Chilled lamb exports averaged $15.20/kg in July, only a little below last year’s $15.92/ kg. In contrast, there’s been a drop in frozen lamb cuts, which fell to a $8.75/kg average in July. July 2019 averaged $10.30/kg. Given our high reliance on the frozen export markets, it becomes clear why overall export values have fallen. Exporters appear focused on maintaining or lifting chilled volumes and values, but what we need to see is a corresponding recovery in frozen values. Over the next three months, frozen cuts account for 80-83% of our lamb exports. Yet frozen values haven’t been this low since March 2018. Any improvement around frozen lamb exports will provide some support for farmgate prices. However, time is ticking for this to generate any sort of recovery. Even if our export fortunes improve over the coming weeks, we have to accept farmgate prices for lamb are going to round out 2020 at a much lower level than 12 months earlier.

400

Normal rainfall for the West Coast and into parts of Southland too. Every other part of NZ now looks set to run drier than average for the first week of September.

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

UNSURPRISING: On paper it would appear export values are heading in the wrong direction, but it’s not uncommon to see a drop in value between June and July, says AgriHQ analyst Mel Croad.

My Daily Digest The news you need to see in a daily newsletter from the biggest rural newsroom in the country.

SALE YARD WRAP

No discount for wool As the old season lamb market winds down very woolly lines are coming forward with more regularity, as vendors opt to forego shearing costs. The lateness of the season and the looming gap between old and new season lamb supply means that buyers can’t afford to be selective, and there is no obvious premium being paid for shorn lines at present. COUNTIES Tuakau sales • Autumn-born weaner Hereford-Friesian steers, 136kg, made $620 • Prime Hereford-Friesian steers, 735kg, reached $3.14/kg • Top prime lambs sold to $195 Store cattle numbers increased at TUAKAU last week with around 750-head offered, Karl Chitham of Carrfields Livestock reported. Heavy steers, 400-460kg, traded at $2.91-$3.03/kg, and 300-400kg, $2.77/kg to $3.12/kg. Bigger heifers, 411-470kg, sold at $2.86-$2.91/kg, with 320-380kg fetching $2.78-$2.90/kg. Speckle Park weaner heifers, 141kg, returned $550. Wednesday’s prime market firmed by 5c/kg on average. Heavy steers traded at $3.02-$3.14/kg and medium managed $2.92-$3.00/kg. Exotic heifers, 565kg, earned $3.06/kg, and 485-515kg made $2.93-$3.04/kg. Friesian cows, 520kg, fetched $2.12/kg, and crossbred, 460-500kg, $1.93-$2.03/kg. On Monday heavy prime lambs realised $178-$195 and medium $147-$159. Store lambs returned $80-$134. A small offering of ewes fetched $85-$155.

WAIKATO Frankton cattle 25.08 • Four quality R2 Angus-Friesian steers, 392kg, fetched $2.98/kg • Better R1 Angus-Friesian heifers, 219-232kg, lifted to $3.23-$3.38/ kg • R1 Friesian bulls, 242-283kg, improved to $2.65-$2.69/kg Store cattle numbers dropped to just over 450 head at FRANKTON for PGG Wrightson last Tuesday. Quality lines continued to be well sought after with less enthusiasm for longer term options. R2 beef-dairy and beef-cross steers and heifers, 301-444kg, mainly held at $2.72-$2.86/ kg. Most traditional heifers, 280-365kg, firmed to $2.70$2.82/kg. R1 Hereford-Friesian steers, 325-378kg, fetched $3.08-$3.10/kg, while Hereford-dairy, 172-228kg, eased to $2.72-$2.73/kg. Hereford-Friesian heifers, 187-204kg, were mainly $3.37-$3.42/kg. Most 503-581kg prime steers sold at a steady to improved $2.88-$2.97/kg, though seven Angus steers, 419kg, pushed to $3.13/kg. Beef-dairy heifers, 435-470kg, held at $2.77-$2.86/kg. Hereford bulls, 662713kg, sold well at $2.94-$2.99/kg. Ten Hereford-Friesian cows, 492kg, improved to $2.42/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Frankton cattle 26.08 • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 443-496kg, improved to $3.02/kg • R1 Hereford-Friesian steers, 258-273kg, held at $3.08-$3.14/kg • Prime steers, 496-600kg, held at $2.84-$2.93/kg A reduced store cattle yarding of 408 head were presented by New Zealand Farmers Livestock at FRANKTON last Wednesday. R2 Angus-Friesian steers, 441-458kg, traded at a varied but improved $2.83/kg to $3.01/kg. R1 beef-dairy steers, 287-296kg, lifted to $3.14-$3.28/kg. Four HerefordFriesian heifers, 256kg, topped their section at $3.13/kg, while red Hereford-Friesian, 135-275kg, returned $2.80$2.93/kg. R1 Friesian bulls, 207-307kg, improved to $2.61$2.75/kg. All autumn-born one-year steers, 308-338kg, held at $2.89-$3.02/kg. Autumn-born weaner Hereford-Friesian steers, 128kg, managed $550, while same bred heifers, 125147kg, improved to $490-$520. Beef-dairy bulls, 147-163kg, fetched $615-$620. Prime heifers improved to $2.96-$2.98/kg. Boner cows, 516-573kg, held at $2.23/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Waikato feeder calf sales Beef-Friesian and beef-cross calves featured more at the WAIKATO feeder calf sales last week. Sales had 540630 head and Friesian bulls sold on a consistently steady market at $100-$185 for good, $50-$80 for medium and $15-$60 for small calves. More options in the beef-cross bull pens meant buyers could be selective and overall prices eased. A top pen of Simmental-cross made $475 at Frankton, while good Hereford-Friesian returned $200-$250, medium $130-$180, and small $60-$100. Red Hereford-Friesian were discounted by around $100 on those levels. Good Angus-cross eased to $150-$180 and

medium $80-$130, though small calves held value at $60-$80. Hereford-Friesian heifers held and good sold for $140-$180, medium $80-$120 and small $20-$60. Most other breeds varied from $50 to $125. Read more in your LivestockEye.

BAY OF PLENTY Rangiuru cattle and sheep • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 372-440kg, earned $2.90/kg to $3.06/ kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 311kg, stretched to $3.25/kg • Prime Hereford-Friesian steers, 758kg, made $3.21/kg • Prime Angus-cross steers, 657kg, fetched $3.11/kg • Lambs traded at $86-$150 with a few pens of ewes $86-$139 There was an increase in interest for store cattle at RANGIURU last Tuesday. R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 280-406kg, earned $2.76-$2.89/kg and other dairy-beef or Charolais, 280-341kg, $2.73-$2.80/kg. R1 steers were predominantly Hereford-Friesian and lines from 205280kg earned $710-$820 with just one pen of Angus & Angus-Hereford, 278kg, higher at $870. R1 heifers were all dairy-beef over 200kg and earned $520-$745. Prime AngusFriesian and Friesian heifers, 394-430kg, managed $2.58$2.61/kg, but most of the remaining pens were cows, either dairy-beef or Friesian and 418-501kg, that varied from $2.00/kg to $2.14/kg, although some crept up to $2.26/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

POVERTY BAY Matawhero sheep • Store ewe lambs traded at $100-$130 • Mixed-sex store lambs were bought for $70-$100.50 • Mixed-age Romney ewes sold at $105-$120 Over $40,000 was raised at MATAWHERO last Friday for the Daffodil day fundraiser. In the store pens top male lambs made $158-$203 with medium $101-$133.50, and ram lambs earned $131-$160.60. Heavy prime lambs made $191-$210 with medium $147-$169 and light $101-$120. Prime ewes fetched $195 at the top end with medium $143$166 and light $128. Read more in your LivestockEye.

TARANAKI Taranaki cattle • R3 steers, 415-495kg, held at $2.97-$2.99/kg • R1 Friesian steers, 236kg, made $2.88/kg • R1 Charolais-cross heifers, 144-187kg, fetched $3.13-$3.19/kg • Autumn-born Hereford-Friesian steers and bulls traded at $410$500 Just under 400 head were offered at TARANAKI last Wednesday and sold on a mixed market. R2 steers sold in a wide range. Hereford-Friesian made up the top end at $3.13-$3.22/kg, while lesser bred and poorly marked types sold at $2.83/kg and below. Angus-Friesian made up the majority of R2 heifers and traded at $2.66-$2.75/kg, whilst Hereford-Friesian heifers firmed to $2.73-$2.82/kg. R1 heifers mostly sold around the $2.70/kg mark. HerefordFriesian and Speckle Park-Friesian bulls returned $2.73$2.79/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

HAWKE’S BAY Stortford Lodge prime cattle and sheep • Very-heavy ewes held at $160-$172 • Medium-good to good ewes strengthened to $118-$126.50 • Heavy male lambs held at $141.50-$167 • Heavy mixed-sex lambs improved to $150-$151 Ewe and lamb throughput lifted at STORTFORD LODGE last Monday with just over 1200 penned. Ewes had increased interest, and this pushed the top pen to $190 while heavy types improved to $147-$157.50. Very-good ewes traded at $130-$140 and light-medium strengthened to $92. Lamb numbers doubled on the week prior with most good to heavy types. Most males held and very-heavy cryptorchid and ram lambs returned $190-$198. Good males fetched $111-$123 while mixed-sex of similar weight improved to $141.50-$143. Heavy to very-heavy ewe lambs lifted to $138.50-$160.

Just five cattle graced the rostrum and four prime steers and heifers, 525-545kg, traded at $2.65-$2.70/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Stortford Lodge store cattle and sheep • R2 beef-cross bulls, 490-491kg, held at $3.16-$3.18/kg • R1 Angus-Charolais steers, 273-295kg, varied from $3.80/kg to $3.94/kg • R1 Angus & Angus-Hereford heifers, 195-246kg, returned $3.13$3.26/kg • Very heavy male lambs held at $147-$175 • Most ewes with lambs-at-foot made $102.50-$106 all counted The old season lamb wind-down began at STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday, as supply more than halved. Results varied and good males eased to $125-$130, as did heavy ewe lambs at $134-$166. Good types had a better sale and improved to $120-$130. Ewes with lambs-at-foot also eased and the top lines reached $109-$114 all counted. Cattle volume fell, though featured some big lines of hill country entries. A small entry of R2 beef-dairy heifers made $2.73-$2.76/kg, while a pen of 34 R1 Angus steers, 266kg, sold for $3.78/kg. Beef-dairy steers averaged 225kg and $3.07/kg, and 178-258kg heifers of same breed, $2.64-$2.75/ kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

MANAWATU Feilding prime cattle and sheep • Better yielding cows, 430-560kg, returned $2.00-$2.10/kg • Friesian heifers, 413kg, sold for $2.06/kg • Very heavy lambs earned $177-$192 Lamb quality was good at FEILDING last Monday with nearly 60% of the yarding heavy pens that sold for $164$175. The balance was mostly medium-good and made $139-$158. Ewe numbers reflected the time of year with limited volume and in medium-good condition or less, so most made $99-$132. Read more in your LivestockEye. Feilding store sale • Traditional R2 steers, 450-600kg, hold at $3.10-$3.35/kg • Straight-beef R2 heifers, 360-435kg, made $3.00-$3.15/kg • R1 Friesian bulls, 255-310kg, made $2.90/kg • Ewes with LAF mostly made $100.50-$109 all counted • Ewe lambs averaged $122 Around 1700 store cattle were offered, and most sections held relative to last week. Traditional R2 steers, 450-600kg, were mostly $3.10-$3.35/kg and good-sized dairy-beef lines $3.00-$3.10/kg. Friesian bulls around 450kg made $2.95$3.00/kg. Straight-beef R2 heifers were mostly $3.00-$3.15/ kg at all weights, with dairy-beef lines at $2.75-$2.90/ kg. Traditional R1 steers were highly varied, anywhere between $3.55-$3.95/kg above 230kg. Big lines of 195225kg Friesian bulls made $3.00-$3.10/kg. Straight-beef R1 heifers softened to $2.90-$3.10/kg above 230kg. Ewe lambs accounted for most of the 4500 store lamb yarding. At the top-end these were $137-$142, mainly $120-$130 through mid-cuts and the lighter-end made $95-$110. A fairly even selection of ewes with lambs-at-foot soften a little, averaging $103 all counted and maxing out at $109 all counted. Read more in your LivestockEye Rongotea cattle • R2 Angus bulls, 395kg, made $2.30/kg, with Friesian, 354kg, at $2.77/kg • R1 Angus-cross steers, 159-283kg, fetched $2.20/kg to $3.89/kg • Speckle Park cows with calves at foot made $1460 all-counted • Friesian boner cows, 455-670kg, sold at $1.54/kg to $2.11/kg A few days of rain brought out some heavier cattle at RONGOTEA last Wednesday, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported. R2 HerefordFriesian steers varied in weights which reflected in a range of prices from $2.41/kg to $3.06/kg. R2 Hereford-Friesian and Speckle Park-cross heifers, 360-480kg, sold at $2.46/ kg to $2.87/kg. R1 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 145-155kg, fetched $2.76/kg to $3.42/kg, with Angus-cross, 144-212kg, at $3.29/kg to $3.79/kg. Friesian bull calves made $50-$85, with Hereford-Friesian $100-$270, and Belgian Blue-cross, $200-$245. Hereford-Friesian heifer calves traded at $70$160. Belgian Blue-cross and Speckle Park-cross managed $105-$150.

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020

reached $198. Ewes mostly earned $86-$180, with a small top end at $218-$250. Read more in your LivestockEye.

SOUTH-CANTERBURY Temuka prime cattle and all sheep • Prime Hereford-Friesian steers, 660-683kg, made $3.00-$3.06/kg • Boner Friesian and Kiwi-cross heifers, 520-575kg, returned $2.40$2.47/kg • Boner Friesian cows, 510-685kg, held at $1.90-$1.95/kg • Boner Friesian cows, 460-495kg, held at $1.72-$1.80/kg • Big Coopworth store ewe lambs made $171-$182 Most prime steers over 600kg earned $2.97-$3.06/kg at TEMUKA last Monday. Those that weighed 525-575kg made similar money at $2.97-$3.02/kg and lighter lines averaged $2.91/kg. While individual heifers made up to $2.94/kg, most of the tally was Hereford-Friesian, 425-560kg, that sold for $2.73-$2.83/kg. Charolais and Charolais-Hereford, 625-645kg, were the heaviest heifers and made $2.81-$2.85/ kg. Buyers appreciated the opportunity to buy big lines of store lambs, including one pen with 336 head, and most sold for $90-$140. Heavy prime lambs earned $171-$185 with medium types $145-$167. The top ewes made $180$190, with the lion’s share $120-$170. Read more in your LivestockEye.

OTAGO Balclutha sheep • Heavy prime ewes eased to $140-$160, with medium $110-$130 and light $70-$100 • Perendale breeding ewes sold to good interest at $185 • R2 Friesian steers, 400kg, earned $2.50/kg Increased demand for prime lambs lifted the market at BALCLUTHA last Wednesday with heavy types at $160$185, medium $140-$150 and light $120-$130. Shorn store lambs fetched $115-$125 at the top end, with light to medium at $80-$100. There was good interest for R2 cattle where Hereford-Friesian steers, 400-480kg, traded at $2.70/ kg, and same breed heifers, 400-450kg, managed $2.30$2.35/kg.

SOUTHLAND

CURIOUS: Inquisitive eyes peek out through the wool on a line of 157 old season Halfbred wether lambs at Temuka last Monday. Manfeild Park calf sale Tallies and prices eased at MANFEILD PARK last Monday as the season winds down. Good Friesian bulls returned $80-$100, medium $50-$70 and small $20-$30. Most of the yarding were beef-dairy and good bulls reached $200-$250, medium $150, and small $90-$100. Angus-cross traded $20-$80 below those levels with Hereford-Friesian heifers similar. Angus-cross heifers reached $130 for good, while medium returned $100-$110, and small $55. Read more in your LivestockEye.

CANTERBURY Canterbury Park cattle and sheep • Prime Angus-Hereford steers, 623-680kg, earned $3.19-$3.24/kg • Prime Hereford steers, 547-575kg, achieved $3.13-$3.16/kg • Prime Angus heifers, 558kg, topped the section at $2.91/kg • Heavy prime lambs made $165-$171, with the balance $123-$164 Heavy prime cattle were sought after at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday. Steers from 525-575kg averaged $2.94/ kg while Hereford-Friesian, 435-520kg, made $2.74-$2.86/ kg. Angus heifers, 462-483kg, earned $2.76-$2.80/kg and beef-cross, 410-565kg, traded at $2.65-$2.75/kg. Medium to good store lambs returned $106-$127 while lighter pens were selectively purchased from $64-$102. Prime ewes featured a few very heavy pens at $201-$206

and the remainder were very good types that traded at $130-$161 or lighter lines at $102-$121. Just one pen of ewes with lambs-at-foot was entered and contained ten Corriedale-cross ewes with 14 lambs that sold for $106 all counted. Read more in your LivestockEye. Coalgate prime cattle and sheep • Prime Angus steers, 628kg, achieved $3.32/kg • Prime Angus and Charolais heifers, 573-613kg, traded at $3.06$3.07/kg • Prime Angus-Hereford heifers, 455-461kg, sold for $3.02-$3.10/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 483-494kg, made $2.89-$2.92/kg • Store lambs mostly made $116-$129 with the balance $70-$116 Heavy prime cattle were in demand at COALGATE last Thursday with traditional and Hereford-Friesian steers over 550kg priced at $3.12-$3.22/kg. Friesian cows, 616-735kg, earned $2.08-$2.16/kg and 513-538kg $1.82/kg to $1.96/kg. R2 Angus-Hereford heifers, 321kg, from a local station sold very well at $3.65/kg, while 356-370kg from the same camp made $3.32/kg to $3.46/kg. Fleckvieh-Friesian steers, 330-334kg, were the highlight of the R1 pens and sold for $800-$920. The best Charolais-cross steers, 242kg, made $780, while their sisters, 249kg, earned $660. Medium to heavy types contributed 70% of the prime lambs and sold for $160-$178. The remainder spread out from $133-$159, although a few

Lorneville cattle and sheep • Prime heifers, 450-480kg, made $2.40-$2.50/kg • Boner cows eased with 680kg back to $1.86/kg and 440kg, $1.70/ kg • R2 Hereford-cross heifers, 368-400kg, sold at $2.58-$2.68/kg • Heavy prime lambs eased to $150-$160, with medium $135-$145 and light $125 • Ewes with lambs-at-foot fetched $90-$103 all-counted There was a small yarding of prime cattle at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday. Prime steers softened marginally with 500700kg earning $2.30/kg to $2.56/kg. Store cattle sold on a strong market and R2 Ayrshire and Hereford-cross steers, 418-440kg, traded at $2.54-$2.67/kg, with Friesian and Friesian-cross, 403-445kg, at $2.78/kg. R1 Hereford-cross and Angus-cross steers, 304-312kg, earned $2.66-$2.76/kg, with 163-185kg Hereford-cross heifers firm at $2.65-$2.70/ kg. Beef-cross bobby calves sold to good demand with the top end at $160. Heavy prime ewes eased to $150-$160, with medium $130-$140 and light $100-$120, and good-quality two-tooths returned $130. Top store lambs made $100$108, with light to medium at $65-$98. Charlton sheep • Heavy prime ewes firmed to $140-$150, medium $120-$140 and light $80-$100 • Heavy local trade rams earned $70 A smaller yarding of prime lambs sold at steady levels at CHARLTON last Thursday. Heavy prime lambs were bought for $160-$174, with medium at $135-$155 and light $115$125. There was good demand for store lambs where the top end earned $115-$123, medium returned $100-$110 and light $70-$90.

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Markets

40 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – August 31, 2020 NI MUTTON

SI STEER

NI LAMB

($/KG)

4.95

5.15

7.25

PRIME TRADITIONAL STEERS, 575680KG, AT CANTERBURY PARK ($/KG)

3.16

average at Temuka

Sell now, farmers told Annette Scott

annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz

EER farmers are being advised to take the going price for chilled venison now, or risk significantly lower returns. With a short chilled season expected venison marketers are recommending to farmers to take the money being offered during the chilled season. Currently, the market for frozen venison is subdued and the prospects post-Christmas are uncertain. Deer that miss the chilled season cutoff at the end of October will be unable to reach Europe in time for the last game season sales. While a portion will go to alternative markets, some venison will be frozen. “Chilled prices during the game season are back on the last few seasons,” Alliance Group venison marketing manager Terry O’Connell said. “However, demand for sea-freight chilled over the September-October period is steady on the back of limited processing volumes. “Beyond that, we are dealing with the unknown. “We’re encouraging farmers to take advantage of the certainty of pricing,” O’Connell said. Silver Fern Farms (SFF) group sales manager Peter Robinson said in-market work with customers on the company’s market recovery plan strongly indicates the chilled season window will offer the best returns for products. “Our advice to farmers is to target chilled season specifications,” he said. “It will be challenging for our customers to find consumers for product falling outside of the chilled season and out of specification, and returns will consequently be significantly lower.” Traditionally, hospitality offers the best prices for premium cuts, making chefs and food service the main targets of the industry’s marketing efforts. With hospitality under a cloud

OPPORTUNITY: Silver Fern Farms said in-market work with customers on the company’s market recovery plan strongly indicates the chilled season window will offer the best returns for products.

because of covid-19, all marketers are making major efforts to build demand in other sales channels, particularly retail and online. But these cannot be created overnight and have not replaced the reductions in the restaurant trade yet. Meanwhile, a new Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) study shows deer farmers are growing their deer quicker, which means heavier carcase weights for young deer in spring. Growth rates for stags (290 gm/day) and hinds (280 gm/day) in the 2018 and 2019 seasons were 4% higher than in the average for the previous four seasons, DINZ DeerPRO manager Solis Norton said. This amounts to two kilograms of extra carcass weight for a deer killed on November 1. The largest gains were seen in the Central North Island and North Canterbury, the smallest in South Canterbury and the southern part of the North Island. The study shows just over one million deer under three years of age were killed in the past 10 chilled

$100.50 - $109 high $120-$130 with lambs-atlights Good store ewe lamb Ewes foot, at Feilding store

seasons, from August 1 to November 1. The majority of these were under 18 months old, with 63% stags and 37% hinds. A year-by-year analysis shows that chilled season growth rates were steadily higher in 2018 and 2019 than the average of all years before. The data has been cross checked with NAIT data to only capture yearlings in the analysis. Norton said this confirms the broad increasing trend over the past couple of seasons at an industry level. “These are the positive results of farmers’ efforts to breed for and feed deer so they grow faster,” Norton. “Many factors contribute to weights at the time of slaughter, including selecting animals for early or late production and seasonal weather conditions. “On a national basis it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions as there are many influences in the timing of sending animals to market. “But we can definitely see progress on individual farms that have a venison focus.”

sale

ACROSS THE RAILS SUZ BREMNER

Spring sales are all go with little disruption DESPITE the dive back into level two, most sales have continued with very little disruption, which is fortunate given we again find ourselves at a very busy time of year in the rostrums. August heralds the official start of the spring cattle sales and it has been a busy month. Feilding in particular has put through a phenomenal number of cattle at 6500 head, which flies in the face of predictions, but it is looking likely that September will be much quieter. Most other yards covered by AgriHQ’s LivestockEye reports have recorded total August tallies similar to previous years, with the exception of Wellsford which has been unable to operate in level three. These reports also provide average weights and prices for different age groups, classes and breeds at sale yards, which give an overall insight into how prices are tracking and there are a few clear messages that define this year’s spring market so far. Weights in areas that were impacted by dry conditions are down and quality cattle, whether traditional or beef-dairy, are sought-after, but lesser types have sold at a discount. Wellsford was very fortunate to hold fairs prior to level three lockdown and along with Feilding and Stortford Lodge have put forward the most traditional cattle this month, though that volume pales in comparison to the large number of beef-dairy cattle traded. There was a 10c/kg average difference in $/ kg levels for R2 beef-dairy steers at Wellsford and Feilding – $2.83/kg and $2.93/kg – but for this class Taranaki came out tops at $3.04/kg. South Island prices were $2.56-$2.62/kg, with all weight averages ranging from 400-425kg. For most yards that was a 20c/kg reduction in levels for 2019. South Island data for R1 beef-dairy steers is limited, but for the North Island yards premiums were seen at the yards in dairy-dominant regions. Weights averaged 205-235kg and Taranaki and Rangiuru reached $3.44-$3.53/kg, while other yards averaged $3.27-$3.38/kg. The heifer markets have been variable but R2’s have averaged out at $2.77-$2.86/kg. Taranaki and Frankton led the charge for R1 heifers at $3.05-$3.07/ kg, but other yards were well off those levels. suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

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L ECZEMA TOLERANC ACFLOCK FOR: IALTESTING E TE ST ECZHISTORY MG Test season: 2019-2020 UAING RD - SE EMA CE FACIAL ECZEMA TORA RVseason: ICE Test 2019-2020 F A LE C IA NCE TE R FLOCName TIFICAT RA STrating: K TEST:ING Anyone C:LAnyone SIL flock ECZCEMA ING SErating: SIL flock ***** RVICE ***** E HIName STORY . C E R FO FL OC T IF R: Flock : 0 TE : Years tested: 37 37 IC K Flock 0 SIL SIL Years tested:

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FE tolerance improves sheep ratio for Taranaki farm

aranaki farmers Sarah and Jarred Coogan are benefiting from the decisions Sarah’s parents made decades ago to fight facial eczema (FE). They’ve had 20 years of FE Gold genetics to fight the nasty disease that used to decimate the 465ha farm’s sheep flock. The couple bought into her parent’s beef and sheep farm at Tarata near Inglewood in 2015. They both grew up on farms but had gone to university and had corporate jobs before returning to the Hocken family farm and eventually forming a company with Sarah’s parents Bryan and Helen. The farm hosts overseas visitors, volunteers, local community groups and fundraising events, and won

at the 2019 Taranaki Ballance Farm Environment Awards. The farm has a 70/30 sheep to cattle ratio, including 2500 breeding ewes lambing between 140 and 150% a year. The cattle side is roughly 400 head comprising 120 dairy grazers, 110-120 white head heifers (sold as beef replacements) and about 130 trading cattle, depending on the season. “They’re our flexibility,” Jarred says. The farm finishes all its own lambs, usually getting 1000 away by early January at about 17.5kg (carcass weight) then finishing the rest every three to four weeks through the summer with a target average carcass weight of 18kg. Jarred says the ratio used to be 50:50 and they’ve only been able to increase sheep numbers because of the FE tolerance.

From left to right. Bryan Hocken, Helen Hocken, Sarah Coogan and Jarred Coogan. Farmers with decades-long FE tolerance breeding experience won at the 2019 Taranaki Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

“They get no bullets or supplements through the water. We manage the pastures and use a few more forage crops – chicory and forage rape – for the lambs to

reduce the challenge from ryegrass pastures,” he said. The farm still gets a touch of FE as it’s in an extreme risk area. “If we see a touch of something,

Marlow C O O P W O RT H S n Over 50 years of performance recording with full SIL figures available for all sale rams and over 2500 MW+M. n Marlow qualifies as a FE Gold stud with all sale rams sired by rams who passed nil at .6 n Marlow (712) sheep rank very high on the SILACE lists n All sale rams carcase scanned for eye muscle area

Steve Wyn-Harris • 06 855 8265 or 027 222 3284 swyn@xtra.co.nz • www.marlowcoopworths.co.nz Find us on Facebook - Marlow Genetics 2

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that’s it, that animal is gone,” Jarred said. He says the memories of how bad it was when he first arrived 10 years ago were still fresh. “Bryan decided either he had to bullet everything as needed, which was very expensive, or he had to start going down the genetic path and get it sorted,” Jarred explained. “He (Bryan) had years where the lambs would just fall to bits, so he either had to do something drastic or get out of (the) sheep (business)... He did something.”

Bryan explained the conditions which led to FE infection. “The farm averages 400 feet above sea level (122m) and we have very high fertility with P levels up at 40 or 50, good soil moisture in autumn and can grow great rye grasses, put that with humidity, and they grow facial eczema spores,” he said. “We used to buy rams from Marton and Wairarapa, but sometimes we wouldn’t even be able to put them out. The FE would kill them. We were losing sheep left, right, and centre.

“One year we had 12% dry, there’s no money in that. Now we get 1.53% dry,” he said. “The challenge is still there but we’ve done something about it. “We still have people in our district who haven’t done anything. They’re reactive to the seasons. The more ryegrass you have, the more litter, the more spores. Bryan says it takes time for the genetics to work through a flock. “The genetics have made a huge difference to how the sheep cope with it.”

“The FE would just bowl them… a beautiful big ewe, 60kg in November with two 20kg lambs on her, she would just break out and die. All the lambs had liver damage. “Mentally it was pretty demoralising to have all these sheep dying around you. There was no Rural Support in those days. It was a horror story. We had to work smarter not harder so we decided to help ourselves and find the rams with FE tolerance. Their first FE Gold rams were bought 20 years ago.

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Bryan and Helen Hocken bought their first FE Gold rams 20 years ago.

Jarred Coogan and Bryan Hocken on their beef and sheep farm at Tarata near Inglewood.

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 NZ Maternal Worth + Facial Eczema (MW+X)  

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How FE Gold genetics transformed production

E Gold genetics have transformed the production and sustainability of a large Gisborne farming operation. The Wi Pere Trust has two breeding blocks that feed into a finishing block, as well as horticulture properties near Gisborne. Agribusiness general manager Tim Rhodes says before the use of FE Gold genetics, facial eczema (FE) was costing the business thousands of dollars in prevention, treatment and high death rates. “We would spend $30,000 to $40,000 a year in zinc capsules and in a bad year, we’d have to do it twice,” he said. “In the early days, our dog tucker would be hundreds of ewes and lambs with facial eczema. Now, in a bad year, we might see a handful, but the number is insignificant and we cull them immediately.” One of the problems with FE is that it can affect production at any

stage from low conception rates, to high death rates and reduced longevity due to the effects being cumulative. “These FE Gold sheep have made farming sheep a lot more enjoyable; you get the production and they don’t drop dead on you,” he said. Tim says they monitored the flocks closely in the first few years of the new genetics, including weekly tracking of a monitor group in a hot paddock. They also manage pastures differently in a hot year, not grazing the covers as low as they used to and keeping residuals as high as they can during the challenge period. Facial eczema was a new issue for Tim when he started with the Wi Pere Trust in 2003. “I had never seen it before and the stories I had heard were quite frightening with the impact it was having on performance,” he said. “The ewes looked to be in good nick but scanned 15% dry.” After tests showed high GGT

Tommy Atkins says before the use of FE Gold genetics, facial eczema was costing the business thousands of dollars in prevention, treatment and high death rates.

levels, the farm’s vet advised them to find a flock of sheep in the country testing at the highest level and buy their rams. “We were lambing about 80100% in those days, so I had two criteria when ranking the rams,” Tim said.

“Firstly, facial eczema tolerance and secondly, lambing percentage. I found out which breeders were testing at high levels, got hold of their client lists, bought every female that I could get my hands on, and changed our flock over as fast as I could.”

ashgrovegenetics.co.nz On farm ram auction auction 13th November We offer a 2 year guarantee on rams *conditions apply Contact us TODAY and get access to our superior Coopworth stock

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• High fertility 160% weaning off steepest Northland hill country • Hardy If they can thrive in Northland, they’ll thrive anywhere • Great Mothers Highly indexed on NZ Maternal Worth • Worm Resistant Selected for WormFec and Longevity

Our philosophy • We are deeply passionate about profitable hill country farming • We build strong and lasting relationships with our partners and clients - “excellence through partnership” • We believe superior genetics multiplies the profitability of farming families Sheep performance is the main driver of our production with a high fertility rate weaning 160% of lambs from our Coopworth commercial and stud ewes. We breed thriving, easy care, hardy FE and worm tolerant ewes. If our sheep thrive on hard Northland hill country, they will thrive anywhere!

Ashgrove is a founding member of the FE Gold group and is selecting for WormFec and longevity.

James Parsons 021 206 3208 james@ashgrovegenetics.co.nz www.ashgrovegenetics.co.nz

Even now, Tim’s key selection criteria is FE tolerance. “Fertility and growth had to be good, but not under any circumstances would I reduce that FE tolerance,” he said. “I won’t take my eye off that at all. If I do, I know the production cost will be huge and we will go back down that slippery slope.” The 970 hectares finishing block at Patutahi, officially called the Wi Pere Finishing Farm, has 170ha under irrigation with water from their own large storage dam that is used for cash cropping (about 100ha in process sweet corn or seed crops) and lamb finishing. “It finishes 25,000 to 30,000 lambs a year. About 17,000 of them are our own and we trade the rest depending on winter lamb availability,” he said. “We also buy in and finish about 1200 bulls a year on a cell grazed system; they’re mostly Friesian bulls but we’re looking to increase the number of beef bulls.” Tangihanga Station is a 1450ha breeding property on the hills next to the finishing block. It carries 7500 ewes, 150 breeding

cows, 500 two-year-old finishing prime cattle and about 500 yearling cattle. “They’re our own and also in a good year we can buy up to 200 additional two-year heifers. This year it was zero because of the dry autumn,” he said. The FE Gold ewes all go to terminal sire and lamb about 145%. “That is an amazing figure considering where we started,” Tim said. Otara Station at Te Karaka is a 2570ha (effective) property carrying 12,500 FE Gold ewes and 6000 hoggets, including the replacements for Tangihanga. “Otara is consistently doing 145-155% lambing. We ram about 2000 hoggets in a good year and they will normally do about 125%,” he said. “Without a doubt that result is due to the facial eczema tolerance in the flock.” On the cattle side, Otara carries 300 yearling heifers, calves 1000 cows and heifers, and finishes 200 two-year-old steers. A 30ha fodder cropping programme sees ewe lambs grown

Tangihanga Station is a 1450ha breeding property on the hills next to the finishing block. It carries 7500 ewes, 150 breeding cows, 500 twoyear-old finishing prime cattle and about 500 yearling cattle.

out on chicory and plantain/clover. It also gives the farm a buffer so calves can be weaned early if the season gets dry and helps with pasture renovation. Tougher parts of the Wi Pere Trust farms have been put into forestry, intensive poplar planting and, in some cases, fenced off to regenerate. The business has detailed land environment plans, has a large

water storage dam with plans for more and is water quality testing on the three farms. Tim says the trustees take a 100year view. “We are an intergenerational business so we are careful not only with the land resources and people, but going down the FE Gold line fits into key kaitiaki principles to look after our stock to the best of our ability as well.”

Romani Coopworths • Selected for top growth and muscling, less dags, parasite tolerance, minimal drench. Not dipped since 2013. • Romani commercial hoggets winner of 2017 NZ Ewe Hogget Competition Large Flock Award. 2018 winner Coopworth section

• Romani flock finalist for 2017 NZ Sheep Industry Awards Maternal Trait Leader Parasite Resistance • Romani 75/17 a top performer in B+LNZ Genetics Low Input Progeny Test. 94568

• Fully SIL recorded under true commercial conditions

Ross Richards, Taumarunui • Phone 07 895 7144 • romani@farmside.co.nz 5

tested at .65 since 2007 tested at .67 since 2019

industry leaders in FE, Worm Tolerance and MZMW

628 Pakaraka Road, RD2 Tirau Ross Alexander: Mob: 0272 220 247 email: rossco628@gmail.com Lloyd Alexander: Ph: (06) 762 5834 email: damperfarm2@gmail.com

Dargaville

Alexander Farming Genetics Ltd.

Matamata

Craig Alexander Buckland Road, RD2, Matamata Ph: (07) 888 1703 • Mob: 021 746 646 email: calexander@outlook.co.nz

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Marchant Farms Trust

Dimmock Road, RD1, Pokeno, Maramarua John Marchant: Ph: (09) 232 5613 email: marchant.farms@farmside.co.nz Greg Marchant: Mob: 0272 815 386 email: gregm@farmside.co.nz

Glenbrook Ltd.

Adrian & Jenny Savannah Glenbrook, RD3 Kaukapakapa Ph: (09) 427 6393 • email: ajsavvy@xtra.co.nz

Bob Steed/Rhys & Helen Dackers

Kereru Station, 136 Paradise Road, RD1, Tangiteroria Ph: (09) 4332616 • Mob: 0272 415 564 email: helsnz1@xtra.co.nz / kereru_station@xtra.co.nz

www.ardg.co.nz 6

ARDG Breeder Locations

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Genetics selection aids facial eczema tolerance Tricia Johnson Senior Scientist, AgResearch

Commercial progress tracks that of breeder

G ol d

acial eczema (FE) is the result of the ingestion of the toxin sporidesmin which is produced by Pithomyces chartarum, a fungus which proliferates in the dead matter of grass swards during warm humid conditions in summer and autumn. However, not all animals respond the same when exposed to the toxin. Tolerance to the FE causing toxin is a trait that is under strong genetic control, with a heritability of 0.42% (compared to weaning weight with a heritability of 0.20% or number of lambs born with a heritability of 0.10%). That means that genetic selection is a way to achieve a flock that is FE tolerant. An example of genetics in action is looking at the results from a stud flock that monitored the level of

liver damage in their flock after the animals were exposed to the sporidesmin toxin in 2016, one of the worst years for FE in history. The flock consists of maternal breeds that are being selected for FE tolerance and terminal breeds that are not.

As providers of genetics ram breeders shape the future of the sheep industry – market signals dictate that breeding programs must focus on animal welfare, social and environmental impact and a genuine promotion of NZ’s clean green grass fed systems. Commercial farmers are demanding disease and parasite tolerance, reduced inputs, longevity and efficiency. The sheep of the future. www.nikaucoopworth.co.nz • 09 2333 230

ent l cli rica e mm d co Gol

Twice as many of the maternal animals (65%) were FE tolerant, compared to the terminal animals (32%), with only 15% of the maternal animals severely affected by exposure to the toxin, compared with 38% of the terminal animals. Even more convincing were the

results of specific sires, especially the flock’s top ranked sire, which also rated very high nationally. During the 2016 challenge, 80% of this sire’s progeny were not affected by the toxin and the remaining 20% only experienced very mild liver damage. This is compared to another sire who was ranked 38th, and had 52% of his progeny affected by the toxin, with 28% experiencing severe liver damage. Thus proving that genetics worked. If the right genetics can be used by breeders and within commercial flocks, genetic tolerance to FEis achievable. Genetic tolerance cannot be gained in an instant but gain is cumulative and permanent. With predicted climate change likely to mean more years like 2016 are yet to come, breeding must start now for the future, which means aligning with a breeder who is making genetic progress towards FE tolerant animals.

Nikau Coopworth has a long term commitment to producing robust maternal genetics to future proof your flock. •

Sheep Industry Award Winner Maternal Trait Leader for Parasite Resistance

•

No drench ewe flock since 2002

•

Moderate sized ewes weaning their weight in lambs

•

Selected for performance under pressure in a tough environment for FE, viral pneumonia & parasites

•

Focus on structure, efficiency & longevity

Breeding FE tolerance into your flock

•

➡

Number of ewes pregnant Number of lambs on board LWT and BCS gain across the year Weight of lambs at weaning Sub-clinical

• So you need to be clear about where they are at, in terms of their ability to deliver tolerance into your flock. That’s where noting the stars and number of years complete the picture. Contact the breeders that look like a match for your operation, and ask two initial questions:

so you can follow along? It’s one thing to be measuring, it’s another to be improving. When you are satisfied you have identified the best breeder for your operation – taking into account your overall basket traits – then it is time to consider individual rams.

➡

•

Clinical

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•

Loss of ewes throughout the year

➡

•

Research the breeders Visit sil.co.nz and search “2019 RamGuard FE flocks.” Download this list and study the number of stars against each breeder and the number of years they have been RamGuard testing. In both cases – stars and years – more is better. FE Gold flocks are leading facial eczema genetics Now go to FlockFinder – on the SIL website or as a smartphone app – to identify the breeders which have the other traits important to you and are recording for FE tolerance. When you have a list of likely breeders, cross-reference it back to your RamGuard list (see point a) or FE Gold website. Why? Because FlockFinder will only tell you who is “recording” for FE tolerance.

Sub-clinical =

➡

ow do you choose a breeder?

• Can you show me your RamGuard Certificate? On this you will see numbers of years testing, dose rate and how many years of testing • Can they supply “FE tolerance genetic trend graphs” (or DPX genetic trend graphs). Is the breeder moving FE tolerance in the right direction

Choosing a ram • This is straightforward. When you turn up to purchase your rams, simply ask to see the rams’ DPX indexes. This is specific to FE and tells you the dollar advantage a ram will deliver to your flock, more is better. Then continue to select your rams as you normally would – using a mix of genetic data, visual assessment and price. • Expect to pay more for FE tolerant rams – particularly this year, because there is a shortage of rams versus demand. Breeders that invest in testing for

• • • •

FE Gold for 7 years Breeding top genetics on steep hill country SIL recorded Selecting for meat yield, fertility, disease resistance and physical structure • Conservative drenching regime - FEC recorded • Breeding the ultimate easy care rams • High output, low input meaty Coopworths

CONTACT:

Travis Carter & Julie Matthews 07-895-3348 Robert & Suzanne Carter 07-896-7020 151 Kirikau Valley Road, RD 3, Taumarunui 3993 thepoplarsfarm@gmail.com

www.kirikaucoopworths.com 8

FE outbreaks likely to occur more often and over a greater geographical spread than historically observed Susceptible animals have decreased production = lost income Breeding is an important part of the FE Toolbox Improvement not immediate but can be permanent Need to make selection of Facial Eczema Tolerant Rams a priority when buying your rams – Overall genetic merit is important – but irrelevant if your animals can not tolerate an FE challenge

FE invest a lot of money into this one trait. Stick with that breeder • Having found a breeder that’s right for you, stick with them for as long as possible. This is critical, if you are serious

about introducing FE tolerance into your commercial flock. • If today you changed over your whole ram team to high DPX rams from top FE tolerance breeders, it will still take you a minimum of six years to have any significant FE

It’s critical that you stick with your breeder once you start introducing facial eczema tolerance into your commercial flock.

tolerance across your flock. So sit tight for the long haul, if you are serious about using the only preventative method for

tackling this horrible disease. For more information, visit sil. co.nz or fegold.co.nz

PUKETOTARA STUD (SIL 1776)

CAN KILL ONE OF THESE!

A SMALL NUMBER OF THESE …

You can breed Facial Ezcema tolerance into your flock by using our high genetic merit, structrually sound ROMNEY Rams. Contact Ken & Rebecca Haywood at Piopio 07 877 8586 Or email krhaywood@farmside.co.nz Also available Poll Dorset and Black face rams 9

New research fund for FE tolerance testing

he Facial Eczema Working Group (FEWG) is made up of farmers, scientists, vets and consultants, all of whom have a desire to advance the way we educate and prioritise effort to deal with the disease. Funded by Beef+Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) and coordinated by Dr Ken Geenty, the group provides feedback and enthusiasm to make improvements across the whole livestock industry; sheep, beef, dairy and deer. The group’s chair is Taumarunui sheep and beef farmer Robert Carter. A pilot study investigating the potential of a groundbreaking facial eczema (FE) tolerance test launched in July. The purpose of this pilot study, which is being led by AgResearch’s Dr Axel Heiser and funded by B+LNZ, is to test the feasibility of a laboratory-based test to determine

Despite the significance of facial eczema, and the length of time it has been affecting livestock in NZ, most research into FE is historical and limited management tools are available.

an animal’s tolerance to the toxin associated with FE. This test will hopefully replace the current test regime.

If initial results look promising, the test will require further development and full validation to make it a readily available test

for breeders and commercial farmers. FE has been known in New Zealand for over 100 years with the cause of the disease

Pikowai Coopworth Whakatane

The flock has been FE tested for 30 plus years 2 tooth Rams available from Nov 2020 Contact Carol Hodge Phone 07 322 2067 – Email dchodgys@gmail.com 10

Message to Breeders & Farmers Start Now for the Future

Genetic trends – NZ Standard Maternal Worth (NZMW) 2400

2200 2000

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1200

1000

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Shaded area all parts of NZ expected to be affected by FE. It is suspected that for every clinical case of FE there are 10 more with the disease. This disease causes significant production losses and impacts on the welfare of affected animals. It has been estimated that in a bad year, FE can cost the country $266 million in lost production.

2007

2005

2003

-1000 2001

-800

-1000 1999

-800 1997

More common in warm, moist environments, a changing climate means FE is likely to spread further into southern regions over time. “This work is a great example of B+LNZ investing in research now to find solutions to a problem that farmers face now and that will become worse over time, ” B+LNZ’s farming excellence general manager Dan Brier said. The pilot study’s results are expected by March 2021. If the pilot is successful and funding can be secured, validation and implementation of the test is

2000

1995

being attributed to the toxin sporidesmin, produced by the fungus Pithomyces chartarum. This spore-producing fungus sits in the litter at the base of pasture swards. Sporidesmin causes damage to the bile system of the liver of the animal which can reduce a ewe’s lifetime productivity by 25%. A secondary effect of the liver damage is photosensitisation which causes skin reddening and peeling, leaving the affected area susceptible to other infections.

2400

DP Flks Avg Rpt Flks Avg

2200

expected to be completed by late 2022. Despite the significance of FE and the length of time it has been affecting livestock in NZ, most research into FE is historical and limited management tools are available. Heiser says that with new

science approaches and technologies, there is an opportunity to find a solution to this serious issue for NZ farmers. Alongside this proof-of-concept work, B+LNZ will be working with Heiser to build a collaborative funding bid for a larger research programme to investigate the

knowledge gaps of FE in NZ. This programme aims to provide several new strategies to reduce the occurrence and impact of FE for farmers. For more information about facial eczema go to: https:// beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/ PDF/facing-facial-eczema

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FE tolerance most important part of genetic package

ore than 80% of the flock’s genetics are contributed by the ram. That’s an exciting opportunity to improve your flock’s performance. The more time spent researching your options both in terms of breeders and available rams, the more informed your purchase will be. Finding FE Breeders If you want to purchase rams to kickstart facial eczema (FE) tolerance in your ewe flock, you need to purchase from ram sellers who are actively selecting to improve FE tolerance using the RamGuard system. nProve can help you identify breeders who are not only recording FE tolerance, but who are also connected. Connectedness is needed to validly compare the BVs or indexes for animals in different flocks.

nProve is a new tool developed in partnership with Beef+Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) and RMPP to aid commercial farmers to discover genetics fit for their purpose.

Breeders measuring FE tolerance should be able to produce a genetic trend graph for their progress in the DPX index over the years they have been recording.

How to find a FE breeder: 1. Go to nprove.nz 2. Select FE as a trait you wish to focus on by moving the slider for FE under the Health Traits section. This will give you a list of breeders benchmarked for FE tolerance. 3. You can also select breed type or location to further refine the results. Note there will be some breeders who appear in the list of results with no value for FE. They are measuring FE but are not connected and therefore are unable to be compared fairly (or benchmarked). The percentiles and values shown on nProve are representative of the latest NZ Genetic Evaluation (NZGE) run. The index value shown for FE is the DPX value.

Trait Leader Lists Leader lists are designed to provide a balance between high merit and high reliability. They are based on NZGE analysis and are updated at approximately two-month intervals. Trait leader lists can be found on the sil.co.nz website, under Tools, NZGE, View Latest NZGE reports. The criteria for these leader lists can also be found on the website. The trait leader list will provide a list of the current top 50 sire based on DPX. This list is mostly used by breeders looking to purchase rams from other breeders for connectedness. However, it is a good place to check that your short list of breeders is featured.

Visit nprove.nz Information to ask your Breeder Depending on your situation, there may be several FE breeders accessible to you, so how do you choose a breeder? There are a few indicators of merit and success in terms of FE tolerance to consider. Genetic Trend Graphs Genetic trend graphs show progress in genetic improvement of a flock over time. The trend graphs (page 15) show the average index of the flock year by year, so it is easy to see what progress a flock is making.

Lucy & Brett

Coopworth - Romney - RomWorth

PROVEN performance GENETICS with LEADING facial eczema tolerance Brett Teutenberg 027 446 3684 brett@hinenuigenetics.co.nz

Ryan Teutenberg 021 610 664 ryanteutenberg@hotmail.com

Phil Cook 027 952 6048 philandde@hotmail.com

www.hinenuigenetics.co.nz Annabelle, Claire, Ryan, Emily, Ella, Hamish, Deana, Freddie & Phil 12

Dose rate and resultant flock status rating table:

Dose rate mg/ kg LW <0.20

Flock Status Rating *

0.20-0.29

0.30-0.49

***

0.50-0.59

****

>.60

*****

Text here

000

RamGuard Flock Status Rating RamGuard is the programme which coordinates the dose rates given to animals when they are tested for FE tolerance. Each flock on RamGuard is assigned a Flock Status Rating based on the dose rate they currently test at. A list of these flock ratings can be found on the sil.co.nz website, under Tools, Flocks focused on health traits, FE tolerance. More stars means more tolerance. RamGuard provides a certificate to breeders each year verifying their part in the programme.

FEGold Breeders FEGold is a brand dedicated to protecting the investment sheep breeders have made developing the FE tolerant gene pool, while providing greater clarity to the commercial farmer

in regards to selecting FE tolerant rams. There are FEGold and FESilver accredited breeders. Below is the eligibility criteria they are required to meet to become accredited.

FE Gold

FE Silver

Testing with sporidesmin at 0.60mg/ kg

Testing with sporidesmin at 0.50mg/kg or greater and sires tested have passed

At least 10 years of testing history

At least 10 years of testing history to ensure there is a good level of tolerance in the flock (exceptions will be considered)

10% of sale rams tested for facial eczema tolerance

All rams used are RamGuard tested

Buyers are encouraged to ask for this information. Choosing a ram Once you are happy you’ve found a breeder that is ticking all the boxes, it’s time to select the ram(s).

FE may be a high priority for your system, but it is important to remember it is only part of the genetic package you are purchasing. It may be helpful to look at indexes such as NZMW+X which is the Maternal Worth index including growth, reproduction,

survival, wool, adult size and facial eczema. It is important to remember that the higher the DPX and NZMW+X index value the more tolerant an animal but with GGT21 breeding values, the lower the alue the more tolerant an animal is. Understanding what a good value is in terms of DPX or GGT21gBV is important if you want to make an informed purchase. It helps to familiarise yourself with the NZGE percentile band tables which show the range in values. These can be found on the sil. co.nz website, under Tools, NZGE, Percentile Bands Tables. RamGuard testing is very expensive so be prepared to pay for FE tolerant rams. The opportunity cost of buying average or unrecorded rams can be tens of thousands of dollars. Remember, more than 80% of the flock’s genetics are contributed by the ram. The more time spent considering your options, the more informed your purchase will be.

ECZEMA TOLERANT ROMNEYS RAMGUARD TESTING SINCE 1985 • • • • • •

5 star rating Structurally sound Robust functional sheep that survive Minimum input Selecting for less parasites and dags No ewes worm drenched, dipped or vaccinated

KEITH ABBOTT, RAGLAN 027 463 9859 | www.waiteikaromneys.co.nz @waiteikaromneys 13

What you can do about FE Sara Sutherland, BVSc, MSc, BSc(Agr), mANZCVS Veterinary Services Wairarapa

T Use FE Gold Genetics and do more of this.

HE effect of facial eczema (FE) on a flock can be a major detriment to production – death losses, decreased fertility, poor growth rate, dry ewes, poor production, increased susceptibility to other diseases and ewe deaths at lambing. The effect of FE on the individual animal is even worse – pain, tissue damage, infertility and long-term liver damage. Anyone keeping animals has an obligation to avoid pain and suffering. That means farmers in areas affected by FE have to put measures in place to prevent animals getting it. As a vet I usually get called in two situations – where the farmer is seeing clinical signs (peeling skin, drooping ears), or where scanning has unexpectedly dropped.

In those scenarios there’s not a lot I can do. Unfortunately, the opportunity for actually doing something about facial eczema happens before those signs appear. What can you do about facial eczema? Your tools basically consist of grazing management, monitoring by spore counting and keeping stock away from “hot spots”, using crops, genetics, spraying with fungicide and using zinc boluses. For zinc to work, it has to be in the rumen already when the animal eats the toxic spores. Then it can bind up the toxin and stop it causing damage to the liver. Putting zinc in water only works for dairy cows and even then it doesn’t work that well, and putting zinc in water is not useful for beef and sheep – they just don’t drink enough or reliably enough to get a protective dose. The zinc boluses need to be in place before the period of highest

Breeding Profitable Sheep •

Facial eczema testing for over 30 years, so all you need to focus on are the traits that make you money

•

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•

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OPEN DAY

Thursday 15 October 10am - 4pm ALASTAIR REEVES +64 (0) 7 825 4925 waimairomney@gmail.com waimairomney.co.nz

risk – and for cattle make sure you are mindful of the weight ranges to avoid toxicity. Regarding toxicity, the European Union has banned Zinc Oxide as a feed additive because of potential environmental issues (phased out by 2022). This is targeted at pig farms that use zinc to treat diarrhoea. This does not mean that NZ will follow suit, but it is something we should keep in the back of our minds. Spraying pastures with antifungal spray (which only drops the spore count by 50%) has to happen before liver damage has occurred before doing any good. This tool has a number of disadvantages, both practical (you need to be able to get the spray over all areas of the paddock, while the grass is green) and theoretical (what is the impact of spraying on beneficial and commensal fungi in the grass?). Using crops is helpful on some farms but not available to everyone. Monitoring by spore counting is vital but has to be done regularly. Regional trends are helpful but not

enough by themselves. You need counts on your farm to know what is happening on your farm. Your farm will probably have high and low risk areas – depending on the season and where in the country you are, you may not have enough low-risk areas for your susceptible stock. The environmental conditions most suitable for the fungus to grow are temperatures above 12°C overnight and humidity at grass level. Long-term, breeding sheep that can tolerate the toxin is the least costly and least painful solution. We know that we can select genetically for tolerance to FE without sacrificing genetic gains in production traits. Also, animals genetically tolerant to FE are less likely to be affected (or will be less severely affected) by other fungal toxin related diseases, like ryegrass staggers and zearalenone related infertility. The science has been well proven over more than 40 years. Genetics is the best tool we have.

you can trust To find out more about our members & the FE Gold brand visit:

@fegoldgenetics

fe_gold_12

150 FE Gold www.fegold.co.nz

SIL recorded Romney Rams

HAIN ROMNEYS28

for Private Sale from

November 2016

FE Gold Rams

SIL recorded and DNA tested for Private Sale on farm

HEREFORDS ROMNEYS

BOOK IN NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT Sam & Gemma Hain

Waikura Station, Private Bag 7123, Gisborne 4040 P: + 64 6 867 8097 E: sam.gemma.hain@gmail.com

Sid & Merran Hain

Papatu Road, Gisborne 4072 Sam & Gemma Hain E:E:s_hain@xtra.co.nz 8628097 8096 Waikura Station, Private Bag 7123, Gisborne 4040 P:P:+ +64646 6867 sam.gemma.hain@gmail.com 15

you can trust

Bob Steed ARDG Romney 09 433 2616 Kate Broadbent Nikau Coopworth 09 233 3230

James Parsons www.fegold.co.nz Ashgrove Coopworth 021 206 3208 Jenny & Adrian Savannah ARDG Romney 09 427 6393 John & Jan Marchant ARDG Romney 09 232 5613

Alastair Reeves Waimai Romney 07 825 4925

Craig Alexander ARDG Romney 07 888 1703 Ross Alexander ARDG Romney 027 222 0247

Keith Abbott Waiteika Romney 027 463 9859

Carol & Tony Hodge Pikowai Coopworth 07 322 2067

Ken Haywood Puketotara Romney 07 877 8586 Russell Proffit Raupuha Perendale/ Romdale 07 877 8977 Travis Carter Kirikau Coopworth 07 895 3348 Ross Richards Romani Coopworth 07 895 7144

Brett Teutenberg Hinenui Coopworth/ Romney/Romworth 027 446 3684 Sam & Gemma Hain Hain Romney 06 867 8097 Murray Sargent Kaahu Coopworth and RomxCoop 027 392 7242 Steve Wyn-Harris Marlow Coopworth 06 855 8265