The Farmlander - August 2021 by Farmlands

SPECIAL OFFERS AND INFORMATION FOR FARMLANDS SHAREHOLDERS

AUGUST 2021

Valid from 1 — 31 August 2021

The FARMLANDER BEARING UP UNDER COVID PAGE 8

SUN SHINES ON HEMP PAGE 24

CULTIVATING COURAGE PAGE 20

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THE FARMLANDER | 3

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

AUGUST

INTEREST

PLAN365

5 Farmlands staff profile

Plan365 Nutrition

5 From the Acting CEO

39 Calf roadshow puts rearers in front

6 5 minutes with Hugh Good

41 Spring pasture management

8 Special Feature – The mahi behind our national fruit

43 Striking the right balance

WHAT’S ON

4-6

45 Higher growth rates from fortified milk

14 Buying Power Promise

47 Feeding for peak production

15 New Farmlands chief reflects on shareholder feedback

Plan365 Animal Management

17 Nominations open for Director Elections

51 Combat lameness before it hits your pocket

20 How to eat the elephant in the room 22 Event recognises Māori agriculture opportunity 24 Hemp growers show way to a sunny future

Plan365 Forage and Arable

26 Winter grazing regulation in focus

53 A spring loaded start

30 First time’s a winner for Jake 33 Warming weather increases injury risk

55 Mix and match to avoid herbicide resistance

35 Understanding director duties key to good governance

Plan365 Rural Infrastructure

59 Century Farms – Goldfields money kickstarts dynasty

The Horticulture Conference

49 Premating strategy and heat

18 To The Core inspires boardroom hopefuls

36 Women to fore as Fieldays bounces back

AUGUST

The theme of this 3-day conference at Mystery Creek Events Centre is Resilience and Recovery in a changing COVID-19 world. Speakers will offer insights and perspectives from New Zealand and overseas, industry and government.

19 - 20

57 Time to show your lawn some love

AUGUST

60 Property Brokers update Potatoes NZ Biennial Conference SPECIAL OFFERS AND INFORMATION FOR

FARMLANDS SHAREHOLDERS

The Potatoes NZ biennial conference will be held at the Vodafone Events Centre, Auckland. The conference is an opportunity for growers to hear the latest thinking from domestic and international experts.

AUGUST 2021

Valid from

1 — 31 August 2021

The FARMLANDER BEARING UP UNDER COVID

PAGE 8

SUN SHINES ON HEMP

ON THE COVER Farmlands shareholder and kiwifruit grower Ben Steele with his father, Graham. Ben has reviewed every aspect of his Bay of Plenty operation in the wake of COVID-19.

PAGE 24

CULTIVATING COURAGE PAGE 20

The information contained in this publication is given in good faith and has been derived from sources perceived to be reliable and accurate. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and correctness of the information, Farmlands gives no warranties, express or implied, regarding the information nor does it accept any liability for any opinion or information (including the accuracy or completeness thereof) or for any consequences flowing from its use. The information and views expressed in

4 | THE FARMLANDER

this publication are not necessarily the views or opinion of Farmlands, its editorial contributors, freelancers, associates or information providers. Independent advice is recommended before acting on information or suggestions contained herein. Readers who rely on this information do so at their own risk. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service whether by trade name, trademark, manufacture, or otherwise does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Farmlands.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the publisher. Prices and offers apply only in the month stated on the front cover of this publication and while stocks last. Not all products are available at all Farmlands stores. All prices include GST unless otherwise stated.

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FARMLANDS STAFF PROFILE James Abbiss Agronomist, Farmlands Manawatu

Q: What are most farmers in your patch looking to achieve in August? A: Whether it be sheep and beef, cropping or dairy, farmers are generally looking ahead to ensure they are set up for spring. Having enough pasture cover or supplement feed to get through winter is vital to ensure the properties are fit to start spring on the front foot. Soil testing and evaluating budgets are important to understand the starting point for the season, financially and from a sustainable system perspective. Q: Have you experienced any challenges that have caused farmers to reconsider their planting strategy? A: Being flexible is important and having an adaptable cropping strategy is important to offset the risks that we may face. Environmental regulations are influencing certain crop placement but if plans are in place we can often overcome mixed variables such as environmental regulation and weather. I am always keen to discuss Plan B options with farmers as it provides the system with a greater degree of flexibility to make sound decisions when situations change. Q: How does good agronomy practice help to improve outcomes on-farm and why is it important at this time of year? A: Planning is very important. Looking at what worked well and areas of improvement, understanding where the system needs to get to, what drivers and tools are available to assist farmers. Agronomy is often the foundation of farm systems as what you grow dictates the capacity of the system in terms of farm profitability and in some cases what can happen on the animal side of the system. Providing good agronomy advice and seeing the results is hugely satisfying as it opens up avenues and opportunities that may have not been there before.

Lamb Rack Method

Ingredients • 1 New Zealand grass-fed rack of lamb (with 8 cutlets) • Salt • Freshly ground pepper • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil

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Rub the lamb racks with oil. Season well with salt and pepper.

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Cover the lamb and allow to sit for 10–15 minutes to bring it to room temperature.

Heat a frying pan and when very hot brown the lamb racks on the meaty side. Transfer to a roasting tray.

Roast in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove, cover and set aside to rest for 10 minutes before carving into cutlet-style portions. This will cook the lamb to medium/ rare; for medium/well-done, cook a further 5 minutes.

FROM THE ACTING CEO Hi all. Welcome to the August issue of The Farmlander. We are approaching the home stretch of winter and for many of you spring planning will be well under way, if not complete. With this time traditionally about setting your system up well for the new season, this year sees shareholders having to also plan and adapt for any system changes necessary to meet environment compliance requirements. Our specialists have a good understanding of those changes and stand ready to assist if and when required. Please contact your local branch or Technical Field Officer. I would also like to acknowledge those shareholders, their families and communities who are still having to deal with the aftermath of recent adverse weather. Our Leadership Team, branches and field teams are conscious of this being an ongoing challenge and remain available to support getting back to full production. In that vein, I would like to emphasise that Farmlands is well placed to ensure shareholders have what they need, when they need it. COVID-19 is continuing to disrupt supply chains globally, but we are in the fortunate position of having secured access to adequate supplies of key inputs to support your spring requirements. I want to acknowledge our team for the great work in planning and forward-ordering that has put us in the best position to support shareholders in a time of disruption. This month’s edition includes some great insight from our Growth and Innovation team on what shareholders need and should be thinking about as they prepare for the upcoming season. We also detail this year’s Director Elections. Our new Chief Executive, Tanya Houghton, also discusses her early interactions with our shareholders on page 15. Please contact your local store or representative if you have any questions on or require support for the season ahead. We have invested heavily in building our knowledge and capability to ensure access to the right technical support. Together we are definitely stronger! All the best for the month ahead.

Kevin Cooney Acting Chief Executive Officer Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited

THE FARMLANDER | 5

5 minutes with Hugh Good

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Global Market Intelligence and Research Manager

Bringing our overseas customers, ‘conscious foodies’, to life for farmers at events is a bit of a buzz too. Many of them never get to see who experiences and enjoys their product, so that’s pretty compelling when you can show them.

Tell us a bit about your role at B+LNZ?

Other than regenerative agriculture, tell us about other emerging trends in the agriculture space and how might these shape the future of New Zealand ag exports? There are a lot of trends, some of which will be pretty challenging to our product, especially from plant analogues, fermentation technology and looking further out, cell-based cultures. But there are even more exciting opportunities.

I look after all the consumer research and insight for our nonNew Zealand export markets. What is your background, ie How did you get into agriculture product research? I have a Masters in psychology but spent 13 years in market research and consumer insight prior to joining B+LNZ. What do you enjoy most about the work you do? Finding actionable insights that can inform our strategy in market and drive engagement with B+LNZ. What I get the most buzz from however is identifying insights we can use to increase the value of New Zealand beef and lamb globally.

We did a report – Shaping the Future of New Zealand’s Red Meat Sector – which ties some of them together and looks at how they will affect the sector. It was this report that identified the emerging trend around regenerative agriculture and led to our further research in this area.

People aren’t going to buy regeneratively produced food if it doesn’t taste any good.”

6 | THE FARMLANDER

What research findings have surprised you most in your time doing NZ primary product export market research? That’s a tough one. I think the findings that people find most difficult to accept is that we’re very self-oriented and self-focused, regardless of what generation you’re in, when it comes to food. Before you start engaging people around higher order food attributes, e.g. environment or animal welfare, you need to meet the basic needs around taste, price and health. No one finishes a meal exclaiming ‘Boy, that was sustainable!’ That’s a challenge for regen as you need to ensure the basic needs are met, not compromised on and ideally enhanced, before you can start talking environmental sustainability. It’s an obvious point but people aren’t going to buy regeneratively produced food if it doesn’t taste any good (and I’m not saying it won’t). Why do you feel this kind of research work is important and how do you feel that it helps Kiwi farmers? I believe we need to be customer oriented to win in the future. Being product oriented has served us well to date and we’re super-efficient producers and have a great product. But for the industry to be successful

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FARMLANDS 5 MINUTES

People will be less tolerant in future of food being produced that has a negative impact on the planet.” and ensure consumers both choose us and most importantly, pay more for what we produce in the future, we’ve got to understand them, what they want and how to position and promote to them what we do so well at point of sale. That link between consumer and farmer is super critical. I think if we all reflect on our own preferences, the products that end up in our shopping trolley are the ones that are well produced and communicate the attributes that align with our values. That’s no accident. It’s a result of time spent understanding the customer, what they want and what they’re prepared to pay more for. Other countries are doing this and in some instances have been ahead of us in their understanding of the same customers we’re going after and how they communicate with them. It’s important we both keep up but beat them in market to ensure NZ farmers get what they deserve for their high-quality products. Do you think Kiwi farmers are more interested in what consumers are asking for globally now and adapting their practices accordingly, compared with say 10 or 20 years ago? If so how ie.` Things have changed less than you might think. Consumers are still after tasty, well priced food that’s good for them. However, the big change is where they’re seeing the impact of environmental issues, the big one being climate change. Taste is still number one and I think it will still continue to be so but people will be

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

less tolerant in future of food being produced that has a negative impact on the planet – and as we’re one of the most efficient, sustainable producers on the planet, I think we have a real opportunity to dial into this trend. Parts of the regen study I’ve been doing might be a vehicle for this. You've been busy recently researching the global potential of regenerative agriculture, how did that come about? We did a study on the future of the red meat sector at the end of 2019, which showed one of the emergent themes was regenerative agriculture and the research was suggesting that this and the way in which food is produced was becoming more important to consumers. We also do social media monitoring and we work with a company that tracks lots of terms and keywords for us in our key markets. They were telling us that ‘regen’ was growing and kind of unusually so. So the future of the red meat report, combined with what our digital partners were reporting to us, led us to investigate regenerative agriculture more closely. What enabled you to take this further and when did this research kick off? We met with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and similarly it was on their radar as well and they were willing to part fund it ($390,000). We also had conversations with the Bragato Research Institute, who work with New Zealand Wine and it was on their radar too. They were interested in the potential market opportunities available to the

producers of regeneratively produced wine. It’s not just a sheep and beef thing, we wanted to get another sector involved and it’s the first time that we have worked with the Bragato Research Institute, so that’s pretty exciting for us. What markets are the most vital in terms of primary produce export, or at least the ones you chose to focus on, in terms of how consumers feel about regenerative agriculture? So the funding from MPI allowed us to focus on three core markets which were the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany. They were selected because they are leading export markets for New Zealandmade red meat products and also because that’s where a lot of the social media mentions of regenerative agriculture have been happening.

THE FARMLANDER | 7

THE MAHI BEHIND OUR NATIONAL FRUIT 8 | THE FARMLANDER

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SPECIAL FEATURE

| Horticare Services director Ben Steele near harvest end.

One of the farming sectors most affected by global border closures and thereby a lack of labour is horticulture. This has required some quick action and a flexible approach among orchard operators. Farmlands shareholder and Horticare Services director Ben

“Then in June we had some unfavourable weather and a

Steele looks after about 30ha of kiwifruit orchards, including

few labour issues when we were trying to get the last of the

8ha of his own, in the Bay of Plenty. He has had to look at

green off.”

every aspect of his operation through a microscope since

The lack of backpackers has depleted one major source of

COVID-19 hit, as the cost of kiwifruit production skyrockets.

labour and means Ben is running a team of 20 rather than

Bay of Plenty-based grower Ben, 35, says that he feels the

the usual 26. “I did manage to score myself six backpackers

impact of climate change is also having an impact in his patch,

for the picking and some Kiwi labour. So all and all, it hasn’t

with the seasons becoming increasingly unpredictable over

been too bad.”

the last decade.

Ben had to get onto sorting his labour force very early this

“It’s a pretty extended season this year. We are harvesting for

year, to ensure that when the time came, he would be well

at least a week or two longer than we were expecting to be or

equipped for the pick. Being as pro-active as possible on

were last season,” Ben says.

this front was key.

“The lateness this year started off as a seasonal thing, with the

“I was straight onto it at the very start of March.

gold not maturing as fast as it normally would,” Ben explains.

“Having the season go later has made it interesting too,

“That’s led to the green being pushed out because we didn’t

because the reality is that we're all fighting for the same

get our gold done when we normally would.

limited labour pool in this region.”

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THE FARMLANDER | 9

| It takes time to perfect the crop and achieve ideal taste.

| Ben's daughters Isabella, 7, and Julia, 4.

after. Some of those with smaller crop loads have better taste

around their visa situations. Hopefully this will provide some more certainty and help convince the rest to stay here. The main concern among kiwifruit growers is that eventually the backpackers who are still here now will go home and new ones may not arrive at all. We are very unsure when the next lot will come in, or whether they will come to New Zealand like they previously have, or not.”

and managed to harvest earlier in the season.

Pruning and bud break

“Most of the chat has been around securing labour, how we

Ben had access to more staff over the pruning period, which helped get things off to a positive start.

Ben, who has two daughters, Isabella, 7, and Julia, 4, has been chatting to his neighbours and other kiwifruit growers in his region a lot lately and while yield is up, many are facing a wide range of challenges. “They all have bigger crop loads this harvest, although some have struggled to achieve the desired taste that they are all

are going to get these jobs done into the future and the cost of production that’s now involved, which has just skyrocketed,” Ben reveals. The packhouses are introducing $22.10 an hour because of changes to Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme pay rates, which is the initiative that allows the horticulture and viticulture industries to recruit workers from overseas for seasonal work when there are not enough New Zealand workers. “That has basically made that the new minimum wage for us, which is a $3.20 increase in the space of one year, because ultimately I have to be competitive with the packhouses in terms of pay,” Ben says. Naturally, Ben supports the Government’s decision to extend Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) and Working Holiday visas by 6 months. “The working holiday visa was extended for another 6 months for our backpackers in July and they can work in any sector, so the Government has pulled finger. Before that I’d already lost three workers who went back home due to the uncertainty

10 | THE FARMLANDER

“The pruning period was pretty good. We still had the backpackers in the country so labour supply wasn’t really an issue. A lot of my guys head off to do the apples around February and then come back to help me with the kiwifruit.” Post-pruning, Ben didn’t encounter too many problems to speak of, with the exception of a few weather-related issues that caused some delay. “Bud break went off without a hitch and I had high flower numbers across my orchards in both green and gold. We did have a bit of an issue with the weather coming into our flowerthinning period but we managed to catch up later in the summer. “The season itself has been pretty normal but the picking has been crazy with very high crop loads, variable taste and some sizes not coming through. We may have just pushed our limits a bit too far this year, doing 20,000-plus trays of gold and 15,000 trays of green.” That is well up on Ben’s yield last year, when he produced around 17,000 trays of gold and 12,000 trays of green.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

| Livie Pitt on the pick.

He puts that down to a range of factors, most of which revolve around high flower numbers and ‘pushing the envelope’. “On the gold, I had started with high flower numbers and couldn’t get around to doing a second flower thin, which I normally would do,” Ben explains.” “So I just left the crop there, seeing that I did so well last year, thinking I’ll push it again this year.” Ben feels like he got his timing a lot better this season compared with last year in some respects including his management of labour. Ben explains however that it’s a huge job with a massive number of variables. “It looked like it was going to be a good dry-matter year but that turned out not to be the case. We are still learning and trying to perfect what we do and no one really gets it 100 percent right 100 percent of the time. “The costs of growing kiwifruit are just increasing year-on-year. The industry has also grown to be so big now and everyone’s just trying to keep up with that growth.” The contracting side of things still takes up a large portion of Ben’s time, despite him having his own 8ha patch now. “Most of my guys (across the remaining 23 hectares that Ben doesn’t own) have been with me for 8 or 9 years so I’ve got good growers who have similar goals to what I have. We are basically working together to pool our resources, make sure things are done on time and we’re all looked after.”

“I came back from overseas about 15 years ago, there wasn’t much work around, so I got into horticulture and started my own business 11 years ago.” Starting as a cadet with Grow Plus, Ben wasted no time learning the trade from the inside, getting in on the ground floor. “I ended up doing most of my cadetship through Satara, which is now EastPack. “I worked my way up to management and saw back then that there was an issue with having and maintaining good staff. The contractors they were using weren’t really up to it — so I decided to go contracting for myself.” Varieties Ben started off growing Hayward green, which is among the most popular varieties of kiwifruit and is the variety that launched and then sustained the New Zealand industry since the 1950s. The hairy green Hayward fruit was developed by horticulturalist Hayward Wright from seeds brought from China and was first exported from New Zealand by Te Puke’s Jim MacLoughlin in 1952. Then known as Chinese gooseberries, the term kiwifruit was first used in 1959 by Jack Turner of Turners and Growers.

Family roots

While the Hayward is still a mainstay, things have changed a fair bit since then.

Ben’s parents Graham and Tina bought an orchard in the 1980s and he grew up there, a move that opened more than a few doors and has set the trajectory for Ben and his young family 4 decades later.

“There are new varieties coming out now but they do take a long time to develop and you need to be sure that they are suited to your climate,” Ben explains.

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THE FARMLANDER | 11

Steady improvement The growth of Ben’s operation has required constant investment. “Infrastructure-wise, we have a yearly programme of converting the old timber pergolas to age-beam and bracing where needed. Where the old box end assemblies are, we're replacing them with strainers and ‘deadmen’ to help hold up these bigger crops. “We’ve done a lot of structural work. Some of the orchards we are looking after are approaching 40 years old,” Ben explains. The work rarely subsides on a kiwifruit orchard, especially when dealing with a later pick. “Because we’re running so late, we are going to be behind with our winter pruning,” Ben says. All going to plan, Ben and his crew should get a bit of a break from mid-September until the first week of October. “Once you’ve got sap-flow and you get your bud break — that’s when we tend to take a bit of time out.” The bulk of the kiwifruit Ben produces goes to Zespri and is exported internationally, with a little bit of class-2 going to Australia. “The better the taste, the better the market my fruit can get into. I try to limit my use of nitrogen so that they can store the fruit for as long as possible.” Ben’s Te Puna-based Farmlands Technical Advisor is Melina Williams, who keeps him well-stocked with spray products

“Before COVID I would always pick up from the store but after COVID I would just get my sprays delivered, which is just awesome when you’re busy, and we’ve carried on with that ever since. “She’s always there to help and if she doesn’t have the answers for me she will find someone within Farmlands who does.” Ben also chats to Farmlands Horticulture Business Development Manager Andrew McIntosh, who is based in the Tauranga Branch. Ben says Andrew is a useful source of information regarding products and new developments in the kiwifruit industry more broadly. “There are a heck of a lot of orchards in this area. The whole kiwifruit sector has just boomed and with spraying, having the correct information is just so important.” Ben reckons the sector is at full capacity in terms of the volume of fruit being able to be handled, with access to enough labour still a big limitation. “It does have the potential to grow even more because the demand is certainly there but a lot of it comes down to whether we have the labour to do that in the years to come.” The sector is booming, driven by high levels of international demand for our kiwifruit but there’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic and its ramifications have thrown up more than a few challenges.

nutritional deficiencies as the fruit matures.

This is something that will continue to play out over the next few years but the passion among growers and their determination to produce to the highest standards they can does seem to be overcoming these challenges for now.

“She’s been absolutely fantastic, especially with the lockdown

Words Randall Johnston | Photos Rich Brimer

including insecticides and foliar spray, which is used from bud break through fruit development to prevent and correct

last year,” Ben says.

12 | THE FARMLANDER

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SPECIAL FEATURE

| Livie Pitt and Jess Mclean get the job done.

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| Losena Taumoepeau hard at it.

THE FARMLANDER | 13

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CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

New Farmlands chief reflects on shareholder feedback Incoming Farmlands CEO Tanya Houghton will join our co-operative in September. Here, she provides some insight on her initial interaction with Farmlands’ shareholders. If we look back at the history of the co-operatives that would eventually become Farmlands, one word springs to mind for me: disruption. Nearly 60 years ago, these co-operatives were formed to be a complete disruptor in the industry, delivering quality products and services at competitive prices. They were singleminded in their focus on doing right by their shareholders – and they were met by resistance as a result. Attempts to cut the co-operatives out of the market were made because they were seen as a legitimate threat. My aim as Chief Executive is to make Farmlands that disruptor again – making sure we are delivering the best we can for our shareholders. Having spent time with Farmlands shareholders at a range of events (including To the Core, Te Hono, Tohunga Tūmau and National Fieldays), a few key themes are emerging for me. Some of you have told me the way we do things today isn’t necessarily what our shareholders will want from us in the future. You’ve told me that as our co-operative has grown larger, it has become less agile and, in some cases, a lot harder to deal with; that specialist knowledge can be hard to access; and that relationships are key. Another collection of feedback (which was quite sobering) is that our shareholder base is very divided. We don’t deliver consistency across our shareholder segments.

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| New Chief Executive Tanya Houghton made the most of Fieldays to get to know Farmlands shareholders.

We have shareholders that love us, others that don’t. We have shareholders that buy everything from us while others do not. Identity is important here. We need to let you know what type of partner we want to be – and can be – to your business. Your food and fibre inputs will evolve with technology and innovation. We want to work with you to understand where it’s heading and deliver what you need. Above anything else, my interactions with shareholders have emphasised that community is at the heart of this sector. The sheer volume of invitations I have received is humbling. So many of them contain food – which is amazing for someone who loves to eat (honestly, I am actively investigating gym memberships to offset the morning tea invites). The shareholders I have spoken with, listened to and shared copious amounts of food with so far are all

proud of and actively engaged in their communities. It’s been a constant part of every interaction I’ve had. That said, each community is different and unique in its own right. It’s really important that Farmlands supports this variety of communities – and it feels like that will need to evolve from how we do it today. So thank you for your warm welcome into the wonderful world of Farmlands shareholders. Already I’ve sold gumboots at Mystery Creek, talked to the future of rural governance and learned more about what it means to be a kaitiaki (guardian) of the whenua (land). Every shareholder has a story, just as they did nearly 60 years ago. My challenge is to bring the passion you have for our cooperative to life through our amazing, knowledgeable and professional Farmlanders. Then we can go back to doing what we do best – disrupting. I look forward to talking to you more next month.

THE FARMLANDER | 15

16 | THE FARMLANDER

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CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

Nominations open for Director Elections Shareholders interested in joining the Farmlands Board of Directors are invited to put their hands up for this year’s Director Elections. Two seats – one North Island and one South Island – are being contested. Farmlands Directors Dawn Sangster and Gray Baldwin are retiring by rotation in 2021 and both have indicated they are standing for re-election. There are set criteria for any shareholder interested in becoming a Farmlands Director. Eligible candidates must reside in the island for which they are seeking election, have been a trading Farmlands shareholder for at least 3 years and need to be nominated by at least two other shareholders resident in the same island as the candidate. Farmlands Chairman Rob Hewett says having a say in governance is crucial to the success of the co-operative.

| Gray Baldwin

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“Having high-calibre shareholder

Last year’s Director Elections completed

representatives is critical not only to

a 3-year cycle to implement changes

Farmlands but all rural co-operatives,”

to the Board’s structure. From this

Rob says. “We have made tremendous

year’s Director Elections, there will be

strides in growing the talent pool of rural

one North Island and one South Island

governance, alongside Silver Fern Farms,

Shareholder Director retiring by rotation

through the To The Core programme.

every year.

“The talent is there and it is always

Shareholders with 500 or more $1

pleasing to see prominent and capable

shares are eligible to vote in this year’s

shareholders putting their hands up for

Director Elections. Voting packs will be

these elections. All of our shareholders

sent by email once the nominees are

are business owners and the ongoing

confirmed. While voting is primarily done

success of Farmlands factors into the

by email, postal votes are accepted.

wellbeing of their own business. “Standing in a Director Election is a thorough process, designed to showcase critical thinking and ability. It is also a very rewarding process, and if we are to continue to develop our next generation of leaders we want shareholders to ask questions, engage and, just as importantly, vote.”

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Shareholders wanting to learn more about becoming a Farmlands Shareholder Director can request a nomination pack by calling the election helpline on 0800 666 047 or emailing iro@electionz.com. Nominations close at 5pm on Thursday 26 August 2021.

| Dawn Sangster

THE FARMLANDER | 17

To The Core inspires boardroom hopefuls Participants keen to learn and speakers primed to inspire made To The Core 2021 a big success in preparing tomorrow’s co-operative leaders for the challenges ahead.

the panel’s views on governance, leadership and the challenges ahead for tomorrow’s co-operative leaders. Day 1 kicked off with an introduction by Farmlands and Silver Fern Farms senior leaders and a word from To The Core alumnus Will Clarke, who reflected on how the programme had helped introduce him to the world of governance and getting on a board of directors.

The 23 potential boardroom leaders who attended June’s To The Core governance and leadership programme, which Farmlands runs in partnership with Silver Fern Farms, came away full of praise for the calibre of speakers and the knowledge gained during the 3-day event in Christchurch.

Farmlands Director Warren Parker and Chairman Rob Hewett spoke about how an effective board functions and the important flow-on effects decisions made have for the business.

Smaller group sessions on the second day were a highlight, with many relishing the opportunity to question the Four-person panel of directors and senior company executives. These included Silver Fern Farms independent director Jane Taylor, Miraka chairman Kingi Smiler, Alliance South chair Stuart Heal and retired Silver Fern Farms director Trevor Burt. All serve on several boards.

Keynote speaker was Fulton Hogan chair Dean Hamilton, who is also a non-executive director of Auckland International Airport, The Warehouse Group and Tappenden Holdings. Dean retired in 2018 as Silver Fern Farms chief executive. He shared insights into his journey from management to governance, dealing with disruption and all the homework he does on a company before getting involved in its board.

The interaction enabled the attendees, from diverse backgrounds and representing every region of New Zealand, to hear first-hand

“New Zealand is a small place so I invariably ask current board members

how is life on that board?” Dean said. “You want to meet with the other directors. It’s also useful to see their strategy document and some board papers. These directorship roles are long-term commitments so you need to be clear on what you are getting into.” Silver Fern Farms CEO Simon Limmer explained how he works with the chair and the board to deliver on the company’s strategy. He spoke about his time in France, his move home and some of the challenges the business is facing, as well as the opportunities. Simon said that as CEO, you are the pivot between management and the board and people often “tell you what you want to hear, rather than what you need to hear”. Jacinta Stevenson and her husband Jim farm sheep and beef across two properties near Middlemarch, Otago, while raising their children Tessa, Max and Belle. With 40,000 stock units across 7000ha, theirs is no small operation. Jacinta said she picked up on several ideas and recommendations that would help her be more strategic

| Big success: participants and speakers at To The Core 2021.

18 | THE FARMLANDER

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CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

while leading her team of seven. “I’m more of an operational person so it was great to learn how to take a step back and look at things from a more strategic level,” Jacinta said. “The sheer calibre of speakers was really impressive, seeing how many different hats they wear and I really enjoyed learning about their journeys, which were all quite different. “Keeping a level head and an open mind and having diversity of thought among board members is something that really resonated with me and I think that’s also important for farmers in general, considering all the challenges and opportunities that we’re facing and focusing more on the opportunities.” Northland dairy farm director and Fonterra supplier, Farmlands and SFF shareholder Suzanne Brocx, who with her husband farms 650 dairy cows across three properties, says she learned a lot and really valued the smaller group sessions. These allowed her to question current directors and learn from their experiences, both good and bad. She particularly enjoyed the insight shared by Miraka chairman Kingi Smiler. “I found the directors were really candid, they didn’t sugar-coat some of their more challenging experiences that they had on various boards over the years,” Suzanne said. “I appreciated the acknowledgement that diversity on a board doesn’t just necessarily mean having a mix of gender and ethnicities but that it’s more

about diversity of thought. I’m NZ/ Pasifika by birth and see myself adding value because of the skills I bring, not because of my ethnicity and because I am a woman. I totally recommend this course to those looking to upskill in leadership or governance.” Cream of the crop Farmlands Director of External Relations Mark McHardy and Silver Fern Farms Shareholder Relations Manager Clark Taylor labelled the event a success. “The high quality of the 23 participants selected from 84 applications ensured the level of involvement and engagement was outstanding,” Mark said. “The increased focus this year of including extra workshop panel sessions proved to be a hit with the group, enabling quality discussion and interaction with the team of high-quality speakers assembled.” Mark said that the partnership with Silver Fern Farms was key to the event’s success, as was the support of Agmardt, whose funding provided the resource required to create a “meaningful and quality programme”. Others who contributed time to the programme included Farmlands Head of Card Partnerships – Regional Renee DeLuca, Farmlands Acting Chief Executive Kevin Cooney, Farmlands Independent Director and Chair of Audit and Risk Julie Bohnenn, Silver Fern Farms Director Tim Gibson, Decipher Group Director Leanne Crozier and NZX Head of Insight Julia Jones.

Keeping a level head and an open mind and having diversity of thought among board members is something that really resonated with me.”

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| The programme featured a mix of smaller group sessions and guest speakers.

THE FARMLANDER | 19

How to eat the elephant in the room Thought leadership from Farmlands’ Head of Sustainability and Land Use, Katie Vickers, on the need for courage in reducing on-farm carbon emissions.

Not known for my patience, I regularly remind myself that if you want to go fast, go alone but if you want to go far, go together. This principle is relevant for many as we move through significant change in our food and fibre sector.

New Zealand is known for its natural environment and considering we farm a large portion of our natural capital, our future is in our hands. As a small country, our superpower is being able to innovate, be creative and drive for continuous improvement. The opportunity for New Zealand to lead the world in lowering agricultural emissions is there, but it will take courage and working together. Farmers and growers will be at the centre of this transformational change.

Farmers are tenacious, with strong problem-solving skills and an ability to think outside the box. A change in mindset is critical to being able to operate in a different space. A willingness to step outside the norm takes courage and commitment¹. Working towards carbon zero takes courage. For Farmlands, that has meant measuring, managing and mitigating our carbon emissions and also understanding the part we can play in supporting a shift to sustainable farming,

| Farmers are tenacious, with strong problem-solving skills and an ability to think outside the box.

20 | THE FARMLANDER

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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

all the while driven by a deep desire to do the right thing. Courage on-farm could be asking your Farmlands Technical Field Officer, Technical Advisor or Agronomist an extra question as they give advice on better understanding your biological system, or it could be explaining to your neighbours what you are doing to help protect your waterways or why you are planting productive land with natives. The latter may feel like a cost on the balance sheet, but the return is authenticity in your Farm Environmental Plan, increased on-farm biodiversity, carbon sequestration and water quality. Not to mention the long-term benefit of leaving the land in better shape for future generations. Seeking advice for environmental support and improvements in productivity and efficiency is important as solutions vary considerably depending on individual needs and they must be based on the goals of the farming system. I often hear that the increasing compliance and regulation costs hitting our farmers and growers mean they can’t carry on farming. I want to be courageous and challenge that. The idea that purpose and pay don’t align is a misconception. We know we need to support each other to be curious and to learn from others. Cultivating courage changes culture and drives exceptional practice on-farm. If we have transparency in what we are doing on-farm it enables us to have a bulletproof, meaningful story to sell on the global stage. A report from Our Land and Water states that changing practices on-

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Cultivating courage changes culture and drives exceptional practice on-farm.”

farm to meet new water and climate regulations can be turned into a marketing advantage in New Zealand’s food export markets and has the potential to significantly increase farm profitability. Research into consumers’ willingness to pay shows consumers of our food exports will pay a premium for sustainability and other attributes. This can increase returns to domestic producers and offset the costs of providing these attributes². Farmlands and our Partners aspire to support you and your courageous decisions behind the farm gate. We are working on getting the right inputs

to help increase biodiversity on-farm and new Partners to help support farm environmental planning. Our focus is on soil health and supporting biological life in our farming systems. My message? Eat the elephant one bite at a time, work together and keep striving for excellence. It’s individuals and communities that change the world. For more information on Farmlands’ sustainability journey, go to www. farmlands.co.nz/sustainability 1.Masters, N. (2019). For the Love of Soil. 2.Ourlandandwater.nz. (2021). [online] Available at: <https://ourlandandwater.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/OLWResearchFindingsBrief_ Consumers-WTP.pdf> [Accessed 24 May 2021].

THE FARMLANDER | 21

Event recognises Māori agriculture opportunity Meat, fruit, vegetables and seafood produced by Farmlands’ shareholders took centre stage at a new event designed to showcase Māori cuisine. Tohunga Tūmau held its inaugural event in Auckland on 1st July, followed by a second evening in Russell 9 days later. Uniting a collective of nationally recognised Māori chefs, the event celebrated the start of Puanga Matariki, which will be recognised as New Zealand’s newest public holiday from next year. As principal partner of the event, Farmlands took the opportunity to introduce the 200 Māori business leaders and guests in attendance to Kāuta (Kitchen), an indigenous supply chain database. This unique database unites Māori farmers, growers and

22 | THE FARMLANDER

producers with businesses looking to develop an offer that is distinctly New Zealand.

Tohunga Tūmau included Peter Gordon,

“Farmlands is passionate about kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and doing our best to maintain the land for the next generation of shareholders,” Farmlands Director - Marketing, Nick Baylis says. “We want to connect our Māori shareholders with Kāuta so they can leverage the business opportunities that follow.

Grant Kitchen and Nancy Pirini.

“Whether it is hospitality, marae or anything relating to Te Ao Māori, we want our Māori shareholders to unite and grow their reach. This database delivers a market proposition that cannot be matched internationally.”

“Tohunga Tūmau is about celebrating

A six-course menu was provided to guests at both events, with a focus on Māori grown and prepared produce. Culinary Masters preparing food at

Māori-led entities, every aspect of this

Joe McLeod, Anne Thorp, Rex Morgan, Rewi Spraggon, Kārena and Kasey Bird, With the first event now complete, Puanga Matariki is planned to be staged annually in a different location around New Zealand. Nick Baylis says Tohunga Tūmau provided a window into the amazing work being done by Māori agribusiness. what makes the primary sector’s role with Te Ao Māori (the Māori world) unique,” he says. “By bringing together like-minded farmers, producers, kaumātua and venture has been distinctly New Zealand and showcases the breadth and strength of New Zealand’s supply chain.”

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CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

| Rewi Spraggon, Joe McLeod, Sir Wayne Shelford and Grant Kitchen.

| Tohunga Tūmau held its inaugural event in Tāmaki Makaurau on 1st July.

| A six-course menu was provided to guests at both events, with a focus on Māori grown and prepared produce.

Te Whenua Taroā – The Enduring Land Farmlands has strong partnerships with many Māori shareholders, iwi, hapū and Māori agri organisations. Partnering with Tohunga Tūmau provides a unique opportunity to connect shareholders with event organisers and the wider Kāuta database. The partnership feeds into the wider ambition of Farmlands to proactively work with – and understand more comprehensively – Te Ao Māori (the Māori world). As its own unique sector, Māori agribusiness brings with it its own opportunities to deliver value to our shareholder base. “Regardless of the sector our shareholders work in, we have a responsibility to understand their unique challenges and provide solutions to support them,” Farmlands Director - Marketing, Nick Baylis says. “When it comes to Te Ao Māori, we need to walk the walk. We can only do this by creating partnerships, seeking feedback and delivering attractive offers.” While in its early stages, Farmlands’ Te Ao Māori journey has so far included introductions to tikanga (protocols) and Te Reo. “It is an honour and privilege for us to be a partner of Tohunga Tūmau and we have pledged our ongoing support and commitment to this whanau, to help them in their vision to develop a sustainable Māori supply chain,” Nick says. “We want to promote indigenous ingredients and celebrate and elevate Māori cuisine. We also want to always acknowledge that without the mahi (work) of Aotearoa’s agri industry, none of this could be possible.”

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THE FARMLANDER | 23

Hemp growers show way to a sunny future Thought leadership from Farmlands’ Head of Future Land and Food, Gaz Ingram, on the opportunities created by new crops such as industrial hemp.

Whether we like it or not, the world and its climate is changing. One effect of this is the opportunity to grow new crops where they wouldn’t normally have succeeded. With bananas popping up in Gisborne and pineapples in Northland, weather and scientific changes are prompting growers to find innovative ways of diversifying their land. At the same time, as producers find new uses for plants such as industrial hemp, doors are opening to sunrise industries that have previously been tucked away in niche markets or overseas. As many early adopters of new crops or cropping techniques have discovered, it can be both exceptionally daunting and rewarding taking the leap into something completely new for your property.

The risk averse approach is always to be the second mouse — they get the cheese and avoid the mouse trap. Fortunately, some crops are already beginning to prove their worth and are opening opportunities for a wider range of farmers or growers. One such crop is industrial hemp or iHemp. While there is an incorrect association between the uses of industrial hemp and its cousin, recreational cannabis, it is important to understand that even though the two are related genetically, they are very different end-use plants. With 19 approved cultivars in New Zealand, the iHemp industry has been quietly growing in size and capability for 20 years. As of May 2021 there were over 2,500 hectares planted throughout New Zealand. Growers have chosen iHemp as a regular part of their arable rotational programme, to complement their current programmes for diversity and to avoid successive plantings of same crop types.

Sunrise industries are exciting, and the potential to create a whole new business is there for those brave enough to give it a go.” 24 | THE FARMLANDER

In addition, growers are exploring the possibility for iHemp to act as a catch crop for potential nutrient leaching or as a phytoremediation crop to help remove and remediate unwanted residues. The crop is also grown and harvested for use in topical skin products, haircare and food. iHemp is not used at a pharmaceutical level and must operate under tight guidelines to maintain product integrity and end use. Although many hemp products can be consumed, they are categorised as supplements and don’t make any medicinal claims towards correction and treatment of diagnosable illnesses. There will always be a perception of iHemp as a controversial crop but the industry is working hard on education, clarification and demystifying to improve its reputation so that it is known as just another arable crop with proven genetics, performance and markets. Within the NZ Hemp Export Driven Investor Report, Dr Nick Marsh from Next Corporation, in association with the Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust (AGMARDT) explored a strategic path for iHemp in New Zealand and what a successful sector strategy development would look like. The report investigated scenarios with two possibilities — the status quo and secondly, if the current laws were

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INDUSTRY NEWS

| Hemp is one example of a sunrise industry moving into mainstream markets.

changed allowing for the extraction and processing of cannabidiol (CBD) for health and nutraceutical products. Both scenarios forecast future export earnings from $500 million up to $2 billion, indicating increasing interest in natural, plant-based supplements. The crop is one example of a sunrise industry moving into mainstream markets. Thinking outside the box has proven a success throughout history. When conversations about industrial sheep and goat milking were happening around the table, it may have been considered a bit left field. Look at those industries now — they are established within the market and the end-use products are welcomed by consumers.

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For those of you considering or even venturing into diverse crops like iHemp, peanuts, bananas, pineapples, quinoa or bamboo, well done for imagining

WHERE’S THE TRAP?

a different future for your business,

Potential issues when considering a new crop:

property and family. The future of food and fibre is sitting in your hands and while it is safer to be the second mouse, don’t

•

What do I do with it?

let an opportunity pass you by.

•

How do I market it?

Sunrise industries are exciting, and the

•

Who will buy it?

potential to create a whole new business

•

What are the benefits?

is there for those brave enough to

•

Most importantly – who knows how to grow it?

give it a go — you could be a pioneer of the agribusiness sector. Have the conversation, scope it out and give us a call, we’re here to help.

| Peanuts ready for harvest.

THE FARMLANDER | 25

Winter grazing regulation in focus

The Government opted to delay the introduction of new intensive winter grazing (IWG) regulations until May next year, with a view to making them more workable for farmers. Farmlands Head of Agronomy & Farm Systems Sam Lucas recognises this as a sign that industry engagement and feedback on policy from farming levy and action groups is being heard in Wellington. The decision to delay applying these regulations takes into account feedback from the farming and regional sectors about the challenges associated with meeting and implementing the new requirements for intensive winter grazing in the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater.

26 | THE FARMLANDER

It’s important to recognise the hardship

“The 1 year deferment will enable an

experienced and the properties

IWG farm plan ‘module’ to be rapidly

and livelihoods that have suffered

developed, tested and deployed ready

devastating damage during the June

for formal incorporation into wider

flooding in Mid-Canterbury.

certified freshwater farm plans in 2022,”

Now in winter, the focus on IWG

Environment Minister David Parker says.

practices shouldn’t be relaxed – if

“Immediate improvements in IWG

anything they need to be of more focus.

practices this season are required and

Soils are saturated and stock pressure

I have set out my expectations to both

on crops in wet conditions becomes

councils and industry bodies.”

more evident and tends to be in the

David and Agriculture Minister Damien

public eye more regularly.

O’Connor have always seen the broader

The majority of rivers in farming areas

freshwater farm plan regime as the key

are still classified as polluted and the

to achieving improvements in

Government says it will work with the

IWG practices.

farming sector to improve on-the-

“We recognise that practice change

ground IWG practices for the benefit of

does not happen overnight, and that

freshwater quality and animal welfare.

winter grazing is an important

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INDUSTRY NEWS

| The Government accepts that winter grazing is an important part of many farming systems.

component of many current systems,

Meanwhile, Farmlands Head of

it more possible for all farmers to

in Southland and elsewhere across the

Agronomy & Farm Systems Sam Lucas

become compliant is very positive

country,” Damien says.

sees the delay in regulation as a sign

and shows there is effective

A draft IWG farm plan module has

that industry engagement and feedback

two-way communication.”

now been developed by the Southland

on policy is happening as it should be

This will have an impact on how

Advisory Group, which included

and agrees that making a draft module

some farmers operate, especially

Environment Southland, DairyNZ,

available to all farmers is a helpful step.

in areas like Southland where the

Beef+Lamb, Fish and Game and

“We all agree we must stop further

climate poses a challenge with

Federated Farmers, with input from iwi

degradation of waterways so need to

planting. It takes time to work out

and Local Government NZ.

work collaboratively with Government

how to best make these changes.

“The draft module will give councils

to ensure requirements are practical as

“Southland was a really good example,

and the farming sector a head-start

possible,” he says.

where the policy stated that you had to

in meeting their commitments to us,”

“The fact that Government has

get ‘catch crops’ down there by October,”

David Parker explains.

listened and is now trying to make

Sam says. “They pushed that back to

It’s important to recognise the good work that has been done to protect waterways.” Sam Lucas, Farmlands Head of Agronomy & Farm Systems

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THE FARMLANDER | 27

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November and now the wording has been changed to ‘as soon as possible’ but, in wet years, that is just very difficult. Bigger farm system changes that are needed to get around that are going to take a while to develop and implement.” In other words, if you are planting winter crops such as swede, kale and fodder beat and you’re strip-grazing that crop, then you need to plant that land and sow a crop in behind to catch that soil and cover that bare ground. “Now in good agronomy practice, that has to be something that can establish fast in a cold soil so typically an oat or triticale,” Sam explains. “However, to drill that seed with a tractor in wet conditions may not be possible.” Sam says farmers care a lot about the environment and want to work to improve it. “It’s important to recognise the good work that has been done to protect waterways. Farmers have been working very hard around this. “They’ve basically said we agree there’s a problem, we want to take responsibility and ownership and help fix it but the legislation has to be practical and workable for us.”

“So there is a basic guide online for farmers now that can be downloaded and is helpful and not too complicated. “My recommendation for farmers who are unsure is to download this and actually document their winter grazing plan. Most of them will already be doing the majority of these things and will be compliant but it now has to be documented.”

HAVE YOU GOT YOUR CATCH-CROP PLAN TOGETHER TO MEET YOUR IWG

REQUIREMENTS?

When the intensive winter grazing regulations are reinstated in May 2022, the requirement to apply for a resource consent (if permitted activity conditions cannot be met) will apply again. Farmers with existing use rights will have 6 months from then to apply for a resource consent. Those wanting more information or to download a 2021 Winter Grazing Plan can visit: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/ agriculture/farm-managementthe-environment-and-land-use/ protecting-freshwater-health/ https://www.beehive.govt.nz/ release/module-unveiled-guidefarmers-improved-intensive-wintergrazing-practices

Take home messages • The most important thing for now (before grazing winter crops) is to have an IWG plan. This is generally what farmers already have in their head but need to document it down on paper. Industry bodies such as DairyNZ and Beef+Lamb provide one, and there is also a template on the MPI site above. • Implement the plan and have strategies to cope with wet weather events (this is what MPI and regional councils will be looking for). • As the freshwater farm plan system rolls out from 2022, farmers will begin to have the option to undertake winter grazing through a certified plan, as an alternative to needing a resource consent (if they still cannot meet the permitted activity conditions).

Talk to us today about oats and triticale

First time’s a winner for Jake For Jake Jarman, being crowned FMG Young Farmer of the Year for 2021 was a dream beyond imagining. He remains immensely proud of his achievement and hopes it will inspire others.

| FMG Young Farmer of the Year Jake Jarman salutes the crowd on awards night.

The ANZ Relationship Associate represented the Taranaki/Manawatu region, beating six other grand finalists for the prestigious title at Wigram Airforce Museum in Christchurch in early July. Jake said he was determined to give the Grand Final his best shot after signing up to the contest to just give it a go. “I was happy that I gave everything a go to the best of my ability and to be competitive. I loved the practical day, the challenge of having to multitask under time pressure and be a bit strategic.” The victory was a culmination of days of gruelling practical and technical challenges set out to test the seven grand finalists’ skills, knowledge and stamina.

WHO WON WHAT FMG Young Farmer of the Year: Jake Jarman, Taranaki/Manawatu Runner Up FMG Young Farmer of the Year: Joseph Watts, East Coast Third Place FMG Young Farmer of the Year: Calvin Ball, Northern Agri Business Challenge: Jake Jarman, Taranaki/Manawatu Agri Sports Challenge: Jake Jarman, Taranaki/Manawatu

Contestants participated in a technical day, a practical day, speeches, exams and the famous FMG Young Farmer of the Year buzzer quiz.

Agri Skills Challenge: Joseph Watts, East Coast

Jake won a prize package worth over $75,000 that included a $15,000 cash prize from FMG, a Honda ATV and a $30,000 package from New Holland.

FMG People’s Choice: Kieran McCahon, Waikato/Bay of Plenty

Agri Knowledge Challenge: Jake Jarman, Taranaki/Manawatu Community Footprint: Calvin Ball, Northern

An Inglewood Young Farmer, Jake is the fifth generation to work his family dairy farm. He also works as a farm systems research graduate with Dairy Trust Taranaki. “My fellow competitors certainly didn’t make it easy and honestly I feel like it was anyone's game for the whole 3 days. It’s been a privilege getting to know them and to now call them friends.”

30 | THE FARMLANDER

| Joseph Watts (East Coast) was runner-up for the second time.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

| The competition attracted a big crowd of supporters.

My fellow competitors certainly didn’t make it easy and honestly I feel like it was anyone's game for the whole 3 days.” FMG Young Farmer of the Year Jake Jarman

Jake also won the Agribusiness, Agri Sports and Agri Knowledge awards. Joseph Watts was named runnerup FMG Young Farmer of the Year for the second time. He also won the Agri Skills Award. The Tikokino Young Farmer missed out on the title in 2019 by a whisker and qualified for the cancelled 2020 Grand Final. Whangarei Young Farmer Calvin Ball took third place and also won the Community Footprint award. Kieran McCahon from Waikato/Bay of Plenty was named FMG People’s Choice winner. Congratulating Jake, New Zealand Young Farmers CEO Lynda Coppersmith said he was a fantastic

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representative for the contest and the agriculture, food and fibres sector. “As a first-time competitor, it has been amazing to watch Jake shine and not just give it a go but take out the title. He has proven to us again that this contest isn’t about age and experience but determination and cross-sector skills.” After last year’s cancellation, Lynda said the competition this year was more fierce than ever. “To have such a wide range of grand finalists this year really shows the massive range of opportunities available in the agriculture, food and fibre sectors. Watching them battle it out in the classroom, on the stage and on the field and to have seen their individual strengths shine over the season has been a privilege.”

| Kieran McCahon (Waikato/Bay of Plenty) won the FMG People’s Choice award.

THE FARMLANDER | 31

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HEALTH & SAFETY

Warming weather increases injury risk Spring generally brings more close contact with livestock and that corresponds with a surge in ACC farm workplace injury claims for people being hit or bitten by animals. “August to October sees the highest numbers of this type of injury,” WorkSafe New Zealand Agriculture Lead Al McCone says. “These range from bites or broken bones from being kicked, to crushing injuries from being stepped on or trapped between an animal and another surface. Such injuries can be debilitating and life-changing and people have been killed. “During spring, farmers may be taking on new or temporary staff to help with the workload and it’s critical to ensure people are trained, well prepared and confident before allowing them to work with large animals. “If they have prior experience, still ask about their methods, ensure they know the approaches you take to work safely with your livestock and be confident they are equipped to keep animals calm with gentle handling, understanding of flight zones and balance lines and can recognise danger signs.” Even when working with someone you have worked with many times before, it’s important to take a little time to discuss how to approach any job safely. This is critical when working with large animals. Anyone working with sheep or cattle must be appropriately trained and experienced for the task and equipped with personal protective equipment, including boots with toe caps and long trousers.

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| Loading or unloading cattle for transport is a time of increased risk for those handling them.

When working with cattle you should

“When working with cattle, people are

plan an escape route in advance when

more likely to be injured if they don’t have

working in yards. Never get in the race

the experience to assess the risks or the

with large cattle and don’t put your

agility or ability to get out of the way,” Al

arms or legs through the race walls. Don’t try to move a dangerous bull on foot or alone and make sure everyone knows what signs to look for that show

says. “Older farmers over 65 years and children are most at risk of injury. “Bad-tempered or irritable cattle

an animal is getting irritated.

present a higher risk, as do cattle that

Before working with sheep in the yards,

are not handled often or are in a new

leave them for 30 minutes to calm

environment. Talking to one another

down. Avoid lifting sheep if possible. If

and pointing out any animals getting

you must, use your legs, not your back.

irritated is a sensible precaution.”

All yards and woolsheds should be kept tidy and well maintained. You should wash hands thoroughly after working with any livestock. There are increased risks to handling cattle at close quarters, such as a race or crush or when loading or unloading them for transport.

WorkSafe provides best practice guides that can be used to support training. For more information, see the Safe Cattle Handling Guide and the Safe Sheep Handling Guide at www.worksafe.govt.nz. Article supplied by WorkSafe

THE FARMLANDER | 33

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PARTNERSHIP NEWS

Understanding director duties key to good governance As agribusiness has become more sophisticated, it has also become more complex. What were once simple family businesses are often now corporate structures, triggering the need to understand corporate governance and what each individual’s duties and liabilities are.

You should also make sure that if

this; whether a stake can be sold to

your company has more than one

a third party, the other shareholders

shareholder you have an effective

buy them out, or if certain assets

shareholders’ agreement in place

are sold to facilitate an exit.

As a first pointer, for everyone’s sanity, save business for your director and shareholder meetings, not for Sunday dinner. When working together as a family it can be hard to separate work and family time. However, it can be critical for the success of your business to do so. The growth of business has also meant increased ability for business holders to easily set up a company online. Many do this without a second thought as to what their duties will be as a director, or indeed how to be a good director of a company. There are many organisations who provide training as well as online resources that support directors and trustees to fully understand their role and responsibilities.

to govern how your business operates – even if shareholders are family members. When drafting

in the shareholders’ agreement is

these agreements there are three

around succession planning. To ensure

areas of key significance:

that everyone is on the same page and

• It is critical to agree upon how

that there is agreement on how family

directors are appointed. Otherwise,

succession will work, the younger

this is decided in accordance with

generation can be granted an option to

the Companies Act, which may not

buy out the parents’ shares over time,

be appropriate for your business.

on certain circumstances being met.

• What actions cannot be carried out without the consent of all

Time and again we see clients fall

shareholders, or a certain threshold

short of understanding their duties

of shareholders. We would usually

as a director or the implications of

advise that key matters affecting

not having a proper shareholders’

the direction of the business need

agreement in place and it can cause

this higher threshold of consent. • How will each party exit the business? Not everyone will wish to exit at exactly the same time and it is imperative that the agreement has a mechanism to accommodate

Governance isn't a matter for the dinner table.

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Another area that can be great to cover

significant stress. We are always happy to discuss these matters and to provide guidance. Article supplied by Phoebe Davies, a partner at Wynn Williams specialising in corporate and commercial law, with specialist knowledge in the agribusiness sector.

We are delighted to partner with Farmlands in offering all Shareholders 15 minutes free advice over the phone, and a 7.5% discount on all legal fees. Simply call us on 09 300 2600 (North Island) or 03 379 7622 (South Island) or visit www.wynnwilliams.co.nz/farmlands for more details.

THE FARMLANDER | 35

Women to fore as Fieldays bounces back The challenges facing rural women and the primary sector a whole were key themes as Fieldays 2021 returned to Mystery Creek.

Fieldays 2020 was an online event only,

Introducing the event, James Allen,

due to COVID-19 restrictions. Pent-up

President of the National Fieldays

demand this year pushed attendance at

Society, listed the significant challenges

Mystery Creek over the 4 days in June to

facing the primary sector – labour

With a record number of visitors on the Friday and second only to 2017 for overall attendance, Fieldays 2021 proved the event is back stronger than ever.

132,776, less than 1000 behind the biggest

supply, environmental issues,

Fieldays to date, 2017, which had 133,588

greenhouse gases, drought and floods.

visitors. On Friday June 18, attendance set

“But the opportunities are even greater,

a new 1-day record of 44,044 visitors.

and Fieldays is the one place where you can see those opportunities come to life,” he said. Helping support farmers to face these challenges, Farmlands hosted Toitū Envirocare in the Innovation Hub at Fieldays. A government-owned provider of environmental certification, Toitū Envirocare has launched its carbon programmes into the primary sector to allow pastoral farmers to gain Toitū carbonzero and Toitū carbonreduce certification for their on-farm emissions. Farmlands also hosted one of the showcase events at Fieldays 2021, Real Women Talk. Evolving from Farmlands’ travelling entertainment and trade show Ladies’ Night, Real Women Talk aims to highlight some of the tougher challenges and brighter successes that

| Anika Moa and the Real Women Talk panellists celebrate a successful session.

36 | THE FARMLANDER

rural women have in common.

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EVENTS

Success has got absolutely nothing to do with what I accomplish and everything to do with how I help others accomplish.” Agri-tourism and rural women advocate Laura Koot

This was the event’s first time at Mystery Creek, having debuted at Agfest in November last year. The intimate Fieldays event, hosted by singer and presenter Anika Moa, focused on helping others to overcome adversity. It balanced stories across all aspects of rural life, included trialling innovative new practices on-farm, advocating for Māori wāhine, rural business and health and wellbeing. Associate Minister for Agriculture Meka Whaitiri, agri-businesswoman Traci Houpapa, farmer and governor Susan O’Regan, food-businesswoman Lisa Booth and agri-tourism and rural women advocate Laura Koot joined Anika on the panel. The speakers

regaled the audience with narratives straight from their own experience of overcoming adversity. Traci Houpapa is one of the most influential agri-businesswomen in New Zealand. After growing up going to land meetings with her father, she has been the chair of the Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA), which oversees scores of Māori business organisations, for more than 10 years. “People like us can do what we’ve done because other people have given us a hand,” she said. After her agri-tourism business, Real Country, took a hit from COVID-19, Laura Koot set up The Fairlight Foundation with a mission to advance

more women in the agriculture industry. Laura echoed Traci’s sentiment on supporting others to achieve their goals. “To me, the definition of success has got absolutely nothing to do with what I accomplish and everything to do with how I help others accomplish,” Laura said. CEO and founder of Kete Kai, New Zealand’s most affordable food box company, Lisa Booth reminded the audience that it’s OK to make mistakes and fail occasionally and to continue to look outside the main production channels within the industry for opportunity. Equally as inspiring, Susan O’Regan used her experience as a solicitor, governor and farmer to transform her dairy farm, Judge Valley Dairies, into a sustainable operation focusing on maximising production while minimising the effects on the environment. Susan asked the audience to “look beyond what you see” and to ask the hard questions when facing challenges on and off-farm.

| The friendly crew in the Farmlands' marquee, and (right) Farmlands hosted several guests at the Real Women Talk event.

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THE FARMLANDER | 37

NITIES. MA KI MU M

TER DE CI BET SI

ND OUR CO TA NE

38 | THE FARMLANDER

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FOR OUR P LA NS O

G N

Articles in the Plan365 section allow Farmlands suppliers to share best practice and the latest advances in rural technology, to help shareholders with their farming needs all year round.

Calf roadshow puts rearers in front A month of meeting shareholders and calf rearers face to face while travelling the country with the Calf Experts Roadshow has been a real joy, with keen rearers travelling up to 2 hours in some instances to attend.

Broken or worn teats can affect your

The roadshow covered everything from calf set-up, hygiene, colostrum, rumen development, being proactive, weighing and weaning.

using calf milk replacement from an

There were some great discussions around stopping a calf from crosssucking, how long should calf teats last and how many sucks should you get from a teat.

calf’s performance. Teats need to be cleaned and checked daily for wear. Worn teats leaking or flowing fast can interfere with the curding process of whole milk and casein. One issue with open trough is a larger volume of milk being delivered too fast and overflowing to the rumen, where fermentation causes harmful bloat. Best practice and animal performance dictates that you keep teat quality paramount. In the case of two farms with

If animals display abnormal behaviours, it is important to make changes to the environment or their management to reduce these. In calves, the most common abnormal behaviours involve repetitive sucking on or licking other calves or pen fixtures. Cross-sucking usually occurs on the mouth, ears, navel, tail and scrotal (bulls) or udder (heifers) areas of other calves. The lactose in whole milk or milk replacers triggers the suck reflex in a calf. If the milk feed is delivered too quickly then the young calf starts to show signs of frustration and will seek objects to suck.

the same batch of teats and with calves

The suck reflex can last for up to 15 minutes after the milk feed. A handful of a premium well-balanced calf feed alongside some easily digestible fibre like barley straw straight after the milk feed, along with fresh clean accessible water, sets up a good habit.

adjustment in management practices

Teat wear can also influence crosssucking. There are so many teat options and each manufacturer has its unique formulation, which affects teat wear.

or the friendly team at your local

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

reared under the same process, one farm averaged 400 uses and the other 600 uses before degrading. Calf teats wear due to the chemicals used for cleaning and sanitising and

| Worn teats leaking or flowing fast can interfere with the curding process of whole milk and casein.

physical or mechanical wear from calves sucking and chewing on the teats. Consider a farm that allows calves to routinely suck and chew on teats for 2 minutes after draining their feed. If the farm averages 450 uses per teat, these 2 minutes translate into 15 hours of idle sucking on each teat. A slight could go a long way towards improving your teat life as well making for a more satisfied, happy calf. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer Farmlands store. Article supplied by Farmlands Technical Specialist Karen Fraser

THE FARMLANDER | 39

You’re never far from exclusive pricing. Pop in to your local Smiths store, shop with your Farmlands Card and skip the sales.

Exclusive pricing available everyday.

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Spring pasture management For horse owners few things are more satisfying than seeing the mud in the paddocks turn green with fresh pasture after a cold and wet winter. In New Zealand, pasture can grow rapidly after only a few days of sun, following what seems like endless weeks of cold and wet weather.

with unrestricted access to lush pasture

Although horses evolved to eat pasture – the largest part of their diet being forage in the form of grass, hay and other fibre sources – spring pastures are often high in water soluble sugars and a specific form of storage sugars called fructans. Both can cause problems for grazing horses.

these periods. Sugars are highest the

Water soluble sugars are rapidly absorbed in the small intestine and provide a quick release of energy. These sugars are often the cause of behavioural changes in the horse and the “fresh” behaviour seen in spring. Fructans can cause different digestive problems and are also associated with a painful and debilitating condition of the hooves called laminitis. Where most sugars and starches are easily digested in the horse’s small intestine, the strong bonds in fructans mean they pass undigested into the cecum and colon, causing shifts in the microbial population, upsetting hindgut pH and producing endotoxins that can cause laminitis. For particularly sensitive horses, even a small amount of fructan-rich grass can quickly trigger laminitis, which can be highly debilitating if left untreated. Heavier types such as quarter horses and many pony breeds seem more susceptible than other horses to fructan-caused problems but all horses

can be at risk, even after years of grazing freely without consequences. To avoid problems when turning horses out on spring pastures, introduce

YOUR PASTURE MIGHT LOOK NUTRITIOUS BUT IS IT APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR HORSE?

pasture access in small segments several times a day and gradually increase the number and length of longer the pasture has been exposed to sun, so early morning is the best time to graze. Continue to offer hay to horses turned out on fresh pasture to ensure they are consuming enough fibre, while monitoring manure consistency and hoof temperature. Take the horse off pasture and call the veterinarian if the horse shows signs of hoof discomfort such as reluctance to move, shifting from one foot to another, or assuming a leaning-back posture. When horses are restricted from pasture it is essential they are provided with additional hay and alternative forage sources to ensure optimum digestive health. Super fibres such as beet pulp and soy hulls are ideal for this. McMillan Grain Free is a blend of beet pulp and soy hulls that also contains balanced levels of vitamins and minerals and is a great way of meeting fibre and nutrient requirements. The low starch, high fibre formulation is ideal for horses and ponies at risk of laminitis. For further assistance with managing spring pastures and laminitis, consult an equine nutritionist. Article supplied by Luisa Wood, Equine Nutritionist

Talk to us for the best in formulated super-fibre feeds

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Striking the right balance Just as an airplane needs air to fly and diesel engines cannot run on petrol, ‘long fibre’ is an essential carbohydrate source for a ruminant and vital for good health, productivity and even its survival.

One of the real challenges this winter

Carbohydrates, including fibre, are the main source of energy for all ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats or deer) and necessary to sustain their rumen microbial population. Without this unique microbial biome, it is Mission Impossible for ruminants and even monogastric animals (pigs and humans) to digest their feed and efficiently use energy from high fibre feeds.

and slashed winter supplementary

Without adequate dietary fibre, ruminants cannot maintain proper rumen function because they do not produce enough saliva to buffer their rumen pH. This puts them at risk of developing health problems such as acidosis. Options for dietary ‘long fibre’ include long pasture, baleage, straw or hay, as opposed to pelleted feeds or grains. For most of the year pastures carry enough fibre to meet livestock needs but there are times when there is a shortfall that must be supplemented in some other way.

is that for some not only is there a feed pinch, there are also insufficient stocks of long fibre available consequent

IT’S A FINE-LINE MANAGING YOUR FEED. WHO’S THE EXPERT ON YOUR TEAM?

to either drought, or a major flood event which has damaged pastures feed reserves. Complicating matters further, if even supplies of alternative forages are obtainable, they are often expensive to buy in. Therefore, some may revert to using a poorer quality long fibre forage substitute, feeding for lower liveweight gains but still prioritising pregnant animals or those with young at foot. Alternatively, NRM Sheep Nuts or MultiFeed Nuts provide an attractive economic option to make up a feed shortfall and complement long fibre stocks while supporting maintenance of body condition, good colostrum production and healthy, strong lamb development. Good winter pasture management also becomes important to help boost spring feed stocks. Practising rotational grazing allows new grass to come away without immediately getting eaten off (unlike

Striking the right fibre balance is important as fibre drives feed intake, but too much long fibre can become problematic. This is especially true for a late gestation ewe whose rumen capacity is limited when carrying multiple foetuses. If she is fed too much high fibre low energy roughage, the ewe simply cannot eat enough to meet her growing energy needs, predisposing her to sleepy sickness (pregnancy toxaemia).

set stocking). This serves to increase

In the current economic climate every live lamb successfully raised beyond weaning is an asset and well worth the investment spent rearing it.

See the team at your local Farmlands store for more information.

overall spring pasture production by up to 30 percent. Consequently, break fencing and then back fencing once an area is grazed helps to reduce overgrazing or creating excessively muddy paddocks that can easily become pugged up and cause further pasture damage and soil compaction.

Article supplied by Tiffany Menzies, Technical Product Manager

Talk to us today and navigate your feeding better.

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Not all services and products featured are available in all stores, but may be ordered. See in store for product availability. All prices quoted are exclusive to Farmlands shareholders and include GST. Prices valid until Tuesday 31 August 2021 or while stocks last.

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Higher growth rates from fortified milk The nutrition we get from the food we eat becomes the building blocks of our body and supports us to get through our busy days, repair our muscles and keep our immune system functioning. If we don’t eat well, we become compromised and that’s when we become susceptible to any illnesses doing the rounds. This is probably even more relevant over calving, with long workdays and no time for preparing balanced meals. It’s the same for calves. If we don’t give them the right energy, protein and micronutrients they too become compromised, which makes rearing them that much harder and will affect their performance. If we fully cover their needs and feed to a high plane of nutrition, we will have healthier calves that will perform better. So how can we support our calves nutritionally to set our system up for success? It’s important to get the basics right. That means choosing quality nutrition products but also using them in the correct way. Even if you are using a good quality milk replacer, if you mix it up at the incorrect rate, have worn teats on your feeders or inconsistent mob sizes once you are using open troughs, you will not get the best out of the product. Similarly with hard feed – if you don’t have adequate trough space or good hygiene practices, you’re not doing enough to encourage intake in your calves. Make sure you put out fresh hard feed each day, clear away old, slobbered on feed and don’t smother the hard feed with other things. If you

ARE YOUR CALVES SUCKING YOUR VAT DRY?

do want to use the likes of sodium bentonite or zeolite, keep it in a separate container to the hard feed so that it doesn’t limit feed intake. Meeting our calves’ energy and protein requirements is critical. If we don’t do this, we see our calves in maintenance mode when they should be growing. As calves increase in size, their energy and protein requirements increase too. So make sure you are ramping up the energy and protein delivered in their milk feed as they get older. One way to do this is to fortify whole milk with milk powder. Fortification is the addition of calf milk replacer to whole milk to increase the energy and protein concentration so that higher growth rates can be supported without increasing the volume fed. Fortifying milk with calf milk replacer means that calves are not having to consume large volumes of liquid but still get covered for their energy and protein requirements – sort of like drinking a thickshake. If you are thinking about this as an option, talk to your Farmlands TFO, who can help you get a programme in place that will work for your system. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out early rather than soldier on alone. Sometimes a clever system change can make a big difference to performance and workload. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Stacey Cosnett, Farmlands Nutritionist

Talk to us about Calf Milk Replacer options

LA RM A E L F ID AL NW M O RO TI E F S NA L B RE LA AI STO V A

The milk replacers of choice for generations

*Bag design may vary from what is shown

A proudly 100% New Zealand owned and operated family business based in Oamaru, North Otago, Milligans Feeds is one of New Zealand’s leading suppliers of animal nutrition products. Having over 30 years’ experience in producing high quality, top performing milk replacers, Milligans Feeds have been the choice for generations. With a growing range of milk replacers and animal health supplement products, Milligans has you covered!

Check out www.milligansfeeds.co.nz for more information on the range.

3 months deferred payment available!**

Give your lambs and goats more GO with * Bag design may vary from what is shown. ** Deferred payment for GOlamb and GOgoat 20kg product only, minimum order to qualify for deferred payment is 1 pallet (40x20kg - 800kg). Offer valid until November 30th 2021 - only while stocks last.

GOlamb & GOgoat WHEY milk replacers

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0800 786 253 | feedsales@milligans.co.nz | www.milligansfeeds.co.nz 46 | THE FARMLANDER

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NUTRITION

Feeding for peak production New Zealand cow numbers are predicted to fall about 13.6 percent by 2030 but milk production is expected to remain constant. This makes now a good time to feed for higher levels of production per animal to help meet the demand for high quality dairy products, improve animal welfare, reduce greenhouse gases per kg milksolid (MS) produced and hopefully improve profitability. New Zealand is possibly the best place on earth to milk cows with our pasturebased feeding systems being something of a rarity in comparison to international operations. The DairyNZ Economic Survey shows the Dairy Operating Profit per hectare (see table) has averaged from $1,610/ha on low input farms to $2,108/ha on high input farms, with an average milk

payout of $5.97. Land size is the biggest limiting factor for most New Zealand farmers so it looks like feeding fewer cows better will be good for both dairy farmers and their emissions per kg of milk.

Feeding cows by-products means

Cows fed supplementary feed can out-perform an all-pasture system — so feeding cows to support the higher level of milk production they’re genetically capable of could play a significant role in reducing cow numbers across the country. Feed wheat and barley has an important role in crop rotations on mixed cropping and specialist arable farms and should be considered as an integral low protein, high energy feed source for pasture-based cows. Compound feed and blends often contain an element of grain along with by-products from human food and biofuel production.

because provided cows are fed

vegetable waste is being turned into high quality animal protein and is an incredible example of recycling. Peak milk production is important appropriately post-peak, it sets the production level for lactation. If cows are underfed after peak production – perhaps due a feed pinch or extreme weather – to the total lactation may be less than expected. If cows are fed better, the decline in production can be slowed. Peak production is determined by the genetic potential of each cow, her body condition at calving and nutrition to peak lactation. Getting this right will set her on the course to a particular yield which drives appetite. Ensuring cows are fully fed is the first priority as underfeeding represents a

Owner-operators operating profit/ha by system

lost opportunity. Supplementary feeding will displace some intake from pasture

Season

1 (Low)

2 (Low)

3 (Medium)

4&5 (High)

MS $/kg

2005-06

1157

1161

1357

1335

4.18

2006-07

792

950

1032

988

4.13

2007-08

2785

2825

2705

3144

7.37

a lower response per kilogram of dry

2008-09

1312

762

814

228

5.21

matter consumed from supplementary

2009-10

1585

1588

1966

2573

6.16

feed compared with pasture. Balancing

2010-11

2553

2448

2974

3452

7.36

2011-12

2287

2394

2580

2803

6.69

2012-13

1530

1766

2145

6.33

Talking to your local Nutrition Specialist

2013-14

2905

3363

3797

7.69

will be the first step in ensuring you’re

2014-15

1475

1479

1553

5.76

2015-16

244

-106

-260

3.92

2016-17

1771

1816

2116

5.79

2017-18

1576

2213

2516

6.62

2018-19

1825

2294

2247

6.42

1867

2108

Average $/ha

1610

Relative value

1.16

| Taken from DairyNZ Economic Survey Edition 1 to 14. Systems defined according to percentage of feed which is brought-in.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

1.31

but rumen microbes don’t discriminate between pasture or supplementary feed. No diet formulation model assumes

diets according to your budget is more important than getting a good deal on feed that may accentuate imbalances.

balancing the pasture supply and quality to match your herd’s genetic capabilities as pasture moves from a vegetative to reproductive state in the months ahead. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Dr Rob Derrick, Head of Nutrition and Animal Health

THE FARMLANDER | 47

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SURVIVING AND THRIVING IS LESS THAN YOU THINK.

When your lambs thrive, so does your bank balance. A little planning and care today can pay dividends tomorrow. The Farmlands team has a wealth of knowledge at your disposal - our experienced agronomists, nutrition experts and teams in the field are here to help provide you with a full-package solution. Talk to Farmlands about your pre-lamb plan today.

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Premating strategy and heat With calving time upon you, it is easy to get bogged down and focus on the day-to-day tasks. However, time spent now focusing on mating can pay dividends as this next critical phase of dairy farming approaches. Dairy NZ refers to eight topics or “pieces of the pie” that form the framework for good reproductive performance. This article will focus on three of these topics, body condition, calving pattern and heat detection. Mature cows with a body condition score (BCS) of 5.0 (5.5 for first and second calvers) have substantially better reproductive performance than cows in lower body condition. Losses of 1 BCS point can be expected in early lactation, so cows that calve in low BCS may end up less than condition score 4.0 at mating, leading to inferior reproductive outcomes. Calving time is a good time to assess your herd condition score and determine if you have reached target or not and the likely BCS outcome at mating time. Consider having an “at risk” group based on cows not reaching target calving or who look like they will not reach condition score target at mating. Using tools such as once-a-day milking, preferential feeding, or shorter walks are all useful

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in achieving condition score gain as you approach mating and beyond. Cows naturally lose body condition during early lactation because their daily appetites take several weeks longer to peak than their daily milk solid yields. Cows will stop losing body condition at about 6 weeks after calving but only if good energy intakes are being maintained. The sooner the cow passes this point and starts gaining weight, the better her chance of having heats before mating start date (MSD) and getting pregnant early. Therefore, do not let cows get over-fat during the dry period so the condition score loss and energy deficit post-calving is not severe. You should also ensure good energy intakes are maintained post calving. Moreover, assessing the health status of the herd should not be overlooked. Consider the herd mineral status, rumen function and the benefit of drenching for parasites to achieve condition score gain. Cows calving after week 6 are considered “late”. Late calving cows are hard to get in calf and excessive numbers reduce herd performance substantially. A desirable calving pattern has at least 88 percent of the whole herd calving in the first 6 weeks, with 12 percent of cows calving beyond that.

If you are well short of this target, then consider aggressive use of the above “at risk” management strategy with this group to minimise the impact they have on the upcoming mating period. Anecdotally, you can achieve great reproductive outcomes with late calving cows when feeding once-a-day from calving, so consider this as an option. Lastly, tail paint should be put on the herd 35 days prior to MSD. Check tail painted cows for rubbed tail paint at least twice weekly until MSD. At this check, the tail paint can be touched up ensuring an unbroken strip, and any rubbed cows repainted with a different colour paint. Doing premating heat detection gives you an opportunity to assess how well the herd is cycling prior to mating, allowing action to be taken if results are not desirable. Top farmers will achieve 75 percent of all cows recording at least one premating heat 10 days before MSD. Speak to your local Farmlands or Donaghys TFO about Donaghys’ extensive range of products including ProDairy, drenches, minerals and tail paint which are all essential for condition score gain and achieving desirable mating outcomes. Article supplied by Donaghys

THE FARMLANDER | 49

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TO PLACE AN ORDER 0508 867 621 Pricing is exclusive to Farmlands shareholders when transacting on your Farmlands Card. All prices are GST inclusive and subject to stock availability. Pricing is inclusive of all rebates and discounts. Prices are valid until 31st August 2021. Shareholder pricing is off RRP and does not include Lowprice Lockdown, drop-shipped, Clearance or non-stock items. Additional rural shipping charges may apply for outlying islands and very remote areas. Assembly may be required.

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Combat lameness before it hits your pocket When there’s lameness in a dairy herd the impact on animal welfare, productivity and economic return can be crippling. Studies in New Zealand suggest that on average, 26 percent of cows in large herds have some form of lameness in a year. Lameness is estimated to cost $400$500 per cow per season, which can really add up. A 400-cow dairy farm with 10 percent of cows lame in a season would cost the farm $20,000. On a 1000-cow farm, direct and indirect costs could be more than $100,000 at average lameness rates. Given this, prevention, early identification and treatment can not only improve animal health and well-being but greatly benefit your business by reducing the cost of lameness. Spring and mating are when most lameness occurs in our dairy herds so now is the time to be thinking about your hoofcare management programme. Prevention How you manage your herd helps protect against lameness. Cows should walk at their own pace through welldesigned races. Nutrition also plays a part in hoof health, as does using hoof mats or foot baths at the entrance to the dairy shed to apply key minerals. Hoof claws should be trimmed regularly and before they can cause any problems. Treatment The best way to aid recovery will depend on the injury itself and the time the cow will take to recover. In all cases, remove pressure from the affected claw by applying a block or shoe to the healthy claw.

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| A good hoof-management plan could save you thousands this spring.

For early intervention, use a short-term blocking system such as Walkease (from $8 per cow). This will last 1-2 weeks and provide relief for fast-curing injuries.

HOOFCARE ESSENTIALS • Sharp hoof knives.

For medium-term recovery, use a 2 to 4-week blocking system with longerwearing wooden blocks. The BoviBond and Septicare adhesive systems (from $14 per cow) are ideal.

• Knife sharpener. • H oof trimmer, single or double action. • Hoof rasp.

Where recovery will take 4 weeks or more and require sidewall support, use a low-profile shoe such as Hoofers ($33 per cow), applied to the healthy claw, to reduce the impact on the foot. You may need to remove the shoe once the claw has recovered Don’t let lameness hit you in the pocket this spring. Proactive management is the key to reducing the financial impact of lameness and enhancing the wellbeing of your animals. Visit the DairyNZ lameness calculator (www. dairynz.co.nz/animal/cow-health/ lameness/lameness-cost-calculator) to work out the cost to your business.

• Vet rope. • B locking systems for short, medium and longer term use. Using the right product will keep the cost of treatment down. • Hoof mats/footbaths.

For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Shoof

THE FARMLANDER | 51

Window of opportunity for cherry growers.

The life of a cherry flower is short but spraying ReTain soon after blossoming can extend it by as much as two days. This small window of opportunity can dramatically increase the chance of successful pollination. With more blossoms pollinated, it stands to reason that you’ll increase your harvest too. ®

ONF205775NF

Contact your local Farmlands Technical Advisor or visit nufarm.co.nz

52 | THE FARMLANDER

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

A spring loaded start Cereal crops put a lot of demands on soil, so it’s crucial to provide the right nutrients at the right times to optimise yield. Starter fertiliser is particularly important, as poor early growth conditions can impair crop establishment and root system development, preventing the crop from effectively foraging for nutrients. Spring-sown cereals such as wheat, barley and maize do best in fertile soils that support early root development, with side dressings of nitrogen (N) to optimise yield.

The key steps for successful spring-sown cereal are soil testing, starter fertiliser and N side dressings.

tillering. Any N lacking can be added at

Soil testing before sowing Testing the soil before establishing spring cereals allows time to top up any nutrients that may be lacking.

of N per tonne of grain/ha.

A mineral N test (also known as a deep N test) identifies the amount of N immediately available to the crop and helps determine the amount of N required.

Starter fertiliser

Barley grows fast and needs one third to half of its N at sowing, the remainder at

your base fertility. The table has suitable

sowing and in later tillering side dressings to meet barley’s needs of around 23-25kg A maize silage or grain crop also needs N at sowing and side dressing with around 13kg N per tonne of DM or grain/ha. A starter fertiliser applied close to the seed provides N and phosphorus (P) for early root development and growth – strongly recommended regardless of starter fertilisers for cereal crops. Side dressing

Advantage YaraMila Actyva S

Advantage Cropzeal products

Spring-sown cereals use large volumes

• One formulation containing N, P, potassium (K) and sulphur (S), and a small amount of magnesium

• Varying ratios of N, P, K and S

of N and side dressings at key growth

Nutrient content

• Blended fertiliser

Type

• Compound fertiliser (a specific ratio of nutrients in each granule provides nutrients evenly, promotes even growth and reduces the risk of striping) • Easily drilled or spread

• Easily spread

• Smooth free-flowing granules are less prone to clogging drilling equipment Application

• Can be spread to wide bout widths on well calibrated spreaders • Care should be taken if drilling close to seed, to avoid seed burn

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stages will optimise yield. Barley needs half to two thirds of its N applied at tillering (GS 20-29). Maize needs its side dressing of N once plants have six fully emerged leaves (growth stage V6). SustaiN is a good option for side dressing spring-sown cereals as it can be applied exactly when needed and reduces the risk of volatilisation losses. For more information, contact your Ballance Nutrient Specialist, your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Ballance Agri-Nutrients

THE FARMLANDER | 53

All over the country more and more growers and agronomists are turning to the trusted performers and the ever-growing range of crop protection and production solutions from BASF

Candice and Daniel Nichol, Waimate, Canterbury

For more information about these products speak with your local Farmlands representative or visit crop-solutions.basf.co.nz ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. © Copyright BASF 2021 ® Registered trademark of BASF. W107475R 06.2021

54 | THE FARMLANDER

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

Mix and match to avoid herbicide resistance Herbicide resistance is a challenge no farm advisor or grower can afford to ignore. Its cost has been well documented around the world. Beyond lost yield, resistance reduces rotational choice, farm income and asset values. Since 1979 in New Zealand, 20 different weed species have developed resistance to herbicides from one or more mode-of-action groups. The list includes glyphosate, perhaps our most commonly used herbicide. While that’s an alarming trend, on a global scale the number is low – by comparison the United States has 161, Australia 91 and in Britain, 27. That contrast highlights that it is not too late for us to modify our weed management practices, by ensuring

| Weed control strategies should incorporate non-chemical as well as chemical control tools.

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essential herbicides such as glyphosate remain effective for longer. How do we achieve this? Well, we simply mix it up! We need to ensure our weed control strategies are diverse and incorporate non-chemical as well as chemical control tools without reliance on any single solution.

weed escapes. Make sure the correct

NON-CHEMICAL One example of non-chemical weed control is crop rotation, which broadens your herbicide control options. Other non-chemical measures you can use to reduce the impact of weeds include increasing your seeding rates to increase crop competition, especially with cereals; not overgrazing to ensure you maintain highly productive and competitive pastures; spray-topping to reduce weed seed-set in pastures the year before cropping; and cultivation to deeply bury weed seeds before planting.

effective in its own right against the

CHEMICAL It is important to use herbicides at full label rates and ensure you rotate between different mode-of-action groups and not just herbicide brand names. New Zealand has 88 glyphosate brands registered to 25 registrants and they all have exactly the same mode of action – Group G.

can’t be totally prevented or reversed,

Always target young, actively growing weeds to improve control and reduce

Farmlands store.

adjuvants are used. When applying a knockdown herbicide, always look to reduce weed resistance selection pressure by tank-mixing it with another herbicide. The ideal partner is one that not only represents a different mode of action but is also target weeds. A great example of a strategic tankmix partner for glyphosate in the pre-sowing knockdown window is Sharpen®. It is a fast-acting, broadspectrum herbicide that increases the speed and spectrum of weed control compared with glyphosate on its own. Even better, as the only systemic herbicide in Group E (which includes carfentrazone), Sharpen allows far less regrowth across more weed species than alternative tank-mix partners. While the development of resistance it can be forestalled and its impact managed if we all take action now and incorporate the “mix it up” approach into our weed control strategies. For more information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer, or the friendly team at your local Article supplied by BASF New Zealand

THE FARMLANDER | 55

Grow fruit, not weeds

Control weeds for the whole growing season with Chateau residual herbicide. Team up with Amigo adjuvant to increase droplet retention and assist with drift control. ®

• Ideal for kiwifruit, pipfruit and stonefruit as well as grapes • Controls weeds for 4 to 6 months • Pre-packed in water soluble bags – no weighing or handling required • Successfully trialled throughout NZ

ONF205775NF

• No residues occur in fruit or vine foliage when used as directed Contact your local Farmlands Technical Advisor or visit nufarm.co.nz ®Chateau is a registered trademark of Sumitomo Chemical Australia Pty Ltd. ®Amigo is a registered trademark of Nufarm Australia Limited.

56 | THE FARMLANDER

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RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Time to show your lawn some love When farmers talk grass at this time of year, we tend to focus on spring pasture renewal. It’s easy to forget about that other grass on your property. Our lawns take quite a battering over the winter months and now is the perfect time to get that backyard cricket pitch ready for the coming summer. Peter Griffiths, Turf Manager at DLF Seeds, has worked in the turf industry for decades both in New Zealand and overseas. After Peter’s years of experience working on some of the world’s top golf courses and sports fields, there aren’t many people who know as much as he does about growing a great lawn. Your lawn is a living thing. It changes over time. Each year some parts may die or thin out. By adding new lawn seed – a technique used by professional groundskeepers known as ‘overseeding’ – you bring new life to your lawn. Peter advises overseeding once a year and fertilising at least twice a year to give a denser, greener and healthier lawn. This dramatically improves the health and appearance of your lawn – new grass stays green longer during a drought. Overseeding also helps to combat weed invasion, which means you add fewer chemicals – easier on your pocket and the environment. As with many things, the key to a lusher lawn lies in the preparation. Choose a day in spring or autumn when your lawn is dry. Remove all rubbish, then mow the lawn to a cutting height of 25-35mm.

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| Now is the time to get your backyard lawn ready for summer.

Using a spring-tine rake, remove and

dressing into the top profile, then lightly

break up layers of dead and matted

roll the lawn to help the seed get a good

grass. Raking out dead grass is known

contact with the soil.

as 'scarifying'. If you do the job in

Feed your lawn by scattering fertiliser

spring, add a mixture of sand, compost

evenly over the surface. Choose a

or loam (known as ‘top dressing’) to

balanced N-P-K fertiliser in spring to

promote denser growth and level out

help the new seedlings, then use a low-

any hollows. The proportions of sand,

nitrogen higher potassium fertiliser in

compost or loam depend on your soil

the autumn. Add the fertiliser on the day

type. Top dressing will help break down

you sow your seed or soon after. Water

thatch and some other organic matter.

your lawn regularly, especially if dry

Aeration helps air, water and nutrients

weather follows. Water with a fine spray

get to the roots. Choose a lawn-seed mixture that is right for your garden. You will need about 25-35g per square metre. For an even distribution, mix the seed in a bucket with general-purpose compost and sand. Choose a day when your lawn has been well moistened by rain, then scatter the seed liberally across the surface. Rake or brush your lawn to work seed and

to avoid dislodging the new seedlings. If you’re ready to liven up that lawn, pop into your local Farmlands branch, where you’ll find a range of turf and lawn seed mixes designed for our unique New Zealand conditions. For further information, contact the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by DLF

THE FARMLANDER | 57

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IS THIS NZ’S MOST VALUABLE CARD? YOU DECIDE. 58 | THE FARMLANDER

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The New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards aim to capture and preserve the history of our country’s farming families. Each month we will share stories from Farmlands shareholders who have worked their land for 100 years or more.

Goldfields money kickstarts dynasty Five generations call Golden Bay farm home. In 1855, William Calverley Riley purchased 150 acres of bushclad land in remote Murderers Bay (later named Golden Bay), using money he had earned while digging on the Australian goldfields. The coastal farm is located between the Aorere River and the Ruataniwha Inlet, near Collingwood. It was the fourth owner of the land, William’s nephew, William David Scrimgeour and his wife, Annie who carried out the bulk of the bush clearing work and turned the land into pasture. They named the farm Riverslea. William and Annie built up a 40 cow dairy herd, preferring the smaller Jersey breed in the heavy ground. Annie churned butter 20lbs at a time,

| Norm Scrimgeour outside the milking shed, circa mid-1910s.

| Norm Scrimgeour working with his beloved horses.

and William rowed across the river to barter it for supplies at the nearest store. Later the farm supplied milk to William’s father’s cheese factory and then to the Collingwood Dairy Factory. In the early 1950s, granddaughter Fay and her husband, Norm Riley took over the running of Riverslea from Fay’s parents, Norm and Leila Scrimgeour. This was a time of major development on the farm, with stop banks built, farm lanes added,

| Aerial photograph of Riverslea farm.

paddocks drained and fenced, hay sheds built, and a herringbone cow shed constructed, which is still in use today. In 1962, Ian and Aileen Kerr came to work on the farm. This was the start of a long friendship and business partnership, with Ian and Aileen becoming sharemilkers in 1977.

| Trevor Kerr, Norm Riley and Ian Kerr in 1997.

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Along the way, part of the original 150 acres was sold and more land has been added. These days, the traditional 146 hectare dairy farm still runs a Jersey herd. Riverslea is owned by fifth generation descendant, Raewyn and her husband, Warwick Henry and is farmed by second generation sharemilker, Trevor Kerr and his wife, Diane.

THE FARMLANDER | 59

Rural market update NZ’s fast-changing landscape – Part ll, putting farmers in the driving seat Last month we spoke to the high-level changes in New Zealand’s pastoral landscape over the last 20 years and changes in land use at the expense of NZ sheep production. Farm land use area in New Zealand, 2002 - 2019 6,000,000

The other significant policy change on land use is the National Policy Statement for Freshwater that landed in 2020. This policy outlines how regional councils manage freshwater under the Resource Management Act. This policy already affects the land Sheep market, particularly in regions like Canterbury, where dryland farms now have significant regulatory headwinds as farmers look at intensification options of any kind. The good news is Beef cattle that irrigation companies, particularly the South Island, are taking a very proactive stance on these matters. They represent Dairy cattle their farmers and growers well, balancing the need to mitigate environmental impacts whilst leading policy conversations on Forestry sustainable food production.

Sheep

5,000,000

Beef cattle

4,000,000 3,000,000

Forestry

2,000,000 1,000,000

Dairy cattle

0 2000

2005

ln conversations I’ve had this week in the Lower North Island, there’s even a market for reverting ground, large and small, for both lifestyle and bees. It’s hard getting your head around the fact that the rough reverted Manuka block, way out the back with limited access that cost a fortune to keep clear and ultimately given up on, is now a market.

2010

2015

2020

We also noted that while the ETS is not easy to navigate as NZ Inc balances farms, timber and carbon, it should not be ignored as an opportunity for diversification and a potential profit centre to support the farm in the future. Over the last month, getting around the country with everything from investment seminars in Invercargill to bull sales on the East Coast, it is very clear that many farmers are looking at all available options. And, while the ETS is a big topic of conversation, horticulture too is looming large for those looking to take profits from their proven farming operations and find value elsewhere. Everything from dairy operators diversifying into cherries in Central Otago, to sheep and beef producers on the fertile East Coast plains looking at citrus. There appears no end of options when it comes to growing, the only limitation being the availability of suitable soils and correct climate. Our relationship with Farmlands and their specialist growing team is proving invaluable on these horticultural matters.

I’ve yet to touch on rural subdivision, probably because it is our bread and butter. But getting advice on these matters has been a game-changer for many farming families, not just those close to town, and we continue to feed information into those client decisions too. Often with long lead times. Our national rural team comes together regularly, and on these calls, we promote specific properties and speak to many of these matters referred above. On the one hand, it is quite amazing the level of acceptance on these calls that this is now the world we live in. Contrasted by the level of complexity attributed to any single listing we are discussing. As a company, we have invested significant capital in building a national team that can truly aspire to be the trusted advisor in all rural and lifestyle property matters. Words are easy, but I know I speak for the whole team in saying we recognise the pace of change in the market and the need to give our clients all the options, including sometimes the inconvenient facts with respect to changes in regulation, and who can help in dealing with the issues they present. Our goal is to put our farmers and growers in the driving seat and assist them in ascertaining the best fit options for their property and their future. Our business is tied to the long-term future of farming and growing too, that’s why we partner with Farmlands. Conrad Wilkshire, GM Rural for Property Brokers Ltd conrad@pb.co.nz

60 |Property THEBrokers FARMLANDER Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | 0800 367 5263 | pb.co.nz

Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | 0800 367 5263 | pb.co.nz

Get ahead of the market this spring! Early enquiry is already under way. lf you want your farm featured in our Spring Rural Outlook, now’s the time to contact us and jump the queue!

With print and digital options available, we’ve got all bases covered for both early and late spring. Call us today 0800 367 5263

pb.co.nz

Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008

Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | 0800 367 5263 | pb.co.nz

THE FARMLANDER | 61

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62 | THE FARMLANDER

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THE FARMLANDER | 63

WITH OVER 550 SERVICE STATIONS NATIONWIDE. There’s a heap of travelling to be done between now and the end of winter. So make sure you fuel up and save 12 cents per litre* with your Farmlands Card at any Z, Caltex and Challenge service station.

The Farmlander - August 2021

Articles inside

Century Farms – Goldfields money kickstarts dynasty

Mix and match to avoid herbicide resistance

A spring loaded start

Combat lameness before it hits your pocket

Higher growth rates from fortified milk

Spring pasture management

Calf roadshow puts rearers in front

Understanding director duties key to good governance

Women to fore as Fieldays bounces back

First time’s a winner for Jake

Event recognises Māori agriculture opportunity

Hemp growers show way to a sunny future

How to eat the elephant in the room

Special Feature – The mahi behind our national fruit

To The Core inspires boardroom hopefuls

Nominations open for Director Elections

5 minutes with Hugh Good

New Farmlands chief reflects on shareholder feedback