Farmlander March 2017 South

SPECIAL OFFERS AND INFORMATION FOR FARMLANDS SHAREHOLDERS

MARCH 2017 Valid from 1–31 March 2017

The FARMLANDER FENCING DEALS TOO GOOD TO MISS PAGE 2

FARMLANDS LOOKING FOR BOARD OBSERVER

ON DECK WITH TECH

INNOVATION IN THE PRIMARY SECTOR PAGE 6

7802 1047 0991 6005 RD HOLDER P 07/17 M CA ER AM&B RD HOLD ANDY CA

0

4778

9110

EX

GREAT CARD PARTNER DEALS INSIDE!

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

PAGE 13

X Fence Netting 8/80/30 x 100m

$

194.95

INCL. GST

ProFence Netting 8/90/30 x 100m

24 STRON% G KNOT!ER

$

184.95

INCL. GST

12 Choices Points

12 Choices Points

143007

105855

X Fence Netting 8/90/30 x 100m

ProFence Netting 8/80/30 x 100m

$

$

INCL. GST

INCL. GST

194.95

184.95

12 Choices Points

12 Choices Points

143008

105176

X Fence Netting 13/190/30 x 100m

ProFence Netting 13/190/30 x 100m

$

$

319.95

INCL. GST

309.95

INCL. GST

21 Choices Points

20 Choices Points

143006

Imported Chainlink Gate 3.66m / 12ft

Imported Chainlink Gate 4.27m / 14ft

Imported Chainlink Deer Gate 4.27m / 14ft

$

$

$

99.95

INCL. GST

6 Choices Points | 101964 FAR_05782

107377

99.95

INCL. GST

6 Choices Points | 101965

249.95

INCL. GST

16 Choices Points | 136085

*Terms and Conditions apply. Offer valid from 1st March – 31st March 2017. Limited to one per shareholder Account. While stocks last.

Simply spend $7,500 on EuroSteel fencing products at Farmlands in March and receive a FREE Panasonic 50” LED TV worth $1,699*

RECE 10% FRIVE EE

ProFence 2.5mm HT Wire 10% Extra

ProFence 3.15mm HT Wire

ProFence 4mm #8 Wire

$

$

$

79.95

IINCL. GST

5 Choices Points

Imported 6mm Barred d Gate 4.27m / 14ft

$

$

INCL. GST

INCL. GST

109.95

6 Choices Points

129.95

7 Choices Points 189519

INCL. GST

105607

156488

Imported 6mm Barred Gate 3.66m / 12ft

94.95

8 Choices Points 189520

PLUS 25 extra TVs to be won!

During March, every coil of ProFence 2.5mm HT Wire 10% Extra purchased from Farmlands gives you an entry in the draw to WIN one of 25 extra Panasonic 50” LED TVs worth $1,699* ProFence 2.5mm HT Wire 10% Extra

$

79.95

RECE 10% FRIVE EE

INCL. GST

5 Choices Points | 156488

Hurry in-store – only 150 TVs to be given away. Strictly while stocks last.

109.95

INCL. GST

7 Choices Points 103450

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MARCH

INTEREST

PLAN 365

2

Fencing deals too good to miss

Plan365 Nutrition

5

Farmlands staff profile

27

Feeding cows in late lactation

5

From the CEO

29

Bread is off the menu for ducks

6

Special Feature – On deck with tech

30

The unique nutritional requirements of alpaca

13

Farmlands to appoint Board Observer

31

Equine digestive conditions

14

Farmlands 5 Minutes

33

Comparing cereal grain options

17

Study of mutant sheep provides exciting new opportunities

18

Home security tips

19

Innovation helping to embed safe behaviour on-farm Buying Power Promise

21

A place to start with farm software

23

Industry innovation at East Coast Farming Expo

24

Crusaders conquer in Darfield

26

South Island Agricultural Field Days

32

Rug up for winter with Cavallino

38

Selling weaners or rearing calves?

47

Farmlands Contact Centre committed to improving shareholder experience

49

Rat control made even easier

51

Choices Rewards

53

Farmlands Livestock

54

Farmlands Card

55

Farmlands Fuel

58

Farmlands Real Estate

34

A strategic approach to long-term woody weed control

36

Cost effective undersowing options

37

Timing is perfect to boost grass growth on-farm

Wanaka A&P Show Join us at the Wanaka A&P Show.

Plan365 Animal Management 39

10-11 MARCH

When is the best time to treat dairy cows for gastrointestinal parasites?

Plan365 Horticulture 41

18

Managing Psa-V in kiwifruit

Plan365 Rural Infrastructure 43

MARCH

Getting it right

45

Save money and meet industry milk chilling regulations

Methven A&P Show Call in and see us at the Methven A&P Show.

CIAL OFFERS AND INFORMATION FOR FARMLANDS SPECIAL

SHAREHOLDERS

MARCH 2017 Valid from 1–31 March 2017

ARMLANDER FAR h FA TThe FENCING DEALS TOO GOOD TO MISS

ON THE COVER We talk to Farmlands shareholders that have found embracing innovation is improving their businesses.

PAGE 2

FARMLAND S LOOKING FOR BOARD OBSERVER PAGE 13

ON DECK WITH TECH

INNOVATION IN THE PRIMARY SECTOR

29-31 MARCH

South Island Agricultural Field Days

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20

Plan365 Forage and Arable

WHAT’S ON

PAGE 6

0991 6005CARD HOLDER

1047

7802

EAT CARD PARTNER DEALS REA GREAT G

Visit the Farmlands site for great deals!

INSIDE!

EXP 07/17

BM AM& HOLDER D CARD ANDY

80 9110477

Special prices and offers apply from the 1st to the 31st of March 2017. Only while stocks last.

Check your Farmlands store for product availability. All prices include GST unless otherwise stated. Savings based on Farmlands normal retail price.

Note: The “Your Price” advertised in The Farmlander magazine is the price that a Farmlands shareholder will be charged if the advertised products are purchased during the promotional period. Farmlands stores also use a “net” price (discounted price without a rebate) to attract cash sale customers and potential shareholders. *Savings based on Farmlands normal retail price.

4 | THE FARMLANDER

Accounts are payable at Farmlands Head Office or any store by the 20th of each month. Failure to pay an Account by Due Date is a Default Event under the Terms and Conditions and Farmlands is then at its discretion entitled to: suspend or terminate the Account; charge interest at 2% per month; reverse discounts or credit rebates; debit other Shareholder Accounts; make demand on a Card Signatory; debit any default administration costs incurred; register a mortgage over land; terminate shareholding.

Farmlands shareholders have the option to pay their Accounts either in part or in full by MasterCard or Visa Credit Card. Payment by any credit card will not entitle the shareholder to receive Bonus

Rebates for the month paid or part paid. Neither Farmlands nor any other person involved in the preparation of this document accepts any liability for any opinion or information (including the accuracy or completeness thereof) or for any consequences flowing from its use. The information contained in this document is given in good faith, has been derived from sources perceived to be reliable and accurate and is subject to Farmlands Terms and Conditions. Not all products are available at all Farmlands stores.

Offers valid at Farmlands South Island stores only.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

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FARMLANDS STAFF PROFILE Nick Hughes Q: What is your current role at Farmlands?

A: General Manager – Farmlands Livestock.

Q: What type of work were you doing before you started at Farmlands?

A: I ran the transport division for a dairy company.

FROM THE CEO Welcome to the March issue of The Farmlander magazine.

Q: Tell us a bit about your family.

A: Married to Johanna who hails from Southland. We have four little rascals under the age of 6 years, which includes 2 year old twins.

It’s that time of year where focus turns to the fencelines, as we make sure our infrastructure is up to scratch. We’ve been doing the same at Farmlands, as we held our National Conference last month.

Q: What do you like to do most in your spare time?

A: Please see the answer above!

Q: What is the most interesting trip you have ever taken?

A: My best pal and I drove a 1972 VW Kombi from Ireland to Australia in the early 1990s (once on mainland Europe you don’t have to hit water until Indonesia), it took a year to get there.

The Conference brought together leaders from across our business to discuss how we can work more effectively for our shareholders. The common theme of the conference was Together Stronger, which means our shareholders have even more opportunities to succeed through our comprehensive service offering.

We will be unveiling a series of fantastic new offers in the months to come – if you want to get ahead of the pack, talk to your TFO or in-store team.

The strength of our business is the depth and buying power our shareholder base gives us together with the breadth of our offer. Harnessing this effectively and efficiently is what we have been focused on delivering.

Our efforts are starting to bear fruit.

An example of that is our new partnership with Toyota.

As you would have seen in last month’s issue of The Farmlander, the new agreement opens up exclusive deals for shareholders across the entire Toyota range.

The response has been fantastic. We have received hundreds of enquiries from shareholders who want to learn how they can save money with their Farmlands Card. Toyota branches are responding to these requests and we look forward to bringing you more exciting offers and news from this new partnership.

Nick’s Wild Venison Ingredients Venison backstrap

½ cup red wine

Salt and pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil

Dried or fresh thyme

Exclusive deals like this are complemented by our subscription offers for your power, insurance, phone and internet. It all adds up and as we continue to harness the buying power of our shareholder base, the offers will keep coming.

I hope you enjoy a safe and profitable month ahead.

Method

Kind regards,

1. Sprinkle salt, pepper and dried or fresh thyme over the venison and rub it into the meat.

2. Pour the red wine and olive oil into a zip-lock bag. Shake the liquid to mix then add in the meat.

3. Try to get as much air out of the bag as possible before you close it and then refrigerate. Let it marinate overnight – the tougher the meat, the longer you will want to marinate.

4. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking.

Peter Reidie

5. Sear on the BBQ for 5-8 minutes on each side. Rest and then slice to suit.

Chief Executive Officer Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited

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Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 5

SPECIAL FEATURE

On deck with tech These Farmlands shareholders are embracing innovation. | Murray and Fraser McKnight.

6 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

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| Farmlands shareholder Fraser McKnight says EID makes their farming operation run a lot more smoothly.

Whatever task you’re doing on-farm, there’s most likely some type of technology you’re using that is making that task easier.

Technology in the agricultural sector has come a long way and continues to grow and develop in leaps and bounds every year. New Zealand’s innovators continue to find new ways to make day to day life on-farm easier and farmers are quick to make sure they are utilising the technology to its full potential.

A fitter and welder by trade, making the most of

For Farmlands shareholder Fraser McKnight, using technology on his farm at Ida Valley has not only made farm management a lot easier, it has improved profitability as well.

The Lucerne for Lambs project, conducted by Beef +

Fraser’s family farm, Rough Ridge, is a 900 hectare sheep and beef farm, with 60 percent of the farm being on hill that rises from 480 metres to 940 metres above sea level. The farm carries 3,500 Polworth ewes and 70 cattle and they hope that with a bit of luck they will increase that over the next few years.

irrigation water management on Central Otago farms.

Fraser’s grandfather, Irv, purchased Rough Ridge in 1954 and Fraser is the third generation of the family to run the farm. “I came back to the farm in around 2005 and I’ve been here ever since,” he says. Fraser now runs the farm in a 50/50 partnership with his parents, Murray and Sharon.

“So it got started with them to monitor the lambs on the

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technology on-farm is something that came naturally to Fraser – and it is EID technology in particular that has made their business run a lot more smoothly.

“We were part of the ‘Lucerne for Lambs’ project and so with that we started doing the odd one just to keep track of them – it all just started from there really,” Fraser says.

Lamb New Zealand and the Sustainable Farming Fund, investigated the application of improved lucerne and The objective of the research conducted at Rough Ridge farm was to demonstrate the stocking rate, growth rates and ewe condition of ewes and lambs grazing lucerne or perennial pasture from tailing to weaning. lucerne and how well they were doing and all that and then we just sort of carried it on from there. We thought it would be a lot easier to manage everything with EIDs. We’re fully up and running now – we’ve just been slowly

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 7

putting them in each year – everything now has EID.”

We also use the EID system to determine which ram breed

Fraser says that EID makes it a lot easier to manage

is more suitable to put across our Polworth ewes – which

stock, especially around pre-lamb. “We put our terminals

ones grow faster and yield better on different types of

to a certain mob and it’s just a lot easier to manage, you

pasture – this enables us to get lambs off the place quicker

can just mix them all up and then run them through and

for a more profitable return. We got 76 percent lambs away

take out your terminals and lamb them all separately.”

to the works on first draft off their mothers. In the future

Using EID has improved their profitability as well. “We

this should help us determine which type of pasture to

can do our wool weights when we shear our hoggets and

plant, so we can get our lambs away sooner – the best and

we can cull our hoggets on wool weight. At this stage

most profitable lamb is always off their mothers.” Fraser

we’re getting heavier wool weights – I’d say we could

says EID is great for traceability on the farm as well. “We

put that down to EID.” Rough Ridge produces fine wool,

can trace our twin bearing ewes right through their whole

with the majority contracted to Merino New Zealand.

lives basically. So we can keep those twin bearing ewes

“We can manage our ewes a lot better because we body

and monitor them and lift our lambing percentage.”

condition score them as well and we keep track of them and

They also upload a lot of their information to FarmIQ. “That’s

priority feed them. So that’s lifted our lambing percentage

for ease of management. You just load all the information

from 127 to 142 last year. We’re hoping to get to 150 percent

on and you can work out your best paddocks for lambing

this year. It’s just made general farm management a lot easier.

and all that sort of stuff. It’s another tool that helps us.”

“

We can manage our ewes a lot better too... So that’s lifted our lambing percentage from 127 to 142 last year.

| Rough Ridge is a 900 hectare sheep and beef farm, with 60 percent of the farm being on hill.

8 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

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| The Ida Valley farm carries 3,500 Polworth ewes and 70 cattle.

The McKnights also use other technology on-farm to help make life easier, including self-regulating feeders that the sheep eat nuts or grain out of. “We’ve got them up the hill for our ewes – it’s a big bin that holds about 3 tonne of grain and we set how much we want them to eat per day – whether its 90 or 100 grams in spring or 200 during winter – and they self-feed off that. We got them originally for when we had the droughts and we’ve used them ever since.

The sheep come off the hill in great order,” Fraser says.

In regards to further technology to be implemented at Rough Ridge, Fraser explains that they currently have a fixed irrigation system that they are hoping to upgrade. “They’re coming out with new technology now so that we can run it from our phones – change where you irrigate and everything like that.”

The McKnights have seen first-hand what technology can do for farm management and profitability and will continue to welcome further innovation at Rough Ridge.

| Fraser says their veterinarian Amy Watts is almost as important as EID to the farming system.

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| Fraser will continue to implement new technology on the farm.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 9

Motivated by a need for convenience and practicality, Grant emerged from his shed with the honey harvester.

While trialling the initial prototype, more benefits became obvious. With cleaner frames and fewer opportunities for cross contamination between hives, incidence of disease dropped significantly. No lifting heavy honey boxes meant no aches and pains and he could handpick frames for harvesting to control the quality of honey, especially useful when Manuka was flowering.

While there has been much interest in the prices fetched for Manuka, Grant says many other food sources are overlooked, often because landowners think the site is difficult to access. Back blocks with gorse offer an excellent source of protein for bees and with much of New Zealand pastures being understocked for clover pollination, a healthy bee population can turn this around.

| Grant Engel, inventor of the award winning mobile honey harvester.

“The beauty of the honey harvester is you can keep hives anywhere, even in remote areas,” Grant says. “We’ve got farmers who have hives in places only accessible by boat or where the easiest access is by helicopter.

New Zealand farmers have a strong history of innovation, even if it’s a novel new use for that handy no.8 wire.

But not every farmer manages to win a Fieldays Innovation Award, especially in beekeeping, which has seen little innovation for nearly 140 years.

Grant Engel, a Farmlands shareholder in Kerikeri, invented his mobile honey harvester as a tool to revolutionise the traditional honey extraction process. Rather than take honey boxes to the factory for processing, the honey harvester allows the beekeeper to collect honey directly at the hive site in food grade pails.

“You can see exactly how much honey a particular hive has produced, check the quality and then take just the pails home. A courier then picks them up and takes them to the factory for processing. So my goal was to take just the honey, not the whole honey boxes,” Grant says.

Grant was raised on a dairy farm in the Wairarapa in a family that valued ideas and innovation.

“As a teenager I looked forward to reading about the Mystery Creek Fieldays innovations in the paper and Dad gave me free rein in his workshop to try and put into practice all the ideas I dreamed up,” he explains. “Like any farmer faced with a problem, I just think that you can always find a way to fix it.”

Grant and his wife Kim had been dairy farming themselves for 10 years before tapping in to the lucrative market for New Zealand honey. They began keeping bees on their farm as an extra revenue stream but Grant could never get his head around the extraction process.

“It seemed crazy to me that in 2013 we still had to take our honey boxes to the factory to get the honey extracted.

As dairy farmers, we likened it to taking your cows to the milk factory every day to have the milk extracted!” | Honey and comb is scraped from the frame directly into a food-grade pail.

10 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

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The important thing is once our hives are in place, they don’t need to be moved. It’s only the beekeeper who goes in and honey that comes out.”

The honey harvester won the Fieldays Innovation Launch

Kim takes care of logistics once the honey comes in and points out that the honey harvester is also changing the traditional service offered to beekeepers and landowners.

gave Grant and Kim the confidence to focus on developing

“Collecting honey in food pails means we’ve changed the transport phase as well. In the same way a milk tanker collects milk from your farm, a courier picks up your pails and takes them to the factory. The difference is our pails are fully traceable, so we know which honey has come from which beekeeper.”

Beekeeping Limited is into its third year with a steadily

NZ Award in 2013 and then backed it up in 2014 as a finalist in the New Zealand Innovation Awards. These successes their beekeeping business around the mobile honey harvester, having it patented and MPI certified. Revolutionary growing number of commercial beekeeping operations and landowners around the country using the honey harvester and their “Revbee” collection by courier system.

Supported by a team of 10 at Revbee, their goal now is to get more landowners involved, especially commercial beekeepers and continue innovating the industry.

“

“Ultimately, we want more beehive sites using this system

Like any farmer faced with a problem, I just think that you can always find a way to fix it.

throughout the country,” Grant says. “We encourage all landowners to get involved. It’s not just about getting extra revenue from your land – we really want to change the industry as a whole for the better. New Zealand has done it with the dairy industry and we think New Zealand can lead the way with beekeeping as well.”

| Grant with some of his team of beekeepers.

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Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 11

“

The honey harvester won the Fieldays Innovation Launch NZ Award in 2013 and then backed it up in 2014 as a finalist in the New Zealand Innovation Awards.

12 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

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CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

Farmlands to appoint Board Observer The Chairman of the Farmlands Board of Directors, Lachie Johnstone, has announced that the Farmlands Board wishes to appoint a Board Observer as another step in supporting the development of co-operative governance experience and skills.

“The person appointed will hold this position for 12 months and will be able to attend all Board meetings and activities with full speaking rights.

They will not be able to vote on any matters before the Board. They will be reimbursed for expenses and will be supported with mentoring and support from experienced members of the Board,” Lachie explains.

Lachie says Farmlands is strongly committed to supporting the future development of leadership in the co-operative sector of New Zealand agriculture.

| Chairman of the Farmlands Board of Directors, Lachie Johnstone.

“We support the Kellogg and Nuffield leadership programmes at Lincoln, as well as the courses offered by New

leadership qualities, as well as

To apply for this position, please

Zealand Cooperatives Association in

bringing to the table a mix of skills and

submit an application to the

conjunction with the IOD. However,

experience relevant to the business.

Chairman of Farmlands, Lachie

it is often difficult for people who

“A number of other co-operatives

Johnstone – lachie.johnstone@

have completed these courses to

have instituted similar programmes

farmlands.co.nz – before 20th

get practical experience and this

and we would expect these initiatives

April 2017. Applications should

proposal is aimed at giving them

to expand the pool of persons able

include a personal statement

an opportunity. Becoming a Board

to step up to future directorships

covering your expectations from

Observer does not imply preference for

in agriculture,” he says.

this appointment, together with a

any future Board appointments. These

The Farmlands Board of Directors

full CV and two current referees.

decisions remain with the shareholders

is now seeking applications from

in accordance with our rules.”

shareholders for the position of

Lachie says the Board will undertake

Board Observer. The position

a formal selection process and is

will commence on 1st November

keen to select a person with potential

2017 for a period of 12 months.

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Full details about the position can also be found on the Farmlands website.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 13

FARMLANDS 5 MINUTES

5 minutes with Dr. Tom Richardson What is AgResearch’s role in

across the country and the ongoing

technology and innovation

benefit to the economy from this

within the primary sector?

biocontrol programme is estimated

AgResearch is New Zealand’s largest Crown Research Institute. It partners with the Government, industry and other research organisations to

at $158m per year. This is just one example of our work, but we are continually producing results in our labs and on farms that improve

identify and deliver the innovation the

the quality of everything from wool

agricultural sector needs to continue

to meat to milk to pasture.

to be a world leader and key export

Dr. Tom Richa rd

son, AgResearc

h Chief Executi

ve.

What do you feel are the changing

What do you think could help

trends that New Zealand farmers

foster more innovation and how

and growers need to prepare for?

can New Zealand support this?

pasture-based animal production, new

Obviously there are huge environmental

Given our size and distance to markets,

plant varieties and pest biocontrols,

and food production issues facing

if we are to remain a world leader in

agri-foods and bio-based products

the world, which presents particular

earner for New Zealand. This means providing targeted science to make real gains in key areas including

and environmental management, including technologies to manage nutrients and mitigate climate change.

opportunities and challenges for New Zealand’s pastoral-based economy.

That is why we are working hard with

What have been some of the major

our partners in New Zealand and

breakthroughs from AgResearch?

abroad to develop new systems to produce safe, high quality food whilst

We have a proud history of delivering great science that has real benefits for agriculture in New Zealand. For example, AgResearch’s introduction to New Zealand of an Irish wasp to combat a destructive pest – the

reducing environmental impact and mitigating climate change. Here in New Zealand the growth of the agricultural sector over many decades has put pressure on many of our waterways

high quality food and fibre production and have the national prosperity we all want, I think we need to do better at focusing our resources and we need to move faster. We need to create more clusters of education, research and businesses along the value chains to attract and develop talent and move ideas more swiftly from the labs into the market. Or fail quickly and learn from that. Obviously it is essential that there is adequate investment to support that but we can also be smarter with what

and so all of us in the sector are

we have. I see opportunities for more

working to improve water quality and

specialisation and more streamlined

dollars since the programme began

water use efficiency. Longer term

processes that would put more of our

back in 2006. The weevil feeds on

we are seeing the development of

dollars towards doing the real work.

the pastures which in many cases

synthetic foods – is that something

AgResearch and our partners are giving

AgResearch has helped develop into

we see as a threat or, given our clean

this a good nudge by reconfiguring

better feed for livestock on farms. The

energy and outstanding food safety

our resources into expanded new

wasp has proven a great success in

systems, does it provide another

hubs at Lincoln (near Christchurch)

controlling these weevil populations

avenue to our global customers?

and in Palmerston North (Food HQ).

clover root weevil – has saved the rural economy nearly half a billion

14 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

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FARMLANDS 5 MINUTES

“

We are working hard with our partners in New Zealand and abroad to develop new systems to produce safe, high quality food whilst reducing environmental impact and mitigating climate change.

| AgResearch is New Zealand’s largest Crown Research Institute.

Fast forward to 2025 – what does the farmer and grower of the future have at their disposal?

Science is moving at a rapid pace and in the next decade or so the agricultural landscape is likely to be quite different. By 2025, precision agriculture will have changed the way most farms are managed and decisions are made. This is being driven by advances in sensor technology and

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greater interconnection of tools to receive and send data. Farmers will have in their hands applications to remotely monitor pasture growth and growing conditions, animal health and production and almost anything else they wish to measure on their farms.

There will also be decision support tools to assess the outcomes of various management options. These pieces are all being trialled now and many are in use. Of course, a host of incremental

improvements to the likes of pasture and animal genetics will continue to generate returns to farmers and there is every likelihood we will have also made some big leaps forward through the use of new genetic technologies.

This may include the roll-out of new generations of grasses AgResearch is developing to be more nutritious for the livestock, more resistant to drought and with less environmental impact.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 15

Works for you CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

GET ADVICE ON GETTING IT RIGHT BEFORE ANYTHING GOES WRONG. Risks are an everyday part of running a rural business. Luckily FMG is here to help you manage those risks with practical advice and specialised rural insurance. It’s how we’ve been helping rural New Zealand for 110 years now. And it’s why we’re New Zealand’s leading rural insurer.

Ask around about us, or better still call us on 0800 366 466.

We’re here for the good of the country.

16 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

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CO-OPERATIVE CO-OPERATIVENEWS NEWS

Study of mutant sheep provides exciting new opportunities Research into “mutant” sheep has AgResearch scientists eyeing up a greater understanding of what makes human hair curly or straight and the potential for innovative new wool products.

Commonly known as Felting Lustre mutants, these sheep are rare and share the naturally occurring trait of straight wool, instead of the usual crimped wool.

“With these mutant sheep, we can for example look at twin lambs where one has straight wool and another crimped wool – or one animal that transforms from straight to crimped wool over time – and study the key differences,” AgResearch scientist Jeff Plowman says.

“This can then be applied to our understanding of the differences

in human hair. It’s an opportunity we would never have been able to get with human subjects.”

in controlling performance in textiles

The work began in 2011, when a lamb with an unusual coat was brought to the attention of AgResearch staff involved in wool research. Its appearance was so unusual that the lamb was initially thought to be a cross between a sheep and a goat. Part of this was because the lamb’s straight lustrous coat was reminiscent of an Angora goat. Genetic testing showed it was 100 percent sheep and its coat was the result of natural mutation.

all affected but the ability to control

“As a result, we started trying to locate more of these rare sheep, so we could study what makes them different and how proteins in the wool affect the fibres,” Jeff says.

to breed the mutants ourselves but

“Thanks to the assistance of farmers who came forward with these sheep, we were able to do that. We have found they show a radical change in wool structure and properties that can be tied into specific protein changes.

In some cases, the mutant sheep undergo a transformation where the straight wool suddenly switches to become crimpy as they mature.”

are a bit delicate and probably not

The curvature and diameter of the wool fibre are important properties

new wool products, which allow for

and other products. For example, softness, strength and felting are these properties is limited because diameter and curvature are normally highly linked in sheep – low diameter means high curvature and vice versa.

“These mutant sheep are exciting because they break the mould and give us a shot at what controls each property independently, something impossible with normal sheep,” Jeff says.

“People keep asking us if we are trying the situation is more complex than that. The mutant sheep, as lambs, have the same problem that Angora goat kids have – which is that they suitable for most New Zealand farms.

We want to use what we learn to add value to New Zealand’s mainstream sheep flocks. The protein differences between the mutant sheep and semilustrous breeds suggest that it may be possible to breed wool with controlled levels of lustre, or crimp, independent of diameter and hence produce different market opportunities.”

| Sharon’s straight wool (right) alongside a sheep with standard crimped wool.

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Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 17

Works for you SHAREHOLDER FOCUS

Home security tips Concerned about the high rate of burglaries being committed and that your house or farm isn’t secure enough to deter intruders?

If so, check out these security tips and visit your local Bunnings store to choose from a wide range of security products that can be easily installed to secure your home.

Here are a few tips that will help: Automate your home It’s easy to make it look like someone is home when you’re away. Timer switches can also be programmed to switch on lights, radios and appliances when you’re not around.

Find the right locks There are many different types of locks for your windows and doors. A deadlock needs to be physically locked with a key, whereas a deadlatch self-locks without a key if you’re looking for more security. A deadbolt is an ideal second lock for a “key in the knob” door. No matter which lock you choose, a good tip is to remember to have all locks keyed to match, so you only need one key for every lock.

Light up with sensor lights Sensor lights switch on when they detect movement and are a great way to increase your home security.

Start by placing one at your front and back door. Even a solar powered light in your garden or at your garage can be ideal for areas that don’t have power.

Make sure your alarm system is working A security alarm is an effective way of keeping your home secure. However it’s important to make sure your system is in good working order. Check to make sure all sensors are working and that nothing is impeding their field of view.

Trust Smart Home Wireless Home Auto Security System

18 | THE FARMLANDER

Schlage Sense Digital Door Lock

Lights, camera, action!

Snap is an innovative, eco-friendly, high quality, energy-saving LED light globe. You can choose from screw or pin bulbs, all products are designed to work with your existing fittings.

Sengled’s international award winning security monitor, the Snap has been cleverly built into a Par 38 flood light, so installation is simple. This security monitor gives you a highdefinition video and audio surveillance system with no limit on distance, watch over your property as well as your neighbours with ease. Snap gives you the functionality to choose what you monitor on your farm and to receive alerts and record to Sengled’s storage cloud if there is movement in these areas. At night they are picked up by infrared, so you wont miss a beat.

The Snap runs on your Wi-Fi, so you can be anywhere in the world and still monitor your property through your phone.

Choose the right padlock Padlocks come in a wide range of sizes, strengths and security levels, so it is important to choose the right one for your needs. Think about where the padlock will be used and what size will suit the job. For backyard gates or a garage, a padlock with a high corrosive rating and weather protection would be the right choice.

A good tip is to have padlocks keyed to match the rest of your house for the ultimate convenience.

Find more great Farmlands Card savings and tips at your local Bunnings store.

Trust Smart Home Wireless Home Auto Security System

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

Masterlock 45mm Excell Covered Padlock 4 Pack

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CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

Innovation helping to embed safe behaviour on-farm Landcorp, like all farmers, wants to ensure every one of its team gets home safely every night – and innovative technology is supporting the programmes and systems it has established to embed safe behaviour across its workforce.

The company, which has 140 farms countrywide, has introduced measures including personal locator beacons tied into a rescue co-ordinator centre and adopted the Farm Angel system for quads and side by side vehicles.

Farm Angel, developed by New Zealand based global technology company Blackhawk, is satellite and cellular enabled, providing 100 percent coverage even on the remotest of farms. If an ATV rolls or tips right over, an alert is automatically sent to emergency services or a predetermined number.

“Keeping our people safe is our number one priority,” Lucy Wills, General Manager People and Safety for Landcorp, says. “A big part of that – because it’s a major danger of the job – is having safe vehicles.

“It’s all about having vehicles that are fit-for-purpose, having them all equipped to be as safe as possible and having people trained to use them – and with the right attitude around safety.”

Farm Angel includes GPS/satellite tracking, so if an accident happens the location can be pinpointed.

Route tracking and monitoring can be used to benchmark rider/driver

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

behaviour – including acceleration, speed and tilting – so any unsafe behaviour is identified and can be addressed. It can also be used with tractors, trucks and farm bikes.

“From the refrigerated shipping

Most Landcorp side by sides are also fitted with a speed limiter and seatbelt interlock, so can’t be driven over 7km without a seatbelt – to allow staff to drive through gates.

of innovation has always been a part

“A huge part of what we are doing is shifting the culture around safety – taking it seriously,” Lucy says.

really effective and enduring ways.

“We want to support that by having the best tools for the job and ensuring the impact of any mistake is as limited as possible. On-farm that means looking at the vehicles we use and how we use them.”

WorkSafe is keen to hear from

Al McCone, Sector Lead Agriculture for WorkSafe, says New Zealand has a long history of leading the way in developing and embracing technology in agriculture.

solutions onto the market.” Al says

industry through to the Ruakura work on pasture growth and electric fences, to more recent innovators such as LifeGuard and Farm Angel, the uptake of farming. Landcorp’s approach is a really good example of that, using technology and integrated solutions to improve its health and safety in “Of course, being New Zealand, a lot of innovation happens on-farm. farmers about innovation they have developed to support health and safety. We are currently looking at how we might provide assistance and advice to help to get really good WorkSafe and Blackhawk are working together to use the Landcorp data to better understand quad bike use.

Article supplied by WorkSafe New Zealand.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 19

GALLAGHER M5200i ENERGIZER Earn 79 Choices Points | 192060

1,199

$

COPRICE WORKING DOG FOOD 22KG BONUS BAG

Earn 2 Choices Points | 158075

44.95

$

INCL. GST

SAVE $13.75

.95 INCL. GST SAVE $242.15

SUPERIOR 2.2KG CHUNKY DOG ROLL

Y POST 165CM 7 HOLE

ORIGINAL, LAMB/RICE, CHICKEN, HERB

2.04KG/PM

769401, 769402, 769403, 769404

106538

6

$ .40 INCL. GST

SAVE $1.90

5

$ .75 INCL. GST

SAVE 75¢

0800 200 600 FAR_06271

www.farmlands.co.nz Terms and Conditions apply.

Savings and Discounts based on normal retail price. While stocks last.

Prices valid from 1st - 31st March 2017.

20 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

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Works for you CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

A place to start with farm software Farm software is designed to help you do what you do – more profitably, in less time, with more insight or in a more connected way.

But if you’ve got no computing experience or online records, where do you start?

FarmIQ offers two packs that are designed as good starting points. These are: •

The Map – interactive farm mapping that gives you good visuals of your farm and can easily be customised.

•

The Starter Pack – covers the basics of farm assurance and compliance with a full farm calendar and diary, farm mapping, stock and paddock records and some good reporting.

With the Starter Pack you will experience many of the things FarmIQ believes are important in farm software.

Flexibility – you don’t want to pay for functions that you don’t need now but you probably will want more at some stage. FarmIQ has developed full farm management software and then offers it in packs, so you can move along when you’re ready.

Support – no matter how well-designed it is, it takes a while to get to know any software package. FarmIQ offers great training and ongoing support, with a help desk on call.

Cloud computing – with FarmIQ you don’t need to install a software package on your computer – instead with cloud computing you log in to software that’s sitting on the internet. The big gains are you can’t lose your information and you don’t have to continually download updates.

Easy recording – FarmIQ aims to make recording as easy as possible by letting you collect as you farm. With the FarmIQ phone app, you can record a drench or a stock death right there in the yards or paddock. It works even out of cellphone range and then it syncs later. Also, you can transfer files from other devices like your weigh indicator box.

Good reporting – the FarmIQ software can use a single piece of information in several different ways to provide more value. For example, if a drench is recorded against a mob, the software then creates a treatment record that can be shown for farm assurance, deducts the amount of drench used from your product inventory and also enables you to compare the weight gain effect of the drench against a mob that didn’t get it. The same goes for kill sheets and numerous other sets of information.

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By mob or individual – with FarmIQ you have the choice about how you record any livestock information – by mob or by individual animal (with EID tagging).

Continuing development – farming doesn’t stand still and nor should your software. FarmIQ is committed to continuing investment and listening to what farmers want.

Well over 1,000 farmers with many different kinds and sizes of farm are now using it. Let the FarmIQ software take you to the next level.

Farmalands shareholder offer Bill FarmIQ though your Farmlands Account to receive a 2.5% rebate on every bill, plus earn 1 Choices Rewards Point for every $50.00 (incl. GST) you spend. Contact Farmlands on 0800 200 600 or ask@farmlands.co.nz to request a quote.

Free decision-making tool Get a taste of what FarmIQ can do by downloading the free Gross Margin Calculator app.

This app is handy when you have a question about buying or selling stock, or grazing, like: • What should I pay for those weaners?

• What could I earn if I brought in some grazers?

• Should I quit those weaners now or finish them myself?

• Will I make a better returns on cattle or sheep?

The app takes you through likely costs, growth rates and possible returns and it includes a sensitivity analysis. Completed calculations can be saved for future reference.

The app is available from the Google and Apple app stores (search for “FarmIQ”).

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 21

Owning a lifestyle block comes with its fair share of challenges. Thankfully there’s one place you can go to get advice from a team of experts to help you get the most enjoyment and reward from your lifestyle block.

We even wrote the manual to give you a hand!

FAR_05700

An introduction to keeping animals on lifestyle farms in New Zealand, designed to optimise nutrition, wellbeing and inspire confidence to try new ventures.

22 | THE FARMLANDER

So head into your local Farmlands store today to pick up your FREE copy.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | Š March 2017. All rights reserved.

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WHAT’S ON?

Industry innovation at East Coast Farming Expo Water systems, fertiliser options, cloud recording and stock yards – these are just some of the specialist exhibitors already confirmed for the upcoming East Coast Farming Expo.

Now in its second year, the expo will run over 2 days from Wednesday 5th to Thursday 6th April and will again be hosted by the Wairoa A&P Society at their showgrounds. The expo provides an exclusive and specialised environment for farmers and landowners to explore new ideas for sheep and beef farming in their region. Not only does it offer a unique opportunity for East Coast and Hawke’s Bay farming communities to interact face-to-face with industry innovators but it also provides an intimate and laid back platform for trade exhibitors to demonstrate and promote their forward-thinking products and services.

Expo manager Sue Wilson says exhibitor registrations are rolling in and they expect to fill all 50 trade sites. Seminar slots are also filling fast with organisers keen to offer a wide range of topics, just like at the inaugural expo in 2016.

“The expo will be a place where worthwhile conversations in a more relaxed atmosphere can begin – whether it be about new cattle yarding, water systems or genetics,” Sue says.

“Sheep and beef farmers from throughout the Hawke’s Bay, Wairoa and Gisborne regions will have the opportunity to have a one-onone conversation and learn about

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| Expo director Dave Martin and Expo manager Sue Wilson.

innovative farming ideas, to help them with their business, without having to travel too far. The expo literally brings it to the farm gate.”

He also urges land owners and farmers

The popular “Evening Muster” is again set down for the Wednesday evening, featuring a notable guest speaker.

research and technology, directly to a

“This social event is a great way for exhibitors and expo attendees to come together in a relaxed environment and enjoy the refurbished pavilion facilities and an entertaining speaker,” Sue says.

“Tickets for the Evening Muster are available online through the expo website, along with 2-day passes to the expo. Gate sales will also be available on the day.”

Expo director Dave Martin encourages new exhibitors to get in touch if they feel they have a product or service that complements what the expo is all about.

to put the event in their 2017 diary.

“The expo is the ideal opportunity to launch new products or release new target audience, in an environment that is laid back and relaxed,” Dave says.

“Exhibits must showcase innovative or technology based products and/or services for the East Coast sheep and beef industry, so attendees really are getting the best of the best, right on their doorstep. The opportunities for technology uptake in sheep and beef operations are huge in the 21st century, which is why it is simply a no-brainer to put this event on the calendar.”

For more information about the East Coast Farming Expo, visit www.eastcoastexpo.co.nz

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 23

CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

Crusaders conquer in Darfield South Island Super Rugby

watch the BNZ Crusaders take the

supremacy was on the line last

win, with a final score of 50-31.

month as the Farmlands Cup went

Farmlands Chief Executive Peter

up for grabs for the second time.

Reidie says it was great to see the

Following on from the success of

Farmlands Cup return after the

the inaugural Farmlands Cup fixture,

19-19 stalemate played in front

hosted by the Pulse Energy Highlanders

of a sell-out crowd last year.

in Waimumu last year, this time the BNZ

“The Farmlands Cup is all about

Crusaders played host to their southern

bringing rugby back to the grassroots

neighbours at the Darfield Rugby Club.

– the local communities that foster

It was a cracker of a day in Canterbury

our future All Blacks,” Peter says.

and crowds packed the stands to

“The Darfield Rugby Club was an

24 | THE FARMLANDER

obvious choice to host this event and we’re proud to bring Super Rugby teams to the country.”

A new grandstand was erected specifically for the unique event and Super Rugby supporters enjoyed the warm Canterbury weather on game day.

BNZ Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach says the event was a hit amongst the rural community last year and the Crusaders were thrilled to have the opportunity to continue with the event in 2017.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

“

The Farmlands Cup is all about bringing rugby back to the grassroots.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 25

NUTRITION st Kirwee 29th – 31 March 2017,

D N A L S I H T U O S E JOIN US AT TH

L A R U T L U AGRIC

7 1 0 2 S Y A D FIELD COME AND SEE US FOR FANTASTIC DEALS AND EXPERT ADVICE.

FARMLA N

DS (620

FARMLA N

DS (570

- 614)

- 564)

COVERE SITES D CATERIN G

FAR_05603

OFFICE

GRAB A GREAT DEAL With a whole host of exhibitors offering unmissable Field Days deals, you’re sure to grab a bargain.

EXPERTISE ON-SITE We’ll have all our specialists on-site from Fuel, Grain and Seed, Horticulture, Livestock, Lubricants, Nutrition, Real Estate and Rural Supplies to provide expert advice and answer your questions.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE! 26 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

NUTRITION

Feeding cows in late lactation Late lactation has to be one of

have long-term negative consequences

pasture quality in the autumn but the

the least controversial times

for pasture persistence. Cows that are

challenge to recover lost production

for supplementary feeding in

underfed in terms of quantity or quality

gets greater the deeper the trough.

New Zealand, with several key

will produce less milk and because

Some farms may have conserved

biological factors in its favour.

milk production drives appetite, will

forage that can be fed, which if high

enter a downward spiral. Conversely,

in fibre and low in protein may be a

cows that continue to milk well will

great complement to high protein lush

be driven to have strong appetites.

autumn grass. More straights and

One of the main objectives of

blends than ever before are available for

management in the last third of

feeding out in trailers, feedpads or in-

lactation is to set the cows up for the

shed. They can be low in major minerals

following lactation, which requires

like calcium, so it is worth reviewing the

a focus on body condition score.

total diet – especially as late lactation

Supplements can help to extend the

can be an important time for cows to

lactation length or increase body

replenish their reserves. At lower levels

condition gain, especially if the weather

of starch feeding – up to 2kg/head/day

does not permit good pasture utilisation

– you can take grain in and out of the

and there is a need to achieve pasture

diet relatively quickly without metabolic

management targets. Higher producing

issues, some extra magnesium can be

cows tend to have a lower substitution

helpful during changeable periods.

Pasture based production is largely

with supplementary feeds and a greater

The seasons can be a great leveller

dependent on the quality and quantity

desire to eat but may need more

and there is still time to recover

of pasture available to the cows at any

feed later in the season to gain body

somewhat from a poor patch and help

time. Summer over-grazing can deplete

condition, as they tend to partition

set the farm up for next season.

the energy stores of the plant and may

more energy to milk production.

cause a lag in pasture re-growth when

It can be useful to look back at

it rains. Supplementary feeding to help

lactation curves and consider

manage residuals can help reduce

where milk was lost or gained in

severe or repeated over-grazing that

recent seasons. High genetic merit

can result in plant death, which can

cows may respond more to a lift in

Substitution of pasture when feeding supplements is lowest in the autumn and lactating cows are energetically more efficient than dry cows. Late lactation cows are not suffering from lingering metabolic issues or hampered by the slow rise in dry matter intake which occur post calving. The distraction of mating and the burden of high summer temperatures should hopefully be behind them. Plus, it’s much easier to budget when you have a better idea of what the milk pay-out will be compared to the start of the season.

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

Article supplied by Dr. Rob Derrick, Nutritionist, Farmlands Nutrition.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 27

1 in12 WIN CHANCEE TO

ic A Class 6 i n 1 nt inme Enterta

System

NUTRITION

Bluettoothh AUX X in Cassett tte Playeer 3 Speed Turnntabble CD Player FM Radio

To enter, purchase either 2 x TUX Energy 25kg or 2 x TUX Country 25kg bags in the same transaction for one entry.

Follo Following purchase see staff member to register your details on the 1 in 12 competition sheet. 1 entry into the draw for each 2 x TUX 25kg purchased. Eligible purchase can also be a combination of either variety. Competition opens 01/03/2017 & closes either 04/04/2017 OR when the final square on a 1 in 12 competition purc sheet has been filled out (whichever occurs first). One draw per 1 in 12 competition sheet. Draws will occur on weekdays from 1.3.2017 to 30.4.2017. Winners notified shee within 2 business days. Full terms and conditions available in store or at www.tux.co.nz . Promoter is Nestlé New Zealand Limited trading as Nestlé Purina PetCare. with

COME AND SEE US AT THE WANAKA A&P SHOW The Wanaka Show is the second largest A&P show in the South Island and we want you to be part of it!

10th – 11th March 2017 8.00am - 5.00pm

Come and visit us at this iconic rural event, which celebrates the best of farming. The Farmlands site includes:

Show specials and great deals

Great hospitality options

Something for the whole family

FAR_06002

Farmlands is is proud to be the supporting partner of the Wanaka A&P Show.

28 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

NUTRITION

Bread is off the menu for ducks Recent media attention has highlighted the terrible side effects of a bread diet – what was once seen as a good deed for ducks.

to a duck’s health. Our traditional

That goodness is grown here, with

weekend diversion is causing

Topflite cultivating seed locally since

malnourishment and incurable

1974. When the company started

conditions related to vitamin deficiency.

“all the imported seed needed heat-

Ducks are iconic Kiwi companions. We

White bread is also destroying duck

treating to make it into the country”,

share our lakes, rivers, picnic spots

habitats. A build-up of organic

Greg says. “This process strips

and increasingly, our backyards with

matter in the water can lower oxygen

valuable nutrients from the seed.”

them. But our national habit of feeding

concentrations and increase the

In response, the Oamaru farm

bread crusts to ducks is damaging

presence of toxins harmful to waterfowl,

partnership planted their first sunflower

their health and our waterways.

such as botulism. Clearly, when it

crop. They have been creating high

That’s because, bread is junk food

comes to a balanced diet and a healthy

quality feed from the ground up

for ducks. High in calories and low in

environment for our avian friends,

nutritional value, white bread lacks

bread is not all it’s quacked up to be.

the vitamins and minerals essential

Ducks eat a specific and naturally

to focus on raising the standards of

diverse diet of plants, seeds and

bird and pet food in New Zealand.

ever since. With the introduction of Lucky Duck the company continues

insect protein. However they’ve had to make do with general poultry pellets when humans take charge of the feeding regime.

Local bird feed experts Topflite responded with Lucky Duck, the first duck-specific feed formulation in New Zealand. The introduction of Lucky Duck was “simple common sense”, Topflite General Manager Greg Webster says.

“We knew what the empty calories were doing and have been working for a while on a specific formula for ducks,” he says. “It’s not just a case of saying ‘bin the bread’ – you need to provide a healthy alternative that’s good for everyone.”

Intended for feeding wild ducks and backyard ducks, Greg says the blend “works best as a maintenance diet”. It contains nutritious oats and barley, kibbled maize and sorghum

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

as well as vegetable additions for those essential vitamins.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Article supplied by Topflite.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 29

NUTRITION

The unique nutritional requirements of alpaca Alpaca are interesting animals that are popular on New Zealand lifestyle blocks and farms. Alpaca are domesticated animals from South America and belong to the group ‘camelids’ along with camels and llamas.

They are well known for their high quality fibre renowned for its softness and lustre, which is used to make luxury clothing items. They also make great pets with friendly personalities.

Interestingly enough, they are used as herd protectors for grazing animals in some countries around lambing or kidding time, as they protect the newly born animals from predators such as foxes, eagles and canines, attacking them with their front feet.

Alpaca have even been used to protect chickens on free range farms from hawks right here in New Zealand!

Alpaca are very unique in terms of their digestive system and they are classed as ‘pseudo-ruminants’, as they have a similar digestive system to traditional ruminants – however they have three stomach compartments rather than four, lacking the omasum.

Transit time of consumed feed through the gastrointestinal tract

is slower in alpaca compared with other ruminants, which allows for a greater degree of fermentation of lower quality cell wall materials.

This means that alpaca are good ‘rough paddock feeders’ and can do well on poorer quality pasture compared to cattle or sheep.

Alpaca have some specific nutritional requirements that need to be taken into consideration when keeping them as they are predisposed to a number of nutrient deficiencies here in New Zealand, which is not surprising when we think of the environment they evolved in. Vitamin D (the ‘sunshine vitamin’) deficiency is common in alpaca, likely due to their evolution in sunny South America. This deficiency is exasperated in the winter months due to decreased sunshine hours.

Vitamin D plays an important role in bone development and deficiency during pregnancy and lactation can cause rickets in young cria, due to low vitamin D in colostrum and milk. Symptoms of rickets include bowed legs, shifting leg lameness, joint enlargement, a humpback appearance and a slowed growth rate. Supplementing pregnant and lactating alpaca with vitamin D is a necessity – non-pregnant and male alpaca will also benefit from vitamin D supplementation year round.

Polioencephalomalacia (PEM), inflammation of the brain due to a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, is a condition more commonly seen in alpaca compared to other animals.

The gut flora of ruminants and pseudo-ruminants usually produce enough thiamine to satisfy animal requirements, however thiamine

30 | THE FARMLANDER

production can be reduced in certain circumstances, for example when there is too much sulphur in the diet, or if the rumen is not functioning optimally. Some weeds are also suspected to play a role in thiamine deficiency, due to the presence of an enzyme that breaks down thiamine. Symptoms of PEM include lethargy, low appetite or neurological impairment (head and ear twitching, drooling and staggering). Once an animal is showing signs of neurological impairment, injected thiamine is required quickly to avoid death. Regular supplementation of thiamine for alpaca is the best way to prevent PEM cases arising.

Camelid nutrition experts have recorded that alpaca and llama do not show strong licking feeding behaviours. This means that using feed/salt blocks to supplement nutrients may not be particularly effective. Alpaca may still take interest in the blocks but they may not be able to consume sufficient amounts to meet their needs. For this reason, mineralised pelleted feeds or loose minerals are better options for supplementing alpaca.

Opting for an alpaca specific feed such as Reliance Alpaca Pellets or Reliance Alpaca Conditioning Mix, which both include nutrients such as vitamin D and thiamine, can help to keep your alpaca as healthy and productive as possible.

For more information on alpaca, pop into your local Farmlands team and pick up a copy of the Farmlands Lifestyle Guide.

Article supplied by Stacey Cosnett, Assistant Nutritionist, Farmlands Nutrition.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

NUTRITION

Equine digestive conditions The equine gastro-intestinal tract is a highly functioning structure that, when healthy, is extremely effective at digestion, energy conversion and nutrient absorption. However, certain aspects of the design of the equine gut can increase the risk of digestive conditions that can cause problematic symptoms.

The most common digestive problems seen in equines are gastric ulcers, which mainly occur in the stomach and hindgut acidosis, which can affect the large intestine, caecum and colon.

Both gastric ulcers and hindgut acidosis are common in all horses, however they are particularly high in performance horses. In racehorses, for example, ulcers are believed to occur in an estimated 50-90 percent of horses.

While there are many contributing factors and both conditions generally occur as a result of incorrect feeding practices and stress, horses can also be at risk when feeding practices are correct. Diagnosis can be tricky as both conditions can display similar symptoms. To make diagnosis even more difficult, the conditions can also both be asymptomatic, meaning no outward signs are displayed. However common signs include inappetance, grumpy behaviour, loose manure, mild colic and underperformance.

Gastric ulcers mainly occur through prolonged exposure of the nonglandular, upper part of the horse’s stomach to gastric acid. Unlike the lower, glandular portion of the stomach the upper portion does not have a mucous layer or secrete bicarbonate for protection. Horses produce gastric

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acid at a constant rate and stomach pH can decrease quickly if the horse does not eat frequently. Meal feeding and prolonged periods without access to forage is the number one cause of ulcers, as consumption of forage stimulates saliva production, which contains bicarbonate to buffer gastric acid and protect the non-glandular section of the stomach. Diets higher in grain also contribute to the risk of ulcers as grain and concentrate feeds have less of a buffering effect on the stomach and increase gastrin production, the hormone that stimulates gastric acid production.

and sugars escape digestion in the

Hindgut acidosis has two major causes – over-consumption of high starch concentrates or pastures rich in sugars known as fructans.

The delicate array of microbes that reside in the hindgut are dedicated to fibre digestion and fermentation and microbial disturbance and a drop in pH occurs when undigested starch

induced hindgut acidosis is one of the

small intestine and overflow into the hindgut. The limited capacity of the stomach and small intestine means that this can happen easily and keeping grain meals small is highly important in preventing this condition occurring.

Recommendations are to feed no more than 2.5kg of grain or concentrate feed per meal to an average 500kg horse.

If hindgut acidosis is occurring due to pasture exposure, the best mode of action is to restrict grazing and offer low sugar forage alternatives such as hay to ensure adequate forage is being consumed daily. Pasture most common causes of laminitis.

For further assistance and advice on preventing and managing digestive conditions in horses, consult a reputable Equine Nutrition Advisor.

Article supplied by Luisa Wood, Equine Nutrition Technical Advisor, Farmlands Nutrition.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | Š March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 31

p u g R u inter

NUTRITION

For w

o n i l l a v with ca

Cavallino horse rugs feature a heavy cotton lining, front gusset, pleated tail flap, crossover surcingles, removable leg straps, a quick release front closure system and buckle attachment on neck closure. Combo rugs include a wither gusset to reduce mane rub.

Cavallino dog rugs have a polar fleece lining with a waterproof yet breathable cover to keep your dog warm and dry. All rugs are designed with a velcro closure for a secure fit.

Silver Fern

Yorkshire

Westminster

Plaid Dog Rug

• 1,200 Denier Outer Turnout • Black with Reflective Fern • Available in Combo only

• 1,000 Denier Outer Turnout • Navy Plaid/Navy • Available in Combo, Rug and Neck rug

• 1,680 Denier Outer Turnout • Denim/Navy • Available in Combo only

• 1,000 Denier Outer Turnout • Navy Plaid

Available at your local Farmlands store!

FAR_06199

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NUTRITION

Comparing cereal grain options Cereal grains are a very popular food source for humans and animals around the world, with cereal grains constituting more food energy worldwide than any other type of crop.

A brief overview of the most popular types of grains fed to animals and some of the differences between them (typical average values stated with ranges we have seen in brackets).

Energy (MJ ME/ kgDM)

Cereal grains are an important

SSS% (Soluble Sugar and Starch, % Dry Matter)

Protein (% Dry Matter)

Fibre (NDF% Dry Matter)

18

A popular choice in New Zealand. Takes a little longer than wheat to break down in the digestive system, so seen as less “hot” than wheat and a safer option for horses and sometimes favoured over wheat for dairy cows in early lactation when gradually increasing feeding rates can be difficult during calving.

12

Breaks down in the digestive system faster than the other grain options and for this reason requires a little more careful transition period for ruminant animals but once transitioned, feeding rates can be increased by 1kg/head/day during inclement weather.

14

Tends to contain more rumen by-pass starch than other grains when fed to ruminant animals, which tends to support body condition rather than milk production compared to wheat and barley. Cost effectiveness can be greater in the North Island.

37

Lower in energy than the other grain choices but higher in fibre and unsaturated fats, which increases its appeal for use in horse diets. Not necessarily the best choice for highly productive animals where the higher energy grains offer more bang for buck.

supplementary feed source that is high in energy, predominantly coming from starch but may need careful

Barley

13.2 (12-13.5)

60

11.5 (10-15)

balancing with protein, major minerals and vitamins if comprising a significant portion of the diet. Cereal grains can

Wheat

be fed to a wide range of animals

13.8 (12.5-14.5)

70

12.5 (9-14)

including ruminants (e.g. cows and sheep) and monogastrics (e.g. pigs, horses and poultry), so are a versatile

Maize

14.0

72

8.5

option that can offer flexibility and production benefits if used carefully.

Some animals require grain to be

Oats

12.2

44

13

Notes

processed to some level before being fed to ensure optimum digestibility, so it’s worth taking this in to account when considering feeding grain. Adult cattle and pigs do not sufficiently break the seed coat of unprocessed grains during the ingestion process,

the grain into particles small enough to pass through a screen) are the most common methods. Cooking the grain is another way to make it more

which means that some un-cracked

digestible but boiling greatly reduces

grains enter the digestive system

keeping quality after the boiling

and therefore remain undigested

process. Steam flaking is a popular

right through to the dung. Nibbling

method as it cooks the grains without

animals such as sheep and goats

excess moisture followed by rolling,

consistently crack the grain sufficiently

which produces a highly palatable

when chewing. Physical activity in the gizzard makes up for bird’s lack of teeth, which enables them to eat whole grains with good utilisation.

There are many different ways to process grain in order to make it

feed with much less fine particles than dry processing. Pelletising grain is another option and this combines both the hammer milling and cooking process, which extends keeping quality

more digestible by the target animal.

compared to just rolling. Imported

Crushing (sometimes called rolling),

grains must be processed and heat

kibbling (breaking up into small

treated to prevent germination, which

chips) or hammer milling (breaking

strengthens demand for domestically

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produced grains. Grains are sometimes soaked in water before feeding to pigs and can be treated with caustic soda before feeding to cattle.

Cereal grains are not a balanced feed as they lack the protein (amino acids), calcium and micro and macronutrients required for health and performance.

Buying a grain based compound feed designed for a particular animal and/ or stage of production is a good way to feed grain with confidence and offers the potential to include more than one grain to tick more of the nutritional and target objectives.

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

Article supplied by Stacey Cosnett, Assistant Nutritionist, Farmlands Nutrition.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 33

FORAGE AND ARABLE

A strategic approach to long-term woody weed control There are a number of benefits to effective woody weed control on-farm.

• Protect the environment – woody weeds invade the dominant native vegetation if left unchecked.

critical and is dependent on many

• Increase the carrying capacity of your property – controlling woody weeds means there is more productive pasture available, which in turn allows you to carry more livestock.

• Control erosion – replacing woody weeds with dense competitive pasture (and correct grazing management) protects valuable top soil.

dense and covers a large area, it will

• Increase the value of your property – properties that are free of woody weeds are of greater value than those that are infested.

• Make mustering easier – large infestations of woody weeds such as gorse, broom and blackberry provide stock with a hiding place when being mustered.

• Reduce the risk of fire – large infestations of woody weeds are a fire risk, particularly during periods of prolonged dry weather.

• Reduce the incidence of vermin – large infestations of woody weeds provide the ideal habitat for vermin to breed, e.g. rabbits.

• Comply with government legislation – controlling declared woody weeds is the legal responsibility of the land owner.

• Minimise stock losses – some woody weeds are poisonous to stock and by controlling woody weeds you can minimise stock losses.

• Provide stock with easier access to water ways – because woody weeds flourish around water, stock may have reduced access to waterways.

34 | THE FARMLANDER

While controlling woody weeds is difficult, it is not impossible. Their persistent nature means that total control is not always achievable with a single herbicide application.

With the introduction of a threecycle programme, producers can ensure long-term and cost effective woody weed control.

Three steps to success Step One: Define the problem.

Draw a layout of your property and paddocks, identify and shade in areas of infestation.

Step Two: Develop a programme.

Begin with the end in mind – what is your objective? Identify the weed species in each paddock, determine the infestation density (scattered, medium, or dense), detail the size of the infestation (acres/ hectares) and develop a financial plan to determine the resources you have to control the problem.

factors such as weed species, density and growth habit. If the infestation is be most effective to apply Tordon™ BrushKiller XT aerially to knock down the infestation. If weed density is scattered and can be effectively accessed from the ground, applications of Apache™ herbicide will be a cost effective option. It is critical that you allow funds for a follow-up treatment in the next cycle or you might find that re-growth will return and if not treated your initial work could be wasted.

Cycle Two – Follow-up: This is vital, the aim is to follow up what was treated in the previous cycle. After your initial knockdown of large infestations, areas that you could not reach need followup. Apache herbicide is ideally suited for follow-up treatments where access to previously un-penetrable infestations are opened up allowing for thorough coverage from the ground using high volume gun and hose equipment.

Step Three: Apply the programme using the following three cycle plan to chart your success.

Three cycle plan Cycle One – Treat: The aim is to reduce the initial weed infestation to more manageable levels. Choosing the correct herbicide at this point is

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

Cycle Three – Check: Continue to check over time to ensure that no seedlings are getting away. Ensure that pasture forms an effective competitor against re-growth or seedlings. Tordon Brushkiller XT is ideally suited where new grass pastures are being established.

such as roads. Apache contains aminopyralid, a powerful woody weed herbicide providing fast knock-down and long lasting control. Systemic activity moves the chemical deep into the root system, killing weeds below the soil surface preventing re-growth.

As with most pests, prevention is better than cure. Treat the edges of large areas with Apache herbicide to prevent more weeds from spreading.

Clean up small scattered areas first and improve fencing so that livestock can graze on treated areas.

conditions to provide long-term

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

control of hard-to-kill woody weeds.

Article supplied by Dow AgroSciences.

It is well suited for use on farms and

™ Trademark

Apache is a new breakthrough

Herbicides applied at the right time, using the right rate and technique are often the most economical, effective and practical for long-term woody weed control. Before treating, ensure the woody weeds are actively growing and are not showing signs of stress.

herbicide designed and developed specifically for New Zealand

of the Dow chemical company.

in various other non-crop situations

ApacheTM 20g/100L - Blackberry Brownout % 90 80

80

80 70

68

65

60 % Brownout

60 50 50

43

40 30

21

23

20

15

20

10

10 0 25DAA 104014RA

27DAA 12005NE

29DAA 112004NE

35DAA 113001GW

47DAA 113003GW

56DAA 112001CP

Amino + Met 7.5 + 6gai/100L

65

68

60

80

80

43

Met 6 gai/100L

15

21

10

20

50

23

Axis Title Amino + Met 7.5 + 6gai/100L

Met 6 gai/100L

| Recently, Dow AgroSciences field researchers conducted Six individual trials at different locations to compare the efficacy of Apache to commonly used metsulfuron on drought stressed blackberry bushes. The results were conclusive, Apache (blue graph) consistently outperformed equivalent applications of straight metsulfuron.

Aminopyralid significantly increased the speed of brownout resulting in a more thorough kill and less regrowth.

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THE FARMLANDER | 35

FORAGE AND ARABLE

Cost effective undersowing options The practice of undersowing, where seed is drilled into old or failing pastures without spraying, is a common practice on most high performance farms. Pastures with low amounts of ryegrass will produce poorly over winter and spring. Whether pastures are starting to fail due to bug pressure, hard grazing or dry conditions, undersowing will often increase plant density, persistence and production.

Tonic plantain or Asset Italian ryegrass are both excellent options for undersowing, adding production and diversity to a thinning perennial pasture and ultimately boosting sward quality.

be carried through that extra winter

which is often too slow to establish

before rotating into cropping phases

effectively in undersowing situations.

such as chicory, fodder beet or maize.

More recently, Tonic plantain has been

Under normal grazing management

used in an undersowing capacity. Tonic

Asset AR37 will maintain a quality leafy pasture throughout late summer, with very low aftermath heading when compared to traditional Italian ryegrass.

“Asset AR37 has good survival and persistence through summer in our East Coast environment. This has allowed us to use Asset for undersowing into run out pasture. We also sow it as a pure

plantain is an upright, high quality, winter active plantain. Undersowing Tonic into a thinning perennial pasture can help boost production by creating more summer and autumn dry matter, as well as being a productive part of the pasture during the primary growth periods of late winter and

sward with clover which has persisted

spring. In comparison to Asset

well,” Tim and Elizabeth explain.

AR37, the use of Tonic plantain can

Asset is the only diploid Italian

provide a longer lived option with a

ryegrass available with the AR37

lifespan of two to three summers.

Tim and Elizabeth Powdrell farm on the 743ha Opoho Station, north of Wairoa.

In their sheep, beef and cropping system the Powdrells have been using Asset AR37 for undersowing with their first sowing in the autumn of 2014.

endophyte and can be successfully

Although undersowing can be an

undersown at lower rates (12-15kg/

effective method in many situations,

ha) than tetraploid options, saving

it should be noted that it is a short-

significant costs. Asset is also a dense

term solution. In cases where a

plant, which is a useful characteristic

pasture is severely damaged,

when grazing heavy cows on wet

it may be best to spray out the

Asset AR37 is regularly surviving into the second winter, which makes it an ideal 18 month grass for their system. The Powdrells’ paddocks can

paddocks. Being an Italian, Asset AR37

existing pasture and start over.

is fast to establish and has increased vigour in cooler autumn conditions compared to perennial ryegrass,

The best overall strategy for many farms may be a combination of three pasture renewal methods. The most damaged pastures should go through a cropping programme, some could be sprayed and drilled to perennial ryegrass with an appropriate endophyte and others undersown with Asset AR37 or Tonic plantain.

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

Article supplied by Agricom.

| Tim Powdrell on his Opoho farm.

36 | THE FARMLANDER

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

Timing is perfect to boost grass growth on-farm Keeping average pasture covers in sync with your autumn/winter feed budget and cow body condition score targets can be easier said than done at this time of the year.

But when you get it right, you’ll count the gains next spring.

pasture production by 30-50 percent

If you’ve come through summer on

significant amount of extra feed.

track with your targets, congratulations

Nufarm development specialist

and keep up the good work.

Cynthia Christie says March is

On the other hand, if covers are not

the ideal month to start planning

trending the way they should be, or if

autumn ProGibb applications.

you’d like to put a bit more feed into

“Many of the farmers we know who

your cows, or if you simply want to

use ProGibb in autumn say the best

extend lactation, there’s no better

results come from having that extra

time than now to reset the system.

grass available in the second to last

The most cost effective way to do

and last grazing rounds before the

this is with home grown feed. It’s

cows are dried off for the winter.”

cheaper than imported supplement

Two things need to be factored into

and it’s more efficient too.

the planning process, she says. The

One tool that has really proven

first is the recommended 21 day gap

itself in this context is ProGibb SG

between application and grazing – the

from Nufarm. That’s because New

second is autumn grass growth rates.

Zealand’s first and most widely

“Autumn ProGibb SG applications

tested plant growth regulator lifts

differ from those in spring because

more dry matter in just 3 weeks.

Adding that type of growth response to a paddock that normally produces 50kgDM/ha/day could be expected to result in growth rates of at least 75kgDM/ha/day, which is a

grass growth patterns are reversed. In spring, daily dry

Figure 1: Example of Annual Feed Supply and Demand Curve (cows wintered off farm)

matter growth is getting faster and faster but in autumn it is slowing down and you need

90

to take that into account.”

Apply ProGibb SG

80 kgDM/ha/day

70

One tactic that has proven

60 50

successful with autumn

40

ProGibb SG applications

30

is combining it with liquid

20 10

nitrogen (N). Many pastures

Apply ProGibb SG

are more deficient in N

0

Supply

Demand

particularly in autumn and even a small amount of

Demand exceeds supply

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

y Ma

r Ap

r Ma

b Fe

n Ja

c De

v No

t Oc

p Sa

g Au

l Ju

n Ju

Month

N often makes a big

| Treated.

| Untreated.

difference. This also allows farmers the chance to reduce costs of application by spraying both ProGibb SG and foliar N in one pass.

Grazing the pasture before ProGibb SG is applied is critical. For dairy pastures, ProGibb SG must be applied any time during the first 5 days after the cows leave the paddock – 1 to 3 days after grazing is best.

For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. ®

ProGibb is a registered trademark of Valent BioSciences Corporation, Libertyville, Illinois, USA. Article supplied by Nufarm.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 37

Selling weaners or rearing calves?

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

• Bluetooth communication – Apple and Android compatible • Reads both HDX and FDX • Rechargeable long life batteries • Electronic fast charge • Large back lit screen • Audible and vibration read alerts

FEBRUARY/MARCH/APRIL PROMOTION: Purchase 20 Allflex NAIT tags in February, March and April from Farmlands and go in the draw to win one of four Allflex RS420 Stick Readers* *Two readers will be drawn for the North Island and two for the South Island.

AVOID DELAYS, ORDER YOUR OFFICIAL WEANER TAGS FROM YOUR FARMLANDS STORE NOW Send to:

Please tick (✓)

Charge through (Reseller):

Cattle - BEEF Cattle - DAIRY Deer - VENISON Deer - VELVET Deer - TROPHY

Order No:

NAIT No:

NAIT Birth Tags Cattle tags white only

Please tick one, defaults to Cattle unless otherwise specified

Replacement Tags

Cattle

Cattle tags white only.

For animals that lose their birth tag.

Deer

Please tick one, defaults to Cattle unless otherwise specified Deer Cattle Qty required

Please tick one. Defaults to FDX unless indicated HDX – high performance Qty required

Year code (if required)

HDX – high performance FDX – low cost

FDX – low cost

Note: NAIT Deer Tags – female is orange and male has a colour choice other than white.

Range (ie 1-100 etc.)

Matching Management Tag sets (paired to the NAIT tag)

1 7

Please tick one, defaults to Cattle unless otherwise specified Cattle

Indicate colour:

1 7

Indicate FRONT tag colour

Indicate BACK tag colour

Animal No.

Animal No.

Deer

For clear paddock identification.

Ideal for your weaners or replacements.

Size options (tick one) Please tick one. Defaults to FDX unless indicated

FRONT tag

HDX – high performance

(Economy pack)

FDX – low cost

Button

+ Button

Medium

+ Medium

Qty required

Year code (if required)

BACK tag

Custom No.

Blank

Medium + Button

Matched to

Range (ie 1-100 etc.)

Large

+ Button

Large

+ Medium

Large

+ Large

Maxi

+ Large

Maxi

+ Maxi

Farm name FRONT

Farm name BACK

Have you got the correct ect NAIT applicator?

Identiplier

EID Lazamatic

Management Tag colours: Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink, White, Green, Blue, Purple, Brown, Black

Upper North Island: John Rutherford 027 446 5508 • Lower North Island: Mark McManaway 027 517 6693 • South Island: Steve Kelly 027 560 2699

FAR_06196

Best advice!

• Get your NAIT number (0800 624 843) or call your rural retail store for advice • Ensure all cattle moving have a NAIT tag • From the 25/8/2016 you must indicate a species designation

38 | THE FARMLANDER

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

When is the best time to treat dairy cows for gastrointestinal parasites?

As we head into autumn, the dairy farm focus shifts from thinking about this year’s production to setting up for a good season next year. The factors needing consideration include:

lower fertility (a cow calving at CS 4 will take on average 8-10 days longer to start cycling than if they calved at CS 5). This tends to result in a later calving date and up to 15 to 20kg milksolids less in the following season2.

during lactation. It also improves

Feed covers

Finance

improve your ability to maximise this

Pasture growth rates decrease as autumn progresses. If we wish to maintain or increase pasture covers prior to dry off, we have to bring in supplements, add nitrogen or dry cows off. Many farms will do a combination of all three. The target covers required for drying off and calving will vary from farm to farm, depending on the systems being run but generally covers required at both drying off and calving are very similar at around 2,200-2,400kgDM/ha1.

Maximising income from this season while not compromising next season’s income is always difficult to balance in a low pay-out year.

year’s income, while still meeting your

Cow condition Aim for a target condition score (CS) at calving of 5 for mature cows and 5.5 for first and second calvers2. Condition scores do not typically improve during the final month of pregnancy – a cow that is CS 4 must be dried off at least 2 months prior to calving and one that is CS 3 needs at least 4 months. Failure to achieve target condition scores at calving will result in decreased milk production (a cow calving at CS 4 will produce, on average, 2.3kg milksolids less than if she calved at CS 52) and

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

feed utilisation by removing the effects of the ingested L3 larvae for an extended period of time (e.g.

Ostertagia ostertagi for 35 days). Using Cydectin Pour-On in autumn will

CS and pasture cover targets. Visit www.cydectin.co.nz to calculate the potential return on investment you could achieve

Parasite challenge The parasite challenge is generally highest in the autumn. At this time cows are subjected to constant challenge from ingested L3 larvae.

This challenge has a cost and effectively decreases feed utilisation.

An analysis of 75 published trials3 has shown that treating cows for parasites can increase production by, on average, 0.35kg milk/cow/day.

The analysis also found that there was significant variation between trials: endectocides (such as Cydectin® Pour-On) produced better results than the other drenches, trials where treatment was given mid-lactation resulted in better responses than treatment at drying off or calving and first calvers had lower milk production responses than mixed aged cows.

using Cydectin Pour-On. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

Article supplied by Zoetis New Zealand Limited.

Cydectin is a registered trademark of Zoetis Inc. or its subsidiaries. ACVM No. A6203.

1.

DairyNZ, Pasture cover at calving. 2016.

2

. Macdonald, K. and J. Roche, Condition scoring made easy. 2008: DairyNZ. 36.

3.

Sanchez, J., et al., A meta-analysis of the milk-production response after anthelmintic treatment in naturally infected adult dairy cows.

Prev Vet Med, 2004. 63(3-4): p. 237-56.

Cydectin Pour-On has no milk or meat withholding, allowing you to use it

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THE FARMLANDER | 39

Works for you HORTICULTURE

Wherever, whenever, we’re there.

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All offers apply to Farmlands shareholders cards

40 | THE FARMLANDER

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HORTICULTURE

Managing Psa-V in kiwifruit The period between harvest and leaf-fall is a high risk for Psa-V in kiwifruit, with cooler and wetter weather favouring Psa-V infection in the autumn.

Wounds created at harvest provide ideal entry points for Psa-V and late season growth (especially in male vines) is particularly vulnerable to Psa-V. The application of approved protectant sprays is recommended immediately post-harvest to help protect fruit stalks, leaves and late season growth from Psa-V infection. This includes copper with the addition of ActigardTM where there is no risk of spray drift onto fruit.

The benefit of applying Actigard early post-harvest is that leaves are in better condition to absorb the systemic active

Actigard is likely to be less effective

ingredient (acibenzolar-S-methyl), to

when applied to leaves at an

provide up to 21 days’ protection. It

advanced stage of deterioration

can take 4 to 7 days for Actigard to

or after a significant frost event.

fully activate kiwifruit vines, so the

Growers should avoid applying Actigard

addition of copper is recommended

to vines already stressed due to frost,

for immediate protection and also for

high winds or excessive moisture. This

multiple modes of action against Psa-V.

means applying Actigard prior to, rather

Actigard should be applied at a

than after, high risk weather events.

rate of 200g/ha as a dilute spray in

To avoid the risk of residues when

conjunction with copper as soon as

applying Actigard post-harvest,

practical after harvest, with good

extreme care must be taken to

coverage of leaves, fruit stalks and leaf

avoid spray drift onto fruit in

scars required to optimise efficacy.

unharvested areas of the orchard or

Actigard can be applied to kiwifruit

neighbouring orchards. Sprayer tanks

up to four times per season.

must also be cleaned thoroughly

Depending on how many Actigard

before any other products are

sprays have been applied previously,

applied to unharvested vines.

up to two applications of Actigard

The precise mode of action of Actigard

can be applied at 21 day intervals

on Psa-V is not fully understood.

post-harvest if canopy condition

However, Actigard has consistently

For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Advisor or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

allows (i.e. leaves are still green).

shown to reduce the symptoms of

Article supplied by Syngenta.

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Psa-V by stimulating the natural self-defence system of kiwifruit via a response known as Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR). Trials in kiwifruit have shown that reducing the level of Psa-V infection in the autumn can help to reduce the symptoms of Psa-V in the following spring.

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THE FARMLANDER | 41

Works for you RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

GET THE TOOLS FOR THE JOB & EARN AIRPOINTS DOLLARS™

MITREREWARDS 10 MEGA & CHOICES POINTS WHEN YOU USE YOUR FARMLANDS CARD

CARD ADVERT

AT MITRE 10

Farmlands Card accepted at Mitre 10 and Mitre 10 MEGA

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RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Getting it right “The biggest satisfaction I get from my job is meeting a wide variety of farmers, understanding their unique needs and working with them to deliver the optimum stock water solution,” Iplex Pipelines Rural Territory Manager Chris Thomson says. Case in point was a recent development Chris became involved with on behalf of Farmlands Christchurch at Long Spur Farm.

This property has been farmed by William and Jo Innes for the last 30 years. Located north of the upper Rakaia River, on 980 hectares of hilly to rolling country, the couple wished to increase the stock carrying capacity of a 60 hectare block to 150 cattle and 150 calves. William identified that this 65 percent increase to 50 LSU/hectare couldn’t be achieved

without upgrading the current stock water system.

This is where Chris became involved. “The stock water on this part of the property was supplied by a series of dams, with all their inherent issues – difficult access, uncertain supply, poor water quality and high upkeep costs.

Fortunately a spring fed pond, located at height, was capable of supplying enough water to meet the increased stock numbers peak water demand.”

This allowed the design of a low cost, gravity reticulation system, with no ongoing pumping costs. There | Long Spur Farm pipeline route. were issues to resolve however. These included the need to manage the compared to traditional Alkathene high static head and a problematic and the various Plasson compression pipeline route, through trees and fittings options available to connect down into a gully. Surveying the the system together. Installation by property established where a break a local rural contractor also went pressure tank needed to be located smoothly. This block of land will to manage the excessive pressure now be more productive and I have and select the correct diameter and the option of extending the system pressure classes of pipe required. further, without the need to increase A mixture of 40mm and 32mm Greenline and Redline metric OD pipe, supplying a single trough in each of the eight paddocks was the outcome.

Recognising future plans to have higher stock numbers on additional lower paddocks also saw extra water delivery capacity built into the system, with the break pressure tank also functioning as an additional water reservoir.

“I couldn’t be happier,” William says.

“It was good to have Chris talk me through the things like the hydraulic advantage of metric OD PE pipes

the mainline pipe diameter.”

“The Innes’ needs were specific to their property and outcome they desired,” Chris says. “Every stock water system is different and no two jobs are the same. It’s great to have a new challenge every day and work with people to achieve great outcomes.”

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

Article supplied by Iplex Pipelines.

| William Innes and Chris Thomson.

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Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 43

Works for you RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

FREE TYRE

2015-2016

Buy three selected car or 4x4 Bridgestone tyres* and get the fourth tyre FREE. PLUS EXCLUSIVE FARMLANDS PRICING ON AGRICULTURAL TYRES.†

0800 80 20 80

bridgestonetyres.co.nz

For full terms and conditions and offer dates please refer to www.bridgestonetyres.co.nz or see in-store. *Offer valid from Monday, February 27 until Friday, March 17 2017.

Buy three get the fourth free promotion applies to selected Bridgestone branded car and 4x4 tyres excluding all van and commercial tyres. See our website for full list of exclusions. Normal fitting and balancing charges apply. Savings are off current in-store regular point of-sale price. In all instances the lowest value tyre will be given free of charge. All tyres must be fitted in-store at the time of purchase. Offer is available strictly while stocks last. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or offer. Please see in-store or our website for details www.bridgestonetyres.co.nz. †For agricultural tyre pricing, please ask in store for details.

44 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Save money and meet industry milk chilling regulations We can’t change the regulations but many farmers are now saving money on their new milk chilling systems, especially when using the new large 25,000 or 30,000 litre poly foam insulated polyethylene water tanks within their ‘double bank plate cooler’ systems.

journey around the plates on the right

The ‘double bank plate cooler’ has

money but is also very quick. On one

milk flow through each side of the

farm with this system operating, the

cooler unit. On the left of the system

manager says he has saved $350.00

it is chilled after leaving the cow by

on his electricity costs in comparison

using ordinary spring or ground water,

to the same month the previous year,

which brings the milk down to 16-18

milking 900 Friesian/Jersey cross cows

degrees. The milk then continues its

without the new system operating.

hand side and then to and from the insulated tank that has the water at 6 degrees. This brings the milk into the collection vat at around 8 degrees or sometimes less. So the vat only has to cool the milk at the most 2 degrees.

This system not only saves you Foamed Insulation Layer Outside Polyethylene Layer

The added benefit of using these large, insulated polyethylene tanks is their one piece corrugated construction, which allows them to be buried up to 1 metre in the ground, further increasing its insulation properties and saving more energy costs.

The large tank allows enough chilled water for production during the whole day and then uses the same 25kW chiller hooked to the milk vat to chill the tank water using off peak overnight power.

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

Article supplied by Promax.

| The large poly foam has been studied by the Centre for Advanced Composite Material at Auckland University. The study showed power savings of up to $13.00 per day when using these insulated tanks. A 30,000 litre insulated tank would pay for itself within a year.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 45

Works for you CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

CARD ADVERT

46 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

Farmlands Contact Centre committed to improving shareholder experience Farmlands is committed to providing quality service, products and support at all times – and our Contact Centre team work hard to help us achieve this goal.

The team at the Farmlands Contact Centre work hard to answer all phone calls within 30 seconds. But during busy periods, especially from the 8th to the 20th of each month or on Mondays, the team often experience very high call volumes and the wait time can exceed more than 30 seconds before callers get to speak to a Customer Service Representative.

Farmlands knows that callers don’t want to wait on the phone listening to hold music, so that is why we have made some improvements to our Contact Centre phone system. One of the great new functions that our phone system can offer callers is the option to leave a call back request.

Our phone system now recognises how long callers have been waiting for their call to be answered. Once a certain waiting time threshold has been reached, the caller will be offered the option to leave a request to be called back by one of our Customer Service Representatives. If they chose to do this, our phone system can recognise the phone number they are calling from or they can enter an alternate phone number to be called back on – and then they will be asked to leave a brief message. Callers will retain their position in the queue and

then will receive a call back from a Customer Service Representative.

This new function has already proven to be very handy for many callers, as they are able to get on with other activities safe in the knowledge that Farmlands will call them back – and they avoid the frustration of being tied up on the phone listening to hold music while our Customer Service Representatives help other callers.

Farmlands hopes that this great new function will improve the quality of every shareholder’s experience with the Farmlands Contact Centre, especially during peak periods.

The Farmlands Contact Centre team is available Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 5.30pm and on Saturdays from 9.00am to 12.30pm. Call 0800 200 600 to speak to one of our friendly Customer Service Representatives.

|

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THE FARMLANDER | 47

Works for you CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

LOOK AFTER YOUR VEHICLE WITH LONG LASTING PRODUCTS FROM BLACK DUCK. Mud grabba

Floor mats

Super tough

Seat covers

ORDER ONLINE OR GIVE US A CALL!

5% SHAREHOLDER REBATE

48 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

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WHAT'S IN-STORE?

Rat control made even easier A new lure system is making pest control even easier for many New Zealand business owners.

New Zealand conservation company Goodnature has made another innovative move in the bid towards pest eradication by creating the Automatic Lure Pump for rats. The lure device, which is being released this month, will enhance Goodnature’s selfresetting A24 trap by removing the need to check traps as often.

The Automatic Lure Pump (ALP) is the brainchild of Goodnature director and founder Robbie van Dam. “We developed these traps for the Department of Conservation whose science told them that a resetting trap would enable vulnerable native species to recover in mainland islands,” Robbie says. “What limited the scale of those islands was the cost of labour to sustain constant control.”

The Automatic Lure Pump is a twin chambered foil pouch with the lower chamber containing long life lure and the upper one empty. A gas cell is activated in the upper chamber, which slowly pressurises over 6 months causing fresh lure to extrude from the lower chamber across that time.

It means that the A24 trap is always attractive to rats throughout the period.

Tested and endorsed by DOC, the ALP combined with the Goodnature A24 trap reduces the labour maintenance cost of rat trapping by 90 percent.

“The Automatic Lure Pump unlocks

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

the true potential of the A24 selfresetting trap,” DOC predator expert Darren Peters says. “It means with similar budgets we can protect significantly larger tracts of forest and, crucially, recover our species. A trap’s only as good as its ability to attract and then act.”

The lure dispensing system reduces trap checks to just two per year, taking Goodnature’s constant rat control offering to a new level of ease – keeping your traps attracting the next rat rather than it waiting for the trapper to return and refresh the lure.

Bay of Plenty orchardists Geoff and Leny Leong were early adopters of the Goodnature Automatic Lure Pump when they switched late last year from static lure bottles, which required monthly trap visits to their A24 network.

“When we installed our A24 network at the end of 2015 we thought a monthly visit to refresh the lures was pretty good,” Leny says. “But to only get around them twice a year now makes those monthly checks seem like a hassle!”

Gary Coker of Rotorua Canopy Tours has also been impressed with the ALP. The award winning adventure tourism business deployed the timesaving devices late in 2016 on their 200ha Goodnature network in the Mamaku Range. “They’re awesome. I came back past a trap I’d set a week earlier and it had 11 dead rats under it.”

As for the Leong Orchard, Leny says they’d recommend the ALP to other orchardists and also community

| 11 rats humanely killed at Rotorua Canopy Tours by the Goodnature A24 with Automatic Lure Pump.

conservation groups. “It’s one less job to do on the orchard and for a community group it means less drain on volunteer time, so you can focus on other things.”

The Goodnature Automatic Lure Pump can be retrofitted into all A24 traps and is available as an individual trap consumable through your local Farmlands store.

Article supplied by Goodnature.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 49

Works for you CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

get your new IT needs for cos%t *

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We can train, set up & offer remote support $

239

$

Incl GST

998

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Incl GST

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HP 24” Pavilion Touchscreen AIO Desktop HP 15.6” Silver/Black Pavilion Full HD Notebook NLX

Brother A3 Multifunction Printer

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Call 0800 555 989 or chat to us online noelleeming.co.nz

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noelleeming.co.nz/techsolutions

proud to be Kiwi

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- over 40 years’ experience

*Cost + 5%^ Terms and Conditions: Offer begins Monday 13 March and ends Sunday 19 March 2017, while stocks last and is available at Noel Leeming stores nationwide. *Cost is inclusive of GST and reflects the average invoiced purchase price of the product, but does not include any volume related adjustments which may apply. ^Offer does not apply to any Noel Leeming Gift Card purchases, Tech Solutions Service Fees, Life Prints Photo Centres product & services, extended warranties, laybys, delivery fees, all Apple products (including iPhone), Gaming consoles and bundles, iTunes cards, mobile phone top up cards, bonus, free or half price items. Offer is not available at any Noel Leeming Clearance Centre, Lifestyle Appliances or online.

Standard Fly Buys points consists of 1 standard point for every $25 you spend at Noel Leeming. Prices correct as of Friday 10 February 2017. You must present your Farmlands Card in store to be eligible for the discount.

50 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

Choices Rewards brings you the best from Farmlands Card Partners – with more than 1,500 rewards, you’ll find everything you need!

Beach House Old School Chardonnay 2015

Picton Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Rockburn Stolen Kiss Rosé 2016

12 bottles per pack.

12 bottles per pack.

3 bottles per pack.

2,600 Choices Points

2,000 Choices Points

950 Choices Points

Shearwater by Astrolabe Pinot Gris 2014

Six Fingers Gimblett Road Merlot Cabernet Malbec

Smoking Loon California Chardonnay 2014

12 bottles per pack.

12 bottles per pack.

3 bottles per pack.

2,000 Choices Points

2,600 Choices Points

700 Choices Points

Products provided by Farmlands Card Partner Advintage.

FAR_06203

Redeem on our huge range of gift vouchers!

So what will you choose?

To redeem, visit www.farmlands.co.nz/choices or call 0800 200 600, option 4.

Goods available from 1st - 31st March 2017. While stocks last.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

You Co-operative must be 18Society years or older to redeem andreserved. collect Farmlands Limited | © March 2017. All rights

Choices Rewards Points alcohol.

THEforFARMLANDER

| 51

Works for you CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

CARD ADVERT

52 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FARMLANDS CO-OPERATIVE LIVESTOCK NEWS

CANTERBURY FEATURE HERD 700 MAINLY CROSSBRED COWS BW 70 PW 100 RA 93%

GRAZING AVAILABLE Farmlands monitored grazing gets results! We are committed to dairy heifer grazing and getting your valuable heifers up where they need to be to compete in your herd.

Right now we have grazing available in most regions across the South Island, with experienced graziers either with irrigation or in summer safe areas.

This hard working commercial herd is hard to fault. The cows are producing an average of 400kg milksolids on a mainly grass based system. Calving from 28th July to LIC Friesian premier sires. These sharemilker owned cows have a favourable age split and are capable of performing under any system. The average somatic cell count is just 60,000.

We also have winter contracts available for in-calf cows and heifers in both islands and can forward contract winter feed crops on a cents per kg of dry matter basis.

$2,200 + GST p/h Further information contact Grant McIlroy on 027 345 9262.

Contact your local Farmlands Livestock Representative or Grazing Manager, Richard van Wynbergen on 027 445 6056 for details.

DAIRY LIVESTOCK FOR SALE Area

Tally

Description

BW

PW

RA

Calving $ + GST

Agent

Herds (June Delivery) Waimate

233

Very high BW herd, possibly highest on the market

128

184

100%

1.08.17

$2,475

Philip Webb 027 801 8057

Northland

250

Quiet Jersey cows milked on limestone, will shift well

103

118

99%

7.07.17

$2,100

Blair Sidwell 021 325 325

Canterbury

950

Friesian/Friesian X very tidy, young herd 400+ M/S

50

70

67%

29.08.17

$1,950

Richard van Wynbergen 027 445 6056

Woodville

220

Outstanding Jersey and Jersey X herd, LIC 70 years

99

106

98%

6.08.17

$2,200

Philip Webb 027 801 8057

Canterbury

800

Friesian/Friesian X CRV Ambreed, tidy udders

29

39

74%

1.08.17

$1,850

Sam Kingston 027 292 6104

Hawke’s Bay

150

Friesian/Friesian X C/O cows, syncro mated to AB

88

116

99%

23.07.17

$1,800

Chris Johnston 027 257 4091

Southland

400

Pick from 700 young, hard working cows, Friesian and X

70

90

N/A

1.08.17

$1,800

Scott Gibson-Smith 027 255 8501

Waikato

110

Friesian and Friesian X heifers

90

100

15.07.17

$1,600

Jason Duncan 021 170 5254

Canterbury

140

Friesian content from capital line, well grown

103

110

1.08.17

$1,800

Andy Stringer 027 421 1686

$800

John Travers 021 841 592

R2 Heifers (May Delivery)

R1 Heifers (Delivery Now) Waimate

200

Crossbred calves by nominated Friesian sires

69

79

N/A

FAR_06276

For further information, contact the Farmlands Livestock team: livestock@farmlands.co.nz 0800 200 600 www.farmlands.co.nz

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | Š March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 53

James and Nigel Fraser, North Canterbury.

CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

Card savings that hit our bottom line – that works for us.

Works for you

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2% shareholder rebate.

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Contact us for a quote or to add services to your Farmlands Account.

0800 200 600 | ask@farmlands.co.nz | www.farmlands.co.nz/card | Ask in-store 54 | THE FARMLANDER

Card Partner Terms and Conditions apply.

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | Š March 2017.

All rights reserved.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

FARMLANDS FUEL

Farmlands Fuel enhances service to shareholders Here at Farmlands, we are always looking for innovative ways to enhance the services we offer to our shareholders.

in industry compliance standards and

we need it and Farmlands wants to

have worked closely with our technical

make sure those standards are met.

field team so that they now have the

If you would like to find out more

resources to assist with compliance

information about Farmlands Fuel and

Over recent months, we have delivered new technology and tools to our technical field based team to enable them to provide expert advice and product knowledge about Farmlands Fuel service and on-farm delivery.

issues around fuel storage planning.

receiving bulk fuel deliveries direct to

In addition to this, our technical field

your property, please contact your

team can now assist with reviewing

Farmlands Technical Field Officer

fuel requirements to ensure you are

today. They will be able to provide

receiving the most efficient service

you with more information regarding

and to ensure our delivery schedule

fuel compliance, walk you through

Our Farmlands Fuel team prides themselves on being market leaders

reflects your seasonal usage. Let’s face

Farmlands Fuel’s service offering

it – we all expect fuel in the tank when

and provide you with a quote.

Tank up!

Overhead Fuel Tank

$

.00

2,490

• • • •

Minimum 900 Litres Safe Fill level* Fixed ladder with work platform 4m hose with manual nozzle Clear bowl water blocker filtration

Excl. GST Plus freight

SAVE OVE R

$500

ivery!

ril del

Order

r Ap ow fo

n

Call the Farmlands Fuel team on 0800 666 626 - Option 3, or visit www.farmlands.co.nz/fuel

FAR_06 AR_06099 099

*Terms and Conditions apply. Tank model may vary from picture by Island between 925 and 1,000 litres capacity. Image indicative only.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 55

CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

FOOTWEAR FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE Mossburn

Ambler

Classic

Hunter

Gladstone

Kaweka Moss

Available at your local Farmlands store!

0800 200 600 FAR_06264

www.farmlands.co.nz 56 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

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Works for you CO-OPERATIVE NEWS

IN TR OD UC

TO

Reconnect with the world around you

RY OF FE R

Your Exclusive Farmlands Hearing Plan: Free Hearing Test and 7.5% Farmlands Shareholder Rebate on Hearing Devices* Call 0800 522 422 or visit bloomhearing.co.nz to book your appointment today! *Terms & Conditions apply.

EXCLUSIV

TO FARMLANDE

S SHAREHOLDERS

ONLY 600 Amp Batteryless Jumpstarter Simple and safe 60 second quick charge energises direct from a weak/drained battery or any 5V 2A USB port. Suitable for 12V vehicles up to 4L petrol and 2.5L diesel. (RUJ600)

Steel Loading Ramps

Easy Set-Up Gazebo

Ratchet Tie Downs

1.8 metre long fixed length.

227kg capacity per ramp.

(MPSLR)

3m x 3m, 2.8m high at centre.

Sturdy steel frame. Carry case has wheels for easy movement.

(FGA-3x3)

10 assorted pieces With bungee. g (RTDA10) ( )

Ezi-Connect Trailer Harness 100% Toolless wiring solution to wire up your trailer without fuss.

(T24LDUB) 4

Quick disconnect point for trailers with removable tailgates

5

6

1. Interchangeable trailer plugs 2. Main loom connector 3. Main loom 4. Right side lamp 5. Number plate lamp 6. Left side lamp

3 2 1

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85 Stores Nationwide • OPEN 7 DAYS • repco.co.nz • 0800 800 878 *Excludes already reduced, promotional and clearance items.

Prices apply to shareholders using Farmlands Card only. Valid until 31 March 2017. E & OE.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 57

REAL ESTATE

Haupouri Farm Park An exclusive lifestyle Hawke’s Bay shareholders, Warwick and Juliet Hansen, are the current custodians of Haupouri Station. The couple are preceded by six generations of the Gordon family and, along with daughters Hilary and Bridget, make up generations seven and eight.

bred horses to accompany the pool of talented riders. Warwick Hansen partnered up with David Kirk, ex All Blacks captain and together they turned their dream into a reality. New Zealand Performance Horses breeds between 15 and 25 foals annually that are raised on the coastal hills of Hawke’s Bay.

History sometimes brings entitlement but Warwick and Juliet couldn’t be more removed, rather they are committed to preserving the land and wildlife while leaving a diverse and profitable rural land holding as their legacy.

Initially a collaboration with the local council, the Haupouri Farm Park concept grew from a conservation stand point.

Latterly, David Kirk has partnered with the Hansens, replacing the council’s involvement. David and Brigit Kirk purchased the Haupouri homestead in 2015 and are spending more and more time at the station.

Haupouri Station predominantly breeds ewes and winter finishes bulls as well as being home to New Zealand Performance Horses, the largest sport horse breeder in the Southern Hemisphere. In 1995, Warwick – an accomplished Grand Prix show jumper – decided New Zealand needed better

Located at Ocean Beach, which is a 15 minute drive to Havelock North, Harpouri Farm Park offers exclusive lifestyle living. Appealing features of privacy and seclusion are coupled

Haupouri O

58 | THE FARMLANDER

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

REAL ESTATE

with prime location and access to several beaches. Sections are centrally located within the station and residents are surrounded by the daily activities of a busy farming enterprise.

Rural vistas are vast and have a distinctly equine focus.

For those with a keen interest in preserving wildlife, Cape Sanctuary, the largest privately owned and funded wildlife restoration project in New Zealand, is situated partly on Haupouri Station with the Hansen family owning a third.

A predator-proof fence stretching 10.6km across the neck of the peninsula from coast to coast was completed in 2007 and prevents predators reinvading the 2,500 hectare headland. The land owners’ aim is to restore breeding colonies of sea birds and land birds. Today several species of birds, reptiles and invertebrate call the sanctuary home including tuatara, takahe and brown kiwis, which were introduced in 2008.

Warwick and Juliet envisage that the farm park will have a strong resident’s association, which will protect the rights of all owners. David Kirk has volunteered to chair the association

initially and a pavilion on the beach for social gatherings has already been proposed. The intrinsic nature of this rural lifestyle offers a simpler pace of life, a relaxed beach holiday feel and is an ideal retreat to build your country/beach home, away from the city noise and pace.

On the other hand, with fast internet access and with Napier Airport only 30 minutes away, Haupouri Farm Park is balanced to allow busy professionals a home away from home with all the amenities to work when necessary.

Next on the Hansen’s development plan is to build a new equine adjustment facility on Haupouri Station. The facility, with several all-weather arenas, will cater for show jumpers and further enhances the capabilities of New Zealand Performance Horses, plus the character of Haupouri Farm Park.

Haupouri Farm Park is a unique sanctuary in the Hawke’s Bay that you can be part of. For further information, call Paul Evans and Mark Johnson at Farmlands Real Estate Hastings.

Property ID: HS1035 www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

Haupouri Farm Park Located at Ocean Beach, a 15 minute drive to Havelock North.

Appealing features of privacy and seclusion are coupled with prime location and access to several beaches. Sections are centrally located within the Haupouri Station. Rural vistas are vast and have a distinctly equine focus. With fast internet access and Napier Airport only 30 minutes away, allowing busy professionals a home away from home with all the amenities to work when necessary. Sections range from 2,500m2 to 4,300m2 and are priced from $350,000 to $800,000.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Paul Evans Lifestyle/Rural 027 533 3314 paul.evans@farmlands.co.nz Mark Johnson Lifestyle/Rural 027 487 5105 mark.johnson@farmlands.co.nz

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 59

REAL ESTATE

Property ID: LN1490

A trophy lifestyle

www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

An outstanding property located 20 minutes south of Christchurch with many options for business or pleasure.

Commercial buildings with private entrance, two large paddocks, established shelter, 1,000 olive trees plus hazelnut and fruit trees. A cute cottage with a separate entrance and a substantially re-modelled homestead with four living spaces including a gentleman’s club with billiards table, wine cellar and private courtyard. Light and bright, this home has a warm and welcoming feel for fun, farming or family. Price by negotiation.

60 | THE FARMLANDER

John Davison Lifestyle/Rural 027 436 4464 john.davison@farmlands.co.nz

Ron Ferguson Lifestyle/Rural 027 498 6256 ron.ferguson@farmlands.co.nz

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | Š March 2017. All rights reserved.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

REAL ESTATE

WIP

Property ID: WG1022 www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

Time to look North!

Well balanced 815 hectare property situated in Maungaturoto, central Northland. 530 hectares in 15 titles and 284 hectares in 1 title (currently leased), our Vendor’s preference is to sell as one. 530 hectares fenced into 28 paddocks with approximately 15 paddocks deer fenced. The 284 hectare title has two limestone quarries. Three dwellings, two woolsheds, two sets of cattle yards, two hay barns, two implement sheds, purpose built deer shed, fertiliser bin and airstrip. Tender closing 4pm, Monday 3 April 2017 (unless sold by private treaty).

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Tom Hackett Lifestyle/Rural 027 498 2908 tom.hackett@farmlands.co.nz

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | Š March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 61

REAL ESTATE

Property ID: TU10865

First dairy farm opportunity

www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

Situated in Waimate, South Canterbury – 158 hectare dairy farm with a 115 hectare milking platform. Irrigated with consent for 36 litres per second. 40 aside herringbone shed with Waikato Plant and automatic cup removers. Target production of 147,956kgMS from 385 cows. Three bedroom home with open-plan kitchen/ dining, wood burner and heat pump. Four-bay calf shed, 4-bay implement shed, 7-bay workshop and cattle yards. Modern dairy pasture species over the majority of the milking platform.

Opportunity for further development. Price by negotiation.

Merv Dalziel Lifestyle/Rural 027 439 5823 merv.dalziel@farmlands.co.nz

Simon Richards Lifestyle/Rural 027 457 0990 simon.richards@farmlands.co.nz

Property ID: IN2016

Outstanding opportunity

www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

This 301 hectare property is located in a very strong farming area at Greenvale in the Waikaka district. Currently being farmed as a dairy support block, if desired it could accommodate running sheep with minimal work, as the farm has a majority of the original netting fences. Complementing the property are three 3-bay hay barns, a 5-bay implement shed plus workshop, woolshed with covered yard area and a three bedroom homestead nestled in an attractive garden setting. Deadline sale closing 12pm, Wednesday 5 April 2017 (unless sold prior).

62 | THE FARMLANDER

Derek Ayson Lifestyle/Rural 027 667 9601 derek.ayson@farmlands.co.nz

Allan Thompson Lifestyle/Rural 027 201 0410 allan.thompson@farmlands.co.nz

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | Š March 2017. All rights reserved.

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

REAL ESTATE

Flat, fertile and ready to go

Property ID: MT1026

Scenic Dairy Limited

Property ID: MT1014

82 hectare dairy unit (subject to final survey) located in Otorohanga with a modern three bedroom home with separate flat, 25 aside herringbone dairy with a Milfos plant and 350 cow circular yard plus support buildings. Milking 275 cows and having a 3 year average production of 93,445kgMS with calves on. Tender closing 2pm, Wednesday 8 March 2017 (unless sold by private treaty).

411 hectares located midway between Putaruru and Tokoroa.

A range of superior improvements include three modern brick homes, 80 bail rotary dairy shed, 16 aside hospital unit, 800 cow feed pad and a range of calf/implement sheds. The farm is consistently growing more grass, which is seeing inputs steadily reduced in accordance with the overall farming objective. Price by negotiation.

Ian Morgan 027 492 5878

Ian Morgan 027 492 5878

Hidden in a valley

Property ID: MT1021

Slick, one man operation

Property ID: MT1002

Situated 11km from Cambridge, this 118 hectare property has been farmed for the last 20 years by the present owners. The property comprises a well appointed three bedroom home with aluminium joinery, remodelled kitchen and a sleep-out for your teenagers or visitors. With ample sheds, cattle and sheep yards and plenty of grass, this farm should be yours. $3,500,000 plus GST (if any).

109 hectare dairy unit located in the Rotorua District. This very efficient, one couple dairy unit milks 260 cows with production up to 112,000kgMS. Good races, fences and water supply. Near new 36 aside herringbone dairy shed with a NuPulse plant and automatic cup removers, two 5-bay implement sheds, two hay barns and a calf shed. Stock and plant available for purchase. $3,250,000 plus GST (if any).

Glen Murray 027 488 6138

Ian Morgan 027 492 5878

WWW.FARMLANDS.CO.NZ

Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | Š March 2017. All rights reserved.

THE FARMLANDER | 63

See more than your crops grow this season.

3x

From 22nd February - 31st March 2017 you can TRIPLE your Choices Rewards Points on your Ballance fertiliser* purchases through your Farmlands account.

Plus with our expert in-store or on-farm technical advice, and competitive pricing and payment options, you can expect a great growing season!

Call 0800 200 600 now, visit your nearest Farmlands store or book an appointment with your local Technical Field Officer.

* Uplift from Ballance by 30th April 2017 to qualify.

Choices Rewards Points when you purchase Ballance fertiliser for a limited time.